Thought of the Day - 6/6/09

Happiness can be found in the darkest of times.
~~ Professor Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban ~~

Family Minute #53

What Are Your Child's Strengths and Weaknesses?

Get out a piece of paper and write three things that you see as your child's strengths. Next, jot down three of their most aggravating weak points. After you've done that, think about which list was easier to make? If you're like most, it was their weaknesses. It's much easier to list the negatives. Your child would probably also find it easier to list the negative things about themselves. That's why it's so important for us parents to praise our kids for their unique personalities, and their unique abilities.

Remember, your family first.

Free Yourself From Worry

Thought of the Day - 6/5/09

Patience with others is love.
Patience with self is hope.
Patience with God is faith.

Daily Living - 6/4/09

Over the last month, life at our house has become almost too overwhelming... again! Medications and behavior modifications are not working. Diagnoses of Renee have been altered with additional complications. There are days it seems too much.

As Renee continues to get worse in many areas of life, so is Cameron.

Renee continues to lie on average 50 times per day. She still refuses to use the toilet. She is 9 and it is a control issue. I had to give her two enemas today. Ewww! And lucky me -- what?! -- I get to do it again tomorrow.

Cameron has started to have regular temper tantrums again due to the stress Renee brings into the house. Major, explosive, out-of-control tantrums.

I wonder how I will manage this day or the next or the next. But I do, because my family is grounded in love... and I pray it cannot be broken. We depend on our faith.

But my love and faith are being tested. Tested, it seems, too much.

Yes, I know that God only gives us what we can handle... but am I truthfully handling it well??? I sincerely don't know.

Thought of the Day - 6/4/09

It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities
~~ Joanne Rowling ~~

Thought of the Day - 6/3/09

God is more interested in our character than our comfort.
~~ My friend, Chris ~~

Today I Am Thankful - 6/3/09

For years, on and off, I have kept a Gratitude journal. Instead of writing down what I am thankful for in my journal (because it is now full) I will periodically share what I am thankful for here at All Things Cherished.

Today I am thankful for...
1. For the stimulus money I received so I could pay to get my car inspected (which was two months overdue).
2. For the TV that distracts me when I get frustrated or depressed.
3. For friends that keep me on task.

Top Ten Tuesday - Favorite Ways to Pass the Time

Past times and hobbies that I cherish are (in no particular order)...

1. Sleeping, especially naps.
2. Eating chocolate.
3. Cuddling with my Chihuahuas.
4. Cuddling with my children.
5. Reading mystery novels and best sellers.
6. Blogging.
7. Reading others' blogs.
8. Watching my favorite TV shows.
9. Taking photographs with my new Kodak EasyShare camera. (Thank goodness for rental businesses like Aaron's.)
10. Scrapbooking. (Check out my scrapbooking cards and layouts at 365 Day of Memories.)

For more list on many topics, go Oh Amanda.

Thought of the Day - 6/2/09

Love is like a butterfly . . .

it goes where it pleases

and pleases wherever it goes.

Finding the Happiness You Deserve

Family Minute #52

What Is the Most Vicious, Competitive Sport In the World?

Parenting. That’s right, parenting. I mean, think about it...we fight to make sure our children go to the best school, get the best teacher and make the best grades. We compete to get our child the lead role in the school play. We fight to get them on three different sports teams at one time... then fight to make sure they’re in the starting line-up. And we do it all to give our child the competitive edge and a better life, right? Or, is it really us parents who competing with one another? And who is the winner in the end? Think about it...

Remember your family first.

Genuine Satisfaction

Thought of the Day - 6/1/09

Make Me Laugh Monday - Laughter

Here's something so cute it's guaranteed to relieve your stress. When the little boy appears on your screen, use your mouse to move him across the page. Make sure your speakers are on. This is sure to make you laugh.


Join me in the fun and giggles of making Mondays a better day by sharing some laughs. Add your link to your Make Me Laugh Monday post to Mr. Linky below. (All links not leading directly to your post will be deleted.) All posts should be funny in some way. Yes, this is up to interpretation. Ideas include riddles, funny family stories, comic strips, jokes, silly graphics, funny lyrics, hilarious photos, etc. Please don't leave me to snicker all alone. I'm sure YOU have something funny to share.

To Vent or Not to Vent

For most of us, we began our blogging experience with one, two, or both of the following goals in mind:
1. As an outlet to vent our frustrations of motherhood, womanhood, and adulthood.
2. To chronicle the everyday life, as well as the milestones and special memories, of our children as so we never forget.

As our blogs grow in popularity, not only strangers (now our "blogger" buddies), but our family and close friends have begun reading and commenting. It is no longer possible to really vent about the things we want and need to in order to maintain some balance of sanity. We don't want to offend a friend, insult a teacher, embarrass our children, or start a family feud... so we don't write about some of the things we are feeling. We just sit and wonder why we don't feel we have the freedom to write and say what we want on our own blog.

