July 2007
July 31, 2007
An amazing love story
Herman Rosenblat survived the Holocaust thanks in part to a young girl who tossed him apples and bread from outside the concentration camp. Twelve years later, destiny brought them together again. . . An absolutely amazing story! Read the whole thing here - and be sure to click to...8:34 PM in Inspiration | Permalink | Comments (5)
July 27, 2007
Nursery decor and toy choices
A second question from Kay, new mom of four months: How do you feel about the bright colors and patterns for babies these days? My baby loves them...but becomes quickly overstimulated by them as well. I can't seem to find a baby toy that isn't neon green and orange! Nursery...11:15 PM in Babies | Permalink | Comments (12)
Advice for working mother
Hi there. My name is Katy and I am a first time Mom to a 4 month old girl. What can I do at home to create the happiest, calmest environment for my family if I work full time? Please do not think badly of me for working. Right now,...11:12 PM in Mothering | Permalink | Comments (7)
11 year old boy with Down syndrome needs a family
What a cutie! Let's spread the word so Joey can find a home. He sounds like he would be a great addition to a family who can use "a little extra" :) Joey is in the Grass Valley/Sacramento area of California. Contact Jessica Stahl, (530) 478-0900, ext 46....10:34 PM in Adoption, Down syndrome | Permalink | Comments (1)
Do you know who your heroes are? The continuing hypocrisy of the left
Look over the descriptions of the following two houses and see if you can tell which belongs to an environmentalist: HOUSE # 1: A 20-room mansion (not including 8 bathrooms) heated by natural gas. Add on a pool (and a pool house) and a separate guest house all heated by...10:19 PM in Current Affairs | Permalink | Comments (1)
Domestic abuse in Christian homes
I received permission to publish this letter because the writer felt - as I do - that open discussion about the real problems faced by Christian families can only lead to better health within the Body of Christ: Dear Barbara, I am a new reader of your blog and am...12:33 PM in Church Issues, Domestic violence, KS Milkmaid | Permalink | Comments (3)
The wedding industry - blech!
Here's an insightful article into the ridiculous, wasteful and self-indulgent wedding culture. Fifty years ago weddings were small, simple, and meaningful. Today they are an ordeal that many people simply have to survive so the bride can have her perfect day. The Wedding-Industrial Complex Exposed Who has set this up?...10:41 AM in Current Affairs, Marriage | Permalink | Comments (16)
July 26, 2007
Guest Blogger: KS Milkmaid
Farming brings you close to creation. I pause when doing chores and listen to the creation speak about the wonders of God. Often I observe the animals and note profound lessons about my own humanity in the context of God’s majesty. For example, look at this picture of Marco....9:40 AM in KS Milkmaid | Permalink | Comments (8)
Down syndrome - the ethics of prenatal testing and abortion
My friend Gloria sent me this link: The Blessings of a Down Syndrome Child Good video (although Pat Robertson is hilarious the way he intones "Down Syn-drome" :) outlining the problem of expanding prenatal testing and the push for abortions. With 90% of women facing this diagnosis aborting their babies...9:19 AM in Disabilities, Down syndrome | Permalink | Comments (4)
July 23, 2007
Another family movie resource for parents
In addition to the sites I've recommended before for movie reviews (Kids and Movies) - and don't forget there's a Common Sense Media quick search button on my lower right sidebar - I've just been alerted to another: Moral Metric This one has some good articles for parents, too....1:14 PM in Movies | Permalink | Comments (0)
Disabilities and the church
Hi Barbara, I have been a Mommy Life reader for several months now and I really appreciate the quality of content and the Christian viewpoint on all topics. I am a Mom to 3 boys. My oldest son Ezekiel has DS, he’s 9. My second Noah just turned 8 and...12:28 PM in Church Issues, Disabilities, Down syndrome | Permalink | Comments (7)
July 20, 2007
Why I call them the Downzers
We call our four sons with Down syndrome The Downzers, which upsets self-appointed members of the PC police who think we are being disrespectful. Maybe what they don't understand is that this is just something outside the experience of a parent with a more moderate-sized family and one child...2:02 PM in Disabilities, Down syndrome | Permalink | Comments (23)
Daniel makes my days brighter!
