Need another clue?

It’s a fossilized dinosaur print in the riverbed of a dinosaur state park! Pretty cool!

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 I’m addicted to blogs.

I admit that’s strethcing it but God’s been reminding me that whatever I do whether it’s blogging, or writing or homeschooling, I should do it all for the glory of God. (1 Cor 10:31) And that when my addictions get out of whack, his Grace is always waiting for me.

Okay, now, start humming…

THE LIGHTS ARE ON. AND I’M AT HOME
MY MIND, IS NOT MY OWN

MY EYES STING, MY LEGS ARE NUMB
FROM SITTING, HERE ON MY BUM

MY BRAIN IS WIRED. I CAN’T SLEEP
THERE’S NO DOUBT. I’M IN DEEP

MY THROAT IS TIGHT. I NEED SOME WATER
MY BLADDER’S FULL. I KNOW I OUGHTTA…

OH I LIKE TO THINK THAT I’M IMMUNE TO THE WEB, OH YEAH
IT’S NOT EVEN CLOSE TO THE TRUTH
I MIGHT AS WELL FACE IT I’M ADDICTED TO BLOGS
I MIGHT AS WELL FACE IT I’M ADDICTED TO BLOGS

THE SCREEN IS BURRY. I CAN’T READ
I’M LOGGING ON AT HALF THE SPEED.

MY HEART BEATS, AT DOUBLE TIME
ANOTHER BLOG, AND I’LL BE BLIND. BOTH EYES BLIND

IT CAN’T BE SAVED, BLOGGER IS DOWN
MAYBE I’LL SWITCH AND BROWSE AROUND

OH I LIKE TO THINK THAT I’M IMMUNE TO THE WEB, OH YEAH
IT’S NOT EVEN CLOSE TO THE TRUTH
I MIGHT AS WELL FACE IT I’M ADDICTED TO BLOGS
MIGHT AS WELL FACE IT I’M ADDICTED TO BLOGS
MIGHT AS WELL FACE IT
MIGHT AS WELL FACE IT I’M ADDICTED TO BLOGS

MIGHT AS WELL FACE IT YOUR ADDICTED TO BLOGS!

So with that confession, I bid you farewell while I nurse another obsession …scrapbooking. Do I feel a song coming on…

MY PHOTOGRAPHS, FILL UP MY HOME
MY TIME, IS NOT MY OWN

WHOSE THIS, IT LOOKS LIKE JOE
IT’S BEEN SO LONG, I JUST DON’T KNOW

MY BRAIN IS WIRED, TOO MUCH CAFFINE
WILL THESE ALBUMS, EVER BE SEEN

MY THROAT IS TIGHT, I NEED SOME WATER
MY BLADDER’S FULL, I KNOW I OUGHTTA…

OH I LIKE TO THINK THAT I’M IMMUNE TO SCRAPPING, OH YEAH
IT’S NOT EVEN CLOSE TO THE TRUTH
I MIGHT AS WELL FACE IT I’M ADDICTED TO CROPS
I MIGHT AS WELL FACE IT I’M ADDICTED TO CROPS

Okay, I’ll stop now!

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I’ve been having trouble with Internet Explorer 6. My gmail type and visual draft on Wordpress had shrunk and I didn’t know why. Heather suggested I try Internet Explorer 7 but when I downloaded it my computer slowed to a snail’s pace! It took me 20 minutes to get my email up where usually it pops up instantly with highspeed internet. And then when I tried writing an email, another 10 minutes.

So I finally decided to try Mozilla Firefox on Heather’s recommendation and I felt like the blind man healed by Jesus! “I can see!”

No more squinting to see the print on the computer! It’s all back to normal and I’m a believer…in this new browser!

Having trouble with Internet Explorer? Try Firefox.com!

Want more great ideas? Visit Rocks in My Dryer.

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I may be all about organization, but that doesn’t mean I’m organized. My desk is cluttered with papers, as is almost every corner of my home. It’s not that I don’t clean and I try to declutter every so often, it’s just that there’s so much stuff with 4 kids, many hobbies and not enough time to keep up with things.

