Join Brenda’s tribe to learn more about an uncomplicated life, and life, faith, and family beyond the storybook image.
Parenting Series: Raising Kids is Not So Easy
Raising kids is not so easy. Teaching kids to respect each other is a lifelong process. How siblings treat each other is crucial to the health of a family and a child's individual development. It's tempting to ignore it when siblings hurt one another or don't get...
Between A Rock and A Hard Place
I live in the middle of the third largest Amish community in the United States. Driving in our area requires a certain level of acquired proficiency. Slow-moving horse and buggies are plentiful, and maneuvering around them is a skill only the locals know how to do. ...
Friday Chat
It's graduation day here at Life Beyond the Picket Fence. If you missed my post on it earlier this week, you find it at Not Alone Mom today by clicking here. Celebrating today! Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over...
Parenting Series: 101 Summer Boredom Busters for Boys
By contributing writer Josh Kissee of Manbuilders.com. The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity. -Dorothy Parker Are you dreading your boys asking to play video games, watch TV, or sit at the computer when they get bored this summer? I...
Teen and Youth Expert
Brenda's expertise is working with teens, youth, and kids after being a teacher, school counselor, youth leader, and parent. Contact her for your next youth event.
Saying Good-bye and the Power of the Mundane
I'm sitting on my porch swing taking in the day I hope will never end. The sun is on its way down to slip behind the trees in an hour or two. The flowers are bright around me and a breeze is on my cheek. The birds are singing, the cattle are...
The Power of Hope and Compassion: Let’s Git-R-Done
This week has been crazy. We're getting ready for graduation and open house next weekend. The second time around isn't so bad, but it's a great reason to get things done around the house that need to be done. We're operating is "Git-R-Done" mode. Like cleaning,...
Parenting Series: What Have I Gotten Myself Into? By Shannon Dew
It's my privilege to have Shannon Dew, author at Dewing Life, to guest post today. Visit her site - it's full of encouragement and practical advice for parenting blended families. I'm thankful to have her contribute to our parenting series! "What have I gotten...
The Book
Find out more about Brenda's upcoming book, Balance, Busyness and Not Doing It All - a resource from a retreat for moms of the same name. After being at the retreat, attendees ask, “Where’s the book, I want to share it with others!” and I have nothing to offer. I’m...
Mother’s Day: Inspiring Women and Messed-Up Experiences in Motherhood
Today is Mother’s Day - the day we think of the blessings of motherhood. In reflecting on this day, I'm reminded of inspiring women who had messed-up experiences in motherhood. Many biblical women endured hard places, being forced to lean on the Lord alone and...
Saturday Morning Coffee
Life at our house has been busy this week. Track meets, basketball practice, tennis practice before school, Prom, field trips, work for our senior until dark after school, jobs, planting the garden, cutting rhubarb, 4-H goat tagging, 4-H shooting sports, a speaking...
