What A HomeMaker Should Get Paid

I thought this was interesting, to say the least.

What A HomeMaker Is Worth

But I don't mind getting paid in smiles.

Baby's First Year

Scrap booking your baby's first year is a task full of good intentions, but one often unfulfilled.  I know we mean to write down all those cute milestones as they happen, but there you find yourself, staring at a blank page, wondering when your little bambino first smiled.

Relax. Though some won't admit it, all of us have given our best guess.

One simple way of making your baby's first year scrap book a memorable one is collecting news headlines. We have all seen the links to 'what was the number one song the year you were born,' and the like. Instead, we can collect the important information for our little ones.

Some ideas to get the ball rolling include Oscar winners, SuperBowl and World Series Champions, major world events such as presidential elections, environmental disasters, and gas prices. And yes, the number one song.

One small piece of advice: Though it is possible to go back after your child celebrates their first birthday, and collect such headlines, it is SO MUCH EASIER to collect them throughout the year. I usually read online, so I copy and paste, then send an email to myself. Easy, and worth it.

And one day, my children will read all about those news worthy moments in the year they entered this world. And they'll probably ask me then, what this ancient thing is that we called a newspaper.

The Naked Truth

source: Being Liberal/Facebook 

A Resolution You Can Keep

January is a time for resolutions; making them, and much too often, breaking them. I am no stranger to this. I have resolved to drink more water, pray more, eat healthier, call old friends...you name it. Each year, come February, I seem to have disappointed, though not surprised, myself.

Except for one resolution, which I have kept since I was 18 years old.

A Year In A Glance.

The tradition was started by my mother, who would sit down and read to me her yearly write up each January. We would reminisce about the past year; special birthdays, camping trips, or sadly, people we lost. And once we read one, we found ourselves looking back through previous years. Sometimes to laugh, sometimes to cry. But always to remember.

The idea is simple, really. When Christmas has come and gone, and you have taken down all the sparkly decorations, take a half hour out of your day to write about your past year. It helps to have your calendar in front of you, and then you can chronologically document your year. You do not have to write a book. A few words per month or special occasion is fine.

Trust me, it is worth it.

It is an emotional exercise as well. It is funny how you don't remember, or therefore, document, that day in January that your car wouldn't start. Instead, you collect memories of your grandparents 60th wedding anniversary, a new niece being born, or when your little one took his first steps. No matter how hard this past year was, you will look back at it and smile.

Once you have done this for a few years, you will marvel at how easy it is, but most importantly, how much you cherish that little file in the back of your closet.

One day I will read to my sons about the year I met their father, in real time, when he was just this cute boy I liked. Or I will read of the years they were born, and how nervous and new I was at being their mother.

And as they laugh about the 'old days,' I will smile, knowing this was all worth my while.

Hey Little Ant

Life, from the point of view of an ant, which you are about to step on.

It is an idea like this that can help you make your child understand such complicated issues as empathy.

I have made it a personal goal to focus on morals with my two children. By using random acts of kindness, taking the time to explain and demonstrate empathy, and just taking the time, I hope to make a difference. Not in the world, per se (I am not that ambitious, or naive), but a difference in the people I add to this world. Our little ones are watching us, and I am attempting to take the time to be the example they need.

There are those teachable moments, when parenting, where you just cannot find the words. Luckily, there are others who can find them for us.

The following are some fabulous children's books that can do just that: find those words you are looking for when attempting to drive home a moral lesson. Let's face it; as parents, we need all the help we can get.

Tails are not for Pulling, by Elizabeth Verdick

This same author also has other similar behavior books that are worth a second look:

  

   Hands Are Not For Hitting, Teeth Are Not For Biting, Words Are Not For Hurting...you get the idea!

Another excellent book for the young ones comes from the author Jennifer P. Goldfinger, My Dog Lyle. The little girl that owns Lyle sees him for all the the things that make him special, instead of ordinary. A reminder that our 'quirks' are our own special traits instead.

And one of my favorites, Hey Little Ant, by Phillip Hoose. This is a parable about mercy and empathy, and asks the reader to look at life from an ant's point of view. It is a 'stop and think' story for parents and children alike.

One more book worth a second look, Kindness is Cooler, Mrs Ruler, by Margery Cuyler. This story centers around a teacher who disciplines students by having them preform acts of kindness. Its a great story and a wonderful place to get ideas for good deeds!

I hope to add to this list as I find read worthy books, and welcome any suggestions other may have.
Happy reading!

Sarah Burke

Canada suffered a great loss today, with the death of freestyle skier, Sarah Burke.

At the age of 29, Sarah was a legend of her sport. Please read all about her successful career and remarkable life. She leaves to mourn her husband, Rory Bushfield. If you have the means, medical bills are grand and her family could use all the help they can get.

To donate, and read more about Sarah, follow the link below.

www.giveforward.com/sarahburke

My condolences to Sarah's family.

And now, to go and hug my kids a little tighter.

German Humor

For all my German friends, a nice chuckle for the day!

English translation:

If you are happy, inform your face!