Grace, my almost seven year old, is a character, to say the least. All my children, except my mild, mannered Timmy were characters with big personalities. I remember specifically Joey singing and talking to random people in the grocery store, waving at them across the aisle. Then there was Chris, who came out a leader from birth. I remember the time I was watching him at a recital and to say he was a little “bossy” would be an understatement. He demanded the “lebo” (yellow) baton from his teacher, told the kids what to do and if they were doing it wrong and while I was videotaping him, he yelled at me from the little stage to “Clap mommy! Clap!” Don’t believe me, I have it on video.

Not sure whose DNA Timmy has. He’s the kid that would be content to sit in a stroller for hours. Maybe God knew I needed a break from chasing my first two, or maybe God knew Grace was coming next. She, by far, takes the prize for the biggest character. My parents call her a “pip.” Even though I have no idea what that means, I know she’s just that, a pip!

The things that come out of her mouth leave me stunned and sometimes I have to wonder if she’s getting most of this from television or her little, creative mind. Like the other night, I was reading her Cinderella and got to the end about dreams come true. She informs me that it doesn’t work. The conversation went something like this.

Me: What doesn’t work?

Grace: Wishes

Me: Why?

Grace: Because I wished on shooting stars and it doesn’t come true.

Me: What did you wish for?

Grace: That everyone in this family would do what I say, like they were robots and did everything I want.

Me trying not to laugh

Grace: I know grandma told me I should wish nice things so I did. I wished that everyone would have the best day tomorrow and it didn’t happen.

Me: Maybe you should try praying instead of wishing

Grace: No, that wouldn’t work ’cause I’d pray to have a million dollars fall from the sky and it just doesn’t happen like that.

Me thinking to myself: You got that right!

Flexibility is an important aspect of overall health and well-being.  The body has an enormous and amazing way of healing, and incorporating simple stretching exercises can be extremely helpful in speeding up recovery as well as in maintaining good physical fitness.  Licensed massage therapist and educator Lori Walter has developed Stretch 4 Life, a proven and effective tool for people of any age and level of muscular fitness.  By using this full body stretch routine, relaxation and flexibility can easily be achieved.  The Stretch 4 Life DVD and manual are a wonderful resource for anyone who wishes to pursue enhanced health and well-being.  This fabulous routine will also help reinforce healthy habits.
With this practical and easy to use program, Stretch 4 Life will enable anyone to achieve increased flexibility.  Tailor any stretch sequence you need to aid in your journey to better health.  Individuals can get started with only a few simple stretches to begin the healing process.  Later, as the range of motion and strength improve, individuals can increase the specialized plan by simply incorporating additional stretches from the manual and DVD.

Lori Walter is a licensed massage therapist and stretch instructor.  She has developed this Stretch 4 Life routine over her 13 years of work with the goal to help people heal and repair their structural integrity.  For more information or to place and order, visit www.Stretch4Life.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need to stretch?
Although the mind is the dominant center of control, by attaining relaxation in the voluntary muscle system, we can influence relaxation in the involuntary muscles and other systems of the body.  While the muscles in the heart will perform their jobs without conscious effort, we can assist them by ensuring that the muscles we can control do not become tense and thus interfere with the processes.  Instead those muscles can be relaxed, which conserves our energy for those times when we need extra.  By learning to relax we have a useful tool for release when life gets more complicated.

What techniques will I learn to help me relax?
Muscle work always has at least two parts.  A muscle contracts and shortens or it relaxes and lengthens.  In this way muscles also work together but in an exactly opposite and reciprocal relationship.  For example, when we bend an elbow, the biceps muscle contracts and the triceps muscle behind lengthens to allow the movement.  Sometimes this interaction may be disturbed, as when our foot goes into a cramp.  The muscle remains in a state of contraction, which becomes painful because it is prolonged and very fatiguing.  Relaxation is the physiological state that follows muscle contraction.  To achieve relaxation, we will learn to move in one direction followed by a balance of movement in the opposite direction.

