the gig:

ready, set, grab the books and get to reading! LearningRx Kennesaw is here to help promote reading among your little ones during this year’s National Young Readers Week! So how exactly can they convince these little rebels to pick up a book? They’ve got 3 local children’s authors to do the job with a reading and book signing event on November 10!

the masterminds and their creations:

Each of the three authors have inspiring tales and wonderfully crafted stories– check out these fantastic authors and their inspirations:

Andrea Faust, author of “Pennies From Heaven,” looks to inspire change and to empower children to make a difference in the world. She is a wife, mother, sister, daughter, author, entrepreneur and compassionate citizen with a desire for helping children and families across Metro-Atlanta who will inspire everyone to make change happen this holiday season. Faust’s book teaches young people the importance of finding value in the life’s simplest and smallest possessions.

Lisa Shoch, author of “For you, my child, I prayed,” is a freelance writer, children’s book author and illustrator. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and Children’s Book Publishing online group. “For you, my child, I prayed” is her first published book. She is a stay-at-home mom of three children under five years of age, which can make writing a challenge sometimes. This has been an answer to a prayer and a dream come true for her. She plans on writing many more books in the future. Her book, “For you, my child, I prayed”, is published by Paisley and Polka Dot Press. Her book, “For You My Child, I Prayed” is written as a love letter from a mother to her child, inspired by the children in her life everyday.

Melissa Bell, author of “P.S. Lord…,” is married with three children and a stay-at-home mom with a degree in early childhood education. Her young children are the inspiration for her stories. Mommy’s having a baby, but what will it be? Most children have already decided. Will the dream for this brother or sister be answered? Or will God send another wonderful surprise instead? Find out in P.S. Lord. 

the guide:

Local Children’s Authors Book Reading and Meet & Greet

date: Thursday, November 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

location: LearningRx Kennesaw, 3420 Acworth Due West Rd., Ste. B, Kennesaw, Georgia 30144

to RSVP, contact Rhonda at 770-529-4800 or kennesawdfi@learningrx.net to confirm your attendance.

Quick Tip: Makes for great holiday gifts!

Jennifer Nails is inspiring for many reasons: her kids, their family’s adoption story, the generous way she views life, the wisdom she effortlessly imparts. Here’s a Q&A with Jennifer–LBD/LRW’s fitting “Give Back” cover model.

Jennifer’s Stats

Resident: Acworth, GA

Husband: Jason Nails, account exec at Elanders USA

Kids: Cameron, 12; Emmy, 10; Mia, 7; Noah, 6

Job: Special Education High School Placement Counselor for K12, and an office administrator at CK DanceWorks

Family: Our family is fun, energetic and full of laughter. My kids and husband are silly. We always have something to laugh about!

LBD/LRW: So, you had two healthy young children, Cameron and Emmy, when you decided to adopt another baby. What inspired you to adopt Mia? What obstacles did you face?

Jennifer: God has changed our lives radically through adoption. He placed a desire in our hearts to adopt even before we had biological children, and after Cameron and Emmy were born we knew that our family was not complete. One thing was holding us back, money. It is quite expensive to adopt.

We went ahead and attended an adoption seminar. After a series of events, it became quite clear to us that we should adopt. We did not know exactly how we would pay for the adoption, but we knew that God would provide and He did.

LBD/LRW: What was it like to adopt Mia?

Jennifer: We moved forward cautiously with an adoption from China, only requesting to be matched with a “healthy” infant girl. Over time our hearts were changed and we changed our documents stating that we would be willing to adopt a child with special needs. We were soon matched with the most adorable 18-month-old, our Mia.

LBD/LRW: Have Mia’s initial health challenges been an issue?

Jennifer: It seems so silly to me that she was labeled special needs. She is indeed special but not what the term implies. She is blind in her right eye due to a detached retinea and congenital cataract. We did not know what to expect when we met her, she is beautiful, amazing and limitless. Mia is truly a gift and a daily reminder of what is important in life.

LBD/LRW: And then, once Mia was home, you realized pretty quick that your family still wasn’t complete.

Jennifer: Yes, we came home with Mia and soon realized that we were not yet through adding to our family. We saw a picture of the cutest Chinese boy who needed a family and soon after began the process to bring home our son. The process with Noah really took faith. He had many special needs. Noah had no right eye– it was removed because of a tumor, and we didn’t know whether or not the tumor was cancerous. He also had a facial cleft and congenital missing right nostril.

LBD/LRW: But this didn’t stop you from adopting him.

