Attention all soon-to-be quantity cooks who ordered a Freezer Manual at the Hearts at Home conference: They have been on back order from the printer for the last two weeks but I am happy to announce that late this afternoon, half of the boxes I ordered finally arrived! Therefore, the kids and I got busy today and labeled and stuffed the shipping packages–and we’re praying that the other boxes arrive with tomorrow’s UPS shipment.

If you ordered both the Freezer Manual and The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized, they will ship in the next day or so also. And, finally, the boys are nearly out of the moms’ brain in a binders and since baseball season is soon to begin which requires a good chunk of their free time, they won’t take any more orders for now. However, if you already contacted me and I gave you my address in order to mail your check in, then you are still good to go.

And a reminder….. Keep checking back to my site for an organizational “Hop and Swap” I’ll be hosting next week in conjunction with my friend Lysa TerKeurst president of Proverbs 31 Ministries. It will be designed to help each other tackle those areas of our home that are in need of a desperate organizational overhaul. And yes…there will be a prize too! Details coming soon…

Happy Organizing!

Karen

We pushed back the coffee table, moved the sofa, secured the potted plants and ‘voila! Last night our living room transformed into a swing dance floor! Mackenzie, our 16 year old, attends homeschool classes in Grand Rapids every Wednesday morning. Since it is an hour and a half away from our town, she often stays overnight at her friend Marla’s the night before. However, she doesn’t just do this in order to avoid an early morning commute. She does it because on Tuesday evening, she goes swing dancing!

A church in that town opens up for a wonderful group of teenage young men and women to learn the proper techniques of this newly resurrected dance form from the Roaring 1920′s. Last night, she begged to give Todd and me a few lessons. Since I still knew a few moves from my college pom-pom captain days (I mean a few!) and Todd was voted best dancer of his high school—a la early 1980’s, disco, John Travolta style—you get the white-suited picture–we thought we’d give it a whirl—literally! While he and I only got down a few of the basic steps, Kenzie gave this middle-aged momma a resting break and grabbed her daddy’s hand. Together, they replicated many of the moves that she and her dance (not romance)partner can do and let me tell ya, he was flipping and flinging her like he used to when she was three, only now she is 16 and taller (but much lighter) than me! I don’t know when she will get married, but if she keeps giving her father these impromptu lessons, at the wedding the guests will see one lively daddy-daughter dance!!

Now, for the winner of the weekend’s ‘note’able challenge. I simply could not decide from the many gals who left such sweet comments telling us to whom they were going to write a handwritten note, so I had to call for back up. I let my dear husband read all of the messages left, and although it was tough, he chose one that touched his heart. So congrats to Melanie Jones. You win a pack of note cards, a Starbucks card and one of my favorite writing pens. I’ll even tuck in a little chocolate to boot. Please email me your address, Melanie, and I’ll pop this prize package in the mail!

For the rest of you, have a wonderful day in the Lord and just so this Baptist gal doesn’t get scolded for admitting she dances with her hubby in our living room, here’s a little verse for the day…

“Let them praise his name with dancing…” Psalm 149:3.

We certainly praise the Lord for a daughter who loves to dance with her daddy.

P.S. Keep checking back to my site for an organizational “Hop and Swap” I’ll be hosting next week in conjunction with my friend Lysa TerKeurst president of Proverbs 31 Ministries. It will be designed to help each other tackle those areas of our home that are in need of a desperate organizational overhaul. And yes…there will be a prize too! Details to follow…

For now, go make the most of Monday,

Blessings,

Karen

Anyone out there remember handwritten notes? In this hi-tech age of emails, instant messaging and texting others on the cell phone, I’m afraid writing a handwritten note to someone has become a lost art. In our parents’ day, this was the main form of communication with those who lived far from you. Why, when I was a little girl growing up in the suburbs of Michigan, my mom didn’t even call long distance much. Even though her only sister lived in Milwaukee and they are extremely close, she limited her phone calls to Aunt Patty to just a few times per year. When Todd and I were in college and dating in the 80’s, we wrote each other several times a week in the summer saving our phone calls for once a week at 11:00 p.m. on Sunday nights when the phone rates dropped. Yep, back in “the olden days” as my kids would say, the old pen and stationary was the way to go.

