The Modern-Day Mary Poppins

I bought this book a month before Parker arrived. It collected dust for about 5 months. Then one day I dusted it off and it hasn't left my bed side since than!

It's my mommy manual. I haven't read it page by page. Instead I check the index for the subject I want and read it.

Here are a few topics and techniques: my 'smart' comments are in ()

• timer technique to teach kids to share (this actually works)
  
• faddy dressing and how to deal with it (your going to wear that shirt, so deal with it!)
  
• car journeys - coping strategies (fly, don't drive)
  
• tantrums and how to deal with it (laugh, walk away, or run)
  
• how to talk to your child - the three essential voices (screaming wasn't one of them, darn!)
  

This by far, is my favorite parenting book! You really should get it.

How did I hear about this book? A good friend of mind, who wasn't a parent at the time, suggested this book to me. Thanks Barbie! And yes her hubby's name is Kenny, and she doesn't like that I call her Barbie!

Act of courage

There is no guarantee that a speaker is actually good at it. And it's so annoying to listen to one who isn't. I, being raised catholic, have listened to priests who could make me fall asleep at the first sight of them walking to the podium to say their sermon. I had teachers who had the same power of me. I swear I slept through every grade 12 chemistry class.

And then there are those wanna-be-good speakers that try too hard. They are the Tony Robbins of the world. They use their hands, walk around, their voices go up and down trying to keep the listeners awake and entertained. This is when I need to use the restroom. I take the longest route and take another 15 minutes strolling around before I get back to my seat.

Last week Daddy and I attended a lecture given by Dr. James Orbinski. I had never heard of the guy. But reading an article in the paper about him I decided that we should attend. To ensure I didn't get disappointed I gave myself an internal talking to: "Even if he is a bad speaker focus on the words and the meaning of what he is saying. Don't focus on the delivery." I repeated this to myself like it was a mantra. All for nothing. Dr. Orbinski, was not flashy. He delivered his message with heart and possessed a soft compassion about him. I didn't even have try to focus; it came naturally to want to listen to him.

As the past president of Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) Dr. Orbinski has seen disturbing stuff. I was honored to be in his presence. To meet someone who not only has seen the horrors in Rwanda, Sudan, Afghanistan, and many other locations but has taken an on hands role in tending to the thousands of people affected by these atrocities was humbling.

During the Q&A period someone asked, "What can we do?" Dr. Orbinski answered, "Donating, signing those online petitions are not enough. You have to join a group in your community, participate in something that you have a passion for. You need to do more. Refuse to accept the unacceptable."

I jotted down a few other things he said on my pink wrinkled little notepad that I carry in my purse for the boys to scribble on as entertainment...I knew it would come in handy for me one day.

• ...political responsibility....imperfect outcomes
• alternatives are possible if we choose to see it
• indifference...silence...forgetting

We purchased his book at this event and I was the first in line to have him sign it! He asked, "Who do I make it out to?" I said proudly, "To James, our son that we adopted from Liberia."

I'm taking a small step. I am completing a volunteer application for our local women's shelter. Though my true goal is be an aid worker in a third world country. This lecture sealed the deal in my heart that indeed I'll be doing that one day. When? I can't say for sure. But I will. You can bet on it.












For James - with great hope - James Orbinski

Put Your Hand in My Hand

I love the boys' finger prints that are left displayed on the windows, the mirrors, or on the freshly cleaned appliances.
Really it doesn't bother me.
It would have years ago when I was really anal.
That is why I am grateful that parenthood didn't come to me as quickly as I wanted it to.
Had it come than I know that I would have been nagging at them and frantically cleaning behind them!
But now, I'll purposely not clean the mirror that is covered with hand prints.
I think it's just so darn cute.
I 'inked' the boys' hands and got them framed.
I hope that I"ll be able to see these little fingers grow to become strong hands of men.
Do you think they'll let me hold their hands once they are older? Probably not.
But I'll have their love in my heart and their framed hand prints.

Ultimate Mom

When You're About To Go Off the
Deep End, Don't Take Your Kids With You, is the book I read during my first year of motherhood...that was last year.

It was at a parent conference when I heard Kelly Nault, the author of the book, speak about 'unleashing the ultimate mom within you'. I loved how candid she was about motherhood. I think that anyone who tries to say that they never had a meltdown in their career as a mother is severely in denial, which maybe a good place to be. But how long can one hold on like that?

Twenty months into my job as mommy I've had one meltdown...a month! So I refer to it on those less then easy days so that I can get back to being the Ultimate Mom to my boys.

Kelly is a spunky Canadian who gives 10% of the gross book proceeds to "Make A Wish Foundation" and if you are not the reading type visit www.ultimateparenting.com, where she shares pratical parenting tips.

Defeat Your Dragon!

"I have Hope, Faith and Courage on my side and Love standing guard at my back. No Dragon in the world is a match for all that."












There are some people what can achieve more in a day than others. And then there is my nephew, Matthew Epp, that has at the age of 15 years old achieved certainly more than I have in my lifetime!

Matthew has been battling cancer since the age of 2, wrote a book about it for kids when he was 11, was named the 2004 Champion Child in Saskatchewan, Canada, met our Prime Minister, and participates in numerous fundraising events to help raise money for the fight against cancer.

The book Hope and the Dragon, written by Matthew, is a must read. Let this be your next book purchase! Go to www.hopeandthedragon.com to order it today and you will be financially supporting Matthew's cause of finding a cure for cancer.

Matthew's dauntless spirit with those sparkling eyes inspires all who meet him to gracefully and courageously overcome adversity. Visit Matthew's blog where you can learn more of his story and post a message of support.

Children's Adoption Books

My cousin recommended this book to me. She suggested I take it out from the library but when I read it at Chapters I got all teary eyed so I knew had to buy it.

There are a lot of adoption books for kids. I wonder how many there where 30 years ago? Back than adoption was so hush hush that I would guess there where no books touching this subject.

We talk openly about James' story of how he was born in our hearts. We have a few books for the boys on adoption. I want them to know that there are different types of adoption and to see every child has an unique story on how they were 'born' in a family.

I dedicate this post to my lovely sister-in-law who passed away suddenly on August 18th. Melanie was adopted too. She was 27.

LOANS THAT CHANGE LIVES

A few months ago I joined KIVA* after reading Bill Clinton's book: GIVING: How Each of Us Can Change the World.

I made a small loan to Salmome Mwakipesile in Tanzania to open a beauty salon.
She is 29 years old and has 3 children.
To date 86% of her loan has been repaid.

I made a small loan to Boeung Sobin from Cambodia to buy pigs for her stand at the market.
She will breed the piglets.
To date 42% of her loan has been repaid.

The funds are credited to my Kiva account once the loan is repaid in full.
At that time, I can withdraw these funds from Kiva or re-lend these funds to a new entrepreneur.

I am inspired by these women and I am impressed that via the internet we can touch someone's life.

*An organization that lets you lend to a specific entrepreneur in a developing country - empowering them to lift themselves out of poverty.

If the World Were a Village

I bought a children's book a couple of weeks ago, after telling myself, "No more buying books! The book shelf is full to the max."

We were browsing at the store "Ten Thousand Villages" and there it was, "If the World Were a Village", by David Smith. This book is about "world-mindedness," which to me is a never ending learning curve. It is the sense that our planet is actually a village (like Vonda, Saskatchewan!). I am amazed how much I can learn from these books written for kids! This one has helped me learn more about the Earth, its' population and where, why and how we can make the world a better place. I hope I can foster the attitude of world-mindedness in my boys.

Hope you get the chance to read this one!

Happy reading!