I never really realize how much they hear — how much they pay attention. You’re asking, “Is she talking about her church or the boys?” Well, the statement is true for both but I’m thinking of the boys tonight. They’ve been gone long enough that my heart is beginning to break a little. They’ve been gone long enough that I’m beginning to worry about them. They’ve been gone long enough that I...

I’m currently sitting on my couch in Lone Oak while a very capable carpenter bangs on a door frame literally over my shoulder. He’s fixing one of 5 doors in the house that need repair. Remember last week? Well, he’s here fixing all the doors that won’t close, all the knobs that won’t turn, and all the locks that aren’t appropriate for someone who’s the product of a house fire to have in her house. Aiden...

Today was one of those days when I’d lived enough life by the time I got to the church that I might should’ve thrown in the towel on the day, and then I lived four times as much when I got there. It’s Wednesday. On Wednesday I go in late and spend the morning with the boys because they’re going to be either in the church nursery or at the CDC until choir is over at 7:30 and, well, they deserve my morning time at least....

Cooper started preschool today. It was also Aiden’s first day of daycare. These aren’t really new arenas for the boys but each place does things differently and adjusting is a challenge. Preparation began last night. When I knew the boys were asleep, I took the time to label every glue stick, notebook, folder, and pencil my 3-year-old had to have for preschool, with his name. I packed them into his new backpack along with two full changes of...

…went the clock. The day was a blur. Here goes, Marley and Me style. 12:00 a.m. — Returned from an emergency visit to the hospital. 12:30 a.m. — Bid farewell to my secretary who came to watch the boys so I could go to the hospital. 1:15 a.m. — Went to sleep. 6:30 a.m. — The first sounds from Aiden. 6:45 a.m. — Cracked my eyes open to see Cooper crawling into my bed. 7:00 — Aiden is up. Cooper is up....