April 2011 Archives
William Summey-April 28, 2011-
Sunday was a special time for our family apart from the normal Easter festivities. Our 7-year-old, Christopher, was baptized. The pastor did a beautiful job, not only explaining to visitors why we baptize by immersion and what it symbolizes, but also in endearing each child's story to the congregation and reading a verse parents picked out for their child. We asked our pastor to read Christopher's life verse that we chose for his baby dedication: "Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (Colossians 3:17). We have told Christopher that this verse is important for all Christians because we always represent Christ in everything we do, but that the name Christopher literally means "Christ follower or Christ bearer." He literally represents Christ with his name!
The pastor also mentioned Christopher and the courage he showed on the day of his baptism. Christopher had been very nervous! In fact, our pastor used Christopher as an example at the invitation time, encouraging adults to come forward with courage and accept Christ. It reminded me of what Jesus did when He called a little child to stand with and be an example of faith (Matthew 18:1-5).
Children have a remarkable ability to believe, love, and trust—as well as show courage—that we as adults could learn to follow as we all grow together in faith. It takes a lot of courage as an adult to face fears, stress, conflict, and failures. Sometimes I wish I could say time out and call a "do over" like we used to do as kids playing games. But it takes courage to face all these difficulties, to parent, to say "I’m sorry," to admit mistakes, and even to share the gospel of Christ with others. That’s a big part of why Jesus used a child as an example of great faith.
We want to partner with you in helping your kids take huge steps of faith. Let us know other ways we can partner with you to raise godly kids!
Jodi Skulley-April 26, 2011-
I'm taking a break from my looming deadlines this afternoon to day dream for a few minutes about some much-needed time off. My husband, Jason, and I have always been huge fans of vacationing in the fall when the weather is cooler and the crowds are smaller. We've taken some really great vacations as a couple — the Smoky Mountains; the Biltmore in North Carolina; North Myrtle Beach in South Carolina; and Savannah, Georgia just to name a few.
But ever since Jack's arrival, we've not had a great track record with vacations — a week at the beach where Jason and I both ended up with a stomach virus, a trip to Cincinnati that ended early because we didn't plan well for a toddler, and a whirlwind trip to Texas for a family reunion (more exhausting than relaxing).
So this year, we decided to do things differently! Rather than waiting until the fall, we decided to take some days off this spring, before it gets too hot and crowded. And rather than spend a lot of money traveling, we've decided to stay home! We are officially on "stay-cation" next week! I can't wait! We plan to go to the zoo and to our favorite children's museum. I'm sure we'll play at the park and maybe even go swimming! We will do some shopping and eat out some, but most importantly ... we will rest and spend time together as a family. My prediction is that it just might be our best vacation yet!
For now ... it's back to reality. Those deadlines won't take care of themselves!
What are your favorite vacation memories? Do you have exciting vacation plans for this year? Any tips for our upcoming "stay-cation"? I'd love to hear from you!
Jodi Skulley-April 25, 2011-
Here are some more suggestions on mom friendships from Jennifer Holt, a supplement to our May 2011 article, "Looking for a Safety Net?"
Make the time to develop and nurture female friendships. The best way to make a new friend is to be a friend.
- Send encouraging notes. A verse, a text, an e-mail, or even an occasional greeting card can help you bond with a friend.
- Find a women’s Bible Study group. They will be your prayer partners in any season, and the forum lends itself to “bonding time” already.
- Meet at a local fast-food playground or park midweek to share ideas with someone old enough to appreciate you!
- Start a playgroup or join a Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) group in your area.
- Plan a regular girls day/night/weekend to be with those who make you feel like you’re not alone.
- Find a common interest. Do you know someone who likes to hike, scrapbook, paint, or read? Take a class, read the same book, or plan a trip together.
What other suggestions do you have for keeping up your friendships (with moms or otherwise)?
Photo used with permission of Flickr Creative Commons. Click on photo for source.
