Author: jaymimatranga

Growing Up Grateful: 7 Books to Help Your Kids Learn Gratitude

Books are a fantastic way to teach your children about core values and morals. Reading to your children from a young age, as well as helping them learn to read recreationally, can reap lifelong rewards. Fortunately, there are many great children’s books about gratitude!

Check out a few of our favorites:

Giving Thanks with Max

In this book by Todd and Jackie Courtney, Max the mouse teaches the “power of gratitude” by showing the reader how he is thankful for everything in his life. All of the Max Rhymes books are written and illustrated to not only help children learn to read, but also to help them develop in areas like the expression of gratitude and happiness. Just like prior generations remember traditional nursery rhymes, future generations will remember these positive thoughts at the subconscious level as they grow older.

The Giving Tree

Since it was first published fifty years ago, Shel Silverstein’s engaging picture book for readers of all ages has offered a touching interpretation of the gift of giving and another’s capacity to love in return. The book is about a lifelong relationship between a selfless tree and an initially selfish child, who grows to realize that he has both friendship and unconditional love for which to be eternally grateful.

An Awesome Book of Thanks!

Inspired by the idea of being thankful for all that you have, “An Awesome Book of Thanks!” is beautifully written and fantastically illustrated by Dallas Clayton. It takes readers of all ages on a walk through a world of magical unicorns, robotic dinosaurs, and all of life’s simple moments, great and small. This timeless story is sure to be an instant classic and is perfect for anyone looking for a reminder of just how beautiful life can be.

Grateful: A Song of Giving Thanks

This picture book and accompanying CD are a joyous celebration of the beauty of the seasons, the wonders of nature and the blessings of faith, to be treasured by children and adults of all ages. It teaches kids to wonder at the world we live in and to be grateful for our everyday blessings.

Have You Filled a Bucket Today?: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids

This guide to daily happiness is not just for kids. We all need reminders of the benefits of positive thinking and behavior. It’s an important lesson for children and adults alike that showing kindness and appreciation of others goes a long way to making this world a happier place for everyone, including ourselves. The author, Carol McCloud, uses a simple metaphor of an “invisible bucket” that we each carry around. Kind words and actions “fill” others’ buckets and make them feel good, while unkind words and actions take away from them. When you’re a “bucket filler,” you make the world a better place to be. This 32-page picture book is perfect for children, parents, grandparents, teachers, and people that want to teach empathy, nurture kindness and create a positive environment in their home, classroom, workplace, and community.

Additionally, this book can be a tremendous resource when working with kids who are overcoming any adverse childhood experiences or trauma. It can help give children a voice and the words to say when they feel like their own bucket is being emptied while teaching them to show and practice gratitude to the people in their lives.

The Blankful Heart

Written in Dr. Seuss-style rhyme, “The Blankful Heart” by Mr. Meus is a fun and touching tale of how the big-bellied Billy Babble cures his heart of its blanks. The Babbles in Babbleland have way too much stuff, and once Billy Babble, the richest of them all, begins to feel like something is missing, he sets out on a quest to fill his empty heart. The moral of this quirky story is, “A grateful heart is a happy heart.”

The Thankful Book

“The Thankful Book” celebrates all the little things for which children can give thanks. From everyday activities like reading and bathtime to big family meals together and special alone time between parent and child, author Todd Parr inspires readers to appreciate all of life’s special moments. The fun cartoons and inspirational phrases will encourage your young child to celebrate the things that make their heart feel most grateful.

As with any value in our lives, gratitude must be practiced. As we teach our children the importance of feeling thankful for the good things in our lives, we must also help them practice expressing that gratitude.

July 20, 2018
#4Mind4Body: May is National Mental Health Awareness Month:
In the United States, the month of May is a nationally recognized time to raise awareness of mental health conditions in our nation. When most people think of health, they think of diet, exercise, disease, and other physical signs of a healthy body.

However, many still fail to recognize the importance of mental health when it comes to our overall wellbeing. Every year, about 42.5 million American adults (or 18.2 percent of the total adult population in the United States) suffers from some type of mental illness. Because of this, Mental Health Month draws attention to the aspects of mental wellness that are too often overlooked.

Mental Health America has announced that this year’s theme is Fitness #4Mind4Body. The Fitness #4Mind4Body campaign encourages others to share what they are doing for their own physical and mental fitness, by sharing their progress on social media using the hashtag #4Mind4Body.

How Can I Get Involved?

Overall, Mental Health Month is a great time for deeper reflection and discussion of these issues. There are a wide variety of ways to get involved in raising awareness and promoting mental health!

Care For Yourself

Firstly, take some time to assess and strengthen your own mental health. This can be done through screenings, self-care, or education. While most people have an inclination to give and help others, you can’t pour from an empty cup! Make sure you are filling your mind and body with what you need to be healthy, first.

Reach Out To Your Community

Talk with your family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors about mental health. Downloading this year’s Mental Health Month toolkit is a great way to gain access to helpful activities and resources to raise awareness and promote mental wellbeing. Also, involve your faith community, local schools, community clubs and organizations, or other groups in your neighborhood to partner in raising awareness, support, and recovery resources for those who are experiencing a mental health crisis. You can also connect with local businesses to raise funds and support for organizations who are already serving those with mental health disorders.

Advocate

Encourage your local government and community leaders to take a stand and publicly recognize National Mental Health Awareness Month. Ask them to “Go Green” to show support and raise awareness for mental health (as green is the color of the mental health awareness ribbon). You can also take action on advocacy issues, and lobby for policy change. Changes in policy is one of the major ways that individuals can can make a difference in the lives of people living with mental health conditions, as well as their families and communities.

Be Creative

The National Alliance on Mental Illness, (NAMI) also offers other creative suggestions on how to get involved with Mental Health Month, such as:
- Handing out ribbons. Hand out or sell green ribbons for people to wear. Invite stores to hang green ribbons in the window, on trees, light posts, columns and in other public spaces.
- Creating a book display. Ask the local bookstore to feature books about mental health or have an author come in and sign copies.
- Sharing information. Ask about adding mental health awareness brochures or fact sheets and infographics to your local coffee house’s events and information boards.
- Hosting an event. Local businesses, such as coffee shops, book stores or restaurants often reserve time and space for members of the public to put on an art exhibit, play, poetry reading or concert. Create one featuring material about mental health or artists with connections to mental health.
Kids and Mental Health

Fortunately, in recent years the mental health of kids and teens has gained increased attention. Research has shown that 1 in 5 children ages 13-18 have, or will have a serious mental illness before they reach adulthood. Of these children:
- 11% of youth have a mood disorder
- 10% of youth have a behavior or conduct disorder, and
- 8% of youth have an anxiety disorder
The prevalence of mental illness among our youth is widespread, and its consequences also have the potential to be long lasting. 50% of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14 and 75% by age 24.1. Approximately 50% of students age 14 and older with a mental illness dropout of high school, and 70% of youth in state and local juvenile justice systems have a mental illness. Additionally, while suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth ages 10 to 24, a striking 90% of those who died by suicide had underlying mental illnesses.

Know the Signs

Unfortunately, because the average delay between onset of symptoms and intervention is 8-10 years, mental illnesses among children often go undetected until it is too late. However, learning how to recognize the signs of an emerging mental health condition or crisis can make the difference between life and death for the youth around us. NAMI published some of the most common warning signs among children and youth. These include, but are not limited to:
- Severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships.
- Repeated use of drugs or alcohol.
- Drastic changes in behavior, personality or sleeping habits (e.g., waking up early and acting agitated).
- Extreme difficulty in concentrating or staying still that can lead to failure in school.
- Intense worries or fears that get in the way of daily activities like hanging out with friends or going to classes.
- Trying to harm or kill oneself or making plans to do so.
- Out-of-control, risk-taking behaviors that can cause harm to self or others.
- Sudden overwhelming fear for no reason, sometimes with a racing heart, physical discomfort or fast breathing.
- Not eating, throwing up or using laxatives, lose weight; significant weight loss or gain.
- Feeling very sad or withdrawn for more than two weeks (e.g., crying regularly, feeling fatigued, feeling unmotivated).
What Can Parents Do to Help Their Kids?

NAMI also encourages parents and other involved adults to seek help right away if they suspect that a child or teenager they love may be experiencing an urgent mental health crisis. It is important to do something, whether that is seeking emergency services, talking to your child’s pediatrician, obtaining a referral to a mental health specialist, working with your teenager’s school, or connecting with other families who are experiencing similar situations. However, whether you believe that your child is developing a mental illness or not, it is so important to talk to them about mental health. Make sure your children and teens know that they can talk to you about anything, about nothing, and about everything. They need to know that they can come to you if they feel that their mental health is suffering. Be present, be involved, be available.

