Butterflies and Bullfrogs

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-21T18:34:00.006-07:00

Well, it is 9:30pm and I have the house to myself (sort of). Carter is sleeping peacefully in his air conditioned room & the girls & Jason...well, they are sleeping outside.

Daddy has been wanting to take Sarah camping (he's not convinced Emma will last a weekend yet). However, with no trailer & no tent (big enough for all of us), the back yard has become a campground.

So, on this most special of days - Father's Day - Jason & his girls are spending a special evening 'camping' in the backyard.

Jason taught the girls how to set up his backpacking tent. They laid the tarp.

Emma helped with the tent pegs.

Sarah helped snap on the rain cover.

Mission accomplished!

After tucking them all in...

Jason said "See you in an hour" to which I replied "if they last that long".

Time will tell, The girls just might surprise him (and me) and last the night. Hmmm, then again maybe not. There is the sound of the back door...it's just Emma coming in for a potty break. She is back in the tent, there is still movement inside the tent and they have the rain cover open to the night sky. I am sure it will be a bit longer before eyes close and the talking ceases.

Me, I am going to enjoy having our whole full size bed to myself.

Sweet Dreams.

MAN, I didn't even have the chance to post this before the back door opened again. This time both girls came in carrying their sleeping bags and pillows. Apparently, the ground is not very comfortable. It would appear as though sleeping mats are in order.

Well, maybe next time I can enjoy having the bed to myself. :-)

Oh, PS! For anyone who is curious as to how long the camping trip lasted...they lasted approximately 45 minutes.

Sweet Dreams, again!

I AM says You Are - Blog Tour

2009-05-09T00:00:00.002-07:00

In the midst of traveling to Thailand, packing up our belongings in AZ, and moving back to MI...I have been reading a fantastic book/Bible study.

It is called - I AM says, “You Are…” by CJ Rapp.

Today, I am hosting CJ for a blog book tour. I hope you enjoy getting to know her & learning a bit more about the book. I definitely recommend getting the book and discovering what I AM thinks of you.

Blessings,
Kim

INTRODUCTION:
I AM says, “You Are…” Understanding Your Identity in Christ is the first book by Bible teacher and speaker CJ Rapp. Not only does this book explore your rock solid identity in Christ, it also helps the reader identity patterns of thinking that threaten healthy self-esteem. For each daily devotional, questions have been included. These questions provide an opportunity for personal study or for sharing the journey with a small group. It’s perfect for women’s ministry groups to use as a six week study.

Q. What inspired you to write I AM says, “You Are…” Understanding Your Identity in Christ?
A. One of the biggest challenges in my life has been overcoming insecurity and low self-esteem. In fact, my journey was long and difficult. My low self-esteem began during my teen years and remained into my thirties.

In my late twenties I began to follow Christ. I committed my life to Him and began to read the Bible. As I read, I discovered that His Word actually contradicted lies I had long believed about my worth and my value. His words were kind, compassionate, and full of love. The more I read the more I realized that God loved me and that he didn't think I was stupid, ugly, or worthless. Instead His Word says that I am priceless, a masterpiece, a treasure, and I am His child. He even loved me enough to send His Son to die for me. That was shocking! The girl who grew up believing that she had little worth or value was passionately loved and desired by the Creator of the universe! It was life changing for me. Through my study, acceptance of His truth, and application of God’s Word I was set free. I like to say that God replaced the trash, my negative thoughts, with the truth or the treasure of God’s Word.

The more I read the more I realized I held the keys to freedom and healing in my hands. Not just for me but for other people just like me. Three years ago God impressed on my heart the importance of sharing my journey with others. My heart’s desire in writing this devotional Bible study is to help other people find the same hope, freedom, and healing that I have found.

Q. What are some of the topics covered?
A. Each day begins with this identity statement, I AM says, “You Are…” The thirty daily themes cover many aspects of our identity in Christ such as:

• I AM says, “You Are loved.”
• I AM says, “You Are beautiful.”
• I AM says, “You Are unique.”
• I AM says, “You Are forgiven.”

Q. Do you have a website or blog for your audience to check out?
A. Yes! I have a blog site www.cjrapp.wordpress.com for women to interact and share their thoughts on the daily themes. Small groups and Women’s Ministries also have a tab on the blog where they can share their insights and idea’s.

CLOSING
I AM says, “You Are…” Understanding Your Identity in Christ provides women with a glimpse of God’s heart for them. Embracing the truths from Scripture found in this book can help women overcome the low self-esteem that studies say over 80% of American women suffer from. The quickest way to get your copy is to order from amazon.com. For more information about CJ Rapp visit her website at www.cjrapp.com. Don’t forget that this study can be used in small groups and as a church wide women’s ministry study.

The Secret Holocaust Diaries Blog Tour

2009-04-18T03:30:00.002-07:00

It has been some time since I have been able to find time to post. I am returning with a blog book tour.

Please take time to at least read about the topic of this book.

Blessings,
Kim

The Secret Holocaust Diaries by Nonna Bannister with Denise George and Carolyn Tomlin

Introduction

Nonna Bannister appeared to be a typical American housewife. She married Henry, the love of her life, in 1951 and together they raised three children in Memphis, Tennessee. But Nonna was far from average. For half a century, she kept her story secret while living a normal life. She locked all of her photos, documents, diaries, and dark memories from World War II in a trunk in her attic.

