All About the Christian Me

1. How long have you been a Christian?
I have believed in Him since I was a child and invited Him into my heart when I was baptized during the summer at a Christian camp in 1984 (I think.) I was baptized when I was a child because my younger sister was getting baptized and I didn't want her to be better than me. Because I was baptized for less than Christian reasons, I spoke to the minister/dean of the camp I was attending. He agreed to baptize me in the Holy Spirit. What a monumental, overwhelming feeling it was when I was raised out of the water. There is no words to describe this feeling of peace and faith.


2. What's your preference, hymns or modern worship music?
There are certain hymns that I adore (How Great Thou Art, Amazing Grace, etc). As a steady diet, I prefer the current praise and worship of contemporary Christian music.

3. Who is your favorite Christian artist?
Many of them: Chris Tomlin, Jeremy Camp, Mercy Me, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Twila Paris, Darlene Zschech, and so many more.


4. List your top five favorite songs.
How Great is Our God sung by Chris Tomlin
Awesome God sung by Richard Mullins
I Can Only Imagine sung by Mercy Me
He's Alive sung by Don Francisco (the live version)
anything by Amy Grant (her old stuff)

5. What's the hardest lesson God has taught you?
Apart from Him, I am nothing.


6. Who has been your greatest Christian mentor?
No one, unfortunately. At one time I would of said my parents but then too many "bad" things happened. There are various online friends that are so uplifting, like Becky and Kim, and they are wonderful role models.


7. List a quality of your mentor that you'd most like to emulate.
I would like to have Christ-like characteristics, of course, like peace, patience, kindness, unconditional love, humility, graciousness, a meek & quiet spirit.

8. Who is your favorite Christian author?
My favorite non-fiction authors include James Dobson, Ruth Myers, Beth Moore, Elizabeth George, Max Lucado, Lisa Bevere, Rick Warren, Becky Terabassi, and Joel Osteen. I am sure I missing a person or two. Sorry about that. I have never read a fictitious Christian author. Whom do you recommend?

9. What is your favorite Christian book?
The Holy Bible, of course. I love reading the different translations. I have 5 different Bibles I use regularly. One of the last gifts my father bought me was a 4-in-1 Bible, called a parallel Bible, that has four different translations (the King James, the New International, The Living, and the Revised Standard) within one book.


10. Who is your favorite Christian speaker/pastor?
James Dobson, Joel Osteen, my old pastor James Harvey (now deceased).


11. How many times a week do you attend church?
Currently, we do not have a home church so we are not attending a church regularly.

12. What roles do you fill at your local church?
Currently, none. In the past, teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, church secretary, youth group leader, and more.

13. What is your favorite scripture?
Too many too list.


14. What is your favorite daily devotional?
31 Days of Praise by Ruth Myers.


15. What do you think you'll say to Jesus the first time you see Him in heaven?
I think I will be too choked up to say anything, especially at first. This question reminds me of the song "I Can Only Imagine." I get teary-eyed even now, just thinking about it.

16. If you could meet someone from the bible (besides Christ, God, and the Holy Spirit), who would you pick and why?
Is it really possible to choose only one person?! I would say at the top of my list is Mary (Jesus' mother), Noah, Job.


17. In five words, describe what you think heaven will be like.
This is a tough question. Glorious, enriching, enlightening, peaceful, exciting, loved. Oops... couldn't pick just 5.


18. When you get to heaven, which former humans do you want to see first?
My daddy, my other deceased relatives.


19. What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the church today? Hardened hearts and spiritual apathy.

20. What is your biggest challenge or temptation?
Procrastination, unimportant busy-ness, feeling loneliness.


21. What would you say God is calling you to do?
To be more diligent in my prayer life. To raise my children in the ways of the Lord.


22. What is the best piece of Christian advice you've heard lately?
Believe in the power of prayer.


23. Do you have a prayer request today?
That my children and I will walk in the direction He leads us and that we choose to remain in His will.