What is diaphragmatic breathing and why is it important?
Respiration at rest is performed most significantly by the diaphragm, and any “action” occurring in the abdominal area is quite passive.  In fact, if the muscles of the abdomen are not relaxed and passive, then breathing is forced up into the chest.  Diaphragmatic breathing and relaxation of the abdominal wall complement each other by helping us stay loose and keeping our breathing slow and deep.

Why is posture important and can I learn to stand up straight now?
Correct posture is energizing to the system of the body.  It is the position your brain likes best and will re-learn it quickly and easily.

There reason I’m so sparse over here is that I’m an Examiner now! Here’s some of what you’ll find over there!

Top Ten Reasons I Don’t Want a TV in my Car!

Do Your Children Bore You?

Surviving Long Car Rides with Kids

Keeping Kids Hydrated without Ruining their Meals

Tired of Fixing Kids Snacks Throughout the Day?

Protecting Kids from Inappropriate Video Games

I always thought (and still do) of Tricia Goyer as this super mom. She’s a committed mom, wife and homeschooler, has a book coming out every other month, volunteers at church and in the community and always has someone other than her immediate family in her home, plus she seems to have a deep relationship with the Lord

Who can compete with that?

But her newest book Blue Like Playdough paints a different picture of a Tricia Goyer who often felt pushed and squished raising her kids and going about her life. I’m not far into the book, but it’s a refreshing read about a real mom with real issues and how she allowed God to mold her (and continues to mold her) into the shape he desires.

Though each of our shapes may be different, this book is an encouragement to let God work through daily life to make me who he wants me to be. Here’s more on Tricia and the book and the playdough party:

About the book: In the everyday stretch and squeeze of motherhood, Tricia Goyer often feels smooshed by the demands of life. In Blue Like Play Dough, she shares her unlikely journey from rebellious, pregnant teen to busy wife and mom with big dreams of her own. As her story unfolds, Tricia realizes that God has more in store for her than she has ever imagined possible.

Sure, life is messy and beset by doubts. But God keeps showing up in the most unlikely places–in a bowl of carrot soup, the umpteenth reading of Goodnight Moon, a woe-is me teen drama, or play dough in the hands of a child.

In Tricia’s transparent account, you’ll find understanding, laughter, and strength for your own story. And in the daily push and pull, you’ll learn to recognize the loving hands of God at work in your life… and know He has something beautiful in mind.

Read an excerpt:

Tricia Goyer is the author of twenty books including From Dust and Ashes, My Life UnScripted, and the children’s book, 10 Minutes to Showtime. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer’s Conference in 2003. Tricia’s book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like Today’s Christian Woman and Focus on the Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in the mountains of Montana.

Visit the author’s website.

More From Tricia:

In my new spiritual memoir, Blue Like Play Dough I invite women to discover the extraordinary in the ordinary! To learn to see God’s hand lovingly at work in every aspect of your life—from laundry-folding to the umpteenth reading of Goodnight Moon.

I’d be honored to have you as my guest – and to prove it I’ll be giving away 2 ginormous Mommy Play Dough Packs to two party attendees at random! The winners will be announced at the end of the party. Grab your friends and let’s party! oh, and don’t forget your camera! Snap pictures during the party and upload them during the festivities. I’ll be giving a prize away for the best photo!

So come join me on July 27th from 5-7 pm (PST)! Friend me on facebook and join the fun!

Help us spread the word about the Go-Go program by putting this button on your website/blog

…about thirty years late. But I guess it’s still a dream come true. When I was younger I loved being on stage in my high school plays, even if I was just in the background dancing, but I hated the auditions. It scared me to death. I never had a speaking part that was more than a line or two, but I was fine with it. Though secretly I dreamed of being a childhood actress and star on television. Not sure why I was obsessed with it. Maybe the lives and families on television looked more fun than my own, but I really never told anyone of my dream. I was too shy and insecure and growing up in a single mom home, didn’t think my dream would ever come true.

