May 2005
May 31, 2005
Film: lessons in leadership
One of the greatest joys of homeschooling was all the free time we had to watch movies. We didn't have a television in the 80s and the 90s, but we had a VCR and screen. Tripp and I have always been movie buffs and we used films as teaching tools...12:01 PM in Homeschooling | Permalink | Comments (1)
For mothers of boys
The best $25 I ever invested was in a Wahl hair clipper kit fifteen years ago when I had four sons under 6. Since then, I figure I've given something like 900 haircuts to those four sons, the four that came later, and my dear hubby, thus saving $9000-...7:16 AM in Practical Info | Permalink | Comments (4)
May 30, 2005
What makes a real writing contest?
Marla recently started a writing contest: Calling All Intellectuelles for "evangelical women who are secretly C.S. Lewis wannabes" offering as bait membership in seven-woman team blog called "Intellectuelle." Marla had always referred to me as a mentor, although in retrospect I don't know why since she never took any of...11:59 AM in Writing | Permalink | Comments (10)
Writing contest!
Ready to get serious? Here's a contest to sink your teeth into: Operation First Book For unpublished writers only. If you have a book in you, why not go for it?...10:18 AM in Writing | Permalink | Comments (0)
The best writing
It's funny, but often when people set out with the goal of producing their best writing, they end up with their worst. They try too hard and the strain is evident. The best writing is simple and effortless - so effortless that the reader has no idea the work that...8:54 AM in Writing | Permalink | Comments (3)
May 27, 2005
Online coupons
Well, since I've been all over the map today, here's something really practical I just discovered. I do a lot of online shopping - so much that I once found out my son Jonny believed I was ordering the weather - he wanted snow. In the past week I've ordered...7:32 PM in Practical Info | Permalink | Comments (3)
Viagra watch
Okay, in the last few days there's been a complete uproar because someone broke the news that our tax money is providing Viagra for convicted sex offenders perverts,rapists and pedophiles. (Of course, one has to wonder if our tax money should be providing Viagra for anyone. . . .) Today,...12:37 PM in Current Affairs | Permalink | Comments (2)
Politics with Peggy Noonan
You probably wouldn't know it from my Mommylife blog, but I am a VERY political person. From my radical leftist days in the 60's and 70's up to my becoming a believer in 1987, I was about as opinionated and vocal as anyone could be regarding politics. Though my political...11:39 AM in Blogging | Permalink | Comments (2)
Blogging withdrawals and Birthday wishes
Yesterday was a hard day for me. It was my birthday and I had a bunch of things I wanted to blog, but for some reason, I could not get to the inner workings of my blog to create any new entries. As much as I use my computer -...9:45 AM in Blogging | Permalink | Comments (2)
May 25, 2005
Protect your kids from cyber-bullies
“Mom-mee! Daddy! Come here!” My 12-year-old daughter was crying hysterically. She was on the computer, and my heart sank. Even with filters, I worry about the dark side. But the screen was the usual mix of bright colors, the IM box as usual in the top left corner. “I can’t...10:03 AM in Teens and Tweens | Permalink | Comments (7)
How I became a Montessori Mama
Funny how one book can change your life completely. When Samantha Sunshine was born in 1969 I was determined to become the best mother I could be. Most mommies feel that way, of course, but I had an extra dollop of motivation because of my hardscrabble background, which included divorce,...7:39 AM in Montessori | Permalink | Comments (5)
May 24, 2005
Who said it? #1
Okay, this is not a fancy-schmancy contest, but something really simple because I like to give away stuff. So, the first person to comment, correctly naming the author of this quote will receive his or her choice of any of my books - autographed. "The first idea the child must...11:43 PM in Contest | Permalink | Comments (3)
So you wanna be a theologian. . .
Apropos of The foolish things, which I wrote last week - about my gratitude for not being a theologian - I came across someone who might agree: "Jesus wasn't a theologian; He was the God who told stories." -- Madeleine L'Engle Actually, from his brush-ups with theologians, I'd say Jesus...2:15 PM in Church Issues | Permalink | Comments (2)
Chicken Soup for the Soul
Yay! I just received notice that one of my stories, "Good News on a Paper Route" will be published in Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul II. That's my third Chicken Soup. My first two are in Chicken Soup for the Christian Woman's Soul: "Getting Out of God's Way" and...1:54 PM in Writing | Permalink | Comments (0)
Must-have tools for writers
I grew up like everyone else - on Roget's Thesaurus. But somewhere in the beginning of my writing career, I stumbled upon something so superior: Rodale's Synonym Finder. Read the reviews at amazon to see what I mean. I also recently discovered The Writer's Digest Flip Dictionary, which is not...1:53 PM in Writing | Permalink | Comments (0)
Mommies: think outside the box!
Yikes! What is it with kids and dirt? The afternoon I discovered our kids had been digging ditches in our back yard, like any mother I started to react in typical fashion. That is, to tell them to stop. Now. Immediately. Forever. But before I could speak (or scream), they...10:12 AM in Mothering | Permalink | Comments (3)
May 23, 2005
A good way for any mommy to start the day!
"Lord, I know not what is before me this day, but Thou knowest. I desire to leave all in Thy hands, and to place myself at Thy disposal. Do for me as Thou seest best. Prosper me in all that I undertake. Give me good success, if it be Thy...10:51 AM in Inspiration | Permalink | Comments (0)
An excellent family newspaper
Living an hour from Washington, D.C. condemns us to The Washington Post for our local daily paper. And I don't use the word "condemns" lightly. If it had any integrity, the Post would run the banner Editorial/Opinion over its masthead daily. Definitely a paper for the liberal elite. Because it...9:43 AM in Family | Permalink | Comments (1)
No more chore wars
If getting your children to help with housework seems like an uphill battle, maybe you need to shift your focus from how they should work to why. Once you understand how important chores are in releasing a child’s potential, you’ll find it easier to take a positive approach, be more...9:00 AM in Mothering | Permalink | Comments (0)
May 22, 2005
Mother Teresa's Simple Plan
These words are engraved on a wall at the Children's Home founded by Mother Teresa in Calcutta: People are often unreasonable, illogical,and self-centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, People may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false...5:00 PM in Inspiration | Permalink | Comments (2)
May 21, 2005
Got grammar?
