New Faith-Based Writer

Posted by Beth Gasser on February 6, 2010 Leave a Comment

I am so excited to introduce you to Robin O’Bryant, a writer and fellow mom I met online. She has agreed to share some of her wonderful short stories with us. Robin is a hysterical writer who writes from the heart. Her faith will inspire you and leave you pondering life’s great lessons as you move through your day.

Robin is such a busy lady; I’m not sure how she gets it all done. She has a book publishing project in the works, one website of her own-plus articles in several newspapers, and a bunch of short stacks mingling around her. If you haven’t read her feature article yet, here on Confessions of a Mom, make sure you do: Mommy’s Helper.

About Robin: Robin O’Bryant is a stay-at-home-mother to three daughters under five years old. Robin survives the drama and hilarity of motherhood by making fun of herself in her syndicated family humor column, Robin’s Chicks and on her blog by the same name. (www.robinschicks.com) She is represented by Jenny Bent of The Bent Agency and is currently revising her first book, a collection of non-fiction humor.

Filed Under: News | Tagged: Tagged With: faith, motherhood, robin obryant

Mommy’s Helper

Posted by Robin OBryant on February 6, 2010 3 Comments

As mothers we have to be more loyal than a boy scout, more disciplined than a drill sergeant, and more vigilant than a Navy SEAL. Having children is MORE than a full time job, it requires constant vigilance. Like a soldier on the battle field your senses are on high alert. The smallest squeak of a floor board or creak of a door could signal an emergency. A cough or a sneeze in the middle of the night could mean an early morning doctor visit. There are no lunch breaks, and no trips to the water cooler to visit with friends. You don’t even get to clock out at the end of a hard day and go home.

I recently broke up a fight between my two year old and four year old without even opening my eyes. They climbed into the bed with me before the sun came up, (naturally), and started fighting over who was going to lie next to me while I was still asleep! I didn’t even open my eyes. I simply rolled over, grabbed my two year old and placed her on my other side to separate them.

Taking your kids to the grocery store can seem more terrifying and dangerous than a juggler walking a tight rope. You have to keep a baby from screaming, a toddler from knocking over a display of soup cans and a preschooler from throwing every item made with high fructose corn syrup into your grocery cart. You have to make sure no one shoplifts candy while you are checking out AND you have to actually be able to purchase the items you need to sustain your family for another week.

Being a mother is physically, mentally and emotionally exhausting on a good day. Your children don’t think twice about waking you up in the middle of the night to discuss the smallest detail of their day, or to ask for a Band-Aid for a perceived “booboo” you can’t even see.

Thankfully, when we are exhausted, out of answers and out of gas, Our Father is not. He is constant. He is watching, waiting, and hoping that we will come to Him in the still of the night to discuss the smallest details of our day and to ask Him to heal our perceived hurts.

1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” “For I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:13 NIV) Go to Him like a child and pour out your frustrations; let Him be Mommy’s Helper.

About the Author: Robin O’Bryant is a stay-at-home-mother to three daughters under five years old. Robin survives the drama and hilarity of motherhood by making fun of herself in her syndicated family humor column, Robin’s Chicks and on her blog by the same name. (www.robinschicks.com) She is represented by Jenny Bent of The Bent Agency and is currently revising her first book, a collection of non-fiction humor.

Filed Under: Featured Stories | Tagged: Tagged With: faith, God, motherhood

Anthony Edwards and Uma Thurman in Motherhood

Posted by Beth Gasser on September 25, 2009 3 Comments

Today I got the distinct pleasure of talking to Anthony Edwards about his role in the upcoming movie, “Motherhood”, co-starring Uma Thurman and Minnie Driver. According to Anthony, his character in the movie is a “well-intentioned guy who forgets a lot of stuff”. His wife joked that the role was an example of type-casting for the movie when they first read the script together. Anthony talked about how being a father and life experiences make the art of acting more rich and “real”. He said he took the part because the movie and its characters “seemed to be organic and real”. After speaking with Director Katherine Diekmann last week, and Anthony today, I definitely get the feeling this movie is something special. From what I gather, the movie’s origins of an all female writer/director/producer and female stars lend credibility, realism, and humor to motherhood not yet seen on screen.