Tyndale House Publishers announces the publication of The Secret Holocaust Diaries: The Untold Story of Nonna Bannister written by Nonna Bannister with Denise George and Carolyn Tomlin (April 2009, Tyndale House), the haunting eyewitness account of Nonna Lisowskaja Bannister, a remarkable Russian girl who saw and survived unspeakable evils during World War II.

Questions & Answers

Q. The Secret Holocaust Diaries is written by Nonna although she passed away in 2004. Did she write the book before she died?
A. Yes, she slipped up into the attic each night, translated her diaries (from several different languages), and recorded them in English onto yellow legal pads. Much later, after she told her husband, Henry, about her incredible past, she showed him the stacks of yellow legal pads on which she had translated her diaries and recorded her thoughts about her past, and he typed them up into a manuscript.

Q. Would Nonna have liked to see her book published before she died?
A. Nonna translated her diary into English and her husband, Henry, typed the manuscript. However, she requested the diary not be published until at least 2 or 3 years after she died. Henry honored this request. (She died in 2004.) The story was very painful and reminded her of the suffering her family endured. When she came to America in 1950 she was overwhelmed by her new life. She was determined to make a new life for herself and to give her husband and children a happy home.

Q. Many people assume most of the people killed by the Nazis were Jewish. Was Nonna’s family Jewish?
A. Although it is estimated that approximately 6 million Jews were killed by the Nazis, other nationalities experienced suffering and death, also. Nonna's family was Russian and owned seven grain mills and homes in southern Russia and the Ukraine. Her father, Yevgeny, and his family were from Warsaw, Poland, which included a large population of Jews. Due to border restrictions, Nonna never met her father's family. Yevgeny never told Nonna and her brother, Anatoly, if his family was Jewish. If the children didn't know, they could not let it slip. The admission of being Jewish could have meant deportation or certain death. There is speculation, but no one is certain.

Q. Nonna saved many documents from her time at Nazi camps; what are these artifacts?
A. In a small ticking pillow she kept tied around her waist, she kept many one inch square photos of her family and friends in the Ukraine. She also kept her small childhood diary. On tiny slips of paper, she wrote her experiences (in diary form) and also kept these in the little pillow.
Later she kept all these in a small trunk, which she painted bright green.

Q. What can people of Christian faith or Jewish faith/descent take from The Secret Holocaust Diaries?
A. That grave injustice exists--Nonna learned that from the Red Army (who killed many of her family members) and Hitler's army (who also killed many of her family members and imprisoned her in a labor camp). But that God's love and forgiveness for those who hurt us are stronger than even Hitler's evil and injustice. Nonna came out of the whole experience with her heart still filled with love. She experienced none of the bitterness and hatred that some Jewish Holocaust survivors have held onto. She was able to marry, raise children, and bring them much joy and happiness through her own love and through introducing them to God's love.

Q. Why did Nonna feel it was so important to share her story?
A. The Secret Holocaust Diaries: The Untold Story of Nonna Bannister is a true story of a young Russian girl whose family was caught up in the Russian Revolution and in World War II. In spite of the injustice inflicted on her family and millions of others, it is a story of love and forgiveness. Nonna wanted others to know the horrors that occurred during the Hitler and Stalin era so that it might never happen again.
Nonna felt compelled to tell her story because she was an eyewitness to many dramatic events, and she was the only survivor of her entire family.

Conclusion
Late in life, Nonna unlocked her trunk filled with memories from World War II first for her husband, and now for the rest of the world. Nonna’s story is one of suffering, torture, and death—but also of incredible acts of kindness that show the ultimate triumph of faith and love over despair and evil. The Secret Holocaust Diaries is in part a tragedy, yet ultimately it’s an unforgettable true story about forgiveness, courage, and hope.

SMORE for Women - Gail Showalter Book Tour

2008-12-03T00:00:00.003-07:00

I am pleased to introduce you to another author this week.

Gail Showalter

Gail has an incredible passion for women, especially single mothers. I am blessed to have an amazing husband to share in the task of parenting. However, my mom was a single mom for many years. I would have loved for there to have been something like this for her when she was in this season of her life.

Thank you, Gail, for reaching out and caring for such a special group of women.
Kim ~ B & B

Thank you for the opportunity to share my passion for single mothers. In
the United States, alone, there are over ten million mothers raising children
alone. Over one third of them live in poverty. After years of being on my own as
a mother of three, I came to realize how little is done in our communities and
churches for this group of children with absent fathers and women with no
husbands. The vast majority does not attend church, but our neighborhoods are
filled with single moms. I’ve created and implemented, along with an eleven
member board, a detailed plan for encouraging, inspiring, and blessing single
mothers. If you have ever wondered what you could do to make a difference for
even one of the moms, this is the answer. It is easy, inexpensive, and
exceedingly worthwhile.
-Gail Showalter

B&B: Gail, You have established a ministry plan for single mothers. What motivated you to do this?

For sixteen years I was a divorced mother with three children. I was fortunate
to have family support and yet the disappointment, emotional pain, and daily
difficulties were devastating. I’m happily remarried now for twelve years and my
passion for the over the ten million single mothers remain strong.

B&B: Why do you think a ministry plan is needed?

Single mothers have a difficult time day-in, day-out. I think churches want to
provide supportive programs for them, but –though there are some successful
ministries—much still needs to be done to minister to single moms. Often what
you see on the outside doesn’t reveal the heartache and fear she is experiencing
on the inside. Church leader I’ve spoken with have expressed genuine interest in
implementing this plan.

B&B: What do you call the ministry?

SMORE for Women. SMORE is an acronym for Spiritual Ministry Offering ReTREATs and Encouragement. Our program assists churches in providing Saturday reTREATs in a home or intimate church environment.

