Kendra Smiley Kendra's role-of-a-lifetime began over 35 years ago when she and her husband, John, were married. Together, they have raised three sons. John, a school teacher turned salesman, was a pilot in the Air Force and Air Force Reserves for 30 years. A natural-born entrepreneur, Kendra kept the home fires burning, while growing a home-based business, serving as a youth leader in her church for over 20 years, and staying active in her community. Her work as a mother, entrepreneur, church and community leader did not go unnoticed. In 2001, she was chosen as the Illinois Mother of the Year. "My best choice," Kendra gladly shares, "Was made right after I was married. That's when I realized my personal need for a savior. It wasn't enough to believe God was real, I needed to make the choice to receive him as my personal savior." The Smiley household started on a Christ-centered journey that continues to this day. Today, Kendra enjoys the fruits of her choices. She has written more than half a dozen books, spoken to thousands around the country (and abroad), founded and distributed a daily radio program -- today heard on more than 50 stations. Kendra connects with people whereever she is -- teaching individuals to make the next right choice. View all articles | Contact author

"Love it or dread it, the family road trip is still the ultimate bonding experience," according to Kathleen Leighten in Better Homes and Gardens magazine. With summer right around the corner and budgets a little tighter than usual, here are some ideas for making your next family road trip more fun:

There are many ways to pass the hours on a road trip. If family bonding is one of your main goals, then there are certain things you will want to avoid (or at least to use sparingly). Those would include cell phones, DVDs, ipods, or anything with isolating headphones. So what are some alternative activities for your trip?

1. Word games - the alphabet game (finding letters on billboards, etc. in alphabetical order); I spy-alphabet game (finding objects that begin with each letter of the alphabet in alphabetical order); grocery store game ("I went to the grocery store and bought an A - apple." Then, "I went to the grocery store and bought an A - apple and a B - banana." Etc.); license plate game (How many states can you find?)

 2. Travel games (card games)

3. Songs and Sing alongs - CDs; SS or VBS songs; camp songs; silly songs

4. Prizes/distractions - individually wrapped, dispensed at appropriate intervals (things like crayons and magnets and dot to dots, etc.)

5. Books on tape - something for everyone to enjoy (save War and Peace for later if you have toddlers.); a book to read together if one of the passengers can read without getting car sick

6. Lessons on map reading and navigation (this idea is educational too!)

7. Speaking of educational...Learn how to determine the gas mileage between fill ups; learn states and capitals; memorize Bible verses

8. Coloring books; drawing paper for tic tac toe or hangman; a trip diary

How can you keep all the goodies together?

• Sew together the bottom of a man's shirt - one for each child. Then hang each on a hanger and place the hanger on the hook above the back seat windows. Put a metal cookie sheet in the shirt to use as a desk and display board for magnets. The shirt will act as storage that is accessible to the kids.

Don't forget...

• FOOD! (small individual sizes); water; fruit; etc.
• Memories!!!!! Share old ones and make new ones!