November Book Club Reminder

Our next book club meets this coming Thursday, November 1st from 9:30 - 11:30. We are finishing the second half of The Five Love Languages of Children. Come prepared to discuss what you have learned from the book. Was there a section, chapter, or sentence that really hit home? We'll chat about it!

If you have yet to sign up there is still room! We'd love for you to join our discussion. Last month was great and we are looking forward to another time of sharing insights. Please contact Cheryl Washburn at jcwash815@aol.com to sign up and to also let her know if you need childcare during book club. 

Last Minute Costumes

We've all been there. Leaving that one item on our To-Do List the night before it really needs to get done. If you have yet to hit the crowded aisles of Target for your kiddos' Halloween costume here are some cute--and relatively easy--DIY creations:

Rub-A-Dub

Click here for instructions

Image from Parenting.com

Have brown paper bags? You're set!

Click here for instructions

Image from Wired.com

This next one takes a few more supplies, but for your Lego lover, it will surely be a hit:

Click here for instructions

Rubix cube

Click here for instructions

Pick-of-the-crop

Click here for instructions

Raining Cats & Dogs!

Click here for instructions

Image from RealSimple.com

Proverbs 31 Ministries: Surviving Mommy Stress

Perhaps you have seen our link to Proverbs 31 Ministries on this blog or already subscribe to their daily devotional--if so, you are familiar with the sound content and keen insights offered by this women-focused ministry. Proverbs 31 Ministries seeks to "bring God's peace, perspective, and purpose to today's busy woman."

This particular post, on "Surviving Mommy Stress," was originally published on October 17, 2012 and is perfectly timed for us mamas--especially with the busy holiday season right around the corner. We encourage you to read it and reflect on the questions they provide at the end of the post.

Also, while on the site be sure to sign up for their daily posts!

Click below to read and reflect:
Devotions | Proverbs 31 Ministries

Glitter Pumpkins

Whether you are putting out the last minute decorations for trick or treaters or getting a head-start on Thanksgiving decor, these Glitter Pumpkins do double duty. Make them for Halloween. Keep them up for your Thanksgiving guests. I tend to make these every year. This year, at age 3, Blake was more then willing to take over the task.

Items Needed:
Glitter
Elmer's Glue
Mini and medium size pumpkins
Foam paint brush
Paper plate

Cover your table with an old sheet or paper. Spread a generous amount of the Elmer's glue onto paper plate and take your foam brush to it. Use glue as paint. Paint your pumpkin wherever you want glitter to stick. Sprinkler glitter. You are done.

Let dry for an hour or so--depending on just how much glue your little helper uses ;-) to help. Also, be prepared for the few stray glitter remements to stick around on your table if you don't cover the entire table top with a sheet! We still have lovely pieces of red and orange glitter on our table, and it slowly is coming off. But hey, who doesn't love glitter?!

October 2012 Announcements and Meeting Recap

How great to gather once again! So good to see everyone and also the new little bundles that have arrived since our last meeting. Hope you all enjoyed the Children's Clothing exchange as well. I know I came home with some great cargo shorts for my ever-growing Ryker :-) It was so fun to see the participation and exciting to know that all the leftover clothing will be put to good use and donated to Young Lives. 

We also missed those that were not able to attend--looking forward to seeing everyone back at our next meeting on November 15th. 

General Announcements:

RMCC Community BBQ (formally known as Westernfest ;-)

Sunday, October 28th from 5:00 - 8:00 pm

Click here for more info and to sign up to volunteer. 

mom2mom Book Club

Thursday, November 1st 9:30 - 11:30 am

We will be finishing up the second half of The Five Love Languages of Children. If you have yet to sign up there is still room! Please email Cheryl Washburn at jcwash815@aol.com, also let her know if you will need childcare. 

Women's Christmas Dinner November 30th & December 1st

Ticket Sales - November 4th!

Interested in signing up as a hostess? Click here. 

mom2mom Playdate

Monday, November 12th at 10:30 am

Pack a lunch for you and your littles and meet up to play at Red Mountain Park at 7745 E. Brown Rd, Mesa AZ. Look for the mom2mom signs. The park is located right near Red Mountain Highschool on brown in between Sunnyvalley Blvd and 80th Street. See you there!

mom2mom Blog Reader Submissions: Christmas Traditions
We are gearing up for the upcoming Christmas season and want to hear about your favorite Christmas traditions for an upcoming blog post. If you would like to share, please submit a short paragraph or two on your favorite family Christmas tradition--whether it is an activity that you did as a child or currently do with your own family, we'd love to hear about it! And if you have old family photos or recipes that go along with your story, we'd love to see!! Please submit to mom2mom.rmcc@gmail.com by November 9th. 

