Carl, Ellie and Naise Life

I have always given up something during Lent.  It has never been something truly deep - soda, coffee, cookies, etc.  It was always something that I could reach out and hold and if I slipped up, I would just move on and pretend like it did not happen.  This year, I wanted to do something different.  I wanted to give up something that would not only make me healthier, but also make me closer to God.  It is a new season for me - one of finding what He wants for me rather than what I want for myself.  I attribute this new season to our fertility specialist because, for the first time in forever (yes, Disney reference right there), I have true hope that we are on the right path and we are going to be parents soon. So...what did I give up this Lenten season?  I gave up negative self-talk -- aka my inner critic.  For me, my inner critic sounds a lot like two people depending on the situation.  The first is my mom.  For those of you who ha...

The past few days I have been looking at the power of forgiving ourselves and being vulnerable with God.  I needed to take a step away from that for a brief moment and write this post...I was hesitant when I walked back into my office. I knew the Spirit was pushing me to be transparent and open, but I was trying to fight back.  So here it goes... Today is twin day at the high school for homecoming week.  Brandon and a student (who I will not name on here) dressed up and in the photo I noticed Brandon had shaved his beard off to a soul patch and mustache.  Now, I have watched him each year shave down to nothing and then let it grow back.  I like him with the beard.  He knows that.  Do I give him a hard time when it comes off? Absolutely.  This morning was no different, as he shaved it when I was not home or even aware he was planning to.  For me, it was not so much that he did something I'd rather him never do again...it was actually just th...