Hi, I’m Beth.
I’m a writer, a wanderer, and a welcomer.
Beyond that? It’s complicated.
Mostly, this blog is all about finding magic in the absolute mess of this authentic life.
It’s about being real.
It’s about shedding expectations of doing in favor of loving ourselves for being.
It’s about rest and respite.
It’s about community and how desperately we need each other.
It’s about the realities of seeking joy while living with chronic depression.
And it’s about desperately loving our people exactly as they already are.
{In other words, if you’re looking for a place that will MOTIVATE YOU TO ACHIEVE & BE PRODUCTIVE, you should run. Don’t look back. This is not that place.}
But if you’re looking for a place that’s a little rowdy, often sweary, definitely complicated, always weird, and unapologetic about being wild and free, welcome home.
But who am I?
Well, the cold, hard facts are as follows:
- I have five kids, mostly adults now. Six with the son-in-law. Some of my babies are adopted. Some are people of color. Some have disabilities. Some are neurodelicious. Some are queer (me, too). And all are wildly perfect.
- I’ve been happily married to Greg for 20 years, which is a tiny bit awkward because we’ve been married 29. Listen, it took us a while to figure out how not to be shitty to each other. We got there eventually.
- My house is most often packed to the absolute brim with teenagers and young adults. They are messy and mouthy, and I adore them, so I lure them to me with snacks.
- I live with joy and chronic depression. Both/And.
- I’m a recovering evangelical. An ex-vangelical, if you will. I still think Jesus is OK, but the Christian Machine in America is a big nope for me.
- I’m most internet-famous for pooping my closet.
- I live in Oregon wine country.
- I can see llamas from my house.
- I host retreats.
- I foster kittens.
- I read escapist novels.
- I travel the world with my sidekick, Anxiety.
- I use my words.
Speaking of My Words, Here Are Some:
WORDS WITH HUMOR
The Day I Pooped My Closet
My Penis Is Not Okay
WORDS TO REMIND US WE’RE NOT ALONE
How to Wave in the Dark
We Do Train Wrecks Here
Holding Hands in the Dark
WORDS ABOUT REST AND RESPITE
The Importance of Mud
On Rejecting Balance
WORDS ON DEPRESSION
When Depression Is in Disguise
A Determined Walk to Slow Hope
White Lights Lead to Red Lights
The Ladder Up
WORDS FOR PARENTS
20 Things Every Parent Should Hear
For New Moms
The Evolution of My Cape
On Working Tirefully
On Being a Mother and a Time Traveler
115 responses to “”
Beth,
I just found your blog today. Clicked on a link about 3 reasons to stop…
Absolutely loved and agreed with it. So, I went to your home page to read some more and just laughed my way through Fucking, Australia.
I think I have a girl-crush on you. LMBO
Never stop blogging for Jesus. I’m just getting started with my own Christian women’s blog. More power to you and may He bless you richly.
In Christ’s love,
Cathryn
Beth,
Just had a wake-up call after reading one of your posts, “loving the Sinner, hating the sin.” I raised four stairstep children and then remarried and gained two “bonus” children, bring our total to 6 very different personalities. Your stories made me laugh, remembering some of the antics with my little ones. Just when my husband and I thought we were through raising little ones, we were blessed with the task of raising a 2 1/2 year old and 5 year old granddaughters for 6 1/2 years. I think I know why Sarah laughed out loud when told she was going to have a child in her “old age.” Raising kids is definitely much easier when you are young! They are now young adults, making decisions of their own, some far away from the biblical principles we shared with them. I found it difficult to read our grandchildren (all 12 of them) facebook posts, as they began to take on values that are current and popular. Thank you for bringing my thinking back into focus. I am a freelance writer, columnist, and Christian workshop presenter. There is no room for a judgmental attitude. I am grateful for my friend in Washington who shared your post, reminding me that I learned to love Jesus only after He first loved me! I love that you are able to add humor to life’s situations. May our Heavenly Father continue to bless you in your ministry!
Ok I just read two of your blogs and feel like I’ve found a long lost twin sister. I am the mother of 5 (all bio). My hubby and I planned for 3–a BIG family, so we thought. We didn’t know jack then. And I totally resonate with what you’re saying about LOVING THE SINNER. Period. Forget the hate the sin shit, because, like you said, that’s not our job. I never post political or controversial stuff on my fb, but recently I reposted a beautiful article written by a Christian woman, who loves her brother who recently became a woman. I loved her honest writing about her struggles, but the gist of it was that she loves her brother/sister despite being uncomfortable with her sibling’s sex change, and it was written without judgment. I’m so sick of the recent blogs and comments by Christians re: Bruce/Caitlyn. I’m sure those smug and judgy remarks will draw lots of seekers to our churches and make them feel welcome among us “perfect” followers of Jesus with more “acceptable” sins. I totally agreed with your blog, and I felt like you had spent the last few weeks inside my head. Thank you for your authenticity, courage to share your opinions, and your willingness to deal with the crazy haters. I like you.
I love love love your blog so much! Whenever I’m feeling worn down after all the children are in bed, I come here and read until I’m falling on my desk laughing, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the laughter. I have 4 kids, and our last ones were twins too (Amelie and Analise, so I’m with you on the matchy twin names). I am so grateful you share yourselves with us.