Jodi Skulley-April 20, 2011-
The May 2011 issue has a quiz about allergy myths (#3 got me!). Here is some more information from author Evelyn Hanes, R.N., about the dreaded sniffle-bringer: allergies!
Allergy Symptoms
Seasonal Allergies
- Watery eyes
- Sneezing
- Nasal stuffiness or clear drainage
- Coughing
- These are generally present without fever.
Food Allergies
- Hives
- Swelling of lips and face
- Itching of the mouth and tongue
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
What are allergies?
Allergies are caused when antibodies, produced by your immune system, react to allergens and release chemicals that cause symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and itching. If you are not sensitive to these allergens, you don’t develop an allergy. Repeated exposure to allergens increases the likelihood of developing an allergy.
Is it really a food allergy?
Food sensitivities are not the same as allergies. Symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and inflammation of joints may be due to sensitivity to certain foods such as wheat, shellfish, or acidic fruits. These symptoms may also be present if you have a food intolerance (such as lactose), food poisoning, or reaction to chemicals present on the food (pesticides or fertilizers).
Do you or your children suffer from allergies?
Photo used with permission of Flickr Creative Commons. Click on photo for source.
Jodi Skulley-April 19, 2011-
In the May 2011 issue, our article "Looking for a Safety Net?" talks about the kind of mom friends you need in your life.If you can’t find a way to meet regularly with friends, at least take time to read their blogs! There are tons of great mom Web sites out there to help you network and remind yourself you are not in this alone. Here are a few of our favorite Mom “reads” in book and Web site form.
Do you have a favorite mom blog or book about being a mom? I would be remiss if I didn't mention my own imperfect-mom blog, Vanderbilt Wife. Hope you'll pay me a visit! - Jessie
Jodi Skulley-April 18, 2011-
Congratulations to the winners of our Sheila Walsh giveaway.
The winners of the two princess kits are:
#2, Sara
#21, Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect
The five winners of a copy of How to Be God's Little Princess are:
#14, Angie
#24, Vicki E.
#27, Kira
#15, Stephanie
#10, Tracey Fonteboa
Congratulations, again, everyone! We'll be in touch by e-mail soon.
Jodi Skulley--
As the winter begins to wrap up and we all look forward to the dog days of summer, some decisions need to be made. Some parents are not sure about when it is the right time to send their children to sleep-away camp. I don’t believe that there is an exact age that is the “right” age; it is more about the readiness that your child exhibits that lets you know she can handle being away from home.
Here are 5 signs your child may be ready for sleep-away camp:
1. Your child begin expresses an interest in going to camp.
This is an easy sign that lets you know your child is ready. As your child develops peer relationships in school and begins spending more time with her friends away from you, she may verbalize her desire to go to camp.
2. Your child is able to spend longer periods away from you without being upset.
Your young child might express a desire to have a sleepover with a friend; but once the child is at the friend’s home, she may become anxious and want to come home. If this is the case, wait until your child can have sleepovers without being upset or returning home.
3. Your child gets along well with her peers.
This may seem like a no-brainer, but if your child is displaying any behavioral problems at home or school, most likely these will follow her to camp, Your child needs to be able to get along with others, as this is a major part of her growth at camp.
4. Your child is able to follow directions from leaders.
There are so many wonderful things that your child will learn at camp. Being able to follow directions and respect the counselors and group leaders is a necessary skill in order to be away from home. Often, kids who are away from their parents may think they have free reign to do and say whatever they please, so it is important to discuss this aspect with your child and make sure she is capable of handling it while she is away from your watchful eye.
5. Your child is asking to attend the type of camp that fits her needs.
It is possible to have your child be ready for camp but choose the wrong type of camp. Some camps emphasize sports and others theater or science. It is crucial that you don’t place your child in an athletic camp if her desires and talents are in other areas. Your child will more than likely feel out of place, and this can be a set-up for failure.
