The Birth of a Blog

**Like most moms, I love to hear and share birth stories. It is a right of passage for a new mom to finally not have to sit and listen but to have her very own story to share about how her precious one came to be. So I thought, even though I have only been blogging for six months, it was about time I shared my blog-birth story with you.**

Ever since I was a little girl I have had a passion for writing. My earliest memories of writing my hearts thoughts on paper would be when I kept a diary in the fourth grade. You know exactly the kind of diary I am talking about...the type that had the little tiny brass key that you would inevitably lose only hours after owning it. Do you remember the thin gold lined paper inside? I wrote my most intimate thoughts down on this paper. The hardship of multiplication tables, pimples and my hurt over receiving a 'Dorothy Hamill' haircut when I specifically asked for a 'Farrah Fawcett' style, were all written on these pages.

Fast forward thirty years or so and I am a mother of four children. As soon as I found out I was pregnant, off to the store I would go to find a journal for each precious child. I wrote down my prayers for their life, my hopes for their future and most especially shared with each little one just how much they were loved before I ever had the opportunity to hold them in my arms. Now on each birthday I take a moment to write a special message just to them from their mother's heart. Words I pray that will continue to bless them long after I am gone.

I have been blessed to belong to a church where I have had the opportunity to write for our women's newsletter and speak before the ladies. This last summer was such a blessing for me. During our Mother/Daughter tea both my daughter Meghan and I individually spoke to those gathered there. I spoke to the moms about planting seeds in your childs' life and Meghan spoke to the daughters on purity, a godly virtue close to her young heart. I was so blessed when I saw women coming up to her later to share what a blessing her message was to them. At sixteen years of age, she has gifts of writing and speaking that amaze me. When I write, it is her I ask to proofread my work.

The Lord recently has given me a scripture Rev. 21:5 'Behold, I make all things new. Write these words down, for they are true and faithful.' Only days after having this message twice from the Lord, I received word that a small part of my article that I had submitted to Today's Christian Woman was being published. I had been attending a Christian Writer's group and they informed me that it was unheard of, actually miraculous that the first thing I had ever sent in would be published. I just felt this another confirmation from the Lord to continue writing.

It was at this wonderful Christian Writer's group where I was inspired by these talented people to begin a blog. I had never heard of a blog before and was so intimidated to even know what to do. They were so encouraging that they had me believing I could do it. In time, I was impressing my computer geek husband with my newfound passion. He couldn't believe that I knew how to add music or pictures. He then entrusted the creation of his work brochures and marketing ideas to me. I didn't enjoy doing that half as much as my blog.

Now my blog has a two fold purpose. First and foremost, it is a tool in the Lord's hands to be used by Him to touch the lives of other women. I want God to be glorified in everything I write here. Secondly, it is a tool in His hands to cut away my sinful nature and to create in me the very heart of His son. My hearts desire is that this blog would be a place where women could come and see my imperfections and my transparency, but through it all, see a heart for the Lord, seeking to be changed one day at a time.

Taking A Walk On The Wild Side

This is my brother 'George', you may remember him from an earlier post. He was the author of that very helpful letter of reccommendation for my husband. He is being pulled along by our amazingly strong guinea pig 'Vanilla' formerly known as 'Sugar'. For Grace's birthday.

Both he and his wife Bonnie thought it a good idea to gift their niece with guinea pig leashes.

Winter Blah...

Ok, so maybe the winter blues have hit...I am feeling pretty blah right about now. Kind of like I am walking in water. Boring, boring, boring... Nothing is too interesting and nothing seems very exciting to write about. So I thought I would include a 'Clam Chowder Soup' recipe that I recently made in the crock pot. It was really delicious and a hit with our family. Making a big pot of this with some crusty sourdough bread is just the medicine needed to cure the winter blah's!