Okay, I confess I have ADD when it comes to house cleaning. I start a project and then my eyes gaze upon another hot spot (as FLY LADY likes to call the areas in your home that seem to pile up) and I’m immediately drawn to another task, thus leaving the first one undone. But I think I’ve always been like this. I remember my mom telling me I could never finish a project as a kid without getting interested in something else.

Joey (9) is like this when it comes to crafts. He has so many unfinished projects piling up in my hot spots. I had to put my foot down and institute the “Finish What You Start” rule.

Well, I said all that to say all this. I’m trying to get organized on my blog and while there’s probably some easier way to do this, I’ve compiled all my posts in categories. So the next few posts will be listings in categories and then I’ll add it on my side bar for later reference.

I’m just hoping I can follow the “Finish What You Start” rule without getting lost in cyberspace.

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Chris came home tonight from his first baseball practice.

Frankly I was surprised he even signed up for baseball because four years ago he got hit by a ball in the batters box and hasn’t had the desire to play ever since…until his homeschooled best friend mentioned he wanted to play!

I was reluctant at first. Would he be up to speed with the other players? Would he be afraid of the ball? But I saw him practicing in the cold and knew he was serious about playing. He almost reminded me of The Rookie! He even went to the batting cages with his dad and did fine. So everything seemed great, so I thought.

Until today when he came home from practice and told me the coach only played the “good” kids. My chest started to burn, though I assumed my son was probably exaggerating. It’s the first practice and the coach didn’t play them all? Chris then informed me that he played for 30 minutes of the hour and 30 minute practice and then ran the bases for other kids.

Tension flooded my shoulders and called my friend, his best friends’ mom. (His friend was one of the good players and got to play.) I learned some more interesting news. Chris is on a competitive team. That’s when my eyes started to blur and my face felt warm. A competitive team? Great! Now he’ll definitely be warming the bench.

Once I settled down, I called my hubby to “talk” over the situation and learned how much money we spent to be on this competitive league. That’s when I blew my top! I can’t believe people actually pay thatmuch money to have their kids on a competitive baseball team. Sure it’s all good if your kid is good, but if they’re not and need a little work, then that’s a whole lot of wasted money and time.

So what’s the draw to competitive baseball? I just don’t get it. Do you feel it’s right to pay to be on a team and not get to play? If they want to make things fair then they should pro-rate the amount of playing time the kids get. I could deal with that!

Maybe I should give this coach a second chance. Maybe he’ll work more with all the kids. But honestly, I don’t know if I’m willing to take that chance. If I could I’d pull Chris from the team right now! My pre-teen son’s self-esteem is fragile as it is. I don’t need a baseball coach sending vibes that he’s not worth working with, and only good enough to run bases and warm the bench.

I’d rather spend my money else where, building up my son’s self confidence rather than having him (and me) frustrated and focused on what he can’t do.

How do you feel about this whole competitive baseball thing?

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Come and play at the carnival.

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Thanks to Heather for her know how and creativity on my blog header and webiste! Not only did she help transfer my look from blogger to Wordpress and add fun new headers, but she helped set up my faith blog, designed Writer…Interrupted, and is still working on my writing blog all with a hurt foot, sick kids (and being sick herself) as well as homeschooling and keeping up with her blogging.

I know my thanks is not enough and if I knew how to make a gratitiude button, I’d do it! But just wanted all my readers to know I couldn’t have done it without her! She’s a real blessing.

So why don’t you let her know here how much you like the new look!

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I just finished reading Joyce Meyer’s book The Battle Belongs to the Lord. It’s amazing how fast I got through it while exercising on my elliptical machine 20-30 minutes 5 times a week.

It was a great little book and a quick read about over coming life’s struggles through worship. What I took away from it is I need to worship God not because of what He does for me, but for who He is!

Joyce sites men and women of God in the Old and New Testament who worshiped God first before facing the enemy. Gideon, Elijah, Paul, Jesus to name a few. All worshiped God despite their circumstances and God moved!

