The Friendly Town Program

A couple years ago, we invited a sweet 10 year old boy, Shamare, from New York City into our home for two weeks. When I told people our plans to do this, their reaction was, "Are you nuts?!" and they would follow with, "You don't know WHO they will give you!"

I may have had the same protective reaction had I not experienced this program throughout my childhood. Our family invited Shanna Rioja Sheherazad (sp?) into our home summer after summer starting when I was 5.

The children in this program are pre-approved through NYC's Head Start program and other reputable programs throughout the city. They are kids who are personable and repsonsible. They are kids who have not been out of the city perimeter. They are kids who long to have a vacation but whose families may not be able to afford the well-deserved escape.

When we picked up Shamare at a nearby Friendly Town drop-off point, he was quiet and obviously nervous. He got off the bus looking like he would like to get back on. He didn't talk at all on the way home. But our kids were so excited to have him, they talked his ear off the WHOLE way!

Within a couple hours he was goofing around with them and offering to help with dinner...he ended up setting the table everynight. Shamare was a wonderful young boy who put his bare feet in our grass...something he had NEVER done in his life. Something I can't imagine going without...my toes in the grass...that means SUMMER has arrived!

We visited local landmarks and took him to some summer festivals but what he liked the most was stopping along the road so he could get out of the car and stand at the fence of a cow pasture. I have grown up seeing cows and horses at every turn; Shamare had only seen farm animals in books - NEVER IN PERSON. Our town was like a living MUSEUM of wonders we take for granted but he had never experienced.

He smelled his first turkey farm: "Nasty!"

He ate his first fresh PEACH pie: "Mmmmm!"

He felt SAFE. He saw the stars (the city is too bright to see stars @ night). He was active. He breathed the FRESH AIR. He marveled at butterflies. He went swimming in a CLEAN pool. He SMILED the entire time!

I have to say that we were blessed having Shamare (we even had a portrait done with him and our kids while he was here) and we welcomed him back the next year. We exchange phone calls and send Christmas cards, he is and always will be part of our extended family!

If you would like more information on this program, head over to The FRESH AIR Fund and check it out. It costs you nothing. It is designed to be convenient. All you need is a big heart and a family who is open to sharing the blessings they overlook daily with someone who is curious what those blessings would feel like

They are precious children. Won't you plan to have one this summer?

May you be as blessed as we were!

Peace.

MoBlogMo...meet SUZANA

Well, we are back...MoBlogMo took a small break while I was on vacation. But I am happy to be back and thrilled to introduce you to Suzana!

Suzana is the mother of one from Chicago and owner of Firefly-Shop.org - Everything handmade for you, your family and home! FUN! Suzana has been blogging since September 2008!

So, without further adieu...please help me to welcome Suzana to Mommy Blogger Monday!

So, Suzana, why did you start blogging? I love to write and having a blog seemed really fun, and it really turned out to be even better than I imagined. It is fun! I am fully addicted! Now, tell us a little about you! I’m 27 (still, but not for long) I’ve been with Hubby for 6 years, and we’re married for 4, happily. We have one child, our beautiful Princess who will be 4 this year. I love every moment of being a Mommy. I’ve always wanted to be one and I’m so happy that I can be a SAHM. I also enjoy making things myself. That’s why I am so happy to have my Etsy shop www.fireflyshop2008.etsy.com I love to cook. It makes me happy to see people love and enjoy anything I make. Give me a short product review of something you can’t live without. Hmm…I can’t live without my laptop, but the new obsession is a Google cell phone. G1 is the best thing ever. The internet on that thing and it is so fast which is awesome for blogging if I’m out without my laptop.

Your biggest life lesson. Don’t try to be someone you’re not!

Tell us a secret. I have a journal that I occasionally write in…well actually only when I’m mad at Hubby I write in it.

LOL! Your husband doesn't read Mommy Blogs does he? Let's change the subject before we get you in trouble! What’s your biggest passion? Creating things.

What do you wish for? To have a good life, for my little girl to be healthy and happy all her life.

What do you hate? Unfairness in the world.

Oh, Suzana...YOU AND ME BOTH! I would like to change the world! So, speaking of CHANGE...If your spouse would agree to let you go on a date with ONE celeb…list your top 3 picks. The first and only pick would be Christian Biel (the new batman) in case you didn’t know.

Do you have any phobias? No other than just worries what if?

OOoooooo that's a BIG one! I could play the "What If..." game until I need to be medicated! But, on a lighter note (and before I need to lie down for psychotherapy), if you could speak one sentence for the rest of your life, what would it be? I love my family, I am happy! What do you always hope people see on YOUR inside? How good person I am!

Well, Suzana, it has been a pleasure having you! I am so glad you sent in your questionnaire! Head over to Firefly-Shop.org and see what she creates!!

If you would like to be included in a Mommy Blogger Monday interview...email me @ michellebrownlow@yahoo.com

Peace.

COMPLAINTS WANTED!!!

The bagger at the grocery store unbeknownst to you, puts your chicken breast in the same bag as your baby formula and when you get home, you find your can of Similac covered in E.Coli slime.

YOU ARE ANNOYED!

You leave the doctor's office with a sick kid in tow and head for the Pharmacy. Your kiddo is whiny, fussy and quite frankly miserable as you wait in a line longer than the Mississippi River. The woman in front of you gets annoyed and offers her parenting advice, "Maybe if you...your child would behave."

YOU ARE ANNOYED!

No matter what the cause, we would all be lying if we said we lived an annoyance-free life! Whether it's a road-rager, a slow check-out lane or miscounted money at the bank - it's out there and periodically I like to give my readers and my new visitors a place to vent.

So, here you go!

COMPLAIN AWAY!

Tell me what annoys you. Be frank. Be honest. Be real.

I will then have follow-up posts with advice and fun anecdotes for your biggest gripes!

C'MON LEMME HAVE IT! WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST COMPLAINT...today? this week? always?

(btw Mommy Blogger Monday will return next week!)

