I'm Getting Back to the Heart of Blogging...

Portrait of Faith

That worships song about "getting back to the heart of Worship" keeps playing through my mind on the first day of this new year! I know my focus on this blog has strayed over the months, mainly because of trying to make it something it's not supposed to be and gain the appoval of man. So with the new year comes new hopes and dreams nicely packaged as resolutions.

I haven't figured them all out yet, but for one, this blog will get back to the heart of what God wants me to write about. Encouraging other writing moms (and dads if you're readers). So there'll be less Memes, less WFMWs, less striving to please.

But there will be more inteviews with writing moms, (Lisa Samson and Susan May Warren top the list in the new year), more about my writing and faith journey, more about family, and more about life as I see it. More truth, more struggles, more failures, more triumphs, more victories in every area of my life. So if you've been with me for any amount of time, thank you, thank you, thank you. Your comments have encouraged me to keep going down the road God has called me.

There'll be a change coming in blog address and design, but the heart and content of this blog will remain the same. I hope you'll follow me, but most important I hope you'll follow Jesus.

I'm getting back to the heart of blogging. What about you?

Thank You!

I'm am totally up lifted and encouraged by the comments on this post! Knowing God's will is hard enough, but stepping out in faith to do what He has called me to do even when it's not very popular is tough.

Several people have really blessed my soul through their kind and generous words, and I am truly thankful. Your comments have reinforced my initial purpose for this blog. To share my journey in an honest and real way.

I must confess, for a while I did get side tracked by seeking praise and glory from man. But I'm trying to get my focus back. Thanks to all who've helped me. Know that you too have blessed someone in the blogosphere by your comments! And thanks to God whose always faithful and patient enough to wait on me, even when my eyes and heart stray.

Christmas To Do List Update

Well it wasn't on my to do list, but I just spent the entire day cooking for a small dinner party. Now I'm too exhausted and too stuffed to do anything else but go to bed! (Though it is kind of early and I can get some good reading time in. )I guess staying up to 3:30am trying to figure out how to export my email address book to my gmail account could have something to do with my exhaustion.

It's almost the new year and I don't feel like I've accomplished half of what I wanted to. Let's check the list and see.

Set up my website www.ginaconroy.com
I'm still struggling with finding the right host for my domain. I started out with Hosting Matters, then switched to A Small Orange, then to Go Daddy and now I'm looking at DotEasy. Does anyone use any of these and if so, what do you think?

Transfer my blogs to my website
Obviously can't do this without first setting up a website!

Put last year's Christmas photos in the Christmas album
Yeah! I also developed this years Christmas photos and plan on spending most of the day and night, Friday and Saturday cropping. I'd also like to put Chris' Narnia photos in his album.

Finish writing my mystery novella Um, still working on this, but hubby said I could lock myself away in a hotel next weekend to do this.

Finish writing my juvenile adventure series with my boys
My boys are too busy playing endless hours of PS2, but I think I'll print out what I have and let Chris read it tomorrow. I'm sure he'll have tons of suggestions!

Figure out curriculum for next semester, especially where Timmy needs to be in Math
This one is probably the most important and the one I've been putting off. It shouldn't take me more than an afternoon. But which afternoon?

Finish reading The Box Car Children to Timmy and Grace
Chris finished reading this book to Timmy!

Read The Sign of the Beaver to Chris and Joey and do the unit study
I'll probably focus on this the first week back to school.

Straighten up my desks
[Looking around at the clutter surrounding me]

One thing I did do that wasn't on my list was to transfer my email and send everyone a new email notification. So I'm crossing it off my list.

I probably should tackle one or two things on this list tomorrow morning, but I'll most likely spend the morning on my elliptical exercise machine and getting all my supplies ready to scrapbook. I'm almost dreading going, knowing how much I have to do, but I will also be relieved when I come home an album full of photos instead of blank pages!

So How was Your Christmas?

Portrait of Faith, Family, Fun

Ours was very quiet, though I still stayed busy doing mom things! Christmas Eve we attended church in the morning and then took our 80 plus year old adopted neighbor grandparents to lunch. We are so blessed to have them! They're like family and our kids have grown up with them and call them grandma and grandpa.

After lunch we relaxed at home. Then around 4pm I started cooking and the boys watched White Christmas. Nothing elaborate, but I did stick with the traditional Italian cuisine. Fish and pasta. De-veining the shrimp took a while, so I sent the kids Christmas Caroling with hubby. The day before we delivered cookies and carols to several of our neighbors. One lady was so blessed, tears came to her eyes. After the last house, Timmy wanted to sing more carols, bue we had plans to go bowling and eat dinner. We told him we'd do more caroling tomorrow (Christmas Eve) but he was so upset that he sulked for a good 30 minutes.

When the family got back from caroling on Christmas Eve, they told me stories of this one house where the black lady was so excited and gave them each $2. She said, "You kids just made my day. You're coming back next year, aren't you?" I'm so glad we've carried on this caroling tradition and my kids liked it as much as I did when I was little. The only thing missing was snow.

We had our traditional candlelight dinner and afterwards we played the "Minister's Cat." Then we gathered in the livingroom for hot chocolate and cookies in front of the fire. We took down our stockings and read the letters we wrote to Jesus each year since the kids were two. The kids really got a kick out of reading what they wrote and were thankful for. Chris couldn't believe he thanked Jesus for Joey one year, and Joey laughed at how he spelled "Juses."

We finished the last of our Christmas countdown prayer chain, read "The Crippled Lamb" and did some adornments. Then it was time for bed.

That night hubby and I hid the presents for a new tradition. Chris was the first one up at 6:20am. Okay, I did say they could wake us up anytime AFTER 6am, but I didn't think they'd actually wake up that early. We told him to come back at 7am. Funny how the one kid who sleeps until 10 am on a school day can get up at 6am Christmas morning.

At 7am, the kids came downstairs and we re-enacted the Christmas Story. Grace was Mary, Timmy was Joseph, Joey was a shepherd (who really got into his part) and Chris was a wise man.

Then we hunted for presents like the wise man looked for the King of the Jews. I haven't asked how they like hunting for their presents, but they sure looked like they had fun.

After I cooked a pancake puff for breakfast, *See recipe below, I cleaned up and vowed NOT to cook until the new year. The morning was quiet. Both hubby and I were exhausted and I was physically sore from using my early Christmas present (an elliptical exercise machine) and cooking all afternoon. Later I tried to take a nap, but only squeezed out an hour of shut eye.

The rest of the afternoon and evening was the spent the way I love to spend Christmas, doing nothing. The only thing that I didn't get a chance to do was spend quiet time with the birthday boy. Though at dinner we did have a cake and sing happy birthday to Jesus.

Even though it was a restful day, it didn't feel like Christmas. I guess when I mean "feel like Christmas" I'm remembering the magical Christmas of my youth, filled with extended family, food and fun. Nowadays Christmas is a lot more work than fun. Making the holiday memorable for the kids is exhausting and I couldn't wait for some down time.

I got some down time today and spent it at a scrapbook store, putting last year's Christmas photos in an album. Then I met the family for dinner. Then we all went home and the big kids watched It's a Wonderful Life with hubby and I while the little ones played PS2. We stopped the movie half way through at 9:30pm.

I'm hoping to get some more quiet time this week and finally be able to spend some time with the reason for the season. But right now I need to help hubby put the kids to bed!

Who is Jesus?

Portrait of Faith, Letting Go

If you spend any amount of time browsing or reading this blog you know this question is not referring to my fundamental belief that Jesus is the Son of God.

So who is Jesus, to you?

Is He still a tiny baby in a manger who you think about once or twice a year? Someone you pray to only when you want something, and when your life isn't going as planned?

Is He a friend in time of need, someone who sticks closer than a brother? Someone who's there for you when everyone else seems not to care?

Is He your Savior? Someone who knows the ugliness of your sin, and loves you enough to take on your sin so you could be reconciled with God?

Is He your Lord? Someone you've surrendered your life to? Someone you not only love, but strive to be like and serve?

Jesus has been all these to me at different stages in my life, but right now I need Him to be Lord over my life.