I need to praise Him in the middle of my circumstances, instead of complaining about them. I’m getting better at this. Instead of focusing on my problems, I’m trying to visualize them as I know God wants them to be. And if really has changed my attitude about the situation, when I do it.:)

That’s the toughest part. Remembering to praise God and thank Him for what I know He will eventually accomplish. I have no idea when He will bring certain things to pass, but I do know if I focus on the future, the will of God, it will happen.

So if I start to stray from this thinking. If I focus on my current set of circumstances, instead of worshiping God, I give you permission to give me a swift kick in the comment section and remind me of my words.

Worship God for who He is despite my need. That’s what I’m trying to do. What about you?

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In a recent critique I was told my opening needed to move quicker. I thought I had done that after scrapping the first opening. But I heeded their wise advice and went back and hacked and pushed things up, and I’m very happy to say the pacing starts off on roll and keeps going.

I’m grateful for objective critiquers, but wonder why many of the books I have on my shelf crawl to a start and have me yawning by the third chapter. I want to scream, “how did you ever get in print?”

In the past I would force myself to finish these books. It’s probably the choleric in me wanting to accomplish what I set out to do. But with my TBR (To Be Read) pile morphing out of control, I have to be picky about my reading time.

So I’ve decided to institute the Three Chapter Rule. If I’m not hooked by the end of the third chapter, then I’ll put it in the give-a-away pile. I figure editors do it all the time. If you don’t have them by the end of chapter three, they send you that nice little rejection letter! I’ve got at least two dozen books waiting to be picked up, so I can afford to reject a couple of them.

Currently I’m at chapter three in a book and I find myself wavering on this new rule. The story is off to a really slow start, and I’m not really interested in the plot, though I see a bit of myself in the character. Which has caused me to reconsider my three chapter rule. Hey, even in fiction rules are allowed to be broken!

So I’ve decided to read a couple more chapters. I think the story may speak to me, maybe not on an entertainment level, but on a deeper, heart changing level. If I’m not dying to read the rest by the end of chapter six, I’ll have to move on, keeping in mind that when I sit down to write I better make the reader shout for more by the end of chapter three!

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Why are the things meant to be fun, like a field trip to the zoo, always a struggle? The idea was simple. Go to the zoo. Bring our nature journals and write a few things about the different buildings.

It’d be an easy school day. Right?

Not with my kids. I can’t remember how it all started but my 12 year-old wasn’t excited about the zoo. When I offered to drop him off at his dad’s office to do school work he got real interested in going to the zoo. But by then he had already complained about breakfast (after he got up late, and didn’t brush his teeth or make his bed) and then he proceeded to boss his sister around.

By lunch I had taken away and given back his privilege to go to the zoo several times. (Yeah, I know lousy parenting! But this weekend I took all his toys away and he really seemed to get the idea that he didn’t have to earn fun! So I wanted to give him a second chance to change his behavior.)

Then in the car he (along with his 9 year old brother) feels the need to verbally tear down his younger brother. I then give said brother the opportunity to let the two of them go to the zoo or not. The older boys apologize and younger brother says they could go.

You’d think that would be the end of the trouble. Wrong! 12 year-old whines about not knowing what to write at the first zoo building (his 9 year-old brother has no problem following instructions, by the way) and my 4 year-old runs wild throughout the building.

SIGH! We manage to get through four more buildings with a little more ease, though chasing Grace is still the high point (or should I say low point) of the adventure. A little more struggle with the writing assignments, and we’re finally through the homeschool portion of the zoo visit.

I loosen up, and let them run from exhibit to exhibit. We play at the park, and things go smoothly for while (except for wrestling Grace out of the alligator pit, kidding!) until the very end when I’m tired and exhausted from giving instruction after instruction. “Come here. Let’s go. Don’t do that. Yada, Yada, Yada.” And it’s mostly directed to two of the four (can you guess which two?)

