Still Alice by Lisa Genova

My rating: 4 of 5 stars









Book source: personal copy



Melissa Mc is a mother of 3; wife of 1; daughter, sister, friend, aunt; lover of football, politics, food, travel, walking, theatre and all things literary.

In our previous post 10 BabySteps of Food Storage we briefly touched on each of ten steps we recommend for putting together your food storage. So far we have covered Emergency Preparedness Basics and Shelves. Today we are going to discuss one of the most important items in your storage ... WATER!


How much water should you store?

• Most sources recommend storing 1 gallon of water per day per person for 3-14 days for drinking
• Extra water should be stored for cooking, hygiene, etc.
• If you have pets you should also consider their water needs
• If your water is unchlorinated add a small amount of bleach to it before storing

What types of containers should you store water in?

• Plastic containers: Must be “FOOD GRADE” or PETE (soda and juice bottles will work)
• Do not store in milk jugs as they will disintegrate over time
• Boxed Water Kits: Available at Emergency Essentials, contain mylar bags housed in cardboard boxes.
• Store water in multiple sizes of containers to suit different emergency needs
• Do not use containers previously used to store non-food products.
• Clean, sanitize, and rinse all containers prior to use.

Where should you store the water?

• Store water away from too much light or heat
• Do not store water containers directly on concrete. Place on cardboard, wood pallets, or other materials.
• Store water in a variety of areas in your home (basement, bedroom closets, etc.)

How often should water be rotated?

• Plastic containers should be rotated at least once per year
• Water stored in mylar bags needs to be rotated every five years

What do you do if you run out of water?

Here are some additional resources to explore:

• Alternate Water Sources
• Water Purification Tips
• How to Build an Evaporation Still

Jodi and Julie are the authors of the blog FoodStorageMadeEasy.NET where they walk you through the process of putting your food storage together in BabySteps. They started their food storage adventures about two years ago and love sharing what they learn along the way. You can sign up for their free BabyStep Checklists to help you on your own food storage adventures.

I have never liked that phrase because for me, it has always carried with it the concept that you must be planted in a really crappy place to ever be told that. 

And I'm here in that crappy place.  Totally here.

I have wrestled with publishing this post.  I have wondered if this is too vulnerable a subject to talk about.  Too hush-hush.  Too taboo.

But then I felt like I should.  REALLY felt like I should....because I don't think I am the only one who is planted in a not-so-lovely place filled with sorrow and frustration.  I'm not the only one, am I? 

So here goes...

I don't love my ward at church.  In fact, the moment I sat down for our first Sunday School class I had to choke back some tears in sadness that I was where I was. 

Now, I should probably preface this with the fact that my previous ward was something out of a fairytale.  We were there THREE months.  Three measly months...and I have never felt such love, such inspiration, and such Spirit than I did in those ward boundaries.  

And then I got a new job offer.

And it was a job that would lighten my load and take me out of the toxic job I was currently in.  But we would have to move again and with that move I would be giving up my new-amazing-I-still-cry-just-thinking-about-how-much-I-miss-it ward. 

I almost did not take the job...JUST because of that.  Crazy?  I'm just trying to emphasize how much we loved where we were.  Did I emphasize it enough?

But our Heavenly father told us that we should move.  And that it would be hard to go....but we would be going where we were supposed to be.

And so we went.. and although my job and situation is amazing...being in my ward is hard.  

Have you heard the saying that "the Gospel is perfect but the people aren't?"  I have always loved that, because we shouldn't go to church for the people.  We should go because we are obedient and it is where we need to be taught and where we can renew our extremely important covenants weekly. Where we can individually go to be uplifted and reminded of our Savior's atonement and love. Where we can feel the peace of the Spirit.

Goodness knows I am grateful for that knowledge.

But on the other side of it all---I believe that feeling at "home" in your ward socially is also vital for your growth.  Vital for your ability to learn and to teach one another and to bloom.  And sometimes when that vital factor is missing, it's easy to question your place in it all. Sometimes it makes it easy to question a lot of things.

In comes that bloom where you are planted phrase again. 

