Batten down the hatches! For those of us in Virginia it has been one drama filled week dealing with the wrath of Mother Nature. After two violent storms, one earthquake and its countless aftershocks we now get to look forward to a weekend with Hurricane Irene. Oh, goody!

In September 2003 when Hurricane Isabel came rocking through I was actually here by myself with 3 kids – ages 7, 5 and 2 (hubs was overseas) and was really not sure what we were in for. We live inland so I thought, how bad could it really be? Bad. Scary and bad. The hurricane came through over night and when we finally saw sunshine the next morning the yard was littered with debris and we had no power. Since we are on a well, that meant no water either. We ended up being without power for 7 days and while we had a generator I could run, we still ended up losing most of what was in the fridge and freezer. Not a fun week.

Faced with a similar scenario coming in this weekend, I have already done the cursory bread, milk and toilet paper stock up run. We have plenty of batteries. I will charge every laptop, iPod and cell phone while we do have power. I will make a batch of muffins and be sure I have a few no-cook meals planned. The cars have full tanks of gas, I got cash and all loose objects in the yard have been put in the garage. The one thing I wish I would have done in 2003 was fill up every bathtub and sink with water ahead of time.  Without power and water, having one sink already full and designated as the hand washing station is important. Also, you can’t flush your toilets without the well to refill them – a bucket and a bathtub of water at least gives you a few extra flushes for emergencies!

If you are not already prepared or you are afraid you have missed something, you might want to take a look at some of these resources:

• FEMA’s Emergency Kit and Checklist
• National Hurricane Center’s Disaster Supply List
• Hurricane Safety Checklist from the Red Cross

Stay safe this weekend and here’s hoping that Hurricane Irene is not as bad as they are predicting she will be.

According to the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, up to 3.8 million recreation- and sports-related concussions occur in the United States every year – with concussions in adolescent age groups accounting for the majority.¹  This is a serious issue.

That’s why Dick’s Sporting Goods created PACE,  or Protecting Athletes through Concussion Education. Through PACE, Dick’s Sporting Goods will supply up to one million young athletes across more than 3,300 middle and high schools nationwide with ImPACT software, the first, most-widely used, and scientifically-validated computerized concussion evaluation system.  It is a computerized, neurocognitive assessment tool and service that is used by medical doctors, psychologists, athletic trainers, and other licensed healthcare professionals to assist them in determining an athlete’s ability to return to play after suffering a concussion.

If you a parent of an athlete, coach, teacher or school administrator at a middle school or high school, this is a GREAT OPPORTUNITY to apply for some state-of-the-art concussion software which can help combat concussions in youth sports and make a difference in the life of an athlete.  Schools NEED TO APPLY in order to get the software, but applying is easy! Here’s how you do it: visit http://www.mydickssportinggoods.com/pace/ and click “Submit Your School” on the left-hand side.

It’s on a first-come, first-serve basis, so if your school qualifies and the application is approved, it could become one of the 3,300 middle and high schools getting FREE software in the largest concussion baseline testing initiative ever created.

Here are more resources on youth sports concussions:

• Concussions More Prevalent in Girls Sports
• Mouthguards A Must for Field Sports - did you know a well fitted mouthguard actually helps protect your child from a concussion?
• CDC – Heads Up in Youth Sports – Head Injury resources and activities for coaches, parents and athletes
• Determining Return to Play After Concussion in Youth Sports- Leave This To A Physician!
• What Every Sports Parent Should Know About New Concussion Legislation

So as much as I loved, loved, loved the site design that Raising A Healthy Family has had since I first created in in July 2007, I just began to think it needed an update. The theme it was based on was rock solid, but WordPress has evolved so much since 2007 and there are a lot of really cool features that I wanted to be able to utilize that I just couldn’t with the old theme.

Since I am a web designer and have done loads of WordPress customizations, one part of me wanted to design the new site from the ground up and customize it to the hilt, but then the sensible, time conscious me said “no way.” Especially since there was a premium theme I have had my eye on since the day my good friend Randa released in on her Diva Themes website. The theme is called Yummy and it just rocks! Right now I am using it pretty much as it comes. Yes, I have done a little tweaking, and yes, I may do more, but honestly I think it works just like it is now.

