The Name Game

November 9, 2009By Karen Barnett 7 Comments

Back in my college days, I was a big soap opera fan. Lots of us girls would rush back to the dorm at lunchtime with our to-go boxes to watch our soap of choice. As soon as our episode was done, we would filter out and another group of wild-eyed girls would plop down in … Read More

Nothing but good news…

October 22, 2009By Karen Barnett 5 Comments

I am way overdue for a blog update on my writing… Here’s the skinny! Guideposts Magazine has contacted me about printing my story “A Birthday Wish.” This is a rewrite of one of my favorite blog posts. They are going to edit it down (way, way down) and hope to print it in their February issue. … Read More

The Magic Word

September 22, 2009By Karen Barnett 9 Comments

“Come OOOOONNNN!” my ten-year-old griped at me this morning when we were getting out of the car and heading for school. (Usually that’s my line, but he was the one in a hurry this morning.) I answered with HIS usual line, “I’m coming! Sheesh!” (“Sheesh” seems to be his favorite word lately. I don’t really know what … Read More

Friday Book Pick: Through the Fire by Shawn Grady

September 10, 2009By Karen Barnett 1 Comment

I hadn’t even glanced at the calendar yesterday when I decided to pick Shawn Grady’s new novel Through the Fire for today’s Book Pick. It was only this morning when I realized that I’d chosen a book about firefighters to feature on 9-11. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not. This debut author spins a thrilling tale of … Read More

Back to School / Back to Work!

September 8, 2009By Karen Barnett No Comments

I just looked back at my last blog post date and realized it’s been almost three weeks since my last post! I purposely took a step back a few weeks ago in order to enjoy the last few weeks of summer with my kids. We had lots of fun days these past few weeks: visiting … Read More

What Could You Do Without?

August 3, 2009By Karen Barnett 1 Comment

Last night I heard my son singing a song that was popular when I was in high-school in the 80s. It sounded pretty funny in the voice of a nine-year old boy. “Shout, shout, let it all out. These are the things I can live without.” That’s the only line he knew, so he just … Read More

Surrendering to the Heat

July 29, 2009By Karen Barnett No Comments

I live in the Pacific Northwest, known for long dreary months of rain. The summers, on the other hand, are beautiful. From June to September, we have sunny, dry weather with temperatures in the 80s and low humidity. These week has been a wee bit different. Yesterday’s temperature in my home town reached a whopping … Read More

Off to camp!

July 16, 2009By Karen Barnett No Comments

I’m heading off to camp this weekend! After sending my son to Tadmor Christian Camp earlier this summer for a week of mud, water, campfire, friendship and spiritual growth; now it’s MY turn! I can’t wait to sit around the cabin with other women from our church, talking about our lives and families. I can’t … Read More

Potty Talk!

July 13, 2009By Karen Barnett 2 Comments

It is such a struggle in today’s world to protect your child’s ears and eyes from words that are harmful to them. I always cringe when I hear people swearing in public or I see rude things written on park picnic tables. I know that they are just words and that they have no real … Read More

It is for Freedom…

June 25, 2009By Karen Barnett 2 Comments

For those of you that have been following the saga of Chrys, Emily and the newly emerged “Freedom,” I thought I would give you and update on their status. Freedom had some difficulties upon his (her) arrival. She got stuck on her back while her wings were drying. After kicking furiously for about 10 minutes, … Read More