How Can Legos Fit Into Your Faith Building?

What does Legos or any building bricks have to do with faith, you ask? My kids choose to help me review the Zonderkidz "Faith Builder's Bible". So read on my friend, read on! A few things first to get out of the way... I always ask my children about what they want to do to study faith. It is up to them. Why?

Faith is a choice and I want it to remain that way for my kids. If they want to read the Bible, that is okay with me. I am more than happy to. Therefore, it was their choice only to help me review the Zonderkidz "Faith Builder's Bible". I did not make that choice- they did. It makes for happier kids and a happier mommy.

This Bible my kids are over the moon about!

As a disclaimer- When I say Legos, that is any building bricks. We used Legos therefore herein out will use Legos but you can use any building blocks.

Legos-- what kid does not like legos?

My daughter built Jesus walking on water below. My older son did the one in the middle when God created the Earth separating water and land. My youngest son did the tree building that is in the upper right corner.

So this is a way to explore hands on, the bible through legos. Kinetic learning is one of the best ways to learn actually!

To me, as in school, you can use this to look at Christian history. Now, that does open the doors to explore other faiths as well, which I like to give my kids a well rounded view. One of my kids defines themselves as Christian, one as still looking, and the other is too young.

I have to say, when I opened it, I was very disappointed. It is a bible with a few Lego pictures in there. I expected it to be more kid friendly than it was. Maybe with instructions to show the kids how to make it but I still think it is great to use!

I do like that it shows the kids the opportunity to make faith something incorporated into every day life. It gives them the ability to see a couple of pictures and make their own.

Per my kids, not just me, they did not like it at first glance either. Mainly because they thought the Bible would be more kid friendly. They did not like that it felt like a pew Bible that had thin pages that could rip easily which are not kid friendly. The only kid friendly pages were the pages that showed how they used building blocks to show parts of the New Testament and Old Testament.

Also, per my kids, they were disappointed there were no instructions in the Bible to show them how to build the examples they used for the building blocks. Some of the verses in the bible are not super easy to re create for them.

It has both the Old and New Testaments which not all kids Bible have, and the NIVr is support to be the New International Version Reader's Version (basically NIV easy to read). It is small (with very small print which is not helpful for kids) and portable. However, it is meant for older kids.

So I gave them a faith building challenge (for my 2nd and 4th grader):

1) Read individual Bible stories (reading and history)
2) Who can make the most Lego creations from the bible? (art)
3) Who can explain about what they learned? (comprehension and public speaking)

They have accepted their challenge! Let's see where it takes us this month.
Who ever is able to make all three requirements, will win the Bible for themselves!

My younger son, who is 5, really struggled with it because while there were pictures, there were no pictorial directions for him and that lead to him being frustrated. He wanted his big brother to do it for him rather than him do it himself. So we all did it together with him. At this age, you need to sit with them while they do this. It is a great time to start open dialogue about faith. Yes, even to a five year old. They understand more than we are capable of understanding. Learning languages that start this young capture them better so why not faith and openness to God the same?

My middle child, my daughter, who is 8, struggles with faith sometimes. She just is questioning of the world around her so she has struggles with it. I actually appreciate that she is questioning the world and faith around her. Why? Why on Earth would I be okay with this? Because she is learning. If you walk into faith blindly knowing you have questions, than you are just blind and stupid. If you want into faith questioning it, you gain a much bigger understanding of it and really gain so much more from it once you are at peace with it. She actually enjoyed building Jesus walking on water and I think it could help in her faith building, regardless if it is Christian or Buddhist.

My oldest son, who is 9, almost 10 *shudders at double digits*, really actually enjoyed this. He is very strong in his Christian faith. This is without much pushing but more his learning and believing it. He really liked it. He had a hard time picking but he ended up doing the Lego of one of the days when God separated the water and the land. I can see him using this as an excuse that he is doing schoolwork and why work on anything else? I mean, come on, it is Legos after all!

I LOVE what Zonderkidz idea is and what it is trying to promote. Learning of faith into the everyday play. How genius is that?

I do think this Bible is intended for 9+ in the age group. Both for comprehension but also for ability to take the ideas they are learning and make them into lego creations.

If you have done this, I would love to see some and you can even post to Zonderkidz Facebook page or twitter page below! (tag me Via Bella in it- would love to see it!).

You can visit them on Facebook or Twitter 

How Do You Make an Awesome Derby Car?

What is a pinewood derby car? What the heck is the pinewood derby? Do just cub scouts do it? Can girls scouts do it? Is it really that competitive? All these and more answered here!

First, the pinewood derby is a car race for cub scouts. The boys can build their small cars into anything they want to. And believe you me, they can get super creative in what they choose to do. They try to win first place for speed and be creative doing it.

The pinewood derby car is a small piece of wood and a kit with the wood, wheels, nails, and numbers that you can personalise and make yours! (And if you have no clue of where to buy a pinewood derby car, you can go here to the boy scout of America shop  and find your local shop by zip code).

My kids love to look forward to this every year with Pack 33 in Takoma Park, Maryland.

The last two years, this one included, my girl scouts have joined. How awesome is my pack??! Love them! They have allowed my girls to race right after my boy scouts. 

Why should girls get to do the pinewood derby? You may hear girls that may do the powder puff derby (cue my gag). So yeah, girls can not only do it, they can rock it! Usually it is my daisy who wins! Second year of my daisies winning. First year was Abbey, this year Romana took first place! Like what?! Go girls!

In the picture above, my daughter's friend, Clara has decided that she wants to join girl scouts after all the cool stuff they get to do. So Clara was turned into wanting to do scouting based on helping Via with her front door cookie booth and the pinewood derby. Super stoked. 

10 Steps to building your awesome derby car!

1. Buy your derby car here at a local scout shop near you, just put in your zip code.
2. Grab your cars that you have had cut (this could be a pack, troop, or even at Home Depot)
3. Get sand paper of different sizes
4. You will start using the lowest, like in the picture, the red one is p100. It means it is more grittier.
5. You will then progress to using the finer and finer sandpaper. This will smooth it out so you can paint it.
6. Draw your design on it
7. Paint it
8. Sand your car and wheels
9. Add Wheels
10. Weigh it and add any weights and graphite

IMPORTANT rules: It can't be more than 5 Ounces!
You will be disqualified for racing if it is heavier. So beware of this rule.

