Whole Kids Project

Book Review: Audrey

The folks at The Catholic Company sent us a copy of Audrey by Gloria Conde to review.

Audrey is the story of a very courageous little girl, born in 1983, and her battle with leukemia. The book is a series of vignettes from Audrey's life which show her amazing faith in God and the impact that she had on everyone around her.

From Fr. Anthony Bannon's introduction:

"...the most winning thing about Audrey is that she doesn't lecture you. She just seems to invite you to sit down on that hospital bed beside her, she cuddles up to you like any girl her age, and with the simplicity and depth of her actions she invites you and shows you how to love more sincerely, more simply, more completely."

One of my favorite scenes is when Audrey, only 4 1/2 years-old, decided to emulate Saint Francis:

One day, Lillian (Audrey's mom) was looking for a sweater for Audrey. She entered Audrey's room and opened her dresser drawer. It was completely empty.

"What's going on?"

Aline's drawer (Audrey's sister), on the other hand, was stuffed to the brim. After much effort, they managed to pry it open. My, oh my! Audrey had forced all of her clothes into her sister's drawer. Aline had already seen it and had thought it was crazy. But she hadn't said anything, thinking that if Audrey had done it, she had a reason.

Lillian asked Audrey, "What have you been doing?" Audrey responded with great determination: "I have decided to be poor, and I am going to keep only what I am wearing now."

As Audrey's suffering intensifies- so does her faith grow.  This heroic journey of faith is both heartbreaking and awe inspiring.

Audrey's intense relationship with God would have a profoundly life-changing influence on her family's growth in God- and this is what I most took away from Audrey.

As parents, we  spend a lot of time instructing our children- imparting essential moral lessons and leading them in their spiritual development. Audrey reminded me that often our children are also fantastic teachers and, if we allow them, they can also help direct us on our own journeys.

This review was written as part of The Catholic Company product reviewer program.  Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Audrey - True Story of a Child's Journey of Faith.

Action Alert: Protecting Children from Indecent Programming Act

I received this alert from NationalCoalition.org:

The verdict has been handed down—CBS will face no penalty after MTV thumbed its nose at parents during the 2004 Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit recently threw out a $550,000 fine the Federal Communications Commission levied against CBS after Janet Jackson’s infamous “wardrobe malfunction” exposed her breast to over 90 million halftime viewers—many of whom were children.

“The last thing a parent expects to see when they sit down with their family to watch the Super Bowl is a strip tease,” said Rick Schatz, president and CEO of the National Coalition. “The Super Bowl has long been a family event that is enjoyed by viewers of all ages. To feature a halftime show that includes nudity and lewd behavior is unconscionable.”

While the half a million complaints received by the FCC after the Super Bowl demonstrated viewers’ disgust, the Third Circuit opened the door to future indecent programming.

“Unfortunately, this ruling will likely set a precedent that will negatively affect the quality of future entertainment on broadcast television,” added Schatz. “Parents must be more vigilant than ever in monitoring the shows viewed in their household.”

Although this ruling is a disappointment, a legislative response is in motion. Senator Jay Rockefeller has introduced the Protecting Children from Indecent Programming Act (Senate Bill 1780), which would allow single words or images that are considered to be indecent, obscene, or profane to draw civil penalties.

To help pass this legislation, we ask you to do three things:

1. Contact Senator Harry Reid, Senate Majority Leader, and ask him to bring this legislation to the floor for a vote.

2. Contact Senator Jay Rockefeller, thank him for introducing the bill, and ask him to help move the bill forward.

3. Contact your two U.S. Senators and ask them to vote “YES” on Senate Bill 1780.

We thank you in advance for helping to protect the eyes of our children. There is still much to be done…but together we will make our voice heard!

Please take a few moments to contact Senators Reid and Rockefeller through the links above. You can find your Senators' email addresses here.

10 Most Dangerous Things in Your Home

HowStuffWorks has this list of common dangerous items found in most every home- including paints, cosmetics, cleaning supplies, and a few more surprising items.

Friday Nite Video: What Would Jesus Buy?- Save Our Kids

From producer Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me) and director Rob VanAlkemade, "What Would Jesus Buy?" examines the commercialization of Christmas in America while following Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping Gospel Choir on a cross-country mission to save Christmas from the Shopocalypse (the end of humankind from consumerism, over-consumption and the fires of eternal debt.) The film also delves into issues such as the role sweatshops play in America's mass consumerism and Big-Box Culture. From the humble beginnings of preaching at his portable pulpit on New York City subways, to having a congregation of thousands -- Bill Talen (aka Rev. Billy) has become the leader of not just a church, but a national movement.

Michelangelo's Americanized David

I saw this on Steve Ray's blog and thought it was hysterical. Hope you agree:

"After a two year stay in America, Michaelangelo’s David is being returned to Italy."

New "Filthy" Barbie

How many ways is this wrong?

Did Mattel really think this was a good idea?  Do they really have this little respect for children and parents?

From the Sun:

The doll’s image is transformed with kinky fishnets, motorcycle jacket, black gloves and boots.

Makers Mattel say Black Canary Barbie, out in September, is based on a DC comic superhero of the same name.

But religious group Christian Voice said: “Barbie has always been on the tarty side and this is taking it too far.

A children’s doll in sexually suggestive clothing is irresponsible – it’s filth.”

Yep.

Create a Family Nature Club

The Children and Nature Network (C&NN) emailed me this announcement:

This summer, the Children & Nature Network (C&NN) is launching a new initiative to help families engage in the growing children and nature movement. We encourage parents, grandparents, and caregivers to get directly involved. How? Create a family nature club. These Do-It-Yourself clubs offer free, low-cost, family-oriented activities – the ones that help kids (and adults) become happier, healthier and even smarter while having fun.

Tips, Inspiration, and Resources for Starting Your Own Family Nature Club: Visit the C&NN website, www.childrenandnature.org. This is just the beginning. Sign up now to receive the latest information and resources— and let us hear from you with your stories of successes and adventures.

Also, Richard Louv will appear on the Today Show on Wednesday, July 16 to discuss family nature clubs.

Study: Kids Eat More When The TV Is On

Via MSNBC:

Studying childhood obesity, University of Toronto nutritionist Harvey Anderson found that kids who watched TV while eating lunch took in 228 extra calories than those who ate without the television on.

"One of Anderson's conclusions is that eating while watching television overrides our ability to know when to stop eating," the Canadian Institutes for Health Research, which funded the study, said on Tuesday.

"In effect, mindless television watching produces mindless eating. ... Anderson has some immediate advice for parents — turn the television off during mealtime."

Let's say it again: "Turn off the TV during mealtime".

Friday Nite Video: Munchers, A Fable

There's not much to say about this one other than it's fun- in a very odd sort of way!

The soundtrack is very 1973.

AV Film Geeks Archive Proto-claymation goes awry with talking teeth and a demonic tooth decay character. A food group hoe-down highlights the importance of good nutrition to help maintain healthy teeth. Production Company: Crocus Productions Audio/Visual: sound, color Keywords: dental hygiene; dancing clay; animation Contact Information: This film comes from the A/V Geeks archive. For more information regarding this film and the archive, visit http://www.avgeeks.com Creative Commons license: Public Domain

Video: Inspiring Coach and His Little Leaguers

The inspiring story of a Newark NJ coach and his team: