Wednesday Potpourri

Wednesday June 15, 2011

A few notes about a few things today.

1. My email newsletter, Mom to Mom. I started a weekly newsletter quite a while ago. That got to be too much for me, so I took a little break from it and tried to decide how I wanted to approach it. As of Monday, my newsletter is back on a monthly basis, with a little different format.

My previous newsletter was topical; for example, one was "Outnumbered by change," another "Outnumbered by self-doubt," etc. I’m still addressing mom concerns topically, but I’m sharing a few other things, too – like recent posts and links of interest to moms. I’m also emphasizing a theme for each month that I’ll trace in my blog. This month’s newsletter addressed "Outnumbered by my lack of trust." (Hence, yesterday’s post…)

If you’d like to subscribe, there’s a black box in the sidebar to your left. I’d love to have you join us! Who knows, you might even find a link to one of your posts in my monthly newsletter.

2. Summer. It has its pros and cons. Of course, as a teacher I seriously feel the pros outweigh the cons, but I’ve discovered one of its pitfalls My ability to look around on the internet has led to some really neat discoveries, but it may have led to a bit of overzealous following on my part. I’m finding it so easy to hit “follow” these days. My only fear is that it may catch up with me when I have stacks of papers staring at me! Oh, well – I’ll deal with that when I have to.

3. Consistency. Summer is a great time, but I’m not sure it lends itself to consistency; I think it lends itself to, most of all, living real life. Although I’ve had a lot of time to devote to my blog in the last two weeks, I may be devoting a bit more to life sans the screen in the coming weeks. Just wanted you to know. If you don’t see my comments as much as you have in the last two weeks, just know I’ll be back; I’m just off enjoying life – living it and taking it all in so I’ll have plenty to write about!

I’ve reached the bottom of the potpourri jar today.

What about you? Do you have thoughts to share on newsletters, summer’s pros and cons, and consistency (or the lack of)?

I’d love to hear!

A Bit of This and That

Wednesday May 11, 2011


Time to catch up, tie up some loose ends, discuss a new thing, and just muse a bit. And I have a couple of questions for you!

I almost always post on Mondays, and I love to link up with Michelle DeRusha at Graceful, but not this week. We watched our son graduate from college this weekend, and I didn’t hit the front door until late Sunday night. (It was an awesome and will probably be the main topic of my Friday’s Fave Five this week!) I’m usually a bit more organized about the week by now, but that’s not happening this week.

I’m really looking forward to summer.

With eight more days in the classroom, I feel like I’m on a treadmill! Being out of the classroom isn’t easy – you have to prepare for a sub and then recover from a sub. I always feel compelled to leave meaningful work, so that means I have to grade it! And exams are quickly approaching. The key right now is keeping those teenagers busy while they’re in the classroom, so I’m churning stuff out, trying to keep them occupied in a meaningful fashion.

You know what? I can’t wait till summer!

A loose end – my Mother’s Day Giveaway. The winner is Diane Estrella with her post about Marissa. Congrats, Diane – email me and send me your address so I can get the goods in the mail.



A new thing? It’s my Road to 100 Rejections. You can read all about it at our Kindred Heart Writers site. Are you a writer? Are you submitting your work – or thinking about it? Why not join us on the road? (If you’re getting rejections, that means you’re submitting, writing, working, refining…and if you can pile up 100, you’re sure to get something accepted!) Come on along with us.

Did I mention that I’m anxious for summer to come?

And the musing. Some of you know I have a newsletter. (You can subscribe right over there to your left, in the sidebar.) For over a year, I’ve sent it every Monday morning, hoping to encourage moms. You can read a sample of my newsletter here. I’ve fallen off the wagon in the last month or so, with all the busyness of school, and I haven't been sending my newsletter. Yet, I only heard from one reader. So I’m trying to figure out how to approach the newsletter.

