January 2008
January 31, 2008
Magnesium sulfate prevents cerebral palsy in preemies
Ths news just broke an hour ago - put it somewhere where you will remember it if you ever need it: Compound Cuts Cerebral Palsy in Preemies By STEPHANIE NANO – 1 hour ago NEW YORK (AP) — Doctors can cut the risk of cerebral palsy in half for very...1:04 PM in Health, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (8)
January 30, 2008
Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World
Love this medley - and how he segues from one into the other: I really recommend not reading the comments at YouTube as they can get downright nasty and disgusting - I just stick to the videos. But it does mean you can't turn your kids loose on YouTube unless...9:33 PM in Music | Permalink | Comments (2)
My blogroll
I've just finished updating my blogroll, eliminating all links that for one reason or another have dropped me :) If you link to me, would you please take a minute to check to see if you're on my blogroll - then let me know by comment or email if you...6:05 PM in Blogging | Permalink | Comments (13)
Evangelical to Catholic: my journey #17
In response to comments at #16 on how few people in the Catholic Church may or may not actually hold fast to Catholic doctrine - What you have in a Catholic church at Sunday Mass (actually all five or six or seven Sunday Masses in which the church is always...4:29 PM in Evangelical to Catholic, My life | Permalink | Comments (10)
Montessori at home - create a book nook
It always makes me feel wonderful to know that the ideas in my books have helped families. In Mommy, Teach Me to Read! I encourage moms to create a book nook for their children: Make your child’s solo reading extra special by creating a reading nook. It doesn’t require much...3:04 PM in Homeschooling, Montessori, Mothering, Preschoolers, Toddlers | Permalink | Comments (2)
National Sex Offender Registry
In case you don't know this: You can plug your zipcode into the National Sex Offender Registry and draw up all the convicted sex offenders in your area - complete with pictures, addresses, and convictions. As a childhood victim myself, I am grateful that this information is out there so...1:58 PM in Safety | Permalink | Comments (1)
January 29, 2008
Montessori at home - second-hand finds
This is Daniel, by the way! Justin is doing the honors with the teapot. I was looking for a picture of Daniel to add to my last post, but when I saw this one it reminded me to share a few things about bringing Montessori ideas and principles into...10:16 AM in Montessori, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (1)
Daniel needs your prayers
I'd like to ask my readers for prayer for my son Daniel. Daniel is 11 years old and is currently being bused out of our district to a "self-contained" classroom for kids with special needs in another school. This is Daniel's fourth year there. Next year he will transition to...9:15 AM in Inclusion, Loudoun County, Public schools, Spiritual education | Permalink | Comments (8)
January 28, 2008
Evangelical to Catholic: my journey #16
[Note: this is part of a continuing series chronicling my journey from evangelicalism to Catholicism. This series is not meant to cause division, but to reveal division already there - and to spark honest discussion. As an evangelical I've heard and continue to hear lots of criticism of the Catholic...2:05 PM in Evangelical to Catholic, My life | Permalink | Comments (42)
January 27, 2008
Military wife with toddlers needs ideas
From my inbox - hoping for a lot of ideas from readers: Barbara, I am a proud AF wife whose husband left recently for a 1 year deployment to the middle east. I have a daughter that is almost 3 and a son that is 1 ½. I gave up...7:51 PM in Mothering, Preschoolers, Toddlers | Permalink | Comments (11)
Lemon juice for family health
Ran this here last year - but you need to hear the longterm (nearly two years) results which follow: This is now the hot item in our kitchen - an electric juicer I recently bought from Amazon. A couple months ago I would have thought it was a completely unnecessary...10:08 AM in Health | Permalink | Comments (6)
January 26, 2008
Moms: finding emotional freedom
One of the things I've realized along the way is that each of us is hurt in childhood. If I tell you the things that happened to me as a child - abandonment, foster home, abuse, inadequate mothering - it can sound pretty pitiful. Maybe you don't have such dramatic...8:54 AM in Mothering, My life | Permalink | Comments (3)
January 25, 2008
Christian mom and anger problem
If I want my blog to be anything, I would want it to be a place where people could be completely real, could make themselves vulnerable and find encouragement and help. So much of the time in the world of Christianity, people think we are supposed to be perfect and...10:17 PM in Mothering | Permalink | Comments (14)
To moms and dads with special needs kids
I got hopelessly behind in answering my email in December - well, not hopelessly, but because Tripp is graciously feeding the children tonight and they are going to bed early because they have Special Olympics basketball tomorrow morning so that I can catch up. Anyway, I really want to thank...8:10 PM in Disabilities, Down syndrome, Fathers, Inclusion | Permalink | Comments (4)
Abortion: the Boomers' sin and shame
How satisfying it would be to see my generation reckon with the consequences of the sinful and shameful legacy we created - a legacy epitomized in our Boomer president Bill Clinton whose exploitation of women was overlooked/justified/defended by women to whom the only "feminist" value became the right to kill...6:10 PM in Pro-Life Issues | Permalink | Comments (0)
Autistic student scores big time!
