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A Day in Kathrynne's Life...
~Posted by Gretchen (Crystal's sister)~
So...I was supposed to be here to help Crystal with her business work...but I've had more fun chasing Kathrynne around with a camera! : ) After spending several days here, I've learned a lot about what most of Kathrynne's days consist of. She is constantly on the go! Crystal gave me permission to post several of the many pictures I've taken today.  Eating breakfast...
Doing "school" with Mommy.
 I left Kathrynne alone for just a couple of minutes and returned to find her INSIDE the cabinets playing with the pots and pans. She had carried her water bottle in there with her. : )  Playing outside. Kathrynne was fascinated with the bugs that she saw crawling on the ground and it was all I could do to get her to look for this picture!  Picking a flower for mommy. I think this picture is adorable!
 Pulling books off of the bookshelf....or maybe she was really looking for a specific book. : )
 Kathrynne's first pigtails....aren't they so cute?!? I've been waiting for the day when her hair was long enough. She thought they were cute as well as she kept feeling them and saying "ahh!".
 "Would you PLEASE get that camera out of my face?!?"
 Combining the two best things in life...Bible reading and eating. I have found out this week that "reading" the Bible is Kathrynne's absolute FAVORITE thing to do. She is constantly asking for her Bible and wants to bring it with her where ever she goes. (And just in case you're wondering...this REALLY was the way Kathrynne was eating her dinner because she insisted on having her Bible ON the highchair with her.) : )
Needless to say, I think I have the most adorable niece in the whole world!!! (Did I hear someone say I'm biased???)
~Posted by Gretchen (Crystal's sister)~
Finished!
 As of tonight, we finally have a printed catalog, thanks to many long hours and hard work on my sister's part. I had been stalling on putting one together for months because I am not good with graphic design and I also knew how much work it would be. Gretchen kindly accepted the challenge and did a beautiful job. To order one, just click here.Each catalog order will include a special coupon to be redeemed on your next order.I know it might seem "tacky" to charge for catalogs and it was a painful decision for me to make to actually ask people to pay $2 for one. But, it costs us quite a bit to print and produce and mail them, so, much as I didn't want to, charging for them was our only option. Hopefully it won't be a long-term thing. For now, I trust you will understand. However, if you place an order for some of our other products and would like to see a catalog, I'm happy to stick one in your package free of charge - just ask!
The message society doesn't want to hear
From Pro-LifeBlogs.com (thanks to my husband for discovering it):
Last weekend graduates of Saint Thomas University were treated to a surprising speech by 21-year-old graduating student Ben Kessler. Some graduates walked out, many jeered, and others spewed profanities in response to his speech. Just what did he speak of which caused such an outcry? The War in Iraq? Border control? NSA spying? None of the above. So, what exactly did Mr. Kessler do wrong? He touched society's third rail: contraception. Mr. Kessler had the audacity to call the use of birth control "an act of selfishness." One would have expected some encouraging applause from the audience, after all St. Thomas is a Catholic institution. The reality is that many of these Catholic students and family members are themselves using contraception, and Mr. Kessler confronted their lifestyle and the use of contraception. Mr. Kessler dared to speak about this issue and people didn't want to hear his message. What happened to the exchange of ideas universities are famous for? Where were all of the supposed "open minds" at during this speech? Instead of listening to his speech with an open mind, it seems that they were too busy keeping themselves ignorant by jeering and ridiculing him. Society has a lust affair with birth control to the point of not being able to think outside of the box. We live in a contraception "matrix" where it's impossible to believe that there are any harmful effects on marriage, society, and the health of women. This "contraception deception" is the primary force behind the attacks against the contra-contraception message. For the most part, society doesn't want to hear the message. This message is that, in our culture, contraception leads to increases in abortion, teenage sex, affairs (and subsequent divorce), health problems, and statutory rape. These facts are apparent by simply comparing statistics. Why are people willfully preserving their ignorance? For the past century, people have lived in a society that endorses the practice of a contraceptive lifestyle of easy, commitment free, and on-demand sex without challenging them to question possible adverse effects. Mr. Kessler could have spoke about the start of a career, the discernment of a vocation, the undertaking of new responsibilities, or many other subjects related to graduation. But hopefully his bold message will help to his classmates to question the force-fed information they have heard all their lives concerning human sexuality and contraception and arrive at a more natural, healthier view of human sexuality. The contraception debate is long overdue, and it is people like Mr. Kessler who are breaking down the walls of ignorance, selfishness, and deception. Society may be resistant to this message, but over time the truth will prevail.
