So deeply wrong, my heart and prayers go out to you and their families...may your strength and courage be renewed tomorrow...thank God for you to be there to shine hope through it all.

You can do this! I was 265...(lost 100 pounds in my twenties and kept it off until babies, stress eater kept it on..) but, I am finally at that moment where it is now, now, now. Have lost 46 pounds...averaging 2-3 pounds a week. I do the three day diet Monday - Wednesday...those seem to be the days where it is easy to be restrictive...it has everything, protein, grains, fruit, veggies, dairy...on Thursday, I allow myself a slice of Sam's club pizza (700 calories!) but keep total calories below 1500 that day. Then on Friday/Sat I o try to go mostly veggies..but do not fret if I have something off plan..changing it up seems to keep my body guessing... I walk 3 miles in 50 minutes every other day, having a day off just helps my joints...I stay active on the days off and will add in a Zumba session when I can. I gave up diet sodas, only drink water or unsweet tea maybe 3x a week. On some weeks, I will lose 5 pounds, followed by a 1 pound loss the next, but I have averaged 12 pounds a month..feel great and I fit into some 14s now! Goal is 150s for me, but will decide when I get there, am 5'8...just find what works for you and stick in there!

Horrifying! Really, this poor family, I am just wondering what kind of beef she would eat? Pasture fed are pretty much every cow I have seen! You did so much more for her, less her poor kids...she has deep seated issues that can not be fixed in a nice meal...I have no clue what those terms mean you said she would not eat on the veggies...I say you make some homemade cookies and send them to the husband...poor guy...he is stuck with some restrictive menus!

I let my 14 year old daughter read it...she is a highly critical reader and strong in her faith...she said it was written on a 3rd grade level, she could find no vocabulary to speak of worth writing. She had just finished reading the Leatherstocking Tales series by James Fenimore Cooper...she made many comparisons between the two. She gave high marks on page turning points for THG, but all else fell flat...she does not want to read the other two books. She read THG in less than 2 hours...it was that 'easy' of a read. She also said from a faith standpoint it fell flat on bringing her experience to an elevated level. Many books, especially those written by authors with strong faith (George Macdonald, CS Lewis, Chesterton) help her 'see' their faith through their works and it encourages her...she says it is almost like they left a bit of their spirit in the book...not so with this book...she would put it in the twaddle section.

Paying the shop directly would work fine, she could just say they prefer to charge it since it was more than cash they had...no worries there...absolutely, the parents of the child are legally and morally responsible.

It's on tape but "The Dragon Rider" by Cornelia Funke, narrated by Brendan Fraser...he has us in stitches and they kids hated to have to go use the restroom (a 9 hour drive) :) It was great, and I'm sure a good read aloud, but he does the best job on the different voices! Cracker Barrell had it...

Yes, makes perfect sense...asking the question is fine, it's the hard to mask disappointment in your voice if she says the wrong answer...honestly, I would just skip the retreat...you have gone on it before....but, I just would worry the whole time I was on the retreat about the kids...I would take the time to do something fun with your kids...they may need a 'retreat' of sorts, too :) Plan a quick fun day out with them...something you've never done before..go on a scavenger hunt...hit the parks and swing and slide...make funky cupcakes...get them out and enjoy this wonderful season (wildflower hikes are really cool right now!) Go to a zoo! Sometimes just a change of scenery is a wonderful respite for the mind :)

My daughter was pigeon toed...still naturally will stand with her left foot turned in...and I guess you could say she was bow-legged when she was born...she is in competitive Irish dancing...her teacher feels it is the best dance for her to help lengthen her tendons and improve her foot placement. Her teacher has given her specific exercises (flat frog) etc. that help her improve her 'turn-out'...80% of the time her left foot is the one that can not turn out well...over the past 3 months with her practicing her "duck walk" and other techniques her left foot only points straight about 30% of the time and turns in less than 10%...it used to turn in about 80-90% of the time. Maybe her teacher is not informed on ways to help her turnout? My daughter says it is very hard for her, not so much pain as it is her tendon just feels tight on that side. Hope this helps!

I guess I'd say rarely...I remember three occasions in 23 years of knowing him.. The minute our son was born, (first child), the day our dog of 16 years was put down in front of us, and when our house closed after being on the market for 31 months...I think all pretty big moments...

I would say for most kids between ages 4-6..the parent would accompany them on the 'apology' tour and help guide their words and make sure the offended knows it is being taken seriously and you are 'teaching' a skill in forgiveness...above age 7, I think they should be able to do it on their own.

