Impromptu Playdate?

According to The Weather Channel, it's supposed to be 65 tomorrow (March 17) so i wanted to see if anyone wanted to meet up at Nick's Park or Burke Park for a couple of hours since it was pretty dreary last Thursday.
(for those that don't know, Burke Park is the park next to the Monticello Pool)
if interested, please leave a comment here!

also, please check out the new forum!
http://themomgroup.freeforum.com

Laura

a new addition to The Mom's Group!

Hi, some of you may not know me very well. My name is Laura Bratt. I am a relatively new member to TMG(joined at the beginning of this year). I am 24 and live in Monticello with my daughter Harmony. With the support of Jodie, i have started a forum for the members of The Mom's Group to use. You can reach the forum through this address: http://themomgroup.freeforums.org/ When the page loads, you will notice that there is nothing there! This is simply for security purposes. No one can read ANYTHING that our members post unless they are registered with our site and you must be approved to join our site through one of our administrators (currently myself and Jodie). On this first page, you'll notice a sign in area that you would later enter your username and password. Above that, is a link that says 'register'. Click on that link and after agreeing to the 'terms of use', you will be prompted to chose a username, password, and to answer a couple more basic questions. After that, an administrator will approve you to join the forum and once that is done, you simply go back to the main page, log in with your username and password and you are free to start posting in topics that interest you! This is completely free but if you are still a little wary, please feel free to check out the page using our test username. All you'd have to do is sign in as the username: membertest1 with the password: 123456 If you like what you see, please feel free to register yourself and join! Also, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to send me a private message, e'mail or post a question in the 'questions' thread on the forum.

A note to Santa from Mom...

Emily sent this out and it was so cute, I thought I'd post it here!
Merry Christmas,
Jodie

Dear Santa,
I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my own doctor, sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground.
I was hoping you could spread my list out -- over several Christmases.
Since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles; and who knows when I'll find any more free time in the next 18 years, so now - -
** Here are my Christmas wishes **

* I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (-in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze; but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle in the grocery store.

* I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy.

* If you're hauling big-ticket items this year, I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.

* On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, 'Yes, Mommy' to boost my parental confidence, along with two kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools.

* I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting, 'Don't eat in the living room' and 'Take your hands off your brother,' because my voice seems to bejust out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog.

* If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container.

*If you don't mind, I could also use a few miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely.

*It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family.

Well, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing, and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his red crayon back. Have a safe trip Santa, and remember to leave your wet boots by the door, and come in and dry off, so you don't catch cold.
Help yourself to cookies on the table, but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.

Yours always with love and appreciation,
A Mom

P.S. One more thing . . You can cancel all my requests, if you can keep my children 'young' enough to believe in Santa.

Need any Christmas Presents?!!

Hello ladies,
Today I went through Emma's bookshelves anticipating the onslaught of Christmas presents. I have A LOT of books (that are in very good- if not perfect/new shape) that I am willing to give up, should you want to come over and take a look. There are a variety of titles - not just "girl books."
I also have a Leap Pad Book Reader (that has literally been used once and then forgotten) up for grabs!

I will be taking whatever if left somewhere (any suggestions?) Wednesday afternoon...

I will be here most of the day- running out late this afternoon - but if you are in need of a few books, give me a call and come on over!

Merry Christmas,
Jodie

Baby Katie Time

Anyone up to watch baby Katie for an hour while Charlie, Maggie, and I carol with Kairos this evening from 5:30-6:30? Just don't want to drag her along. Let me know if you are a taker...
Kristin

Hey ladies!
Jodi F. sent this -- saying that it might be a good reminder...
Because of recent abductions in daylight hours, refresh yourself of these things to do in an emergency situation...This is for you, and for you to share with your wife, your children, everyone you know. After reading these 9 crucial tips, forward them to someone you care about.
It never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in.

1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do :
The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!
2. Learned this from a tourist guide in New Orleans. If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you...chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!
3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will.
This has saved lives.
4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit
(doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc.) DON'T DO THIS! The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE. If someone is in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF, repeat:
DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car.
Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is better than having them find your body in a remote location.
5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage:
A.) Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat
B.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.
C.) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)
6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. (Stairwells are horrible places to be alone
and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!)
7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; And even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN, preferably in a zig -zag pattern!
8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP. It may get you raped, or killed.
Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked "for help" into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.
9. Another Safety Point: Someone just told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird. The police told her "Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door." The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said, "We already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, DO NOT open the door." He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls by women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their doors when they're home alone at night.

This e-mail should be taken seriously because the Crying Baby theory was mentioned on
America 's Most Wanted this past Saturdaywhen they profiled the serial killer in Louisiana.

I'd like you to forward this to all the women you know. It may save a life. A candle is not dimmed by lighting another candle. I was going to send this to the ladies only, but guys, if you love your mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, etc., you may want to pass it onto them, as well.

