Isle Royale coastline, Michigan, Lake Superior

AT THE WATER’S EDGE:

LIVING LIFE AND LEARNING ALL I CAN ALONG THE WAY

Journey with Me

Hi there! My name is Dana. I created this space as a place to share the things I learn along this journey I call life. I am a Jesus follower, wife, twin mom and dog mom. I work in marketing/sales analytics and I’m a sort of Jane of All Trades, interested in all things nature, gardening, cooking, crafting, traveling, exploring and learning new things. This blog is a conglomeration of my interests, hobbies, life and life lessons. Thanks for stopping by!

Latest Blog Posts

  • Overcome so you are not overtaken

    My son is a pretty incredible young boy. He’s six and asks the most wonderful questions. He’s a deep thinker and a critical thinker — skills I hope to further encourage in him as I think they are so valuable. They also make for great conversation. He was a bit of a late talker. He

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  • 40 Years and A Look Forward

    Today I turn 40. Thats four decades of life now complete, and over half my life lived as an adult. It doesn’t seem that long ago that I wrote this post for my 30th birthday, yet a lot has happened since then. I have written a number of birthday posts in the intervening decade and

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  • Metamorphosis

    Metamorphosis

    This is a post about redemption and transformation. I don’t know who needs to hear it (besides me!), but God has been giving me not so subtle hints that this is important, as he weaves truths into my life through stories from past and present. Let me start with this story. This summer we did

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  • The Joys of Motherhood

    Mother’s Day can be a hard day. I think of the years I longed to be a mom, but wasn’t. The year after I lost a baby and my chance at biological children. And even now, rejoicing in the chance to be a mom, but tempered by the reality that I’m only a mom because

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  • Inviting in the Good: Lessons from Weeding in the Woods

    I have an enemy. An enemy encroaching on my territory and trying to take over. Poisoning those within reach and advancing position every time I look. My enemy’s name? Alliaria petiolata. Otherwise known as: garlic mustard. As one of my aunts once put it, with a name like that, it’s no wonder it’s an invasive,

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  • A New Rheumatologist for Rheumatoid Awareness Day

    Here we are. February 2, 2024. Rheumatoid Awareness Day. As I type this, I am sitting in the waiting room at my rheumatologist’s office. Only, it’s not “my” rheumatologist’s office anymore. You see, I had been going to the same doctor for over 16 years. He’s the one who got me to a healthy place

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  • Who Dares Despise the Day of Small Things?

    As we ring in the New Year, I want to reflect a bit on this past year. In 2023, I didn’t make a New Year’s resolution, but I did pick a Bible verse that I put next to my bed so that it could be a reminder for me throughout the year. It was from

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  • Happy Birthday to Me: 39 Things that Happened This Year

    Today is my 39th birthday. It also is the two year anniversary of when we adopted our twins. It’s a doubly special day around here! Normally I like to do a annual summary of the year around New Years, but as I’m behind on blogging, I decided my birthday was a good time to reflect

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  • The Exploding Jack ‘O Lantern: Kids Science and Sensory Activity

    It’s almost Halloween — a holiday that was one of my favorites as a kid, because who doesn’t love a day of dressing silly and collecting loads of candy? But I’ve also always loved pumpkins. Pumpkins, squash, gourds — I find all of the colors and shapes fascinating and have enjoyed growing them in my

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  • My Gardening Paradise

    My Gardening Paradise

    It is true that a lot has happened over the past few years. One of them was that we moved to a new house. New house meant new gardens. I was sad to leave behind my perennials (though we know the new owners and they graciously let me dig a few things up!) and the

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