B&B: What is the ultimate goal of SMORE for Women?

Our mission is to inspire and encourage women, especially single mothers, to
discover and develop their abilities and inner strengths. Ultimately I hope to
see churches across the country implement these programs. And in the process
develop ongoing programs and activities for single mothers in their communities.

B&B: Tell us why you prefer that the reTREATs be in homes?

Homes provide an intimate, friendly, and non-intimidating environment. Homes
also have the amenities for several of the pampering areas. A reTREAT can also
take place in a church or other facility.

B&B: What do you mean by pampering areas?

At each reTREAT each mom is treated in several areas. Depending on the home she
may use a hot tub or swimming pool. She will receive a brief massage, and even
have a quiet private prayer time.

B&B: Where can we go for more information about the SMORE for Women ministry?

We have a web site which is www.smoreforwomen.org and a blog which
is www.seeinguthrough.wordpress.com.

In closing, A Retreat can be hosted by a small group of compassionate women. The guidebook, Encouraging Single Mothers to Grow Their Strengths, includes step-by-step guidance for planning and hosting a reTREAT. Once you’ve experienced one Saturday reTREAT filled with joy you will want to plan another and another. In the process you will get acquainted with some remarkable women and you might inspire them as they see Christ in you. Please visit SMORE for Women at www.smoreforwomen.org.

Gail, thank you for taking time to share with my readers today. I hope that you will take a moment to visit Gail's website. Have a wonderful day.

Blessings,
Kim

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T21:34:00.002-07:00

I pray you had a full Thanksgiving Day! We spent a wonderful afternoon with some friends and their family. Thanks, Steve & Susan, for a great day, a yummy meal and once again opening your home to our family.

I received this email from another friend. I enjoy reading his email messages - I hope you do to.

As we look to the journey ahead, it is my hope that our family can "Be joyful always; praying continually; giving thanks in all circumstances."

Blessings,
Kim

Dear Friends and Family:

Happy Thanksgiving!!! That’s the familiar greeting of the season; I like it much better than “happy turkey day”.

Certainly when we think about all the ways that God has provided for our needs, we are thankful. It is easy to thank God for the good stuff, but what about the bad? We are living in a time when there are a lot of “bad” things happening around the world; the violence in India yesterday, the continuing worldwide economic instability, political uncertainty…

But what does God teach us about that? In Ephesians 5:20 we learn, “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (not just in the good times but ALWAYS) Then we learn in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 to “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” Not only give thanks when times are bad, but be joyful about it!! Wow, that is a tall order. How can we do that?

Notice in both of those passages Jesus Christ is mentioned. Isn’t He really our true source of joy? When we consider Jesus’ awesome love for us that led Him to a cross to pay the price for our sins, how can we be unhappy? When we think of the millions upon millions of years (eternity) we will spend in Heaven because of Jesus’ sacrifice, experiencing more happiness than we ever experienced on earth, how can we be sad?

So I pray that you really have a HAPPY Thanksgiving this year and every year, no matter what. Romans 8:28

Even if we feel poor and weak; we are actually rich and strong in Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 12:10

I am reminded of an “old” hymn from 1978. (Not old for me, but for some of you…) It is called “Give Thanks”

Give Thanks

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks unto the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son

And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us"

Give Thanks… Give Thanks… GIVE THANKS!!!

Love,
B

“I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union.“

A. Lincoln (October 3, 1863)

Homeschool Resource Deal

2008-11-25T22:13:00.003-07:00

Are you homeschooling your munchkins or thinking about it?
Check out this resource 'The Old Schoolhouse Magazine'.
Jen at "Balancing Beauty and Bedlam" has posted about a special offer.

One-year Women's Friendship Devotional Blog Tour

2008-11-20T11:35:00.008-07:00

ONE-YEAR WOMEN’S FRIENDSHIP DEVOTIONAL

The One-Year Women’s Friendship Devotional(Tyndale) is the latest book from friends and coauthors Cheri Fuller and Sandra Aldrich. Not only does the text provide a deeper connection to and enjoyment of God and His Word, but it is a wonderful opportunity for today’s busy women to connect with each other as they discuss the short daily devotions and the “To Ponder” questions at the end of each week’s section. Perfect for small groups or two girlfriends meeting over coffee, the devotional also is appropriate for those who prefer individual study.

Q. What can women gain from The One-Year Women’s Friendship Devotional?

Sandra: The One-Year Women’s Friendship Devotional is designed for today’s busy woman. Each of the 365 devotions are on one page and contain a daily Scripture, short devotional thought from either Cheri or me and end with an honest prayer and an insightful quote. At the end of each week are questions to ponder individually or talk over with a friend. But beyond the friendship connection is our heavenly Father’s invitation to know more about Him and His living Word.

Cheri: One of the benefits of our One-Year devotional is it provides a vehicle to discover your natural rhythm for drawing near to God in a personal and regular way. For right-brained people like me, the structure helps me stay in God’s Word day by day so my roots can grow deeper in Christ. Being a lover of people, I also enjoy exchanging ideas and discussing how a certain verse or story spoke to me, and the weekly questions are ideal for that purpose.

Q. Why do you say “His living Word”?

Sandra: God’s Word isn’t just ancient wisdom. Its principles apply to modern challenges such as how to make good decisions, how to get along with those who irritate us, how to handle finances, how to know our heavenly Father on a deeper level. And that is just some of the treasures contained within the pages.

