How Do You Share the Easter Message With Your Kids?

GEt Real MomTV

Each year, around this time, I start seeing the bunny- and egg- themed trinkets in the stores, along with the pastel candy wrappers.  Why, oh, why does candy have to be a major focus of each and every major holiday?!  I know it’s just to derail my efforts at staying in shape! Anyway, with all [...]

Embracing Autistic Friends: A Teachable Moment at Disney World

Autism Awareness

Autism affects 1 in 110 children, 1 in 70 boys.*  Chances are that your children know at least one friend with autism, and you know another parent with an autistic child. While we were at Disney World last week, we shared a lunch table with a lovely mom and daughter, since the place was pretty [...]

Notes from the Road Children

Love Peace Stay Out- Kids notes

My children always have various notes, hand-made posters, and bulletins posted around the house.  An anticipated guest might expect to be welcomed with “Come This Way —->”  signs about. And then, there are the obligatory “Your Name Here‘s Room” signs.  But sometimes they give me such a laugh, I have to share!  Walking down the [...]

Stop the Childhood Obesity Madness!

Child on Scale

Alright moms, I’m going to try not to get on an enormous soapbox here.  I’m just going to point out the MADNESS that is going on right now with our nation’s “Childhood Obesity” obsession, and we can discuss in the comments. Are there obese children? Sure. (mainly older children, after they learn bad habits) Does [...]

Random Acts of Zhu Brought Christmas Joy to Needy Kids!

RAZ 2010 Small

This holiday season has brought so many blessings to our family. One of the best blessings this year has been our focus on giving.  We have given to children across the globe through one of our favorite relief ministries, which is always great fun for the kids.  And this year was the first year we [...]

Organizing with Molly Gold: Fall Wardrobe Switch, School Papers & a GIVEAWAY

Rolling Tote Bag 1

I was excited to attend a conference call last week with Sam’s Club and organizing expert Molly Gold, of GOMOM inc. I always learn so much when I spend time with Molly, and it seems like she has a good system for every organizing and scheduling problem! I’ve included some great notes from the call [...]

In the Moment of Lost

Little Pea with her Seaweed collection

It was a glorious day at the beach, on the first day of our family vacation.  My in-laws were there, as well as sister- and brother-in-law, nephews, niece.  Our three daughters were in heaven as they played in the sand and surf with their beloved cousins, their collective ages between 4 and 10. All was [...]

Turn Leftovers Into a Healthy Lunch with Mission Tortillas

Veggie Herb Skillet

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Mission Foods. All opinions are 100% mine. This time of year, one of the biggest questions I hear moms asking each other is “What are some ideas for healthy lunches to send with my kids to school?” I admit, we have occasionally fallen into [...]

Fruit of the Spirit: Back to My Roots This Week

fruit of the spirit

No, I’m not talking about my gray roots (I blame my dad), although I do have a hair appointment tomorrow to insure no one knows this isn’t my natural color.  You won’t tell, right? Anyway, this week I’m leading the music at our church’s VBS, and I’m so excited! Many moons ago (before I had [...]

Wordless Wednesday: Pack Square Fountain, Asheville

Fountain Pack Square Asheville

We are having a fabulous family time in Asheville, NC for Real Life Asheville Adventure Week! (#reallifeavl on Twitter) Today, I get to meet some amazing bloggers at Biltmore Estate to tour the property and share what Biltmore has for families! Yes, that includes you couples who leave the kids with grandma!  Judd and I [...]

Will You Join the M.O.B. Society?

mob society moms of boys

I am so excited to have Brooke McGlothlin guest posting today, about a great new project for Moms Of Boys! Now I am not in this group… yet! I have three girls. However, hopefully some day (not too soon) my girls will be bringing home new additions to our family- boys. And hopefully, they will [...]

Get Real on MomTV: Teaching Your Kids to Accept Diversity

momtv - Diversity

“Get Real” is my live video webcast on MomTV.com! We are live each Wednesday evening at 8PM eastern! In this episode, my dear friend Tiffany joins me to talk about teaching our kids to accept diversity! We had the most AWESOME conversation, and enjoyed everyone interacting in the chat room. You can watch the episode [...]

A Lesson in Choices

Children Choices

They say, “Be careful what you wish for,” right?  What would you say if you had the choice to eat only candy all day, or eat only regular food for the day? Well, my high-spirited husband spontaneously decided to pose this dilemma to our three daughters last week.  I listened intently from the bedroom as [...]

Teaching Your Child to Read (My Friend Morgan’s Advice)

Teach Child Read 100

My great friend Morgan is visiting this week from Sugar Jones’ neck of the woods- California!  I’ve seen her about once a year since she moved from NC, and we are thrilled to have them here!  Morgan and I were talking about homeschooling, since she is homeschooling her kindergarten daughter.  Morgan mentioned that her daughter [...]

Will You Count Your Kids in the US Census?

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“[An] Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct.” ~The US Constitution So this is it: 2010, the year of the census. Now, being a conservative libertarian (this [...]