Meeting Recap:

Our own mom2mom, Jessica Stillwell, gave us a great overview on coupons and meal planning. 

Here are some takeaway points from today:

Why Coupon?

It's about Biblical Stewardship

I Chronicles 29:11

Why Budget/ Meal Plan? (Have a plan from www.crown.org)

Proverbs 21:5

Luke 14:28-30

How?

Make a shopping list

Menu plan by using items that are on sale or that you already have at home

When making large portions, freeze unused portions for future meals

Stock up on items when they are a good sale price

No time to map out coupons on your own? Use subscription sites and blogs

Keep track of good deals with your own price book (write down good deals/prices for future reference)

Take calculator (or use calculator on Smartphone) with you on your shopping trips to compare price per ounce

Where to find deals and coupons?

• http://www.coupons.com/

• http://www.couponnetwork.com/

• http://www.redplum.com/

• http://www.smartsource.com/smartsource/index.jsp?Link=MKRU3JAAR6CCY

• http://www.frysfood.com/in_store/Pages/coupon_landing.aspx

• http://www.safeway.com/ShopStores/Offers-Landing-IMG.page

• Manufacturer’s websites

• www.pinchingyourpennies.com

• www.couponmom.com

• www.bargainbeliever.com

• www.moneysavingmom.com

• http://kingdomfirstmom.com/

• http://thekrazycouponlady.com/

Extra Tips

Avoid getting items just because they are free or cheap

Look into signing up for Amazon Mom and Amazon Prime

Produce options: Bountiful Baskets

Organic Meat options:

www.jhgrassfed.com

www.arizonafarmersmarkets.com/vendorpages/RedMtnCattleCo.htm

http://site.themeatshopaz.com/Menu.html

Tech Savvy?

Use Cozi for a digital calendar, menu planning, 

to do lists, grocery lists etc…

http://cozicentral.cozi.com/homepage/

Jessica's recipes for home made detergents: 

Dishwasher Detergent - When I make this I make about 4-6 times the recipe… Combine the three items below…don’t use the recipe without the citric part or you will have cloudy residue covered dishes even with a vinegar rinse…  I tried it!

1 cup washing (Arm and Hammer in laundry aisle… 2.99-3.29 for the box---not BAKING SODA)

1 cup Borax (about 2.99-4.99 a box depending where you buy it…found in the laundry aisle)

½ cup Citric acid, Lemishine, or sugar free Lemon Kool-Aid (only lemon as others will stain). 

I only stick to citric acid or Lemishine.  Citric acid I buy online at Amazon in 32 oz. to 5 lb. containers depending on the deal…  Lemishine I buy in store 2.99-4.19 in with the dishwasher products

I put plain distilled vinegar as the rinse aid…sometimes I forgot and it does fine without…

Use 1 TBSP per load and use vinegar in the rinse aid area.

Powdered Laundry Detergent- (check the link below for pictures)

http://kingdomfirstmom.com/2011/02/homemade-laundry-detergent.html 

1 bar Zote (14 oz.) or I replace with 2 bars Dr. Bronners (Zote is at Big lots for 97 cents a bar…large pink bar!)

1 bar Fels-Naptha (found in laundry aisle usually on the top shelf… 97 cents at Wal-Mart all the way up to 2.19 at the grocery store)

4 cups Borax

4 cups Washing Soda (Again not Baking soda…same stuff as in Dishwasher Detergent)

Grate or use food processor to chop up soap (I cut it into 4-6 pieces before I put it in my food processor).  Then I add the 4 cups of Borax and Washing Soda (I do this outside… it can get dusty and irritate).  Store in a sturdy lidded container… 

1-2 TBSP per load (I use 2) it doesn’t suds up and is HE safe.  I put vinegar in the fabric softener compartment to wash away residue if any (it rinses and does what liquid fabric softener could do and no there isn’t a vinegar smell).

Harvest Pretzels

In my crowded pantry, I always seem to have pretzels. Whether it is the thin pretzel sticks, fishy pretzels, or the salty snack in its traditional small, twisted shape, it is a staple around here like it is for many of us moms. It is also the base of an easy Fall treat.  Check out these fun--and super easy to make-- Pinterest finds below... make them with, and for, your little munchkins!

