About Monica
Why this blog?
I like books. I like to write. I really like writing about books. And my kids. Love writing about them too. As we say in bloggyland – that’s good blog fodder.
That’s the gist of it. Paper Bridges exists for me to get it all out of my head, to share with you what I have to say.
I also want readers to find encouragement. Whether you find your way here via an online blogging community, a comment I left on another blog, or just a random Google search, I pray you find me a kindred spirit.
And if I can make you laugh, then all the more reason to write this online journal.
That’s nice. But who are you?
I’m a mom. Two boys and two girls. I’m a huge Narnia fan, so when it came to picking online identities for my children, I borrowed from CS Lewis. Susan, 9, likes to smell books. Peter, 8, would rather use the book as a Frisbee. Edmund, 5, wants to copy his big brother. Lucy, 3, pushes all the books off the coffee table so she can dance on it. Oy. Of course, being a mommyblogger, I’m always ready to use my precious wee ones to entertain you with their antics. 
My husband of ten (!) years is Doc. No, he’s not a real doctor, he just plays one my blog. Ha. He’s handsome, going gray (I have nothing to do with that, I swear) and my best friend.
Be forewarned: I’m one of those weird home schooling moms. I’m passionate about home education, so please don’t take it personally when I poke fun of the public schools. I’m convinced it’s hysterically funny. And by the way - if I ever come over to your site and start teasing you, it means I want to be your friend. I’m such a child that way; sorry - can’t help it.
I’m stubborn and opinionated. (See the above bit regarding home schooling). It’s a required survival skill for us living in the Northeast. I’ll try to remember most of the US doesn’t live that way, and try to rein in the snark.
I dabble in fiction, toss around home schooling book ideas and wish I had more energy at the end of the day to get it all done. I volunteer for Compassion International too. If you know me IRL, let me know if are interested in a presentation for your church, youth group, or Bible study.
I guess that about covers it. I’m a Christian mommyblogger who dreams of writing a best-selling memoir about her families’ traveling adventures.
Interests:
Kiteboarding. No, I’ve never actually been on a kiteboard, but I’ve watched wishfully from the shore. Looks like fun, maybe a bit dangerous. I’m down with that. I’ve delivered babies without pain medication, so what’s a little tumble into the ocean compared to giving birth?
Geocatching. Never done it. Looks cool though.
Letterboxing. Geocatching without the technology. Want to try this too. (I’ve suddenly realized I’m such a geek.)
Traveling. Finally, an interest I’ve got some experience with. I’ve been to: Great Britain, Venezuela, Indonesia and Singapore. I’m not counting France ’cause it was only for the day and I don’t remember much more than the pasty shop we popped into to prove how poor we were speaking the language. Quebec has that European flare, yet far closer to home. I once taught English in Indonesia. You can read a bit more about that at Relief Journal, where they actually pay me a lot of money as a staff blogger.*
One of the great things about home schooling is that you have the freedom to GO. Now that our youngest is out of diapers, we’re getting more mobile. I see a road trip in our future. Can’t wait to blog (and Twitter) all about it.
Ireland is at the top of my Next Country list- unless a friendly blogger buddy has an invite (evite?) to entice me to visit their country first.
Nice to meet you. And you are?
I’m a big fan of meeting new friends online. Please introduce yourself, so I can check out your blog. And if you don’t have a blog… why the heck not? Everyone else does. Jump on into the bloggy pool, there is always room for more.
One last thought: the beauty of blogging is community. As a stay-at-home mom, I treasure my online friends. Thank you, Internets. I value your visits and your comments. It’s my prayer I have the same impact on your life that you do mine. And thanks for reading this far. Forgive me for being verbose.
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*Did you totally believe that? Me get paid to blog?? Hey, a girl I can dream. If any one really wants to pay me to blog, let me know. My email is monicambrand (at) embarqmail (dot) com
