When I first heard the kids talk about facebook I thought, oh right, like I need another thing to occupy my time. I'm already busy with my real estate career, ta-dah mom, raising kids, being a good girlfriend, and all the other things I do. (oops gotta run in a sec to pick up kids from class and work).

Well, I discovered facebook, and I totally love it! I'm reconnecting with people I haven't seen in ages, like the foreign exchange student from France, a pastor's wife from years ago, friends from California, and fellow authors who I rarely get to spend time with these days.

If you are on facebook and want to connect, search for Terri Camp. You can become a fan (insert hysterical laughter), download the ta-dah application, or drop me a note.

Oh, you can even see pics of my new grandson. 

I was reading an online news article at yahoo news when I came upon an article with the headline, Americans' Unhappy Birthday. The headline made me bristle. I do not like fear, intimidation, scare tactics, or negative news. I decided to read the article anyway.

When I got to this quote, "Joanne Kontak, 60, an elementary school lunch aide inducted just this day as an Optimist, sums things up like this: "There's just entirely too much wrong right now." I began to laugh. I think she should have her membership revoked! (I feel like saying, HELLO! - but will refrain)

You know friends - there are only two ways to look at circumstances. But the thing is, every time we make a comment about our lives, we are making a choice. Think for a minute about the people you really like. What is it you find enjoyable about them?

My mom is the happiest person I know. I remember when my kids were little she would give them "happy shots." She would poke them repeatedly while saying, "happy shot, happy shot, happy shot" then she would make this funny rolling tongue sound. She would then give the child a tic-tac. This little act of happiness sharing has given my mom the title of "Favorite Grandma" - but don't tell the others.

It's so easy to be negative and unhappy - but don't do it!  Resist!  Resist with every ounce of being you have.

Join the optimist club and say, "Wow!  I can't wait to see what God is going to do in this situation!"

If you are able to help your children establish goals in their lives, you are giving them a tool that will carry them through into a successful life.

The first time I remember setting a goal for my life was when I was in tenth grade. I had just learned about half way through my 10th grade year that I would have enough credits to graduate at the end of my junior year.  I was told that my high school didn't allow students to graduate a full year early. They only allowed a mid semester graduation. I wanted to get out of school!  Since I'm telling the truth here, the whole reason was because I was in love. I wanted to get out of school so I could start setting up house. Even though I would have enough credits to graduate, my character was not good. 

I sat down with my dad to talk about what I wanted to do and this is what he said, "They aren't going to let you graduate early so you can get married. You are going to have to come up with more compelling reasons." Then he added this, "What kind of life do you see yourself having? Make a list of all the things you would like to do if you could do anything."

And that's what I did.  I went to my room and began to dream on paper.  I saved that piece of paper because it changed my life. There were many tears as I began to dream.  I had to dedicate some time to this.

After I wrote out my dreams, My dad and I looked at the dreams and talked together about how to make those dreams a reality.  What would be my role in making my dreams come true? Some of the items on my list included become a lawyer, write a novel, have several children, etc.

The first thing he noticed was that I really wanted to have a successful life. I'm pretty sure he didn't think I would have that if I went off and married the guy I was "in love" with.

With each dream he encouraged me to write out the tools I would need to fulfill those dreams. Under lawyer a college degree would be required. What college would I go to?  What kind of grades would I need to attend there? All of these questions he asked me. Yet he did it in a way that made me feel like I was discovering something completely new about my life.  This was definitely an exercise in self discovery. Never once did he tell me my dream was out of reach or that it was unrealistic. He helped me to discover that on my own. Yet, he helped me to see which goals were attainable for me in the near future, and which ones would take a while to fulfill.

Armed with a new lease on life, I approached the school board with my list of life goals. I now had a clear picture of what I wanted to achieve and I wanted to get started toward these goals immediately.  I attended three school board meetings where I had to stand before them and speak. I had never really spoken passionately in public before. The energy I felt was amazing! I believe this event prompted another goal to be added to my goal sheet, "Become a Public Speaker." Three months after beginning my quest to graduate a year early so I could get married there was an article in the paper, "School Board Grants Student Early Graduation to Pursue Her Dreams"

One year before I was originally supposed to graduate I walked across the stage at my high school as someone stated, "Terri Sween, voted Most Likely to Succeed by her classmates." My dad stood and applauded, but I wanted to applaud him.  Without his influence, I would not have dared to dream.

#1 Tell Your Own Goal Setting Story or Stories

#2 Talk With Your Children About Their Dreams

#3 Encourage them to Create a Dream Sheet

#4 Help Them Discover the Path to Achieve the Dream

#5 Applaud Their Efforts

I was sitting in Barnes and Noble taking a little time off. It's funny, my idea of taking some time off is going to Barnes and Noble to read Real Estate or business books. I can't remember the last time I read a novel.  Oh yes, I can, it was The Shack. That was the last book I read "for fun." ..sorry..got distracted...which is really the point of this blog.

I get easily distracted. Here's a real life example from this morning - I began by checking my e-mail. I have a daily e-mail that is a forum for moms to ask questions. I rarely read this....because I don't have enough time!... I began reading it. One of the posts reminded me of a book I loved called Sidetracked Home Executives. I began looking around that site for awhile, signed up for this little brat thing (the jury is still out if that is going to help my life or make me more distracted), then I was reminded of this phrase I came up with, "A Goal Mind is a Gold Mine". I decided to write a blog about it (which I am doing in a sidetracked sort of way), then I looked at my profile, needed to change my picture, read previous blogs, began reading other people's blogs, and now...here I am finally writing a blog on being goal minded.  If you totally understood that paragraph, you need to have a goal mind! ...please hold...I need to check my e-mail real quick....15 minutes later...I'm back.

