Knapsack on My Back

I am reading a story about a child who ran away from home. She packed her pillowcase full of clothes and food then took off down the street.

Growing up, I never ran away. I never thought about trying to run away. My husband did. I have heard his story and his mother's version as well. (Too cute!) I have never had a child of mine run away or even tell me he/she wanted to run away. What makes a child want to run away? What makes that child turn that inkling into action--make the decision to pack up, then set out to officially run away? What is my role as a mom when my child runs away from home?

Where Have You Been All My Life?

I exchanged babysitting with a friend so we could each grocery shop alone. I dropped off my girls and on my way out the door, she told me about this amazing kitchen gadget she'd seen at her friend's house. She then excitedly described a gadget that cores and cuts apples into slices--in one quick, easy step. When she asked if I'd ever heard of such a thing, I had to laugh because I am indeed familiar with this amazing gadget. I told her I'd used an apple slicer for all the apples I'd sliced growing up and all the apples I slice for my kiddos. I couldn't believe she'd lived without one, and she couldn't believe I had one! What a highbrow life I've lived. It's interesting how you can go without something for so long and not know how desperately you need it. The past few weeks of having four bedrooms and two bathrooms is kind of like that. How did our family live for so long with just two bedrooms and one bathroom? Thank you to many friends and family for bringing us to where we are today--living the good life!

Oh, and at the grocery store, I couldn't help myself--I bought my friend an apple slicer. Did you know it cores and slices in one quick, easy step?!?