Here are some AWESOME resources for you to help with building your pinewood derby car.

How to maximize it's speed and make a fast pinewood derby car secrets can be found here.

As a parent, I will tell you the same thing I told my 9 year old though, who had no problem pointing out that he only has one more year as a cub scout racing and was not happy about not getting 1st place. I think it is more about participating then winning. If you win, that is an extra joy. You can try the secrets above, pre plan your car a year in advance, but at the end of the day, some of it is just pure luck.

You can even so far as to watch this video to try to get science on your side. (Which is what my son tried to do). Sometimes it really is just luck.

Here is another basic guide to pinewood derby building. Again, sometimes to me, these work and sometimes they really don't.

Even here, there is a site called Pinewood Derby Pro... are they really? I don't know.  I can say though, that it matters more to be that they try and work on it on their own.

The Boy Scouts of America even have a site dedicated to the Pinewood Derby.

Okay, so why does this all matter? If you have seen the movie Down and Derby, which I popped in just seconds ago for us in honour of our Pinewood Derby today, you know how incredibly intense the competition of the Pinewood Derby can get. Sadly, that happens more than you think.

You may not see boys cry often, but you may see them cry when they do not when the pinewood derby. Yes, my friends, the competition is stiff sometimes.

My son said to me tonight that all he ever wanted was to win the pinewood derby so the boys, his friends, would talk to him as a pinewood derby winner. I told him he already was because he did his car on his own.

What do I mean, "on his own"?

It literally means on his own. I can't say the following for my parents, because a lot of them follow the rules but I know a lot of parents don't.  A lot of parents will make their kids' cars to help them win. That is how stuff the competition is.

EVERY PINEWOOD DERBY RACER who does it on their own, in my opinion, is a WINNER!!!

 In fact, I wish Boy Scouts of America would make this part of advancement requirements for each level. The amount of energy that goes into this for the boys and how badly they want it, would make perfect for adding this as a component of advancement. That is just me as a leader though.

They work with wood, design, cutting, science, aerodynamics, nails, tools, etc. How fun right? There is so much work that goes into it and so much learned from it for the boys. That is why I think, not just a boy scout leader, but as a parent, that the boys hold most of the leadership in the car they are making.

If you are a parent who has just joined scouting-- welcome and have fun with it!
if you are a returning parent, remember to give your kids the reigns. If they lose the timed races, they are still a winner for trying and learning to lose is a part of life. A lot of it can be luck as well.

Every year, up until this year, somehow one of my scouts who spent little to no time on their car got first place every year. We had no clue how. So it really it about luck sometimes.

So however you race it, however you build it, paint it or envision it, do it with class and have fun!

How to become an Insider on Printmaking

Printmaking started 3500 BC and becomes more popular over time. 

I got this book, Modern Printmaking by Sylvie Covey, and was surprised how big it was but when I opened it, I loved it. I am a sap for great looking and feeling covers. The title is appropriately printed or engraved into the hard cover. Love it. 

"Modern Printmaking is intended for all who want to discover and learn about contemporary print making and to improve their printmaking knowledge and skills. It encompasses both traditional and contemporary techniques and processes and it also presents profiles of thirty one contemporary print makers." Page 7. 

Inside the book, which of course is more important (he he),  has 15 different types of modern print making and techniques. 

I have not come across another book like this that delves into each technique in a way that is more in depth and shows you how to do it yourself than with this book. Not only that, this is a very interesting read. 

That being said, if you are just looking for pictures, this is not that kind of book. Which I really like. It is like I am sitting down and taking a class. I can break up the techniques to learn them and give myself time to learn at my own pace. 

Another really cook thing I like about it is that I can EASILY use this for homeschooling elementary to high school. Of course, you would use different techniques with different ages. I am firm believer in getting hands on when it comes to art. You modify it for each level. 

Why is this perfect for homeschooling?

You can delve in to the history of each art technique, learning the steps and being able to comprehend instructions and executing them correctly. You can get your hands dirty, think outside the box, and create. 

As we know the times are changing and not everything is older fashion, as my kids remind me all the time, and things are becoming more digitally. Thanks kids, for making me feel old! However, I will forgive and teach you some awesome digital print making techniques that this book takes you through. 

If you also wanted a dummies version, you won't need one. This is super comprehensive with step by step instructions should be enough. You can continue to use this and it tells you what tools you need as well. 

Some of the modern printing techniques they go over: 
* Relief Printmaking 
* Woodblock printing
* Linoleum printing
* Intaglio printmaking
* Non Acid Intaglio Techniques
* Acid Intaglio Techniques
* Collography
* Photo-Etching and Photogravure
* Printing Intaglio
* Lithography
* Serigraphy
* Chine-Colle
* Mixed Media
* Digital Transfers
* Post Digital Graphics

Within each of these different grouping are different techniques and styles that are gone over and taught. 

One you probably have done and not even know it from that list is serigraphy which is screen printing. My kids pulled out Alex's Screen Printing Kit and had a blast with it with their friend who was over. So when I say that you can do this with your kids, think outside the box. 

I have a feeling I will be reading this one and having many artistic endeavours in my future-- and I am excited about it! 

*I received this book in exchange for my honest review *

Scout Spotlight of the Day: Daniel's Duty to God

I have decided as a scout leader to allow parents and scouts to show off what they are doing and learning in scouting. Especially those who are going above and beyond in their scouting duties. Why? What scouting allows for kids to learn are many life long skills

It could be a girl scout. It could be a boy scout. It could be a scout in my den or troop or one from yours!

If you have an extraordinary scout story to share (with permission), email it with pictures to me viabella.thebeautifullife @ gmail.com

Today, we are going to talk about one of my Webelo scouts, Daniel Matthews!
Den 6 Pack 33 in Takoma Park, Maryland.  He will be going into Troop 33 about a year from now!

His name is Daniel and he is new to my den this year!

Fond memories so far this year with him is sitting around the camp fire ring during fall camp out and him somehow managing to burn his shoe after our 12 mile hike. He is like any typical 9 or 10 year old boy-- full of energy and jokes. Don't we all wish we had that kind of 9 year old energy again? He can make me laugh as a leader-- even at the times like in the middle of a serious talk or lesson. This alone is going take him far in life. He is a great kid!

You do not need to believe in God to be a scout! We have scouts that don't have belief in God. That is okay! They can meditate, do reflection and whatever is spiritual to them. While this is not held widely, check with your pack because it should be something that is yours!