I'm hoping to re-establish Jesus' lordship over my life this next year. I've fallen into some laziness and bad habits in certain areas of my life which have kept me from experiencing the fullness that God has for me. I believe if Jesus regains control of these areas in my life than I will be back on the path He has for me.

So who is Jesus?

If you don't know, now might be a good time to figure it out.

A Gift From Above

(c) Gina Conroy
October 25, 1990

While asking the Lord what I should write for this Sunday, He reminded me of a Chritmas song I wrote over 15 years ago. Though you won't be able to hear the tune over the internet, may the words reach down deep into your soul!

A Gift From Above

Little eyes full of compassion
Little hands that would grow strong
Little heart full of love and tenderness
that would right all of man's wrong.

Who would have guessed such a little baby
could be a great gift from above.
How generous was the giver?
How great was His love?

What was it like to leave your mighty throne?
To come down to a desolate land and walk alone?
What were you thinking, how great was your love?
To leave your Heavenly home above?

Eyes full of forgiveness.
Hands stretched upon the cross.
A heart carrying all our sin
and paying the final cost.

Who would have guessed that the Lord
would give his life for me.
And what greater gift was there to give
then his blood upon that tree.

What was it like to leave your mighty throne?
To come down to a desolate land and walk alone?
What were you thinking, how great was your love?
I'm glad you left your home above!

May the true spirit of Christmas reign in your heart today and always!

Blogger or Writer?

Portrait of Writing, Letting Go



I have a confession to make. Okay, well it's not actually a NEW confession because I've stated it here at Portrait of a Writer many times.

There's a HUGE little part of me that needs daily comments validation from you people, and I could probably delve into my dysfunctional past to tell you all the reasons why, but I won't.

But whenever I visit the popular blogs and see their loads of comments every so often the little voice in my head whispers, "only three comments on your post, you can do better then that. Go leave a bunch of comments and maybe they'll come over to your side."

Then there's the urge to keep up my blogging relationships. To stop in and comment because it's been a while, and if I don't they might not be my blogging friend any more. I know that no one else has felt that way, right?

Well, while driving the other day I think I've finally been freed of my competitive bloggingness, or at least the chains have been loosened a little.

I had a revelation amidst the backseat chatter and bickering.

I'm not really a blogger.

I'm a writer who blogs.

Taking the mundane and spinning it into a funny tale is not my forte. I usually tell it like it is without all the bells and whistles, straight up without the sugar coating found on many of the entertaining blogs.

Most of my creative energy is spewed on the pages of my novel, so when it comes time to my blog, I relax a little and let down my hair. (Yeah, I know this post is full of cliches, but that's what I love about blogging, I can write without having to follow a bunch of rules.)

If you want plot twists and interesting characters (at least I think so) then I can do that. My blog stories may never make you laugh, but you can be sure they'll be full of truth and honesty.

I also realized that I really don't fit into any blogging niche. That's why I started Writer...Interrupted. A blog/webring for writers who are interrupted in their craft by daily living. I guess I'm slowly realizing that God didn't call me to fit in, and I may never get the comments I crave, but that's okay. I'm where God wants me to be.

I'm a writer who blogs, not a blogger who writes and that suits me just fine!

But please leave me a comment, just in case! :) !

For more writers who blog, or bloggers who write visit the Carnival of Christian Writers.

Christmas Version of First Cornithians 13

Portrait of Christmas, Faith
Not sure who the writer of this is, but wanted to pass it along.

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata, but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.

Merry Christmas!!

Charlotte's Web

I've read the book recently and own the cartoon version which I love, but big screen version of Charlotte's Web left me asking "what's missing and why didn't I love it?"

If you want a rave review of the movie go here. If you want my honest opinion, stick around.

I took my four kids to see it thinking it would appeal more to the younger kids. My 12 year old son almost fell asleep, and my four year old girl who sits through LONG movies, was a bit squirmy. It's definitely not an action packed fast moving movie.

I hate to admit it, but I was a bit bored myself. The scenery was beautiful, the animals whimsical and funny, and Fern was...well, Dakota Fanning. What more can I say? It was hard getting used to Julia Roberts as Charlotte when I was very used to the cartoon version of a gentler, prettier Charlotte. Wilbur was adorable and warmed my heart!

But over all the story dragged. I guess owning the cartoon version spoiled us all because there weren't any songs to keep the movie moving. I wanted to break out singing "Chin up, Chin up...", "A fair is a vertual smorgasborg" and "Zuckerman's Famous Pig..."

On the positive side I found that this Wilbur was not as whinny as the cartoon version and the book (which I was glad) ,but the lack of whine made Wilbur's threat of death not as imminent. I really didn't feel the danger. I think they could have played Wilbur's fear up a bit, but instead he seemed to simply trust Charolette to save his life. Though I do admit I was a little distracted at times by Gracie bouncing on my lap.

The ending didn't disappoint though. I was touched by Charlotte's words as she was dying, how Wilbur made an ordinary spider into something beautiful. It was one theme I hadn't felt in the book or cartoon version. The fact that Wilbur really did make Charlotte's life brighter. And I must confess, my 12 year old and I both cried when Charolette died, but don't tell him I told you.

If I had to do it all over again, I'd probably rent the movie and skip the theatre so my little one wouldn't have to be confined to her seat or my lap. But if you just love the book and have to see it on the big screen, then go for it. But I suggest paying the matinee price. I was glad I only paid $2.50 a person!

Fall Into Reading Wrap Up

Portrait of Books

Wow! What an awesome challenge! I'm a competitive person so this challenge really helped me focus on the books I said I would read. When it came time to pick up another fiction book, I heard that little voice (don't know if it was Katrina's or not) but it said, "Your non-ficiton book list has barely been touched." That's when I picked up a non-fiction book and FINISHED it.

I'm not sure if I actually read more books because of the challenge because part of my goal as a writer is to read lots of diffferent books, but the challenge did keep me more focused and I was driven to finish the books I chose faster than I normally would.

The challenge did push me to finish up my non-fiction books as well as my read-a-loud with the kids. I actually started two read-a-louds last week because I wanted to be able to say I was reading them when it came time to post my results!

Though I didn't make it through all my books (I do plan to finish many of them over the Christmas break) I did put a good dent in my TBR (to be read) pile.

Thanks Katrina for this great challenge.

Non-fiction:

The Mom I Want to be by Suzie Eller
Heartfelt Discipline by Clay Clarkson

Fiction:

My goal for fiction is to read what I'm hoping to write and also some of the books by the new author friends I met at ACFW.

Abduction by Wanda Dyson
Distant Echoes by Colleen Coble
Invitation to Murder by Elizabeth Bright Book I could have lived without
My Life as a Doormat by Rene Gutteridge
Watching the Tree Limbs by Mary E. DeMuth Definitely a must read
Wishing on Dandelions by Mary E. DeMuth
The Wedding Caper by Janice A. Thompson...I confess I switched out this book for Hazardous Duty because I promised to review it and thought the other book could wait.

My top pick for my ficiton list would be Watching the Tree Limbs by Mary E. DeMuth. I'm a very picky reader and don't rave about many books, but this one I couldnm't put down. Nine year old Mara captured my hear with her unique poetic voice and kept me reading to the very end. It's definitely a must read!

Bible study:

I'm currently working on this one and hope to finish it before Christmas.

Expereincing Christ Within by Dwight Edwards...another confession, I hardly touched this series. I think because it's such a deep and contemplative read, I want to be assured I have uninterrupted time to read it, which hasn't happened much this fall.

Read-alouds: This will encompass different people(mom, dad, babysitter, big kids) reading aloud to different kids.

Little Pilgrims's Progress by Helen Taylor
The Sign of the Beaver Unit Study by Elizabeth George Speare ...I'm reading this with my 9 and 12 year old and we're on chapter four and plan to finsih it over Christmas break.

Stink the Amazing Shrinking Kid
The Boxcar Children #1 ...I'm reading this to Timmy (6) and Grace (4) when she listens. We're a couple of chapters from the end and it's the first chapter book Timmy can really follow.

So, what do you think? I think I did pretty good for a busy, stressed out, homeschooling mom of four!!

To see all the participants and to visit their Fall Into Reading Challenge lists, click HERE.

