We Have a Baby and He Has a Name!

Meet our baby.

His birthday.
Our baby on his birthday–still a puffy little nameless raisin, but we love ‘im!

The Lord protected our little one through a 41-week pregnancy (mostly) on the road and a scare at 24 weeks. He carried mama and baby safely through delivery on August 3, and now we’re all together–all ten of us…and the dog and a kitten.

Getting ready to go home.
Getting ready to go home.

Those of you who follow us on Facebook as The Travel Bags, Stephen Bautista Music, or The Simple Homemaker, or on Instagram as The Travel Bags have been nagging asking us for a name.

I have HOW MANY siblings?
I have HOW MANY siblings?

He has a name at long last.

The Littlest Bagasao
The littlest Bagasao

His name is Judah Ebenezer Robert Bagasao.

Hi, People. Nice to meet you.
Hi, People. Nice to meet you.

Judah means “to praise.” Our lives as music missionaries and as Christians are (or should be) acts of continual praise. Praise God for this healthy baby, for sustaining our mission, for holding our family together. Praise God for the bumps in the road, even the big ones like Crohn’s disease and losing loved ones. On a personal note, our traveling music mission shares the Word through our musical praise of an amazing God.

Judah at 10 Days
Judah at 10 days–It’s good to have a name.

Ebenezer is a Biblical place-name meaning “stone of help.” God is and has been our rock. When we started this music mission with $500 to our name, a sick child, and a singer with stage fright, He was the steady one we could depend on. When we face a new trial, a new baby, a new decision, we know that no matter what happens, God–our stalwart rock–will help us through until we see Him face to face.

Eliana Charis (God has answered us with grace) and Judah Ebenezer Robert (Praise our Stone of Help)
Eliana Charis (God has answered us with grace) and Judah Ebenezer Robert (Praise our Stone of Help)

As far as Ebenezer’s popular namesake from Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol, you really must read the book to fully understand this. Known to most of you as merely a “scrooge,” Ebenezer makes a miraculously dramatic transformation at the end of the book, becoming an amazingly generous, loving, involved, joy-filled man, a servant to all. His is the quintessential story of redemption and grace. Isn’t that every true Christian’s story, too? I know it’s ours. Our dark, selfish natures are transformed through Christ.

A Christmas Carol was also the family read-aloud we were enjoying when we first learned about our baby, and Eb is the nickname he bore all those months while we waited to see his little face. We couldn’t imagine changing his name after all that time.

Tummy time with two of his girls.
Tummy time with two of his girls.

Robert is my (Christy’s) grandfather’s name.

Elisabeth, Christy, Grandpa dancing
Elisabeth, Christy, and Grandpa dancing. We miss you, Grandpa!

Grandpa was like a father to me when mine was out of the picture. He was a very special man to our whole family. Losing him last year hurt, but he shared his faith with his family, and I know we will be reunited again, thanks to our mutual Stone of Help, our Savior Jesus. His was not a feel-good faith; it was the real thing. He let his faith shine through his generous and caring spirit and, at times, through his Jesus-in-the-courtyard style anger at the atrocities of this world. Robert means “shining,” but to us it also means a very special, God-fearing, irreplaceable man who let his faith shine, which is what we pray Judah will be and do as well.

Great Grandma ("Bobert's" wife) and Little Bobert
Great Grandma (“Bobert’s” wife) and Little Bobert

While some of you know us as the Bautistas, meaning “baptizer,” our legal name is Bagasao, meaning “sower of seed” or “spreader of wise words.” Both Bautista and Bagasao are a call to obey God’s Great Commission–sharing the Word with all the world and baptizing in His name. Judah was baptized shortly after his birth, and he will be raised to know and share the wise life-giving words of Scripture.

Pastor Sauer and Stephen baptizing our then nameless baby, but God knew his name.
Pastor Sauer and Stephen baptizing our then nameless baby, but God knew his name.

Judah Ebenezer Robert Bagasao — Praise our Stone of Help

I'm three and I'll be your babysitter this morning. (Cue newborn panic.)
I’m three and I’ll be your babysitter this morning. (Cue newborn panic.)

Praise our Stone of Help as we fulfill His call to shine our faith into all the world. It’s a big calling for such a little guy and his family, but all things are possible with our Stone of Help.