This May, whether you are putting up green ribbons, hosting a bake sale, writing letters to your assemblymen, or sitting down and talking with your family at the dinner table, know you are making a difference. Also, we would LOVE to see how you are participating in the #4Mind4Body campaign! When you share on social media using the #4Mind4Body hashtag, be sure to tag @sandiegomomsblog and #SDMBfamily as well!
May 1, 2018
Easter Basket Ideas for Toddlers and Teens

Easter is one of our family’s favorite holidays. My husband even loves it more than Christmas! Every year, we celebrate by attending church on Sunday morning and meeting up with extended family in the afternoon.

Personally, I absolutely love any reason to do something special for our kids. Obviously, this isn’t what Easter or Christmas or any holiday is truly about. However, I fully believe that the heart behind these celebrations can be reflected in the way we show unconditional love to our kids!

That being said, one of my favorite parts of Easter is surprising them with an Easter basket in the morning.

Our family is unique, in that we were raising teenagers before we had our babies! So, we’ve had to be creative early on in making Easter special for them.

Here are some suggestions for Easter basket items, whether your kids are two or sixteen!

Candy and Snacks: Movie-theater style candy boxes or king-sized candy bars for your teens, small lollipops or fruit snacks for your toddler! We also usually throw in peeps (love them or hate them, they’re a classic) and our teenager’s favorite bag of chips (think Hot Cheetos, Takis, Doritos). For babies, a teething toy or snack puffs are great options!

Books: Our girls loved reading novels such as Harry Potter or the Hunger Games, so we typically would include an age-appropriate novel for them! Also, we have done planners, journals, or notebooks as well. Comic books or magazines are a good option for teens who aren’t big readers! For toddlers, we typically keep the books Easter-themed (as they are easier to find for the littles). Touch & Feel books, books with sound effects, or the classics (Peter Rabbit, Runaway Bunny, Guess How Much I Love You) are usually our go-tos! Last year, we included a book called, “God Gave Us Easter!” We loved it so much that this year we are following suit with “God Gave Us You!” for our two-year-old, and “God Found Us You!” for our eight-month-old.

Art: This is the category that we typically include the most of. For our littles, we throw in crayons and a coloring book (both can be bought at the dollar store). Our toddler loves the “magic marker” kind of booklets (think Color Wonder, SurprizeInk, etc), where the colors of the marker only show up on the specially designed paper. There are usually travel-sized ones in the Dollar Spot at Target! This year, we put a Moana one in his Easter basket. Also, the paint-with-water activity books and sticker books are really fun for littles! For teens, this can include nice writing markers, a calligraphy pen, sketchbook, paintbrushes, an adult coloring book, or even nail polish or makeup!

Other Ideas for Toddlers: Race cars, stuffed animals, bubble bath, bubbles, playdough, slinky’s, bouncy balls, little dolls, doll clothes, play kitchen accessories, beach toys, sippy cup or water bottle.

Other Ideas for Teens: Fun socks, graphic tees, movie tickets, small gift cards, bath bombs, stuffed animals, snapback hats and beanies, lotion, headphones, portable phone charger, phone case, DVDs, CDs, body spray, deodorant, water bottle, hair ties, hairbrush, hair gel, fidget spinner, popsocket.

Do you usually do an Easter basket for your kids? I’d love to hear your ideas!

March 23, 2018
Sex Trafficking: What Parents NEED to Know

Sex Trafficking in San Diego: What Parents NEED to Know

Although slavery was officially abolished in the United States in 1865, there are still currently 20 to 30 million slaves living in captivity today. However, their faces are kept in the shadows, and it’s happening in our own backyards. Every year, the month of January is designated to bring awareness to this horrendous injustice, and is nationally known as “Human Trafficking Awareness Month.”

Human trafficking is the third largest international crime industry, and reportedly generates an annual profit of $32 billion. However, what may be even more shocking than the numbers, is that over half of that revenue is generated in industrialized countries, like our own. Although many Americans believe that is solely a problem in developing countries, this insidious form of slavey is taking place right at home.

In fact, over 100,000 children are involved in human trafficking in the United States alone. Overall, human trafficking has long been encompassed in similar misconceptions, assumptions, and misinformation.

Within the past several years, California has emerged as a magnet for sex trafficking of children. Three of the nation’s thirteen High Intensity Child Prostitution areas as identified by the FBI are located in California: San Francisco, Los Angeles, and the home that we know and love: San Diego. Sex trafficking is defined as, “any commercial sexual act that is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to preform such an act has not attained 18 years of age.” In San Diego, a particular emphasis is placed on the latter part of that definition, and is commonly referred to as CSEC, or the “Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children.”

