How to have a GLEEFUL Summer by Sue Badeau

Sue Badeau has had a lot of experience with children (read her bio, below!), and she has lots of wisdom to offer not just about parenting, but also about embracing life with joy. I love this super summer UPGRADE!

“As a child, I couldn’t wait for summer,” Sue writes. “What’s not to love? Fireflies. Popsicles. Campfires. Books. Barbeques. Beaches.

“As an adult I dreaded summer. What’s not to hate? Ants and Mosquitos. Oppressive humidity. Sunburns. Poison Ivy. And this body in a bathing suit? NOOOOOOO!”

HA! That’s the best description of summer—pros and cons—I (Dawn) have ever read!

Sue continues …

Memorial Day 1985. Only May and temperatures were already blistering. It was our first summer with multiple foster children—three teen boys— along with our “littles” (five kids under the age of five!). The prospect of a hot, miserable summer drained the life right out of me. Like the Psalmist said,

“My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer” (Psalm 32:4).

And then I looked around at the gleeful faces on my beautiful children as they ran back and forth under the sprinkler their awesome dad had set up on the lawn.

I decided that I was going to find a way to change my own attitude from “grumpy” to “gleeful” and take summer back!

I developed a seven-step plan for upgrading my summer from grumpy to gleeful. Perhaps my plan will help you upgrade your own summer as well!

The underlying principle is to become like a child.

Summer was made for children and childlike wonder. “Children are the kingdom’s pride and joy. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in” (Luke 18:15-17, The Message).

You can do all of these things on your own, even as a fifty-something “empty-nester,” but they are better when shared with a child—so grab your children, grandchildren or neighbor’s children and get your glee on!

1. GROW something: Get your hands dirty. Experience the thrill of eating a tomato from the vine, letting the juices run down your chin. Bring new life to the lesson of the sower and seeds.

2. LEARN something: Read. Check out that museum in town you’ve never visited. Add a new word to your vocabulary every day. Practice sign language.

3. ELIMINATE something: Put the song “Let it Go!” on. Sing it loudly—off-key is okay!—and get rid of stuff. Donate. Recycle. Toss. It’s freeing.

4. EXPLORE & Experiment: Try something new. That first “gleeful” summer we boldly took eight kids on a cross-country camping trip. We explored and took risks. We experimented with the idea that we could live as frugally on the road as we could at home. And we did!

5. FLIP over something: Somersault on the lawn. Jump on the trampoline. Cannonball into the pool. Be silly and find what excites you. Catch fireflies. Watch fireworks. Be present, in the moment, completely head-over-heals enjoying the activity at hand.

6. UPLIFT someone: One year, our kids held weekly lemonade stands to raise money for earthquake victims in Haiti. Find your passion and make a difference.

7. LEAVE a lasting LEGACY: More than anything money can buy, children crave your time and presence. Sleep under the stars. Tell ghost stories by candlelight during a thunderstorm.

To this day, the memories our now-grown children talk about the most are from the lazy, hazy, crazy and gleeful days of summer. Don’t sit it out being grumpy.

Upgrade to a GLEEFUL summer—what’s not to love? Fireflies. Popsicles. Campfires. Books. Barbeques. Beaches. And always, amazing memories!

Which of these “get your glee on” ideas inspired you? How can you “become like a child” today?

Sue Badeau is a nationally known speaker, author, and child welfare and trauma expert. Sue and her husband Hector are lifetime parents of twenty-two children—two by birth and twenty adopted. They wrote the book Are We There Yet: The Ultimate Road Trip Adopting and Raising 22 Kids. Sue’s new Kindle book is Volume 3, “Never Too Old” in the Summer in Sweetland series. Learn more about Sue at suebadeau.com and badeaufamily.com.

Patti J. Smith - New Release - "Behind The Smile: Overcoming Depression through Scripture and Prayer"

Behind our smiles are tears. We are the victims of depression. We are the ones who are fighting a war within ourselves – a war that consists of many battles on many fronts. Of those won, the losses always seem to eclipse the triumphs.

This book addresses the spiritual side of the battle by utilizing personalized scripture, to bring the reader into God's word with the goal of providing serenity and hope.

We can be victorious … through treatment, scripture and prayer.


