Most any parent can tell you that the imagination of a child can be quite fascinating and intriguing at times. In Harold and the Purple Crayon, Harold uses his vivid imagination to draw an imaginary adventure for himself. Throughout the book, the pages contain only Harold and his purple crayon drawings.

His adventure begins when he decides to take walk in the moonlight, only to discover that there is no moonlight to light his way, nor a place to walk. So, he draws the moon and a sidewalk and begins his journey.

No matter your age, this story is magical, creative and so much fun to read. It is amazing what one small child can imagine and create with only a purple crayon. This story will most certainly continue to amuse and open up the minds of children for years to come.

Tiny Tidbits: Harold and the Purple Crayon is also available in 10 other languages: Spanish, French, Italian, Finnish, Swedish, Danish, Dutch, German, Hebrew, and Chinese. (Resource: Crocket Johnson’s Books: The Harold Series)

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Posted on March 9th, 2009 in Book Reviews | 2 Comments

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“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” - Romans 15:7 (NIV)

Sometimes being a friend means sticking around when it’s not comfortable and when you don’t think it is in your best interest. After all, Jesus hung around with people that we might be tempted to consider unworthy of our company.

The word Christian means Christ-like; therefore, if we want to be like Christ we have to put our own agendas, concerns, and sometimes our reputations aside to be like Him.

There was a time in my life that I had to put this to the test. Throughout my years of school, I had a good reputation as a Christian girl.

Well, I had a friend in high school that I was close to, and we were in most ways very much alike. One day I found out that she was pregnant at the age of 16, and my initial thought was, what will people think about me if they see me with her everyday.

How would this affect my reputation as a Christian, and what impact would it have on my other friendships? I had to make a decision. I chose to do what I knew Jesus would do; I stood by her despite the consequences that it might have had on me.

By accepting her regardless of her circumstances, she became one of the best friends that I’ve ever had. I realized that when you do what God’s word tells you to do, you will be blessed in the end.

Christ accepts us and stands by us regardless of our situation, and He will always be there when we need Him no matter where we have been or what we have done. We, therefore, are to follow His example.

However, it is not to say that we should agree with people’s actions that are contrary to the Bible, but rather we should encourage them and help them to move forward and toward God’s plan for their lives. We, after all, have all had our share of mistakes, and yet Jesus is always still there to be our closest friend.

Prayer Time: Ask God to help you to be the friend to others that Christ is to us. Ask Him to show you someone around you that needs that unfailing friendship.

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Posted on March 8th, 2009 in Mom's Corner | 2 Comments

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Has it been one of those days when nothing seems to be going as planned? The kids are acting even wilder than normal, and then, the hubby comes home after a bad day at the office. All you want to do is relax and find your happy place.

Sometimes, it is hard for moms to find a way to relax because our lives are spent taking care of our families and our homes. But, if we don’t take the time to de-stress at the end of a long day, everyone else in the house will feel our stress, too.

Just think about it for a minute. When we are stressed, the rest of the family gets uptight too. I don’t know why it works that way, but it sure seems to happen almost every time. At least that’s the way it works at my house. This is why it is so important for us to try to find that time at the end of the day to unwind.

Well, I have a few suggestions here to help you achieve that blissful state of mind.

1. Get Tuned In
   Turn on the radio or grab a cd. Try to pick something soothing like classical, instrumental, or soft rock. This will help you slow down and relax your mind.
2. Indulge in a tasty treat
   I know, I know. You may ask how that is really going to help matters. Well, all I can say is that if I can sink my teeth into a piece of chocolate cake or apple pie, it just takes me away. I simply close my eyes and enjoy.
3. Stretch it out

   Recommended workout videos are available at the Mommy's Idea Book Shop

   
   Try some simple stretches on your own or try a stretch or Pilates workout video. (You may need it if you indulged as stated above). Seriously, stretching helps tremendously in loosening and lengthening those tight muscles. If you are new to stretching or working out, I would suggest starting with something like Total Stretch for Beginners with Tamilee, or Crunch: Pick Your Spot Pilates for a little more challenging stretch workout that also tones your muscles.
4. Grab a book
   Reading can help you forget about the stresses of the day. Find a good book, sit down with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, curl up in a comfy chair, and let your mind unwind as you journey to another time and place.
5. Have a bubbly evening
   You know this list had to mention the bubble bath eventually. However, maybe the best part about the bubble bath is not the bubbles or the candles. For me, it has to be the alone time: no kids, no husband, no distractions.
6. Good night and sleep tight
   Last but not least, quite possibly, the best cure for a stressful day is sleep. Try to get in bed early, if possible.

I hope this list has offered a few helpful hints for you to kick back and enjoy your evening stress free and peacefully.

What are some ways you have discovered to unwind and relax at the end of the day?

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Posted on March 7th, 2009 in Health and Fitness | 5 Comments

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