Q. What types of questions are at the end of each week?

Sandra: The four or five questions work well for either journaling or discussion with a friend. For example, the first week of April presents the theme “Loving the Lord and Others.” The questions at the end are:

1) What loving-kindness have you received at a low moment in your life? Who gave it? 2) What encouragement do you try to offer others?

3) When it is most difficult to show love?

4) Have you ever learned a lesson from someone who didn’t know you were watching?

Cheri: We also suggest to the reader she might pick a few of the questions for the week to discuss as she exercise-walks with her walking buddy. Or she can share her responses and thoughts via e-mail with an across-the-miles friend. Reading the same daily devotional with its Scripture, prayer, and devotional thought is bonding and connects our hearts no matter where you and your friend are. You could even share it via webcam or over lunch with a co-worker in the office. The format makes it very versatile and doable.

Q. What’s an example of a devotion in the book?

Sandra: My accounts usually feature one of my young friends facing a challenge or a memory from my Kentucky farm days, which leads to a spiritual point. The following devotion is from June 13:

Carried by Our Father
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.—1 Peter 5:7

I remember a long-ago night in our Kentucky farm
community. I was five years old, and my parents had
taken me with them to visit neighbors. By the time
we left for home, the stars were already out, and
our lane looked long and dark in the moonlight,
especially where the thorny blackberry bushes hug
over the ditches. Quickly my dad swooped me up and
carried me on his strong shoulders. The night was
still dark, and the bushes still had thorns, but I
felt so safe I fell asleep.

There have been many times in my adult life when
I’ve been carried by my heavenly Father. And I’ve
noticed that though I long to be carried away
from the darkness, I’m actually carried through
it, just as Daniel was saved in the
lion’s den rather than from it (see Daniel
6:16-23). I confess, I don’t like the challenges and
trials that often accompany daily human existence.
In fact, I’ve often thought I’d like God to say,
“Good morning, Sandra. This is what I plan to do
today for you and your family. Is that all right?”
But, of course, he doesn’t, and I’m left to choose
once again whether I will trust him during the scary
times.

A while back, I was intrigued by the word care
in 1 Peter 5:7, so I researched it. I discovered
that the word can have two meanings: our worry and
God’s comfort. The worrying type comes from a Greek
word meaning “to divide the mind.” How perfect. My
mind is divided when I allow worries, distractions,
and anxieties to interfere with my trust that my
heavenly Father will carry me past life’s dark
ditches and thorny bushes. So what’s my goal? To
concentrate less on the situation and more on him.

Lord, even though I’m an adult, many times I feel
like that little girl facing thorny bushes and deep,
scary ditches. Help me to feel your strong arms
carrying me to safety. Help me to rest in you.

God is in His heaven; God is on the throne; God is fully in charge of His world.
--J. I. Packer, Theologian and Author

Q. What parting words do you have for your readers?

Cheri: Remember that God loves to hear your voice, just as you love to hear the sound of your kids’ or loved ones’ voices—not just once a week on Sunday but throughout your days. And every time we open his Book, the Bible, there’s a gift, a promise, or a truth that will help us learn to live abundantly no matter what we’re facing.

Sandra: Because of the shed blood of Jesus, we have the incredible privilege of stepping directly into the Presence of our heavenly Father through prayer. Years ago, a woman asked the great preacher G. Campbell Morgan if she should pray about everything or just the big things. Morgan answered, “Dear lady, pray about everything. After all, what could possibly be big to God?” I love that. And I love knowing we do not pray to air.

In closing, The One-Year Women’s Friendship Devotional provides connection in this fragmented world—connection to other women and, most importantly, connection to our heavenly Father. The quickest way to order it is through amazon.com. For more information about Cheri Fuller or Sandra Aldrich visit their websites at www.cherifuller.com or www.sandraaldrich.com And remember: the heavenly Father is just a whisper away.

Simplify Your Holidays Blog Tour

2008-10-28T10:30:00.005-07:00

Simplify Your Holidays Blog Tour

By Marcia Ramsland, The Organizing Pro
National Speaker, Media Guest, and Author of Simplify Your Holidays,
A Classic Christmas Planner to Use Year after Year (Thomas Nelson 2008)

Are you looking for a way to simplify the most stressful time of the year? Feeling like it’s impossible to keep up with all the demands of the coming holiday season? Marcia Ramsland, The Organizing Pro and author of Simplify Your Holidays, has found a way to change seasonal stress into intentional success! She believes everyone can find that calm and peace they are looking for. I am excited to introduce you to Marcia Ramsland. As a full time wife & busy mom of three, I am always in search of ways to simplify our lives. With the holidays quickly approaching the search to simplify intensifies. Marcia has some great advice for simplifying our lives - starting with the increasingly hectic holidays. I hope you enjoy my latest Blog Tour author and find a few tips to help you in your quest to Simplify Your Holidays.
~kal

Every year the holidays come around and we face them with mixed emotions. You have a great book title of Simplify Your Holidays, but how do you simplify the holidays?

I love the dictionary definition of “simplify” – “To make something less complicated and therefore easier to do.” I can’t think of a more complicated time in the year than the holidays. Why? Because we are already busy 24/7 and then we add another layer of complexity to our lives – the holiday season.

In my view as a Professional Organizer, simplifying your holidays is all about having a meaningful Christmas without feeling overcommitted or under prepared. And my motto is: If you do anything more than once in life, organize it and simplify it. That’s especially true for the holidays that come year after year like clockwork.

I can’t think of a more complicated time or emotionally challenged season, but I also know you don’t have to stress to get through it.

Were you always ready and organized for the holidays?

