Get the Dog

Listen, if you want to get talked out of getting a puppy, you came to the wrong place.

We got our first dog when we were camping up north with friends. We spotted a little white fluff ball running in the woods. Next thing we knew, we were proud puppy parents of Jack Morris, named after the road we found him on. A couple years later, we added Cleopatra to our crew, a dog we adopted from my cousin's boyfriend after his dog accidentally got knocked up. Jack and Cleo quickly became the best of friends. They were with us for a long time. They were both lab mixes, one white and one black.

When Jack and Cleopatra had both gone on to the great puppy pastures in the sky, or doggie heaven or whatever you want to call it, Chris met a dog at work in need of a new home. So Marla, a redbone coon hound (did you ever read Where the Red Fern Grows?) joined us for a few years.   She was a good, sweet dog...aren't they all?

She left us and Chris especially\was desperate for a dog. He came across a listing for Beagle pups only a mile or so from our house, so then we added Mocha to our family. Less than a year later, Bethany discovered a classmate was looking for homes for his family's beagle pups, so Apollo came to us. Now Mocha and Apollos are best friends just like Jack and Cleo use to be. They might be a little more psycho though. Seriously, they drive ma insane. I think maybe they're suffering from too much togetherness.  Like get out of our house, humans.

In all my 20+ years of being a dog mama. I have never once thought life would be better without them. Get the dog, you won't regret it.

Now is the Perfect Time to Practice Patience

I'm in a severely annoyed mood. I can't shake it, and that is not like me. I'm sure there are a lot of things contributing to that...for example I'M STUCK IN MY HOUSE. I have a tele doctor's appointment tomorrow, which is also annoying. I mean, I'm glad I can do it, but ANNOYING. A clue that I'm incredibly aggravated is that I keep typing in all caps. Sorry, I don't mean to be rude.

Anyway, Easter is drawing to a close, and it has been the strangest Easter in the history of ever. Don't get me wrong, it was a nice enough day. We did our best to make the best of things. We really, really did. And it wasn't bad, I don't mean that. Just different is all.

The funny thing is, I use to hate running to Kroger 10 times a week. Now I just want to go to Kroger, dammit.

So what better time to practice patience? I need all the patience I can get.It is for my own good to flex that patience muscle.

I need to be patient with myself. I've never lived through a global pandemic before. i need to be patient with my kids, they never have either. I need to be patient with their frustrations. They are valid. They might seem petty or annoying to me but they are not.

Deep breaths.

I need to be patient with Apple, but I don't know why. I guess just for the sake of my own sanity.

The thing is, there are so so many things to be annoyed with right just now. But what good is that doing me? There is good in practicing patience. If something keeps popping up in your life, it generally means that there is a lesson in it for you, something important you need to learn. I know that, but I need to remember it.

Right now, the universe is telling me that I need to really learn patience.

I think it's mostly the being stuck. I value being able to go when i want to go. Doesn't matter where. I'm so pissed that I can't. Not pissed at anyone, just MAD. That is probably the primary source of my impatience.

I can do better, I must do better.

Some day in the not too distant future, things will go back to normal-ish again. Not exactly the same, but life will at least feel normal again. A new normal but it is what it is.Everyone will adjust because we won't have a choice. That's just the way it is. I will be patient because I have to. I'm learning, okay? That is the lesson the universe is currently pushing for me to learn and I'm about sick of things being thrust into my life to learn it. So I better hurry up and master this one.

Life is Different Now

First of all, before I get started...one of my new blog posts disappeared. The one about things I never thought I'd do, about getting a tattoo. So if you should happen to see it, please copy and paste and email it to me at alysia75@aol.com. Please and thank you!

Anyway...

I have to wonder if life as we know it has changed. Forever. It just feels like nothing will ever be the same again. I guess how could it be? 

I really hope we now don't take things for granted, like it was so easy to do before. Simple things. Going to dinner with my husband. Taking the kids for ice cream cones. Picking up a book at the library. Going to the gym. Truly, how lucky was I? And believe me, I know that I still am...to be able to quarantine with these people. So many people are alone. There are 6 of us in our quarantine headquarters. It actually feels luxurious. I guess it kind of is. 

Furthermore, rules have pretty much gone out the window. You go to bed when you want. You sleep as late as you want. It's like summertime on steroids up in here. It's gonna be a rough return to reality. But at the same time, I think we're all going to be so happy when things are back to normal. It's going to be a relief to wake up with an alarm and go to school and work. Because right just now it feels like that's never gonna happen. 

If anything good comes of this at all, it's this...I know beyond a shadow of a doubt how incredibly lucky I am. I mean, I think I always did know, but now more than ever. I hope I never forget, not for a second. And I hope the same for anyone reading this.

Yes, life is different now. 

For my kids, they are now growing up in a way I never did, in a way no one did. This is shaping the essence of their being. I hope for the better. What I hope for them is they always appreciate the simple things, the little things that make life beautiful. 

Things I'm Grateful For

What better time to focus on the positives?

Just a few things I'm grateful for...

Reading is like my favorite. So what I'm grateful for is books. I use to have a big long list of books to read on my phone which inexplicably got deleted. Because APPLE. Ugh. Can't live without it but it's definitely a love-hate relationshcip. So now I'm just winging it. I use to request books from the library quite a bit but you know now we aren't allowed to go to libraries. So that's no fun.

A friend of mine (hi Chris!) gave me a bunch of books to read, which I've been slowly making my way through. Another friend (hi Barb!) started a book club, which is obviously on hiatus right now. But she also gives me books, which is very much appreciated. And a customer at Bethany's work, where she is a waitress, brings in books for me. I'm reading one from him right now. Historical fiction about Hitler and how he was always paranoid that someone would poison him.  What a way to live!

So as you can see, it you didn't already know, readers are nice, generous folks.

Okay, something else I'm grateful for: puppies. Because what a boring world it would be (hahahahaha) without my two beagle pups. Mocha is almost 2 and Apollo is almost 1. They are the best of friends and play together like wild maniacs. They give me a reason to go outside every single day. And they are the absolute BEST cuddlers. As much as they drive me nuts, and they do, I'm so grateful to have them.

Okay,let's keep going...

I'm grateful for technology. It allows me to easily check on my loved ones on a regular basis. It allows my kids to keep in touch with their friends. It allows Bethany to keep up with her schoolwork. It allows Mathilda's class to have virtual get togethers. It basically allows us all to survive and function right now. Hard to fathom how differently this would have played out in the 80s.  

There so many more thing I'm so incredibly grateful for, but that's a good start...  

Hello Again

So it's been like 5 years since my last blog post, and what better time to pick up the torch than during a global pandemic. Gosh what has happened in the last 5 years.  Sooooo much...

Well let's start with biggies. A couple years ago, I was diagnosed with MS. That's a whole long story, but it honestly hasn't changed my life that much. The biggest thing, which started this whole journey, is something called optic neuritis. Basically my vision is diminished and no glasses will help it. I can still drive, read, and basically do everything else, but I can't see quite as well. So a pita but could definitely be a million times worse.