Crock Pot Clam Chowder Soup
Clam chowder recipe with minced clams, bacon, onion, and potatoes and milk.
INGREDIENTS:
3 (6 1/2 oz.) cans minced clams with juice
1 8oz bottle of clam juice (I had this on hand, you don't have to add this if you don't want to.)
1/2 lb. bacon diced
1 cup chopped onion
6 to 8 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
3 c. water
3 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
4 c. half and half cream or milk (I used non-fat half and half)
3 to 4 tbsp. cornstarch
chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
PREPARATION:
Cut clams into bite-sized pieces if necessary. In skillet, saute salt pork or bacon and onion until golden brown; drain. Put into slow cooker with clams. Add all remaining ingredients, except milk, cornstarch, and parsley.
Cover and cook on high 3 to 4 hours or until vegetables are tender. During the last hour of cooking, combine 1 cup of milk with the cornstarch. Add cornstarch mixture and the remaining milk and stir well; heat through. Top each serving with a little chopped parsley and serve with crackers or crusty French bread.

'Blessed' Books - Tuesday

When I became a Christian, there were so many books out there that people were telling me about. My list of books to read was becoming longer and longer. As I started to read some of those books reccommneded to me, I began to have favorite authors. These were authors I knew I could trust to give me words of wisdom backed up by Biblical truths. I am a big lover of non-fiction books and author Susan Hunt is one writer who blessed my heart from the very beginning of my Christian journey.



The book 'Spiritual Mothering' is a wonderful book of encouragment. It speaks to both the younger and older spiritual woman. What I loved about it was that each chapter is told in the voice of a different woman, giving different insight into so many different places a godly woman could use a Titus 2 woman to come alongside.

In Titus chapter two, we are given instruction as the older more mature women in the church. Our charge to keep is to teach the younger less mature babes in Christ just what it means to walk in the Lord. We are to be a visual picture for these younger gals to watch and learn from. Throughout my life I have been blessed by many Titus 2 women who have come alongside of me. God placed these women in my path for a purpose, for His purpose. I am so grateful for these ladies and I pray that when given the opportunity, I will be just as faithful to whoever the Lord places alongside of me.

Beverly LaHaye gives Susan Hunt's book Spiritual Mothering her words of approval, "This is a jewel of a book. By sensitively examining Paul's instructions in Titus 2, Susan Hunt calls women to powerfully affect our nation and world with the love of God--one person at a time." --Beverly LaHaye, Concerned Women for America

Today at 'Chats with an Old Lady', Gina has posted an article I have written on the Titus 2 woman and what that calling means to me.

I pray you will be 'Blessed'.

Grace's Family Party

We had a family birthday party for Grace after church on Sunday. Grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, came over for some fettuccine Alfredo and Boston Cream Pie for dessert, all of Grace's favorites. I don't know if I've shared with you before, but after our trip to Texas, we are Texas wannabees. My husband calls Boston Cream Pie, 'Austin Cream Pie'. Paul loves Boston's history but thinks that Austin, Texas is a city much more deserving of a delicious cake name. Now he has us all saying it!

Cabaret Night

Saturday evening we were entertained by Meghan's High School's 'Cabaret Night'. It is a talent show of sorts, without judges. Students get to share their musical or acting talents. There were singers, musicians, funny skits. It was lots of fun. I must share that there was also lots of teen angst felt by the songs the kids chose to perform. My sister and I were cracking up when a young man came on stage with his guitar and began to sorrowfully play a song he had written called, "Tailgate Love."

Were we really like that when we were teenagers?!?

Meghan has a passion for musical theatre so she sang a song from the musical 'Thoroughly Modern Millie'. We were pretty impressed...

A few fans with our up and coming star, backstage after the show....(Dad & Mom, Grandma & Grandpa and cousins Chelsey and Shelby)

So much to do...

We had a very fun and full weekend. I will post more when I get a chance. This morning I already have my to-do list in hand. I will be calling quite a few college campuses to find out when they have their open campus days this Spring. It is time that Paul and I take Meg down to check out a few schools. She will be sending out applications for college this Fall, so we need to be prayerfully prepared. It is times like these that I wish God would just give me the answer in black and white about what we should do.



On a lighter note, I wanted to share with you this Internet radio station, Born Again Radio, that my husband recently shared with me. He listens to it in his office and now I listen to it while on the computer or while throwing dinner in the crock pot....or while taking a shower...



I pray it Blesses you!