Grab your hankie! This from my firned Nilda:...5:28 PM in Disabilities, Inclusion, Inspiration | Permalink | Comments (4)
Affluence and big families
Becky Miller sent me this link to a Time article which mentions tow of my favorite subjects - big families and Loudoun County. Though I don't think you have to be rich to enjoy the lasting benefits of a big family - and lots of readers here have made material...8:19 AM in Big families, Loudoun County | Permalink | Comments (1)
January 24, 2008
Avoid foreclosure
It's not easy to admit you've made mistakes where finance is concerned, but in order to share something I hope can help others I have to admit that Tripp and I have not been the greatest when it comes to handling money. We were poor when we got married -...8:59 PM in Current Affairs, Loudoun County | Permalink | Comments (16)
Evangelical to Catholic: my journey #15
For those of you following my spiritual journey - which was originally called WIBAWIB because my first post in the series was called Where I've Been and Where I'm Bound - a lot is going on. I have a notebook where I've been recording bits and pieces of ideas I...4:32 PM in Evangelical to Catholic, My life | Permalink | Comments (7)
Montessori at Home - purposeful activity
This question came into my Mommy, Teach Me! site: Hi Barbara! Here's a question for you: How much time per day should I expect (or encourage) my 34-month old to spend on her "work"? She was pretty enthusiastic about it when I started introducing it, but now her interest has...4:12 PM in Homeschooling, Montessori, Preschoolers, Toddlers | Permalink | Comments (1)
January 23, 2008
March for Life 2008 - photo journal
I did a mix of portraits with lots of crowd shots because I wanted you all to see what it is like to be there. To see larger photos with captions, go here. Please pass this link on!...4:58 PM in My life, Pro-Life Issues | Permalink | Comments (12)
Montessori at Home - a child-friendly environment
No mother has to experience the Terrible Twos (or Threes or Fours or Fives). All it takes is understanding and practicing a few Montessori principles to help your child sail gracefully through what can really be a thoroughly delightful and productive stage. My Montessori training took nine months of 9-5....3:23 PM in Homeschooling, Montessori, Mothering, Preschoolers, Toddlers | Permalink | Comments (5)
January 21, 2008
Have your views on abortion changed?
This is where I'll be tomorrow morning - and at the March for Life later on. I'm on the speaker line-up with just 20 minutes to share. My motto as a writer and speaker comes from a Frank Capra movie - Meet John Doe: Say something simple and real,...4:55 PM in Pro-Life Issues | Permalink | Comments (10)
Pope prays for church unity
"Never grow tired of praying for Christian unity", Pope tells crowd Vatican City, Jan 20, 2008 / 12:03 pm - After greeting a throng of some 200,000 people who came to St. Peter’s Square to prayerfully support Pope Benedict, the Holy Father turned to the subject of his Angelus address,...3:48 PM in Catholicism | Permalink | Comments (1)
Waterford Elementary gets A+ on inclusion
Last Tuesday I had two meetings with two different Loudoun County elementary schools concerning inclusion issues for two of my sons with Down syndrome. In focusing on the inappropriateness of comments and emotional tone of a school employee at the second meeting, the wonderful, warm and positive tone of the...7:45 AM in Disabilities, Down syndrome, Inclusion, Loudoun County, Public schools, Special education | Permalink | Comments (1)
Special Ed: Important info for parents
Who is Responsible for Providing FAPE? How to Document Your Concerns When You Disagree with the IEP Team by Pete and Pam Wright "My daughter has made little or no progress after years of special education. Her IEPs contain vague subjective goals and objectives. If our case goes to...7:38 AM in Disabilities, Down syndrome, Inclusion, Public schools, Special education | Permalink | Comments (1)
January 20, 2008
Abortion hurts men too
Dear Barbara, I stumbled on your blog today! Thanks for the call for evangelicals to be more involved. When you write about abortion, please include the impact on men. The reality is that not all men are exploitative and even the guys who were may grow to maturity and realize...9:05 PM in Pro-Life Issues | Permalink | Comments (0)
Toddler activities - preschool at home
A toddler can have a blast with a big plastic bin full of rice and a bunch of shovels, scoops and spoons - and for the guys dump trucks and "guys" (is that what your boys call action figures? that's what mine call them). Buy a big plastic box with...5:59 PM in Preschoolers | Permalink | Comments (4)