A couple (few??) years ago I returned to the workforce. First part time at the shop where my father-in-law works and as a lunch mom at my youngest daughter's elementary school, then as a long term sub at her school, then as a district sub, now at a day care center around the corner from my house. Which of course in now put on hold due to the whole global pandemic thing.

My oldest daughter graduated from high school last year and started cosmetology school. So now I have one in 11th grade, one in 8th grade, and one in 5th. My babies are growing up! And trying to adapt to life as we now know it. The oldest is doing cosmetology school remotely...umm ok. The other 3 are in what's called a 1:1 district, so they all have Chromebooks from school and are all essentially homeschooling themselves. Huge shout out to all of their teachers for doing their very best to make this work. It's not lost on me that this is not what they signed up for. Also huge shout out to my kids for being awesome. Truly, they are.

So I think that's enough for now...just to get my feet wet. Maybe, just maybe, I'll keep this up...

We're Sending Our Daughter to China

My kids with two of our Chinese exchange students

Most of our friends and family know this already, but in a little less than two months we are sending Bethany to China for Spring Break. Everyone has been incredibly supportive, although I'm sure a few people are thinking (but are too polite and kind to say), "how can you send your 13-year old to CHINA?"

Yes, Bethany is 13. She is in 8th grade. Yes, that might sound young to go traipsing all over the world without your parents. I would even agree that for many kids, it might be too young. Bethany, though, she's ready. And as much as I wish it could be all six of us, going as a family, that just isn't something that can happen at this time. So we are confidently sending her on a cultural exchange trip through her school, along with 11 other kids (7th-12 grade), five teachers and three administrators.

Some questions you may have:

Is it safe?
Keeping in mind that there are dangers involved with simply going about your life on a daily basis, we feel that yes, the trip is safe. Twelve kids to eight adult chaperones, many who have been to China before (and one - a Mandarin teacher - who is from China) is a pretty good ratio. They will be together, as a group, the whole time, and not just wandering the streets of Beijing and Shanghai on their own.

Where will they be staying?
Our school district has a relationship with a boarding school in Beijing, so the majority of the time they will actually be staying in the dormitories at the school. This will give the kids an opportunity to see first hand some of the educational differences between American and Chinese schools and educational practices, and will serve as a base for exploring the city. Because we have hosted three Chinese exchange students from this school, we know that it is very strict and that Bethany will be in good hands while staying there.

For one long weekend (three nights), each American student will go home with a Chinese student. I suppose this is the part to be the most nervous about, since everyone will be off doing different things with their host families, who may or not speak English, and we won't know what they're doing ahead of time. We also may not have contact with them for these few days. Furthermore, this is the part of the trip that requires us to take a leap of faith and depend upon the kindness and hospitality of strangers, as the parents of the three children we hosted had to do with us. My hope is that staying with a Chinese family, and really seeing first hand how people of a different culture live, will be a deeply rewarding experience for Bethany.

The final few days of the trip will be spent at (from my understanding) a kind of student hostel in Shanghai. This will be their only hotel-like experience in China, as they do some sight seeing before heading home.

What about homesickness?
Unlike the Chinese students we hosted, who were accustomed to being away from their families at boarding school, I expect that Bethany will deal with some homesickness, as well as culture shock. But one of the reasons we feel good about sending her on this trip is that she is a very independent 13-year old; capable, smart, and outgoing. She has flown alone in the past, and has spent time away from us on several occasions. The trip is two weeks, so it will be the longest she's been away from home without us, and of course the furthest, but I know that she'll be fine. I'm also pretty sure the kids are going to be kept so busy that they'll have very little time to pine for the comforts of home.

What will they eat?
The food might be a challenge. While staying at the boarding school, the group will have most of their meals there. We have been told that they try hard to accommodate American tastes, but to bring a couple boxes of protein bars just in case.The rest of the time, hopefully Bethany will get a little adventurous and try some new things, but she does like rice and noodles and Chinese candy so I don't think she'll starve.

Is it expensive?
It's not cheap, that is for sure. Since the kids will mostly be staying in our sister school's dormitories and with a host family, the greatest expense is the airfare. We have yet to be given the bottom line, but the total cost is estimated at approximately $2700. To offset the cost of the trip, we have been doing some fundraising as a group. Furthermore, Chris set up a GoFundMe account for friends and family who would like to contribute. We have been overwhelmed with the generosity of others - I must say we know some pretty awesome people!

Why do you think this is a good idea?
There are so many ways to answer this question. The world is a big, big place, but it's also smaller than we realize. Yes there are countless differences between the American and Chinese cultures, but as human beings we are more alike than different. It's easy to watch the news and form opinions and even prejudices about other people or groups of people without having any real life experiences with them. Visiting their country, meeting them, living with them, laughing with them, those things serve to bring us together, to learn about one another, and to have a greater understanding and appreciation of our differences, as well as a sense of empathy for the plight of our fellow human beings.

On a more personal level, Bethany expressed an interest in this trip a couple years ago and has maintained an interest in the Mandarin language (which she studies at school), and the Chinese culture. To be 13 and to have the courage and the desire to travel half-way across the globe without your parents is no small thing. If she has that courage, I do not want to be the one to discourage her, tell her she can't, and encourage a sense of fear where there was none. If she has that wanderlust, I do not want to be the one to squelch it.

What I want for my kids is for them to take ownership of their own lives, to believe they CAN even when others try to tell them they can't.

When Bethany and I attended the first informational meeting about the China trip several months ago, we saw pictures of the toilets (squatty potties) and the food, and we found out the trip overlapped with the 8th grade National Junior Honor Society trip to Washington D.C. (which the majority of her friends are going on). I thought to myself that she might change her mind with all of this new information. But when the meeting was over, she wanted to go to China more than ever. She was excited, and I was excited for her.

I know that as parents we can't give our kids everything they want. But when the thing they want takes courage and determination and a sense of adventure, saying yes might be the right thing to do. Saying yes this time, and allowing Bethany to have this experience, will open the world up to her in a way that never happens for most people. We believe that going to China is going to be a life changing event for Bethany.

Sure she could wait and have this life changing experience when she's 15 or 17 or in college, but I know that oftentimes the older we get, the more we get set in our ways, and the more we allow fears to take over and dictate our lives. Sometimes, the longer we wait to follow our dreams, the less likely we are to ever actually follow them. So if our daughter wants to start now, we're saying yes.

Giveaway: Sesame Street Live at Detroit's Fox Theatre

Sesame Street Live is celebrating 25 years of performances at the Fox Theatre in Detroit with a brand new show, "Make a New Friend." Grover has a new friend who is visiting from India, and, together with his friends on Sesame Street, shares cultural experiences with her and a whole lot of fun.

"Make a New Friend" will be playing from Friday, January 23 through Monday, February 16. Dates and times are as follows:

Friday, January 23: 7 p.m.
Saturday, January 24: 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m., 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, January 25: 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m., 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 28: 11 a.m.
Thursday, January 29: 11 a.m.
Friday, January 30: 11 a.m., 7 p.m.
Saturday, January 31: 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m., 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 1: 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m.
Wednesday, February 4: 11 a.m.
Thursday, February 5: 11 a.m.
Friday, February 6: 11 a.m., 7 p.m.
Saturday, February 7: 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m., 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 8: 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m., 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 12: 11 a.m.
Friday, February 13: 11 a.m., 7 p.m.
Saturday, February 14: 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m., 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 15: 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m., 5:30 p.m.
Monday, February 16: 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m.