So..I've been thinking about goal setting and how important that is in business. Typically I get all of my "office duties" out of the way before noon. Then I focus on clients and their needs. Now it doesn't always work this way, sometimes I have a client who needs to see a house in the morning, or I have a closing or something. 

What I didn't factor in to my goal setting was....well....goals.  Basically I'm doing a time management thing but not with any goals.

Even with homeschooling we need to have clear goals and we need to help our children establish clear goals for their lives.....

Before I write another book long post, I am going to end here....My next post is going to be on "helping children develop goals"

Okay, before you blast me for my lack of faith, spirituality, or whatever it is people like to jump on me for ....  well...just don't do it....I'm just sharin' is all.

Last Sunday I was sitting in church minding my own business when suddenly the Holy Spirit lovingly whacked me upside my head - in a spiritual sort of way. The pastor was preaching on fear. Well for those who know me, fear is not something that I have. I am brave!  I am strong! I am Woman! and guess what I discovered?  I am scared. I am scared when I have a closing and I have bills, that there won't be enough for the next time.  I tried to convince myself that I tithed in my heart.  That when I would receive a check, I knew God was giving it to me.  I knew He was my provider. And I knew that He was okay with me using the money to pay bills, buy food and clothes for the kids, and one nice treat for myself. I was absolutely certain he was okay with this. I would tell him, "When I feel comfortable, I will give you so much Lord!" Do you think he laughed at me?  I sometimes wonder if he just gets a big kick out of what I say to him. I would even reason that if I could use all of the money, then He wouldn't have to work so hard to get me more.

There were other times I would feel like I "should" tithe...but then I knew my heart wasn't right, so maybe it was best for me to not tithe since I didn't have a right heart.  Isn't it amazing how we can rationalize away spiritual truths?

It has really been a rough road the last three years financially - and other ways as well. But God always has come through for me. I know He is my provider. There is no question about that. 

There I sat when I got whacked. Quickly my mind began calculating - I only have enough in my account to cover the tithe. There would be nothing left after that. To top it off, I'm in real estate. I only get paid when I have a closing, and closings typically take 30 days, and I don't even have any offers on the table.  How can I give all that I have? What could happen?  I began to tremble, but felt that I must tithe.  I decided to go to the altar for prayer.  I secretly hoped the person at the altar would say, "Oh no Terri, don't give your last bit. Keep that, just in case." 

But instead he took my hand and said, "Ask God how much he loves you."
"How much do you love me God?" 
I giggled as God spoke to my heart these words, "I love you more than you can imagine." With that I knew He would be the one taking care of me - and my family. I wrote the check while trembling. I didn't write it expecting to get something. I didn't have that heart attitude. The only attitude I had was that I knew he would take care of me.

When I arrived at my car, there was a voice mail on my phone, a new client who wanted to see a house that night. I giggled. Later that night I went to the house the new client wanted to see. He was late so I opened the door, letting the house air out a little and sat in my car.  A carload of women stopped and asked to see the house. They didn't like that one, but would like me to show them other houses on their list. The original client came and wanted to make an offer on the house. (It didn't go through, but he's still looking at houses with me)

On Monday I went to take a buyer to see some houses. We had already looked at about 50 houses.  This day she said, "Why don't you let me drive this time. I know you spend so much on gas taking me to all of these houses." (PTL) While showing her houses, another client called wanting to make an offer on a house we had seen a month before. (I put in the offer and it was accepted!)

A couple of hours later a man called telling me an aquaintance had given him my number (does he know God?) and said he has a house to sell and wants to buy a house, but he doesn't need to sell his house first. I took him to see the house and he said, "Let's make a full price offer."(We now have an accepted offer on that house!) (PTL again!)

An hour later someone else called saying, "You just sold a house down the street from me and the sellers said you were awesome so we want you to sell our house for us and we need to buy a house." I will be putting this house on the market on Sunday.

I received an e-mail from a man wanting to look at two houses. They are ready to buy now! They just can't see any houses until Saturday.

I received a call on one of my listings. I met them tonight, they will be going to the bank tomorrow to check on financing for the house.

While showing the man who bought the house, a friend came with him and said, "I need to buy a house too.  Can you help me too?" (HELLO!  DUH!)

It is only Thursday, four days after giving everything to God. I'm now so busy with real estate business, I've been barely able to come up to breathe. 

I've always believed the word of God, but somehow when I was in the middle of the fear, I forgot how much He really does love me.

How much does God love you?  Ask him!

I cannot contain my excitement!  Can you see me jumping up and down, bouncing off the walls, heart racing wildly? 

Around 3:00 this morning I said to myself, "Terri, how in the world are you going to get any sleep?  You are just so excited, and you can't stop the whirlwind of thought in your head." I woke up at 8:30 already with the thoughts swirling.

Gosh it feels good to be alive!  For the past three years I was in survival mode and now, suddenly, I'm emerging once again with solid ideas and ways to help my fellow mom.

About three months ago, God planted a seed in me. I took the seed and began to nurture it. Suddenly it began to sprout. I so clearly remember pacing in my bedroom saying, "Lord, what do you want me to do with this?  This is huge!" Later that afternoon, while innocently chatting with a friend, God revealed the answer to me. The first thought out of my head was this is huge!  How do you expect me to do this?  God - don't you know who I am and what I'm capable of?  Then I was reminded that God equips the called, he doesn't call the equipped. I began to ask God to bring people into my life who could help fulfil the mission.

