Tag: family

  • Dispatch from Neverland

    Dispatch from Neverland

    The heat has finally broken here in Mariposa County. I’ll be the first to admit that I had no understanding just how hot it was going to get here from early July until late August. It was the kind of heat where you wake up thinking it won’t be too bad but by 2 o’clock…

  • I need my kids in worship with me

    I need my kids in worship with me

    First he glared at me. Then he puffed, “I hate church. I don’t want to go.” When we told Paul, my 10 year old, that the regular parts of kids ministry were taking the day off and church would have family worship on Sunday, Paul protested. Stupid. Boring. I hate this, I hate you, I…

  • Two Years of The Joy Machine

    Jackson Turns Two Today Here’s 10 things about our toddler that I wish I could bottle up and save forever.

  • Back From the Brink

    I just turned on my computer for the first time in 7 days.  It still feels a bit funky. My fingers are stretching to familiar places but typing feels totally odd. Yesterday, I woke up to cuddle a freezing Jackson back to sleep. Today, he woke up in his crib to a warm bowl of…

  • How much is “enough?”

    I go to church on Friday night, volunteer in the high school ministry on Sunday morning, and help lead a high school small group on Wednesday night. That is enough. When I hear an announcement for something else I could do, or somewhere else they need help, or even something else I would really enjoy…

  • Christmas happiness

    The five McLane’s had a very simple Christmas day.  Everyone slept in so we didn’t get out of bed until about 7. A huge treat! As excited as the kids were to open presents they were polite and orderly about the whole thing. It took Jackson exactly one gift to figure out what this was…

  • Todayland

    The other day I was sitting at my desk working on a project that commanded my full attention. Fully engaged, I barely acknowledged that Kristen handed me Jackson (6 months old) so she could work on lunch. So, for about 15 minutes, I’m left holding him on my lap with one hand while I’m trying…

  • Place your bet

    A few months ago I went to Las Vegas with my father-in-law for 24 hours. There are at least 4 things hilarious with that statement, right? He was running a marathon and needed someone to drive with him from San Diego to Las Vegas and back. I went since it’d be nice to catch-up along…

  • Helping our kids love church, again

    “The reason I hate church is that you pay attention to everyone else there but us.” ~ Megan, age 7 Those words rattled my soul. I’d rather have gotten cold-cocked by Mike Tyson in a bar fight than heard those words. That’s when I knew that things had to drastically change in how both how I…

  • Like Father, Like Daughter

    Kristen found this in Megan’s room the other day. Megan loves to draw and create things. Her origami creations are worthy of an Etsy shop. When we turned over the last page and saw her marketing twist about going to MeganMcLane.com… we just roared with laughter. She truly is her father’s child.