My Chrsitmas Break To Do List

In no particular order

Set up my website www.ginaconroy.com

Transfer my blogs to my website

Put last year's Christmas photos in the Christmas album

Finish writing my mystery novella

Finish writing my juvenile adventure series with my boys

Figure out curriculum for next semester, especially where Timmy needs to be in Math

Finish reading The Box Car Children to Timmy and Grace

Read The Sign of the Beaver to Chris and Joey and do the unit study

Straighten up my desks

So needless to say, while I'm doing all this my blogging and blog reading will be limited. If you don't see me aroung blogville everyday, don't worry, I'll be catching up in the new year with a great new look, hopefully!

So what do you have planned over the holiday break!!!

It was supposed to be a quiet evening...

No gymnastics. No play practice. Just a quiet evening at home doing some Christmasy stuff.

Then Grace pulls the "I'm afraid of monsters card" like she does every other night. Hubby puts Grace to bed because Grace clings to me like a baby chimp and won't let go if I put her to bed.

Joey and Chris are still awake, waiting for hubby to take them Christmas shopping? Whose bright idea was it to go Christmas shopping on a school night when the boys have been sleeping in until ten every morning.

Joey throws a fit when daddy says it's too late to go because it's 8:30 pm.

I'm exhausted, nursing a stuffy nose, itchy eye, occassional sneezing fit, allergy head (funny thing, didn't know I had allergies) trying to enjoy a cup of 99% caffiene free cocoa that's been sitting in my cabinet for years. (BTW, it tasted great!)

My nine-year-old is still whinning, throwing around words like "you promised", which hubby didn't, and "you need to be true to your word."

Joey's my perfectionist who goes into irrational mode when things aren't right. So how do you talk logic to an emotional basket case? How do you explain to him things come up, plans change, life happens! (Right this minute, he's out of his bed whinning and retrying his case and my patience. We're trying not to engage him in an arguement, but he's standing firm literally, and refusing to budge.)

So all you parenting experts, what would you do in a situation like this? My husband just escorted him into the other room. We'll see if that does the trick.

Enter Grace. "I want you. I was waiting for you. And I'm sick of it when I'm waiting." (Gee, hear myself in that last statement!)

"I'll be up in a minute..." So much for a quiet evening.

In Due Time

Portrait of Faith, Trials

I received this devotional in my inbox from the daily Tozer devotionals from Literature Ministries International. It came at just the right time for me. Maybe it's also a good time for you!

Trials and Pain: Not Yet "Due Time"

But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come
forth as gold. --Job 23:10

God has said He will exalt you in due time, but remember, He is
referring to His time and not yours!

Some of you are actually in a fiery furnace right now. You are in a
special kind of spiritual testing. The pastor may not know it and
others may not know it, but you have been praying and asking the
Lord: "Why don't you get me out of this?"

In God's plan it is not yet "due time." When you have come through
the fire, God will get you out and there will not be any smell of
smoke on your garment and you will not have been harmed.

The only harm that can come will be from your insistence that God
must get you out sooner than He plans.

The Lord has promised to exalt you in due time and He has always
kept His promises to His people.

As children, we can always afford to wait. A saint of God does not
have to be concerned about time when he is in the will of God.
I Call It Heresy! pp. 116-117

"Lord, I pray this morning for anyone who is 'actually in a fiery
furnace right now.' Give great grace to endure until the 'due time'
when You bring release and exaltation. Amen."

For more information about LMI: http://lmi.gospelcom.net/

Tina Ann Forkner

Introducing a wonderful mom, writer and friend. Tina and I got to know each other through email, both of us writing against a deadline and asking for prayer. Then I got to meet her at ACFW and heard her testimony for the first time, and was immediately taken to her sweet and honest spirit. Her writing, mothering thoughts have greatly inspired and challenged me and I know they'll bless you!

Welcome Tina Forkner!

Tell us a little about your family and your call to write.

I think the politically correct term to call us is still “Blended.” If you’ve heard of Sandy Patti’s book, Life in the Blender, that’s us, but we only have three kids. As for my call to write, I’ve felt it since I was a little kid.

Tell me a about your recent contracts and up coming releases.

I recently signed my first two-book contract with Waterbrook Press, a division of Random House. The first book, Ruby Among Us, is a contemporary women’s fiction novel dealing with intergenerational relationships between mothers and daughters and is tentatively due out next year. I’m excited about this book, which explores the dual nature of God’s permissiveness and providence in the lives of its characters.

What do you do to encourage yourself during those stormy days every writing mom has?

Pray desperately. Really! My husband is also a huge encouragement to me. He nudges me out of bed every morning on time because he knows that once kids are around, I won’t be able to concentrate.

If I really need a break from writing, I will take the kids to breakfast or talk my husband into being lazy and drinking morning coffee with me. It’s a good way to get him to goof off. Those left-brainers are too serious sometimes.

Do you think it’s possible to give yourself fully to raising children, writing, working full time, and keeping in shape?

Absolutely. I really do. Except for the keeping in shape part.

I think it’s a matter of priorities and making sure our families comes first, and then having the confidence to filter out all the garbage we hear that makes us feel guilty.

How do you balance being a mom, wife, and writer?

You would have to ask my husband and kids, but I pray a lot. I also try to stay organized, but am not very good at it. Here’s a tip to share with moms. Recently I came up with a plan for dinners. I made up several meals and froze them for later in the month. Now my mom is getting into it and sending me all kinds of four step recipes that are fast, as well as ideas about what freezes well. At least I feel more prepared this month. And last week when I was asked to provide a meal for a family in need, I was able to pull it out of the freezer and take it over. That was fun, because normally I would say no to something like that due to time constraints. Does anyone else have good links or tips to share with all of us about bulk or simple cooking?

How do you position yourself to HEAR God’s voice when all the noises of life are swirling around you?

I’m not really the kind of person who sits around listening for the voice, but I try to be in tune with Him in everything I do. It’s so easy for me to get caught up doing everything my way, so I have to check in often and make sure I’m not taking the whole world on my shoulders when I don’t have to. Sometimes it helps to just take a walk and get away from everything.

If you do feel your priorities slipping, what do you do to get back on track?

Cry. It really helps for awhile. But then I start cutting things out. My husband is very good about setting priorities, so he encourages me to say no often and I take his advice! I can take on short-term commitments with the kids’ school, church, etc., but everything else I say no to. I have to because writing is a job, even if it’s a fun one.

Has there ever been a time God told you to set aside your writing to focus on other areas of your life? If so, how did you handle that?

Yes, temporarily. That would have been when I was a single mom. That probably explains it all. But even when I wasn’t writing, I was always thinking about it.

Did you ever feel like you’ve “missed” God in regards to writing, that maybe you should be doing something else?

No, never. But I have felt that I have “missed” God inside of my writing. It’s been hard to figure out how to write about faith. In more recent years, my personal faith journey has really started to show up in my work.

When do you find the time to write, and do you ever feel like you’re neglecting your children when you write?

Typically my husband nudges me out of bed at 5am and I’m in my office by 5:30 (most mornings). I write until 7:30am when it’s time to do the mom thing. After the morning school drop off, I have a little over an hour to write more before I go to work outside of my home. I devote evenings to family and rarely write at night, but yes I sometimes feel like I’m neglecting my children by working, whether writing or outside of the home. But logically, I know I am not.

It’s very hard to find a supportive system sometimes, but there are many folks out there who support us moms who have other “work” to do in addition to raising our children. Writing can be especially difficult because it’s so creative and requires lots of emotional stamina. This site, Mom Interrupted, is a great place to find encouragement, as is the site www.momsatwork.org. There is a great article at the Moms @ Work site about a gal named Cheri Kaufman. She isn’t a writer, but the way she manages her time is really inspiring (she also sort of looks like me. LOL).


How do you handle interruptions in your writing life?

I’ll assume you mean day to day. I don’t answer my phone and I am learning to keep the internet off while I’m writing. But when the kids knock on the door, I see to their needs because if not, they’ll just keep coming back.

How do you get back into the flow of writing after you’ve been interrupted?

Sometimes the time is gone and I just shut everything down. Sometimes I read a book because after all, it is work! The most effective way is to have my husband run interference while I sit back down and start pecking at the keys.

