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My Day on the World Stage

In 1993 the opportunity arrived for me to shut up or put up. There was a woman by the name, or rather using the name, of Deborah Laake. She’d written a book called “Secret Ceremonies: Diary of a Mormon Wife” – a work of pure and sad delusion. This poor woman, if she told the complete truth, was at the mercy of a father who took unrighteous dominion to new levels. Whatever the perceived truth, she became extremely disenchanted with the church and proceeded to betray every covenant she’d half-heartedly made with the Lord. Where do I come in? Well, … Continue reading →

No Insurance? Where to Get a Mammogram

As I mentioned in my last entry my friends sister is facing the possibility of breast cancer and was worrying about paying for a mammogram. Many people may not know there are organizations that help pay for these lifesaving tests for the under and un-insured. When I heard that I began to find organizations that serviced her town. The first place I called was the American Cancer Society their counselors were amazing. I gave them her information and within minutes I had a list of 5 organizations that offered free mammograms and if need be further diagnostic testing. After I … Continue reading →

Evan Moor: Daily Word Problems for 5 Graders

At a Glance: Product: Daily Word Problems Grade 5 Publisher: Evan Moor Grade Level: 5 Teacher Prep: Minimal Uses: Math Supplement Rating: 4 out of 4 golden pencils Workbooks are something I never have a shortage of in my home. However, I do not use them nearly as much as the space on my bookshelf warrants. However, one company always comes to mind when I think of the workbooks which get time in little hands and that company is Evan Moor. I am never disappointed when I purchase an Evan Moor product. So when given the opportunity to review Evan … Continue reading →

House Of Representatives Passes Bill Repealing Health Care Laws

After much debate, the House of Representatives has voted to repeal the health care law. The next step will be for the Senate to have a vote about whether or not to repeal the health care law. If it passes in the Senate, the next step is for the President of the United States to sign it. In other words, today’s vote might be considered a first step by some, but is not a final decision. The Affordable Care Act, which has also been called “Obamacare” has been considered controversial since it was first signed into law. There have been … Continue reading →

When Someone Very Special Dies: Children Can Learn to Cope with Grief

When someone passes away and goes home to heaven, it is difficult for adults. Can you imagine how it feels to a child who understands “why” even less than an adult does? Children deal with loss a bit differently than an adult does. It is necessary to help them through the grieving process as much as possible. When Someone Very Special Dies: Children Can Learn to Cope with Grief by Marge Heegard is an amazing book where children are presented with a situation or a statement regarding their loss. On each page a statement is made similar to, “this is … Continue reading →

Positive Steps to Confront Stereotypes

In recent blogs I talked about anti-immigrant feeling in America today and whether it will have an unintended impact on our adopted children. I was thinking primarily of our Asian and Latino children, but a third-grader from Ethiopia was recently taunted in my neighborhood and told to go back to her country. In some parts of the U.S. the immigrant African population may be larger than the African-American population, so possibly more and more people will assume that African-heritage children are immigrants as well. And some of them are—Haiti and Liberia have been native countries of significant numbers of adopted … Continue reading →

General Conference Recap

General Conference was this past weekend. It was wonderful to be able to hear the words of President Monson and the other apostles for so many sessions this weekend. The talks were wonderful and very uplifting. Many spoke poignantly about the troublesome times that we are facing around the world. The ultimate message was one of hope and faith. President Monson spoke about having faith during difficult times. He shared three stories of people who faced enormous trials, but were able to persevere because of the strength of their faith. The line that stood out to me from that talk … Continue reading →

Defying the Odds

There are always exceptions to any rule. Statistics can give a general pattern of society’s trends but there are always those that defy the odds and do not fit the general pattern. As I read Mary Ann’s article, I was saddened to read the sad state of marriage in America. Sadly, it’s no different in Australia. When our daughter was at school she was one of few who had parents who were together and had only ever been married to each other. As Mary Ann’s blog mentioned most families had step parents, step sisters, stepbrothers. Listening to many of the … Continue reading →

Home Week in Review: May 5 – 11

From some unusual celebrations like National Grump Out Day to some common ones like graduation and Mother’s Day, and from weather events to Reasons to Move, we have a good variety of topics this week. Here is a handy round up: Pulling Out the Vinca Ground cover. It’s a love/hate thing. It can be a beautiful addition to your yard but it can also take over. Mary Ann has pacasandra, or is it pachysandra? Either one works, and either way, it can stay; but Mary Ann says the Vinca has got to go. Read more… Invitation Etiquette Why don’t people … Continue reading →

A Passion for Rhodesians: An Interview with Author Maris Soule

I’m kicking myself for not getting my tail in gear and publishing this interview last week. Posting romance (and mystery) author Maris Soule’s interview on Valentine’s Day would have been mighty apropos. Ah well, I goofed. But…at least it’s still being posted in February, the month of love. That works. What does Maris love? (Besides writing.) Well, I’ll give you a hint. They’re often furry, four-legged, and what us other pet lovers love…our animals! Below she tells us about what kind of animals grace both her life and her work. Courtney Mroch: What kind of things do you write about? … Continue reading →