After that first week our new Bishop sat us down and said, "I know the ward that you came from, and I also know that this will be a very different experience and that I personally know how you feel. But there are two ways you can look at it: 1) You can sit back and relax and be unhappy or 2) you can serve because we need you and then slowly but surely you will be happy.

How exactly did he know to say that?  (well, I can take a guess;)

And so now...slowly but surely I am working hard at the serving part and recognizing the fact that it is up to ME to make a difference in how I feel.  I can't change where I have been planted, but I can change me.  Slowly but surely...I believe I will bloom.
 
 


  You can find Carrie at All That is Sweet in Life... where a little bit of salty is mixed in there, too. 

My two preschoolers have been in school for 3 weeks now. Their teacher, Miss Liz, is fantastic and our schedule is great. The only dilemma we are having is breakfast. Neither child gets up early enough to eat much. So far, we are surviving on child-sized yogurts. I think they need more then that.

In my arsenal of recipes I have a healthy banana muffin that is divine. They are tender, flavorful, and packed with the good stuff. Just today I had the idea of whipping up some mini muffins and serving them with the yogurt. At least it would be an improvement on our current breakfast regime.


Healthy Banana Muffins
by Amy Dotson

1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup all-purpose flour (I often skip this and just use whole wheat)
1/4 cup wheat germ
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup butter, room temp.
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 ripe bananas (about 1 lb.)
1/3 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla
*optional: 1 cup frozen blueberries, ground flax seed, 1/3 cup applesauce

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. In a bowl, whisk together flours, wheat germ, baking soda and salt. (if you don't have wheat germ, just use more wheat flour)

2. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugars with a mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. In another bowl, mash bananas with a fork (you should have 3/4 cup); stir in milk and vanilla.

3. With mixer on low, alternately add flour mixture and banana mixture to butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture; mix until just combined. (add blueberries)

4. Divide batter among muffin cups. Bake until toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean, 25-28 minutes, rotating pan halfway through. Let cool in pan 10 minutes, on rack 10 more minutes.

Makes 12 muffins or about 24 mini muffins.



 Amy has been married to her hunky,  business owning, semi-pro football playing, graphic designer husband for  8 years. She is also mother to 2 energetic, delightful, and precocious  4 year old little girls. You'll find more at I Wish I Was in Dixie. Visitors always welcome.

At the end of the last school year my 1st grader came home with a  'book' his teacher had made to contain all of my sons important or  special papers from the year.

The make-up of the book was so simple that I couldn't help but fall in love.


Each  month had it's own pocket with a corresponding picture of my child (or  his class) from that time period. Inside the pocket were tests, school  work or art projects that he had done during that month.


It was pure genius!

In  fact I loved it so much that I've decided to implement it's use for all  of my children for each year... in the hopes that it will contain the  insane amount of papers we receive during the year.

It  also makes a good post for today's blog swap. So I'm going to teach you  how to make your own--super easy--'Back to School Book.'

What you need:
> At least 5 folders (one pocket for each month your child is in school)
> Scissors
> Label stickers 
> Permanent marker

Step One:
You will need to take one of your folders and cut it in half to make the front and back cover. Like the picture instructs. :)


On the bottom right hand corner is where I put the name of my child and the grade the folder pertained to.


Step Two:
Fold  the rest of your folders so that the pockets are on the outside, with  the crease on the outer edge of what will become your book. Label each  pocket with a month... preferably in order ::wink::

Step Three:
Paper  clip the almost book into the order you want and then take it down to a  print shop to get it bound. I did two books and it cost me around $8  for both. It also should only take a few minutes to get them done.

Important  note: Your going to bind the loose side of the folders. The folded edge  will be the outside--YOU DO NOT BIND THE FOLDED EDGE.... unless you're  me, then you'll discover that staples work fine as well.




Step Four:
Admire your handiwork.

Step Five:
Put  the book somewhere easily accessible so that you can use it throughout  the school year to catch important papers and report cards. When the  year is over stick it in your child's special file (or whatever your  equivalent is).

Enjoy!

