It is very important that children learn from their fathers and mothers how to love one another – not from school, but from you. It is very important that you share with your children the joy of that smile. There will be misunderstandings, every family has its cross, its suffering. Always be there first to forgive with a smile. Be cheerful, be happy.
Mother Teresa
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In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.
– Thomas Jefferson
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When raising children, it’s best to spend on them half as much money and twice as much time.
– Dear Abby (Abigail Van Buren)
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Before I got married I had many theories about bringing up children. Now I have many children and no theories.
John Wilmot
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Mama, where you are weak, He is strong!
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There was. time when we expected nothing of our children but obedience, as opposed to the present, when we expect everything of them but obedience.
– Anatole Broyard
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We spend the first 12 months of our children’s lives teaching them to walk and talk, and the next 12 years telling them to sit down and shut up.
– Phyllis Diller
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Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.
– James Bladwin
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Outings are so much more fun when we can savor them through the children’s eyes.
– Lawn Blackwell
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We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.
– Fanlkin D Rossevelt
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Your children need your presence more than your presents.
– Jesse Jackson
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If you want your children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders.
– Abigail Van Buren
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Even as the cell is the unit of the organic body, so the family is the unity of society.
– Ruth Nanda Anshen
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A good home must be made, not bought.
– Joyce Maynard
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In the name of God, stop a moment, cease your work, and look around you.
– Leo Tolstoy
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What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us, what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.
– Albert Pike
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If you send out good people into the world, you know you’ve done something good.
– Carl Reiner
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“…The Mother is the one supreme asset of the national life. She is more imoprtant, by far, than the successful statesman, or businessman, or artist , or scientist.”
If you know me, you know I love a good book. I don’t just read any book though; life’s too short for bad books. Before I begin a new book, I visit Goodreads and do a little research. A book needs a rating of 4 (out of 5) or better for me to begin.
Because my criteria is high, I’ve read some OUTSTANDING books this year. It was hard to choose just TEN for my TOP TEN of ’22. But here they are.
From left to right: Colleen, Kathryn, Shauna, Erin and Abbi
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Review: Though I’ve only met/chatted with Shauna a couple of times – our lives have followed a similar course. We were born the same year and grew up going to the same beach. We both have dads who love to sail on Lake Michigan. We got married the same year, have two sons the same age, and lived in the same part of the country for most of our lives! Maybe this is why Shauna is one of my favorite authors. I own every one of her books. I wasn’t sure I’d like this one as much as some of her others. However, I loved every single page of her newest book.
Shauna and her family moved to NYC around the same time our family moved to Minnesota. Each chapter of this book is a story from her life, and what she’s learning in that story. I deeply resonated with her insights on transitions, starting over, and finding joy. I cried, I laughed, I stopped to think, pray, and express gratitude.
Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the book:
Get outside and be on the lookout for beauty, especially in nature, read books for comfort. Fresh air helps everything. The world is still good, still beautiful, still interesting and worth savoring. God is still good, still faithful, still kind.
Keep walking, keep loving, keep writing, keep praying. Keep learning, keep forgiving, keep apologizing, keep moving forward. Keep inviting, keep listening, keep opening my arms to all of life.
It doesn’t help to pretend everything is okay. Tell the truth. Allow yourself to be supported by friends and family.
I’m learning home isn’t singular. You don’t lose one, instead, your world and your heart expand with each new home and new set of experiences. The old ones stay and the new ones make your heart and your world bigger.
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This was my favorite book of the year, and I will go back to it again and again.
Review: This is a 40-day devotional that is PACKED with goodness. It would be an EXCELLENT book to start your year.
Here are a couple of great quotes from the book:
Thoughts are like trains, they take you somewhere. Instead of stopping a thought, REPLACE it. You have to actively FEED the POSITIVE and STARVE the negative.
You will FEEL how you speak and FIND what you seek.
Public victory comes from private discipline.
God loves the people in your life so much that He put YOU in their lives. He gave you a means to communicate with them so they could be better off because they encountered YOU!
Review: Part of why I wanted to read this book was because I loved the title. For an Enneagram 7 (the Enthusiast), the idea of “everything sad” being “untrue” just made me smile.
The book tells the story of a family moving from Iran to Oklahoma – written from the perspective of a middle school boy. Because I read it while I had two sons in middle school, I really connected with the author’s perspective and story. It made me laugh, cry, think, and learn. I was filled with joy by the kindness shown by some, and shocked by the cruelty expressed by others.