Figuring out the right time for your child to attend sleep-away camp may be tricky, but paying attention to the signs she is ready may help make the process a bit easier. Do not push a child to go before she is ready. Even if your child expresses the interest to go to camp, it is still possible that she may get home-sick as she acclimates to her new environment. Just remember this is normal and should pass as she becomes entrenched in camp life, which is a rewarding and growth-producing experience.
Would you add any more signs that your child is ready?
Jennifer Kelman has a BA in Sociology from American University and a Masters in Social Work from New York University and has worked with children in a variety of psychiatric and medical settings. She is the creator of Mrs. Pinkelmeyer, who inspires self-esteem in children through her love, warmth and silliness and author of the new award-winning children's book, Mrs. Pinkelmeyer and Moopus McGlinden Burn the Rrrrump Rrrroast.
Photo used with permission of Flickr Creative Commons. Click on photo for source.
Jodi Skulley-April 14, 2011-
I don't know about you, but when 4 p.m. rolls around, I am tired. Being a stay-at-home mom with a couple freelance gigs on the side, trying to keep my house running, and having a baby who still doesn't sleep makes me ragged. By 4 o'clock I am ready to put my feet up and call it a day.
And yet that seems to be the time the kids really rev up for some "fun." Or as I like to call it, torture of their mother.
In our house, we call 4 p.m. "The Time When Mommy Turns the TV on and Begs Libbie to Watch It So She Can Make Dinner While the Baby Screams."
We eat dinner early, so our frenzy time usually falls from 4 to 5. For most people I think it's more like 5 to 6. It's that time when you're trying to deal with kids, make dinner, go through the mail, talk on the phone to your mother, online bank, and be on Facebook all at the same time. — Jessie
Here are some tips from Leanne Ely of Saving Dinner to help you through this painful hour:
- Have a Plan. You have to have your menu planned for the week so you're not schlepping through the grocery store at 5:45 with hungry, miserable kids hoping to score a rotisserie chicken. If you have your meals planned for the week, you'll be more than a little ahead of the game — 75% of Americans don't know what's for dinner at 4:30 PM each day. If you have your plan, you'll have thawed chicken and some veggies stashed in the freezer; no last minute runs to the grocery store.
- Appetizers Anyone? Having a quick appetizer for the kids will soothe their tired little selves. Have this stuff ready to go in little plastic containers — any little veggies you can think of that you can plop on a plate easily and serve with some (dreaded) Ranch dressing. Kids will eat anything with Ranch dressing!
- Play with Your Food. You'll double your chances of getting your kids to eat their vegetables if you give them some toothpicks to stab the veggies with. Kids love all manner of violent behavior; just make sure Junior doesn't put the baby's eye out and no Norman Bates imitations!
- Hire Help. Don't you wish? For most, that ain't happening. In light of getting a chef and butler, train your little padawan learners. Give them duties in the kitchen and teach them what to do (as age appropriate). True, it might take longer initially, but there will come a point where your 12-year-old can suddenly make dinner by himself. That's because you had him at your elbow since he was little. Don't miss this golden opportunity.
- Make a Busy Box. Have a plastic tub with special stuff that the kids can only play with when Mom is making dinner. Put some books in there, special games, puzzles, and some pretend cookware! While you're busy making the salad, ask little Suzie to make her pretend salad and talk her through it as you do your own. Kids like being involved even when it's just pretend!
How do you deal with those pre-dinner hours?
Jodi Skulley-April 13, 2011-
I went to Target on Saturday night to get diapers.
Every inch of the store is filled with bring Spring colors, plastic eggs, pastel-wrapped candies, bunnies, and baskets. Easter dresses and tiny three-piece suits fill the childrens section and Easter cards line the aisle. Egg plates. Roasting pans for clove-studded hams. Banners and flags and picture frames that all proclaim, "Happy Easter!"
It literally turned my stomach.