My youth is fading in visible ways.

To illustrate the changes I've seen in the past decade I'll share with you the most notable quotable from my house for the year 2010.

While looking in the mirror after weighing my self on the bathroom scale I declared: "I'm just not as cute as I used to be."

Husband: "If by cute you mean a size 2, then you haven't been cute in years."

I erupt in laughter, because sometimes the truth is hilarious.

Husband: Grabs my hand and says, "But if cute is bright blue eyes, short sassy hair and a sharp sense of humor, then I imagine you will be cute forever."

And I melt thinking, how did I luck out finding a man that finds me attractive for the person I really am?!?

That's not to say I've closed up shop and let it all hang out. OH NO! Never! If I leave the house I normally have make up on. I have a personal relationship with my hair dresser and know how to dress modestly, yet fashionably for my body type. I absolutely intend on being cute forever.

I have however mentally conceded to myself that I am no longer attractive to  younger men, and that is OK. Heads no longer turn when I walk by. Salespeople don't tell me I'm the absolute perfect size for their petite section in their store any more. People now refer to me as "Lady" instead of "Miss" and absolutely NO ONE has asked me if I'm my daughter's nanny in over 5 years. Apparently I look just old enough to be the mother of four, thank you very much.

My aging has seeped considerably into my subconcious as well. I had a dream a few months ago where I was back at the dorms in Heritage Halls at BYU. I had 5 young and glorious roommates and we were preparing to go to class. On the way out the door, some guys from the next hall came calling and I was reveling in the glory of my newfound youth when I suddenly realized that I wasn't my 18 year old self. I was 34, and looked like it! I woke up with a start thinking "I'm married, with kids! I don't belong here anymore." You know the store in some shopping malls in the United States called Forever 21? Well my brain will not let me live in that fantasy world. I am physically and mentally 34 years old.

There are many reading this who are yelling at their computer screens, "34 is young! Oh to be 34 again!" To which I would reply, "I agree. I'm loving it." But I'm also looking forward to the years ahead. From talking to women who surround me in Relief Society it sounds pretty great to be 50, 60 and 70+. So much wisdom and peace.  Nearly every license plate cover at church proclaims "Happiness is being a grandparent" or "Grandma's my name, Spoilin's my game." My husband and I are itching for the time when we can serve full time missions together or be temple workers. My mother, grandmother and members of my Relief Society have convinced me that what lies ahead is a richness that can only be experienced by growing older.

Sure, it was nice being young and desirable at one time. But I look forward to the rest of my life with great eagerness for my future. Age spots, saggy boobs and all. BYU grad or not, you won't find me moving to Cougar Town.

----
A guest post by Janelle Janelle is the wife of a contractor and mother to a gaggle of girls ranging from eight years to two months. Her passion is member missionary work and she can regularly be found answering questions like "Do Mormons Celebrate Birthdays?" at Mormonwoman.org.

I have learned that forgiveness does not come easily for most of us. It goes completely against our nature. We don't naturally overflow with love and forgiveness when we've been wronged. Forgiving is always a conscious choice. It is not something that just happens over time.  Forgiving is something that we each have to work on in order to accomplish. Some people, find forgiving easy, but most of us will struggle with it for our entire lives.

All that being said, how do we forgive others when we don't feel like it?

We forgive first by having faith. We must trust our Heavenly Father to work within us and help make our forgiveness complete, to help develop within ourselves a desire to forgive.  If your attitude is not one of humility and love, you will find yourself continually "going back" to the event and experiencing the anger, heartache, and hurt all over again.

How will we know if we have truly forgiven someone else?  I have learned that we will know we have forgiven others when we experience the peace within our souls. We are the ones who suffer most when we choose not to forgive. When we do forgive, the Lord sets our hearts free from the anger, bitterness, resentment and hurt that we previously had known.