Ten for the Road
Ten for the Road–SO much joy!

What do we call him?

Hannah and Judah
Hannah (meaning Grace) and Judah (meaning Praise)–our bookends.

Some of us call him Little Bobert (after a pet name for Grandpa).

Marissa has done the big sister thing a time or six.
Marissa has done the big sister thing a time or six. Still, she’s absolutely enamored with this little fella.

Some of us call him Judah Ben-Bob (after Judah Ben-Hur–a favorite book).

Uh, Ma, this baby is hungry.
Uh, Ma, this baby is hungry.

Some of us even call him Judah–imagine that!

Boy Club inaugurates its newest member.
Boy Club inaugurates its newest member.

Most of us still call him Eb.

Emily Rose (our flower) and Little Eb (our stone)
Emily Rose (our flower) and Little Eb (our stone)

 Praise our Stone of Help!

My Mentor Monday Interview with the Holy Hen House

Monday Mentor -- A full-time traveling musician's wife and roadschooling mother of eight shares her thoughts on marriage, mentors, and life.

I am honored–and by honored I mean I seriously don’t deserve this honor–to have been asked by the lovely Amanda Rose of Holy Hen House to be interviewed for her site’s Mentor Monday.

If you want a peek into my life, my heart, my past, my future, and maybe a cheesy joke or two, go here.

A glimpse into the heart and life of a full-time traveling Christian music missionary's wife and roadschooling mother of eight.

20 Ways to Help a Loved One in Need

20 Ways to Help a Loved One in Need {Free Printable}


I remember the weeks that our eldest daughter was in the hospital where she was ultimately diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, and I vividly recall the first several months back home. She was 14. She could barely walk or eat. I was very sick thanks to growing our sweet baby number seven. Steve was handling the groceries and follow-up testing and appointments while struggling to hold onto our business in a plunging economy in the Vegas area.

It was a trying time and, looking back, I can’t feasibly comprehend how we mere mortals survived that period.

If not for the grace of God…

Some people offered to help. We should have accepted. Honestly, though, when someone says, “Let me know if I can help,” you never let them know. We don’t, anyway.

Why not?

“Let me know” feels rather like a “How do you do?” from a passing acquaintance; the greeting merely expects a “Fine, and you?” They don’t really want to hear about your aunt’s illness and your daughter’s grades in school and your auto repairs. It feels that same way with a “let me know,” doesn’t it?

That said, there was one family who looked us in the eye and said, “You tell us how we can help. You know we mean that.” And we knew…but we didn’t ask. There were also a couple relatives who volunteered to fly out and help. We didn’t accept. Why in tarnation not?

Here’s Why People Like Us Don’t Ask For Help

We were so wrapped up in the medical decisions and the basics of survival, that we couldn’t think of what to ask for, we couldn’t manage the logistics of airport pick-ups, wheels, and accommodations for helpers, and we certainly didn’t want to burden others with the remainder of our life issues which we could somehow struggle to manage on our own, being the independent do-it-yourselfers that we are.

We could manage to get some sort of food on the table. We could manage to keep everyone in clean clothes to some extent. We could manage to drive over an hour away to take care of the dog and drive back to the hospital and charity house. We could. It would have been a whole lot easier if we didn’t have to manage food and laundry and dog care while managing a very sick child and five very concerned other children and a brand new baby.

It’s ridiculous that we didn’t ask for help, I know, but how many times haven’t you done this same thing? Be honest.

After a birth, following a miscarriage or other death, during an illness or while being diagnosed, during financial hardships, when a mama is newly pregnant and puking up her rib cage, during a move, after debilitating news–those are all times when people need help, and that’s okay. 

Let’s see how we can offer help to someone in a manner that will be effective, rather than make them think they’re begging for help or imposing on others.