Then I got married, had children and over the years I realized my children were gifted musically. So I put them in musical theatre and though shy at first, they all fell in love with theatre and they were good. I was happy to get my childhood dream fix watching them, though once again I wondered if it was something I could do myself. But who had the time with pursuing a new/old passion of writing fiction and being published. Still, I thought I should at least give it a try, once and promised my kids one day I’d audition and be in a play with them.

I thought one day was a long time away, but with no pending book contracts or books in dire need of writing, it seemed like I had a pretty free summer. So I nervously auditioned for the Wizard of Oz. My kids said I had a great Wicked Witch cackle, I took that as a compliment and with shaking script in hand, I auditioned.

And was relieved I didn’t get the part, but I did get in the play. I had a safe little part as Mrs. Gulch the mean woman who wanted to take Toto away. All I had to do was run across the stage, yell a few lines and I was off. I had a few other appearances in Oz, but for the most part, it wasn’t a big deal and I was okay with that. My dream, still fulfilled.

Then I got a call. “Auntie Em left the show and could I do it?” My first thought, I enjoyed being the mean lady with a small part. Could I be nice old Aunt Em with a dozen or so lines. They needed me, so I said yes, now I have to memorize the lines which is my second biggest fear. My third biggest fear, forgetting the lines!

But I had my first practice as Aunt Em the other day and it felt pretty good. There’s 3-4 more weeks left of practice and I’ll get better and learn those lines. So while it took me over 30 years to make this childhood dream come true, I’m praying it won’t take another 30 for my dream of publishing my first novel!

 So I’ve been hearing a lot about examiner.com and how you can get paid to blog. I figured why not give it a try. I had dozens and dozens of blogs I could recycle and the extra money was a plus. I’m a SAHM examiner, blogging about motherhood thoughts and tips I did here several years ago, so if you’re new here or fairly new in the last couple of years, or would just like to help click my way to a few lattes this month, please click on the link here and check out all my articles. And be sure to subscribe so you won’t miss any of my life changing articles!

Want to write for the Examiner and get paid?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Shawn Grady signed with Bethany House Publishers in 2008. He was named “Most Promising New Writer” at the 39th Annual Mount Hermon Writers Conference. Through the Fire is his debut novel.

Shawn has served for over a decade as a firefighter and paramedic in northern Nevada. From fire engines and ambulances to tillered ladder trucks and helicopters, Shawn’s work environment has always been dynamic. The line of duty has carried him to a variety of locale, from high-rise fires in the city to the burning heavy timber of the eastern Sierras.

Shawn attended Point Loma Nazarene University as a Theology undergrad before shifting direction to acquire an Associate of Science degree in Fire Science Technology as well as Paramedic licensure through Truckee Meadows Community College.

Shawn currently lives in Reno, Nevada, just outside of Lake Tahoe. He enjoys spending time in the outdoors with his wife, three children and yellow Labrador.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Firefighting burns in Aidan O’Neill’s blood. The son of a fireman, O’Neill has a sixth sense about fire and often takes dangerous risks. When one act of disobedience nearly gets a rookie killed, O’Neill is suspended. His weeks off are supposed to be a time to reflect but instead he escapes to Mexico, where another rash act of bravery actually kills him. But only for a few minutes.

Called back to Reno, he’s now haunted by visions of hell and paralyzed in the face of fire. And at the worst time, because an arsonist is targeting Reno. With a growing love interest with one of the investigators complicating everything, Aidan must discover where his trust rests as the fires creep ever closer.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Through The Fire, go HERE

Check it out!  I’m too lazy to repost it here and I could use the penny!

My soul is heavy and all my normal morning routines have been halted for prayer. It’s not a major life burden, but when your child hurts you hurt.