Kinzua Dam

Pronounced "kin-zoo" by local residents and "kin-zew-uh" in the Seneca language. Its construction in the 1960's was controversial because it involved the breaking of one of the country's oldest treaties. It forced the departure of Pennsylvania's last Native Americans, the Senecas, who now live nearby on the northern shores of the flooded land near Salamanca, New York. In addition to flood control and power generation, it created Pennsylvania's deepest inland lake, the Allegheny Reservoir, also known as Kinzua Lake.

Kinzua Dam is one of the largest dams in the United States east of the Mississippi River. A lawsuit against breaking the U.S. treaty which guaranteed perpetual Seneca ownership of the land had been argued by the Society of Friends (Quakers) but it lost in Federal Court. The creation of the dam also forced the displacement of the Boy Scout Camp Olmsted, owned by the Chief Cornplanter Council. The camp had once been located along the Allegheny River bottom but had to be moved up the hillside some distance. The once-nearly flat camp now has one of the steepest grades of any Boy Scout Camp in America.

Authorized by the Flood Control Acts of 1936, 1938, and 1941, actual construction on the dam was begun by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1960 and completed in 1965. The main purpose of the dam is flood control on the Allegheny River and Ohio River. This dam controls drainage on a watershed of 2,180 square miles (5,646 km) or an area twice the size of the state of Rhode Island. Side benefits derived from the dam include drought control, hydroelectric power production, and recreation. The total cost of construction was approximately $108 million. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kinzua more than paid for itself in 1972 when tropical storm Agnes dumped continual heavy rains on the watershed, bringing the reservoir to within three feet of its maximum storage capacity. Over $247 million in downstream damages were prevented.

Engineering Data:
Length of dam: 1,897 feet (578 m)
Maximum height of dam: 179 feet (55 m)
Earthfill: 3,000,000 cubic yards (2,293,635 m)
Concrete: 500,000 cubic yards (382,272 m)
Penstocks (pipes through dam),diameter:19 feet (5.8 m)

The nearest city to the dam is Warren, Pennsylvania and is the dam is situated six miles east of the city on Route 59. It was open for public tours (until 9/11/2001) but now is closed for "national security". It is located within the 500,000 acres (2,023 km) Allegheny National forest in northwestern Pennsylvania. A boat marina and beach are located nearby.

Completely surrounded by lush forest, the Kinzua Dam and Allegheny Reservoir are the heart of one of the largest and most popular outdoor recreation areas in the northeastern United States. The Allegheny Reservoir spans the border between western Pennsylvania and New York, and offers year-round recreational opportunities including swimming, boating, camping, fishing, and stunning fall foliage.



I write about Kinzua Dam because as I was growing up my family and I went camping near the lake for weeks/months at a time during the summer. We could only access "our" camp site via boat. It would take about 8 trips from the dock to the camp site due to all the gear, clothes, and people. The best part of camping was the many people that gathered -- parents, maternal grandparents, paternal grandmother, uncles, aunts, cousins, siblings, friends of parents, friends of siblings, LOTS of people. We fished, skied, hiked, caught newts, had scavenger hunts, went sight-seeing via the boat, picked blackberries, visited local historical sites and stores . . . and most of all had fun and were together.

Thought of the Day - 5/31/09

Music, artwork, or any kind of creative expression is an excellent escape.

QOTW - Music

Each week, starting today, I will be posting a QOTW (Question of the Week) so you can join in and so we can get to know each other better.

Today's question:

What kind of music do you enjoy?

I listen to various genres... today's country, classic country, oldies from the 50s & 60s, Christmas, contemporary Christian, 80's soft rock, pop. Pretty much anything but heavy metal, rap, and opera.

Around the 'Net - iMom

iMOM Helps Mothers of All Ages by Providing Advice and Encouragement Where and When They Need It

Family First, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing research, resources and advice aimed at strengthening the family, launched iMOM, a motherhood program to complement the organization’s popular All Pro Dad program. iMOM is designed for mothers of all ages and backgrounds who seek to build lasting, meaningful relationships with their children. The program supports mothers on this journey by providing them with information, ideas, and encouragement to help nurture their children into becoming wise, healthy, purposeful, and relationally-focused.

iMOM already is receiving support from notable moms, including Kathy Ireland – supermodel turned lifestyle designer – who is an official ambassador for the organization. Serving as Ambassadors with Kathy Ireland are Lauren Dungy, a mom and the wife of Indianapolis Colts Coach Tony Dungy, and acclaimed actress, vocalist, and mom, Mary Donnelly Haskell.