Thought of the Day - 4/25/08

Encourage Someone Today

Anyone can put someone down
Cause them to cry
Or make them frown
But it takes a special person to know
Just how to help someone to grow
With a bit of praise
And a helping hand
When a friend is too tired to stand.
Anyone can roll their eyes
Behind someone else's back
And talk about all the things
That that person may lack.
But it takes a kind heart
And a spirit that is gentle
To offer the wisdom needed
For things fundamental.
So take this little verse to heart
And in your own unique way
Make a special effort
To encourage someone today.
~~ Thena Smith ~~

Closer to Your Kids

Parenting is a breathtaking job. Sometimes we all need a reminder that the core is our relationship with our kids. To tap into a source of gentle reminders and useful tools, sign up for "The Closer Connection", the FREE newsletter for the Closer To Your Kids Community, with free articles and advice you can use now, to create great experiences with your kids.

In addition, you'll receive a free starter mini-ebook, welcome-aboard gifts, access to interviews with experts in having great relationships, and free surprises along the way.

To see a sweet, motivational video about families , go to http://www.YourKidsMovie.com.

To visit the creator of this movie, Tim Dawes, and get lots of parenting encouragement, visit www.CloserToYourKids.com.

365 Days of Memories

I have a lot to share via my scrapbooking and creativity. A new blog has been created so I can do just that... share.

365 Days of Memories is about cherishing our family and loved ones and getting those memories on paper. 365 Days of Memories is all about scrapbooking but also about wonderful friends. Scrapbooking is the focus but other paper crafts, journaling, and altered art will be shared as well.

http://365-days-of-memories.blogspot.com/

Family Minute #16

Are you significant?

The dictionary defines significant as: Someone who is noteworthy, valuable or important. In our culture, we determine our significance by what we have, what we do for a living, and by comparing ourselves to others. But none of these are really good definitions.

We should not look at outward signs and appearances to determine our significance. Instead, we should look at our hearts. An ancient proverb says as a person “thinks in his heart, so is he."

Remember your family first.

Artist Trading Cards

Here are some ATCs (Artist Trading Cards) that I have done over the past year.

These ATCs were made for a swap. The theme is the The 12 Months. This series is based on the 12 months of the year.

These ATCs are ready for a one-on-swap. Buttons is the theme.

These are Christmas ATCs made as gifts for my Holly Jolly Helpers.

These were done for a swap. The theme was Color Box. You had to create a card for each color in a a Crayola 8-count crayon box.

Thankful Thursday #5

Today I am thankful...

1. That my daughter's wounds aren't more severe and that she finally has a cast so her wrist can heal.
2. That my friend finally sold her house (after 3 lo-o-ong years).
3. For my daughter's teacher and the rest of the staff at school for having a special luncheon for the volunteers. Its nice to be recognized for our hard work.
4. For friends who understand the frustration of dealing with a child who has severe mental health issues.

Thought of the Day - 4/23/08

It takes all of us together to make us who we are. Think about it. It does really mean a lot. We bring different things to each other's lives... sometimes without even knowing it. You, my readers and friends, are special to me. Thanks for being there to brighten my day.

My Heart to Yours

I got a phone call early one morning -- the kind that wakes you from sleep and tells you by the timing that something isn't right. It was an urgent call for prayer for Christine, a church friend, who had lost her young husband suddenly in the wee hours.

At five a.m. it's hard to figure the right response. It really isn't any easier at 9 a.m. I clicked into auto pilot mode and did what any service-minded church woman would do: I started making a casserole. But something just didn't feel right. Who cares about a casserole when your partner has died and you suddenly realize you are alone to raise your boys?

I stopped sauteing onions and called someone who would know. My friend Kathleen had herself been through this tragedy. She would know the right response. She told me in no uncertain terms to turn off the stove and just go there. "What should I say?" I wondered. "Nothing," she said, "just go." So, like an obedient child, I did. I drove to Christine's and just showed up. I had no words, just an embrace. It was a sweet time of comfort--purposely quiet comfort.

I have never forgotten those instructions and have been called upon to use them several times since. It has been a blessing to know I don't have to be equipped with words or casseroles when someone is at a loss -- just a shoulder, a place to rest. When you have a friend that is in pain, just go. Be the arms of Jesus, the shoulder of Jesus, the comfort of Jesus. It is more than enough.

Virtual Assistant

Life is crazy at 5 Minutes for Mom so they are looking for an experienced Virtual Assistant to help them manage the chaos.

If you are a VA or you know someone who is, please contact Janice and Susan at http://www.5minutesformom.com/3278/va/us with your experience and rate information. Working for Susan and Janice I'm sure will prove to be rewarding in so many ways.

Help spread the word via email and blogging. If you post a note on your blog, such as you are reading now, you will be entered into a drawing to win a "special feature" interview that will be featured at 5 Minutes for Mom.