The book will give a reader an amazing, up-close perspective on what it looks and feels like to be a refugee in America. This book was outstanding, and I recommend it to anyone 14 or older.
Review: This was the first book I read in 2022, and it was a FANTASTIC way to start the year. If you haven’t read it – I recommend it be your first book of 2023 (with Take Back Your Life)! The author is someone I admire and respect. He’s a great teacher and a fantastic writer. I loved his first book, Chasing Wisdom, and this second book is just as good.
The Power of Place is about the value of putting down roots and investing in the place you call ‘home.’
Review: This book shares the beautiful relationship that developed between CS Lewis and Ms. Davidson. They were pen pals, later met and became great friends, and eventually married. I already loved CS Lewis, but this story makes me love him even more. The author did a fabulous job of re-creating their love story. I recommend the audiobook because the narration brings the story to life. It’s free on the Hoopla app.
Here are two quotes from the book that I loved:
God does not love us because we are lovable but because He is Love.
CS Lewis
Sometimes we want to stay and goof off in a mud pit when God has an entire seashore for us to play in.
Review: This narrative unfolds the captivating journey of a young woman transitioning from Islam to Christianity. Her compelling tale resonated deeply with me, serving as a poignant reminder of the unparalleled freedom we enjoy in America and within our Christian faith, especially when contrasted with the experiences of individuals in other countries and adherents of different religions. Exploring our shared faith from a fresh perspective was truly enlightening. Unfortunately, it’s all too common to overlook the profound goodness of God when it has been a constant presence throughout one’s life.
I recommend this book to anyone on a spiritual quest or those 16 and above who identify with the Christian faith.
Review: This memoir delves into the life of a young woman who spent many years in and out of the foster care system. Candidly recounting her experiences, she unveils both the uplifting and challenging aspects of her journey. She is now actively engaged in bringing positive change to the broken system. If you’re interested in hearing a first hand perspective of the foster care system, or hold a genuine concern for the well-being of foster children, this book offers a compelling and insightful exploration.
Review: I read this book with George, and we both decided that Alan Gratz is a fantastic writer! He pulls you into the story and makes you feel like you are part of the adventure. This is fiction, but gives you insight into what it must have felt like to be in the Twin Towers on 911. Great for any reader age 12 and up who may want to know more about what happened on September 11, 2001.
I read this with Clark, and we both loved it. It’s a short book that can be read in one setting. The author writes brilliantly and expresses such beautiful and deep emotion in very few words.
It’s the story of a young boy coming to live with his aunt in Minnesota to escape his war-torn country of Sudan. We felt the wonder, optimism, fear, sadness, and hope through the eyes of the main character (Kek). This would make a great read-aloud for parents and kids ages 8 and up.
Review: An outstanding book written by a survivor of Auschwitz. She writes about her escape “physically” from prison, and how she later learned to escape the prison of the mind. She is the female version of Victor Frankl (Man’s Search for Meaning). There are parts of this book that are really hard to read, but it’s also a book filled with hope and redemption.
The sign above the entrance to the author’s prison camp in Aushwitz says: Arbeit Macht Frei, meaning: Work Will Set You Free. Dr. Eger writes:
Work has set me free. Not the work the Nazis meant, but the inner work. Of learning to survive and thrive, of learning to forgive myself, of helping others do the same. When I do this work, I am no longer a prisoner. I am free.
Dr. Eger
Here are a few gold nuggets I pulled from the book:
You can live in the prison of the past, or you can let the past be a springboard that helps you reach the life you want now.
Get the feelings out. Expression is the opposite of depression. You can’t heal what you don’t feel.
You can’t feel love and fear at the same time.
It’s easier to hold someone or something else responsible for your pain than to take responsibility for ending your own victimhood.
Our painful experiences aren’t a liability, they are a gift. They give us perspective and meaning, an opportunity to find our unique purpose and strength.
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You can’t change what happened, you can’t change what you did or what was done to you. You can choose how you live right now. You can choose to be free.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on Christmas to make it memorable. Get a game or two and PLAY together. Your kids will remember your PRESENCE more than your PRESENTS!
Teenagers may act like they aren’t interested at first, but if you set the game up and ask them to play “just one round,” many will do it.
There is SO MUCH VALUE in playing games with our kids. You learn together, laugh together, and just get to BE TOGETHER.
