Dwindling

There was a layer of frost on the grass this morning when I woke up. We need to pick the zucchini before it shrivels. It's one of the fi...

Grammar Doctor

I had a fun writing experience last night. I pulled out the laptop and showed one of the scenes from my work in progress (WIP) to my doctor ...

Something for Grandma and Grandpa in Hong Kong

We celebrated Sophie's 1st birthday today. Only one week late. Nai Nai and Papa weren't here last weekend, so we saved the celebrati...

Candy Corn

I know for sure my China-born children aren't real Americans. Not one of them likes candy corn. When I was first thinking about mentioni...

Lost

My oldest daughter Olivia is an avid reader. She's in second grade this year, but she can read a standard chapter book in less than an h...

Thumbtack Romance

Saturday was windy. We opened the door to let in the breeze. I wasn't surprised that two papers from the cork board fluttered to the gro...

FitG Update: Just Like That

Wow wow wow. I haven't done this since I read the Anne of Green Gables series as a fourteen year old. I actually finished this book in a...

FitG Update: The Blind Faith Hotel

My main goal in joining the Fill-in-the-Gaps 100 Book Project was to read more YA. Because I'm trying to be a YA writer, it only makes ...

Lasts

A new friend told me about a book about Lasts. We're so eager to celebrate Firsts, we often forget to acknowledge Lasts. It is more diff...

I Recommend: The Day the Babies Crawled Away

I have a new favorite picture book writer. Peggy Rathmann is the incredible author who not only wrote Office Buckle and Gloria , but my all...

Quiet Time

After two hours in Target, we drove home on the freeway. I had my worship CD blasting and I was singing at the top of my lungs. "Mommy!...

Fast Jesus

At six-thirty a.m., still groggy, I opened the hallway door and stepped into the kitchen. What's that sound? I walked over to the refrig...

Epiphany

When I lived in China I thought my problems with Gmail were because I lived in China. The Chinese government frequently blocked websites: Fa...

Friday Night Lights

I didn't miss out on much growing up in Hong Kong. My life was full, rewarding. But I did miss out on one notable thing: High School Ame...

Goodbye Nazi-Mom

If there's one thing I love about American life so far it's school. And I'm surprised I'm saying that. Because I had my doub...

Rain in Summer City

Three days ago the sky clouded over. Gray. Blue. Bruised-looking. Then it poured. Clattering against the concrete path in the backyard. Gurg...

My Dirty Laundry

I don't like to think I take things for granted. But I do. Our washing machine was broken all week. Today the Sears delivery men brought...

Binge Writing

I've already apologized to my mother-in-law because I didn't do my dishes this morning. The dishes I left sitting there after our Bo...

WIP Wednesday: Staying Positive

My husband and in-laws are all out in the living room watching What About Bob . And what am I doing, writing fanatic that I am? Well, at thi...

High Roller

I've been desperate to go rollerskating ever since we moved back to the U.S. Desperate. Is that weird? If you think so then you probably...