I have nothing against Easter egg hunts and baskets and dresses and Cadbury cream eggs are one of my favorite annual treats. But it feels like just another holiday we've morphed into a reason to buy cards, candy, and clothes. Another time for our kids to feel like they "deserve" something.
I know what I deserve: eternal separation from God, separated from Him by the blackness of my sin.
One of my favorite quotes is from Craig Groeschel's book Confessions of a Pastor:
"If God were fair, I'd get what my sins deserve. I praise Him that He's not fair … God is just, but He's not fair. If He were fair, I'd have to suffer … forever."
These next two weeks, I want to keep my focus on the reason we celebrate: the Resurrection that saved me from eternal death. My kids are a little young to understand being saved from their sins, but I want to start the tradition now of concentrating on Christ. I'm reading my 2-year-old the stories of The Last Supper, The Triumphant Entry, and Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection from every kids Bible we have in our house. She may not get it, but the words are there. The Word, instilled in her little heart.
How do you keep your kids focused on the true reason for Easter?
When Jessie Weaver is not busy being the resident ParentLife Blogger, she writes at Vanderbilt Wife and also for magazines like HomeLife and ParentLife. She lives in Chattanooga with her husband, where they run after two little ones: Libbie (2) and David (4 months).
Jodi Skulley-April 12, 2011-
Each month ParentLife pulls together a one-page document for preschool and children's leaders and teachers that highlights articles that might help families they work with. But this also is a great tool for parents!
The articles below are in our current April 2011 issue of ParentLife. Read the articles that minister to your family and pass along a copy to those who might benefit from it!
Spoiled Rotten? Are parents in your church struggling with spoiled children? Help them break the cycle with these six practicle tips (p. 28). [See our related blog article, "The Ways and Whys of Spoiling."]New Ways to Celebrate Easter. Celebrate the newness of the Easter season while building strong family relationships. Encourage parents to start creative Easter traditions of their own using these great ideas. Teachers in your ministry can even adapt these ideas to use in the classroom (pp. 24-25).
Sensory Overload Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) affects approximately 5 percent of school-age children. Equip your teachers with the information they need to provide these children with an effective learning environment (pp. 36-37).
An Amazing Testimony. "You can't protect your family from everything. We have to give them into the keeping of the Lord." --Jennifer Shaw (pp. 20-23) [Also see our blog article on Jennifer's son, "The Miracle Boy."]
Building Moms and Dads. Build moms and dads in your church into the parents God wants them to be (pp. 38-39).
46% - The number of U.S. preteens (ages 8 to 12) who use a cell phone. What is the primary reason parents give for giving their children cell phones? Find out on pages 18 and 19.
Download a PDF of ParentLife Everyday to pass along to your children's minister or parents in your church:
ParentlifeEveryday_APRIL_2011.pdf
Jodi Skulley-April 11, 2011-
As Christians, we are called to be in this world, but not of this world. Romans 12:2 says, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God." God’s direction here seems very clear to me. He never specified any exceptions or exclusions. Black and white. Small and tall. Old and young. Yesterday and today. We are ALL called to be different.
However, today’s society is becoming increasingly separated from God. Moral standards are being stretched and manipulated. Blatantly sinful behavior is accepted as status quo. Unethical actions are being praised in the name of political correctness. Humans are becoming desensitized by the shocking content of television, movies, and radio. At times I am tempted to ask, What is going on here?! Does God see what is happening to our nation, and does His heart break too as our world is turning into such a modern Sodom and Gomorrah?
I don’t know about you, but as a mother of a 14-year-old boy, I feel that my mother-hen radar is running full force constantly! Thankfully, my sweet boy has surrounded himself with friends who are positive influences and godly young men and women. But my heart breaks over hearing the stories he shares of friends who are struggling. Babies are having babies, children are growing up way too fast, and they are emulating the "new normal" standards they are watching on TV every night. As parents, it's our call to stand up for what is right and good and embrace biblical teachings and standards as the ruler with which we measure ourselves.
John 2:15-17 says, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. For all that is in the world ... is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away ... but he that does the will of God abides for ever.”