News on Pro-Life Issues
If you are interested in all the news on Life Issues - news the mainstream media is not interested in carrying - you might want to subscribe to email updates from LifeSiteNews - which bills itself Your Life, Culture and Family Outpost. Thanks, Tripp!...8:12 AM in Pro-Life Issues | Permalink | Comments (0)
January 18, 2008
March for Life 2008 - Blogs 4 Life
For the third year in a row, I will be attending the March For Life next Tuesday, January 22 - the 35th anniversary of Roe v Wade. (will be blogging more on this subject in the next few days). My day will start early, as I am speaking at...11:54 AM in Pro-Life Issues | Permalink | Comments (5)
Jonny and me
That's Jonny and me - Sophia took the picture. Tripp took my new picture last Sunday, btw. Sophia, Maddy, Jesse and I are on our way down to Lynchburg to see Ben in Die Fledermaus at Liberty. I'm always excited to see Ben sing and will share pictures when...11:46 AM in Down syndrome, Family, My life | Permalink | Comments (3)
January 17, 2008
Memo to Loudoun Schools: Retarded is an "N" word
Anyone following the saga of the vice principal who used the words "mentally retarded" along with my son's IQ score in an attempt to sledgehammer me into submission - submission to the idea that Daniel is not worthy of/entitled to inclusion - will appreciate this timely intersection with reality today:...8:02 PM in Disabilities, Down syndrome, Inclusion, Loudoun County, Public schools | Permalink | Comments (8)
Your advice needed
From my Inbox: I have a question I think you can help me with or point me in the right direction. I have a friend who is a new Christian and is about to enter into something foreign to me. She is 31 and has 3 children. Her best friend...7:54 PM in Mothering | Permalink | Comments (13)
A modern day Proverbs 31
Tripp was leaving one morning and seeing me already at work on my Ebay/Amazon/PaperbackSwap listings - not to mention my blog - commented on Proverbs 31. Which got me thinking about doing an update until I found someone had beat me to it. Meet Anita Neuman, who gave me permission...3:53 PM in Humor, Inspiration, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (2)
SAHMs - dealing with criticism
Looking for your thoughts and encouragement for this stay-at-home mom: Hi Barbara, First of all I just wanted to thank you for having such a wonderful blog, I am learning so much. Also, welcome to the Catholic faith, I have enjoyed reading your journey. I am a first time mom...3:21 PM in Mothering | Permalink | Comments (8)
Who says congress can't change? :)
From Politico: Pelosi pushes gourmet menu By: Josephine Hearn Jan 15, 2008 05:59 AM EST The processed cheese has been replaced with brie. The Jell-O has made way for raspberry kiwi tarts and mini-lemon blueberry trifles. Meatloaf has moved over for mahi mahi and buns have been shunted aside in...2:32 PM in Current Affairs | Permalink | Comments (1)
Loudoun County Public Schools: a question
When teachers or other school personnel have problems at one school and you simply move them to another where they repeat the same pattern, doesn't that remind you of another institution that has been viciously blamed for the same abuse? Why the double standard? Why are teachers protected rather than...6:28 AM in Loudoun County, Public schools | Permalink | Comments (3)
Keeping kids warm - inside and out
I'm so excited! Today we're finally going to see some snow. It's really only snowed once here this year - I was away in Boston covering a story and by the time I came home the next day, it was all gone. I did get to see snow in Boston,...6:23 AM in Mothering, Music, My life | Permalink | Comments (3)
January 16, 2008
U. S. Births up - "Americans like children"
Against the Trend, U.S. Births Way Up Jan 16 12:37 AM US/Eastern By MIKE STOBBE AP Medical Writer ATLANTA (AP) - Bucking the trend in many other wealthy industrialized nations, the United States seems to be experiencing a baby boomlet, reporting the largest number of children born in 45 years....3:41 PM in Current Affairs | Permalink | Comments (7)
Down syndrome a year later: a mother's birthday reflections
Received in my email today from a reader: One Year Ago Today One year ago today I got the phone call. The phone call that I was praying would be good news, and never thought in a million years would be bad. My Amino results were in "I'm sorry, your...2:58 PM in Down syndrome | Permalink | Comments (2)
Special ed in Loudoun - who hired this guy?
