Things I've Learned from Nick Jr

Moms of toddlers can relate! There are 3 televisions in my household and 95% of the time at least 2 of them are on Nick Jr. I've come to know Dora, Diego, The Fresh Beat Band, Muno, Brobee and DJ Lance as though they were characters on my beloved Law & Order. I even find myself relating everyday situations to some of the "lessons" learned from these shows. The joys of parenthood!

1. Ask the Map (Dora the Explorer). Sometimes in life we have to ask for directions. It's good to know who to ask and the best route to follow. Be sure to check in with the map periodically through your journey to ensure you are still on the right path.

2. Shake the Hurt Off (Yo Gabba Gabba). This is my son's favorite show and I must admit I've been dragged into the madness! I think I was more excited than he was when we went to Yo Gabba Gabba Live last fall. One of the songs they sing is sometimes you have to shake the hurt off. There are lots of adults carrying around hurt and disappointments for months and years at a time. Shake that hurt off and keep moving. Don't let a person, situation or setback cripple you from growing and thriving.

3. Imagination is a wonderful thing (The Backyardigans). Remember the pretend time you had as a child, where your stuffed animals became people and your rocking horse could take you around the world? It's okay to still have moments like that. By visualizing your dreams and goals, you actually are more likely to realize them. And who knows? You may just have that million dollar windfall one day :)

4. Help Others (WonderPets). These unlikely heroes go out of there way to help other animals out of some interesting situations. When's the last time you lent someone a helping hand without expecting anything in return?

Be blessed, Divas!!! It's time to help Dora get to the Magic Mountain :)

This Too Shall Pass

When I was in middle school, I had an awesome teacher by the name of Anne Raines. I'll never forget the weekly "talks" she gave us each Friday before we left for the weekend. One portion that has always stuck with me is her comparison to life as a a clock. We all encounter problems in life. It's a part of the cycle of life. But just like the hands on a clock keep moving, so do our lives and the situations that we face. Time will keep moving and we'll get through one situation only to face another. Those encounters help to build us up and make us stronger.

To take it a step further, often times you will find yourself going through the same challenges over and over again. Why? Because you didn't learn the lesson that you were meant to learn the first (or second or third) time.

Do you continuously find yourself in financial struggles? Have you taken the time to identify where your problems lie - shopping addiction, eating out, lack of budget, etc - and really focus on fixing it?

Do you continuously find yourself in troublesome relationships? Perhaps it's your season to be single and focus on your relationship with God and build yourself up to be a better person so that you can give 100% when you are in a relationship. Perhaps you struggle with a sexual addiction and God is testing you to see if yuo can deny yourself and not yeild to the temptation of being in an unhealthy relationship.

We often make promises when times are tough only to "forget" them when things get better. God doesn't forget, but thank goodness for His grace and gentle reminders of those valley promises we made.

Struggles will come. And, as hard as it is too truly believe sometimes, God knows how much we can bare and will not put more on us than we can handle. He's leading the way, standing beside us, and pushing us forward all at the same time. Wanting us to trust in Him and lean on Him for strength and guidance to make it through so that we can reap the wonderful rewards He has in store for us.

My prayer for all of you that are going through a storm that seems unrelenting is that you put your total faith and trust in God who is in control. Keep a positive spirit and pray, not for happiness which is temporary, but for joy. I pray for a peace that surpasses all human understanding in your life. I pray for a calmness of mind, body and spirit that allows you to rest easy and know that God's will will be done. His will may include you having to release some things and people that you may not want to, but He truly has the best in store for you. I pray for unexpected blessings in whatever area of your life needs it. I pray that He heals minds, bodies, spirits, and relationships.

Be Blessed Divas and remember to be a blessing to others - even when it seems that you are in need more than others - because none of us truly knows what someone that we encounter on a day-to-day basis is going through and needs.

April Love Drop

Hey Divas! The Love Drop team is at it again! Last month they gave over $5,000 worth of cash and goods to their recipient, Katie, who had been battling a couple of brain tumors over the years, and it culminated with a surprise gift of 15+ friends showing up at her house to celebrate with her. It was awesome. You can watch how it all went down here.