Random Acts of Kindness II

When doing my weekly shopping at Walmart, I have been purchasing a pack of gum or small candy bar and giving it to the cashier as we leave. Being a cashier during the holiday season can be a thankless job and this is just a small way to say Thank you. And, hopefully to brighten their day, so that they will smile and in turn brighten the day of all of those busy customers. (this is not my idea, I read it on Nadia's blog), but have enjoyed doing this.

I would love to hear what random acts of kindness you have done. You are all such an amazing group! And I have to say, I learned great ideas for Christmas yesterday!
- wrapping up books and videos for the 25 days before Christmas and opening 1 each day
-only 3 gifts as the wise men did (with different variations of what kinds of gifts each one was)
Thanks for sharing!

Have a great week!
Lisa

Hello Everyone,
Jodi Fultz sent me a cool flyer about a Christmas Magic Show that is happening on both Wednesday, December 10 at 7pm and Sunday, December 14 at 2pm.
It is free and open to the public and being held at 100 Noyes Laboratory (GL Clark Hall) on UofI campus. The address is 505 S. Mathews in Urbana.

Jodi's email address is: djbrf23@dishmail.net if you'd like to email her for more information.

This is what she included in the email:
Hi all,
I just wanted to inform you of an AWESOME display of Christmas Magic. This show is wonderful for every age....there are some explosions so if you dont' like really loud noises, you;ll just have to plug your ears...but they do warn you.
THIS IS WAY COOL.....I'm not just bias as a scientist, either... I guarantee you and your kids will love it. Also they have tons of cookies and drinks to go around.
SO COME AND ENJOY a unique experience.
Jodi Fultz

Good to see you all today!
See you on the 18th,
Jodie A

Random Acts of Kindness

If you're looking for a way to help a family in the area, WBGL has a list of families needing help (all info is provided by their friends and family). Specific needs are listed.

http://www.wbgl.org/christian-music-news.cfm/Random-Acts

A friend

A very close friend of mine, who is currently living in England, just found out that her mom has breast cancer. Her mom lives in Illinois and Florida. Please add both of them to your prayers as she gives her support to her mom from across the ocean. Thanks!
Lisa

Girls Growing up too Fast -- good article

Here's an interesting article (if interesting means ready to send my 4 year old to a convent) about how "hot" and "sexy" are being pushed on younger and younger girls through influences in the media, marketing, and other areas.

http://www.parents.com/teens-tweens/health-body-issues/body-issues/girls-growing-up-too-fast/

Wonderful email forward message

Let me begin by saying I refuse to be emotionally blackmailed into forwarding an email. So, do not feel any guilt if you do not sent this on to people, I don't think it says anything about your faith in God. That being said, I thought this was nice and wanted to share:

Who is your Susie...

Come with me to a third grade classroom..... There is a
nine-year-old kid sitting at his desk and all of a sudden,
there is a puddle between his feet and the front of his
pants are wet. He thinks his heart is going to stop because
he cannot possibly imagine how this has happened. It's
never happened before, and he knows that when the boys find
out he will never hear the end of it. When the girls find
out, they'll never speak to him again as long as he
lives.

The boy believes his heart is going to stop; he puts his
head down and prays this prayer, "Dear God, this is an
emergency! I need help now! Five minutes from now I'm
dead meat."

He looks up from his prayer and here comes the teacher with
a look in her eyes that says he has been discovered.
As the teacher is walking toward him, a classmate named
Susie is carrying a goldfish bowl that is filled with
water. Susie trips in front of the teacher and inexplicably
dumps the bowl of water in the boy's lap.
The boy pretends to be angry, but all the while is saying
to himself, "Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord!"
Now all of a sudden, instead of being the object of
ridicule, the boy is the object of sympathy. The teacher
rushes him downstairs and gives him gym shorts to put on
while his pants dry out. The other children are on their
hands and knees cleaning up around his desk. The sympathy
is wonderful. But as life would have it, the ridicule that
should have been his has been transferred to someone else -
Susie.

She tries to help, but they tell her to get out. You've
done enough, you klutz!"
Finally, at the end of the day, as they are waiting for the
bus, the boy walks over to Susie and whispers, "You
did that on purpose, didn't you?" Susie whispers back,

"I wet my pants once too."


May God help us see the opportunities that are always
around us to do good..

Remember.....Just going to church doesn't make you a
Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a
car.

Each and everyone one of us is going through tough times
right now, but God is getting ready to bless you in a way
that only He can. Keep the faith.

My instructions were to pick four (4) people that I wanted
God to bless, and I picked you. Please pass this to at
least four (4) people you want to be blessed and a copy
back to me.

This prayer is powerful, and prayer is one of the best
gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards.
Let's continue to pray for one another.