The Amazon Kindle link for “Behind The Smile” is: http://www.amazon.com/Behind-Smile-Overcoming-Depression-Scripture-ebook/dp/B00LWKJ61Q/ref=la_B00FGT9ODY_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406205400&sr=1-4


Patti J. Smith was born in Wimpole Park, England. She lived in England and Morocco as well as several state-side Air Force Bases and considers her father's last assignment, Moses Lake, Washington, her hometown. She audited for the Dept. of Labor and Veteran's Administration Offices of Inspector General, served in the U.S. Army Reserve (Transit Control Unit and Criminal Investigation Division) and recently retired as a background investigator.

Patti lives in Vista, CA with her husband and has three granddaughters. She serves as a Regional Coordinator for the Silent No More Awareness Campaign, Co-leads Rachel's Hope After-Abortion Healing Retreats and sings in her parish choir.

Her writing includes devotionals, light romance and suspense, and her strong faith is reflected in each genre.


She is a prolific blogger and reader, and proudly admits to being a diehard Seattle Seahawks fan and Fantasy Football fanatic. Her travel adventures include Spain, Mexico, Canada, Australia, Fiji, South Korea and almost all states - including Hawaii and Alaska.

Follow her blog: http://www.gridirongrannyfootballfanatic.blogspot.com/
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/7306825.Patti_J_Smith
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gridirongranny5
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/giridirongranny
Pinterest: http://wwwpinterest.com/gridirongranny

Lester Ray Tibbett, one of the characters in Tracy Krauss' fun filled romance series "Neighbors"!

Here is a fun interview with one of the characters from my series NEIGHBORS:

What is your full name?
Lester Ray Tibbett. My parents were country people - old fashioned, and they named their kids accordingly. My sister's name is Patsi Mae. She hates it and goes by Pat, but I don't mind so much. You can call me Lester, or Lester Ray - just don't call me late for supper.

Very funny. I take it you and your sister are close?
Yes. I've been her guardian for the last nine years since our parents died. She was only nine at the time. I took over both the farm and the responsibility of looking after her. I suppose you could say I'm more of a father figure than a brother.

That was quite a responsibility. Are you quite a bit older than she is?
I was twenty-three when my folks passed. You do the math.

So what brought a thirty-two year old boy from the country to the city of Calgary? (I did the math, as you can see...)
A combination of things. Bad debts (which I hate to admit) and old equipment, combined with several years of drought. Plus, Patsi finished school and it seemed like it was a good time to move so she could go to college.

What are you doing now that you've moved?
I got a job with a big construction company called 'Titan'. They're in the process of building a high rise downtown. It's new work for me, but I've always been pretty handy, and I learn fast. And you don't grow up on a farm without knowing how to work hard.

Speaking of growing up on a farm, I hear you are also quite the rodeo cowboy. Is that true?
I've done my share. I used to ride broncs, but after an injury I gave it up. There wasn't really any money in it for me and let's be honest - it's a dangerous sport. I still love watching, though, and I don't mind getting back in the saddle just for fun.

Where is your favourite place to hang out in Calgary?
I go to this pub downtown called the 'Urban Cowboy' a lot with my friend Jed Malloy. I don't drink much, but I like to play pool and it also has one of those old school mechanical bulls, which is a hoot.

Is there anyone special in your life?
You mean besides Jesus?

Is that a joke?
No. I'm a Christian and not ashamed to say it. If you mean a special woman, maybe, but that might be privileged information.
I see. If you did have a girlfriend, what kind of woman would she be?
Down to earth, I guess. I'm a pretty down to earth kind of guy myself. Not too pretentious and not too needy. And obviously she'd have to share my values.

Doesn't sound too difficult, but then again you are over thirty and still haven't found her. Do you think you're being too choosy?
Absolutely not. I've been busy looking after the farm and raising my sister. I just haven't had time for a serious relationship. Now that Patsi is grown, I'm starting to think more about my own needs for companionship. A life partner.
More than anything else, what do you want in life?
To be happy. To see my sister settled. That's about it. Like I said, I'm not a very complicated sort of guy.

Anything else you'd like to tell us about yourself?
That's about it, I guess. I'm not that comfortable talking about myself. I don't like being in the limelight. I just like to mind my own business and live a quiet life.

Thanks for this interview, Lester.
In fact, living a quiet life isn't really part of the equation for Lester. See how he deals with a rebellious sister, nosy neighbours, danger on the job site, and his attraction to a woman that probably wouldn't have made his 'must have' list... All in the continuing series NEIGHBORS.