For the Duty to God for Webelos I level they have to either:
A) Earn their emblem of faith (which is done through their own denomination) or.....
B) Complete at least three of these:
* Help plan, support, or actively participate in a service of worship or reflection and show reverence.
* Review with your family what you have learned about your duty to God
* Discuss with your family, family's faith leader, or trusted adult how planning and participating in a service of worship or reflection helps you live your duty to God.
* List one thing that will bring you closer to doing your duty to God and practice for one month. Write down what you do each day to remind you.

For our pack, we have people of all faith and even those that don't believe in God. So this is something that we allow the families to do on their own, as Daniel as done. It shows that you take scouting into the real world with you. The principles are an important part of life.

I am a proud troop leader and Daniel, as I am sure you will be reading this with your mum, know that I am VERY proud of you as your leader. You are representing your den and pack very well, looking sharp, and learning public speaking. You are a lot of fun and I am very proud to have you in our den. Don't ever lose that zest of life and being able to turn anything funny. It will take you far!

 Below is a video of Daniel and letter from the family about what they did!

Note from the parent: 

Our family are practicing Christians. We are members of the Community Church of Washington DC-United Church of Christ, in Washington, DC where Aaron B. Wade is the Senior Pastor. 

During the month of February our church allows the youth to take an active role in leading segments of the service. This allowed Daniel to earn his Service to God badge while also serving in several roles during service.

In the video:
Daniel is stating our  Church's Vision Statement in front of the congregation.
Every Sunday a member of the congregation does this. 

In the pictures:
Daniel and his older sister, Erica are serving as Jr. Trustees. They are holding the baskets to receive the tithes and offerings of the congregation members. 

Kim Matthews

(Daniel's Mum)

LIVE the LIFE U LOVE &

LOVE the LIFE U LIVE!

10+ Ways to Creative Self Love

I have the honour to work with other bloggers in helping people to figure out how to do creative self love. It looks different for many different people!

With this Valentine's Day having been just about a week ago, it is vital to be able to not just learn to love others but love ourselves. If you think about it, many people are single, divorced, or separated during valentines. And the number is growing.

In and out of our lives people come and go. But you do not. It is not like you can wake up one morning and decide that you would like to walk out on yourself (though could make for a cool cartoon). You are stuck with you.

So why not remember to love you like you love your child? Some people honestly love themselves way too much and some don't love themselves at all! There are some great ideas for everyone here!

Regardless if you are married or not, you can have a great valentine's day or... radical idea...
ANY DAY OF SELF LOVE. Just switch it from about a dude or dudette to you!

First, and foremost, Creative Self Love looks different for each person.
If you don't see something here, comment and I will add it for you!

Here are a couple of ways to do creative self love.

1. Buy yourself Girl Scout Cookies with a beautiful Valentine's Twist
I totally bought myself Samoa cookies from my daughter for myself for valentine's day and shared them with my kids. Of course, I paired them with a red wine.

2. See a beautiful documentary based on women like Many Beautiful Things

3. Do a simple 1 day detox. I like this because it is a way to say that your body is worth the attention of re-jumping your health. With the constant daily stresses of life, you can wear your body down to sickness! A lot of the times you don't see it coming so every once in a while take care of your body because it will need to take care of you the rest of your life!

4. Review if you have kept your new years resolutions. Why is this self love? Sometimes we get caught up in life that we forget the growth goals we have put forth in front of ourselves. Sometimes that means getting rid of resolutions that no longer suit the bigger goal. Or you want to add one or modify the current ones. That is okay!

5. Listen to a song and dance at midnight like this one empowering women to be able to love themselves. I love to listen to songs... a lot. I love my music. I listen to all sorts of music. I picked this song below by Hailee because a lot of the times we socially are okay with men "loving" themselves but it is less so with women. If you choose to do that, do it. If you don't and that is not your style, that is okay too! LOVING YOURSELF TAKES MANY FORMS! It could be I am going to love myself by sleeping more!

6. Get yourself a Toy (or two) to Please Yourself
NOTHING is wrong with this! The old me would not have posted this, but I have NO shame in posting it here now. Seriously, I am in my 30s and always felt dirty about it even saying they existed. Why? I have no clue! What better day to start though, right? Women need the same release as men and it can screw with your mind and make you very frustrated without knowing it. So if you need to, here is that permission.

7. Do a homemade coconut sugar scrub and declare it a spa time for you! Super cheap and affordable and makes you feel so good afterwards! If you don't have time to make one you can use herbal soaps like these to wash your body. The coconut sugar scrub is my favourite. It leaves you feeling so smooth and then you should paint your toe nails and pour yourself a glass of wine! Yes, even if you are not super girly! Maybe even turn on Sex in the City for yourself.

8.  Learn that there are things that you should stop doing and that is okay! WE ALL ARE GROWING SPIRITS! You will be able to learn that sometimes it is better to not care what people think as much as you want to care. And guess what? I have to even re read and re affirm with myself about these things all the time because it is a process!! I know that I will trip myself into a trap of thinking I have to care what others think of me more than me realising what my worth already is!

9. Read inspiring books like The Productivity Project that help you to learn that meditation every day is super important for your health. How is this self love? You focus more on what is important! Similar ideas are shared in Breaking Busy and Stress and Peace.  You learn that keeping busy and stressing yourself out are not conducive to your own well being! If you slow down down, your life can be more productive and that includes being happy and loving yourself!

10. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! Know that. Don't believe when anyone tells you that you are fat-- I had a hard time dealing with that and I learned that I am beautiful because I am! I kept believing false words given to me and it just killed me inside. If I ingest those words than I am not loving myself. I don't care no more what others think in my beauty. Yes, I don't wear heels and dresses all the time-- maybe running after kids all day has something to do with that. But I won't be made to feel less than the beautiful woman I am. Neither should you!

Walk to Beautiful: How a Homeless Kid Found Love and His Way

In the beginning, there is a teenage boy who happened to be a foster child who was pricking his skin with the initial F.T.W. Having been in similar worlds, I can guess that to mean, "Fuck the World = FTW."  He was hoping that it would change meaning soon and then it got changed to "Found the Way= FTW".... But how?

 Why did I pick this book?