However, for parents, this information is personal, and is cause for concern. Most importantly, it raises the question:

If San Diego is a hotspot for the sexual trafficking of children, what do WE need to know to protect OUR children?

To adequately answer this question, it is important to know WHERE this is happening, WHO are the traffickers and the targets are, and HOW children are becoming involved in trafficking, before we can know WHAT we can do to prevent it.

WHERE?

The recruitment hotspots for trafficking victims include:
– Trolley and Bus Stops
– House Parties
– Malls
– Parks (especially those located near schools)
– Schools (especially alternative high schools)
– Social Media
Overall, anywhere that young people regularly gather is a hotspot for the spread of human trafficking. However, does this mean that we need to clutch our babies extra tightly and watch our kids like a hawk? Not necessarily.

WHO?

A common misconception is that these places are unsafe for parents of young children, as they are likely to be targeted and abducted. In fact, it is extremely unlikely that your toddler will be abducted by a stranger to be trafficked. However, it is HIGHLY likely that your teenager will be propositioned for recruitment – by someone they know.

HOW?

The primary way that human trafficking expands in San Diego is through recruitment. Traffickers do not look like traffickers. On the contrary, they look like your teen’s friends and boyfriends. Girls will befriend other girls and glamorize “the life” of prostitution, with the promises of money, freedom, and material things. Similarly, teenage boys and older men will typically use seduction, becoming the victim’s boyfriend at first, and slowly introducing her to commercial sex acts.

These could take the form of sexting, “helping” him earn money by performing sex acts with his “friends,” lies, power, control, and manipulation. At this point, the victims often don’t even realize that they are being victimized, because they truly feel that they are in love with their trafficker or pimp.

Other means of recruitment are also prevalent in San Diego as well, including (but not limited to): Force, coercion, threats of violence toward the victim or their family, violence, “modeling” or “casting calls,” peer pressure, invitations to house parties, and other pathways of entry into “the life” of trafficking.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO PROTECT OUR KIDS?

First and Foremost:

Educate yourselves! You are on the right track simply by caring enough to read this post. A GREAT resource to utilize is www.disruptsextrafficking.org, which was designed especially for parents. It has tons of information as well as links to books, films, articles, and outside resources, such as “Internet Safety Guides for Parents and Teens” and “15 Apps and Websites your kids are heading to after Facebook.” They also have information about where to get help, how to get involved in prevention or awareness campaigns, and what to do if you suspect your teen is being victimized.

Second:

Be vigilant, and watch for warning signs! Some common indicators that your child may be being “groomed” for trafficking or already involved include (but are not limited to): change in dress, new items (cell phones, clothes), unexplained cash, drug use or increase, change in school attendance or performance, new or different friends, new tattoos, talk (about money, defending boyfriends or friends), being secretive or lying, coming home late or not at all, sneaking out, excessive use of online chat rooms, chat apps, or classified sites such as craigslist or “backpage,” calls at all hours, sexually explicit photos on cell phones or social media sites, prepaid credit cards, hotel/motel key cards, separating from family, frequent STIs, UTIs, or pregnancies.

Third:

Focus your attention less on teaching your toddler about “stranger danger” and more attention on talking to your teens about the dangers of trafficking. Talk to them about their friends, about how recruitment happens, about healthy romantic relationships, and what to do if they feel pressured or uncomfortable in a situation. Monitor the use of their electronics (especially cell phones!) and set clear boundaries. Talk to your teenagers about sexting, and internet safety. Most importantly, make sure that they know they can openly talk to YOU!

Sources: Information provided by San Diego Youth Services STARS Program in conjunction with Child Welfare Services and the Office of Juvenile Delinquency Prevention.

January 23, 2018
Toddler Time Playdate at Funbelievable Play!

This is a sponsored post, but as always, all opinions expressed are my own!
Have all you mamas heard of Funbelievable?!

It’s an awesome indoor playground in Lakeside, and it’s perfect for kids of all ages.

Some of us here at SDMB loaded up our littles in the car one morning and headed over to check out their new event, “Toddler Tuesdays!”

