Finding JOY in the Morning Finding JOY in the Morning Loni reveals how God has been her Life Sustainer. She shares her journey of homeschooling a large family, surviving the death of her 16-year-old son, and going through various stages in life — including a 12th pregnancy at age 43! Articles
In Other Words: Pieces of my Life
2008-03-26 04:00:00 “Throughout the history of God’s people as given to us in the Bible, we see that life is a test. We have before us the option to trust God “no matter what,” or to walk away from Him. To walk away from God is to leave the fragments of our dreams in pieces on the floor, but to trust Him is to let God pick up the pieces and make us whole again. When we choose to let Him make us whole again, He will make our lives more beautiful than before ~What I Learned from God While Quilting~ by Ruth McHaney Danner & Cristine Bolley~ T his is being posted late on Tuesday, because I was cleaning my sewing/craft room today. (I did not even know what the quote was about until a short while ago.) I had too many piles and with now starting the Etsy store, I need to be more organized. I have been quilting since I was pregnant with my twin girls, over 16 years ago. I don’t do the fancy, elaborate type of quilting. I’ve done little hand quilting. ... More About: Life , In Other Words , My Life , Words , Pieces
My New Crafting & Handmade Items Store
2008-03-24 13:54:00 After writing each day a week ago, I took last week off from writing, but I have been busy at home sewing away. In the last several weeks we’ve had two baby showers to go to, and another friend is having a baby soon, so we have been making a couple of things for her too. It’s been awhile since really feeling up to sewing, which I love to do, and now it’s almost hard to stop! We’ve been making baby shorts for our baby, and little girl dresses as well. And then we have been making these raggedy baby quilts with the little silk taggy ribbons on the sides. I’ve decided to put some up on Etsy to see if they’d sell. Etsy is a store, somewhat like an eBay buy it now, but it’s all homemade and vintage items. We are in need of some homeschool computer teaching programs, and are hoping this will allow for it to happen. Here’s a few of the items I have put up (click pictures to see full size):    Those of you who have follow... More About: Store , Items , Crafting
This Week’s Ultimate Blog Party BOOK WINNERS!
2008-03-14 18:58:00 H ere are the winner’s from the book reviews from this week. I will also be contacting each throughout the day. Thanks so much for participating! ~ The Comfort of Home for Alzheimer’s Disease: A Guide for Caregivers, (from MONDAY’s post) - Linda from her blog, Mocha with Linda Harsh Grief, Gentle Hope  (from TUESDAY’s post) is Michelle and Susan. The Middle Place (from WEDNESDAY’s post) there were no entries, so I will be donating my copies to our local library. (If someone is still interested & I have not yet given to our library, please leave a comment here, and I will get back to you. Postage for the book will need to be paid). (UPDATE, one request for one - still one left!) Mosaic (from THURSDAY’s post) is Penney Douglas. CONGRATULATIONS and thanks to the many who wrote me notes and participated! More About: Party , Blog , Book , Winners , Week
My Ultimate Blog Party Wish List
2008-03-13 05:05:00 So here’s my wish list for the  The Ultimate Blog Party . There are SO many various prizes to pick from, but I finally narrowed it down to my top three picks, and all have to do with winning something for a blog makeover here: ~ I would be SO thrilled to win a custom blog design from Sweet ‘n Simple Design. Shauna from See My Designs is also giving away a free Blog Makeover. Take a look at her beautiful blog designs.  Again, I would be THRILLED! And then there’s Revka & Linda of RS Designs who is offering a $40 gift certificate towards a blog or website design. More wonderful ideas for blogs and websites! And if my top three picks are already chosen, here are the other prizes that would be absolutely wonderful receiving in order of preference: #59 ($25); #55 ($23); #129 $15 Amazon GC; #140 $20 Amazon; #117 $25 Target; #44 (Jump Start World 1st Grade); #49 ($10 Christian Book Distributors); #109 KN Cool (R) Daywear; #91 (Burt’s Bee... More About: List
Book Review: Mosaic By Amy Grant (& one copy to giveaway!)