Letter of Recommendation

My husband recently asked my brother for a letter of recommendation. Since both my husband Paul and my brother George are attorneys, Paul thought George would be a great choice. My husband is a self employed attorney, who will not practice criminal defense...period. My brother on the other hand is a Public Defender (we think he was adopted). This makes for some very funny jabs back and forth between my husband and little brother at all family gatherings. Though both of them couldn't be on more opposite sides of the law, their humor is very much the same. We laugh ALOT!

I had to share with you the letter that we received in the mail from George, on his county letterhead and everything. This is the letter of recommendation that my brother George wrote for my husband to turn in with his application.

This will let you see exactly what I am talking about......


To the administration of _____________,

I have known Paul ____ for over forty-seven years (actually only 13). When we were much younger he saved my life after I was accidentally decapitated from a freak deer hunting accident involving an axe and a poorly misplaced slingshot. He stitched my head back on and proceeded to make a fire that with the smoke signals alerted the local forest rangers who working together with the natives got me to safety.

Twenty-five years ago, Mr. _____ learned the ways of the force and became a Jedi like his father. He ended up single handedly destroying the dreaded Death Star with a perfectly timed torpedo, and ended up killing the emperor after convincing his once heroic father to drop him down an abyss.

Fourteen years later Mr. ______ actually found the cure for cancer but lost it after saving the life of twelve Guatemalan refugees while they attempted to flee their home country from the viscous militia. There Mr. ______ honing his guerrilla warfare skills learned in the Green Beret and Army Rangers fashioned a meticulous and overly complicated trap to thwart the rebel army and bring lasting peace to Central America. On a side note, had it not been for Mr. _____, Israel's Six Day War would have probably lasted many decades.

In conclusion, I would recommend Mr. _______ for a position at _____________, for the reasons stated above.

Sincerely,

Deputy Public Defender
George _______ Esq.

Meet Sugar and Cinnamon!

Meet the newest members of our family, Sugar and Cinnamon. Grace opened her first gift from us this morning before pancakes, a pink Bible. Then we told her to close her eyes. She opened them up to see a new hamster cage. We originally were thinking of getting her a hamster but after talking with some friends, changed our minds to guinea pigs. Yes, I can hear some of you laughing out loud right about now! Those of you who know us are quite aware that we have had dogs, a cat, a turtle, rats, mice, lizards, hermit crabs, fish, a bird, tadpoles, frogs, butterflies, rabbits, a couple of ant farms and now we can add guinea pigs to the list.

This is the gang, putting the cage together in Grace and Meg's bedroom tonight. The kids were so excited. We had originally planned to only get one, but of course they are brothers and we felt sorry for the one brother guinea pig being left behind. And YES, they are both BOYS...we don't want any baby pigs arriving anytime soon.

When Gracie heard her father tell the salesperson that we would be getting both of the guinea pigs, she was so excited. When we got in the car she let her younger brother Samuel hold the box with the second little critter inside. She said, "Samuel, you can pick out the name for that one if you want to." How sweet is that? So now Samuel has a guinea pig of his own too. It adds some credence to that famous birthday song and its lyrics, "Today is your birthday, it's my birthday too, YA!"

OUR AMAZING 'GRACE' IS NINE!

Grace Anne was in no hurry to leave her mommy and enter the world. With this precious little girl I experienced three false labors. One of which put me in the hospital for twenty four hours, only to be sent home yet again. Other than her grand delayed entrance, my pregnancy with Grace was a blessing. I had incredible cravings for cheeseburgers and if any vegetarians were watching, I am sure I gave them nightmares.

We named our beautiful little girl Grace Anne, which means 'Grace full of Grace'. The definition of Grace is unmerited favor. Her name fits her perfectly. Though she may not be the most graceful on her feet, she is a child that shows unmerited favor to everyone. We have four children and Gracie is our number three little peanut. My husband and I say that we have two 'head kids' and two 'heart kids'. Two of our children, our head kids, will use their heads to think things through before making a decision. While our 'heart kids' will think with their hearts only, without contemplating anything else.

Grace is one of our 'heart kids'.

The picture above was taken when she was two. Our house had just had a dusting of snow and she was beside herself. She LOVES the snow. We call her our little snow bunny. If I am in the kitchen Grace is right by my side, putting a too big for her apron over her head to help me. She also loves babies and will take care of any little one younger than her if she has the opportunity. I have told my family in private that I am putting all my money on our Grace to give me the most grandbabies.