Perfect family-friendly entertainment, Sesame Street Live never fails to delight its young audience members. Expect to see lots of dancing, clapping, and singing along as the little ones recognize some of their favorite characters up on stage.

Ticket prices range from $8 (for schools & daycare centers)-$10 for select weekday matinees, to $65 for special Sunny Seats. Sunny Seats include premium seating and a pre-show meet and greet and photo opportunity with two Sesame Street Live friends, including Elmo. Please note the Sunny Seats are not available for the Kids Matinee Shows.

Purchase tickets at OlympiaEntertainment.com, in person at the Fox Theatre and Joe Louis box offices or at Hockeytown Authentics in Troy (with no service fees), all Ticketmaster locations or Ticketmaster.com. You can also charge by phone at (800) 745-3000. To receive a discount for groups of 10 or more, please call (313) 471-3099. For more information call (313) 471-6611.

To learn more about the show, go to www.sesamestreetlive.com, or "like" Sesame Street Live on Facebook.

My family has been to Sesame Street Live at the Fox numerous times, and each time has been a fun, memorable experience. Want to win tickets so you can take YOUR family to Sesame Street Live this year? MichiGal is giving away 4 ticket vouchers for Sesame Street Live at the Fox Theatre, in collaboration with Olympia Entertainment. Please note that vouchers must be exchanged for tickets at the box office ahead of time! You cannot get into the show with the vouchers! It is recommended that you go before the day of your desired performance to get your tickets.

Good luck!

Disclosure: MichiGal received ticket vouchers in exchange for promoting Sesame Street Live.

Sesame Street Live Detroit

Why Do You Think #MichiganIsAuto? Share to Win $500!

A #MichiganIsAuto billboard

 
Disclosure: I was selected for this sponsored post by HayThereSocialMedia.com. All opinions expressed are my own.

When most people think of Michigan, they think Motor City...they think cars. That's because Michigan is the birthplace of the automobile and the epicenter of the auto industry. Those of us who live here know more than a few people who work for the Big 3, if not directly than peripherally. My grandfather was an auto design engineer for one of the biggies for over 40 years, and many other family members and friends make their living from cars, in one way or another.

We have our own jargon here in Michigan. "Shut-down" is one of those times when all the plants close and most auto industry employees have some time off of work. "Working on the line" means working on the assembly line, building cars. The "Big 3" are Ford, GM, and Chrysler. Being "hired direct" means your paycheck is cut by one of the Big 3, as opposed to working for a contract firm, supplier, etc. These phrases are so ingrained in our everyday conversation that we don't even think twice about them. Michiganders live and breathe cars, it's part and parcel of why Michigan Is Auto.

The 2015 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) is happening in Detroit now through January 25 at the COBO Center. So it's the perfect time to share why YOU think #MichiganIsAuto. Even better? Your creative answer could win you a $500 VISA gift card!

Use the #MichiganIsAuto hashtag to win!

Here's what to do:

Now through January 23, using the hashtag #MichiganIsAuto,  post to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram the BEST and most CREATIVE reason why #MichiganIsAuto.

Tag MICHauto in your posts using the following social media handles:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/michauto
• Twitter: @MICHauto 
• Instagram: @MICH_auto

There will be two drawings for $500 VISA gift cards; the first on Friday, January 16 and the second on Friday, January 23.

To learn more about MICHauto and the #MichiganIsAuto campaign, please visit http://michauto.org.

Is a trip to the Auto Show a tradition in your family? Are you planning on attending this year?

Looking for a #MichiganIsAuto billboard? One is located on I-75 South, just north of the Davison, and another can be seen from I-94 East, just past Outer Drive.

The Great Escape Room - Royal Oak, MI

A few weeks ago I had one of the most entertaining evenings I've had in ages. And my life is pretty fun (ha!). I got together with a group of local bloggers to visit The Great Escape Room in Royal Oak, Michigan. With locations already in full swing in Orlando and Miami, the Royal Oak location just opened recently, and D.C. and Tampa will soon be following.

I knew there would be a mystery of some sort, but beyond that I had no idea what to expect. This is one reason I love blogging - I often find myself in situations I'm pretty sure I would have never been in had I not been invited as a blogger.

Since it IS mysterious, I can't give away too many details. But I can tell you that this place is just plain awesome! Here's a brief rundown of what you can expect.

Upon arrival, your party will be shown to a room where you can enjoy some light snacks and beverages while you await your turn. I suggest you use this time to visit the restroom as well, because when you're shown into The Great Escape Room, you won't be getting out until either 1) your group solves the mystery, or 2) your time is up.

A guide of sorts will accompany you into the room and lock the door. Not just on the doorknob, where you can easily get out, but with a key. She will give you some instructions, play a Sherlock Holmes recording that explains the mystery at hand and reiterates some rules and guidelines, and set a timer for one hour.

There are four puzzles to solve, and clues to find for each of those puzzles. Each is color coded, and when you find a clue it will have a colored sticker on it so you know which puzzle it goes with. For each puzzle there is a small bin where you can collect its clues, and a whiteboard where you can jot down any relevant information that might help you solve the puzzles. There are also signs indicating how many clues you need to find for each puzzle. Once the timer starts, you have free reign to tear the room apart looking for clues.

Now, there are a few rules. All clues are within reach, so you won't need to stand on furniture to find any. And there are a few items with signs requesting that you don't move them. But other than that, you can move everything, take out drawers, and disassemble whatever you can. You have permission to trash a room, AND you don't have to clean it up afterward.

Before and after shot at The Great Escape Room in Royal Oak.

Your guide is there to help you - to a point. She gave us some very vague clues to help keep us moving. The point is to have fun! They aren't going to solve the puzzles for you, but if your group is really frustrated or stuck, they will try to steer you in the right direction without giving anything away.

What did I like love about The Great Escape Room? It was entertaining, interactive, and mentally stimulating. It was a singularly unique experience, something out of the ordinary, social, and an absolute blast! Our whole group was grinning from ear to ear by the end. We were all completely engaged. The Great Escape Room would make a fun date, girls night out, parents night out, birthday party, etc. All ages are welcome, and it is completely G-rated - nothing violent or inappropriate. However, we agreed that we would recommend this experience for kids 12 and up, in a group mixed with adults, or 15/16 and up without parents or other adults.

If you successfully solve all the puzzles in time, you will find your way out of The Great Escape Room. If not, don't worry - they'll let you out once you're time is up. We are obviously awesome so we made it out in time, but don't feel bad if you don't - a lot of groups don't! Everyone gets a group shot at the end, with signage appropriate to your outcome.