I have found that when I have truly forgiven someone else, I can look back on the event and the person without angry feelings.  I might not like the act, but I can be free of the emotions that come from the hurt it may have caused.  I have also found contentment in turning it over to the Lord and knowing that He is infinitely better able to judge than I am.  Only He knows whether or not that person has truly repented. 
Forgiveness can be especially hard in cases that involve abuse or criminal behavior.  It is harder because of the emotions and the pain that come with being a victim.  Yet, it can be so healing.  I want to make it very clear, that in these cases, you should never feel it necessary to put yourself at risk.  Forgiveness does not mean that you must give the person further chances to commit those crimes.  It only means that your heart is pure, that you are no longer angry, resentful, or afraid.

Each one of us, at times during our lives, feels unworthy of His love. We have each made mistakes.  We each need the principle of forgiveness in our lives.  I might have had different hurts, or different sins than you, but I also, have things I need to resolve in my heart.

I too, have felt the anguish and pain of loneliness, despair, and sin.

I have also felt the redeeming joy of my Savior's love.

I love the fact that forgiveness dares you to imagine a future that is not dependent on anger, hurt, fear, and retaliation.  A future where you are free to love and give.  A future where your own hurt, is not the final say on the matter.  A future where you are sure of your Heavenly Father's love for you, no matter what mistakes you have made. 

For me, when I forgive others, I realize how very much my Heavenly Father loves me.

And I am content.

When you forgive, you in no way change the past - but you sure do change the future. 
- Bernard Meltzer

Patty Ann is the mother of eleven and wife of an amazing man who looks a little bit like Santa, cooks and keeps her happy.  She can be found most days blogging at Pitterle Postings.

There are beautiful moments in motherhood. Usually they're hidden under a lot of dirt and grime, but they are there.

It's not unlike a tarnished silver mirror. In some places the silver shines through, radiant and easy to admire. In other places it takes some real elbow grease (and a little time) to really see the beauty that lies beneath.

I have a son who has always been fairly difficult. I like to joke that he 'came out screaming and hasn't stopped.' As an infant he was colicky.

Then he was allergic to milk.

Then he wouldn't eat anything.
Then he wouldn't talk!

Nothing with him has come easily.

When he was two we began the process of getting him evaluated for learning disabilities. Terms like 'Autistic like tendencies' and 'attention deficit disorder,' accompanied phrases like 'budgeting issues.' I entered a world of OT's (occupational therapists) and ST's (speech therapists) and PT's (physical therapists. I attended IEP's (individual education plan) and became acquainted with jargon I never thought I'd need in life.

I dealt with hour long temper-tantrums over which cup his juice was in.

Screaming sessions because he didn't want to nap.

I lived through weekly wrestling matches in the halls of church.

I survived day after day after day. One single moment at a time.

There was alot of tarnish covering my mommy moments with him.

When my son was around 3 1/2 he uttered "I wuf you mum," for the first time. I was so happy and surprised that I dropped to my knees right there on the side walk and cried into his small shoulder.

After that more and more glimpses of silver began to shine through. He went to a special pre-school where his speech (if not his mood) improved monumentally.

Taking it one day at a time became taking it one week at a time and then one month.

Now my son is seven.  He still struggles, at school his bad days come as frequently as his good days. Sometimes I get calls from teachers about his attitude. When he's asked to do chores there's a 50/50 chance he'll just scream and yell and run into his room, slamming the door along the way.
 
This spring he finally learned how to ride a bike.

He loves it and begs me to ride whenever possible. Since the exercise seems to help his mood I am more than willing to oblige.

Besides when I ride along side him I see that silver again. I get to watch as his little glasses slide down his nose and his brow knit in concentration. I get to smile as he pumps the pedals that sit just in front of his mangled and twisted training wheels (that we haven't taken off).

We've never recieved a diagnosis for our son. I doubt we ever will, but that is okay for now because with a little scrubbing and a lot of work we've managed to find our son shining underneath. He glistens in the sunlight.

And really, what parent could ask for more?




Cannwin spends her time searching for her inner Shakespeare in the hopes that one day she will be able to dethrone the king and take her place as the greatest writer of all time. She currently resides in South Dakota with her husband and four children. You can explore more of her world at The Great and Random Ramblings of Cannwin and The Literary Soundtrack.

