Mom's Tip of the Day #35

Daily Bible study is essential for keeping your balance, refining your focus, and ministering God’s grace to your children. It is the fuel for life.

Mom's Tip of the Day #65

Are you speaking with wisdom? Is faithful instruction on your tongue? Because you’re the mom, you have your children’s attention. What are you talking about?

Talking with a World War 2 Vet: Momma's Cookin'

Y'all!

Everyone at my house totally has "please-can-we-be-done-with-school-now-itis!" But we are just getting to some really good stuff in David's Exploring America by the Notgrass Company. He is studying WW2, and they suggested interviewing some WW2 vets. I thought that it would be really difficult to find some WW2 vets to interview, but a quick call to my father-in-law, and he had three vets in his church who were willing to be interviewed. David, his good buddy Andy (son of my friend Sandy), and I headed out to the first interview yesterday afternoon.

This gentleman was in the Navy, drafted just after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The boys were enthralled by his stories of being on a mine sweeper, and their eyes absolutely bugged out of their heads when he showed them the biggest gun I have ever seen along with a knife that he still had from his war days. But the story he told that really got to me had to do with his momma. He told the boys that the transition from civilian life to military was "traumatic." He talked about seeing young men crying on their bunks from homesickness. He said he never got that homesick, but as the time drew near for him to go back home, he started thinking about his momma's cooking. He said that he looked so forward to it! He could hardly wait to pull up to the table and dig in.

But--and this was the only time during the hour we spent with him that he choked up--it didn't taste the same.

I caught something in those words that I'm not sure the boys did. Nothing was the same after he went back home. And he had so hoped, craved, and longed for it to be.

Before we left, we thanked this gentleman for his service, and we acknowledged that fact that we live in freedom today because of what he and other troops gave up.

There is nothing like learning history from an eyewitness account.

Danya and the Flat Tire

Hi Everybody!

I'll have a "real" post for you tomorrow, but until then, enjoy this one-minute video story from Danya!

Mom's Tip of the Day #34

The tightrope of motherhood is the world’s most magnificent balancing act. The only way to get across without falling is by keeping your focus on Jesus.

Mom's Tip of the Day #40

The love your marriage expresses forever reigns as your child’s standard. Every other male-female relationship will measure up to that standard, go beyond, or drop behind.

Mom's Tip of the Day #7

What’s for dinner? The family table works best when there is food on it. Make sure there is something there for everyone.

YAY! She's On Her Way Home!

Hey Everybody!

My girl comes home today! I am so excited! She's been on tour with her band for ten days! If you don't follow Danya on Twitter or the band DANYA on Facebook, then you are missing some fun stuff! One of the gals I got to know when I was in Jacksonville, AL, last weekend said, "Oh, I follow Danya on Twitter. She is so funny!" She gets that from me, of course, LOL! The boys and I have had a great--albeit exhausting--week, but they've missed their sister too!

The band has had a great time at churches, a Christian school, and several other venues throughout KY, PA, and IN. I can't wait to hear all the stories when they get home! But first...I want a hug!

I hope everybody has a great day! Check back for Mom's Tip of the Day at noon CST!

Remembering Rich's Accident

Hey Everybody,

What a crazy week! I am so thrilled to be sitting on my couch right now, with the rain pouring outside, knowing that my boys and I don't have to be anywhere or do anything today! We have had a week full of baseball games and our year-end testing, and we are pretty well spent!

Something so cool happened during testing, and I want to share it with you. We take three days to do our testing, and it's a fun time for all of us homeschooling families to see each other and also meet new friends. A couple came walking in Wednesday afternoon to pick up their girls, and the daddy was wearing a back brace and walking with the aid of a walker, just like my Rich was ten years ago! I immediately went to meet these people and began talking and sharing with the wife. Oh my, I sure do know how she feels! It is hard to be both momma and daddy, besides worrying about all the "what if's" that are rushing through your heart and mind. We talked and cried together--I was a little surprised how those emotions came so quickly to the surface for me! It was just right there, and felt like it happened yesterday as we shared with each other.

The story of Rich's accident begins Here and continues through four posts! Click on the "link within" at the bottom of the page to read it all!

Mom's Tip of the Day #67

During the ‘tween years, when the lines are drawn between who’s in and who’s out, it is more important than ever that our children know they are not only loved, but liked.

Mom's Tip of the Day #36

Ask heart-probing questions to help your child realize his actions do not just happen. He makes a choice that sets his behavior into motion.

