Yesterday, I wrote somewhat of a rant, which I don’t normally do. But today, I’ll tell you about the flip side of forwarding humorous stories around that don’t have a writer’s name on them. Every day, I get a short article delivered to my email address from Daily Wisdom. This is a service of Gospel Communications International, which I chose to subscribe to, and I enjoy these messages very much.

At the end of each story, the writer’s name is included with a brief bio. Recently, I’ve enjoyed reading several things written by Rhonda Rhea. Her bio is always included, which says:

Rhonda Rhea is the author of Who Put the Cat in the Fridge and other insanely fun books, including Amusing Grace and Turkey Soup for the Soul: Tastes Just Like Chicken. She is a radio personality and humor columnist and speaks at conferences and events nationwide. Rhonda lives in the St. Louis area with her pastor/husband and their five children. Find out more at www.RhondaRhea.net.

So, now I’ve heard of this author and her books. And I love the way she writes! Well, what if I just cut-and-pasted her story and sent it around to some people, who forwarded it to a few more people? Somewhere along the way, her byline would probably get lost, and nobody would know that she was the author. It would just become another one of those “cute email things” that people read and forward, read and forward.

Instead, I read Rhonda’s story yesterday, which was called “Envy Wrecking,” and it really connected with me. I wish I could say I’m just super-spiritual and I never get jealous of people, but the truth is that it’s a sin I have to confess every day. I pray, “Lord, please forgive me for being jealous of ____. You’ve given me so many things to be thankful for. I praise you, Lord, for the gifts of my life.” Rhonda shared in her humorous way how she overcomes jealousy and gave us some scriptures to encourage us. So I went to her website and wrote her how much I appreciated her story. I was able to give her feedback — and who knows? That might have encouraged her to keep on with her writing.

So now since I’m a blogger, I get to share here one of Rhonda’s funny books, Who Put the Cat in the Fridge? I’m sure it’s full of inspirational humor, just like the snippets I’ve read in Daily Wisdom. I discovered Rhonda is also a member of the Christian Humor Writers’ group, along with Dena Dyer and Tim Bete, whose books I reviewed here last fall.

(I must say, I’m curious about that cat in the fridge!) 😉

P.S. I also discovered that Rhonda Rhea is a blogger as well. I know I’ll be back to visit!

I’ve been giving this whole idea of paid blogging some thought, obviously. I’m sure those positions with ClubMom.com are going to be highly competitive, and they’ll be swamped with thousands of applicants. One of the main reasons I posted that job opportunity is because it highlights the level of respect companies are starting to show for blogging.

Personally, I think most writers are underpaid for the amount of work that is required. There has been a huge discussion this past week in one of my online writing groups about plagiarizing and copyright infringement. Since it’s so easy to cut and paste, people do it all the time without a second thought.

I’ve finally gotten fed up with people who forward me cute stories and jokes that don’t have a writer’s name on them. This is plagiarizing, people. STEALING. There are a few individuals who keep sending me these things, and I’ve finally asked to be removed from their lists. I don’t want any part of that anymore. (Plus, people assume I’m only interested in “religious” things, so I keep being sent pictures of “The Last Supper sand sculpture” and things like that.)

I do subscribe to a few e-newsletters that send me interesting stories, quotes, news items and devotionals, and these help keep me updated on topics that interest me. But these newsletters always contain a byline, giving the author full credit. Often, the author is supported by advertising, so when I click through to check out an ad, that helps the author earn money.

Have you ever cut-and-pasted something funny in your blog or in emails to people without giving the author credit? Don’t do it. It’s the same as making xerox copies of a book and not paying for it. Or burning CDs without paying the artist. You can actually be sued for plagiarizing. If you copy more than four words in a row without giving the writer credit, that’s plagiarizing. It’s done all the time, and is rampant in schools and colleges now. (Students must think their professors are idiots. You wouldn’t believe some of the stuff they try to get away with around here. They say, “Oh, I didn’t know it was plagiarizing to cut and paste an entire article, then sign my name to it to get a grade for it. Oops. My bad.”)

