A study on, structured activities for kids may not be the best....

Ted Talk

This Must Watch Ted Talk by Brene Brown on vulnerability is fantastic.  There are many life lessons that can be learned from her research. Check it out, download it to your phone, and begin to understand yourself a bit better, I know I did by listening to this.

If There Wasn't April in Utah—

Every year I add a little something to my April Poem. This is this years....

If There Wasn't April in Utah—

I wouldn't have the opportunity to be spiritually uplifted in the celebration of Easter

I wouldn't be able to enjoy the early bloom of newness,

and enjoy flowers and snow in the same day

I wouldn't be able to play or walk in the park after a long winter

I wouldn't enjoy the beginning of soft ball season

I wouldn't have fresh water to drink, as we always need a run off

I wouldn't have the luxury of opening the windows and then turning on the fire place

I wouldn't enjoy the bitter cold wind with the sun shining through

I wouldn't enjoy spring cleaning, no I really do

I wouldn't be able to grade hundreds of UVU papers and close out another semester

I wouldn't have spring break, to breathe and enjoy sleeping in

I wouldn't look forward to the summer, to feed 2 kids + friends and taxi around

I wouldn't be able to plant peas as my grandma made me appreciate my garden

I wouldn't have to miss my grandma as she died 11 years ago the day before my birthday

I wouldn't give grace to everything that I am blessed with

If There Wasn't April in Utah—I wouldn't have been born, as this month I will be 41.

"it's not fair"

"If your child says, 'That's not fair,' instead of jumping in with an explanation you might

ask, 'What do you think would be fair?' Then, wait for the answer - and ask a follow-up

question. HINT: If you find yourself thinking of your response while your child is

talking, then you're not really listening." 

(Thompson, M. Talking with Kids) 

Retrieved

January 15, 2014 from

http://www.pbs.org/parents/talkingwithkids/strategies_1.html

Love More!

Love is kindness! Love is patient, patience makes us wise. Love is wise. Love is kind. Love is an investment, what ever you put your time, money, and energy into is most important to you. Love is thoughtful, requires thoughtfulness. Love thinks, it's not mindless. It keeps busy. Love thoughts precede love actions. Love teaches. Love thinks before speaking. Love is not rude or loud. Love is not unpleasant. Love has manners. Love is honor, your best behavior. Love is not discretion. Love is not embarrassing. Love has no double standard and lives by the golden rule. Love dares to be delightful, not dreadful. Love lifts you to a higher standard. If you try to allow love to be the light of each day, I dare you to share this. Happy Valentine's Day!!!

I like what this article has to say...

Depression is a painful experience that can also be dangerous. That’s the bad news. However, there is so much good news about depression:

1. It is not indicative of a weak character
2. It can be treated with therapy and, in some cases, medication.
3. Psychotherapeutic treatment for depression can also improve one’s self-esteem, assertiveness, and communication skills.        just-get-better-easier-said-than-done-with-depression-

the-first-lesson-of-marriage-101-there-are-no-soul-mates