This month they start all over again and grow support for the Kahlen's - a family who has been hit hard by the economy, and by their daughter's serious medical condition, tuberous sclerosis. In addition to financial assistance, they're planning to unite the artistic community to help support Kent's glassmaking work.

Want to help? Here are two ways you can participate:

Give $1.00 - This is the best way to help out and join their team at the same time.

Donate a piece of art - They will be hosting an auction this month, and would love to feature your artwork in it. Proceeds go to help the Kahlen's this month, and is a great way to promote your work :)

If you're anything like me and totally unartistic, you can help by supporting the art auction

We'll let you know how it goes! Thanks for your support in advance and please pass this along!

Be Blessed Divas and remember to be a blessing to others!!!

Things I Learned From Grandmomma

Hard to believe it's been 5 years since I got the phone call that she'd left us physically, but life does go on and we have to keep living.  My grandmother was always an integral part of my life.  My childhood years are filled with memories of spending the weekend at Grandmomma's house (even now I still call it that - even though only my grandfather lives there).  My cousins would plot how to get us all there at the same time.  We'd have sleepovers, fashion shows, wrestling matches, you name it.

She wasn't always the easiest person to be around, but after giving birth to 12 children pretty much back-to-back and having too many grandkids to count - well, that could take a toll on a diva!

As one of the older grandchildren, I'm blessed enough to have memories of her when she was younger and more patient.  Trips to the beach, walking to the Piggly Wiggly, running errands with her and my granddaddy.

As I got older and my family moved away, I remember making weekly calls to her.  I looked forward to hearing her voice because it always reminded me of home and had a way of comforting me when life got hectic.

When I had my son, even though I was young and unmarried, she never was judgemental.  She accepted him and loved him (sometimes I think more than me...LOL)...I'm so thankful that he has wonderful memories of her, too.

She helped to instill a love for God and helped nurture my faith.

She taught me to always take care of family and that we had to stick together.  Even though we get on each others nerves from time to time (some more than others!), I know who I can count on when I'm in need.

She taught me that tomorrow is not promised to anyone and to never take anyone or anything for granted.

I got my love of business and children from her.  Helping to run her daycare in the summer and school vacations  She was my first official boss :0)

I never thought I could miss someone as much as I miss her, but I find comfort in knowing we will be reunited one day. That she is now free from pain and sickness. I know her memories and legacy live on in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Be Blessed, Divas! Reach out to someone you love today (and everyday) and make sure they know how much they mean to you.

Go Blue For Autism!

To kick off Autism Awareness Month, April 1st and 2nd is designated as Light it Up Blue days to raise.  Prominent buildings across the world will turn their lights blue to help raise awareness for autism and to commemorate the 4th Annual World Autism Day on April 2nd. 

Supporters are asked to wear blue and encourage others to do the same or light your house up blue by putting a blue light bulb in an outdoor fixture.  Most importantly, raise awareness for Autism online or spread the word about Light it Blue and what it stands for.

Autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex brain development disorders.  It's estimated that 1 in every 110 children are diagnosed with autism - making autism more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined.

I have a very special 10 year old in my life - who is, also, autistic.  He is one of the most strong-willed, energetic and loving person that I know. I'm willing to support anything to make life a little easier for him and advance research in autism.


Please take the time to spread the word this month and Light It Up Blue on Friday and Saturday for Autism!!!


Be Blessed Divas and be a blessing to others!!!

Did you know ...

• Autism now affects 1 in 110 children and 1 in 70 boys
• Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.
• Autism costs the nation over $35 billion per year, a figure expected to significantly increase in the next decade
• Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases
• Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism
• There is no medical detection or cure for autism

If your baby shows any of these signs, please ask your pediatrician or family practitioner for an immediate evaluation:

• No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by six months or thereafter

• No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles, or other facial expressions by nine months or thereafter

• No babbling by 12 months

• No back-and-forth gestures, such as pointing, showing, reaching, or waving by 12 months

• No words by 16 months

• No two-word meaningful phrases (without imitating or repeating) by 24 months

• Any loss of speech or babbling or social skills at any age