As parents, entrusted by God to lead these precious lives towards a life of freedom in Him, we have to find a way to show our children the beauty in God’s standards. By rejoicing in His ways, living by his Word, and enjoying every minute of it, we can show our children how blessed the life of a child of the King can be!
The old saying stands, "If everyone else jumps off a bridge, will you jump too?" Just because the kid next door is ruining his reputation online or the kid down the street is wearing the latest ridiculously short shorts, doesn’t mean every child will or has to. Parental guidance is a strong force to be reckoned with! Armed with the truth that a life in the Light is a life filled with peace, grace, and adventure, let’s remind not only our children but also ourselves that God’s standards have not changed with the in’s and out’s of society’s fads. Even if staying on the winning side means being coined "different" or "strange" ... God loves us deeply. Let’s honor that love by being in the world ... not of it.
Sheila Walsh, a successful speaker, is author of the award-winning Gigi, God’s Little Princess series, and other books such as The Shelter of God's Promises and The Heartache No One Sees. Sheila lives in Frisco, Texas, with her husband, Barry, and son, Christian. Want to win a copy of Sheila's latest book, How to Be God's Little Princess, for your little girl? We have FIVE copies of the book and TWO kits that include the book, tiara, bracelet-making kit, and princess cup.
Book description: What does it take to be a princess? Sheila Walsh has some important answers to share for every little girl. The book covers lots of how-to topics — how to make the best pink cookies, how to wear a tiara, how to earn money at home, how to care for a royal dog, how to be respectful, how to use good manners, how to help Mom, how to follow Jesus, how to act like a princess when things go terribly wrong, and many more.To win, just tell us about the little princess(es) in your life who would benefit from the book!
For an extra entry, become a fan of our Facebook Fan Page and leave us another comment that you did.
We'll choose winners on April 18. LifeWay employees are not eligible to win. One comment per person, please. USA only.
Jodi Skulley-April 7, 2011-
We are proud to have Dr. Linda Mintle in ParentLife each month answering questions submitted from readers. To submit a question for Dr. Mintle, e-mail it to parentlife@lifeway.com and include "? for Dr. Mintle" on the subject line. This month we have an extra Q&A from Dr. Mintle we wanted to share. Q: I have never thought of my child as fat, but the pediatrician tells me he is according to the Body Mass Index charts. Won’t my son grow out of this baby fat? I never thought he was overweight. His dad and I are overweight. Maybe we do not see it.
A: You join many parents who do not see their children as overweight. Studies indicate that parents of overweight children often are in denial and have the misconception that their child is normal weight.
Interestingly, even parents of normal weight kids think their children are smaller than they actually are. One reason for this is because there are so many overweight children now. Thus, when a parent looks at her child, that child does not look much different than most children. But “normal” is not necessarily healthy. Because of this, you cannot rely on the power of sight. You need to take into account what the pediatrician is telling you.
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure based on a child’s age, gender, height, and weight. It is one indicator that a weight problem exists. Children who score at or above the 85th percentile on growth charts are at risk of being overweight. The concern is that excess weight can cause multiple health issues now and later in life.
We now see record rates of diabetes, hypertension, and other serious diseases in childhood because of the obesity epidemic. We know that being an overweight child increases that child’s risk of heart disease later in life. It is best to get a handle on this as early as possible, especially while you have the power to control the diet of your child.
I have also worked with a number of parents who feel guilty about their own weight. As a result, they do not monitor their child’s eating habits. Do not go there. Make eating healthy a family affair. You do not have to be at your goal weight in order to help your child. And if you are sneaking food and overeating at night when your child is asleep, this is still no reason to give up. Remember, you control the food your child eats. This is an important difference between adult and child eating.
