It's the First Annual Boy Mom BlogHop!

Thursday July 28, 2011


Welcome to Outnumbered Mom.

I’ve spent my mom life outnumbered by four boys, and I’m here to say there’s hope and help. What will you find here? Encouragement and inspiration, practical tips and help from Above.

I wrote all about the Boy Mom Life in my book, I’m Outnumbered! One Mom’s Lessons in the Lively Art of Raising Boys. It’s been crazy, chaotic, and loud—but I wouldn’t change a thing. I'm honored to share here and as a contributor to the MOB Society, too.

My boys? Well, I’m a survivor. My sons are 28, 25, 22, and 19. (It dawned on me earlier this year that this was my baby’s last year as a teen; that was a moment!) I also have one grand…son. Watching your son with his son is incredible.

My sons’ favorite books?
Early childhood / Elementary -
Richard Scarry books and the Max and Ruby books
Runaway Ralph by Beverly Cleary
Magic Tree House series (grades 4-6)
Accidental Detectives series and Sports Mystery Series by Sigmund Brouwer (grades 4-6)

Middle school - Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
Holes by Louis Sachar
My Brother Sam Is Dead by James Lincoln Collier
Silas Marner by George Eliot

High school - Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien
Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The Oath by Frank Peretti

One of my boys’ favorite musicians has become mine, too—Andrew Peterson. These lyrics from his song, Little Boy Heart Alive, never fail to bring back memories of of my boys’ childhood. (Click here to listen to the song, a sweet retelling of the boy life.)

Kings and castles in the neighborhood
Swords on the forest floor
Dragons in the magic wood
Better saddle your battle horse

Fighting Goliath
Better choose your weapons right
Five little stones and a faith on fire
In a little boy heart alive

Before you go, click around a bit; there’s lots here. Once a mom, always a mom, I say. No matter what age your boys are, only another boy mom really “gets it.”

I’ll leave you with a few words from my book, I’m Outnumbered:

“Boys are bundles of promise. Future fathers, husbands, teachers, pastors, filmmakers…and who knows what else? Mother of sons, what a blessing you’ve been given. Handle it with care, being ‘joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer’ (Romans 12:12).”

Hope to see you again soon! Be sure to leave me a comment -- I'll choose one mom at random to win her own copy of I'm Outnumbered.


If you're a boy mom, be sure to click on over and join the bloghop!
Mothers of Boys

30 comments:

Stef said...

thanks for introducing me to your book - I haven't heard of it before. So beautiful to see a "veteran" mom giving advice and encouraging others!

Unknown said...

Oh, I'm so excited to have found your blog via the Blog Hop - I'm devouring advice from all "veterans" as Stef puts it! I'm a new mama - my Little Lion Cub is only 4 months old and I'm loving every minute of this Journey. I'm excited to poke around here and even read your book! And Andrew Peterson is one of my faves, too - along with Caedmon's Call - my husband and I are musicians and if we could travel with any band/artist - it'd be those two hands down! Blessings, new friend!

Courtney said...

Oh my goodness, the lyrics to that song just about made me cry! Thank you for sharing it. I've been reading your blog for some time now, and always find inspiration here. Just now I was thinking, I've got to order her book - then I read that you are giving it away! Very cool. My boys are 2 and 4. Thanks for all you do for boy moms!

Unknown said...

I am so glad to have found you!! I am always anxious to glean wisdom where I can! Thank you so much for both writting this blog and a book!!

Anonymous said...

I'm blog-hopping this morning, too!

The lyrics to that song are so sweet.

My youngest is just about to start his senior year of high school. I'm treasuring his last full year at home, but, boy, it sure gives me pangs when I stop and think about it.

aka eyecorn said...

Visiting from the blog hop. You have a wonderful blog--I subscribed :)

My only son just graduated--we never stop praying over our sons, do we?

When you mentioned the Richard Scarry books, I nearly cried. My son had one (I still have it), that he carried around for about 4 years! he was intrigued by all the vehicles.

Thanks for sharing and I look forward to visiting your blog again.

Christi S said...

You are a survivor!! :) How nice to meet you! As I was typing this, my youngest (16 months tomorrow) threw a rubber duck at the keyboard of my laptop...twice...and I had to go back to correct the errors it caused! Only a mother of boys would understand this! Please stop by my blog, too: http://christis-blahblahblog.blogspot.com

Mystic_Mom said...

