Are You a Sideshow Or a Star?

I just watched this critically acclaimed short film (about 20 minutes long). It has won several awards including the first ever Clint Eastwood filmaker award.

If you love a story of grace, you will enjoy it.
I did.

To all of us that have felt more like a sideshow than a star...

Click here to watch:
The Butterfly Circus

Wait...2011 would like to be remembered.

I should preface this by saying that I am writing this under the influence of many over the counter cold meds. If I say anything offensive, send an email to my editor.

It didn't take long. As soon as women put down their fork after Christmas dinner they started tweeting and FB'ing about their New Years resolutions. And though I should be thinking about that, I'm going to sit here and simmer on the past year for at least another meal.

Before we jump ahead...which I will be, especially next week when the latest Praise and Coffee magazine publishes (because it's all about new beginnings), let's savor what 2011 tasted like.

I want to think about the many things that I have to be thankful for this year:
Most of all the health and well being of my family.
A deeper sense of God's proximity and love.
Full bellies and happy hearts.

We're spoiled really.

And then there are the regrets.
I regret all the rushing.
I regret all the worrying.
I regret all the fear and insecurity that dictated my decisions.

Which I supposed now leads to the resolutions I need to make.
Ugh. I'm not a good resolution maker. Actually I despise them.
I would rather decide to change- then make the change- live the change- and THEN talk about it.
However, I really do feel that goals are good, needed and highly beneficial.

Sorry, maybe it's the bucket of cold medicine I just drank that's making me talk in circles.

Anyways...I would love to hear what you're thankful for and what you regret as we close out 2011.
Did you achieve last years resolution? (If that just upset you, we can pretend you threw pie at me. I'm sure it hit me because I'm too drowsy to duck.)

PS: I just told Lauren she could make her own ice-cream sundae while I finished this post...once again ruining my chances for mother of the year.

Edited to add...I don't have an editor.

A Few Tips to Help Moms This Week

If you're stopping by because you heard me on STAR 105.7...welcome!

Another in the Real Moms of West Michigan series heard Tuesday mornings on STAR 105.7...
It’s here, the final stretch until Christmas, how are you doing?

Lauren (7) is literally bouncing off the walls this week. Yesterday I was folding clothes and she did about 47 cart wheels in my bedroom and then showed me her gymnastics move on the bar of my treadmill.

I may not be able to help calm the kids down but I do have a few tips that might help you get through this week:

1. De-clutter! Let the kids help, teach them that Christmas is a team sport!

Give them two bags and send them to their bedrooms/playrooms with these instructions:

a. One bag is for trash and broken toys.
b. The other is for toys and items that are no longer played with and can be donated.

This is the perfect time to do this because you have leverage…the kids want new toys and they are trying to be on their best behavior this week, so give them incentive and let them loose.

2. Last minute gift shopping? My answer: gift cards.

Chances are that by now if you haven’t picked up a gift for someone it’s because they are difficult to buy for, so a gift card is the perfect solution.

NOTE: Men, this does not work with you wife. You should put some thought into her gift unless you like sleeping in the garage.

3. Put this week/season in perspective, what REALLY matters this week? Sure, we can run around and make everything just right, but that’s truly not the point of this season.

Instead of thinking PERfection this week, think AFFection.

It’s about the ones we love, not the perfectly wrapped gifts.
Savor the moments not just the ham, and experience peace this Christmas instead of anxiety.

Christmas started with the birth of a baby in Bethlehem but when that baby grew He revealed the reason for His life:

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27

This post shares a little more about how perfection was not the focus of Christmas.

I hope you have a Merry Christmas!

The "Real Moms of West Michigan" airs Tuesday mornings at 7:05 AM EST.

If you are not in the West Michigan area, you can listen online at iHeart Radio: STAR 105.7

A great place to hear full time Christmas music right now!

