How do you feel when you walk into a bathroom, sit down, look over and see an empty cardboard tube where a fluffy white roll should reside?

Desperation sets in as you scan the area for something you may be able to pass off as wipe worthy. No such luck, so you start calling out hoping that someone can hear your plea.

Anyone? Can you PLLEAASSSEEE bring me some toilet paper?

I’m trying to teach my kids to fill needs before someone has to ask or call for their help.

This empty toilet paper roll symbolizes how some people choose to live their lives.

Entitlement is walking out of a bathroom knowing you are leaving the next person high and dry. Aware that there is a need and that you’re not willing to put forth the effort to fill it.

I know it sucks when you are the person who gets to the end of the roll and you question why this always happens to you. Just change the roll. Do unto others as you’d want done for yourself.

How you do anything is how you do everything.

This is one of our family mottos. If you’re being lazy in simple tasks, most likely you’re doing it in big arenas as well.

I was in a life coaching class and a grown woman was talking about how her husband was frustrated because she didn’t change out the toilet paper rolls in their house and that she was going to start trying to do it.

Yes, that empty toilet paper roll staring at him screams that you matter more than he does.

With teen sons, this is what I see most often in their bathroom. I’ll take it. It’s a step in the right direction.

toilet paper roll

Acknowledge a need and do your best for the person who comes behind you. Don’t wait for someone to have to scream HELP before you come to their rescue.

Let’s do a better job of replacing the empty toilet paper rolls in life for one another!

National-Parks-to-Visit-With-Kids

“Hey guys, want to go to the Grand Canyon this weekend?”

“No thanks.”

“That’s too far.”

“I’m so glad I have to work.”

“I’m not doing that.”

Excuses, excuses fly from the mouths of our four teenagers who seem done with family adventuring and memory-making.

That’s why you do a 7-month family sabbatical around the USA and hit as many National Parks as you can before your kids become teenagers! We had our foursome exactly where we wanted them in 2014 when we wore out our National Park pass traveling 44 states by RV.

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5-Ways-To-Set-Up-A-Summer-of-Significance

Summertime is here and the living is easy, right?

Or is it actually more difficult?

As a parent summer brings a different rhythm than the one we’re used to living throughout the school year. How do we take advantage of this slower pace and plan for a summer of significance?

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As another school year winds down, we feel proof of how quickly time passes. Many of my friends are graduating a high school senior and contemplating how it all went so fast.

Do you know how many weeks you have from the day a child is born until he or she graduates from high school?

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What makes a good Mom?

They ask the foster girl I mentor what makes a good Mom and she doesn’t have an answer.

She finally says a good Mom would take her places and buy her things. The team of professionals assigned to her don’t like the answer. But, when I went home that day and asked my own four what makes a good Mom, they answered the exact same way.

What makes a good Mom?

It’s a loaded question with infinite answers.

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Dear Teacher of my Beloved Middle School Student,

It’s that time of year that I have been asked to send in daily treats of Monday’s flower, Tuesday’s favorite snack, Wednesday’s gift card, Thursday’s school supply and Friday’s personal note all in the name of National Teacher Appreciation Week. I thought that in middle school perhaps I would be free of this daunting schedule, put out lovingly by our APT, but obviously, that is not the case. The problem is, I’m in the business of picking parental battles and asking my 14-year-old son to carry a flower for you on to the bus, isn’t one I’m willing to fight for. Please don’t take this personal.

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Sedona is a must-visit destination whether you are visiting or live in Arizona.

From Phoenix, Sedona is an easy 2-hour drive north. Take the I-17 north to the AZ-179 N exit, EXIT 298, toward Sedona.

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GET YOUR HIKE ON

Buy your Red Rock Hiking Passes at the Visitor Center/Ranger Station

This will be your first stop to pick up maps of the area and to get info on any trails to hike in Sedona. You want to buy your Red Rock daily hiking passes here which cost $5 a day. You need a pass for a lot of the trails and definitely at the ones I tell you about here. Make sure you stop at this location coming into Sedona. *Beware of all the places that pose as visitor centers in town, but are really timeshare sales hubs.

SmokeytheBear

We couldn’t resist posing with no other than Smokey the Bear!

Park at the Bell Rock Pathway Trail Head

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family-charitable-giving-plan

As parents, we have an essential role to play when it comes to modeling generosity. It’s up to us to make sure giving and serving others are a priority in our homes.

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I’m not exactly sure how I ended up at Bob Goff’s house loving life with complete strangers in his San Diego backyard. I’m pretty sure the other 59 people alongside me would tell you the same thing. I can only give the glory to God for inviting me. Read more

San-Diego-Metro-KOA

Home Sweet KOA. It’s been a while since I’ve been at the campground, but it still feels like home to me.

Even though this was my first time at the San Diego Metro KOA, the KOA campground brand brings me joy. Our family spent 6 months of 2014 living in and out of their campground locations all across the USA. I can see why this location was named KOA’s 2013 Campground of the Year!

SanDiegoKOACabins

Now that the Carneys’ are no longer traveling by RV, the deluxe cabin is our camping accommodation of choice.

#1 RV Rental Marketplace

We met the owners, the Bell Family, at their St. Louis location while on the road and they graciously invited me to stay for their Wellness Weekend. I can’t wait to bring the entire family back here one day. The San Diego Metro KOA is a slice of campground heaven.

Homemadegranola

There are so many unique things about the San Diego KOA. Let’s start with the farm to table food at the Sand Castle Cafe. For dinner, I ordered a turkey burger, that came with fresh fixings and delicious fries. This bowl of homemade granola was a treat for my breakfast. I just love the outdoor seating area too.

SandCastleCafe

I don’t think a lot of people get that camping isn’t like it used to be. You can be nearly as comfortable in the campground as you can at a hotel. This deluxe cabin features two bedrooms and a fun loft upstairs for the kids.

InsideCabin

The kitchen and living area are spacious, nicely decorated, and clean. I loved waking up to the Keurig coffee maker!

Livingareacabin

This was the first time I’d ever seen the Safari Tent accommodations. There are four of them on the San Diego property and I definitely want our family to try this out one day.  There are two of them together toward the back of the park that I already told a friend that our families need to book together.

SanDiegoKOAaccomodations

The jumping pillows are my kids’ favorite KOA amenity and this location has two of them. There’s also laser tag and a rock climbing wall on the property too. The activity schedule at the San Diego Metro KOA is packed with fun things to do.

JumpingPillows

The pool area, arcade, laundry and store are all well kept and clean.

SanDiegoKOApoolarea

The playground, basketball and bike rental area at the front of the park calls out fun from the moment you enter the campground! There is also a unique four person ping pong table under the gazebo that looks like a lot of fun too.

SanDiegoKOAplayground

If you haven’t made spring break or summer getaway plans yet, try camping here. Your kids will thank you! Book your spot now as all accommodations are filling up fast and you can see why!