2008-03-13 05:01:00 ~ This post is in participation with The Ultimate Blog Party. ~ Ihave read this book, Mosaic , and had some of the same feelings before reading and after reading it as the blog reviewer below. When I read her review, I could not have put it in any better words. Kelly Kelpfer has granted me permission to reprint her review here. Thank you Kelly, and thank you for sharing so eloquently and from your heart. I was offered the opportunity to read and review Amy Grant’s new biography, Mosaic. Had it been in the bookstore, I might have picked it up, glanced through it and come away with a very different impression than I’ve developed from reading it cover to cover. I haven’t been a rabid Amy fan. As a matter of fact, I’ve seen her in concert once and that was because I went to see Mercy Me and Amy opened for them. I purchased her Christmas CD at a garage sale. This information is not a slam in any way. I’m just sharing where I am coming from where Amy ... More About: Book Review , Review , Book , Copy
Book Review: The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan (& copies to giveaway!
2008-03-12 05:01:00 ~ This post is in participation with The Ultimate Blog Party. ~ Ido not read many non-Christian books, besides kid’s storybooks or medical type books.  It is hard for me to write a review when I do not see the hope and faith I have lacking in it. But I will try. This book, The Middle Place, is a memoir by Kelly Corrigan sharing about a year in her life, August 2004 ~ August 2005 when as a mom, she finds out she has breast cancer, and months later her dad also has cancer. Kelly writes very honestly, shares her emotions as a mom and as a daughter, making her in “the middle place” of trying to fight the cancer and wanting to make it as a mom AND as a daughter - and then being the daughter trying to encourage her dad to keep fighting and helping him make medical decisions.  I imagine she truly writes as she talks and thinks because she shares quite explicitly (with language we do not allow our children to use) - yet, I am sure it’s quite typical o... More About: Book Review , Review , Book
Book Review Revisited: Harsh Grief Gentle Hope
2008-03-11 05:08:00 ~ This post is in participation with The Ultimate Blog Party. ~ This book I read after the death of our son, just over three years ago, and it was probably the main book I could say, “yes, you understand what we age going through”. Harsh Grief , Gentle Hope is by Mary A. White, whose adult, married son was murdered while driving a taxi. Though the circumstances of our children’s deaths were quite different, it was a book I could relate to quite well, and shared it with several for them to understand our grief. You can read my full review here from October, 2005. A couple of things come back to me as I paged through this book: Trust the Recovery Process: It takes nearly two years following a death to gain equilibrium and stabilization in physical and emotional health. The time frame may run as high as three years following a homicide or suicide. For us, it definitely was a good two years - but probably closer to two and a half years. God’s t... More About: Book Review , Review , Book
In Other Words: Lists
2008-03-11 05:05:00 “We leave something incomplete everyday, whether it’s an area of housework, school, work, friendship, ministry ~ because we are finite.” Edith Schaeffer ~ The Hidden Art of Homemaking~ S o, how are you doing on your New’s Years Resolution list, your Bible reading list, the dreaded spring cleaning checklist, the homeschool catch-up corrections list, “Books to Read” list or maybe just your daily “To Do” list? Do you lay in bed in the morning, making mental notes of what you want to accomplish? And then at night do you do the same, going over those lists, recalling all the things that never were tackled, or possibly hardly anything on those lists? As I think of the lists I make, be it mental or written down, I wonder how often these are “my lists” and are not “God’s lists”. I wonder if it’s why God allows certain things to happen in our lives for Him to say, “Be still, and know I am God.&rdqu... More About: In Other Words , Words , Lists
Book Review & Giveaway: The Comfort of Home for Alzheimer’s Dise