Outer Banks ... Part 3

*sniffles* It's over. I'm sad. 349 days until we do it again. *sighs*

Outer Banks ... Part 2

My favorite souvenirs! The "I Care About" Bracelet Collection is a special project highlighting 16 global causes.

I LOVE THEM!!

OUTER BANKS 2009 Part 1

Welcome to our beach house!

This is the view off the top deck - there are 3 levels of decks.

Games every night!

The loves of my life!

Sunrise off the deck!

A little basket ball on the courts in the back of the house.

This is the house from the movie NIGHTS IN RODANTHE with Richard Gere and Diane Lane. It was a 2 hour drive to get there but well worth the trip! We watched the movie that night! SWATCOP was taken aback by its beauty.

Walking to the beach on the bridge over the dunes.

Kite Flying 101

Well, I am off to the beach...

WISH YOU WERE HERE!

My favorite place in the world...

Hello faithful readers! My blog has been stagnant since I left and it's not because I haven't been thinking about blogging, it's just because the Outer Banks has once again stolen my heart. Each year that we visit makes me fall deeper and deeper in love with the beach...and I was already REEEAAAALLLYYY in love with the beach! I could spend the next 4 hours telling about all the beauty, but I thought I could SHOW you quicker....and, as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words!!

Grrrrrrrr....I can't get my pictures to load....I will try again later....with my toes in the ocean...ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

OBX (Outer Banks) or BUST!

Well, it's that time of year when our closest friends and their families (THIRTEEN OF US)voluntarily drive 6 hours to North Carolina for a week of nothing but relaxing and having more fun than all the days of the previous year put together! And we do it in a GIGANTIC house! Seriously! We start the countdown the day we leave the previous year! And now it is 2 days away!

Friday is our church's monthly FAMILY production called FX. My 3 BFFs are major components to the event and 3 of the 7 kids heading to the OBX will be worshipping on the worship team. And SWATCOP is one of the actors...maybe I will sneak a video in if I can get one without him knowing! How bad do you want it? Then at 2am Saturday morning we will be packing up 7 kids and some tired parents into the car for a middle of the night drive to the Outer Banks!

Remember THIS?

Get the rest of the story HERE!

Yep, that's why we go! I can't tell you how therapeutic it is for all of us to spend time decompressing and letting go...nothing to worry about, no work, no school, no NOTHING! Just 7 days of nothing but FUN!

I am so thankful for our family of friends...we truly are like family. I am truly BLESSED!

AND AND AND....ladies, the MEN COOK the entire week! How many of you can go on vacation and NOT COOK ONCE?!! ME! ME! ME!

Yes, SWATCOP will be there! Tell me how badly you want to see the incriminating photos and maybe you will get a sneak peek! He's a riot!

Sorry for my distance this week...I have missed you all...but I am busy getting ready! I am hoping for good WiFi this year so I can keep you updated on all of our festivities...please say a prayer for our safety! Excited to soon be posting from North Carolina!! :)

Peace.

Mommy Blogger Monday...meet J...

Well, even though we covered our heads and whined... Monday came... the weekend is over... But at least you have MoBlogMo to look forward to! Right? Right? Yeah, that's what I thought! MoBlogMo got you out of bed! C'mon, amuse me! Let's just pretend that's why you got out of bed! LOL! This Monday, the last one in March, I am so happy to introduce you to a Mommy Blogger that has followed my blog for a while. I believe she even won a prize for one of my many contests ...I don't remember which one, but I remember sending her something! Ladies (and SWATCOP - lol), help me make Mommy Blogger J... feel welcome! J... South Dakota www.spicingupthelittlethings.blogspot.com J... has been blogging for 10 months and will soon be up to 200 posts...this woman writes!

So, J... , why did you start blogging?

I love to write. I love to tell my story to the world. So why not write my words in a public forum where I can talk about things I know and meanwhile, connect with others and let them connect with me through the power of words. Really, I blog for the same reason as most of you. To vent, to heal, and to deal.

I LOVE THAT! "To vent, to heal, and to deal!" I couldn't have said it better myself! Isn't that why we all do it?

So, who is "J..." ?

I am 28 year old mom to a boy who's my soul and a girl who's my heart. I have been married for over 7 years to a man who isn't afraid to put up with my crap. I yell more than I should and laugh when I should refrain. I place my foot squarely in my mouth way more often than not but I try really hard to teach my kids to learn from my mistakes. See, I told you she was awesome!

And, I have to ask what your best MOM memory is. It's one of the questions that gets the bet answers!

The best most recent memory was when my son came to me and handed me all of the change in his pocket that he had been hoarding all day (a whopping 81 cents!) and told me he wanted to donate it to his Math-a-thon which was to benefit St. Jude's. It was a wonderfully proud moment for me.

Man! Kids can teach us a lot about giving, can't they? He didn't say, "I only have .81, not enough to give." He said, "HERE'S my .81!" Awesome!

Give us a short product review of something you can’t live without.

Do you see this product? It's called choc-o-late and it is absolutely fabulous! What can it cure, you ask? Um. Well. Nothing. But it sure makes the symptoms of PMS melt away, the cacophony of the children blend into nothingness and the greasy smell of the husband fade away. In short, it works miracles! But the best part is that it only works on women!

BWAAAAA HAAAAAAA!!! You took the words right out of my mouth...sorry that those words were chocolate-covered...but, ya know!

Can you share your biggest life lesson with us?

To live without regret because what I have experienced and what I have done in life has shaped me into the person I am today and will continue to mold the person that I become.

Not many people want to talk about embarrassing moments, I have a feeling, though that you will have a good one...and, better yet, I have an even better feeling that you would LOVE to share it with the blogosphere. Am I right? Dish, baby!

