The Silence is Most Disheartening

Unless you live under a rock or in a cave, I'm sure you've heard the news from Happy Valley (ironic isn't it?).  Though I'll not go into the details of it, if you haven't read the Grand Jury Report here is the link.

Over the past week, I was sickened from reading the allegations, but I had to do it, to educate myself, so I could better educate my children.  Yes, I've talked to them about "good touch, bad touch", although I tell my girls no one should be touching them, outside a handshake and possibly a hug.  Now they know how to play with kids, but no one's hands should be all over you, and nowhere near your private parts.  However now, I've had to be VERY SPECIFIC about who  "No one" is.  In our house its nobody that isn't Mommy, Daddy (in emergencies) or Dr. D (and that's only with Mommy present).

More importantly I've found it is most important to arm them with a voice of reason, ME, letting them know they can tell us anything, even if "someone" tells them 'they won't believe you'.... THAT IS A LIE!! Tell me.  Don't believe whatever "they" are trying to feed you, and if reason fails KRS..'kick, run, scream".

After I had these talks with my children I had to figure out why I was still so angry and hurt and sick.  We hear about children being abused all the time, it is in the news and on television shows, we are inundated constantly with despairing news regarding the treatment of children.  Essentially how children are being FAILED in this country. Not to say we are desensitized  by it, but it is all to common.

I was sickened because people did NOTHING!!!  People saw these alleged actions occurring and did NOTHING!!!  You followed protocol and told your superior, (after discussing it with your father), but you DIDN'T STOP IT!! I am angry because a child was being hurt and people turned their backs, literally and figuratively.  And in turning your back, you opened the door for MORE CHILDREN to be hurt.

My heart cried out, "WHY?" and I realized, people are afraid, and that is sad. Afraid to go against the hierarchy, afraid to jeopardize your chances at success and so you let a child suffer so that you would not be put out.   This is absolutely shameful. As human beings we have to be better than a pack of baboons that would beat their young against the rocks.

Even still I was aching inside. "Why", you ask?  Because I was afraid that I too would be AFRAID.  Not afraid that I wouldn't act, but scared that I might be hurt.  That is when I prayed. "Lord help us ALL be courageous, let ME not be afraid to do the right thing and stand up for all the children".  I can not control anyone else's actions, but God can order my steps, I just have to listen and remember;  "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."  


We cannot let fear rule us, we must be COURAGEOUS!!






Until Next Time, 
Be Blessed

Win a Family Four Pack of Tickets to "Arthur Christmas"

So you've read that I was such a good girl that Santa left me a few gifts to share....Well guess what, I've got a few more!!!!

Sony Pictures and Aardman are releasing "Arthur Christmas" on November 23rd, but friends of "Life As I Know" in the Atlanta area can win passes to see it on November 19th.  I've got 5 family four packs of tickets for my readers, and I can't wait to give them away.  

That's right on Day 8 of the "12 Days of Arthur Christmas" you and yours can attend an advance screening of "Arthur Christmas" at Regal Mall of Georgia at 11:00AM.  

You want those tickets right?

Well all you have to do is:

Until Next Time, 

Be Blessed

Win an Appointment with the Phipps Plaza Santa!!!

Santa Claus is coming and he's bringing Arthur with him....

Sony Pictures Animation and Aardman’s ARTHUR CHRISTMAS is the new family animated comedy  hitting theaters on November 23^rd.  And since I was such a good girl this year, I've got gifts for all of you!!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Bringing the spirit of the season early to Atlantans, Aardman and Sony Pictures Animation are hosting the "12 Days of Arthur Christmas" events throughout metro-Atlanta and I'm going to help them spread the love.  It all starts with a Snow Celebration at Centennial Olympic Park on November 12th and ending with a Jingle Bell Rock Party at Atlantic Station on November 23rd.  Guests will be ever filled with holiday cheer as they partake in the multitude of happenings around the city.  An Army of Elves, meet and greet with Santa's reindeer, holiday lights at Lake Lanier and testing the ice at the igloo village at the Georgia Aquarium are just a few. 

Ever wonder how Santa delivers 2 billion presents in one night?  “Arthur Christmas” answers the question… The answer: Santa's exhilarating, ultra-high-tech operation hidden beneath the North Pole.

 When this amazing operation misses one child out of hundreds of millions, Arthur, the least capable Claus, embarks on a hilarious, exciting rogue mission against the clock with his politically incorrect grandfather Grandsanta and a giftwrapping-obsessed elf named Bryony, to deliver the last present before Christmas morning dawns. 

But before the  film’s opening we're going to celebrate the 12 Days of ARTHUR CHRISTMAS in Atlanta! It's a whole host of activities to get the family out in the mood for Christmas, so Let's start with some SNOW!!!

Day 1, Saturday, November 12, 2011

Arthur Christmas is Coming to Town

Centennial Olympic Park

11:00AM-3:00PM

Join Arthur’s Army of Elves as they kick off the 12 Days of ARTHUR CHRISTMAS with fresh snow for free tubing, posing and playing in front of the Fountain of Rings. All who attend the free event can enter to win an appointment with the Phipps Plaza Santa. Open to the public.

"How do you get the appointment with Santa?" you ask...

Well be at Centennial Olympic park Saturday morning at 11:00AM and be the first person to tweet me www.twitter.com/slhayesdesigns, or check-in with me on Facebook. The earliest timestamp I see gets the appointment with the Phipps Santa!!!

Check www.12DaysOfArthurChristmas.com  for a complete list and details of all the "12 Days of Arthur Christmas" activities.

Until Next Time, 

Be Blessed

"I Am Not My Hair", but She Might Be

I have been rocking my hair in a natural state for fifteen years. And I love it!!! I have shown you all pictures of me and my styles over the years, and its versatile and I love that freedom.  That being said, the way I wear my hair is not for everyone.  

The space I'm in now though is keeping that path with my girls.  Each of them has their own texture different from mine and each other.  My oldest has a fine texture, soft with a gentle, loose curl pattern.  My youngest has soft, tight curls (makes for great puffs ;).   Little Buddy has soft hair as well, but it sucks up oil, so her scalp is constantly dry, it is the kinkiest of us all, and she is tender-headed.  These different textures have made it easier to style some heads than others.  That being said,  I have found myself in a bit of hot water regarding my middle childs' appearance.  

 Now mind you, hair is not the only issue I've been having with this child.  She seemed to have a serious anxiety issue the past few weeks, but we thought it was attributed to all the testing they had been doing at school.  However last weekend my baby girl told my father she didn't like the way she looked.  (And truthfully it was time for her hair to be done).  Just so you know my kid doesn't walk around looking like "Whodunnit" and "Whatfor" everyday.

 At 8 I want my kid to just have fun and not be concerned with how she is looking, but then again, that's how I roll.  "I am not my hair", so judge me on my character and my abilities, not how I look.  Now this is not to say roll out the house in your pajamas with your head wrap on and go to the store;  I just don't want you to tie-up your esteem with your appearance.  Don't get me wrong, take care to show your best face, but let it be the face of your choosing.  And maybe that was part of the problem, she had no choice. 

So the meat of it is this:  our Little Buddy was not feeling good about herself,  and it had not even occurred to me that her hair was an issue.  She is not me, so being kinky curly might not be for her.  That being said, I was on the verge of texturizing my daughter's hair (again) to make it easier for me to style her, and make her pretty the way she wanted; BUT I did NOT!

I am a firm believer that one can have healthy, natural hair, that can be styled a myriad of ways, but maybe you should leave the styling to someone else.  So that is what I have done.  I am now outsourcing the haircare of my middle child to Selena Bell.  She did a great job, and not one tear was shed..(oh yeah, there were tears and all kinds of drama when I did it).  So as a sanity saver I have passed the buck, literally and figuratively to Selena to save my family.  And yes, it really was that deep, if something wasn't done about Little Buddy's  hair my family would have been in jeopardy.

My daughters hair is now done to her liking without all the whining and, well without the usual fanfare.  I realize that while I am not my hair, my eight year old may hold a very different opinion. And I'm okay with that, I just hope she grows up to love herself  no matter what her hair is like.  

Until Next Time,
Be Blessed.  

"Celebrating For A Cause"

Do you know what it's like to have great friends that don't just think of themselves, or that don't think anything of helping you, or anyone else in need for that matter?  Well I do.  I have been blessed to meet and make friends with some pretty outstanding women, who do really great things, and my friend Dee-Dee Jackson is no exception.

Dee-Dee and her organization I'm Every Woman! are kicking off this fabulous season of love and giving by "Celebrating For A Cause".

"I'm Every Woman! Inc. is committed to doing all we can to end domestic violence, hunger in our elderly population, close the gap for families in need, and mentor our youth that need a second chance at success. Our first charity benefit on 11/19/11 will open the door for us to begin making a difference. We are asking our supporters and the community to join forces with us so we are united in our efforts. Together we can do more! We need your support!" - Dee-Dee Jackson, Founder and President

Don't you just love a good party?  I certainly do, and my friend has never disappointed in putting together a great event.  This one is sure to leave you with a warm tingly feeling because while you're having such an awesome time (with new and old friends alike), you'll also be contributing to some really great causes.

Take a moment to pop over to the site and see what they're all about. Make a contribution of support for the organization (it's a non-profit) or purchase your tickets for the event.  Either way you're guaranteed to see a great organization doing good in the community so show your support and  check out "Celebrating For A Cause". 

Until next time, 

Be Blessed