RECENT POSTS

Order Your Advent Devotional Today!
Is anyone else out there in a season of waiting? Waiting for healing? Waiting for change? Waiting for your child to get news about college?

Healing: Spiraling Upward?
What if healing is a process of spiraling upward? I know it’s not really a thing we see in nature. We see spiraling downward. The

Penny Sharing in Church for DSA Month
As a part of Down Syndrome Awareness Month, Penny had a chance to share some thoughts in front of our congregation on Sunday. She talked

A New Name for Bible Study?
I am wondering whether we need a new name for Bible Study. Maybe this isn’t the problem I think it is. But I wonder whether

October Fun Facts
Every so often, I introduce myself around here for people who are new to this space. I also try to share some things about myself

God’s Love Is the Answer to Depression
God’s love is the answer to depression. I know that’s the type of declarative statement I’m not supposed to make. I know that religion has

TIME | Where Are All the Children’s Books Featuring Kids With Down Syndrome?
We started a conversation over here a few weeks ago about whether or not there are chapter books with main characters who have intellectual disabilities,

Down Syndrome Awareness Month Book Giveaway
{GIVEAWAY CLOSED} Down Syndrome Awareness Month BOOK GIVEAWAY! Enter to win all 9 books, including all 4 of Heather Avis’ books, my memoir, and favorite

S6 E3 | Down Syndrome and Belonging with Heather Avis
“You belong here, as you are, who you are. Come be in this place with us.” Down syndrome advocate and author Heather Avis joins Amy

White Picket Fences Turns 4!
White. Economically stable. Cares about other people. Doesn’t like social divisions. Doesn’t know what to do about those divisions. Afraid that trying to do anything

Down Syndrome Awareness Month Begins
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month! It’s a month to celebrate the lives of people with Down syndrome. It’s a month to continue to advocate

So Middle School
She is the epitome of middle school. Marilee announced last week that we didn’t need to read to her before bed any longer. She just

Breaking the Anxiety Boomerang
Anxiety is everywhere. I’ve bought three books that reference anxiety in the title in the past month. The pandemic prompted dramatic increases in anxiety in

Mother.ly | I’m a much better parent of tweens than I was of toddlers
I am a much better mom of teens and tweens than I was of toddlers. Or at least, I enjoy being the mother of teens

Communion: The Simplicity of Abundant and Generous Love
In these pandemic-cautious years, I’ve missed taking communion in the front of the church. Now we sit in our pews and pass individualized cups and

Preparing the Child for the Path
Prepare the child for the path, not the path for the child. I really believe in this parenting wisdom. I want to teach them independence.

Why Changing the R-Word Only Matters So Much
Essay Quick Link: New Proposal In Congress Would Remove ‘Mentally Retarded’ From Federal Law I grew up hearing the R-word from other people. “I’m so

Why AP African American Studies Is Important for All Our Kids
African American Studies benefits all kids. The College Board is piloting an Advanced Placement African American Studies Course, and I hope my (white) children have

S6 E2 | A Curious Faith with Lore Ferguson Wilbert
We may sometimes doubt the importance of our questions, but the practice of curiosity is actually a gift. Author Lore Ferguson Wilbert joins Amy Julia

An Invitation to Healing
If you are in a place of brokenness and heartache right now, the invitation to you is to be honest about that pain and humble

How Do We Love Our Kids for Who They Are, Not for What They Do?
We want our kids to understand they are loved for who they are and not for what they do. But how can we live that