My husband and son have been bonding over morning bike rides down the trail. It’s something my son has needed for a long time. He’s the one in the family that usually get’s stiffled and pushed aside due to irritating behaviors and a lack of self control. I try to be sensitive to him, but it’s hard when he whines and all my maternal compassions goes out the window.

This morning he came in crying and whining. For some reason I didn’t get irritated. I pushed away from the computer and asked him what was wrong. It seems he crashed on his bike on the trail…into a man on a bike.

I can’t remember my exact first thoughts, but they were for the man. Obviously my son was okay, and after I found that out he told me he was mad at his dad for telling him to “stop crying and suck it up.” I think my son was more hurt of his dad’s lack of compassion than anything else. After a few more inquires and talking to my husband, I found out the rest of the story.

On the bike trail, my son took a turn too wide under the bridge and crashed into a man in his 60s. No one had a cell phone (note to joggers and bikers…carry a cell phone) and both were hurt. My husband was concerned for the man and attended to him. My son felt slighted and that his finger was really busted. After fixing the bikes so they could be rode or moved they had to go there separate ways. My husband felt bad for the old man (and so do I, so please say a prayer for him, I can’t stop thinking about him) but no one was around and he needed to get my son home, my husband feared he might have broken his wrists and they were a mile from home.  Thus the “suck it up” comment so he could get my son home quickly. So he reluctantly let the man ride away. At least there’s comfort in that he was able to ride away.

So now my son is in pain, pysically and emotionally, saying he’ll never go bike riding again. What started out as a wonderful time between my husband and son has been ripped from them. I’m angry at the enemy and sad for my son, hoping that when the emotions settle down, he’ll change his mind. But I’m sure he’s feeling guilt from the entire event which could have been avoided if he was thinking clearly. But he’s at that age.

Please say a prayer for all involved, and me. I’m finding it hard to concentrate on anything else and I have two boys coming over today for a writing lesson! Thanks…

I am uber-interrupted this year.  Seriously.  By energy-sapping, joy-killing things like the perils of raising teenagers and a stunning variety of medical challenges for myself and members of my family.  There are days where this household feels downright under siege.  Where’s an action hero when you need one?

I can get stuff done under siege.  I can multitask with the best of ‘em.  Schedule a doctor’s appointment on a headset cordless phone while moving a load of laundry?  Got it covered.  Back up my laptop while loading the dishwasher?  I can do that.  

Crank out a chapter while my son is on the couch with a thermometer in his mouth?  Not so much.

This season I’ve learned that accomplishing and creating are two different things.  They require different energies.  And those energies need to be replenished in different ways.  I got angry with myself when I couldn’t knock out a page or two when I had a free half-hour.  Then I realized as much as I know I write in small chunks, there is such a thing as “too small.”  I need about an hour and a half to get writing done.  And even though I am on my 13th novel, this was new to me.  We never stop learning about our creative selves.

Because I have teenagers, getting my writing time can be as easy as saying “I need the morning to write.”  Yes, parents of toddlers, I know you’re drooling right now.  And I’ve served my time in the crayon trenches, so I know how that feels.  But, simple as that request was, I was astounded how often I neglected to do it.  How I tried to “slip it in” between other tasks instead of scheduling it out like the professional I ought to be.  I can “slip in” other kinds of creativity–like knitting–and I need to do that to replenish different wells.  But writing?  That takes an attention I can’t create instantly.  I’m astonished–and a little ashamed–that I haven’t figured that out before now.

What do you need to figure out for your writing?  Is it how much time?  How long you can go between sessions before it starts to feel like “neglecting?”  That you need a dedicated space?  Just a laptop in Starbucks?  Take a moment and see if you can uncover something useful in what you need to write–it may help pave the way to getting it.