This Virtual Assistant job will be a great fit for a smart, skilled work-at-home mom. You can help the right mom find the job by getting the news all over the blogosphere.

http://www.5minutesformom.com

Birthday Calculator

31 July 1967

Your date of conception was on or about 7 November 1966 which was a Monday.

You were born on a Monday under the astrological sign Leo.
Your Life path number is 7.

Your fortune cookie reads:
The one you love is closer than you think.

Life Path Compatibility:
You are most compatible with those with the Life Path numbers 1, 5 & 7.
You should get along well with those with the Life Path numbers 4 & 22.
You may or may not get along well with those with the Life Path number 9.
You are least compatible with those with the Life Path numbers 2, 3, 6, 8 & 11.

The Julian calendar date of your birth is 2439702.5.

Your birthday falls into the Chinese year beginning 2/9/1967 and ending 1/29/1968. You were born in the Chinese year of the Goat.

Your Native American Zodiac sign is Salmon; your plant is Raspberry.

You were born in the Egyptian month of Paopy, the second month of the season of Poret (Emergence - Fertile soil).

Your date of birth on the Hebrew calendar is 23 Tammuz 5727.

The Mayan Calendar long count date of your birthday is 12.17.13.16.18 which is 12 baktun 17 katun 13 tun 16 uinal 18 kin.

The Hijra (Islamic Calendar) date of your birth is Monday, 23 Rabi'u'th-Thani 1387 (1387-4-23).

As of 4/23/2008 11:48:37 AM EDT
You are 40 years old.
You are 489 months old.
You are 2,125 weeks old.
You are 14,877 days old.
You are 357,059 hours old.
You are 21,423,588 minutes old.
You are 1,285,415,317 seconds old.

Celebrities who share your birthday:
Eric Lively (1981), Dean Cain (1966), J.K. Rowling (1965),
Jim Corr (1964), Wesley Snipes (1962), Bill Berry (1958),
Barry Van Dyke (1951), Geraldine Chaplin (1944), Curt Gowdy (1919), and Milton Friedman (1912).

Top songs of 1967:
To Sir with Love by Lulu Daydream Believer by Monkees
Windy by Association Ode to Billie Joe by Bobbie Gentry
Somethin' Stupid by Nancy & Frank Sinatra Groovin' by Young Rascals
The Letter by Box Tops Light My Fire by Doors
Happy Together by Turtles Hello Goodbye by Beatles

Your age is the equivalent of a dog that is 5.82270058708415 years old. (You're still chasing cats!)

Your lucky day is Sunday.
Your lucky number is 1 & 4.
Your ruling planet(s) is Sun.
Your lucky dates are 1st, 10th, 19th, 28th.
Your opposition sign is Aquarious.
Your opposition number(s) is 8.

In 1967 there were approximately 3.7 million births in the US.
In 1967 the US population was approximately 179,323,175 people, 50.6persons per square mile.
In 1967 in the US there were approximately 1,800,000 marriages (9.3%) and 479,000 divorces (2.5%).
In 1967 in the US there were approximately 1,712,000 deaths (9.5 per 1000).

Your birthstone is Ruby.
The mystical properties of ruby:
Ruby is said to open one's heart to love.

Your birth tree is Cypress.
Means: faithfulness, strong, muscular, adaptable, takes what life has to give, happy, content, optimistic, needs enough money and acknowledgment, hates loneliness, passionate lover which cannot be satisfied, faithful, quick-tempered, unruly, pedantic, and careless.

The moon's phase on the day you were born was waning crescent.


http://www.paulsadowski.com/birthday.asp

Honor America's Firefighters

Baskin Robbins has something pretty close to free.

On Wednesday, April 30, 2008, 5-10 PM is 31 cent scoop night
to honor America's firefighters!

http://www.baskinrobbins.com/Promotion/31cent.aspx

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation remembers America's
fallen heroes and assists their families. The organization provides
firefighters with training to prevent deaths in the line of duty and
offers the public information to prevent fires in our communities.

A donation of $100,000 will be made by Baskin Robbins® to the
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. At select local stores
throughout the country, you may also have a chance to donate to
your local fire station.

How Many of Me

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 0 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

How funny it states that there are 0 people with my name in the U.S.A. I have that name!

Family Minute #15

When is your "family night"?

