Happy Mother's Day, Moms and Grandmoms!

A partially deaf boy came home from school one day carrying a note from school officials. The note suggested that the parents take the boy out of school, claiming that he was "too stupid to learn." The boy's mother read the note and said, "My son Tom isn't 'too stupid to learn.' "I'll teach him myself." And she did.

When Tom died many years later, Americans paid tribute to him by turning off the nation's lights for one full minute. You see, Tom invented the light bulb - not only that - he also invented motion pictures and the record player. In all, Thomas Edison had more than 1000 patents to his credit.

My mother was the making of me. Thomas A. Edison (1847-1931)

I hope that whatever phase of life you are in today that you will take a moment to reflect upon the blessing of being a mom.

Have a great day,

Robin

A Handwritten Note - Priceless

I pulled a book off of my shelf earlier today. As I thumbed through the book, something fell out. It was a handwritten note that my grandmother sent me several years ago (she has since passed away). I read the note and then just stared at it for a minute thinking that the very note that I held in my hands was held in her hands at one time, too. She sent me notes often and many of them I have kept. Think about it. My grandmother sat down and wrote me a note 15 years ago and it still blesses me today. We were very close.

I went out and checked the mail a few minutes ago. I saw a card from a friend. I couldn't figure out why she would be sending me a card. As I read it, once again I was blessed. She took the time out of her very busy life to write me a nice note. It was just what I needed for today.

Tip: Set up a little area perhaps near a desk with cards, stamps and addresses. Make it your goal to bless someone each week with an encouraging word. You can bless your child, spouse, family member or friend. Who knows? It might bless them now as well as 15 years later.

Move that Bus!

Not many things can move me to tears particularly a tv show. I have lived with testosterone dripping off the ceiling 20+ years now and I think my tear ducts have pretty much dried up. But all of that has changed now that I have watched Extreme Home Makeover. The words "Move that Bus" can reduce me to a puddle of tears in seconds.

I want to recommend this show to your family. If you haven't seen it, I will tell you about it. A crew of homebuilders rebuilds the home of a family in need. Ususally the family has had a crisis of some sort or they are so busy serving others that they don't have the resources to fix up their home that is falling apart. One show I watched the crew totally rebuilt the home of a family whose son has a terminal disease. Another show the crew rebuilt the home of a family who takes in children and teens who have no home. They had around 12 people sharing 1 bathroom in a dilapidated house that I could not even fathom living in. Not only do they rebuild the home but they decorate it suited to the family members' personalities. While the crew is rebuilding the home, the family is sent on an extravagant all-expense paid vacation.

The show is heartwarming and renews my faith in mankind. It shows the goodness and sacrifice of people who are not in this world to see how much they can get how much they can give., This is the kind of show that could spark an interest in your children that could lead them to a very rewarding life of service to others.

Have a wonderful day, Robin

Merry CHRISTmas, Everyone!!

One of my least favorite things to give our boys for Christmas is money. That is so UNexciting. But face it, that's what they want and need. Last year we decided to take the Christmas card with their money in it off of the tree and hide it from them. We created a treasure hunt which led them to their prize. We started with one clue which led to another and then another. We had about 10 clues in all spread out in the house, the yard, and even in our cars. It was lots of fun. It actually took them about 20-25 minutes to find all of the clues. We made it hard on purpose. We plan to do the same thing this year. That is one way to make Christmas fun for those of us who have older kiddos!

I hope you have a blessed Christmas with lots of quality family time -
Robin

Don't Forget to Display your American Flag this Tuesday

With Veterans Day coming soon, I wanted to share some thoughts from Woodrow Wilson. He was the U.S, President during World War I. When the World War I ended, the people of our nation wanted to honor the veterans who served. Since the armistice (or treaty) to end the war was signed on November 11, that day was declared the day to honor our veterans. Initially it was called Armistice Day. After World War II, the name was changed to Veteran's Day.

Below are some quotes from Woodrow Wilson:

"There are a good many problems before the American people today, and before me as President, but I expect to find the solution of those problems just in the proportion that I am faithful in the study of the Word of God."

"I am sorry for the men who do not read the Bible every day. I wonder why they deprive themselves of the strength and the pleasure."

"The sum of the whole matter is this, that our nation cannot survive materially unless it is redeemed spiritually. It can be saved only by becoming permeated with the Spirit of Christ and being made free and happy of the practices which spring out of that Spirit."

It is our job as parents to ensure that our children are aware of where we as a nation came from.

Happy Veterans Day, Robin

Dads, Moms and Children

Before I put this Leman book on the shelf, I want to make several more comments. Leman points out that Dads and Moms view their children differently. Moms view children as an extension of themselves. Leman states, "To a woman, when a man spends time with their children, he's spending time with her, because children are an extension of their mother." That means when her husband loves their children and spends quality time with them, she feels as if he is loving her too.

Dads have a different view of the children. Dads don't emotionally connect them to their mother. Dads see them as separate entities that sometimes compete with him for Mom's attention. Leman uses humor to make his point. He says, "Children can be pesty little buggers sometimes, and they can really get in the way of marital intimacy."

The point that Dr. Leman makes is that we must realize the role children play in Dad's life is different from the role they play in Mom's life. He goes on to say, "The day is coming that the kids will be gone. But your husband will remain. Don't lose your place in his heart."

Have a great day, Robin

"My mother was my champion." Part 2

Below are some more quotes from Dr. Leman's book, 7 Things He'll Never Tell You.

"I loved my mother and she clearly loved me. In the midst of hard work, she would take time to go fishing with me. When I was 5 or 6 years old, we would walk to the creek and catch fish. She would celebrate each of my catches as if it were the most spectacular catch anyone had ever made! My little-boy heart would swell with pride. Perhaps my mother already knew then that I would struggle academically and that I would need this kind of boost early in life to be a success at anything.

I was always close to my mother when I was growing up. I could talk to my mother about anything-including girls and sex. My mother was always a straight talker. I knew she loved me. And, no matter what others said, she believed and expected the best of me."

As Dr. Leman tells of his mom, the recurring theme is unconditional love. She loved him and she was his biggest fan - his loudest cheerleader. This was paramount to the success of a young man who felt as if he was a failure in the world's eyes.

Have a great week and go fishing, Robin