Out of Hand: January 2026

Ladies' Night

Saturday, January 31, 2026

This was a gala buy-in event which I attended as the photographer. I warned them ahead of time that the lighting would be an issue; but they still wanted me to come. Last year I attended as a guest. This year was more fun.

We had ten more moms even with an increased buy-in price. There is a need for genuine friendship!

A walk through:

Weekend!

These are busier than our weekdays this year; but we’ve been taking time together as much as possible.

It’s surprisingly difficult to get time together; but I appreciate it more now.

This place has an amazing happy hour. We can eat and leave a decent tip for $30. And the view doesn’t get better!

Our kids’ school has been generous with tuition discounts since I resigned to take care of our kids. This is one of several ways we’re volunteering in thanks: covering books. It’s not the most exciting job; but it does need to get done.

One has to be willing to do the unglamorous jobs.

On Saturday, I returned from first sports run to Sweet Pea making breakfast for her little brothers.

She included place settings with name placards.

We have 4 more commitments this weekend. Otherwise, we’re recovering! 🙏🏼❤️

Thursday, January 29, 2026

He woke up at 11am, made himself a peanut butter and chocolate chip sandwich, put the items away, turned on Paw Patrol and had his snack. He’s on week 2 of being sick. He loves people doting on him; but I’m reminded that he’s completely capable of taking care of himself.

He gave me his cold. So I was sleeping when all this went down. I woke up and came out to check on him. As soon as he saw me, he asked me to make him a snack. He also informed me that we can hold hands because “we are the same sick!”

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

“My mom is smarter than your mom!” -Sweet kid in Fifth’s class

“No. My mom is 100% smart.” -Fifth

“Okay. Your mom is smarter.”

This story was told to me by the sweet kid’s mother who grew up where we used to live in Virginia. Her son couldn’t think of something bigger than 100%. So he acquiesced. She is one of the nicest moms I’ve met. She thought it was sweet that our boys are still in awe of their moms. We’re going to miss this!

Last week, these two got sick. They both came to me at different points saying, “My heart is beeping so fast!”

“Mom can you pray for me to get better?” -Sol

“Of course, Bud. [Offering a prayer for him.] You can ask Jesus to heal you too. And then listen for His response.”

“I can’t hear Him talking to me.”

“You don’t hear with your ears. You hear with your heart.”

Later…

“Mom, I hear Jesus talking to me in my heart. Did you hear Him?”

“No. What did He say?”

“I don’t know.”

“He said He loves you and He’s with you.” [Sol gives his best hug.]

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

…David, girt with a linen apron, came dancing before the Lord with abandon…

-2 Sam. 6:14

Today’s reading is a bit confusing; and some have posited that David was naked. You can imagine the giggling in our home…So I spent far too much time trying to figure out the context and original meaning and am pretty sure he wasn’t naked—not that it matters. In the course of my reading I realized that David had numerous wives before Bathsheba, including one he “betrothed by paying a hundred Philistine foreskins.” (2 Sam. 3:16) Many of his wives were already married when he took them.

I projected my outrage onto DH who said he felt like he was being yelled at for David’s sins. Anyway, I am SO GLAD I live in the A.D.! People who like to dump on Christian hypocrites forget that Christianity itself dramatically improved relationships between men and women, strengthened families, and produced unprecedented strength of character. I love my sweet DH.

Saturday, January 24, 2026

Friday, January 23, 2026

The Engineer had a nice time. He went without an aide and without his brothers. This was a first. He came back with some amazing quotes from the camp educators. “I think they’re atheists, Mom.” When I asked why, he shared these quotes:

“Bugs’ lives are valuable just like yours.”

“When you move this bug house, keep it intact. Set it back exactly as it was. If you break the bug home, I will tell your counselor; and you will not have s’mores or seconds at dinner.”

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

“Mom, I love it when the teachers start talking about their personal lives. Whenever that happens, and anyone in my friend group looks at another, we know that the person hasn’t finished his homework.”

“So you keep asking the teacher leading questions?”

“Yes.”

Very clever.

Monday, January 19, 2026

I’m so glad that Abiding Together is back today! We were discussing these. I wasn’t crazy about creativity and spun the word generator again: mercy, fidelity, fearless. Fearless made me happy; but I did pray that the first word would be inspired. So I’m going with creativity.

Ironically, the Etsy designer (whether intentionally or not) placed the second “t” upside down. That is so not my style, but DH and I are challenging ourselves this year. St. Elizabeth is my saint; and she shares her feast with DH’s birthday.

One thing I’m certain about is that the Lord has this phrase on my heart; and I’m still pondering it: I will make a way. He’s let that hang, unclarified. I’m not sure what it’s referencing, but He’s already broken through some incredible roadblocks in our lives. Thanks be to God! +