I enjoyed reading about La Shawn Barber’s new direction for her blog. In her post, LBC Retooling, she explained that she’s not going to be posting as much because she’s publishing her opinions in a lot of different places now. She’s also been approached by several literary agents and publishing houses lately who want her to write a book — so that’s where she’s headed. I say way to go, La Shawn. Here’s what she wrote in her post:

Before the blog, I used to submit op-eds to newspapers twice a month. Sometimes I hit, sometimes I missed. But the process became a habit. As the blog began to grow, I lost the habit and concentrated on writing for the blog. The audience grew. If all I wanted to be was a blogger, the goal was achieved. But I want to be a writer again. In fact, I want to be considered a writer first. Blogging is great, but I want to be influential and known outside the blogosphere…

Then again, political bloggers with heavy traffic tend to do a lot of outside-the-blog writing and speaking. I’ve been approached by literary agents and publishing house editors about writing a book (because of this blog!), and I’m just now at the point where I can focus on it. I’ve written a couple of very rough draft proposals, but I need to get serious.

I also like what her Language Artist site says about the future of business blogging. One of her interests is blog consulting. I like what she says about it here.

Most of us moms who blog do it because we like reaching out of our own small sphere of influence. Through writing online, we’re able to reach people around the world, bridging cultural and language gaps. I started a blog for two main reasons: one, because Stacy from Mind & Media asked if I’d join her book reviewing team, which you must have a blog with decent traffic to do. And the second is because I got tired of emailing people the same stories over and over. Although I don’t use my blog as an online journal, it still helps my family and friends see what I’m up to. (I actually do have a life outside of changing diapers and wiping up spilled juice, see?)

Yet I’m starting to realize that I do a disservice to the whole profession of writing when I spend hours and hours of my time to write for somebody else for free or for low pay. My personal blog is one thing — I enjoy posting whatever’s on my mind here — and I’ll continue to do so. But if I’m working hard for someone else, I’m not going to write for free or for peanuts anymore — unless I choose to do so.

So, for one thing, people keep sending me books to review that I haven’t asked for, and I’m sorry, but I’m just not going to write reviews unless I receive an assignment from a publication. If I read a great book on my own and want to post it here, I will. If I request one of the new books offered to Mind & Media reviewers, I’ll post my review here because I’m free to post my honest opinion in my own blog. Otherwise, I’d rather write ad copy for a publisher who will pay me to write about the good points of a book. I know I can do this — why not be paid for it?

It takes time and energy to market myself and seek job opportunities that pay well — but this is what’s best for my family. If I’m going to sit at the computer and write, I’d rather be earning money that can help pay our bills or buy some things our children need (like new clothes — why do they insist on outgrowing things?)

This is my long, drawn-out version of the word “no,” which I’m going to be saying a lot more in the future. I’ll just send people the link to this post and say, “Here’s why I can’t write for you for free.” We don’t expect dentists to work on our teeth for free. We don’t expect plumbers to fix our pipes for free. So writers shouldn’t be giving away words for free either. Unless we choose to do so. (The same as some dentists will go to poor countries and do dental work as a ministry.)

Whew. No time for FlyLady talk today. I’ve got to get off the computer and get some other work done around here. Hope you have a good weekend.

OK, I just read this on Spunky Homeschool, and I about fell out of my chair. Some lucky moms are going to get paid to BLOG. Yes, you read that right. There’s a company called ClubMom.com that reaches out to 2 million moms, and they’re looking for moms who blog to pay them a minimum of $500 to $1,000 per month (plus gifts and bonuses) to blog about things moms want to read about.

Yeah. This is for real.

You’ve got until March 30th to give this opportunity some serious thought and prayer, if you think this is something you might like to do. Here’s the scoop (copied with permission from ClubMom.com):

1. Help Us Showcase the Best Mom Blogs ($1,000/month):
ClubMom is seeking a Mom blogger who can launch the “Best of the Mom Blogs” daily Blog!

There are many amazing Mom bloggers across the country, some of whom are starting to grow engaged audiences. ClubMom wants to bring these unique voices and the blogging medium to mainstream Moms across the country. Our 2 million+ members are very interested to hear from other Moms with compelling voices and stories. By showcasing the “Best of the Mom Blogs” daily blog on Clubmom.com, we want to get Moms excited about blogs.

The winning candidate will create a daily round-up blog which consists of descriptions and links to the best blog content written by moms or of interest to moms. Candidate will be responsible for researching and reviewing the latest Mom blog posts on ClubMom as well as in the blogosphere and determining which blogs to feature on the site and in the newsletters. We are looking for someone with personality, insight, and an ability to develop themes and stories regarding what is happening with Mom bloggers across the country. This represents an exciting opportunity to educate and interest millions of moms on blogs as well as to help existing blogs get attention from millions of moms.

