I know I am! OMGosh…it feels like it’s just one more thing, after one more thing, after one more thing and it’s a lot of really great ‘things’ I don’t wanna miss, but after each adventure, getaway, birthday party, graduation ceremony, barbecue, friend-fun time…the laundry is quietly breeding on the floor in the laundry room and the refrigerator is begging for something that’s gone and very necessary, and the family is like a nest of little birds, waiting with their mouths open for the next meal. (Tonight it’s blackened salmon, sweet red and yellow peppers and onions on the grill, steamed asparagus and some kind of yummy potatoes. I’m so excited! I DO enjoy my food…and don’t think I’m gourmet every night – yesterday it was organic hot dogs topped with canned chili, salad and watermelon for a quick ‘n EZ meal.)

So today, after several days away over the holiday (see what I mean? really great times!) with friends we haven’t seen in years…

…I’m playing catch-up again (yep, papers everywhere, washing machine chugging away, emails flying…).

I know you know what I mean, because it seems like the avalanche of festive gatherings, friend visits and barbecue bashes tends to hit about this time of year here in the U.S.

I’m so glad I’ve got so much to celebrate, and lots of people to love…but if I could just squeeze a few more hours into each day this week, it would be a great relief…don’t you agree????

Time to get dinner started – talk soon!

OK, I just had to share this post that came in:

Hi Denise!

You were at our CHOIS conference in Idaho last year and after you recommended this John Adams mini-series I popped by Costco on the way home and picked it up to give my husband for Father’s Day. He hadn’t heard of it either, but it is now an absolute favorite…and yep, we watched it over the Independance Day weekend also!!

Thank you so much for the recommend!

God bless~ Roberta

Anyone else holding back? This is a documentary worth touting! (TOUTING: attempt to sell, typically by pestering people in an aggressive or bold manner.) And no, I’m not getting a cut – ha! But do share your thoughts on the series if you’ve been persuaded

Brilliant Viewing!

I trust you’re enjoying some free time at some point this holiday weekend, along with a good dose of sunshine (wish I could share some of ours! 101 degrees and hovering…) and don’t forget…some reflection on the freedom you’re enjoying along with all the fireworks, barbecue and water fun…

…which reminds me, many of you still haven’t seen John Adams, the 7-part dvd mini-series I rave about, available for rental or purchase everywhere in the U.S.  I know, because I often mention it when I’m out speaking to groups, and it never ceases to amaze me that so many in the audiences have never even heard of this epic production. Probably because it was produced by HBO, which isn’t typically known for family flicks .

One more thing, you don’t have to be U.S. citizens to find this series perfect enjoyment and a lightening bolt of inspiration! (We were trying to persuade our house guests from India to be sure and see it.) The story of the United States is a God-story, and there’s something for everyone who takes the time to hear it.

It’s summer time and I promise you, you won’t regret any time or money you spend re-living the saga of our Founding Fathers, who pledged their ‘lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor’ in order for us to live free within the borders of this great nation. (Parents, do exercise caution for your younger children, as every household has its own litmus test for violence and romantic content. GRIN.)

I pray for safe and God-honoring activity this holiday weekend – God bless America!

Since Monday morning we’ve been enjoying the company of our precious friends from India. It’s been so good to reconnect with them, share the good things of God, strategize for the future, and dream Kingdom dreams.

They stopped here for a few days with their children during an extended trip here in the States, and we’ve had the most wonderful God-life connection.

Our boys have had heaps of fun with their children, too, which is the icing on the cake.

We couldn’t let the week go by without a trip to get some yummy frozen yogurt. They were lovin’ it!

Wow (I think I’m using that word a lot lately I SO enjoyed the webinar on Thursday night – I hope you had as much fun as I did…I always wonder if I’m the only one lauging at my jokes on those things – HA!

So after exhaling (and some Mexican takeout , I began planning for my fourth-born’s graduation fun on Saturday. Yes, our second graduate this month! Helium balloons, cake order, food plan, schedule, etc.