This game makes us laugh so hard our stomachs hurt. It’s like Pictionary but every person has their own “book” instead of a board. It’s so fun to play with a group of 5-6 people.
We love this game because you are learning fun facts and learning while having fun! This is a great family game for kids ages 6 and up.
We don’t play by the regular rules, here’s what we do:
one person asks a question from the card
every player puts an answer on their little board
every player puts their color circle on who they think has the best anser
the person who’s closest to the correct answer gets a “chip,”, If your guess is exactly right, you get two chips, and if you put your vote on a winning answer, you earn a chip
This game will have everyone cracking up. It’s similar to Apples to Apples (which is another fun game) but with PICTURES. You pick the best words to go with the “Meme.”
This is a fun and easy-to-play game for kids and adults of all ages. You just have to SPOT something matching on the card you are holding with the card on the top of the deck. If you are the first one to spot a match, you get the card. The person with the most cards wins!
This isn’t a board or card game, but is basically a ‘charades’ or guessing game you can download on your phone. It’s super handy if you have a long wait with your kids!
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Does your family have a favorite board game? Leave a comment!
Review: This book is one of the best I’ve read all year and is PACKED with goodness. If you just read one book in the next 6 months – pick this one! Get it for someone you love too.
Here are a few of my favorite quotes:
Thoughts are like trains, they take you somewhere. Instead of stopping a thought, REPLACE it. You have to actively FEED the POSITIVE and STARVE the negative.
You will FEEL how you speak and FIND what you seek
Public victory comes from private discipline.
God loves the people in your life so much that He put YOU in their lives. He gave you a means to communicate with them so they could be better off because they encountered YOU!
Smile and you’ll eventually feel better. Your body doesn’t know why you are smiling but will respond.
Here is an interesting Ted Talk with more info on this:
Review: I like to read books by successful writers on how to be a better storyteller. This is part memoir and part advice. I found it interesting and helpful.
Review: I read this book because I really want to improve my listening and communicating skills. The author does a great job in educating the reader on the art of listening and how necessary it is for life. This book encouraged me in HOW to be a better listener. I want to read this one again, there is a lot to learn and implement.
I’m not usually a mall fan. I’m one of those rare females that doesn’t love to shop. However, I do enjoy going to the Mall of America. Mostly because there is so much more than shopping. You never know what you will see or experience when you visit MOA.
Donuts, cookies, chicken, mexican food, cream puffs, ice cream, sushi, steak, burritos, cupcakes, burgers and SO much more. If there’s a food you are craving, MOA will have it!
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5. Have a min-bending experience at Museum of Illusions
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6. People watch
Sit and enjoy watching all the people who visit.
Did you know more people visit Mall of America than Disney World?
Photographs of Fair on 4 in Bloomington, MN. All images by The Restaurant Project Copyright 2022
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9. Have a problem-solving adventure in an Escape room
Mall of America has the BEST Escape rooms around! My 15-year-old tried one for his birthday and absolutely LOVED IT! He did the Gold Rush but can’t wait to go back for the Prison Escape or another challenge.
Join their free rewards program and you will have access to:
Treat Yourself Tuesday ($5.00 Tickets) and FREE small box of popcorn with the purchase of a movie ticket with the opportunity to upgrade to larger sizes for a discounted fee! Subject to any applicable premium upcharges and tax. Blackout dates apply
FREE same day refills on large popcorns and sodas
FREE #1 combo coupon on your birthday and more!
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12. Attend one of the 400 free events every year
Celebrity meet-and-greet, fashion shows, and concerts around the mall.
This is one of our FAVORITE experiences at the mall – whether you are 6 or 60 – you will have so much fun ‘flying over’ the US and experiencing it in an entirely new way! Click here to read our story!
Handing your kids a phone of their own is a big deal. You’re handing access to nearly everything in the world – the best and the worst. A phone can be helpful in many ways, and can be harmful in many other ways.
My recommendation is to hold your children off from getting a phone of their own as LONG as possible. The older and more mature they are before getting a device, the wiser they will be with their words and actions.
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What your child posts online may be more permanent than their permanent record. What they watch online may have a permanent impact.
Parent Cue
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5 questions to discuss before giving a child a phone:
1. What you post is public, even when you may think it’s private. It can be permanent. What are some examples of this?
2. Have you seen people say something online that they would not say to someone’s face? Why do you think that happens?
3. How are in-person relationships affected by devices for good or bad?
Examples for good: Connecting with family or friends who are far away.