The countdown to General Conference has begun. The general Relief Society meeting will be held on Saturday, September 25, at 6:00 p.m. MDT, and then on October 2-3, we will have the opportunity to hear the Lord's message through his living prophets and apostles:  "whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same" (D&C 1:38). I love General Conference, especially when I prepare for it.  I get answers to questions I've prayed about, and even recieve insight into questions I haven't asked, but the Lord knows I have.  General Conference recharges my spiritual batteries.  It deepens my faith in my Heavenly Father, in His plan, and in myself.  Here are a few links to help you begin your General Conference preparations.

The Church has provided this page with some print-outs and computer games to help children prepare for General Conference.

The following are all excellent references offered from Sugardoodle.net, including General Conference Activity Packets for all ages (When you click on them, you can download the documents and print them out.):

Here's another site with a lot of packets, cards, and other resources.

Here are also some great articles to help you get yourself and your children in the General Conference mindset:

As a side note, on my personal blog, I host a General Conference Book Club.  After each General Conference, we study one talk a week all the way until Conference rolls around again, and your participation there is welcome.

"Many messages,  covering a variety of gospel topics, will be given  during the next two days.  Those men and women who will speak to you  have sought heaven’s help concerning  the messages they will give.   It is my prayer that we may be filled with His  Spirit as we listen and learn."  [Opening session, April 2010]

"I urge you to study the messages, to ponder their teachings, and then to apply them in your life.... May the messages and spirit of this conference find expression in all  that you do—in your homes, in your work, in your meetings, and in all  your comings and goings."  [Closing session, April 2010] ~President Thomas S. Monson

What ideas can you share that help you and your family prepare for, enjoy and get the most out of General Conference?


Stephanie   is a mom of three young and relentless children. Her interests include  latin music, naps, restaurants, writing, travel, teaching, housework denial and long showers. Stephanie seeks for the divinity in   motherhood--- tries to share it   when she finds it, and tries to laugh when she doesn't. She blogs for  fun, posterity, and therapy. Her musings are chronicled at Diapers and Divinity.




photo credit: lds.org

• A General Conference Notebook for children to write or draw about conference. The notebook is available in Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish through the respective language materials pages (languages.lds.org).
• Conference Squares, consisting of 7 cards that encourage children to listen carefully, and when a speaker talks about one of the topics on the card, cover that square.
• A conference coloring page.
• Prophets and Apostles online matching game.
• Latter-day Prophets online matching game.

Do your kids love to sing and dance? Then they will fall head over heels in love with the Laurie Berkner Band!

We LOVE the music of Laurie Berkner, and her latest DVD release, Lets Hear It for the Laurie Berkner Band, is sure to please! In this new DVD, set to release September 28th, your kids will jump, wiggle, dance, and sing along as hosts Moose and Zee introduce some of Laurie’s most popular songs and music videos!

The DVD runs 44 minutes AND it has my most favorite DVD feature, the automatic playback loop.  (No seriously. It. Is. The. Best.)

Songs include:

1. “Who’s That?”
2. “Victor Vito”
3. “Five Days Old”
4. “My Energy”
5. “I’m A Mess”
6. “In The Clouds”
7. “Pig On Her Head”
8. “The Cat Came Back”
9. “Farm Song (That’s What I Did On The Farm)”
10. “I Really Love To Dance”
11. “I’m Me And You’re You”
12. “Sneaks”
13. “I’m Not Perfect”
14. “Rocketship Run”
15. “Magic Box”
16. “Fast And Slow (The Rabbit And The Turtle)”

This DVD is DEFINITELY mom-approved, and will get you and your little ones moving and grooving!

Details:

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Get ready to jump, dance and sing along to the wildly popular Laurie Berkner Band. This DVD compilation is packed with some of Laurie’s most popular tunes, including music videos from her regular appearances on Jack’s Big Music Show. Lyrical themes, interactive music, movement and games will promote creativity and help foster an appreciation for music. Created by Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment, Let’s Hear It for The Laurie Berkner Band! DVD rocks its way to shelves September 28, 2010 for the suggested retail price of $16.99.

