Homebuying & Holiday for Heroes

We talked about the housing market tonight with two great ladies from the Women’s Council of Realtors in Montgomery County.  They helped people with their questions about their homes and mortgages.  They also talked about a probram they put together called Operation Holidays for Heroes.  

If you want to help send packages to our troops in time for Christmas, go to www.MontgomeryCountyCares.com.  They’ll help you decide what to buy or donate, and find a drop off location.

Also, if you have a soldier serving in Iraq or Afghanistan that would benefit by receiving a package, you can nominate them.  They don’t have to be from Montgomery County.

If you are interested in participating, be sure to get your donations out right away.  The packages must be sent off by November 4th in order to get there on time.

Desperate Housewives? The SUPER MOM Myth!!

Our topic tonight was Passionate Housewives, Desperate for God.  It is a new book coming out October 30th.  This book is AWESOME and dispels the myth of SUPER MOM!!

Stacy McDonald and Jennie Chancey wrote this book. Stacy has 8 children at home, Jennie has 7 children.  These moms know what it takes to raise children and run a household.  You can go to www.passionatehousewives.com for more information on the book.

Jennie is a former feminist who uncovers the true motive of feminism—to get women out of the house and away from raising her children.  To find out more about Jennie and her organization, Ladies Against Feminism, go to www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com

Stacy is a native Houstonian and author of a book about raising Godly girls.  She has a website and a blog.  To find her, go to www.raisingmaidens.com  Here’s a picture of Stacy and her family……

I can’t help but confess I’m a terrible housekeeper.  I need to learn more.  With God’s help, I am determined to get better.  I want so much to live a balanced and organized life.  I realize that at the stage of life I am in, it’s not going to be perfect 100% of the time.  God is merciful and gives me grace to survive!

When all is said and done, I want my kids to remember I was the kind of mom that sat down and read to them or played Scrabble.  I want them to take those memories with them as they walk through life. 

Whether the house was clean or not, I want them to know they were loved.

Let’s Go….GNO!!

Okay, so I’m a little excited.

Tomorrow, Rachel and I are going away for a night on a mother-daughter church retreat with another mom and her twin girls. 

Point of Grace is going to be there, and it is a Pajama Party!

So today, I was listening to Radio Disney in the car with the kids and what comes on but Miley Cyrus’ song “Girls Night Out.”   The song talks about going out with the girls and says, “Let’s Go, GNO, Let’s Go, GNO…” GNO=Girl’s Night Out. 

So now, that’s my mantra for the next couple of days!

Coming up this Sunday at 6pm on KSBJ (89.3fm in Houston) and www.ksbj.org   We’ll be talking about Desperate Housewives!  Not the TV show, but the book called “Passionate Housewives, Desperate For God, ” by Stacy McDonald and Jennie Chancey.  The book is due out October 30th.

We’re going to blow the lid right off the Stepford Housewife myth that housewives should be in pearls, high heels and fetch husband’s slippers.  In addition, we’ll also talk about what the feminist movement has done to marriages in our culture.  We will talk about how being a homemaker is NOT a waste of God-given talents.

I’m looking forward to this show.  Truthfully, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed with housework these days.  The house does not stay clean.  Part of me just gives up, why bother?  I know that is not the right attitude, and I could use an adjustment in my thinking.

I think our culture paints the picture that women can have it all, and that if we stay home (like I do Monday-Saturday) we are wasting precious talents and resources and losing brain cells by the minute.  NOT TRUE!!

I’ve gotta go pack….GNO!

Breast Cancer Awareness

Tonight, we talked about breast cancer.

No one really wants to talk about it.  But many people are affected by it.  Breast cancer hurts our families and our friends.

I discovered one of my classmates succumbed to cancer.  Her name was Joanne.  She was a fabulous tennis player.  We’re talking professional.  When they announced her name at my high school reunion, the room was filled with gasps.  So young, so much talent, such a sweet person.  What a killer cancer is.

Jennifer Walker from The American Cancer Society was on the show tonight.  She talked about the importance of prevention; mammograms and self-exams.  There are grants that allow economically disadvantaged women to get mammograms.   It is easy to make a difference.

The Making Strides Event raises money to do just that.  This Saturday morning, at Sam Houston Race Park in Houston, people of all walks and ages will come together to support breast cancer survivors and raise money for a cure. 

Susan O’Donnell from the KSBJ Morning Show is putting together a group of people to walk in Making Strides.  She calls it “SusieO’s Sistahs” and you can sign up at www.ksbj.org.

