Incoming Transmission: Undisclosed Location Operative: Agent X “Agency!  Do you read?!  This is X.  We are under fire!  Repeat: We are under fire! Heavy concentration, too many for us to handle. Commence Operation Incense – activate ALL SLEEPERS.  Authorization DELTA.” *  *  *  *  *  * I sent that distress message two days ago from a makeshift bunker in the middle of nowhere.  My unit was en route to an assignment deep in enemy territory, under the radar, black-ops.  I can’t tell you everything.  And all this is off the record. We were moving through the desert, fighting the wind and sand in our faces with every step.  We had been briefed on the difficulty ...

This topic is heavy and dark, but I think it is so necessary to address depression with moms. Most of us have dealt with it at some point, and some of you may be drowning in it even now. Just to let you know, you are not weird, ruined or disqualified if you experience depression. Actually, you're in pretty good company! And, you are not destined for depression - there is a way out! After I had my first baby, I found myself at home all the time, exhausted, with a fussy infant who had eating issues. There was no remnant of my former life - I was completely engulfed in stay-at-home motherhood. Even though being at home with my baby was my desire, it wasn't living up to its former appeal, ...

Every once in a while, amid my stacks of unwashed dishes, piles of laundry and uber-sticky floors, I have a moment of clarity. It’s like the secret door to sanity is revealed, and through that doorway I see the illuminated pathway of motherhood appearing to me—the things that really, truly matter. Those things that my children MUST learn from me, even if I go to my grave working them, instilling them and praying them into their hearts and minds. It is way too easy for me to get caught up with schoolwork and how my daughter is progressing in math. (God help me!) Far too often I find myself engulfed in the discipline issue of the day—which currently, is choosing a GOOD ATTITUDE over ...

Several years ago, I sat alongside two other church women in a living room full of young wives and mothers. We had been invited to be panelists who would give opinions and “wise” answers to their questions about marriage and family issues. We had fun! The younger ladies had great questions—about how to stay spiritually focused and still let your husband be the spiritual leader, about personality differences, about becoming a mother, about how to honor your husband in the real world. What I loved about the other ladies on the panel was their love for God’s word. They had scriptures coming out everywhere and wonderful truth to hand these younger girls. But one thing stuck out to me ...

Better than a BOGO + triple manufacturer’s coupon + store coupon combo … Better than a designer “hand-me-down” in your exact size, WITH tags still on it … Even better than winning an all-expenses-paid vacation to the most gorgeous place on earth … The everlasting God, our heavenly Father, is in the business of taking your broken stuff and giving you eternally beautiful things in return. You bring Him your sorrow and He gives you back joy. You bring Him the ashes of a life gone up in flames, and He gives you your life back intact, with glints of gold and precious gems adorning it. You bring Him blindness and He gives you sight. You bring your shame and He trades it for honor. ...

Breaking News: There are some people in the world who see things in extremes. If you are not one of those people, then I can almost guarantee you know someone who is. Someone who will immediately tell you whether something is right or wrong. They are usually deeply passionate about truth and justice, and can seemingly boil down an issue in the blink of an eye. Many negative-sounding labels have been attached to these folks: black-and-white, critical, judgmental, offensive, obnoxious … How do I know such things? Because I am a black-and-white thinker. I will admit, a lot of us can be brash and a tad bit abrasive. Some of us just like to argue, and some others of us have no control ...

If you’re in the market for some encouragement, then Beyond Me by Melinda Doolittle is the book for you! In case you need a refresher, Melinda competed on Season 6 of American Idol, and had the solid backing of the love-to-hate-him judge Simon Cowell. She was voted off in the number three position, leaving the competition just before the finale. Since then, she has had a burgeoning music career, making appearances all over the globe--even at the White House for President George W. Bush. Her debut album, Coming Back To You, was released in early 2009. I had the privilege of speaking with Melinda on the phone recently to ask a few questions about her life and book. Q: What made ...

I’m packing peppermint gum, lipstick and hand sanitizer at all times. I have a spare set of toddler clothes stashed in my car. I know the back roads and shortcuts all over this town. I even know a few words in Spanish. I am Agent X. Shocking, I know. You would assume upon first glance that I am just a middle-class, suburban mom with bills to pay, meetings to attend, children to care for and a home to clean up. Oh, but you would be mistaken, my friend. Upon closer inspection, you would discover that there is so much more to me than my “cover”. On any given day, I will encounter enemy assailants in the sneakiest places: my children’s mouths, the TV, memories from my past. And ...

I found one! Yes, it’s true–I found a pregnancy book that is actually encouraging!  If you have ever perused the bookstore shelves looking for just the right maternity manual, you know that there are some scary books out there.  Pregnant moms do NOT need any more reasons to be fearful or anxious, people!  I remember reading through several books thinking, “With all these horrible diseases and possible genetic malformations, how is it possible that ANY child is born alive, not to mention healthy and fully formed?!” I just finished reading The Pregnancy Companion by Jessica Wolstenholm and Dr. Heather Rupe and was pleasantly surprised at its content. This is a fabulous look at ...

In the era of genetically modified everything, pure skincare products from a company like zoe organics feel like a security blanket from your childhood. Heather Hamilton, founder of zoe organics, celebrates life through her line of products. The opening statement in her company’s mission is: “To celebrate and protect the lives of our children, family, community and planet.” Heather sent me a box of goodies to try so that I could report my findings to you … From the pregnancy line, I have been using the glowing face & body wash, love my body oil, and refresh lip balm. I loved the glowing face & body wash–it smelled so fresh and citrus-y that it gave a little ...