Daniel is such a sweetie! He's my #11 child, the second of three adopted at the end of our birth children - one of our four sons with Down syndrome. Every Sunday at church, Daniel has a quarter to put in the offering plate. And exvery Sunday as he...1:35 PM in Down syndrome, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (4)
July 19, 2007
Now: grocery shop at Amazon for great prices and free shipping!
Did you know? Amazon Grocery offers over 22,000 non-perishable items including some of your favorite brands, shipped to your door, just like any other Amazon.com purchase. We've also recently introduced the Subscribe and Save program, which is a great way to save money on items you use routinely. Your...6:58 PM in Practical Info | Permalink | Comments (0)
My DNA test
Here is what my results mean. This was a fun test. But then, I like taking these things - how about you? Sure matches my Myers-Briggs. But I like the set-up with the color blocks representing different areas. If you scroll over them you can see what they indicate....12:45 PM in Fun Stuff | Permalink | Comments (6)
Art cards on sale
Jacqueline sent this link: Art Card Clearance The packs of 10-16 cards are normally 29.95 on sale for 9.00. They are divided by categories. I ordered four categories I thought would be good for my younger children: children, families, faces and animals (little kids are not interested in landscapes :)...12:07 PM in Art, Homeschooling, Preschoolers | Permalink | Comments (4)
Sibling rivalry
I haven't had a lot of sibling rivalry at younger ages with my kids, though I could write a book on the friction between teenage daughters :) So Joni and I would really appreciate your help with this one: I have a question for you, and it's probably an age-old...11:50 AM in Mothering, Preschoolers, Toddlers | Permalink | Comments (4)
Problems giving medicine to baby?
My youngest is now seven, so I am past the stage for this new product - but how I wish it had been around the many times when it would have been the perfect answer. The makers of Reliadose sent this to me in the hopes that I would...9:14 AM in Product Reviews | Permalink | Comments (3)
July 18, 2007
New fun, free animated e-cards starring you!
Here's a great new place to create your own animated e-cards using pictures of you and your family: MushyGushy . People have already started posting their creations to YouTube. Have fun! You can share your creations with links in the comments if you want!...11:36 AM in Fun Stuff | Permalink | Comments (3)
July 17, 2007
Artist honors soldiers fallen in Iraq
Go here to watch a truly uplifting story about a woman who is giving her life in honor of American soldiers who have given theirs. What do you think?...9:49 PM in Art, Current Affairs | Permalink | Comments (2)
The continuing campaign to deny Christians rights
As the world slides into chaos: In the UK, while Muslim and Sikh girls may wear head scarves and bracelets in school, Christian girls may not wear purity rings. Lydia's family took her school to court. The outcome: not only did they lose, but they were ordered to pay...1:49 PM in Current Affairs | Permalink | Comments (8)
Is fulfillment the purpose of marriage?