I began attending networking meetings.  You wouldn't believe the incredible people I met. There were some who had bits of pieces and it was always exciting to sit and chat with them.

One particular meeting I was excited to attend. I thought this meeting would help me launch my new business. Even though I was there for the new business venture, I introduced myself as a realtor in the area. Everyone around our table gave a brief introduction. When it got to Mark, he  had food in his mouth and couldn't talk. We decided to come back to him.  When we finally returned to find out what he did, he simply said he was "between" projects. I took that to mean he was unemployed.

After the meeting, there was a time for networking. I had my sights on a few people who I thought might be able to help me launch. There was a lady with a marketing company, a woman who headed up a mastermind group, and a couple of authors.  As I was looking around the room, Mark asked if we could talk for a bit.  That "bit" turned into over two hours. Within five minutes I knew Mark was the man God was bringing. Have you ever thought synergistically with someone? He would say something he had been talking about with his wife, and I would excitedly say YES YES YES...that is the exact thing I was thinking!

I've always been an idea person. I love to launch new ideas, but they often fall short because I don't put the effort into planning. Well...along comes Mark...a planning person. But he isn't the kind who plans something to death, he is a plan to launch kind of guy. 

It was fewer than three weeks ago when we had our first "can we talk for a minute" sessions. And I'll tell you - it's going to be HUGE! 

We're planning to launch on May 1st!!!  The pieces are all falling into place.

One of the really cool things about all of this is that my kids are so completely on board with me. They will even come in with ideas for me! A couple of weeks ago I was sharing the logo and another idea with the kids. John said, "Mom!  I had a dream about this last night!" He proceeded to tell me his dream. (hold on a sec I'm going to cry)

It's happening - it's moving forward at record speed - and YOU will want to be a part of the excitement!

ta-dah!

Remember when it was all the craze to say a phrase, then follow it with NOT!  Well...it wasn't a statement allowed at our house. I didn't let the kids say things that would cause people to shut down communication. They weren't allowed to say, DUH, or DOH, or Made ya Look, or NOT! I was a stickler about this. One of my main priorities was that I wanted chldren who loved each other, not children who felt like their siblings were their rivals.

The fruit of this practice became so evident when the children no longer had a dad. The kids bonded together in a greater way than I ever could have imagined. They sacrificed for one another. They poured out love to each other.

Now, I'm not saying my children are perfect and that they don't ever get irritated with each other, or that older brothers don't antogonize younger sisters. But what I am saying is that if we are purposeful in how we want our children to behave, we can help shape their futures.

On the way home from church today, Erica said, "Isn't it neat that we are nice kids? Don't you like that we love each other, and that we don't fight very much, and that we're hard workers, and we love to do our school work, and that we're all cute." ;-)

Other kids started chiming in with things like, "we do our joys without complaining" - another kid said, "We do?" We all laughed.

"Erica?" I questioned, "Are you saying that I am the luckiest mom in the world because I have the best kids on the planet?"  She said yes.

Suddenly I was overcome with an emotion that is almost undescrible, it's an emotion full of tears, but filled with comfort, and love all at the same time. And there was an exceeding feeling of great joy. My thoughts began to think about how some people could say that my kids are "broken" - even their own dad often tells me that they will never be able to have what they need because they are now in a broken home.  Well to that, I say NOT!!!

A broken family isn't a family with only one parent. A broken family, is a family where the people who live there aren't connected. I'm happy to say that the Camp family is NOT a broken family! 

Ta-Dah Mom!

I am one of the last people on the planet who I ever thought would succumb to watching a TV show on a regular basis.  For one, I don't like TV.  I don't like commercials. But the biggest reason is because I just have far better things to do with my time than to sit blankly at a television screen. I was surprised one day last year when I said to myself - It's Tuesday, American Idol is on.

Tonight I realized what it was about that show that made me want to watch it.  First of all, I realized the joy of DVR or TiVo. We can record a tv show, then watch it later without commercials. woo hoo! I don't have to schedule my life around a tv show, but can schedule a tv show around my life. Which means, that if I have a few minutes to fit it in - I can. Or I can wait a week until the next few moments.

I spent a couple of hours at the library - no wait - it was Barnes and Noble, but I read a book while there. It was a book about the life of Sandra Lee. I read the whole book and truth be told, I felt a little guilty that the only money I spent was for a latte. When I arrived home I was feeling a bit guilty that I missed watching American Idol with the kids, but it was so great to sit and read a book.

Christi was sitting on the couch, watching the recorded shows. She watched all 5 hours and it only took about 2 hours to do it. Anyway - I sat down and began watching with her.  It was surprising that we had so many opinions that were the same! It's pretty neat when your 20 year old daughter has a lot of the same opinions and ideas that you have.

I enjoyed being on the couch with her far more than I actually enjoyed watching the show. When it was over she said, "Thanks for watching that with me, it was a blast!"  I felt the same way...privileged that she watched the show with me. 

I bounced up the stairs to get some more work done when I realized I was singing one of the songs that was on the show. It wasn't even a song I particularly liked, but I was singing! For those of you who are natural singers I'm sure you won't understand this - but for me to be singing is HUGE! There is this part of me that often wants to break out in song, but I always seem to stop short. As I thought about it, I became aware that in the past few weeks I had been singing a whole lot more.