I went to a haunted house one Halloween with my brother and his wife and my hubby a few years ago. I had my Hubby's hand clenched behind my back and my brother's coat in front of me as we walked through a particularly dark section. It felt oddly larger than the narrow halls that we had passed through before it so I relaxed a little and let go of my brother. Just then the headlights of a semi truck glared at me and it came barreling in my direction. Scared beyond imagination, I fell to my knees and promptly peed my pants. We had to go purchase some pants for me at WalMart just so that I could make it back home! I am loving this! Someone as quirky as me! Now, I can think of another thing that could make us laugh....so, tell us a secret.

I once tried to close the front door really quickly before my dog could run out and forgot to move my head first. I literally slammed my head in the door so hard I had tears in my eyes, an instantaneous headache and a belly laugh greater than any at my stupidity.

OK, was I right or was I right? How many of you want to just walk around throughout the day with J... ? Tough! I knew her first, if anyone is gonna be entertained by this woman, it is me! Well, you could go read her blog and then we all get to enjoy her humor!

Alright, let's get serious... what’s your biggest passion?

Life. I love living it. I love having it. I love feeling it. I just am passionate about life in general. Hmmmm. I love that!

What do you hate?

I hate people to write on my score pad when I am keeping score during a board game. And I hate people who are so narrow minded that they won't even listen to my side of an argument.

Ha ha ha. The scorecard thing caught me off guard and I peed a little when I laughed at that thought. How funny. I never would have guessed that would be bothersome! Note to self: While following J... around, if she asks to play a game, DON'T write on her scorecard!!!!

What has been your greatest achievement?

I was the first in my family to graduate from High School (I have three older siblings and that includes my parents, as well).

Kudos.

What is your most vivid high school memory?

There was a teacher who's room was right next to where my locker was located and everyday in between classes she would come out of her room with a squirt bottle and use it to squirt me and my boyfriend until we separated ourselves from each other!

Cute. I was a teacher. I just announced the PDA ... "Miss Smith, could you PUH-LEASE take your tongue out of Mr. Roy's mouth? We are all gagging over here!"

Ahhhh, that was fun! I almost wish I was back in that classroom again...almost!

Do you have any phobias?

Where do I start? Death, spiders, snakes...

*shivers*

And last but not least, what do you always hope people see on YOUR inside?

That even though I make mistake after mistake, I find ways to pick myself up, dust myself off and try to make it up to the people I have hurt. I learn from my mistakes and deep down I am a really great person that is just doing her best to not fail at this life thing.

What an amazing example you are setting for your children and those around you. Beautiful!

Thank you J... so much for sharing yourself with us. You are a joy! I enjoyed our time together! I am sure you will have some new fans as you are very entertaining...open and REAL. I don't know about you, but those are my top 3 requirements to plunk a mommy blog URL into my faves!

Leave your love for J... in the comments. Invite your friends. Mondays are a good day at My Semblance, huh?

Thanks for stopping by...check out the CONTEST below!

Have a great day!

My "Top 10" things Moms never dreamed they'd have to say...CONTEST!

This was a really fun contest that I ran last year! We had a blast! So, let's play again. Please subscribe so you can keep track of who is in the running! Put your foot in your mouth recently? The following are "MY top 10!" but I bet you have some DOOZIES! In the comments below leave the funniest words that have ever left your lips. The funniest entry...I mean the one that has me running to the bathroom... will win a personalized NAMESAKE for your child or as a gift for a special child in your life. Additionally, the owner of the blog that referred you will also receive a personalized NAMESAKE! So, leave the referring blog, too! Bloggers, spread the word and win a FREE NAMESAKE! Click here to see what a NAMESAKE is! Enjoy this installment of the "MY SEMBLANCE TOP 10!" 10. Get your dinner out of your nose! I know too many moms who have had to tweeze a pea out of their child's nose at some point during toddlerhood. What in the world is it with kids and orifices? They are obsessed. I wonder if there is a connection between peas up the nose and premarital sex? Ya think? Hmmmm. 9. PUH-LEASE, get your hands out of your pants/mouth/toilet/cat litter/all of the above! It is like their little fingers are homing devises for butt-nasty germs! Who in their right mind would EVER dream of grabbing a handful of kitty litter? Who reading this has put bird poop in their mouth? No one? I rest my case! 8. Now, you say "I'm sorry for pooping in your yard!" They run when it is time to change their diapers, they fight to take a bath, they wouldn't dream of going on the potty but a little naked time with the sprinkler and they are all about public pooping! 7. Take that off your penis, NOW! What is it with little boys and their dingies? Why are they so fascinated? Why must they adorn/touch/scratch/pinch/squeeze and stretch the bejeebies out of the little things? Just leave it. It's NOT going anywhere? 6. Spit! Gum off the floor/underside of the table/sidewalk is NOT yours to chew! Ewwwww. Ewwwww. Ewwwwww. It's flattened, tasteless and has the imprint of a 300 lb. sweaty man's shoe on it....what about that is appetizing? Given the option, I would eat a boatload of liver before chewing sidewalk gum...heck, I would be a contestant on FEAR FACTOR before noshing on booger-laden gum from under a restaurant table. At least the Fear Factor stuff is sterilized! 5. You have 5 seconds to get every bit of glue off of the dog! Liquid and fur...kind of like the orifice thing in my house, I don't get it but they do. Man, do they get it. I have had to clean peanut butter, oatmeal, liquid soap, Elmer's glue, soy sauce, pancake syrup and spit off our poor black lab. No wonder she has anxiety issues...she is being hazed by a baby! 4. Why are my cutting boards under the couch cushions? Although sometimes they are like little tornadoes and wreak havoc throughout our homes they themselves do not see what all the fuss is about. They truly think that the cutting boards, when out in the open, will reduce their super strength like Kryptonite. They fully understand that if they do not have their headgear (colander) in place, the evil Hoozie-Whatzie will conquer their stuffed-animal army. And, without a doubt, unless the ceiling fan is on high when they lasso it with the jump rope they may not reach warp speed. 3. Where are all the spoons?! For the love of Pete, why are they in the air conditioning vent? Again, with the "everything has a home" theory...it's just that OUR idea of a spoon's home is not THEIR idea of its home. Of course, if I were a pirate (bad boy pirate kid) and there was a treasure box (ottoman) sitting on the spot marked "X" (closed A/C vent), it would be quite silly to NOT dig (lift off the grate) for hours (.3 seconds) to retrieve the booty (mom's heirloom silver)! Right? Help.Me. 2. Help! Honey, do something! He just puked in his shoes! What in the world would possess a child to take off his shoes to throw up? Do you get an unsettled feeling in your big toe just as your lunch is making it's re-entry? Why not just aim for a bush? How about just the grass/floor/sand/driveway? Is it the infamous man-game? You know they one, where they trying to fit a lot of something in a very small space? "I KNOW I can get this heavier-than-the-combined-weight-of-our-children dufflebag to fit between the front seats of the car *...STOMP...crunch...STOMP...crack...STOMP* SEE! I did it." Maybe our boys are saying, "*gurgle, gurgle* I bet I could fit the entire contents of my stomach into my shoes...awww nah, I bet I could fit it all into ONE sh.... * SPLOOSH!* SEE! I did it!" and finally, the #1 thing I wish I never had to say... 1. Yes, hi, is this customer service? I was hoping I could speak with someone who could tell me the best way to get peanut butter out of my ceiling fan motor, a caravan of melted Hot Wheels out of my dryer hose, a plastic Chinese star out out of my Wii console, $4.37 cents out of my car's CD player, melted crayons out of my freshly fabric softened whites, food coloring hand prints out of linen curtains and crushed goldfish crackers out from between the k4eys o8f my l*pt9op! Hello? Hello? Help.Me.

