We have a new addition to our family.

Last weekend I traveled to Chicago for the first time. The food is amazing, the view from Willis Tower is outstanding, the people honest (they lack that southern sweetness that comes with a side of “Bless Your Heart” but in small doses I found their bluntness refreshing and often comical).

I traveled to Chicago to spend the weekend with my brother, sister, parents, brother-in-law and my soon to be sister-in-law. That’s her on her wedding day in the orange top dropping my little brother.

Christ told a story to the religious leaders of Israel when asked “who is my neighbor”

Luke 10:30-37

But the question that preceded “who is my neighbor” was “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” The answer to this was quoted from Deuteronomy 6:5, “To love the Lord your God with your whole mind, your whole being, and all your strength,” and Leviticus 19:18, “you must love your neighbor as yourself.”

Now an expert in Mosaic law had approached Christ with this question (our equivalent to a lawyer) and in true legal fashion he sought to limit the extent of his responsibility by asking Christ to define neighbor.

Sleep is a precious commodity in our home, one that eludes us. We have tried various prescription, over the counter and natural remedies in the hope of a few hours of sleep.

We’ve received numerous recommendations: warm milk, electronics off an hour before and quiet the house, melatonin, unwind spray, sleep dust, read a phone book….

I’ve even created a pinterest board entitled Curing Insomnia to collect recommendations.

Since launching my site I have had a number of requests to help others create sites of their own. While I wish I had the time to sit down with each and every one of you, I do not. So I thought I would give a short description of the tools I have used to create this site. I hope you find it helpful.

In the past few months I have thought a lot about what it must be like to send a son or daughter to war. I’ve sent a husband but never a child. This last year I have watched friends say goodbye to their children with a good mix of pride and fear. I’ve felt that. A decade into this world they know what is at stake.

There is so much waiting and anticipation. Waiting for a phone call, letter, just a simple “Hey mom I’m breathing” is such a welcome message.