Something that struck me with this book is that it is about someone famous, Jimmy Wayne, who I identify with his younger self. He was a homeless. He was a foster youth. I was and have been both myself. I understand the hardship of being homeless as a child. It is not fun. It is not as glorified as it can be in the movies.

When I saw this, I KNEW I had to review this book.

The first chapter after the forward is "today" so to speak. He is at Madison Square Garden about to go on stage. Something that many artists can only dream of and he was there and doing it! Let a lone a boy who comes from nothing, from worrying about his mum having issues with a guy she is with and dropping him off in strange places. Some of us sadly can relate to this story.

I like this. A great easy read but also reads multi-faceted. It reads as a biography, a story, a memoir, a E True Hollywood story, and an inspiration.

When he has made it big he made this promise to himself:

"When I make it to the music business, I will not forget where I came from, and I will come back to help the kids in foster care." Page 13

This is promise that we all make ourselves when we get out of tough situations. To never forget where we come from. He realised he had not done that and was determined to make it happen. It is a great reminder- if you have been in these situations, have you gone back to serve those that are still stuck in a situation you were once in? If not, what are you going to do within your capability about it?

He goes on to talk about the horrible experiences he had as a kid. And some of them normal for poor children, his goes above and beyond (or below and very below) that. When you talk about a child who had it rough, Jimmy did. Sadly, I can say, I relate to some of his stories. I feel so deeply for him.

For anyone who has gone through really tough times in life, you can realise that you are not alone. Others out there have been through similar things as you. You almost feel like you want to reach to into the book and save him. That is how well descriptive it is.

He talks about when he killed a frog because he was so angry inside despite being in a good foster home because when it came down to it, he did not have the love he wanted and he had no control over anything. Later he found a woman who said she gave out frog trinkets to kids. He asked why finding irony in it and she said it means to f.r.o.g.- fully rely on God.

How have you relied on something when you are near nothing? Have you ever been there?

Like some kids in the system, school was his way out even though he did not see it. He did not see it until he had a wonderful teacher Ms. Friday who held him back and accepted nothing less from him. Teachers like this are rare and many want to help. It is how I view scouting. I care deeply about the kids I am with. Having that teacher or mentor in some one's life can make all the difference in the outcome of their life. For Jimmy, Ms. Friday, was one of those people who changed his life.

When he would get letters from his mum who was in prison, he said they would be like church service. Start out sweet with I love yous and end up asking for money. I thought that was funny. He, the writer, has a way of making even the harsh realities he faced in to something you can laugh at in moments like this. Many can relate.

He goes on the cross country trip that was about to take place due to his latest step father's antics that nearly killed his brother's wife. This is after he tried to kill Jimmy as well after some drunken rampage he went on. So they had to run. Somewhere along the road, he made Jimmy get out and left him at a bus station at 13 years old.

He struggled because after he was reunited with his mum and awful step dad he was still wanting them and them not wanting him. After many beatings from Tim, the step father, he falsely filed reported that the things he was doing to him he was doing to him instead causing Jimmy to end up in the foster care system.

This amazing  couple take him in despite their elderly age and help him- buy him new school clothes-something that he had never experienced. Bea was a musician and Russell was a world war II vet. Russell soon passed and that left Bea and Jimmy.

Jimmy had soon joined a band. Whether Bea had influenced that or not, how cool is that? It was the beginning of his new journey! You can tell in reading this book that it was his turning point of when his life was getting better and he was having more control over it. Things in his world started to make more sense. Both in school and out side of school.

Read the book all the way through to find out what happens. I did and putting down this book was not easy for me. Jimmy does very well of describing his life and remembering things that most foster kids put in the back of their mind... for a reason. Like he says, you move out and you move on up. You have to.

Whether or not you have experienced anything he has, you need to read this book. It will enlighten you either way. We are not alone in this world and we can help those around us! Very well done!

You can buy the book here. 

One day, Jimmy, I hope to meet you and give you big hugs! I want to cry because your book touched me that much. I know sharing a story like that is not easy and you do an incredible job of it- knowing that I can relate to it. I am very sorry for what you have had to be through. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right? Well it shows just be the very fact you are willing to be open yourself. You have let those know they are not alone. They can go up too. Great job!!!

* I received this book if exchange for my honest review* 

A Fun Way of How to Engage Your Cookie Booth Customers More

So today marked the first day of cookie booths for my girls. As a girl scout leader and cookie mom, I have to say I had three AMAZING mums! Fiona, Mayra, and Alicia who all served as points of contact (poc) for cookie booth so I can stay back to make sure that everything was running smoothly and I was there to give cookies, and get cookies left over from cookies booths. And one of the mums even took my daughter for ratio numbers so we can have a fun smooth booth! I don't think I ever really sat down and had a moment to myself! 

We sold 430 boxes on our first day! 

So proud! Incredibly proud.

Even prouder, they surprised me with their creativity. 

There is the boring stand behind the back of the table and not be engaged, the being engaged as a normal business practice, or getting very creative with what you have. 

Today, the two troop leader daughters got very creative. 

Meleny, Via, and Selena decided they wanted to pull a Girl Scout cookie booth prank to see the reaction of the customers and honestly to have fun with it. I mean, if a bunch of boxes greet me with the cutest little brownie voice ever "Hello" and maybe started to come towards you, you couldn't resist buying girl scout cookies! 

                                            Here is the preparation! Mel is boxing Via up!

Via says hi to her first customer and someone does a double take...

Or another reaction could be backing up when the boxes try to move towards you... 

Or you could be told that you may be recycled!

Either way this is TOO CUTE NOT TO SHARE!

Feel free to share the love and to visit your local cookie booths to support what your local girl scouts are doing! You can find cookies near you using the Cookie Booth Locator by typing in your zip code or Apple Cookie Booth Locator App or Android Cookie Booth Locator App. Oh yes, my friends, there is an app for that!

~~Scouts Learn How to Do Important CPR~~ Will You?

The Boy Scout Motto is: Be Prepared. Are you?

Did you know the majority of people do not know what CPR means, let alone how to do it. Think about this, if you knew how to do CPR to the person on the street, what would that look like? Would you feel comfortable doing it? Would you get in trouble? What is an AED and where is it located? What about an infant or baby?

If you can't answer any of the questions or most of them, you are simply not trained to be doing CPR. However your best advise is to call 911 and have them walk you through how to do it on the phone in the event of an emergency. That is how simple it can be!

Who should learn it?
EVERYONE!