2008-03-10 15:28:00 ~ This post is in participation with The Ultimate Blog Party. ~ Because I have not had anyone real close to me have Alzheimer ’s, I can only imagine the pain and confusion it brings about for the whole family and friends who do not understand this disease.   This book, The Comfort of Home for Alzheimer’s Disease: A Guide for Caregivers, is an excellent resource. What I like about this book, is it is not overwhelming, but easy to read, and a one-word term for it would be “handbook”. It’s not a book you have to read cover to cover, but you can page through, look at chapter headings and read what concerns you or what you have questions about. Throughout the book, topics are highlighted as “NOTES” and “TIPS” to easily find later. The book includes checklists, documents to copy and free and low-cost resources. Here are is the table of contents: Part One Getting Ready Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease Preparing the Ho... More About: Book Review , Review , Book
Homeschooling in Crisis
2008-03-09 05:19:00 You may already know . . .  ” . . . a state appellate court ruling essentially concluded California state law allows no option for parents to school their children at home. Homeschool and legal experts have expressed concern that the move puts all of the parents of the estimated 166,000 homeschooled children in the state at risk of both criminal and civil penalties” from WorldNetDaily.Com article, Gov. Arnold [Schwarzeneggerblasts] homeschool ruling (read whole article - very informative) Scary stuff. For lack of time, I am leaving links where other bloggers are keeping up on this crisis for homeschoolers, and not just for California but for all states. It’s just beginning in California, and if it is not stomped on and stomped out, it will fester to all the other states. Keep reading . . . The Full-Quiver Homeschool House HSLDA Petition to Request Depublishing of California Court Case (for all states to sign . . . 134,757 signatures as of time writing th... More About: Homeschooling , Crisis
Come Join THE ULTIMATE BLOG PARTY!
2008-03-07 06:08:00 It begins today! “The Ultimate Blog Party “, hosted by 5 Minutes for Mom. Last year over 1000 bloggers participated, having some type of “party” at their blog. It can be in just one post during the week, or several days, or every day.  I am going to attempt to have a book giveaway each day next week. At least one of the books I have several copies of. These are not all homeschool or necessarily Christian books, (one is a health book) which I will have short reviews on and one day I will have Amy Grant’s new book up for grabs as well! It’s easy to participate with! You only need to make a mention on your blog one time about The Ultimate Blog Party, (see instructions at link).   Then for my part of this party, I will have a “Mr. Linky” at the end of the book review, and all you need do is sign that you have visited and you will be entered into my personal drawing (but you must be a participant with The Ultima... More About: Join
Blast from the Past - Silly Kid’s Books
2008-03-07 06:05:00 O ne of my fond memories from my childhood is my parents, especially my dad, reading a story to my sister and I before going to bed. Being my sister is five years younger than I am, the stories were generally more geared for her age. My favorite book when I was young was Tikki Tikki Tembo by Arlene Morsel, a Chinese folktale of story of how the Chinese decided to give their children much shorter names, rather than long names, as in this story of Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo! I loved repeating that name, as quickly as I could, getting the giggles with my sister. We’d make up various names of what our name would be like if we had such long names. Of course, this is a book our family owns and loves. Today I am participating with the Parent Bloggers Network and Highlights Magazine in writing on “Blast from the Past ” and how we as parents engage in activities with our children that we did as a kid. Reading for me is def... More About: Books , Silly
The Winner of Book, Sentinel - City of Destiny
2008-03-07 06:01:00 I had my daughter who is eleven years old, pick a number between one and nine to choose the winner of this book, and here is what she said: “Well, I’d pick the number eleven, cuz I am eleven, but cuz that is not a choice,” (she says with a sigh and a long pause), “I pick number seven, because it rhymes with eleven, and it rhymes with heaven, and heaven is a good word.“ So, number seven it is!  And so congratulations go to: Deanne from her blog, DeanneCrawford.Com who will receive an author-signed copy of the book, Sentinel - City of Destiny . Please e-mail me, Deanne with your address, by Saturday evening (11:59 p.m.) If I don’t hear from her another winner will be announced on Monday. Later today I will be sharing about next week’s “Ultimate Blog Party” and what I will be doing for that. You won’t want to miss out! More About: Book , Winner
New Book Review & Giveaway: SENTINEL - CITY OF DESTINY
