Heading to Kindergarten, College, or Somewhere in Between - Part I

I have many friends who will be sending their kids to college in a few weeks. I remember when we did that several years ago. It was a disaster. We pulled into the college campus. We had 3 cars filled to the top. Each of the boys had his car, and we had ours. We were in a long line of cars waiting to be checked in and sent to the appropriate dorm. It was a hot Texas day - 100+ degrees. Our cell phone rang and it was Doug. He was a couple of cars behind us in the long line. He sounded tense. We looked in our rear view mirror. His truck had died and smoke was everywhere. He was holding up the entire line! Needless to say, he had his share of stares. What a way to be welcomed to your college campus for the first time! That was 3 years ago and Doug survived the experience. That's just Part 1 of the story. I will continue with Part 2 next time.

Sending our kiddos to college stirs within us a mixture of emotion. This mixture of emotion includes worry, reflection, worry, anxiety, worry, and excitement. Then there's the questions: Were we strict enough? Were we too strict? Did we teach them everything they need to know about people and life? Do they know how to iron, scrub a toliet, read a map, buy groceries? Relax and enjoy these next few weeks. I will share some tips in an upcoming post.

Have a great day, Robin

Down Time - What's That?

Due to our fast-paced lifestyle, we don't place a high priority on "down time." In fact, some of our kiddos don't even know what it is. It is time set aside to be alone and read, walk, play quietly, listen to the radio, or simply rest. It may not be called down time. It may be called rest time or nap time. Whether we realize it or not, down time is essential for all of us. It refreshes and rejuvenates us. When you have kids involved in activities and going many different directions, it is more of a challenge to find this time. Ideally, a short period of down time each day is best. However, during a busy seaon of life, several times a week might have to be sufficient. One idea is to work in a down time after a regularly scheduled part of the day. For example, right after a meal, first thing in the morning, or the last part of the day may be best. Some days the afternoon might work well.


While growing up, most days our boys had a period of down time. Even now as young men, they get grumpy if they haven't had some alone time to refresh and rejuvenate. Although our kids may complain about being sent to their rooms to rest or play quietly, it is a habit they will learn to look forward to and appreciate.




Have a great day, Robin

The Mom Test

A friend sent this to me some time ago. I don't know if it is true or not but it's fun to read.

I was walking with my 4 year old daughter. She picked up something off the ground and started to put it in her mouth. I took the item away from her and asked her not to do that.
"Why?" my daughter asked.
"Because it's been on the ground, you don't know where it has been, it's dirty, and probably has germs," I replied.
At this point, my daughter looked at me with total admiration and asked, "Momma, how do you know all of this stuff? You are so smart."
I was thinking quickly. "All moms know this stuff. It's on the Mom Test. You have to know it, or they don't let you become a Mom."
We walked along in silence for 2-3 minutes, but she was obviously pondering this new information.
"Oh...I get it!" she beamed, "So if you don't pass the test you have to be the dad."
"Exactly," I replied with a big smile on my face.

Have a great day, Robin

Great Memories of Frozen Pizza and Perfect Kids

When Doug was 9 years old, I told him that we were going to have frozen pizza for dinner. He gave me a puzzled look and said, "Well, can't you warm it up first?"

When Dan was 8 years old, I was telling him good night. We were about to say his prayers. I asked him if he wanted to ask God to forgive him for anything that he had said or done wrong that day. He thought for a minute, smiled and with great relief said, "No sins today!"

These words are precious memories. I'm glad that I took the time to write down these anecdotes 10+ years ago when they happened. Otherwise, I would never be able to remember them. (Face it, I can't remember what I had for lunch today.) I wish I had written more. There were times when (in writing) I poured my heart out to the Father over a deep concern. Just the other day, I read of a time when I was worried about one of the boys. He was in the 8th grade. (Junior high can be a nightmare, can't it?) I didn't approve of some of his friends. I pleaded with the Lord to give me wisdom and to deliver him from this situation. Now I can look back and see how the Lord answered my heartfelt concern in greater ways than I could have ever imagined.

While recording these special moments takes time, it isn't meant to be one more chore. All it takes is a notebook and a pen. I have a friend who sets her spiral notebook next to her bed. Occasionally, she jots some notes in it at the end of the day. I have another friend who has a notebook for each of his kids and grandkids. On special occasions, he presents his family members with a completed journal of his thoughts, his special memories, and his prayers. It's never too late to start. When I thumb through the pages of the past, I am reminded of the many times God has been faithful even when I haven't.