Dear Barbara, Hi, my name is Shauna and I live in Kansas with my husband and our four children. We have been married five years and have a sort of blended family. My mother and I were foster parents (I was a social worker before staying home with our kids)...11:34 AM in Marriage | Permalink | Comments (12)
July 16, 2007
Unplanned pregnancy - radio broadcast
From my friend Robin, director of the Pregnancy Resource Center in Marin County, CA: Finally---someone speaks the truth about unplanned pregnancy!! Three of us will talk about the hard realities of being pregnant when you don’t want to be, at a difficult time in life---on Focus on the Family’s...9:05 PM in Pro-Life Issues | Permalink | Comments (5)
Down syndrome resource
For those of you out there who love someone with Down syndrome, here is a resource you should know about: The DS Press, published by the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati bimonthly. This always has lots of good practical articles on matters of concern to parents of children with...10:25 AM in Down syndrome | Permalink | Comments (2)
The American Boy's Handy Book
This from a dad who wanted to add on to my recommendation for The Dangerous Book for Boys: Here are some more books I like, for things for boys to do. You may want to put them on your blog. The American Boy's Handy Book: What to Do and...9:56 AM in Boys | Permalink | Comments (0)
July 15, 2007
Update from KS Milkmaid 7/15
Cheri and Barbara: I realize I am being rather presumptions by asking this. But, I wondered if you wouldn't publish a guest blog article for me. This is an old article I wrote back in Jan of 2007. It was about a month before I had asked Brian to leave....9:35 PM in KS Milkmaid | Permalink | Comments (8)
Elisabeth Elliot on Christlike love
I subscribe to a daily Elisabeth Elliot devotional. I really liked this one: This Love Among You "As I have loved you, so you are to love one another. If there is this love among you, then all will know that you are my disciples" (Jn 13:34,35 NEB). The love...6:47 AM in Inspiration | Permalink | Comments (0)
July 14, 2007
Loving our prodigals
From my inbox: Prodigals! Have you written on this topic before? We have a 19 year old son that has struggled with his faith the last couple of years, the last year being very difficult. He has now left home, searching for greener pastures apart from his family, church and...8:44 AM in Mothering | Permalink | Comments (6)
July 13, 2007
Explore and print art masterpieces at home
Jessica of Farm Fresh Iowa reminded me of this wonderful resource - so I want to share it with you again. Plus she had a neat idea for bringing art more vividly into her children's lives: Just having finished The Mommy Manual, I'm eagerly looking for ways to get...9:46 PM in Art, Homeschooling, Preschoolers, Toddlers | Permalink | Comments (5)
What to say to a pregnant teenager?
My daughter Samantha, mother of five of the sweetest grandchildren in the world, knows a family with a teenager who is now pregnant - a girl with a pure past whose innocence was lost to a teenage guy who is already a predator. Very sad to come to grips with....8:38 PM in Teens and Tweens | Permalink | Comments (4)
Teaching compassion
In the Picture Says a Thousand Words department: Pertaining to your recent post with the photos by Peter Menzel (What the World Eats) --I bought Hungry Planet and Material World last winter. Our library (we home school our three children) is somewhere between 2000 and 3000 books and I wanted...6:06 PM in Spiritual education | Permalink | Comments (2)
Summer movies for kids - resources for checking them out first
It's been well over a year since I published this - and since summer is upon us and we've been talking movies, I thought you might want to be reminded of how you can check out movies in advance so as to avoid those unwelcome surprises when you're settled...6:02 PM in | Permalink | Comments (0)
Guide to charitable resources and intelligent giving
From my daughter, Samantha: For those who are bombarded with mail with requests for donations and for those who are inclined to give, this is a great tool for helping you decide where the money is most well spent: Charity Navigator: Your guide to intelligent giving This is a very...5:49 PM in Practical Info | Permalink | Comments (0)
My Diet Journey
Dear Barbara A few days ago you mentioned the Fast Track Detox diet and how much that has worked for you. I was motivated (still am) and bought a copy. As I'm reading through it (maybe I'm dense) I don't understand how to follow this diet. Can you describe what...9:51 AM in Diet | Permalink | Comments (7)
July 12, 2007
Anyone going on vacation this summer?