Applicants should have a passion for the Web and media in general, understand how moms across the U.S. use the Web to find information and support, have experience writing a blog, read multiple Mom blogs, and have a strong interest in subjects covered by ClubMom.com.

What’s Involved?
The “Best of the Mom Blogs” Round-Up Editor will be expected to research and review blogs for inclusion in the round-up blog; write entertaining descriptions and headlines; post at least 5 days a week; be the face of ClubMom to the blogging community; and, on occasion, participate in PR activities. In return, she will receive a monthly salary of $1,000 plus 20,000 ClubMom Points redeemable for items like gift certificates, with a performance-based bonus structure to possibly earn more.

To apply:
There are 3 parts to the application. Only candidates who complete all 3 will be considered. Send us an email with the following:

1. Tell us about you. Here’s what we’d like to know:
Your Name and contact information
Can you devote a couple of hours per day to this blog?
Beyond the basics above, tell us who you are and why we should hire you to be the Round-Up Editor
What kind of unique voice or spin can you bring?
Share some ideas for how you’d get readers to your blog.

2. Show us what you’d write. Write 3 days of the Round-Up posts.

3. Show us what you’ve written. Include links to three writing samples, preferably blog posts, which showcase your writing talent and voice.

Completed application should be emailed to roundupblog@clubmom.com by March 30th. We’ll review applications and contact applicants for follow-ups on a rolling basis.

2. Wanted: Mom Bloggers ($500/month):
ClubMom is looking for Mom Bloggers willing to contribute their interesting and distinctive voices on a variety of topics!

If selected, you can reach more than 2 million Moms who are already part of ClubMom (and that’s just the beginning) and get paid for doing what you love.

We are excited to round-out our member and expert generated content with bloggers who have compelling and engaging voices and represent a diverse group of moms writing on diverse topics. We are looking for Moms who can tell compelling stories and get our members emotionally involved.

The plan is to start out with about ten blogs but that can change based on the quality of the applications we receive. If you or someone you know would make a great blogger on ClubMom.com, please apply and/or spread the word!

What’s Involved?

Candidates will be evaluated on writing style and voice, your ability to get our members emotionally involved, as well as dedication and commitment. Accepted bloggers will be expected to write frequently (at least five posts a week) and in return will receive a monthly salary of $500 plus 10,000 ClubMom Points redeemable for items including gift certificates, spa services, movies and more; with a performance-based bonus structure to possibly earn more.

Here are some topics we think moms would be interested in reading about:

Parenting:
Pregnancy: Just found out you’re pregnant? Share the joys and challenges of your pregnancy and beyond with other moms. (group blog – 3 spots or individual blog) – applicants can be at any stage of the pregnancy
Parenting Novice – 1st time parent with a newborn
Homeschooling
Raising a tween or teenager
Raising child with special needs

Diet & Fitness:
Preparing for a physical challenge: Preparing for your first marathon (or triathlon or some other physical challenge)? Share your training highs and lows as you prepare for the big day.
Starting a new diet (group blog – 5 moms who are on different diets)

Relationships:
Military Life: If you or your husband are in the military, share your story.
Dating: Are you single and on the dating scene?
Going through a tough time and looking for advice from other moms

Time For you:
Celebrity Gossip
Fashion & Beauty

Health:
Going through challenging health issues
Someone you love going through challenging health issues

Home:
Making a Big Move (big move – city to suburb, across country, out of country, etc.)
Major home renovation project
Cooking – Trying new recipes

Money & Jobs:
Starting a business
Working from home
Family budget tracker
Trying to make it in show business
I’ve got the best/worst job of all time

Politics & Activism:
Running for office / officeholder / or working on a campaign
Trying to make a difference in the world

Faith & Spirituality:
Interfaith marriage
Raising faithful children

Blogger’s Choice: Got a fantastic idea for a topical blog that doesn’t fit into the categories above, but you think would be a great addition to ClubMom.com? Tell us about it in your application and we’ll consider it.

To apply:

There are 3 parts to the application. Only candidates who complete all 3 will be considered. Send us an email with the following:

1. Tell us about you. Here’s what we’d like to know:
Your Name
How we can contact you
What would you like to blog about?
How many hours per week do you think you could devote to your blog? Be honest!
Beyond the basics above, tell us who you are and why we should hire you to write this blog.
What kind of unique voice or spin can you bring to this topic?
Share some ideas for how you’d get readers to your blog.