If you’re a subscriber, would you email me or leave me a comment and tell me if you’ve missed it…if it came too often…if it was too devotional for your liking or too practical…what you really liked or didn’t like? Do you have too many things coming to your inbox these days to notice? (I know how that is.) Do you have any ideas? What would you like to read – what would help you? And if you’d like to subscribe, you can either go ahead and do that right now or leave me a comment. I’ll email you and let you know when I start it up again if you want to wait and subscribe then.

You know what I can’t wait for? Summer!

And last, thanks – for reading, commenting, writing such great posts yourself. I love hearing what you have to say, blog friends.

Take care.

An Invitation and A Giveaway

Sunday October 31, 2010

Would you like a copy of my book, I’m Outnumbered?

I’m doing a little giveaway this week for those of you who subscribe to my newsletter. There’s a little black box over to your left where you can sign up.

Here’s what you’ll get. Every Monday morning, you’ll receive a newsletter that practical, inspirational, and devotional.


It's written to moms of all kinds -- boy moms, girl moms. Toddler and infant moms and empty nest moms. To give you an idea of what you'll be getting, some past topics have been:

Outnumbered by change
Outnumbered by expectations
Outnumbered by self-doubt
Outnumbered by the juggling act
Outnumbered by my need for control
Outnumbered by the juggling act
Outnumbered by my roles
Outnumbered by nurturing everyone
Outnumbered by stress
Outnumbered by mom mania
Outnumbered by sibling rivalry

So to enter, just subscribe and leave me a comment. If you’re already a subscriber, I thank you! Just leave me a comment and I’ll be sure you’re entered, too.

The contest will end on Monday, November 8 at midnight.

A winner will be chosen randomly, and you’ll receive a signed copy of I’m Outnumbered! One Mom's Lessons in the Lively Art of Raising Boys.

Top Ten List

Thursday October 21, 2010

People read my blog for all kinds of different reasons.

There are you faithful bloggers, who follow and visit all the time. There are those occasional readers or those who happen upon this site.

And then there are those of you out there that I never hear from in this spot – because I see you every week.

You’re not bloggers and some of you say to me, “I’d like to leave a comment, but I don’t know how to.” Some of you are friends and some are family, but many want to help get the word out about I’m Outnumbered. After all, you’ve lived this journey with me.

I’m so grateful for all your support. And the truth is, I really need all of you.

So, if you want to be involved, here are 10 things to consider. I borrowed this list from my friend Susan DiMickele, the author of Chasing Superwoman. (Thanks, Susan!) Go visit her if you haven’t already – and her book would make a great Christmas present for a working mom you know.

1. Keep reading. Thanks for reading. I’ll post updates about my marketing activities, book signings, and other events right here on the blog and on my Facebook page.

2. Tell your friends. Please tell your friends about I’m Outnumbered. Send them a link to the blog or to Amazon.

3. Do a review on Amazon. Anyone who has bought books on Amazon can submit a review. Consider writing one for I’m Outnumbered. Your words are powerful!

4. Ask your local bookstore to order or stock. Ask your local bookstore to order or stock I’m Outnumbered.

5. Send me a list of your friends and influencers. If you don’t know what to say (or don’t have the time or energy), please send me a list of your friends and contacts who may be interested in hearing more about I’m Outnumbered.

6. Give me feedback. Please give me your feedback about the blog and the book.

7. Subscribe to my weekly newsletter, become a Facebook Fan or a Blog Follower. You can become a Fan right on Facebook. And I have a “Follower” button over in the right sidebar, so you can support the blog and get news of every post. My newsletter goes out every Monday morning, and it’s full of encouragement and inspiration for moms. Your email address goes nowhere but to me, and I’ll guard it.

8. Think Christmas! If you’re not a mom but know one, consider buying her a copy of my book for Christmas.

9. Need a speaker for a women’s or mom’s group? I can do that – contact me.

10. Pray. Please don’t feel like you have to do anything to support me. But if I can ask for one thing, I’d really appreciate your prayers.

Thanks for everything! I’ve felt tons of love and support from so many of you, all along this journey.

Outnumbered by...self-doubt

Thursday March 25, 2010

The following is from my newsletter that goes out each Monday morning. I thought it might strike a chord with a mother or two out there in blogland.