Mom's Tip of the Day #2

Don’t go to bed angry. Settle all quarrels and discipline issues before turning in for the night. Everyone will sleep better.

Reach for the spray?

Hey Everybody,

Here in the south, we are already getting out the bug spray, and I started wondering, What if our Christianity came in a spray bottle? We could just squirt it all over our flesh and be instantly protected by a hazy screen. No temptation or worldly desire could overtake us. Even the pesky little sins that get under our skin and feed would be eliminated.

Craving a cigarette? Reach for the spray.

Seeking revenge? Spray yourself down.

Lustful thoughts? Take a cold spray.

The apostle Paul understood the Christian’s need for protection in a world full of pesky sins. In Ephesians 6, he described an invisible body shield that he called the armor of God. “Finally,” Paul writes, “be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil” (Ephesians 6:10-11). The original Greek language is translated, “Put on God’s panoply.” A panoply is defined as a complete suit of armor. Paul was not talking about merely the armor of God, but God’s own armor, different from any other. A Roman guard’s suit of armor was made up of separate pieces. Between the sections was uncovered space, however small. Arrows and spears often found their way inside these tiny chinks, resulting in death. So they weren't completely protected! But God’s armor is complete, with no chinks, and it is available to us!

Pray it on today:

Dear Lord,

I want to put on the full armor of God so that I can take my stand against the devil's schemes. Every day I realize more and more that my struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. I want to put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, I am able to stand my ground, and after I have done everything, to stand. O God, help me to stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around my waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with my feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace. In addition to all this, Lord, help me to intentionally take up the shield of faith, with which I can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  And help me put on the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Constantly remind me to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Help me to be alert and to always keep on praying for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:11-18)

Mom's Tip of the Day #14

Trust the Lord today with your every parenting need, knowing that He is never surprised, He never says, "Oops!" and He is never far away.

Mom's Tip of the Day #20

Believe in her dreams. Do everything you can to help your child develop her gifts. Channel the fruit she bears in the right direction.

Monday, Monday!

Hey Everybody!

I had a great weekend with some wonderful ladies down in Jacksonville, AL. I spoke at their ladies' tea, and oh, what fun we had! My sister-in-law traveled with me, and those southern gals just treated us like royalty! I feel like I made lots of new friends this weekend! Some of them were bloggers, so whenever pics are posted, I will direct you with some links.

Of course, I didn't have my camera because someone else has it...someone who is on her tour...anyway...

We have a busy week ahead, including my boys' end-of-year tests. Yes, ma'am--we have taken standardized, end-of-year tests since each child was in second grade. In our state, testing isn't mandatory until third grade. My reasoning was, let's give it a run-through in second grade, so that in third grade, when it really counts, the process will be somewhat familiar to them. That's worked for us! I also don't tell my kids what their scores are. Primarily because they would look at me and say, "Mom, your work here is done." :)

As a homeschooler, one thing that I didn't want to do was have my kids cram for tests. You know, the regular weekly or end-of-unit kinds of tests. I wanted them to LEARN. Crazy, but that's always been my goal here, LOL! They've done spelling, English, math, science, and history tests, of course--but they don't really cram or study for them. They just take them as part of their daily course work. Anyone else? That's how you know if you've really learned something, I think. If you can take the test today and you know it, then you should be able to take the test next week and still know it. Speaking from the heart of one who crammed for tests, LN (that would stand for "laughs nervously"), I'm really not sure how much I ever truly learned and retained.

Glad I'm not taking those year-end tests! I'll be heading to Chick-fil-a! :)

Mom's Tip of the Day #11

 Bedtime stories disappear with childhood, but make sure bedtime prayers never do. Pray with your teen as long as he is in your home.

Top Five Ways to Identify Your Child’s Gifts

Hey Everybody!

Children keep us guessing, don't they? When it comes to our middle schoolers, they can be particularly baffling! One way to help your child stay focused during these turbulent years is to keep her pointed toward the particular giftings and abilities that you see already there.

Be observant. When is your child happiest? When he is serving/helping others? When he is engaged in a particular activity? Become a student of your child and seek to know him well simply by paying attention to him.