So we’re in the last building and I’m getting ready to leave when I call to them several times, but they are still chattering away, NOT LISTENING, being loud and excited. So I decide to leave the building, sure that they will soon follow. Well, they didn’t. Not right away, anyway. I went back in and met them in the doorway.

When they finally figured out I was gone, Grace refused to come with them and thankfully my 12 year-old had the sense not to leave her. Tired and frustrated, I said we’re going straight home when I had fully intended to ride the zoo train back to the entrance! Instead we walked.

On the way back to the car, 12 year-old decides to parent his younger sister a few more times, driving me totally up the wall, but I kept my cool and told him he better be a cop when he grows up because he loves to tell people what to do.

So here’s my question to all you parenting gurus! What’s wrong with this picture? With my kids? Am I the only one who finds it hard to enjoy my kids especially on field trips? Am I too uptight? (Okay, I know the answer to that question already.)

I know what’s wrong with me, and I’m working on it. Yes, I’m a little too choleric (Get ‘er DONE) and melancholy (Get ‘er done RIGHT) for my kids’ own good, but why can’t they WALK nicely like other kids I see. Why can’t they do as they’re told the first time like some kids? And why can’t they talk with an inside voice when they’re INSIDE!

And here’s the million dollar question…why has my 12 year-old been fighting for control ever since he could walk and talk? I hate to say it, but it’s days like these it’s hard to like my kids, let alone tolerate them.

The biggest quandry of them all…why did God feel I could handle three high-spirited kids. ‘Cause I can’t!

So maybe this isn’t about them, but about me. Maybe I have them because I need them so God can do a work in me. Well, if that’s the case I’m not getting the big picture here because things aren’t getting better. I’m trying to learn how to parent these kids, but maybe I’m too dense. Maybe there’s too many of them! Who knows! All I know is that I’m feeling more and more comfortable with sending them somewhere to school next year. It might be just what our stressed out relationships need!

Sorry, but all you moms who spin a happy, funny tale out of days like these, I don’t get it! What am I missing?

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Home School Meme
1) One homeschooling book you have enjoyed.
Haven’t really read one all the way through. Though I have a couple I should probably pick up again.

2) One resource you wouldn’t be without.
My homeschool co-op, the internet, manipulatives, games, videos, the library (they know me by name, I don’t need a library card to check out books, and I’m probably supporting their new building with my library fines!).

3) One resource you wish you had never bought.
I don’t regret buying anything, though some things I’ve only used for a short season. Now if you asked my kids, they would say, Latina Christiana. I bought the workbook and DVD, and they were so bored listening to the teacher that they ended up counting her “ums” instead of listening to the lesson.

4) One resource you enjoyed last year.
State Capital Songs

Science Songs I found on the internet and downloaded. They seem straight from the 60’s or 70’s, but their goofy, catchy tunes have us singing about weather, the planets, nature, etc.

Think it Through Tiles by Discovery Toys. I don’t use this nearly as much as I should but it is hands on preschool, phonics, and upper grade math and geography.

Rock and Phonics video. It’s pretty lame to watch, but the kids have fun making fun of it and they seem to pick up phonics as well. In fact, my first grader is learning his phonics lessons really quickly and I’m sure that video has something to do with it.

5) One resource you will be using next year.
I have so many learning games I should have used this year. Next year I will try and incorporate them more.

6) One resource you would like to buy.
I’m always second guessing my curriculum choices, but I love buying literature unit studies.

7) One homeschooling catalog you enjoy reading.
I try not to read homeschooling catalogs because of the previous question. If I see it, I’ll want it! Then I’ll buy it and probably not use it!

One homeschooling(educational) website you use regularly.
I don’t use anything regularly, though occassionally
http://www.iknowthat.com/com/Dojo?SampleActivity=True&Topic=singledigitaddition&COOK=

It’s Fun to Read

Interactive Math for all ages

9) Tag other home schoolers.
Mary @ Homesteeped Hope
Heather @ Graced by Christ
Karen Dawson
Cara Putman

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I grew up observing the season of Lent, often giving up candy or chocolate. One year I remember giving up bread! The idea was to give up something I loved…for Jesus.

