As parents there are a number of firsts in your child’s life – the first time they walk, the first time they ride a bike, the first time they say mama. But few of these moments can compare, in some ways, with that first time that you drop...
When I was living in Mississippi, I taught third grade in the small town of Moorhead. Moorhead was smack dab in the middle of the Delta region. The population is mainly poor and black, but with a substantial middle class white population. The schools...
There’s nothing quite like a 5 year old’s birthday. They’re old enough to be endlessly excited about the event and the presents and the cake and everything else, but haven’t quite developed a sense of time that is exacting enough...
As part of my 6,000 mile journey driving across this grand country of ours, I also went into a bit of a news blackout. This was partly because I wanted to spend time with my beloved children and family without the distractions of the outside world. And...
What comes to mind when someone mentions Kansas? Possibly the Wizard of Oz. Or if you’re into politics, possibly Eisenhower and Bob Dole. Or if you’re a literary nerd, perhaps you think of Langston Hughes Or if you’re stuck in 1977 perhaps...
On Sunday, I loaded up my three kids (ages 7, 4, and 3) our hyperactive , neurotic dog, a dozen suitcases, three bikes, and all of my sanity and began driving West toward Utah. I know…. Crazy. You see, my father’s family is having a reunion...
Or at least that’s what they keep telling me. I’ve come across two articles in the last week that have gone to great pains to tell me how miserable I am. The first article talked about how Marriage is Under Attack! No, no, not from the gays...
My youngest, Micah, turned three on Monday. We had a party and a cake and presents and all the things that come with turning a year older, but is there anything a child looks forward to more than the birthday blog that their father writes completely unbeknownst...
I just finished reading a book called “Never Let Me Go” by Kazuo Ishiguro. It was a brilliant book, although so elegantly understated there were times I wished he would state things a little more overly. I know that’s vague, but It’s...
My daughter is one of the more thoughtful 7 year olds you are ever likely to meet, which is nice, considering she is also one of the more self-involved 7 years olds you are ever likely to meet. If she can not convince some poor adult to be her audience...
I have a problem. A condition, really. Or, at least, so I’m told. I have, what people repeatedly tell me, is a “Costanza Wallet.” Apparently back in the 90s on a little show called “Seinfeld.” The character of George Costanza...
I have delightfully terrible news for you today: Jesus was electrocuted. Ok, let me explain. Two of my best friends in the whole world live in Cincinnati. It’s a lovely place. A fact I am repeatedly told by my friend Sean who grew up there, went...
As I’ve mentioned, our family is in the process of adopting a child from Ethiopia. Part of the process involves doing a lot of reading about adoption in general, but also about the country in particular. Ethiopia is a country with somewhere between...
I was running a little late, but I was still on time. I had all three kids loaded into the van and we were driving Audra up to the bus stop. I just needed to get her on the bus by 8:40, and then drive Asher 15 minutes to the preschool in Bowie by 9:00...
So, Al and Tipper are separating. After 40 years of politics, uncomfortably long kisses and standing around telling everyone how great their marriage is, the Tennessee golden couple are going on a break. Oh, did they learn nothing from Ross and Rachel...