Reporter Cheryl Wetzstein from “The Washington Times” wrote an interesting article about trends in American families. The article starts with census data:

America’s family trends held steady in 2004, with most American children living with their married biological parents, a new federal report says.”

I spoke with her yesterday about the difficulties of juggling motherhood with marriage and life in general. It’s definitely a balancing act that moms are still trying to figure out today. There isn’t just one path to success.

Read the full article here and see my quote.

I don’t have a post prepared for today so I’ll just write about a few things I’ve found lately:

• “Friends” star Courtney Cox is said to be under stress for trying to balance life, work, motherhood and marriage. She’s reportedly shrank two dress sizes — down to a size 2. Now, she was skinny enough before loosing weight, but wouldn’t it be great if some weight loss came naturally for the rest of the world’s moms since we deal with this same stress. Just goes to show you that money doesn’t buy everything. Read the story here.
• There is a lunar eclipse tonight. It’s the last one until 2010, people. The news makes is sound like this is ages away, a millennium away. It’s only two more years.
• I stumbled upon a Web site for Work at Home Moms, www.buzymoms.com. It’s a professional looking site that seems to have lots of detailed information, tips and resources to help you find that business where you can work from home.
• New family rule: the fist person home has to give a warm greeting to the second person home. Read how Steve tells of this family ritual at TheSneeze.com. Fair warning: if you read any of his other posts, I’m won’t be held responsible for the amount of tears that will be streaming down your face because you’ll be laughing so hard it will hurt.
• Lately I haven’t had time to make family meals so I’m on the hunt for quick and easy dinners for a family. I did a quick search and found some interesting recipes here. Send me your links if you know of some great places to get inspired.

Another famous actor is dead. Heath Ledger died yesterday and we don’t know why. Well, there reportedly were drugs near his body at the time of his death, some reports are speculating it may be suicide or drug overdose. Whatever the reason, it’s sad. Tragic actually.

Heath’s daughter, Matilda, is only two weeks older than my son. I can’t imagine my son not having his father around any more. At this age, kids call out for their Daddies (Mommies too). What will Matilda do?

I’m always surprised when famous people suddenly die. Didn’t he have everything? Good looks, daughter, fame, money. I don’t know the reason for Heath’s death, but it only goes to prove that life is short and that you never know what people are going though.

That person who lives across the street from you — the tall, dark and handsome one that drives the Beamer, whose wife stays at home with the 2.5 “perfect angels.” That person. You never know what’s lurking behind his doors. There could be serious issues. You life may not be as bad as you think. You can’t compare yourself to anyone else.

Let’s just be happy to be who we are. Hug your kid today.

We are fortunate enough to have received annual passes to Walt Disney World for Christmas this year, so we headed out for our first visit recently. Planning only a half-day since we can go back when ever we want this year. Here’s what’s on my packing list for the day:

• Fanny sack (driver’s licenses, cash, Credit Card)
• Sunblock
• Visor
• Camera (with charged battery)
• Cell phones
• Stroller
• Bottle water
• Juice box
• Snack
• Diaper bag (check to make sure diapers are in it)
• Change of clothes for toddler
• Flip-flops for the water area
• Tylenol (I always need one at some point in the day)
• Baby blanket to cover stroller

One of the most important rules we have in our family is that everyone wears tennis shoes to the theme parks. We spend all day on our feet and need to protect them and make sure everyone is comfortable all day long. The flip-flops are for the areas where our son can splash through water so he doesn’t have to go barefoot. You’d be surprised by what we see on people’s feet at theme parks: All I can say is, “ouch! My dogs hurt!”

Take this list to heart if you are going to any type of day event — it doesn’t have to be a theme park. Proper planning can make the difference between an enjoyable day spent together vs. a day spent looking for things you’d wish you brought — or worse, days spent nursing sunburned children and adults!

I was blog surfing tonight and found a great tip from Courtney over at aisforbeautiful.com. On her list of “100 things about me,” number 49 struck me as an idea all families can adapt into their lives to gain more time together.

49. My family and I have a goal to go hiking every time there is a fifth Sunday.

What a great way to decide to do something special together, every time there is a fifth Sunday. Make it a family day. Maybe it’s a special dinner, or a day at the park, the zoo, a day to visit grandma. Maybe it’s a day to volunteer, or maybe it’s just family lazy day.

This year there are 4 fifth Sundays:

• March 31
• June 29
• August 31
• November 30

How will you spend them?