It runs weekly from 9am to 12pm, during times in which school is in session. It just made a comeback last month after summer break ended. It’s designed for parents of toddlers, so that they can enjoy some intentional, fun, one-on-one time with their toddlers while the big kids are at school! Regular admission rates apply, but because it’s Toddler Time, Funbelievable provides juice, cookies, and a toddler-centered activity – FOR FREE!

The activity varies from week to week, and it can include a craft or art project, story time, sing-a-longs, parachute games, or anything else that their creative team plans for your toddler to enjoy! Speaking of the team members, they were so involved with the kids – helping them with their crafts (this week, we made silly putty), and even playing with them and crawling through the structures!

Not only did our tiny tots have so much fun, but us moms did, too! It’s a great chance to catch up with friends, relax, grab a coffee or smoothie at their snack shack, and even connect with other mamas in our community. We love to plan events big and small to continue to connect with our readers, and events like these are the perfect way to do it.

I personally have an almost two year old boy, and I cannot wait to bring him back for Toddler Time! Check it out next Tuesday and let us know what you think! Oh, and don’t forget to bring socks. 😉

And take advantage of their fun tea party on Halloween! Just another way to get that Halloween costume some use!

[xyz-ihs snippet=”funbelievable2″][xyz-ihs snippet=”funbelievable1″]

October 26, 2017
To the Mom Going Back to School…

For some of us, back to school time isn’t just for the kids.

We prepare by researching daycares, preschools, and after-school clubs that can accommodate our sporadic class schedules.

We buy their crayons and highlighters in the same Amazon order as our overpriced textbooks.

We take their first day of school pictures while looking over our campus map to find our new classrooms.

We pack their lunches while throwing a granola bar or two in our pockets (if we’re lucky).

We struggle to use our breast pumps in the car while finding a parking spot on campus, and rush from class to the lactation rooms and back (if we can find them).

We wish nap times were longer because it’s the only time we can study in peace.

We stay up late and wake up early, cramming for exams and typing papers.

We know that coffee is not a want, but a need.

We quietly laugh and struggle not to roll our eyers when our classmates complain about being tired from partying all night.

We loathe group projects even more than the average student, and try to find ways around them.

We pray for understanding professors, who will take into consideration that we have young children at home.

We hate that out-of-class assignments and extracurriculars are usually out of the question, even if they equate to extra-credit.

We apply for every scholarship that might be even slightly applicable to us, trying to make ends meet while we finish up our degrees.

We worry that our children see our faces from behind a textbook or laptop screen far too often, but we also know that seeing our hard work will encourage them to persevere themselves.

We struggle with the never-ending balancing act of family time versus study time.

We may also work full-time, part-time, or not at all, and all of us feel pushed to our limit.

We wonder if all of this is even worth it.

But we push through.

We know that we are capable, we are strong, we are resilient.

We can handle whatever comes our way, and we are teaching our children to do the same – because if we can do it, so can they.

We know that we are making a better life for ourselves and our families, and in the trenches of midterms and finals, we can remind ourselves that we are not in this alone.

On graduation day, when we look into the crowd and see the smiling faces of our children, we will know that every long night, every essay, every group project, all of it – was worth it.

August 19, 2017
3 (More) Kid-Friendly Coffee Shops in San Diego

In February, I shared three suggestions for coffee shops to visit with your kids. Because San Diego is bursting at the seams with quality coffee, I couldn’t stop at just one post!

Here are three more coffee shops to check out as the summer months are approaching:

1. Copa Vida (905 J St, San Diego, CA 92101)

Copa Vida has various locations throughout California, and was originally established in Pasadena. In 2015, they opened their first location in San Diego County. They work directly with roasters and tea companies that are involved in Direct Trade or Fair Trade, and truly pour their full effort into making each cup of coffee steam with quality. I typically order lattes when I am out, and their vanilla latte is on the the top of my list! The downtown location is big inside with outdoor seating as well, which gives space for my little one to walk around without bothering others who are trying to work. Best of all, it shares a wall with Petco Park, and is connected to the entrance of “The Park at the Park,” which is open to all on non-game days (however, during Padre games an admission ticket is required). It is located outside the outfield wall but inside the park gates, and is approximately 2.7 acres. The Park at the Park contains a mini little league infield diamond, lots of trees, a statue of Tony Gwynn, and a huge open area to picnic and enjoy your coffee while the kids run around and play. Leashed pets are also welcome!

