Author Archives: Lara

Mental Picture

I don’t know how many times I’ve been in a situation where I left my camera at home and I wasn’t able to cAptUre that perfect picture of my kids.  I kick myself for not being more prepared, but it seems that even in “prepared” situations, the mOmEnt can pass you by before getting out theContinue reading “Mental Picture”

From the Confessional

Has LiFe turned out the way you thought it would?  I have to confess that mine is very different than I had “planned”.  After we got married I envisioned living in the country, only working from 8-5, and having all the time in the world to play with my kids and make pErfeCt sugar cookies withContinue reading “From the Confessional”

Email Me

I recently I spoke with a friend who was hurt about not being included in a DeCisiOn that the rest of her family made without her.  The situation could have been avoided by simply picking up the phone or sending a quick email.   Instead, everyone got busy with life, assumed that she would be okayContinue reading “Email Me”

Can Anyone Hear Me?

I’m writing this post today with a scratch in my throat.  No, not a scratch due to a cold, but a scratch due to raising my voice to get my kid’s AttEnTion or tell them they need to stop doing something for the 20th time!  Can you relate? I remember my teaching days and how IContinue reading “Can Anyone Hear Me?”

Bedroom Makeover

Last Thursday at about 10 a.m. I walked through our master bedroom and decided I was tired of it looking like an afterthought.  I didn’t want to spend much money and wanted a new look.  I gave Robynn a call, and she picked up a couple cans of antique white spraypaint, a package of dropclothsContinue reading “Bedroom Makeover”

So God Made a Farmer

This week there was haRveSt on the Shoup farm.  We had a drought this year and the beans could have been better, but it is always a fUn time of year because the colors are changing, the weather is enjoyable, and we finally get to reap the benefits of all of our haRd work. TheContinue reading “So God Made a Farmer”

I’ve Gotta Feelin’

Having a RoUgH start to your week?  Try my QuiCk fiX to reverse the feeling of a bad day. P.S.  I don’t know HOW MANY times I’ve listened to this to give me a little boost.  So much so that when this song siNgs from my office, my daughter immediately runs as fast as sheContinue reading “I’ve Gotta Feelin’”

Make your Priorities Convenient

Ever since I started dAtiNg Doug, we have always tried to read a daily devotion from our “Word Among Us” booklet we get every month.  I remember how SimPle it was to get this task accomplished in the dating and pre-kid days. There was very little room for excuses on why we couldn’t find a fewContinue reading “Make your Priorities Convenient”

Lost In Translation

Do you ever have one of those MoMenTs in an email conversation or text where you read the comment and your response is, “That was RUDE!  I can’t believe they said that!” That is the unfortunate ConseQuenCe of written communication.  People don’t have the ability to interject tone or emphasis on particular words, and aContinue reading “Lost In Translation”

What a Relief!

Don’t you appreciate it when someone is completely HonEst with you about a situation you have been secretly struggling with?  As soon as they open up, you immediately think, “What a relief!  I thought I was the OnLy oNe dealing with that!” When you get in those situations, do you return the FaVor by opening upContinue reading “What a Relief!”