I look at my little girl often and wonder why God chose me to be a mommy to the most beautiful nine year old girl in the world. A lifetime won't be long enough to thank Him for this precious gift He has given me.

Happy Birthday Gracie...your daddy and I love you SOOOO much! You are going to LOVE the gift we got you!

'Blessed' Books - Tuesday

It felt almost sacreligious to place any other book before the Bible as my favorite today. Especially on my very first 'Blessed' Books -Tuesday . So let me give you a little history on my most beloved book of all time.

It has been said, a Bible that is falling apart, is a sure sign of someone's life that isn't. I would have to agree with that statement. Though I am far from perfect, because of this book I know the only one who is, Jesus Christ.

I received this book as a Christmas gift from my husband Paul very soon after I was saved. As you can tell by the front it is black, a New King James Version, a purse type which closes with an overlapping flap that snaps into place. It came with a black strap I could attach and wear over my shoulder, and a gold colored metal rose on the front. When I first received this gift I was not overjoyed. Oh, I was excited about getting a Bible from Paul, just not thrilled with his design choice. The years have passed and it is now barely held together by clear packaging tape. With the rose and strap both missing, I have come to love this book like a child loves their favorite blanky.

It is upon these pages that God's words have spoken to my heart more times than I can count. Since I am one of those Christians who writes in her Bible(my husband is not), and because I have a love for quotes and sayings, there are favorite words I have written peppered in ink throughout. On my title page you can find these words below.

"The Bible is alive, it speaks to me, it has feet, it runs after me, it has hands, it lays hold of me." Martin Luther

"Anything that keeps me away from my Bible is my enemy"
A.W. Tozer

When I think on the bestseller of all time, the Bible, the gift of God's word, I can get lost in thought pretty fast. I am so grateful that the greatest story ever told, spoken through the God of all creation, are words I have the privilege to read, without fear, without worry of persecution, but with a grateful heart in knowing that the one true and living God wants to know me too.

How 'Blessed' are we?

Books That Have 'Blessed' Me - Tuesday

It has been on my heart to share a bit more about who I am and what brings joy to my life. I must begin by explaining that I am an addict. I have been for some time...

My name is Joanne and I am a bookaholic.

Do you want to see pure joy on this mug of mine? Books, books and more books can put a foot long smile on my face. Stepping inside of a used book store and smelling stale musty old books makes me giddy long before I begin my treasure hunt. For fun, my husband and I drive to the local commercial bookstores and grab a mocha, relocate their leather chairs to the children's section and read anything that calls to us that day, while our children read at our feet.

The love of reading has now been passed down to our two oldest children, we are still working on the younger two. Our home has books in just about every room. We even have a book family tradition. On the second Saturday of the month, we gather the kids together, load up our car and attend our local library sale. At only $1 for a bag of books...how can you beat that?!? My bookcase has become a smorgasbord of delectable classics and Christian jewels. It is on my heart each Tuesday to begin sharing some of my favorite gems with you.


Stop by tomorrow and be 'Blessed'.

Laughter and Tears

We have had a very FULL weekend so far. We have had laughter and we have had tears. Since there is still another day off together, I will be praying for a very boring Monday.

Friday

We had a Family Fun Night, as we like to call them here in our home. Over pizza, rootbeer and rice krispy treats, Paul and I shared with the kids that no matter how old they get, they are to come to our home once a month to have a family sleepover. We are a family, I told them and just like the mafia, no one leaves the family...ever. I know that I am a bit unrealistic, but hey...a mom can dream can't she? Then it was off to mom and dad's room to cuddle on the bed and in sleeping bags. We watched 'Underdog' and a couple of the 'Planet Earth' DVDs together. The littlest ones fell asleep on Paul and I, while Meg chose her own bed over our bedroom floor. The rest of the kids crashed in our bedroom. It was sweet.

Saturday

Our morning started off rough...we found a hole in our $2,000.00 picture window in the front of our house. We had all of our windows replaced only two years ago. The convicted window felon is a 13 year old boy that we call son...the weapon used, his Christmas BB gun. I must admit, I don't know who I was madder at, us for giving him a BB gun in the first place, or him for being such an awful shot!