20 Ways to Help a Loved One in Need {Includes a Free Printable}

20 Ways to Help a Loved One in Need

  • Instead of saying, “Let me know if I can help,” rephrase it to “I sincerely want to help. Please tell me what I can do. I mean this with all my heart.” This is the bare minimum. They will still probably not tell you how you can help. We wouldn’t.
  • Give them a list of ways you can help and say, “Pick three.” Stand there until they do, or say you’ll call in a day or two to get an answer.
  • Can you cook? Everyone needs to eat. Tell the family that you will be bringing dinner some time this week (or every Wednesday for a month), and to pick the best date for them. That leaves no asking on their part–just thanking. Be sure you ask about food sensitivities. While they would appreciate any food, often the family-in-crisis resorts to quick and filling and would love something healthy and homemade.
  • Slip a grocery or gas gift card in their mailbox or hand. Everyone needs those. If you’re a close friend or family member, steal the car for an hour (when they don’t need it) and fill it with gas; you might consider running it through a car wash while you’re at it.
  • Drop a bag of groceries off at their home, maybe with a family-friendly movie or a puzzle tucked in. Tell them you’re coming and say, “Set a cooler out front to let me know you’re too tired for company, and I won’t come in and bother you. If there’s no cooler, I’ll knock.”
  • Are you good with kids? Say this: “I would love to pick your kids up Thursday and bring them over for crafts and cookie baking if you’re comfortable with that. Otherwise, I would be more than happy to come and watch them so you can run errands or take a shower and a nap. Don’t feel obligated to socialize with me.”
  • Say this: “I’m coming over to do your laundry. No arguments! I’ve seen dirty undies before, so don’t hide them before I get there.” (That last part is important.)
  • Say this: “I’m coming over to clean your house, not because you’re a slob, but because you need a break. You can take a nap while I’m cleaning.” Or give them a gift certificate for a cleaning person with the same “not because you’re a slob” explanation.
  • If you are a long distance relative, say this: “I really want to help. Would it be helpful if I came and stayed to help, or would it be more work to have me there. Please be honest.” And while you’re there, please be helpful. We’ve had “helpful” guests that were far more work than help.
  • If you live far away or don’t have the time, order food to be delivered. You can also have toilet paper and other necessities delivered through Amazon.
  • Go with them. Doctor visits and hearing diagnoses are scary. Funeral arrangements are confusing. Bankruptcy proceedings are humiliating. Go along and hold a hand.
  • Send cards, emails, and well-wishes often. Often! People generally offer help and sympathy immediately after a difficult event, such as the start of an illness or a diagnosis; the prayers and sentiments commonly fall off after a short time.
  • Get techy. Ask if they are on Care Pages, Caring Bridge, or another online update site via which you can follow their medical progress. Get the Stand With app and encourage your friend or family member to do the same.
  • Sit with them. Some people simply want to feel less lonely, less scared, less…different. Sit with them and chat, laugh, cry, pray. Put your phone away during this time.
  • Be understanding. Sometimes fear and pain elicit the worst in us; be patient through these moments.
  • Ask. Then listen. Nothing’s worse than the whole world pretending your problem doesn’t exist, or switching the conversation to their cat or their kid’s grades every time you bring up your struggle. Well, I’m sure something’s worse than that, but when you’re immersed in pain, being ignored or compared to someone’s cat or a 3rd grade report card belittles your hurt.
  • Give the family or couple some movie tickets. Offer to sit with all the kids or with the ill person if she or he cannot go. During a crisis, couple time becomes time spent in doctors’ offices and waiting rooms–not the most romantic setting. Often the financial toll a situation takes is almost as intense as the main issue–what may be no biggie to you is huge to that family, like a couple movie tickets or a trip to the zoo.
  • Take over their jobs at church or other volunteer locations…with permission, of course.
  • Enlist a group of people to provide meals for a while, take shifts with babysitting, visit, whatever! Look within your church for this group–even if the person doesn’t attend a church, it’s a great introduction to the imperfect but loving heart of the Christian.
  • Listen. (I know I already said this, but it’s important.) Let them grumble, cry, scream, sulk, whatever! And don’t say anything stupid or critical in the process. The stuff your loved one is going through is hard–if you haven’t been there, you can’t comprehend the depth of the pain. Don’t judge, don’t gossip, don’t try to fix, don’t say, “well if you only–“, don’t roll your eyes–just listen.

Might I add, please don’t expect a thank you note. People are in such a haze during trying times, that sometimes they can’t even remember who helped or how they survived, much less muster the energy to write a note. Do it for the person, not for the credit.

I have received multiple requests for permission to print this to share at women’s conventions, funerals, hospitals, and the like. Please, friends, do share. To make that easier, click here or on the image below for a printable version.

