by Cornelia Becker Seigneur | Apr 9, 2018 | Being present, Family Life, Guest post
I grew up in a German household where working hard without complaining was a huge value we learned. When I complained about having to do a task, my mom used to say to me, “Kopf Hoch,” which is basically German for “Keep your head up.” What that meant to...
by Cornelia Becker Seigneur | Mar 29, 2018 | Outreach, Parenting
My neighbor Wendy’s first grade daughter had a friend over for a playdate in their home, which is a three bedroom, two bath adorable ranch, and the friend said to Wendy’s daughter, “Where is the rest of your house?” A similar thing happened to my son, who had a very...
by Cornelia Becker Seigneur | Mar 24, 2018 | 5 Minute Friday, Accident, Writing
My daughter and her husband had just returned to Germany after visiting us for Christmas, and I know I needed to getting my house back in order. You know, the routine of cleaning and laundry and organizing and putting things away and planning meals and getting my home...
by Cornelia Becker Seigneur | Mar 19, 2018 | Being present, Family Life, Parenting Philosophy
As I was leaving my parents house yesterday, I hugged my dad and said to him, “Love you, Daddy.” I have called him “Daddy” all of my life. It never became just “dad,” but was always “Daddy” which seemed to be the German way. Then my dad says to...
by Cornelia Becker Seigneur | Mar 16, 2018 | 5 Minute Friday, Accident, Faith, Gratitude
The last thing I remember was passing the Starbucks then the McDonalds with its bright neon lights lighting up the fast-food chain’s parking lot on the corner of Walling Street. We had also walked by the Bugatti’s Italian Restaurant, and later when I reflected back, I...
by Cornelia Becker Seigneur | Mar 15, 2018 | Family Life, Hospitality, Real-Life Mom column
I had coffee with my fellow local writer-mom friend Laura at our neighborhood Starbucks. Somehow in the conversation she noted how she had stopped by my house last summer and my house was not “perfect,” but instead it felt “lived in” and that I have other...
by Cornelia Becker Seigneur | Mar 8, 2018 | Adventure, Faith
My first child and my only daughter was going to be in Germany for her 21st birthday as she was studying there, and so as I am not one to want to miss a party, I decided to fly to Europe to see celebrate with her. My 13-year-old at the time twins had never been on an...