After my boiling anger became a slow simmer, I then turned to cleaning the house. Not a great idea to clean a messy house when you are already far from joyful. Paul called me and asked me out to dinner, anywhere I wanted...what a great guy, huh?!? We had invited my sister and her husband along but they were busy. So we went out to a new restaurant and ordered things we would have never ordered. The food was delicious and the ambiance was warm and inviting. We sat across from a large stone fireplace with the roaring fire lighting up the room. Just a great time.

After dinner we were on our way to try out a dessert diner I had heard about that serves foot tall cakes. I called my sister Jen on the way over to let her know what a great meal she had missed and to really rub it in...I realized that my ranting and raving was getting no response on the other end. She sounded like she was crying. She told me that 'Buddy' her dog had died. Now what makes this story even more sad is that this dog, a little white and grey shitz zu, belonged to our mom. Jen got him after she died, almost eight years ago. The story gets even sadder...her husband ran 'Buddy' over while backing up his diesel truck....and yes, sadder still...in front of his three girls...and even sadder...'Buddy' was suffering so my brother in law had to put him down himself.

So, please keep my sister Jennifer in your prayers. The girls seem to be doing ok, though my youngest niece Sydney (4yrs old) is still pretty heartbroken. My sister is just grieving something awful. I feel so sad for her.

Crossing my fingers for a b-o-r-i-n-g Monday...

7 Weird Things About Me...

Rebekah from Diagonally Parked in a Parallel Universe and Mari from My Little Corner of the World have tagged me to share seven weird things about myself. I thought it was going to be easy, but apparently I have become so accustomed to my weirdness that it all seems normal now. So my seven weird things aren't weird to me whatsoever...but you may think so.
The rules are as follows: Simply link to the person who tagged you. SHARE SEVEN WEIRD things about yourself. Tag SEVEN bloggers to do the same AND include a link to their blog. Let each person know that they have been tagged and finally post the rules on your blog. I am tagging all the gals in my 'Blogs that bless my heart...' Some of you are there because you are a little weird already!

1) My husband and I talk in police phonetics at times around our children. For example, if we are all in the car and I get an idea to take them to ice cream, instead of saying this out loud, I would say, "Paul what do you think about stopping for an IDA-CHARLES-EDWARD, CHARLES-ROBERT-EDWARD-ADAM-MARY?"

2) If I am lost in thought while listening to someone speak, I will often trace figure eights around my lips with my thumb.

3) I would rather have peanut butter than chocolate.


4) My favorite way to eat pancakes is with lots of salted butter and heaps of brown sugar.

5) I would listen to ANYONE and I mean ANYONE, share their testimony or life story.

6) Back to the police code thing...we also talk in California Penal code...for example if I see someone that I think is intoxicated, instead of saying, "Paul lets get out of here before the hostess puts a lampshade on her head." I will say, "Paul, this X is 647f." Or if I see an older gentleman staring at my teenage daughter to the point where I am becoming concerned. Instead of saying, "Paul, lets eat at this table way over here, that guy over there is a total pervert." I will say, (while moving my eyes in the direction of the icky dude.) "Paul..288" It is our personal bilingual language and one we use often.

7) I do all things in excess (except clean the shower). I have been introduced to fresh sweet potatoes and yams for the very first time this year. (I know you southern gals are going to be shocked at that statement!) All of my past experiences were canned and caused a quick and hard gag reflex. Why didn't anyone tell me the fresh ones were so delicious? Seriously, I have had at least eight this month. I microwave them for a fast lunch...yummy!

PRAYER REQUEST

Friends, please keep Chelle from The World of Chelle in your prayers. She went in to the doctors today to start antibiotics to treat her Lyme disease. If you don't know her already, she is an amazing godly woman who never ceases to inspire me. She was one of the first gals to reach out to me when I began my blogging journey. We have been friends ever since.

I know that she would be so touched by any prayers or words of encouragement that you can give this precious homeschooling AND stay at home mommy of three.

"Can't you at least let him do homework at the table?"

Mari from My Little Corner of the World left me the above comment (words in my title) in regards to my 'Wordless Wednesday' photo of my son David not doing his homework at the table.