After successful execution and a full and happy day, I was exhausted! Somehow, I had been persuaded early in the week to then give up a large portion of this 100-degree Sunday to accompany my son/s to a nearby lake to ‘roast’ for awhile since a few of his classmates were planning to extend the graduation festivities with some water fun. (I suggested we all go see Toy Story 3 in air conditioning, but they weren’t going for it.)

So here I sit, observing humanity strive to enjoy their toys, while breathing in fuel fumes and watching stranger’s dogs shake sand and water all over me while I pretend I’m not irritated

I brought my sunbrella so I don’t cook in my own juices.Yep, I’m the chaperone and I’m beginning to get very hungry.

Oopsy, my sunbrella just tumbled over and the kids are out floating on a log they found…I’m also weary of the boom-boom of obscene rap music rocking the truck parked next to my folding lounge chair. Lake life, halleluah! SO glad we know God; lost souls abound in this world…

Happy Monday tomorrow-hope your summer’s going well!

…Is the title of my live webinar, airing tomorrow night, Thursday, June 24th, at 6 pm PT/9 pm ET.

When I look at my little grand-doll, Jael Ariana, my greatest desire is that this incredible creation of the living God would serve her Creator all the days of her life.

The best insurance for her bright future is that she would know Him! I’m sure most of you would agree. But how do we persuade her of this critical truth?

Join me tomorrow night as I share honestly, from my heart, what I’ve found biblically and experientially to be helpful tools for success in our mission as parents to transfer the faith of our fathers to our precious children and grandchildren.

Invite some friends and share some chocolate! See you there.

Denise- about age 5

I’ll be sharing a message I call, “Don’t Drop That Baton!” live, via the internet, at 6 pm Pacific time and 9 pm ET and I’m really looking forward to it.

Stats proclaiming that ‘67% of teens will leave the church after high school graduation’ can be daunting to a dedicated Christian parent. I know, because I love God and I have 5 sons, 2 daughters-for-life and now, a grand baby girl. My greatest desire in life is that they will serve the living God.

After over a quarter century of investing my life in my five sons’ spiritual development while also serving local churches, I will share my honest perspective on the ugly truth of Christian kids ‘jumping ship.’

With our son’s graduation from college this month, I’ve been reflecting on so many things as I’ve pored over old photos for his slideshow. 25+ years….

Raising sons and daughters is a journey of faith with many ups and downs and twists and turns! I trust that God will encourage you, Dad, Mom, through what He gives me to share with you.

Mark your calendar, invite your friends, and join me for this HSLDA e-vent this Thursday evening, June 24^th at 6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET. Let’s expect God! (www.hslda.org to sign up and save your seat!)

…with hubby.

I don’t do that much, but when I looked at the clock it was 8:10. SO much fun to have nothing on the schedule demanding immediate attention this morning, to feel the cool morning breeze streaming through the windows, see sunlight peeking through the blinds and to smell the unmistakable smell of coffee wafting through the house.

I was barely out of bed when hubby walked in, carrying a cup of steaming brew. Ahhh.

He’d been up awhile, and said, “let’s go get a breakfast burrito.” There’s a hole-in-the-wall Mexican place nearby, so off we went. We ended up ordering huevos rancheros and machaca with eggs, so we both thought we’d like a side of potatoes.

I walked to the counter and tried to do just that. The gal said, “french fries?”
“No, I want the kind of potatoes that go in the breakfast burritos,” We tried to communicate a bit more and she said, “One dollar.”

After awhile, she handed me a box and I opened it, excited to add the diced, fried potatoe chunks to my egg dish. When I opened it, hubby and I had to laugh.

I guess my Spanish needs work!

Have a happy Saturday and tomorrow is Father’s Day, as you probably know. I’ve been so busy on graduations and anniversaries, Father’s Day won’t get much attention this time around!

…outside on the patio with Daddy. Grilled cheeseburgers, pasta salad, and music playing on the Bose. So good to have the boys and a special friend here, too.

Summer nights