“Mommy, Grandma taked me to the park and I runned all around! Then we goed to the pet store and seed some mouses! Can we get some mouses, Mommy? Can we?” When your preschooler’s bursting to share his excitement, stumbling all over the English language, be careful what words you...9:17 PM in Toddlers | Permalink | Comments (2)
Megamoms: it's not over 'til it's over
My day started last night when three of my grandkids came over to spend the night. Jasmine and Nathan just sold their house and were going househunting with just the baby today. All the aunts and uncles were home -- plus Josh's fiancee came over, so there were 14 of...7:23 PM in Big families | Permalink | Comments (6)
Movie classics your kids will love
Even today's most techno-savvy kids accustomed to vibrant color and sound - all the bells and whistles - respond to a story well-told. They can handle black and white. And just as we encourage children to read classics, we can encourage them to see them. Like best-loved books, these films...10:29 AM in Movies | Permalink | Comments (1)
May 20, 2005
His little girl
I remember the day my dad left. He knelt and hugged me and cried. The skimpy dress of a five year old girl couldn't protect me from the chill that gathered around my arms and legs. The scratchy tickly whiskers - would I feel them no more? The arms that...8:18 AM in Inspiration | Permalink | Comments (4)
May 19, 2005
The foolish things
Just as Hebrew men used to wake and give thanks to God that they were not born women, I wake each day and give thanks I'm not a theologian. Maybe that sounds odd coming from someone whose BA is in philosophy. I used to love to debate and argue and...1:41 PM in Church Issues | Permalink | Comments (2)
May 18, 2005
Something from a friend
Among the women I count as friends is one I never actually met but because of similar families (in terms of childbearing over more than a generation)and similar tests as mothers we have shared from the depths of our hearts. Her name is Pam and she has been blogging since...6:46 PM in Fun Stuff | Permalink | Comments (1)
A baby's just the thing!
I forgot I was supposed to share something interesting. Here it is: While we've been busy squabbling about the validity of QuiverFull philosophy and the alleged judgmentalism of those who subscribe to it, a new twist has been added which may change the dynamic of the debate: A new trend...5:15 PM in Big families | Permalink | Comments (1)
Who likes vanilla?
Okay, so I promised yesterday to follow up with something more interesting -- at least to my way of thinking -- than catching up on tired old Christian controversies. I mean, honestly, when you stop and think that all of us are like survivors from a sinking ship -- once...4:09 PM in Family | Permalink | Comments (4)
May 17, 2005
Catching up on controversy
As I said a week ago when I was coming down with the flu, there were so many controversies swirling around the Christian blogosphere, I was frustrated because I didn't have the energy - and couldn't stop coughing long enough - to blog myself, though I did comment at several...11:57 AM in Big families | Permalink | Comments (8)
May 16, 2005
Save money on kids' software!
I'm creating a new category called Resources for when I find great places to get stuff for kids -- and moms. Some of you may already know about these places, but there may be some surprises for others. I was surprised when I decided to do some shopping for new...9:31 AM in Resources | Permalink | Comments (0)
May 14, 2005
We believe in miracles -- and CPR
Five summers ago I almost lost a son. I was finishing up errands when I got the call on my cell phone. My 5-year-old son Jesse in trouble. A near-drowning. Helicopter on its way. No time for me to get there. Call back in five minutes to find out which...4:14 PM in Family | Permalink | Comments (2)
May 11, 2005
Six sick kids, one sick momma
I am very sick. After taking six kids to the doctor on Monday and having 4 put on antibiotics, yesterday I got very sick myself. Since I was already on antibiotics for a skin infection, I can only guess I have a virus and there's not much I can do...9:05 AM in | Permalink | Comments (4)
May 9, 2005
Something's coming
I know I haven't written a blog of any significance in a couple weeks. I've been busy. Speaking and writing obligations have left me with a longing in my leisure time to avoid speaking and writing altogether. Yesterday, I spoke at what one of my kids calls the Church of...10:51 AM in | Permalink | Comments (14)
May 6, 2005
An authentic piece of history
Oh, and I like the way this person selling her invitation to Jennifer Wilbanks' wedding put it: New dress for lavish wedding: $70 New shoes to match dress: $25 New suit for husband to wear to wedding: $100 Wedding gift: $60 Invitation to lavish wedding from runaway bride: Priceless Bidding...12:51 PM in Current Affairs | Permalink | Comments (2)
Your chance to win a sacred relic :)
The ebay bidding for the incarnation of Jennifer Wilbanks face on some guy's toast is now up to $14,100. Bidding ends Sunday, so better hurry!...12:42 PM in Current Affairs | Permalink | Comments (0)
May 5, 2005
Book lovers, take note
I just joined www.zooba.com. You sign up for 9.95 and they send you a free book of your choice, with no shipping charges. You create a list of books you want, and then they send one to you every four weeks or so -- at 9.95 with no shipping. This...2:34 PM in Books | Permalink | Comments (3)
May 4, 2005
Notes from the heartland
I am in Little Rock, Arkansas today, with no time to see the Clinton Library (as if) and only a few minutes to blog. I will be taping some interviews with Dennis Rainey this afternoon for future broadcasts on Family Life Radio about my next book: Dirty Dancing at the...8:53 AM in Culture | Permalink | Comments (4)
