Thank God for America – Essay by My Son
I am very happy to have a patriotic 11-year-old who loves America! I asked my son Ethan to write an essay about the reasons why America is special. I offered him $5 for the writing assignment (our kids don't get an allowance or money for chores; I like to offer them...
Helping Kids Deal with Anger
Today's post comes from my 6-year-old daughter Lucy. Many of you know her from the big hair photo I've shown when she was a baby! She's older now and her hair doesn't stick up anymore, but she's still got that sweet smile and disposition. But a few days into the...
Book Giveaway: Your Teenager is Not Crazy
***This giveaway is closed. Congratulations to Tina H! *** My friend Jerusha Clark has written a new book with her husband Jeramy that will help you understand your teen and parent smarter. Does that sound too good to be true? I asked Jerusha to answer the...
Father’s Day Tribute
Although Father's Day has come and gone, I wanted to include a little tribute to my husband James. In the same way we like to celebrate our birthday all month long (any excuse to eat cake is a good one), why not continue the celebration of dads? Step into the time...
Podcast: Hannah Keeley on Becoming a Happy Mom Part 1
Download the podcast on iTunes or listen here: [iframe style="border:none" src="http://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4442902/height/100/width/480/thumbnail/yes/render-playlist/no/theme/legacy" height="100" width="480" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen...
Summer Reading List
Summer is a wonderful time to experience a change from your normal pace - even if it just means a weekend vacation away from work. What's in your bag to read this summer? Here's a great summer reading list from iBelieve.com. They included my book 31 Days to Becoming...
2 Key Questions When Disciplining Your Kids
It's a word that can make the strongest parent quake in their boots....discipline. Whether you have a strong willed or compliant child, you will need to have a strategy for disciplining kids. Yes, a strategy. Don't just discipline by your feelings or in a haphazard...
3 Better Questions to Ask in Your Marriage
Want to improve your marriage? You can start by asking better questions. The questions that easily come to mind can be very negative... What has he done for me lately? When is he going to start doing his fair share? Why do I have to read marriage books? It's him...
Cruise to a Happy Marriage 2016
James and I had the time of our lives aboard Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Sea for the very first Cruise to a Happy Marriage! This maiden voyage was special for many reasons. It was our first cruise and first time in the Caribbean. It was the first Cruise to a...
Book Giveaway: Take Hold of the Faith You Long For by Sharon Jaynes
***This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Jennifer who is the winner of Take Hold of the Faith You Long For*** My friend Sharon Jaynes has a new book that will inspire you to go deeper in God. It's titled Take Hold of the Faith You Long For: Let Go,...
Video: The Weight of Honor
It's been a little over a week since you were honored for Mother's Day. If you need a little pick me up, you can watch this message I shared on Mother's Day at my home church, Bonita Valley Community Church in Bonita, CA. It's titled The Weight of Honor. It's about...
Podcast: Kendra Smiley on Becoming a Happy Mom
Download the podcast on iTunes or listen here: [iframe style="border:none" src="http://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4359376/height/100/width/480/thumbnail/yes/render-playlist/no/theme/legacy" height="100" width="480" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen...
Focus on the Family: Finding Joy in Motherhood
What an honor to be a guest on Focus on the Family radio today. If you missed it during your drive time, you can listen here online. Focus president Jim Daly and co-host John Fuller and I always have a good time in studio. They are both hilarious, kind, radio hosts...
Texting Your Spouse: Connection or Disconnection?
Do any of these statements ring true for you? I text my husband all the time. I hate when my husband is texting while I'm trying to talk to him. When I get a nice text from my husband, it makes me smile. We make a lot of decisions by texting from what we should have...
Get 25% Off “Hannah The Belle of Prayer”
So many of you entered the book giveaway for the children's book Hannah The Belle of Prayer. If you didn't win, there's another way to get this wonderful book to introduce powerful superheroes from the Bible to your girl. My friend author Erin Weidemann wanted to...
Toddler Tantrums and Whining Explained…by a Toddler!
I came across this video recently - a treasure from the past! Please don't ask why I shot it in the bathroom, but here is my Noelle from 6 years ago. She will demonstrate how your toddler can turn on and off the toddler tantrums, whining, and fussing. You will be...
Podcast: Gwen Smith on Becoming a Happy Mom
Download the podcast on iTunes or listen here: [iframe style="border:none" src="http://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4303541/height/100/width/480/thumbnail/yes/render-playlist/no/theme/legacy" height="100" width="480" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen...
Book Giveaway for Girls: Hannah the Belle of Prayer
***This giveaway is closed. But wait...Bible Belles is offering 25% off this book. Just visit BibleBelles.com and enter the code HAPPYHOME to enjoy that 25% off!...
Free Chai Anyone?
I went to Starbucks a few days ago to pick up a gift card for a friend. I really wanted to buy something but: (A) I'm too cheap because it wasn't a coffee date or travel day (B) Got to lose a few pounds (yes, those same pounds from Christmas keep following me...
The Power of a Book
Have you experienced the transforming power of a book in your life? Of all the books in the world, the Bible has been the most transformative book in my life. The Bible has living, breathing power. And I want my children to know that power for living. That's why I...
March Madness Book Giveaway: I Want It All
***This contest is closed. Congrats Jessica on winning the book! Thank you all for your entries!*** Ever wondered if you can really have it all? My friend author Gwen Smith will help you understand what "all" is in her new book I Want It All. ***To enter the...
March Madness Book Giveaway: Choose Joy – Finding Hope and Purpose When Life Hurts
***This contest is closed. Congrats Angela on winning the book! Thank you all for your entries!*** This week, I’m excited to giveaway one copy of Choose Joy: Finding Hope and Purpose When Life Hurts by Sara Frankl and Mary Carver. ***To enter the...
Podcast: Choose Joy with Mary Carver
Download the podcast on iTunes or listen here: [iframe style="border:none" src="http://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4220383/height/100/width/480/thumbnail/yes/render-playlist/no/theme/legacy" height="100" width="480" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen...
March Madness Book Giveaway: 10 Secrets to Becoming a Worry-Free Mom
***This contest is closed. Congrats Leesa on winning the book! Thank you all for your entries!*** This week, I’m excited to giveaway one copy of Cindi McMenamin's newest book, 10 Secrets to Becoming a Worry-Free Mom. ***To enter the giveaway, leave a...
