Category: From my Journal
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Why host a foreign exchange student?
Sure there are lots of really good, respectable reasons to host a foreign exchange student. Today, though, I have a few others… An extra child in the family means an extra birthday party and birthday cake. (Ya gotta celebrate her birthday, too!) It will definitely motivate you to clear out that extra bedroom that has…
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I wish there wasn’t a Tour de Pink
Although I had not been in training mode AT ALL, I hopped on my bike and cycled 63 miles in the Tour de Pink yesterday. And here’s why: I don’t want any more names on those banners. I don’t want there to be a need for the Tour de Pink. The Tour de Pink is…
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Back in the saddle to battle breast cancer
It’s been awhile and I’m a bit rusty, but I’m about to hop on my bike for the Tour de Pink, an organized bike ride to raise awareness of and funds to beat breast cancer and support those who are affected by it. Every spring I think I’m going to take the 100-mile option in…
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Air Pong
First, the boys were playing Ping Pong on the dining room table. Next, they started blowing the balls across the game. Then my husband asked if we had two hairdryers…
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A God-Sized Dream…
I love stories of those who step out in true faith and obedience to God. I love those who dare to dream God-sized dreams and those who jump right in and help make them happen. When I came across a link to this one I couldn’t help but be moved to tears and want to…
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Favorite Memories Friday: No AP English homework?
I will never forget one fuzzy yet glorious morning back in high school. Well, sort of in high school… A friend from out of town had flown in to visit and we had a late night out. When I woke, she was still asleep. I didn’t want to wake her, so I slipped out of…
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A quick trip to St. Louis
My husband and I got home last night after a quick kid-free trip to St. Louis to celebrate his cousin’s wedding. We had a wonderful time relaxing, visiting and even getting in a bit of quick sightseeing. And now we still get to enjoy the day off school and work with our kids. Perfect! If…
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Favorite Memories Friday: The cycling adventure that started it all
At about this time three years ago I started thinking, really thinking, about riding in the MS 150, a two-day bicycle ride from Houston to Austin which raises money for and awareness of Multiple Sclerosis. No, I wasn’t a cyclist at the time. I think I had been on a bicycle 5 times since the…
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Favorite Memories Friday: Roller Skating
This summer my children and I began to really enjoy roller skating together. After visiting the roller rink a few times, I even bought a pair of skates for my daughter and a pair for me so we can skate in our neighborhood together while the boys are in school. Each time I lace up…
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Do you use SOAP?
I’m a big fan of the SOAP method of listening and recording what I hear during daily Bible reading, whether that reading be as lengthy as what I might read when following the Bible in 90 Days plan or as short as a Bible in one year plan. If you aren’t familiar with the Scripture…
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Favorite Memories Friday: A Thrilling Birthday
Not too long ago I celebrated my birthday with my mom, my sister-in-law (whom some of you know as Toni, The Happy Housewife), Joy of Five J’s and two other friends. Between celebration destination number one and celebration destination number two, I apologized profusely for my lack of planning and had to stop to fill…
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Guest Chef Night a.k.a Cooking Lessons
Tonight we started cooking lessons at our house. Not that I am a great chef or anything but I am a mom and I can cook some things and I think it is my job to teach my kids how to cook. Last week I got out the calendar and decided that every Tuesday night…
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Favorite Memories Friday: My beautiful bridesmaids
Today begins a new weekly feature on MomsToolbox: Favorite Memories Friday. Here I invite you to reminisce with me as we share a favorite memory and get all warm and fuzzy about the gifts God has provided. This week I have my wedding on my mind… My husband and I just celebrated 11 years of…
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Preparing for a cross-cultural experience
As you read this, it is quite possible I am at the airport with my family, armed with chocolate chip cookies, greeting and welcoming the newest member of our family. You might have already read a bit about us hosting another foreign exchange student this year and we are all quite excited to meet her.…
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Using a shared journal to open teen communication
I have not been a parent of a teen for long and, unlike most parents, I didn’t get to make way into it day by day. It happened in just one day. And it is about to happen again. You see, my husband and I were foreign exchange parents last year and are about to…