Group shot with other local bloggers at The Great Escape Room in Royal Oak

Details:

Location: 301 W. 4th St., Suite LL110 (downstairs), Royal Oak, MI 48067
Phone: 248-495-7032
Email: TGERMichigan@gmail.com
Website: www.TheGreatEscapeRoom.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thegreatescaperoom?fref=ts
Cost: $28 pp Friday-Sunday, $23 pp Thursdays
Up to 12 people per group (book a min. of 10 tickets and your group will go through alone - otherwise you may be with some strangers - but that's fun too!)
Private Events (starting soon): $38 pp, up to 25 people (special 2 room events)

Right now the Royal Oak location has one Escape Room, but eventually they will be expanding to include at least one more. The clues and puzzles will be the same for awhile (approximately four months), so once you've done it, it's not really something you can do again...until they change it up or open a new room. Royal Oak is planning on opening their second room within the next month, and I am looking forward to taking some friends and going back for more! Located in downtown Royal Oak, there are plenty of bars and restaurants nearby to extend your evening fun. If you live in the area, or you're visiting, The Great Escape Room is not to be missed.

Anna Todd's "After" Series: A Wattpad Success Story

Have you heard of Wattpad? Having a teen daughter helps keep me in the proverbial loop, but in case you haven't heard of it I'll give you the short version. Wattpad is an app that allows users to read, write, and share stories. So basically it's a free platform for budding writers and anyone interested in reading their work. When Bethany first told me about Wattpad, specifically that she is using it during her daily free reading time at school, I was a little skeptical. Okay, actually I rolled my eyes and implored my child to read a "real" book. But then my mind was abruptly changed.

I received a package in the mail with a book inside: After, by Anna Todd. My mind was immediately blown by that statement you can see on the picture of the cover up above: "1 billion reads online." That's B-illion, with a B, which is a massive number for ANY book, let alone one that was created on an app. Sick in bed with the flu, I read After in one day. Then I immediately ordered book #2 in the four part series, After We Collided, and read that the next day.





And then, you guessed it, I wasted no time ordering book #3, After We Fell. I was a little dismayed that it was a pre-order, and I had to wait a few days for it to be delivered to my Kindle. I've been distracted by life and haven't gotten around to reading it yet, but it's on the agenda for this week. These are 500+ page books, and I'm devouring them in binges.

The fourth and final book in the series, After Ever Happy, is due to be released next month on February 24th. I already know I'll be ordering it.

My point is, these books are good. And they were created on an app. Who'd have thunk it?

So who is the face behind the After series? Anna Todd, a young military wife and first time author.




The series actually falls into the category of fan fiction, which I'll admit I had to Google because I wasn't really sure what it meant. Fan fiction is when writers create fiction based on characters that already exist or real people. A famous example would be the Fifty Shades series, which is actually Twilight fan fiction. Having read all the Fifty Shades books and the Twilight books, I can't see the connection, but my understanding is that the characters (or real life people) provide the seed, or inspiration, and then the writer just takes off on whatever imaginary tangent they can dream up.

Todd is a huge One Direction fan and based her series on a fictionalized depiction of band member Harry Styles. In the printed version of the books, his name has been changed to Hardin Scott, and he is the bad boy love interest of naive college student, Tessa. The series is sexy (R rated), well-written, and fun to read. And get this...Todd wrote it all on her phone! Simon & Schuster, impressed with After's massive success on Wattpad, picked it up and turned it into a 4-book (expanded and revised) series. Paramount has acquired the film rights, so be on the lookout for After on the big screen.

What I find interesting about Todd's writing is that she created the books with ongoing, daily feedback from her readers and fans. Traditional book writing will never end (I have to believe), but this kind of interactive writing is not going anywhere either. Kids these days don't do anything without constant interaction with their peers, so why should writing a book be any different?

Find Anna Todd on Wattpad as Imaginator1D, on Twitter as @Imaginator1Dx, and on Instagram as Imaginator1D. Her books are available for purchase from Barnes and Noble or HERE for your e-reader.

Disclosure: I participated in the After by Anna Todd blogger campaign as a member of One2One Network. I was compensated for this post, but all opinions are my own.

Raising Readers: My Personal Experience + Tips to Get Your Kids Reading

For as long as I can remember, I have been a reader. My heart would quicken to visit the library, or to hit the jackpot at a garage sale, bringing home a stack of fresh material. I read and read and read and read, often being scolded for attempting to read at the dinner table (even at restaurants). Perhaps if I hadn't been an only child, I wouldn't have loved reading so much. Perhaps if my childhood had been different in other ways, I wouldn't have searched so fervently for escape in the pages of one book after another. Or perhaps I was just destined to be a reader.

Whatever the case may be, I always knew my kids would also be readers. Never mind that Chris is not a bibliophile, not in the least. My overwhelming love for books and reading would most definitely be enough to mold and shape our children. I read to each of them since birth, took them to the library, gave them board books to ponder and chew. Did everything to reinforce the idea that we are a literary family.

One by one they learned to read, and I excitedly took them each to the library at the end of kindergarten (Mathilda's turn will be coming this year) for the important milestone of getting their own library cards. They always loved (and still love) for me to read to them, but the love of reading themselves has been a little slower to emerge.

Bethany, at 13, is my most reluctant reader. She is a busy one, always has been. Sitting down to read really just isn't her thing. She has read few books for pleasure, it pains me to admit. I still have hope though, I won't give up. I continue to search for books she might enjoy; I ask the children's librarian, I ask friends, I have taken to reading YA books myself partially in the hopes of finding books she might read. So far I've had limited success. Very limited. They do have reading time at school everyday, but generally she reads stories on the Wattpad app. I'm not sure of their quality, but I hope they're not horrible. At least she's reading though, right?

Connor is my super reader. It took him awhile (at least in my impatient viewpoint) to get into it, but I credit the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books with really getting him interested. Now, at 11, he reads voraciously. At the end of 5th grade he won the award for most AR points (they read books and then take AR tests at school, longer books have the potential for more points). This past year I have enjoyed reading several books with him, which was fun, and introducing him to some of my favorites. I employ many of the same strategies with him as with Bethany, but in his case I've met with much more success. For Christmas I picked my friend Tina's brain, as she has two sons who are avid readers, and as a result Connor has quite a nice collection of new reading material to keep him busy in 2015. At the beginning of 2014 he made a goal to read 15 books by the end of the year, and he blew that right out of the water.

Lucy is 8 and for the past six months or so has shown much more interest in reading on her own. I do still read to her quite a bit (she and Mathilda share a room and I read to them every night), but she has been reading chapter books independently as well. This year I would really like to encourage her to pick up the reading habit even more, and I will do that by taking her to the library regularly and actively seeking out books I think will interest her. For Christmas she got a set of fairy chapter books which I hope are just her thing. I also try to encourage her to ask questions when she doesn't understand something, to avoid getting frustrated and giving up. I am very hopeful that Lucy is turning into a super reader like her big brother.

My little kindergartener, Mathilda, is so excited to finally be able to read some simple words. She writes stories using all the words she knows, complete with colorful illustrations. Mathilda is so enthusiastic, and I certainly hope it holds. Right now she loves books. She looks at her books and pretends to read them, making up elaborate stories that she "reads" aloud, and finding all the words that she knows. She constantly asks me how to spell words, or spells out words that she sees and asks what they say. Hopefully the novelty never wears off and she will love to read, always. Only time will tell, but for now I make a huge fuss over her reading progress, and I know that she will be thrilled when it's her turn to get her very own library card in a few months.

What I've learned is that my kids are their own people. I can encourage all I want, but I can't force them to love reading like I do. But that's not to say I don't have a few tips for raising readers!

