If the world seems unusually peaceful and quiet today, it is because I’ve lost my voice.

Because I somehow manage to get sick 99 percent of the time I travel.

Details of our Dominican Republic trip are forthcoming but this pic I took pretty much sums it up.
Also, I don’t ever do giveaways on my personal blog but I just have to share a killer one we’re doing at Mile High Mamas. I teamed up with Windex to celebrate their 75th anniversary and we’re giving away oodles of Windex products, a video camera, $50 gift card and a photo album. Go here to enter!

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog

A couple of weeks ago, I had the most killer mom’s afternoon out with some of my fellow Mile High Mamas: we were transformed into ’50s pin-up girls by Iman Woods!

I’m talking about our hilarious, empowering and FUN experience at Mile High Mamas so be sure to check out the behind-the-scenes action.

No lie: the stylist SEWED victory rolls into my hair.

And if you’re in Denver: GO.

For details, go here.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog

Jamie and I have been watching September 11th features on television all week. It has been a sobering reminder of all that happened to change our world. It’s amazing how someone like me who didn’t know anyone who died and who isn’t even American could still feel personally impacted.

I was working as an event manager at Deseret Book’s corporate offices in Salt Lake City on September 11, 2001. I’d heard about the first attack before going to work and by the time I arrived, people were glued to the televisions in the ZCMI Center’s Food Court. I still remember how surreal it felt to watch it unfold, like you had front-row seats in a horror movie that didn’t end when the lights came back on.

When I was in New York City last summer, I went to Ground Zero. There wasn’t much to see and I guess that’s the point. The site was under reconstruction but one photo I snapped of the many efforts to rebuild still resonates today.

Maybe it’s the optimist in me but I sincerely do not believe the world is inherently bad. Watching the many inspiring stories to come out of the dust testify to that. Last week, the Washington Post interviewed some of the world’s most influential religious leaders about faith in a post-attack world.

“It seems that much of the post-9/11 renewal of faith has waned in the years that have followed,” writes Thomas Monson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “It should not require tragedy for us to remember God.”

Rabbi David Wolpe writes, “Faith can be turned to evil when people believe that God’s word is made as small as a resentful heart. Faith can be as large as the sky and healing as a lover’s touch when we understand that God wishes goodness.”

“Two of the victims who died in the airplanes that crashed into the twin towers were coming to see me,” writes Deepak Chopra. “Looking back, I feel now the way I did back then, 10 years ago. Catastrophes are not a form of divine punishment, a test from God, evidence of sin, or secret messages from beyond. They are part of our divided world, and such a world reflects our divided self.”

T.D. Jakes writes that the lessons of 9/11 are hidden in plain sight. Among them: “We’ve neglected to comprehend that there is more that unites than separates us.”

To see all the essays, be sure to go here.

And remember.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog

There are many things I loved about my 18-month mission to France and Switzerland but rendering service at the various food banks was one of my favorites. For the entire week surrounding Christmas when I lived in Bienne, Switzerland, we did nothing but service projects that included helping serve dinner on Christmas Eve to homeless people at a shelter.

It was the best Christmas I have ever had.

When I was in Chalon-sur-Saone, France, we volunteered once a week at the local food pantry where I came alive as we entertained and brought a glimpse of joy to its patrons. My missionary companion and I were even interviewed by the local newspaper.

Just don’t ask me what I said. I didn’t understand the complicated words en francais they quoted me as saying.

I guess you could say helping the hungry and homeless is a passion, but one that has been lost since I had children. A few years ago, I volunteered to serve Thanksgiving dinner at the Denver Rescue mission with my kids but they were too young. Same goes for the Food Bank of the Rockies–I learned last week during a tour sponsored by ConAgra Foods that kids need to be 14 years and older.

But I also discovered my kiddos don’t have to wait that long to help. Forty-two percent of those served by the Food Bank of the Rockies are children under 18 years old and this statistic hit Haddie hard.

Ways for Kids to Get Involved:

- Hold a Food Drive in your area.

- Check out this Kung Food Fighters Activity Book.

- Donate a week’s worth of allowance!

- Kids in the Kitchen; Help your parents prepare a meal.

- Have a conversation with your parents about Hunger in Colorado.

