Looking back, I can’t believe we made it this far. This was the first year that I sent a child to ‘real’ school. As a former teacher, I knew all about how to do the first day of school. But unfortunately I only knew the details of the day from ‘the teacher’s’ perspective. I had no clue what it would feel like being on the other side of the door. Once school started, both our lives changed so drastically…
newest posts
- sort by
- newest
- most popular
-
A Year of Change
-
The Eye–Roll Years: A Survival Guide
I will admit, this parenting thing is hard. And it is getting harder. It seems lately, at least in my home, the lines are getting crossed somewhere as to who is the parent and who is the child. So, I’m going old school. I’m channeling my inner pre-teen, re-calling how my parents did it, doing some research, doing everything I can to get a handle on this now. Before I lose my mind. -
Good Sports – Are They Still Around?
Let’s teach our kids that sports figures are fun to watch and cheer for and enjoy their accomplishments. But let’s also teach our kids to look for everyday people to look up to as role models like parents, teachers, coaches and other adults in their daily lives. Most of all, be a good role models for our kids to look up to and be proud of.
-
The Positive Impact of Summer Camp on Kids’ Lives
Kids need good, old-fashioned, outdoor fun in the beauty of nature. Yet camp goes far beyond just fun. To your kids, it may seem like they’re simply zip lining, horseback riding or bouncing each other off the Blob into the lake, but critical character-building strategies are built into every minute of every day at Sky Ranch.
-
Talking to our Kids About Substance Abuse
It seems impossible these days to avoid the stories and conversations around the epidemic of alcohol and other drug abuse in our communities, high schools, colleges, and workplaces. The drug problems at TCU and tragic celebrity deaths like Whitney Houston’s and Amy Winehouse’s all introduce the conversation that is critical for all of us to have with our children.
-
Dancing with the Band
The thoughts of a parade with two squirrelly girls made me nervous. There would open spaces, streets with moving cars, and lots of people. Staying home, tucked inside our ‘comfort zone’ seemed so much easier. But faced with the fear of contracting cabin fever, I decided the risk was worth the ‘experience’. -
Just A GAME!
I am that mom. I am that mom at the sporting event that ends up sitting all by herself. The one that yells wildly and yes, even stomps her feet a time or two when there are calls from the ref that are so absurd, you wonder if he can truly see out of both of his eyeballs. I can’t help it. I am not proud of this behavior, mind you. Even as I write these words I am a little tight in the chest, because I am worried sick someone will read this and a light bulb will go off. Ding! THIS is HER! The woman at our game last night. Or last week. Or last year. At least I am remembered for something! -
3 Secrets to turn Bah Humbug
into the Warm Fuzzies
I do love the holiday music, decorations, musicals, TV specials, weather, parties, and all the warm fuzzies that go with it. But I also know it is also a hectic time of year filled with pressure, unreasonable expectations, family strife and tormented memories. If you find yourself in the midst of unpleasant circumstances this season, you can still have a pleasant, memorable holiday in 2011.
meet our contributors
-
Victorya Rogers
Victorya Michaels Rogers is a Life & Love Coach, equipping women to create and keep healthy relationships. Rogers’ authored four books, including Finding a Man Worth Keeping and The Automatic 2nd Date. Her latest release is the DVD “Straight Talk About Sex for Christian Couples” co-written with Sex Therapist Debby Wade. Victorya has been seen and heard on national TV, Radio, and print—from MTV to Focus on the Family, Cosmopolitan to Woman’s World. This former Hollywood agent is also an active REALTOR® at Coldwell Banker Residential. She’s part of First Friday Women and lives in Southlake with her husband, Will, and their two children. Learn more about her coaching services at www.Victorya.com. -
Samantha Conner
In my “past life” I earned a degree in Education at TCU and taught elementary school. But these days, I am working as a super stay-at-home-mom with a serious craft addiction. During naptime, I am an avid blogger, runner, and nester. My blog is the place where I chronicle my journey in homemaking and sell my fabulous handmade bows, tutus, and hair accessories. I have a loving husband and two young daughters. Their enthusiasm and support is what drives my creativity in home decor, unique crafts, party planning, holiday fun, and all things girly. I am dedicated to creating a warm, loving home for my family. And to me, that means a lot of 'crafty how-to’ projects along the way. I believe that life can be more fabulous with the use of polka dots, tulle, ribbon and rhinestones! I hope you enjoy sharing in our adventures and that I can inspire you to 'get crafty' in your own home. Follow my crafting journey at craftytexasgirls.blogspot.com -
Rhonda Sargent Chambers
Rhonda, a former model and owner of RSC Show Productions, considers herself a “naturalized Texan”. After moving to Texas from San Francisco, she began her modeling career at a young age walking runways around the world from Japan to Mexico. She transitioned from full-time modeling to fashion show production with the creation of RSC Show Productions. As an instructor and speaker in the modeling community for over 30 years, she is a respected figure who consults with modeling agencies to develop criteria and guidelines for professional models to follow. Rhonda and her husband Kit have been together more than 20 years. The busy mom’s schedule is somewhat flexible since she owns her own business, but it’s the couple’s two boys, Callahan, 12, and Ford, 10, who now shape Rhonda’s daily routine. She is active in the community both personally and professionally giving her time to organizations such as Children’s Cancer Fund, Mane Gait Therapeutic Center, Child Abuse Prevention Center, Big Thought and The Elisa Project. She is passionate about fashion, and her forte will offer wonderful shopping and wardrobing tips for busy moms on the go! www.rscshow.com -
Maxi Erdmann
I am Maxi Erdmann, and I reside in Keller, TX with my four sweet babies and my husband, Nathan. A University of Oklahoma grad, I love all things SOONER! I love food, but I don’t cook, I love music, but I don’t sing, (except in the shower), and I have a ridiculously expensive obsession with make-up. I have been writing since I could form letters and my mother put a pencil in my hand. Prior to having my third and fourth baby, I was a teacher at Southlake Christian Preschool. Before moving to Texas, I lived in Oklahoma where I spent my days as a full-time mom of twins and part-time make-up artist. I have also lived in Nashville, TN where I worked for Gaylord Entertainment and Springhouse Golf Course. My other interests include all things sports related and a new endeavor as an aspiring (learning!) photographer. It seems, along with my pencil, I have always had a camera around my neck. My days are filled with loud kids, tons of laundry and enough extra-curricular activities to keep six people busy. I’m up for the challenge, and I love every minute of it... -
Brooke Hortenstine
Brooke Hortenstine is a Dallas-based editor, writer and charitable volunteer. As editor-at-large of PaperCity magazine, Brooke chronicles the evolving Dallas social scene and writes about all things luxurious — fashion, food, beauty, and interior design, to name a few. She has appeared as a style authority in television segments, and has been published in periodicals such as In Style and Four Seasons Magazine. Contemporary art, dining, travel, music, modern furnishings, and southern customs — think iced tea, old monograms and SEC football — top her lists of likes, as well as giving back to her community. She sits on the Board of Directors of the Dallas Contemporary artspace and the President’s Advisory Council to the AT&T Performing Arts Center, and serves as a member of Cattle Baron’s Ball benefiting the American Cancer Society. Her family includes her husband Blake Hortenstine, a ranch real estate broker, and their two-year-old son, Rollins Hortenstine.
