http://www.NRToday.com Serving Douglas County, OR Fri, 24 May 2013 02:53:35 -0600 en 30 http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/4400347-113/facebook-com-conversation-county One evening, while sitting on the couch, I leaned over and squeezed my beloved's hand. As he glanced my way, I told him, "I like the in betweens." He smiled back. "The in betweens?" he asked. "Yes, the times when we aren't doing anything but being with each other. The times where we aren't busy or doing something exciting... the in betweens." It is so easy to get caught up in the doing of life that we forget the being. Our calendars are filled with events, meetings, school plays, sports, weddings, birthday parties and church. So often we wait until … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/6504733-113/doing-betweens-family-jemelene Pregnant moms have a million questions to answer: which doctor; which hospital; what birth plan; birthing tub; epidural; etc… Adding to the pile of decisions to make, mommas now have the choice to bring home their cuddly and warm placentas. I can just see it now: “Mrs. Arnold, would you like your placenta cooked medium or medium rare?” Perhaps I would like it on ice. Maybe placenta stew or lasagna? Decisions, decisions. While I can’t imagine bringing home my fresh-born placenta like some McDonalds Happy Meal, many mothers can – and now can do so legally. The Oregon Legislature recently … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/6520189-113/placenta-mothers-arnold-baby In an effort to lose that last 5 pounds of baby weight, I am doing a 30-day “no sugar challenge.” Those who know me well can confirm that this is no small feat because I love ice cream… and cookies, pie, candy, chocolate and basically anything and everything that contains sugar. The fact that I’ve been able to cut cold turkey (I’m 15 days sober now) proves just how bad I want to lose those not-so-lovely love handles. In an attempt to curb my cravings (and trick my body into thinking I’m giving it what it wants), I’ve turned to … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/6624441-113/anne-blodgett-creighton-lose Summer brings sunshine and fun, but for parents and children it also can mean injuries, bug bites, allergies, rashes and dehydration. In an effort to hopefully save you from the aisles of sunscreen choices, lines at urgent care and the countless number of things the Internet will tell you, I had Wendy Zyziewski, a local family nurse practitioner at Evergreen Family Medicine and a mother of two, answer some burning summer safety and health questions from a handful of Douglas County mothers for a special two-part series. Allergies How do I know if my child has seasonal allergies? Wendy: Common … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/6607764-113/wendy-child-brittany-medications Back in 2000, I became a mother a week before Mother’s Day. I can still remember my daughter’s tiny face. She was a fat little newborn with red, heart-shaped lips. This May, I’m embarking on a new phase: parenting a teenager. Sometimes, I watch my children and think about what stage they’re in, and I try to remember myself at that age. While some of my early childhood memories stand out, I don’t always remember everything about being 5 or 10. However, being a 13-year-old girl is crystal clear in my mind. That’s partly why it’s so funny to hear … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/6444038-113/kids-remember-daughter-mom By the time this is published, I'll have returned from a weekend of time with friends. Every once in a while, the opportunity comes to feed my soul with time away from home. My husband supports this without the need for reciprocation, which adds to the beauty of the journey. The first friend I'll visit on my trek has been part of my heart for more than 20 years. We can go months without speaking and jump right in to place where we left off. In our younger years, our families spent late nights drinking coffee and laughing until our … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/6589299-113/jemelene-wilson-ago-family As the days are getting warmer and summer is just around the corner, I am seeing more commercials on TV in regards to diet plans and getting your body swimsuit ready. Beautiful women prancing around in bikinis with healthy suntanned bodies and no signs of cellulite or stretch marks does not encourage me to go find my suit and put it on. After having gone through three full-term pregnancies, you might say my body has changed quite a bit over the past decade. For me, getting "swimsuit or bikini-body ready" would probably require a lot more than just a good … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/6470886-113/body-jayne-swimsuit-fun Everyone is so busy these days, running here and there, doing life; they are busy being busy. Have you noticed that if you slow down in the midst of being busy, you may actually notice some pretty small but significant things? There are so many things in life we often miss out on, because, well… we are just too busy. Have you noticed: * The flower that has just bloomed in your front yard * Your little one just said his or her first word * Screams of joy and delight from running through a sprinkler with your kids * … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/6587792-113/busy-jayne-child-gautreau It’s amazing to think how much time and energy goes into raising a family. I had a rough few years after my oldest was born. Trying to figure out how best to handle each new step of her life was a challenge to me. I judged myself based on what I thought others thought of my child-rearing and there were some pretty miserable years in there. I learned a few things along the way. Some by trial and error on my part, some from observing others. Some worked well for child number one but were totally ineffective for number three. … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/6535782-113/child-family-marla-mom I’m sure most of you have experienced the phenomenon of what I like to call the “Perfect Storm of Household Necessities.” It’s that certain month where everything from toilet paper and toothpaste, to window cleaner and mascara needs to be replenished at the same time. It doesn’t happen every month. And that’s a good thing, especially on my budget. It can be very frustrating during the perfect storm at my house because we use the envelope system and my grocery budget actually includes all these expenditures as well. But, when it does, naturally, money is found for each item and … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/6430627-113/storm-marla-perfect-replenish "Mom, why don't you spend much time with me anymore?" asked my 10-year-old son.   This question was posed at the end of our day when I had worked all day filling cake orders, making meals, driving to and from school and kiddo activities, helping with homework, bedtime, bath routines, etc. We had spent time! All of my time, in fact. But it wasn't the kind of time he was speaking of. Quality time is what he was wanting and needing. Funny thing is, quality time is one of my love languages. Spending quality time is how my love tank gets … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/6506994-113/quality-jill-love-busy Ever wish you had a break? Not just five minutes where you lock yourself in the bathroom to be alone, cry out to God or just check Facebook on your phone.   A real break. Let me paint you a picture... beautiful sunshine, open road, sunroof open, music of your choice, all responsibilities covered. ALONE. Freedom. Freedom from caring for anyone other than yourself. Freedom to do as you please all in the company of other amazing women.   I did this recently. I had an opportunity to be myself first and literally be away from the home so I could decompress … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/6441759-113/women-family-jill-break Mother’s Day this year brings about new thoughts and emotions for me because I now have a little one of my own (who will someday very soon actually be saying “Mama”). It’s definitely a beautiful feeling to know that I am his and vice versa. And when I sit down and really think about what that means, I get a little teary-eyed. The funny thing about becoming a mother is that it makes you realize your own mortality. The carefree days of your youth are suddenly burdened with the realization that death does actually exist, and you will one day … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/6442807-113/carry-heart-anne-blodgett Twenty-two years ago, I received my first Mother's Day gift: a small carousel horse statue from my husband. Less than two weeks before, we had learned that finally and truly I was pregnant. We took a trip north to the big mall where they had a maternity shop and bought a beautiful pink-and-white dress trimmed in eyelet. I remember using a provided pillow to mimic what I would look like in a few months. It was surreal and breathtaking. It was also a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This was the only time I would experience a pregnancy. I know how incredibly blessed … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/6415379-113/family-honor-whose-jemelene For type-A personalities like me, the pregnancy “nesting” instinct isn’t as gentle as it sounds. For me, it is full-throttle anxiety. I must clean everything, re-do everything and I live in fear of the life-shattering moment that will occur if everything isn’t done by that little baby's arrival. Even as I remind myself that I have everything I need or the baby needs, and that it is all in God’s perfect timing – I wear my massive to-do list like a tattoo, completely stuck to me at all hours. I even dream of new things to add to it at … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/6425918-113/brittany-everything-baby-god As a photographer and a mom, I get a lot of questions about how to take good, everyday photos of kids. The information I know about taking a quality picture is no secret. The basics of good photography are not reserved for professionals only, and with a little time and practice, anyone can take a photo worth framing. 