2008-03-05 01:05:00 THURSDAY IS THE LAST DAY TO SUBMIT YOUR NAME FOR THIS BOOK DRAWING! HURRY! I f you like Christian allegories such as  The Chronicles of Narnia, Pilgrim’s Progress or  Hinds Feet on High Places, here is a new and fresh one called, Sentinel - City of Destiny , that you will want to add to your family’s reading list. Though the author, Landel Bilbrey, suggests this book for boys ages 8 and up, I would read it with my family (children of all ages). In the back of this book are questions for each chapter, allowing for great discussions. I had one of my boys read this book, and answer the questions for their homeschooling. This book is about a set of twin boys, each finding their path to the City of Destiny and finding true manhood. They must each find four magical keys - courage, integrity, service, and vision. They have to face the same everyday challenges our children do such as peer pressure, bullies, drugs, coveting, boy/girl relationships, music, movies, ... More About: Book Review , Review , Book
In Other Words - A Vision for my Children
2008-03-05 01:01:00 “ The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision. “ ~ Helen Keller ~ I am going to take a different approach to this quote, as a homeschool mom, who has to teach my children about having a vision. I may not used that word, vision, with my children, but I have to encourage my children to keep going even with school subjects they may think are dumb or just want to give up on. One of my daughters detests math, of any kind. She wants to be a wife and mom, and cannot understand why she has to do this. So we have to encourage her, that she will need it with budgeting, going to the grocery store and figuring out what is the best price (if a sale is really a good deal), or helping her husband with household and/or business finances and/or even homeschooling her own children. With a long sigh, she continues, and accomplishes it. She may not have a vision for it now, but we do, and so we have to keep her eyes open to proceed.  As moms we need to ... More About: Children , In Other Words , Words , Vision
The Choking Game - It’s NOT Just Boys
2008-02-29 22:31:00 S ince our son’s death from the “choking game”, I’ve heard it said numerous times, it’s a “boy’s thing” or “boys will do high risk games” etc. If you have followed previous links I’ve listed, you will find, it’s not just boys. And now, another family is grieving, and will be having funeral services for their  13 year old daughter, Sarah Beck, of Franklin, North Carolina, tomorrow. Please read the article about this young girl. Then, please read this article, The Choking Game : Are your kids playing? Here is a short excerpt: “14 News  talked to numerous young people all over the Tri-State area. While a few hadn’t heard of it, the majority had and many had tried it themselves as young as the sixth grade. It’s called a variety of names, the choking game, the pass out game, space monkey, ghost. No matter what it’s called, it’s important to know it can kill you. Kids as y... More About: Boys
New Book Review & Giveaway: SENTINEL - CITY OF DESTINY
2008-02-28 08:49:00 I f you like Christian allegories such as  The Chronicles of Narnia, Pilgrim’s Progress or  Hinds Feet on High Places, here is a new and fresh one called, Sentinel - City of Destiny , that you will want to add to your family’s reading list. Though the author, Landel Bilbrey, suggests this book for boys ages 8 and up, I would read it with my family (children of all ages). In the back of this book are questions for each chapter, allowing for great discussions. I had one of my boys read this book, and answer the questions for their homeschooling. This book is about a set of twin boys, each finding their path to the City of Destiny and finding true manhood. They must each find four magical keys - courage, integrity, service, and vision. They have to face the same everyday challenges our children do such as peer pressure, bullies, drugs, coveting, boy/girl relationships, music, movies, gambling, debt, etc., As a homeschool mom, I also love the vocabulary and g... More About: Book Review , Review , Book
Our Baby is ONE!
2008-02-27 04:32:00 Y es, our spoiled and very much adored little boy is one years old today. I don’t know where the year went. It was neat to see how excited all the children were celebrating his birthday. How blessed I am . . . what a treasure each of our children are, and he is just the icing on top of cake - a healing balm and another treasure on loan to us. It’s hard to believe a year ago he was a very frail little boy, born four weeks early, struggles with nursing, gaining weight and  jaundice, got through whooping cough, and now has each of his brothers and sisters wrapped around ALL his fingers! Of course, his favorite word is “mama”! Rejoice with us! More About: Baby
If you have three minutes . . .
2008-02-21 22:40:00 W atch and listen to this YouTube video by John Piper (who happens to be one of my favorite authors). I’ve not watched many YouTube videos, mainly because we only have dial-up connection, but I was sent this link and watched it when we were out, and . . . this is one that really struck me. John Piper on Prosperity on YouTube I am wondering if you will say with him, “God is enough”. More About: Minutes
Family Wellness Update!
2008-02-21 22:11:00 W hat a week it has been - yet how thankful we are that both my son and husband’s dad are recovering very well. You’d hardly know that our son had his appendicts out just over a week ago. Right now it’s trying to keep him from doing things! His surgeon is pleased with how well he is healing and next week he’s “back to normal” and can do just about anything (within mama’s limits!). And, my dad-in-law came home from the hospital on Tuesday and seems to be doing well and looks wonderful. It’s amazing how God protected him and had him at the hospital at the right time when he had the heart attack. We later learned that one artery was 100% blocked and the other almost 85%. We are thankful the stents worked and that he did not need open heart surgery. Now our daughter (who has had two open heart surgeries) and him can “compare medications” and encourage each other! :) Thank you for your many nice notes and mos... More About: Family , Update , Wellness
Another person being drawn for this book!
2008-02-20 22:02:00 R achel from her blog, RazNoggle, is the new person picked for the drawing for this book - since the previous person picked did not respond back . She will receive this book, For Better, For Worse, For Keeps: God’s Gift of Hope for Every Marriage if she contacts me by 11:59 pm Sunday night via e-mail with her mailing address. If I do not receive this, another name will be drawn and announced on Monday. Also, next week I will be reviewing a new book and also have a give away for it. It is a great book for young children, especially boys and teen boys. Be sure to watch for the info on this! More About: Book , Person
In Other Words: Mama Praying
2008-02-19 06:01:00 “My Momma prayed, and momma cried, and momma laid awake at night. She would fight my battles while I slept away.  Cause momma knew life is hard without somebody on your side. I don’t know how, but there is power in the way, The way my momma prayed.” Words  & music by Jeremiah Olson of 40 Miles North Listen Here I imagine like many other moms, we probably more often replace the word ”prayed” with “worried”. How often do we worry, lying awake at night, worrying about the wayward child, the child out late at night who has yet to call home, or the just the plain “what ifs” of our children’s future lives. I am one who can easily get caught up worrying about my children’s lives - from the spouse they will marry; how they will support a family; to how am I going to continue homeschooling another 20 years?  It’s almost like panic attacks when I begin worrying - and then, that still small voice says, &ldq... More About: In Other Words , Mama
Prayers for my husband’s dad who had heart attack
2008-02-17 23:32:00 L ate yesterday afternoon, my husband’s dad had a heart attack. He was taken in to the hospital by Norm’s youngest brother & mom and had the heart attack while in E.R. We are so thankful for God’s timing and protection. He had a heart catherization late last night which went well, incluing having four stents put in. We’d so appreciate your prayers for him, for his wife of 50 years,  and the doctors as they care for him and decisions for his health are made. More About: Prayers , Heart , Husband , Heart Attack , Attack
And the Winner Is . . .
2008-02-14 22:02:00 A llison from her blog, Simple Christian Living. She will receive this book, For Better, For Worse, For Keeps: God’s Gift of Hope for Every Marriage if she contacts me by 11:59 pm Sunday night via e-mail with her mailing address. If I do not receive this, another name will be drawn and announced on Monday. Also, next week I will be reviewing a new book and also have a give away for it. It is a great book for young children, especially boys and teen boys. Be sure to watch for the info on this! More About: Winner
Entries for Valentine’s book drawing ENDS TODAY!
2008-02-13 16:36:00 I f you have not entered your name for the book drawing, today is your last day to do so! Whether it’s for your marriage, a friend’s marriage, or your church library, this book, ”For Better, For Worse, For Keeps: God’s Gift of Hope for Every Marriage, is a wonderful manual. Please note, the only place entries are excepted are AT THIS POST ENTRY LINK ONLY! Check back tomorrow for the recipent of the book! Over the next week, as time allows, up to February 14th, I will be sharing short excerpts from this book. On February 14th I will be drawing a name to receive a free copy of this book. Here’s what to do to be entered for this book drawing. Copy and paste this and put it on your blog: Writing Canvas is having a Valentine ’s book drawing with the book, For Better, For Worse, For Keeps: God’s Gift of Hope for Every Marriage. It’s a book of hope for any marriage. Read the review here, and join the book drawing. If you do not ... More About: Drawing , Book , Today , Ends
Going Home Soon
2008-02-13 16:17:00 O our son is doing much better this morning. The surgeon is writing his discharge orders and we should be out of here soon. His fever spiked to over 102 last night, so we are thankful he stayed to be able to get the IV antibiotics and fluids. He was able to eat breakfast this morning and keep it down.  Though he’s still tired and a little sore, he is doing much better. Thank you for your prayers and e-mails. It helped us all! More About: Home
Vans breaking down & Son’s Emergency Surgery (w/update)
2008-02-13 02:05:00 I wrote earlier today for the In Other Word’s post, how sometimes we wish for “dull moments” sometimes. It was not a dull day by any means - not one I would have written down on the things to do list either. I am writing on a hospital computer, waiting for my 14 year old son to wake up from surgery. He had an emergency laparoscopic appendectomy. He did great through surgery, and thankfully it was able to be done laparoscopicly rather than a big incision. He complained on Sunday of having a pain in his belly, but then not again until last night of a sharp pain. This morning he could barely move and was in tremendous pain to the point of tears which is not typical of him. In the meantime, my husband was warming up the mini-van to find out the starter went out on it and he went to get a starter and had the van torn apart by the time I insisted on going to the hospital. So we took our big 12 passenger van, off skiing on our fully icey roads and about half... More About: Surgery , Update , Breaking , Emergency
In Other Words: The Heart of a Christian Woman
2008-02-12 06:01:00 “Why do our days seem so unimportant, filled not with romance and adventure but with duties and demands? We feel unseen, even by those who are closest to us. We feel unsought–that no one has the passion or the courage to pursue us, to get past our messiness to find the woman deep inside. And we feel uncertain–uncertain what it even means to be a woman; uncertain what it truly means to be feminine; uncertain if we are or will ever be…….And in all the exhortations we have missed the most important thing of all. We have missed the heart of a woman.” Quote taken from: “Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman ’s Soul“ by John and Stasi Eldredge I used to sit on my husband’s newspaper. It was a jealousy thing. He went out to work everyday, had a silent ride in the car to and from work, and then would come home, lay down on the floor and read the paper. I’d send the little ones his way, climbing all over him, u... More About: Christian , In Other Words , Words , Heart
Loving & Honoring
2008-02-11 06:02:00 V alentine’s Day is this Thursday and what a great way to help encourage and renew our marriages with a handbook - For Better, For Worse, For Keeps: God’s Gift of Hope for Every Marriage. I am having a drawing for here for this book on Valentine’s Day. This quote is from the fifth chapter. “Proverbs, chapter 31, advises husbands, “Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” The same could be said for wives honoring their husbands. If your marriage is suffering from respect-impairment, let me suggest you correct the problem through praise and affirmation, particularly in front of your business associates, friends, and family. The rehabilitation of your live will be nothing less than a miracle. For more on this book and how to participate in the book drawing, click on over here. More About: Loving
Keeping Our Vows
More articles from this author:2008-02-08 06:06:00 H ere is another quote from the book, For Better, For Worse, For Keeps: God’s Gift of Hope for Every Marriage. I am having a drawing for here for this book next Thursday, February 14th. This quote is from the fourth chapter. “Why should we keep our vows? Because they will keep us from wasting our lives, from squandering the sweetest gifts life can offer, and from coming down to our final days and saying, “It was all so meaningless.” God has a better plan for you and me than that sad ending. But we can only discover it if we’re willing to keep our promises.” For more on this book and how to participate in the book drawing, click on over here. More About: Vows 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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