Do you think it could be because American Idol started again?

I think not!  I think it's because a few weeks ago, God gave me a vision for something that has been a passion in my heart for as long as I can remember....and now ....it seems like all of the pieces are falling into place. When passion wells up and starts spilling out - You can't help but sing!

James 5:!3 "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.  Is anyone cheerful?  Let him sing psalms." 

The other day I was talking to my dad, who also happens to be my tax attorney. As soon as my taxes got difficult I had my dad do them for me. Now, this year is a bit different than all the rest of my adult years have been. This is the first full year that I am completely supporting myself and my children as a Realtor®. I called to find out some tax stuff, like what kind of deductions can I take. Now, my dad has known me for a great portion of my life, and you would think he would completely understand that I am a RIGHT BRAINED PERSON! For him to tell me that I should carry a little notebook in my car and record the mileage for every trip I take in my car actually causes a portion of my brain to ache! He went on to tell me about balancing my business and keeping books and records on expenses and other things. I really truly do want to do this right, but I said, "Dad, Can't I just estimate?" I think I heard him collapse to the floor.

After he regained consciousness he said the most fatherly thing he could say, "Terri, your personality is not an excuse."

I responded with, "Well.....  I WANT to do it right."  What I really wanted to scream at him was, "If you're so stinkin' good at this why didn't you teach me how to do it when I was ten!?"  But I didn't. I promised I would try to do better.  I bought a notebook....  that was a few days ago... the notebook is still on the floor next to my bed...where I put it last when I wrote down a phone number for the computer repair guy.

I've been reading this incredible book called The One Minute Millionaire. In a nutshell, there are one minute decisions we make that have the potential to make us millionaires. I decided to use this book as a way to train my son Bryan to do his school work.

I know you're going to have a hard time believing this, but Bryan was having a little hissy fit about having to do his TLP. He claimed that his brain wasn't cut out for this kind of random thinking. That he was a left brained person who worked with NUMBERS...Hello!  It made his brain hurt to use the creative side - the spelling side - the grammar side. So there he sat, clutching his head with his brain hurting. I rolled my eyes. Sheesh..this right brained stuff is a breeze!

I took the opportunity to teach him a secret of millionaires. I whispered the secret to him, "Millionaires make right decisions."  He looked at me funny. I went on to explain to him that many of the decisions we make will determine if we can become millionaires or not. I told him that one dollar a day invested in a high yield investment will make a million dollars in 56 years. I think when I began talking numbers his right brain stopped hurting. I then talked about the attitudes that we make ourselves have.  He was still being a grump about the whole TLP thing. I asked him if I paid him a million dollars would he be able to have a good attitude. He grumpily said, "yes." I laughed. I then asked if I paid him ten dollars if he could "joyfully" do his school work. I think the realisticness (my invented word) of that made him take notice. He raised his eyebrows and said, "You're going to pay me ten bucks?"  To which I said, "NO.  This is a training exercise."  The question remains, "Could you do it joyfully for ten bucks."  I think he still thought I might give him the money so he said yes.  blah blah blah....  He ended up decided doing his school work joyfully would pay a high yield of return. Within ten minutes his entire lesson was done. '

This particular part of his schoolwork can often take an hour or two, but it's all because of his attitude. How many times have you raised your voice to a child who is whining about how long the work takes to tell him, "If you would just do it, it wouldn't take so long!"

It was a triumphant moment for me when I was able to tell his education mentor, John (aka - his older brother) that he was finished with his schoolwork. He looked at me and said, "How'd you get him to do that?"  Simple I said, "I told him eventually it could turn into a million bucks."

I just had a thought...maybe I should have Bryan keep track of my mileage.

I've been thinking about this whole Ta Dah revolution lately. Last time I wrote about how we should be the ones giving our kiddos Ta Dahs. But ya know...sometimes we need a ta dah from someone else.

So..this is what I want to do....I want you to post a reason that you deserve a  Ta Dah! Get all of your friends to post too.  If I can get 100 comments on this blog within 1 week of people who deserve a Ta Dah...then I will give away a copy of my book, If it Weren't for Eve...I'd be a Perfect Wife to a deserving Ta Dah'er.

The topic of your post should read: Why I Deserve a Ta Dah Today!

We have all heard the phrase, If Mama Ain't Happy, Ain't Nobody Happy - Also holds true for Papa, but I'm going to assume for the sake of argument that we are talking about mama here...and I - dear friends - am talking to YOU!

I've been doing a lot of research and study on the topic of endorphins. Did you know we have a ton of power to change the energy around us and to "up" our mood? Oh my gosh..it's so true. I've been doing experiments on my kids and this stuff really truly works!  It's amazing!

About a year and a half ago I attended a big Arbonne convention thingy in Dallas. There were several speakers that are networking speakers, but there was also a leadership speaker named Amanda Gore. See www.amandagore.com She was a hoot! I loved her energy, but she was also on target with what she was saying. I had taken two of my boys with me to this conference. Well...one of the things Amanda talked about was helping to pick each other up...not physically...but I'm certain there are physiological changes that take affect as well.  She had us turn to the person next to us, put two thumbs up in the air and say, Excellent (in a high squeaky voice).  Another thing she talked about was the need for everyone to have Ta Dah's in their life. You know, when a kid does a somersault, they stand up, fling their arms up in the air and say TA DAH!

After doing these experiments on my kids I've realized I can totally change the energy in my home with a simple, TA DAH! Allow me to explain.