I agree with your predicament! I could not sign my girls up for ballet/jazz/tap..I just wanted ballet! Finally, found a teacher when they were 4 & 5 that did a great job, but then we moved. The ballet here was very serious..and they were already sore from the 2 years they had! HA! Then they went with me to see Riverdance...that was the end..they've been Irish dancing since...they love it...talk about muscle tone!! Their calves are cut! :) And their stamina/endurance are amazing...you might check it out! :)

Yes, it can be restrictive...with his type of logic, our family would not have made it to Italy/Tunisia/England/France/Spain...sorry, but who has the time to take a transatlantic sailing and then travel the continents. My children have seen the Rosetta Stone, Trevi Fountain, ruins of Pompeii, incredible cathedrals and architecture...but we would have to say no to those bc we are letting our fears control our paths? And, I was one of those violated/groped...my children were not...I can suck it up and tolerate it until these idiots get their 'exploratory' scannings under some control...but honestly, if it meant getting groped or being exploded mid flight by a psychotic bomber...I'd take the former any time. Those with psychological issues, need to deal with it the best they can, but I think with children...as someone else stated...teach them ways to cope and not be ruled by fears.

Maybe these scenarios will help you...for what it can... My husband and his sister were both adopted..here are their stories. My husband was exactly like you, had no desire to find his parents...his sister did. My mom (because their own parents are not quite the type you can depend on and have thier own issues and because my mom considers herself a Magnum PI) helped her find her parents. But, in the midst of this, they hit a wall, TN would not release birth records for 5 more years...but now they both (my husband's sister and my mom-with my could care less husband's permission) set their paths on finding his story. We did find his parents, perfectly convinced by neighbor's reports/hospital records/etc...that we know who his mother was. Not quite a good situation...she had 7 children, was pregnant by a man who was not the father to the other 7, b/c my husband's parents were alcoholics (but very successful) they could not adopt through the state, too many issues...so they essentially paid this woman for their son...the woman (now in her 80's) refuses to admit my husband is her son. Her children believe he is and we have exchanged pictures...we did find out his maternal grandmother was 100% Cherokee...so that was kind of neat and they have the tribe number or whatever that is. But, it just fell by the wayside..no one talks to anyone...no sense in 'proving' it is what it is...one son was very interested b/c he thought my husband was HIS son, turns out his girfriend had twins the year after my husband was born and they were put up for adoption without his consent...I had a hard time convincing him that all my husband's baby pictures say 1967 not 1968..he was delusional enough to think his girlfriend's wealthy mother changed all the dates on the photographs...uhm..no. It was just odd...but I think did help dh to 'know' more facts and the Indian relation was kind of cool. After five years, my husband's sister was able to find her mother...I won't go into particulars for privacy, but there was a very good reason she had to adopt out...she now has 3 half sisters and a loving mother who has even met with their adoptive parents...the first year, it was rough...but now they do things together and I think it has been a wonderful blessing for his sister. There are so many stories...some are great, some are good, but in my book..you can never have enough people to love you or your children...so it's a chance worth taking.

I think you should fly with your children and he should take the train. He is being unreasonable and honestly, a bit foolish and hardheaded. I have been 'groped' by agents (in Amsterdam of all places)..yes, it was horrifying and yes, if they had done that to my daughters I would have stopped it immediately and asked for a supervisor. Since then, we have had several more flights and no problems whatsoever...the key is to wear tight fitting clothes where there is no reason to suspect you're hiding something. They did allow my 16 year old son to go through the scanner....they did not lay a hand on him...but the screener I had used her gloved hand to go INSIDE my bra and underwear...I wanted to scream..it was a month later that so many complaints were being voiced....I just wanted to go to a chair and get away from her....it was awful...but would never convict me not to fly....especially to see my parents!!!

I believe that some are genetically predisposed but the obesuty is a trend not a cause. Technically, my weight was in the obese range with all three of my children, none have learning disabilities. What I do see is that areas like San Francisco, Huntsville, AL have a marked increase of incidence with autism than other larger areas. They do have a high number of common threads...my inkling is all the chemicals (preservatives, drug residuals from prescriptions found in our 'treated' water systems, etc) those things not an issue 50 years ago...play a major role. Obese people probably have more of these preservatives/food enhancers built into their diet...I do know that of my friends who ban any unnatural additives...are all pretty thin... These are just my musings, praying for an answer soon for these families!