As a Cub Scout/Boy Scout Leader I knew that my 20 boys needed to earn their First Aid and CPR to make the Webelos scout rank. I had an amazing parent who helped me in making the connection happen with the Takoma Park Volunteer Fire Department. She rocked in making it happen and solidifying the dates. Isn't it awesome to have great scout parents?

Also, as Girl Scout Leader of 45 girls- daisies, brownies, juniors, cadettes, and an ambassador, within the Nation's Capital- I knew my brownies and juniors needed to get their first aid and CPR badge/patch. We live in a place where I can

So why not have them do it together?
I know some people may oppose boy scouts and girl scouts doing things together, but as a leader of both (in which I am a true proud scout mama) in which my numbers add up to about 65, it is crucial in good programming to have some events together. As well, it sets an incredible example for both my boys and my girls that everyone regardless of gender, race, belief, can help save a life!

What does learning CPR look like for girl scouts and boy scouts?
First they came in  and they sat down. They learned about what CPR meant. Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation. They learned about the difference between cardiac (heart) and pulmonary yet how they are closely related in our lives.


The Scouts learn about Chest Compressions!

They learn that even if they are much smaller than the person helping, that they can't do anything worse than the condition the person is already in if they are unconscious. The best thing is that they help them, even a little bit. 

They learned about the mechanics of it as well as getting into groups and practicing it!
The scouts learned how to put on hand over the other and how to listen for signs of breathing. The scouts also learned how many compressions to do.

My Scouts learn how to do Infant CPR!

They learned that infants and babies are not created equal as kids or adults in trying to save them and it is much easier in some ways, especially for a scout to save them. They can be easier to save but they also are much smaller so their risks are much higher. They are smaller so choking or breathing problems can happen much faster. Since a lot of them have smaller siblings, this was perfect for them. I think they were more shocked when they saw how you help a baby if they are choking. They got over that pretty fast!

My Scouts learn about how to use a AED!

What does AED stand for? They learned the difference between AED and AID. AID is not AIDS like a disease. Instead it is AED is automated external defibrillator versus automated internal defibrillator. The AID is something internal so it goes in the heart usually. They were so excited to get to try the AED out that they did paper-rock-scissors to see who would get to use the device.

They learned about how to use the AED and how simple it is. Where to put the pads (on the right upper side and on the lower ribs) and how to deal with situations in which someone may have a medicine patch or even have to much chest hair. Yes, that definitely got chuckles out of nine year old kids.

They learned that the machine will pretty much guide them in CPR/AED if AED is needed. Only two scouts got to actually practice while the other scouts watched as they learned their way through the AED process.

Lots of questions, laughs, jokes, and learning happened.

So again, I ask, why should everyone learn to do CPR? 

Why should every adult learn CPR? 
Simple. If you have children, there is no less of a helpless feeling than your child having breathing problems and you feel you can't help. But you can. You call 911 and have them walk you through it if you don't know. If you do, you have the skills to do it! This includes your friend, spouse, anyone.

Why should kids and scouts learn CPR?
Yes, they are not the size to be able to completely resuscitate an adult. But if you had the choice, would you rather a child resuscitate you or not be saved at all?

Hopefully you answered that you prefer a child or scout to help you than die. We don't kids enough credit in their abilities to act just the way we can. Their size can be limiting, yes, but that is some ways in no different than someone like me who is small trying to revive Shaq, because he is so much bigger than I. And I am a grown woman.

So if you have not already-- go learn CPR and First Aid. You may be able to save a life or have yours saved!

Why Buying the Latest Apple Product Isn't Always Worth It & Why Apple is the Best!

I am actually sitting in the apple store right now. Which by the way, has some of the best customer service ever, even with me having my three kids with me. Thankfully they are being occupied by the I-pads in store. Having the I pads in the store has proved to be super helpful for both mum and kids to be able to get through the grueling hour(s) of getting my computer problem taken care of!

You may think that I am writing this on the heels of what is going on-- there was a news station outside the apple store for some time about the whole ordeal about the government wanting a back door so to speak on the apple products in light of what has happened in San Bernandino, California.

But that is not why I write this.

What if I told you that you could save money by not buying the latest apple product while loving them and using them for your computer needs?! 

Why I write this is to inform you about maintaining your current mac apple computer and saving money. Also, because I have the same problem that most people have. I have two apples-- 10 years old and 4 years old. I don't have a lot of internal storage especially on the air (that is the four year old computer).  I could promote it's storage capacity and that would be swell.

It does not solve the problem of me being a picture hoarder- as so many of us as become. Hands down, I am sure video and photos are the biggest reason why we run out of storage room. Aka, the reason 1 TB storage was invented! I remember when getting 16 gig hard drive was huge. *Donald Trump HUGE*.  (sorry couldn't resist that one)

I am writing this because I am uploading to storage all my pictures so that way I can have use of my computer again. I need to blog and am in the middle of cookie season. Not having my computer is not an option.

I am an APPLE CUSTOMER all the way!

That being said, I hate being wasteful. Think about all those people who have apple computer-- what would happen if they all tossed them because they were a few years old? So wasteful! I digress...

I have a small loaded computer (meaning little hard drive capability). I will live with it! This means, if you have small space on your computer, keep with it. 

Why in the world would a blogger, of all people, being saying this??

It forces you to maintain your computer at a more frequent rate than if you had a 110 gig computer. In all honesty, you don't want to waste a computer in a landfill or do as I was doing when it hit "space full" and using it as a phone charger. Yes, I was doing that!

So I brought my baby in today to see what was going on. I had most the space taken up by pictures. By pictures! How many of you have most of your space taken up by pictures you have not gone through in ions?

It is a thing to take the pictures off your computer. I bet as well, it will even be safer to use an external storage method than to have them on your computer especially if you ever get your computer taken (whether lost or by force)- you won't have any pictures on there if possible. That may be a level of crazy you aren't willing to do but some level of it is probably good for you protection.

So how did I do it??

I can say that the steps may be simple but doing it is not fast sometimes. 

The steps?

1. Find a good external storage unit, such as drop box, google, picassa, you name it. Create an account and make sure your privacy settings are updated. 

2. Upload your pictures from your I booth, I photo, videos, downloads, etc. 

3. Delete most of them or the rest off the computer. 

4. Go through your pictures and see some of your throw back pictures-- that is the fun part!

As a blogger, you can imagine the gigs of pictures I had. Well, as a mother too. I bet you are the same way! You even have blurred pictures, and pictures that you don't need anymore that you are using. Get rid of them. 