I come home, into the front door of my house, many times a day. I'm running errands, going on real estate appointments, meeting people for coffee or lunch, etc. When I come back in the door I have three options.

Option number one and honestly this is what I would mostly do...before I began experimenting on my kids...was that I would quickly look around to see if anyone had done anything I had told them to do. So...seeing they hadn't done anything, I would begin the entrance into my home with...David...I told you to take out the garbage, did you do your school work yet, have you showered .Bryan, why are you on the computer? Have you read any books yet today? Did you do your JOYS? Walking through the house I would become disgusted with the undone things...If I didn't stop myself I would begin ranting and raving about everything. I now wonder if my kids would secretly think, gosh Mom.I wish you wouldn't come home.

Option number two, I could ignore everything and everyone and retreat to my room. Sometimes I would run up the stairs, saying something like...gotta go to the bathroom, then end up staying in my room.  I didn't want to be negative...so may as well be neutral (and absent).

Option number three is now the way I try to enter my house. I walk in the door and say something fun or clever such as, Greetings Earthlings! Or...Your day just got better...Mom is home!  Or most often a simple, "Ta Dah!"  When I come in with the latter, John will almost always put up two thumbs and say, "Excellent!" Another child in a high squeaky voice (it must be a high squeaky voice to affect the endorphins) will say, "Hello!"  Then I will say, "Have you had an endorphin rush today?" We will then do the endorphin rush grin...huge grin showing all the teeth, squint the eyes..and hold.  Your silly brain thinks you're really smiling and sends an enormous endorphin rush. It's great!  Try it!  Try it right now! Get one of Amanda Gore's videos...she'll show you how to do it. Within seconds the energy in my home has become electric. This is especially good to do with those teenage boys! Make them grin!  Make them!

Let me share a true life example that happened yesterday.  I walked into the house and felt like things weren't quite right...sometimes I will say, "Something smells bad."  When I walk in...This time..I walked in and said in a very loud voice, "I have the greatest kids on the planet!"  They hadn't done anything in particular..but they are the greatest kids on the planet. John turned and looked at me, put up two thumbs and said, "Excellent!!!" Erica quickly came to the front door, threw her hands in the air and said, "Ta Dah!" Pretty soon there were five kids standing in the foyer. We talked silly talk....high squeaky hellos all around....high fives to everyone....big endorphin rush grins...etc.  The energy in my home errupted....  I then said, "Did y'all do your joys?"  Bryan piped up with, "Oh...I forgot....and quickly began doing what was his responsibility.  All the other kids quickly started working on their JOYS. As I walked up the stairs I came across Cathy (the 18 year old)...she looked at me...smiled broadly and with all sincerity said, "You're awesome Mom" and she gave me a hug.  

As moms we have so much power to give our children lives that are positive and encouraging, but often we don't know how to do it. Here's one little tip for you, the next time you're feeling a little down, stand up, throw your arms in the air and with a high squeaky voice exclaim, TA DAH!

I receive a weekly e-mail, or maybe it's bi-weekly, bi-monthly, whatever..I'm not sure how often I get it, but it comes from Ellen Davis of Elijah Company. I have never had the chance to meet Ellen, although I have met Chris Davis. One of their great books is "I Saw the Angel in the Marble".  I love everything that seems to come out of their house. That's why their newsletter is about the only one I still get.

A couple of days after Christmas Ellen sent an e-mail about reading a book called, The Shack. She recommended that everyone begin their year reading this book.  Well, being a book-a-phile that I am, I couldn't resist such a recommendation. And I had to have the book TODAY!  I called the local Christian bookstores, but they were going to have to order the book. Finally I found a copy at a nearby Barnes and Noble.

I couldn't wait to begin devouring a "must read!"

Unfortunately I have a life outside of books and had to tend to children, Ashley visiting, and holiday festivities, as well as business. Every chance I got I would sneak into my room, open the book and begin to read. I agree with Ellen's assessment that this book is a must read!  I will likely read it every year, not necessarily the first day of the new year, as it isn't that kind of book.

Have you ever had an "encounter" with the Most High? Did that encounter change your life?

I've had several encounters, but a few that have permanently impacted my life. This book ranks among those encounters that have permanently impacted my life. My son John is now reading the book and said, "I absolutely love it!"

I can't tell you anything about the book as that will give you enough amunition to maybe decide against buying the book. Well...this is all I'm going to say....YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK!

Stop by the authors website, www.theshackbook.com too!

There has been some confusion with the name of my ex husband and that of a famous Christian singer.  Apparently there are a few similarities  They  have the same middle name. And the singer is divorced (not sure if he has remarried). That is where the similarities end.

My ex husband is not the singer Steve Camp.

I do not like (you could say hate, but some people think hate is a bad word, so I won't say hate here, even though I feel like I hate) obligatory gift giving.

I'm going to interject a warning - I am fleshing out stuff as I type....bleeding on my keyboard if you will.  So here goes...fleshing out the issue of obligatory gift giving.

Have you ever had to find a gift for someone just because they are on your list? My guess is most of the time we're shopping at Christmas and not enjoying it, it's because we're trying to find something for someone, who we don't really know very well.  Oh thank goodness for the Visa Gift Card! But no, that's not good enough we think, that's almost like just giving them money.  But then we tell ourselves, I would want money...I like receiving money...Oh sure it doesn't have the sentiment behind it like other gifts.....