Tell me about how you got your first “writing break.”

Well, it was obviously what they call a “God thang.” I got in contact with my agent through a relative and the day he called and asked if he could represent me was an exciting day. He did all the work and when the initial call about my book contract came, I was at work. I borrowed the Executive Conference room, hoping my boss (the CEO!) wouldn’t walk in at that moment. I was supposed to be answering his phone! The call was surreal and I tried to play it cool, but inside I was turning cartwheels. There were a few more big calls before things were official. The moment I put pen to paper I was at home with my husband. That is when we both knew it was real.

What do you write and why this genre?

I write fiction about women. I choose to write in this genre because I’m interested in interactions and relationships between women, especially intergenerational.
My mom has four sisters, plus all her sisters-in-law, so maybe growing up around all that
estrogen is what shaped my genre.

What do you hope to accomplish through your novels?

Oh goodness. I don’t know. I think that if someone reads one of my novels and realizes they are still ok, or that they can still be accepted by God, I would be happy. I hope people can identify with my characters, even if it’s on a deeper level they won’t ever admit. If someone reads one of my books and decides not to be condemning of women in difficult circumstances, I would be even happier.

What advice would you give to writing moms who are where you were six months ago?

Normally I don’t have advice, but as moms we’ve all been there haven’t we? Sharing is what helps. I would say put your family first no matter what. Nothing is more important than family, not even writing if it’s your heart’s desire. I know it doesn’t always work out exactly how we want it to, but for me what happened was when my husband saw me making sacrifices of myself and not of my family, he started to respect my work ethic and jumped on board to support me.

For me, because I also work outside of the home, I feel called to sacrifice sleep instead of time with my family. Now, it’s not uncommon for my husband and family to offer me extra time to write. My husband uses that time to bond with the kids, but I’ll probably be getting up early for a long time yet.

For other moms, it might be staying up late or writing while their kids are asleep. I have honestly written while nursing or while my baby slept in her front carrier on my chest. That might be considered desperate, but you do what you have to do. Get rid of the guilt by putting the kids first and then you have nothing to feel guilty about. Find extra time. It has to be there. And if it isn’t then maybe it’s one of those tough times when God is asking you to simplify and writing might have to go, but only for a season.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

Only that I like your site very much and I am honored you invited me for an interview! Hang in there writing moms. As you already know, there is nothing more important than your callings as Moms. Whether you are home schooling moms, stay-at-work moms,
Stay-at-home moms, step-moms, grand moms, it doesn’t matter. Being a mom is number one and writing comes after that. If you keep at it, God will reward your efforts.

Oh, and if you get a chance, please take a peek at my interview over at www.noveljourney.blogspot.com. I’m also playing around with my own blog. It’s www.tinaannforkner.blogspot.com

Happy Writing!!

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and wisdom with me. May God bless you as you write, raise your children and pursue His calling in your life.

Decking Those Halls, Again!

Well, I'm really not doing any more decorating, just thought I'd download a few more photos for your viewing pleasure and my families documentation. It's been a couple of years since I put our Christmas photos in the Christmas album. But I plan on doing that sometime over Christmas break!

So if you haven't clicked the link above yet, thanks for staying to the end of my schpiel and go here now!

I'm Dreaming of a FRIGHT Christmas?

Our family has been having interesting dreams lately?

Last night I dreamt it was Chrsitmas Eve and I forgot to get wrap Grace's presents were still in the attic.

Two nights ago Chris dreamt they added a new scene to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and he was freaking out on stage.

And several days ago Grace dreamt about monsters. Yes, she's still afraid of them, and we still have to tie up her closet door with shoelaces. But in this dream she said, "the monsters just stood there and I said, 'Merry Christmas.'"

Objectional Content?

Imagine my surprise when I checked my referral links and found this...

Notify Blogger about objectionable content. What does this mean? ... has been a ceramic sculpture of Santa Claus kneeling down worshiping the baby Jesus. ...



My blog? Objectional content? I think someone is referring to this post. Am I missing something here? So what's the consensus. Objectional content or not?

Decking My Halls Boo Mama Style

Welcome to our humble home where Jesus is the reason, and not just for the season. I spent the whole day cleaning Merry Maids recently cleaned and I baked for hours my babysitter made some cookies though not the ones shown, they were picked up from a bakery and it's a good thing because you probably don't want my baking! So grab yourself a warm drink and make yourself at home.



There are traces of Christmas in rooms throughout our home, but our formal living room holds the bulk of our Christmas cheer.

Here's my favorite Christmas decoration!
But my kids prefer the dancing Santa that sings Jingle Bell Rock and shakes his booty!


Their second favorite decoration is this set(s) of tic tac toe.

Here's how we countdown to Christmas along with my kids nativity made from Pringles cans! Snowman and Santa are really trying to get into the Word!

We collect Christmas books each year, but they're usually piled on the end table in our livingroom. Then I got the idea to display them around our end table. What do you think?

My mother made me a stocking when I was a little girl, and I continued the tradition by making most of the stockings. Can you tell which two I didn't make, but hope to embellish one day?

A couple of years ago I found four matching pajamas, and I had a photographer come out to my house to capture Christmas morning. We got a great photo, though it was after Christmas and I had to wrap empty boxes, Grace kept swiping Santa's cookies, the one photo I really wanted of them sleeping by the fireplace didn't turn out well, and we all felt like the Grinch by the time it was over.

I grew up with a real tree dripping with eclectic ornaments my mom gave us every year, tinsel and charm, but several years ago we made the switch to an artificial tree. We kept the ornament tradition and lost the tinsel (had to appease hubby) Curious as to why I caved in to getting a fake tree? That's another story!

FYI, or ICYC (in case you care) my kids have a really teeny tiny mini Christmas tree in each of their rooms with a baby Jesus underneath. It's only fitting, since He's the best gift we can receive at Christmas.

Here's the nativity my boys played with when they were younger. I just found it mostyly intact (the manger is missing) and now it's in Grace's room.


On top of our borrowed piano that hardly gets played sits the children's first Christmas photos. Chris and Joey with a very Veggie Manger...

And Timmy and Gracie.
Last year I finally figured out a theme for my kitchen. Snowmen! Before that it was a hodge podge of Christmas decor! So here's a homeschooling mom's attempt to Christmasify her kitchen, though on most days the counter and table is clutter with school books. My kitchen has a few other subtle decorations, but trust me, it's not worth spending your tour time on!

Grace made this cute little snowman with her foot print while in preschool a couple of years ago. That's where I got the snowman theme idea! I'll spare you the rest of the snowman bathroom dollar store decor.

If you've made it this far, thanks for stopping by! And Santa Claws is really happy he can get out of his costume now! And if you're still in touring spirit, visit the rest of the participants.

Christmas Caroling

As a child of about ten years old, one of my favorite things about Christmas going Christmas Caroling on Christmas Eve. ALong with the neighbors we'd bundle up in our winter coats and take our candles with tinfoil holders, caroling music sometimes tucked under our arms. Then the five or six us us would trek out while it was still light and start knocking.

When the door opened we burst into an off key tune, singing our Christmas hearts out in hopes of blessing others and getting a little monetary blessing ourselves.

I remember one year standing out in the cold and singing, only to be asked inside to sing to a huge table full of Christmas celebrators. Though extremely nervous, we belted out our song and basked in the glow of applause.

As we went house to house, year after year, we had our fair share of thrills. One year one of our tinfoil candle holder caught on fire! What a finally to our Christmas carols that was and we still ended up getting a little money for our efforts.

I'm sure getting money was part of the motivation to go door to door, but so was bringing joy to others. In fact, one year all of us donated our money (or at least half of it...my memory is fading in this area) to the church.

Over the years I've often wanted to go caroling with my children in our neighborhood, but I'm not sure if we'd be accepted. Have times changed that much? Maybe I have changed and have lost my gene for adventure. Though my kids are almost old enough to start out on their own. I hope one day the idea will catch on and they will pick up the tradition I started almost 30 years ago.

And next time you hear the off key melody of Silent Night pounding through your front door, please open it with a smile and invite the carolers in. Oh, and don't forget to slip them a five and Merry Christmas on the way out!

