One week ago, my family of 4 piled into our classy Windstar minivan. Destination: the Blue Ridge Mountains. (Note–I find it funny that the minivan is labeled “champagne” on our vehicle registration. Anything that attracts crushed animal crackers the way lights attract moths should be called  exactly what it is–gray. Very, very gray.)

You may be wondering why I didn’t tell you that we were traveling. Suffice to say, I’ve seen just enough 20/20 episodes warning against posting these things publicly that I remained mum. But I’m glad I went and equally glad I’m home. While I try to digest the incredible experience I just had at my favorite writers conference on the planet (which included accepting an award for House Honcho!) let me give you 10 observations I had about traveling with kids.

In no particular order (as order of any kind is virtually impossible this morning):

1. Children never need to use the bathroom until you’ve paid for the gasoline and are pulling out of the station.

2. When the kids are being quiet in the backseat, chances are good that they are buying Nook or Kindle apps by the dozen.

3. Allowing the kids to nap in the backseat is a great idea … until you realize that they will want nothing to do with sleep when it’s time to go to bed. (Consequently, nothing is as fun as a hotel party in the middle of the night. Good chance to eat the remaining animal crackers.)

4. Regardless of how fast the trip passes, the last hour on the road feels like 4 weeks.

5. “Are we there yet?” isn’t nearly as troublesome as, “My tummy hurts.” Especially when you are winding through the mountains.

6. Chewing gum is good for the ears, but not so good for the hair or windows or shoes.

7. No matter how dedicated you are at home, having a schedule is about as useful as knowing, “¿Dónde está el baño?” when visiting Thailand.

8. Getting everyone dressed and to the dining room before breakfast hours have ended takes the skill of a neurosurgeon.

9. Sleeping in the same room means you must master the art of taking a shower and running the hair dryer without making a sound.

10. Nothing–NOTHING–beats spending uninterrupted hours with the ones you love (even if you do find a few stray cheese puffs in your hair in the morning).

I am glad to be home. Now to climb that mountain of laundry …

When I come across something I feel will be useful for future reference, I copy it and file it in my Bible. Why? Because that’s where I turn when life gets tricky. These admonitions are written by Pastor Dean Taylor. These are absolutely going in the “to be used” category.

Photo of Alyvia and her family used with permission from Amanda Eaton Photography

Dear Alyvia, it is a strange irony–isn’t it?–that holidays are the happiest days for some and the saddest days for others. I imagine this Mother’s Day has been both for you, and so I wrote you a poem. Bear with me. My poem writing skills are dusty. (Think Secret Garden lock-it-up-and-throw-away-the-key condition.)

As girls we played and we dreamed

On the merry-go-round by your place.

Round it went and loud we laughed

With the wind and the sun on our face.

Nothing was hard or frightening then.

We thought little of grace.

The houses now have changed. And the park?

And the dreams that we were dreaming?

I remember the best one–

We would be moms. This was our scheming.

Round we went and loud we laughed–

The start of our teaming.

You have lost more than most lose in life–

Your mom, your twins, your girl, (and your will?)

Any last innocence gone–

I cried ’til it hurt, denying until

Round I went and loud I questioned–

Claudie was perfect, born still?

I hope we’ll grow old as friends.

As we age and our life inverts.

We’ve shared too much to this point–

The knitting of hearts over hurts,

The sharing of dreams and days.

Round we’ll go in fits and spurts.

Now we know only of grace.

After enduring an unbelievable year (No, really. You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.), Alyvia has set up a blog and project to honor the precious little girl she lost. Please consider checking out her page and contributing a random act of kindness.

Mamas, we need each other.

It’s cold. I’m in denial. If it snows, I will be under the quilt reading. Here are 10 FREE eBooks to add to your collection just in case.

As always, make sure they are still FREE before checking out. Happy reading!

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Watching this commercial was a minute of my time well-spent.

Though Publix has denied that the ad is intended to be an anti-abortion message, I find this commercial strangely refreshing. Intentional or not, the commercial acknowledges the unborn baby as a person. Sad that something this simple is so rare.

I am unashamedly pro-life. Given my history, I think any other choice would be hypocritical on my part.

I was in junior high when I published my first article on the topic of abortion. In high school, I spoke publicly on several occasions (including at meetings for the National Right to Life) about abortion and adoption. My heart beats for children who are unwanted, perhaps because I was unwanted at one time (yet wholly wanted, go figure).

Please don’t misunderstand. I do not share any of the above in hopes of earning accolades or even your respect. Believe me, I am well aware that many have pounded the pavement on this issue in ways more productive than I. Each time I read a Facebook status or receive an e-mail about an effort someone is making on behalf of these precious little ones, I am overwhelmed with appreciation because I am reminded in every instance that someone went to bat on my behalf.

