Random Pictures

Yeah - so - I'm really not into writing just now. So instead I'm going to bless you with a few random photos.

Happe Easter

I just wanted to take a moment to wish everybody a Happy Easter. Enjoy your day, however you may celebrate.

I also want to give a short update on Mindy and Baby Micah. Things are basically the same. Mindy is on total bed rest, except for trips to the bathroom. They have not yet admitted her to the hospital. She has about 2 more weeks before the baby could even have a chance to survive. Keep praying.

Make Them Wait

Okay - sometimes you just have to tell your child to wait.

I'm continually bombarded these days with whines of "I'm Hungry!!!" These proclamations come even as the child is busily filling her mouth with some food or other. Or, more often, within five minutes of finishing off some lavish snack - the child commences to her claims of hunger.

Well, I'm sorry. I'm not a short order chef or a vending machine. Sometimes the child just needs to wait.

No, the child is NOT actually hungry. What she wants is control and attention. So, in favor of my sanity I have come to insist that my children must wait a length of time before I will provide them with more food.

Sometimes, you just have to stand your ground and let your child learn that waiting will not actually kill them.

Get the Friends' Numbers

I'm sitting here chatting on Facebook with a friend who has a 14 year old child. Said child told her parents she would be at one friend's house for the evening. All was well until that friend's mother showed up wondering where the two girls might be.

It seems the girls have done a bit of magic and disappeared from both sets of parents. Nobody seems to know where they are.

Well, the dad and the big brother, along with the friend's mom, have taken to the streets to see if they can locate both girls. There are several friends that live within easy walking distance, so there is currently a door-to-door search underway. The general expectation is that the girls decided to go visit a different friend and failed to mention this to any of the proper adults.

A bad situation could have been made a bit easier if these parents had done just one little thing. You see, they know who the friends are and where the friends live. What they don't know is the telephone number to each friend's house. It's a simple bit of information, but they don't have it.

It's pretty late right now, after 10:00 and after the typical time considered to be appropriate for social calls in the evening. Yet a phone call under circumstances of this nature would be acceptable and accomplish several things.

First, the dad could ascertain whether his daughter was at a particular friend's house or not without having to trek all over the neighborhood. Each friend's parents could be contacted within a matter of minutes instead of the loner time needed to walk from door-to-door.

Second, he can notify other neighbors that something is going on and increase his search power by simply calling. The parents who affirm that the kids are not there could then join the hunt.

Third, he could save precious time by determining if there is a possible need for locating the authorities in a much more timely manner.

Now, under the circumstances, they are doing the best that they can. The mom in question is currently on bed rest and unable to leave the house to do any hunting on her own. The dad checked all the most obvious locations first and then came back for reinforcements from the big brother. I believe there was a great deal of cursing and spitting and flashing of fire involved as his anger rose to the highest levels possible, but for now he's doing what has to be done. (I don't envy his daughter when he finds her...)

You may wonder why I'm writing this post. This situation struck a nerve with me. I'm too far away to usefully help with the search for the wayward child or I would be out the door already. If she isn't found soon, I will probably drive over to sit with the mom while the dad and brother continue to pound the pavement. For now, though, I can share a bit of wisdom with you.

Get a book that you use for the sole purpose of keeping important information regarding your children. In that book, write down the names and addresses of each child's friends. Be sure to include the names of the friend's parents AND the phone number where said parents can be reached.

You may think that you will never really need this information, especially if the friends all live just down the street - as is the case with this girl. But if you child disappears during the day or late at night, being able to call the people where she might be hanging out will save you precious time and anxiety. And if your child happens to be in none of those homes, you'll know that your next step will need to include the authorities. To that end, you will already have important information regarding your child's friends and their families to turn over to an investigative officer.

**The child has been found. Seems she decided to take a late night walk to Wal-Mart --- some FIVE MILES away. She's safe - for now. I'm not sure how safe she shall be after her dad is capable of responding to this ordeal.**

In The Woods

Playing in the woods is one of the greatest gifts you can give your child. There is so much opportunity for learning about the Earth and nature when you are outside with your children.

As the weather gets better, find a way to spend time outside with your children. Check out your local state parks and hiking trails. There are a variety of trails for just about every skill level that will allow you to get out with your child and enjoy the great outdoors.

March - Top Entrecard Droppers

It is time once again to honor those who take time out of their busy day to stop by and drop a card on my pretty little Entrecard box. This tradition is something that many Entrecard members do as a way of giving a little bit of love - linky love, that is - back to those who visit our own spots frequently.

I've noticed that my list this month is filled with lots of newness. I love adding new readers and new visitors to my family.

First on my list this month is Buzzing J at Piece of Brick for Piece of Jade. The name alone is what first caught my attention many moons ago. I visit often because what he has to say caught my attention. My favorite post so far is The String No More. This post touched me with the reality that there are many people that we are barely connected to through minor degrees, and yet their lives have the ability to impact our own in significant ways.

Next on the list is West of Mars. Susan is a fictional writer. She uses her blog as her outlet to share what she writes. I really enjoy her writing, but mostly I like her Thursday Thirteen posts. They're fun to read and provide an insight to the author's life.

Ari at Parental Instincts is the next top dropper for the month. I have to say, Ari, I'm patiently waiting for more posts from you. I check in regularly in hopes of new updates. Get cracking!!! Your readers are waiting.

And then there's Davida at Glue 4 Families. Today I'm really enjoying her First of April post. It doesn't matter how many times I read that particular story, I always catch myself quietly giggling along with the little child. I just can't help it.

Aires at Art Joolree is another one of my top droppers for the month. She's a jewelry designer. Most of her posts are jewelry and fashion related. I love visiting her just to see what she might be talking about. Currently she is discussing Hello Kitty.

Merydith over at Whatever Comes to Mind is my next top dropper. As the name implies, she does talk about whatever happens to come to her mind. I love the post with her little one playing with a microphone. It's so adorable.

Scott, from For Your Protection, has been visiting a lot this month, too. His site is filled with practical safety advice and information. I love it. What caught my eye first was the What to Carry as a Concealed Firearm post. He doesn't just give you a gun, he tells you how to choose your gun and what to consider when making your choice. Wow! I never knew it could be such a complicated process.

My dear friend Judy, over at More Then Sew So, is one of my top droppers this month. Her post on tipping is really good. I just enjoy visiting her regularly to find out what she has to say.

David Zen-Kennedy at If the Walls Could Talk - well, what could I possibly say about him. His words touch me and remind me of the places I've been in my life. He did a series of posts this past month - "over near the dictionaries" - that was just very touching.

Willa, over at FickleMinded - A Life That Is Less Ordinary, is the finale of the top droppers list. I have to admit - shamefully - that today is the first time I recall having visited Willa's site. I was unaware that she was visiting me. I may have stopped in to return a drop, but had not yet taken time to explore her world. This sunset picture is breathtaking. Willa, I promise I will do better in April and take time to visit you more frequently. Thank you so much for taking your precious time to visit with me.

Please Pray

I have a dear friend, Mindy, who is 20 and 1/2 weeks pregnant.

Last year, she gave birth to a son at 21 weeks and lost him an hour and a half after his birth.

Yesterday at her doctor's visit, she learned that she is having problems with this pregnancy and may end up in the hospital before the weekend.

There is concern that her cervix will give out again before the baby boy is ready to be born.

Please, please pray for Michael, Mindy and Baby Micah.

Also, please post on your own blog about this and generate a world wide chain of prayer for my friends. I rarely ask my readers for anything, but today I'm asking...