1. Read to them often. Even older kids who are quite capable of reading on their own enjoy being read to. It's a wonderful calming activity for bedtime, and a great opportunity for bonding and discussion.
2. Let them see you read. No matter how much they deny it, they really do want to be like you!
3. Take them to the library and let them check out whatever catches their eye. We always take a canvas bag with us because we often leave with a couple dozen books. 
4. Buy them their own books. This way they will always have books around when ever the fancy strikes to read. And they can relax and not worry about losing them or dog-earing the pages. Garage sales and thrift stores are great resources if you can't stomach the thought of paying full price.
5. Get them an e-reader or tablet. I love real books, I really do, and so do my children. But our kids are living in a whole new era. Like it or not, they need to know how to use technology, not to mention that the option of reading on an iPad might just be that little extra incentive your child needs. And also it's awesomely convenient to have a whole library at you fingertips when waiting at the doctor's office or on long car rides (if they're lucky enough to be able to read in a moving vehicle without getting car sick).
6. Find what interests them. This could be tricky, but keep trying! The children's librarian at your library is probably a great resource (ours is), as well as friends with kids. Probe your memory and try to think of what you liked to read at their age. If one genre doesn't click, try another. Audio books are an option too.
7. Read books with your kids. You can either check out two of the same book from the library, or do an improvised sort of tandem reading. He reads the first three chapters, then you read the first three chapters, and so on. I've had a lot of fun doing this with Connor (and to a lesser extent with Bethany). I love having someone to discuss books with! This is also the perfect way to ensure that they understand what they're reading.
8. Help them set reading goals. Connor got a kick out of keeping track of the books he read in 2014, especially when he surpassed his goal. As an added bonus, he now has a log of every book he read for the year. I wish I had a list of every book I ever read, wouldn't that be incredible? I also set a reading goal for myself for 2014, of which I fell embarrassingly short (okay, I admit that setting a goal of 100 books for the year may have been a bit lofty! I came in at 55, so my 2015 goal is 60). I love that I have a list of all the books I read in 2014, and I've already started a 2015 list.

What are your tips for helping your kids love books and reading? Do you keep track of the books you read? Goodreads is a helpful resource for that, where you can also rate and review the books you've read and find other books to read based on what you like.

Have you set a reading goal for 2015? Please share!

Saying Goodbye to Another Year

It's been a strange year. Kind of angsty. Uneventful, yet full of big changes. Contradictory. Tired. Unexpected. Disappointing. Alright. Little bright spots here and there.

2014.

I'm not sure what I have to say about you, you rather lackluster year, you.

I just had a look at my 2014 goals, which I wrote last January and then didn't look at all year until today. Out of 17 goals, I completed 4. Hmm, might sound dismal but not as bad as I thought. Five others I consider to be partial successes.

It was just a weird year, starting with crazy weather that extended my kids' holiday break by an entire week, and ending with me being sick with a flu that morphed into a long and annoying chest cold.

A friend of mine posted on Facebook earlier today that nobody needs a new year to make a new beginning. We can do that anytime we choose. I agree with her, completely. And yet there is something about making New Year's resolutions, or goals for the year, that is just exciting to me. I told Chris we should make goals together tonight and make a vision board, but he didn't think that sounded like fun. Go figure.

Reviewing my year, via the memory card that has been in my camera for the past 12 months, I notice some highlights:

• Crazy amounts of snow
• A Chinese exchange student (our third)
• A Spring Break trip to Midland, Michigan
• Lucy's 1st Communion
• Connor winning the school Spelling Bee and going on to compete at the county Spelling Bee
• Connor's 5th grade graduation, and endless hours spent working on his class video
• Lots of field trips
• Mathilda's preschool graduation
• Bethany's induction into the National Junior Honor Society
• Lots of basketball
• Two trips to Cedar Point
• Mathilda's dance recital
• Trip to Rogers City
• Port Austin vacation
• My "baby" cousin's graduation from high school 
• Trip to Cleveland with Chris, including visiting the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, A Christmas Story house, and Cuyahoga Valley National Park
• Trip to Grand Rapids with my mom
• Mathilda starting kindergarten and Connor starting middle school (!!!! How, exactly, did we get here??)
• Birthdays: My 39th, Chris's 40th, Connor's 11th, Mathilda's 5th, Bethany's 13th, and Lucy's 8th

Other things stand out too, like time spent with family and friends, going to the beach, swimming at my father-in-law's, going to the park, and to Belle Isle. Saying a very sad goodbye to our dog of almost 14 years, Cleo. And hello to our newest canine family member, Marla. Committing to send Bethany to China for Spring Break this coming year. Lots of fun blogger perks. Having a seizure for the first time in over 3 years (ugh). Being miserably sick for Christmas, yet loving spoiling my kids and watching them enjoy all their new goodies.

The year has not been a total wash. There is always something to be grateful for, every moment of every day. That never changes. Some days it's harder to remember that and recognize all the blessings, but I know they are there. I've had some really great times in 2014. And a lot of stress and many not so good times. There have been some really big changes - like Chris's new career, and my role of 13 years as stay-at-home mom changing with Mathilda starting full day kindergarten.

I guess I've just been a little off my game in 2014, and if there's one thing I'd really like to change going into 2015 it would be to get back on it.

Tonight I'm going to have a quiet evening at home, like I do most years on New Year's Eve. Connor and I will take Marla for a walk in our pajamas (it's dark out, don't judge). The little girls will try with all their might to stay up until midnight. I will work on my goals for the coming year, because I like to do that. Maybe we'll watch a movie or I'll read or we'll play a game or two.

For our family, 2014 is going out with little fanfare. I'm not sorry to see it go because I'm always excited for what's next. 2015 is going to be a wondrous year, I feel it in my bones. It's up to me to make that happen. I'm ready.

Some highlights of my 2014.

Shop Best Buy for Last Minute Canon Gifts

Disclaimer: The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

Christmas is less than a week away, do you still have shopping to do? I confess that I have a few more gifts to buy. Best Buy is your go to place for last minute holiday shopping, and offers many easy gift-giving solutions. If you have a family on your list, I love the idea of a group gift, such as a Canon EOS Rebel T5i, a best selling DLSR camera. Maybe that family is yours. Right now you can save $150 on the Canon EOS Rebel T5i at Best Buy. Visit Best Buy for more information, offer valid 12/7-12/20.

I LOVE my Canon Rebel, because it takes fabulous photographs, even for an amateur like me. I'm still learning about all its functions, but even the auto setting takes better pictures than any other camera I've ever owned.

What makes the Canon EOS Rebel T5i so popular? For starters, it's not as scary as it looks, making advanced photography simple and fun for everyone. The image quality is superb, with a wide array of creativity-enhancing features, including:

• Hollywood caliber full HD video capability for budding videographers
• Continuous autofocus while taking HD video (wow! this is awesome!)
• 18.0-megapixel CMOS sensor and a DIGIC 5 image processor, to ensure ultra clear, vivid images
• 3" vari-angle touch screen makes it incredibly user-friendly (I love this feature!)