2. Revolution Roasters (1836 S Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054)

North County has a blossoming coffee scene, and Revolution Roasters is setting the pace. There are constantly new, creatively crafted drinks and the environment is both warm and friendly. Not only are the owners and baristas passionate, they are also knowledgeable as well. Revolution is constantly refining their drinks, the way beans are roasted, and their overall presentation. This shop is both kid and family friendly. In the back corner, there is a shelf of children’s books, and high chairs are also provided. This is not only one of my favorites, but my husband, our teenage girls, and our eighteen month old also enjoy it as well. Even though we are residents of East County, we will make the drive up to Oceanside just for a latte from Revolution Roasters. If you’re in the area, I recommend the butterscotch latte or one of their seasonal mochas! Smooth and delicious.

3. Brew Coffee Spot (6101 Lake Murray Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942)

Brew Coffee Spot is the newest addition to East County, and just had their grand opening this month. They use coffee beans from local Cafe Virtuoso, which has some of the highest scoring roasts in the nation. Additionally, they offer a wide variety of food, including both vegetarian and vegan options, as well non-coffee drinks such as teas and sodas. This location has quickly become a favorite of mine, for a wide variety of reasons beyond just the location and the coffee. Firstly, it is the perfect workspace. As a full-time student, it is so important to have a place with wifi, wide tables, outlets, and long hours. Brew Coffee Spot offers all of these, and more. Every time I have visited, there is at least one other mom who is working or studying.

Secondly, it is family friendly. There is a shelf of both board games and board books for young kids, teens, or even a casual date night. On Thursday nights there’s live jazz and on Fridays there is a game night, as well as occasional class offerings (like their upcoming painting workshop) and other events (such as “Coffee with a Cop”). There is also a park within short walking distance if you’d rather take the kids outside to play (Tip: There is a Little Caesar’s Pizza next door, and the perfect family date is grabbing coffee and a $5 pizza to go and waking down to the park for a little picnic). Brew Coffee Spot is quickly growing in popularity, and it will only continue to do so! Check it out with the kids next time you’re in La Mesa.

Which of these coffee shops have you visited? Let me know in the comments below!

May 23, 2017
True Life: My Husband had Testicular Cancer- Our Journey

April is testicular cancer awareness month.

Up until recently, “Cancer” was just a word.

It was foreign, impersonal even.

I had tremendous compassion for those were affected by it, but I never truly understood.

However, my husband was diagnosed with testicular cancer last July, just two days before I attended my new student orientation at the university I had recently transferred to. We had also been married for just two years. As you can imagine, this was difficult news for a young couple with children to receive.

He was required to undergo an initial surgery, and follow up with radiation treatments. The surgery itself was quick and difficult as far as recovery time went, and the radiation therapy was drawn out over the next couple months. Due to treatments, my husband was out of work for two months.

This was not easy.

However, we have a large support system at our church who helped us through that difficult season. They came together to support us, not only spiritually, emotionally, and relationally, but financially as well. If we did not have this support system and “family” in place, I don’t know how we would have made it through.

My husband’s cancer diagnosis has not only affected his own health, but our family dynamics as well. Our extended family took it hard, understandably, as did some of our friends. However, our immediate family (my husband, myself, and our children) had a tremendous amount of peace and support from each other.

Photo: Eden Day Photography

We grew closer.

We received news in January that my husband was officially in remission. Although we were fortunate to have successful treatments, health insurance, and a good outcome, it could have ended up much differently.  I could never put into words how grateful I am that we caught it early.

That it was curable.

That he’s in remission.

If there are any MEN who are reading this: This is the most common cancer for males between the ages of 15 & 35.

It is called, “The Young Man’s Cancer.”

Self-examinations are so important. Click here for information that shows how to do a very, very simple self-examination. We never thought it would happen to us, you know? No one does. But intervention and treatment for this type of cancer is so effective, ESPECIALLY if it’s caught early.

LADIES: Encourage your husbands, sons, boyfriends, or any other man in your life to check. My husband would tell you himself, he never would have looked into it if I didn’t encourage him to… and we are both SO glad I did (even though he may not have been at the time). When we met with his doctor and he told us the news of his diagnosis, the very first thing the doctor did was look at me. He said,

I am so glad you’re here. I haven’t exactly figured out why, but for some reason if a man has a committed woman in his life during this time, whether it be a wife, sister, mother, or girlfriend, the prognosis is so much better. You have tremendous influence.

I have never forgotten that. YOU HAVE TREMENDOUS INFLUENCE. I hope you never forget that, either.

Today, I am especially grateful for my husband and his life – for who he is, and for more years to spend together.

