Senior Pictures Becoming Big Business
- Statesman
"Our average sale for a senior is $1,200 to $1,500, but some parents have spent up to $5,000," Meyer said.

Study Claims Moms Mimic Daughters in Fashion
- CNN
"We live in a society that one of the main values is to look younger," Ruvio said. "Most of these women have kids, work and they don't have time to monitor the market and see what is cool and hip, so they basically take a shortcut. Through their teenage daughters, they know they're safe."

New York: Sex Ed Becomes Mandatory
- Fox News
It’s the first time in nearly two decades that middle and high school students will be forced to take the mandatory classes, according to a report first published in The New York Times.

A nation in mourning for Navy SEAL Team 6
- Washington Examiner
As the nation mourns its loss, just as it has the losses of 10 years of a war it did not choose and which it cannot avoid, the greatest thing that civilians can do is remember that their lives and the lives of their children and grandchildren are what they are because of warriors flying through mountain passes half a world away

10 Hidden Benefits of Having Children
- Fox News
Come along as we explore the top 10 hidden benefits of having children. Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/08/05/10-hidden-benefits-having-children/#ixzz1USLudd6r

“Heroes” Sue Rescued Woman
- AP
Two Ohio men honored as heroes for their actions after a 2009 car crash are now suing the woman they rescued from a burning vehicle.

last updated October 6, 2011
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May 21, 2009

Serving For Life -
Today.MSNBC.com

In a sampling of a book by Bill Gates Sr. entitled Showing Up For Life; the author discusses how he stated “showing up” and getting involved at the YMCA and many committees and boards. His wife started “showing up” to her own list of causes as well. He explains why he showed up so much as follows…

Why do I show up so much? Well, I suppose there are a lot of reasons.

I show up because I care about a cause. Or because I care about the person who asked me to show up. And maybe sometimes I show up because it irritates me when other people don’t show up.

My obsessive showing up has become a joke among my children. Still, I notice they’ve picked up the habit. And frankly, that’s what happened to me.

I started showing up because as far back as I can remember I watched other people I admired showing up.

These words are astounding. There is a lot packed into this brief excerpt for you and your family to chew on. Don’t settle for the easy answers. Challenge your self and your family with this. The results could be life changing.

• What does Bill Gates Sr. mean by “Showing up?” Does it really only take making a physical appearance to make a difference or do you have to actually do something? Explain.

• Where are you showing up? What are you doing now to serve God, your community, your school, your family, your friends…? Explain why, or, if you are not showing up anywhere, explain why you are not showing up. Matthew 6:21 could be paraphrased “your money is where your heart is.” Where are you spending most of your time? How does that reflect on your heart?

• What is the biggest character flaw that gets in the way of people “showing up” or serving? (selfishness) Based on Philippians 2:3-4 what character trait are we supposed to have? What can you do – or are you going to do – to build this trait of humility into your heart and not just your vocabulary or thinking? Here are some more verses to look at; John 13:4-17; Matthew 25:37-40.

• What does a servant attitude look like in our children’s daily lives?
  • They don’t grumble or complain when they are asked to do their chores.
  • They look for way to help people who need a hand u in life.
  • They realize that serving others isn’t always personally appreciated or publicly recognized, and they don’t take it personally.
  • Before they leave a gathering, they do everything they can to help the host put everything back in order
  • Instead of expecting to be waited on at home, they assume responsibility for themselves and offer to help their parents and siblings.

  Before we can instill these things into our children’s lives we must first be the standard through our own example.
  (taken from p78, Raising Kids For True Greatness, Kimmel)

Tuesday - August 28, 2007
Hutsells 'weak link in the parenting chain'

Wednesday - August 1, 2007
Evil: Nature or Nurture?

Friday - July 20, 2007
New Drug Deletes Bad Memories

Tuesday - July 10, 2007
Americans Set New Mark for Giving

Tuesday - June 12, 2007
Rap music sags in popularity

Raising Kids For True Greatness

You want only the best for your kids. And you want them to be successful. Sure, there’s nothing wrong with that. But what if there was something more? Could your definition of success be leaving out the most important part?

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How do you define success for your child? "Graduates from a prestigious college." "Nabs a high-paying job." "Settles down with a nice family." Sounds good. But what if you got it all wrong?

What about greatness? Where does it fit in? "If you aim your children at anything less than greatness, you'll set them up to miss the whole point of their lives," says author Tim Kimmel. In Raising Kids for True Greatness, Kimmel turns the definition of success on its head and guides you in preparing your child for a life that will easily eclipse the goals of those who are merely successful. More Info.