Christmas Wrapping Made Easy

Portrait of WFWM


In the past I had just wrapped my four kids' presents and put the name tags on them , then I'd seperate them into piles for each child. It made opening presents with four kids less chaotic on Christmas morning.

Then a couple of years ago I started selecting different wrapping paper for each child. No pesky name tags, and I can just throw the presents underneath the tree. The different wrapping paper is easy to find. Of course, it's important to remember which paper goes with which kid so I just keep a sample with their names on it hidden until Christmas morning.

This year I'm trying something different with Christmas morning since we really don't emphasize Santa. I'll be putting the presents under the tree BEFORE Christmas and on Christmas Eve I'm going to hide them all over the room. So we'll start off with the Christmas story and emphasize how the wise men sought after Christ, the greatest gift of all. Then I'll give them their little scrap of wrapping paper and let them go find their presents.

I'm hoping it's gonna work for us! For more great ideas go here.

Wordless Wednesday Santa Claws

Portrait of Wordless Wednesday

Fall into Reading Update

Portrait of Books



Non-fiction:

The Mom I Want to be by Suzie Eller
Heartfelt Discipline by Clay Clarkson

Fiction:

My goal for fiction is to read what I'm hoping to write and also some of the books by the new author friends I met at ACFW.

Abduction by Wanda Dyson
Distant Echoes by Colleen Coble
Invitation to Murder by Elizabeth Bright
My Life as a Doormat by Rene Gutteridge
Watching the Tree Limbs by Mary E. DeMuth
Wishing on Dandelions by Mary E. DeMuth
The Wedding Caper by Janice A. Thompson

Bible study:

I'm currently working on this one and hope to finish it before Christmas.

Expereincing Christ Within by Dwight Edwards

Read-alouds: This will encompass different people(mom, dad, babysitter, big kids) reading aloud to different kids.

Little Pilgrims's Progress by Helen Taylor
The Sign of the Beaver Unit Study by Elizabeth George Speare (We're starting this one this week, hopefully!)
Stink the Amazing Shrinking Kid
The Boxcar Children #1

To see all the participants and to visit their Fall Into Reading Challenge lists, click HERE.

Guilty as Charged

"I am the one holding the keys to the atmosphere in our home."
~ Terry Maxwell ~
Author of: Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit

Ouch! Does this one ever hurt?

My kids are out of control and I'm the reason why!

It's an all too familiar scene. Me checking email while the kids are supposed to be doing their school work. I look up in between typing. "Joey(9), have you started your school work?" Chris is still sawing logs in bed, and Timmy (6) is playing nicely with Grace (4) because I haven't set out his school work yet.

I'm distracted and not in control of my kids. When I call Timmy to do his work, he ignores me. Chris (12) finally slumps down the steps, disrupting the semi-quiet house with his just out of bed attitude. (Not a good one, mind you.)

I pull myself away from the computer and try to gain control of the morning, but we've been off schedule for some time now.

I could blame it on the fact that the Chris' play has caused us to stay up late many times a week, for several weeks. So in an attempt to catch up on sleep, we all catch a few extra winks in the morning.

I could blame it on the holidays and the cold weather that makes me want to spend the day in my pajamas surfing the net. Or I could blame it on the fact that my kids are just rebellious. But bottom line is they are following my lead.When I don't have a plan for the day, the day seems to spiral out of control. Kind of like this...

No one is listening to me and if they are, they're not obeying. I raise my voice a little louder, not wanting to deal with their disobedience, hoping that they'll just listen and do what they're told. Fat chance. They continue to ignore me until I finally get frustrated enough and blow my top.

I run through the house like a lunatic, trying to get everyone back on task. My nine year old starts to yell and whine back at me, my 12 year old throws insults at my nine year old and my six year old cries because I raised my voice at him. When I gain composure and try to apologize, he won't listen to me and stomps off to find a quiet place to cool down.

I feel the weight of my sin and try to make everything right again. I find those I've offended and apologize. We talk about disobedience, distractions, the enemy and his fiery darts and then about consequences.

This senario happened the other night. We all repented and we all understood (and received) the consequences of our sin. But was it enough to change our behavior? Enough to change my behavior?

The reality is I've grown weary in doing good. It's no fun parenting all the time! So I think over the last several weeks, I've slowly allowed myself to get out of focus. I've welcomed the distractions because I've wanted to distance myself from my never ending parenting and homeschooling responsibilities. And I had to pay a price for it!

My children's behavior is a result of the atmosphere I've created. I didn't wake up one morning and consciously say, I'm going to let my home go. It just happened. Slowly.

But the story doesn't have to end here. If I am to blame for the negative behavior in my home, I have the power to turn it around. How? By following simple God's leading...

A gentle answer turns away wrath.

Train up a child in the way he should go...

Do everything without arguing and complaining.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Beloved, let us love one another.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal...Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

I think those are good places to start!

The Blessings of Joy

Portrait of Faith, Meme, parenting, kids

Today at Faithlifts, Heather shared her hectic morning and how easy it is for her to lose her joy due to the business of life.

I know this feeling all too well. Unfortunately I've been born with (or acquired) a negativity gene. The glass is half empty syndrome. For me joy doesn't come naturally. I have to work at it. I have to remind myself to be joyful and count my blessings. Bottom line, I have to take my mind off myself and what I don't have and open my eyes to the blessings before me.

Discussion: How awesome would it be if today, in our daily life, our entire city could hear our rejoicing from far away! In what areas of your own life do you recognize lack of joy and thanksgiving? Is your heart joyful in the everyday mundane stuff?

Confession time. I don't usually enjoy my children. I absolutely love and cherish them, but taking care of their needs drains the joy out of me.

Why I was granted four high-spirited, high-maintenance kids is a mystery? And I fear the answer may have more to do with God wanting to do a work in me, rather than Him believing I can handle them.

Walking in a spirit of joy is a daily challenge for me, but during the quiet, stress free times of parenting (usually minutes before my kids fall asleep) I can't help but marvel in the blessings of my children.

Grace's giggle and carefree spirit.
Timmy's affection and easy going temperament.
Joey's inquisitiveness and thoughtful heart.
Chris' compassion and musical talent.

On some days I have to search real hard to find the blessings of parenthood, other times it's right there in front of my face. All I have to do is slow down, let the dishes pile up and open my eyes to see it!

Battling Stress

Portrait of Letting Go

I came across this article I did for a magazine that was never published and since the holidays are upon us, I think it's worth a second look! Maybe I can learn a thing or two.

Stress…It’s all around us. Some stress, like the situation the world is in today, is beyond our control. Other stress, like the pressures of our daily lives, is manageable. Whether you’re a stay a home mom with four kids or a working single, everyone experiences stress.

Stress is not caused by what happens to us, but by how we deal with our circumstances. It is possible to control our levels of stress by first changing our behaviors and thoughts. No matter what kind of pressures you are facing, how you deal with stress will affect your attitude and quality of life. Stress is a part of life, but it doesn’t have to control yours.

TIME ALONE
Nurture. It’s what women do best … except when it comes to themselves. The challenge for women is to put their needs before the needs of their families
So before you jumpstart your day taking care of others, first fuel yourself. If there’s nothing in your tank, you won’t get very far. Whether you choose to get up early to exercise or have some quiet time later on in the day… do it for yourself and don’t feel guilty about it.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
In addition to daily quiet time, women need time away from their responsibilities. Scheduling a “girl’s night out” once a month is one way to stay connected with friends and yourself.

It’s also important to take care of yourself physically through exercise and proper nutrition. Becky Long, nutrition consultant with the Shaklee Corporation says, when you are stressed your body produces adrenaline to help handle the crisis. “This adrenaline rush helps you through the immediate problem, but causes depletion of several nutrients. The nutrients used up during stress are B-complex, Vitamin C, calcium and magnesium. By adding supplements you can counteract many of the effects of stress on your body,” said Long.

“If stress continues over long periods of time, the immune system is weakened, you get sick more often and may be irritable,” explained Long. During stress your body also produces another hormone called cortisol, which can damage every organ and affect long-term health. “Our Stress Relief Complex has been designed to help blunt cortisol production.” It promotes calmness at the same time allowing you "to be more alert and concentrate during times of stress".
GET ORGANIZED
Schedule time to get organized for the day’s events. “You need to make a list and set realistic goals,” said Susan Butler, of All Things Organized.

