Living summer in survival mode

Written by Malinda Just Tuesday, 17 July 2012 14:25

So far, summer 2012 can be summed up in one word: Busy.

We had a moving sale at the end of May, followed by harvest where I was in charge of meals, followed by my sister-in-laws’ wedding where I was the coordinator, followed by Vacation Bible School where I taught a group of 4-year-olds, followed by another moving sale, followed by packing boxes, closing on our house, moving, unpacking and re-settling our family.

Deep breath.

As separate events, all the items on the above list are good things. Combined into one crazy summer with event after event following on the heels of the one before, however, has led to a talespin of Looney Tunes proportions…you know, the episode called “Fallin’ Hare” where a gremlin tries to get the...

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Downsizing is part of next move

Written by Malinda Just Tuesday, 19 June 2012 11:32

While debating the best way to approach this column, I kept coming back to something I wrote four years ago while still gaining my footing as both a new mom and a new columnist.

Back in those days, I was in the throes of caring for my first newborn and to be honest, I think probably also on the verge of a sleep-deprived meltdown day-in and day-out. After reviewing my July 2008 edition of Lipstick & Pearls, that same fractured thought process came out in print as well.

Despite that, though, I remembered writing about sidewalks. The sidewalks I wrote about were full of cracks, and my basic thought was one of thanksgiving that my husband and I bought a sturdy enough stroller to withstand the bumps.

Even though the bumps and crevices...

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People aren’t created equal after all

Written by Malinda Just Tuesday, 15 May 2012 14:40

I should have been clued in to the atmospheric changes ahead, when 45 minutes after second daughter Jemma was born, we were taking cover from not one but two tornados heading for the Newton area.

That was two years ago.

Fast-forward through some rocky sleep patterns and high-speed chases (i.e., “Jemma, no running [away] in the parking lot”), and here we are, celebrating our special girl with a tractor cake and tractor rides.

While she is a far cry from our reserved, focused oldest, Jemma is definitely living up to her name. Our “precious jewel” is friendly, outgoing and adventurous. She’s also quite determined, cuddly and caring.

Right now, she knows how to have fun, be it with rocks, sand, water, throwing magnets off the...

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Parenting lessons simply never end

Written by Malinda Just Tuesday, 17 April 2012 14:43

Our family recently gathered to celebrate my oldest’s birthday. She’s 4. Already.

It’s one of those “time goes by so quickly” situations that totally caught me off guard. My little 6 pound, 1 ounce baby girl who wore preemie clothes for the first weeks of her life is now one year away from 5. And one year away from kindergarten.

My big girl, of course, has taken everything in stride. She proudly and confidently holds up her four fingers whenever she is asked her age. Her kitty birthday cake made her face light up. The stack of gifts made her jump up and down. Little sister swiping her newly opened treasures made her scream and push. (Oh wait, maybe she hasn’t taken EVERYTHING in stride.)

Sometimes I find it difficult to...

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