Check out her book:

BLUEGRASS BLESSINGS

BOOK 3 IN THE KENTUCKY CORNERS SERIES BY ALLIE PLEITER

ISBN 13#:  978-0-373-87538-2

Everyone in Middleburg, Kentucky lines up for baker Dinah Hopkins’s cinnamon rolls.  Everyone except her handsome new landlord, Cameron Rollings.  The jaded city man doesn’t like anything about small-town life–from the fresh air to her fresh-baked snickerdoodles.  And he clearly considers Dinah as quirky as her eccentric oven.  The way to Cameron’s heart is not through his toned stomach.  But the Lord led him to Kentucky Corners for a reason.  And Dinah plans to help him count his bluegrass blessings.

Allie Pleiter is an avid knitter, coffee junkie, and devoted chocoholic and writes both fiction and non-fiction.  The enthusiastic but slightly untidy mother of two, Allie spends her days writing books, doing laundry, running carpools, and finding new ways to avoid housework.  She grew up in Connecticut, holds a BS in Speech from Northwestern University, spent fifteen years in the field of professional fundraising, and currently lives in suburban Chicago, Illinois.  The “dare from a friend” to begin writing nine years ago has given rise to a career spanning two parenting books, six novels including the multi-nominated MY SO-CALLED LOVE LIFE, and various national speaking engagements on faith, women’s issues, and writing.  Visit her website at www.alliepleiter.com or her knitting blog at www.DestiKNITions.blogspot.com

I realized I haven’t updated the progress of my WIPs lately. Digging Up Death, which I fondly refer to as DUDly, is undergoing rewrites after I dug it up after I buried it. It made the rounds, and though I hadn’t heard a yeah or nay, from two editors, my wise agent and I decided we should start the reconstruction. So my married protag is now divorced with kids and I like the new twist. I’m thanking God I really didn’t have to change the beginning that much. I just needed to layer in the romance. The ending which I have yet to come to is a different story and at this point, I’m not sure how it will end.

Buried Deception, the one I wrote for Love Inspired Suspense, can use your prayers right now. It’s been with Steeple Hill for about a month now and it’d be really nice if I actually sold this one. Maybe if I did, I could get back to using this blog as I originally intended instead of a advertising forum just to make money.

But if there’s anything I’ve learned over the years, it’s God has seasons of life for us. Speaking of seasons…I’m now writing for examiner.com and Salttribe.com. Both have new content I probably won’t post here until I get my new design which I’m clueless about when I’ll get around to figuring that one out.

Anyway, strangely enough, I’m content. I still have way too much to do, but there’s a peace and I’m not particularly anxious about any area of my life right now. And that’s a good thing.

It’s been a year or two since I switched my blog from blogger to WordPress. The main reason I did it was so I could schedule my posts and not be a slave to my blog. I LOVED the schedule feature, but noticed I lost a lot of followers. Still, it made my life easier until blogger upgraded their software.

Now I’m still wondering the reason for my lack of commenters and readers, though I know there’s lots of lurkers out there and I know my content has been “lacking” the last year or so, but could it possibly be because of the blogger, wordpress switch?

Is there sort of a blogger loyalty among users, or is it really all about content and how much I visit other? Which I agree has been slacking, but even when it wasn’t I still didn’t gain the followers. I’m considering switching my personal blog back to blogger, though keeping my professional one of WordPress. Anyone have thoughts or opinions? I’m not even sure it will help.

God’s been whispering something to me for a while and I’ll probably post on it later, in depth, when I figure it out, but are some people meant to be John the Baptists, loners forging the path for the “real” ministers in life? Now I’m not discounting John. He was one of the greatest prophets and pointed the way to Jesus, but he lived a solitary life. He did his thing and got out of the way for Jesus to his. But was his ministry any less meaningful? I don’t think so. Even Jesus needed to be baptized by John. It was necessary. So am I here in the blogosphere, just maybe not to the masses like some others.

Just some thoughts banging around as I’m beginning to relate to John more and more and just trying to figure out where I fit in this blogosphere and this writing world.

In blogging that is. I don’t think I’ve ever neglected this blog as much, and it’s not that I don’t have a lot to blog about. It’s not having a lot of time to gather my thoughts together.

