Maybelle Crabtree here. Mother’s Day is just around the corner and I saw a sign for sale at a local discount store. It read the following: “Behind every great kid is a mom who’s pretty sure she’s screwing it up.” I stopped in the store aisle for a few moments staring at the sign and pondering the phrase. I then thought to myself, “Maybelle, how many times when your kids were … [Read more...] about Mother’s Day: Blessed or Stressed?
Family Life
I Hate You, Mommy!
Maybelle Crabtree here. “I hate you, Mommy!” I remember the first time my son, Matthew, said those words to me. He sat on the couch, legs crisscrossed. His arms folded across each other. His eyes glared at me. He said the words slowly, emphasizing each word. I was in the kitchen washing dishes. My reply was calm and nonchalant. “Well, I guess I’m doing my job right then.” I … [Read more...] about I Hate You, Mommy!
A Third Child? Why Me God?
Maybelle Crabtree here. Why did God gave me a third child? That's a question I have often contemplated. Back then we were a happy family of four. Tom and I produced our replacements – one boy and one girl. We felt fortunate and blessed to have conceived two babies which was two more than I thought I would have. According to Doctors... My appendix ruptured during my … [Read more...] about A Third Child? Why Me God?
My Cooking Is Not That Bad!
Maybelle Crabtree here. My girls watched television cooking shows when they were going up. They plopped on the couch after finishing their homework and watched the different food channels until dinner was ready. One of the shows they watched, actually the whole family watched, showcased bad cooks from across the country. We watched with amusement as two professional chefs tried … [Read more...] about My Cooking Is Not That Bad!
My Daughter, A Cheerleader?
“Can I be a cheerleader, Mommy?” Laurel asked one day long ago when I picked her up from the Kramer’s house. The very question sent chills down my spine. Definitely not a question I expected from my then first-grader. “Well, maybe someday you can,” I answered. “When you’re older.” Her face turned sad. “But I want to do it now. Larissa’s going to do it and so do I. … [Read more...] about My Daughter, A Cheerleader?