Tough spot...agree with many others....she is an adult...her decisions are not 'Christ-centered' but 'me-centered'.....I just never agree with any mother bringing men around their children, personally, I would never consider dating a man (after death/divorce) for at least a year period. Kids come first, but with her, that is not the case. So, you both have polar opinions on her actions...you can not say anything unless she asks you for a reason why you are not accepting or she asks your opinion...but be in prayer about that moment if it happens...that your heart will shine through the 'chastisement'...she will feel persecuted by you, but your heart is in the right place...just pray for her and be there for her children...let that be clear that you are a support for them.

Something makes me believe this mother does not have a close friend she would travel with, and let us be honest, how many friends would choose to stay 2 weeks as a companion, not too many. You are not being selfish, and you are being manipulated...this is your mother's decision not yours for her. Let her own it, love her through her insecurities and ditch the guilt trip. You have shown a great deal of love and loyalty, but always on her terms, you are an adult and have every reason to make these choices. Make them without thinking twice, move on, love your family, maybe send extra pictures to your mom with a thoughtful note. Visit her next year.

The clincher is the 4 hours....my parents live 3.5 hours away, would have loved to see them, but we had commitments on Saturday and just was not up for a 7 hour drive in one day to be back at work on Monday. If they were in the same town, no problem....but, no...you are not 'expected' to make it happen....but I definitely would do something special for her to show you are thinking of her...a nice flower bouquet/fruit basket...something to tell her you miss her and will see her in the summer. She's a hoarder...you know she already has issues...just be sensitive to her condition...but not sensitive to her reactions. Hard to do!

Coming from someone who studied toenail fungus and had to sell the prescription antifungals for it...stick to home remedies. The antifungals are pretty bad on the liver.... My dad used the oral antifungals back when I was selling them and it cleared his nails up beautifully...but they were very expensive for him to use and like I said, not good on the liver. But, two years later, it came back...he tried the vicks vaporub and it also worked great!! He slathered it on and covered it with a toesock, they have some at the drugstores..just a loose elastic mesh thing you can cover the toe with...he would wear it like that all day long then sleep in it, I think he did it for 3 days at a time...redressing it when he showered.

Thanks! 41 pounds to be exact! :). I have to celebrate every last one! So glad summer is on its way with fresh veggies and outdoor exercise! :)

Yes, and I have to NAP..it hits me like a rock, one day (usually mid cycle) I just hit a brick wall and have to take a nap.....

Nance!!! Weigh to go!!!!:party: I would say weight up for me, but you keep on going down and I'll catch up!!! Three years ago I was near my goal (20 pounds from it) at 172...2 mortgages for 31 months did me in...I was stunned when I stepped on the scales at 265!!! I am now 224 and have lost 9 pounds in 3 weeks...we have a big vacation in 5 months so my goal is to be at 172 by then...then spend the last 4 months of the year getting to 150ish..so I'm aiming for 10 pounnds a month..and this month I may hit 12-14! :) I do the 3 day diet every Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday...and stick to 1200 calories or less the other days...I walk 15 miles a week...so far soo good...I've done it before ....stayed at 140 for 10 years, but then babies came along and that never came off easily...so, happy to redeem my new sizes...everything is loose in my 16's so should be able to get into 14's by 210! :) I will be thrilled to jump out of the 190s!! Go for it and show some pictures when you get the gumption to!! :)

Check http://www.ncfca.org or stoaa...both should have recommendations.

There is no prevention from an atheist becoming a Boy Scout, but the organization is protected in assuring their leaders profess faith. Just as with American Heritage Girls..girls do not have to profess faith but the leaders do. I was pre-med, scored extremely well on my MCATs (opted not to continue on was called in another direction)...I have NO problems with BJUs texts...My children all used the Biology text, it was wonderful for a high school program. We used other publishers for Chemistry and Physics..but from a science major...their texts were fine and the kids score well on science sections on testing..

Very sad to hear....in a world where 'art' is revered for a variety of shocking and appalling 'expressions'..I am proud to be considered 'middlebrow' for liking his work. When our first son was born, we wanted to commemorate his birth with an item we could pass down to him once he left our home...we looked at everything, we could not find anything that expressed our love for our son and our hopes for him like Thomas Kinkade's paintings..we continued the tradition and bought a new painting for each child. Just yesterday we switched out the Christmas painting for the spring Chapel one on our mantel...the kids love their paintings....if it ends up in their laundry room hanging..we do not care...we just wanted them to have an item they grew up with seeing everyday that they could take to their home. We were lucky, each one has a special drawing done on the back by Thomas Kincade and signed by him. The kids almost like the sketches more than the paintings...we have never been able to find the hidden "N's" in our paintings, must be hidden well! But, the evoke family for us...sadly, the 'recognized' artists out there malign his works...I love them.