Regret not

This summer, I considered getting a summer job. Instead I became Summer Job. As in Job, the Old Testament character who loses everything, seemingly in one fell swoop, minus his faith. May – I do not regret staying in Tennessee this summer, in spite of the heat chamber in which we were locked since May, because my relationships with neighbors and new friends were deepened. June – I do not regret letting one of my parents drive my car which resulted in me having to buy a new bumper. Because now I understand a fraction of how my parents felt … Continue Reading →

Bookshelf

Do you see the bookshelf in this picture? The one behind the children, one of whom is jumping in various states of dress and the other is manhandling an octopod? That bookshelf, let me tell you of its significance. It was purchased at the IKEA in Hartford, Connecticut with our wedding money. We had returned from honeymoon and moved into our new lovenest and discovered a clear lack of organization in our abode. I lovingly organized all and sundry books and photo frames and created a thoughtful assemblage of possessions on display. This is the third home in which the … Continue Reading →

Gag Reflex

Herein I will paint an image for you that is less than appetizing. Tonight I was bathing Little Man and out of the charity of my heart, I allowed him to handle my special paraben-free honey oatmeal loofah bar soap. And how does he thank me for this decadence? He bites it, tasting the organic cleansing ingredients to dissatisfaction. At which point he barfs a small clay-colored geyser of various snacky items–now in chunky liquid form–into the bathtub. Convenient since I can still rinse him off with no clothes on. Inconvenient because, when is ralphing convenient? Anyway. I forgot about … Continue Reading →

Identity

Hi. My name is Kendra Stanton Lee. I am an American-born woman, a wife, and a mother of two. I prefer to go by my full name. The family into which I was born and the family into which I chose to marry are equally important to me. I have a master’s degree. I was able to attend graduate school because my husband supported me: my dreams and my finances. I teach full-time. I love my job. I like it when people ask me whether I like my job. I like it less when people ask me who cares for … Continue Reading →

Kendra Starter Kit

The starter kit idea is nothing new under the sun, but I like it because it’s not just a shameless consumerist plug for products. The starter kit is a sampling of items (some intangible) that say something about who you are. I invite other bloggers to join me. Comment with a link to the blog post where you do. I’m specifically tagging my friend Jackie here to encourage her to do a starter kit Here’s my starter kit for me, right now, April 2012. SUGAR LIP TREATMENT SPF 15 by fresh This is the greatest lip treatment known to mankind. … Continue Reading →

Shelter

Today I’m thinking heavily about housing. I’m remembering last night when we four in the FamiLee were sitting on our front porch watching the storm roll in and then our landlord ran over and probably thought, Who are these idiot Yankees without cable that have no idea that a twister is less than 5 minutes away? He scuttled us into his basement where his wife and four daughters were huddled around the TV. We’re watching the doppler and the eye of the storm is headed right for our street and I’m thinking how I left my cellphone back at our … Continue Reading →

Not Finding, Not Looking

I’ve been not looking for something for a while now. And the upside of not looking for something is finding something different and maybe even better in its stead. I have been not looking for balance for almost two years now. A sweet and wise friend told me after I had my son (when life really began for me as a juggling mother of two) to stop trying to seek the balance. To cease this vain search for something that would forever prove elusive and possibly non-existent. She told me instead to try and find a rhythm that would jive … Continue Reading →

15 for 15

My babies are all catching their beauty rest right now, as they should be. It’s late and it’s sabbath. Time to rest: mind, body, soul. I am still awake and tending the coals of the interwebs since I feel impressed to share the following. “Fifteen Lessons for Fifteen Years” is a reflection in three parts by Pastor David Asscherick. I could wax on about how moved I have been by God’s word through the vessel of Pastor Asscherick’s eloquent preaching. How he has perhaps had the most influence on my and my husband’s conversion beyond any other pastor. And we’ve … Continue Reading →

Achtung, mama

This morning my alarm was a perfume sample giver-outer standing in my path at Macy’s. She did not want to be ignored. Wake up. Take the sample. Acknowledge me. Or I will not stop. I acknowledged her. I got up at an hour that rhymes with hix o’flock. I got up and spent some time in Exodus, chapter 3. God was just hanging out…in some shrubbery…on fire…just having a deep and meaningful with Moses. God was like the perfume giver-outer. The one who’s got something to give does not want to be ignored. Can ya dig it? *** No one … Continue Reading →

Forgetting Lance

Updated: Armstrong confesses to Oprah Winfrey about history of doping Photo – AFP/Getty Images The news coming out of The International Cycling Union struck me this morning. I’ve been following Lance Armstrong’s case closely (particularly as I become a “Tour de France widow” every year due to my husband’s enthusiasm for cycling). A particular aspect of the story has been so spiritually stirring to me. Many have called the investigation a waste or a witch hunt as periodic and spontaneous drug tests throughout the tours confirmed that Armstrong and company were in the clear. Yet, the investigation has found systematic … Continue Reading →