1. Learn how to use your camera in manual mode. Most parents I see out and about have invested in a good digital SLR camera, but until they learn to switch off the auto settings, the images will just be average (which … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/6354422-113/anne-flash-blodgett-camera I’m sitting here this morning feeling so humbled. So humbled that it is uncomfortable. Last week, I went through one of the hardest times in my life losing my grandmother – and this week, as I grab hold of each day, trying to get back to life and a schedule, I am surrounded by flowers, cards, phone calls, prayers, hugs and love. I’m so thankful. I have friends that aren’t just friends – they are sisters. They don’t just like you, they love you. They don’t just use you to fill their “I need” cup, they see your needs and … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/6315695-113/friends-flowers-love-brittany I hate the heel of a loaf of bread. It’s too dry for my taste. I think a good sandwich should consist of two slices of bread, perfectly aligned both in shape and color. The heel will not fit that description if used with a piece of bread from the middle of the loaf. My brothers and I used to fight over who would have to eat the heel sandwich.  In my own home, I don’t make the kids eat a sandwich made that way either. I used to not even keep them. I’m telling you this because my wonderful husband … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/6321397-113/bread-heel-marla-piece One of my favorite guilty pleasures is reading. Every mom needs some time to relax and get lost in a good book, and summer (ahem, reading season!) is almost here. You’ve probably come across Nicholas Sparks’ latest books, "Safe Haven" and "The Lucky One." Both are typical Sparks stories and great reads if you haven’t picked them up. I’ll skip the descriptions and instead tell you about a few books you might not have read yet. One of my very favorite books is "Don’t Let Me Go" by Catherine Hyde. A little girl sits outside her apartment so someone will … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/6271221-113/reading-book-author-books There is something so special – so, magical – about a grandma. Mothers are special, too, but once a mother is made into a grandmother, something extraordinary happens. Having the first grandchild on both sides, I have watched my wonderful mother and mother-in-law make this transition. It has always made me reflect on my wonderful grandma, who recently passed. Grandmas don’t rush. They read long books without skipping pages. Grandmas gently brush hair and braid without pulling. Grandmas always let you win and allow pieces of chocolate for breakfast. Grandmas have the warmest hugs and will cuddle for what seems … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/6228574-113/grandmas-brittany-arnold-else I had noticed recently that our front yard had been starting to look a little neglected. Lots of weeds were starting to sprout up through the bark mulch. I decided to spend some time out there working in the yard while my son was napping. It was a beautiful, sunny day; a breeze was blowing, so it was perfect for yard work. As I started to pull weeds, the task seemed somewhat tedious. It started getting a little hard to bend down, and there were many more weeds than I had originally thought. Little tiny ones, some that were starting … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/6271110-113/weeds-grow-yard-jayne When we picked up our youngest daughter, she was 6 weeks old. The charity that takes abandoned infants had made arrangements for us to leave her with a foster parent until our paperwork was done. Those plans fell through. The morning of our flight home, we found ourselves dashing around Southern California. We were in a borrowed car getting papers notarized, buying diapers and changing flight reservations to add an infant. We arrived at the airport with very little time to spare. In the pre 9/11 world, we were able to grab our boarding passes to make it to the … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/6214061-113/flight-jemelene-wilson-add My husband and I are always joking about who Liam will take after most as he grows up, and I, of course, am always assuring John that my genetics will win out in the end. Joking aside, as parents I think we hope our children become better versions of ourselves. But late one night as I was rocking Liam to sleep and dreaming of what his future would look like, I decided that I would be perfectly fine if he ended up being just like his dad. It’s not that I don’t have good qualities that deserve to be passed … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/6144300-113/anne-blodgett-creighton-dad My husband and I always joke about how there is always something wrong with a woman. Period cramps, menopause, hurting back, migraines, bunions, colds, etc… I have to agree with him that yes, women seem to love the doctor's office and seem to fall apart more easily. My explanation is that God made man first, thus women kind of got the scrap pieces of being put together. But in all reality, God wired women with the most graceful strength there is – and it is up to us whether we use it. The worldly vision of a strong wife is … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/6113842-113/god-husband-woman-wife Last week, I shared bits of my experience with medical professionals in caring for