Laurie Berkner was the first children’s singer ever to appear in music videos on Nick Jr. An award-winning, best-selling children’s author and songwriter she has penned two books and released six CDs and a quadruple-platinum-selling DVD. Parenting Magazine describes Laurie as “The Pied Piper of preschool.” The Laurie Berkner Band performs across North America, with concerts held at varied venues from the White House to Carnegie Hall. You can find out more about the band by visiting www.laurieberkner.com.

Let’s Hear It for The Laurie Berkner Band! Fast Facts:

• Street Date: September 28, 2010
• DVD SRP: $16.99 DVD
• Running Time: 44 Minutes
• Special Features: Moose & Zee Music Videos · “Everywhere I Go” · “Music Makes Me” · “Words of Wonder” · “We're Going on a Trip”

Aside from replacing the "o" in that personal pronoun with a "u," being an LDS mother on a tiny island country on the base of our earth is very much like being an LDS mother anywhere else.  Well, except for a few things, like the option of sending our children off to frolic with Hobbits, climb Ents, shear sheep, or play a jolly good game of rugby.








I know it may be difficult to reign in that lifestyle-envy that's come over you, so I've done my best to sum up some of the features of being a Mormon NZ mum (or "kiwi mum") in list-format; because bullet points are oh-so-digestable, after all.

• How am I meant to dry my clothes? Many homes don't have dryers, as occupants use a clothesline and lines over their fireplace.  This question is often followed by, "And where is the dishwasher?" - another appliance many homes are without.
• You don't know how lucky you are. This is one of the most-uttered phrases by those arriving from other developed countries.  Understandably, after observing our predominantly free healthcare (without insurance), the option to live on a rural section of land while still being 10 minutes-drive from a township, and then there's that lack of snakes/poisonous spiders/bears/alligators/most-things-scary).  Most untravelled New Zealanders don't realise how fortunate we are to inhabit a space comparable to the island of Japan, but with a 30th of Japan's population (or to have only 16.1 people per km², versus 337.1 people in the same space).  With little corruption, interest-free loans for tertiary education (for all), and relatively low crime rates, those coming from third world countries are often smitten by how spoiled kiwis are.
• What are these types of buildings doing in a first-world country? It is only very recently that insulation and smarter heating options became standard for new homes; many New Zealanders live in 100-year-old homes with an open fire for heating.  Central heating is very much a luxury in NZ.  The word "primitive" is often bandied about when it comes to our heating choices.
• Wait, I thought New Zealand had a tropical climate. Wrong. That would be a maritime climate, and one dominated by our mountains and surrounding sea.  While our year-round temperatures are mild, it still gets cold here...however, we don't have to shovel snow, nor do we often wilt in unbearable heat.  In our largest (and northern) city, the average winter low is 4 degrees C, or 48 degrees F, while the average summer high is 24 degrees C (75 F).  In Dunedin - where I live - deep in the South Island of New Zealand, we experience considerably lower temperatures. Regardless of where you are in NZ, everyone enjoys a lot of sunshine hours, year-round.
• "Natural birth?"  Are you crazy?  Or just a hippy?  Many kiwi mothers prefer natural births, and the epidural and intervention rates are much lower here than in the US and Canada.  Epidurals are usually reserved for planned and emergency C-sections, or births that are otherwise too complicated or lengthy; the general attitude about epidurals amongst NZ-raised mums - "Keep that needle away from my spine!"
• [In the supermarket] Where is all the good stuff?  There are no cartons of eggnog, no rolls of premade cookie dough, and there is a virtual sugar-wasteland in the cereal aisle.  New Zealand's junk food selection is fairly limited, and there is considerable emphasis on whole foods.  But we make up for these two deficiencies with our creamy dairy products and fried fish'n'chips.
• [Scanning the pews on Sunday] Wow, there are so many cultures here!  In the North Island, you will see more Samoan, Tongan and Māori faces in the congregation than you will immigrants and their descendants from the UK.  All over New Zealand, you will find members who have immigrated recently (or in previous generations) from countries from all over the world.
• Wow, everyone really knows everybody.  With a small church membership, pulling together and working towards unity is paramount.  But it can make dating a little tricky...
• Things just seem more relaxed here.  The New Zealand lifestyle (for the most part) is a simple one.  Many families are more than happy to raise big families in small homes, and drive cars that hiss and sputter.  Children are relaxed, and parents are often relaxed about their behaviour.  Even without dryers, many homes opt for cloth nappies (diapers) to save money, and do something right by the environment - another choice that adds to the air of the "simple kiwi lifestyle."