In our home, we have "family night" every week. Each week, we take turns deciding what we will do as a family. We've played cards at home, played football, played tennis, gone for a walk, and ridden bicycles.

What's most important is that you do something that is interactive... watching TV doesn't count. Even if the activity chosen is not your favorite thing to do, you do it anyway and have a good attitude. Your turn will come.

Remember your family first.

Wordless Wednesday #8

To find out the story behind these photos go to my Daily Living post at
http://allthingscherished.blogspot.com/2008/04/daily-living-42208.html.

Make Me Laugh Tuesday - Tequila

I needed a laugh today. See Daily Living post at http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=251401700037149640&postID=7340634117859482128
or Wordless Wednesday post at
http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=251401700037149640&postID=4201525556539299560
to find out why I posted an extra Make Me Laugh Monday (Tuesday) this week.

I'm 928 out of 1,000,000

I'm # 928!




You know me... I like blog hopping and linking, so I had to add my blog to the list. How quickly can they get 1,000,000 blogs listed? Go check it out: http://millionbloglist.com/.

My Christmas blog, http://365-days-of-christmas.blogspot.com/, is #929.

We Love the World

It's Earth Day! Watch this Discovery Channel ad and see some of the reasons why We Love the World. You are bound to break into song before it's over... or at least break into a smile. :)
Have a great day... and go outside and enjoy our beautiful earth!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5BxymuiAxQ

May (Early) Freebie

Follow the link to get a free 12-Color Oil Pastel Set.

http://www.pentelar ts.com/offer. php

Register by entering the promotional code SA2008.

Save Green by Going Green

Sure, you know that saving the earth is important, but buying "green" products can be super-expensive. But there are affordable ways to do your part to lessen your environmental footprint — you'll even save some cash at the same time.

http://www.everydayhealth.com/green-health/eco-shopping/tips/save-green-by-going-green.aspx?xid=nl_EverydayHealthHealthyLiving_20080422

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day

In celebration of Earth Day this year, Yahoo! is focusing on one of the most important themes of environmentalism: Reuse. Check out the Yahoo! “Free is Good” microsite: http://green.yahoo.com/earth-day. The microsite features Freecycle and other Reuse groups. For those of you not familiar with Freecycle and other Reuse groups, these are groups that encourage people in local communities to give and receive “free” goods from their neighbors. To inspire more activity and encourage exploration of what these resuse groups have to offer, from now until May 4th, Yahoo! will “hide” special prizes in randomly selected Freecycle and other reuse groups posts. These prizes are specifically eco-friendly in nature (e.g. a Smart car, organic food delivery, eco-resort trip, concert tickets to Sheryl Crow, other locally relevant cool prizes, and my personal favorite – toilet paper – b/c that just isn’t reuseable!). Also featured on the “Free is Good” microsite are real stories from real people who have found “treasures” on Freecycle.

Daily Living - 4/22/08

For those in Pennsylvania, don't forget to vote! I voted already today! The new computerized polls are nice but they sure don't make the process any faster.

Prayers are needed today for Cassandra. She feel off the skateboard last night. We, the family, decided to go for a walk around the block. Cameron on his bike... Cassandra on the skateboard. I was the only one walking.

She went riding down the slight hill (the street we live on has a slide grade). She feel off the skateboard and is all banged up. She skidded and rolled down the sidewalk. She has scrapes and abrasions down one entire leg, both knees, hands, and one arm. She also banged up her face so she has black eyes, scrapes all around the right eye, bruising of the nose, and a swelled lip. Good thing she was wearing her helmet or it would of been a lot worse. To top it off, she fractured her wrist. My poor baby!

My heart is breaking.

I went running when she started screaming. Cassandra is very tough for a girl... for a 6 year old... for a 6 year old girl... so if she would take a tumble (which is rare) she usually just shakes it off. I knew something was wrong when she started screaming.

My heart is breaking.

I didn't know I could run. All out of breath... fearing the worst... I ran to her. Cameron is hysterical because now he saw the blood. I looked Cassandra over for broken bones, major bumps, excessive bleeding, etc. I am carrying the skateboard and holding her hand up the hill. Cameron is behind us pulling on his bike. He doesn't want to ride it now. I'm trying to keep calm... keep her calm... keep him calm.

My heart is breaking.

Single parenting sucks... especially at times like these.

My heart is breaking.