So...I took pictures of my children today while each one of them were doing their school work to let her see where I make them work and study each day.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

It is never the one that you think...

Our youngest son came home in tears today. His dad and I were both in the office, we could hear him crying as he walked down the hall to give us his bad news. He had pulled a ‘blue’ card today. For those of you who may be out of the loop when it comes to 1st grade discipline in school, a card is something that the teacher pulls to make a point that the child has misbehaved. Pulling a card usually comes in the form of progression in the way of a primary color scheme. Yellow is a warning, blue is a mandatory 5 minutes in from recess and red is a call home. Our son is an overachiever, he went from 0-100 in about 10 seconds flat. Samuel never got a yellow card, he went right to blue, not even a warning. His crime?

He wouldn’t finish his coloring project.

With that said, our oldest son David, we almost expected these types of schoolwork misdemeanors from. David made it clear that school was not his cup of tea and every teacher in every conference we ever had, confirmed the same. He was more than smart enough to do the work, but just didn’t ever get around to fitting it into his schedule.

Just when I start to think that I have bragging rights as a mom, just when I think I have some wisdom to share with the free world, in walks our youngest. The sweet and quiet one that is a clone of my overly-intelligent husband, the one who should be gleaning from our parenting expertise, walks in to share that he is being incarcerated in class tomorrow for the first five minutes of recess.

It is never the one that you think…

Daily Devotion Time

If I had a nickel for every time I was encouraged by a godly friend to have devotion time, or quiet time in the Word each day, I would be a millionaire, or maybe even a trillionaire. But the truth is the truth is the truth. There are some things that are just good for us no matter how we try and get around it. In January I admit, I start strong. But in no time at all, I am saying things to myself like, "You don't have time this morning, you can have time in the Word after grocery shopping, after picking up the kids from school, after you help with homework, give baths, make dinner..." Then slowly I take a day off here and there, then I become weak.

For the past few weeks I have been having that quiet time. I am a morning girl, so I have my time preferably before the kids are up. I read the Proverb and Psalm of the day, my daily Bible reading from my chronological Bible, then I read from 'Streams in the Desert' or 'My Utmost for His Highest', while keeping a prayer journal by my side. Like I said, I start the race in a full sprint. My nature is to get winded by the middle of February. My prayer is to be consistent this year. There is a saying from a Jackson Browne song,that comes to my mind often, one that I don't want to emulate, 'Pray for the pretender, who starts out strong, only to surrender.'

This year is 2008. I find it no coincidence that the number eight in the Bible represents new beginnings. I plan on making this year a bunch of new beginnings. If I surrender, I don't plan on staying down. I plan on getting right back up and starting again. I am going to make it to the finish line this year.


So, what is it you are doing this year? Have you decided to do something differently? What is it that makes up your devotion time each day?

My Husband is 'THE MAN'!

Yippee Skipee...my blog is fixed. Thanks to all my blog-galpals who filled me in on the problem. Your patience was appreciated. You can now 'comment away'!

My husband worked on it for quite a while. He sat here and worked on it before taking a shower, before watching football this afternoon and before saying "Joanne, do you think this may be an act of God?" He waited until he was finished to say that.

He is the most wonderful, loving, thoughtful, kind, caring man I know...(you are reading this aren't you Paul?!?)

I have to admit that this blog at times has caused a few ruffled feathers. I can be a poor time manger...yet, he still fixed it.

I love you cutie!

DAGNABBIT!!!!

For the past week my blog has been frozen. I can submit new posts but no one (not even I) can open up comments, or click on anything and open it.

I left two messages with Blogger and they say it is pretty much my problem. Thanks Blogger! I have even emailed 'Rocks in my Dryer' because I know that they run the 'Blogging Basics 101' site. They told me to find a techno-geek friend for help.

If this has ever happened to you, I would love to hear how you remedied it. You can email me at Proverbs31wife@comcast.net

Otherwise this morning, I will attempt to have my techno-geek husband take a peek. I may have to use my feminine wiles, it is football season ya know!