my daughter. The other side are those who have given us strength for this journey by hearing before speaking and listening before making decisions. This is what I want you to know about them. It is by divine providence that we have our family physician. From the beginning, with our oldest daughter, he never dismissed my concerns regarding family history or hard-to-diagnose issues. There is no arrogance in his care. Before we adopted Allison, he looked over her records, researched the best specialists to refer us … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/6113253-113/family-care-daughter-jemelene Isaac recently said something about X-Man. No, he didn’t mean "X-Men," the movie. He meant the mysterious X-Man who would mark Xs in hidden spots around the house. I’d change a pillowcase to find an X on the pillow or one on the mattress under the sheet. Or I’d move furniture only to find an X on the wall. The mystery wasn’t too hard to solve. My youngest son, Caleb, had a weird habit of hiding Xs everywhere. I still don’t know why. I had forgotten all about it until Isaac’s comment the other day. After remembering that, I started … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/6072052-113/kids-james-kristen-toy As I look back at my time visiting my family in Northern Ireland the last 10 days or so, I am thankful for the new memories that I've been able to add to my memory bank. It is always nice to come back to familiarity. I am pretty sure I have eaten and drank my weight in tea and Cadbury chocolate! In a few days, I will be heading back "home" to my husband and two older boys in Oregon. I am anxious to see them again, but as my time comes to an end, it is also met with … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/6071188-113/family-jayne-tea-gautreau As I've said before, being in this small town, going out in public for me right now means running into my blog-followers/prayer warriors, and so often during those interactions I hear the same phrase: "I'm so MOVED by how positively you're handling all of this." Let me just be the first to point out that living with someone gives you a whole different perspective than just reading their inspired thoughts or running into them at church, here and there. Translation: I have cried more tears in the past month or so than I think I could count in all the … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/6056937-113/god-broken-cancer-horse Recently, I’ve noticed a hand-stamped clothing trend on my social networking sites. Being the shopper that I am, I found a lot of great items, especially hand-stamped baby leggings. I was shocked to find that some were priced upwards of $35. So naturally I decided to make my own. They are the perfect pant for a play date or a day outside in the dirt. Here’s what you need: 1 pair of solid cotton leggings ($2.50; Walmart) 1 rubber stamp ($9; www.creatiate.etsy.com) 1 fabric stamp pad in a contrasting color ($8.14; VersaCraft, www.amazon.com) Here's what you do: 1. Wash your … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/6043842-113/anne-leggings-baby-blodgett Unlike my first pregnancy, this time we know we are having another girl, which has prompted me to transform Audrey’s neutral room into a feminine, sophisticated look for the both to share. First up: Dresser makeover Needed: Old dresser (shown: IKEA Hemnes dresser); decorative knobs (shown: Pier One antique yellow & gold knobs); Krylon Looking Glass Spray Paint; colored frame paint (shown: Antique Yellow). Cost: $35 How-to: 1) Do a fun color! I am going for an old Hollywood look, therefore chose antique yellow which is the main color theme for the room. Step one, painting the frame. 2) After … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/6027190-113/paint-drawers-dresser-knobs Writing a letter to all of my daughter's service providers has crossed my mind over the years. It would be something I could say to help the process of attending to her medical needs. Because I realize that the things I need to say aren't obvious to the whole world. So if I did write a letter, this is what it would say: Dear Health Care Professional, I'm the parent of a beautiful creation named Allison. The chart you may or may not have glanced over is a very narrow description of my amazing daughter. It may seem to you … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/6012089-113/daughter-child-expert-jemelene Most of us who have flown before with children know that it is not an easy task. This past Monday, my youngest son and I started out on an adventure of flying to Northern Ireland to visit my family. I have flown before with my children on my own but still felt very nervous about doing this trip on my own with a little one. The thought of flying halfway across the world without my husband to help or give me a little break for almost 12 hours seemed a little overwhelming. After 10 hours in the air, I was … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/5937014-113/moms-jayne-baby-common I was tickled the other day when I read an article called “Happy Marriage, Bigger Pants?” The first part of the article wasn’t too funny - it explained how people gain weight after marriage. Even worse, the