I keep talking calmly to her. We get home. I carry her up the stairs to the bathroom... grab the Bactine, bandages, wash cloths. I stuck her in the tub and poured water over her wounds. Sprayed Bactine on her wounds (not the wounds on the face, of course). I blew air on the wounds so the Bactine wouldn't sting. Poured soapy water and then more clear water over the wounds.

My heart is breaking.

Got her dressed for bed. Finally, got her calmed down and big brother calmed down. (I can't imagine what he thinks when things like this happen since he perceives the world so differently due to his mental health issues.)

My heart is breaking.

Suddenly, her wrist starts swelling up, rapidly. Her arm is all purple and on a biracial colored child seeing purple on that colored skin is a major problem.

My heart is breaking.

Now I'm running around packing up drinks, purse, small toys for Cameron, lovey for Cassandra, etc., so we can go to the ER.

Arrive at the ER in 10 minutes. One nice thing about living in a small town.

My heart is breaking.

Waited for 1.5 hours and the triage nurse hasn't even seen her yet. Cassandra is hurting and crying. Cameron is upset, on sensory overload, and crying.

My heart is breaking.

We go to another ER, about half an hour away. Within 5 minutes, the triage nurse sees her and sends us to registration. An hour later we finally get ushered inside the ER. Not even a regular room, no bed, only one chair. The room is set up for eye, nose, and throat emergencies. But it was a room.

My heart is breaking.

Cameron is on his second wind (its after 10 PM and he is usually in bed at 8 PM) and working out his sensory overload by being erratic, moody, loud, obnoxious.

My heart is breaking.

An hour later a physician's assistant comes in to see Cassandra. We go through the story for the fourth time of the evening.

The P.A. said I did an excellent job of cleaning all the wounds. She said, "Many parents don't clean the wounds which causes more problems and infections."

We went down to x-ray. Got lost on the way to x-ray. I had to hold Cassandra's hand during the x-ray. She is shaking and crying the whole time.

My heart is breaking.

Half hour or so later the doctor asks me to follow him. I follow him to another room where he shows me the fracture in Cassandra's wrist.

My heart is breaking.

The nurse put a splint on her wrist. Then they send us home to mend and to call an orthopedic specialist.

Its been a long evening!

Now my heart is tired.

Make Me Laugh Monday - Summer Classes for Men

Summer Classes for Men at The Adult Learning Center

Register by Friday, May 15th, 2008
Due to the complexity and difficulty of their contents, class size is limited to 8 participants maximum.

Class 1
How To Fill Up The Ice Cube Trays
Step by Step, with Slide Presentation.
Meets 4 weeks, Monday and Wednesday, 7-9 PM.

Class 2
The Toilet Paper Roll -- Does It Change Itself?
Round Table Discussion.
2 weeks, Saturday, 12-2 PM.

Class 3
Is It Possible To Urinate Using The Technique Of Lifting The Seat and Avoiding The Floor, Walls and Nearby Bathtub?
Group Practice.
4 weeks, Saturday, 10AM - 2PM.

Class 4
Fundamental Differences Between The Laundry Hamper and The Floor
Pictures and Explanatory Graphics.
3 weeks, Saturday, 2-4 PM.

Class 5
Dinner Dishes -- Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Kitchen Sink?
Examples on Video.
4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday, 7-9 PM.

Class 6
Loss Of Identity -- Losing The Remote To Your Significant Other
Help Line Support and Support Groups.
4 weeks, Friday and Sunday, 7-9 PM.

Class 7
Learning How To Find Things -- Starting With Looking In The Right Places And Not Turning The House Upside Down While Yelling
Open Forum.
3 weeks, Monday, 8-10 PM.

Class 8
Health Watch -- Bringing Her Flowers Is Not Harmful To Your Health
Graphics and Audio Tapes.
2 weeks, Monday, Wednesday, & Friday, 7-9 PM.

Class 9
Real Men Ask For Directions When Lost
Real Life Testimonials.
4 weeks, Tuesday, 6-8 PM.

Class 10
Is It Genetically Impossible To Sit Quietly While She Parallel Parks?
Driving Simulations.
4 weeks, Saturday, 12-2 PM.

Class 11
Learning to Live -- Basic Differences Between Mother and Wife
Online Classes and Role-playing.
4 weeks, Tuesday, 7-9 PM.

