Our Mack turned 5 today. For so many reasons, I am happy for this birthday. Now he is caught up in age to most of his peers in his class, and I think he recognizes that this new year is a big step. He’s not a little boy anymore.  Mack is deep into Lego, Hot […]

Chris and I recently enjoyed a fancy date night to see Tosca at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.  Most of the time when we manage a night out, we visit a hot new restaurant, so going to the opera was a big deal for us. A nice change of pace from our usual routine. Tosca […]

Today is the International Women’s Day.  Of course it is nice to have a day to reflect upon the many contributions women have made to the advancement and protection of the human race and the world around us.  It is hard to imagine that 100 years ago American women still were not voting. We’ve come […]

Ugh. I just watched the Nationwide commercial that aired during the Super Bowl. The one that generated so much buzz for being…well…a buzz kill. As I watched the wretched thing, I prayed for the thousands of families who have suffered the loss of a child due to accident. How many of them tuned into the […]

Yesterday I read an article about a couple being investigated for child neglect for allowing their 10 and 6 year olds to walk home together from a neighborhood park. The couple defends their decision, saying they’re responsible parents who are teaching their children self-reliance and responsibility. For so many reasons, I side with the parents on […]

Last week I had to travel out of town for a couple days (just one night). I really don’t like leaving my family on the ground while I sail 30,000 feet above, but I know they were in good hands with Chris, our sweet babysitter Nataliya and my wonderfully generous mom.  I am so lucky […]

My grandma died 48 hours ago. I am still processing the loss. I have never before had to say goodbye to someone so close to me. She was such a vital part of my childhood and always a familiar and comforting voice. To think that I won’t speak to her ever again…I can’t help but […]

Winter is coming. For the past week, the weathermen have been warning us of frigid temperatures headed our way. It is hard to believe, though, as today’s high reached a sunny 65 degrees. After school, the kids and I visited a new park along the lake shore. It felt like spring! Oh, how I want […]

Patricia and her grandmother Elsie   Now that we are no longer renting our home – but the proud owners! – we finally unpacked some boxes that had gone untouched since we moved in more than two years ago. Two dusty boxes in the back of our garage held a sort of time capsule: vintage […]

We aren’t halfway into September, but it feels like winter is moving in to Chicago. While we haven’t turned the heat on (yet), we’ve been tempted. Three of the six of us have runny noses, and all of us want tea to drink every morning. Winter is coming. Sigh. This morning was particularly chilly, so […]