We also had a cancer survivor on, Cindy Saenz.  She shared her story with us.  She believes she went through breast cancer to be a blessing to others.  It has increased her faith and has given her strength she never knew she had.

In addition, we talked with two women, Sherry and Sandra from a local retail warehouse.   They have taken their interest in Making Strides from their location in Humble to city wide (Houston).  This year they are planning to raise close to $200,000 by participating in the Making Strides Walk.

 For more information and to learn more about breast cancer, go to www.cancer.org.

Weighty Issues

Growing up I had my moments of hard times and rebellion.

Most of them dealt with food and self-image.  It started in the 4th grade.

My homeroom teacher took it upon herself to inform my mom that I didn’t get along with the other kids because I was overweight.  I did not think that was true. 

To look at me then, you wouldn’t think I had a big weight problem.  I had not lost all of my baby fat and I was pre-puberty. I was normal.

But the picture my teacher painted was far too real and hurtful for my mom.  It made her think of her own childhood; a childhood that was full of teasing and damaged emotions because she was “fat.”

So the logical reaction for my mother at the time was to take action; to put me on a diet.  I was around 9 years old.  Her efforts were, I believe now, well-intentioned.  After all, she explained to me that our family had fat genes and that she didn’t want me to end up big.

Unfortunately, well-intentions aside, she had begun a form of sabotage.

No self-respecting parent wants to sabotage their child on purpose.  They really want to do the best for their kid.

That is why I can look back and forgive her.

In order to look forward, I have to forgive.  I also have to talk about it.  I want to prevent other parents from doing it to their kids. I struggle with this even with my own daughter.

Rick Warren from the Purpose Driven Life says the very thing that is your biggest sin can become your greatest ministry.  My fear, since I heard him say that, is the sin I have struggled with is gluttony, and I haven’t wanted to “own” it.

But I do.

I can honestly say that I have been delivered from the crazy binge type eating I used to do as a kid.  The reason I did it then was because I felt unaccepted and a little unloved.  Not in the true sense….I knew my parents loved me. 

The binge eating was gross.  I believe it generally started out as me being hungry at 3pm when I’d come home from school and not having enough to eat during the day because of the dieting, I think I ended up sneaking a few extra snacks or nibbles.  But somehow, I ended up eating weird and stupid things.  Like concentrated orange juice from the can, still frozen.  And peanut butter out of the jar with some chocolate chips thrown in.  It gradually progressed to me hiding food under my bed and stealing money from my dad’s dresser to buy food.

One time, at my friend Brandi’s house, I ate almost an entire dozen chocolate chip cookies in one sitting.  I was around 11 years old.  Her mom made them for us.  She must have thought I was a pig.

I was, instead, a child crying out for help.  I went through every diet and fad you can name.

Until about a year ago when 2 books and one main realization changed me forever.

First, I realized that dieting was not an answer.  That eating healthy, which I had never learned to do, was the only way to change.  I learned this through a life changing program called The Maker’s Diet (maker meaning God).  I began to learn that the things I thought were fattening were actually good fats…I began to eat organic, live food and stop buying the preservative packaged food.  It was amazing the results.  I lost 20 pounds and 3 dress sizes. I gained more energy and self-esteem.

The second book that changed my life was “I Kissed Dieting Goodbye,” by Elliott Young.  She was a guest on my show this week.  She believes the more fresh food we eat, the better off we are.  She also encourages us to be sure to model good eating habits for our children.

She believes if children are 20 pounds or more overweight, they need to get help from a nutritionist/registered dietician. 

She urges us to get off the couch and get out with our kids and go play.  Go for a walk, get active.

I believe this show was life changing for many callers.

To get in touch with Elliott Young, visit www.kissdietinggoodbye.com.

Challenges in Parenting

If you are a single parent, pat yourself on the back for me. 

I have friends who are just like you, and they are the hardest working and most exhausted people I know.

That’s one of the reasons I had Pam Kanaly on the show.  Her story was inspiring. Her husband left her with 2 children under the age of 3!  She knew the Lord, and learned to lean on Him for everything.

To contact Pam or get more information about her story, go to www.ariseministries.net. 

I am also sensitive to those of us who are not the best at parenting in the crazy lifestyle we live in; whether we are parenting solo or with our spouse.

So, Mary DeMuth came on the show to talk about her book, Authentic Parenting in a Post-Modern Culture.  She offered practical tips for each of us on parenting our children.  For information on Mary, go to www.relevantprose.com.