Jennifer: Not at all. Exactly one year after adopting Mia we returned to China to bring home our 19-month-old son, Noah. He was adorable, and our wild journey with him began! Since coming home, Noah has had many medical procedures, operations and hardships to overcome. A MRI revealed a mass on his brain, after many months of fearful moments he had surgery and the mass was removed. He has had 5 prosthetic shells to prepare his eye for the painted prosthetic that he currently has. He has had a nostril and nasal bridge formed using his rib and ear cartilage and skin grafts. The list could go on and on, but he lets none of it get him down. Noah is a fighter, he is full of life and he lights up every room that he enters. He is a miracle!

LBD/LRW: And, your adoption experience with Noah was…an adventure…right? We heard you guys ended up going straight from the airport to the hospital when you landed–but for your husband, not Noah!

Jennifer: Oh my, yes! Our plane ride home with Noah was adventurous to say the least. Just minutes into our 17 hour journey home from China, Noah ripped Jason’s cornea with his fingernail.

Cameron went to China with us to get Noah. So all the way home, on the incredibly LONG flight I had an 18-month-old wild baby I had just met and my first grader to take care of. It was crazy. Noah spilt my food and drinks all over the place, and I could not even go to the restroom alone because Jason was out of commission and in a great deal of pain with his eye. So I had to carry my [Chinese-speaking] 18-month-old into a tiny airplane bathroom with me. Fun!

After what seemed like eternity, we arrived at our connecting flight in Chicago. The airplane personal called for assistance for Jason, and they put him in a wheel chair. So off we go, I am carrying an 18-month-old and all of our carry on luggage. We still had more luggage to collect. We went to the baggage carousel and I began to pull off our bags, while holding Noah. A bag came by and ripped off my big toenail. There we were, Jason in a wheel chair and me with a throbbing toe that was gushing blood!

I managed to keep myself together and not cry because I knew that Noah might freak our being newly adopted. I cried one other time while we were in China and he got really upset, so I knew crying was not an option. Cameron and I gathered the huge amount of luggage–two weeks’ worth for four people–and we made our way through customs with all of our injuries. We then made it to our connecting flight to Atlanta.

One perk came out of all the drama: the airline took pity on us and put us on an earlier flight home. I still have no idea how I made it but I did. I guess that is just what a mom has to do!

LBD/LRW: I would imagine that this entire process has been no less than life-changing for you.

Jennifer: Our adoptions have taught us so many things. First, God is faithful. He blessed us with four amazing children, and we cannot imagine our lives without one of them. We have learned that God has better plans for us than we can begin to imagine.

LBD/LRW: Life with four kids cannot be calm, though. So, how do you stay grounded in the midst of the chaos?

Jennifer: Everyday is busy when you have this many kids, but some days I need an afternoon cup of coffee and a few minutes of quiet. Also, I like to know that I will have a few minutes when all the kiddos are tucked in bed to chill out and watch a favorite TV show. It’s important to remember that everyone needs a little “me” time. I also like to occasionally grab lunch/dinner with a friend or go to the movies. Of course, I always like to go shopping and get a pedicure!

LBD/LRW: And how do you keep your marriage strong and centered?

Jennifer: Our marriage is very important to us. Jason is my very best friend. We make sure that we talk daily about the things that our going on in our lives. Life can be extremely busy with four kids who are very involved in school, church and other extra curricular activities– but it’s very important that you don’t get too busy to communicate with each other. And, we also make sure that we have time alone without the kids. Jason and I try to have date night at least once a month. Sometimes grandparents will even keep all the kids for the night.

LBD/LRW: Time to brag! Tell us about these gorgeous kiddos.

Jennifer: Cameron is in 7th grade. Has always made A honor roll in school, and he’s currently in all advanced classes. He is a member of the Jr. Beta Club. He plays ice hockey at The Cooler in Alpharetta and Plays Roller Hockey for Lassiter Trojans. He loves to read any novel that is about war or the military and he enjoys playing airsoft. He is also very kind and compassionate. He hopes to return to Ecuador this December with his dad to work in an orphanage for a few days. Cameron wants to go to Georgia Tech and be a Mechanical Engineer or go to school to be a pastor. He has a little while to decide.

Emmy is 10. She has also always made all A’s and is again on the A honor roll. She is an active participant in school. She loves the opportunity to lead morning announcements at school. She is a member of the Safety Patrol and the Book Fair Crew at school. She recently was accepted into the Venture Program (gifted). Emmy is also a dancer. She has been a member of the dance company at CK DanceWorks for three years and is a “Sapphire” this year. Emmy also has a huge heart for kids and orphans. She also went to Ecuador with us this past summer to work in an orphanage. She hopes to have the opportunity to go back to Ecuador this summer. Emmy wants to be a missionary and work with orphans when she grows up.