Examples for bad: bullying or spending too much time on your phone and less time face-to-face
4. Who do you/would you like to follow online?
5. What rules do you think we need to put in place to keep you safe and monitor your time online?
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Cell phone contract to review and sign together:
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Parents, let your kids know from the beginning that you will be checking their phone periodically. This builds some accountability and may help them ’think twice’ about what they do on their phone. My son’s received texts that I’m so glad I saw. It has led to several teachable moments. .
Also, I’d recommend your child charge their phone anywhere but their bedroom overnight. A middle school teacher told me:
If I could make a rule for all kids with phones, it would be to keep it out of their bedrooms at night. Kids are sleep-deprived because they’re on their phones past midnight on school nights and parents have no idea it’s happening,
Heidi Pitzenberg
What are your thoughts about children and cell phone use? Are there resources you use that help you navigate this new world?
Review: This was a fascinating story and history lesson about the great hunter and explorer, Daniel Boone. It gave interesting insight into what life was like in the 1700s. It made me grateful that I wasn’t born in that time, and also grateful for how hard our forefathers worked to pave an easier road for the rest of us! I recommend this to families taking a road trip. Great for ages 10 and up.
Review: I was at a parent-teacher conference with my son’s reading teacher, and she had a sign posted of her favorite books of all time – and this one was on the list. I’m not sure why I’ve never read this classic book…but I glad I finally did. I was transported back in time 100 years and enjoyed Fitzgerald’s writing.
Review: This is more a journal than a typical book. The goal is to get you thinking and give you ideas about how to connect with and invest in your child. There’s a book for every age and grade level!
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Wit and Wisdom
Rating: 8/10
Review: How weird am I that I read an entire book of quotes? Well, what can I say, I love a good quote. We will call this ‘research’ for future posts. 🙂
Here are just 3…
Wit, by itself, is of little account. It becomes of moment only when grounded on wisdom
Mark Twain
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Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.
James M. Barrie
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In matters of style, swim with the current, in matters of principle, stand like a rock.
Review: I was excited to read this book with George. I have a great uncle who was a paratrooper on D-Day, and I wanted to read about what the experience may have been like for him. My only complaint about the book is that the author introduces so many characters that it’s a little hard to keep track of who’s who. Overall though, this book makes you feel like you are storming Normandy beach. The author captures the intensity of the day without being overly graphic. Great book for teens or those interested in D-Day or WW2.
Our family had the sweetest day in Red Wing, Minnesota and I wanted to share it with you in hopes that you would add this adorable town to your Bucket List.
Driving into Red Wing, we felt like we were back in Colorado. This historic town has a large bluff in the background, making it look and feel like a quaint mountain town.
Here are our top 5 favorite parts of the day:
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1. Hanisch Bakery
First, start your day by fueling up at Hanisch Bakery. Hanisch has been voted the best bakery in Minnesota. Their food and pastries are made from scratch and absolutely divine. We purchased a loaf of cinnamon bread for $4 and my boys LOVED it! I was so happy with their coffee selection. They had about 10 to choose from – including my favorite flavor of all time – Highlander Grog!
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2. Hike Barn Bluff
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After fueling up, we hiked Barn Bluff. There are different trails with varying difficulty. We took the moderate path and it was just the right amount of exercise for four boys and their mom and dad.
It was a beautiful hike and you are rewarded with a beautiful view of the Mississippi River when you reach the top.
Fast fact: Poet and writer Henry David Thoreau hiked this bluff on his travels through Minnesota.
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3. Downtown Shopping: Red Wing Shoes
World’s Largest BootMuseum inside Red Wing Shoes
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After hiking, we explored a few shops in downtown Red Wing.
First the Duluth Trading company, then Red Wing Shoes.
A stop at Red Wing Shoes is a MUST when you first visit Red Wing. The store is half museum, half shoe store.
Fun Fact: There are painted boots around town. Make spotting boots a part of your adventure!
The Saint James Hotel is a great spot to explore, stay the night, and/or eat. We walked around to see the historic artifacts and visit the Ski Jump Museum.
Fun Fact: Red Wing was the Ski Jump Capital of the US
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5. Eat good food!
Bayside Great burgers
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We tried to eat at The Staghead – it had good ratings and was walking distance from the shops were were exploring, but they were understaffed and canceled our reservation. We jumped in the car and drove a mile down the road to Bayside Grill. My boys LOVED IT and said they served some of the best burgers they’d ever had!
