Lunch with Lita

Today I enjoyed lunch with Lita ~ and because she is so inspiring to me, I want to make an initial introduction ...

Lita is vivacious (understatement!) and she has many talents that she generously offers in matters of faith and through a variety of humanitarian efforts. Lita works for the Arizona Ecumenical Council (AEC): a "collaborative coalition of Christian churches and religious organizations who pray, worship and study together in order in order to discover ways to express unity and not division" (http://www.aecunity.net/).

One story that Lita shared with me today comes from her son's childhood; I think it can be viewed as faith in action demonstrated through love in action. When he was about eight, his classroom had a tradition of sitting in a circle and telling stories about what happened over their weekends. The children passed around a stuffed animal to signify who was speaking ~ the other children were to stay in their places and listen.

On one Monday morning, the class was sitting in their circle when a little girl began to cry. She told the group that her step-mom had died; the family woke up in the morning and her step-mom remained motionless, lifeless. All in the circle sat stunned in collective silence ~

all except for one little boy who got up,

moved across the circle and

comforted the crying young girl by

putting his arm around her shoulder.

That is love.

Thank you, Lita, for your son's story and thank you for the work you do in our community and through the AEC ~

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set a good example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 1st Timothy 4:12

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Save the date for Westgate (July 27th yogurt bargain)

On Tuesday, July 27th pay-by-the-ounce-yogurt will be 1/2 price all day at Ocean Blue Frozen Yogurt in Westgate - near the University of Phoenix stadium where our Arizona Cardinals play. The calories and fat content are low and the topping choices are vast. Fresh rasberries and kiwi? Chopped walnuts? Crushed Heath bars or Oreos? What sounds good to you?

* Save the date for Westgate ~

Tuesday, July 27th ~ Ocean Blue Frozen Yogurt

* you may also want to save the date August 14th for the Arizona Cardinals' first home game!

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Did you read The Help yet?

Two weeks ago, I was at a meeting with 8 women and 3 of us were reading The Help by first time novelist, Kathryn Stockett. It remains on all of the bestseller lists for many reasons.


If you have not already enjoyed the book, I will not give away its content or the possible messages that you may take away from reading it but I will tell you that it is entertaining while it also immerses you into our recent American past. Then, ideally, it will challenge even your present worldview.

Kathryn 'Kitty' Stockett was born in 1969 and grew up in Jackson, Mississippi. She attended the University of Alabama where she earned a degree in English and Creative Writing. Kathryn and her family now live in Atlanta.









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Mom and salesperson of the world - a message from Ali

As an independent sales representative for a multi-national corporation, last year Ali A. sold more new business than any other salesperson or office ~ so I enjoy referring to her as "salesperson of the world". And, I know that Ali is an outstanding mom as well as being a high achiever outside of her home.

Wouldn't it be great for women to receive more encouragement and recognition as moms? Although I know we appreciate the implicit rewards of motherhood, an occasional bonus check or an awards ceremony with a meal cooked by someone else (and no dishes to clean) would be ... nice. Until these gestures become new family traditions and then social norms (be patient!), we can still find ways to encourage and recognize each other today.

How? Some simple ways to recognize and encourage each other include listening to the stories of the women who surround us, offering words of support and sharing our own stories. Since part of my mission is to give moms a public voice and to develop understanding among women who are living similar and different life circumstances, I asked Ali for a "message to moms" based on her perspective of the life she is currently living.




Here is what Ali wrote ... in her own words:

I always picture myself wearing 2 distinct hats. The domestic (taking care of household, kids, husband) hat and the professional/career hat. I remind myself that if you are wearing two hats at once you look really silly and accomplish nothing well. But if you take the time to separate the times you wear each hat, you can wear them proudly and be successful.

I make conscience decisions daily, weekly and sometimes monthly about which hat I am wearing and when. And to help with the guilt when I wear the professional hat more...I remind myself that I am even doing that part for the kids. There is the obvious that the paycheck is a great benefit to the kids and family as a whole but also by demonstrating a strong work ethic, showing them that I can be successful in my career, I teach them such important values they will use as they grow. I also get to look forward to summer when I can spend extra time with them! They know I work hard because I love them and want to take care of them and I know that is 100% the truth. It is what drives me.

I was still in high school when I was working as a nanny. The children's father told me I was going to be a great mother, I asked how he knew that and his answer was so simple, "all you have to do is love them and you are so good at that." When I have a tough day I hear those words..."all you have to do is love them"

Thank you, Ali, Mom & Salesperson of the World, for sharing your perspective and encouragement ~

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Boredom prevention ...

In our district, the school year ends next week. The first few days of summer vacation will be experienced as no-homework-euphoria but soon it will happen ... kids will get bored.

The following advice is based on recommendations from the Search Institute (www.search.org). One possibility is to collaborate with your kids and create a list, or box, full of ideas for the onset of "bored" moments ~ with older children, this approach provides an opportunity to be self-responsible and replace their boredom with fun and/or engagement in meaningful activities.

Some more specific ideas:

Birth to age 5

Spend time with your children if they are bored.

Keep kids stimulated with ordinary household items.
Visit the library to find books and participate in activities.

Ages 6 to 9

Invite your child to help with chores.
Introduce kids to new activities (pictures).
Visit some of your child's favorite places.

Visit places that your child with soon outgrow (e.g. children's museum or petting zoo).

Ages 10 to 15
Introduce young teens to new interests.
Monitor what your kids do when they're bored.
Develop a kid-friendly-home where friends can visit and be active together.

Find volunteer activities and create your own service-learning program.

Ages 16 to 18
Help teens find a balance in their daily schedule.

Help teens pursue their interests.

Offer teens opportunities to dream about their futures and take action steps.
Nurture your child's sparks.
Ask your teen about their friends.

Be a great listener (from birth through adulthood!)

* photos: a "new activity" for two 7-year olds ~ making candy covered pretzel sticks with white frosting ... for a healthier alternative, try celery sticks with cream cheese & craisins :)

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Baskin Robbins - 31 cent scoop TONIGHT !

Tonight from 5-10pm, you can visit participating Baskin-Robbins and select your favorite of 31 flavors for 31 cents! My friend Debbie D. told me about this so I'm sharing the tasty information with YOU.

The Baskin-Robbins foundation is donating $100,000 to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). While you and your fellow-ice-cream-eaters select your ideal scoop, you may be able to make a donation to your local fire charities.

A good cause.

A good deal.

A good idea for tonight ~

Thank you Baskin-Robbins!

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Earth Day Anniversary

Today is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. While there is more carbon dioxide in our environment than in 1970, we are breathing cleaner air and swimming in cleaner rivers.

Senator Gaylord Nelson created Earth Day in the spring of 1970 and Congress passed legislation creating the The Environmental Protection Agency that December. The EPA's mission is to protect human health and the environment. Since 1970 the organization has been "working for a cleaner, healthier environment for the American people".

In 1995 President Clinton presented the former Senator with the Presidential Medal of Honor. Senator Gaylord Nelson passed away in 2005 at the age of 89.

As my daughter has taught me ...

Recycle

Reuse

Reduce

and Remember !

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