YAMGT
Guest Post by Kimberly Thomas Psalm 84:11 "No good thing will he withhold from those who walk uprightly." I love acrostics. Building a message from them can be so much fun. And it really takes much of the work out of it for me. It's as if the points are already provided...I just have to fill in the blanks. YAMGT. Have you figured it out yet? It's an acrostic that is forever engraved in my heart and on the inside of my husband's wedding band, along with the reference of Ps. 84:11. And I tell him often: You Are My Good Thing. When I met Mark, it didn't take long for me to know that he was God's gift to me. We were brought together at the right time, in the right place, for the right season of life. After I lost my first husband to cancer, I learned some things about myself that proved to be potentially serious weaknesses. During my two years as a single mom, I began making a list of those weaknesses, praying the Lord would take care of me... that "IF" He chose to bring someone into our life, He would use my "list" in putting it all together. Mark is my list. And then some. He is truly my good thing. The gift God knew I needed. But you know, every now and then, I need to look at my list again. When things get crazy busy. When he's been out of town for too many days and I've been Mommy 24/7. When I'm irritated because he didn't do something. Or irritated about what he did. Or simply because I need to be reminded of what a Good Thing he truly is. I challenge you today to make a list yourself. List all the things you love about your husband. You might have to dig a little, especially if you are in a critical frame of mind. But I can promise you, once you start, your list will grow. And ask God, who gives us these good gifts, to help you. Believe me, that's a prayer that won't go unanswered. Then, before you've run out of paper, leave him a note that says, "YAMGT." Let me know what happens! Copyright © 2006 Kimberly R. Thomas
Tomorrow is the last day!
Busy...
We are busy this week preparing for the Wichita, KS homeschool conference this weekend. We weren't planning to do any conferences this summer because Jesse is studying for the bar, but God worked it out so we could share a booth with our friends so that it wasn't quite as much work as doing a conference all by ourselves. If you are going to be at the conference this weekend, be sure to stop by and see us at the "Teach Them Diligently" booth. My sister is here for the next few days helping us prepare for the conference and putting the final touches on our brand-new catalog! Hopefully, we'll have them done and ready for you to order by next week. Stay tuned!
I "met" Amy
So, almost everyone else got to meet celebrity blogger, Amy Scott, at the FPEA convention. Poor little me didn't, but I guess I didn't want to miss out too much so I dreamed I met her. Here's what I wrote to Amy about it: I think I was jealous of all these people getting to meet you because I dreamed I met you two nights ago.
It was at the FPEA convention, except your son and my son were playing in a homeschool soccer game which was after the FPEA convention. Don't ask me where that came from -- I don't even have a son, just a baby girl, and I don't think there's any sort of soccer game after FPEA.
I saw you from far off and knew it was you. You were surrounded by people (I'm not surprised!). But I was too embarrassed to say anything. Then, you came over to me and hollered "Crystal Paine!" and gave me a big hug. I was shocked and couldn't believe you, the celebrity blogger, recognized little me.
By the way, you had tight curly hair and some sort of 80's hairdo in my dream -- don't ask me where that came from, either! :)
It was so funny when I woke up and realized what I had just dreamed. I've never dreamed about someone I only know through blogland. Come to think of it, I've never dreamed about anything to do with blogging before. Maybe that's a sign of too much blogging?!
The extinction of decent clothes
Is it just me or are decent clothes becoming near-extinct? Jesse and I went shopping tonight to buy a nice shirt for me to wear with my "staple" black skirt. I thought it would be a very simple thing. Guess again. I really dislike shopping and I have so many other things I'd rather do. But, we have a few events we are attending in the next couple of weeks and I scoured my closet and couldn't come up with anything suitable and didn't think that a nice collared t-shirt (what I wear most of the time in the summer along with my staple khaki skirts) would do. I'm not sure what I wore last Summer. I think I was still in my post-pregnancy "fat clothes" which I've thankfully grown out of for awhile. At any rate, I had no dressy Summer blouses to go with my black skirt except for the one which I've had since before I got married that I have probably worn 532 times (I'm not joking!) and Jesse really doesn't like it in the first place (why I still have it, I'm not sure!). So anyway, off to the store we went. I had a picture in my mind of what I basically wanted and I decided, for once, to not worry so much about the prices and just get something cute, feminine, and modest. Problem was, it didn't matter that I wasn't looking at the prices, there wasn't anything there even remotely close to what I was looking for. The store was having a super-de-duper sale for Memorial Day weekend and there were racks upon racks of clothing which were 90% off. You would think I could find something in all that hodge-podge of ultra-marked-down articles. Not hardly. Seriously, the stuff was just gross. It either was worn, faded, torn, skimpy, or a combination of all of the above. So, I moved from the sale racks to the regular racks thinking that maybe it would be easier to local something in an area which was not so picked through. Still nothing but pretty much atrocious styles. I overheard one lady saying to her friend, "I don't want to dress like I'm 16, but I also don't want to dress like I'm 80 -- there doesn't seem to be many other options." I concur. It seems they are trying to push the "hip" styles on the moms, too. As if somehow wearing ragged and faded clothing will turn back the clock for them or something. Who makes up these ugly styles anyways? I was trying to picture the style manufacturers sitting around their big boardroom table thinking up what new heinous design they could create and see if people would actually wear it and if it would even become a fad.
If only classic, modest, and feminine would come back into style. I think I'm really and truly going to have to learn how to sew better. My options are fast dwindling.
A review of Restaurant.com
Garage sale tips
Looking for some great garage sale (or yard sale - for those who don't know the midwestern vernacular!) tips? Look no further.