Recipe? Click here.

Recipe? Click here.

Recipe? Click here.

Photos from Pinterest. 

The Self Family's Adoption Story

By Kristen Self, mom2mom committee member

I remember the day God dramatically changed the direction of my life and the path my young family was on. It was March 17, 2007. A sweet 4 month old baby boy needed a home for a while as his circumstances were tragic. I felt a tug on my heart when I heard about his story and wanted to help in what ever way God wanted to use me. It just happens that He chose me to be his forever mom. 

With taking in Nathan that year my wise husband thought we should look into getting certified to be foster parents in the state of AZ. (At the time Nathan was placed with us by a friend and CPS was not directly involved.) As we faithfully attended the 10 week class God opened our hearts even more to the need of children in this state. We were heartbroken to discover there are 15,000 children currently removed from their homes/parents custody in AZ. That number is astonishing. We both felt like we had a stable, loving home and made the decision to take in up to two more kiddos. We were both set on only doing foster care. Neither one of us felt like we needed to expand our young family permanently. We were officially licensed 8mths after Nathan came to our home.

We chose to go through a local Christian organization, Christian Family Care Agency. It was a blessing to walk this unfamiliar road with other believers and know we were all on the same page in the call from God. The path was not always easy or smooth, in fact it is very bumpy and will test ALL your resolve in the Lord. CPS is a flawed system and not always easy to navigate but this is where we felt God wanted us to be that 'light" in the dark places. We had opportunity to meet birth parents of the children we fostered and love on them without judgement. We were sad by their choices but by loving their children, respecting who they were as these children's parents went a long way to reflect God's unconditional love. I have no idea their impression of me, but I prayed for them regularly. We were also blessed with one extraordinary CPS worker who made this process easier to swallow. I still have contact with her 2 yrs after the adoptions and I know I have made a friendship that lasts beyond this time in our lives. (Thank you facebook so we can keep in contact!)

To make a very long story short, God's ultimate plan for me was to be a mom to 5 amazing kids...two by birth and three born in my heart. Hannah, Nathan and Grace's adoptions were all final in 2011, a little more than 4yrs after that March day. I could not imagine my life any different. Are there days when I want to throw my hands up and say 'I quit!"? ABSOLUTLY! I am a mother with three special needs kids and God has given me the power to be their advocate in all circumstances and I treasure the responsibility. I see my all my kids embrace the way our family 'looks" on the outside with dignity and grace. We are raising them to the best of our ability. We desire children that know the Lord, believe in His divine provision for their lives and that He has made each of them unique and in His image. Our family verse..."For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you...plans to give you hope and a future." Jer. 29:2

I am happy to talk with anyone who has any questions, or feels this amazing call to their lives. It is not a path to walk alone. God can move mountains as I have learned over and over again, I just have to walk the path He has laid out in front of me. 

Women's Christmas Dinner Hostess Sign Up Information

 Aside from Women's Bible Study and Sunday  mornings, the first event I ever attended at Red Mountain Community Church was the Women's Christmas Dinner.  Well actually, I didn't just attend.  I signed up to be a hostess.  You may be wondering to yourself, What is the Women's Christmas Dinner and exactly what is involved in hostessing? Or maybe you have attended before, and never taken the plunge to hostess a table on your own.  Even if you have never attended before, I strongly encourage you to give of your talents to serve in this awesome outreach opportunity.

In the video for session #5 of Beth Moore's James study, Beth used the example of her granddaughter, Annabeth, to illustrate the joy that can be received by serving others.  This visualization truly matched up with my experience hostessing that first year at the Women's Christmas Dinner.  I was new to church.  I knew the names of the ladies in my small group and at mom2mom, but I had not yet developed deeper relationships with them.  I was scared, but I really felt the Lord impressing to me that this was a step (leap) of faith that he wanted me to take. So I signed up to hostess that year and it ended up being a very rewarding decision.  God not only used this outreach event for me to minister to other women, but he also grew my faith, and gifted me with friendships of Godly women through my experience. 