- Learn about our Programs for Kids through the Food Bank of the Rockies.

You also have until the end of May to help fight child hunger with ConAgra Foods. When you purchase one of their brands (Banquet, Chef Boyardee, Healthy Choice, Fresh Mixers, Kid Cuisine, Marie Callender’s and Peter Pan), enter the eight-digit purchase code at www.childhungerendshere.com and they will donate one meal to Feeding America–up to 2.5 million meals.

Or make a financial contribution by texting “FEEDKIDS” to 50555 to make a $10 donation directly to Feeding America through June 30, 2011. Feeding America is currently on the ground helping communities impacted by the tornadoes in the South by helping with food, water and household necessities.

To find a food bank in your area, go to Feeding America’s Web site.

Disclaimer: I am participating in a campaign to help end child hunger through ConAgra Foods. All recommendations are my own.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog

It’s the return of the Big, Ugly Cry.

Never heard of it?

Walk away now

-or-

relive the horror at MileHighMamas.com today.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog

I get invitations to participate in a fair number of blogging campaigns but I turn most of them down because, while worthwhile, they’re just not something I’m passionate about.

ConAgra Foods’ Child Hunger Ends Here campaign is different.

I live in a relatively affluent area so I was surprised to learn about the large number of my daughter’s classmates who qualify for free or reduced lunches. Then I was dismayed at these statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture: 17.2 million American children struggle with hunger (that is 1 in 4). In Colorado, 13% of children live in poverty.

I would expect statistics like this elsewhere but certainly not in my own backyard.

That is why ConAgra’s campaign to fight hunger resonated with me. They are partnering with Feeding America and are issuing a call-to-action that is as simple as buying the foods you already love at the grocery store. Here’s how you can help:

Go Grocery Shopping

From March through May 2011, ConAgra Foods will embark on its largest branded initiative to fight child hunger in the United States. Consumers can purchase select ConAgra Foods brands and, when they enter their code online, the company will donate one meal to Feeding America – up to 2.5 million meals this during the time period. Visit www.childhungerendshere.com and enter the eight-digit purchase code found on specially-marked packages. Participating brands include: Banquet, Chef Boyardee, Healthy Choice, Fresh Mixers, Kid Cuisine, Marie Callender’s and Peter Pan. Every code entered is another meal that ConAgra Foods will enable Feeding America to secure through local food banks. Codes on specially-marked packages can be redeemed through August 2011.

Text to Donate

Consumers can make a financial contribution to Feeding America through a mobile giving campaign. Simply text “FEEDKIDS” to 50555 to make a $10 donation directly to Feeding America through June 30, 2011.

Spread the Word

Individuals can get more information on the child hunger issue by following ConAgra Foods on Facebook and Twitter. When you become a fan at facebook.com/ConAgraFoods, you can see how your donations are making a difference and share your own photos and stories. You can also follow the issue and get the latest information at twitter.com/ConAgraFoods. The Twitter hashtag is #ChildHungerEndsHere.

Over the next few months, I’ll be heading over to the local food bank and posting about simple yet worthwhile things we can all do to help child hunger. Please join me in helping this wonderful cause in whatever way you can!

Disclaimer: I am participating in a campaign to help end child hunger through ConAgra Foods. All recommendations are my own and

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog

So, I’m sick. Again. For anyone keeping track, this is the third time in just five weeks which has to be some kind of record for even me.

Rather than whine and complain about the state of affairs in 2011 (make no mistake it has sucked), go on over to MileHighMamas.com to see the controversy I’m tackling today about Hiroshima Mom.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog

It’s an oldie but a goody. Today at MileHighMamas.com, I’m talking about my least memorable Valentine’s Day ever.

Because sometimes cupid needs a lot of help.

Photo: Blogamole

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog

What do Disney’s new flick Tangled and a Ponzi scheme have in common?

Nothing. I just chose to include them in the same post.

I have oodles going on before my mother-in-law flies in to take care of the kiddos while Jamie and I go on our cruise aboard the Norwegian Epic.

In the midst of the chaos, the kids and I attended a prescreening of Tangled, which hits theaters next week. Read what we thought of it and why I have more in common with Rapunzel than I care to admit (and it ain’t a good thing).

