45. Parenting – Character Development

One of the things I have been less intentional about teaching my kids is character development. Mostly because I’m fumbling my way through it as I go. We are all told to have good character, but how much time is spent teaching it? I think this is the number one thing that should be taught

4 Ways to be an Effective Mother

As moms, we have a million and one things going on at all times.  I’ve done many triathlons and running events and have felt the overwhelming physical exhaustion followed by the triumph of finishing a race well. Being a mom is way more exhausting and much more terrifying. Running a race physically, the only thing to worry about

6 Ways Being a Mom Makes You a Great Leader

Leadership is having a vision, sharing that vision and inspiring others to support your vision while creating their own. – Mindy Gibbins-Klein Being a mom is a tough job, being a mom and a stepmom is the hardest job I’ve ever had.  Through cleaning up puke, teaching responsibility, pushing away bad dreams and helping with mean

Playground Wisdom

The stories I hear from my girls about the stuff that happens on the playground angers me sometimes.  I hate that they are faced with nasty speaking kids, ridiculous drama, friend battles, the pull of people trying to convince them they aren’t enough and a list of challenges they aren’t sure how to overcome.  Seriously,

To Inspire Change – Use Goodness

From food  to people, from taste to character – “good” is used to describe many different things, so, when reading about goodness in the bible, I’d always align it with the definitions I use for good – like being a “good girl”.  I end up seeking approval from anyone and everyone, hoping they would think

Our Family Behavior Chart

If we want to learn how to landscape our yard, make a turkey or ham for a holiday or make the the best and healthiest dessert; we turn to Pinterest or the internet for directions, but when it comes to raising our children, we are less likely to google how to’s, tips, rules or read

Fruit of the Spirit – Kindness

Kindness is easy when we feel like it, but when we are annoyed, frustrated, sad or angry – kindness seems like an undiscovered universe. When the bible talks about kindness, it’s not talking about being nice to our friends, because even evil is nice to those they love.  The kind of kindness that comes from

Give Grace…to Myself?!

There is something about the way music can bring us back to a time and place or the unique way lyrics can stick with us for a lifetime.  I was 17 and on my way to a softball game, when a song came on and stopped my busy mind dead in its tracks.  I was