So with that in mind, I arrive at this blog post carefully.

I know that most (if not all) who share photos of aborted babies on Facebook have at their core a desire to liberate these innocent children. Truly, I share that desire in ways I cannot adequately express. But I do not think posting photos of these babies is helpful for 3 basic reasons.

1. I believe sharing photos of butchered babies actually desensitizes people to the horror of it. I remember the first time I saw one of these photos. As a preteen, I grieved. I mourned the child in the image that didn’t get the same opportunities I was given. But I can’t tell you how many photos I’ve seen since that time. Where I should weep at each image, I am prone to gloss over it with too much ease. Seeing a photo of an aborted baby right alongside someone’s vacation plans or weather commentary doesn’t create in me the kind of sobriety the photo deserves.

2. I believe sharing gruesome photos of aborted babies makes us feel like we are accomplishing something (when ultimately we are not). I would venture to guess that the majority of people I interact with on Facebook are people with whom I agree about pro-life matters. Not entirely, of course. I have some long-suffering friends and co-workers who haven’t dropped me yet. But for the most part, the only thing I accomplish when I post photos of aborted babies is a satisfaction that I have done something good for the cause. If I am honest, I would be better served praying for the unborn or pursuing meaningful conversation with those who would seek to end life than I would posting a photo for shock value.

3. I believe sharing photos of aborted babies is, at the least, not showing dignity for the dead. I would never dream of posting photos of an adult who died a horrific death, so why would I post photos of a child who died that way? If–as I say–life begins at conception, why should matters of dignity in death be any different? If the only thing I can give that child is respect after death and the promise that I will do what I can to prevent abortion from happening to someone else, let it be.

I am pro-life. I believe there is much to be done. I think dialogue should happen at every opportunity. I think pictures have their place in the right context. But, at least in my opinion, I do not think that context is Facebook.

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Like House Honcho on Facebook: Click here (every new page like earns the group a FREEBIE!)

If you would like House Honcho posts delivered to your inbox, click here: Subscribe to House Honcho

Click on this photo to learn more!

One of the most frequent questions I am asked (and likewise ask) is, “What are you reading?” After stumbling on this sale, my answer to the question will be, “EVERYTHING!”

Have you EVER seen a deal this good? I sure haven’t–not since my dad saved an entire set of maroon-spined encyclopedias from the dumpster and brought them home to live with us. (Consequently, the books had gold-gilded edges and the spines cracked when the books were opened. Bliss!)

I digress.

I am not earning a single cent from mentioning this sale, but I feel like it is simply too good not to pass along. I have already (downloaded? uploaded?) loaded the books onto my computer. I hope to do some book reviews. Stay tuned!

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image from www.imgur.com

So the anti-Pinterest rants are at a feverish pitch these days. If I’ve seen them once, I’ve seen them a hundred times. Variations of “Pinterest makes everyone look perfect!” or “Watch out! Pinterest will suck your life away!” are everywhere. And frankly, I disagree.

I’ve waited with baited breath for that moment when Pinterest offers me that picture perfect place setting in exchange for my birthright, but it just hasn’t happened.

I’ll admit it. I enjoy Pinterest. Jail time notwithstanding, I like Martha. I’m a fan of blogs that make the home look good.

True–time management is important. Hours spent doing anything that isn’t essential or helpful to the common good is problematic. But why is it that the people who rail against Pinterest aren’t complaining about the dangers of too much television, reading, or socializing? (Would this be an appropriate time for an Angry Birds reference?)

Here’s the thing. All non-essentials must be enjoyed in moderation. Certainly I’m not a fan of pinning style boards in lieu of caring for the family. There really is no point to pinning recipes if the kids are going unfed. But I like things that make me work harder or that challenge me to do something better.

I love finding new ways to make my home a more enjoyable place.

I’ve tried at least a dozen things I’ve discovered on Pinterest and created good memories with my kids in the process. Sure, there was the failed pulled pork recipe, but we discovered an excuse for pizza!

I’m just realistic enough to understand that a Pinterest photo of a perfectly organized bookshelf doesn’t mean the rest of the person’s house is in perfect order or that the person’s marriage is top notch or that the person never burns her breakfast. If I fall for the myth that anyone’s life is indefectible, the problem is with me and my understanding of how humanity works.

So here’s the thing. I won’t talk you into logging on to Pinterest if it isn’t helpful for you, but please understand that Pinterest has been, for me, an invaluable resource.

[Find me on the dark side here.]