And visit Tommy and Brook at:
STAR 105.7
STAR 105.7 on Facebook
@TommyAndBrook on Twitter

Seeking Peace This Christmas

Here's what I want to unwrap this Christmas...(check out my post at the Internet Cafe' today)

Christmas Wasn't Meant to Be Perfect

Is it as hard for you to settle your heart this time of year as it is for me sometimes?
With all the preparations and family interactions, I pray you have a wonderful - peacefilled Christmas.
Much love ladies.
Sue

A Victoria's Secret Model or a Proverbs 31 Woman?

Have you seen the Live 31 campaign?

It’s blanketing the internet on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and the blogosphere; here is how their website says it began:

“Live 31 began on November 30, 2011 with a simple status update, “I’d rather have a Proverbs 31 woman than a Victoria’s Secret model.” Throughout the night, this status was reposted numerous times. As the status spread, we saw there was need for more action. We started with a Facebook page saying the same thing as our status updates. With mixed receptions of our message, we decided to post a video. Our founder, Alex Eklund, clarified our message, and we started to grow. In 3 days, we received over 120,000 views on youtube, and our Facebook page grew to over 7,000 likes.”

Basically it’s five freshmen guys from Baylor University wanting to change the way society looks at beauty. Clothing line and merchandise will be available soon to help this happen. *clearing throat*

Here is a link to the video that is getting most of the attention:

Live 31

I believe this guy is serious (and a serious entrepreneur) and I do applaud his stand against the sexist way that women are treated and how beauty has been falsely portrayed as something to be seen and not experience within.

But, honestly this whole Live 31 campaign has been troubling to me from the beginning. I’m afraid it puts the sense in a woman’s head that she feels she must live up to either a Victoria Secret model OR all the characteristics of the busy Proverbs 31 woman.
God has uniquely created each and every one of us to know Him and be beautiful in the life that He gave to us. Not all of us will be wives, mothers or work outside the home as the Proverbs 31 woman did. And some supermodels will know Jesus and love Him with all their heart and be wonderful wives and mothers.

Unfortunately I've spent a lot of time lately with women who are struggling under the weight of performance. Trying to be such a Godly woman, wife and mom that they are missing the whole point of being a Godly woman...the relationship with God. With the help of church leaders they've taken on a burden to perform that God never gave them. Running around trying to do it all and yet they're dry and thirsty on the inside desperately needing a time of refreshing that can only be found in a one on one relationship with their heavenly Father.

A Godly woman is one who has her hope in God and knows she’s loved by the One who created her and shows that confidence in all she does by living loved and loving others. Sadly I think that the whole point of Proverbs 31 gets lost in the middle of the chapter with all the "doing."

Proverbs 31:30:

Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.

Start there...with fear (honor and respect) for God, and watch what He does with your life.

I made this a few years ago when I had written a few posts on women in leadership.

Whether a woman is walking a runway or busily spinning her wool and flax or doing neither, she is beautiful and loved by God exactly the way she is. When she yields her life to God, He will bring her on a journey to take care of the outside stuff that needs to change and heal whatevers hurting on the inside in the process.

Here's a link to another article that I read yesterday on the subject:
J Bryant Writes

I'd love to hear your thoughts...

Christmas Carol Lyrics

Tonight I'm heading out with a few friends to take part in CSI (Caroling Stars Initiative) through STAR 105.7's incentive to get people out caroling and spreading the Christmas cheer.

It's going to be a rainy soggy night but we've decided to go out anyways and stop in a couple nursing homes.

I was looking for music and realized how difficult it was to find the lyrics without a million pop ups so I thought I'd put together a post for you to use also.

If you would like a pdf file to print, email me and I'd be happy to send you one.
I hope you have a Merry Christmas!

Jingle Bells

James Pierpont. publ.1857

Dashing through the snow in a one-horse open sleigh,
Over the fields we go, laughing all the way;
Bells on bob-tail ring, making spirits bright,
What fun it is to ride and sing, A sleighing song tonight, O

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!
O what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh (repeat)

A day or two ago, I thought I'd take a ride,
And soon Miss Fanny Bright, was seated by my side;
The horse was lean and lank; misfortune seemed his lot;
He got into a drifted bank, and we, we got upsot.O

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way!
O What fun it is to ride, in a one-horse open sleigh. (repeat)

Deck The Halls

Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Tis the season to be jolly
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Don we now our gay apparel
Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la.