Valencia McNatt, of A to Z Organized Solutions, agrees with Butler and says to determine what things you really need to accomplish and give them priority. “Also determine what things you can delegate and what can be relegated to another day.”

One tool Butler suggests to help get organized is their Household Organizer. “It has a to do list, family schedules, calendars and even a grocery list,” she explained. “If you’re going to be a list maker it’s important to have it all in one place and know where it is.”

KEEPING HOUSEIt never fails. You go over to a friend’s house and notice how clean their home is. You silently wish your house could look as orderly as theirs. Reality check. Your friend has probably just spent three hours scrubbing and straightening up anticipating your arrival. Or maybe she knows the secret to keeping her house picked up.

“Everybody needs a pick up basket,” shared Butler. “If company is coming everyone can throw things in the basket to be put away later.”

Another great way to get things done is to have the kids help. “Children as young as two want to be included,” acknowledged Butler. Besides picking up toys, young children can help dust, sort laundry, set and clear the table, unload the dishwasher, carry in groceries and sweep the floor. Just remember they won’t do every perfect, but at least it’ll get done.

Kristeen Popken, of Kristeen’s Angel’s Cleaning Service, knows first hand if you take time to maintain your home, you may only have to deep clean once a month. One of the easiest and quickest way to make your house look like you’ve been cleaning for hours clean is to vacuum and touch up the kitchen floor. “You can vacuum or use a swifter, and then spot clean with a wet cloth,” said Popken. “I always go over the ledges and baseboard with a wet cloth. It helps create the illusion of a freshly mopped floor.”

Using a micro fiber cloth and the hottest water possible when you clean kitchen counter tops will also cut down on your cleaning time. “I use Miracle Cloths because they help break down the buildup on countertops,” shared Popken. She also recommends using Clorox wipes or baby wipes for a quick touch up in the bathroom.

CLEARING THE CLUTTER
So you’ve mastered the art of cleaning, but are still overwhelmed by that one closet or desk that is a disaster area. You have several choices. Ignore it in hopes that the mess will go away, hire a professional organizer like Susan Butler and Valencia McNatt or tackle the project one step at a time.

Butler suggests setting small goals and working for 15 minutes at a time. “Look at the most frustrating part of your house and start there. Don’t start another thing unless you have that one thing done.”

“You have to make staying organized a habit,” said McNatt. “If you take the time and energy to dig out of disorganized living, then it only takes a small investment of time daily and weekly to stay organized.”

Making decisions is the key to staying organized. “Our clients hire us because they feel frustrated and overwhelmed. We help them make decisions,” said Butler. Butler encourages her clients to “save, store, share or subtract” their things. First determine if it’s something you have used or will use in the next year. If not throw it away or give it away. If you can’t part with it because of sentimental reasons, you can always store it.

DO WHAT YOU CAN
No matter how many things we put on our list, the reality is it won’t all get done. But don’t stress out about it. Consider it a victory if you accomplish only two. Learn how to refocus your expectations not on perfection, but on consistency.

“Be sure to give yourself credit and praise for what you did accomplish,” shared McNatt. “And don’t stress over what didn’t get done.”

It’s important for busy women, especially moms, to enlist the help of others as much as possible. “Get your family involved in organizing so your work load will be less,” said McNatt. “Make up helping games for younger children and give them praise and rewards for a job well done. You can train your older children by allowing them to work along side you. They’ll learn life skills and to value what it takes to run a household.”

DON’T OVER SCHEDULE
You and your family should set personal and family goals every year. It’s important to write them down so when you are faced with choosing to take on another responsibility you can determine if it fits into your goals. Butler says if it will help you reach your life goals than feel free to say yes. But if it doesn’t, don’t hesitate to say no.

Realize children can get stressed also. It’s not necessary for every child to be involved in every sport, every season. Determine what is best for you and your family and evaluate how your schedule is working each season or semester.

STOP WORRYING ABOUT THE FUTURE

There are some things that are totally out of our control. Just look at the world around us. There’s so much going on and if we let it, fear can easily control our lives. It’s important to look at the big picture and not at the “What ifs?” Be aware of what’s happening around you, but don’t let it control your life. Your life has enough worries. Don’t add any more stress to it than necessary.

Need a Scripture Lift During this BUSYHoliday Season? I Do!

Portrait of Faith

"Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith." Galatians 6:9-10

Before You Buy that Game System for Christmas Read This Video Game Addiciton

Portrait of Kids, Fun
Reposted from July 2006

PS 2, Nintendo, X-Box. Whatever you want to call it, I'm convinced it was sent here straight from the pit to torture moms. Is it just my family, or do your kids turn into little monsters, fighting and jockeying for their game time?

My youngest has just started playing with her brothers. That makes four kids arguing over the Nintendo or PS2. I've tried everything. I've limited their time playing by using a kitchen timer, but that sometimes sets me up for more trouble.

"Mom, he went over his time again!"
"Hey, give me that it's my turn."
"Moooom!"
Crash! Bang! Whine!

Then we moved the games into my oldest son's room.

"Mom, they're in my room again!"
"Yes, I know. I said they could play Nintendo."
"But there destroying the place..."
Slam! Bang! Whine!
"Mom, he locked me out of the room again."

Recently my son got the tv and games taken out for not letting his brothers into his room. This has been an ongoing problem we haven't figured out how to solve yet. How can he have his privacy and keep the little ones from tearing up his room when the family game unit is in his room? Just take it out! Problem solved, somehow I don't think so. Well see.

How about the "mom, he's not letting me win!" whine. Or the "mom, he turned off the game" scuffle. Did I meniton I think these games are sent from the evil one?

During the school year our kids were not allowed to play the games during the week and only 30 minutes each day on the weekend. My kids thought I was sent from the evil one, especially when their friends played hours after school.

"Mom, so and so gets to play as long as he wants."
"I've talked to so and so's mom and that's not true."
"A different so and so says he feels sorry for me and that you're the meanest mom in the world."

Well, then I talked to some moms about this problem and learned that one mom made her children earn game time. As much as they practiced piano, they could play PS2. Guess what we're doing this summer?

One son is playing a lot of piano, the other is doing a lot of complaining.
"Mom, why do we always have to earn fun?"
"Do you have to earn time at the water park, the movies, sleepovers?"
"No." Head hung low in defeat.
Subtle grin of satisfaction on my face.

But I'm not a complete ogre. I often surprise them with free game time, espcially when friends are over. Still, I'm thinking of putting the game systems away for a while. I did this once when the fighting and never ending question "when can we play PS2?" was driving me up a wall. I had a very peaceful few months without the kids asking to play.

I'm at that point again, ready to pack up the games. Just moments ago I heard arguing from up stairs, now all is quiet. It's one of those free game times, and I figure as long as they're quiet and happy I'm be able to type away. So, are these game systems sent from the evil one or a blessing from God? I guess it all depends when you ask me!

But one thing is for certain, they can become an addiction. I read an article on video game addiction recently and was amazed to learn parents of gamers go through similiar issues

Read more about video game addiction and the five common mistakes parent make.

Sin and Heaven According to Grace

Portrait of Grace, Fun, Family, Kids, Faith

A couple of weeks ago Grace (4 1/2) struck up a conversation about sin.

Grace: "Sin is really bad."

Me: "Yes, it is."

Grace: "What's sin?"

Me: "Remember in the garden of Eden when Eve ate the apple she wasn't supposed to."

Grace: "Yes"

Me: "That's sin. Sin is when you do something wrong. Like when you're mean to your brothers."

Grace: "Yes, that's sin." She thinks for a moment. "What about doing what I'm supposed to."

Me: "Now that's obedience."

Later the next week a conversation came up about Heaven. So I found a book called "Heaven has a Floor" by Evelyn Roberts. The following is a conversation with Grace that occurred after reading the book.

Grace: "Have you ever been dead before?"

Me: "No"

Grace: "I don't want to go to heaven. I want to stay her with mommy."

Me: "I'm not going to heaven soon."

Grace: "Are you going to be in heaven with me? Am I going to see you?"