Mount Selfish
Blog reader, Shannon, wrote this to me last night in an email titled "Mount Selfish" and gave me permission to post it: After reading the news tonight online, I found myself shocked at the recent story about David Sharp, a 34 year old man who died during his attempt to climb Mount Everest. Not one climber stopped and stayed with him until help arrived. He was basically left to die, while the climbers continued to ascend their climb. It is sparking outrage and it very well should. Even, Edmund Hillary, the first to conquer the mountain is ashamed of the behavior exhibited by the climbers.
It is another tragic sign of our times. People are in it for personal gain with no regard for the welfare of others. In Proverbs it says we are to be our "brother's keeper." What transpired on the icy peaks of that mountain is a scary reminder of how downhill society has went.
Considering how some will terminate the life of a baby, because it is "inconvenient" for their schedule, it is small wonder that a mountain hiker is abandoned in minus 100 degree temperatures. Let us not leave someone behind, when they are caught in the midst of a trial and we are able to help them.
Perfect peace
Jesse sent this to me this morning and it says exactly what God has been teaching me this week: "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee." -- Psalms 55:22 Care, even though exercised upon legitimate objects, if carried to excess, has in it the nature of sin. The precept to avoid anxious care is earnestly inculcated by our Saviour, again and again; it is reiterated by the apostles; and it is one which cannot be neglected without involving transgression: for the very essence of anxious care is the imagining that we are wiser than God, and the thrusting ourselves into his place to do for him that which he has undertaken to do for us. We attempt to think of that which we fancy he will forget; we labour to take upon ourselves our weary burden, as if he were unable or unwilling to take it for us.
Now this disobedience to his plain precept, this unbelief in his Word, this presumption in intruding upon his province, is all sinful. Yet more than this, anxious care often leads to acts of sin. He who cannot calmly leave his affairs in God's hand, but will carry his own burden, is very likely to be tempted to use wrong means to help himself. This sin leads to a forsaking of God as our counsellor, and resorting instead to human wisdom. This is going to the "broken cistern" instead of to the "fountain;" a sin which was laid against Israel of old. Anxiety makes us doubt God's lovingkindness, and thus our love to him grows cold; we feel mistrust, and thus grieve the Spirit of God, so that our prayers become hindered, our consistent example marred, and our life one of self-seeking.
Thus want of confidence in God leads us to wander far from him; but if through simple faith in his promise, we cast each burden as it comes upon him, and are "careful for nothing" because he undertakes to care for us, it will keep us close to him, and strengthen us against much temptation. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee."
- From C.H. Spurgeon's Morning and Evening
Wish I were more tech savvy!
Pardon the mess again -- we had a problem come up with the blog layout and had to redo the blog HTML. I'm in the middle of trying to fix everything again but it will take me a little while since I can only work on it in little spurts here and there. Hopefully it should look more presentable in a few days. I'm still getting used to working with the new template. We've had a lot of issues with Firefox -- it will look perfectly in IE and other browsers, but not Firefox. I wish I were more tech savvy!
A needed message
If you haven't done so, may I encourage you to pre-order our newest book, Handmaidens of the Lord? I've never been so excited about something we've published. This book started out to be testimonies of Christian young women who are joyfully serving in their homes and communities. There were eight beautiful, encouraging testimonies and I was planning to write a little introduction and be done. But, when I sent it to my editor and she sent it back, I just felt like something was missing. In seeking the Lord, I really felt He wanted me to write something. My husband also encouraged me to write something for it as well. So I decided to write a beginning chapter. That led to a second chapter, then a third chapter. The more I write, the more I want to write. This book was supposed to be published last year but I just didn't have the motivation or time to do it and so I put it on the back burner. I now know why God had me wait. I needed this past year of learning and growing and blogging and interacting with many different women and young women before I could write this book. If I could have an opportunity to sit down and have a heart-to-heart talk with each and every Christian young lady in this country, this is the message I would want to give them. The book is only $5.97 until we publish it. It will retail for $8.97 or maybe $9.97 if it keeps growing like it has been. I really think it will be worth every penny. It's message is so needed in our age of self-centered, individualistic, feministic culture. If you can't afford to pay $5.97, email me and I'll work something out for you. I want to get this book into the hands of as many parents and young women as possible. May the Lord be glorified!
Finally
It's done and set up and I'm so happy! Drumroll.... Our new domain is (yep, you guess right, Tammy!):
www.BiblicalWomanhood.comMuch shorter and much better. Finally.We wanted to use this when we first started this website, but some church was using it for a ladies' group. That website was inactivated, but a company who purchases expiring website domains snatched it up before I could. I've been negotiating with them for the past little while to get it at a decent rate. It took some work and I really don't like paying $425 for a domain name that probably cost them less than $10, but it is worth it to me. So, I guess that means we'll be in a business for a while to make it worth the cost. :) Oh and if anyone wants to start up a great side business, try buying expiring domain names for a living. It seems there's quite a profit percentage. :)
Little chores?
Since Kathrynne is now almost 16 months old, I'm trying to start training her to help me with little chores around the house. Any suggestions on what chores you have your very little children do? She is learning how to put things away and will throw something in the trash when I give it to her to throw out, but I'm having trouble coming up with other little projects she is able to accomplish and would love to hear your thoughts and input. I'd also love to hear from any moms on how they teach their children to work. I want to train her to enjoy serving and helping, not see it as a drudgery.