KUDOS FOR STRICT MOM

Last night my husband and I were at our daughter's high school for a financial planning meeting. With college only eighteen months away, we need to know just what to expect. Our neighbors sat next to us. Since Paul and I are known as the mean parents on the block, they often threaten their own four children, that if they don't like their discipline they can always come over to our house. My husband enjoys that so much. Anyway, since we have a reputation for being 'Mean Parents', they gave us a copy of the story below. If you haven't already read about this 'Mean Mom', I think you will be blessed.

This mom doesn't prescribe to the 'Not My Kid!' rule of parenting.



DES MOINES, Iowa - Jane Hambleton has dubbed herself the "meanest mom on the planet."

After finding alcohol in her son's car, she decided to sell the car and share her 19-year-old's misdeed with everyone — by placing an ad in the local newspaper.

The ad reads: "OLDS 1999 Intrigue. Totally uncool parents who obviously don't love teenage son, selling his car. Only driven for three weeks before snoopy mom who needs to get a life found booze under front seat. $3,700/offer. Call meanest mom on the planet."

Hambleton has heard from people besides interested buyers since recently placing the ad in The Des Moines Register.

The 48-year-old from Fort Dodge says she has fielded more than 70 telephone calls from emergency room technicians, nurses, school counselors and even a Georgia man who wanted to congratulate her.

"The ad cost a fortune, but you know what? I'm telling people what happened here," Hambleton says. "I'm not just gonna put the car for resale when there's nothing wrong with it, except the driver made a dumb decision.

"It's overwhelming the number of calls I've gotten from people saying 'Thank you, it's nice to see a responsible parent.' So far there are no calls from anyone saying, 'You're really strict. You're real overboard, lady.'"

The only critic is her son, who Hambleton says is "very, very unhappy" with the ad and claims the alcohol was left by a passenger.

Hambleton said she believes her son but has decided mercy isn't the best policy in this case. She says she set two rules when she bought the car at Thanksgiving: No booze, and always keep it locked.

The car has been sold, but Hambleton says she will continue the ad for another week —just for the feedback.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Fulfill Your Ministry..

But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2Timothy 4:5


I can't begin to tell you how many times I have to be reminded of my ministry. My heart and hands take off in so many directions, towards almost every bright and shiny thing that comes along. "Is this your will for me God?" "Oh, maybe this is what you have for me." All along, my most important calling is right before me...being a godly wife and mom.

I could go on and on about my thoughts on this, but 'Chats With An Old Lady' has said it perfectly. Go to her blog and be 'BLESSED'.


Joanne :O)

HAPPY SWEET 37 - Jennifer!!!

Jennifer is right below me in our sibling pecking order. If I have a memory or a question that goes back thirty plus years, it is Jennifer I call. Jennifer and I shared a bedroom while growing up. She had the top bunk and I had the bottom bunk in our 'Holly Hobbie' adorned room. Memories of dancing to Donny Osmond and Barry Manilow albums even now make us laugh. We got along like most sisters do. I remember making her cry one night as she was climbing in to bed. I had sprinkled crushed Rice Krispies in between her sheets and told her that I saw lots of ants on her bed earlier that day. I used to very slowly, pull her blankets off of her from below so she would wake up cold at night. I also remember wanting to kill her with my bare hands when she lied over and over about not wearing my earrings and sweaters to school. Only to see her smiling face looking back at me in her school picture...wearing both my earrings and my sweater!

Jennifer looks a lot like our mom, with a big dose of our dad's gift of evangelism mixed in. She is a hairstylist at a salon in a small town where we live and has an amazing outgoing personality. Everyone loves her. Jen says that her hair-chair is her ministry and I wholeheartedly agree. She beautified her little salon space with scripture verses. She doesn't hesitate to tell others about Jesus when they sit before her, sharing the heartaches of their lives. Though she never forces Jesus on anyone, if they ask her where she gets her peace she always points to Him. She will call me from time to time to ask me to pray for a customer or a customer's son or daughter. She sends cards and often times brings meals to the broken and hurting people that the Lord sits before her. What an example she is to me of blooming where planted.