No way! Before I became “The Organizing Pro” I struggled with holiday pressures big time. I was stuck in the mall shopping for gifts at the last minute, standing in the rain looking for a “real” Christmas tree late in December, and staying up Christmas Eve wrapping presents. That was a stressful life I decided to change, and did years ago.
One day I sat down at the kitchen table determined to get control of the season. Looking at my calendar, it suddenly dawned on me -- there was an easy way to manage it all! It all hinged on one date and no, it wasn’t Thanksgiving.
Many people, myself included, have used Thanksgiving to trigger serious action steps for Christmas. It just didn’t seem right to commercialize Christmas by purchasing gifts before Thanksgiving. But that’s the problem. Waiting until after Thanksgiving does commercialize the holidays and puts us smack dab in the middle of a mall with throngs of shoppers.

So how did you change from frazzled to peaceful… and you now have a beautiful new three ring notebook, Simplify Your Holidays? And Sam’s Club just bought 15,000 of them! Congratulations!

My first personal turning point came when I discovered one particular holiday occurs exactly eight weeks before Christmas -- and it’s NOT Thanksgiving. It is Halloween. That event is important to note because the next day you can kick off your holiday plan on November 1 every year.

Noting that November 1 is your springboard to begin the holiday season means you have eight weeks until December 25. Now you have a structure to easily organize and prepare -- with a good plan. You’re back in control whatever day it is.
Once I figured that out, I found you can organize your holidays no matter how many weeks you have left before Christmas. In my book I have an 8-week, 4-week, 2-week calendar plans you can choose to guide you whatever day you start. The Plans are like a “holiday compass” that people use year after year to stay focused and take the stress out of the holidays.

Can you tell us what’s in your notebook and why is it considered a classic Christmas planner to pull off your shelf and use year after year?

Once I got organized I thought of every woman struggling to pull together meaningful holidays in an already busy life. So I created a hand made notebook years ago which my publisher picked up and is available right now on my website or wherever books are sold. This is a holiday planner you can pull off your bookshelf any time day or night and start the season.

The six tabs inside the three-ring notebook include: The Plan, Gifts, Cards & Decorations, Events, December 1-25 Inspiration, and Recipes. There are almost 200 pages of charts, table talk topics for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, room for photos, and even journal pages of “The Best Things that Happened This Christmas.”

Within those six tabs I’ve sprinkled “10 Tips from 10 Experts” covering things like 10 Money Saving Tips for Holiday Gifts, 10 Super Simple Holiday Décor Tips, 10 Holiday Tips for the Working Woman, 10 Tips to Serve Fabulous Food and Impress Your Guests, 10 Tips for a Successful Event, and 10 Tips to Celebrate and Not Gain Weight!

Do you have any last words of encouragement for the woman who wants to pull together a meaningful (and peaceful!) holiday season?

This is your year! The Simplify Your Holidays notebook will help you create that organized Thanksgiving and Christmas you’ve dreamed of with all your notes in one place! You’ll love its beautiful red cover, sturdy tabs, and attractive green charts.

To simplify your holidays, manage your time with our holiday plan and keep your notes all in this notebook. You will graduate from seasonal stress to intentional success!

Thanks for having me today. I truly believe you can simplify the coming holiday season and have a more meaningful season than ever!

~ Marcia Ramsland, The Organizing Pro

Speaker * Author * Media Guest Expert

P.S. Can you simplify your holidays this year? I truly believe so and am eager to know how you do it with my new book, Simplify Your Holidays. Start today by getting your notebook and downloading your FR*EE Master Gift List at http://www.organizingpro.com

Family Photo

2008-10-17T10:19:00.000-07:00

Here it is!

Our first official family photo.

King & Queen
Princess #2 - 3 years, Princess #1 - 5 years, The Little Prince - 11 months

Location: Our back yard, sitting on the bench from the Toppings.

Book Tour Interview with Margaret Iuculano

2008-10-08T09:24:00.000-07:00

Hello readers!

I am a late in getting this interview posted. An impromptu trip and some posting difficulties have set me back a bit. I am not finished with the book yet however, I am looking forward to hearing the end of the story. It is truly heartbreaking what can happen (all too often) to children who find themselves in the foster care system.

Please take a moment to read the interview, check out the authors links at the bottom and read the book.

Blessings,
Kim

A Special Opening Message from Margaret Iuculano:

I want to thank our Blog Host, Kim, for taking the time to read My God Box a memoir about an abusive childhood but more importantly on how a mustard seed of faith in God turned around the life of a child. I feel blessed that you are willing to share the book on the Blog Book Tour. You are helping to create awareness about a topic that desperately needs to be addressed and has reached epidemic proportions – 500,000 children in the Foster Care System within the US.

Our country is in a crisis with an overloaded Foster Care System and children are falling through the cracks daily and being put into homes to provide safety only to be left neglected again. How can we expect these children to become productive adults growing up in this environment? How can we teach these children how to have faith in God and then themselves to correct wrongs being committed in their lives? How can we help Foster Parents to recognize the difference they can make in the life of a child and the importance of their role? And most importantly, how can we teach to break the Cycle of Abuse so we can shrink the numbers of children going into foster care in the future?

There’s a truth I came to realize that changed my life and can change the lives of others. Have Faith in God – put your troubles into His hands and allow Him to use you for the purpose you were born for. Once I started to follow this truth in my life I came out of despair to complete happiness and peace. I recognize my ability to help others and the importance of viewing each other as God’s children, people who possess a lot of value and have a mission just like I do for God.