...and gather around for a barbeque for tea that night (dinner), and voice a host of other eyebrow-raising names you've never heard, but all things considered, what we have in common with Mormon Mommy Bloggers far outweighs the things that make us different - we're mothers, doing what seems to be the best and truest fit for our families.  And speaking for myself, I must say, New Zealand fits quite nicely.

---

 Angela waved fare-thee-well to her previous playgrounds (the classroom, office and art gallery) in favour of drinking in every delicious moment of motherhood on offer. Now she juggles that privilege with her nesting instincts, design contracts, sales work, her churchy responsibilities, fertility treatment, and the need to straighten things – all with her cherub (Esky) in tow. You can read more from a Mormon Mum in New Zealand over at Angela Noelle's blog, Striking Keys.

Do you use a rewards system for your kids?  Does it work?

I have a daughter who is very, VERY logical.  The only time she is not logical is when she is having a nuclear melt-down...and when she recovers, she valiantly tries to explain exactly WHY she was so angry at us.  (She's 5, taught herself to read, wouldn't talk till she was 3 1/2 and could do it perfectly...she's the full package.)

For her, reward systems work very well.  A few we've used with good success:

• A marble for every good deed, a marble lost for every bad one.
• A collection of magnets on the refrigerator- 15 minutes of "screen time" cost 1 magnet.  (That was a favorite, because she could move them herself)
• Our current favorite, she gets 10 marbles a day and can decide if she wants to spend them on tantrums, sassing her parents, and bossing her sister...or on extra stories and songs at bed time, a round of video games with her Dad, or exchange her marbles for coins to take to the grocery store.  She can keep her marbles leftover at the end of the day until they're spent...however she chooses to spend them.

The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway

My rating: 5 of 5 stars















For more from the author check out this related video:

Book source: Public library

Your child is never too young to learn about appropriate sexual boundaries and what is comfortable touch and uncomfortable touch.  I recently learned of a six year old boy who propositioned a six year old girl for sex.  Even though this was alarming, it was not the first time I have heard of such things.  I have heard of girls and boys at even younger ages having sexual contact and relations with each other.  These are the times we live in.  It is unfortunate, but true.

Upon hearing this I had another conversation with my children about appropriate touch and sexual boundaries. I reminded them of the kinds of things they needed to be cautious about, and how to reject sexual solicitations. We can't be everywhere our child is every second of the day, so we need to make sure that our children can't be tricked or manipulated. We need to arm our children with the knowledge they need to keep themselves safe. It is our job as parents to teach our children about the sacred nature of our bodies and how to take care of them.

Please accept this simple reminder to talk to your children about these things. We started teaching our children about their "special bodies" when they were one year old because we started taking foster children into our home. I will never regret making my children aware at a young age, because they are usually the children in the neighborhood who know when they should tell me that something wrong has happened or could happen with another child and they know too much to get fooled.

There is a great song in the Children's Songbook called The Lord Gave Me A Temple (page 153) for teaching children about how their bodies are temples and should be kept pure.

For more of my thoughts on teaching children about sex read chapter 27 in my book, Parenting A House United. 





Nicholeen Peck is a popular public speaker around North America who most often addresses the subject of parenting. Her parenting methods clam tantrum toddlers to tough teens while creating a family structure which invites the spirit of love and good communication. She is the Author of Parenting A House United and a BBC television star.  For more free parenting advice Nicholeen's blog is http://teachingselfgovernment.com.

