


Merry Christmas!
As cute as my Mrs. Claus is, we know that Santa Claus is not the main character of Christmas. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a...
Book Giveaway: One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…so it’s time for a book giveaway of Ann Voskamp’s beautiful book One Thousand Gifts this week on the blog! Believe it or not, I just finished this book which has taken so many readers on a journey of...
Sharon Jaynes on Becoming a Happy Wife
Download the podcast on iTunes or listen here: What a joy to have bestselling author and speaker Sharon Jaynes on the Happy Home Podcast this month. Although Sharon grew up in a troubled home, she did not carry those negative habits into her marriage. How did she...
Why This Pyrex Dish Led to My First Stitches
This dish looks innocent enough, doesn’t it? But one week ago, it disrupted an otherwise normal evening. Our family had just gotten home. Everyone was upstairs and I was starting to put together dinner. I held this dish on both sides and went towards the...
The Pellicane Christmas Tree
Every year, we put up our Christmas tree over Thanksgiving break. We love the way it lights up the house! We used to have a $2 beautiful artificial Christmas tree that we bought in Dallas, one hot summer day at a garage sale. That tree served us well for many...
Book Giveaway: Not Alone by Lynn Donovan and Dineen Miller
I know you’re going to love this guest post by my friend Lynn Donovan, author of Not Alone. And..we’re giving away a free copy of the book Not Alone. To enter, simply leave a comment at the end of the post! It started with a pound of hamburger. Yep, I...
Being Thank-Full
This Thanksgiving week, there is much to be thankful for. But then again, isn’t that true any week of the year? Thanksgiving is a choice; it’s a perspective. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 is a short and powerful verse to memorize and practice: Give thanks in all...
Parents Day Out!
When did you last have a Parents Day Out? James and I had a day to ourselves yesterday and loved it! We went to Disneyland…the land of strollers, snacks, and tired children…all. by. ourselves. It was wonderful! Our kids who were in school weren’t...
Liz Curtis Higgs on Becoming a Happy Wife
I had the honor of interviewing Liz for my upcoming book 31 Days to Becoming a Happy Wife (February 2014). Listen and you’ll hear her advice on enjoying a happy marriage – even if you are a former bad girl!

Happy Veteran’s Day
We watched this video at church yesterday… What a moving tribute to help us all recognize what Veteran’s Day is all about. Thank you dear military warriors and families for fighting for freedom and protecting America from harm. We salute you...
Kiss Me Like You Mean It
Remember how you kissed your spouse when you were dating? Wowee, right? How about after 1, 5, 10, 15 years of marriage? How’s the kissing now? Well, I love what psychologist Dr. David Clarke writes in his book, Kiss Me Like You Mean It. And until November 12,...
Book Giveaway: Partly Cloudy with Scattered Worries
Yep, I’m a weather checker. I like to see what the day’s forecast is and dress accordingly. Yet, sometimes the weather is more about what is brewing in your heart than how hot it is outside. In her book, Partly Cloudy with Scatter Worries, Kathy Collard...
Win Free Tickets to Dare to Be Event
This Halloween week, Dare to Be is encouraging you to think about what “mask” you may wear when with others. When you submit a photo or video illustrating this mask, you will be eligible to win two free tickets to an event. Just post on Dare to Be on...
Snickers or Big Hunk?
Well, since it’s candy week, I figured a post about Snickers & Big Hunk would be in order. Not so much because they are delicious, but because of what they can teach us as wives. When you married your husband, wasn’t he the “Big Hunk” in...
Writer of the Year Award
I went back and forth today on whether or not I should post this. But then I figured, if it was not for you dear reader, I would not be an author. Because an author who continues to write books must have readers. So it’s with gratitude that I share some good...
Pam Farrel on Becoming a Happy Wife
Download the podcast on iTunes or listen here: I’m so excited to bring you a new series about becoming a happy wife! We have been talking on the podcast about having a happier husband, and starting this month, we will turn our attention towards answering...
Shutting Out Distractions
Ding. New text. 15 new emails. Look at that headline! Mommy! Honey, can you make me a sandwich? The day begins and the sounds, requests, and digital stimulus come pouring in all at once. No wonder we often start the day, well, grumpy. Here are a five things I have...
Book Review: He Wins, She Wins by Dr. Willard Harley
If you need advice to resolve conflict in your marriage, you’ll find some great tools in Dr. Willard Harley, Jr.’s new book, He Wins, She Wins: Learning the Art of Marital Negotiation. Instead of engaging in battles where one spouse wins and the other...
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta for Families
Wow, we have returned from an incredibly memorable family vacation to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta! If you’ve ever wanted a feast for the senses, you will want to put this annual international balloon fiesta on your bucket list. It was on my hubby’s...
It Doesn’t Have to Be a Bad Day
It doesn’t have to be a bad day…even if it starts out on the wrong foot. Mornings can be rough when you have young kids to get to school. Although, I have a feeling that teens may be even harder to wake. It was one such morning. I was helping my kids...
Book Review: The Long Awakening by Lindsey O’Connor
If you are ready for a tear-jerker, page-turner, boy-am-I-glad-to-be-alive kind of read, you have found it! The Long Awakening by Lindsey O’Connor is the riveting story of a mom who had her fifth baby – everything seemed fine – and then the...
Help for Sibling Rivalry
If you’re like me, you need help for sibling rivalry from time to time. My kids are 3, 6, and 9. For the most part, they get along. But of course, like all siblings they have their moments. As a mom, I want to help my kids learn to appreciate one another and...