Troll the ancient Yule-tide carol
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

See the blazing Yule before us.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Strike the harp and join the chorus.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Follow me in merry measure.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

While I tell of Yule-tide treasure.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Fast away the old year passes.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Hail the new year, lads and lasses
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Sing we joyous, all together.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Heedless of the wind and weather.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Joy To The World

Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

O Come, ALL Ye Faithful

O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of Angels!



O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.



Sing, alleluia,
All ye choirs of angels;
O sing, all ye blissful ones of heav'n above.
Glory to God -In the highest glory!



O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.



Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be the glory giv'n;
Word of the Father,
Now in the flesh appearing,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

Silent Night

Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright,
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child.
Holy Infant, so tender and mild.
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly host sing, Alleluia,
Christ, the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born!


Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love's pure light,
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.

Twelve Days Of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
A partridge in a pear tree.

On the second day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Two turtle doves
And a Partridge in a pear tree.

On the third day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a Partridge in a pear tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a Partridge in a pear tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a Partridge in a pear tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Six geese a laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a Partridge in a pear tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Seven swans a swimming,
Six geese a laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a Partridge in a pear tree.

On the eighth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Eight maids a milking,
Seven swans a swimming,
Six geese a laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a Partridge in a pear tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a milking,
Seven swans a swimming,
Six geese a laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a Partridge in a pear tree.

On the tenth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Ten lords a leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a milking,
Seven swans a swimming,
Six geese a laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a Partridge in a pear tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a milking,
Seven swans a swimming,
Six geese a laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a Partridge in a pear tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a milking,
Seven swans a swimming,
Six geese a laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a Partridge in a pear tree.

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled."
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th' angelic host proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem."

Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!
Christ, by highest heav'n adored:
Christ, the everlasting Lord;

Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of the favored one.
Veil'd in flesh, the Godhead see;
Hail, th'incarnate Deity:
Pleased, as man, with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!

Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!
Hail! the heav'n-born Prince of peace!
Hail! the Son of Righteousness!

Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die:
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.

Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!



When the Unthinkable Happens and Your Child is Sick

If you're stopping by because you heard me on STAR 105.7...welcome!

Another in the Real Moms of West Michigan series heard Tuesday mornings on STAR 105.7...


Seven years ago my life was thrown into a whirlwind of hospitals, doctors, insulin, injections and ketones. I had no idea what ketones were but I learned quickly when my 13 year old son was diagnosed with Type 1 juvenille diabetes. No one in our family was diabetic so I was shocked to learn that my son could have diabetes and need insulin for the rest of his life.

I didn’t know the symptoms of diabetes so by the time I realized that he was sick, he was VERY sick. His blood sugar was over 800 (normal is 80-100) and he was lethargic, dangerously close to going into a coma. Oh and did I mention that my husband was on the other side of the world walking the hills of Israel with Ed and Kent Dobson? Yes, unreachable. I had to be the strong one, and I don’t always do strong real well. Thankfully my brother and some wonderful friends were there by my side.

The hospital was amazing. The staff was incredibly helpful and patient with this overwhelmed and under knowledged mom. One nurse in particular touched me in a precious way, her name was Becky.

It was day 2 in the ICU and she was teaching me about insulin and the how, when, where and why’s of giving my son injections as I practiced on a towel. I was still processing the fact that he was diabetic while learning how to handle emergencies that could arise after we took him home. This nurse understood my grief and confusion, she shared with me that her son was also diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as an older child.

As you can imagine, I asked her a million questions. But there was one question I was terrified to ask but she knew was plaguing me. In the middle of my injection class, she looked at me, put her hand on mine and said, “This is not your fault.”