Me: "Yes! But I'm going to go there first."

Grace: "I'll see my brothers!"

Me: "Yes."

Grace: "How long do we go to heaven and will we be there forever?"

Me: "I don't know when we'll go to heaven, but it will be a wonderful place."

Grace: "No crying. No time outs. No boo boos. No broccoli and I can go where ever I want to go?"

Me: "Yes."

Grace: "Well, I'm not going to ballet."

Me: "Why?"

Grace: "because I want to go where ever I want to go."

Timmy (6) joined in the conversation...

Timmy: "How do good people go to Hell?"

Me: "They don't worship God and don't ask Jesus to come into their heart."

Timmy: "Even if they listen to their mom and eat broccoli and their vegetables they still go to Hell?"

Me: "That's what the Bible says."

Later all the boys and I prayed with her for Jesus to come in her heart.

Last night in bed when she was afraid of monsters, I was trying to tell her that Jesus was bigger than the monsters.

Me: "Jesus is like a giant and can squash them with his feet."

Grace: [giggling] "He comes out of my heart, big like a giant and squashes the monsters, then he shrinks back into my heart."

Me: "Yep! That's about it!"

Remembering St. Nicholas

In my efforts to steer materialism away from December the 25th, and create new family traditions, I thought a great idea would be to give gifts on St. Nicholas Day. Only problem is, it was yesterday! But the kids don't know that, so we're going to attempt a rememberance of St. Nicholas and his "spirit of giving" some day soon. Here's some thoughts on what I have planned.

Read: Santa and the Christ Child by Nicholas Bakewell
For years, we've known the true story of St. Nicholas and how he loved Jesus and gave his money and possessions to the less fortunate. In fact, my favorite Christmas decoration is a ceramic sculpture of Santa Claus kneeling down worshiping the baby Jesus.

Watch: Nicholas, The Boy Who Became Santa
(btw, I DID NOT spend close to $100 on this book like it's selling for on amazon!)
This is a wonderful cartoon video about Nicholas. Here's the box summary. Nicholas was still a young chld when he discovered a very special secret that changed his life. It was the gift of giving, by which he brought happiness to many people; but in sharing this great gift Nicholas had to face many dangers.

Here is a fascinating story of the boy whose love and care for others make him one of the most popular figures of all times. Today, more than sixteen centuries later, the entire world celebrates the kindness and generosity of the man we call Santa Claus.

Discuss: Nicholas' life and contrast it with today's version of Santa Claus. We can also talk about ways we can give to others throughout the year.

Do: Every year we write a letter to Jesus and put it in our stockings. We never wrote the letters on the same day, but writing it on this day seems like a way to remember St. Nicholas' love for Jesus. Then on Christmas Day we can read all the letters we wrote from previous years.

Exchange: Gifts to one another in honor of St. Nicholas.

Does anyone else incorporate the real story of St. Nicholas into their holiday traditions? I'd love to hear what you do!

What's a Jesse Tree?

I think I finally figured it out! In past years I've been clueless as to what a Jesse Tree was and after reading several posts (links at the end of this post) I think I understand.

In my limited understanding, I'm being to see that a Jesse Tree is a great way to celebrate the upcoming Christmas Season by focusing on Christ and seeing Him all throught the Bible. Scriptures pointing to Christ are shared and ornaments hung on a Jesse Tree to help us reflect and see God's plan for His son from the very beginning.

Am I getting warm?

Well, now that I finally figured out what a Jesse Tree is, I want to do it. But seeing that Advent has already started and I have no idea where to start, I'm asking all of you for help!

I found this on the net and was wondering if anyone else used it. It seems like the quickest way to start up the Jesse Tree, but I want to know I'm getting my money's worth. Does anyone know of any other web resources I may be able to use to get this tree growing?

I've also been thinking this would be a great year round project! Since we focus our lives on Christ throughout the year, we could take this next year to grow our Jesse Tree and reflect on the scriptures. This would be an awesome way to supplement our study of the Bible that we're already doing.

http://aabusaada.blogspot.com/2006/12/my-family-tree.html

http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/2006/12/my_jesse_tree_o.html#comments

Does anyone have any thoughts, references, ideas on this?

Staying Close Even Though Your Far Away

Portrait of WFMW, Family, Funa

This is reprinted from a published article from 2001
copyright Gina Conroy

It had been my mother’s dream for me to attend a Christian college. Yet she didn't realize her answered prayer would put 1500 miles between her and her grandchildren.

Like so many college graduates, my husband and I chose to make our home in a state other than where we grew up. For years we have struggled with moving closer to our roots, but always return to the reasons why we stay. It is a great place to raise children, the cost of living is very affordable, and we are involved in our church and community.

Having grown up in the same house as my grandmother, I know the importance of extended family. Although my children may never have that same experience, their grandparents don’t have to be strangers. Since we chose to live so far away, I feel it is our responsibility to do everything we can to keep our kids close to their grandparents.

Here are several ways we try to strengthen the ties that bind us together:

One of the best things we did was purchase a videophone for each of the grandparents. We chose the phone version (although there is also a camera for the computer) so it would be portable and able to travel to extended family gatherings. So far we have enjoyed Christmas, Thanksgiving and ordinary days with our relatives. Now the grandparents never miss the kids opening their birthday gifts or Christmas presents. They’re right there watching… it’s the next best thing to being there in person.

The next best thing to the videophone is sending videotapes. Once or twice a year I record a videotape of all the special and everyday events of the kids. The grandparents really appreciate watching the kids grow up and having a keepsake of their most precious moments.

Photographs are very important, especially when the kids are young and changing every couple of months. I used to send my family loose pictures. Then one holiday I gave each grandparent a scrapbook photo album with pictures of the kids. I chose a hinged album so I could send pages to them instead of pictures. Now when I send pictures all they have to do is put the finished pages in the albums. Needless to say the grandparents are very appreciative of this.

If you’re like me when we visit family I take several rolls of pictures. But how many pictures of the same pose do you really need in your albums? With the extra pictures we make family placemats. Just attach photos to a piece of paper and laminate it. You can have dad’s family on one side and mom’s on another. Writing the names of each family member also helps them remember who everyone is.

During the school year, my house becomes cluttered with school papers. I send several school papers and copies of their progress reports to their grandparents. At the end of the fall semester we make calendars for everyone with the papers and artwork I couldn’t bring myself to throw away.

We always send homemade cards and gifts for every holiday. We’ve even surprised grandma with an unexpected birthday fax to office.

We love to sit and look through pictures of the trips to the grandparents’ home. It helps the boys remember the fun times they had and not be so shy the next time we visit

At least once a year we visit both grandparents and they try to come and visit us.
Since my mom likes to travel, we’ve been meeting her in different states. It’s a fun surprise when we visit a place like Florida and grandma is there.

No matter how long we’ve been apart, when our children get together with their grandparents we all feel as if we had just had Sunday dinner together. It might take some effort, but with help from grandma and grandpa it is possible to stay close even when you’re far away.

For more great tips, you know where to go.

Opening Night...Narnia

Sunday afternoon, Chris finally debuted as Edmund from The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe after two show cancellations due to the snow and ice storm that blanketed our area.

The show went extremely well after not having a run through in four days. I couldn't have been prouder of Chris. He was born to play Edmund.

It's hard to believe my maturing 12 year old was once a shy insecure boy of seven who walked away from the doors of an audition. The next time he approached an audition, he was all nerves, almost getting sick before he had to go on stage.

That was when he and his brother, Joey made it into their first big production. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. Chris was about 8 and Joey 6. They were both in a couple of other shows, getting bigger and bigger parts. Then last year Joey got the part of Chip in a Broadway style production of Beauty and the Beast. Chris didn't even make the show and I was so surprised because he had the better singing voice. It was our first experience where one boy got in and another didn't, but Chris handled the disappointment well.

Then came his next big break. A musical. He got the part of Dodger in Oliver Twist and Joey was cast as Oliver. Could have seen my smile from the moon! Chris rose to the occasion and played the part wonderfully like I knew he would.