Tedacious but necessary to keep you out of the computer hospital aka the Apple store. 

Think of it this way... you would not leave crumbled up paper on the floor or dried up pasta under the kitchen table, would you? Then thing of this as weekly or monthly cleaning how of your computer! 

I hope this is helpful for you in order to save your mac computer!! 

The Productivity Project

One of the first things I love about this book is that it is productivity within the book. What do I mean? Each chapter has the time it will take you to read it for example, Chapter one takes 8 minutes 35 seconds.  Love the irony and productivity!

Is it okay and productive that I took a break to dance while reading at midnight with a glass of wine in my hand and dancing to some of Shakira's early Spanish works? Love! Needless to say, I was trying to be more productive and he was telling me that I wasn't by multi-tasking-- say what now?! LOL

You know those days where you just are dreading going, say to the DMV because you know how long it is going to take to get through the line just to get a number, then to sit and wait? Then your number finally gets called only to have to get through the rest of the process? Should be an easier process. And because of how long it takes, we just put off doing it, right?

Okay, I admit I did that. Now it is coming to bite me in the tush because I am in between having my license right now. It sucks. That was not very productive was it?

How many times do we put off things and put them on the "dreading-doing-it to do list"? How does that impact our productiveness in life?

Just like when we were in college, everyone I knew procrastinated at some point or another. You did too, I am sure. It went something like this...

#Procastination versus #productivity
Now or "wiser"? LOL. Need I say more?
I do by #Multitasking because #momlife! pic.twitter.com/raUdt5Vn4n

— Via Bella (@Via__Bella) February 16, 2016

So what to do about it? Pick up this book by Chris Bailey! I have shared some of his useful advise here and why you should read this book!

He gives practical advise. Sometimes down and practical is what we need. He has done the research and practiced all these on himself.

You really need to evaluate the values you have and how that fits into what you are trying to do. One that I can relate to very deeply is that I like him am not a morning person at all. I would much rather stay up until 2am and then get my stuff done. I can't explain it but it is easier for me, like it is wired in me. He tried to wake up at 530am every day and he was successful in getting to that goal. Then once he was able to do it, it wore off. After a while it caught up with him because it was not being true to him. So in all this reading and practical application, be true to you!

At the end of the chapters, he gives you homework. And you thought you were getting off easy? In fact, you are. Because he tells you get to get pen and paper so you don't waste your time reading a book without having the tools being used so you get much more benefit out of it. And don't worry, it saves you time in the end.

He goes through all the experiments he has done over the year and even shares his results on his blog
and I can't wait to delve more into to see the results he has produced over the years. Anything from the most absurd of meditating for insane amount of hours and even the small things. It goes to show that big and small things matter in both productivity and happiness.

TAE! (The Core Things in Productivity) 

Time: How you use it. Productive versus Procrastination.

Attention:  Focus versus distraction.

Energy: drive, motivation, ebbs and flows

How do you utilise those three to work smarter?

Not all tasks are created equal and we need to honour that. I remember sitting down and doing the top priorities items as 1, medium 2, and eh-will-get-done 3. I would label them and this is the same idea! This was a great reminder of that.

He clearly does research, experiments on himself and even blogs the results.
We can look the other way on our own results, which most of us do, but if we want to be productive, logging our times in of what we spend on our time on would be important.

A great practice that I will start trying is every day when I wake up is to meditate and to figure out the three things I need to get done that day.

Also, what this helps to do, which he covers on in the chapter is not wasting time.
Okay, how many of us procrastinate? I do for sure!

What causes procrastination?
#1 Bored
#2 Frustrated
#3 When something is tough
#4 Unstructured or Ambigious
#5 Lack of personal meaning
#6 Lack of rewards (wine, anyone?)

He talks about making what I would like to refer to as the reverse procrastination list.

Instead of focusing on what actually procrastinate on, make a list of what you SHOULD procrastinate on. This could including checking email every hour, watching a lot of tv, eating snacks, etc etc.

I love this!

Other Cool Productive Techniques

1. Write a Letter From Your Future Self
What I even love is doing the letter to you from your future self. What would be your goals? Where are you?

2. Aging Booth APP
He used the app Aging Booth to see not only what he would like like many years from now but hung it in his office to show himself in a more tangible way what he would look like.

3. Working Less
He goes on to talk about Working Less and that if you are working so much that the list of to do's is not making much of a dent that is a sign that you are doing too much. Full admission- this can be me all the way.

4. A Maintance Day.
Oh how I dread the every day tasks. Especially when you have kids it is a revolving door. He says rather than sectioning them amongst the week he does them all on one day. Now that is not realistic for me but doing them over the week is better. He gives great tips of listening to music while doing it, doing with others, etc.

He then goes on talking about Zen within the busy. How is that possible?!
Everything from shrinking your to do that isn't necessary and giving proper time due to it.

He talks about the importance of emptying your brain and how the effects productivity. This includes on the maintence day to go through and go through yoru inbox, get rid of unnecessary email. This includes turning your phone off and allowing down time.

When you are able to try to implement these thing you can look back at the week and see what you have done and see what has helped you and what has hindered you. And of course with imperfections, you will make mistakes.

Are the places where you put your energy balanced?
#1Mind
#2 Soul
#3 Emotions
#4 Career
#5 Money
#6 Relationships
#7 Fun

Breaks for the Brains are necessary... Do things like...
#1 Exercise
#2 Learning
#3 Reading
#4 Mindfullness
#5 Listening to Music (Like I am doing right now... I am being productive :D )
#6 Hobbies
#7 Meditation/Praying
#8 Nature
#9 Relax your body
#10 Time with Friends and Families

Reprogramming and relying on AutoPilot is important. We need to build need habits and stick with them. There is something to having a rhtyhmn of things.

He also says to do one thing at a time and not multi task--- he obviously isn't a mother! LOL This is one I struggle with. Right now, I am listening to music, dancing, reading and writing at the same time! And it is helping more than just sitting down and reading. Why? I don't know. But I do go with the flow of my body. Sometimes I can do 1 thing at time, sometimes I have to multi task to get it done.

He goes over mindfulness which was his point of doing one thing at a time. More over, meditation will help with more mindfulness and intent in what you do.

