Teen Jonah Mowry Shares Bullying Video

I know this wasn’t published yesterday.  But I cried as I watched it.

14 year old Jonah Mowry delivers a powerful testimonial of what it is like to live and choose to live as a bullied teenager.

Seven years ago, I would have found this video terribly sad, but now, today…. I view this 4:36 video with a different filter.  I’m a mom… and this teen, this boy…. this child could be mine.  And it breaks my heart.

His courage is worth watching.

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Givit To the People You Love On Video

My daughter can sing.

And by sing… I mean SING! Sure, I’m her mom.  Sure, I’m biased.  I’m happy to own up to it.  But given the opportunity, I also want the world to hear it.  Because I think she is that good.

One of my favorite songs of all time is Seasons of Love from the musical (and movie) Rent.  When she sings it, I lose all sense of time.  I’ve been known to bribe her with candy just to get her to sing it again and again.  But, the truth is, she is shy.  And though she sings easily as much as she talks, the second you notice her singing, or bring any attention to the beauty of her voice, she stops….she hides, she pretends she has lost the ability to sing.

Last week, I asked her if I could record her singing.  I wanted the people I love – my parents, my in-laws, her god-parents and some of my close friends to hear the magic in her voice.  I will confess… I might have begged a little. At first, she said no, but eventually acquiesced.

At the time, her daddy was out of town.

The recording is glorious.  When she finished….her little brother clapped and whispered to me, ‘that’s my girl!”.

But, she wasn’t willing to let me share it with everyone…. so, how to get this magic in front of the people I love.

My friends at 5Minutes for Mom gave me just the solution I needed…. they asked me to check out a new private video sharing service called Givit.  I shoot it.  Upload the video and share it with as many or as few people as I choose.  Easy and private.  Just the way my small girl likes it.

I win.  I can share Delaney with SOME.  Delaney wins, I haven’t exposed her beautiful vocals to everyone without her permission.  At least until she tells me otherwise.

I listen to it at least 12 times a day.  Her voice makes me that happy.  I promise to share her with you as soon as she will allow me.

This post is part of a sponsored campaign with my friends at 5MinutesForMom.  As always, all opinions and experiences are mine.

Happy 5th Birthday Small Dude

I’m not quite sure where the time has gone…  but my sweet small dude turns FIVE today.  FIVE.  It just seems so darn grown up.  And he behaves like a real person now -he asks questions, shares his opinion – and rarely listens to me.

This is a video I’ve done to celebrate my little buddy…

Memories in Motion – a New Community with Pixorial (check it out!)

What would I do without video?

*gasp*

The tragedy.  Video has been a part of my life as long as I can remember – it was my job when I was a reporter and Anchor….  it is how I have recorded a multitude of magical moments as my babies became toddlers and then the small people they are now – and it is often how I communicate with YOU.

pixorial leader badge
So – how is this for a natural fit?  I’m working with BlogFrog on a new community – Memories in Motion provided by Pixorial.  I am excited about this because a) who doesn’t love a community….  a tribe of people with the same interests as you? and b) Pixorial is simply awesome.

Let me explain…. Pixorial is many things – all of which make me giddy….  They can convert old videos for you from tape (VHS, Hi-8, even 8mm, etc) onto disk.  Prepare to soon see some of my old reporting footage – (I met my husband on-air!) and that video is just sitting in my basement on tapes…. Also, they can host video for you – so you can upload from your computer or your camera.  AND…. you can edit – trim your videos and add music. (Tell me you aren’t giddy now too) From the uploading and the editing – you can post your video – to YouTube, to Facebook, to a website….. or even simply to a DVD.  You simply must check it out.

And you must stop by the community, for tips and tricks – video, memories, party planning, crafting….  anything that helps you to make a memory – we will be chatting about it.

The official launch – well that is TODAY….  head on over there to join the fun….

Big News I’ve been waiting to share!

So… here it is, my BIG NEWS: I am thrilled, but clearly will be missing many of you!

One Last Christmas – A Video About the True Spirit of the Holidays

Sometimes it is easy to get wrapped up in the CHAOS that is the holiday season – the where to be, the what to buy and who to buy for…. the WHAT DO I HAVE TO ACCOMPLISH NEXT?  I will admit I’m guilty.

For the next few minutes…  Sit and watch. (with kleenex) to refocus on the Magic of Family…. the beauty of the kindness of strangers.

And then hugs your kids.

Fashion Haul – Little Girl Style – Visiting Kohls, Target & Gymboree

My small girl hit an incredible growth spurt. Those midnight leg cramps? They were happening because her sweet little legs were getting LONGER. And growing out of the pants I just bought her 6 weeks ago. Hence the need for a bit of shopping. And the inevitable Fashion Haul Video. Enjoy.

Sale days + coupons = Joy. I mean it.