I burst into tears.

Becky knew that at the core of all my angst was the gripping fear that I had caused this to happen, that somehow if I had been a better mom I could have prevented this. She had experienced the same feelings when her son was diagnosed. My tears brought her to tears and we both sat there and cried. I needed that and I’m so-so thankful that she was there to share it with me.

My son is now 21 years old and a healthy strong young man.

This week on the Real Moms of West Michigan on STAR 105.7 I shared this story in hopes of encouraging moms who might be in the middle of a difficult situation with a special needs, sick, hospitalized or emotionally challenged child.

When the unthinkable happens and our child is sick or born with a special need, our lives can turn upside-down and as Moms we face all kinds of challenges, physically and emotionally.

My heart goes out to you and though I can’t change it, I pray that God would bring the comfort and encouragement into your life through those around you. And I pray you know that it is not because you were a bad mom or did something wrong, this is the difficult side of life that gives us a depth and compassion that only a mother can understand.

I’m so thankful to the hospitals and the doctors who have supported and helped us over the years, which is why I wanted to share this-this week when Tommy and Brook on STAR 105.7 are doing their TOY (Think Outside Yourself) radiothon to help raise money for the Helen Devos Children’s hospital.
Click on the link if you would like to learn more about it.

And here is a video by Brook's son about his stay at the hospital.

The "Real Moms of West Michigan" airs Tuesday mornings at 7:05 AM EST.

If you are not in the West Michigan area, you can listen online at iHeart Radio: STAR 105.7

A great place to hear full time Christmas music right now!

And visit Tommy and Brook at:
STAR 105.7
STAR 105.7 on Facebook
@TommyAndBrook on Twitter

The REAL Moms Series ~ Helping Our Kids Deal with Disappointment

If you're stopping by because you heard me on STAR 105.7...welcome!

Today I want to give REAL moms some tips on helping our kids deal with disappointment.

I have 4 kids ranging from 7 to 23 yrs old so we’ve dealt with everything from ‘I didn’t get the Christmas present I wanted’ to full blown broken hearts.

Life is full of little and big disappointments. As much as we'd like to spare our kids from letdowns, we can't, and really, that's a good thing. If we constantly try to shield them from disappointment, we will keep them from developing some important life skills.

Of course we want to comfort our children when they are upset and hurting and we should. But we also want to use these opportunities to teach them a few things.

I’m sure I’m not the only mom who has heard the words: THAT’s not fair!

One of the ways we can help our children is to teach them that life is NOT fair.

Just shatter that fantasy because it will only lead to more disappointment!

Face it, life is a series of wonderful and heartbreaking events.

But we can prepare our kids, and one of the best ways is by communicating with them.

Maybe our child didn’t make the team, let’s help them put that into perspective. Explaining to them: this is just one team, there will be so many more opportunities and maybe this was not the best plan for them right now. You might need to redirect them into an area that might fit them better, possibly a different sport or activity altogether.

I had a friend whose child wanted to be on the basketball team SO badly. When they didn’t make it they were crushed, but the parents encouraged them to take soccer and it’s a perfect fit.

Maybe you have older children and they are crushed about a relationship that fell apart or college or job situation, let them grieve the situation, but when you can, talk to them about how this disappointment just may work out to be the best thing that ever could have happened. Explain that maybe there is a different plan for their life and this just may be the grace of God to save them from more heartache.

And no matter what the age, remind our kids to be thankful for all the wonderful things that do surround them.

REAL moms have REAL kids that are going to face REAL disappointments but by staying connected with our kids and encouraging them through life’s disappointments we get to help steer them on their path.

The "Real Moms of West Michigan" airs Tuesday mornings at 7:05 AM EST.

If you are not in the West Michigan area, you can listen online at iHeart Radio: STAR 105.7 A great place to hear full time Christmas music right now!

And visit Tommy and Brook at:

Tommy and Brook's Page
STAR 105.7 on Facebook
@TommyAndBrook on Twitter