Category: expectations
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A Kind of Kindness

Writing again feels so good. I’ve been navigating a swept-away season since the birth of our LO 3 years ago. Stretch-and-grow moments have been plentiful since then. Time for capturing those moments here? Not so much. But, seasons change and mine is evolving again. So, onward we go. And, I’ll start with a lesson that…
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Endings & Beginnings

It’s hard to believe that we’re quickly nearing the end of this very special pregnancy. I think back to last fall, when my eyes kept adjusting to the pink lines on the home pregnancy tests (I took 2, remember?). In shock, all I could think was, are you kidding?!? I have more than enough “life”…
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At This Moment

“Are you getting ready for the baby?” (Pause) “Uhhh . . . no.” My response to this popular, well-meaning question has likely surprised some folks. So, let’s be clear: We are over-the-moon happy and excited for Baby Dancy’s arrival this spring. And we’re equally grateful for a healthy pregnancy and growing baby in my tummy.…
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The 4th Reaction

Ever since sharing our surprise pregnancy at age 47, my hubby and I have received quite an assortment of reactions. He has his own stories of responses from guys (let’s just say they involve a lot of high-fives). For me, reactions from women have varied but ultimately fall into 1 of 4 categories: 1. “Wow.…
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Expecting the Unexpected

My hubby and I are ardent planners. Over the last 19 years, we’ve come to value having a roadmap for our journey together. Buying a one-story home we can easily maneuver later in our golden years? Yep. Having two kids, 3 years apart so “they could play together?” Uh-huh. Career moves that let us balance…
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Road Bumps

So, the other day, I messed up. Hubby was out of town overnight, so I was parent-on-point. I looked at the calendar. Only one Saturday morning activity? No problem, I thought. I got this. Well, it turns out that I didn’t “got this.” Our son was scheduled to play his first game with a new…
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Bees & Buttons

I’ve always been industrious, busy as a bee. As a kid, I could keep myself occupied for hours by creating art using typing paper, tape and crayons. As a teen, I stayed busy with homework, school clubs, music, and church. And none of that changed as a young adult. Yet, I’m not a high-energy person.…
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Hurry Up and Wait

You’re driving long distance to an event—perhaps a business conference or a friend’s graduation—and time is of the essence. You prepared well. You packed up needed items, placed the mail on hold, and hit the road on time. “I’ve got snacks and a full tank of gas. No need to even stop,” you brag to…
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It Ain’t Over

At 86, my dad is playing checkers again – after at least a 65+ year hiatus. My sister and I have never, ever seen Dad play checkers. He was way too busy raising us – cooking, doing the yard work, fixing whatever was broken, serving at church, working as a school principal, making visitors feel…
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All Shook Up

Do you ever wish life only offered lovely sunshine and little birds singing – you know, skipping the blizzards and buzzards of life? I do. But Life chuckles and says, “Blizzards and buzzards show up because easy moments alone won’t help you grow.” And I gotta agree. We can be oh-so stubborn, especially when…