"Maggie, your sparkly shirt looks so pretty this morning." She climbed over the chest at the end of our bed, the morning sun reflecting off the sequins on her pink t-shirt. Her face beamed slightly, disguising a little smile. "YOU look so pretty this morning, Maggie," I changed my compliment after seeing her little smile... Continue Reading →
Mama Meditations coming in January 2021
I am so excited to announce to all GratitudeCup readers and followers that my new devotional book and gratitude journal for moms, Mama Meditations: Volume I, will be published in January 2021. Mama Meditations contains 60 entries, each followed by a brief prayer and Bible verse, as well as space prompting readers to reflect and... Continue Reading →
Redeeming time
I made the decision to homeschool Maggie months ago. I know this doesn't match the experience of most parents this year, during this odd pandemic. Most parents waited on pins and needles for schools to announce their plans, reacting to the alignment with CDC guidelines, or something like that. Not me. Maybe it's because I... Continue Reading →
No room for failure
Each morning, I spend time reading, praying, and meditating. This morning I started reading the book of Joshua in the Bible. I came across a line in verse five that resonated with me. "I will not fail you or forsake you." I underlined that portion of the verse and meditated on it briefly before gathering... Continue Reading →
Back to reality
There are times when I beat myself up as a mom. Then there are little moments of reward. Moments when my daughter lauds my motherhood skills, my spirit soars, and I believe I've finally got this. That's just before my paper airplane wings bend, and I crash into the coffee-stained carpet in her bedroom floor.... Continue Reading →
Oh, to be thankful!
Big thanks to my lifelong best friend, MeLissa Massey Horseman, for making gratitude a family affair. I love you, MeLissa. Dailen (9 ½) – I’m thankful for a house, my family, and myself. I feel that thankfulness means you are appreciative and have a good attitude about stuff people give you. Lexa (8) –... Continue Reading →
Eating oranges
When company’s coming, I normally tidy up the house hurriedly, clearing up clutter quickly. Everything must find its home--James’ smelly socks sitting in the middle of the mudroom floor, Maggie’s tiny pile of clean laundry atop the dining table outside her room, the four coffee cups on the kitchen counter. Even if I don’t have... Continue Reading →
Teaching me to mother
Lizard, Thank you for breaking me in back when I turned 22. There was nothing Taylor Swift about it. Your dad and I tied the knot three weeks after I graduated from college and three weeks after my birthday, and I frantically searched for employment while serving as your stepmom. I felt like I was... Continue Reading →
Being a mom: it’s hard, y’all
Today's post is the first in what I hope to be a series of post by friends and guest contibutors on the topic of Mother's Day and all things related. Big thanks to my guest writer today, blogger and former Arkansan Kambri Davidson, who now lives a more glamorous life with her husband Drew in... Continue Reading →
The ticking of the clock
Today's post is by Debra Dickey, my friend and frequent contributor. Lately, I’ve begun to experience an unusual development of emotions that is difficult to describe. When I tried to put a finger on it, the only thing I could come up with was the ticking of my ‘biological clock’, only in reverse. With children... Continue Reading →