Teri

What a Blast!…and I’m So Glad You’ve Asked!

April 25, 2012 By Teri 2 Comments

Wow!

What a fun, inspiring morning…

with all of you yesterday!

I’ve decided…

I want to be a radio announcer!

We even had Jane Chen…

live from Hong Kong!

Hiya Jane!

Thanks for comin’!

But seriously…

Since we parted ways…

there have been several questions.

As best I can…

I shall provide answers.

First of all…

if you would like…

to get to the site…

where you can read up…

or brush up….

on information…

regarding Leadership Parenting…

how to register…

what the scheduling is like…

it’s super easy!

Just click on…

the Leadership Parenting button…

to your right.

Of course…

after our call…

many of you…

in your new-found online technology confidence…

will be applying at Microsoft any day!

It’s been nice knowin’ ya.

Put in a good word for me…

as I’ve been trying to get Bill…

to come over here and do things for years.

In any regard…

the call was unanimously deemed…

as a fabulous event!

Check out these comments!:

“I’m looking forward to participating in the Leadership Parenting courses! What a great opportunity to learn firsthand from Dr. Brooks and connect with other like-minded parents!” ~ Nataliya

“Thank you for hosting/organizing the webinar with Dr. Brooks. I have desired for years to take more classes myself and now with “bite-size” classes being more time and pocketbook affordable I hope my time is here to begin! I had many questions answered and am excited to get started and to be a better mom & mentor for my children and friends. Dr. Brooks is wonderful, passionate, learned and kind. Thank you!” ~ Carol Brown

”I have felt somewhat isolated trying to implement the Leadership Education principles in my family/homeschool for the past several years without a support group in my immediate area. The Webinar was just what I needed to get the ball rolling again…giving me confidence to take the next step:). Having not been able to make it to the Face to Face Seminars, I am extremely grateful to Dr. Brooks for offering these courses online!!” ~ Linda Rae Jarmer

“THANK YOU! I most likely would have signed up for the Leadership Parenting course any way. However, having the clarification that this Webinar provided is wonderful. When my kids found out that I was going to be online with Dr. Brooks then they refused to go outside. Instead they entertained themselves while listening. They have only met him once and for just over 24 hours however he has made a lasting impact on their lives. (That is very much an understatement.) It was good to hear him say that this is what we do naturally. Since being introduced to TJED I have read and discussed books with my children and they have learned and especially understood so much more than any approved lecturing that I have ever done. The best part is we are all so much happier! I could go on and on. Teri, you are so awesome and I really appreciate your willingness to have the courage to go with TJED and then share it and your life with all the rest of us.” ~ Gale da Rosa

Woo-HOO!

Go to the comment section…

to read on…

but know…

that in future posts…

I shall highlight more.

Probably not Gale da Rosa…

and Melissa Johnson’s…

personal ~~obsession~~ passion…

with “The Trapper Keeper”…

but that’s another story…

for another time.

No one can accuse us…

of not having fun over here.

And I take all personal credit…

for Dr. Shanon Brooks…

“lightening up”…

over the past couple of years.

Did I just say that?!

In keeping…

with both our desire and commitment…

to not intimidate or overwhelm anyone…

Dr. Brooks’s cart…

took a header…

after a certain number of individuals…

registered and checked out!

Sigh.

Bill?…Bill? paging Bill.

Know that it is diligently being addressed.

Know that you can sign up 24/7…

and remember that spaces are limited.

Know that the following applies…

and that if you’re still in the pre-school years…

or recollect them vividly….

it may be beneficial to sing this…

with a catchy tune…

in a rhyme!

“A Bundle is 3 courses…

a course is 3 classes.

These classes can be taken…

any time in any month…

or even one course a month…

for 3 months.

The Bundle…

is not associated…

with a particular month.”

Sing…

Reflect…

Absorb…

Repeat.

And…

please know…

that when you register…

you will need to communicate…

to Dr. Brooks…

which classes you intend to take.

Why?

Remember…

Minimum numbers of students?

Planning?

Vision?

Shooting for maximum impact?

Yep…

pretty much all of the things…

you do…

each. and. every. day.

You’re rockin’ it, Moms!

And for the record…

I’ve never doubted it!

Thanks for the kind accolades…

several of which made me cry…

and for being the greatest…

most sincere…

real…

and fun readership anywhere!

Welcome to the “newbies”…

who have recently joined us!

Let’s get this party started…

with two Bundle giveaways!

And if you didn’t win…

know that you really do…

when you engage…

this phenomenal opportunity!

Your children…

grandchildren…

and future legacy will thank you.

What are you waiting for?!

Hit the Leadership Parenting button…

and sign up!

I’m Teri…

welcome to the party…

and I’ll…

see you online…

in more places than one!

MWAH!

XO,

And now…Drum roll, please…the winners are…Michelle McCue and Gale da Rosa! Come on down! You’re the next contestants on Leadership Parenting!

Filed Under: Leadership Parenting

Take A Deep Breath…

April 23, 2012 By Teri 50 Comments

“One of the greatest mediums of slowing down and learning to exhibit patience, has for me, been online teaching.” ~ Dr. Shanon Brooks

The above photo…

clearly illustrates the sentiments…

that are being expressed by many of you…

since the announcement of this Tuesday’s (tomorrow’s) webinar…

with Dr. Shanon Brooks.