The Women's Christmas Dinner is a girls night out for women ages 16 & up, and includes a candlelit, catered dinner, and an inspirational speaker.  Hostesses are responsible for setting a table for 8 women, including a festive centerpiece and table settings (exactly like setting your dining table at home for 8: silverware, cloth napkins, water glasses, coffee cups, dinner plates).  Hostesses may purchase 1-4 or all 8 seats at their table and invite family, friends, & neighbors to celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season with them, or may leave 4-8 seats open and extend hospitality to women they do not yet know.  Even better, a hostess can invite her friends & family the first night of the dinner, then hostess again the second night, and open up her table (and heart) to the new friendships that God has planned for her.

To sign up to hostess at the 2012 Women's Christmas Dinner click here

When is the Women's Christmas Dinner?
Friday November 30 & Saturday December 1

See below for examples of some of last years centerpieces!

Freezer Meals

By Liz Garrett, mom2mom committee member 
[Note from Jaime: Always the awesome prepared-gal, this post was written in advance--before the arrival of Levi Grayson Garrett on Sunday, October 7, at 5:10 am. Congrats Garrett family!]

Perhaps it’s the fact I’m due to have a baby in less than 30 days. Maybe it’s because I feel slightly lost without a massive to-do list (thank you type A personality).  For you,  it could be a desire to combat the combination of your hectic daily schedule and the holiday madness joy upon us.  Whatever your motivation may be, freezer meals can be a life-saver for the busy mom with more items on the to-do list than hours in the day.  All it takes is a little advanced planning, shopping, time (sigh), and possibly a calculator to help when doubling those pesky recipe fractions.

First, I visited the following websites here and here, which I “discovered” on Pinterest.  I selected and printed the recipes I knew my family would eat. I also added in a few family favorites I just knew were necessary to my sanity family’s happiness.  Next, I wrote down all the ingredients on a shopping list.  After that, I organized the list by grocery department to streamline my shopping trip (produce, dairy, canned goods, meat, spices, etc).  And finally, to sweeten the deal, I scoured the grocery ads to find out what items were on sale where and searched the coupon database at Mojo Savings to find any applicable coupons. 

On my shopping trip, my initial stop was the dollar store to stock up on  aluminum foil, gallon and 2.5 gallon freezer bags, and disposable foil pains (8x8 and 9x13). Next, I stopped at Sprouts  to pick up my produce, then onto both Fry’s and Safeway (tip: buy the meat products last).  Once, I got home and unpacked my groceries, I embarked upon the cooking extravaganza.

Some organizational tips that helped  me was to cook each type of meat first.  Since I purchased a 5 lb package of ground beef, I decided to do those recipes first before unwrapping the chicken.  (Bonus tip: if you are making multiple Italian dishes you can save yourself a headache some time by cooking all the meat requiring the same seasoning together.)  I have a deep freezer, but if you don’t have much freezer space, cover a glass baking dish in aluminum foil, then fold the foil shut and place the baking dish in the freezer for 1 hour. After your dish has a chance to set, transfer the foil wrapped meal from the baking dish  to a gallon freezer bag.  I wrote the dish’s name and baking instructions on the freezer bags in permanent marker to avoid searching for the recipe to find cooking instructions when ready to bake.  I don’t have a ton of pots/pans/cooking utensils, so I enlisted my husband to hand wash the dishes as I finished so I wouldn’t have to wait to run the dishwasher or do them all myself.  This could be a great job for an older child.

By the end of my day, I had made 20 different meals, many of which will have the bonus of leftovers!  (Tip: enlist a friend to make double batches of 5 meals, and you do the same, then swap to save yourself some time!)  My freezer is now stocked with lasagna, bbq chicken, baked ziti, chicken and beef enchiladas, chicken kiev, pesto chicken stuffed shells, and honey Dijon chicken, amongst other delectable dishes.

One well-organized Saturday has provided  meals for my family for at least 1 month.  I can rest easy and set about to accomplish things on my to do list that would normally take a backseat. And I won't even have to spring for take-out (unless I just cant live without Smashburger)!

Steadfast Joy

By Jaime Tischler, mom2mom committee member 

Joy. What does that look like? What does it mean to you? Many of us at mom2mom are also attending the Beth Moore Bible study at RMCC on the book of James. During the first week, we read James 1:2-3. Yes, that passage. The verses that tell us “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” (ESV)

I do not type this post lightly. For I know there are many who have gone through unimaginable trials or may even be in the midst of varying levels of heartache right now. It would be easy to give a pat summary and say “buck up, be happy, don’t worry. Everything will all work out. This will produce perseverance.” And while these may be true sentiments, does that erase the pain? Or the reality of the harsh sacrifice and anguish that may follow us? Of course not. What I will tell you is what this passage means for me personally. 