FREE Printable: 20 Ways to Help a Loved One in Need

Here is a great post from someone else’s experience with a few more helpful actions that would truly show you care.

What are your best tips for helping someone in need?

Christy’s Simple Tips: How to De-Core Iceberg Lettuce

Christy's Simple Tips: How to De-Core Iceberg Lettuce



I thought everybody knew this technique, so I never thought to mention it. About two years ago my grandmother told me to watch the neat trick my uncle had just taught her, and she showed me the iceberg coring method my own mother–her own daughter–had been using my whole life.

Apparently, not everyone knows this. But you will.

How to De-Core Iceberg Lettuce

  1. Take the iceberg lettuce in your hand.
  2. Locate the core.
  3. Slam the core down on a hard surface, like a counter–not like your head.
  4. It will loosen so you can slide it out.

Super duper simple!

Oh, palm the lettuce like this or with both hands on the sides:

Christy's Simple Tips: How to De-Core Iceberg Lettuce

Don’t hold it with one hand on the bottom by the core. Ouch.

Christy's Simple Tips: How to De-Core Iceberg Lettuce

This simple tip comes straight from Mom down on the ol’ homestead. Thanks Mom! Love you! OX

Special thanks to Elisabeth for coring this head of lettuce for all you. You have lovely hands, Elisabeth. Go practice your piano.

To see your favorite simple tips featured on The Simple Homemaker (including a link to the page of your choice), please submit it through my contact page or send an email (pictures are optional) to TheSimpleHomemaker at gmail dot com with SIMPLE TIP in the subject.

What We Can Learn From Josh Duggar’s Downfall

What We Can Learn From Josh Duggar's Downfall

You’ve probably heard about the Duggar controversy. If not, I’ll tell you only that Josh Duggar committed a serious crime as a teen, it was dealt with extensively, and the family moved on. As often happens with the idiotic decisions we make in our youth (because we’ve all made them), his actions are now coming back to haunt and hurt him and his family.

Before we begin, let’s establish these understandings:

  1. Josh Duggar was completely and heinously wrong in what he did, and I feel tremendously for the victims and the parents, none of whom deserved this grief.
  2. I respect the family, but I’m not a Duggar-worshipper or even a follower.
  3. This article is not about the Duggars. It is about what we can learn from this experience. If you’re only here to tell me you’re sick of hearing people excuse his behavior, go back to number 1. If you’re only here to get mad and say that he should be removed from society until the day he dies and then hung by his toes from the mast of the Black Pearl and sunk to the bottom of the bottomless pit, you’re only here to vent your rage instead of reading for meaning, and you need to go back to school.
  4. See number 1.

I tend to stay away from overt controversy on this blog and, frankly, it’s none of my business, but I’m bringing this up because we can learn two things from this debacle that can help us as we build up our homes and relationships. These two things are about (1) people worship and (2) forgiveness and consequences.

(1) People Worship

We’ve all done it. We say things like this:

  • “If only my family were like theirs (the Dugggars or someone else’s).”
  • “Maybe if I were as godly a mother as she is, my kids wouldn’t fight so much.”
  • “If my husband were a better example, my boys would behave better.”
  • “I’m a failure; why can’t I be more like ______________?”
  • “I wish I were as patient as my sister/friend/mother.”
  • “Her kids are so much nicer, better educated, and more sociable than mine.”

Sound familiar?

The fact is the families you are comparing yourself to have their own problems. Sure, some of them have stronger marriages, more sociable children, scholastically superior accomplishments, more understanding husbands, more patient mothers. Maybe those are traits you long for in your own home and you’re pining. Be aware that what you see is not the whole story.

Those families have issues that you don’t know about. It could be something dark, like in the unfortunate case of the oft-worshiped Duggars, or maybe infidelity, abuse, alcoholism, or pornography. It could be something like an over-working husband, a distant marriage, a shopaholic wife, malcontent, disrespectful children, debt, screen addiction, gossip addiction, chasms between parents and children, eating disorders, questionable friends–whatever!

No human being or mortal family is perfect–no human being or mortal family is worthy of our worship. None. They will all fall from the pedestal of worship we place them on.

Just like the Duggars. Just like my family. Just like you.

Don’t worship people.

(2) Forgiveness and Consequences

Spend 15 minutes reading the comments on any Duggar article since the revelation, and you’ll see a handful of logical responses. The rest are polarized.