==============

Almost two years ago, Denver was caught up in a scandal when it was revealed Bishop Shawn Merriman was involved in a $20 million Ponzi scheme. There were many victims but no one was more blindsided by his betrayal than his own wife and four children.

The press obsessively followed the trial and conviction but his poor family stayed in the shadows. I recently found out that his resilient now-ex-wife Andrea started a blog and is an amazing, powerful and inspiring writer.

I asked her to guest-post at Mile High Mamas this week and guaranteed, you’ll be as mesmerized by her worst nightmare as I am. In our three-part series, Andrea shares how she learned the horrible truth, the day the Feds came to confiscate everything and where she is today.

Go. Read. Comment. And thank your blessings for an honest spouse.

=============

On Tuesday, I was having a rough day due to some frustrating news I received. As I was moping around, I got a note from my friend and former BlogHer roommate Loralee.

If you’ve never read her blog Loralee’s Looney Tunes, be sure to check it out. The girl is laugh-out-loud irreverent and has had her share of trials such as losing her son Matthew (which she blogs openly about). It has been wonderful to watch her blog grow from near-obscurity to one of the most popular mommy blogs.

Anyhew, Loralee had emailed to let me know I had won her Favorite Things birthday contest.

This was amazing for a few reasons:
1) I rarely enter contests

2) I rarely win contests (well, with the exception of a little one that sent me to the Olympics).

3) I won a treasure-trove of darling products (check them all out here) that included A GUSSY Tote Bag ($68), Saucy Frocks Apron ($35), A ribboned-hemmed skirt by Prairie Mama ($40), “Sweet & Simple Birdie Necklace” by Lisa Leonard Designs ($58.00), Rosette Cuff by Allora Handmade ($16), Petal Pusher Posy from The Pleated Poppy ($15), Filigree Verdigris Brass – Barcelona Earrings, and last but definitely not least, The FIRST edition of Where Women Cook out on Dec.1st!!!! ($16) (This magazine is a project Loralee is actively involved in so you know it’s good).

Best news of all? I was no longer down-in-the-dumps. So, if you ever want to cheer me up?

Materialism works wonders.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog

The media and blogosphere are abuzz in the wake of the suicide of Rutgers college freshman Tyler Clementi after his roommate secretly broadcast his encounter with another man.

This is an extreme and tragic example of cyberbullying and it makes me wonder 1) Do the two students who committed the crime have a history of bullying and if so, when did it begin? 2) What is our role as parents as it pertains to bullying and/or disciplining other people’s children?

My children are still young–ages 4 and 6. These issues are surfacing and I have been torn as to how to react. Does stepping in overstep our bounds when the boundaries are different with each person? Two recent examples:

A few weeks ago, my son Bode had his second soccer game. His team played another that looked like they had been playing together from birth. Not only were their skills beyond their age but they were almost a full head taller. Undaunted, Bode’s team members played their little hearts out despite being pushed, shoved and kicked the entire game. One red-headed boy in particular on the opposing team was the instigator for much of it.

Following the game, they had a friendly kick-off so all the kids who had not scored during the game would finally have their chance. They stood in line to wait their turn and at one point I looked up to see Bode crying. And noticed the red-headed boy kicking the crap out of his calves and punching him in the back.

I didn’t think. Instinctively I tore out to the field like a mama bear protecting her young. I yanked Bode away, bent down the kid’s level and very slowly, deliberately said, “You. Do. NOT. Touch. My Son.” His reaction? He sneered at me.

His mother, not seeing his trespasses but witnessing the aftermath raced out to the field as well. “What’s going on?” she asked not accusingly. I informed her, upon which she asked her son to give Bode an apology. After refusing, she took him off the field.

The drama unfolded in less than a minute but its echoes still resonate with me. Was I in the wrong to so deliberately confront her son? Though she reacted quickly, shouldn’t she have forced an apology? Where is the line when disciplining other people’s kids?

I have mulled these questions over in my mind to ascertain my line. Mine is I would never strike or even touch another person’s child. However, if they are causing bodily harm to mine, that is when I step in. There are some parents who react beyond that and some who do not react at all to their bullies musing, “kids will be kids.” The problem with everyone’s “lines” is they are all different.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog