I’m going to Disneyland!

I feel like I just one the Super Bowl because I'm going to Disneyland! (Just in case the reference is vague, I'll explain. After each Super Bowl – actually any sporting event – the winners are asked, "What are you gonna do now?" They always say, "I'm going to Disneyland!"). Anyway, I'm going to Disneyland!

On Friday, my family leaves for vacation to SoCal. It will be the first time I go back since moving last May. I'm exciting to see my friends, but it feels weird going back. There's certainly things I miss in SoCal (Trader Joes!), so I can't help but wonder if I'll want to move back once I'm there. Anyway, I just wanted to say that I'm going in vacation mode for a few weeks so postings will probably be zero.

"See" you when I get back!

Julie

Reminiscing on a Goal

Circa 2004

I have achieved a point in my life where gratitude has overcome confusion. I am clear, confident and able to live my life with a pure heart. No, I'm not a saint. That would be pretty comical to think of me as a saint, but I do own and own up to my choices and actions. The past three years, I have relished the role of motherhood, but with the birth of my third child, I have achieved the confidence to truly enjoy my role. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a mother and a wife. My relationship with my husband grows stronger each day. I appreciate the support he continues to provide as I accomplish my personal and professional goals.

One of those goals was to become a published author. As long as I can remember, I have always wanted to be a writer. I can recall my first book, The Fat Cat, which I wrote at the tender age of 6. It was destined to be a best-seller with its engaging character and non-stop action (the frisky cat ate and ate until he blew up and then he was skinny again.) This 8-page thriller was designed with finest construction paper and illustrated with only the sharpest Crayolas. I remember painstakingly using my mom's ball of yarn to weave the spine of the book together. I loved that book. Finishing it was intoxicating. After the completion of that book, I explored my creative side by writing a play called The Four Girls. It was a short play of four friends who sat around a table talking about all the kids at school. Had I developed it further 20 years later, it could've been the next "Friends."

Then I delved into my sensitive side by writing poetry and haiku. My biggest fan, my mom, took one of those poems and turned it into a Christmas ornament for our extended family. Here's a piece of that little ditty:

Writing has always been a release to me. Not only do I feel like I can communicate to others through this medium, but I communicate to myself. Sounds like some new age psycho-babble, right? Not really. Writing allows me to get my emotions out. I have a tendency to keep my feelings bottled up. So, even though I aspire to publish my writing and make enough to purchase more than just one Happy Meal for my three kids, I won't get discouraged. Rather, I'll just pick up the pen and write more because I never know when my dreams will come true!

…..

I originally wrote this piece in 2004. Today, I was cleaning out my computer and found it sitting here. As a testament to the power of putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), I am now a published author of an award-winning book, Mommyhood Diaries. I also have four more books forthcoming: Mommy Hullabaloo, Karmic Acts of Kindness, Kindred Generations, and The Chaos and Creativity Connection. I'm also a contributing author to A Book is Born (2007, Wyatt-MacKenzie) – awesome book on the publishing process!

Whether your dream is to scale a mountain, sing a tune, or pen a book, never give up. Write down your goals because you never know when opportunity will come a knockin'!

In chaos and creativity,

Julie

Toxic Tarts

I have two daughters and one son – all three very impressionable. I like that they are impressionable, because it provides me the opportunity to expose them to a variety of experiences, individuals and lessons that will help them find their authenticity. However, than same impressionability is constantly poisoned by today's Toxic Tarts. I know you know who I'm talking about. Toxic Tarts are those celebutantes and look-at-me-I'm-famous gals whose revolving doors with relationships, treatment centers and now jail cells have provided them even more fame and money. (Don't get me wrong. I'm not a purist, nor am I an angel. I've had my share of wild antics – quite a few that I definitely wouldn't want my children to hear about - but through it all I still kept my integrity, authenticity, and values intact. I've also never profited or glorified any of those crazy times.)

Alright, I'm certainly not the first to voice my disgust on the following topic, and I know I won't be the last, but I wanted to have my say. These Toxic Tarts are poisoning the minds of our youth. How do we protect our children from this poison – this debilitating disease on America's morals? Here are a few thoughts we can all use to inoculate ourselves and our children.

1. Open the Lies of Communications: Pose questions about the differences between celebrities. Who isn't in the gossip page and who is? Ask your daughter or son how they feel about the decisions these starlets are making? While you are at, open the lines of communication by having an honest dialogue about what your values are. Ask your children if their values align with the Toxic Tarts' behavior. Continue to keep communication topics and styles evolving and maturating as your children change to stay current with their needs.
   

   
   

2. Be YOUnique: Say to your child, "You are unique and special. You are exactly who you need to be." Okay, it doesn't have to be that overt, but it certainly doesn't hurt. The bottom line is to encourage your children to develop their own style that expresses their authenticity and individualism.
   

   
   

3. Teach True Beauty: True beauty lies from within. My husband and I have always told our children that to be beautiful on the outside; you must first be beautiful on the inside. Of course, this has lead to our 3-year-old telling everyone that she has the prettiest insides because she always says please and thank you. True beauty comes from being confident, polite, brave, respectful and smart – definitely smart. And, doesn't smart scream sexy and beautiful as we get older anyway?
   

   
   

4. X the Sex-y: Speaking of sexy, our children are inundated with sexy images. In fact, sexy images are marketed to children as young as 3-years-old. Don't believe me? Check out the slew of Bratz backpacks in the preschool parking lot. Starting at a very young age, plant the seeds of modesty. Limit – or better – remove exposure to sexy media, toys, and clothes. (Really, does your six-year-old need to be wearing the skimpy bikini at the pool?). Let your children know what is and isn't appropriate. And, for tweens and teens, let know that sexiest thing they'll ever wear is your brain.
   

   
   

5. Be a Reject: Teach children to reject the shallowness of fame and fortune that seeps into their lives. This is another prime opportunity to open the lines of communication about values.
   

   
   

6. Stay in the Know: Stay in the know with current trends by spending more time with your children. It sounds elementary, but the more time you spend with your children, the more you'll know about them. Exert a greater influence on what they watch, listen and read by sitting down to watch, listen, and read with them.
   

   
   

7. Find Positive Role Models: Help your children find positive role models in the media. (Yes, there are some out there.) Let your children know that role models don't necessarily have to be on Hollywood's hot list either. Positive role models can be found in your town, on your block, and even in your house. (Hint-Hint: Parents, your kids are watching you. Be sure to be their best role model!)
   

   
   

Without a proactive stance, the Toxic Tart epidemic could continue to climb. Shield your child as much as you can be stressing that they are exactly who they need to be. Vaccinate them against the poisons of the Toxic Tart syndrome with your love, understand, respect, and honesty.

With inspiration and imagination,

Julie

Inspiring Minds Want to Know...What's your take on today's over-hyped celebutantes?