Posts by Gina Conroy
Operation AWOL Mom: Day 1
I’ve had a rather peaceful morning. I don’t know whether it’s because we weren’t running out the door somewhere or if it’s because of my children’s new found responsibility. I was greatly impressed with my oldest child. He usually yells at his little sister for everything she does wrong. In fact, earlier he came up…
Read MoreOperation AWOL Mom: The Experiment
The Premise: What would happen if mom was suddenly Absent WithOut Leaving the home? What would happen if mom didn’t pick up after the kids, cook or maintain the house? What would happen if the kids were given gentle reminders instead of nagging and arguing? Would they rise to the occasion? Would they be responsible…
Read MoreThere’s a Place for Us…
We’ve been churchless for over a year now. Some times I feel like singing the theme song to “West Side Story.” “There’s a place for us. Some where a place for us…” You get the picture. Visiting church after church, Sunday after Sunday isn’t easy. But the kids have been good sports and living in…
Read MoreTo Open or Not to Open…
A large manila envelope rests on my cluttered desk. On the envelope lies a computer CD, a recipe I got off the internet, a preschool directory, a Civil War reenactment brochure, and my latest cozy mystery brainstorm. I have starred at it for weeks, not sure if I should re-open it. You see, I know…
Read MoreFilling those Baggies
I don’t know why I didn’t think of this years ago. How many times have we all tried to fill a freezer ziplock baggie with soup or homemade sauce to have it flop and spill all over the place? Marketers got wise and made those stand up baggies, but I could never bring myself to…
Read MoreDodged a Bullet Tonight
A couple of weeks ago my nine year old son started reading the Bible. His goal was to read from Genesis all the way through. I thought it was a great idea and I was so proud that he would be interested in this on his own. It also coincided with a Bible dramatization tape…
Read MoreGina, My Holmes Girl!!
Gina Holmes is a freelance writer, whose work has appeared in Woman’s Day, The Roanoker and Epiphany’s magazine. She also co-runs the popular fiction blogs: Novel Journey and Novel Reviews, where she has interviewed Frank Peretti, Karen Kingsbury, Ted Dekker and more than a hundred others. She makes her home in Roanoke, Virginia, where she…
Read MoreJust Go With the Flow…
I’m not an early riser. I covet a good night’s sleep, and I’ve been known to hit the snooze for an hour before feeling awake enough to get out of bed. So when I woke at 4:30 a.m. this morning and couldn’t get back to sleep, I wondered what was up? I often told God…
Read MoreLong Car Rides
Here’s a couple of ideas to keep the kids happy while driving to your vacation destination. Last year we took a 3 1/2 week driving trip starting in the Midwest to Florida, then up the East coast to Plymouth, Mass, over to Philly and back to the Midwest. Here’s what kept my kids happy and…
Read MoreDifficult Decisions
I hate trying to make decisions when I haven’t really heard from God. It’s fifteen minutes until registration for co-op classes for next year closes, and we’re undecided. Everything looks great on paper. The boys would attend four classes and lunch one day a week, but I don’t feel an overwhelming peace. Maybe it’s because…
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