Pole number 1: Duggar fans are anxious to forgive and forget–an admirable trait. They are horrified that the family they loved (and possibly worshiped) has a dark spot in their past and has plunged from their high pedestal. They are hurting, but forgiving. They respect the parents for dealing boldly and humbly with the sin as soon as it was confessed, even voluntarily (from my understanding) involving the police and seeking rehabilitation for Josh and counseling for all involved.

They don’t want Josh to suffer any further consequences for what he did when he was a dumb kid, because they say his actions and life since reveal that he repented. They say it should be like it never happened.

The problem with that view is that it did happen.

Pole number 2: Duggar critics are still slobbering at the mouth claiming the sole purpose of the Duggars was to suppress women and reproduce for their own personal financial benefit…because a women who enjoys being intimate with her husband is obviously brainwashed and having lots of children makes you rich. Ahem. They think people who live by faith and welcome the blessings God sends their way are Santa-believing freaks. They’ve been waiting anxiously for the Duggars to fall, and they are reveling in what they see as a victory and a huge smear on the Christian church and faith.

They are not about to forgive, regardless that this issue occurred when Josh (now 27) was 14. They don’t acknowledge that it was dealt with years ago in numerous ways, and that the family is continuing to be straightforward, humble, and responsible. They want Josh and his parents to feel every single consequence of the actions of his teen years again. They want him to pay and to keep paying, even if that means hurting his victims again by dragging this whole thing through the mud. They want to inflict pain because pain was inflicted.

The problem with that view is that repentance, forgiveness, and healing have already occurred–where does it end?

Where do I stand?

In the middle.

As Mike Huckabee says, “Josh’s actions are, in his own words, ‘inexcusable,’ but not unforgivable.”  I believe in complete forgiveness of the penitent sinner, just as God has forgiven us through Christ. Being a mere mortal, I’m not good at forgiveness, because it’s hard, but I firmly believe in it–honestly, I do, even though if the victim were my child, I would have had a hard time not wanting Josh Duggar to feel serious pain…quite possibly somehow related to the front grid of my Chevy Express van. I would not, however, have acted on that impulse, but would have sought proper punishment, forgiveness, and healing, just like his family did over a decade ago.

I also believe in moving on as best we can. We must forgive and live, especially for the sake of the victims. Josh has shown (from what we can see) repentance and change over the past 13 years, so this grotesque action as a dumb kid should not completely define him forever. Don’t you love it when someone takes something you did, say, 20 years ago and defines you by it, regardless of your penitence and growth since that time? Yeah, that’s my favorite.

There’s more. Unfortunately, we can never make life return to how it would be if a sin never happened–not on this side of heaven. Even forgiven, we must live with the earthly consequences of our actions. Josh hurt people. That affected them; it changed them forever. It affected and changed him, too. There’s no amount of forgiveness that can make those consequences completely go away in man’s eyes, and we do have to accept that when we have caused pain. When the hurt caused by Josh the dumb kid rises up again, Josh the responsible adult must deal with it, however many times he has to drop on his knees and beg forgiveness from those he hurt. Just like me, just like you–no excuses.

What can we learn from those opposing poles?

When someone does us wrong, forgive. It isn’t easy. It may have to be repeated, since we humans tend to un-forgive. Just keep forgiving and move on as best you can–easier said than done, I know, especially if one of your own is the victim. Turn to Christ for the strength.

When we do someone wrong, understand that we must accept the consequences like a man (or like a woman, but “like a man” sounds better), humbly, honestly, and without trying to pass the buck. It’s called personal responsibility, even if what we did was when we were young and foolish idiotic.

Own up, forgive, move on, don’t get a national television show, help the victims heal, and be prepared for the consequences to slap you in the face from time to time.

Oh, and don’t be a stupid kid–too late? Yeah, for me, too.

In summary

–Don’t worship people; nobody is perfect…or even close. Everybody falls at some point.

–Forgive others, forgive yourself, embrace Christ’s forgiveness, and own up to the consequences of your actions, even when those consequences come from those unwilling or unable to forgive.

Here is a better article about this whole thing, particularly if a little voice in the back of your head is asking, “Would this have been such a big issue if they weren’t such vocal Christians?”