Have a great day, Robin

Great Book Recommendations for Teens and Adults

Sometimes it's difficult to find non-fiction books that our teens may enjoy reading.The following books are autobiographies of men who overcame incredible obstacles. These books are best suited for teens and adults.

Gifted Hands - This is the story of Dr. Ben Carson who was mentioned in the previous blog. This is a great book particularly for anyone considering the medical field. Dr. Carson shares the difficulties of his childhood and how he overcame them. As a pediatric neurologist, he has treated children for seizure disorders as well as separated conjoined twins. He shares stories of his patients in a way that will keep you on the edge of your seat. His life is an inspiration.

Twice Pardoned - This is the moving story of Harold Morris. Back in the 60's, as a teenager he hung out with the wrong crowd. His "friends" committed a murder for which he was blamed. Morris unjustly spent the next 10 years in prison. While parts of the book are sad, it is a beautiful story of redemption. There are many valuable lessons for teens. There's also a video available called Twice Pardoned: An Ex-Con Talks to Parents and Teens. It can be found online as well as some Blockbuster stores.

The Persecutor - This is another moving story about the life of Sergei Kourdakov. Sergei was taken from his parents and raised in a Russian orphanage in the 60's. He has an incredible life story. Sergei went from persecuting Christians to becoming one. Also, much is learned about the Russia culture. I thought the book was captivating.

While all of these books promote Christian values, Twice Pardoned and The Persecutor contain some violent parts due to the nature of their stories.

Have a blessed day, Robin

One of My Favorite Moms

Even though I haven't met her personally, one of my favorite moms is Sonja Carson. She is the mom of pediatric neurosurgeon Ben Carson. Sonja became a single mom of 2 boys at a young age. She worked 2-3 jobs as a maid to provide for her boys. As a 5th grader, Ben brought home failing grades. Sonja asked the Lord to give her wisdom and to show her what she should do.

Sonja called her boys together and told them that they were to turn off the tv. They were to read 2 books from the library each week and write book reports on them. The reports were to be read aloud to her. (The boys didn't know it at the time but Sonja didn't know how to read.) Needless to say, the boys were not happy. Ben said they were "horrified." Because his mom took the high road, Ben went from being labeled as the class dummy to excelling academically. Both he and his brother earned college degrees. At the age of 33, Dr. Carson became the youngest chief of pediatric neurosurgery in the United States. He is known for successfully separating twins conjoined at the head.

It would have been easy for Sonja to feel sorry for her boys. After all, they didn't have a dad in the house. They didn't have any money. They didn't have a mom at home very much because she worked a lot. Instead she made the hard choice at the time in exchange for the great payoff later. Dr. Carson said, "Thanks to God and a courageous mother; a poor kid from the streets of Detroit has been able to take part in medical miracles."

This is an encouragement to all of us. Sometimes we have to give up the "Most Fun Mom" award and take the high road. Let me be the first to admit that this is much easier said than done especially during those junior high and high school years. Hang in there and take the high road on the things that matter. You can do it! You are not alone. Then you can look forward to the great payoff later.

Have a blessed day, Robin
Source: Mothers of Infuence published by Honor Books

Something to Think About...

I was reading a book this week called Spiritual Mothering by Susan Hunt and came across this quote:

"The truth is that we cling [to our children] because we are trying to get our security and significance from the wrong place."

Yikes! That was painful for me to read. I know that I have been guilty of this in the past. I pray that I have moved beyond that at this point. It's so easy to get our significance from raising our children. We invest so much of our time, energy and emotion in them. However, when we get our significance from our children, we create a huge problem. What happens when they misbehave? embarrass us? grow up and move away? Our security can't come from our husbands either. Our significance must come from the fact that we are daughters of the King. When we allow this truth to penetrate our inmost being, this gives us great freedom to do whatever it is that God has called us to do.

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God...John 1:12

Have a blessed day, Robin

Celebrate "America the Beautiful"

In 1893, Katharine Lee Bates, an English professor at Wellesley College, went to the top of Pikes Peak. She hired a prairie wagon to take her much of the way. Then she had to ride a mule to get to the top. She writes that the journey was exhausting. However, when Bates reached the top, she was overwhelmed by the view. On the way home, she scribbled the four verses to "America the Beautiful" in a notebook. On July 4, 1895, the poem "America the Beautiful" first appeared in print. She wrote the final version in 1913. Over the years, it has become our unofficial 2nd national anthem. Bates was known to have commented that she hoped that she would do something with her life that was meaningful and would make a difference.

I want to thank my friends as well as those don't know, the vets and those currently serving, for making America beautiful. What a privilege it is to live in the greatest country on the face of the earth.

Be sure to display your American flag.

Have a great 4th, Robin