Wow!!! Someone else whose twins didn’t come “wiz, bam, bom!!!”
My girls were 45 minutes apart… My doctor had just returned the say before from a conference where he attended a session on twin births. The new recommendation was that you could allow 45 minutes between delivery. …so I got to go 45 minutes. I remember there was a student nurse in the OR with us. She was told that she had one job: as soon as Baby A was born she was to hold onto my stomach and make sure Baby B did not flip. Having twins was hard, but also a slice of heaven.
I might have sent some traffic your way. Your article about pooping in the bathroom was beyond hilarious. Thank you for sharing with the world what I think every mom can absolutely relate to! https://www.facebook.com/ljskool/posts/851503198222098
Now this is a blog I can relate to! Thank you for keeping it real in a world full of ballerina families 🙂
A friend of mine shared your blog with me. I have 6 kids and she thought it would give me a good laugh to know that I’m not the only one who doesn’t live in a blog land full of pretty ballerina pictures. Thanks for sharing your poop in the closet story. That’s the story my friend decided to use to introduce you 🙂 It gave me a good laugh-cry and well hello, nice to meet you. I look forward to reading your blog and not feeling alone in the world of “Wow! You have how many kids?!”
HI! So glad I found your blog!!! OK, so I only have ONE child -a boy…and I have a saying that I always say, “ONE is a lot”. I think I had such a realization of the HUGE magnitude of the responsibility that being a mom is… He’s 17 mow, very challenging, very smart, and very strong-willed. I teach 5th grade in an F-rated school, so my days are pretty much filled with brattiness (that’s being nice, because they are full-on thugs) and then I have my own (UGH)…please GOD, I want my son to get out of this teen phase-little by little he’s almost there. I just need to hear that there is a light at the end of this!!!
Hi Beth. I have been following you for a while and just wanted to say how much joy your blog and Facebook posts bring me. Our Bible Study is doing Restless by Jennie Allen…it’s a great study that talks about using our gifts and places and people and struggles to minister to people and serve God’s kingdom. And I told my group about you and your blog. I live on the opposite end of the country and you have never met me but you minister to me all the time. You make me laugh and what is a better ministry than that? So thank you Beth Woolsey for your words…all your words that bring a smile to my face.
My friend just introduced me to your page. its made me laugh out loud. 5 kids. you are one brave mamma. I have two and feel like I possibly might go insane. I love to share and read other peoples stories and opinions.
thanks for your blogs.
I saw one of your blogs on facebook and laughed till I cried! Reminded of the time my infant son painted my newly painted pink walls in the bathroom with my sable paint brush and used the poop in his “big boy underwear” as the paint! lol
Love the story of your children. I am grandmother to 5 children, some adopted through foster care, and I have been on 2 mission trips to Guatemala and love, love, love the people there! My best friend is a missionary there!
Thanks for the laugh!
Leisa
I’ve had 3 kids one in heaven 7 yes old now rip haylee 48 hrs off pain then 6 days old lost her born at 24 weeks so small and tiny A yr later I had another girl who just cried all the time drove me mad . And just a screamer still now at 6 a little boss but my princess and 2 yrslater a boy who a dare devil loves to climb and a sweet talker both kids ware me down but I love them to bits . I would love another one in 36 now and don’t want to wait till I’m to old I’ll say bout 2 yrs or 3 at the most that’s If I will. and 3 one had pre claims a and baby for very sick due to dusty house and bad doctor . So if I was to have another one and only if I do what will be my mum had 4 3 boys and I enjoy girl she found It a lot easier then me I’ve always been martial and since I was 6 wanted 3 kids did not matter what they were well my firstdiedd and I have a girl and boy so I don’t bi ti have a 3rd as muchl as I love kids and more .so what do peoe think is trying for a 3rd worth it when o email died and one was just so sick . And they fight so much my daughter said u would live a sister and I joke with her saying goes wait till in and nanna. And she will have and baby but I have dreamoff baby’s and lot twins baby’s who die and by and be lot off dreams my mum tells me not to bother said a I have and be girl and and and boy but who to say that I feel there room in my life for just one more baby and what I went threw with 3 my fourth one would b loved and adored and despite what 1,2,3 were lime 4 one will be different . I’ll be older I was 28 with my firs 29 with my 2nd and 31 with my boy and if u was to have one more 38,39 is that to old well my manna had her last at 38 and she had 5 so what do u think should I or not only God will make that sir me I want one more but norush yet .It would be nice for my kids to have a you get brother or sister to play and love him or her . my partner is 42 6 yrs between us he said 2 enough I gad 3 brothers and I love them all we gave grown apart but when we were young we used to b a happy family my partner nun had 3 two boys and a girl who has passed and 7 yrs between the first 2 and 4 yrs between the last. Is it really hat hard having 3 and that’s all I want 2 or us 2 plenty today with the world the way It is.