Even after I left the church of my youth I carried on the tradition. For one thing, it was a way I could curb the things that had gotten out of control in my ,and I always seemed to be more successful when I did it for Jesus.

Yet, giving up something for Jesus was always a struggle, a form of denying my flesh and suffering like Jesus suffered. And when it was all over I dove right back in to whatever I had sacrificed. But is that what Lent is all about?

My church is observing the season of Lent. From extra services to giving up things, there is a variety of ways we can observe Lent this year, but my pastor made it absolutely clear that Lent should not lead to legalism. It should be about drawing you closer to Jesus.

If I deny myself something, then I should fill that space up with Jesus. That’s what Lent is all about. In fact he said, if you need to stay home to meet with Jesus, then do it.

So I’ll be participating in Lent again this year with a renewed focus not because I feel pressured into giving up something, but because I desperately need to reconnect with my Lord. I’m not sure yet I will sacrifice, but whatever it is, I’ll need to keep in mind that the emptiness needs to be filled with Jesus.

Are you giving up something this Lent? If so, why? If it’s because everyone else is doing it, or it’s expected of you, then I challenge you to reconsider. If it’s to fill that void with Jesus, then full speed ahead.

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**Thought this photo needed some clarification! My boys were taking a fencing class and DO NOT solve arguements this way! I just wanted a catchy title!:) So cancel all those calls to DHS, please!

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Actually she’s moving and passing through, but she has NEVER been to my home since she’s always lived 30 hours away. Now she’ll be living 5 hours away. So while me and little sis are visiting this next week I’ll be posting some oldies, but goodies!

In the meantime, does anyone else have family out there that NEVER visit? I’d love to hear your stories.

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Check out this great opportunity for homeschooling students. Not only do they have the chance to win $200, but the winners will be considered for publication.

I’m going to try to get my boys exicted about this and maybe just maybe they’ll get published before me!

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reprinted 2006

Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.

I used to sit in church and pray that God would just “zap” me and make me the person I really want to be. But after thirty plus years I’m learning that God doesn’t work that way - for most of us.

For years I’ve struggled with certain things, personality flaws so to speak. I’ve blamed it on my Italian New York upbringing, my parents divorce, the critical people in my life, etc. While that may be part of who I am, it’s not the whole me and I don’t have to continue to be the person of my youth.

I’m learning that just because I read a parenting book or go through a 12 week Bible study, doesn’t mean at the end I will be miraculously transformed. I can’t begin to tell you how many books I’ve read on the same subject and I still struggle with the same things.

…be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Renewing. I guess I could break out all the concordances and go back to the original Hebrew or Greek to find out the origin of this word, but to me it means continual. I need to feed my mind continually so my heart will be bathed in the truth and love of Jesus Christ. Reading a book on parenting isn’t going to change me. But when I continue to read books, meditate on scripture and pay attention in church, then my mind will be renewed on a continual basis. Then I will be able to stand against the enemy as he throws his fiery darts my way.

Do I still wish God would just “zap” me and end all my struggles? Sure. But I don’t pray for it as much as I did before. I don’t except to be miraculous transformed, instead I continue to renew my mind and one day “when He appears, we (I) shall be like Him, for we (I) shall see Him as He is. (1 John 3:2)

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Robin Miller, writing as Robin Caroll, writes deep South mysteries of riveting suspense  to inspire your heart. Louisiana born and raised, Robin is a Southerner right down to her “hey, y’all.” Her mother, bless her heart, is a genealogist who has instilled in Robin the love of heritage and family bonds. Robin draws on these important factors when weaving her stories. When she isn’t writing, Robin spends time with her husband of eighteen years and three daughters. She enjoys hearing from her readers–visit her at www.robincaroll.com to find out more about this new Southern fiction writer.

Welcome Robin!Tell us a little about your family and your call to write.

