"Boys, could you please not use your tee-shirt sleeves as napkins?"  I said countless times. 

       I reminded the guys that good manners include consideration for the people that are sitting next to you at the table. 

      There are three requests I make at dinner time: Contribute, Converse, and Compliment.

Conversation is just like a tennis game, except that no one is trying to win. The point is that it takes two people to keep the ball in motion. You hit; I hit. I serve; you receive. The whole idea is to keep that ball moving. Different shots, styles and angles.

Here are six simple things to teach our kids about face to face conversation. Plus, they're good reminders for us!

In the summer of 2009 my youngest son, John expressed an interest in participating as an extra in Advent Film Group’s second full-length film project, HERO, a father/son reconciliation story centered around a little league baseball team. AFG’s vision to train up the next generation of young Christian film makers so resonated with my heart and that of my late husband, Chris, that we both prayerfully agreed that John should audition for the film, and we trusted God for whatever outcome He had ordained.

   32 diamonds for life -- right in our mouths!  Since I married a lab guy (dental technician and lab owner),  I learned that taking care of our teeth is a big deal and that teeth are as precious as diamonds. 

        I learned that it's important to teach our kids about dental health at a young age, and that it's best to take a preventive approach. It's all about good habits.  We either pay now for tooth cleaning and maintenance, or pay later with costly restorations and replacements.

As the soldier was thrown from his horse, his trumpet sailed through the air and landed across the field.  All he remembered was a glimpse of shining brass before everything went black...

It was a rough day in Lego land.  The battle raged.  Swords flashed, knights clashed, and horses raced to the front lines.  After it was over -- all you could see were the dead.

This story happened on an ordinary spring day during our second year of homeschooling.  The only thing I changed is the name -- the name of the man who came knocking at our door...

    The boys and I looked out the sliding kitchen door to a tender April afternoon as we took the last bites of our turkey sandwiches.  After cleaning up their crumbs, each eight-year-old tucked the their chairs and raced upstairs to brush their teeth. I knew that they were anxious to hear me continue reading Sunken Treasure by Gail Gibbons. 

Here's another idea for Valentine's Day:  A special breakfast for your husband....

What could be sweeter than having a wonderful, warm breakfast to start a winter day, especially Valentine's Day?  Whether it's French toast with maple syrup, bacon & eggs, or a bowl of steaming hot oatmeal, your husband will be sure to appreciate this sweet idea...