We sang the familiar, O Come All Ye Faithful last Sunday. As I stood on the risers singing along with the choir, faith, joy, and triumph filled my heart. But that was Sunday. And I’m not naive enough to think that I will or even can ever be perfectly faithful, joyful, and triumphant. So, I’m… Continue reading O Come All Ye Unfaithful
Christmas accentuates what is true of me all year long, that I have serious limitations. Limitations of creativity. of time. of capacity. of energy. of money. Christmas accentuates what is true of me all year long, that I am a sinner. Sins of pride. Anxiety. Anger. Self sufficiency. And yet Christmas also accentuates what is… Continue reading Humbling Holidays
Last time I mentioned doing a little list of Christmas gifts for teenage girls that was fashion related. As I thought about it, I think “clothing-related” is a better description. Fashion is so varied and individual. What my girl likes could be different from yours. So I’m making this about fun clothing gifts that are somewhat… Continue reading Christmas Gift Ideas for Teenage Girls: Clothing
I have been wanting to do this series for a couple of years now because I love getting ideas for Christmas gifts from others and I figure teens are what I do, so I’ll share my ideas and hope it helps other parents out there looking for ideas. I will break it up in categories and… Continue reading Christmas Presents for Teenage Girls
a lot has changed over the years…and some things haven’t changed at all. I love this place. This blog where I sat, more likely stood, in my kitchen in Abingdon, MD and clicked through the buttons that ended up creating Ordinary Mother. I wrote about the stuff I was turning over and over in my… Continue reading Hello, Old Friend
Being intentional as a parent is huge these days, but I think some of the best parenting is done unintentionally. Today is Father’s Day so I want to say thank you to my dad for everything he taught me unintentionally. My dad didn’t intentionally teach me to be passionate about life. He simply always has… Continue reading In Support of Unintentional Parenting
Okay, interviewing maggie was way easier than interviewing Josh. She is an open book, and asked me if it was her turn. 🙂 Nicknames: maggie, maggs, maggsauce, magpie Favorite music: Indy, like the brothers. Bands like Civil Wars, Need to Breathe. Broadway music, thanks to my mom. Favorite movies, television shows: The Avengers, Hunger Games… Continue reading Margaret Olivia Reyes, 11 years old
My sons found out their friends actually read my blog so that changes the nature of what I can post without totally embarrassing them. When I told them it was just a bunch of mammas reading, they were more okay with me writing about our life, but since their buddies are also reading, I’m really… Continue reading Joshua Thomas Reyes, 15 years old.
As I begin writing about this season of having 3 teens and a tween, I want to begin with a few basics about our family today. 1. My sons, Joshua and Caleb are 15. Israel is 14. And my baby girl, Maggie, is 11 years old! 2. We live in Mount Laurel, NJ. I never… Continue reading Quick Re-introduction
I started this blog several years ago kind of on a whim. I discovered the whole “blog world” accidentally, and was thrilled to find there was this semi-formal way to publish my writing. I have always enjoyed writing and the combination of my crazy experience with my four very funny and cute kids, and learning… Continue reading Three Teens and a Tween
ordinary mother 