Self Publishing Tips
I have a friend who just asked me today about some self publishing tips. How do you self publish a book? As I was thinking about what resources to email her, I realized that many of you may also have a “book inside” and you’re wondering how to let...
Happy Husband Celebrates 25 Years of Marriage
This past weekend, I attended one of the most beautiful celebrations of love that I have ever been to. My friends Sam and Maria Keckler, who are featured in my book 31 Days to a Happy Husband, celebrated 25 years of marriage in a very grand and God glorifying...
Mother’s Day Celebrations
Each year my kids grow older (3, 6 and 8), the Mother’s Day celebrations keep getting better and better it seems. I can’t think of anything to top the essay my oldest Ethan wrote about “Why My Mother Deserves the Prize for Mother of the Year.”...
10 Reasons Why I Love Being a Mom
This morning, my son Ethan asked James with great sincerity, “Do you like being a dad?” James belted out, “I LOVE BEING A DAD!” I love that brief interaction that means so much. When we as parents love what we do, we pass that positive...
Stressed Out?
Stressed out this week? Feeling like you need a break, a maid, a chaffeur, or a twin to get all your stuff done? Dealing with stress is a reality for most of us. Take a deep breath. Forget stress for a moment and check out this drawing by my second cousin who is a...
DREAM Marriage Key #1: Domestic Tranquility
Download the podcast or listen to it now: When your husband walks in the door, does he breathe a sigh of relief or does he quickly duck and hide? In this podcast, you’ll learn the first key of having a DREAM marriage: D – Domestic Tranquility R E A...
Infertility Awareness Week: Book Giveaway “Waiting for God to Fill the Cradle”
April 21-27 is National Infertility Awareness Week. I am familiar with infertility because we had trouble conceiving our first child. I never thought I would have trouble getting pregnant, but there we were attending a fertility workshop a little more than 10 years...
Quotes from Humor is Tremendous by Charlie “Tremendous” Jones
James has a book on the shelf by the inspirational speaker Charlie “Tremendous” Jones. Charlie went to heaven in 2008 after a tremendous life of service! I picked up his book Humor is Tremendous today and was so encouraged by reading through and laughing...
Three Huge Mistakes We Make Leading Kids by Tim Elmore
I recently read a fantastic blog post by Tim Elmore titled, Three Huge Mistakes We Make Leading Kids…and How to Correct Them. It’s been tweeted more than 5400 times and has over 600 comments. I’d say Elmore has hit a nerve! I think his post is...
Mom Mastery Summit Hosted by Hannah Keeley
How would you like to become a better mom? Get a plan for your finances? Feel closer to your spouse? See positive results in your parenting? Get ready to be motivated and equipped because my amazing friend Hannah Keeley has put together a Mom Mastery Summit that you...
Easter Photo Album
Here are some of my favorite Easter photos from this weekend. Lucy is all about the Easter bunny. She loves, loves, loves that bunny! I tell her that the Easter bunny represents new life and there’s new life in Christ. My favorite photo is Lucy dressed up as...An Unusual Easter Text
As you think about the events of Easter, perhaps you consider happenings such as the Last Supper, Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane, Judas’ betrayal, and Christ’s death and resurrection. And rightfully so! But if you turn, not in the Gospels, but to the...
10 Easter Moments for Kids
If your children are being raised in Sunday school, it’s possible that they hear the word Easter and think, I already know about that. In fact to be completely honest, that’s true of us adults too. Why not make some Easter moments for kids that will come alive this...
Kids Home for Spring Break: Now What?
Your kids are home for spring break. Now what are you going to do with them? My kids have two weeks off for spring break. In the past, we have taken road trips or had visiting relatives. These things are exciting. This year, there are no travel plans. No incoming...
How to Get Your Kids Out the Door in the Morning
There are countless articles about how to get your kids out the door in the morning. And for good reason! Lots of us struggle with this on a regular basis. My kids are in 3rd grade and 1st grade. My firstborn is a rules-keeping, structure loving, firstborn...
10 Conversation Starters for Your Next Family Dinner
You want to have meaningful conversations with your family. But sometimes you just don’t know how to get the ball rolling. When you’re sitting at your next meal, try asking a few intentional questions. You don’t want to “over-program”...
The Dreaded Bike Ride
My husband James usually bikes the kids into school. If he can’t, I usually drive them. This morning however he asked, “Would you like to bike with them?” The dreaded bike ride. The real answer was, “No.” But the good mom in me wanted...
Andy Freeman and the Motorcycle Ride
Download the podcast or listen to it now: I have been blessed to have some awesome bosses in my life. When I worked as a features producer at The 700 Club, Andy Freeman was the director of our division. He led with excellence AND fun. I remember how...
Submission: Old Fashioned or Due for a Comeback
I wrote a commentary for the Christian Examiner this month about a sticky subject for many: submission. Here’s how it starts: If you want to have a lively discussion, just ask this question at your next dinner party, “Do you think a wife is supposed to submit...
25 Date Night Movie Ideas from Netflix
It’s time to unwind and relax. You want to get a movie to watch that both you and hubby will enjoy. But you don’t know what to get next. Here are 25 date night movies that James and I have enjoyed from Netflix. They are not in order of preference. 1....
Keep Dating Past Valentine’s Day
How did your Valentine’s Day go last week? I talk often about dating on a budget because many people ask how to go out without spending too much money. I’m happy to report James and I went out on a cheap date for less than $25 on Saturday night to...
Happy Valentine’s Day
Happy Valentine’s Day friends! I spent much of the day with the MOPS and Moms Next group at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Santa Ana. We talked about how to have happier husbands so it was a good reminder to all of us (me included) on this holiday. I came home...
In the Media: K-LOVE and Coffee Dates
What can you and your sweetheart do to bring a new twist to your daily grind? I talk with K-LOVE reporter Rafael Sierra today about what you can do on your next coffee date to mix things up. And remember – these dates work for after Valentine’s Day too!...Sign Up!
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