The Prayer:
GOD , I ask You to bless my friends, relatives and those
that I care deeply for, who are reading this right now.
Show them a new revelation of Your love and power. Holy
Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit at this very
moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy.
Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence
through Your grace. Where there is need, I ask you to fulfill their needs.
Bless their homes, families, finances, their goings and their comings.

Amen.

12 Days of Christmas

Jill Savage will be a speaker in the 12 Days of Christmas webcast. The registration is free and there are some great speakers. Go t Jill's website and check it out. It looks exciting!
http://www.jillsavage.org/

New Favorite Web Site

It went fabulously!!! The shoes I ordered came in last night and they are Clarks that are a 3 inch or so heal. It has been a long time since I have been able to wear heals and had I found these at the regular old retail price, I never would have been able to get them. (Not that they would have had them in stock in a size 11.)

Okay, so going back to work has reignited my love of shoes... here is a web site I found today.

http://www.6pm.com/

I ordered and I will let you know how it goes.

Turkey Frying...and the Feast

Okay, so the feast was great. We missed all those members who couldn't make it. Two things I learned were: 1) keep with my nature and be wary of overcooking things rather than submitting to my fear of giving everyone food poisoning because you can always cook something longer 2) a 2 year old whose hours of sleep are cut in half is ugly to be around. [Charlie has recovered from his lack of sleep and this morning let out a 3 second belch during mass. I WAS mortified, but my humor over took me and I laughed so Daddy took him to the toddlers who can't handle mass room and he played with legos.] Thanks to everyone for your effort in bringing us all together for a meal yesterday. In many ways, it will be more fun than the "real" holiday as our plans involve traveling to almost Florida in our car with all the kids.

Don't let anyone ever tell you you can't do something. I just figured out how to use the turkey fryer, and dropped the turkey in without an explosion! The husband is on the way in from the airport and I might even get a shower before the feast... See y'all soon.

Christmas Cards

I received this in an email and thought it was a great idea.
So, I wanted to share it with you.


GREAT IDEA!!

When doing your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to this address. If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful special people who have sacrificed so much would get.
Remember to write a little blessing on the card.

When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include the following:

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue,NW
Washington,D.C. 20307-5001

Cloth diaper testers

Hi all I am in need of "testers" for my cloth diapers that I am planning on selling. Here is the scoop:

Michael (2 years) and Faith (3 months) in their Fighting Illini Diapers (sorry bad photo!). Same diaper on both - one is set to a medium rise and one is set on a large rise and both have a really nice fit. These are the same diapers I am testing on others - sorry I don't have any more Fighting Illini fabric - but if you are dead set on testing one and really want the Illinois print I suppose I could go get some more! LOL! Just let me know! P.S. these diapers do need waterproof covers if you are putting clothes over them (or wool soakers longies).
In need of testers:
1 - newborn 8-10 pounds under six weeks old
1- chunky 3-6 monther
1 - chunky 6-12 monther
1 - 12 to 18 month toddler
1 - 2+ year old
How it works:
If you don't cloth diaper - You will be asked to try a new diaper on your baby and have a few photos taken of him/her and provide information about weight, height and age of your baby. You will recieve digital copies of the photos taken and a small gift for your baby.
If you cloth diaper - you will recieve a brand new diaper at a discounted price ($8.00) that you can keep after the testing is complete. You will be asked to use the diaper in your cloth diapering routine regularily (approx. 2+ times weekly), provide information on baby's size (weight, hieght, and age), fill out a brief questionaire about fit, absorbancy, style, construction and general likes and dislikes. You will be asked to fill out the same questionare after your initial trial - at 2, 4 and 6 weeks of use. You will be asked to be BLUNTLY honest while reviewing - remember this is how I will make them even better, if need be! You will also recieve 15% discount on any future diaper purchases.
These are the prints I have available for testing are
Tiffany Box, Math Nerd, Circus:




Email me if you cloth diaper and are interested in testing the sizes - or if you don't cloth diaper and wouldn't mind me trying one of these baby's on one of your babies! Testers will recieve a little gift for being so gracious! Thanks a bundle!

Domestic Violence Awareness Training -- Tonight

Just a reminder that Willow Tree Missions is hosting a Domestic Violence Awareness training at the mission tonight at 6pm. If you're interested in helping at the mission, or just want to know the warning signs and ways to help, you're invited and most welcome.

To get to the mission in Cisco from Monticello: Bridge St west, turn left on Old Rt 47 toward Allerton. Continue on 47 about 8 miles to Cisco. Turn left on Main St, cross the tracks, the mission is on the right.

Recall-- Infants Mylicon Gas Drops

Johnson and Johnson--Merck Consumer Pharmaceuticals Company Announces Urgent Voluntary Nationwide Recall Of Infants' Mylicon Gas Relief Dye Free Drops (Simethicone-Antigas) Non-Staining Due To Possible Metal Fragments (November 7, 2008)

http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/johnsonjohnson11_08.html