Most people outside of our little church fellowship don't realize all that Jen and her husband Eric have been through in the past couple of years. Eric was diagnosed with a rare disease that rears its ugly head in the form of non-contagious spinal meningitis. He has been hospitalized numerous times. As recently as last year, they were scared that Eric may not pull through. Being self employed, both Jen and Eric were forced to sell their home when Eric couldn't work his business. With her husband sick, Jen worked at Starbuck's in the mornings from 5am-10am and then would go to the salon from 10am-3pm. She would then pick up her three little girls from school and work her most important job as wife and mommy to her children.

All this to say that I am so grateful that God gave me Jennifer as my sister. I am so proud of all that He is doing in her life. There is no one that can make me laugh like she does. I can rarely sit by her at church or at our women's Bible study. She makes me laugh until tears poor out of my eyes, my face contorts in a way that looks pained and I can no longer speak. I return the favor by making her laugh until she pees her pants.

Through both the heartaches and blessings of our lives, she is a light in my life that I couldn't live without.

Jen, I pray God blesses you and your precious family with a year of blessed abundance, both in health, in laughter and in growing closer to Him.

I can't wait to see all the He does in your life.

Love, your not-much older...but much-wiser sister.

California earthquakes...the least of our worries.

My sister and her husband came home this morning after being at the hospital, to find this lovely large oak tree on their doorstep. Thank the Lord that with all of the different branches, not one window was broken. Their three daughters were home at the time and were a bit shaken up.

The weather here has been really awful. The winds were so bad, they kept Paul and up all night last night. At one point when he rolled over and I knew he was awake I groggily sang, "The weather started getting rough,The tiny ship was tossed, If not for the courage of the fearless crew,The minnow would be lost, the minnow would be lost..."

He never replied.




This is my sister attempting to lift the tree off of her house. The wind was so strong it was driving the rain sideways. She was screaming and laughing as she was getting soaked. We were laughing so hard.

We are a bit off kilter like that.

Children to the right of me-Children to the left of me...

When my children started to wear on my last nerve, at around 8:15am this morning. (Hey, cut me some mom-slack, I am far from perfect). I told them they had to spend the day outside. Our weather isn't too bad yet, it is around 47 degrees and the 'big' storm had not arrived. I knew that I had a small window of 'outside' opportunity before we are cooped up for days inside our home. Pulling them away from their TV show and my teenager from downloading music onto her ipod...you would have thought that I had asked the kids to go build a small city or to find a cure for some terminal illness. Their groans and moans pained even me. They were back in the house less than twenty minutes later telling me they were bored. When our children complain to us that they are bored, we reply by telling them, "You are bored because you are boring."

Our children have a beautiful home, a basketball hoop, a jungle gym and fort, their own bonus room and a pool in the summer. They don't get much compassion from their dad and I.

It got me to thinking about how little my children do spend outside. Compared to their generation, they are outside quite a bit. Compared to my generation, not much at all. Later in the day, I ended up driving my youngest three to the school playground where they could ride their bicycles and scooters, and climb the jungle gym. Their groans and moans gone, they laughed and chased each other on the blacktop. My daughter Grace came over to where I was sitting and reading. I could see her walking over to me and I tried to envision an invisible force field that would redirect her to where the other children were all playing. With her soccer ball in hand she asked, "Mom, do you want to play soccer with me?" I had to hide the hidden moan I felt rising in my own throat, "Sure honey." I smiled, as I put down my book and tried to grab the ball out of her hands.

Fake it till you make it.

I told you...I am far from perfect.


**The picture above is of my children reading my blog post a few weeks ago for Meghan's birthday. This is pretty much what my mornings look like when I want a moment to myself.**

Happy 2008

There is just something about the first few days of the year for me. I was so excited last night, that I could hardly fall asleep. The anticipation of this new year has got something stirring inside of me that I have never felt before.

We started our New Year with a family devotion. Paul gave our oldest children scriptures to look up, as he shared his teaching with us about 'endings and beginnings.' We took a while to share our thoughts about the past year and our hopes as a family for the year to come. We dedicated our family, once again this year, for His plans...for His will in our lives. My husband gave us the verse, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

As this new year begins, I pray that we would all take this verse to heart. No matter what these twelve months bring, remember, we are children of the one true and living God. We are daughters of a great and mighty King.

Put your hand in His and hold on tight. There are places He wants to take us this year, and I for one, do not want to miss a moment of it.