Where the Wild Things Are...

All I have to say is...it's about time!

This book has touched millions of lives, has inspired millions of children and encouraged the grown ups reading to them...and with only 336 words.

Epic.

Peace.

Mommy Blogger Monday...Meet Marcy...and a special guest...

Hello, Mommy Bloggers!! And HAPPY MONDAY! I am thrilled to introduce you to a NEW Mommy Blogger and because this post came in later than usual, I have a surprise for you at the end. Ladies, please join me in welcoming Marcy, blogging since September 2007!

Dallas, Texas

http://www.ablesantics.blogspot.com/

Marcy is a creative mom of one and substitute teacher who started blogging after visiting her friend's blog. She soon realized a blog would be a good way to keep in touch with distant friends and family but she was soon blessed with new-found friends she never would have met if it weren't for blogging! Don't we know it! Gotta love those virtual friendships!

What is your best MOM memory: When Nicole was in Pre-K, I volunteered up there alot along with my friend Lena, since our daughters were in the same class. It was up to us to teach the kids their 'graduation' dance, which happened to be the Mac Chicken. (picture the macarena meets the chicken dance). Anyway, the day of their graduation came along and all the parents and grandparents are there and the teacher decides to make Lena and I get up there with the kids to dance. At first I thought I'd be embarrased, but then I saw Nicole waving at me and clapping me on while she was dancing and I just remember her adorable face laughing at me, and thinking there wasn't anything cuter in the world. I was so proud of her, my big soon to be Kindergartener! I look back now and she looks so little!!! I felt like crying !

As moms, sometimes I feel that we have lessons to learn each and everyday. Lessons our children teach us or we learn through how we parent. What has been your biggest life lesson?

I know sometimes we get so frustrated that we yell, but make sure it doesn't become habit and you just yell to yell, or because you're having a bad day! We might be having a bad day but by yelling we might ruin someone else's day.

Wow! How many of us have caught ourselves yelling only to realize whatever we were yelling at was not even happening and we had misunderstood the situation? Just me? I am the ONLY one? Oh. Rats!

I've had more embarrassing moments than I can count! And we all know misery loves company, so SPILL IT! What was your most embarrassing moment? First time I wore high heels. My mom bought me a pair of gray heels that went with my new gray skirted outfit. I wore it to Church thinking I was all that when I slipped in the Narthex, fell on my butt, and my skirt rode up to my waist. Then on top of that shame, we went to the grocery store afterwards and as we were walking across the parking lot a guy walking in front of us stopped to look back and commented 'oh , I thought there was a horse clip clopping up behind me'. One guess - do you think I EVER wore those shoes again? Um, yep! Have almost an identical story!

What’s your biggest passion?

Hmm, guess you aren't looking for an answer like my husband or some such. I'd have to say reading. I can't go anywhere without whatever current book I'm reading. Even a 10 min. car trip. Even if we are going to a party, or out to dinner - my book will be in my purse!

Oh, Marcy, you and I could never go on a trip together...reading in the car makes me gag! Utter nausea! We would be a pair, huh?

What’s your guiltiest pleasure?

Long hot showers, (with or without Chris!) Oooooooo, ladies.....it's gettin' steamy!!! LOL!

If your spouse would agree to let you go on a date with ONE celeb…list your top 3 picks. Tim McGraw, Julian McMahon, and Patrick Swayze

Most of us could say the birth of our children was our greatest achievement. Besides the obvious, what would you say your greatest achievement has been?

Overcame my not wanting to stand out in a crowd and became a Bellydancer. The last time I actually performed though was when Nicole was 3 mos old. Ohhhhh, boy....hot showers, belly dancing....she's making us look bad!

I can't stand small spaces, like when I play hide-and-seek with my kids...you will NEVER find me crawling under any beds...gasp! Doo you have any phobias, Marcy?

Yes. I used to be able to drive over high bridges, like over passes? and now when I approach one my heart starts pounding, and i freak, slow down and look straight ahead - they terrify me! no clue why. I avoid driving over them now if I can and I don't even like being in the car when someone else drives over them.

I have had the joy of knowing Marcy for almost a year, now. Marcy graciously offered to make chemo-caps for kids over on my it's 4 the kids website! I have enjoyed our fun relationship and am so glad I could share her with you!!

Thanks, Marcy!! As always, it was fun "hangin' out!" Now get back to your bellydancing!! :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And, as promised, a Mommy Blogging Monday SURPRISE!!