Basically, this camera will make you feel like a pro, even if you're the furthest thing from it. What a gift this would make to a special family in your life, or to yourself and your own family. Document life's special moments that you want to remember forever with the Canon EOS Rebel T5i.

Do you have a Canon Rebel? If so please share your favorite function in the comments!

Being Aware & Keeping Our Kids Safe: Modern Slavery, Human Trafficking, and the U.S. Sex Trade

Photo from The Long Night

A few years ago, I read a disturbing nonfiction book that really brought home to me the fact that slavery is still a flourishing and prevalent worldwide trade. The title of this eye-opening book evades me, but the message stayed with me. What most of us naive Americans think of as something that became virtually extinct in the days of Abraham Lincoln, except maybe (but we don't like to think about it) in some far off dirty and uncivilized corners of the globe that we never plan on visiting, is actually still going on, to this day, in this very country.

Slavery happens everywhere, in many different forms. There are the lower caste people of India, who will be working off the debts of their ancestors for the rest of their lives, while living in extreme poverty and never benefiting from their hard labor. There are Eastern European girls dreaming of a better life, who are promised well-paying nanny positions in another country, only to be forced into a vicious cycle of forced prostitution as soon as they cross the border. And there are the suburban American runaways who crave the excitement of big city life, wind up crossing paths with the wrong person, and the next thing they know their picture is on a child porn site advertising the sale of their bodies.

Of course these are only a few examples. The face of slavery can look like anyone, and can therefore be difficult to recognize. Maybe on your insulated trip downtown for a game or concert you've had the displeasure of driving through a questionable area, and noticed some young people suspiciously walking the streets, and wondered to yourself if they were prostitutes. Maybe you shuddered, thanked God that could never happen to your kids, and muttered under your breath about stupid junkies selling their bodies for drug money. You could be right, but have you ever really stopped to think about how they got to that point?

Some of those kids might have come from backgrounds I can't begin to imagine, filled with real life nightmares of abuse, neglect, abandonment, and substance abuse. They might have been forced out onto the streets by their own parents, whether as a means of escaping unimaginable abuse or even sold in exchange for a fix, or coerced by their drug-addled parents to walk the streets to support their illicit habits. Others might have come from more "normal" homes; just your typical teens, making a few impulsive decisions that turned their lives inside out. They might feel they can never go home because of the choices they've made and the things they've done, or there might be a pimp-puppeteer calling every shot, with no chance of escape.

Most of us pretty much think we can breathe easy at this point, because our kids might be a little sassy or disrespectful now and then, but NO WAY would anything like this ever happen to them! We're good parents! We know what's up! Our kids are SMART, too! They would never be duped by some slick pimp, selling them a line about living the "good" life of prostitution. They would never let anyone boss them around like that, they won't even listen to us when we tell them to pick their dirty towels up off the bathroom floor.

Unfortunately, it's so much more complicated than that. The truth is, young people - girls and boys - are sold into prostitution rings. In the United States. Some are immigrants, but some are Americans. Many are runaways, but some are kidnap victims. Some are walking the streets, relatively obvious in their pursuits, but others are kept locked away somewhere, stuck in a continual haze of johns, pimps, and fellow victims of the sex trafficking industry.

Obviously not all of these unfortunate young men and women are literally sold and physically forced to sell their bodies. It might be easy to think they are simply making a bad choice and can stop anytime they want. However, many have no one to turn to, no one to help them. Some traded abusive parents for brutal pimps, who are standing on the sidelines, ready to break their noses and threaten their lives any time they step out of line. Countless numbers of them have succumbed to drug abuse, and their bodies literally need them to continually provide them with heroin, crack, or other horrors, and they have no other means than selling themselves to make that happen.

I don't want to freak you out, and trust me - as the mother of three beautiful girls, this is the last thing I want to think about. But the painful, terrifying truth is that this can happen to anyone. Anyone's little girl can end up living a sex trafficking nightmare. But I do think the first step in prevention is awareness. Let's talk about this issue and stop pretending it doesn't exist or that this kind of tragedy only happens to "bad" kids from substandard homes.

A couple months ago, I read and reviewed a novel, Dark Hope by Monica McGurk, which delves into the issue of human trafficking, specifically in the U.S., and in particular, Atlanta. I was glad to see this often overlooked issue get some attention, and I highly recommend the book, both as an intriguing YA work of fiction and as a glimpse into an important issue.

Just today I watched a documentary, The Long Night, directed by Tim Matsui, that takes a long, hard look at sex trafficking in the Seattle area. You can watch it online at thelongnight.com. I can't promise you it's fun to watch, but it is compelling and well worth seeing. At just over an hour in length, it won't take up much of your time, but you definitely will not forget it anytime soon.

Warning: the film contains some profanity, real drug use, prostitution, and very disturbing real life situations. I would not recommend pressing play while any young children are around, but I do think it would be a good idea to show your teen or older tween. It's difficult subject matter, but sometimes we have to have the hard conversations. We as parents owe it to our kids to make them aware that these kinds of things are happening in the world, and not just in far off places that they don't need to worry about. We need to help educate them so they can learn to protect themselves.

Cops are getting a bad rap these days, but a group of Seattle police officers featured in The Long Night has taken it upon themselves to help some of these kids instead of simply perpetuating their desperate lifestyles with one arrest after another. Fathers of daughters of their own, these honorable men began to really notice and pay attention to the young prostitutes they were picking up night after night. They started asking questions and learning the heartbreaking stories behind the atrocious acts of self loathing they were witnessing. Furthermore, they decided to take action; to create a place where these girls could go for a chance to be safe, cared for, and clean.

When the officer discusses his epiphany, that these girls he was constantly arresting did not actually want to be living a life of prostitution, it is a very poignant moment in the film. One man waking up and stepping out of a well-worn rut worn by habit can make a change.

Because I'm reading The Teenage Brain, by Frances E. Jensen, M.D. and Amy Ellis Nutt, I'm beginning to learn the importance of repetition when it comes to life or death issues our teens need to know about. They simply don't have the frontal lobe brain development of an adult yet, which helps with things like impulse control and resisting risky behaviors. For this reason they need frequent reminders and lots of real world examples to convince them and to help them really understand and appreciate the dangers associated with risky behaviors (such as drug and alcohol use or running away from home). The Long Night is a perfect tool that is up to the task.

I encourage you to watch The Long Night and share it with your friends and family, then come back to share your thoughts. If you'd like more information or to learn how you can get involved, go the Leaving the Life website. Furthermore, if you're active in social media, please consider the following:

• Like The Long Night on Facebook
• Like Leaving the Life on Facebook
• Follow @TLNmovie on Twitter
• Follow director Tim Matsui on Pinterest for a lot of related articles 
• Share posts, retweet and engage in conversations - in other words, get the conversation going

Kenny Chesney The Big Revival Tour at Detroit Ford Field - Tickets On Sale TODAY!

Kenny Chesney coming to Detroit in 2015

Is there a country music fan on your Christmas shopping list? Kenny Chesney is coming back to Detroit's Ford Field on August 22, 2015, with special guests Eric Church, Brantley Gilbert, and Chase Rice! Tickets went on sale TODAY - just in time for Christmas shopping! Don't forget that YOU deserve a Christmas gift too - maybe this is the perfect gift to give YOURSELF!

August 22, 2015 - Kenny Chesney at Ford Field

Head over to FordField.com to get your tickets today! Tickets start at just $37.50! What better way to start the new year than to be able to already have something this awesome to add to you 2015 calendar? I love having fun events to look forward to, even months down the road.

Kenny Chesney The Big Revival Tour 2015

P.S. And...I have more great news! Check back soon, because MichiGal is going to be giving away 2 tickets to the August 22 Kenny Chesney Concert at Ford Field in Detroit! It's just a little Merry Christmas from me to you!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

ReZoopie Cookbook from The Detroit Zoo & Door to Door Organics + GIVEAWAY!

ReZoopie Eat Like an Animal Cookbook

Do you sometimes struggle to convince your kids that eating healthy is the best choice? I know I do, and I can use all the help I can get. Lecturing them about the benefits of eating all their veggies only goes so far. But my kids are huge animal lovers, so maybe they would like to "eat like an animal", specifically, like their favorite animals at the Detroit Zoo.

The Detroit Zoo has partnered with Door to Door Organics to create ReZoopie, a fun kid-friendly cookbook. ReZoopie features animals from the Detroit Zoo, and recipes made with ingredients from Door to Door Organics. The cookbook is designed to incorporate fresh fruits and veggies into your kids' diets - just like their favorite animals. It's full of cute illustrations and real photos of Detroit Zoo animals, as well as photographs of each recipe. The recipes are simple and appealing, like the Porcupine Pick-Ups, made with squash, broccoli and carrots - and they look delicious!

Here's the scoop:

• Visit Door to Door Organics and get $10 off your order using code DETROITZOO **new customers only**
• Get the ReZoopie cookbook for FREE  HERE. This is a pdf digital copy, which you can download onto your computer or print. (Have a Kindle? Once you download the book and have the file saved on your computer, send an email to your Kindle email address with the book's file as an attachment. Voila! Easy access on your e-reader).
• Enter to Win a fabulous prize package, using the form below!

What can you win? Both of these great prizes!

A $100 gift card for Door to Door Organics 

AND

4 tickets to Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo (happening on weekend evenings, 5:30-9 p.m., from now until December 31: Dec. 5-7, 11-14, 18-23, and 26-31)

Good luck! And be sure to tell everyone what you think of the recipes - leave a comment with your favorite recipe!

Disclaimer: MichiGal is receiving goods and/or services in exchange for this post.

Detroit Zoo Wild Nights + Door to Door Organics

Review: Idina Menzel "Holiday Wishes"

Disclaimer: I participated in the Idina Menzel Holiday Wishes album review program as a member of One2One Network. I was provided an album to review but all opinions are my own. 

I am strictly opposed to Christmas music before Thanksgiving (one holiday at a time, please!), but when I was given the opportunity to review Tony Award-winning actor/singer Idina Menzel's new album, Holiday Wishes, I had to make an exception. Because, you know, I love her. While I've never had the privilege of seeing her in a Broadway production, I am a fan of Menzel from Frozen (she is the voice of Elsa) and Glee, where she plays the talented mother of main character Rachel Berry.

Menzel reworks a dozen holiday numbers, including several classics:

1. Do You Hear What I Hear
2. The Christmas Song
3. Baby It's Cold Outside (duet with Michael Buble)
4. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
5. All I Want for Christmas is You
6. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve
7. December Prayer
8. When You Wish Upon a Star
9. Silent Night
10. River
11. Holly Jolly Christmas
12. White Christmas

An exclusive version sold at Target includes 2 bonus tracks: "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow"; and "Mothers Spiritual". I didn't get this version so I haven't heard these two songs yet.

Of course I was already a fan of Menzel's melodious voice, so the fact that I love this album is no surprise. I suppose I would describe it as...smooth. I know most of the words, so I can sing along, which is kind of a must when it comes to Christmas music. I've been listening to it while I work, and it's got a nice vibe to it. Upbeat, but not distracting.

My absolute favorite track on Holiday Wishes is "Baby It's Cold Outside." Menzel and Buble together are chillingly perfect.

Want a little sneak listen? Check out this album trailer!




Holiday Wishes is available on iTunes and Amazon.

If you're looking for a little something to get you in the holiday spirit, or want something new to add to your Christmas music rotation, Holiday Wishes is an ideal choice.

Still a SAHM

You might say I've got a new lease on life. I knew things would be different when all of my kids went back to school in September, leaving me as a school day empty nester for the first time. My life is definitely different, that's for sure. Just maybe not quite in the ways I expected.

I thought I might be a little sad, and truthfully there are times when it gets lonely and I miss having a mini buddy to cuddle with and to run errands with me. But mostly I'm not lonely at all. After our dog passed away in September, we adopted Marla in October. She is a good companion. Sometimes Chris is home during the afternoon, and other times I meet my mom, mother-in-law, or a friend for coffee, shopping, or what have you. Then we've had the days off, half days, early release days, and kids home sick. I am rarely alone. Being the introvert that I am, though, a nice quiet house to myself is an absolute treat. I relish the peacefulness.

I never thought I'd be bored, and I wasn't wrong about that. On the contrary, there aren't enough hours in the day. I did think I'd have more time to do things like work out, practice my French (with Rosetta Stone), and organize my house. But what I'm finding is that the days slip away before I know it. I'm not just sitting around watching television and reading all day either. Actually I very rarely watch TV, and I don't even have much time for books.

What have I been doing with my time? Besides the regular stuff like grocery shopping, laundry, dishes, errands, walking the dog, and cleaning?

Maybe you've noticed I'm back to blogging more regularly, although I hope to be better about that as I get more accustomed to my new life. That's one thing. I've been making curtains for Bethany's bedroom, and I am no pro so that takes a lot of time. Since September I've had 9 days of kids home sick from school. N.I.N.E. So add taking care of sick children to the list. Then there's the occasional weekday get togethers with friends and family that I mentioned, although those are often tied in with with a necessary chore, like walking Marla or shopping for new boots for the kids. I organized the school book fair, volunteer to chaperone field trips every chance I get, and will be helping the kindergarteners roller skate in PE class in the coming weeks. Bethany is going to China on a school trip in the spring, so we have been fund raising for that. In other words, I have spent tons of time collecting returnables from neighbors and friends and taking them into the store, and making homemade goodies for bake sales. I have plenty of activities and tasks to keep me busy.

I also recently acquired a temporary, work at home job. Just a simple one that allows me to work at my convenience, for as many hours as I can. This right here has been the most eye-opening event of my new life.

The thought had crossed my mind that once all my kids were in school full-time that maybe I'd get a "real" job. You know, the kind that would require me to brush my hair, wear actual pants, go to a place of business and interact with co-workers. It's been a lot of years since I've done that.

Then reality set in. I don't know many employers that would take kindly to NINE impromptu days off due to sick children, not to mention early release days every other week, four half days, and a day off for elections. All that in less than three months. I know people do it. People put their elementary school kids in the after (and sometimes before) school program and give their middle school kids house keys to let themselves in after school. They share sick days with their spouses (Chris doesn't get sick days and really can't call in at the last minute in his line of work), hire babysitters, count on their parents quite a bit, and beyond that I don't even know what all they do. Everyday, all over the place, there are families that do these things. I am in awe of them and their phenomenal juggling abilities.