Okay, that’s not exaclty true. I have been blogging and doing some freelance writing trying to earn a living at writing, so I guess that’s why I haven’t been updating much. But if you’re curious where I’ve been check out these sites and posts.

I blog new content at http://5minutesforfaith.com every other Wed.

at http://salttribe.com

and just started as an examiner.

Every time you click on my post earns me money. So click away and if you think the content is reader worthy, feel free to post the link on your page and direct friends to it.  I’ll try to post some of my older content from this blog there, but wrapped up a little more neatly in article format. So bookmark the examiner page and help feed my family…or buy me a latte with your clicks, cause honestly, it ain’t a whole lot of money. But every click helps!

It’s been quiet in the comment section here as well. What have YOU been up to?

Just found this interesting site for people with back pain. I admit, I suffer on occasion from upper neck and shoulder pain and most often rest and good posture is the cure. But I know many writers and friends who have continuous back trouble that even a chiropractor can’t help. These Back Exercises claim to eliminate back pain by strengthening your muscles and improving body mechanics. They have a free trial, online videos, professional support, progress tracking tools. What have you got to lose, except your pain?

Back Exercises

How did I ever manage raising my kids without the internet? I guess I relied on friends’ advice, books, and magazine articles, but the internet is so much more convenient and available. I’m so glad my children are old enough to travel well, except for an occasional tummy ache and need to stretch their legs, but if yours aren’t check out BabySafeTravel.com.

Not only is the site filled with great tips, travel accessories, and a baby travel blog, it’s a one stop place to book your vacation. Looking for kid friendly hotels? Just type in your destination and dates and in a matter of seconds you have pages of hotel choices. Price, amenities, and 5 star reviews on baby friendliness are available at the click of a button. This really could have saved our family so much stress years ago!

Ready for vacation, but not sure what to pack? Check out the baby boutique  filled with useful, unique travel products. And I just love the baby travel blogs. Beach Baby, Adventure Baby, Snow Baby and Wild Baby blogs that give real families a chance to share their adventures and tips. Traveling is an adventure in itself, thankfully Baby Safe Travel makes it that much more enjoyable!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Brandilyn Collins is an award-winning and best-selling novelist known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense®. These harrowing crime thrillers have earned her the tagline “Don’t forget to b r e a t h e . . .”® Brandilyn’s first book, A Question of Innocence, was a true crime published by Avon in 1995. Its promotion landed her on local and national TV and radio, including the Phil Donahue and Leeza talk shows. Brandilyn is also known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors (John Wiley & Sons). She is now working on her 20th book.

In addition to Exposure, Brandilyn’s other latest release is Always Watching, first in The Rayne Tour series—young adult suspense co-written with her daughter, Amberly. The Rayne Tour series features Shaley O’Connor, daughter of a rock star, who just may have it all—until murder crashes her world.

ABOUT THE BOOK

When your worst fear comes true.

Someone is watching Kaycee Raye. But who will believe her? Everyone
knows she’s a little crazy. Kaycee’s popular syndicated newspaper
column pokes fun at her own paranoia and multiple fears. The police in
her small town are well aware she makes money writing of her
experiences. Worse yet, she has no proof of the threats. Pictures of a
dead man mysteriously appear in her home—then vanish before police
arrive. Multisensory images flood Kaycee’s mind. Where is all this
coming from?

Maybe she is going over the edge.

High action and psychological suspense collide in this story of terror,
twists, and desperate faith. The startling questions surrounding Kaycee
pile high. Her descent to answers may prove more than she can survive.

To read the first chapter, go HERE.

“More twists and turns than a Coney Island roller coaster! Highly recommended.” ~CBA Retailers

“Mesmerizing mystery…authentic characters…a fast-paced, twisting tale of desperate choices.” ~TitleTrakk

“Brandilyn Collins is a master of suspense, and Exposure is her best book yet!” ~Dianne Burnett, Christianbook.com