If you want to read more about our journey through this process, you can check out the hashtag “#fightthroughcancer”.

The majority of the photos on the tag are ours, and each has an update posted in the caption.

April 21, 2017
3 Kid-Friendly Coffee Shops in San Diego

Coffee shops have always been a part of my life.

I worked as a barista at Refresh Coffee in San Diego after I graduated from high school, and I fell in love with quality, handcrafted coffee. I learned that there was life beyond the Starbucks drive-thru and instant coffee. My husband always said he would marry a barista and, lo and behold, he found me. Through dating and into marriage, coffee remained central to our lives. It somehow would always find it’s way into our weekly date nights, day trips, and conversations. Fortunately for us, San Diego is filled with third-wave coffee shops, with owners who truly put their hearts and souls into their work. The coffee culture in San Diego is unlike anywhere else, and it truly fosters a sense of community in our hometown.

When I became pregnant with our son, I eventually had to stop working as a barista; and although our opportunities to sit and enjoy a hot cup of coffee would soon be few and far between, our need for caffeine was about to substantially grow (am I right?).

As my son reached toddlerhood, one of the things I quickly learned was that there were a handful of “Kid-Friendly” coffee shops, or places that would be fun for all of us! They provide an outlet for me to get my quality coffee fix, while doing something fun with him.

1. Kaffee Meister (9225 Carlton Hills Blvd Unit 30, Santee, CA, 92071)

We probably frequent this stop the most when our son is with us. Their space is fairly big, with a few comfy couches in the corner. There are high chairs for the littles, and some cards and board games on the shelves to play with older kids. Our favorite thing to do, however, is to grab our coffee drinks and walk over to Mast Park.

It is literally right next door, and my son loves it! It has a big play structure, a toddler structure, and a swing set. There are even a few walking trails in the back, a basketball court, and a dog park. Also, Kaffee Meister is in the same parking lot as the Santee Branch of the San Diego County Library! You can take the kids over to check out some books, or attend one of their free events or classes (times can be found on their website). We love Toddler Music & Story Time on Fridays!

2. James Coffee Co. (2355 India Street, San Diego, CA, 92101)

We love James Coffee Co! They roast their own delicious coffee beans, and it is one of our favorite places to go as a family. It is open later than most coffee shops, and it located in beautiful Little Italy (close to the new Waterfront Park)! James Coffee Co. shares a space with a couple other small shops, so the interior of their shop is very big. This is very helpful for our 15 month old, who is currently Mr. Independent and wants to walk everywhere and not be carried. We can sit and drink our coffee, while keeping an eye on him as he walks a few laps inside. It’s spacious enough so he doesn’t bother anyone, and since it is an open ware-house type space he can babble at toddler volume and not disturb those who are working.

Also, James Coffee Co. has chess and checkerboards built into some of their tables, as well as decks of cards scattered around. We love bringing our high schooler down for a cup of coffee and a game of chess, and kids from even younger ages would love to play a game of checkers or Go Fish. It is a great place for a date night, either with your significant other or your kids! Oh, and James Coffee Co. as a business is completely baby friendly. They have hosted “Mom and Baby Pop Ups” in the past with local baby small shops, a mommy and me photo booth, baby food samples, and more! Be on the lookout for these events!

3. Bean Bar (1068 K St, San Diego, CA 92101)

Bean Bar is a little corner coffee shop in East Village. They use coffee from 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters in Vancouver, BC (and it’s AMAZING)! Their space is small and cozy, but it is a great place for kids because of the location. It is directly across the street from the beautiful, new San Diego Central Library. It has over seven floors, a rooftop outlook view, and a GIGANTIC kids section, with fun activities for kids of all ages. Our toddler would spend hours there if he could. If you park in the library parking structure and validate your ticket inside the library, you can park free for two hours (instead of trying to find street parking outside of Bean Bar). Then, you can walk over and grab coffee before you leave! It’s always a fun day for us and the kids.

Try these coffee shops out, and let us know what you (and the kids) think!

February 22, 2017
The Importance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Whatever your life’s work is, do it well. A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better.
-Martin Luther King Jr.

Every January, our country celebrates Martin Luther King Jr., and rightfully so. He made tremendous sacrifices in order to make our nation a better place, not only for his generation, but for many to come. He fought for justice, taught righteousness, and loved without condition. He lived well, and no one could look at his life’s work and call it wasted.

