Today, I’m starting a 3-part video series on making proactive choices regarding family pets. In today’s video, I look at two pet-related goals I wish I’d been more intentional about when our children were younger. And I focus on the first “Key Question” to ask before adopting a new pet. Of course, if you’ve already brought home a furry family member, you can still discuss this question with your family now! (Can’t see video? Click here to watch it directly on YouTube!) Download our free Pet Care Contract: Join me – and Rafik!i – next month when we’ll look at …
“Why Your Weirdness is Wonderful” Book Give-Away
Guest post by Laurie Wallin Sometimes I wonder what God is thinking. OK, lots of times. When prayer seems to fall fruitless to the floor, when personal battles rage unabated, and I’m frustrated with something in myself, it’s easy to wonder whether God’s thinking includes me at all. When I’m in one of those modes—those “Nobody loves me. I’m no good. Might as well curl up and succumb to the bag of chips” frames of mind—I often end up going on one of my nature strolls. A Pine Cone Perspective Enter the humble pine cone. So easily kicked to the …
When a Mom Inspires Her Daughter Book Give-Away
Last year, my friend Cindi McMenamin sent out a Facebook call for mothers and daughters willing to fill out a survey for her upcoming book. Annemarie, then 21, and I both thought it sounded like fun, so we volunteered. Answering Cindi’s questions gave me opportunity to thoughtfully reflect on my relationships with my mother and my daughter. And as Annemarie and I compared notes after returning our surveys, we were each in for some surprises and valuable insights about the other. With Cindi’s permission, I’m listing the questions she asked in her survey below. Some of them lend themselves …
When a Woman Finds Her Voice Book Give-Away
Her voice is barely a whisper at first. Looking around the table, she sees understanding on each face. Her mentor mom scoots her chair closer, lending courage and comfort. Soon, her hands fly with emphatic gestures. Her voice gains clarity and volume as this young mother tells her story for the very first time. Her sister MOPS moms honor her with their giggles, knowing nods, and tears. Throughout the room, this scenario plays out at each table. The once silent room erupts in a cacophony of sharing, laughing, and crying. Kleenex, hugs, and “Me, too!”s are exchanged. Women are finding …
5 Things One Teacher Hopes Your Child Will Learn This Year
My first quarter grades are due on Wednesday. It’s hard to believe that the school year is already 25% over! As I grade final tests and essays, I’m evaluating how well my students are mastering the reading and writing skills we’ve been practicing in class. But I’m also hoping that they’re learning some less tangible — but far more important — life skills. 1. I hope they learn the value of “down time.” Four years ago, when I asked my seniors how much “quiet time” they have each day — no noise, no motion — they unanimously said, “None!” Life …
5 Proactive Ways to Prepare Your Child for a Driver’s License
When our children were young, Daniel and I instilled in them a fear of driving. We lived in southern California, so this was an easy task. We simply pointed out the drivers who ran through red lights and those who cut in front of us without using turn signals. We discussed fender-benders at the side of the road, analyzing the physics of high speed impact. We told horror stories of our own tickets and accidents. Although initially thrilled when 16 came and went with neither child showing any interest in driving, we became increasingly concerned as 18 and then 20 …
Borrowing, Taking, & Stealing + Monday M.O.M. Link-Up!
I found my missing eye shadow in the guest bathroom yesterday. My college-aged daughter had “borrowed” it. Without asking. As she had her dad’s teeth whitening gel two days prior. The pasta pot earlier in the week. And our camera last month. All without permission. And all of this “borrowing” was at least partly my fault. Four years ago, whenever Annemarie came home to visit during her freshman year, I didn’t just overlook “little things” like my missing hair straightener and new boots. I was so glad to see her, I was downright thrilled by all my missing items. They …
How NOT to Be a Meddlesome Mom + Monday M.O.M. Link-Up!
Hi. My name is Cheri, and I’m a Meddlesome Mom. I hate admitting this. I spent my first eighteen years of motherhood looking down my nose at smother mothers and telling myself Thank goodness I’m not one of them! Proverbs 2:11 says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Let’s just say that once my children headed off for college, that wisdom starting coming, all right! I discovered, much to my chagrin, that they were both lacking dozens of basic life skills. I’d prided myself in being a supportive mom, one who took an active interest …
RENEWED: An Interview with Lucille Zimmerman + Monday M.O.M. Link-Up!
Overwhelmed. I’ve been speaking to women’s groups for more than two decades. And while fashions and American Idols and fad diets have changed over the years, this one thing has remained constant: When I ask women what they struggle with, day in and day out, their #1 answer is “I feel so overwhelmed!” So I fell in love with Lucille Zimmerman’s new book the moment I laid eyes on the cover. Renewed. Ahhhh…what an invitation! I spent two weeks enjoying Lucille’s stories, Biblical insights, and practical wisdom as I savored (and stuck Post-It Notes all over!) a chapter a day. …
Mentor”ish”ing on the Trail + Monday M.O.M. Link-Up!
by Erin MacPherson I’m part of a run”ish”ing group with six of my girlfriends. We call it run”ish”ing because if you’ve ever seen me run, you’d know that I certainly could not be labeled a runner. Run”ish”er is a stretch. But regardless, every Saturday morning we get up bright and early and meet at a local park to go run”ish”ing. We even have shirts to remind us of our athletic prowess (or lack thereof). Now, I know it sounds crazy (who gets up at 6 am to do something sporty?) but it’s become the part of my week that I …