When I close my eyes and think about my grandfather, my memories are cloaked in a deep sense of contentment and warmth. I remember his gentle chuckle, the twinkle in his eye and never feeling like I was a nuisance […]
In keeping with a tradition that I have a hard time keeping up with, I give you the Haveman highlights from 2016… The majority of last year was spent in anticipation of a new kitchen. And after six months of […]
A few years ago, my husband and I purchased a pressure cooker as a wedding gift for a young couple. I thought they were crazy for wanting a pressure cooker. But when you are running late to a wedding and […]
Twenty years ago, I whipped up my very first Thanksgiving feast. I secretly wanted to prove to my new man (and his mother) that I knew my way around a kitchen. And the meal did not disappoint. But flaunting my culinary […]
Ten years ago, my grandma went to be with Jesus. Her death was unexpected and left the family reeling. Ten years later, I still acutely feel the loss. And I often write about her profound influence on my life. I […]
If you are a dish in my house, you will have a hard life. Between four kids and a clumsy mom, you will get slammed around, cracked, chipped and ultimately meet your demise on the hardwood floor. It’s just how […]
I have a friend whose children have an uncanny ability to break bones only when she is out of state. Apparently they like to simultaneously scare their parents and traumatize the unfortunate grandparent left in charge. At least that is what we are […]
A few months ago my daughter skipped down the hall after Sunday School and breathlessly announced she wanted to be baptized. I asked what prompted this sudden desire and she excitedly informed me she’d learned all about baptism in class […]
I envy friends who can drop their kids off at Grandma’s house for a weekend. Having lived away from family for my entire marriage and parenting years, I’ve never had the luxury. Add to that the fact that I homeschool, […]
When I was young, I used to lie in bed at night and pray for my future husband. I was enamored with the knowledge that the boy I’d marry was out in the world somewhere, a stranger growing up in […]