Book Meme

Portrait of Writing

Have a blessed Sunday and in your leisure check out my book meme over at Writer's of Inspirational Novels, my group blog.

A Way to a Boy's Heart...

Portrait of Fun, Family

Timmy, my six-year-old, just got back from his first ever "friend's" sleepover.

Earlier I talked to my friend to get the scoop on how he was doing. She said she asked Timmy if he wanted to go home. Timmy said, "No, I'm having the time of my life!"

After I gave him a big "miss you" hug, I asked, "so did you have fun?"

He giggled and said, "I had chocolate cake, ice pops, pizza, and bubble gum."

I guess that answers my question!

Doggy Days

Portrait of Family, FunI'm not a dog person. In fact, I'm not even an animal person. You'll never see me holding up a PETA sign . But some how God softened my heart to this little King Charles Cavalier and on Valentine's day this year we told our four we were going over a friend's house to pick up "something. "

When the owners of the pup handed him over to my kids, my oldest who's wanted a dog all his life had a blank expression on his face. Later he told me he didn't believe the puppy was ours until we took him to the car.

Well, this guy is really hard not to like. I did all the research and wanted the perfect family dog and our little Jedi is the perfect family dog. Sure he's had his fair share of accidents, and chewed a few toys, but he toughs it out when Gracie abuses him, and he'll rough house with the older boys. He's always ready to snuggle up on my lap if I let him, in fact this breed can be a little "needy" for love.

Right now he's snuggled up on my lap as I type. Which brings me to another question. Why in the world does the pup always groom himself while he sits in my lap?

And They Say Women Are Finicky!

Timmy, my tame six year old nearly threw a fit tonight. Though fits are out of the ordinary from this little guy, when he does throw them it's a whopper.

This "almost" fit was brought on by the fact that he he's finicky when it comes to showers and baths. Sometimes he likes them and other times he doesn't. And since we went to the water park today, he got upset and cried heartfelt tears of how he doesn't want to go back tomorrow (we have plans to take two friends to the water park) and that he just wanted to stay home with me.

While my mommy heart was gushing with love, my patience was waning. I'd already had it out with the older two because they couldn't "get along" and both boys lost the privilege of having a sleepover with the two friends we were taking to the water park.

So my husband stepped in and offered to take the little guy to the office with him tomorrow, but Timmy wasn't going for it. He wanted to stay home with me.

Now I know all of this was coming from being over tired and hubby said he would handle it so I went upstairs to read Little Pilgrims Progress to the older boys. (On a side note, we should have finished that book months ago, but my boys always end up goofing around when we read. I thought homeschool kids always gathered around mom with their eyes wide with expectation as mom read for hours. Yeah, right.)

Anyway, last I left Timmy he was heading for a full blown fit. After three chapters of Little Pilgrim's Progress (the chapters are only a page or two long) I said good night to the boys and went to find Timmy.

He was in the bathroom, brushing his teeth, or so I thought. As I peeked in I heard squeals of laughter and delight...coming from the shower. Timmy opened the curtain and giggled. "Mom, you'll never believe it. Guess."

I had no idea what he was talking about but ventured a guess. "Uh, you lost a tooth." (He hasn't lost one yet and none were loose."

"Nope," More giggles as I watched him dance around in the shower. "I'm going to take a shower everyday." More giggles.

"No way," This truly was a miracle.

"I just love the warm water. I'm going to take a shower two times a day. Once in the morning and once at night!"

While I doubt that will ever be the case, I'm just so glad my "angel boy" as we dubbed him as a baby, was back to normal.

I attributed his emotional turn around to the warm shower, but Timmy informed me that he got rid of the grouchies in his sister's room. Now all I have to do is figure out what happened in there, bottle it up and sell it on eBay. I'm sure I'll make millions.

BTW, I still don't know if he's going to the water park tomorrow, but I'm not going to ask him until morning. I don't want to mess with a good thing and we know how finicky six year olds can be.

A Novel...Meme?

Meredith Efken wrote this and issued this tag. So here it goes!

A Novel Idea:
If you could write a novel about any subject, what would it be? (Just the subject, don't give away your plot idea!)