When I began to see that God had a mission for my life, I started to embrace my challenges and learn from them without looking back. I was able to rid myself of the victim mentality and succeed where I was told I never would.

My prayer is that you see the message in My God Box and that it will inspire you to learn to overcome a traumatic experience and more importantly help someone else. I pray that you will agree all it take is a mustard seed of faith to realize your God given potential.

God Bless You,

Margaret Iuculano

Tell us a little more about yourself.

I am a wife, mother, entrepreneur and children’s rights activist with an unwavering faith in God that has led, leads and will undoubtedly lead me to the successful outcome of all my projects.

What are some of the stark realities surrounding Foster Care Programs?

The truth is that children are not ‘OK’ just because they have been removed from an abusive home and entrusted to a foster family. Although there are kind, nurturing people enrolled as foster parents, on the flip side there are individuals interested only in the monetary aspects of the program; individuals often just as, if not more dysfunctional, emotionally unstable and abusive than the child’s biological parents. This is one of the reasons why I wrote My God Box—to bring awareness to the plight of foster children—and to hopefully fix the shattered parts of a system in desperate need of repair.

What compelled you to write My God Box?

I feel I was blessed to have found God amid all the pain and misery I endured during my growing years. However, I also feel it’s time to give thanks and give back. I struggled for over two years with doubts and mixed feelings about setting my life in print, but whenever I took a step back, I was energized and encouraged by the awe-inspiring certainty that God wanted me to tell my story—for self-healing, but more importantly to open the minds and hearts of other suffering individuals to the mercy and goodness of God. God is hope. Without God there is no hope. Without hope there is no life.

What are your long range goals?

My goal is to promote awareness of childhood abuse by using My God Box as a vehicle to become and advocate for children’s rights. I want to inform and encourage others to join with me to make a difference in the life of an innocent vulnerable child who needs to be protected and defended from society’s evils. I am planning speaking engagements/seminars which will help motivate people to start thinking about making changes in their lives and in the lives of others.

Margaret,

I want to thank you for sharing with us today. I pray that God will continue to bless you and your ministry as you share with others.

Thank you for allowing me to share my book and God’s mission for my life with you. If you would like to learn more about me and my mission please visit - www.margaretlano.com and www.angelsforfosterkids.org and know that 100% of the book proceeds goes to Angles for Foster Children. Please feel free to contact me at anytime.

What is wrong with us?

2008-09-19T09:53:00.003-07:00

What is wrong with us that can even find it possible to debate about life? My friend posted this story on her blog. I couldn't help but link to it. How can the journalists and others who are attacking this woman sleep at night?? Have we allowed media to have so much say that we take their word for truth? For me, I tend to believe the opposite of what the media tells. At the very least, it gets me looking for the other side of the story. Have morals fallen so far away from Americans that we truly don't care about the sanctity of life. Have we reduced the value of an unborn baby so much so that we don't even think they are worth saving once they are born? What I cannot comprehend is how anyone, a believer or not, can pass laws supporting abortion and refusing life saving measures for babies who actually survive the deplorable act! Does anyone else understand this? A woman has many choices! She can choose to not have sex, she can choose from a plethora of birth control options, if she does get pregnant (another choice - by not choosing the former you choose this one) she can choose to give that baby up for adoption...why is it that it seems the only choice she has is to have an abortion?? Choices...a woman has many she can make before choosing to kill a baby. You can't legally help someone who is terminally ill to end their life but, you can legally end the life of a new baby. Things that make you go hmmmm. When will we see these precious babies for who they are? Babies, totally dependent on us for their survival. Tiny miracles, amazing little human beings who don't have a choice. They don't have a choice as to whether or not they want to be created. They don't have a choice in whether or not they want to live the life they had been given or have it HORRIBLY taken away. I'll close like my friend started...Think about it!

Children's Book Giveaways

2008-08-23T15:42:00.003-07:00

I ran across the Apples of Gold blog while searching for some help with my menu planning.

She is hosting a fabulous GIVEAWAY right now of three different children's books.

God Loves Me More Than That by Dandi Daley Mackall

When God Created My Toes by Dandy Daley Mackall

God Gave Us Heaven by Lisa Tawn Berhren

Check it out! All you need to do to enter is leave a post - easy enough

Good Luck...let me know if you are chosen.

Blessings,
Kim

Photo Contest

2008-08-17T23:31:00.004-07:00

Hey all,

Jason has entered some photographs in a contest on Trip Wolf. He needs your votes in order to win. Please go to tripwolf.com and vote on his pictures. He has six on the front page, four near the top! He has several other photographs in his album that you can vote on also.

Good Luck, Babe!

Thanks for voting!

It's A Bronze

2008-08-11T23:50:00.002-07:00

After a couple of unfortunate mishaps on the pommel horse, men's gymnastic Team USA, takes bronze.

Way to go guys! You had much to overcome.

Proud to be an American.

USA, USA, USA!

2008-08-11T22:32:00.003-07:00

WAHOO!

Go, TEAM USA!

WOW! The men's gymnastic team is ON FIRE! It is so exciting to watch them stepping up and rising to the occasion. With no returning olympians and the Hamm brothers needing to step out due to injuries, the deck is stacked against them. Is silver too much to dream of. It is within their grasp.

Sometimes I just can't help but get excited. I love watching the Olympics - always have. Of course, the summer Olympics are my favorite.

Enjoy your night.
GO USA!

A GREAT first day!

2008-08-11T17:00:00.001-07:00

Well...
Sarah did great today! Me, I did okay today.

