Halloween or Not To Halloween.....That is the question!??????

My children have never own a costume or been trick or treating. I am not in love with Christians being apart of such festivities, but the month October is loaded with visual images of the holiday and all it has to offer. I find myself having a harder time enforcing this family rule with my youngest daughter who says her teacher celebrates Halloween, we made Halloween pictures today, and so many more reasons why she should be allowed to celebrate. But I have gone as far as to accommodate my children's love for sociable events and decorating by hosting Harvest parties and giving out handmade Harvest goodie bags. This year our township is throwing a Harvest fest as well as my church having a Fall Festival,but I am still torn by the thought of is this just a mask for celebrating Halloween called by a different name. Where do we go from here? Well, I'll be praying for direction on the next step with this issue with our ever changing and growning children. We love the Fall and have found ways to celebrate each season and build life long memories.

Chicken-Broccoli Mac and Cheese Recipe

Chicken-Broccoli Mac and Cheese Recipe I am trying this 20 minute meal tonight! Check out the Better Homes and Gardens website. They have fabulous takes on summer treats. I saw a recipe for shrimp and watermelon salad! HMMMMM.....must try it and keep you posted. Happy eating! Give me some feed back. trsucker

Hey Young World! Your girl is back!

I missed you guys SOOO Much! Smooches! I have been Ms.Busy Bee and I haven't stop to make time for my moms. BUT!!! Summer is shortly approaching,and we must compile some news you can use. Gotta keep the children fit active and out of your hair. As much as I love my baby girls, they are growing up and their attention span seems to have shrunk and interests are all over place! So,I am going to work on focusing on a task or activity for at least 15 minutes. They want me to switch gears every 5 minutes! I.E. Bubble blowing, soccer ball, wagon rides,cupcake making,.....STOP! So moms I suggest you get your blank calendars ready and set up a variety of activities to keep your children engaged and not sitting under the TV all summer long. Some of you will op to enroll your children in Summer Camp. (I'm just not grown enough to let my girls go yet!) My oldest daughter is seven and she won a week Free Christian Summer Camp experience! (YEAH DENAY! LET'S Go!) Yes, I will be attending WITH Denay(I told you I wasn't FULLY grown yet,ha!). Selecting camp for your children can be hard,but check out your community centers and park districts for classes for children that might spark their interest and don't be afraid to select FOR them if you see they have a certain talent.Give them a chance to share in the search, but remember they need help staying focused because everything can seem interesting. Invest your money and their time in something enjoyable and meaningful. One class can help moms to prepare for total separation,which for some of us may NEVER happen. In closing,post some summertime suggestion, Let me know what you want to hear about on this blog,and let's just continue to connect creating "THE VILLAGE" we all talk about. Peace and Blessings Ma- Ma's!

What is a Green Hour? - National Wildlife Federation

What is a Green Hour? - National Wildlife Federation

The First Lady Takes On Childhood Obesity

AHHH!.......SPRING.

The winter was fun with hot chocolate,sledding,ginger bread houses, celebrating the holidays, decorating our home,but we have to say good bye to snow hats and mittens and hello to rain boots and umbrellas. There are so many exciting ideas I want to share with you! Please begin the preparation of some type of garden with your children. They need something simple and easy maintenance. The children should be able to see something tangible from their planting. (So do your research before choosing your item for planting) I remember planting at Jada's birthday party as an activity table,but much to our dismay the daisy seeds did not yield any flowers. We did have success with sunflowers (Although thanks to my husband, they were Ginormous! His selection of mammoth eatable sunflower seeds yielded beautiful giant flowers.)
Ive read that children who plant their own vegetables are more likely to eat vegetable willingly. My girls are really good about eating their veggies,but I want them to enjoy raw veggies more. As result, we are going to plant a vegetable garden,and try out my Topsie Turby (Thank you Daddy Dave!). So let's get our supply list together. We will need: garden gloves, a couple of bags soil, seeds(Alidi's $0.19 or Menards),find digging tool (safe edges/not too sharp), and maybe some containers with draining(If you want to do herbs try containers because herbs grow like weeds!). So post pics of your process, ideas, choices of planting. Talk back to me!

MOCHA MOM'S

I'm back! Imagine a circus clown doing an act where the plates are spinning on one finger,and open hand is balancing a tower of paperwork,the left foot and tip of toe is use for rocking a babies crib, and the right toe spins the globe on a pencil thin stick. Add music and a grand smile.............and you have a mom like me! It 's all a balancing act! Everyday up and down back and forth ,but despite the challenges, ask any number of moms would they do all again and the answer is a swift and meaningful,"YES!" Motherhood......AW WWW!! The joys and sorrows of it all. (Pause to reflect y'all) Now think about your support system. Do you have one? Could you use a little more help?
Today, I meet the most exciting group of women they I've ever been introduced to. The Mocha Mom's (South Suburban Chapter),and I was so very impressed with the work and dedication of these moms. Here is a life line for women of color (who have now extended their open arm to ALL who are willing to support their core cause). Supporting women who have made the choice stay home partially or fully with their children. Women who have at home business, and or they are homeschooling. They are all Amazing! While I just step off into the shallow, they have dived into the deep end! They are my kind of women! Introductions at the Mocha Mom's meeting revealed women who are helping to shape the future. Many have taken back their children from the grips of societal norms by home schooling and providing opportunities outside of the traditional school setting,and still managed to have degrees, contribute to social causes,and take care of homes and marriages. I think I've found the REAL SUPER WOMEN! So ladies don't take my word for it, find your local chapter and enjoy the benefits of having a dynamic support group design to support and encourage the vision of women who are not afraid to take on the challenges of trying to shift things back to it's rightful and divine order. Hit them up on face book and get more information at www.mochamom.com

Monday Never Seemed So Sweet!