The Amazon Kindle link for “Neighbors” is: http://www.amazon.com/Neighbors-New-Neighborhood-Tracy-Krauss-ebook/dp/B00IK6799Q/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1406150954&sr=1-4&keywords=tracy+krauss+neighbors

"Homeowner With A Gun" by Samule Hawley

Samuel Hawley was on The G-ZONE yesterday, we covered a variety of topics including a new release he has coming up in October. Here is the cover, the synopsis and the link for the show:

The G-ZONE show link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/gelatisscoop/2014/07/23/samuel-hawley-author-of-bad-elephant-far-stream-returns-to-the-g-zone
From Samuel Hawley:
It was great to be on the show, Giovanni. Thanks!
Here is a synopsis of "Homeowner With a Gun," and the cover .
“HOMEOWNER WITH A GUN” (release date- October 2014)
It’s the middle of the night. You’re awakened by a noise. Someone is in your house. What do you do?
When it happens at 148 Maple Drive, homeowner Jeff Shaw gets his gun and goes downstairs to investigate while his wife calls 9-1-1. It’s their home, after all. Jeff has to protect it. He finds two men in the kitchen and shoots them both. Dead.
The incident puts great strain on Jeff and his family. He wants to believe they just need to get on with their lives and everything will return to normal. But it’s not that easy. The dead intruders belonged to a gang, ANG, “Ain’t No Game,” that now wants revenge. And one of the gang, an ex-con who goes by the name I-Man, knows more about the break-in than he’s letting on.

It starts with a threatening phone call. Then it gets worse. The police, unable to protect the Shaws, suggest they move away for a while. What should Jeff do? Homeowner With a Gun takes the reader on a white-knuckle thrill ride as this everyman fights to save himself and his family, while something a detective said plays in the back of his mind: "Maybe the intruders broke into the wrong house. Happens all the time. You wouldn’t believe how often..."

Meet Bryan Leland Tate MD from "The San Francisco Wedding Planner" by Jen Cudmore

Today I’m going to tell you about Bryan, the handsome ortho surgeon from the short stories I’ve been writing. I’m part of a 5 author team working together on the San Francisco Wedding Planner series.

I picture Bryan much like Paul Rudd. Not a total hottie but definitely a cutie pie. He’s about 6 feet tall with blue eyes and typically clean shaven. He’s 36 years old when he first meets Heather, owner of Donovan’s Wedding Service.
So, Bryan. You grew up in San Francisco?
Yes. Spent most of my childhood here, playing baseball. Mom and I moved to Seattle when I was in high school. I enjoyed Washington state, but I’m glad to be back.
And you’re much older than your brother Raul.
I was twelve when he was born. After my parents split, I stayed with my mom, so we didn’t live in the same house, but I was over there all the time. He was my little buddy until I moved away. I wouldn’t say we’re close, but we understand each other and respect our differences.
Tell me some ways you’re different from Raul.
I don’t get into as much trouble. Hehe! No, I mean, he likes to wear a ton of bling and cologne; it takes him two hours to get ready each morning. I’m more simple; I prefer jeans and T-shirts. He makes fun of my flannels all the time, but that’s what I mostly wore in Seattle. Raul has a million friends, and I’m happy to just have a few. He’s very much a people person, which is why he’s always doing karaoke. He keeps trying to get me to go, but I don’t like to be in the spotlight. Give me a guy with a broken femur or a rotator cuff injury and I can handle that, no problem. Just don’t make me give a speech or sing in public!

What are your hobbies?
I enjoy cooking. I cooked all the time for my mom before she passed. She especially loved my omelets. My favorite is lasagna – love to cook it, love to eat it! I also enjoy hunting. Just took my first trip to Alaska last fall to hunt for moose.

Tell us about the women in your life.
Well, my first steady girlfriend was Jocelyn. We dated when I was in high school but I botched that up pretty bad when I went to college. I dated a few girls in college but nothing serious until I met Mandy. I actually thought she was the one, and we spent 5 years together. But unfortunately I was wrong about her.

And now you’re dating Heather. Is it true that Raul set you up?
Hehe. Yes, actually, it was pretty much his fault we’re together. But I don’t give him all the credit. Heather is great. I love how simple she is, and yet so beautiful. She really cares about people, you know? She works so hard to give her clients what they want and make sure they have the perfect wedding. I love that. She makes me want to be a better person.

Heather describes herself as persistent and a worrier. Would you agree?
Uh, yeah, I guess so. She’s a bit too hard on herself, really. But I think we balance each other out pretty good. I hope she thinks so, too.

What do you think of her mother? And her best friend Skye?
Well…what can I say about Gloria? She’s a sweet lady – a teenager trapped in a grandmother’s body! She means well. Heather’s friend Skye is … different. I don’t know her that well, but I’m hoping to become better acquainted with her soon.