We had a relaxed morning at home before setting out for school. We saw the Bedards at school this morning which was fun. We found Sarah's teacher and she got into line. Soon the bell was ringing and off she went. I was doing alright until I had to verbally acknowledge how I was doing. :) My friend, Leslie, was there with a hug and an encouraging word. Sarah was off and following her teacher with no concern or worry or tears. Way to go - big girl.

When I caught up to her class they were already in their room. With other parents going in and coming out - I peaked in. Sarah had her bag in her cubbie already and was sitting quietly on the floor in reading circle. I was so proud. I snapped a quick pic, she saw me and flashed me the I love you sign. I signed it back, gave her a quick wave and a smile and left to face the day ahead.

Emma did really well today as well. She rode in Sarah's booster seat in the van today while Sarah was in school. Her way of not only being the big sister today but maybe her little way of being a little closer to sissy. Only one time today did she cry and ask to see Sarah.

Carter had his little world rocked today. Didn't we just get back on schedule after Cairo?

TICK... TOCK... TICK... TOCK... the clock seemed to move slowly today.

Finally, it was time to go pick up Sarah. I had to wake up both Emma and Carter from their naps. It will take us a little time to get into a new routine. We left home and arrived at school with about 20 minutes to wait until school let out. Carter sat quietly in his seat. Emma walked around on the sidewalk just outside the van, picking up fallen flowers and sticks. I sat in the door of the van with the video camera in hand...waiting. At last, I see her. I quickly turn on the camera, she sees me and breaks into a run. What a feeling. Reliving the day brings tears back to my eyes.

She had a little card in her folder that said "Sarah had a GREAT first day"!

We hope you had a great day too.

Blessings,
Kim

PS...First day of school pics coming soon!

Knock It Out & Harshmallows

2008-08-10T22:05:00.003-07:00

Been a while since we have had any new girlspeak words to add to our lists but I have a couple of new ones to add.

It is interesting when you hear your children repeat the words you say to them. The other night at the dinner table Emma was messing around (surprise there) and Sarah (in a stern voice) told her to knock it out. It still makes me chuckle. Knock it out...of course, she was attempting to repeat a phrase I tell them on occasion :) - which would be knock it off. I like Sarah's version.

Harshmallows come to us from Emma. It is her way of saying marshmallows. Cute.

I love their girlspeak and will be oh, so sad when they are saying what they mean and are pronouncing their words correctly.

The Forgotten Post

2008-07-30T23:41:00.003-07:00

It seems as I go about my days there are so many things that are blog worthy. However, as events unfold quickly around here, I do not often have time to sit and compose my thoughts when they are happening. I make mental notes to blog about this or that but when I have a few moments - I have forgotten what it was I was intending to share.

I suppose I should start another list - a list of my blog ideas. I could always go through my pictures. I am sure there is photographic evidence of the moment. There are many photo worthy events around here. Three children are an endless supply of photo opportunities...some welcome, others not so welcome! :) Either way, it is fun to share the moments with you.

Hope your week is good so far.

Blessings,
Kim

Ribbons and Bows

2008-07-25T22:46:00.000-07:00

My friend, Sara's sister-in-law makes bows...the kind you put in your little girl's hair. Well, the SIL was in town and taught Sara how to make them. Sara, being the kind hearted soul that she is , decided to share her new found skill with some of her friends (who have girls). She invited 6 of us over to her house for a lesson in bow making. We each purchased enough supplies to make 12 of the same bow. We, then swapped materials at the class - each of us ending up with enough materials for 6 different pairs of bows. How exciting!

I was somewhat surprised at how simple it was (once I got the hang of the folding and flipping).

So, here are a couple of pictures of the girls with the bows in that I made. I have to say this can be a little addicting. Especially, when the girls will leave their pretties alone now. It will be hard trying to decide how to spend any little bits of monies now...scrapbook supplies, beads, or ribbon for bows! What is a girl to do??

Thanks again, Sara!

How are addicted are you?

2008-07-24T13:13:00.005-07:00

72%

In fact, I should probably be doing something else right now...oh I don't know, maybe folding clothes or cleaning the bathrooms. I could go through my stack of magazines and pull out the ones to recycle or what about getting together the items for donation (they will be here next week to pick up). Nah, blogging is much more fun!

I really do need to go now.

Have a great day and Happy Blogging!
Blessings,
Kim

First Encounter of the Creepy Kind

2008-07-23T17:00:00.002-07:00

The girls and I were playing in the pool when I heard the squeaking of our postal carrier's truck. I had a letter to mail and since she normally comes after noon - I thought I had plenty of time to get it to the mailbox. This was not the case! I quickly got the girls out of the pool, ran inside, grabbed the letter and ran to the front - only to see her halfway down the block already. Darn!

I went back inside only to see Emma at the back sliding glass door yelling something to me about finding a 'crab'. A crab, in Arizona...I don't think so. I place the mail on the counter and proceed to go out back to look at this new found 'crab'. I walk to the post where they are standing and immediately go into panic mode - it was not a crab but a scorpion! Yes, I said SCORPION!!

I sternly told the girls to back away and ran back inside to get something to place over the creepy bug - I was not about to step on it can you imagine the crunch that thing would make - YUCK!

I grabbed a Ziploc container and placed it over top of the scorpion, then I called Jason to make sure he would be home for lunch so HE could kill it. Well, the scorpion didn't make it till lunch, he didn't even make it to the end of swim time. We are not sure what killed him - a little girl's size 11 flip flop, the tire of a Little Tykes car, the bug spray that the bug guy sprayed the day before, being covered by a Ziploc container with no air holes on a 100 degree day or any combination of the a fore mentioned possibilities.