2. Show us what you’d write. Write 3 potential blog posts on your chosen topic.

3. Show us what you’ve written. Include links to three writing samples, preferably blog posts, which showcase your writing talent and voice.

Completed application should be emailed to topicalblog@clubmom.com by March 30th. We’ll review applications and contact applicants for follow-ups on a rolling basis.

If you know others whom you think would make great applicants, please help us spread the word! Please feel free to post this on your own blog.

P.S. My personal opinion? This is the first wave of thousands of positions that are going to become available to talented bloggers. Why? Blogging is good for business. People are introduced to companies online now, and a blogger’s voice is the 21st-century storefront. It won’t be long before every company with an online presence will need to have a blog to attract and retain customers. Who wants to visit a site that never changes? It’s like having a mannequin out front to greet customers. Bloggers are living employees, giving companies a face that actually smiles and a voice that says, “Come on in and spend some time here.”

Here’s one of my favorite poems that kind of relates to what I wrote about yesterday: that fork-in-the-road decision. Have you ever reached a point of crisis where you KNEW you just had to make a major choice about something? Or have you been through a time when you felt like you hit “rock bottom” and you had nowhere to go but up? Did you ask God to help?

He’s always ready to listen to you — it just takes a small step of faith to talk to Him. Tell Him what you’re going through, what’s bugging you. Unload it! Sometimes, it’s during these desperate cries of the heart when you’ll know God is breaking through to answer your prayer. Now THIS is the kind of story you could write down to tell someone else — and you just might change their life!

“The Road Not Taken”
By Robert Frost

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

From Bartley.com

Today’s scripture reading:

“We rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” Romans 5 : 3-4.

I hate the suffering part, and I’m not all that good at persevering, but I love the hope part. Don’t you?

Have you heard of God Allows U-Turns? I just discovered this book series has a blog! It looks like we’ve been missing a party.

Allison Bottke is the author of this series featuring stories written by people who’ve experienced the dramatic power of God changing the course of their lives.

I read over at The Writing Life that Terry Whalin is the guest blogger this week. Then I discovered that Allison has arranged a whole 2006 Guest Blogger Series, and many of my favorite writers are coming up. So, I’ll be checking back over there to see what’s going on — and maybe you can too!

One thing I like about reading other people’s dramatic stories is that it helps me think about my own life. I’m sure each of you have experienced a life-changing moment, a fork in the road, that perhaps changed the course of your life. Have you ever written that story down before? Reading other people’s stories may help trigger your own memory, and you’ll always be thankful you’ve written down your story.

Who knows? You may end up being featured in one of Allison Bottke’s future books! Here’s what she’s looking for now:

CURRENTLY ACCEPTING TRUE SHORT STORIES IN MULTIPLE CATEGORIES:

Publication Dates: TBA
DEADLINE: July 30, 2006

God Allows U-Turns
The Choices Couples Make
The Choices Moms Make
The Choices Families Make
Medical Miracles

Have you ever had to make a tough choice as a mom? As a couple? As a family? Here’s a chance to submit your story.

P.S. I’ve read some of your blog posts that I think would be perfect stories for these books. You may get an email from me to bug you about sending it! Notice the deadline — you’ve got over four months to polish your story up!

It’s Wednesday! And don’t stop here — you’ll have to go visit Blair’s gorgeous Carnival of Beauty. She’s so creative! Now we’re really getting to see her design talents. She’s presenting you tickets to a showing of 12 posts on the topic of “Order” today — and what a variety!

Here are a few catch-up details about my blog — in case you’ve noticed some new things in my sidebar. (As if you had nothing better to do! Right…)

I’m not really crazy and I’m definitely not hip, but I AM a Mama, and I LOVE being around other moms who like to write, so I thought, why not? I joined the “Crazy Hip Blog Mamas” webring. And they somehow accepted me. Now here’s a group of women who say: “We are blogging/ journaling Mamas who know that even though we have children we’re still hip and cool, no matter what anyone else says! … We’re fun loving, a little crazy, a lot hip and all MAMA!! … This is a site about real moms who try to balance who they are as a person with who they are as a mother. This is the real deal folks!”

I like that.

Every other Wednesday, I can join in a writing prompt — so that sounds interesting. A little easier for me to handle than all of you brave souls who tackle the Thursday 13 meme every week. I’ve tried to think of 13 things, but get lost somewhere around 7, so I’ve never participated. But one question? I can handle. (I think. Depends on the question.)