As a child, like many, I lived a generally care-free, happy life. There were birthday parties, family road trips, and colorful tales of how my dad “traveled to America with only $500 in his pocket” from Thailand in order to put himself through graduate school to become an architect and an US citizen. My dad’s strong-work ethic, humor, delectable Thai cooking skills, and generosity provided for my mom, sister, and me. My mom was a true people person. She home schooled my sister and me from day one till high school. She was always eager to talk to her kiddos (and our friends too). These were years filled with happiness and maybe a little sheltering as home schoolers well ;-). It was a good life. I can truly say both my parents were filled with true joy--joy that came from conquering hardships, and the victory of handling said trials with gentle grace and dignity. 

And then one Sunday afternoon, when I was 19 years old, my world literally flipped upside down. A defective back tire blew-out on my dad’s white SUV as we drove home from Tucson. Right before the SUV rolled onto the dusty side rail of the I-10, I remember seeing my mom reach out her hand and say, “it’s going to be okay.” These were her last words. She died at the scene of the accident. My dad a few hours later. 

My sister and I walked away with only a few minor cuts and bruises, and yet, with a whole new world to navigate. We were not without hope. We knew we would see our parents one day again as their Faith was a cornerstone of their life. And their warmth, left a legacy and large community of supportive friends. Yet, our college graduations, my wedding, the birth of my kiddos... all happy--joyful--occasions, were tinged with sadness. These events were all truly bittersweet.  We were missing what so many take for granted--what I myself had always taken for granted and thought would be a given. 

It is a weird, weird thing losing not one but two parents. There is the big picture items for sure that cause one to weep from losing them. But what does your day to day look like? As some of my friends headed to the mall to shop for their senior prom, I was trying on itchy black skirts for my parent’s memorial service.  Whenever I battled a cold, all I wanted was my dad’s spicy Thai lemongrass soup. How often did my mind literally think, I’ll just call him and ask him to whip me up some, as if suffering from a strange form of amensia. Yes, just weird. 

Over time, many people that went through similar losses shared that they felt guilty when they were happy. I often felt the opposite. I felt guilty when dealing with hardships. I felt as if I had to wrap my life up in a pretty-little-bow. I felt as if I should just downplay rough circumstances because they were nothing in comparison to losing my parents. That line of thinking even crept into my loss, causing me to skip over the mourning process and project ‘everything is okay’ on the outside front, when inside I was totally--utterly--devastated. I could pretend to be chipper, yet it was not always genuine. I always felt thirsty.  Figuratively and literally, thirsty. My mouth would go dry trying to sum up my feelings in a way as not to offend anyone or put anyone out. And yet how I longed to have the turbulent feelings of loss, betrayal, and confusion, quenched. 

It was not until one day, as I was planning out my wedding, about two years later, sobbing as I thought of the long walk down the aisle without my dad’s steady arm to hold, that I came upon the above passage in James and also a song on surrendering all to Him. That meant surrendering the pain, not passing it over, but truly feeling it in order to hand it over. To count the loss as something more than heartache. More than a senseless tragedy. There is a Charles H. Spurgeon quote that truly resonates with me.  Spurgeon once stated, “There is sweet joy that comes to us through sorrow.” 

I do believe that one begins to know true unrelenting joy when you walk through the fire of earthly trials. Yes, I still feel the ache even after 12 years. Believe me, random--and not so random--moments will cause the tears to pour out. I miss them every day. I wish I could pick up the phone and tell my mom about the crazy--cute way Blake and Ryker interact or get her much-needed advice on what to do when both kids are on the verge of a very public meltdown in the middle of Safeway. 

However, as I watch my little munchkins grow, and see reflections of my parents’ personalities and features in both Blake and Ryker, I feel joy. Not a fleeting burst of happiness, but a deep sense of gratitude and awe. I have been carried by the Lord’s steadfastness. It is God’s steady hand that allows me to persevere through the various hills and valleys of this earthly life. 

Whether it be relationships gone array or the every day battle of dealing with a strong-willed three year old (believe me, I am not joking when I state that I count this as one of my biggest trials to date!!!), God whispers--err, sometimes shouts--this passage from James into my heart. He allows me to know that our time here is oh-so-fleeting, and that while the trial itself may continue on, my perspective can change. Bobby, my husband, also knows how to spin some not so great situations for the best, reminding me that while the situation itself might totally and royally stink, it is how we handle it that matters. (And how crazy is it that the guy I married works for a tire company, and thus takes tip-top shape of my tires. So practical. So divine!).  

