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Look What You Missed

In my daily readings I come across posts that grab me for this reason or that.

Today is the day I share them with you!

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18-years and half my life


Reading anything from the Gypsy Mama (aka Lisa-Jo) is like having a giant brownie sundae, it makes you happy and you feel a little bit like licking the bowl afterward to get every last taste. One of the highlights of my day is checking out her blog because she has such a way about her.

Born in South Africa, Lisa-Jo has lived on three continents over the last 12 years. She says she and her husband gypsy their way around the globe. She currently lives in the US where she is raising their two boys and is the Community Manager for (In)Courage – another one of my favorite sites.

Sadly, Lisa-Jo lost her mother a week after her 18th birthday. In her post yesterday, “18 years and half my life,” Lisa-Jo shared that on this 18-year anniversary of her mother’s death she realizes that “she will have been gone for more of my life than she was with me.

What I love is the perspective that Lisa-Jo chooses to have from this point forward. Check out her blog post, because I could never say it as beautifully as she does.

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In Trouble

I can’t remember how I first met Melissa Runcie, but I’m so glad I did. She and I discovered that we live very close to one another and we’re hoping to one day be able to get together over a cup of Starbucks.

The thing I love about Melissa’s blog is how she combines her faith with art. Her website, Madabella, is a combination of her daughters’ names and her love for her daughters is evident throughout her site.

The post she wrote yesterday about her daughters is definitely one of my favorites from this week, because it was one of the ones I needed to hear the most. There are moments as parents when we can choose to react to our children in our flesh or in a godly manner. Unfortunately I am finding that lately my fleshly response is coming out more than it should.

Melissa writes about an instance in her life where she was the one who got In Trouble, from God through her daughter. It touched on an issue in my own heart that God has been putting pressure on.

I got in trouble, from God through Melissa. It was ok, I needed it.

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You’re Affair Can Only Teach Me So Much

Carlos Whittaker is a musician, pastor, creative, speaker, blogger, and his tweets are always interesting. That’s actually how I first discovered him, on Twitter. I had no idea about the other things.

Yesterday I was scrolling through my Twitter stream and saw this:

Your Affair Can Only Teach Me So Much //http://bit.ly/b9B90T

Now that’s an interesting title.

I follow a lot of people’s blogs and tweets who have had affairs and God has restored their marriage. I was intrigued by these stories because growing up I’d thought that if someone cheated that meant the relationship was automatically over.

When I read Carlos’ post I really appreciated what he had to say. He pointed out that there are tons of people writing about what you shouldn’t do in marriage, but the one’s who have been able to maintain a healthy, committed relationship are pretty silent.

I’ve never had much of a testimony, in my mind, because I grew up in the church and wasn’t “saved” from anything. I was a goodie two-shoes. I felt like my testimony was boring compared to others.

That has now extended into my marriage. Yes, Josh and I have our struggles and no, we’re not perfect. But I don’t write that much about the things we’re doing to ensure that we have a healthy marriage. Carlos’ post really got me thinking…

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So those are my favorites from this week…I’d love to know what posts you read (or wrote) that I might have missed this week!

I would love it if you signed up to get this blog by email (it’s free) or subscribe in a Reader!


The Battle Within

My daughter Cora is obsessed with all things pink.

A couple of days ago we saw a huge selection of colorful dresses at a local children’s clothing store. I saw a beautiful yellow one, a bright green one, and one with polka dots that I really wanted her to get. As we walked up to the display I asked Cora which dress she would like.

“The pink one,” was her prompt reply.

Of course. I probably shouldn’t have even asked. This daughter that God has given me is the girliest-girl I’ve ever seen. She prances around in high heels, wearing her “married” dress, dripping with costume jewelry, and slathering on the “lipstick” (a.k.a. “chapstick”). Her favorite game is to play “mom” and she has recently discovered a new friend — Barbie.

When I found out that I was pregnant with a girl I decided that I wasn’t going to fall into the trap of dressing her all in pink. I purposely chose purple, yellow, green, and white clothes for her. I bought non-pink receiving blankets and nursery décor. I have never been that much of a girly-girl; I tend to fall somewhere in that middle ground between tomboy and beauty queen. But nature took over and I ended up with a pink-loving, baby-doll carrying, high-heel wearing princess.

So which is stronger: Nature or nurture?

Usually people equate this question to child development. Do little girls play with dolls instead of trucks because that’s their nature or because they’ve been conditioned that way? Do boys like to slam each other into the carpet in a winner-take-all wrestling battle because their dads make them or because they naturally feel that competitiveness within them?

However, is there another side to the question?

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Today I’m posting at Ungrind.org about a different kind of nature vs. nurture debate.

I’d love to know what you think about the Battle Within.

And off we go…

Today marks a transition in the Brotherton household.

Our firstborn started Kindergarten.

We were calculating last night, and this means that for the next 18 years we will have a child going off to school every morning. From now until I’m 48 there will be homework, school lunches and early mornings — because we all know it goes until your child graduates from high school, no matter how responsible they think they are.

I did not cry.

Shocked awake by the alarm this morning, I rolled over and saw my 6-year-old son grinning like the Cheshier Cat.

“Is it time to get up and get ready for school?!”

I so remember that feeling. The anticipation of a new school year, the fun of new clothes and school supplies, the energy pulsing though your body that won’t let you sleep.

By 6:45 Eli was dressed and sitting on the couch. Wearing. His. Backpack.


Because mommy needed caffeine it was his first day, we got a small treat at Starbucks.

Then it was off to the elementary school.

Now it’s not just Eli’s first day. This is my first day as a school-age mom. So forgive me if I had a little trouble getting it all right. I’ll do better next time.

We took the obligatory “first day” picture and then marched off to the classroom.

Eli learned the morning check-in routine…

…and then was off to play on the playground.

And I didn’t cry.

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