I discovered this group from Holy Mama! who says, “Really wanna know why I joined Crazy Hip Blog Mamas? I saw it on someone’s site that was way cooler than me – can’t remember who. I just figured if she was doing it then I was, too. And? I really don’t know who that was, and I wonder at how impressionable I am for a reasonably confident adult woman to be so easily swayed by a little HTML in a sidebar of a blog. Scary.”

How could I resist? Holy Mama! is way cooler than me, so I had to check it out! Anybody else care to join us?

Other Bloggity Blog activities:

I’ve also signed up to be a member of Women4God Blogs, which has quickly become one of favorite places to visit. It’s run by Catez of AllThings2All (who is currently enjoying her summertime in NEW ZEALAND!) and is a gathering spot for the latest updates from Christian women bloggers. And I’ve become a friend of Best of the God Blogs, where I’ll be sending some links to cool things. (You can too.)

And thanks to Mama B, I’m trying out this world map that has red dots to show where everybody’s coming from. So far, you’ve visited here from nearly 70 countries — how’s that for my contribution to world peace? (If everybody in the world had a blog, we’d be too busy reading and commenting to have time for war, right?)

Since there are around 30 million blogs out there, this is the best I can do to find myself among like-minded company. Eventually, my blogroll is going to get so huge, I’m going to have nowhere to write my own thoughts! (That’s OK — I’ll be too busy reading yours!)

P.S. If you’ve not visited Jenny at LJCFYI lately, you’re missing out on the world’s most adorable Oscars Party. Check out this menu: she served Charlie and the Chocolate Cupcakes, Wallace and Gromit and the Welsh Rarebit, Memoirs of a Geisha Sushi, and Brokeback Mountain Dew. Her friends brought Constant Gardener Garden Herb Bread and Turkish Delight. Of course, she posted the cutest pictures — so go visit if you need some kitchen inspiration!

This week’s Carnival of Beauty is being hosted at Scribblings by Blair, so if you’d like to participate, you’ve still got until 3 pm today to post on the topic of “The Beauty of Order” and send Blair your link.

I confess, I’m shooting two birds with one stone here. One of my high school friends is co-authoring a book on the subject of “Breastfeeding,” and she’s asked me a couple of times to send her some tips. Well, it’s one of those things I keep meaning to get around to but haven’t. Then yesterday I realized my #1 tip for nursing moms also relates to the theme of order, so here goes.

First of all, if you’re one of my guy readers (and I know you exist, though most of you never comment!), you may just want to click on out today — because this is woman stuff here. That is, unless your wife is taking care of a newborn — in which case, what I’m saying here may make you the hero.

I don’t like to talk about controversial subjects in my blog (got too much else going on in my life!), but I do have strong opinions about the importance of scheduling a routine in homes with newborns — and toddlers for that matter. This is something that doesn’t come naturally to me — we were so blessed to be invited to take a class before our first son was born. The couple who taught the class were our neighbors, and they were the experts for me — with three happy, orderly children.

The first thing we learned was how important it was to establish a schedule for feeding your baby. This is especially important for nursing moms. Why? Because if your newborn nurses more often than every two hours, he or she will be “snacking” and not getting the rich hind milk that comes from nursing long enough to have this released. Plus, you’re going to be exhausted if you’re nursing a baby every hour around the clock.

When you can establish a flexible routine of nursing every 2-3 hours (aiming for 3), your life will start to have some order, and your baby will learn how to sleep longer at night. Getting a full night’s sleep is important for you and your baby — if a baby continues to wake up several times a night, he or she will probably be a toddler who can’t sleep well either. This makes everyone grumpy!

I’m not the kind of mom who likes to nurse out in public, so I liked to schedule my feedings when I knew I’d be at home — or in a quiet place (as much as possible). I didn’t carry my newborn in a sling and let him or her nurse all day. I know there are moms who do that, but I think this can be exhausting, especially when you’ve got two or more siblings who want to sit in your lap and be held.

With each baby I brought home from the hospital, I scribbled out a very flexible routine — that I adapted and changed each week as it became more apparent how this baby’s personality fit into our family. This schedule helped me keep my sanity, and I can’t imagine if I’d had to survive the first six weeks without having something written down to go by.