We did take some pictures. I still get the creepy crawlies when I look at it.

Only one run in with a scorpion...not bad comsidering we have been in the house almost a year and have not had any prior incidents involving scorpions. Here's hoping this is our last (and if not - at least I may have figured out how to kill one).

First Tooth

2008-07-11T23:00:00.002-07:00

Look closely.
See it?
Right there, by the tip of my finger.
Come on, tell me you see it...it is there.
I promise!

OK, so it is a little hard to see but this is a picture of Carter's first tooth. He cut his lower left front tooth the morning of Friday, July 11, 2008.

No more big toothless gummy grin. I just love baby smiles - all gums and no teeth! So cute!

:(

His looks will start to change now from baby to little boy...I am not quite ready for this. Times seems to not care much about a mother's heart and marches on any way. He is such a sweet thing. There are many more to come (Emma cut hers two at a time - we'll see how Carter does).

Emma + Eggs + Carter + One Biter Biscuit =

2008-07-09T14:54:00.005-07:00

A GREAT BIG MESS X 2!!

I will attempt to make this long story short (hopefully)...

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away (my bedroom) I was working with Sarah on her letters and sounds as she is wanting to read...

So, Sarah & I are reading in my bedroom, Emma is playing nicely in her bedroom (as I soon discovered things were not as I thought them to be). At some point in our story reading she must have used her stealth like ninja skills and escaped her room to the freedom of an unsupervised kitchen. With the kitchen universe at her disposal (since mom was distracted reading) she decided to venture into the usually off limits world of the refrigerator. Upon opening the door to the great unknown what does she see before her wondering little eyes but the carton of eggs (also a strictly off limits area). With no one to stop her from getting salmonella she opens the carton and stares at the strange white 'balls' inside...
"Hmmm, I wonder if dese bounce high?" her curious little mind asks and before she can stop herself she has grasped one and 'bounced' it to the floor below. Only it wasn't the floor it hit; it was the bottom of the refrigerator. The results were not what she had expected so she tried again, and again, and again. Silly mom that I am, I was not aware that she understood the concept - if at first you don't succeed try, try again. Well, she apparently does understand it because she tried to 'bounce' four eggs! Thankfully, it only took four for her to realize this was probably not the best idea. However, she now realized she had quite the mess and would probably be in trouble so she grabbed the dish towel and tried to clean it up. She soon discovered that this was a mess she could not contain so she left the towel in the eggs and the door to the refrigerator open and under her silent cloak she returned to playing in her room as if nothing had ever happened.

Some time after, Carter decided he was done playing and would like to eat. Sarah & I finished reading and left the confines of my room to head to the universe beyond where, upon entering the kitchen I crossed into a some parallel universe. It was my kitchen but it did not look like it had when I last left it. Needless to say, I was not happy! Nor did I find the momentary silver lining that would later cause me to laugh at said situation - which is why there are no pictures of the cracked eggs.

With Carter screaming for food and me screaming for Emma our quiet little part of the world spiraled into noisy chaos! I could not make lunch until the eggs were cleaned up but I could clean up the eggs while holding Carter. If I placed Carter on the floor he would be in the eggs mess and if I placed him in his high chair without feeding him I would certainly lose my mind to his crying before the cleanup was done. Then I remembered...A friend just sent me some Gerber Biter Biscuits that her daughter was not eating any more. I'll give him one of those. Free hands, quiet baby - PERFECT! Or so I thought...

I finished cleaning the eggs and stood up to see this...I am SO not into messes! Especially food messes...I think of all my friends I am the last one to let my children start feeding themselves and seeing Carter today reminded me of that.
Well, he was happy and quiet while I was cleaning up the eggs - I guess that makes it all worth it. I am thankful that he was half naked so all I had to do when I finished feeding him was stick him in the sink and hose him down.

For now, the equilibrium has returned to my little corner of the universe. Of course, I do not expect it to last long...especially since I hear the door to the girls room opening, meaning Emma is up from her nap.

Here's to a toddler's curiosity, a baby feeding himself, paper towels and nap time. I hope this post finds all things clean, quiet and well in your neck of the woods.

Self Portraits

2008-07-09T14:11:00.003-07:00

'Beautiful Eyes'

'Sarah's Favorite'

'Super Smile!'

'Beautiful Girl'

I had a taken a few pictures for the specific purpose of blogging. So, in the few moments of quiet I have found today I decided to download and do a quick post or two. Along with the photos I was expecting to see - I found these. I couldn't help but have a little laugh when I saw her being such a ham (for herself)! I hope these bring a smile to your day too...such a silly girl!

Happy Boy!

2008-07-05T13:27:00.003-07:00

We were at our friend's Kim and Dan's house today for a BBQ. We were enjoying a laid back after the fourth get together with the Morse' and the Bedards. Dan grilled burgers and dogs. Leslie and I both brought pasta salad and I took cupcakes (YUM). Dan & Kim have a trampoline and Jason couldn't resist taking Carter on it. Well, as soon as Sarah saw daddy on the trampoline with Carter she thought she'd join them. As you can see, he was having a great time. What you can't see is that his big sister Sarah would jump up in the air and then land on her bum. The result...big giggles from Carter. This only served to fuel Sarah's desire to continue, which in turn made him giggle even more. This little activity produced some serious belly laughs from our sweet little boy.
I'll post more pics from the afternoon...the kids went swimming and diving and sliding down their ginormous inflatable water slide. Fun was had by all.