This Christmas season as we were making paper towel snowmen and paper towel nativity figures to give as presents, I had an idea for a gift for a friend and her family.

If the wind chill is 5 degrees on Thursday, how many cups of hot chocolate will Judy need when the wind chill is 15 degrees below zero on Friday?

I knew then that what I had heard other adoptive parents say was true. You can fall in love with a photo.

As I encounter people in my daily life—whether those who are close to me or those who are strangers—I am going to try to assume that they are acting with good intentions and their best understanding of situations.

There are holiday gatherings, and then there are holiday gatherings with wonderful punny themes.

My sister Treasa is helping my dreams of a Christmas-carol-themed potluck come true, serving “Jingle Balls” meatballs, “Frosty the Salmon” salad, “We Three Wings,” and asking me to bring “Feliz Navi-dip.”

As we look at the New Year ahead of us, it’s impossible to know what opportunities and challenges we will encounter during the next 365 days. We have no choice but to say yes to all of it, even the unknowns.

Before I was a mother, I thought Christmas countdowns were cute and decorative and fun. Now I think they exist so parents can direct their children to the nearest countdown feature.

This week we are lighting the pink candle on our Advent wreath as we say, “Gaudete!”

I’m big on celebrating birthdays, but Daniel challenges even me to appreciate the awesomeness of birthdays.