The defining point
As usual, there is a very interesting discussion going on over at C.S. Hayden's blog. I've not jumped in, but just enjoyed quietly observing on the sidelines and thinking through the issues for myself (in addition to discussions on it with my husband late at night!). Caleb's comment tonight was very good:I think the defining point of this discussion is the sufficiency of Scripture. If we don't believe that Scripture speaks authoritatively and sufficiently to every area of life and thought, we really have no basis, foundation, or reason to discuss such things as art modesty, acting, etc. It's just a matter of saying, "You believe what you want, and I'll believe what I want." Anyone with this attitude should simply say as much, move on, and stop wasting their time trying to convince everyone that their view is correct and biblical.
If the Bible is silent about some things, then our statements about such issue cannot be biblical. Rather, they stem from our autonomous, subjective, fallible reasoning. Never have I found such arguments convincing -- when I have thought consistently and self-consciously, that is. Truly, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
A praise box
You won't want to miss Mrs. B's post on a Praise Box. What a wonderful and creative idea! Along those lines, thanks to Nicole for posting this very thought-provoking quotation: Like true love, praise is not based on emotion but on a decision. Your feelings may say there is nothing to be thankful for, but by choosing to focus on what is true, good, and worthy of praise, you can change you thoughts and your attitude. And when you praise God with your mind, your heart is soon to follow.
~ Karla Dornacher
Consistency
I've heard many, many parents toss around that word before but I'm finally learning what it truly means and how important it is and how hard it is to exercise it sometimes. As parents, let us never give up! Someday all this perserverance will be worth it. It helps to be reminded of that, at least it helps me. :)
Still getting used to it
It's taking me a little while to warm up to this new template. I really like it, but blogging here doesn't feel quite right just yet. I think I need to move some more furniture around and make it feel more like "home." By the way, thanks for all the kind comments on the template. Kudos to Lori from The Design Shoppe for all her work and help with it.
Pardon the Mess
Lots of changes are taking place at our website - new web design, new shopping cart and merchant account so we will no longer be dependent upon Paypal (coming soon!), toll-free number (coming soon!), new books, our first-ever catalog, and even a new URL (bet you can't guess what that will be? It cost me a pretty penny to buy -- at least I negotiated and got it down from $900, though!). This blog is in transition right now (if you hadn't figured that one out!), so pardon the mess. It should be looking better in the next 24 hours. Thanks for your patience!
That He may increase
I have just about the best mom anyone could ask for. She is such a blessing and encouragement to me. This morning she sent me this little note: Here's a quote for you today, dear daughter. I found it in the little Peace Be On Your Home book and it's by someone I don't know, Tenneva Jordan, "A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie." Each day God gives us innumerable opportunities to die to self. May we uphold one another in prayer that He may increase and we decrease.
Love, Mom
Homeschool Alumni National Reunion 2006
My friends over at HomeschoolAlumni have just posted information on an exciting event and I thought some of you might be interested in it: Homeschool graduates are everywhere, but who are they? What are they doing? And where are they going?Find out as homeschool graduates (like you!) come from all corners of the country! This isn't a conference where you'll sit in an audience and fill in the blanks of a workbook - it's a 3 day reunion packed full of panel discussions, presentations, plenty of conversation, activities, and fellowship with homeschool graduates who share your core values and life experiences. When? July 28th-30th Where? Mt. Vernon, Missouri Click here for more information
I'm allowed to be biased
 She's so precious, isn't she? And I get to spend all day, everyday with her. I'm spoiled.
Light-Bulb Moment
So, it took me almost 3 and 1/2 years of being a homemaker to figure this one out, but I'm glad I finally did: It's okay to use paper plates sometimes.There you have it, my friends, my word of wisdom for the day. Don't you all feel better now?
For those who have home businesses
Is there anyone on here who has a home business and is looking for extra exposure?
I recently joined MomPack.com and have been putting together small bags of flyers/business cards/samples to put in all orders that I can fit them in and I would love to consider including something from you.
If you are interested, just email me: biblicalwomanhoodATsbcglobal.net
Thanks so much!
Call me a prude
I have been surprised at the less-than-kind comments posted on this thread saying that my blog readers and I need to "grow up" and get over the trashy magazines. Apparently, there is a huge contingent of people who think pornography is completely acceptable, even for young children. I just don't get it. Call me a prude. I'll take it. I loved this post by Kimi Harris on what it means to be an adult.You see, we are all "adults" now so we should be able to hear and read and see all that I have described above. We are "mature" enough now to see nudity, read graphic material, and discuss these issues in an open manner. If you bring up the fact that you don't want to see or hear such things, you are treated as if you didn't want to "grow up". It's "childish" to be pure. So not only do you have to stand alone in your pursuit of purity of mind, but you are treated as an imbecile for wanting to be. She concludes: The problem here is not that young teens should be allowed to see "adult" material", but that our definition of adulthood and maturity should be differently defined. It's not a step up in growing up to see such movies or doing such things yourself, it's a step down.
