It could be you!

After living in Florida for a few years, the concept that everything you have can be gone in a moment is never far from your mind. When I watch the news today of the California wildfires, it is that mindset realized.

Do you and your family have a plan?

Every Tuesday, I'm going to walk us through an easy, step by step disaster preparation challenge.

To start, bookmark the American Red Cross website.

Our first week's challenge is to make an emergency plan. Click here for the ARC guide to what your plan should include.

So, let's get started!!

Meet Daisy the IPOD!

It's a momentous day !!!!

Today, in a combination belated Sweetest Day and early birthday, I received my very own ..... IPOD !!

You have to understand that for the past 15 months, I have been pining for one. Bert got his and ever since, the line, "No, we can't listen to that, Daddy has his IPOD" has been a common refrain.

I dream of listening to my own Christmas mix, overdosing on podcasts, and jamming to my hymns while folding laundry. I'm in heaven - and it's all thanks to my over-the-top stellar husband and my thoughtful mother-in-law who celebrated my birthday early.

Have you gotten into podcasts yet? Oh my goodness. They are fabulous! My favorites are John Piper's sermon (we're still listening through his Roman series that lasted over 7 years), also the Dave Ramsey podcast, Family Life and Focus on the Family. Did you know that even NPR comes in a podcast form? How cool?

So, my question today for you is what Podcasts do you listen to?

Ideas for Blog

I had this idea that I could rotate a set of topics on my Blog so that there would be lots of variety, lots of discussion, etc. (Thus, a reason to read it.)

So, here are some of the topics that I have brainstormed thus far --

* Mission Mail - In college, I wrote a weekly email which was a devotional of sorts. This would be along the same lines.

* Update on the young-uns - Of course, since our family reads this, I am obligated to provide the latest accomplishments of our kids and pictures

* Go Green - How we can each save the planet one choice at a time

* Current Events/Culture, etc - This would be stripped right out of the headlines (which I know a bit too well).

* Echo - A day where I pose a question for your response and for us to share as a sort of community

* Once Upon a Family - ideas for your family for upcoming holiday, teaching values to your children, and preserving your family heritage

Those are some of my initial thoughts - let me know what you think!

Weekend Events

We have had a FULL weekend to say the least. Friday night and most of Saturday, we had our church's leadership Conference.

I took a seminar led by Cheryl Scanlan on time (and life) management. Cheryl is also the lady that has led my Christian life coaching group. I can't rave about her enough to the world. You will never find anyone who is so free in Christ, nor who challenges you more to be free yourself. I'll be sharing tomorrow my first baby step from the seminar.

I wanted to put up some pictures from our trip afterwards to the Pumpkin Patch. The weather was gorgeous, though the sun was VERY bright. (You will notice lots of squinting eyes in the pics.) Hope you enjoy!

Why don't YOU RSVP?

WHY DOESN'T ANYONE RSVP ANYMORE??

Currently, I'm planning a church event and I have a 20 person range (either 20 people or maybe 40 or maybe more) will be coming. Do you know how hard that is to plan for?

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? Why doesn't anyone RSVP anymore? It doesn't take very long to say, "Yes" or "No" or "I'm not sure but put me as a maybe".

Are we just THAT busy? Are we just noncommittal? Can we not be honest with a hostess?

In my humble opinion, it is just plain rude NOT to RSVP. It is a slap in the face of someone who cares enough to invite you to their event.

I'm ready to hear from you about why you haven't RSVP'd in the past?

And if you have something that you haven't RSVP'd for .... stop reading this and go let that person know if you're coming or not!!

A new start

Well, here I am starting a Blog.

I've always wondered how all these Moms have time to write in their Blogs everyday and put all these great pictures and thoughts. Well, I'm going to try my hand at it.
Maybe just because I have all of these thoughts and ideas in my head and I need to vent them a bit. Safely.

So be on the lookout for updates and pics of the family, especially the little cute ones and a few of my own thoughts on life. I'll try to post at least once a week so there's always new content. :)

So, here's a new Blog for you to read. Let me know if you are out there ....