Moving on from feeding your baby, here are some other advantages of establishing daily routines. It’s very easy when you’re home with only one baby or toddler to fall into a slump of “I have nothing I really need to do, nowhere I need to be, so I think I’ll stay in my pajamas all day.” This is OK every now and then — even fun! But it shouldn’t be routine, or you’ll start to resent your husband for being out in the “real world” of adults, while you’re staying home day after day in your pajamas.

You should plan something for every day, and write it on your calendar. “Today, I will get dressed and go to the grocery store.” Or plan out a little schedule of weekly activities that you can do with your baby — or even something that you can do without your baby. I specifically joined a gym and church Bible study that both provided great child care!

Even when we were pinching every single penny in graduate school, I kept our two little ones on a routine. We didn’t have the financial means to take expensive Mommy-and-Me classes, but we looked forward to daily walks with our neighbors, free library storytime, and a couple of mom playgroups. At least three times a week, I tried to plan something that involved getting out of the house for a little bit — even if it only meant for a walk down the street.

Why am I writing all this? Because I have such a tender heart toward new moms. Sometimes I felt so alone during those early years. It’s so much easier when you have older children because they’ll have schedules that dictate how you spend your time — the baby will just come along for the ride wherever you have to be.

But it’s easy to fall into depression when you’ve got a newborn, and you’re home alone. Since many women don’t make up a schedule to live by — they feel like they’re bored or on the verge of going crazy, and they end up heading back to work as soon as possible. This makes it even harder for the moms who stay home because you really have to seek out like-minded stay-home moms.

Wow — I feel like I’m just getting started. Yikes. Blogs should be quick to read — sorry! Can you tell I’m passionate about this topic?

Well, I’m probably breaking all book reviewer records today, but I can’t wait another second to tell you about this book. Only two days ago, it appeared in my mailbox, wrapped inside a padded white envelope with that oh-so-familiar Mind & Media return address. I knew instantly what book it was, and I could hardly wait to get inside and unwrap it!

I first heard about Barbara Curtis’ book on Amy’s Humble Musings. I love Amy’s blog and when she said, “Reading this book was like a cup of cocoa on a cold day: Barbara’s warm candor and not-so-perfect stories were a treat to me, a mother in the trenches,” I knew I’d enjoy this book too. Also, one of Amy’s commenters said she read the book cover to cover with a flashlight at night! So, when I found out Mind & Media was offering this book for review, I was all over it.

This is how I spent my quiet Sunday afternoon — reading this delightful book. It’s the perfect length for busy moms, and oh-so-full of wonderful words of refreshment. Barbara Curtis has a passion for inspiring mothers like me to see our roles as a calling. I can tell you my book is already dog-eared, underlined, and filled with stars and scribbles in the margins — which means I’ll be quoting from it every chance I can get!

First of all, this book is rich; it’s not fluffy. I’m so tired of fluffy books written by authors who must produce a new book every year, even when they have nothing new to say. Their books are full of cutesy graphics and quotes from other people. The same old thing I’ve read dozens of times. Instead, this is written by a woman who finds deep, spiritual joy in the GREAT ADVENTURE of motherhood. She loves her family; she loves her life. And after reading it, you’ll understand why — and you’ll want what she has for yourself.

Lord, Please Meet Me in the Laundry Room is Barbara Curtis’ life story — her long, drawn-out answer to the question she probably hears several times a day: “So, how do you DO it?” Barbara is the mother of 12 kids — 9 of her own and 3 adopted. What’s more, she and her husband purposefully adopted three children with Down’s syndrome since one of their sons has this “little extra” chromosome. Need I say more about her qualifications to write a book?

In the first chapter, Barbara describes how her laundry room became the one place in her home where she could have a “Quiet Time,” where she could pour out her heart to God as well as listen to the “still small Voice” of the Lord. She says:

And so my laundry room became my prayer closet. For years it’s been the place I meet the Lord each morning before my children awake, and at intervals throughout the day as I transfer clothes from baskets to washer, from washer to dryer, from dryer to baskets again … I never have trouble finding God in my laundry room. He is always ready to receive my praise, my thanks, my prayers for family and friends, my joys and heartaches too.

Barbara’s journey to motherhood has taken plenty of twists and turns — she didn’t have a good role model growing up, as she was transferred between divorced parents and even in foster care at one time. She moved to California and went through a period of embracing the ideals of radical feminism. Then she discovered Christianity for the very first time while listening to James Dobson’s gentle voice on her car radio, then through attending a Focus on the Family marriage retreat. From that point on, her life changed forever, and she’s never looked back.