Even if you personally feel defeated, think of it this way. You have the opportunity to give your child a good start in life and may prevent him from overeating. Do not talk to your child about dieting. Instead, control the diet, teach him to eat healthy foods, and eliminate sodas and products high in sugar and fat. If you are uncertain what to do to make changes, make an appointment with a registered dietitian who will help guide you. In addition, there are a number of wonderful Web sites geared to helping parents and kids eat healthy.
Resources:
Raising Healthy Kids in an Unhealthy World by Dr. Linda Mintle (Thomas Nelson, 2008)
Website: www.mypyramid.gov
Have you had to deal with weight issues with your kids?
Photo of fork and spoon used with permission of Flickr Creative Commons. Click on photo for source.
Jodi Skulley-April 5, 2011-
The older I get, the more I wish my grandparents were still alive so I could ask them how they felt about the modern inventions of their day. I remember my grandfather, who was born in 1909, telling me about the first party line telephone his family shared with nearby neighbors. He would be astounded to know what today’s smart phones can do.
I keep telling myself that every generation has experienced a technology boom, but I sometimes feel the world is spinning faster now than ever before. I like gadgets as much as the next middle-aged modern mom, but I don’t mind explaining why I am holding on to some old traditions.
- We still have a land line. I know, we probably don’t really need it, since it seems the only people who know the number anymore are solicitors. Still, two or three times a week, my 6-year-old nephew calls our house to talk with his cousins about something he saw or did or learned. I love eavesdropping on these relationship-building conversations while any one of my kids walks around the kitchen with that long, dangling phone cord.
- I love and use my library card. I will never forget going with my mother to get my first library card. Each week Mom took my siblings and me to return and check out books, toted back and forth in a blue canvas bag with a green bookworm on it. I learned that the library was a place for us to have an outing and be together, and those books I brought home fostered in me a love of reading that has never abated. These days, I take my own three children to the library as often as possible. As preschoolers, they loved story time with the librarians. Now they enjoy summer reading programs, playing games on the library computers, and checking out audio CDs and video games as well as books. Yes, I know those electronic reading devices are cool, but they are just not for me, yet. Call me a throwback, but I still love the feel and smell of a printed book. I’m digging in my heels on this one.
- I’m a shutterbug. I’ve read newspaper and blog posts predicting the demise of point and shoot cameras. Film cameras are already nearly obsolete, and lots of my friends tell me that their phones take better pictures than their digital cameras. That may be true, but I like taking lots of pictures. I like looking at them, editing them, and sharing them. I’m really into digital scrapbooking and making DVDs of my pictures and video clips. See, I’m not as anti-technology as you think!
So what’s the point of all these confessions? As my family’s calendar fills up with more and more must-do’s, I want to be sure and slow down enough to take note of each passing day. I’m reminded of the passage in Ecclesiastes 3 that reminds us that there is a time for everything under the sun.
I plan to continue to intentionally keep one foot on and one foot off the electronic treadmill. I want to play board games with my children and watch them ride their bikes and shoot baskets. I still love to read to them and provide a place at home where they can draw and use glue and scissors and messy glitter. I want to talk face-to-face with the people I love. Most of all, I want to believe that someday as my kids tool around in their Jetsons-era cars, they will know exactly how I felt about my changing world.
Are there "relics" of technology that you hold onto? I'm a book-in-my-hand person as well. - Jessie
Joy Fisher has been a ParentLife contributor since before her children were born; her oldest is inching ever closer to his 13th birthday. She edits Special Buddies, LifeWay’s Bible study curriculum for children with intellectual and developmental special needs.
Photo used with permission of Flickr Creative Commons.Click on photo for source.
Jodi Skulley-April 4, 2011-
Spring is here, and there are a multitude of things you could do with your children to celebrate God's earth. Plant a tree! Have a picnic! Print off and do a fun maze and other activities! Eat baby food?
Well, maybe not all of us plan on digging into a jar of pureed green beans. But we might have small family members who do on a regular basis. And do you know if your baby food is organic?
