As I sit here thinking about my life and the way it has gone, I'm grateful for the Lord and his mercy. My life could have turned out so much differently. I was a 16 year old girl heading in the wrong direction, with no direction if that makes sense. When I became pregnant at 16, I panicked to say the least, this was not my plan. Where do I go, what...

Today was the Mondayest Thursday ever. It started when my kids protested the breakfast I made. Mind you – they requested the breakfast. Their father gave them a good lecture and then he headed off to work, and the normal before-school routine continued. It was 8:00am so that meant it was time for everyone to brush their teeth. While all four of my ...

Every life matters. This is our 2020 theme for the New Life Clinic. Three simple words with enormous meaning. I'd like to say that people in general believe and practice this notion, but my faith in humanity sometimes wanes. Watching the 6:00 news every evening has probably fueled my skepticism. Shootings and child abuse and sex trafficking scream ...

  To say I was awkward growing up, that would be a true statement. In junior high I was the good girl who obeyed her parents and never did anything wrong. I was the definition of a "nerd" who had the glasses and braces to go along with it. Needless to say I never had the attention of any boys, and I was okay with that. Until the summer be...

Congratulations! Today is your day. You're off to Great Places! You're off and away! You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go. With school starting back, I can't think of any wisdom more pr...

  REINDEER POOP PLAY DOUGH RECIPE THAT SMELLS LIKE GINGERBREAD COOKIES: 2 cups plain flour (all purpose) 1/2 cup salt 2 tablespoons cream of tartar ½ tablespoon of glitter 1 tablespoon ground ginger 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon 3 tablespoons any oil 1 cup of hot water (added gradually) -Mix all dry ingredients together then add oil, and hot w...

  I have been wondering about writing this blog, then I saw a post on our New Life Clinic volunteer page today and thought, "yes there it is okay Lord!" The scripture was from 1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." I thought this pas...

Adoption was never part of my plan. I had always heard of people adopting and thought that is was wonderful, but it was not in MY plans. I supported my friends adoption fundraisers and tried to help them when I could, but thought the cost was crazy and always wondered how they could afford to adopt. My plan was to get married, have children and the...

Our culture today is so connected but disconnected at the same time. We are connected by the internet and social media but often neglect our own family life. Don't get me wrong the internet and social media are powerful tools that can be used for good but sometimes we get so caught up in them we end up "abusing the power." Sometimes instead of...

 Sensory bottles are also known as calm down bottles! When a sensory bottle has items such as glitter, legos, or beads in it that move slowly, children are often mesmerized by watching them. They are an effective and easy way to help children focus on deep breaths and relaxing after a temper tantrum or an upsetting event. It gives th...

  Volunteer or not to Volunteer? That seems to be a question that many struggle with. We all get caught up in our own busy lives and are guilty of not giving back or not listening to God.  In 2006 I started volunteering at "In His Hands Pregnancy Center" in Blanchester. Volunteering was a new thing for me. I had always...

  As most of you know, I volunteer once a week as a Client Advocate at a crisis pregnancy center. Throughout the day today I had not 1.. not 2… but 3 young, teenage girls come in for a pregnancy test. These were girls you might see in your kid's school or at a local high school sporting event or eating a burger with their friends on the weeken...

  I was also 16 when I found myself in the same situation as Dee (If you do not know Dee, please see previous blog). But my story differs from hers in the fact that I did not seek the resources of a local pregnancy center. I honestly didn't know they existed at the time. But I would like to think my story would be different if I had known, and...

At sixteen I found myself in a situation I never imagined I would be in, I was pregnant. Where do I go from here? What do I do? How do I tell my parents? And to make things even harder I was some what of a church girl and my boyfriend at the time was the grandson of a very well known pastor in the community.   I found myself at a pregnanc...

Motherhood as I knew it, is so far away from where I am now, that I likely wouldn't recognize it! I know it is definitely God's spirit and His love within that allows me to throw self-preservation and a longing for being emotionally safe and to embrace whatever He calls me to do for my babies. We have made the decision to foster children because th...

As August arrives, so do thoughts of back to school, mounds of papers, and daily routines. Although Ken and I now are technically considered empty-nesters, we do have a daughter that teaches elementary school, so we are still well aware of the endless needs of those starting back to school. As organizing is near and dear to my heart, I used a binde...

Jewel was just 16 years old when I met her. I was a school guidance counselor looking to change the world in my little neck of the woods. She was a high school sophomore, taking honors classes, tutoring others who weren't, and learning to drive with the assistance of a licensed adult. This young lady had everything going for her. Except, of course,...

Recently while driving down the road I asked God why, why does my son have so many challenges to overcome? Why can't he just be "normal?" I've seen drug addicts have perfectly normal kids, that they have completely taken for granted. Why him? Why me? I did everything right during my pregnancy! And I had to stop myself, what was I saying? Was I sayi...

As moms we all have those days! You know what I'm talking about, when everything you had planned went down the drain and you need a break or a quick solution for dinner! And of course everyone loves great deals and saving money on eating out. We all know with multiple kids eating out can get expensive and half the time you're kid doesn't even eat t...

I've noticed that sometimes I treat my family and friends (those closest to me) with far less respect then I do others. When I go into a store to purchase something or into a restaurant to be served, I'm usually pretty polite. I thank the cashier or my waiter for they're service. I give a pleasant smile. I might even spend a little time encouraging...