The Show Must Go On!!

There are two words no one in radio/broadcasting wants to hear.

They are “You’re sick!”

Yep.  If it weren’t for this blog, I couldn’t communicate very well.  I sound like a frog.  Okay, I stand corrected, Rachel says “a cute frog!”  Either way, I still have a sinus infection and a little virus.  My cough is the worst!

We’re going to re-air a show on money and credit counseling.  It got great feedback.

So, I’m pumping the fluids and getting as much rest as the kiddos will let me.  My daughter made dinner last night (granted, she’s 8 and cheese tacos are not hard to make in the microwave), and she flipped pancakes this morning.  She might do laundry too if I press her hard enough! 

Hey!  This being sick might have some advantages!  Now, what to do with the four year old?

This morning they went outside around 7:30 and blew bubbles.  They were having a great time.  It allowed me to make coffee and take an inventory of the weekend.

Hmm.  I can’t work, so show prep is not necessary.  Looks like I have to think of other things to do. 

Let’s see.  There’s housework (still have to put things away from the trip, change sheets), and Rachel’s homework.  Oh, why did I lose my voice?  Work is sounding more appealing right now!  (can you tell I dislike housework?)

Rachel just reminded me that she’s almost out of yarn.  She has taken up needlepointing, and is getting quite good at it.

So, there’s a trip to the craft store.  And then, her history class is having a picnic today.  She is looking forward to that.

You know, when the mom is sick, there’s still no stopping the momentum.  The kids still have places to go and things to do.  People still need to eat. 

Oh! We still have tortillas and cheese; as long as we have that and peanut butter, the kids can make their own food!

The show will go on!  This Sunday Night, Abundant Life Christian Credit Counseling will be re-aired (from July).  You can’t call in, but you can listen locally to 89.3fm or go streaming at www.ksbj.org.

How to STOP the anger

Author Karol Ladd was our guest tonight.  She gave some great tips on helping us learn how to combat anger.  Particularily, the anger we face when we are dealing with our kids.

I say anger is an emotion that is caused by unrealistic expectations.  That’s my definition.  Most of the anger we feel comes because something doesn’t happen the way we intended or expected it to….especially with our kids and our spouse. 

Karol’s book is called “Defuse: A Mom’s Survival Guide for More Love, Less Anger”

In the book she gives ideas on:

How to Recognize and Deal with Your Anger

Learn How to Respond to Anger of Others

Create an Environment Where Love Abounds

Her positive plan offers vital solutions that help us deactivate anger and strengthen love’s bonds.

In short, the plan is STOP!

S—–Step Away

T—–Take Calming Breaths

O—-Objectively look at the Situation

P—–Pray how to handle the Situation

To find out more about Karol, go to www.PositiveMom.com or her blog at www.PositiveMomS.blogspot.com

My personal story is that I tend to be the one who stuffs my anger and appear to be cool on the outside.  Inside, I’m furious and ready to snap.  Sometimes I get my feelings out by writing (constructive), sometimes by yelling (destructive).  Everyone has their default mode.  I’ve got to do more praying…..somehow I can do the STO but the P sometimes doesn’t happen, particularily with the kids.

Do you struggle with anger?  Is there a way you have learned to deal with anger toward your kids?  I think we get the most frustrated at our children because we have such high expectations of them.  What about you?

She’s Gonna Blow!!

Anger.  You know you have it.  Don’t try to deny it.

We’re gonna talk about the effects anger has on moms.  What really ticks us off and what we can do to diffuse the problems.

My guest is Karol Ladd, author of Defusing Anger.  She’s a Texas mom who has some tips on how to help us deal with anger. 

What do you get angry about?  Is it your kids, your husband, your in-laws, your job?

Maybe you don’t have an anger problem, maybe it is your child or your spouse.

Whatever it is, Karol will be able to help.

Join me tomorrow for Sunday Night, 6pm on 89.3fm KSBJ or go to www.ksbj.org to listen live on the internet.

Sex And The City Uncovered

My guest tonight was Marian Jordan, author of the new book, “Sex and The City Uncovered.”  We talked about the pain that hooking up causes in people’s lives and how to solve the problem of having a hole in your soul.  We also had some great callers tonight!

To purchase Marian’s book, go to your local Barnes and Noble or Christian Bookstore.

To find out more about her ministry to women, go to www.redeemedgirl.org