Anthony talked about the difference of filming this movie on location in New York versus Hollywood, as well as the absence of a boardroom table full of men discussing a movie featuring the topic of motherhood. Anthony’s candor and sensitivity to his wife, and mothers worldwide, is refreshing and reassuring that outside of the Hollywood “spotlight” genuine people exist in place of “stars”. Anthony is passionate about women’s empowerment in third world countries, and is focusing his philanthropy efforts on building Africa’s first public children’s hospital.

Anthony asked me to help spread the word that he’d like people consider donating only $10 toward the cause. His idea is to get 500,000 people to donate only $10, and the hospital will be covered! He is running in the New York City marathon on November 1, 2009 in support of his fundraising efforts. For more information you can go to shoe4africa.org

Filed Under: News | Tagged: Tagged With: anthony edwards, cgi, jodie foster, katherine diekmann, minnie driver, motherhood, motherhood movie release date, motherhood the movie, movies, shoeforafrica, uma thurman

When Motherhood Gets Tough, Go To a Movie

Posted by Beth Gasser on September 18, 2009 3 Comments

I was recently invited to participate in a phone call with Hollywood movie writer and director, Katherine Diekmann (seen left with her kids) to discuss the soon to be released movie “Motherhood”. With a release date of of October 23, 2009, the buzz around this movie is building as we learn it’s based on realistic motherhood scenarios. Starring Uma Thurman, Anthony Edwards, and Minnie Driver, “Motherhood” looks to be funny and witty mixed with a huge dose of reality.

During the call with Ms. Diekmann, I was surprised at how easily I could relate to her life as a mother. Our lives are worlds apart, yet tied in a special bond that is motherhood. She’s gearing up for the release of her movie, and I’m hoping my frozen lasagna defrosts in time for supper. She packs her kids lunches and send them off to school, and guess what? I do the same thing. Uma Thurman’s kids are school age as well, so most of their kids (cast and crew’s kids) were in school rather than on the set of this movie. They did like to hang out in the snack tent after school, where every snack imaginable was provided for the cast and crew. What kids wouldn’t love that? I know my kids would have to be pried out of there too.

I am excited at the prospect of another interview next week with one of the star actors. While the details are being finalized, I am having fun sharing my excitement with you. I have yet to see the movie trailer on tv, but I’ve been allowed to post it here for you to take a peek.

Katerine Diekmann is best known for her 2007 movie “Diggers” starring one of my favorites, Paul Rudd.

I have loved watching “Motherhood” leading actress, Uma Thurman, in “Kill Bill”, “Pulp Fiction”, and “The Truth About Cats and Dogs”.

“Motherhood” leading actor, Anthony Edwards, has long been a favorite of mine as Dr. Greene on “ER”, Goose in “Top Gun”, and of course, my own personal cult classics; “The Sure Thing”, “Gotcha”, “Revenge of the Nerds”, and “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”.

Minnie Driver, also starring in “Motherhood”, is best remembered by me in her role in “Good Will Hunting”. For my girls, they loved Minnie in “Ella Enchanted”, which we’ve watched over and over again.

Katherine Diekmann states, “My goal as a filmmaker is to explore the full dimensionality of my characters’ lives with as much humor and empathy as possible, always with an eye to socially real circumstances.” That alone has me planning to schedule a Mom’s Night Out to see this movie and celebrate/commiserate with my friends. After all, I’m snacking on dry fruit loops and writing this post, while my 20 month old stuffs fruit loops and puzzle pieces into my desk drawer.

So, who wants to go see this with me?

Filed Under: Mom Support, News | Tagged: Tagged With: anthony edwards, hollywood, jodie foster, katherine diekmann, minnie driver, mom bloggers, moms, motherhood, movie, movie release, uma thurman