Heather Schoenrock, Atlanta mother of three, founded Jack’s Harvest in late 2007. Jack's Harvest baby food is USDA certified 100% organic and contains no preservatives, artificial flavors or colors, salt, sugar or fillers.
Jack’s Harvest uses only organic fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices to provide essential nutrients and please even the most discriminating babies’ palettes. Food is prepared in small batches and then quickly frozen in heart-shaped cubes to capture the natural flavor, vibrant color, and health benefits. Jack’s Harvest keeps in a freezer for up to six months, making healthy feeding convenient for busy parents. In addition to retail locations WholeFoods and EarthFare, Jack’s Harvest can also be purchased on Amazon.com.
Want to win some?
One ParentLife reader will be the lucky recipient of Jack's Harvest award-winning baby food! One commenter will win a cooler stocked with the entire line of Jack's Harvest’s flavors, including Blueberrytastic Banana; Yummy Bunny Carrots; Tango with Mango; Papplesauce; What a Pear; More Peas, Please; Sweet Potatoes; Go Bananas with Cherry; B’nut Squash-ed Apples; and Sweet on Broccoli, a retail value of more than $75.
To enter, leave a comment on this post telling us why you need some baby food!
I (Jessie) generally make my own baby food and freeze it, but there are some weeks when I am just super busy and these frozen foods would sure come in handy! They also fit my lifestyle of trying to eat whole foods! I kind of wish I could win! :)
Contest wil be open until April 30, 2011 and winner announced May 2, 2011. LifeWay employees are not eligible to win. One comment per person, please. U.S.A. only.
Jodi Skulley--
Congratulations to our March giveaway winners!
The winners of Moms' Ultimate Guide to the Tween Girl World by Nancy Rue are Amy H. (Bon Jovi fan), Jennifer C. (swooned for River Phoenix), and Caroline (loved Hanson and BSB ... a girl after my own heart).
The winners of What Happened to My Little Girl? by Nancy Rue are Wendy Snipes (NKOTB rocked her world), Rachel (who gave us advice for daddies), and Chris Spradlin (thought Kelly Kapowski was rad).
Jodi will be e-mailing you to get your addresses soon!
Jodi Skulley-April 29, 2011-
Future Daddy?: Fifteen-month-old, Matthew, was practicing to be a good helper when baby brother, David, arrived.
Thanks to James and Kate M. for this great photo!
Photos wanted! Send us your funny, cute, or just plain fun pictures for our Fun Friday Photos. Each Friday we will post a new "Fun Friday Photo." E-mail your photo and a suggested caption describing the photo to parentlife@lifeway.com. Visit the blog each Friday to see if your photo was chosen!
Jodi Skulley-April 22, 2011-
Brinkley is so proud of hiding the Easter eggs!
Thanks to Erin S. for this great photo!
Photos wanted! Send us your funny, cute, or just plain fun pictures for our Fun Friday Photos. Each Friday we will post a new "Fun Friday Photo." E-mail your photo and a suggested caption describing the photo to parentlife@lifeway.com. Visit the blog each Friday to see if your photo was chosen!
Jodi Skulley-April 15, 2011-
Ten-year-old Caroline takes a quick break from riding to pose for a photo!
Jodi Skulley-April 8, 2011-
Two-year-old Harrison is super-excited to get to play outside this Spring!
Thanks to Annette T. and April S. for this great photo!
Photos wanted! Send us your funny, cute, or just plain fun pictures for our Fun Friday Photos. Each Friday we will post a new "Fun Friday Photo." E-mail your photo and a suggested caption describing the photo to parentlife@lifeway.com. Visit the blog each Friday to see if your photo was chosen!
Jodi Skulley-April 1, 2011-
X-year-old Aubrey is ... .
Photos wanted! Send us your funny, cute, or just plain fun pictures for our Fun Friday Photos. Each Friday we will post a new "Fun Friday Photo." E-mail your photo and a suggested caption describing the photo to parentlife@lifeway.com. Visit the blog each Friday to see if your photo was chosen!