I can feel joy through it all, because as my mom so lovingly, and perhaps knowingly, whispered, “it is going to be okay.” 

October Book Club Recap

This morning marked our first mom2mom book club meeting. Led by Nancy Braun, we covered chapters 1 -5 of The 5 Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell. What insightful chapters they are! The chapters included information on the following love languages: physical touch, words of affirmation, and quality time. Book club was a time of great discussion, insights, and fellowship. Here is a sampling of some the topics we covered...

• Around the age of 5 is when children start to show their primary love language.
• A great question to ask your kiddos (and hubby too!) is: what makes you feel loved by me? Listen closely to how your kids respond. Their answer will usually line up with their own love language. 
• Always parent with the future in mind. Train as you mean to go... and as the book states, also remember that "Speaking your child's primary love language does not mean he or she will not rebel later. It does mean your child will know you love him, and that can bring him security and hope; it can help you to rear your child to responsible adulthood. Love is the foundation." (page 17)
• Be secure in who your family is--every family is different. There will always be outside commentary and criticism, know the path you take is unique to your own family's style. 
• What does unconditional love look like? Unconditional love means love no matter what--no matter the child's behavior at the moment, our love remains. 
• Children are good observers, yet terrible interpreters. What are they observing from their parents?
• Children need all five love languages. Fill their tanks daily. Know what speaks to them. 
• In regards to giving words of affirmation, after giving your child a specific praise, ask them how does it makes them feel when you said the praise. 
• Be engaged! Turn your phone on silent. Turn off those gadgets. Spend quality time with your kiddos. 

Next month, at our November 1st meeting, we will discuss the second half of the book.

If you have yet to sign up for book club and would like to join, please contact Cheryl Washburn at jcwash815@aol.com. Advance registration is required for childcare.

We hope to see you all there next month! (And hope all the kiddos who not feeling well are on the mend, and their mamas too :)

Clothing Exchange FAQ

 What is a clothing exchange?
 A clothing exchange provides the opportunity to clean out your kiddos outgrown clothes (right before the change of season!) and "exchange" them for items you can use now! Please bring clothing and shoes in excellent condition to trade in for clothing in sizes you can currently use.

When is the clothing exchange?
The clothing exchange will be held during the October mom2mom meeting.

How will the exchange be set up?
Tables will be sorted by size and gender.  Please have your items pre-sorted to streamline the process.  You will be able to "shop" before mom2mom and during brunch, so please arrive early to maximize your time.  Shoes should be zip-tied or rubber-banded together or placed in plastic bags to avoid losing their "mate".

What happens to leftover clothing items?
Leftover items will be donated to Young Lives, a program RMCC has partnered with since 2005.  Young Lives partners Christian women with teen moms to provide encouragement, guidance, and support in time of crisis.  For more information on Young Lives click here.

Does Young Lives accept other donations?
Young Lives does accept other items for donations (strollers, high chairs, diaper bags, bath tubs, etc.) Cribs and car seats are not accepted due to liability reasons. 

 Please comment below with any additional questions we can answer.

Book Club: The Five Love Languages of Children

As mentioned at our September meeting, an exciting new addition to mom2mom this year is our book club. We are reading The Five Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell, MD. That's right. The same Gary Chapman that wrote the staple The 5 Love Languages. If you have read the latter, you are familiar with the clear insight that Chapman offers with his literature.

Whether you are able to join us for the book club dates or not, we encourage you to pick up a copy of The Five Love Languages of Children. The book helps parents identify their child(ren)'s primary love language, plus offers dozens of practical tips. And if you have not read Chapman's The 5 Love Languages to begin with, it is also a must read for you and your hubby! It is an easy read, but don't let the ease fool you, the book can be life-changing--definitely lots of 'light-bulb' moments when it comes to understanding how we communicate our love for one another.

Click here to take the Five Love Languages assessment. The web site has assessments for wives, husbands, and children as well and will email you your results.

mom2mom book club meets on the following dates.

October 4--Book Club Meeting (discussion of first half of book)
**Assignment: Come with one question, pertaining to the chapters you read, that the group can discuss**

November 1--Book Club Meeting (discussion of second half of book)

Childcare is available with advance sign-up. Please contact Cheryl Washburn for more info: jcwash815@aol.com