Dear Barbara, Thank you for your writing. About a year and a half ago you wrote about a family vacation at the beach. I loved the idea so my husband and I rented a beach house on Balboa Island (California) during the week of July 4th, 2006. We had such...8:37 PM in Family | Permalink | Comments (6)
KS Milkmaid update
I talked to Christina the night before last and she is truly walking through a darker valley than many of us will ever experience. I wanted to know what I could say on her behalf and I think I am clear on this: I can give the facts. First...3:37 PM in KS Milkmaid | Permalink | Comments (14)
Praying for a prodigal
My blogging friend Diana has a blog called Partners in Prayers for Our Prodigals which any of you with prodigals in your family may want to check out. Right now would be a good time to let her know you are joining in prayer with her, as she has just...2:43 PM in Mothering | Permalink | Comments (0)
Help! Preparing children for a move
Dear Barbara, I have a question that I hope you can answer. In a couple of weeks we are moving to Virginia from Minnesota. It is a self move, which means we've been packing for weeks. There are boxes strewn about, toys packed, clothes packed, pretty much (at this point)...11:02 AM in Mothering, Practical Info, Preschoolers | Permalink | Comments (3)
Teaching kids concentration
This is my granddaughter Trinity at my house doing one of my Small Beginnings exercises - the same kind her mother Samantha did 30some years ago in Montessori school and the ones I describe in Mommy, Teach Me! Like all the Small Beginnings exercises, this is something you can...10:20 AM in Montessori, Mothering, Preschoolers, Toddlers | Permalink | Comments (3)
July 10, 2007
Mommy, Teach Me! - Using Montessori methods to preschool at home
Officially announcing the launch of my new website: Mommy, Teach Me! Jam-packed with resources to help moms make the most of the preschool years! For those of you who sent me pictures to use in the book, I have placed them all in a Mommy, Teach Me! photo album. If...9:59 AM in Books, Montessori, Preschoolers, Toddlers | Permalink | Comments (4)
PETA blasts Michael Moore for obesity
More liberal hypocrisy - like mega-consumer Al Gore holding energy-unfriendly concerts to whip up guilt over global warming (if people don't believe in God, they have to believe in something!): Michael Moore lectures us on the the state of American health and health care while looking like this: Bravo for...9:52 AM in Current Affairs | Permalink | Comments (10)
July 9, 2007
Something to talk about: Biblical movies
I'd really like to discuss this. Will you read through and tell me what you think? Barbara, Maybe you could help me out on this one. I don't want to be a Pharisee. My husband and I have discussed this topic but have not reached a conclusion yet. As...7:27 PM in Movies | Permalink | Comments (29)
July 8, 2007
In Memory of Ruth Bell Graham
Ruth Graham’s life was filled with family, friends, and ministry. She died to this life on June 14. The Graham family has assembled a photo album, accompanied by one of her favorite hymns, that - in their words - represents only a small portion of the people and places...8:31 AM in Church Issues, Current Affairs, Inspiration | Permalink | Comments (5)
July 7, 2007
Kids at work
If you're looking for something for your kids to do on a nice day, don't forget the appeal of working outside with water - and there's no mess to clean up. Today my kids washed the van. Last Saturday the Downzers (our family's affectionate name for our four sons with...3:22 PM in Family, Montessori, Mothering, Preschoolers | Permalink | Comments (5)
Record wedding day
The normal number of weddings on any given summer Saturday is about 12,000, but today Saturday, July 7, there are more than 30,000 weddings taking place. 7/7/07 happens only once in a century and this one falls on a Saturday. I never thought about it 'til I heard it...9:41 AM in Current Affairs, Marriage | Permalink | Comments (13)
July 6, 2007
Just for laughs
My dad sent me these: Thoughts from a Wandering Mind... I had amnesia once --- or twice. ***** Protons have mass? I didn't even know they were Catholic. ***** I am neither for nor against apathy. ***** All I ask is a chance to prove that money can't make me...9:13 PM in Humor | Permalink | Comments (4)
Summer movies for kids
Okay, let's switch channels - back to the fun part of being a mom. Some time ago Suzanne asked me: Summer movies for kids... What are your thoughts on theatre movies for kids? I believe kids movies are now for the most part, all PG rated to increase the...3:48 PM in Movies | Permalink | Comments (7)