Now, however, we have become too busy (or too lazy) to pen a handwritten sentiment. So this year, I decided to do something about it. I made it my New Year’s resolution to write a note to one person each week. Now, of course I didn’t tell you about this goal on January first for fear I’d not follow through as with some of my resolutions from years’ past, but I can say that this one has been much easier to keep and has blessed others’ lives in the process. And so now I have a challenge for you!

This weekend, pick up a pen and a note card or pretty piece of stationary—or a sticky note if that is all you can find!—and write an encouraging note to someone in your life. It can be a faraway friend, a distant relative, your old college roommate, or high school friend. Or think through your current life. With whom does your life naturally intersect? The mail carrier? The cheerful checkout cashier at the local Wal-Mart? The timid teen that played the piano for last week’s church service? The hairdresser who gives your locks their looks and never expects a tip? Whom could you cheer with a handwritten note of gratitude? To make this task easier, keep a tote bag with note cards, thank you notes, a pen, some stamps and your address book or church directory in your vehicle. This way, when you find pockets of time where you will be waiting, (carpool line, orthodontist’s office, soccer practice pick up, etc..) you can use it to multi-task and write a note or two. Then sit back and watch the thankful smiles roll in.

Now for the prize….leave a comment telling us to whom you feel prompted to write that note this weekend. You have until Monday morning at 8:00 a.m. EST. Then, I’ll choose one person to win a pack of note cards, one of my favorite pens and a Starbucks gift card so as you write, you can sip on something hot, sweet and creamy (or cool and tasty depending on where you live. I am in Michigan and we got three more inches of snow last night!!! Come on…it is almost April for crying out loud!!!).

Happy writing!!

Sincerely and with warmest regards, (how is that for an olden days sign-off?)

Karen

Kenzie and Mitch sharing a sibling moment.

The number two pencils are sharpened. The Texas Instruments T-83 calculator is ready and in place. The practice tests have been taken and scored. Now the big day is here.

This week on Tuesday through Thursday, our 16-year-old Mackenzie will take her ACT test. My husband and I don’t recall stressing too much over our own ACT scores in the past. I do remember buying a practice book at the local bookstore to help me prepare. Todd barely remembers even taking the test. Today, however, so much emphasis is placed on this exam and what its results will or will not do for a student as far as college is concerned. In fact, a few weeks ago as Kenzie was once again bleary-eyed from staying up late to study, she commented how her whole future hinged on the score she received on this test. “I just have to do well.” she commented.

That got me thinking, aren’t you glad that God does not require excessive study, late night cramming and perfect scores in our behavior in order to secure a place in heaven? Why, He doesn’t dole out A’s and B’s. Nor does He give us a number score of 19 or 28. He doesn’t even grade on a curve. You know—all people this good or better get in. The rest of you? Oh, well! No, with our Lord it is simply pass or fail. Your spot in heaven all depends on one simple answer to one profound question. “What did you do with Jesus Christ while you were on earth?”

Did you smile at Him when you saw Him in the manger at Christmastime, but then went merrily on your way and left Him innocently in the stable? Did you hear about His teachings and His claims, but made no effort to discover for yourself whether they were true or not? Or were you a ‘box-checking’ Christian? This means that when presented with a form listing the major religions of the world, you glanced it over and then checked the box that says ‘Christian’ thinking that must somehow guarantee you a happily-ever-after in the afterlife.

Sorry. None of those will work. The only correct answer to “What did you do with Jesus Christ while you were on earth?” is “I believed Him. I obeyed Him. And I let Him take charge of my life.” This, dear ones, is the only test that the whole future of humanity depends on.

