It’s almost here, the re-debut of Issues, Etc. For those of you who don’t know, this is the smartest, most confessional and wittiest christian radio around. We have posted the link to the website here on our blog (to your right, because apparently you must be smarter than us or 15 to figure out how to link it into the blog) for your listening pleasure. Issues was taken off the air about 3 months ago (March 18th on Tuesday of Holy Week to be exact) for “business and programmic” reasons (aka ….it was too smart and confessional and witty) and we have been dreaming of it’s return since that dark March afternoon. The host, Todd Wilken, is so gifted at his vocation and we have sincerely grieved this period of “silence”. We also love listening to the old archived shows, especially when Todd and Jeff (the show’s producer) banter back and forth, poking at each other , making us laugh out loud. So forgive us for our enthusiasm (Steve and Emme are praying that everything goes well Monday) but there will be a party in the Wadsworth house in 2 days 3 hours, 11 minutes, 42 seconds and counting.
The only quandry we find ourselves in is, “Should we listen to it live, but then what will we do on Tuesday for work out music on the ipod?” I think this is what Steve is pondering this very moment as he longingly stares at the Issues web site. Think we’re crazy? We haven’t been this excited since the Vikings drafted Adrian Peterson. Check it out for yourself….you’ll see.
Our girls and Scooter (who I ran over with my politically incorrect 2 ton ford excursion this week—simmer down, it was an accident and he didn’t even have a broken bone) are excited too. Can’t ya tell?
PR and Advertising
Life{in}grace is a unique online community that has grown organically over the past four years. I have made a major decision to {finally} begin thoughtfully and carefully accepting advertisers that fit well with my vision and brand. I am so thankful for faithful and engaged readers that have been such a wealth of encouragement and inspiration and I’d love to connect them with family friendly brands, companies and small businesses that offer the best in online products and customer service.
My online community is composed of mostly women who are informed and smart consumers and who are passionate about all the things that occupy the time and resources of moms such as cooking, home decorating, crafting, family life and parenting. The relationships I’ve nurtured in this space are important to me and I don’t take the trust and loyalty of my readers for granted, which is why I will continue to be fiercely committed to quality original content and personal integrity and honesty.
I’m seeking just the right ‘fit’ and am prepared to be patient as I seek to work with brands that are consistent with my message and passion.
Over the past year, I have on average 300,000 page views per month and over 10,000 subscribers.
I have sidebar space available (for ads 300X199) just below the fold for 30 and 90 day contracts at $75 and $200 respectively and for smaller ads (125×125) $50 and $100 for 30 and 90 day contracts. Larger ads can be negotiated.
I also am open to doing a very limited amount of sponsored posts at $300 each.
Feel free to email me with any questions and I look forward to working with you.
On Homeschooling…..
Some of you have heard my vicious rumor so let me put enquiring minds to rest. Yes, I am planning to homeschool Emme and Elea next year. There, I said it. I feel empowered to make it public now that I’ve gotten overwhelming support from my husband and my mother. I’ve secretly always wanted to do this and with my daily phone call from school about Emme’s “tummy ache” along with her absolute lying on the ground and begging me to do it…..I have to say that I am convinced that this is one of those must-do’s in my life. You know those lists of 100 hundred things you must do before you die? Yeah, well for some reason homeschooling is on my list. Here’s what I know so far….
- I will use a classical model-a blend of Charlotte Mason and Susan Wise Bauer. Their books are must reads for all moms interested in education. They both emphasize using great classical books as the basis of education and history as the central theme for organizing learning.
- We will follow a four day curriculum and use Fridays to do art, music, science, library visits, etc. Oh, and yoga–at least for me.
- Books, which had already sort of overtaken our living room, are now everywhere. Trip to Ikea is planned next week to purchase book shelves.
- Our year will be centered on ancient times through the fall of Rome. The history lessons, literature choices, art projects etc will all be from that era. Steve kinda wants to stay for history class!
- I get these looks from Emme randomly and I feel confident that what she is thinking is “Are you suuure you can do this?”
- I think I’ve read 20 books this week— I had no idea how much preparation was involved.
- If I’m a total flop or completely lose my sanity, are any of you available to tutor my children or drive me to the nearest mental hospital?
- My playroom is slowly but surely being morphed into a school room. I don’t think the neighborhood kids like this idea very much. Pictures of this transformation will be forthcoming.
Once upon a Time…
The “little” girls were hysterical at the wedding reception. They had “moves” galore and danced for at least two hours straight. When Elea Grace took her ballet slippers off and handed them to me, I knew we were in trouble!
Emme had the important job of leading Peyton ( aka-the dog and the ring bearer) down the aisle. She did great.
Caiti’s photography skills at work. Can it get any better than little girls in long dresses blowing bubbles?
Cara and Drew were married in the most beautiful ceremony on the historic grounds of the Jekyll Island Club Hotel. Our girls were privileged enough to be flower girls in the wedding and it proved to be a most memorable time for us all. This lifelong dream of an outdoor wedding seemed as if were going to be impossible. The wedding was supposed to start at 6 and at 5:45, it was pouring. Everyone of the 140something guests probably experienced that hour differently, but I spent that hour with Cara, the little girls, and the bridesmaids…and we were on a roller coaster of emotions. When the rains stayed steady, we conceited, tears and all, that an indoor wedding would have to do…..and then the sun would shine. A few things I found comforting during that hour were the determined love of a father who was gonna find a way to make his daughter’s dream come true, the grounded faith of a bride who said with conviction “I just want to marry him…it doesn’t matter where” and the showers of God’s grace that rain down on us exactly what we need when we need it. If it had been clear, sunny skies all day we would, in all our human frailty, have taken it for granted. But under those circumstances, when those rays of golden sun came through, I was broken with thankfulness…..that we are loved by a God who makes the sun shine and the rains come and who unites hearts and lives together to make them one. These are truly life’s miracles.
Kim (mother of the bride) thought of everything. This woman (and her daughter) is amazing. It really is all in the details. From the “Taste of Georgia” welcome baskets to the themed tables at the reception, this was incredibly well done and well organized. 
Sunday’s Child is Full of Grace
Today, it happened. The normal summertime tricks didn’t work. Wanna swim? Nope. Ride bikes? Not really. Jump on the trampoline? Too hot. Read? We already did that. So, then Emme suggests that we do “you know that thing where you use those white towels and sew stuff on them”. Oh, you mean needlepoint. “Yesss.” Ohh-kaay. So, I dusted off my box labeled “Needlepoint” , my flour sacks and my memory and they started their embroidery projects. Emme chose the cute little “Tuesdays , I iron” design from Aunt Martha’s patterns. (She was born a on Tuesday). Elea chose the Thursdays, “I’m shy” from a different set since she was born on Thursday…and consequently…is in fact, shy. Steve and I googled our “birth” days and I’m a Sunday while he’s a Monday. I copied the list below for your perusal and entertainment. Back to needlepoint, my youngest girls, who are 7 and 6, are really pretty good at this. I’m ashamed to say that I only learned how to do it a few years ago from my sisters-in-law, Julie and Vicki. But these girls have potential. Those little fingers can move…and now 2 hours and 27 needle rethreadings later…I’m begging them to stop. My eyes are starting to cross and they’re compulsively comparing who is faster, better, etc. Grandma Evadne would be proud.
Sunday’s child is full of grace.
Monday’s child is fair of face.
Tuesday’s child is full of woe.
Wednesday’s child has far to go.
Thursday’s child works hard for a living.
Friday’s child is loving and giving.
But the child that is born on Sabbath-day
Is bonny and happy and wise and gay.