Encourage interests. Often the very things that are happening in your child’s life right now are encouraging him toward God’s plan for him. For example, a trip to the emergency room gets your son interested in medicine. Buying a new home has your daughter considering interior design. My son Derek has discovered a passion for radio. What began as calling the deejay, Josh, to request songs and win contests turned into a mentoring friendship! Derek has been down to the radio station several times and Josh is teaching him how to run the board. He also gets airtime, introducing songs and making public service announcements. Now Derek is all over broadcasting! What are your kids interested in? Find out!

Understand differences. The Lord often pairs an outgoing mother with a shy child (and vice versa). Encourage that child with some behind-the-scenes roles, rather than constantly pushing her into uncomfortable situations. Watch her shine as you assure her of her value and importance.

Look for mentors. And pray for them! Ask God to lead you to people who can mentor your child and people who may recognize the giftings that you might not be aware of. Often the Lord speaks to us about our kids through the fresh voices of strangers.

Get ready to be surprised. Don’t be too quick to put your middler into a categorical box. God will reveal timely gifts and attributes; your child will develop new talents and acquire additional interests as he experiences life.

Have a great weekend, everybody!

Mom's Tip of the Day #5

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. When you set the example of utter dependence on Christ in everything you do, your kids will follow your lead.

Top Five Ways to Help Students Stay Safe at School

Hey Everybody,

Missy Jenkins is a modern day hero. As a survivor of the Heath High School 1997 shooting, Missy has given her life to helping troubled kids, serving as a high school counselor and speaking to teens everywhere about her life experience as a victim (she is paralyzed from the waist down) and as a victor. Take a look at today's Top 5: Missy's advice to parents who want to keep their students safe.


1. Ask your kids and their friends questions. It’s the best way to get and stay involved.

2. Keep all firearms properly locked up. Store the key separate from the gun case.

3. Remember the two B’s: Always take bullying and boasting seriously.

4. If you notice any sudden changes in a child or teen’s attitude, do some investigating.

5. Remind students of how to treat each other. Popularity is not remembered; kindness is.

Mom's Tip of the Day #50

Middle schoolers can be slow in pulling their thoughts together. Be a patient listener who does not interrupt or hurry through a conversation.

Top Five Ways to get Your Tween to Talk to You

Hey Everybody!

You're gonna love these top five ways to get your tween (or teen) to open up and talk to you!

1. Shut up and listen.
2. Shut up and listen.
3. Shut up and listen.
4. Shut up and listen.
5. Shut up and listen.

 Get it?

Mom's Tip of the Day #62

When you learn to control the volume of your voice, you will learn to control the level of your frustration. Get softer rather than louder.

Top Five Best Ways to Cut Your Costs

After another successful day yesterday of “adventure shopping,” I’m all over helping you today with the top five best ways to cut your costs! If you've got tips of your own, feel free to add them! I'd love to hear how you save money, and how you're teaching your kids the value of a dollar!

Meal Planning. Tried and true, this is how meal planning works for me: I look at my calendar and see which nights we will be eating at home, which nights I need to pack a cooler for the ballpark, and which nights we will eat out. Then I check what I already have on hand and decide from that the meals that we are eating. Now, it took me a while to get to this point, where I am “stocked ahead” enough to plan my meals from what I already have. But once I’ve done that, then I can do my weekly shopping according to what is on sale. I don’t have to shop according to what I need for a particular meal. Does that make sense?

Couponing. Coupons work best when they are paired with items that are already on sale. I never used to clip coupons because I just didn’t see the point. Well, thanks to my dear friend Kelly at Faithful Provisions, I get it now! And there is no turning back!

Do It Yourself. Gardening. Baking from scratch. There are so many things you can do right from your own kitchen to cut your cost of living. The Internet is ripe with how-to’s on everything from making your own pizza sauce to making your own laundry detergent. If you’re serious about saving money, you can do it!

Reduce, Reuse, Recyle. I’ve found this to be true, especially when it comes to kids’ clothes! Find another mom who is interested in sharing clothes—what a savings! And there is always consignment for those clothes that have been gently worn! One year I made enough consigning clothes to buy my kids all the new clothes they needed! I once heard of a stay-at-home mom who teamed up with a working mom to do consignment. Here’s what they did: The working mom passed her daughter’s hand-me-downs to the stay-at-home mom’s girl. The stay-at-home mom’s daughter wore the clothes, and when she had outgrown them, this mom prepared the clothes for consignment. The money earned was then returned to the working mom. Talk about a win-win! That sounds like a great deal!