Pass or fail.

How will you do?

Blessings,

Karen

P.S. If you don’t know Jesus yet and have a desire to, click here to learn more about Him.

What do you recall about Good Friday from your childhood? I have so many memories of Good Friday growing up. Mostly I seem to remember gloomy, bad weather. Sometimes I remember attending a solemn service at the church on the corner in my neighborhood. Then, as an adult and parent, my mind thinks back to watching Campus Crusade’s Jesus film with our young children at noon and then trying to remain still by laying in their beds with them until 3:00 p.m., which is the length of time that Jesus was on the cross. We are always looking for ways to drive home the true meaning of holidays and holy days with our brood.

This year to make an Easter weekend memory with your kids, why not do a fun activity that will drive home the lesson, but also make a tasty treat? I wrote an article for the Proverbs 31 site that does just that by teaching children the lesson of Easter by involving them in making Resurrection Cookies. You can read it here!

As for this year, well I am readying myself for the Patterson side of the family annual Easter egg hunt and feast today at my home at 3:00 p.m. Then Todd’s side rolls in at 6:00 p.m. for the rest of the weekend; his sister from Holland (no, silly, not Holland, Holland, I mean Holland, Michigan) and his brother and his wife from Georgia. Lots of cleaning to do. And sheet changing, and shopping and cooking. And I’m still unpacking from last weekend, filling book orders and entering credit card info in by hand on the touch tone phone. Yes, I’m just a tad bit stressed this morning, but I just had a thought…is it written anywhere that you can’t order pizza for Easter?

Enjoy the celebration and the Savior of the season!

Chocolate Bunny Blessings,

Karen

Newsflash!! Okay ladies….for those of you who attended my workshops last weekend and were greatly saddened that my boys ran out of the “Mom’s Brain in a Binder” organizational tool that they were selling at my book table, you’ll be happy to know that they have made more. They were so excited to have sold out thus padding their I pod and summer church camp candy and slushy fund!! So they got right to work assembling more, complete with the sturdy, vinyl folders for your papers, not the cheap normal school ones.

So, if you would like one, please shoot me an email at karen@karenehman.com telling me so. (That way they will know approximately how many to assemble.) Then, you can pay one of two ways. Simply pop a check in the mail to me to cover the binder and shipping costs. (I’ll give you the address to send it to when I respond to your email.) As soon as your check arrives, we will get the binder out to you ASAP. Or you can give me your phone number in the email. I’ll call you to get your credit card info and then ship them the same day. We’ll send them Priority Mail and the total cost is $11.00 with shipping.

And for those of you who are sitting there wondering ,”What on earth is a Mom’s Brain in a Binder?” It is a tool to keep you on track of your tasks as a mom and to store all of your family paper—fliers, invitations, permission slips, team rosters, school schedules, church calendars, etc… You can read about it in the Simple Tools to Download section and they come with complete instructions. Check it out! It can help you to keep on top of your game.

As for me….I am still busy today calling the many moms whose expiration date for their credit card we neglected to get recorded at my book table last weekend resulting in a needed phone call. Over 80 of them! Yes, this from the woman who spoke on organization. No funny or harassing comments please! See, I told you all that no one is organized 100% of the time! In fact….uh…I did it just to illustrate that for you in a tangible way. (I wish!)

Happy Simplifying!!!!

Karen

Top of the mornin’ to ya! Well lads and lassies–are you wearing your green? Yes, I am one of those crazy moms who loves to do up holidays in a big way; even if it is a simple, non-major one such as St. Patrick’s Day! Oh I love the zany, fun traditions we have—the kids awakening to find a trail of Lucky Charms leading from the refrigerator out the back door—a sure sign that a leprechaun or two snuck in during the night. The other piece of evidence? The milk has mysteriously turned green! Yes, there is enjoyment in this day, including traditional Irish Beef Stew for supper and an afternoon Irish Cream Latte, but there are also lessons we can learn in the midst of the fun and frolic.