Why Diva Themes and not one of the other big premium theme options? Well, as much as StudioPress is my normal go-to source for a base theme and as much as I love the look and feel of the ElegantThemes designs, I know that Randa’s themes have something a little different. They are designed by a super talented lady with the female blogger or small business owner in mind. I also know that her themes will be easy to customize, her code will be clean, and every last detail will be thought of.

So, what do you think of the new look? Like it? Don’t like it? What is it missing? I’d love to hear your input. Meanwhile, I’m off to do just a little more tweaking – primarily because I just can’t help myself!

Karen's Family of Boys

The following is a guest post by Karen of KarenMomofThree’sCraftBlog. Karen has three boys with special needs and I wanted her to share some of her tips for keeping the balance and control in her busy family’s daily life.

My family is go, go, go all the time. Sound familiar? I am a mom of three boys ages 10, 8 and 3 constantly looking for balance. We are much like any other family busy with daily life, arguing over TV and video game time chores and homework. Our days blend one into the other just like yours. The thing is in our house things are a bit different from most.  Two of our three boys – our 8 year old and our 3 year old – have Autism Spectrum Disorder. You may have heard a lot about Autism in the news or perhaps you know someone who has a child with Autism. An important fact about people with Autism and families affected by Autism – just like snowflakes, no two are alike.

Karen's Family of Boys

I am constantly looking for balance in a sometimes very chaotic world. Trying to find that balance is often easier said than done. Something’s work and something’s don’t, but if I stop trying to balance everything I truly think my world will fall apart. When people ask me what it is like to have a child with autism or what is autism anyway? I pause to think about how to explain it to them. Here is what I say, trying not to use too many scientific explanations that is.

“Autism is a disorder, not a disease.” (I personally believe this, feel free to not agree with me) A disease must have a cure; a disorder is something that needs organizing, getting things in to order or to help bring order to chaos.  Sounds good right, sounds simple. It’s not. It takes work and lots of repetition.

I regularly hear from people “I have no idea how you do it, you seem so together what is your secret?”

Guess what I am not all together, it’s a front I admit it. No one can take it all in stride and make it work all the time. My secrets are:

• Let things go. You have to simplify and you have to get in a place in your head where it is okay that everything is not perfect.  That is not to say I am not frustrated a lot, I am, trust me.
• Pick your battles.
• Practice situations.
• Give choices. Giving the boys 2 options that give them the sense of control with out compromising the task at hand, has become a valuable tool.

Picking my battles was hard, learning to let go of things equally as hard. Getting control of my family situation was one of the things our behavioral consultant helped us with. When you have a child with Autism you may feel like you have lost all control. You may feel (like I did) helpless. I was a mom of two little boys who lived in two very different worlds when we first learned of our middle son’s Autism. I felt lost. We could not take him anywhere in public. Getting the control back in my family meant we could go out in public as a family and we would be able to function like other typical families. This seemed like an unattainable dream to me. We could not go out to the mall with my middle son. The sounds, smells and temper tantrums caused by our outings made it not only embarrassing, but also unproductive. To get control back, we practiced. Yes, we practiced going shopping and got him used to shopping in small steps. Now he is pretty good in stores and unfamiliar places we have not been in before.

We also gave choices. That helped us in so many ways. This is just an example of what we did as a family. It helped us get control back with even little things like teeth brushing, always a control issue in our house. We would say, “It’s time to brush your teeth. You can use the blue tooth brush or the yellow tooth brush”, bottom line the boys felt like they had choice and they began brushing their teeth with out a fight. I was amazed at how well this worked. I recommend it for any family typical or not. There is a lot to be said for “perceived control”.

In the end celebrate the victories no matter how small. We will remember the moments not the days.  While I may have a lot of bad days, I have a lot more great moments to remember, and on the bad days that really helps!

~ Karen Owen

I have seen the paint you can use to create a custom chalkboard in your house, but when I saw these peel ‘n stick whiteboard panels from Wall Candy Arts I knew I had to find somewhere in my house that they would work. They are just so cool!

Imagine all the uses! I could put some in my office for my perpetual to-do lists of writing, client work, projects coming up and such. The whiteboard panels would be perfect for the kitchen – for grocery lists, chore lists, menu planning and more. And I know they would be perfect in the mudroom too! I could use them to leave notes for the kids, use them for a weekly calendar and checklists. Wow!

Not only do they have the must have whiteboard panels, but they also have peel ‘n stick chalkboard decals, glow in the dark nightlight decals, fairies wall stickers and so many more adorable, removable stickers for every wall in your house.