What Meditation is Not:
#1 Makes you more passive
#2 Makes you less motivated
#3 Make you care less about your work
#4 too much time
#5 Hard

He talks about eating well, watching that what you drink is not out of habit as that is just borrowing energy, drinking water, excerising, and sleeping. All no brainers in productivity.

Re- Focusing:
#1 Disconnect from productive train
#2 Recall grateful things
#3 Journal about the positive
#4 Break down task
#5 Ask yourself for advise
#5 Reward yourself
#6 Know you will grow
#7 Make accomplishment list
#8 Look at cute baby animal pictures

I really like this book and it is backed by research, and his own experiments.
I like it and there is not other book out there like this! Buy the book here! 

I am going to use all these techniques both on my self and on my own kids even-- especially the meditation part! We all need to silence the outside world sometimes to get more productive and just be before we start our day!

Breaking Busy

Have you ever felt pushed beyond your breaking point? Waking up the next morning feeling like you have gotten no where and no sleep? This may be the book for you!

Included at the end of the post is even a link to get your FREE digital breaking busy toolkit!
Also, the first chapter of the book is FREE!

Why did I pick this book? The title caught my attention because I am known to many around me to be over worked, over busy and just stressed in general. Not always in a bad way, no worries. But with no car, homeschooling three kids in the city, running boy scouts, running girl scouts, and honestly going through a lot more than people are necessarily aware of (isn't that always the case?), I needed something that may give more self help guidance.

So this post is way more than just a book review for me. It gives practical advise and ways of searching what is going on in your life to help your levels of stress to be lower. Who doesn't want that?

This is a book filled with humour, fun, truth and ideas. But...How do we break the busy in our lives?

I love her using her I phone as the analogy of our energy stores and levels being used.
Our phones have the capability to tell us when they are drained, but we don't always have the same capability to see when our battery is low.

She goes over in her book the 7 signs that we are too busy in our lives.

7 Signs we are all too busy!
#1 An Inability to Control Emotions
#2 Lack of Self Care
#3 Illness
#4 Chronic Lateness
#5 Self Medicating and Excess (not actually medicine but in what we do)
#6 Neglecting Important Relationships
#7 Neglecting Spiritual Path

She also goes over relationships and her relationship with God (and if you don't like that just skip that chapter and go onto the next). There lies many great things.

The next chapter about following your calling. Like hers, mine has oddly become writing amongst my busy mum life just like hers.

What is interesting that Alli became more outgoing via her blog she started than she did in person. Sharing more of herself and her learnings.  She was more fearful in person. So her blog helped her grow outwardly. I am very outgoing and if anything my blog has taught me to balance my outgoing personality with professionalism.

She talks about an idea that if we break the cycle of busy we can find our true calling. I think I am going to try to find this. It is so hard to take a minute to chill out to be able to rethink life. It does make sense though if you think about it. If we are wrapped up in busy other opportunities can't knock because you are busy in the rave and can't hear the knock.

How to Find Your Passion Again: 
This is listed in her book and if you are feeling stuck should utilitised to figure out your path in your own life.

#1 What have you loved to do since childhood
#2 Discover what you love
#3 What tugs at your heart
#4 If money were no object, what would you do for free?
#5 What energizes you?
#6 What is something everyone says you are good at?

The next chapter's most memorable quote on page 84 that any mum can relate to is:

"I was having a slow-motion break down with a smile on my face."~@alli#BreakingBusy #mondaymotivation #mommytweets

— Via Bella (@Via__Bella) February 15, 2016

Being frozen in fear, like on page 84, is something everyone can relate to. It is how I feel before I post something that is more personal. Like one of my recent posts My Heart Hurts on Valentine's Day & It's Okay! and it was not an easy one to write or to post. I had so much fear doing it but at the same time I know that I needed to do it. I knew that having my voice be heard was important. I knew that sharing something for other people who could easily relate was also important.

Sometimes, we have to overcome that fear that we have. We have to change and grow. Sometimes those come as at a cost like it did for Alli, where she left her baby of a company that had grown up. She had to choose to change. It was not easy but it was necessary.

How Did (she) Make Proactive Life Edits?
#1 Be Proactive, not reactive
#2 Discover what needs editing
#3 Look for areas in your life that are fruitful
#4 Look at where you may be called
#5 Examine what may be hindering you

The other thing in the book that she talks about is anxiety really being something that can hinder you. It binds you to the old you and not the you that is possible. We focus so much in the past moving forward presents this anxiety. That breeds negativity.

How to Overcome Negative Thoughts
#1 Abide in Faith
#2 Stay Mindful
#3 Surround yourself with positive friends
#4 Focus on discipline of gratitude

Living by a calendar and time crunch is something else she talks about.
I know I personally struggle with this because of the simple fact that I am a mum and a scout leader. Anyone else that is a mum generally lives by her calendar too.

Setting Boundaries on Your Time
#1 Make a stop doing list
#2 learn to say no
#3 Add in spiritual time for yourself
#4 Add time to connect with others
#5 Add time to take care of yourself

She goes on to talk about how to make decision for yourself. Also to have good communication.

One of the greatest assets, in my opinion, for this book is the communication chapter. It lays out finding out if you over communicate or under communicate and how either of those can make you busy and waste your time.

Sometimes we are so busy in trying to prove our worth. When we don't worry about that, would we be as busy? She goes over the lie of not being enough and finding our own self worth.

At the end of the day we are all worth it and we all have potential to grow and be our true selves. People like Alli believe that way is through breaking patterns and giving it all to God. Whether you believe in God or not, this is a great way to learn to give up your wasted time to break the pattern of busy.

I would give this book a 4 out of 5.

Lots of great information and helpful. Written in a very understandable language that is easy to understand. Great grammar. Easy ready. I think the other star comes off for several reasons. Some run on parts. A little fluffy sometimes but not bad. Also, her faith is important to her and I think that how much she uses that can hinder how helpful this book can be for many who aren't willing to read over that to see past it. I am, but some aren't. I will say that it is not so strong that she is faith-shaming you, because she is not. Just talking from her experience. So if you believe in Buddha, you can just replace it.  I think to mention here and there is fine, but I am reviewing not just on my behalf but knowing some friends who would put down this book because of the repeated biblical references. It does not bother me so much but some of that I will admit to skipping over so I can read more underneath what she was trying to say.