Up you wake! Wake up moms and enjoy those days off with your family. As a mother of two and a wife,I cherish my family time and I am always looking for new ways to have fun with a four and a six year old daughter. We venture out into the world expecting a new an exciting taste of life. So where did we go? Not far and somewhat inexpensively we went to LEGOLAND in Shaumburg,Illinois. Topping off the evening with a brisk after dinner walk in the mall,after dinning on a very scrumptious meal at the Rainforest Cafe. So, I guess you wondering why i would blog about something that some may do effortlessly.Well, I believe the smallest trips should be considered mini vacations and I would hope that some of you who say that they don't have the time,money,nor resources venture out into close lakes and ponds,and be creative with family times and date nights.

Legoland offered passes for two for $16.00 in the Woodfield mall guest area. (We later found out that if you eat at the Rainforest Cafe first you will be given Kids Go Free pass on the make of the kids menu.) There were a variety of activities for the little ones and some amazing designs for example: President Obama ,spider,lions,tigers,bats, dragons,Batman, Dark Vader and so much more( all made out of Lego bricks) . They had a fun area near cafe and the children loved(okay I did) the 4D movie they provided glasses and you could see two age appropriate short movies. They had loads of fun,and when It was time to go my daughter says"Okay, now we can run over to IKEA(very conveniently located near the mall and Legoland) !" So we had to pass on that but next time we will visit one of my favorite stores. Any who, we have always been discouraged by the wait and the "priceyness" of Rainforest cafe,but we were seated immediately(dinner time/friends had a wait for lunch)and enjoyed the scenery. It was amazing to watch the kids as they followed the rainbow to the restroom,and jump and cheered when the animated gorillas started a ruckus above our table, and my husband and I were amazed by tha aquariums. I may have slept on visiting the rainforest cafe but now we will visit more often. Well,There quite a few Mondays off and weekends work too. Enjoy your family on a preplanned mini vacation for the mind! My husband and I are now looking to ditch the kiddies and work on the Shop and Stay package that Woodfield Mall has partner with the Hyatt and Embassy Suites with.

Where Do We Go From Here?

The world keeps on turning, and day comes rather we want it to or not. Passion that dissipates from time to time refuses to be depleted. Yes, Life goes on. Streams of ups and downs keep moving and you go for the ride. In a moment you remember what makes you keep ticking. Rejuvenated by the refreshing mist of your thoughts,you daydream and it's okay. You smile and thank God for your many blessings. Where do we go from here? I don't know but I'd advice that lock up your images of what this life journey should be and enjoy scenery from today perspective, and tomorrow will surely be a different seen for there's one today so enjoy the present of the presents.

Why Did I choose: Savy Mom Choose TIf?

It is a world that is changing,but the picture remains the same. The family is the nucleus of all links to society. We build character and learn our core values from home. In my opinion, there has been absolutely too role reversal, and the head of household (GOD and then the man) needs us to take our rightful place in creating a safe haven for family. Strengthening the connections and bonds that have been severed by society sense of norms. The sirens have sounded the trumpet blown: "MOMS CHARGE!" My blog is simple for us to stay connected with one another sharing and growing as we take back our households, our children, our cities, our country, our world!Savymomschoosetif. will feature helpful hints gathered together to help us perfect our roles as mom. Rather you are a working mom or a stay at home mom, you are key to the survival and well being of first your children,and husband,but all that they come in contact with daily. There will be no man made picture perfect design,but only sound Biblical driven goals set. The choice is always yours You choose rather to la down and die or rise up from ashes of our world system, and walk in love and contentment daily. It's never too late to start again,pickup the pieces and help our children be well rounded leaders of tomorrow by building up the relationship lost to societies norm.~ TSRucker~

The Gift By: Tsrucker

I was given a gift. harsh as it may seem it was lined with thrones and to open I had to know that there might be some pain associated with this gift. But,I felt the gift was well worth it. So as my flesh was scrapped,battered, and torn, something else happened to me. As I sought after the gift, I noticed my broken places being made whole,and my imperfections were corrected. As I gave pieces of myself I was replaced with something Greater than me. I was filled with joy as I got closer to the Gift and it made my whole life complete. Have you open your box to discover your gift?

Learning More Everyday!

The day is long,but meaningful. The crowd sure hard to please,but you sigh a breath of relief to see your children as the say Grace or kneel down to pray. Hey,you feel as if," I know I'm doing something right!" Though you toil over the future you are content with the past and enter each new day with a clean slate. Savy moms awake to a dawning of a new day! With new possiblities and most of all undying hope for the world to be refreshed and renewed. Keep on dreaming people and keep believing in God's desired plan for his people.
Peace.