Okay, there are so many subjects I would like to write about. Actually, a couple I've written about but have yet to be published, so in the name of self promotion I'll share my current WIPs and WHY I've written them.

My Young Adult Biblical fiction based on the life of Christ.
I'm fascinated with Jewish history and it shows in this WIP where I intertwine faith, tradition, adventure, and the Gospel. Only problem is the publishing houses aren't buying Biblical fiction from a nobody, but I would so like to get an exciting Gospel into the hands of today's preteens and teens.

My Urban Suspense which deals with issues of temptations and addictions.
I think Christian fiction is missing out on a certain audience. They're the Christians that secretly watch Sex in the City, and Desperate Housewives. Come on now, confess. You've at least seen ONE episode of each. Anyway, my WIP is set in NYC and follows the struggles of a very real, very committed Christian who is struggling with his addictions. Isn't that real life? I wish more real life would make it into Christian books, and I've seen a couple gracing the shelves and have yet to read.

My Juvenile Missions Adventure Series
I love God's people and God's cultures. I want to write a series that covers the adventures of missionary kids living in a different culture. While in college, I spent 6 months in Nigeria and want to pass on some things I've learned in a fun adventurous way. In today's world I think the more kids learn about people different than themselves, the more God's love will be able to work through them.

Okay, I guess that's more than was asked, but I'm not really know for being succinct.

So now I tag...

Georgiana D
Cara Putman
Ronie Kendig
Tricia Goyer
Cynthia Green
And everyone else on the Writer...Interrupted Webring

Now, here's the rules;if you get tagged (or if you just want to play anyway), you should:

Answer one o f these questions on your blog,

Link back to whoever tagged you (or wherever you found the idea)

Tag 5 (or so) other bloggers.

Plus, check out previous responses, and if you know of a novel that pertains to the subject someone wishes they could write or would like to read about, suggest the novel to them in a comment.

Everyday Children

I've taken up the challenge and entered Everyday Mommy's writing contest.

What My Children Taught Me about God

Even while inside, my children grew
Vast amounts of love from God came through.
Endless months of waiting to see their face
Reminded me of God’s love and His patient grace.
Years of parenting and sacrifice every day
Does not compare with the price God’s son had to pay.
Always willing to forgive, accept, and love
Yes, my children are much like my Father above.

Children teach though WE might not see
How truly spiritual they can be.
In one simple smile or little touch the
Love of God can be seen so much.
Did God give me children so I can teach? No,
Rather my children have taught beyond my reach.
Every second of every day
No one else teaches about God’s love in the same way.

Wordless Wednesday: Rock and Read?

Pint Size Dress Up Closet

After having three boys, I was ecstatic when my little girl came along. Now I'd be able to trade the baseball hats in for bows and shorts for dresses.

My little girl is four now and by the time she could dress herself at age two she's been changing clothes at least three times a day. Why didn't anyone tell me this? Oh, and now that she' four she only wants to wear dresses. What about all those cute short and capri sets I bought her? Well, basically it was a waste of money.

About a year ago I got tired of her messing up her big closet. I'd come in her room to see her pretty church dresses thrown all over the place and a gigantic mess for me to clean.
I wanted a solution and thought if she had her own "closet"where I could put her princess and play dresses, that would solve all my problems.

I searched on line and at ever store in town, but couldn't find one small enough or affordable, until I found this closet at Target. It's sturdy enough (after we anchored it to the wall for my little climber. Hey, she has three big brothers!) and big enough to hold all her favorite clothes. My husband added the bar and wallah! A perfect pint size closet for my little princess! It's truly been a life saver for me and her!

Go here for more great ideas

Raising Boys

I have three boys ages 12, 9 and 6 and though we've had our share of emergency room visits and clogged toilets, my boys are fairly tame compared to the family below. Read on and enjoy this. Moms of boys will really appreciate this...

a) For those who have grown children, this is hysterical.

b) For those who have children past this age, this is hilarious.

c) For those who have children this age, this is not funny.

d) For those who have children nearing this age, this is a warning.

e) For those who have not yet had children, this is birth control.