happier the couple, the more weight they gained, the article said. The part I found funny came toward the end: “Researchers aren’t really quite sure just yet, but there are some theories brewing. Perhaps it’s because happy couples go out to eat and socialize more than unhappy couples. Perhaps it’s because couples spend more time in front of the TV, which promotes eating.” … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/5971533-113/healthy-family-lasagna-article This year, for the first time in the six years I've been a mama, I did not do traditional Easter baskets for our boys. Not only did extended family and Easter weekend activities more than cover those bases anyway, but I really didn't feel like we had the money - or time - to do that this year. I have to admit that having done cute, stuffed baskets every year - leaving them outside their bedroom door to 'magically' find and open up on Easter morning - I had a hard time with the idea of not doing so in … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/5934250-113/chapter-mama-easter-really It’s time to accept the facts. I’m no supermom. I’m not the woman who can hold down a 9 to 5 job, keep the house clean, please her husband, run five miles, take 24-hour care of a 7-month-old, and still have a nice dinner on the table in the evening. Heck, it’s a personal victory if I get a shower in and make the bed during the day. Don’t get me wrong. I love being a mom, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything, but I’m finding that it’s really hard to do it all, or at least do it … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/5842364-113/anne-blodgett-creighton-husband Never in my life have I spent more time in the bathroom; never have I been more challenged in parenting; never has something else made labor seem easy – hello, potty training (round-two). This whole thing has had me so lost. I’ve Googled a million how-to’s, I have bought every sweet snack and Dollar Tree toy, and I’ve stood in a public bathroom for 30 minutes singing “It’s a Small World.” For the past two weeks, pee and poop have been my world. Items in my purse have been replaced by a travel potty seat, towels, candy bag and fresh … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/5816116-113/potty-training-brittany-needed As a child, Easter celebrations in Ireland were filled with thoughts of chocolate Cadbury Eggs. As well as those yummy creme-filled eggs, parents could also purchase Easter eggs that would come in very pretty packaged boxes that included a huge chocolate egg filled with goodies. I remember we would often count and compare how many boxes we would receive with our siblings and friends. The more the better! Easter for many people means different things. As a child, these are my memories of what it meant to me. Now that I am grown up, I still enjoy a Cadbury Egg, … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/5746158-113/hope-joy-easter-jayne I’ve been working with a production company called Zulu 7 Mediafor a while, and the entire team got together in Portland recently. As an author who works with people via phone all year, I’m always up for the opportunity to get together in person. We got to discuss movies, TV, writing, books, stories, business and marketing, and, of course, have some fun. We spent some time with a few actors... and I’m starting to wonder if all actors are so incredibiy funny. I thought I’d share my experience with my Roseburg readers because there might be some "Leverage" fans here. … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/5743645-113/book-author-james-kane Since Liam was born, John and I have had very little time alone. It's not that we didn't expect it to happen, but it's definitely changed the dynamics of our relationship. Our conversations often focus on what Liam is doing. Our weekend outings are more hurried. Dinner time has become a carefully choreographed dance routine of John and I trading off between cooking and feeding Liam his sweet potatoes. And when we're finally alone at night and the house is quiet, sleep sounds more enticing than staying up late - especially when we know a wake-up call is coming from … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/5744139-113/john-anne-blodgett-creighton I got to do a fun thing this last week in the waiting room at the OBGYN’s office: I got to wait – a long time. I am sure there are more of you like me out there. We try so hard not to pay attention to the ongoing conversations around us, but some are hard to ignore. During this fabulous waiting period, as I attempted to work, a mother and currently pregnant woman proceeded to give a first-time pregnant woman advice. As a woman, I know our species loves to talk, especially when we think we are giving helpful … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/5717191-113/brittany-arnold-waiting-women Both of my parents were raised during The Great Depression. My dad, the youngest of nine children, lost his mother when he was barely 5 years old. Most of his young life was spent traveling with his father from Oklahoma to California working in fields to survive. If you Google “Dust Bowl Migration,” you'll get a small hint of what it was