Author: jwoodlaird
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Imagine
After 9/11, I wrote for weeks in my journal about the uncertainty our nation was feeling, what I was feeling. In the last 19 years, I have gone back to those journals several times and relived the angst, the fear, but also the connectedness of the American people. Today, I tweaked my son’s writing homework […]
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Time is a Gift
We all know we are in unprecedented waters and uncharted territory. We’re rewriting history day by day. Our lives are changed as we know it, and we will forever refer to our lives pre-CO-VID19 and post CO-VID19. My kids and I decided to FaceTime each of the grandparents tonight to check in on them. This […]
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Troll Hole
Once upon a time there lived a troll who owned a hole. The poor troll’s hole was a small section of the driveway and looked like charcoal. Three little kids continually rode their bikes and scooters through the hole with no control. This forced the troll to man the hole like she was on patrol. […]
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The Essential Five
My soon-to-be teenager feels our family needs to eat everything out of our pantry before we decide to stock up. What a brilliant idea! He also suggested when it’s time to go to the grocery store, everyone should get one item on the list for a total of five items! As we begin Day “Five” […]
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In This Moment
The sun is shining in this moment. The snow is melting in this moment. The temperature is rising in this moment. Springtime is off in the distance waiting to make an appearance in this moment. My boys are ice fishing with Grandpa in this moment. My girls are upstairs playing ukulele and singing in this […]
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Cessation for Staycation
With less then three hours left in my day, my relaxed self sat on the couch reading in peace. I almost forgot to write! It was confirmed again today how my mood continues to have the power to dictate the household’s mood. I know there are days when the four of my peeps look at […]
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I’m Gonna Homeschool the Heck Outta You!
With the announcement of our state closing school for a month, my kids cheered and smiled but with some panic. I had my usual angst (and this time with much more heightened apprehension) knowing a snow day with small children is only euphoric for the first few hours. With a one month lapse in school, […]
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A Mother’s Love May Help
Parenthood is an ever changing obstacle course of firsts for them and firsts for me. It appears my children always look to me as if I will have all the answers; this is both frightening and empowering depending on the situation. In past years, I’ve mastered healing scraped knees, midnight feedings, and sending my loves […]
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Particular Personalities
We think we know ourselves until someone makes a statement or an observation about us, and we are offended. We perceive ourselves in a particular way, hoping others do too. In the past, I may have been offended when someone pointed out a characteristic about me (which may not have been my favorite) in general […]
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“I See Moon, Mama!”
In honor of the super moon and the boy who made me a Mama… The moon is shining high through the big, bay window. We are sitting next to each other, your little, bare feet hanging straight over the couch. Your winter chapped cheeks are rosy and always scream for a kiss. Your wispy hair […]
Jennifer Wood Laird 