The following came from an anonymous mother in Austin, Texas (I'll bet theAustin Fire Dept knows which one!):Things I've learned from my boys (honest and not kidding):

1.) A king size waterbed holds enough water to fill a 2000 sq. ft. house 4inches deep.

2.) If you spray hair spray on dust bunnies and run over them with rollerblades, they can ignite.

3.) A 3-year old boy's voice is louder than 200 adults in a crowdedrestaurant.

4.) If you hook a dog leash over a ceiling fan, the motor is not strongenough to rotate a 42 pound boy wearing Batman underwear and a Supermancape. It is strong enough, however, if tied to a paint can, to spread painton all four walls of a 20x20 ft. room.

5.) You should not throw baseballs up when the ceiling fan is on. When usinga ceiling fan as a bat, you have to throw the ball up a few times before youget a hit. A ceiling fan can hit a baseball a long way.

6.) The glass in windows (even double-pane) doesn't stop a baseball hit by aceiling fan.

7.) When you hear the toilet flush and the words "uh oh", it's already toolate.

8.) Brake fluid mixed with Clorox makes smoke, and lots of it.

9) A six-year old boy can start a fire with a flint rock even though a36-year-old man says they can only do it in the movies.

10.) Certain Legos will pass through the digestive tract of a 4-year oldboy.

11.) Play dough and microwave should not be used in the same sentence.

12.) Super glue is forever.

13.) No matter how much Jell-O you put in a swimming pool you still can'twalk on water.

14.) Pool filters do not like Jell-O.

15.) VCR's do not eject "PB & J" sandwiches even though TV commercials showthey do.

16.) Garbage bags do not make good parachutes.

17.) Marbles in gas tanks make lots of noise when driving.

18.) You probably DO NOT want to know what that odor is.

19.) Always look in the oven before you turn it on; plastic toys do not likeovens.

20.) The fire department in Austin, TX has a 5-minute response time.

21.) The spin cycle on the washing machine does not make earthworms dizzy.

22.) It will, however, make cats dizzy.

23.) Cats throw up twice their body weight when dizzy.

24.) 80% of women will pass this on to almost all of their friends, with orwithout kids.

25.) 80% of men who read this will try mixing the Clorox and brake fluid.

So do you have any stories of your own to add?

So Many Carnivals

So little Dramamine!!!!!!!!!

The Beauty of Philippians

Here's my thoughts on Philippians.

Go HERE for more fun and don't forget to check out MY contribution.


Check out My post and then check out the REST of the Carnival.

Experiencing Christ Within

I've mentioned before how I've been going through the Experiencing Christ Within workbook by Dwight Edwards. I've done my fair share of Bible studies, but this one seems so fresh and new. I am learning so much and hope some of what I'm learning is rubbing off.

In week two, I explored the idea that people are not God's first priority. That God's main purpose is to show his glory!

Did you get what I just said?

We are here on earth to serve the living God and reveal His glory through our actions. Dwight Edwards says it like this, "Nothing-nothing-matters more to God than the glory of His name. He is ablaze with a perfect, pure jealousy for His reputation."

In this "What about me?" society we live in, this could be a shock to many. I had to read it a couple of times to fully understand what was being said. How many of us, me included, have been guilty of using God to meet our needs? Even the church and the Christian book stores are guilty of "selling" Christianity as a way to be successful and happy. But Jesus never promised success or happiness. Luke 21:12 says, "...they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name."

According to Dwight, the main point of our spirituality has been forgotten. The Bible is full of examples of God trying to further his glory, not "fix" lives. Sure, he loved, cared for, protected and answered the prayers of his people, but behind every answered prayer was the revealing of His glory.

Dwight says, "So the question isn't whether God is on our side, responsive to our call, but whether we are genuinely on His side, responsive to His call. It isn't how God fits into what we're doing, but how we fit into what God is doing. He is the Creator; we are the creatures...He runs the universe. We fit in."

So the phrase this week has been "do my actions glorify God?" I've used it a couple of times with my kids this week and it's really stopped them in their tracks. Now I need to start applying it to my parenting. Do my actions with my children glorify God. Well, that's a whole other post for another day.

