When ever I am working around the house Angela always wants to help me. Since she was three she always wanted a paper towel and some Windex to help dust the T. V. screen or the mirror or the front door glass. She would shine up anything her little body could reach.

She began cleaning her room at 3 and 1/2. She would say "Come Mommy See." Then lead me by the hand to see how she put her toys away and placed her stuffed animals on her bed in a row.

She had to have a vacuum just like mommy so she could help me. She would pick up papers and toss them in the trash and just work along with me.

I remember wishing that the older kids would catch on and watch her work and... more

Standing there with soap suds all over her shirt and water dripping down from every inch of her body. A tearful voice cries out "Mommy Bessie wont let me finish bathing her."

I'm in the middle of cooking diner. We have guests about to arrive any second. Dad is doing a last minute check list so everything will be ready for our relaxing evening with friends.

When Bessie decides to run out of the bathroom, down the hallway and jump straight upon the couch. Soaking wet filled with doggy shampoo.

We had no idea that Angela was trying to bath the dog. We thought she was in the bathroom washing up and playing with her rock collection.

She has... more

There are many different learning toys out there on the market today. Most come with video or CD or DVD interactive learning resources.

One of my personal favorites is the "Read With Me" system. It has been on the market for about two years and was a volume market over the past Christmas holiday.

We purchased it for our daughter Angela. She is in first grade and we were amazed at the volume of words that they were responsible for learning prior to moving on to second grade.

The read with me system comes with an interactive DVD and a book. She reads along with the DVD by moving her pen underneath the words. After each page or so there is a question log. That asks... more

Recently I had the privilege to help out in a toddler play group. Several adoptive mommies were meeting for a few training classes and doing some intake paperwork. So I volunteered to help out in the playroom.

There were about six little ones. Scattered from the precious age of one month old up to the age of five.

One little boy and girl really caught my interests. She was giving him a taste of tough love. She would walk up smack him in the head with a toy and then as he stood there and cried. She would hug him and kiss on him to comfort him.

Observing this more than a few times. It was obvious to me and the other playroom attendant that this little girl... more

Megan and April came home from a long day of filling out applications. This is about the ninth time they have spent a day just walking around and applying for jobs in our area.

Every where they went they were fully staffed. Laying off or just not taking applications. Here are two young girls trying to make a start in todays work world. Only to find themselves competing with Older Adults with homes and families to support.

Jobs in Mid Michigan are very few and hard to find. Major auto plants are sizing down. Factories are closing. Forcing people to relocate and to obtain work away from the home town they grew up in.

Megan will be turning 19 soon. She is... more

As a family project we headed out to the pet store to find a fish tank. There were 4 kids. So mom told us we each could pick out two fish each.

While mom and dad bought the taken and all the set up stuff. We scurried around the store looking into each aquarium looking for that perfect fish.

There were funny ones with spots and stripes. Orange fish with big eyes and Black fish with big eyes. There were skinny fish with scary fins like baby sharks.

It took us nearly half the day just picking out fish that the store owner said could live happily together.

Setting up the fish tank when we got home was a fun family activity. We had to find the perfect place... more

It is about 7 PM. It has rained the past few days. So all of the kids are out in the yard digging for night crawlers. Those big juicy worms that wiggle and squirm.

The kids have tomorrow off from school for mid winter break. They are all excited. Dad is taking the day off and they are going fishing.

(woohooooo that means mommy gets free time)

As I sit on the porch and watch the little ones hunt worms. I hear them discussing how lucky Paige is that her dad will take her fishing. Every few seconds someone squeals "I got one....I got one." Off they all go running. Sure enough and it is a big one too.

That makes them 15 big old worms. they pack in some dirt... more

Have you ever set out on a short trip only to find all the kids fighting over who gets to sit where? I usually let them try and work it out on their own but if they haven't by the time I am in the car and buckled in, it becomes mom's decision and everyone has assigned seats.

Just as you are pulling out of the drive way and getting on the road, someone always has to say, "I'm hungry." So it's a stop at the local drive-through to pick up a burger and a drink for everyone.

Then you think ok they are buckled in and in their seat, everyone is fed and watered. Now we are off. Only to hear someone say can you turn the radio on mom.

Well of course I can. And I do. ... more

Oh the joy that fills the heart when an act of kindness has been imparted.

Everywhere you look on T. V. these days, you find another reality show. If they are not building a home for someone in need, they are granting wishes and making dreams come true for good people.

It should not surprise us at all that some people still are out there giving all they've got to help others.

But, I don't hear any stories very often around my house of to many people going out of their way to help anyone, more or less each other.

Now come on. Lets face it. Life is busy. We are... more

Last year after Katrina hit land and the devastation was overwhelming, it did not shock me that everyone had a desire to help those who had lost their homes to the storm.

So when my 7 year old decided she wanted to raise money for the kids who were victims of Katrina too, I smiled and handed her a pitcher and some kool aid with a hand full of dixie cups. She made a sign and out the door she went.

She and the two good friends she has set up a stand on the corner and sold lemonade for several hours. They made $27.00 for Katrina's Kids, which we happily sent off to Red Cross.

A few days ago my daughter brought in a bag of rocks she had been collecting. She sat for... more