like. Dad tells stories of staying in the “government camp,” spending nights at the YMCA (not the beautiful workout facilities we have now) and riding in an over-crowded car with grown siblings in the desert heat. The best … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/5717047-113/dad-jemelene-wilson-family This last week wore me down. I think it’s a delayed time-change reaction mixed with the return of the rain. I went from a good energy level to struggling to get up in the morning. Normally, I send kids off to school and start my day, but this last week I found myself going back to sleep. Thankfully, it’s spring break! Maybe my body was just a week ahead of schedule. Maybe I’m waiting for the sun, too. My yard is full of daffodils and hyacinth, and trees everywhere are blooming. I’m hoping my energy returns with the sunshine this … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/5676769-113/week-energy-kids-james "Do you miss home?" I get asked this question a lot, especially when people find out I grew up in Northern Ireland. You see, much to the horror of my family, I have lost my accent just a wee bit! Sometimes, people are really surprised when I tell them that I did not grow up here in the States. As a teenager, the idea of living in another country seemed appealing, but never in my wildest dreams did I ever think it might happen. I was quite a homebody and would become horribly homesick any time I went away from … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/5675372-113/really-jayne-family-ireland It's hard to believe it's been nearly 6 whole months since the day we first got the cancer report. It's weird to think that just shy of four days of that half-year anniversary we'll be in a meeting to discuss the next part of this journey. With the chemo trail officially behind us, we sit now at the bottom of the next trail. Surgery. Now, before you go thinking I have tons of dates and answers for you, don't get your hopes up. What we have right now is just the date to set dates, meet surgeons, talk surgery plans … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/5667978-113/blog-body-certainly-hayley I wish I could say this recipe has been handed down from generation to generation in my family, but instead it’s one I learned working in a kitchen during my college days. I even entered it in a dessert competition once and took second place. The best part is it’s quick and dirty – there’s really no need for measuring or precision. It is perfect for busy moms in need of a dessert on the fly. Fruit cobbler What you need: Butter Frozen biscuit dough Fruit of any kind (raspberries and blueberries are my favorite) Brown sugar Lemon juice What … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/5645899-113/biscuits-anne-fruit-blodgett I love Winnie-the Pooh and was thrilled when my daughter formed the same liking. But Eeyore drives me crazy. That donkey has so many wonderful friends, always helping him and trying to cheer him up, and he just remains sad and gloomy. But on a normal day when Eeyore’s depressive state bothers me, this morning, I felt we had a lot in common. As the group passed Eeyore by, they greeted him with a joyful, “Good morning, Eeyore!” He then replied, “If it is a good morning, which I doubt.” We all know people who harbor that same kind of … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/5631750-113/brittany-eeyore-arnold-attitude Everybody needs an Auntie Fran. My mom met her the week she and my dad returned from their honeymoon. Francine was visiting the young adult Sunday school class for the first time when the newlyweds were introduced. My dad left for the Korean War a few days later. My mom and Francine became the dearest of friends. They weren't the kind that did everything together, but they were always there for each other no matter what. Mom even introduced Francine and her eventual husband (yes, she was in their wedding!). When the war was over, my mom and Francine took … ]]> After our son was diagnosed with autism, I remember feeling strangely relieved. We could finally move forward and begin educating ourselves so we could figure out how to help our son. At the same time, though, I had an overwhelming sense of sadness, a fear of the unknown and loneliness. Those early days were difficult and very hard; there was so much for me to process mentally but also emotionally and spiritually. During that time, there are two people for whom I am so thankful that God brought them into my life. I remember receiving a phone call not long … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/5568748-113/jayne-support-remember-son I’ve been neck deep in writing my latest novel for several months now — it’s grown deeper and more complex than anything I’ve written before. So when I sat down to think about a topic for a mom blog, my mind threw a bit of a tantrum. I could write about the three different viruses the kids got over the last three weeks, or how much fun it is to bounce on the trampoline with your kids for an hour, but none of that is new mom stuff. Instead, I thought I’d share the beginning of my story, “The Cowboy … ]]> http://www.NRToday.com/news/featured/5555854-113/autumn-kids-blog-james