Monthly Archives: October 2012

October 30, 2012 · 6:00 am

Could You Unplug?

I’m currently reading Accidentally Amish from author Olivia Newport.

I’ll be posting more about this book at a later time (that doesn’t mean you can’t run out and get yourself a copy now!) but one of the ideas in the book intrigues me– the idea of unplugging from technology.

Remember the days when cell phones weren’t a necessity? I didn’t have a cell phone as a teenager. Nope, sure didn’t.

Do you think I’d leave my house without one now? Absolutely not.

Somehow, the idea of driving anywhere without my phone is scary. I mean, isn’t the fact that I have a cell phone in my purse supposed to protect me from the great “what ifs” of life?

And how about email? What’s the average number of times you check your email in a day? I’m talking both work related emails and personal. I bet it’s more than 2. Closer to 5? More than that?

I’d say on average I check my email at least twice per day on most days. There is the occasional day when I don’t check at all, but those days are rare.

So between cell phones, computers, TV and all other forms of technology, can you imagine what life would be like if it all simply went away?

My husband and I have been watching the new show Revolution on NBC. The general idea behind the show is that there was a power outage that shut down the entire world. That’s right– there’s no power in the entire world.

I won’t go into details about the show, but I will say that I find a world-wide power outage idea intriguing. So much so that I have found myself considering what I would need to do to prepare for such a thing, or rather, considering that if such a thing ever happened, how my family would survive. No, I’m not apocalyptic, but it is an interesting thought.

One moment we’re living in 2012 where we feel like the planet is tiny because we are all connected all the time– the next minute it’s literally the dark ages and society has gone backward.

In Accidentally Amish, it’s a choice to “unplug”. In Revolution, it’s not. Either way, the characters find both challenges and relief in the lack of technology that connects them to the world.

Share with me: If you accepted the challenge to “unplug” your cell, computer, TV, and all other electronic devices for a time, first of all, would you, and what do you think would be the biggest challenge?

10 Comments

Filed under Writing

Tagged as Accidentally Amish, cell phone, power, unplug

October 26, 2012 · 6:00 am

TVs, Kids, and the Bedroom

A few months ago I read a post from The Better Mom in which she mentioned that her family had given up their TV about 5 years ago.

At the time I read it, I thought that’s nuts. Interesting and tempting, but nuts.

And yet, as I flip through the channels, I see what utter garbage people are watching and I think maybe it’s not so nuts.

We have three TVs in our home. One in the living room, one in the boys’ playroom, and one in our bedroom.

And since we’ve discovered that a third child will soon be arriving, we’ve been talking about TV quite a lot. See, when the baby comes, the boys are going to lose their playroom. It’s going to become their bedroom, which means the TV is coming out.

Call me crazy, but I don’t want my kids having a TV in their bedroom. I know I’m in the minority on this, most likely, but when I was growing up, I wasn’t allowed to have a TV in my room because my mom always said that it would take away from family time.

I think she was right. (Yeah, Mama, I’m learning that you were right about a great many things!)

I didn’t have a TV in my room until I went away to college.

And now, I’ve got pretty strict TV rules about what we watch and how long we watch. I don’t want my kids becoming screen zombies.

My #1 rule is: if you aren’t watching the TV for a specific reason, TURN IT OFF.

I cannot stand for the TV to be on in the background when no one is watching. The constant sound makes me crazy.

Several times we’ve been offered TVs as gifts for my boys for their bedrooms. I’ve politely declined and gotten the “she’s a whack-job” look.

Am I in the minority?

Share with me: What do you think about TVs in kids’ rooms? Do your kids have them? What are your TV rules?

15 Comments

Filed under Family

Tagged as bedroom, kids, TV

October 23, 2012 · 12:02 pm

Log This Under “Pregnancy–What Not to Say”

We recently announced that the baby we are expecting in March is a baby BOY!!

And I gotta tell you, we couldn’t be more excited. We’ve named him and are already talking about what his personality might be like, who he is going to look more like, what his interests are going to be… I’m daydreaming about this little man whom we won’t meet for ages, it feels like.

In case you are keeping count, this is baby #3 for us, and our third boy.

As we’ve let our friends and family know, most people have been wonderful– sharing our excitement and offering hearty congratulations and for that, we are most appreciative.

But there has been some weirdness.

It’s because of this weirdness that I want to offer some advice on what NOT to say to a pregnant woman. Especially one who is expecting her third son. (This also applies to any woman expecting her third daughter. Or perhaps tenth.)

What not to say:

“Another boy?”

Yes, another. But I’m not using that word “another” when we talk about our son-to-be. He’s not just another. He’s an individual who has been perfectly designed by a mighty God. He might be our third son, but he’s more than just another.

“Awww, I wish it was a girl.”

Then perhaps, my friend, you should have your own daughter, because we do not wish it was a girl. Would I like to have a daughter? Sure. But God has blessed me with sons and I wouldn’t trade them for the world. My first two are so adorable and awesome that I am beyond excited to have son number three. So how about you just say, “Congrats”?

“Are you disappointed?”

Are you kidding me? We prayed for a baby forever. God answered our prayer. How could we be disappointed when God is giving us a miracle?? What in the world is there to be disappointed about?

“Wow. Three boys. Do you think you can do it?”

Do I have a choice? Of course I can do it. I think the first two are pretty incredible and I’m so grateful that God has given me a third boy to attempt to raise into a godly man. The world needs more godly men. I’m up for the challenge.

And my least favorite response we’ve gotten so far… (from several people, believe it or not)

“Oh, I’m so sorry.”

Are you serious? Sorry for what? We are THRILLED. See, here’s the thing: God has designed this baby, just as he is, to bless our family as part of HIS perfect plan. Don’t be sorry. Be excited. Be thankful. Be praying for this child as he grows. The only thing you have to be sorry about is not realizing the majesty and miracle that has gone in to creating this beautiful child.

Okay, so whether a woman is having her second, third, or twelfth son (or daughter), please keep in mind what NOT to say so that you don’t end up hurting her feelings, or worse, making yourself look insensitive to her joy.

A simple “congratulations” is always appropriate.

Share with me: Anyone ever say anything weird to you while you (or your wife) were expecting?