With everyone around us sniffling and coughing. The kids seem to have picked up a cough over night. You can tell it is our Dreaded "Flu Season."

It is cold outside and our bodies may be craving a boost of vitamins and good nutrition. Enough said. It is time to find some good soup recipes and to head for the kitchen.

I checked out and found a very cool web site that offers recipes and cool information as well as the opportunity to buy pre made soup fixings. I encourage everyone to check it out. Especially if you have adopted children from the International realm. They might have a soup recipe or one that you can purchase that could make your child feel like... more

Well it is time to remind everyone that Halloween Safety is not a joke. In todays world everyone must use wisdom when checking candy and dressing up for a night of Trick or Treating.

Here are some of my Safety Tips:

1). Dress your child in a bright color. Glow in the dark strip tapes or bands can save lives. 2). Make sure they have some time of flash light with them. 3). If the children are older make sure they still trick or treat in groups. Safety is in numbers. 4). All children under the age of 12 should have a... more

Creepy sounds of leafs at large. Whispering winds and dark colored cars. Ghost's and Goblin's and Withces OH MY ~! Then the Noise of that popular cry ....TRICK OR TREAT.

Well it is time to think about buying Halloween treats for those little munchkin that will cry out at your door.

Halloween is one of my daughters favorite times of the year. She loves going to our neighbors homes and saying Trick or Treat and showing off her costume. I just wish it were more safe out there for all of our kids.

Of course we add pumpkin... more

When it is just a little past sunset and the sky is getting to be dark. All sorts of things come into our minds.

It seems if we are walking we can hear things better. Like the leaves rushing around behind us. Almost sounding like foot steps.

My daughter Angela loves the dark when it is summer time. It seems to just slip up on you because of the long lazy days.

However...now that school has started and it is darker out side in the morning when she has to leave for her school bus stop. She does not seem to like the dark so much.

In... more

For all of those parents out there with teenage drivers. It is time to instill some good safety tips for fall driving.

I know several foster and adoptive students that are taking drivers education at our local high school. Some of which are responsible young people and a few of them I would not let near the road more or less my car. (Giggle)

Parents are left to give most of the driving skills in our area. The drivers training instructor only has about six hours to devote to each young driver. So if a parent wants to make sure... more

Once again with all the press releases on the JonBenet Ramsey case. With the focus being on a child sex offender John Mark Karr.

I would like to remind everyone about the watchdog Web site. I have found it helpful in keeping our family updated on anyone in our community who might be of harm to our children.

I always remind people that the names placed on this list are people. They may or may not be guilty of sex crimes. Many people plead down in court cases to a lesser offense. So please do not assume that the people on the list are serious criminals and violate their rights to have a normal life.

This Web site is to help you know who to watch out for. It... more

Well it is getting to be that time of year again. The carnivals are out in clear sight in every home town. The state fairs and county fairs are in full swing. All the 4 H clubs are sporting their prize animals. They are being auctioned off to the highest bidder. Aunt Clare is entering her famous apple pie in the pie contests...and the weekend papers are full of school supply sales.

It is fun to watch the joy on the faces of the 4H fair winners. All their time and support of the cows, lambs, pigs and other barn yard animals.... more

I know that many of you who follow my Blog are aware of the death of Rose Kerry. She was the little girl who was only five, that was found dead in her home. The news paper said it was the worst case of child neglect they have yet found in the state of Michigan.

Another little boy also lost his life. By the hands of his adoptive parents. He was murdered, placed in a trash bag and tossed off the side of the road. Like some ones daily trash.

When I hear stories like these my heart cries out for the children. But no tears are shed for the humans who treated these babies so badly that they died in such horrible ways.

When people ask me why I believe in the death... more

Well summer is here and in full swing. All our house rules are posted. Everyone knows the curfew rules.

However... Not everyone agrees with them. Out of all my children I am finding my daughter Angela to be the one who will challenge me quickly on anything and everything she does not agree with.

At 8 years old she believes that she should be able to have a later curfew. Mind you she hardly ever disobeys us. She has yet to need a real grounding. Her behavior is almost always positive. So we tend to listen when she wants to argue her point. (Plus it helps that she is so... more

Now that the big celebration of our Independance Day is calming down. I thought I would discuss child reactions to fire works.

Over the weekend we went to several fire works display celebrations in Michigan. Most started with an afternoon of hot dogs and popcorn. As we walked around and visited carnivals and craft fairs. Everything centered around the red, white and blue theme.

Family barba-Q's and kids swimming. Clowns with balloons and just about any game you wanted to play could be found at the county fair in honor of Independance Day.

As the evening grew dim and everyone became more excited about the beautiful fire works display that would be taking place soon.... more