Class 12
How to be the Ideal Shopping Companion
Relaxation Exercises, Meditation and Breathing Techniques.
4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday, 7-9 PM.

Class 13
How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy -- Remembering Birthdays, Anniversaries & Other Important Dates and Calling When You're Going To Be Late
Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions and Full Lobotomies Offered.
2 weeks, Monday, Wednesday, & Friday, 7-9 PM.

Class 14
The Stove/Oven -- What It Is and How It Is Used
Live Demonstration.
4 weeks, Tuesday, 6-8 PM.

Upon completion of any of the above courses, diplomas will be issued to the survivors .

Scrapbooking is a Balancing Act

How much time are you able to spend scrapping? How do you find balance in your life between the kids, work, errands, cleaning and other chores, computer time (and sometimes a husband/significant other)? I find I waste too much time trying to figure this one out.

This is something that I struggle with as well. It is a constant balancing act. I find that if I am soaring creatively -- meaning that I have completed layouts, have left comments for all the layouts I love, have a current blog entry, joined in on a few challenges -- that my house needs cleaning, the laundry is as high as a mountain, my kids are irritable... so I limit myself. I make a to-do list every single morning... after those things are completed I get on the computer and do what I would like to do. I look at my computer time as a "treat". Sometimes I will get on when I get up in the mornings when the house is very quiet and no one is up yet. I just don't want to be that mom that is always on the computer. I never want my children to wonder what my priorities are.

The scrapbooking is something that I work on when I can... I'll start a page and have it laying on my scrap table and when I get a few minutes here and there (the kids are playing, doing homework,) I will add or take away from it until I think its complete.

One thing that works for me and helps me have "quality" computer time is a little notepad that I keep by my keyboard. When my computer is turned off and I think of something that I want to look up or look at when I do get on, I simply write it on the notepad. No more mindless surfing. I feel like I'm getting the most out of my time.

Just always remember what comes first... if you make sure that those people and those things are your priorities, all the other stuff will fit in naturally. Remember you are not alone and its a balancing act and a common struggle for all of us.

Around the 'Net - Holiday Ideas

Holiday ideas -- calendars, games, crafts, traditions, and more -- for every holiday.

Which Hogwarts House Will You Belong To?

Which Hogwarts house will you be sorted into?

I've Been Critiqued

Thanks to Critique My Blog and Billy Mac for the very kind and generous compliments about my blog. Check out the review at http://www.critiquemyblog.com/2008/04/all-things-cherished.html.

What They Like

This website is a gift to every parent who has a kid who plays video games, watches movies, listens to music, or consumes any other kind of entertainment media.

There is a new company called What They Like, Inc. The company "provides detailed information to parents about the content of their kids' favorite entertainment." Not whether the entertainment is good as most typical reviews go, but actually a detailed description of the content, including profanity and types of violence.

While all video games come with ratings, those ratings come from the industry itself. Many of the games that most concern parents come with an "M" rating, which stands for "mature" and carries the warning that it has content unsuitable for children under the age of 17 and might include, "intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language."

But sometimes the ratings don't tell the story. For example, in 2005 it was revealed that Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, which was rated M, contained "hidden" content in the game which allowed players to let the main character engage in sexual intercourse. The controversy that arose forced the game's creator Rockstar Games to re-rate the game "AO" (Adults Only) which is the equivalent of an NC-17 rating at the movies and generally translates to lost sales.

The creation of the company, What They Like, late last year is the result of a real market need. The company's founders have decided to tackle video games first because that is an entertainment medium about which many parents are clueless.

Many parents have absolutely no idea about the content of the video games their children are playing.

"Since launching whattheyplay.com four months ago, the company is surprised by just how concerned parents are about profanity."

Which means that yes, Virginia, videogames DO affect behavior. There is a ream of social science that supports this observation though it is mostly targeted at the consumption of violent media and aggressive behavior. A study released in the summer of 2006 linked early sexual activity in teens to listening to degrading song lyrics. But producers of movies, television shows, music videos, and video games continually refuse to look at the evidence and take responsibility for their part in the corrosion of values, character, and morals their products promote.

Parents are -- and should be -- concerned about the content of the entertainment media their children are consuming! There is a media assault on American values which the Culture and Media Institute documented last year. It is a statement in and of itself that companies like What They Like are being formed by parents who have grown up in the era of media bombardment and are themselves surprised by the genuine concern of other parents about the content of entertainment media.