Proving my point about liberals and the art of oratory
I don't usually publish drive-by commenters – and when you read the next one you’ll see why – but Keith Dinsmore's had me laughing out loud. I was there when Sen. Biden made his "controversial" comments. About 70% of the country now believes that "brain dead" as a description for...3:23 PM in Current Affairs | Permalink | Comments (5)
July 5, 2007
Joe Biden shows his lack of class
Typical Democrat/liberal fare. Why discuss the issues and prove you have nothing really to say when you can just hurl an ad hominem attack? Honestly. Do you ever hear conservative candidates for office doing this? Biden Talks Tough By Adam Nagourney DES MOINES — Joseph Biden, the Delaware Democrat running...10:32 PM in Current Affairs | Permalink | Comments (8)
Gay rights leader quits homosexuality
On an upnote, this first-person column published today at WorldNetDaily - I mean, we certainly wouldn't expect to see it in the Washington Post , would we? Now if it were a five-star general who decided to become a homosexual, they'd be all over the story. . . . Here...8:43 PM in Current Affairs | Permalink | Comments (5)
July 4, 2007
Al Gore's son busted for drugs in a hybrid car
Read the story here. Well, all I can say is I'm glad it was a hybrid car so Gore wouldn't be shamed by a son in an SUV!...11:43 PM in Current Affairs | Permalink | Comments (4)
Independence Day - teaching kids what it's really all about
From me to you on Independence Day: Maddy singing the National Anthem. (I asked her to do this this morning, so it is not professional - just recorded on her MP3 player.) . Also, Tripp gave the family a devotional/history lesson about the writing of the Declaration of Independence...3:50 PM in Holidays | Permalink | Comments (8)
Independence Day: Lest we forget.. ..
This is from William Federer's American Minute today: American Minute for July 4th: The Declaration of Independence was approved JULY 4, 1776. John Hancock signed first, saying "the price on my head has just doubled." Benjamin Franklin said "We must hang together or most assuredly we shall hang separately."...1:19 PM in Holidays | Permalink | Comments (0)
Terrorism Awareness Project
The state of Israel was formed the year I was born - 1948. All my life I've been reading headlines "Unrest in Middle East." But it is amazing how many people in America today do not grasp the tragedy in Israel because of the spin and manipulation of the media....10:05 AM in Current Affairs, Media Bias | Permalink | Comments (2)
Balking at chores, childish misery and leading your child out of bondage
Well, the title's a wrap up of all that I covered in this answer to the oldest email in my Inbox this morning. A little something for everyone. And please weigh in with your thoughts. Dear Barbara, I've noticed you occasionally offer advice (or solicit more from your readers) so...9:21 AM in Mothering, Preschoolers, Toddlers | Permalink | Comments (8)
Notes from a writer being lately consumed by daily life
I have missed you. I know that sounds funny, but seriously. . . . During two and a half years of blogging here, I have built up some close relationships with people all over the country. When God called me to be a writer at the age of 46,...7:44 AM in Blogging, Writing | Permalink | Comments (1)
July 3, 2007
Loudoun Youth Symphony Orchestra - free concert tonight!
This is so last-minute, but I am running to catch up with all my kids these summer days. Keep promising myself that someday I'll get back to being a prolific blogger :) Tonight at 8 at Heritage High in Leesburg, the Loudoun Youth Symphony is giving a FREE concert. After...2:22 PM in Loudoun County | Permalink | Comments (2)
July 2, 2007
Call for photos of learning areas at home
Dear Mrs. Curtis, Some time ago, I saw some pictures of how different home schooling families had set up their learning areas. A few of these were in the Montessori style. I can't seem to find them again, and I thought perhaps they might have been at your site. Do...5:45 PM in Homeschooling, Montessori, Preschoolers | Permalink | Comments (1)
Loudoun County - kids' orchestra petting zoo today!
This is very last minute, but just got this this morning. I'm planning to take my kids. What fun! And if you live somewhere with an orchestra or youth orchestra, maybe you can persuade them to try a petting zoo. The International Youth Orchestra 2007, which is meeting at...6:30 AM in Loudoun County | Permalink | Comments (1)