Do without. What? Yes, that is one of the best ways to save money! Ask yourself: Do I really need this ____________ (fill in the blank: dinner out, pair of shoes, purse, outfit, etc.). Certainly, it’s okay to treat yourself once in a while, but it's also a good practice to make yourself wait on things that are non-necessities. That’s sets a great example of self-control and good stewardship for your children.

Mom's Tip of the Day #66

Watch television with your children. You should know what your children are watching (and reading) just like you should know who your children’s friends are.

Top Five Best Family Television Shows

Hey Everybody,

This week I thought I would do something different—a week of “Top Five’s!” Every day this week I’ll be posting a list of five things that will hopefully help you with your parenting! Today, I’m looking at the top five best family television shows, according to Ken Beck. (Ken has written a number of books on the Andy Griffith Show with co-author Jim Clark, plus he’s a TV writer for The Tennessean newspaper.) Okay, here’s your Top Five!

1. The Andy Griffith Show
2. The Waltons
3. Little House on the Prairie
4. The Cosby Show
5. All Creatures Great and Small (A British TV series about a veterinarian in the 1940s, available on DVD)

In your media choices as in all things, remember you teach by example. When something is inappropriate or offensive, turn it off. Let your kids know why you don’t think that show is worth watching.

Btw, one thing that Ken shared with me that I didn’t know was that the TV ratings system is not accurate. Here’s why: Those ratings don’t apply to the commercials. So you can be watching a safe TV show, such as Cosby, and then see a really foul movie trailer, commercial, or TV teaser that is totally unacceptable. Be alert! Be responsible! Be the parent!

The Magic Words

What comes to mind when you think of manners? The magic words?

There are actually many more magic words than just please and thank you, according to Barbara Gilmore, an expert in social skills and the author of the Tanner’s Manners Social Skills and Character Values Curriculum™. “There are also greetings,” she notes. “Hello, good bye, good night, and good morning are four things children need to learn to say.”

There are family magic words, too, such as I love you, I’m sorry, and I forgive you.

“The word ‘manners’ is a term for socially correct behavior,” explains Barbara. “Social skills impact every area of our children’s lives.”

Good manners must be more than simply tagging the right word on the beginning or end of a sentence.

• It is the conversation itself.
• It is the tone of voice used.
• It includes paying attention and maintaining eye contact with the other person.

“Learning to listen without interrupting and choosing topics of good conversation are all part of good manners,” Barbara adds. “You can ask someone how much their dog weighs, but not how much their mother weighs!”

Mom's Tip of the Day #12

Have you got scrapbooking guilt? Store photos in one place until you can get to them, along with school/church programs and other memorabilia.

DANYA: "In a Heartbeat" Full CD Now Available on Amazon!

Hey Everybody,

Well, of course y'all must know how very proud I am to tell you that Danya's new CD, In a Heartbeat, is now available on Amazon! It features seven great songs that you and your family will LOVE! There has been a lot of work put into these tracks, as well as lot of heart and prayer. Check out Danya's Amazon page and you can hear previews of all the songs. We're also getting really excited about her band's upcoming tour! Go to her website and see if they are coming anywhere near you!

So much excitement and so many doors are opening--but I have to tell you that there are bundles of mixed emotions inside of me! I have moved from coach to counselor to now, consultant--probably the most difficult role on the journey of parenting. Why is that? Because a consultant must wait to be asked. LOL! That's tough to get used to, and I am very much still learning!

I hope you'll get the new CD, and take some time to just worship and praise the Lord with it! You will find, as I have, that the lyrics come from a spiritually mature heart, filled with the insight of one who has spent much time at the feet of the Lord. Believe it or not, I often hesitate to say too much about her (or any of my kids), because I'm the mom, and I don't want y'all to be out there rolling your eyes, ya know? LOL. But at the same time, I know her. I live with her. I see her heart and I know that she is the Real Thing.

Danya at the Limelight in Nashville (Guest guitarist Gideon Klein on left)

All of Danya's songs are my favorites, LOL but I really love "Take It All"--it's a message I need to hear on a regular basis! Listen to the clip and you'll hear what I mean! And "Out of My League" is another one of my new favorites! Plus, "Hey Miley" is now available! There are a lot of girls that have heard that one at conferences over the past couple of years--well, now it's available! "In a Heartbeat" is definitely a feel good-sunny day-happy kind of song.:) And "Between the Lines" is amazing. But that's just what I think! Go check 'em out, then let me know what you think!