Family Matters with Amber

In January, Family Matters with Amber told a short winter story with a phlog project.  It was a way to enjoy the season and help others do the same. We posted some pictures raw and unedited and also some doctored up ones . We showed our art work, our idea of a fun rainy-day-activity and of course, our view of snow ! Now, it's your turn! Families have so many distractions- so often they draw us to look outside of the home for things to focus on- but since February is the month for love, we challenge you to turn your focus inward- towards where your heart is.   Family Matters  February Photo Challenge! Whether you choose to do this every day of February or not, share the shots or not, and whether you're a pro-photographer or simply a mom with an Instagram account- This is a fun way to focus on the ones you love. <3 I'll be looking for photos to share with readers!  Email yours to:  FamilyMatterswithAmber@gmail.com !

This past fall I attended a sporting event for one of my children in a nearby community. It was being held on a football field of  a school where a shooting had occurred two years ago . As I made my way from the parking lot to the back of the school, I walked by one of the front doors and took notice of a large window sticker. I stopped to read it. As I did, it chilled me to the bone and made me nauseous. THIS was supposed to be some form of deterrent- some sort of prevention…. THIS WAS A STICKER- and it was intended to change someones mind from carrying a weapon past the point of where I was standing…it was supposed to prevent  terrorism  or murder. I was sick… "too late" wasn't even an adequate thought at that point, "too weak" was a better one- And anger was the emotion which followed. As I stood there, unable to move or think past the fact that children were murdered there, I felt helpless, as I know many parents do in the face of incidence

 On 1/1/14 We Chose Our One Word : Mom- Free Let go, let 'it' go & relax  (most women can relate to this) 9 year old son- "AS" or "SA"   (Attitude Stop/Stop Action) Because he is young, we bent the 1 word rule to allow him an acronym, especially since it was  such a good one he picked, that could help him with his biggest weaknesses (rushing & occasional attitudes) 12 year old daughter- Management She was smart and paired a weakness with a word which could encourage her to use her desire to control things- this plan allows her to use control in a good way 16 year old daughter- Motivation  Hallelujah! -I can guarantee you already know what this means and understand what it will help her (and me) with... How's it going?   It's going GREAT!  We check in every so often with each other to see if we're using our 1 word ~  Sometimes we are and   sometimes we admit we're not.  It's not a

“Summer will end soon enough,  and childhood as well.” ―  George R.R. Martin ,  A Game of Thrones

I know winter can be pretty nasty...but when you look at it like this, is it still ugly?

Share these with your kids…guaranteed to spur some some conversations: A few of them bring a whole new meaning to my common household phrase: 'limiting technology'

Courtesy of The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolence CLICK THE IMAGE FOR A VIDEO REQUEST FEATURING BERNICE A. KING

How Can You Honor Him and His Ideals?  Lend a Hand The  Care2.com  site suggests ' helping others' even if it's just the simplest of things like making a meal .  Cook for Someone Offer Your Heart From  The Guardian.com : "The Christian Aid  assembly presentation  and  teachers' notes  encourage pupils to think about Martin Luther King's dream for equality and to consider what their own dreams for a better world might be." There are many more ways to celebrate,  learn more at the King Center online . And… don't forget to Dream….

Flat Stanley isn't the only one who goes places: Back to work.

As seen by my elementary schooler more on The Phlog Project

   

Phlog: a blog done through pictures rather than words ~Winter Tree Shadow Before Dawn~ Beautiful, as I stood outside today listening to the drip drip of melting snow. - unedited, aside from the black border. While I have absolutely no intention of starting a phlog (because I could never realistically keep up with one, and frankly I talk too much and could never just blog in pictures), the New Year does bring us opportunities for pattern interrupts. I thought this would be the perfect time to change things up and try phlogging!  I love photography, as much as I love parenting (and that's a lot). I could take pictures all day, every day, for the rest of my life, and never get bored. And, with Winter being my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE season and not always other people's favorite… I thought I'd do this now. Maybe those who curse Mother Nature and Father Winter will find new appreciation for this chilly season while also adding some art therapy to their post holiday s

So, ask me how I know this and I'll probably tell you that I've been there and done that. Being a dedicated mom takes a lot out of women. And most often, at the end of the day, we are the last one on our list. It doesn't have to be that way- I think the Bucket List could be part of the solution. I wrote a bucket list almost 14 years ago. It was an assigned project from the company I worked with. I listed all sorts of things. Some of them I've accomplished, others I have not, and truthfully, I had forgotten about. And, a few on the list are still there and I am working on today! The point I'm making is made very clear in this article .  Not sure what a Bucket List is or how to start one? Click Here. Don't wait til you're retired to begin your Bucket List! Get started on it today, it could be good for your health! I'll admit, my list was lost for a while, but this week I was fortunate enough to have someone in my life bless me