Another day away from home - taking Jesse to Baltimore to the Kennedy-Krieger clinic for his second visit with Dr. Capone ( a little name-dropping for parents with kids with Down syndrome :) I am feeling weary and sad this morning (see Special ed in Loudoun County - one parent's...7:42 AM in Disabilities, Loudoun County, Special education | Permalink | Comments (19)
January 15, 2008
My Blog Birthday - and Book Giveaway Winners
Today is the day! My third Blog Birthday! In the past three years, I have written 2468 entries at MommyLife – and you have made 10,110 comments. Together we have informed and encouraged each other. You have seen me lose 90 pounds and I have seen you all have...7:05 PM in Blogging, Contest | Permalink | Comments (5)
Special ed in Loudoun County - one parent's perspective
Today I will be attending important meetings at two schools my children attend in Loudoun County. [For new readers, I am a mother of 12 with four children with Down syndrome, three of whom are adopted - hence we are a family dealing with 4 IEPs and an unusual amount...8:25 AM in Disabilities, Down syndrome, Family, Inclusion, Loudoun County, Public schools, Special education | Permalink | Comments (5)
January 13, 2008
Sweet Baby James - Happily Ever After
Last November, a reader alerted me to the wonderful news that James - christened by readers here as Sweet Baby James after I posted Urgent adoption need - Chinese baby with Down syndrome on June 24, 2006 - had been adopted. When I posted Sweet Baby James finds a...8:18 AM in Adoption | Permalink | Comments (21)
January 12, 2008
Bob Hope political funny
Only 30 seconds, folks - but many of you will get a giggle out of this:...10:17 PM in Humor | Permalink | Comments (4)
January 11, 2008
Fat a lifestyle choice?
I've been meaning to blog on dieting and new beginnings (for those new here, I have lost 90 pounds since 2/2/06 and having a wonderful time because of it), but am dashing off for a hair cut and wanted to pass on this alarming article: Obesity now a 'lifestyle' choice...11:17 AM in Diet | Permalink | Comments (12)
Candidate Calculator - vote issues, not personalities
Margaret sent me this really cool site: Candidate Calculator Which 2008 Presidential Candidate Agrees With You? Answer the questions below to find the 2008 presidential candidate that best aligns with your beliefs. More than 2 million people have already filled it out. Give it a try! Take the test -...9:44 AM in Current Affairs | Permalink | Comments (11)
Pre-natal diagnosis? Be not afraid
You might want to bookmark this link from Eva - in case you ever have a friend who needs it - or if you have a story to share (there are some beautiful ones here!): Benotafraid.net is an online outreach to parents who have received a poor or difficult prenatal...9:40 AM in Babies, Birth, Disabilities, Pro-Life Issues | Permalink | Comments (5)
Planned Parenthood sells sex - with your tax dollars
Thanking God this morning that perhaps now in the era of YouTube, we can begin to shine the light on the truth of Planned Parenthood: As a former pro-abortion leader who'd spread Planned Parenthood's lies, in 1988 I read an investigative report by George Grant, called Grand Illusions: The Legacy...8:26 AM in Pro-Life Issues | Permalink | Comments (3)
Elisabeth Elliot on clear speech
Really loved today's Elisabeth Elliot - it's long so click at the end to read the whole thing. Seems really appropriate now when we're so often subjected to town hall meetings where under the guise of asking a question, an audience member manges to proclaim his own views - as...7:50 AM in Inspiration | Permalink | Comments (1)
Spunky blogging again!