Ladies, we have a MAN in the house today! You may have seen his comments on my posts here and there. He calls me "Kemper!" That's because his wife is one of my BFFs and if you remember, of the 4 of us BFFs, 3 are named Michel(l)e! He is a huge supporter of my blog and sticks up for me when there is bashing going on. He is a great guy with a heart of gold and he was feeling left out of the fun because he is not a Mom!

So, without further adieu, I give you, (well, I don't "give" you b/c he IS married to my best friend) my friend Todd, otherwise known in my comments sections as SWATCOP!

Somewhere close to Birdsboro, Pennsylvania

no blog, yet, but he's thinking about it

Now, Todd, this is usually where I introduce my guests, but I am going to use this space to remind you...I do NOT edit these answers, so be on your best behavior and don't make it too...well, you know...

OK? Todd? Are you listening?

Well, my friend, what is YOUR favorite Mommy Blog?

My Semblance of Sanity

ding ding ding ding...right answer!!

Tell us about you. Be brief but don’t forget the nitty gritty. I AM ABOUT TO TURN 40 YEARS OLD, BUT FEEL LIKE I AM 25. I AM MARRIED TO MY BEAUTIFUL HOMECOMING QUEEN MICHELE. I HAVE TWO SONS, JACKSON (6) AND STEPHEN (2). I HAVE BEEN A POLICE OFFICER SINCE 1993 AND CURRENTLY AT THE RANK OF SGT. I AM ALSO A SNIPER ON THE COUNTY SWAT TEAM. I AM A BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN AND WORK ON THE DRAMA TEAM AT MY CHURCH, HOPEWELL CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP.

Oh ladies....I am soooo tempted to upload a video for you....but....Todd is like 6'5"...and he's on the SWAT TEAM...yeah, no video today!

In 100 words or less, tell me your best MOM memory. HOW ABOUT A DAD STORY! I HAVE TO GIVE TWO. FIRST, MY FIRST SON JACKSON HAD JAUNDICE WHEN HE WAS BORN AND BECAME VERY DEHYDRATED. THEY HAD TO PUT AN IV IN HIM AND I HAD TO HOLD HIS HAND WHILE THEY POKED HIM. HIS LITTLE HAND IN MINE JUST MOVED ME BEYOND ANYTHING I EVER EXPERIENCED. SECOND, ADOPTING MY SECOND SON STEPHEN.

Awwwww, I love the Jackson story! And I LIVED the Stevie one! :)

Our families go to the Outer Banks, NC every year during the kids' Spring Break, so I know what you bring to the beach. But, what are 3 things you would take to a deserted island with you? MY WIFE (sorry honey, I only had three wishes and clothing was not one of them)..Food…and a emergency cell phone

Your least favorite body part. My hair (I have none)

If you won the lottery, what is the 1st thing you would do with some of the money?

Tithe, then buy my house in the OBX Somebody buy this guy a lottery ticket!!!!

What’s your biggest passion?

My family

Ladies, I can hear you saying, "awwwww"...yes, he's being honest! He's a really good guy!

If your spouse would agree to let you go on a date with ONE celeb…list your top 3 picks. KATE BECKINSALE / CARRIE UNDERWOOD / KATE BECKINSALE for a second date LMAO!!!!

Your greatest achievement. BEING A DAD AND MAKING THE SWAT TEAM

Ladies, AGAIN with the "awwwww", I am trying to conduct an interview! What can you, under no circumstances, tolerate?

GOLDFISH!!!!!

Do you have any phobias?

LOL…GOLDFISH

Poor guy, we torture him on his birthday!! Goldfish gifts, goldfish cards, a GOLDFISH-shaped cake!! LOL!

If you could speak one sentence for the rest of your life, what would it be?

SHUT UP PEOPLE, THIS IS ALL I HAVE TO SAY…….

What do you always hope people see on YOUR inside? COMPASSION

Well, I am so glad I could introduce you to my BFF-in-law, Todd! He's kinda cool, huh? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thanks again for stopping by for MoBlogMo!! It's always a fun day! Please make sure you leave comments for BOTH our featured guests! Thanks all! Peace.

As they say...WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW...

What do I know?

I know that fads and trends and the coming and going of them are a way of life for kids. Three years ago if you would have told an elementary student that wearing jeans UNDER his buttocks was the cool thing to do, he would have shot you the infamous, "Get real, Mom!" look. Today, that same child is walking like he just got off a horse trying to keep his pants up.

One day my youngest will play with Play Doh unattended for a longer period of time and I think I have found the piece de resistance. SO, the next day I plan a major cleaning project and figure I will just get out the Play Doh. WRONG! Play Doh is "so yesterday!"

My oldest will tell me to sign him up for Fall soccer after watching his old team win a game on the soccer fields that border our property. Then the next day he is searching for skateboards online because at some point during the night Tony Hawk and Ryan Sheckler have become his heroes...and THEY don't have time for soccer.

My daughter, on the other hand seems to stay even keel for longer periods of time. If she likes mustard today, I can pretty much bet she will still like it tomorrow. However she is starting to feel the need to 'keep up with the Jones's' when it comes to fashion. She has made sure I know that SHE WANTS SKINNY JEANS. She is all about Aeropostale and Hollister (mind you, we have NEVER bought a full price item in either store - SALES only!). I have also noticed a bit of "sass" in her voice when I hear her talking to her friends. Hmmmm. Not so sure I am going to be good with this mom of two 'tweens thing. Well, I have a couple years to get ready...or medication!

So, I was moved to write the other day and I wrote...and wrote...with a toddler on my lap watching YouTube videos of monster trucks, I wrote...while the whole neighborhood played HORSE in our driveway, I wrote. The next day, I put everyone on the bus, got myself a cup of tea and I pruned my word and got them into manuscript form.

I don't want to pat myself on the back and I don't want to give too much away but I wrote the sweetest book with an feisty little duck (I am working on the images of him, too) with a preschool/early elementary version of an identity crisis. All I have been able to think about for the last three days is sitting in the midst of elementary kids, eyes glued to the images of Duck trying out other identities and making my mark on this world.