Now he's playing the part of Edmund and the best compliment I can get is when the director tells me he's doing everything perfectly. A couple of years ago this same director was telling Chris not to direct from the stage. Chris had a tendency to want to take charge, but now he's been so teachable. He's really grown up in many areas.

Opening night (afternoon) ended with a couple who's child was in the show realizing who my child was.

"Oh, you're Edmund's mom. He's really good! We've been talking about him since he auditioned for the part."

And though we were inside, I bet the astronauts in space could see my smile!

Validation and Blogging Awards

I admit it! I crave validation! From people! Though I know my true worth is NOT found in how many comments I get or if I am nominated or win a blog award. My validation is in Christ! The fact that He was willing to give his life for ME should be enough, right?

I'd also be lying if I said I wasn't competitive and loved to win. But this post isn't about having a pity party. And I'm not even thinking about myself, though that's what sparked this post. I'm thinking about this competitive society and the need to be the best at things. Even something so innocent as a way to bless others by giving them an award, could actually be used to depress and discourage many others.

So though I nominated others for this award and I'm happy to say my nominees made it to the finals, and I'll most likely be voting, I still need to ask the question "Why do we feel the need to put SOMEONE in the top position, to honor them so to speak when so many of us bloggers out there are doing an amazing job uplifting, encouraging, and making others laugh? (talk about a run on sentence!)

Is it just me? Or do these blog awards resemble high school popularity contests, validating many of the ones who already have the popularity, numbers and the comments, while bringing to the surface the insecurities all us average Joe bloggers already feel about ourselves?

Is it wrong in saying, maybe we should nix all these blog awards? Jesus never played favorites. (Okay, well, maybe he did with the disciples.) But I can't help think that one person's blessing, could be one hundred others' disappointment, and that's not what Jesus was about.

So what do you think? Should I be impressed every time I see an award button on the side of someone's blog? Or maybe I'll make up my own award! Most Loved Award by Christ! That's one contest we would ALL win and a button we could ALL display proudly on our sidebars!

I'm in a Slump

I've been in a slump lazy for a while now! I don't know if it's because of the approaching holiday season, the anticipation of a much needed homeschooling break, or the snow storm that knocked all of us off schedule, but I'm so unmotivated to do the simple things that need to get down every day. For starters, there's taking a shower, getting dressed, making breakfast, homeschooling, laundry etc. With five days (and counting) of snow covered streets, it's hard to want to do anything but snuggle up in bed and read (though I haven't been able to do that!)

Fortunately we do homeschool and took advantage of the snow storm by learning all about hail and sleet and snow! I was surprised to learn the difference between the three. We had planned on making Beck's HUGE snowflakes, but playing in the actual snow has taken precedent.

I'm lucky my kids are smart (though not highly motivated) and that they catch on quickly. I'm amazed at Timmy (6) who always seems to remember the phonics rules though we may only get to them a couple times a week. We're reviewing the K sound, beginning and end sounds, and even to me, it's so confusing, but I've made up some jingles and hand motions to help him out and he's getting it!

So I guess the kids are learning the basics. I just have soooo much planned and never seem to get around to the extra stuff. The three classes my older boys take at the homeschool co-op seem to keep them busy all week!

But I'd like to get back on track and finish the semester out strong. What I have been doing is half hearted. I start a lesson and don't follow it to completion. Maybe that's a good thing though. It's no fun trying to cram information down the kids when they lose interest.

Right now I think I need a pick me up, a motivational speech, a kick in the pants or a least some strong caffeine.

Anyone out there, homeschooler or not, feel the same way? What do you do to kick the laziness of the holiday season?

The Best Birthday EVER

Portrait of Birthdays, Family, Fun

My Birthday month is officially over, though some of the contests are still on! Thanks to all who par-tayed with me! I thought I'd end the festivities with this story...

It started the weekend before my official birthday. A card in the mail from my hubby with a one hour gift certificate to a Spa for a massage. The next day a dozen beautiful peach roses tipped with red came to my door. Then in the mail a 2 hour gift certificate for more massages. My allergies started acting up, and I joked it was because of the roses, but I didn't care.

The next night a note was in my sink with a "coupon" for the day off on my birthday. Wow! I thought, this guy is going all out. You see, my hubby's least favorite thing in the world is to go shopping, and over the years, he's gotten discouraged buying me birthday presents I don't like. (Yes, I admit I'm a gift snob. I usually let him know if his gifts didn't meet my expectations. Years ago I made up a gift folder of photographs of things I wanted just so he didn't have to worry if I'd like the gift everytime I went shopping.)

So I get this card and immediately think about what I could do the following day, on my day off. Then I go to get ready for bed, and I find another card with a gift card to my favorite coffee shop in town. I think to myself, this guy is really going all out and probably making up for ten years worth of birthday gifts. :)

I call a friend in the morning who I knew didn't have kids or a day job, and we went to lunch. She said I was on her "to call" list and insisted on buying. Who was I to refuse? It was my birthday.

After lunch I went to my favorite coffee shop with my laptop and stayed a couple of hours, relaxing and writing as I occassionally glanced at the clock, thinking I wonder what my family is doing now. I was so thrilled I didn't have to run all over town with the kids, though my hubby admited early when I wrote out his "to do with the kids" list, he really had no idea what he was getting himself into. He even took my 6 year old on a sales call and managed to teach him to tell time and count by 2's in between work.

When I finally came home at 5:30 pm, my hubby was already grilling steak and there was ANOTHER card for me. Season tickets to the "broadway" show series in our town. I just about fell over. I'd been talking about season tickets for, oh about ten to twelve years now and finally my thrifty husband gave in. Maybe it was my talk last week about wanting one practical and one frivolous thing for my birthday. I emphasized the word frivolous after I reminded him of his Christmas gifts to me last year.

There must have been at least a half of a dozen Christmas gifts for me under the tree last year. Though the more I opened them, the more disappointed I got. Honestly, I can only remember the biggest package, which happened to be a stainless steel sink. Now I'm sure many would love to have a new sink, but to me that wasn't a Christmas present. That was something I needed, not something I wanted.

And before you write me off as a spoiled brat, you need to know that getting gifts is one of my love languages. When I see a good gift, I don't just see something materialistic. I see a person taking the time to really know me and what I love and spending the time to find it. Luckily, the last gift made up for all the others. It was a my domain name paid for ten years which was on my gift list and if made me feel like he really listened to me.

Back to this year. So my hubby is definitely winning some brownie points with me...and by the way, the show was great! I'm looking forward to the rest!

My TBR (To Be Read) Pile

I'm a horribly slow reader! Mainly because life is just too busy and time is limited! But over the past several months I've received some wonderful books from friends, and fellow writers that I just have to share with you.

To be honest, I haven't read these yet, but I'm excited to and when I do read them I'll be posting again. I'm also not the greatest reviewer, but I will tell you honestly what I though of the books.

I want to introduce you to Suzie Eller, author and mom.

The Mom I want to Be by Suzie Eller

I'm about half way through this book and have to say it is a wonderful refreshing look into the healing of generational hurts, forgiveness and learning new ways to parent dispite the way you've been raised. Suzie's mom starts each chapter, giving the reader a window to her past. I was very moved by Suzie's mom's vulnerability and willingness to look at the issues of her life that may have affected future generations and then being willing to share them with the world! Bravo to her and I wish more moms would open up like this!

I'm really excited to read An Opened Grave which I received free from Wynn-Wynn Media (thanks Jeane), but it might have to wait until I've plowed through my Fall reading list.

Hazardous Duty by Christy Barritt is another one on my TBR list. Here's a little teaser...

Buying a gun to kill your wife: $3000
Hiring a Trauma Care to clean afterward: $1500
Having that same cleaner uncover evidence that frames you: Priceless

On her way to completing a degree in forensic science, Gabby St. Claire deoprs out of school ans starts her own crime scene cleaning business. When a routine cleaning job uncovers a murder weapon the police overlooked, she realizes the wrong person is in jail. But the owner of the weapon is a powerful foe...and willing to do anything to keep Gabby quiet.

With the help of her new neighbor, Riley Thomas, a man whose life and faith fascinates her, Gabby plays the detective to make sure the right person is behind bars. Can Riley help her before another murder occurs?

I can't wait to read it! Sounds like a cozy mystery CSI style!