Here is what I think, for me personally, for my family. Life is hectic enough. Life is, in fact, so so SO hectic. Could we use the money? Oh my gosh, SO MUCH! Couldn't we all? But I like to see my kids in the morning before school, to pick them up after school, and to help them with their homework. I like them to know that if they're sick, they can call me and I'll pick them up and bring them home where they can at least be sick somewhat comfortably. I like to say yes when Connor's friend's mom calls me and asks if I can drive her son home from school, and to let Lucy's BFF come over after school so I can drive them to dance class together. I like to be able to check "yes" next to the box asking if I'd like to be considered as a field trip chaperone, without worrying how I'll shuffle my schedule to do it. And here's something else. I am mentally re-charged when I am ALONE. I like being alone sometimes, crave it, need it.

However, believe it or not, it's not all about me and my own selfish needs and desires. A long time ago, when I was immersed in diaper duty, round the clock nursing, and multiple strollers and car seats, I thought my kids would need me less the older they got. I'll admit that a part of me, the most overwhelmed and sleep-deprived part, sometimes looked forward to that day. The truth, I've come to realize, is they need me more, but in different ways. Now they can dress and feed themselves and use the bathroom (more or less) on their own. They can do chores, make their school lunches, wake themselves up with an alarm in the morning, and so much more. Yes, they can do a lot, and they don't need me anymore for many of the things for which they once depended upon me.

But there are other things, some I never thought of or considered until they reached up and smacked me in the face. Like that they'd need me to drive them all over town, to be at their games and their band concerts. To email their teachers when they're having troubles, to listen and wipe their tears when they've been burned by a friend, to assure them that they're smart and beautiful and good, to proofread reports, and to make sure they're packing more than just leftover Halloween candy in those lunch boxes. Sometimes they need me every single moment that they're with me, right up until they're asleep for the night, and by then I am spent, physically, mentally and sometimes emotionally. And then I keep going, often spending hours after they are fast asleep doing things like making sure they have clean underwear and cereal bowls for the morning and printing out papers that are due the next day. I know you know what I mean, fellow parents. Our kids need us, and that doesn't stop at any magical age.

So that brings me back to my new job. Like I said it's temporary and flexible, and I can work at home. It's only been a couple weeks so I'm new at this, but wow! It's hard to squeeze in a job with everything else. I have my blogging and social media things I do, but those are more sporadic and not paid by the hour. It's hard enough to make time for those little, occasional jobs.

At this moment in my life, I simply cannot fathom how I would work these kind of hours outside the home. I do not know how other people do it. This past week I've been able to juggle sick kids, half days, parent teacher conferences, and a whole lot more while still working. It hasn't exactly been easy but I've managed. I don't know how I could have been working in an office or anyplace other than home while simultaneously caring for a puking child.

I will say that having some extra money is great, especially with Christmas creeping up so quickly and the myriad expenses associated with older kids (you thought diapers were expensive! ha!). I am grateful beyond words for the opportunity to work while doing everything I can for my kids, but the eye opening part of this experience has been that I'm nowhere near ready to re-join the work force outside of my bubble of home and family. This is right where I need to be right now.

I like money and the things it can buy, but I don't like it enough to give up being available for my family at a moment's notice. I don't like it enough to say yes to latch key and babysitters and house keys. Not that there is anything intrinsically wrong with any of those things (here is where I'll mention that I myself had a house key in second grade, and spent my summers, school breaks, and many sick days being cared for by my aunts or grandparents).

Everyone I know is doing their best to survive any way they can, and it's all good. We all have to figure out what is best for us and for our families. As for us, I've been a SAHM for 13 years and we've been getting by, and we'll continue to get by. I'll continue to work at home as much as I can, falling asleep with a laptop on my knees more nights than not. But despite the new circumstances in my life, I will not be seeking any long-term employment outside of the home any time soon.

The funny thing is that I thought life would be calmer and less hectic with all four in school all day. Not quite!

Game Review: Petz Beach for Nintendo 3DS

Finding a video game that my kids can share, with an E (for Everyone) rating so nobody is excluded, and that is entertaining enough so that no one is rolling her eyes...well that can be a bit of a challenge. Since my kids range from Kindergarten to 8th grade, there is plenty they can't share, but I love when we discover something they can pass back and forth, talking and offering tips and advice to one another, whether in the car or curled up on the couch on long, cold Saturday afternoons. Animal games are generally a good bet, although some are too juvenile for the big kids. Petz Beach for Nintendo 3DS is one such game that my 5-year old, 8-year old, and 11-year old all have fun with (the 13-year old is too busy these days for video games), and I will freely admit that I have been amusing myself with it as well.

In case you're not familiar with Petz, it is a popular franchise that has sold tens of millions of copies worldwide. The basic premise is to care for pets while exploring the game's environment (in this case, the beach), talking to characters, finding and buying various items, and going on quests. The game expands as you go along, and it even changes with the seasons. Today it was snowing at the beach while my kids and I laid in my warm, comfy bed and took turns playing Petz Beach. Another similar game is Petz Countryside, which is the same type of game but with a country setting rather than the beach.

In Petz Beach, your character has a pet and a home, and can walk around its seaside community. You can train your dog to find different things, and go on quests for the other characters. For each completed quest you are rewarded, either with a special item or with coins. Coins are used to purchase items in the shop, including necessities for your pet like food and water. When you have enough coins, you can visit the adoption agency to add more pets to your family. With enough happy points, you can expand your community and gaming experience.

So far, I have found the quests to be simple enough for the kids to be able to do them without help (and without frustration), and the interface to be fairly self-explanatory and easy. It does take some time to earn enough coins to adopt another pet, or enough happy points to expand the village, but if it was too easy that wouldn't be much fun.

Giving our pet some water at home.

What did my kids think? Lucy (age 8) and Mathilda (5 years old) like the pet care aspect the best, while Connor (age 11), like me, really enjoys the adventures - going on quests and finding items. I'm a sucker for this type of game. I played for awhile for "research purposes", and I'll be sure I know where I can find the 3DS while the kids are at school (wink wink). We almost have enough happy points to expand, and I'm anxious to see what will be added to our village next!

On a quest - sniffing something out

Besides simple entertainment, Petz Beach also offers learning opportunities. There are over 50 animals in the game, and through its partnership with Encyclopaedia Britannica, players will learn about the various creatures as they encounter them throughout the game. Additionally, the game offers the option to connect with friends who are also playing, but we don't know anyone else with Petz Beach yet so we didn't play around with this function.

Meeting a friend in the village

Published by Ubisoft and released on October 14, 2014, Petz Beach is a pet simulation and adventure game available for the Nintendo 3DS system and rated E for everyone. It's good, clean fun, and you'll never have to worry if your child is exposed to something he shouldn't be seeing or learning about. There is no violence, no bad or even questionable language, and nothing scary. If you're looking for a fun Christmas gift for the young boy or girl on your shopping list, or something your children of various ages can share, Petz Beach would be a great choice. You can purchase Petz Beach on Amazon.

Searching for shells at the beach

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.