Perhaps you joined us after reading my devotion that ran on Proverbs 31’s Encouragement for Today. If not, you can read it here. I wrote today about the legend of St. Patrick because I feel there is much we can glean from many of the non-major holidays we celebrate. While I am the sort of gal that is always game for a party and loves any reason to serve the out-of-the-ordinary or delicious ethnic food that is often associated with them, I like to dig deeper, especially for my children’s sake. Learning about St. Patrick and his desire to reach others with the good news of Christ is a gentle reminder to me and my offspring of the difference one person can make in the course of history. Perhaps they will never be famous and have a colorful holiday named in their honor, but they can influence those with whom their lives naturally intersect and help to point them to God.

This St. Patrick’s Day, we can change the way we think about this springtime holiday by asking ourselves a few questions. Do we have a desire to tell others about Christ and the awesome difference that He can make in their lives? Do we look for creative ways to bring the reality of Christ into our everyday conversations with those around us—especially those whom we know do not claim to have a relationship with Him? And, what are the aspects that attempts to hold us back from speaking naturally and freely about Jesus? How can we change this in order to be more effective communicators for Christ? And beyond what we say, what can we do that will speak louder than words? Remember, more is caught than is taught.

So today, when you wear your green, think of growth. The spread of the gospel as the kingdom grows by acquiring more precious, renewed souls; thankful men, women and children who will someday worship Jesus for all eternity. And just where will we worship Him? In a place even finer than what is said to be found at the end of the rainbow. Why, it will be more than just a pot! All of the streets will be paved with gold!!! (And in my humble opinion–I’m just sure that there–the double tall, Irish Cream Latte’s with extra whip cream and sprinkles will have all of the Weight Watchers Points removed!!)

Irish Blessings,

Karen

P.S. For those of you who were in my organization workshops at Hearts at Home last weekend and have left comments or emailed me wanting to know more about the weekly, monthly and yearly routines I have listed in my Mom’s Brain in a Binder, I’ll work on getting a link in the Simple Tools to Download section that gives my examples. I’m so excited to see so many of you going home and putting what you learned into practice!! Keep it up and remember–baby steps. Just do the next thing! And if Jesus doesn’t come back while you’re doing it, cross it off your list and then do the next thing! Good luck!

Welcome to all of you who stopped by because you were part of the wonderful Hearts at Home Conference this weekend! I hope you laughed, cried and learned lots at “Mommy School” and that you left refreshed, renewed and ready to return to your life as a mom with a fresh new perspective!

For those of you who attended my workshops on getting organized and wanted to purchase on of the Mom’s Brain in a Binder systems that my boys put together, we should have more ready by the first of the week. We’ll purchase everything on our way home from Illinois today and since we are taking spring break this week, Mitch and Spence should have time to put them together on Monday. Just keep checking my site and as soon as they are finished, I’ll post ordering instructions.

Well, I’m still at the hotel trying to get settled in with my entire family of five so we can get some sleep after an exhausting yet exhilarating few days. So, I think I’ll sign off now and try to drift off to sleep. However, if you aren’t too tired and are one of the Hearts at Home attendees who is visiting this blog for the first time, I’d love for you to leave a comment letting us know what your favorite part of the conference was. Or perhaps what God taught you about being a mom to your delightful and unique children. Or what changes you are hoping to make in your life due to something you learned this weekend. Let’s encourage each other in the mission of motherhood!

Sweet Blessings,

Karen

For those of you who care to know, lowering the bar this year for my birthday was a good move because here is how the day panned out:

Mackenzie slept through her alarm and awoke late to go to Sergeant Morse’s house to run the kids to their appointment and teach them some school while Ellen went on a shopping trip with her sister for the day for a much-needed getaway. So Kenz flew out the door. No “Happy Birthday Mom!” Just “Where is my car?” Todd had taken her car to his early morning doctor’s appointment to wash it and fill it with gas. He drove in just then and she hopped in the car and drove away.