I’ve been married for almost eighteen years to the most supportive man ever. We have three daughters—16, 6, and 4. My call to write…hmmm….I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing. I wrote stories, journals, poems. Had a couple of those published back in the day. I’ve always known I’d be writing.

How did you get your first “writing break?”

Joining ACFW and “meeting” Colleen Coble. This woman opened more doors for me than I can ever explain. I signed with my agent, Kelly Mortimer of Mortimer Literary Agency in July. Kelly is so awesome and enthusiastic that I don’t know what I’d do without her. I trust her advice and guidance completely. I met with Krista Stroever from Steeple Hill at RWA National, where I pitched her the manuscript I was currently working on. She requested the full from my agent once it was completed. My agent submitted it after she line edited it, and we got “the call” a month later. These three amazing women are the ones God put in my path to provide me with my “writing break.”

What do you write and why this genre? 

Colleen Coble told me long ago…write where your passion is. My passion has always been mysteries/suspense. I grew up reading Trixie Beldon as young as fourth grade.  

Do you have any recent contracts and up coming releases?

My first book, BAYOU JUSTICE, will be released by Steeple Hill, Love Inspired Suspense in October of 2007.  

What do you hope to accomplish through your novels?

First and foremost, I hope I honor God. I want to entertain readers, but leave them with a sense of hope and being uplifted.

And now for the tough questions…

Okay…LOL

How do you balance being a mom, wife, and writer?

It’s hard. There is no set example that works. Each person has to find what works for them. I’m blessed to have a supportive husband in my writing, and in recently being elected president of ACFW. I try to set my “work hours” just as if I were at an away-from-home job. Our youngest daughter isn’t in school yet, so the interruptions happen. I’ve learned to take the distractions in stride. For the most part, it works. After the two older girls get home from school, unless I’m on deadline, I call an end to my “work day” so I can spend time with them and prepare supper and be ready for when my husband gets home from work. Sometimes, it doesn’t work out that way. Again, having a family who supports my dream is critical to me being pulled in several different directions.

Do you think it’s possible to give yourself fully to raising children, writing, working full time, and keeping in shape? If not, which one for you has to take a back seat?

Housekeeping has taken the backseat for me! LOL Seriously. I used to be really picky about certain aspects of household duties. Now, well….does anyone really ever notice if my baseboards are clean? LOL Keeping in shape. I don’t go to a gym anymore, but I still have a 4 yr old to chase around, so that helps. Sharing parenting responsibilities with my husband is crucial in keeping things running smoothly. The kids having chores helps me with the housework, but also teaches them responsibility and working as a team within the family.

When do you find the time to write, and do you ever feel like you’re neglecting your children when you write?

As I said, I try to write during “working” hours. Sometimes, after everyone else goes to sleep, if my characters are arguing in my head, I’ll fire up the laptop and sit in bed and write. I’m fortunate that I speed read and write fast as well. I don’t feel like I’m neglecting my kids when I write. It’s a job. A dream job, yes, but a job nevertheless. I think it’s important for them to understand that acquiring dreams takes work and sacrifices. I view it as a life lesson.

How do you handle interruptions in your writing life?

With God’s grace. LOL But it’s true. Since I don’t work outside the home, I get called upon by people to do things, serve on committees, etc. For a while, I tried to do it all. That didn’t work. I wrote less and less and became grumpy. My family doesn’t like me much when I can’t write. LOL I’ve learned to prioritize.

How do you get back into the flow of writing after you’ve been interrupted?

I read the last scene I wrote. I listen to my characters. (Yes, mine really do talk to me!) Or sometimes, I’ll just let the interruption flow. I’ll get up and read a book to my daughter. Go watch the girls swing outside. Listen to my teenager’s drama of the week. You’d be amazed at how doing the mundane can actually help you focus. If none of that works, a venti white chocolate mocha with extra whipped cream from Starbucks is sure to!

What do you do to encourage yourself during those stormy days every writing mom has?