One year in lieu of spending time and money shopping, I made bread for all of those people on my obligatory gift list, plus every person at our church.  Yes, I made about 200 loaves of bread that year...freshly ground wheat of course. The kids and I delighted in passing out the loaves of bread to people at our church. One person even came back and asked if she could have two so she could freeze one later. (still laughs at that one) Another year, I made fruitcake...what was I thinking????  I used to make a lot of gifts with my hands. Growing up my dad always told us that he prefered gifts made with our hands, than gifts purchased.

I was recounting the other day to a friend of mine how my parents would give us money to buy presents for our relatives (read obligations). We would take our money to Ben Franklin, and purchase items we knew they would love at the cost of about 3.00 each.  I found a great deal on onion choppers one year, so everyone got an onion chopper.

As much as I would love to be able to give my children money to buy presents for grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, I just cannot do it. So my kids are left without the memory of obligatory gift giving. Ah...but are they really?  You know..even those people close to us can feel like obligations this time of year. When money is tight, and we barely have enough for our own needs, it's sometimes difficult to be able to give to those we love. That makes me sad, because I do love to give. 

If I could, I would buy my mom a new home to live in so she wouldn't have to live in her little single wide that the wind whips through on those cold Missouri days. I was blessed to be able to help her fill her propane take a month ago (Merry Christmas Mom!)...unfortunately her furnace went out the following week.  Oh my heart aches to help her.

Then there is my sister...on the obligation list...but the I love you so much I could buy you things all year long list. I seem to find things for her every time I go shopping...except in December...I can't find anything. Grrr.  I'm thinking of just waiting for her to come visit, wrap myself in a bow, and spend the afternoon with her....Merry Christmas Sis!

Now, I know I'm on lists of those who see me as one who is the recipient of the Obligatory Gift. I'm thinking...if you read this...you can just give me money...I won't be offended...Really...I won't. :-)

End of fleshing...I hope you at least enjoyed this a wee bit....

I can't leave without saying something profound...it just isn't me.... 

.....Begin soft music ..... cup of hot cocoa.....  build a roaring fire.....  get a great magazine or book......Take a moment.....and spend time soaking in the presence of God.....

I have a very dear friend who awoke Easter morning to the sounds of her husband yelling," FIRE FIRE FIRE everyone out of the house!". Within a minute all 19 children were out of the house in bare feet and jammies in 20 degree weather, watching their home burn. Fortunately it did not burn to the ground so there are some items that are salvagable.

The family is one of the greatest families I know. Amanda was one of my dearest friends in Iowa before we moved. In spite of having so many children to care for, she still found time to go to the movie with me, or go shopping at Wal Mart together.

It was pretty funny when we'd get our little group of mom's together and tell people how many children we had all together. Amanda increased our per mom average significantly.  ...I digressed....oh dear...

A lot of thoughts have run through my head since their fire. One is that I am not there to help with the daunting tasks that lie ahead for her. I was able to create a small website for them so people could check the website instead of calling for more information. The address is www.familyplushome.com .

Another thought was how we so often plan our lives. We look at life as if we are in charge of everything. I know all too well that in a blink of an eye, the life you thought you lived, is suddenly changed.

I've been pondering that whole idea of how to order our lives in such a way that we are working toward our lifes goals, but still keeping the right mindset of family and God. It's not always easy to juggle all of these things. But then when crisis hits, it's like suddenly you are forced into a focussed reality.

I'm in the midst right now of getting a business going from the ground up. This requires a tremendous amount of time from me. A couple of days ago, I awoke at 8:00 to someone calling to list their house (I will gladly get up early for THAT!). I basically worked the entire day...not quitting until 3:00 in the morning. The next day, the phone rang at 9:00 - a possible client calling - another reason to jump out of bed.

But what I find is that in those days, I look back and I think...but what "value" did I produce?

I'm wondering if some of my thoughts about family and time are so easily related to how much time I was with the children when I was a full-time, stay-at-home(most of the time) mom for so many years. It's difficult for me to see myself outside of that realm. But for now, unfortunately I am the sole provider for the kids and need to work long hours to get to a place where we can once again enjoy more time together.

Just as I was feeling sufficiently beaten by my own thoughts, I walked in the door last night around midnight to see all of the kids sitting around the kitchen table playing a card game together. They were laughing and joking with each other. It was great!

I had some things to do for a couple of hours, so I went to my room. Around 2:00 AM the kids began to come into my room for hugs before bed. Again the temptation to beat myself up came as Bryan - who is 9- came for his hug. I looked at the clock and thought, when the other kids were 9, they had to be in bed by 9:00 no matter what. Suddenly I realized that just because we don't do things like we used to do, we are still "family." For my 9 year old to be up playing cards with his older siblings was a valuable thing to me.

Around 3:00, I was getting ready to go to sleep for the night when Christi came in my room. I invited her to come in and talk for a bit. She's been struggling with some big issues lately. I loved when she said, "You're so smart Mom!" At 3:45 AM she left my room with her parting words being, "Thanks for being here for me."

My temptation was to take those words and turn them around using them to make me feel bad for not being able to be here as much as I used to. But I didn't. I thanked God that he has given me wonderful kids who want to come chat with me at 3:00 in the morning.

After I awoke this morning, I went downstairs to find the four youngest kids all sitting around the table playing Skip Bo. I asked about the doorbell I had heard early. Bryan said, "Oh it was the neighbor, he wanted me to come play, but I told him I was spending time with my siblings and can't play just now."

I may not always be able to spend as much time with the kids as I used to. But I love how we're still "family." No crisis or tragedy will ever be able to take that away.

