Hi – it’s hours away from the new year and not so many hours away from my New Year’s Eve party (I’m still very much hoping someone will show up to clean my house and cook the food, but I don’t think that’s going to happen! Sigh.)

But, I just wanted to take a few minutes to wish all of you a safe and wonderful New Year’s Eve.

Mainly, I wanted to say thanks again so much for making 2008 wonderful for me. I get so many supportive and kind e-mails from you (okay, some not supportive and kind) and I read all of them. Because of the volume, I just can’t always respond, but thanks for understanding that too.

So, thank you!

Have a great day – a wonderful evening, and a truly blessed and happy New Year.

Betsy

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Hi friends – I hope you’ll listen to “It Takes a Parent” today at noon central time, AM1160/WYLL radio or wtreaming at www.wyll.com. It’s a “best of” show featuring my discussion with Majorie Dannenfelser, President of the Susan B. Anthony (pro-life) PAC in D.C. She’s got lots of great insights into what we social conservatives are up against in D.C. with the new administration, and how we can not only survive – but thrive!

I also have a lot of fun in this weeks’ “Heart Beat” section of the show.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great New Year!

Betsy Hart

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Hi friends – I wanted to let you know I’m scheduled to be on the Fox News Channel today, Saturday, talking about parenting during tough economic times. ( 2:30 Central Time.)

Thanks for stopping by!

Betsy Hart

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Hi friends – I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas! Mine started around dawn as I heard the stifled, excited screams and pattering of feet up and down the stairs as my kids reported to each other on what it looked like Santa had brought.

That was pretty wonderful, but my favorite part? When my youngest, Olivia, age 7, gave me a plate she had painted for me at school and it said, “Mary Christmas!”

Yep, it really is a wonderful life. So here’s this week’s column:

my column

I hope you are having a blessed day, and a very Merry Christmas!

Betsy

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Hi friends – as I marvel at how “ready” I am for Christmas (presents wrapped well before midnight on Christmas Eve – that’s a first!) and how grateful I am for the family and friends I’m able to entertain this Christmas, I wanted to say a special thanks to all of you for your support and kindness throughout the year.

Wherever life has you right now, whatever challenges you’ve come through in the year just ending, I hope you are able to find a special peace and joy this Christmas, being thankful for the very gift of life itself.

Blessings to you all – and Merry Christmas!

Betsy Hart

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Hi friends – I wanted to let you know I took the kids to see the “Tale of Despereaux” yesterday – it’s terrific! I’m a sucker for cute mice. Anyway, it was very fun for both big people and little. If you are wondering what to do with the kids while they are off school and on break, you might want to give this little gem a try.

Merry almost Christmas!

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Hi Friends – I hope you listen to “It Takes a Parent” today at noon central time, AM1160 Chicago or streaming on www.wyll.com.

In the “Hart Beat” part of the show, I’ll talk a little bit about Christmas (I love Christmas, but as a Christian I don’t get too wrapped up in the Christ Story at Christmas – really!) and then a lot about a great Christmas gift wives can give their husbands – and it doesn’t cost a thing.

Then it’s an (encore) interview with Michael Horton, author of the “Christless Christianity” – a perfect week for that interview! In his provocative new book, Horton argues that it’s not that churches, often even our evangelical churches, aren’t zealous enough, it’s that we are too often zealous for the wrong things. Christianity has become more and more therapeutic and about what God can do for me – not about asking, how can I glorify God?

And listen in at the top of the show for a chance to win a family five-pack of tickets to the Adler Planetarium to see their fabulous “Star of Wonder” show and take in all the exhibits there. That’s a $100 dollar value, and I’m giving away two of them right here – so listen to win!

I hope you’ll tune in today (or listen to the show here tomorrow, or later in the week on National Review.com.)

As always, thanks for stopping by!

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Hi friends –

I’m heading to dinner on a beautiful, romantically snowy night here in Chicago, but before I go, I had to tell you about the great time my kids and I had today at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois. If you are in the Chicago area, you will want to take in the sights at Christmas! Thanks to my friends there, my kids and I were treated to a fantastic day. First, we saw the miniature electric train set and village. I say “miniature” but it’s, well, huge – it fills a very large room – and it’s and utterly magical and all about Christmas. All the children there, including mine, were mesmerized. (Be sure to look for the 10 “out of place” items: a baby bottle, a dinosaur, a set of handcuffs! Really fun.)

Then we drove through the paths of a winter wonderland. That took about an hour! Okay, I should have gotten the kids out and hiked but I admit it – we were happy to listen to Christmas carols on the car radio while we took in the sites. It was peaceful, and beautiful, and it felt like we were in the north woods of Wisconsin!

Then it was back to the visitor’s center for a lovely lunch and a little bit of shopping.

Thanks, Morton Arboretum – the Hart clan will be back.

You can find out more at mortonarb.org.www.

Thanks for stopping by!

Betsy Hart

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Hi Friends –

I wanted to let you know I’m going to be on the FOX News Channel live this Sunday, talking about how the economy might be affecting family budgets, and how to help our kids cope.

That’s this Sunday, in the noon central time hour.

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Betsy

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Hi friends – here’s this week’s column. And here’s hoping “dads” make a comeback in ‘09.

(Thanks for your notes – I will be posting it “day of publication” now – Thursdays.)

my column

Hey, for all of you in the path of the oncoming storm, hope you can stay home and warm and safe tonight.

Thanks for stopping by – Betsy

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