I realize I’m so blessed to be working at my dream. Sometimes, just walking around the house and naming my blessings aloud is a real reality check. Makes the writing woes seem really insignificant.

How do you position yourself to HEAR God’s voice when all the noises of life are swirling around you?

Okay, this sounds so awful, but during the day when I NEED to hear Him (my regularly scheduled quiet time is in the evening) I take my Bible and hide in the bathroom. It’s the one place where I can lock the door and just shut out the world.

If you do feel your priorities slipping, what do you do to get back on track?

Funny, by the time I realize they’re slipping, God’s already hit me upside the head with a 2X4 to get my attention. Yeah, some people get the small, still voice. I get the 2X4. LOL But it works. He normally shows me where I’m letting things slip and gives me the wisdom and energy to correct my shortcoming.

Has there ever been a time God told you to set aside your writing to focus on other areas of your life? If so, how did you handle that?

Actually, yes and no. He didn’t tell me to set aside my writing, but He did show me to focus it toward the CBA versus the

 Did you ever feel like you’ve “missed” God in regards to writing, that maybe you should be doing something else?

Personally, I feel like I connect MORE with God through my writing. I don’t start out with a spiritual arc in mind in my stories. That’s not my job. God shows up when I sit down at the computer and He tells me what He wants me to share with others. I’ve learned quite a bit that way, in avenues I would have never dreamed of pursuing. It’s a fun ride as co-pilot when I let God in the driver’s seat.

What advice would you give to writing moms who are have their hearts set on publication?

You CAN do it. Don’t let anyone distract you from pursuing your dream. It may take longer with kids calling for your attention. Relish those moments (and remember some of them because you can use them in a wip). It’s all a journey…enjoy the trip. All of it. It makes us who we are.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

If someone had told me twenty years ago that I’d be where I am today, I would never have believed them. Not that my dreams weren’t in this line. They were. But they were more along the being-a-NYT-Bestseller-career writer type. Yet, I wouldn’t trade where I am now for that. I adore being a best friend and wife to such an amazing man. I love being a mom to three really awesome girls. I’m blessed to have awesome writing friends and critique partners. Getting a contract for a CBA publisher was truly the icing on the cake for me. If I arrived in heaven today, I’d be content with my life on earth. How blessed am I?

Thank you so much for sharing your heart hear today. Please come back in October and tell us all about your expereince with your first release!!

Visit Robint at www.robincaroll.com
http://robinswritingworld.blogspot.com/

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I’ve tried it all from authoritative discipline to non-punitive parenting, and I can say for certainty. Nothing works! At least with my kids.

I’ve given up on the hopes of my children being perfect obedience little angels. I honestly think it goes against their high-spirited, strong-willed nature. One day they might be leaders, but for now my only goal now is respect.

The back talk and arguing from my little WIPs has pushed me over the edge many more times than I care to count. And it’s mostly my fault for letting it go so far, but in all honesty I really want to be fair and hear them out. They just can’t accept “no” no matter how many times I say it.I don’t usually give in easily, that’s why our arguements escalate. And they usually don’t get what they want, but they try!

This morning we were having a discussion about a devotion we did the other day about a “froward,” arguing mouth. We’ve also been learning about discretion, thinking before they act, and the Armor of God, dodging the fierly darts of the enemy. So I issued them a challenge. “Pick one thing you’d like to work on. You don’t have to be perfect, but I want to see you catch yourself if you start to argue, etc.” Then I explained to them if they met their goal they could have PS2 time this weekend. They usually get 30 minutes each on the weekends which they think is cruel and unusual punishment.

Well, this sent my Choleric/Sanguine oldest into a frenzy. I’m surprised he didn’t call Amnesty International. “Why do we always have to earn fun?”

“You don’t have to earn fun.”

“You never just let us play. We always have to work for it.”

“PS2 is a privilege not a right. And what about all your toys in your room?Do you have to earn the right to play with them? Do you play with them before bedtime? Did you have to earn that playtime?”