I feel that as Christian adults, we need to be wise in setting a different standard for the younger generations of what it means to be an adult. I think that as a young person, you need courage to be different and willing to be pure even if you are reviled because of it.
And your title is?
I just got this in my email and thought it was interesting and knew some of you would enjoy it. Obviously, we don't need for career women or bureaucratic officials to respect us, all that matters is that we are doing right in the sight of God. But, it is sad that so many times the most important job of "mother" is relegated to such a low spot in the eyes of the world. A few months ago, when I was picking up the children at school, another mother I knew well rushed up to me. Emily was fuming with-indignation. "Do you know what you and I are?" she demanded. Before I could answer, and I didn't really have one handy, she blurted out the reason for her question.
It seemed she had just returned from renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office. Asked by the woman Emily had hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. "What I mean is, "explained the recorder, "Do have a job, or are you just a......?" "Of course I have a job," snapped Emily. "I'm a mother." "We don't list 'mother' as an occupation...'''housewife' covers it," said the recorder emphatically.
I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high-sounding title like Official Interrogator or Town Registrar. "And what is you occupation?" she probed. What made me say it, I do not know. The words simply popped out. "I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations."
The clerk paused, ball point pen frozen in midair, and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly, emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pompous pronouncement was written in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire. "Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?" Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing program of research (what mother doesn't?) in the laboratory and in the field. I'm working for my Masters (the whole family), and already have four credits (all daughters)." "Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are in satisfaction rather than money." There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.
As I drove into our driveway, buoyed by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants - ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model (6 months) in the child-development program, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt triumphant! I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind that "just another mother." Especially when there's a title on the door.
-Author Unknown
Sometimes, the only thing you can do is laugh
I've learned a lot in my short tenure as a mother. Probably one of the most important lessons I've learned is to laugh. Yes, laugh. Sometimes there's not much else you can do and yelling or crying really won't help anything. So, you might as well laugh. You probably know where this is going. Yep, today was one of those days. One of those days where you just laugh. We all have them as moms. Recently, Kathrynne has "decided" that the bathtub is a much better place than the toilet or diaper to "do her business." So, almost everyone other bath, never fails, even if I just took her potty right before I put her in the bathtub, she still manages to go all over and we ruin the point of the bath. Today was no exception. I was sitting in the bathroom talking to Jesse on the phone while watching Kathrynne take her bath. I guess I wasn't watching closely enough because she started hollering and I smelled an all-too-familiar smell and that was the end of the bath and the phone conversation. But, not the end of the story. I pulled Kathrynne out, cleaned her off, and stood her next to me in the bathroom (not a good idea). While I was fishing things out of the water with toilet paper and trying to get the rest swished with water down the drain (sorry, not trying to be too graphic here!), I stopped and turned around to see that Kathrynne had gone again -- this time all over the bathroom floor. But not only that, she stepped in it and walked around the bathroom and all over the bathroom rug. While I'm trying to clean both she and the floor and the bathtub up without making a further mess, she got my contact case and threw it in the toilet which hadn't been flushed as I was still throwing the disinfectant wipes in it from the mess I was cleaning. At that point, what could I do but laugh? Besides, I've learned that contact cases can be boiled, bathtubs and floors can be disinfected, and bathroom rugs can be washed.
Let your voice be heard
I have finally reached my limit and refuse to tolerate the magazine covers in the checkout line any longer, as they have become increasingly risqué, both the pictures and the headlines. I begin my campaign tomorrow with my local small-town grocery store, giving a letter to the store’s manager and sending a copy to the store chain’s headquarters. Carmon is on a crusade. Will you join her and let your voice be heard? For the sake of our children, let's get the trashy magazines out of our supermarkets -- or at least get them to move them to a less prominent place instead of at every single checkout lane usually right at the eye level of our children.
"Baby TV is so important"??
I'm glad to see I was not the only one appalled at the new TV channel for babies.Something is badly wrong with our culture if there is a market for a 24-hour entertainment channel for babies. TV offerings already abound for older toddlers, and a lucrative — though controversial — market has developed for baby-oriented videos, attracting the Walt Disney Co. and the makers of Sesame Street, among others. But until now there had been no ongoing TV programming aimed at infants. "This is the first channel dedicated to babies and their parents — transforming TV from its original purpose into a way for them to interact," said Sharon Rechter, BabyFirstTV's executive vice president for business development and marketing. "The fact of life is that babies are already watching TV," she said. "That's why having BabyFirstTV is so important — what we want to offer is completely safe, commercial-free and appropriate content."
Excuse me? Having this channel is "so important"?? Do these people really care about the babies at all? I don't think so. What a way to help our already entertainment overloaded society. Start babies out on TV before they can even talk and then package it to parents as safe, appropriate, and healthy.
A 2003 study by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 68 percent of children under 2 watch TV or videos daily and 26 percent have a TV in their bedroom. Nonetheless, the pediatrics academy recommends that children of that age not be exposed to TV or videos, saying that learning to talk and play with others is much more important.