Mia loves school and has done really well. She has the best sense of humor and is extremely quick witted. Mia is also a dancer and tumbler. She has been a member of the dance company at CK Danceworks for two years and is an “Emerald” this year. Mia is an accomplished tumbler at CK as well. She has mastered many things in tumbling. She loves doing aerials and this week she mastered her back handspring to back tuck.

Noah has also done really well in school. He loves to read and play educational games on the computer. He enjoys riding his bike, big wheel and roller blades throughout the cul-de-sac. He loves to play with his big sister Mia and is often her shadow. Noah takes Boys Hip Hop at CK Danceworks and he plays roller hockey.

LBD/LRW: What else should we know abou the Nails family?

Jennifer: We go to church at Four Points Church. Jason is an elder, and we are actively involved. We lead our first mission trip this summer to Ecuador. We worked in two orphanages and a ministry for street children–it was amazing and life changing. Jason and Cameron plan to return this December and take Christmas gifts to the kids and have a Christmas party at the orphanage. We also have a date scheduled to return to Ecuador with a team this summer to work in the orphanages and LOVE the kids there.

LBD/LRW: Thank you, Jennifer!! Your family is an inspiration, really and truly. We’re honored to be featuring you.

Photography by Captures by Summer. Jennifer’s wardrobe provided by Love Street at Cedarcrest.

Dear non-profit group/ politician/ clothing pick-up:

I appreciate what you are trying to do. Really. I am all for donating money to the Native American reservations that are running out of food. And I am not in any way against labeling a bag of baby blankets we no longer need and placing them on my front porch for you to pick up between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. And what kind of American would I be if I didn’t give the Democrat/Republican/Independent man or woman a chance to inform me of his/her platform. Yea freedom of speech!

But, for the love of all things holy, STOP CALLING MY HOUSE. Pardon my all-caps explosion, but you need to understand where I am coming from. You see, in Mommyland, there is no “catching you at a good time.” Ummmmm, unless you are calling me at 9:00 p.m. and I have not yet fallen asleep on the couch pretending to still be cool by watching a movie with my husband, there is never a good time.

Unless you plan on putting my baby back to sleep after the phone rang four times and woke her up, you are not getting my vote. If I didn’t like your policies before I ran down two flights of stairs, almost wrecking a Lego tower on the way, and tripping over a single shoe (because why would the pair be together?!), your pre-recorded message is not exactly going to sway my opinion in your favor. In fact, calling my phone may actually turn me against you.

The moral of the story is: save your funds. Do not cold call my number. It is no use.

I like you, I really do. What I do not like is the drama that ensues when I am distracted by the phone. “Ma’am can I just ask you a few questions?” NO. You may not. Unless you are planning to potty train my child in return for my response, please move to the next name on this list. Unless a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is the “free gift” I will receive after taking that “quick” survey–so I can remove the lipstick my youngest smeared all over the wall while I was distracted by your call–please take me off your list.

Kindly,

Manic Mom

Allison is a mother of three, and will probably have up to five if her sanity holds. She and her hubby live in Atlanta, Georgia, and are enjoying the joys and pains of being parents. Mostly, they just laugh a lot. To read more by Allison, click here.

I have decided that I need to dress up more. Even if I will be home all day. Even when my big outing is to the mailbox. I have decided that everyday I need to do a few things.

1. Put on a fresh face. Each morning I am going to try to put on a little natural looking makeup when I wake up (not at 5:00 p.m., just before my husband comes home from work).

2. Put together a cute outfit that matches and has jewelry and cute shoes. Heck, I might even wear a dress sometimes. At home. With my kids.

3. Brush and style my hair. Maybe even curl it. Shocker.

Now, I am not a slob (most of the time) and I do not lounge around in paint stained sweat pants (most of the time). But I admit that my level of togetherness is not as fabulous as it could be.

So why in the sticks am I making all this fuss about looking together and polished while I am at home with my family? Because I am tired of Hollywood and the working women getting all the glory. Here I am, trying to impress upon my daughters (and my husband on some level, too) that being a stay at home mom is a great profession. That is it a worthy endeavor. That it is wonderful and totally on the same level as being a famous actress or musician or CEO. And then I look at what my appearance is telling them and feel a bit guilty.