We tell the stories of both his accomplishments and struggles again and again, as will our children’s children. We are still motivated by his speeches, and inspired by the wisdom in his words.
Perhaps one of the best ways we can honor anyone is by doing just that – truly taking their words to heart. Don’t we feel the most admired when we are truly listened to by our husbands or best friends, and the most respected when our children heed our instructions or take our advice?

Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Whatever your life’s work is, do it well. A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better.” As we remember this man and celebrate his life, may I challenge you to take a second and truly consider those precious words of his?

Whatever your life’s work is, do it well. What is your life’s work? Maybe you are at stay-at-home-mom, or plan to be in the future. Maybe you’re a secretary or even a CEO. Maybe you are a teacher, or you homeschool your own kids. Maybe you’re even a full-time student, like myself. Maybe you have dreams of being a foster parent or starting your own business. I don’t know your story, but I can tell you with confidence that what you do is important.

Seriously.

You are the only you. You probably say that to your own kids all the time, but maybe haven’t let that truth sink into your own heart. You are valuable, you are significant, you are loved. Until we can start living our daily lives from those truths, instead of trying to earn the rights to them like we would a girl scout badge or a grade on a report card, then we cannot do our life’s work as well as we would like to.
Martin Luther King Jr. probably did not wake up one day and say, “I’m going to change America.” However, each small moment led to another. He knew he could do the task in front of him well, and he did. He did his work, no matter how small; with kindness, passion, tenacity, and love.

That is how we change our marriages.

That is how we change our families.

That is how we change our communities.

That is how, as Martin Luther King Jr. taught us, the world can be changed.
A [woman] should do [her] job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better.

How will you choose to live your life today? I hope you will live as though it matters – because it does. If you do, one day others will look back and say, “Her life was well spent.”

And that is something worth celebrating.

January 16, 2017
A Beloved Children’s Book for Christmas- Annie Kai Lani Kai Lou: Kauai’s Beloved Pup
One of my favorite parts about Christmas is when relatives or friends give books as gifts. Not only does it keep the kids from getting overloaded with toys (which we know they do!), but it helps build little libraries over the years.

Besides the classics, some of our favorite books are those that are interactive or unique. Thanks to our sponsor, I had the pleasure of reading Annie Kai Lani Kai Lou: Kauai’s Beloved Pup to my son today, and it was so much fun! This sweet little book was written by an author that lives right here in San Diego! She used her background as a soft jazz recording artist to create a sing-a-long story about Hawaii, as if it were told through the eyes of her lovable dog.

Annie Kai Lani Kai Lou takes kids on a journey through the island of Kauai, experiencing all of the fun things the island has to offer. Annie Kai Lani hula dances, rides in a helicopter, plays golf, zooms across a zip line, and even surfs the waves! Each page has a different, silly song to accompany her adventures.
Our family has never personally traveled to Kauai, but the storybook paints a wonderful picture of what it would be like to take a trip there. I just love when our kids can experience different areas of the world through books!

The book and sing-a-long CD are ideal for kids between the ages of 3 and 8. However, when I read it to my thirteen month old son he fell in love! He couldn’t help but dance along to the Hawaiian music and he blew kisses to the pictures of the puppy. I even caught my seventeen year old singing the songs afterwards (don’t tell her I told you)!

[xyz-ihs snippet=”Annie-Kai-Lani”]

The sing-a-long story of Annie Kai Lani Kai Lou is a gift that would be well-loved for years to come. There are many ways to purchase a set of your own or to gift it to someone else this holiday season.

Go to their website: http://www.anniekailani.com for ordering! Should you want the book prior to Christmas, and want it inscribed, please contact Bridget directly and she will gladly deliver anniekailani@gmail.com.

Visit Annie Kai Lani on Instagram

Facebook

Pinterest

If you would like to meet the author, Bridget Burton, you can find her at these two book signings:
1. Muttropolis, 7755 Girard Avenue, La Jolla. Saturday, Jan 7th at 11:30 am.
2. Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Avenue, La Jolla. Saturday, Jan 14th from noon to 2.
Bridget is a published author, business consultant and soft jazz recording artist who decided it was time to write a children’s book. Based on her real English Springer Spaniel, Annie, and inspired by her love of Kauai, the book is written from Annie’s perspective. Residing in La Jolla, Bridget lives with her husband, grown children and of course, her dog Annie.
December 20, 2016

Your cart (items: 0)

Products in cart
Product	Details	Total
	Available on backorder Previous price: Discounted price:	Save