Don't forget to check The Miz Report for political news. I posted a piece pre-New Hampshire primaries: Obamarama. And this morning, there's fresh news from Spunky: To Michigan and Beyond, who will be attending a Defend the Dream Summit in Michigan Saturday and rubbing elbows with a lot of important...6:22 AM in Blogging | Permalink | Comments (0)
My Christmas tree is still up
Is yours?...6:19 AM in Christmas | Permalink | Comments (14)
January 10, 2008
Emma Bombeck Writing Contest
Just want to share this for those of you who love to write. Here's a chance to shine - with an essay under 450 words. Just keep in mind that it's imperative to observe the word limit. And if you start with 900 and have to whittle it in half,...3:46 PM in Writing | Permalink | Comments (0)
January 9, 2008
Got a minute? Need a laugh?
A couple weeks ago, there was a funny video making the rounds - through email and blogs - and when I couldn't track the source, I posted it. I've since found out that the creator is Tim Hawkins and I wanted to rerun it with his name attached, plus another...1:03 PM in Homeschooling, Humor | Permalink | Comments (3)
Meanest mom
Mom Sells Rule-Breaking Son's Car 11 hours ago DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Jane Hambleton has dubbed herself the "meanest mom on the planet." After finding alcohol in her son's car, she decided to sell the car and share her 19-year-old's misdeed with everyone — by placing an ad in...12:49 PM in | Permalink | Comments (1)
Book Giveaway Update
Update! Barbara's Blog Birthday Book Giveaway!!! Great news!!! Two of my publishers have kicked in an extra 10 of each of my books (still waiting to hear from the third) - so there will be more books to giveaway! Barbara's Blog Birthday Book Giveaway!!! Between now and January 14,...7:51 AM in Contest | Permalink
January 8, 2008
Free books!! Paperback Swap
This is amazing!! At least for a household of book lovers like ours. Last year, Angie told me about PaperbackSwap - club where you list your books (hardbacks too) and agree to send them free as people order them (it usually costs 2.13 to send a paperback via media...10:09 PM in Books | Permalink | Comments (1)
Roe v Wade 35th anniversary - January 22 - time to start making more of a difference!
January 22 will mark the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. In 1973, I was one of the women who'd fought for abortion rights and was jubilant that the Supreme Court had decided we could have it our way. From the bottom of my heart, I regret my involvement in...12:47 PM in Pro-Life Issues | Permalink | Comments (6)
New site for lives touched by disabilities
Came across this site, which looks high-energy, cheerful, and packed with all kinds of information, help, advice - and lots of opportunity for community. Every disability affects more than one person. If your life or that of anyone you know has been touched by disability, you will want to...11:28 AM in Disabilities | Permalink | Comments (1)
January 7, 2008
Blog Birthday Book Giveaway - enter by January 14
Announcing: Barbara's Blog Birthday Book Giveaway!!! January 15 will be my third birthday as a Bloggin' Momma. I set out to blog because even though I was published in print, I wanted a more immediate connection with my readers. Today I couldn't ask for anything more in terms of...8:52 AM in Blogging, Books | Permalink | Comments (148)
January 4, 2008
Deadlines, news, and what's ahead
I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by. - Doug Adams, author Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Can't talk for a few days. I have a 3000 word article due for Citizen magazine on David Parker, the Massachusetts dad who was arrested when...10:55 AM in Blogging, Family, Loudoun County, My life, Special education, Writing | Permalink | Comments (4)
January 2, 2008
Spunky on Huckabee
How does Huckabee define "always?" (by Spunky) Mike Huckabee is now out stumping for votes using various versions of the question, "If you can't be honest before the election, can we trust you to be honest after the election?" It's a good question and standard, so let's apply it to...2:13 PM in Current Affairs | Permalink | Comments (0)
Happy Anniversary, Tripp!
Today is our 25th anniversary. When I think back on how lost we were when we got married - and how little He had to work with - I can hardly believe that God made something so meaningful and useful out of our lives. Discovering the day after Christmas...12:47 PM in Family, Marriage | Permalink | Comments (9)
January 1, 2008
Happy New Year!
I asked Ben and his girlfriend Anna to make me a greeting for my readers. Here it is - reading left to right: me, Tripp Ben, Anna (in the e), Maddy, Zach, Sophia, Jesse, Jonny, Justin, Daniel. How was your New Year's Eve? Tripp had to work until 8....6:21 PM in Holidays | Permalink | Comments (0)