A Little Bribery Never Hurt

I'm trying to retrain my family how to "talk" to each other. Too often we (and I'm the worst culprit) repsond to each other in annoyance and yelling. It's a pattern I grew up with and despite how many books I've read, I can't seem to kick the habit and now my children are little gripers and react harshly to each other, especially to four year old Gracie who always seem to mess up what they're doing.

Hence, the bribery. I'm trying out the "if you whine, or react harshly to someone, then you owe 25 cents...but if I catch you being kind and gentle, then you earn 25 cents."

So far the morning has gone well. They've been earning money, and only had a little taken away. But the best part is that it helps them think before they react. It's also helped me! I caught myself responding in frustration and before I ended my sentence I had tured it around!

This method may cost me a bundle, but if it works then at least I won't have to pay for therapy or cough up the money to bail them out of jail!

***UPDATED: Okay, I think I owe my kids a couple of dollars, when I suddenly lost it this weekend rushing to get out the door and no one was listening or doing what they were supposed to. No, if only I can bribe them into getting out the door on time!

What I love About Blogging Tribute

Remember that old commercial. Calgon...take me away. Well, that's what I love about blogging. It takes me away to anywhere I want to go and connects me with people I never would have dreamed of meeting. And as a SAHomeschoolingM, connecting with people is very important.

I no longer feel alone, lost in a world of kiddie chaos. With a click of the button I can find fellowship and sanity in the midst of my busy day.

What I love about blogging is that if I need a vacation to Hawaii, I just click on someone who's there and usually I find out her life isn't much of a vacation. It's just like yours and mine.

What I love about blogging is that it's fast. Unlike snail mail which takes WAY too long, internet blogging connects you immediately. Plus, you can do it for free where the cost of a stamp seems to be going up every other week. (I can remember when a stamp was .13)

There are sooo many things I love about blogging, but there are dangers as well. Like spending way too much time on line and not enough time doing what I love, like playing with my kids, reading and spending time in God's word.

So much to love about blogging, so little time to...sleep!!!!!

Here's more of the carnival.

Bloggers Needed

Writing opportunity for Christian writing moms. Check out my new endeavor and see if you'd be a good fit!

Guest Blogging at Violet Voices Today!

Check out my post at Violet Voices today on Life's Little Interruptions and find out how God might be trying to get your attention through them. And don't forget to leave a comment and saying you found your way via Portrait...

Gracie's High School Miracle!

Tonight at dinner we were going over our extra curricular budget. I was using the time as an impromtu math lesson with my older boys.

As we calculated the money,I asked the boys, "so what is it?" (referring to the answer to the math problem.)

In the most serious tone, Gracie, my 4 year old, chimes in, "16 over pi!" (as in the number pi)

We all started cracking up. Gracie was reciting a line from this family's new favorite movie, "High School Miracle," Oops, I mean "High School Musical." Gracie calls it "High School Miracle".

I asked her why, "She said because it's a miracle they got to sing!"

Makes sense to me!

I've Started a Webring

I know, like I don't have enough blogrolls listed in my sidebar. But I'm really excited about this one. I haven't found one yet that meets all of my needs as a Christian writing mom, so I started my own. I also started another blog to host this webring and I'll be looking for contributors soon. So if you're a Christian writing mom, go check it out and don't forget to join the webring. I've finally figured out how to add members! And believe me, it was no small task.

Garbage: It Works for Me

I wish I had a before picture for this one, but if you will...imagine a 10 year old slate blue plastic trash can. Nasty, stained and UGLY. Well, why did it take me this long to realize I didn't have to live with the unsightly thing?

Recently I purchased a wicker hamper with a lid and whalla, a pretty trash can I can proudly display in my kitchen.

Instead of the 13 gallon kitchen bags, I pop in the 30 gallon bags and LEAVE IN the cotton liner. It was VERY difficult lifting out the trash without the liner.

So what do you think? An improvement on a yucky trash can?





Don't forget to visit Shannon for some other great ideas!

Wordless Wednesday: Beauty & the Beast!!

Okay, did you notice Belle's hands?????

In Honor of My 100th Post

100 things you probably don't care to know about me. Okay, here's the trick. How to give the info. without revealing too much.