Despite what the world tells women, she considers motherhood the highest of callings, and she loves sharing her heart with her readers. She says:

If I had my druthers, we’d be sipping tea or coffee together, and I could take your hands and give you this special blessing: May God bless your motherhood as He has mine. May He give you the courage to see your mistakes and the assurance that He can use every one of them to His advantage. May He give you a vision of the glory of your motherhood, so that even while doing the lowliest tasks, you will not forget the privilege of your calling.

I have the feeling that one day I’m going to be reading that message out loud to a group of fellow moms — and I’ll have to practice it plenty of times beforehand so I don’t get all choked up saying it!

If you have a child who is a “challenge” or has special needs, this book is definitely for you. Barbara calls this “a little extra.” She describes what it was like to be surprised on her delivery day when she found out her newborn son had Down’s. While the nurses and doctors feared her reaction, instead she described the “joy and exhilaration” she felt at being chosen by God to raise such a special child who would always need her care. She shares how this “little extra” in some of our children motivates us to depend on God more.

She writes, “What a privilege to be so dependent, so connected to Him. And no doubt about it, it’s the connectedness to God that’s key in realizing that being a mommy is a completely worthy — and unique — calling.”

If you’d like to read an excerpt from this book, you can go to Barbara’s blog at Mommy Life and read her post, The Chapel of the Wash and Dry. You can also enter her Love that Laundry Room contest by sending her a picture of yourself having a “Quiet Time” alone in your laundry room. (Hey, some of these laundry rooms are fabulous — no fair!)

In case Barbara Curtis has a chance to read my review, I’d like to say thank you for writing this book. You’ve reminded me what a blessing it is to be chosen by God to be a mom, and how my calling is unique and wonderful. In return, I hope to find ways to continue sharing this message to people God puts in my path as well.

[Note: A condensed version of this review has been cross-posted on Amazon.]

My thoughts and prayers today are with the family of Missey Gray, a 31-year-old homeschooling mother and blogger who passed away unexpectedly during childbirth on Wednesday, March 1. I read about this on Spunky Homeschool, and I have been saddened at this loss.

Missy was an avid writer at Heartschooling, and it’s apparent through her words how much she loved teaching her children and encouraging other families. Please pray for her husband, Tom, and their five children, including her newborn daughter who survived the birth. She’s been named Melissa Kate, after her mother.

If you feel inclined, there are many ways you can help this family. A memorial post has been set up at the Homeschool Blogger Company Porch with information. You can send a card or financial gift to her family’s home in Arkansas or take part in an heirloom quilt project for her family.

This news has been shocking to me because it’s so rare for women in the U.S. to die in childbirth these days, and she had so much to live for! Only a year ago, I was about to give birth to our fifth child, and the thought sometimes crossed my mind that something could go wrong and I wouldn’t make it. I gained a greater understanding of God’s grace during difficulties reading this beautiful post, Heavy on My Heart, written by a grandmother of five who was in an email group with Missey. On the Friends page in Missey’s blog, one of her friends wrote in and said this:

As a tribute to her short life, I have decided to keep her memory afresh by choosing to live in the moment. I know I will fail, but I want to try to do it. I see so many sad and unhappy people every day. They mope through life, complain about what they don’t have, and spread negativity in all they do. There is so much in life to be thankful for and to give praise and honor to the King. There is no reason to spend one moment of any day not giving thanks and praise. There is nothing in my life to warrant a bad attitude. My time is precious here and only the Lord knows the number of days He has set aside for me.

I choose to REDEEM the time and live in the now. I choose to stop putting off until tomorrow what is best done today. I choose to LOVE those around me and tell them how much they mean to me. I choose to THANK the Lord today and always for His care and compassion. My heart is sad but it also rejoices. She is home with Jesus and knows first-hand what it means to see HIM and Praise HIM face to face.

Beautiful words to live by.

Here’s another interesting blogger quiz. Answer the questions to find out “which literary classic are you?” I enjoyed this one. Hat tip to Sally at All About Children’s Books. I didn’t realize until I was about to post my results that she and I are the same book. Guess that’s why I enjoy reading her blog so much!

Umberto Eco: The Name of the Rose. You are a

mystery novel dealing with theology,

especially with catholic vs liberal issues.

You search wisdom and knowledge endlessly,

feeling that learning is essential in life.

Which literature classic are you?
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