Category Archives: Uncategorized

Parenting is so hard. I am so thankful that Ryan and I are raising our Fabulous 5 together. However, communication… it’s a constant challenge. There is so much to discuss as parents. Bedtimes, allowances, activities, attitudes, schedules, etc. The list really does go on and on. We strive to be preemptive. We want to talkContinue reading “Henry”

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded;” -Luke 12:48b The Atkinson 7 spent last week in Kitty Hawk, NC with my parents (Kent and Melody) and my brother and his family (Brent, Ann, Josiah, Levi, Micah and Ezra). We had the perfect week. The PERFECT week. The weather was amazing. TheContinue reading “All the Love”

“Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event. Immediately after the event, shock and denial are typical. Longer term reactions include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea.”— American Psychological Association. According to a recent study, about half of people will experience some form of trauma in theirContinue reading “Trauma and Triggers”

Why was going anywhere such an ordeal? When Caleb was younger, probably up to age 7, it was a deal to go anywhere. Seriously, it was hardly worth it. He would FREAK OUT. Especially getting out of the car at our away-from-home destination. Always. Being a first time mama is hard on anyone. Having aContinue reading “Key Words”

I love to be happy. I love to make other people happy. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Or is there? For me it can often become an idol. My children are happy a lot of the time. They are not happy all of the time. And they shouldn’t be. It’s not even what’sContinue reading “Can I have 2 cookies?”

I feel like I can do better. So much better. Today, I saw with my own eyes what love can do. But it’s not just any love. It’s Caleb love. It is big. So big. It is vulnerable. It is precious. When Caleb came into the world, it changed. For the better. I really cannotContinue reading “What Love Can Do…”

Do you recognize those young faces? Man, we had no idea. I was 2 days away from having Caleb in that picture. I had all the plans. But as we all know, God’s plans were greater. Our sweet boy was born June 2, 2005. He will be 16 years old this year. What?! I reallyContinue reading “LOVED”

It is so so so hard to be present. To live in the moment. We have so much pulling at us. So many distractions. And the future. It’s so ….. unknown. Mamas worry about their babies. If we want to do what the good Lord says, and not worry, we have to fight hard. AndContinue reading “Tomorrow”

It’s Friday night. That’s family movie night in the Atkinson house. And it’s Collin’s week. You know what that means…. Star Wars. Tonight, I was snuggled up on the big couch between Collin and Alexa, all covered in blankets. We were the coziest. Suddenly Alexa said, “Mom, nothing could ever break up you and dad.”Continue reading “What He has for us….”

Expectations. We all have them. We have them of other people. We have other people who have them about us. Some expectations are good and healthy. Some are not. Two years ago, Cheyenne came into my life. She was so sad. So sad and so anxious. As I tried to connect with her, and reallyContinue reading “Setting the Bar”