Some more “looks” and grumbling from son and I very calmly said, “Okay, take all your toys out of your room and put them by my door. Everything. Your Star Wars figures, your games.”

He looked shocked, but he complied. Now I guess he’ll really see how it feels to have to earn fun.

The kid just doesn’t get it that in life you have to do the hard stuff first before you get to play. He thinks he deserves to play and have fun no matter what! I sure hope he learns fast the hard lessons of life!

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Chanda sent this to me. Thought I’d pass it on.

The average person only gets 7 correct.

This is based on U.S. info, so use all lobes of your
brain. This can be more difficult than it looks - it
just shows how little most of us really see!

There are 25 questions about things we see every day
or have known about all our lives. How many can you
get right? These little simple questions are harder
than you think– it just shows you how little we pay
attention to the commonplace things of life.

Put your thinking caps on. No cheating! No using
anything on or in your desk or computer!

Can you beat 23?? (The average is 7) Write down your
answers as you go. Check answers (in the comments sections),
AFTER completing all the questions.

REMEMBER - NO CHEATING!!! BE HONEST!!! That means no
looking at your phone or anything on your desk…

LET’S JUST SEE HOW OBSERVANT YOU REALLY ARE.

Here we go !!!

1. On a standard traffic light, is the green on the
top or bottom?

2. How many states are there in the USA? (Don’t laugh,
some people don’t know)

3. In which hand is the Statue of Liberty’s torch?

4. What six colors are on the classic Campbell’s soup
label?

5. What two numbers on the telephone dial don’t have
letters by them?

6. When you walk does your left arm swing with your
right or left leg? (Don’t you dare get up to see!)

7. How many matches are in a standard pack?

8. On the United States flag is the top stripe red or
white?

9. What is the lowest number on the FM dial?

10. Which way does water go down the drain, counter or
clockwise?

11. Which way does a “no smoking” sign’s slash run?

12. How many channels on a VHF TV dial?

13 On which side of a women’s blouse are the buttons?

14. Which way do fans rotate?

15 How many sides does a stop sign have?

16. Do books have even-numbered pages on the right or
left side?

17. How many lug nuts are on a standard car wheel?

18. How many sides are there on a standard pencil?

19. Sleepy, Happy, Sneezy, Grumpy, Dopey, Doc. Who’s
missing?

20. How many hot dog buns are in a standard package?

21. On which playing card is the card maker’s
trademark?

22. On which side of a Venetian blind is the cord that
adjusts the opening between the slats?

23. There are 12 buttons on a touch tone phone. What
2 symbols bear no digits?

24. How many curves are there in the standard paper
clip?

25. Does a merry-go-round turn counter or clockwise?

ANSWERS in comment sections…

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On this day of love, I feel so unlovable!

I’ve felt that way the most of my life. Alone. Lonely. Unlovable. Unloved. Since I was very young, all I wanted was for someone to love me. I found that someone in Jesus at a young age, but sometimes I just needed something more tangible.

Thankfully God spared me from finding false love while young and impressionable. But a part of me is still searching for that tangible, unconditional love. Is that unrealistic? For flesh and blood to love me unconditionally. Maybe it’s a pipe dream, maybe not. But most days I feel alone in my journey, that I’m fighting a battle alone (many times against members of my own family) and it gets tiring.

I am so torn between the person I want to be, and the person my family sees. I long for what I don’t have. I hope for what I don’t have. And I don’t know how to rush things, to be the person my family needs. We’re all tired of the conflict and strife that invades our daily lives, and I don’t know what else to do, but pray.  I probably don’t pray enough. Add that to my growing list of faults.

If you’ve lasted this long, sorry to rain on your Valentine Day. But I felt the need to get real. Partly for selfish reasons and partly to reach out to others who feel the way I do today.

I know not everyone feels loved on this day of love, if that’s you, don’t be afraid to feel what you’re feeling, but don’t stay there! God cares, people care! Hold tight to truth. God so loved YOU He gave His only son for you so that you might have eternal life! Now that’s love! And that’s what I’m clinging to!

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