Other than that, this is a great read and super helpful. It makes you realise the hamster wheel we are all on without realising it! I enjoyed it a lot!

I do suggest this book for you! Here is some FREE things for you!

GET YOUR BREAKING BUSY DIGITAL TOOLKIT FREE!



GET YOUR FREE FIRST CHAPTER HERE! 

*I am required to let you know I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review* 

My Heart Hurts on Valentine's & It's Okay! ❥

With all the "love posts" and flowers, roses, chocolates, and wine leading to some *warming activities* I feel I need to write a post that reflects not only where I am at right now but where MANY women (and even men) are right now in their love lives (with others or themselves). This is for you and for me! Happy Valentine's Day to Us! Cheers!

🍻

Who ordained the 14 of February as the most lovable day in the year?
Screw them. On the day before valentine's I am not caring if I get chocolates roses no nothing.
OK, take back the chocolate, and maybe wine. I can dig those. LOL.

A hug from my three kids would do me just fine. And the card from my parents (in law) also helped.

This Valentine's Day I am going to be focusing far more on self love than worrying about the roses, the bed, making love/having sex, what others think of me, or what I want love to look like. To love oneself builds a better foundation and no matter where you are in any relationship (including yourself), you have room for growth.

Why on earth would I say such a thing?! Why on Valentine's Day?

I was telling my kid when she got upset today about not wanting to do anything for valentine's, for a reason I admit I don't remember, that valentine's is great but really there should be that kind of love every day. We can celebrate love that day but it is not the only time to celebrate love and those around us.



I have opened my heart (chakra, if you believe in that) and it hurts like hell!
Sounds like that would be counter intuitive because my heart is open, right?

That means more room for hurt.
That means more going through crap that has hurt in the past.
And it is okay to cry-- I have already cried twice this morning. (And I don't cry easily).

I can seriously be doing nothing, dancing for fun, reading, and suddenly it is like a twinge in my heart. It is growing but it SO hurts. So many years of hurt from many different people. Some even from myself either to myself or others. I will have flash backs of going, "wow, that was a mean thing to say even if I did not realise it." Come on, I know you have done it too because every one has said something they did not mean (no matter what happened to you before or in return).

Or it has happened to you and you thought you got over it but it sometimes replays like a bad record.

I think I know understand why people in their mid 30s up truly learn to not give a fuck because it takes years and years to truly go through your own shit. You can not take anything back nor would you want that. When I get to the other side, I will be excited. I will love myself more than I have ever done and I will have the ability to love others on another level.

Right now, I love others more than I love myself. There! I said it.

Dear Me,
Will you be the best #Valentines I ever had on this #ValentinesDay?
Sincerely & #iloveyou,
Me #4Ever

— Via Bella (@Via__Bella) February 14, 2016

Why?

Like some of you, I have been told what is not good about myself. I have been critised more than praised and I have been put more through struggles because of certain situations rather than getting help through them. Don't worry, I am good now and getting more strong every day in my own heart. :D It is going through it again mentally and spiritually to permanently erase it from effecting my life here on out.

Here is some things I have learned (and hopefully they stick):

1) There is Such Thing as Loving Too Much
Maybe it is a projection of needing more self love onto others but sometimes it is not. Sometimes it is purely wanting the kudos in our name. For me, I want to love others the way I never was. The way my heart feels and loves unconditionally towards many. For me, loving others too much looks like me not loving myself enough and stretching myself so thin. Doesn't mean I don't love them because I do. I love and care very deeply. I just need to have the same love for myself as I do others.

2) Giving Someone Else Your Power is Not Love
Sometimes we bend over backwards over our standards. The problem is that sometimes we do this without realising and it adds up over time. By then you don't notice it. You just figure it to be love. What do I mean by giving your power over? Before I explain, I don't mean things like compromising on say, what you will have for dinner. No.

We all have to join and compromise for love. So don't get that confused for what I am trying to say. For example,  if you are always doing what the other person wants, you will feel left out. But, if you find that they other person engages you in arguments because they want power, that is not cool. You need to walk away. Because no matter how right or wrong even, you can be, getting into an argument is purely a power struggle.  Even if it did not start out as one. And sometimes you are as guilty as the next person because it is human nature. And no, debates is not what I am talking about either.

Doesn't mean either of you have had power or given it up. Look for the spots in your life where you can move on from wasting your energy and power on things that don't matter as much. At the end of the day, whatever giving your power looks like, try to make sure that you retain some of your power or energy. You need it to get through the day.

3) Sacrificing What You Want, Even if You Don't Know it Yet, Isn't Love
I am NOT talking about once, twice, half the time even. So don't use this as a way to say, "sorry, you don't want to go to the mountains with me this weekend, you are making me sacrifice this and that is not loving me." No. No. No. That is not what I am saying.

You WILL sacrifice things for the sake of love and life-- let's be honest. That is just life.
What I am talking about is the every day, basics, sanity kind of sacrificing. If you can't be you in a relationship, that isn't love. This means so many things to different people.
Soul search--if you feel like you aren't "you" something is wrong.
Nothing worse than realising you forgot who you were.

Feelings are like onions...They have layers!
Go through the layers and love yourself where you are at! #feelings #ValentinesDay #love

— Via Bella (@Via__Bella) February 14, 2016

4) The Heart Must Go On... And to Go on it Must Hurt
This does not mean to leave a situation or relationship-- it means that you live through it. Now, if you must leave, that is one thing. I won't define your rules, that is up to you, so don't look to me to tell you that. Look with and love yourself to know those inner rules.

But if you don't have to leave it, try to work it out. If you don't work it out where you are at first, it will follow you and become heavier then baggage. It will come with a ball and chain you create by not dealing with it.

You must deal with the hurt you have at some point. Deal with it while it is in front of you. Other wise it will scope creep into the next relationship you have (even if it is with yourself).

5) I Can't Look Back... I Need to Look Forward and Love From This Day Forward
This is another hard lesson to learn. If you go on like in #4, you learn to not look back. If you do, you harp on baggage that no longer exists until you allow it to exist. This is personally hard for me mainly because the past will come back up at the most random times. It is hard to turn my head and look forward but it has to be done WHILE I deal with why it came up again.

Don't forget that where you have been, isn't where you are, and isn't where you are going!
That applies to everything in life including love.

My next post on love will be Creative Self Love!

Let me know what you are thinking in the comments below!