Kudos to Newsweek for alerting parents to this new and valuable resource.

http://www.whattheyplay.com/

Newborn's Conversation with God

A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"

God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."

The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."

God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."

Again the child asked, "How am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?"

God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."

"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"

God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."

"Who will protect me?"

God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."

"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."

God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."

God said, "You will simply call her, Mom."

Thought of the Day - 4/20/08

You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have really lived are the moments when you have done things in a spirit of love.
~~ Henry Drummond ~~

Alphabet About Me

A is for age.
39. This year I hit the big 4-0!

B is for beer of choice.
I rarely drink alcohol and when I do its mixed drinks. My favorite is strawberry daiquiri.

C is for career.
I am and Educational Advocate, sales representative for Memory Works, designer & sales manager for DawnLyn's Designs (scrapbooking). In addition to owning the company DawnLyn's Designs, I own the business Litz' Business Services (accounting, tax services, resume writing, business card printing, advocacy, etc.).

D is for your dog's name.
Champ, who is a 7-pd. Chihuahua.

E is for essential item you use everyday.
Lipstick and lotion. Hair brush. Telephone, internet. And so much more.

F is for favorite TV show at the moment.
Grey's Anatomy would be the most favored show at this time.

G is for favorite game.
Any board game where my children will include me.

H is for Home town.
I was born in Altoona, PA. I am currently living in Butler, PA.

I is for instruments you play.
None. I have always dreamed of playing the guitar. When I was a young child, I did play the piano and harpsichord.

J is for favorite juice.
Apple juice.

K is for whose butt you'd like to kick.
John, my brother, for making the whole family feel bad. Long story that I will not go into here.

L is for last place you ate.
My last meal was right here at home in front of the computer.

M is for marriage.
No, I am not married. The hope is not even there anymore that I will get married again.

N is for your nickname.
Storm.

O is for overnight hospital stays.
Birth of children, hysterectomy. Lots of one-day surgeries and procedures.

P is for people you were with today.
My children. Art stopped by today.

Q is for quote.
"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." ~~ Albert Einstein ~~

R is for biggest regret.
Hurting my ex-husband. Making my children feel bad when bad things happen.

S is for status.
Single and looking. Lol. Pretty happy, most of the time.

T is for time you woke up today.
I woke up several times this morning. I got up at 7:30 AM.

U is for underwear you have on now.
Big granny underwear, very comfortable. Lol.

V is for vegetable you love.
Corn, green beans. Potatoes are the best!

W is for worst habit.
Sucking my thumb when I'm upset or extremely tired. Yelling at my children when they don't listen.

X is for x-rays you've had.
Goodness, I don't remember how many I've had over the years. My last set of x-rays were taken in November 2006. I had over a dozen x-rays taken of my back and neck.

Y is for yummy food you ate today.
Macaroni and cheese leftovers for lunch. I haven't had dinner yet today.

Z is for zodiac sign.
Leo. Hear me roar!

Importance of a 5-Point Harness Carseat

A friend just posted a video on her blog which was made by a mom whose 3- year-old was tragically killed in a car accident because he was not in the proper car seat. Her video offers some good information about how often seat belts can fail in car accidents and how to keep our babies as safe as possible while we drive them around. If you're interested you can see it on her blog at http://just-a-teaspoon.blogspot.com/ or on You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ.

There is another seat besides the Britax Regent (that is mentioned in the video) that will also hold a child in a 5-point harness up to 80 pounds. It is called the Radian80 made by Sunshine Kids. You can find the seat here: http://skjp.com/products/in.

To get your carseat installation inspected, go to: http://www.seatcheck.org/ to find a qualified and registered Inspection Station.

Which Superhero are You?

Your results:
You are Superman

Superman 75% Spider-Man 65% The Flash 60% Supergirl 58% Wonder Woman 53% Catwoman 50% Batman 45% Hulk 45% Green Lantern 40% Robin 33% Iron Man 20%

You are mild-mannered, good, strong and you love to help others.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz

Speed Test

65 words

Speed test

You type 337 characters per minute,
You have 65 correct words, and
you have 1 wrong word.

If you are not satisfied with your typing speed, then try it again from time to time. You no longer need to look at the keyboard so you can easily achieve a faster writing speed. It is worth the time you invest in learning this essential skill So no more excuses, follow the link and you can learn the touch typing system online and for free.