I did school with the boys in the morning. During it, Todd asked me where my lowfat cookbook was. Soon, from the kitchen came the smell of a lemon poppy seed bundt cake that we enjoyed for lunch. He got me a card and some earrings. Bonus points for hubby. However, he did make one little decision that took away those points. He left my pocketbook with our checkbook in Kenzie’s car which was now long gone and would not be returning ‘til nightfall.

In the afternoon, I ran into town (15 minutes away) to run errands and run (on the treadmill at the workout center). Then I was going to go around town to get all of my birthday freebies. In our town, you get a free KFC dinner, a pizza from Main Street Pizza, a movie rental at the video store, etc… But guess what? You need your driver’s license at all of those places to prove it is your birthday. That would be the driver’s license that was in my pocketbook that was being held hostage in Kenzie’s car. Even more bonus points removed for dear hubby. I decided to return home to work on my talk for this weekend. It was then that my computer began making serious grinding noises and freezing up, oh….every five minutes or so requiring a restart. Then the copier refused to work and I had 128 pages I needed to run off for a project the boys are working on to sell at my book table. This required a trip to Lansing to Staples over a half hour away in order to pay to use their copy machine.

Thankfully, I had told all of you that I would have zero expectations. It really helped me to temper my reactions. I was surprisingly non-reactive! I kept remembering God waking me up that morning at the exact time of my birth and tried to be thankful for my blessedly, ordinary day; instead of grousing and mumbling about my terrible, awful, very bad, no good day. (Okay, the double tall mocha latte I treated myself to did help the situation just a little!)

Sweet Blessings,

Karen

Okay people. I have a confession to make. I have set the bar excessively high in the past when it comes to my family remembering my birthday. Each year I say to myself, “Oh, it is enough for me that my family is happy, healthy and together. I don’t need anything else.” But in reality, I’m thinking of a few other things that a Michigan girl with a dead of winter March birthday could use. Like a new spring outfit or a bottle of fresh fruity perfume from Bath and Body Works. Perhaps a Mandisa cd or some flowery note cards. Can anyone say dark chocolate?

Now at the risk of sounding as if I am complaining, let me just say that my dear hubby has pulled off some wonderful birthday surprises in the past. Like the time he made a huge birthday card out of poster board and spelled out his sentiments by attaching candy bars to the front. “My dear Kit Kat (my nick name is Kit) I have Mounds of love in my heart for you. Just thinking of your smile makes me fall to Reeses Pieces. Today, kick your feet up and Take Five. You deserve it!” Or on my 30^th birthday, he pulled off an entire slumber party for me complete with a surprise kidnapping by my friends Suzy and Debi. They showed up with curlers in their hair and their comfy jammies and fuzzy slippers on and whisked me away to church where a big overnight bash was waiting for me.

Yes some years are doozies. But the others? Silence. Or a “Oh, I meant to get something together but didn’t have time. Here—my latte punch card is full and ready for a free one. You can have it.”

Gee thanks.

Yep, my family is kinda all or nothing when it comes to remembering dear old mom on her big day.

Well, this year I am going to do it ladies. I am going to set the bar low and expect nothing. I am going to be a low maintenance mom who is happy just to have her family healthy, happy and together. I told God so last night; that I would just be thankful to Him for my blessed ordinary life and look for Him in the midst of my day, not for birthday goods and goodies. Then I turned out the lights rather late. (I was up working on my talk for the Hearts at Home Conference next weekend) and determined I would not set my alarm. We could get a later start on school in the morning.

Then, this morning, on my 44^th birthday, I awoke suddenly and turned to see what time it was. The alarm clock turned instantly to 9:04 a.m.

I was born on this day in 1964. The time? 9:04 a.m.

A whisper of love from my Lord. My day is already complete.

Sweet Ordinary Day Blessings,

Karen