28 percent of children under 2 have a TV in their bedroom?! That is frightening. And we wonder why children can't concentrate in school or why there is a major obesity problem in America. Let's start by teaching children some basic things like how to do something besides sit in front of a box. What every happened to playing with trucks, or playing dress-up, or picnics at the park, or baking cookies, or making mud pies, or cuddling and reading stories with mom?
Soliciting your help
I am putting the finishing touches on our newest book, Handmaidens of the Lord, and would like to add in a few more very short testimonials for the ministry ideas chapter. If you are a Christian young woman living at home who has (or had, if it is something you only did for a time) a unique ministry in your home or community and would be interested in writing up a paragraph or two about this and the blessings you have received from this, please email me - biblicalwomanhood AT sbcglobal.net. If your testimony is used, I'll send you a copy of the book. I am also looking for a handful of people with editing experience who would be willing to go over the final draft at the end of this month. Please email me if you are interested. Thanks for your help!
Happy Thursday!
Good morning! I was checking my email for a few moments and had a chance to read this article. Very insightful and thought-provoking. Kathrynne is sleeping in late this morning, so I just finished a long, leisurely time of reading God's Word, praying, and reading some devotional books. How refreshing! I'm off to finish my morning cleaning jobs and to make apple pies with Kathrynne. I have a big bag of apples that I got for $1 last week and I need to use them up soon. Maybe I'll make some applesauce and apple muffins as well. We'll see... It's a lovely day and I'm thinking about taking Kathrynne on a walk in a little while. After both of us being sick all last week, I'm ready to get out and get some fresh air and exercise! Anything exciting happening at your house today?
$25 Dining Certificate for $5!
Our one-year anniversary!
In two days, this blog will celebrate its one year anniversary. It's hard for me to believe and I stand in awe at all God has done in this past year - not only in the life of our family, but also through this blog and our website. God is good and all glory goes to Him for any encouragement or help or benefit or blessing you find from this blog. In light of this "milestone," I spent a bit of time last night and today and put together some of my favorite posts and linked to them on the sidebar. If you are newer to this blog, you will enjoy perusing some of these, if you have a moment. Many of the oft-asked questions are answered in these posts. You probably won't agree with all of them (you might not agree with any of them!), but they are sure to make you think -- especially those that have a lot of follow-up commentary and input from readers. So, for those of you who have been requesting this for some time, enjoy! Also, Mrs. B asked a few questions on her blog about blogging a few days ago and I thought I'd take a moment to answer them here. Would you be so kind as to take a moment and answer them as well? If you don't have a blog, just answer those you are able to. It is always fun to discover more about my readership! 1. How did you come to start reading blogs.
As some of you know, when I was 15, I had a small newsletter called Polished Cornerstones for Christian young women. What started out as a tiny newsletter, soon turned into an internationally-read newsletter and then a website (PolishedCornerstones.org) which hosted one of the first-ever Christian young ladies' message boards. This was back in the "dark ages" of the internet when many people didn't even have internet access or email. Those who did were on the slowest dial-up known to mankind. It's amazing to look back and realize how far technology has come.
Shortly before Jesse and I married, my website was graciously taken over by a friend of mine and re-christened Virtuous Womanhood. For about the next year, I was pretty absent from the online world. We planned our wedding, got married, and spent the next six months enjoying married life and preparing to move for Jesse to begin law school. Jesse and I only had free internet access through Juno for most of that time so with only 10 hours per month of internet access, I spent very little time online.
When we moved away from our friends and family, I slowly began re-connecting with the many women and young women I had met through my newsletter and website. I began frequenting the Virtuous Womanhood message board more and started toying with the idea of starting a website of my own. I started hearing about LiveJournals that various friends of mine on this message board had and so I signed up for an account so I could read a few of my friend's journals.
Near the end of my pregnancy, I finally caved and began my own LiveJournal. A few months later, I decided to stop posting on LiveJournal and start a joint-blog with my husband. I had not really read any blogs outside of LiveJournal up to this point, but I slowly started learning of them. After Jesse and I had our joint-blog for some time and I was doing about 90% of the posting, we decided it would probably be best if we split our blogs and I began my own in conjunction with our brand-new website/business Biblical Womanhood. It wasn't until I began my own blog in earnest, that I started discovering other blogs and bloggers and regularly reading them. Candy and Mrs. Happy Housewife were two of the first blogs that I started regularly reading. I've since found hundreds of wonderful blogs out there, but I try to limit my regular blog-reading on BlogLines to just a handful of the best of the best.
2. What led you to start your own blog (if you have one)?
Answered above mostly, but my main reasons for starting a blog were to have a forum for writing about various things I'm passionate about and also to share what is going on in our life so that those who are interested can keep up with us.
3. What is your favorite subject (or subjects--feel free to name more than one) to read about on someone else's blog?
I have such a wide variety of interests that it is hard for me to list just a few. I enjoy any well-thought-out, well-written, Biblical defense of beliefs which I hold near and dear. I enjoy hearing practical advice from older women and encouragement from other wives and moms in subjects like mothering, child-rearing, being a Godly wife, homemaking, frugality, and the like.
