If you’ve ever prayed a novena to St. Therese of Lisieux, you know that as you pray, you start looking for roses.

Many years autumn comes and autumn goes and we haven’t had a chance to do the fun fall things we look forward to all year. This year we are trying to be more intentional about fitting things in.

We knew we were saying yes to forever, so maybe 15 years doesn’t seem like much. But as I look back on that time, I feel so very grateful.

As we begin the start of a new school year, and children and young people are filling their backpacks for a season of new opportunities, maybe we, too, can take the time to look at what’s filling our lives.

Last Saturday morning I took a walk with our fourth grader through our neighborhood. He rode his bicycle, and I followed along behind, not even trying to keep up. I knew he would stop as we went along.

This story begins six years ago when John and I dropped our sons off at my parents’ house to go house hunting.

Our kitchen renovation is complete! It took exactly three weeks from start to finish, and I can’t believe how different and beautiful the space is.

So, you’re renovating your kitchen. Congratulations!

We are officially back to school! I’m so grateful that both our boys seem to have transitioned back to school smoothly—even though we are all exhausted from the week.

Have you ever waited and waited and waited for something?