By Nicole

Whew!  I break into a sweat thinking about needing these books in a few years.  I don't have teenagers, or even tweens, yet, but I know that I want to be more open and transparent with my kids about sex, drugs, and rock and roll  dating when they do get older.  I also know that the Internet is going to be even more readily available to them in a few years than it is now, and that scares me too.  That's why I was so excited to be able to review Nicole O'Dell's Hot Button series.  There are four editions, like I listed above, Internet, Dating, Drug, and Sexuality. Each mini book (they are fairly small) is the perfect portable size and includes the most current information on the topic, relevant stories from Nicole's life (or someone else she knows), and Scripture references.  She also includes checkpoints (with a basic rundown of what was discussed and example prayers to pray. The rest of each book is a set of scenarios that can be used as discussion points wi

Today, I was hit with a bomb.  An insidious, awful bomb.  It left me shell-shocked all day.  We joked at work instead.  Sighed and looked at the floor.  We made comfort food for lunch and hacked each other's Facebook statuses for laughs to pretend that we didn't want to scream and cry instead.  I spoke with the parent of a teen who ended their life less than 48 hours before as if there had been nothing more than a bad change in the weather.  I felt guilty for not reacting more strongly at first, for not running and hugging that parent, for not knowing exactly what to say.  For not knowing how to help.   It's my job to help. I sit with others and make decisions about the lives of children on a regular basis.  Most of these children don't know me from Tom-what's-his-name walking down the street, yet I help decide details of their life that may or may not be instrumental in their success.  Even in situations where we think we have done everything the best we can to h

I'm heading over to  Whispering Writer  today with a link-up.  As I was reading her Hey, It's Okay post this morning, I kept thinking of my own for today... Hey, it's okay... * to secretly want your child/self to be mildly sick so that you can call in sick to work (don't judge, I've talked to at least one other equally heinous mother who had that very thought this week).  Just a 100 temp or a bad cough... nothing super serious. * to take looooong coffee breaks after every household chore so that you can sit and catch up on your favorite blogs. * to only clean out your hall and linen closets once every few years and only because you had an awful "Hoarderesque" dream the night before. * to buy a book for your daughter that you secretly wanted more (Title = Shoe-la-la!   How could I not?). * to spend more money on your running shoes that any of the boots in your closet. * to be really excited that your husband bought you a salad spinner as a gif

This past week I ran, what I currently think is, my favorite 5k of all time.  Jess at Run With Jess  puts on a virtual race called the Cupcake Classic.  Who wouldn't run for cupcakes?  I only wish I lived in Illinois so that I could join her actual race and eat a scrumptious cupcake at the end. But the way that this race works is you sign up and commit to running or walking 3.1 miles at some point during the week.  Then you submit your time and a photo to be entered in the drawing. Jess has awesome prizes and great t-shirts and bling for those who signed up early enough to get in on the sweet deals.  I missed all that, and I didn't run until almost the very end of the week... but it doesn't matter.  I had until today, and I got it all done! So, most of my friends who run don't live in the same town as I do.  And the one who does runs WAY faster and is really busy, so I didn't even bother to invite her.  Then, my friend who makes AMAZING cupcakes said no and laug

I was so pleasantly surprised today with more stuff!  I'm not a super materialistic person (at least I like to think I'm not).  But sometimes stuff cheers me up.  Especially when it's unexpected, and most of all, when it's free!  Let me explain... The rains have just started.  It thundered and lighteninged today at work.  Literally and figuratively.  I'm dreary and sodden, and I'm really having to use a lot of extra energy to get myself motivated and ready to go and run in the rain.  And wind.  And cold.  And rain. My friend and I ran in the rain on Friday, and we had a blast.  We were soaked to the bone, and it was so much fun.  But I know it's going to get colder.  And wetter. Anyway - to lighten up this soggy complaint-fest, I got a package in the mail today!  And it was full of free stuff! Back in September, I posted my Softcup challenge review .  I heard about it from Tina at For the Love of the Run .  Well, I only half remembered that after the

So, I just finished reading You Don't Know Me  by Susan May Warren.  At first I was a little skeptical.  I thought it might be overly cheesy or unrealistic, but I was pleasantly surprised!  First of all, I am kind of a wuss... I don't watch suspense movies or read scary books, especially if my husband is working at night or something.  There were definitely a few places in this book that had me on the edge of my seat... and I purposely didn't read the week my husband was out of town... just in case it got a little too scary for me. This is such a great story, not only because of the suspense, but because of the message of God's redemption and forgiveness.  A major theme is honesty and commitment in marriage.  Annalise Decker (previously Deirdre O'Reilly) was moved as part of the witness protection program.  She starts over in a small town, falls in love with and marries Nathan Decker.  They start a family.  Twenty years later, when her children are in middle schoo