Inspiring children to be all that they can be is my purpose in this life! I am certain it is why I breathe. It is what I live. It is what I know!

Project Care...American Cancer Society

DAFFODIL DAYS! TOUCH A LIFE TODAY!

If you have been reading my blog for a while you know my passion for cancer patients. Well, I have a good friend whose passion may even outshine mine. After losing a dear friend to colon cancer last year, Becky turned her tears for Meredith into activism. Becky's passion didn't go unnoticed and The American Cancer Society offered her a job a few months ago. I am proud to introduce you to my friend, Becky Ferrier, who has a special message for anyone who has ever considered touching a cancer patient's life with kindness. Dear Friend, Each year the American Cancer Society and the residents of our county welcome Spring with the celebration of the American Cancer Society Daffodil Days. Daffodils are the flower of HOPE, representing the courage of cancer patients, the compassion of volunteers and the dedication of the medical community to finding a cure. Fresh cut bunches of daffodils, pots of miniature bulbs or specially designed Boyds™ Bears with daffodils will be distributed to donors as we attempt to paint our community “Yellow with HOPE.” A very special part of our Daffodil Days celebration is “Project CARE”. Project CARE is special edition Boyds Bears which are delivered anonymously to pediatric cancer patients at hospitals and treatment centers throughout the county. Project CARE lets these children know that someone cares about them, wants to brighten their day, and is committed to the fight against cancer. The Boyds exclusive limited-edition bear for the 2009 Bear and a Bunch campaign is Carrie N. Hope. The 10-inch plush, brown-colored bear, which has cream accent muzzle, ears, and paw pads, and brown eyes, is holding a denim bag with Daffodil Days embroidery in yellow that contains felt daffodils. As with previous Bears, Carrie also has an embroidered daffodil on one paw and the American Cancer Society logo on the other. Help to comfort children in our community by giving a special edition Boyds Bear to them in their time of need. Bring a smile to a child's face and support this effort with a $25 donation. Bears will be delivered anonymously. We thank you for all of the support that you have given to the American Cancer Society and hope to see you at an upcoming Relay For Life event. If you would like additional information about Daffodil Days or a list of local Relay For Life events, please contact your American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org. Thank you again for helping make HOPE bloom! Sincerely, The 2009 Daffodil Days Committee CLICK HERE to find a Daffodil Days venue near you! Thanks, Becky, for all you do! I'm proud to be your friend! Please share you experience with cancer, your plea for a cure, you tears for those lost to this disease and/or how many thousands ;) of Daffodils you ordered for the cause in the comments of this post. Becky and I would love to see your passion, too!

Mommy Blogger Monday...Meet Dayna (a contest, too)

Ladies, please join me in welcoming Dayna, blogging since July 27, 2006! Clarksville, Arkansas http://www.childrensbookauthordaynahilton.blogspot.com/ Dayna is a firefighter and fire safety educator. Her passion in life is to help keep children and their caregivers fire safe. You can pretty much say that she lives and breathes fire safety! Photo courtesy of PBS KIDS Sprout How long have you been a firefighter? I became a firefighter with Johnson County RFD #1 in Clarksville in August 2000. Then Dayna did something really amazing. Something that has the potential to touch tens of thousands of lives. Tell us more about what you did, Dayna: I wrote a children’s fire safety book, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog. Recently, the book has been credited with helping save the lives of two children and their two families. These two children said that they knew what to do because of what Sparkles taught them. What a good dog! What an awesome testimony to how children's books impact our lives on a daily basis. Read to your kids people! They might just save your life some day. Why did you start blogging? At that time, I was blogging to motivate myself to lose weight for the filming of the PBS KIDS Sprout fire safety tips. Now my pure motivation to blog is to share the importance of fire safety. My children’s author blog is more detailed and shares the exciting journey that Sparkles and I have taken since our children’s book, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog, was released. Sparkles loves blogging as well and her blog is geared toward young children. We also have another blog that we are very excited about~ askafirefighter.net. Children may submit videos of questions that they have for firefighters on this site. Then, real firefighters from all across the country will answer their questions! If any of your readers would like to have their children submit their questions, Sparkles would love it! We have many other blogs, but these are our favorites. Tell us what "sparked" the idea for your book. (sorry for the pun! LOL!) One of the things that I had always wanted to do since I was young was to write a children’s book. One day, as I was putting on Sparkles' red vest before a fire safety presentation, I took one look at her and noticed her tail was wagging faster than normal. And, that look of excitement in her eyes was amazing that day. She was so happy! That look has always been there, but it hit me like a bolt of lighting at that very moment. There was my book standing on four legs right in front of me! I knew then and there that my book was going to be about Sparkles and her love for helping teach fire safety. How did you and Sparkles meet? Sparkles was rescued from a home with 62 other dogs by the Dalmatian Assistance League of Tulsa. My husband and I adopted her in May of 2003 and we have been so blessed to have such an amazing member of our family. We love her to pieces and are so proud of all that she has done to help keep children and their caregivers fire safe. It is like she was born to help teach fire safety! Who would have thought that a dog that led such a miserable existence would have since participated in a Congressional briefing, have been mentioned in a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Community Preparedness Sub-Committee and be on FOX and Friends? Sparkles has also reached millions of children and their caregivers as her fire safety tips appear on PBS KIDS Sprout (geared toward pre-schoolers and their caregivers) are on Sprout On Demand after Fireman Sam. These videos along with activity sheets and fun games are also online on the PBS KIDS Sprout page at http://www.sproutonline.com/firesafety. The March/April issue of FIDO Friendly magazine (which was just released), has an article about Sparkles. She will also be in upcoming issues of DogSport, Tulsa Pets and Little Rock Family magazines. What is the message you want every parent to know? Parents, fire is not something that happens to other people. It can happen to you. Be prepared. Take time to share with your children what to do should a fire occur in your home. Make sure that your children recognize the sound of a smoke alarm. Test your smoke alarm once a month and change your batteries twice a year. Work with your children to have a plan. Together, draw an escape map, noting two ways out of every room. Make sure to have a meeting place. A meeting place can be a tree, a mailbox or a fence, for example. Practice your plan. So, we know you are a Mommy to Sparkles, how many (human) children do you have? I have one son, Michael, who is 22 and also a firefighter. He is attending the University of Arkansas where he plays tuba for the Razorback Marching Band. I have four other “children”: Sparkles, Spanner, Chief and a brand new dog (all Dalmatians). I hope to have a contest to help me name the newest addition to the fire safety family very soon. Do you work outside the home? In addition to owning my own publishing company, Firehouse Dog Publishing, LLC , Sparkles and I travel all over the United States sharing fire safety with children and their caregivers. I also enjoy spending time educating firefighters about fire safety education. Wow! Could we please give Dayna a round of applause...Sparkles, too! What amazing things they are doing to keep children and their families safe. I absolutely love seeing moms taking it upon themselves to change the world around them.