As I've  been looking at many homes recently, I've begun to evaluate some of the strange things that are done in homes.

The number one strangest thing is a laundry room tucked between the garage and the kitchen (or other entry location). How dumb is that? Where do you put the clothes? Who wants to stumble over laundry on the way into the house with all the groceries? Why can't they just make...a hallway for people to hang up their coats or put away their shoes?

Speaking of laundry....Why isn't there a hookup in every closet in every bedroom? Now wouldn't that be nice. I was watching HGTV a few days ago when I was sick in bed. Isn't it too bad that the only time you get to relax is when you're too sick to enjoy it? The mom designed her home and had washers and dryers in all of the bedroom closets. She said, "It makes it easy for the kids to do their own laundry and get it easily put away." I wonder if my clothes would be all put away if I had a washer and dryer in my closet?

I would love to hear your thoughts.....What is the "dream" laundry room like?  Do you have any laundry tips?

Here are a couple of mine...I may have some of them in my book, I"m Going to be the Greatest Mom Ever...Even if it Kills Me!

With eight kids it is easy to get overwhelmed with laundry. I was fortunate in Iowa to have a laundry room that was big enough for four large sorting bins. We had one for dark (cold) light clothes (warm) whites (hot) and towels and sheets. We also had a place for "others." The laundry room was multi-functional. In the winter it frequently served as a nursing room for mommy cats or new baby chicks. ..back to the tips.... We had to do at least two loads of laundry every day. It was easy with the bins...I would just see which one was the fullest, and do two loads from that. I was not interested in always being "done" with laundry. I didn't require all the bins to be empty. I just knew in order to keep up, I had to do two loads a day. So each day, one bin was emptied. Kids weren't allowed to have dirty clothes in their rooms.

I'm beginning to wonder what has happened....Can a large laundry room really make that much difference? Our current laundry room is a small room, but the space is now shared with a very large ferret cage. Hmm..maybe if we sell the ferret....the kids' rooms would stay cleaner?  Ferret anyone????? 

I'm thinking this might be a cool place to talk about some of the blessings God has given us this past two years. I'm going to begin with today's blessing...

A couple of days ago I was thinking about who I should tell that I'm now in the real estate business. Suddenly the Lord brought to my mind a woman who I had met at Gateway (A church in Southlake, TX). I e-mailed her and lo and behold, she just so happens to have her home for sale by owner. Well...here it is two days later, and she and her husband have just signed to have me market and sell their home for them.

Isn't it beautiful?

Allow me to tell you more of the story - Like you have a choice!

The night at Gateway, I was there with a couple of friends and my daughter Cathy. Jack Hayford spoke that night. While we were singing a song I had a vision of standing waiting expectantly when all of a sudden Jesus rode up on a white horse. I put my arm up and he flung me onto the back of his steed. I crouched behind him, holding on tightly. Suddenly the horses wings unfurled and it began to fly. Jesus drew His sword and told me that He was fighting the battle and all I had to do was to hold on to Him.

It reminded me of the verse (Terri's paraphrase) Stand firm, and watch the Lord deliver you!

I've clung to that vision time after time. And each time that I am reminded of it, I see myself hiding behind Jesus, grasping firmly to him, as he flies away doing battle for me.

It was that night that I met Ginger. Jack Hayford asked us to gather into little groups with the people behind - or in front- of us for prayer. Ginger prayed the most powerful prayer I had ever heard! It was like our spirits melded together through that prayer. Until tonight, we had not seen each other again and that was almost a year ago when we met. But our paths continued to travel until we crossed once again.

I'm excited, not only to have her great house to sell for her, but also because she is such a dear woman in the Lord, I'm excited to be able to work with her and spend more time with her.

The full text of the verses I was talking about earlier is from Exodus 14:13-14

"And Moses said to the people. "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD< which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."

Gosh I love that!  I love..the Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace. I see myself riding on that horse, holding my Peace - my Prince of Peace. (goosebump time)

For His Glory!

I'm thinking that I might start posting regularly here.

People often ask how I got from point A (homeschool mom with a seemingly perfect family) to point B (single mom living in TX with 7 of her children).

The ride began about 2 years ago. It was Feb 6th. Not that the date matters, it doesn't really. But it is a single day that changed my life. I had found out that my oldest daughter was in love - with a married man. She was living in Minnesota at the time. I asked Steve if I could go see her. He knew I had been missing her so he agreed that I could go spend the night and see Ashley. We met half-way between us. For hours we drove around in the car talking about a lot of things. We talked about some issues I had been having. And we talked about her issues. We talked about how wrong it was to be with a married man. She agreed and asked for my help. We had a great time together...talking. Just as she was getting ready to get out of the car she said, "He makes me feel safe."

"Makes you feel safe?" I said in total bewilderment. "Why do you need to feel safe?"

Suddenly her countenance changed and tears began to fall from her eyes. She tried to blink them away. She stared out the window as if trying to wipe away a memory. My heart broke as I realized something horrible had happened to her, and I didn't even know about it. I began gently to ask questions. "What happened?"  "How old were you?" When I asked how old she was when it happened, her tears increased. She kept shaking her head, not wanting to tell me. Finally she said, "Dad kissed me in ways you don't kiss a daughter." That was the moment my world seemed to shatter.

I suddenly became a single mom overnight. Not only that, but I had a child who had been deeply wounded. And more who may have been. So many questions...so few answers. I often wondered how it was I didn't know. It was easy to beat myself up during the following weeks.