Four More Random Lessons From the Duggar Issue

1. Why dig up what happened with a stupid 14-year-old more than a dozen years ago, unless, of course, it’s to intentionally cause harm? Lesson: don’t dig up the past in your personal relationships.

2. The Duggars are receiving criticism for “covering up” this incident. Just because they didn’t advertise this issue to the public does not mean they hid it or buried it. They dealt with it when Josh first confessed over a decade ago, they have since, and they are again–certainly not perfectly, because they are human, which is why we don’t worship people. They even voluntarily turned their own son into the police–would you do that? Lesson: practice personal accountability.

3. Third, you think I’m forgetting the victims and protecting the perpetrator, don’t you, just because I wouldn’t actually run him down with my van? How do the victims feel about this? Well, we could ask them if only their parents would further tarnish the girls’ reputations and plaster their names all over social media and the news. But they’re not. They did what they felt was best to protect their girls over a decade ago–certainly not perfectly, because, blast it all, they didn’t get any less human since the last paragraph. They sought counseling, removed the perpetrator until he had been properly “rehabilitated,” and protected the girls’ names. Despite the critics and media ripping open old wounds, the Duggar parents are still doing whatever they can to protect their girls today by keeping their names out of it. Wouldn’t you? Read this truth about the victims. Lesson: do whatever you can to protect your kids–even more than the Duggars did.

4. As Christians, especially those in a position of authority or in the spotlight, we are called to live a “higher” life. We must be above reproach. People are watching like hawks to find fault with us. They will find it, because we’re human, but we can make it as difficult as possible by living the kind of life Christians are called to, and not just when the world is looking, but all the time. That’s a big calling. Lesson: walk the walk.

What are your respectful thoughts?

11 Tried and True Tips for Getting Kids to Eat Veggies

11 Tips From a Mama of 8 to Get Kids to Eat Veggies




One poor mama asked me how to get her kids to eat their vegetables. She has a child that gags and cannot swallow his veggies. Poor guy.

Many people will judge. I might have after my first four girls, who ate their vegetables enthusiastically, but now I eat my veggies with a side of humble pie! Here’s why:

We went through the whole gag issue with one of our seven, our boy. He would gag with certain veggies in his mouth. If required to swallow, it would come back up. Mmm…that’s appetizing. I don’t think anyone watching the scene firsthand could say it was an obedience issue. He physically couldn’t get them down, and he was a very obedient child. We kept offering the veggies and now he inhales them all.

Here is what we did to make veggies a readily accepted part of my son’s diet.

11 Tried and True Tips for Getting Kids to Eat Veggies

1–Frozen peas and green beans are like ice cream bonbons. Okay, they’re totally not, but they’re fun to eat if your kids are beyond the choking stage.

2–Smoothies are God’s alternative to dinner table battles and McDonald’s drive-throughs. Throw in a tiny bit of veggie and gradually increase the amount.

3–I often opted for heavily veggie-based dishes instead of stand-alone veggies. Somehow, veggies are easier to eat when they’re in a different form–casseroles, veggie soup, tomato soup, stir-fry, pasta sauce, pies, even lasagna. Chop small or blend, you sneaky mama.

4–I still add veggies to as many dishes as possible, and then tell my son what he ate only after he ate them and liked them. That way he knows he has tried and enjoyed that veggie. Parsnip-mashed potatoes comes to mind. I also sneak onions into everything, and he love-hates onions. (Loves them until he finds out he just ate an onion, at which point everything is gross, although yesterday he realized he loves French onion soup.)

Help Your Kids Eat Their Veggies!
This pasty is sneaky–it has yummy veggies inside!

5–Pretty bowls of veggies set out as daily snacks are enjoyed by everyone, and he dives right in with the rest. Dip makes it more fun, but I only use that as a treat.

6–We cut out as much processed foods as possible (in our case, all the processed food) both to not give him an alternative snack and to help his health and tastes. This is particularly effective if the gag reflex is from a developing (or passing) allergy issue.

7–I kindly and respectfully asked my hubby, who sits by him at every meal and was admittedly not raised on veggies, to stop making remarks about how disgusting veggies are and to quit leaving them on his plate. Setting a good example is huge. Huge-huge!

8–We planted a garden together and ate the goods.