Dayna has offered to run a contest along with MoBlogMo...here are the details...

If you test your smoke alarm and work together with your family to make an escape map*, your name will be entered into a drawing to win a Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog book. This book is a very special "Limited Edition" and is signed by Firefighter Dayna, Firefighter Michael (Dayna's son who is also in the book), and "pawed" by Sparkles! You will also receive a First Alert Smoke Alarm, an audio book (made by three generations of firefighters and Sparkles) and a Rush and Rescue Firetruck. When you have tested your smoke alarm and made an escape map, enter your name in the "Comment" section to be entered in the drawing for the prizes.

DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY @ NOON (EST) *Visit http://www.firefighterdayna.com/safety_tips.html to learn how to make an escape map

If you would like to contact Dayna just drop her a line @daynark@gmail.com Wow! How amazing Sunday nights have become for me...I get to introduce you to some of the greatest "movers and shakers" on the web!

Hey, don't forget to subscribe to get the "SANITY" scoop throughout the week and to join us for MoBlogMo! Also, if you would like to be a FEATURED MOM...leave your comment with your email address @ this post!

Peace.

I wanna be an OCTO-MOM...but, this kind...

My blog has been getting TONS of hits because of something I posted a while back and I think it's funny! I'm not even bitter that the media used the name I coined over two years ago! OCTO-MOM!

A couple months ago I posted an old picture book idea I had about a boy who thinks his mom is an octopus in disguise...but in parts of the book he refers to her as Octo-Mom. Since the insurgence of media on the woman with the 14 kids, apparently everyone is searching the words "Octo-Mom"... who knew?

So, I thought I would re-run the story and some of my illustrations since it is getting so much indirect attention!

Enjoy!

Dear Journal, I think I have an Octo-mom. There is no other explanation. She is always getting more done than seems humanly possible. The woman’s got tentacles, I just know it. I haven’t caught her using them but it is just a matter of time. I need to gather more evidence.

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Dear Journal, me again, I am hiding under the covers supposed to be going to sleep. Minutes ago while she was helping with my math homework, my mom also fed the baby, painted her toenails and paid some bills. I was sitting right there for crying out loud! I saw nothing. She is one sneaky cephalopod!

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Dear Journal, Today was my mom’s birthday. I drew her an underwater picture at school. When I gave it to her she said, “Thank you, I love the ocean!” Hmmmmmmmmmmm. And, if that wasn’t enough, Dad took her out for dinner … THE SEAFOOD BUFFET! She smelled fishy when she kissed me goodnight. (Yuck!) I can only imagine how much an octopus can eat.

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Dear Journal, I am setting my alarm for 6am to try and get a peek at how my mom gets her chores done every morning. Maybe I will catch her in the act. Maybe an extra arm will slip out. Maybe? ----------------------

Hi Journal, I hit the snooze button this morning and almost missed the bus so I didn’t have any time to spy on my mom. But when I got home there was a new flowerbed planted by my playhouse. My mom said she had some “help.” I am picturing that – I bet her helpers had suction cups!

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Dear Journal, I am freaking out about his Octo-Mom thing. I was just thinking…if my mom is an octopus…what am I? What about my dad? Oh dear, I think I am going to need another journal.

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Just Me, Journal, She outdid herself today but not a single suction cup was spotted! We had company for dinner and the dishwasher broke. My mom washed all the dishes, took time to have tea with the guests, checked my homework, bathed my brother and put us to bed. I am tired just thinking about it. I guess octopuses have a lot of energy. Ugh! Good Night.

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Dear Journal, My mom wore a poncho today. She’s not really all that stylish so I am a little more suspicious than usual. She’s definitely hiding something! (or somethings)

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Dear Journal, Today my class went to the library and browsed the non-fiction section. I picked an ocean book and read that octopuses change color and shoot ink when they are mad. Whoa! Ink. My mom turned bright red when I showed the mailman where I got my shot but I didn’t see any ink. Nope. No ink.

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Dear Journal, Today I fell off my bike. My mom dropped the groceries to come help me up. She carried me inside and bandaged my knees. With eight legs you’d think she would have gotten the groceries put away, too. Hmmmmmmmmm. She’s slacking.

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Dear Journal, My teacher asked my mom to make cupcakes for the bake sale. I watched her put it on the calendar. she realized she was also making granola for my soccer snack the same day. She smiled and grabbed some ingredients from the pantry. I guess it’s not a difficult task…if you’ve got eight extra arms!

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O.K. Journal, This is hard work. I’m starting to wonder if I’ll ever prove my mom’s an underwater sea creature. She hugs like she has eight arms but I have only ever seen two.

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Dear Journal, Today at school I read that octopuses are completely deaf. I am stumped because this is not the case with my mom, she hears everything! Even when she is talking on the phone. Gasp. I wonder if her friends are octopuses, too.

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Dear Journal, At dinner my mom told my dad that while the baby slept she dusted the whole house “from floor to ceiling.” My human mom can’t reach the ceiling but I guess an “octo-mom” can.