I knew without a doubt that God was there...holding me through the battle. I remember one time I was lying on the floor of my bedroom sobbing. I said, "God, I cannot do this!  This is too much for me to bear!" In his gentle whisper he said to me, "It was too much for Moses too, so I sent people to hold up his arms in the battle." I held onto that and allowed people to help me.

God seemed to be drawing me to Texas. I didn't know why. I knew a few people there, but I didn't have any relatives or real close friends. I found a friend via yahoo personals who lived in TX. I wasn't looking for romance, just needed people to help me. John and I became great friends. In fact to this day I consider him my best friend. It's neat how God works things though. When I thought John was helping me, I was actually help him. He had never met anyone who really walked with God. It was a foreign concept to him actually. He still wonders how I make it. Sometimes he just shakes his head at me when I'm dealing with kids, and work, and life, and frustrations, and questions about how to pay my rent. And he has seen time after time the way God continues to provide for us.

God provided the perfect job for me. I walked into a little homeschool bookstore called Creative Arts in Action. I knew nothing about the place at all. Little did I know the owner and some others were praying for God to bring the perfect person to come manage the store. And in I walked.

The day we moved to Texas, many people helped us. We were given meals by members of some church. We ended up going to that church the following Sunday. The pastor began talking about being in "agreement" in prayer. He stopped preaching for a time of ministry. I realized that I so desperately needed prayer. I went forward and many people circled around and  began praying for me. One of the men began to pray and said, "Lord, I commit to you to be an example of a godly man in the lives of Terri's children, and I commit to you that I will Hold up her arms!" Can you believe he said that? God spoke to me so powerfully through that prayer. I think I was up front for a good 30 minutes with many people praying for our situation. His warmth and care engulfed me.

I wish I could say the road has been easy, but I can't. And honestly I don't believe I would want to have an easy road if it meant I wasn't walking this closely with God. One of my kids told me just the other day she would never want life the way it used to be because she has drawn so close to the Lord now and she wouldn't trade that in for anything. Another one said her spiritual life was so strong now. Often it is the most growth that happens during the most pain.

I remember when I was an adolescent. My parents had gotten divorced, and I went to live with my mom in another city. I fell into some horrible traps, drugs, drinking, etc. I had two abortions before I was 16 years old. I was called into the principals office at school where he informed me that I was going to fail and risked being expelled because I had missed too many days of school. I could do the work, and got all A's on everything...but I missed too many days and they deducted those days from my grade. I, of course thought it was terribly unfair! But ..something in me snapped (in a good way). I made a decision that night to turn my life around. Two years later, I graduated from high school a year early and was even voted Most Likely to Succeed. It is through those trials, our lives grow exponentially. I'm convinced of that and that's why I believe I don't see with my natural eyes, the circumstances that surround me. Somehow God has enabled me to see beyond the moment. He has shown me that He is faithful, even if my natural eyes would not see that.

In April of last year my ex husband was fired from his job. There was a public outcry because he had to register as a sex offender. Of course the people who most suffer are the ones who were most hurt already.

It's been almost nine months since then. The interesting thing for me is that for 20 years I considered Steve to be my provider. Suddenly I had to solely rely on God for that provision. And I will tell you, the He comes through time and again. The Sunday after Steve lost his job I was at church talking with a friend who said to me, "You will have to be very careful now. You mustn't spend anything without accounting for it. You can't even buy a bag of chips at the gas station." Her advice was good. But it put a dark cloud over me.

Later that day I was driving somewhere alone. I was just talking with God as I'm in the habit of doing. I keep the little earpiece to my phone in my ear though, just in case someone things I'm looney driving around talking to myself. He whispered to me, "I will do exceedingly, abundantly, beyond all you can ask or think." I decided then and there that I was not to have a poverty mindset. That meant if I wanted to give to someone..I could. If the kids needed something, I could buy it. God constantly provided exceedingly abundantly beyond all I ever asked. ..or thought. It was ..and is...amazing!

When I look at the check book balance telling me that I have 34.54 and I know that I need to buy groceries, And I know that rent is 1400.00 and I know it costs about 1000.00 to feed the kids for a month I don't fear or worry. I remember one time before church telling God that I wanted to give to someone. But I didn't have anything to give. That morning at church someone walked up and handed me a "gift" from an anonymous person. God provided for me to give..and enough to pay my rent. Exceedingly...abundantly...beyond all we can ask or think....  That's the kind of God I serve!

Gosh, you sure can't tell by the frequency of my posts that I'm a writer. Believe me though, it is still and always will be deep in my blood. I think this whole change of life has just taken a bit getting used to.

The last picture I posted was taken on my couch/bed, which I slept on in a small apartment that seven of the kids and I lived in for about 14 months. Praise God we now have a house we are renting that has SIX bedrooms.  I have my own bedroom and my own bed!!!!  It's so awesome...I haven't had my own room since I was a kid!

We've had so many "God" things happen in the last two years. I can't believe it's been two whole years now. Wow!

One huge change is that I have left the bookstore I was managing. It was a giant leap of faith...trust me when I say GIANT! I decided if I was going to be the sole support for our family I need more than just a job, I need a career. After trying a couple of things, I decided to take the courses to get my real estate license. So here I am...a Realtor now. Who would have thought?

I'm working for a great company in Southlake! I began on Jan 2nd, so if you're in the DFW area, I could sure use the referrals!

Check out my website when you get a chance. www.dfwhomesrealty.com