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Lisa and Shelly with our new parish priest, Fr. John Cahoon |
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Sexy Halloween: Just Say No! - Every year we see sexy teen and pre-teen Halloween costumes. It's buzzed about on social media and in mom groups. But you know what? We as parents don't have to give in to it! Just say no to the sexing up of our teens and preteens. Help your teen girl find a costume that is creative or is related to something they are interested in rather than buying something they really shouldn't be wearing.
For example - my 12 year old daughter recently caught up watching Downton Abbey and guess what she wanted to wear for Halloween? A Downton Abbey ladies' maid costume! Now, the official costume online was about $100 which led us to make it up ourselves.
Ashley wore a black maxi skirt, a plain back button up shirt and black flats. We found this White Handmade Embroidery Cluny Lace Embellished Front Pockets Apron on Amazon for under $30. To create the ladies' maid hair piece to complete the look she glued lacy hem facing on a plain headband. The apron and headpiece really "made" the costume. I am very proud of her for selecting this as a costume.
Not only is it age appropriate for her, but I can borrow it next year!! A double win.
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Called to be Saints - We always wrap up the Halloween fun by remembering the Saints and all those who have died. In teaching my 3rd grade faith formation class last week, I was once again struck by the fact that we are all called to be saints. Those we honor on All Saints Day were normal, sinful people before they changed their lives for Christ. The Saints are our models of how to strive for Heaven. When we get overwhelmed in our day to day lives, we can look to the thousands of Saints to find one whose situation in life, their struggle might mirror our own. Their example, along with the life of Jesus, helps us grow closer to God and journey on the path to eternal life in Heaven.
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He got his wish. His dad took him and his older sister (who'd also read it) to the movies. A warning about the movie. It is PG-13 and has some scary elements. I did a bit of research and talking to people who had seen it before allowing Daniel to go. Knowing him and what he can handle, we let him see it. And he did fine. If you have a child younger than 13 who is interested in the movie, be sure to talk to a few people who've seen it first.
Not only is he now reading the second book, but my oldest has finished the series and my youngest has now finished the first book! Yay for bribery.
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The Grace of Yes - This week Lisa Hendey's new book The Grace of Yes: Eight Virtues for Generous Living
is available!! I am "patiently" waiting on my copy to be delivered so I can join in on the Grace of Yes Book Club over at CatholicMom.com.
In The Grace of Yes, Lisa Hendey explores the eight spiritual virtues she believes are the foundation of Christian life. Allowing readers to peek into the window of her own spiritual journey, she shows how the virtues of belief, generativity, creativity, integrity, humility, vulnerability, saying no, and starting over lead to generous living and the ability to joyously say yes to God.
Seriously, I'm very excited to read Lisa's newest book!! Are you a Lisa Hendey fan girl? If not, you really, really need to get on the bandwagon!!
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15 Social Media Tips - In my work as a social media consultant for businesses, I wrote a piece on 15 Social Media Tips for Businesses that you might find helpful. If you are a blogger, an author, run an at home business or simply love social media like I do, the tips outlined for social media success can also apply to you.
What social media tips would you suggest?
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* There are links above that send you to Amazon. We have an affiliate relationship with Amazon and will earn a small commission if you purchase from the links. (Just had to let you know!)