11 Tips to Get Kids to Eat Veggies
Gathering rhubarb from a friend’s garden.

9–Sometimes he would be my shopping buddy, and I would let him pick out whatever he wanted to try from the grocery store. We rotated kids, but it was new and exciting, so they tried it.

10–We required him to try one bite of the veggie dish, or one piece (like one pea or bean) for each year of his age. I apologize in advance, my dear future daughter-in-law, if you have to count out 42 beans for him. I really tried.

11–We held off on the foods that made him gag. Eventually, we reintroduced them and he was totally fine with them. It is possible that it’s a sensitivity issue.

Here’s a ray of hope for you mamas struggling to get veggies into your children (or hubby): When my gagger son (now 9) was six, he talked my veggie-phobic husband into trying Brussels sprouts, and they both liked them. There is hope! At six he was my least creative eater, but at 9 he loves his veggies and will eat almost anything, especially mushrooms.

11 Tips to Get Your Kids to Eat Veggies
That’s him in the background, happily munching on an “edible weed” from a friend’s back yard.

How do you get your kids to eat their veggies?

Clearing Up Some Misunderstandings About My Sabbatical

Some readers were confused about what I meant by "taking a break." This should clarify it.

Now that I’m back from my sabbat and I’ve shared all I learned from my experience, I can open my big fat mouth again address a misunderstanding that was conveyed directly before I left regarding my time off.

Basically, the comment in question said, “It must be nice to have the money and luxury to take six months off and do nothing…not feeding the kids or taking care of the home. That doesn’t sound very responsible.” I didn’t know if I should cry or laugh my head off…so I sneezed…with my legs crossed…because I’ve had seven babies bouncing on this ol’ bladder. Keepin’ it real.

If others of you thought I shipped off the fruit of my loin and spent six months on the beach with meals being brought to me by cabana boys because I’m filthy rich and I didn’t have to lift a finger for half a year, know this:

1) We are traveling music missionaries who are subsidized by NOBODY. We lost all our investments, our savings, and our business in the 2008 crash. We don’t have money; we serve the Lord and He gives us our daily bread. We have no benefits, no employer-subsidized retirement plan, no employer-subsidized dental or health care, no paid vacation, no salary. We have us and our ability to keep going. Starving artist, starving writer, starving musician–there is a reason those expressions exist.

2) I took six months off THE BLOG, not off of life. I still homeschooled, cooked, planned menus, shopped for grocery bargains, worked for the mission, mothered, wifed, traveled the country, wrote a book, cleaned, didn’t get manicures, didn’t get haircuts, didn’t buy new clothes, and wrote articles for pay to help out the finances, which the blog doesn’t reliably do. (That “for pay” only goes with the articles, not all the other hats this mama wears.) I don’t have–nor do I want–the luxury of taking six months off of all those other activities!

3) Shhhhh. Relax. Simmer down as my Pappy used to say. The gist of my post and my sabbat is that, for a short time, I was giving up something that was not a necessity to leave room for more important things, to catch up on some items, and to rest and recharge. I never implied in any way that I or you should give up all responsibilities for six months and be lazy. 

4) And the burning question I would really like to ask people who comment without TRULY reading the post is this: Don’t I hear your mother calling? Okay, so the real question is this: Is my writing THAT unclear that you would think, after all I say about family first, that I want you to disregard your family’s needs for six months and be a bum? If that is what I communicated, then I need to give up as a writer…like, yesterday. Seriously, am I that bad? I need to know the truth.

Another concern some readers had about my sabbat was that I was merely shifting my blog time to my book-writing time. This is a legitimate concern, but let me lay it to rest. Writing is my thing–I can be highly productive in a short amount of time. What consumes my time with the blog is the technical aspect–all the thingies and doo-jabs that go along with images, promotion, uploading, linking, plug-ins, advertisers, affiliates, fixing everything that breaks when I merely touch an electronic device, and blah blah blah blech! Technology is totally and entirely not my thing.

When writing my book, all I had to do was write and hit “save.” The whole process was smooth like butter. Mmmmm…butter. And it took considerably less time than blogging–considerably less. So, no, writing the book was a time-saver, not a time-replacer.

Are we all copacetic with my sabbat now? And is my writing really that bad?

copacetic: adjective, slang. fine, completely satisfactory, okay. (origin: 1915-20 Americanism)