COMING SOON! All 6 stories have been combined into one book and will be released in paperback this weekend!
The next segment of short stories will be released in only a few weeks. All the characters from the series tell a bit more of their backstory – what shaped who they are today. I’ll let you know the release date just as soon as I’m informed!

Meet Private Calvin Mitchell—a female soldier during the Civil War and one of the main characters in ‘The Officer’s Daughter’

Meet Private Calvin Mitchell—a female soldier during the Civil War and one of the main characters in ‘The Officer’s Daughter’


I’m part of the Summer Reading Blog Tour and today it is my turn to interview a character in my latest release, The Officer’s Daughter – a Civil War romance, part of Murray Pura’s American Civil War series ‘Let Freedom Ring’.

I invited Private Calvin Mitchell for a cup of tea and a nice little chat. It may surprise you that this private is not a man but a woman. In 1864, women were not allowed to fight in the war between the States – but Calvin did. She has tried hard to keep her true gender a secret, but the captain of her company found out.

What is your real name?
You didn’t really think I was going to answer this question, I hope. I haven’t even told Captain Andrew Burns. But maybe I will spill my secret at the end of my story . . .

All right, Calvin, let’s go on to the next question. Why did you join the Union army? It is not allowed for a woman to fight, because it is a man’s job. So why did you change your petticoats for trousers?
I’m a tomboy really. My mother died when I was young and my father and six brothers were my daily examples. I loved doing what they did. So when everyone from my family had joined up and left me alone, I decided to do the same thing they did – just like I have done my whole life.

Weren’t you afraid to get shot or die?
I don’t like to admit it, but yes, I was afraid. Especially during my first battle when I realized that I had two options; shoot the enemy or get shot by them. I was terrified when I saw everyone in my company changing into blood thirsty animals – and even more frightened when I realized that I was one of them.

I can’t imagine how that would have been. Did you ever regret your decision?
Sometimes I doubted if I had made the right decision, but somewhere deep inside I knew I was in the right place and that kept me going. When I was wounded, it was the first time I regretted my decision – especially when Captain Burns discovered my secret.

You sound like a tough girl – but are you really?
Well, I do like to believe I’m tough, but one person can make me vulnerable. I don’t always like it, but I guess that’s part of falling in love.

All right! Then now I want to know who that one person is, of course. J
Well, he is a warm and friendly man with his heart in the right place – a natural leader. And he is tall and muscular and handsome *swoon*. . . Yes, you’ve guessed it right – it is Captain Burns.

Oh, I think I’ve seen him. Brown hair, brown eyes?
Yes, that’s him! *smile*

Besides Captain Burns, did you make other friends during your time of enlistment?
I tried to be the quiet boy that no one noticed so I wouldn’t be found out, but there were some soldiers I worked with very closely. One of them is Corporal Shane Dean. He is an all right fellow, I guess. Always likes to tease me and Bubba, my pet squirrel.

You have a pet squirrel? How nice! I’d love to see him some day.
He’s outside, waiting in a tree for my return. He doesn’t like to come inside. But you can meet him before I go home.
I’d like that!

You’re still young. What do you hope to do with your life when the war is over?
I’d like to live on a farm with many animals and have children with Captain Burns. *blush*

Sounds like a good plan. I hope you will get what you long for. Thanks for being with us today and answering my questions. All the best to you and the captain!
Thank you!

Here is the complete list of participants. Visit the blogs you haven't read yet and keep an eye on what is yet to come. Some authors are hosting a giveaway, so you might win free ebooks along the way!

Monday, July 14 – Ruth L. Snyder – http://ruthlsnyder.com/
Tuesday, July 15 – Cindy Noonan – http://CindyNoonan.com
Wednesday, July 16 – Mishael Witty – http://bluebrownbooks.com/
Thursday, July 17 – Michele Huey – http://christianwriterspage.blogspot.com/
Friday, July 18 – Patti J. Smith – http://gridirongrannyfootballfanatic.blogspot.com/
Saturday, July 19 – Amber Schamel – http://amberschamel.blogspot.com/
Sunday, July 20 – Mark Carver – http://www.markcarverbooks.com
Monday, July 21 – Marian Baay – http://marianbaay.blogspot.com
Tuesday, July 22 – Jen Cudmore – www.jencudmore.com
Wednesday, July 23 – Tracy Krauss – http://www.tracykraussexpressionexpress.com/
Thursday, July 24 – Marcia Laycock – http://marcialeelaycock.com/thespur/
Friday, July 25 – Joy Ross Davis – www.joyrossdavis.com
Saturday, July 26 – Travis Perry – http://travissbigidea.blogspot.com/
Sunday, July 27 – Mark Venturini – http://markventurinijourney.blogspot.ca/
Monday, July 28 – Iola Kirkwood – http://iokirkwood.com/
Tuesday, July 29 – Marsha Hubler – marshahubler.wordpress.com


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Strong Root Systems by Sue Badeau

While having our coffee this morning, and listening to the wind whip through our neighborhood, my husband remarked, “Its amazing that the trees in our backyard have survived all the windstorms and hurricanes that have run through here.”