1. I grew up in NY
2. Not NYC or Up State
3. I'm full blooded Italian
4. Didn't really enjoy my childhood
5. I wrote poems and sang songs to Jesus when I was sad or lonely
6. Moved West to go to a Christian College
7. Lived here in the mid-west longer than I did in NY
8. Lived in an apartment over my grandma's house growing up.
9. Once I slept walked to my grandma's bed.
10. As a child I dreamt about standing up to the monsters chasing me and often told them "It's just a dream."
11. Parents separated when I was six
12. Always loved to write and kept many journals
13. I still have my first diary
14. Which is filled with mean things my sister did to me.
15. Had a cat named Gizmo growing up
16. Named him after the movie, Gremlins.
17. Called him Gizzy for short
18. Started writing for the school paper in high school
19. Was in school musicals as a background dancer/singer
20. Growing up I wanted to be a child actress
21. a gymnast
22. an artist
23. a writer
24. I wrote fan letters to teen heart throbs like Scott Baio, C. Thomas Howell, Ralph Macchio
25. No one ever wrote back :(
26. Had many pen pals
27. from Algeria, Africa
28. Bangladesh
29. Malaysia
30. Italy
31. Went to Italy when I was 15 and met my pen pal
32. Also saw the home where my grandma grew up
33. Shared Christ with my pen pals
34. Went on Missions in college to Nigeria for 6 weeks
35. Went the following summer again and stayed a semester for a total of 6 months
36. Received many marriage proposals in Africa
37. Refused them all
38. Preached in small villages across Nigeria
39. Married a man I never thought I would
40. Though I remember thinking at one time "He's sure going to make someone a good husband."
41. Never thought it'd be me.
42. We've been married 14 years
43. Had a big NY, Italian wedding in the middle of winter
44. Forgot to play the tarantella at my wedding
45. Took dance lessons before wedding, but it didn't help hubby's rhythm
46. I have four kids
47. 3 boys
48. 1 girl
49. My children are 1/2 Italian, 1/4 Irish, 1/4 German
50. 3 of them have blue/grey eyes
51. My brown eyed son was a toe head when he was little
52. 3 of my kids were blonde until 3 or 4 years old
53. I'm an introvert,
54. Choleric,
55. Melancholy
56. Who feels more comfortable behind the computer than in a big crowd
57. I've written over 300 articles for newspapers, magazines
58. Stopped counting at 300
59. Most of the articles were for high school, college papers and I never got paid for it
60. Started getting paid for writing about eight years ago
61. Stopped writing for local paying magazines several years ago to pursue fiction
62. I am unpublished in fiction
63. I have one published work for hire book, Reach for your Dreams, Graduate
64. One other coming out soon, a mom's prayer devotion book.
65. I used to be a Creative Memories Consultant
66. Husband made me quit because I never made any money at it.
67. I don't miss doing my taxes
68. but I'm running out of supplies
69. In one weekend crop I can put together 50 pages
70. I still need to do the journaling
71. My favorite vacation was to Maui
72. Flew in a helicopter, got nauseous
73. Road down the side of a volcano on a bike
74. On the van ride up, I got nauseous
75. Went scuba diving and got nauseous on the boat out to Molokai
76. Went whale watching and actually saw whales
77. Vacationed in Whistler, Canada for skiing
78. Finally learned how to get off the ski lift without falling
79. My favorite vacation spot is the beach
80. Took a 3 1/2 week driving vacation up the east coast last spring
81. It was a homeschool History tour
82. First stop Disney World
83. There's a lot of history at Disney!!!!
83. Next stop, Jamestown, Virginia
84. Saw a real archeological dig
85. Next, Yorktown
86. Mt Vernon and saw where George Washington lived
87. Visited family in NY
88. Next, Plimoth, plantation
89. No, I didn't spell it wrong
90. It has many different spellings
91. Saw Plymouth Rock
92. It was smaller than I imagined
93. Next, toured Philadelphia
94. Made my kids write a page about every where we visited
95. This will be my third year homeschooling
96. Sometimes days I think I'm insane
97. Others days, I can't see not homeschooling
98. I love my family
99. I love my God
100. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ!

So there you have it! A little glimpse into my past and present. Hope it didn't put you to sleep. If you're still with me, how about letting me now what we have in common!