Have You Lived a Newspaper Headline?

Do you ever read the newspaper with shock at the unbelievable tragedies? You read, you feel, you may even say a little prayer for those involved. What do you do when it happens to your family? Unfortunately, we are facing that right now with my brother. He was in an explosion which happened recently. When…

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I Was There – The Night Santa Came to Our Home on the Farm

One Christmas Eve on the farm, many years ago, a driving snow storm changed our Christmas tradition but created a crisp moment which I will always remember. It was a moment of true belief.

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Planting the Seed

Reverb 10 Prompt: Wisdom. What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out? Raising teens is liking planting a seed in a storm. You do not know if it takes hold yet, later on, it grows into something wonderful. Making decisions knowing this helps.

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A Moment Which I Felt Most Alive – 2010

Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors). Driving Big Sur along the Pacific coast and enjoying lunch at Ventana with my family – what else is more important?

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Stop Your Parent’s Bad Parenting Habits

No one is perfect. What we learn from each other is critical. We need to take the time to understand our parent’s bad habits and commit to change, to do things different. This is true in both parenting a child and developing our relationship with our spouse.

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Admiring the Perfect June Cleaver Family

Barbara Billingsley died on Saturday, and she will always be known for her role as the Mom, June Cleaver, in Leave It to Beaver. She was the perfect Mom with the perfect family. Even though it seems that some families are perfect, they are not. It is impossible to have a perfect family.

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The Fresh Start of a New School Year

A new school year, a fresh start. That is the great thing about the beginning a brand new school year. Maintaining and encouraging the renewed spirit is essential. Doing this is always a challenge.

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Grandpas, Memories Sweet as Sugar in Milk

Grandfathers deliver something special to their kids’ kids. They create important memories and life lessons with their gentle yet strong presence.

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What I Learned from My Dad

My Dad was a farmer, and his life’s principles were set out clearly by his actions. The things I learned from him were not written down, but practiced daily. Living your life as an example is probably the best lesson I could have ever learned from my Dad.

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Drive Somewhere with Your Family this Summer

Driving with your family to a destination builds family bond, memories, and relationships. Don’t fly, driving will be the difference…

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Ford MyKey – A Parenting Model

Ford MyKey defines a great parenting model, especially with teens. It sets the boundaries while giving them freedom to make decisions and learn from mistakes with a little less danger… hopefully.

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The Twenty Year Effect

Except in extreme situations, you can no longer tell them what to do. It is ignored. Yes, things can be taken away, certain privileges, but it is a balance. The days of telling them what to do, and having them listen and do, are over. There is a subtle chasm crossed. A freshman in high…

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