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Dear Journal, My mom and I just read a book together. Snuggling with her makes me feel sleepy. I think I read that Octopuses are cold blooded but my mom felt cozy warm. I didn’t see any tentacles either…and I was looking.

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Dear Journal, This is the last page and I still haven’t solved the mystery. IS MY MOM AND OCTOPUS? I guess it doesn’t make a difference. She is still my mom. Even if she is an octopus – she is MY octopus and I love her, all of her! P.S. Wait aliens could have lots of arms. Could my mom be an alien? Oh no! Now I really need a new journal! -----------------------

BECAUSE I SAID SO! A Book Review...

Have you ever just felt like a good hardy belly laugh would knock you right out of a bad mood? Have you ever surfed the net looking for a good read only to find hum drum blog posts? Well, come April 1st (yes, April Fool's Day) you can have that kind of laughter at your fingertips...all day long! And until then, you can put this blog, Because I Said So, in your favorites. Dawn Meehan, the infamous mommy blogger whose humorous storytelling knack sold a pack Pokemon Cards on ebay for hundreds of dollars and garnered a million hits on her blog in one month, has been busy writing...and writing...and writing. The Pokemon auction went viral and got the attention of agents and editors across the globe which ended with a two book deal with Guideposts Book. In an interview with ChristianNewsWire.com, Linda Cunningham, Vice President and Editor-in-Chief of Books & Inspirational Media at Guideposts said, "We're thrilled to publish Dawn on the Guideposts Books Spring trade list. Other moms clearly identify with her hectic family life, and love the way she rolls with it all by using her unabashed sense of humor. Clearly anyone who has built a single blog into a 40,000 plus daily readership practically overnight like Dawn has done, has something to say that people want to hear." Just in case you missed it in its email inbox fiesta, you can read WHY Dawn sold a brand new pack of Pokemon Cards HERE! Dawn's first book, Because I Said So, comes out April 1st and promises to take the mom world by storm. Our husbands already think we sit on our butt all day so now we can...while we read the hysterical accounts in vivid detail in this book that will become like a best friend. "Stories more gripping than duct tape and humor funnier than a stand-up comic! I laughed until cappuccino came out my nose. Many have claimed to be the next Erma Bombeck, but only Dawn Meehan can rightfully wear that bathrobe. Hers is the permanent new voice of parenting humor for us all." says Debi Stack, author of Smotherly LoveTM: I Know Where Your Buttons Are and I'm Not Afraid to Push Them Dawn Meehan is an amazing mom. She's fun, she has a blast with her children and her writing will draw you into her life and make you glad you don't live in her house. She has weathered children dying themselves blue, Sharpie marker on the walls, butter in the carpets and kids locked in the bathroom and she lived to tell about it. My proof copy of this book brought my family around the table together each night. After cleaning up the dinner dishes, I would sit back down at the table with a cup of coffee and start reading. Within minutes I was howling so loud my kids couldn't hear the TV. My family would come back to the table to hear the stories of Dawn's six kids...well, 7, if you count her husband. It went on my kids' reading logs for school more than once! After I finished reading it, my son started taking it to school for his silent reading time. Not so silent was he as he giggled through each chapter. His teachers asked him to read it out loud one day, and from that day on he was in the spotlight during that class to open the period with giggles as he read Dawn’s shenanigans to the whole class. She’s just THAT fun! Just in time for Mother's Day shopping, this book proves to be the next big hit in the world of motherhood. Watch the net for some virtual book tours making their way into your favorites list. She will be here on My SEMBLANCE, I hope! I will be sure to keep you updated. Head over to Amazon.comand pre-order your copy now...you won't regret it! And I just had to throw this picture in...Mimi, Me and Dawn enjoying each other's company in Chicago!

Tuesday's Snack O' the Day...

I have been having a lot of fun lately with snacks for the kids! I have always been *fun* when it comes to creative food. I even worked some of my crazy recipes into a picture book that's still in my files called, Macy-Sue La Rue, Please Try Something New. It's a sweet story about a picky eater and all of my recipes are included. Anyone have a hankerin' for some Turtle Toenail Quesadillas?

Today's recipe doesn't have any animal body parts in it (neither does Macy-Sue's, the toenails are just grains of wild rice). The ingredients are ones you probably can find in your house anyway and you can always substitute with other yummies you find in your pantry.

Gather the ingredients:

Wheat chex, rice chex, tropical dried fruit, dried cranberries, chocolate chips, peanut butter/chocolate chips, mini pretzels, un-salted almonds, multigrain cheerios and powdered sugar. (cheerios and almonds were a last minute addition and not in photo...that's my style) Melt one bag of chocolate chips.

Assemble Parts:

While the chips are melting place 1/2 bag of mini pretzels, small bag of cranberries and 2 cups of cheerios in a gallon ziploc bag. Stir melted chocolate and dump into gallon bag with other ingredients and shake. Once chocolate has reached all the goodies, dump in 2/3 c of powdered sugar. This will aid in your crunchies not globbing together. Ya like that technical, foodie lingo? Yeah, that's how I roll. Lay the bag aside and grab one of those mongo ziplocs (JUMBO 2.5 gallons).

Dump:

Add 4 c of each wheat and corn checks, bag of chocolate/peanut butter chips, 2 c of un-salted almonds and bags of dried fruits. Finally throw in the chocolate crunchies, zip bag closed DON'T FORGET TO ZIP IT!! and let the kiddies SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE! VOILA!! This is one of those snacks that is good to divide up into little bags so the kiddos don't eat the whole dang thing before the next snack time. There is nothing more frustrating (well, yeah there is...but that's just how the saying goes) than reaching for something to pack in their lunches and finding only a few crumbs.

Oh, and we have a rule about our SNACK MIX....you eat everything in the individual bags...not just the chocolate pieces. That way Mommy can sneak in some good for you stuff like fiber cereal and dried fruit and she looks cool because there's chocolate at snack time.

Have fun!