Hi,
Right now I am kind of in the crazy place in the beginning of the adoption process… all hope and prayer and no promises lol! Myt husband and I will be 40 and 42 respectively by September and I can’t carry children. We’ve applied for foster to adopt with our local CYS agency with a particular child in mind. I am an LPN with over 8 years of special needs nursing experience and he is special needs. We are in one of the early waiting periods.. will they accept? Will the TPR not go through? Will they change their minds about letting us apply for his adoption? Have they already?
No hard feelings if you erase this comment since I took a way I could find to reach out for help. I am wondering if you already know of any other special needs adoption blogs that offer info and support?
Thank you! Karen
THANK YOU! I needed this today:)
So, this is totally creepy. But I wrote a blog post um, like, kind of about you today. Just pretend we’re already friends and go with it, okay? 😉 I just discovered your blog today and really loved every word….and then I felt all inspirational and chatty, and couldn’t contain myself, so I, ahh, wrote a post about you. 🙂
http://loveisnotareward.com/2014/02/06/real-live-courageous-beth-woolsey/
Thanks for being you and writing you and living you…. it is SUCH a blessing!
Hi Beth,
I found your blog via a post on Huffington Post and I LOVE IT!!
It’s so full of love and humour. Thank you for writing!
I would like to follow your blog – so I get alerted when you add a new post, can I do that? I can’t see the right button!
Please do let me know if I can?
Thanks!
Amy – Founder of http://www.treasured.com – for all your precious memories!
Amy, you can click the gray hand under Beth’s photo in the top left corner to subscribe to posts by email, or the orange hand to subscribe to the RSS feed.
The blue hand takes you to her Facebook page, where you can follow her and see new posts as well as the awesome conversations that don’t make it into full blog posts.
Glad you found us!
I stumbled across your blog…by accident but am glad I’ve found it. I’ve been a mom to 5 now grown children and parenting 3 grandsons, which means I’ve never not had a child under my roof or in my heart since becoming a mom 37 years ago. That makes me feel ancient just saying that!
Yea!! Another mom to five kids!! Hubs and I have five also, now aged 24-6. Big spread there. My only regret is I wished they had been all closer in age (my last surprise was 8 yrs later after what I thought was the last!!) or put some more in between 🙂 I would have loved to have been able to adopt internationally. Large families always have the best stories, off to enjoy some of yours now since I just found your blog and immediately went to this page to “meet” you.
Kudos to you. I found you because of the sunshine award. I’m a mother if 10 children and it’s always fun to see how other families do things. 🙂
I want a gold star!! I have been reading your blog for a while, but tonight …
after choking with laughter, my daughter asked me where you lived
and I didn’t know!!!
She wanted to know what town had YOU in it…
I’m not sure if it was for visiting or avoiding purposed … LOL
we LOVE your blog, but tonight the “bad smells happen to good people” had us in stitches. I think it’s our favorite yet. I still can’t get through reading it out loud cuz I laugh too much!
Hello Beth –
Like Melessa and you, I too am a mother of five – all biologically – plus a semi-mom to three others – my husband’s kids. Plus grandma to 12. All eight kids are now between the ages of 24 and 44, grandkids run 5 months to 19 years, and I’m here to proclaim that there is life after raising eight kids! But I digress. I’m all about getting that gold star.
Thank you for your blog, your story, your generosity in adopting those wonderful beautiful souls, and for your response to Mrs. Hall. I look forward to connecting with you in this cyber world on a regular basis.
Blessings on your family!
Like so many others, I found you because I read your wonderful response to Mrs. Hall (who I hope reads it and joins you for coffee). I too am a mother of 5: 15, 13, 11, 9, and 4. The boy is 13, all of the others are girls. I don’t know why I provided a link to my blog since it’s rarely updated anymore. And I’m not entirely sure why I left this comment except for my compulsive need for gold-star validation.
Yeah! A five kids club! I also have 1 boy and 4 girls. Boy is the oldest, 17 and has Asperger’s. He has come so far though. The early days were hell on earth most times. The girls are 15, 11, 9 and 4. Everyone always says I look tired. Well, duh! I am exhausted and worn out, but have to keep going. They are ALL moving out one day. Must prepare them. Our youngest, surprise baby we call Hope. The joke is that she is our last hope for someone to take care of us when we are old. We’ll be 60 when she leaves for college (God willing!)
Ok…I guess I’m invited to Thanksgiving!! That’s my favorite holiday! 😀 So cute….saw a link on a friend’s FB page and read your letter to Mrs. Hall…and then saw the rest of your blog…would love to hear Cai’s laugh someday! Haha! Awesome adoptions, too! Women like you inspire me with your bravery and love…hope to adopt one day, perhaps…still haven’t ventured into child-world yet 🙂
I always wanted to adopt children, instead we just popped out 7 of them the old fashioned way, maybe someday the adopting will happen. Glad to have found your blog.
OK. You are the first person to experience something I had a chance to experience and chose not to, and have been curious about it ever since. I had my twin boys without any interventions until 30 minutes after Baby A was born, and Baby B was still snug in his amniotic sac. The doctor told me if she did not break his water to move him along, I would have to go through labor again. I let her do it and he was born shortly after, but to this day, I wish I would have let him stay as long as he needed to. I’m very curious about your experience. Do you write about it somewhere else?