I feel outnumbered when it is just two to one with my strong personalities in the house with hubby and son. Love your blog, thanks for sharing the song lyrics (and link) and for the book list. I'm looking forward to coming back and connecting with you. Bright blessings, Shanyn (Mystic Mom)

Lynn said...

thanks for stopping by my blog on the blog hop. I enjoyed reading your post..I look forward to checking out your book..

Mindy said...

I love your site! Great to know you survived :) I look forward to reading more and checking out your book! Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Sarah said...

I am outnumbered too! I can't wait to browse your site more!

Anonymous said...

I know how you feel being outnumbered . . . like the queen! I'm a mom of six boys, nary a girl. Frankly, I love it.

Thanks for visiting me at Layers of Learning. See ya 'round.

April said...

I love the lyrics to the song that you posted! I haven't heard it but will check it out when I am back home. Wow, that had to have been a moment to realize that your last one is almost no longer a teen. I am still trying to wrap my head around almost 10!

Heathahlee said...

I'm with Stef, so glad a veteran is here giving encouragement to us still in the trenches! Thanks for visiting today!

ham1299 said...

Thanks for sharing this hop. I might participate. I have a son. (And daughters, but hopefully all I need is 1 son to be a MOB person! ;-) ) This was a great post. I've been following you for a while, and always enjoy what you write.

Dawn said...

Wow I'm so glad I stopped by! I'm going to have to check out your book sometime soon!! Just stopping by from the MOB hop, but I'll be back! :)
~Dawn @5kidsandadog.com

Anonymous said...

Stopping by from MOB Society, love your site and love this blog hop! looking forward to getting to know you, come visit me!

The Petunia,
http://petuniasescape.blogspot.com/2011/07/just-who-is-petunia-you-might-ask.html

Joyful Mud Puddles said...

Visiting from the MOB Society. I look forward to learning from you and your experiences. My boys are 1 and 3 and everyone we know has girls so I am new to all of this.

Julia Ladewski said...

wow, your boys are grown!! nice to know we will make it through. I only have 1 boy (and a girl) but he's such a special kid... so different from his sister and soooooo loved.

i've heard of your book before but never read it... will have to look into it.

stopping by from the blog hop

Sarah said...

Hi! Just hopping by from the MOB Society! Will add your book to my to-read list! I LOVE reading! My son is soon to be four, I'm just beginning this boy-mom-adventure!

ginny said...

i am finally getting a chance to hop around! great book pics, some i haven't heard of, but will definitely be checking out. i love the song :) i am a bit sentimental, too, i guess! looking forward to reading more. always can use wisdom from a mom who has been there, done that!

Gina said...

Coming from the MOB Society. I'm just starting out with a 2 year old and 7 week old. I can't even imagine them having grandsons, but I know it will be here before I realize.

Unknown said...

I'm so glad I found this blog hop so I can find great blogs like yours!

-Mom is the Only Girl
http://momistheonlygirl.blogspot.com

Lisa Hellier said...

Visiting you back. Thanks for your comment. You said, "No matter what age your boys are, only another boy mom really “gets it.” Amen! to that. Most of my friends have girls which is a joy vicariously for me but can be loneliness when it comes to discussing the boy issues. Glad to know that your book is reaching out to the hearts of moms outnumbered but joyfully so!

Miranda @ Life in the Motherhood said...

Thank for stopping by my blog! I just read through your "Little Bits of Sanity" post and that was a very good reminder that I can't expect everything to be sane all the time. Thanks for the reminder! :)

Melanie Mueller said...

Stopping by from the bloghop. Love your blog and am your newest follower. I hope to win your book, if not I will definitely be buying a copy! ;)
BTW,You have a beautiful family!!!

Anonymous said...

Great post! WOW congrats on writing a book, what an accomplishment!!! When I looked at your photo, I had no idea your boys were grown. You look amazing, mama, but I'm sure you get that all the time!!!

Anne said...

visiting from the blog hop... love the quote from your book! Very encouraging.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog! With a third boy on the way, I will definitely be checking out your book and looking forward to learning from a veteran MOB!

Carrie said...

As a mom of 4 boys myself, it is great to find your blog today. I am interested in checking out your book. My oldest is almost 8 and my youngest is 18 months. Life is never dull! Thanks for sharing your experiences.

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