4. What do you hope to accomplish by having your blog?
First and foremost, I hope to glorify God and honor my husband. Second to this, I hope to encourage and build up other women in their God-given roles and expose the lies of feminism to an oft-blinded Christian culture. I also want to show the world the joy and fulfillment which I have in my life by seeking to honor the Lord, submit to my husband, and serve my family.
5. What have you learned from blogging?
A lot. :) I've learned more about feminism than I ever expected and have since been on a mission to expose its lies. I've learned that there are so many people who are so lost and needy and hurting and how my heart breaks for them. I've learned that there are so many Christians who are hungry for something other than "fluff." I've learned that no matter what I say, someone will always be offended. I've learned to love and respect and converse with people who believe very differently than me. Most importantly, I've learned that I have a lot to learn. I've learned that I cannot rely upon my own strength or my own wisdom, but must rely upon the Lord. That without Him, I am nothing.
6. How did you find my blog?
This was Mrs. B's last question and I thought I'd add it on here so that you can answer it. :)
The winner is...
Congratulations to Deanna Lovette, the winner of the Mother's Day Contest. Thank you all for your wonderful entries and participation! We'll have to do this again next year. Thank you also to New Little Blessing for donating the ERGO Baby Carrier. Remember, if you didn't win, you can still purchase a carrier from them for only $92! And, they have a 30-day No-Risk Trial!
Counter-Culture Mom
Our very own blog-reader, HomemakerAng, is making a difference in her home and her community with the Young Maiden's Literary Society she formed.A Jamestown Township woman is trying to help her daughters and their female friends find their identity as females not according to the social moors of their generation, but the truths of the Bible and history. Through the study of scripture and classic literature, they examine the values of past generations when virtue was considered a woman's most admirable quality.
Angela Kuncaitis said she launched the Young Maiden's Literary Society in 2002 to "teach girls feminine and godly values, one vintage book at a time." The article goes on to say: "We only read classic literature. There are no fast food' books, and we have readers age 4 to 13," she said. Beyond the facts, however, girls learn how other people live, and that people in every age have had to solve problems. The society meets once a month to discuss the current reading assignment, and according to 12-year-old Abagale Kuncaitis, "read the Bible and talk about how to be a lady." What makes the group different from other clubs or discussion groups is Angela's emphasis on femininity. Kuncaitis is vocal about her rejection of "radical feminism," which she said has affected the Christian community and home school community as well as society at large. She is attempting instead to teach radical femininity. If some call her old-fashioned, she doesn't mind.
We aren't all called to form a society (though I'd love to see many such groups springing up across the world), but we are all called to do something. "Evil prevails when good men [and women] do nothing." What can you do to confront our humanistic culture for the glory of God? It begins in our own homes and families but let us not stop at that. Let us raise up a banner of righteousness, Godliness, and Truth for all the world to see! Update: You can visit the Young Maiden's Literary Society Website here.
Modest Maternity Shorts?
Hi Crystal,
I was wondering if you could post something about this for me since you have so many women who look at your site. I am pregnant with our 3rd child and I am having problems finding maternity shorts that go to the knee or about 1 inch above the knee instead of 6 or 7 inches above the knee! I was just wondering if any of the women out there have any suggestions as to what stores I could go to. I'm finding the selections to be pretty scarce out there.
Thanks, Diane Ladies, please feel free to comment with any suggestions or ideas you might have.
Still messed up?
For those of you who were having trouble viewing my blog correctly, is it better? I deleted the post which I thought was the "culprit," but since it's showing up just fine on my screen and my husband's screen, it's impossible for me to know. So, if it is still showing up weird for you, please let me know. Thanks. Edit: Is the sidebar showing up in the right place, now?
I can finally announce...
I'm so excited! I can finally announce the upcoming release of our newest book...  In 2000, I was a brand-new homeschool graduate being bombarded with the infamous "What are you going to do now?" question. I received more than my fair share of disgruntled looks or comments of dismay when I answered that I wasn't planning to go to college or to pursue any type of career. Instead, my parents and I felt the Lord was calling me to stay at home and serve my family and others. Fast forward six years later and I am now a happily married wife and mother who does not have one bit of regret for going against the flow in my post-high school years. Although there were wonderful blessings in following this path, I will readily admit that there were many times when I felt as if I were the only girl out there not in college or working full-time. It was a lonely path and there were so many times when I wished I could find more encouragement along the way. Handmaidens of the Lord is my gift to the brave young women who are challenging the status quo of college and career and seeking to pave a trail for others to come behind them. Eight Godly young women from a variety of backgrounds -- a few fresh out of high school, some a few years down the road, others in their late twenties -- share how God is leading them and encouraging them as they joyfully serve in their home and community. Woven throughout the book are thoughts from my own personal experience and journey.
This book is not about bashing other girls who are going to college or pursuing a career, rather it is about showing a how seeking to apply Scripture in every area of our life can be a beautiful, blessed way to live. If you have read So Much More and appreciated the principles and encouragement in that book, this book will serve as a practical manual for how other young women are living out those principles in their everyday life. Available for shipping by the middle to end of June, Lord-willing!
Order your copy today and save on our pre-publication special!
Only $5.97 for a limited time! To order by check or money, click here.