“They must have good root systems,” I casually replied.

Root systems – that's what holds trees firm in the face of brutal storms and gale-force winds. Root systems – its what we all need to hold our lives firm in the face of the brutal storms and gale-force winds that besiege and beset us in life. Children need roots most of all.

We understood this intuitively when, as young, naïve kids, we decided to start our own agency focusing on permanence for youth in foster care. We named the agency, “Rootwings Ministries,” drawing upon the quote generally attributed to journalist Hodding Carter, II - "There are two things we should give our children: one is roots and the other is wings."

All children need both roots and wings. Sounds simple. Yet so many children’s root systems have been ripped out from under them as a result of trauma. Then, when the storms of life come along they are tossed about like tumbleweed rather than holding fast like the trees in our yard.

This is especially true for children who experience out-of-home placement in foster care or juvenile justice systems. First, they often experience traumatic events in their life-before-the-system such as domestic violence, abuse, neglect or abandonment. Then, they experience the profound grief associated with being separated from their birth parents, as well as grandparents, siblings, school, friends, neighbors, church and others who are significant in their lives.

All too often, in our culture, we are eager to fit them with wings and launch them into the world, hoping that by providing them with a few life skills, a little education and opportunities for employment, they will fly high and soar.

The good news is, often they do.

The question is, what happens on the windy days of life? Do they have roots that will help them weather the storms?

Children who have experienced trauma need roots in a family, in their community, in their culture and in a community of faith. Each of us can play a role in helping children develop the sturdy root systems that will serve them well in every storm life brings their way.

We strengthen children’s root systems when we work to ensure that every child is entitled to a safe, stable, permanent, legal family of their own – either their family of origin, kin or through adoption. We can never satisfy ourselves by saying that some children are “unadoptable” or “too old” or “too disabled” or “too competent” to need a family.

We strengthen children’s root systems when we welcome children who have experienced trauma into our neighborhoods and communities and never consider any child a “throw-away.” In our schools, the child who bullies may need our help and love just as much as the child who is bullied. Instead of “zero-tolerance” we need to offer help, hope and healing to all children, reaching out in a supportive way to all families.

We strengthen children’s root systems when we embrace them within our faith communities. The biblical concept of hospitality refers to loving the “stranger” and we are instructed again and again throughout both the old and new testaments to welcome the alien, the orphan, the stranger, the “least of these”. If you are part of a community of faith – have you taken an inventory lately to truthfully assess how welcoming you are to the alien, orphans and strangers in our neighborhood, community or in the global community? If not, maybe today, while you listen to the wind outside your window, it might be time to start.

********

Meet Gloria Donovan ... The San Francisco Wedding Planner's Cougar! by Patti J. Smith

Meet Gloria Donovan ... The San Francisco Wedding Planner's Cougar!


When The San Francisco Wedding Planner series was in the planning process, each of us was asked to select the character we would most like to focus on for round two. Surprise, surprise! I chose Heather's mother, Gloria Rasmussen Donovan. We are alike in a few ways. I have a thirty-four year son who cringes when the phone rings, waiting to hear my honest opinion of his life and how to raise my granddaughters ... And let's not forget my academy award worthy guilt-trip provocations.

Gloria meddles in every aspect of her daughter's life (isn't that a mom's job?). Being widowed, she is trying to find herself ... Unfortunately, it's in the teen and make-up section of Nordstrom's. "Dress Young, Feel Young" is one of her mantras, the other being, "Date Young, Feel Young." Both a source of embarrassment for Heather and entertainment for her staff.

Close your eyes -- picture a 50+ woman in a hot pink tank top, skin-tight leopard print capris, spiked heels, and pouty, over-painted lips....and listen to “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” by Cindy Lauper!

That's Gloria!

Check out any and all of Patti J. Smith's contributions to "The San Francisco Wedding Planner Series" on Amazon Kindle:http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=patti+j.+smith+the+san+francisco+wedding+planner