Alright folks! Here I am, as promised, with an AWESOME chocolate cake recipe. In keeping with the "I have more zucchini than I know what to do with" theme, there are two cups of grated zucchini in this cake. Nobody will even know, unless you bring it up.




Zucchini Chocolate Cake
by Amy Dotson

1/2 cup soft butter
1/2 cup vegetable oil (you can also use applesauce)
2 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
2 cups grated zucchini with skins on (or off)
2 1/2 cups flour
4-5 Tbs cocoa
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
chocolate chips, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 pan (also makes 24 cupcakes or a bundt cake).

Mix butter, oil, and sugar. Add eggs, vanilla, and sour cream. Mix well. in another bowl sift dry ingredients together and then add to the wet ingredients. Stir in zucchini and chocolate chips.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until cake is done in the middle.

Frost with your favorite cream cheese frosting, chocolate glaze or simply sprinkle with powdered sugar.




Amy has been married to her hunky, business owning, semi-pro football playing, graphic designer husband for 8 years. She is also mother to an energetic, delightful, and precocious 4 year old little girl. You'll find more at I Wish I Was in Dixie. Visitors always welcome.

I wasn't against my sons having a video game system so much as I was vehemently opposed to it.  So when our oldest, Max, started asking for a Wii a few years ago, I said the following:

"I will never, ever buy you a Wii.  (Or Game Cube. Or Playstation. Or whatever!)  If you want one, you'll have to buy it yourself!!!"  

HA!  I showed HIM!

So he saved up his earnings from chores and his $10-for-every-month-you-don't-eat-candy, and approximately a year after our conversation, he bought himself a used Wii from his Uncle Dave.

Didn't see that coming.

What's a mom to do?  Tell you what Doug and I did:  We told the boys they could play it for one hour on Fridays (assuming chores and homework are done) and two hours on Saturday (assuming chores are done and it isn't a beautiful day outside.)

Also, if there is fighting, crying, or whining, the Wii gets turned off and boys get kicked back to the back yard.  (Where they should be anyway.)

This set-up has been working well since December. 

More recently, I've instituted an additional incentive program.   If I catch them doing something nice or being extra helpful, I give them a marble in the "extra Wii time" jar.  Each marble is worth 5 minutes that they can use ANY TIME!  One week they earned 20 extra minutes and I got some extra work out of them!

Surprisingly, the Wii hasn't been too bad to have around.  And I'm realizing I haven't even BEGUN to test the limits of it's potential.  

That is, until yesterday...

See, for the last year or so, I've been trying to prepare child #2, Sammy, (who is extremely averse to change and does NOT like trying new things) for Piano lessons.  Maxwell has been playing for almost two years, and I think Sam is ready to start now.  He sits down and plunks on it everyday anyway, AND his best buddy just started lessons--so I figure now is a good time.  

And he was actually starting to respond favorably to my nudging...until recently.  That's when Doug decided to step in and "help".  In his defense, he thought he was doing what I was doing...just trying to ease Sam into it.  So he said "Sammy, piano is really really hard, put if you practice a lot, you'll like it and get good at it!" 

Next time I mentioned piano to Sam he said angrily "I am NOT doing it!  It's too HARD!!!"  (Six month regression.  Just like that.)

I tried to argue with him for a minute but I could see he wasn't backing down.

So I said, 

"Fine Sam.  If you don't want to take piano, you can no longer play the Wii.  If you take lessons and do your practicing, you can still play the Wii."

His eyebrows shot up.

He had no response to that.

And no more protests.

He'll be starting lessons on Thursday.

It's called "Parental Currency" people, and I know how to use it!

Mom wins!

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A guest post by Emily

Emily lives on an Air Force base in Northern Japan with her kid-dentist husband and FOUR hyper-active boys.  She enjoys mystery novels, 80’s music, making pottery, blogging, sneaking chocolate, and taking long naps.  She thinks long walks on the beach are tiring and over-rated, but wouldn’t mind being served a virgin pina colada while laying peacefully in the sand.  She started the blog “ActeGratuit.blogspot” for her extended family–only to find out they never read it.   Now she writes solely to avoid housework.