For those who might be interested
What I have been given
It is so easy to focus on what we don't have, instead of what we have been given. As most of you know, my grandma's funeral was Saturday. It was a beautiful day and the outpouring of comfort towards my grandpa and our family was incredibly encouraging. We spent Saturday afternoon and evening moving my grandpa back from his cottage on the nursing home grounds into his former home. I have never been to their home when my grandma wasn't there so it just didn't seem like their home anymore. My grandma was who made their home. She was the center and the lifeblood of their home. Life will never be the same for her family without her. When we were at the funeral on Saturday it all of a sudden hit me -- I no longer have any living grandmas. My mom's mom died suddenly when I was 12 and now that my dad's mom is no longer alive, I am "Grandma-less." It was a sad sort of feeling as both of my grandmas were like my cheerleaders. They always cared implicitly about what I was doing and always championed on my various pursuits and interests. I so vividly recall the day, twelve years ago, before my mom's mother died, we had gone to visit her in the hospital, never imagining that she wouldn't be coming home. She talked to me for a long time and asked how my violin lessons were going and wanted to make sure that I would play for her when she got home from the hospital. She died suddenly the next day. A few weeks back, when we went to visit my dad's mom for the last time, she asked me all about how things were going with my business, what books I was working on writing, future writing projects and so forth. She always loved reading my blog and articles and it was always fun to share with her things I had written. Realizing that I no longer have these special people to share my triumphs and struggles with made me very sad and yet, I quickly realized how blessed I am to have gotten to know them both so well and spend so much time with them while they were alive. This was brought home to me even more yesterday. As is our tradition on Mother's Day, Jesse and I spent time at his mother's grave. (For those who may not know, Jesse's mom died when he was 11.) Kathrynne was with us and she helped us decorate it with flowers and then Jesse spent time telling her about her grandma -- the grandma that she never got to know. All of a sudden I started realizing how selfish I was being. Here I was feeling sorry for myself because I only had 12 years with one Grandma and 24 years with another Grandma and yet, so many people, like my own daughter, never even get to know their grandma. Instead of lamenting that I didn't have more time with both of my grandmas, I started realizing how blessed I am to have such wonderful memories, pictures, and precious momentos from both of my grandmas. As Jesse and I were looking around at gravestones close to his mother's, I came across one of a little boy that died when he was less than a year old. There was a picture of him on the tombstone and some little toy trucks and cars there, along with the flowers. I stood and stared at his little picture for a long time. Then, this morning, I read this entry from Kimi Harris (please stop and take a moment to read it). I thought about the pictures I have of my husband when he was first born -- a scrawny little less-than-two-pounds 27-week old baby hooked up to all kinds of tubes and wires. Why did God spare my husband's life and not Faith Felicity's? Why do I have a perfectly healthy beautiful baby girl and yet, another family only has a tombstone with a picture and toy trucks? I don't know the answers to these questions or to so many other hard questions in life. But I do know one thing: I need to never, ever take for granted those people around me. Maybe I don't have two living grandmas, but I do have a husband whose very life is a miracle -- many times over. I do have a precious daughter, inspite of the medical professionals not giving my husband and I much hope that we would ever be able to have children. Oh, how I want to not forget the blessings I have been given!
I can do all things through Christ...
Hello Crystal,
I really like your posts and am working hard to become the wife and mother Christ wants me to be. Thank you for your insight as I strive to do this!
I was thinking as I read your letter on feminism... I think that a lot of women don't even know the amount of feminist bologna that they have swallowed and spew out when someone challenges their 'pet' ideas. I know that there are more than a few people who dole out this nonsense with their agenda attached, but personally, I have been confronted by the fact that I have accepted some of these ideas without realizing that radical feminism was the source of them. I read The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands by Dr. Laura and was amazed (and a bit chagrined) at how many times I saw my own behavior in the stories that she has in there! Even when I began reading your blog, a couple weeks ago, I can see how my selfishness has caused me to buy into this notion that I am too busy/tired/smart/overwhelmed to meet a lot of my husband's needs.
I have a lot of work to do to change this in myself (sometimes it's takes effort to even WANT to), but I am confident that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! And I see how just the small steps I have taken have altered my marriage for the better...I see great things for us as I continue to improve! We haven't had a fight in weeks! And this is BIG!!!
It is painful to give up MY desires and MY 'needs' and MY agenda for something that, on its own, means so little to me... but I am finding joy knowing that it is important to Matt, my kids, and to Christ that I am doing the tasks of keeping house... even though I don't like it!
So, I appreciate your stand for the Truth in spite of the opposition! Keep it up!
-Faith W.
I'm so in love!
If there was a way to bottle it up I’d shout from the roof top Ten dollars per cup! People from around the world would come to my little store Maybe I could be a millionaire and have treasures on earth galore! Then I remember where my treasures are there my heart is too and I became very rich when the Lord blessed me with you! For the ware I would bottle can only come from Above that wonderful newborn baby smell Oh my I'm so in love! -Submitted by Dawn for the Mother's Day Contest. Dawn is the Help Meet For Jack since 1993 and Mama To Rebecca, 11, Rachel, 10, Jack, 6, Hannah, 3, Nona, 1, and Joseph born 3/27/06.
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