Sometimes I wonder if I'm even doing a good job. There's so much going on - I do lots of things but none of them well.

Am I a good role model for my daughter - and am I an example for my son of what a woman should be?

Things are changing, and I just don't know if I'm up to it. Can I be flexible and supportive in the middle of this - and can I provide the stability my family needs when things are shifting?

I think I'm doing an okay job as a mom right now, but I've kind of lost sight of whatever else I was or plan to be. I'm lost in my mom-identity, and I kind of miss who I was...I'm not even sure who I am.

My kids are making some unwise decisions. Did I do a bad job as a mom?

When we begin to doubt ourselves, one of the first things we do is exaggerate.

Consider the Israelites who accompanied Joshua and Caleb on that expedition into the Promised Land (Numbers 13). The inhabitants of the land are first described as powerful and strong. The longer they talk, the smaller the expedition party gets, and the larger the enemy grows. They end by exclaiming, "We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them" (Numbers 13:33).

We pay too much attention to the problem or imperfection, and it grows bigger before our eyes.

Next we suffer from uncertainty, so we spend our time examining and re-examining our every move. Some have called this "analysis paralysis." We do nothing because of the uncertainty that comes from self-doubt. We simply make ourselves even more miserable.

WHAT TO DO

How do we break free from the self-doubt that magnifies problems and paralyzes us, makes us question our ability and our impact?

We can't just "fix" our self-image - take a pill and make it better.

We can't talk ourselves into thinking we're doing a great job.

We need something - Someone - greater.

We need to change our focus.

The proper self-image isn't centered on you and what you think of yourself and your abilities.

The proper self-image comes from scripture, where you can see yourself in Christ.

We need to see ourselves as God see us - as good and beloved because of His grace, not because of our nature and not because of anything we've done.

A proper self-image doesn't deny our imperfections, but it's based on Christ's victory over sin and His covering for us.

In my eyes, I've made many mistakes. When I turn to Him, I begin to live in His presence. I stop concentrating on my own ability and worth, and I focus on the worth and abilities of Christ.

The problem is not that we think too little of ourselves; it's that we think too little of Him.

Self-doubt turns into self-centeredness when we gaze at our own reflections; instead, we must turn to the One who made us.

George MacDonald wrote, "I would rather be what God chose to make me than the most glorious creature that I could think of; for to have been thought about, born in God's thought, and then made by God, is the dearest, grandest, and most precious thing in all thinking."

Made by Him - dear, precious, and grand.

LOOK UP AND LOOK AROUND

Our first task is to change our focus.

Instead of concentrating on ourselves, we truly need to look up - toward His presence, His worth, His greatness. We need to think less of ourselves and more of Him.

And what happens when we do? Psalm 61:3-5 tells us: "For you have been my refuge, a a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. For you have heard my vows, O God; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name."

He gives us the heritage of those who fear him.

Now look around. And you don't have to look far away to find some little ones who need to be reminded of their worth in Christ. How can we help our kids?

Don't over-emphasize looks, athletics, popularity or earthly achievements with your children. When you do, you're communicating acceptance based on works. Parents who use those as measuring sticks end up with either proud, busy kids or frustrated ones who just can't meet the bar.

Look a little further. Do you see a mom who struggles with self-doubt? Give her a hand. Help her to focus not on her shortcomings, but on the One who sees her as dear and precious.

THE BOTTOM LINE

So, get rid of the self-doubt.

Take your eyes off yourself and put them on Him.

"But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love forever and ever. I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good." (Psalm 52:8,9)

Look at Him. Focus on Him. Trust in Him.

"But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing ot the Lord, for he has been good to me." (Psalm 13:5,6)

One thing bears repearing: In my eyes, I've made many mistakes. When I turn to Him, I begin to live in His presence. I stop concentrating on my own ability and worth, and I focus on the worth and abilities of Christ.

And that's where real hope is.

Each week my newsletter addresses an issue that moms find themselves outnumbered by. Subscribe and get inspiration and encouragement in your inbox each Monday morning.