Wall Candy Arts is having a Back to School sale right now with 10% off all of their peel and stick Chalkboards, WhiteBoards, Polaroid Frames, Glow in the Dark Nightlights. These items are great for Dorm Rooms, Classrooms, any room.. Back to School 10% Sale – use code DEAL10
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This week I had the opportunity to be part of press event for the launch of a really cool reading meets charity initiative. If you are a parent, teacher or just love reading with kids, check out We Give Books. It is beyond awesome: the basic ideas is that you read a book with your child online and books are then donated to a literacy group you choose. The program is funded by the Pearson Foundation and Penguin Books.

How it works. Once you have created a login, you get to pick from a host of charities to have the books donated to after you read with your child online. They have books for children up to 10 years old and may add young adult books, too. The books are beautiful! Not only do the children have a free way to learn about charity and the act of giving, it also gives them a larger selection of books to read without having to go to the bookstore or library. It is truly a win-win program.

My 8 year has fallen in love with the site. Not only has she found some new books to read (like Ladybug Girl), but she is so proud of herself for being able to donate books to kids who need them. She was so excited about the program, she shared it with the principal of her school, who will in turn share it with the rest of the students and teachers in the next school newsletter.

Additionally, we had the opportunity to meet rockstar authors Dave Barry and Amy Tan. How cool is that? We also had a chance to discuss and give feedback to the website’s developers – and I had quite a few items for their wish list, too.

Sign up for We Give Books today – it is the perfect opportunity to get your kids thinking about giving to others while they get to discover new books!

Disclosure – I was an invited guest and I wrote this review as part of a campaign by Mom Central on behalf of We Give Books and received breakfast, tickets to the Rock Bottom Remainders concert, and a gift certificate.

While I don’t think the holidays are the right time to introduce a new pet into your family, many people do get pets for their loved ones at the holidays. If you are considering a new pet at the holidays or any other time of the year, check with your local shelter first. Animals who come from the shelter are good animals who have found themselves in a shelter situation due to events that they do not control.

The Shelter Pet Project has just launched a campaign to help dispel myths about shelter animals and increase the awareness of the benefits of adopting shelter pets. Check out this cute and funny video that was released as part of the project:

Our black lab, Raven, was a shelter pet. Her former owner supposedly ditched her because she chased cats. Are you serious? She just wanted to play. Now Raven has a family with three children who play ball with her, take her for walks and love her.

I encourage you to check out the site – even if it is to see the adorable spokespets and listen to what they have to say. And if you are considering a furry addition to your family, take the quiz, find a good match and really get all the details you need to give your new pet the best home you can. We also have a list of kid friendly dogs that might be helpful, too.

Are you ready for fall? How about football season and the tailgate parties that have become a football tradition?  In my first article as a “Featured Mom” on the SnackPicks.com site I have got some tips on how to put together the perfect tailgate party.

The SnackPicks site is a mini site from the Kellogg’s team and it features articles from some really great ladies (like Elizabeth, Jane, Vanessa and Renee). In addition, the site is a great resource for healthy, fun and creative snack ideas, coupons and promotions from the Kellogg’s brand of products.

My second child will start middle school in August and while I am not as panicked about it as I was with my first child, I do have some concerns, especially since my kids all have such different personalities. Author Joe Bruzzese, is a fantastic resource on the middle school years – his book, Parents’ Guide to the Middle School Years, is a must-read for all parents with children entering or already in middle school.

Sacramento & Co., co-hosts Melissa Crowley and Guy Farris spent some time with Joe talking about helping families make a successful transition back to school. Watch the video below:

Joe stresses the importance of keeping communication lines open, building kids’ confidence and having a plan as your kids navigate this next stage of their lives.

Summer’s here and I’ve already shared with you the free kids bowling tip and the free weekends at the National Parks, but the team at Girl, Get Strong have compiled a serious list of things for the kids to do! Some of the highlights of the list include:

35.Find new parks in your area and explore them

36.Leave a message on your driveway for a special visitor with chalk-even for dad coming home!

37.Take a day hike on local trails

38.Go watch a baseball game

39.Attend local art festivals

40.Attend local farmers markets

41.Go to the local  water/ sprinkler park

42.Visit your local parks – take along a picnic

43.Visit your local school playgrounds

Get the complete list of 100 Free or Almost Free Activities for your Kids to do this Summer! This is definitely worth printing and hanging on the fridge!