If I want girls to aspire to be a stay at home mom, shouldn’t I do my part to show how truly important it is? What message am I sending when I look like a sloppy, tired mess most of the time? Not a very inspiring one. So my point is not to spend $40,000 on a new wardrobe or drop $300 on a pair of high heels. But I think there is a case for investing a little in my appearance in regards to how “glamorous” I make motherhood.

People sometimes scoff at the women from the 1940′s and 50′s. How they dressed up in heels and pearls to vacuum and make pot roast. But I think they were on to something. Motherhood was serious business. It was fancy and special. It was honorable and appreciated. My hope is that if we stay at home moms can make a concerted effort to make a concerted effort, the job of motherhood will be restored to its rightful place. Don’t Tammy-Faye-Baker your face or anything, but take a few moments to make yourself look put together, modest and stylish. Think about all the images of women your children are seeing. Don’t let the Kardashians have the last word on what a woman is all about!

Allison is a mother of three, and will probably have up to five if her sanity holds. She and her hubby live in Atlanta, Georgia, and are enjoying the joys and pains of being parents. Mostly, they just laugh a lot. To read more by Allison, click here.

the gig:

School supply shopping? Check. The kids’ school schedules? Got it. First day outfit? Hanging up! Hmm, something’s still missing… after school activities!!

No need to worry; it’s not too late. Studio 4 the Arts still has spots available for your artistic ones. Offering lessons in dance, music, voice, AND theatre, they’ve got a bit of everything—think of it as a nice, artsy buffet. All you have to do is come to the studio and select from the menu!

Classes begin on Monday, August 15, and they’re filling up fast (apparently the artsy buffet thing is a hit). So this weekend, come hang out with the Studio 4 crew during their open house and grab your child’s spot in a class!

the guide:

what: Studio 4 the Arts “Open House” Event

when: Saturday, August 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

where: 3210 Hopeland Industrial Drive, Powder Springs, GA 30127

For more information, call the studio at 678-402-6991 or visit the website: www.Studio4theArts.com.

At the open house, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about the mission of Studio 4 the Arts, tour the studio and meet some of the talented staff!

We have all heard the clichés about time: it flies when you’re having fun, it marches on, it passes faster as you get older. I always thought these people were a little full of it. I mean, time is time. A year is still 365 days, right? So really, how can the passage of time be all that different as you get older?

Well, it turns out these people were right. Punks. Time does start flying! However, I would like to amend the statements. Although it does fly when you are having fun, it also flies when you are changing diapers, and packing lunches, and working on homework, and driving to football practice, and baking 20 dozen cookies for some stupid (I mean splendid) bake sale.

Do you ever have those moments where you just stop and look around and realize, CRAP– I am old!! The other day I had the windows rolled down in the truck and I was rocking out to that Miley Cyrus Song “Party in the U.S.A.” I thought I was sooo cool. But when I caught myself in the rear view mirror, something strange happened. Instead of peering into the exotic eyes of a 23-year-old, I was looking at someone with crow’s feet and over-highlighted hair and a somewhat saggy chin. OMG!! How did this woman get into my car? And then the realization washed over me— I AM this woman.

I cannot even call myself a girl anymore. There are plenty of women who age well and look better the older they get. Zippity-freakin-doodah for them. But, I digress. I don’t have a problem with getting older. What I have a problem with is how darn fast it seems to be happening. Not that many years ago I brought my first child home from the hospital, and now we are already researching schools for her to go to. Schools, people! What happened to researching bottles or booster seats? Have we moved on that quickly? Before I know I will be researching reception venues for her wedding!

Sometimes I wish we had a remote control for the passage of time. Certain periods I would just like to pause for a while, like when I could wear a two piece at the beach and nothing rolled over it. Or maybe just let life go by in slow motion– like when my kids were babies and couldn’t talk back or yell at me about their outfits.

Then there are other times I would just like to super fast-forward. Let’s just get on with how long it took me to lose my baby weight (as if that journey is REALLY over). Or maybe we could just skip that scene entirely where we haven’t showered or worn makeup for months at a time. Who needs to see that? And that time everyone in our house had the flu– we can just zip right through that.

Maybe instead of life being like a box of chocolates, it could just be like a DVD. That way we can replay the parts we really like, skip the ones we don’t, and delete the ones that make us wish wine came out of the kitchen faucet.

Allison is a mother of three, and will probably have up to five if her sanity holds. She and her hubby live in Atlanta, Georgia, and are enjoying the joys and pains of being parents. Mostly, they just laugh a lot. To read more by Allison, click here.