Relationships & Family

Airport Angel

batch — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:22:56 -0500

It was the band trip of a lifetime for my son—marching in Florida's Gator Bowl. The day before the bus left, I went to help Jeremy pack. He was sitting on his bed. "I feel crummy, Mom." I pressed my hand to his forehead. He was really burning up.

"But, Mom, I can't miss this trip!" he said.

The day after the bus left, Jeremy felt better. "There's still time to get him on a plane," my husband said. We booked an evening flight.

Voices in the Darkness

admin — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:23:41 -0600

I stand at the window and look out into the yard at our daughter Natalie playing on the jungle gym. When she sees me, her eyes light up, and she waves. My right arm is still partially paralyzed, so I lift it with my left hand to wave back. "Hi, Mommy!" she calls, her voice carrying on the spring breeze.

Easter is coming, and I cannot help but think of those in our family who are no longer here to share it with us. Natalie's four brothers and sisters. Her paternal grandparents. All of them dead as a result of a huge earthquake last August, in Turkey.

Better than Ever

admin — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:57:39 -0600

Our daughter, Kendra, dreamed of having a perfect wedding. When she got engaged to her college sweetheart, I was thrilled.

From a trip to India, my husband and I brought home 25 yards of delicate hand-spun silk for her gown. "Oh, Mom, it's beautiful!" Kendra said, gasping. "The color looks like candlelight." She had been sketching wedding-dress designs for years, and I knew how much fun we would have making sure hers was just right.

Why Invite Your Kids Into the Kitchen?

mcherkezian — Thu, 14 May 2009 08:45:23 -0500

For those of you who believe (like me) that May is Mother’s month, you’ll be inspired by this Kids in the Kitchen star, British mom Annabel Karmel, who managed to pen two dozen books on cooking for and with kids—all while raising three children.

Her path to cookbook fame began with her infant son Nicholas, who was an enfant terrible when it came to food. “He just wouldn’t eat!” she says.

Open House

batch — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:21:23 -0500

My son, Tim, had a tough time his freshman year in the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets. "I really miss you, Mom," he'd say on the phone. "It would be easier if you were closer."

Rigorous classes and physical training exhausted him, but his Aggie spirit was strong. He'd even volunteered to help build the traditional bonfire for the 1999 pep rally right before the Thanksgiving football game against their cross-state rival, University of Texas.

His Presence was the Present

tselucky — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:59:37 -0600

For my fiftieth birthday I had an outrageous plan: a concert where I’d sing my favorite songs for my family and friends, and some of them would sing too.

The highlight would be my fourteen-year-old son Timothy playing his guitar and singing The Beatles’ “When I’m Sixty-Four.” It would bring down the house. Only one downside—his older brother, seventeen-year-old William, wouldn’t be there. He couldn’t get away from school.

“I’ve got to study for finals, Dad,” William explained.

Empty Nest No More

admin — Tue, 01 May 2007 06:43:00 -0500

"Empty-nest syndrome, all right," I mumbled. The headline got my attention. I folded the paper back up, took off my reading glasses and chewed on the arm of the frames. It was a nervous habit I had whenever I was thinking, and that day I had a lot to think about.

My son Owen was finishing his junior year of high school. Summer vacation hadn't even started yet, but soon he'd be applying to colleges and picking out a tuxedo for his last prom. The year would fly by.

Come Smile with Me!

mcherkezian — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:56:01 -0600

We loved these photos being passed around the Web and wanted to share them with you!

Do a Dance

Whether you're in heels or sandals, dancing will always lift your spirits.

This little girl didn't even need a real partner!

Surfin' the Web

We're not sure what this adorable baby is looking at online, but we love the relaxed position!

But can he type in those booties?

Walking in Size 2 Shoes

mcherkezian — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:16:43 -0600

Some days, the one thing harder than being a parent is being a kid.

The world can be a frightening, frustrating place. Adults can seem cruel and controlling. Everything can feel unfair. And the worst part is when no one understands....

We don’t set out to forget what it was like to be a child. Parents have untold amounts of pressure. I can’t even begin to list the stresses and worries I have in my life right now, and I know I am lucky in comparison to many parents.

Give Gifts All Year Long

jbloustein — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:37:41 -0600

As I toss the crumpled wrapping paper into the growing heap on the floor, my guilt grows over the excess, knowing there are starving, suffering people all over the world while my kids rip open present after present.

I tried to not go overboard this year. But with Santa and presents from family, the bounty quickly piles up. I am grateful that my children can have some carefree moments of magic, opening gifts that appeared under their tree, but I want to make sure that they aren’t lost in materialism and selfishness during this, or any time of the year.