So here are a few pointers…

for ways to both be on a possible new learning curve…

as well as a webinar.

And you can do this!

I personally know you multi-task…

in extraordinary ways…

each.and.every.day.

1. Go to this link and register.

https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/423559206

2. Tuesday morning, at 9:00 MDT…

(that’s 8:00 a.m. West Coast time, folks)…

and for others joining….

figure your time difference out before Tuesday…

and join the webinar.

Know that depending…

on how fast your computer connection is…

it may (or may not) take you a couple of minutes to connect.

Do.not.panic.

This.is.normal.

If you get on and have a headset…

then you will have a mic.

If you don’t have a headset…

you can type and chat.

“Headsets should cost no more than $20.00″~ Dr. Brooks

3. Dr. Brooks gets it.

If you doubt this…

read the opening quote!

He will explain everything…

when we are on the call.

4. Come 10 minutes early.

It allows you time to breathe…

as well as work out the “kinks.”

5. We’re going to have FUN.

We’re going to be INFORMED…

INSPIRED…

and leave INTENTIONAL.

6. It’s FREE.

You have nothing to lose…

and everything to gain.

And rumor has it…

there is possibly more than one prize!

Oh yes…

you want to be there.

You really do.

And if you desire to be a winner…

(of a fabulous prize, that is…)

leave a comment…

or 10.

See you tomorrow!

Filed Under: Leadership Education, Leadership Parenting, Uncategorized

Leadership Parenting

April 20, 2012 By Teri 23 Comments

Wednesday…

I used an analogy…

about vision…

where practicing Leadership Education is concerned.

We’ve entered “that time of year”…

where those who have chosen to educate at home…

begin evaluating and planning for the upcoming year.

I also said Wednesday….

that I had an exciting announcement!

Truth be told…

I have requested for quite some time…

that Dr. Shanon Brooks…

mentor a series…

on Leadership Parenting for families.

He’s had many other things on his plate.

Actually, he still does.

But I’m grateful…

that he has decided…

now is that time!

Why is this such a monumental deal?

Allow me to explain…

using my own experiences and observations.

Every human being…

has tendencies to default to what they know.

Leadership…

is personalized…

recognizes the individual…

and has never catered to the masses.

Rather…

when mentored…

shaped…

and guided properly…

it affects those masses.

For me…

understanding someone’s experience…

qualifications…

and opinions…

all coupled with longevity…

is paramount to being mentored.

Please afford me the luxury…

of using my points from Wednesday…

to further illustrate.

1. Glasses provide circumstantial correction, whereas orthokeratology has a mission for vision correction that is permanent.

I know that I’ve fallen into the trap of taking a class, attending a seminar, joining a call, or purchasing a “curriculum” that guarantees to “fix it all!”

Sounds great doesn’t it?

Alas…somewhere down the road of “the miracle fix”…

I default to conveyor belt thinking, ideologies and methodologies that trip me up.

I am, after all, a tremendous by-product of this educational methodology.

(And still see it as necessary to society for all of my teacher friends out there!)

When I get into that mode…I struggle to model Leadership Education principles effectively.

This creates a tense and frustrating atmosphere for those that I am not only committed to leading…

but also where my mentoring skills and capabilities are concerned.

What do I do?!

2. People, while helpful, lack the experience of those who have paid the price.

I love community. I am committed to both building and nurturing it; along with being a part of it as well.

The issue of effectiveness, however, lies in the fact that most of said community…

is also both lacking in extensive experience…

and was educated in the same conveyor-belt methodology.

Enter Dr. Brooks.

His experience is vast, where Organic Thomas Jefferson Education principles are concerned.

He has been mentored by Oliver DeMille for over 20 years…

has co-authored a book on this topic with him…

written numerous articles…

and continues to mentor and lecture on the foundation and principles involved.

He rarely defaults.

Yes, even after decades of practice…

no one is perfect.

He sticks to necessities.

3. Deviate from “the norm”…and to the masses, you’ll look like a freak!

Leadership Education is practiced outside the parameters of mass appeal.

This can produce a feeling somewhat like “free-falling!”

For parents this ceases to be humorous.

So…we tend to default to what we know!

Leadership Education on a conveyor belt ceases to be inspiring…

and involves lots of requiring…

which means effectiveness is lost.

4. Regardless of methodology, there is always a cost for choices.

I have been so disappointed and frustrated…

when I have paid hard earned money for something…

only to find out it didn’t fix much of anything!

Much of the time…

I revert back to this simple…

but certainly not easy quote.

“In order to get really good at something, you need to do it for a long time.” ~ Oliver DeMille

Definitely faith in action…

and not easily measured.

Here is where Dr. Brooks…

has a proven track record of effective mentorship.

Organic TJEd…

believes that the quality of education…

increases when you are secure.

It acknowledges that education should make you stronger in what you believe.

It teaches openness vs. arrogance…

security vs. insecurity…

and that reading classics…

and knowing how to implement the Seven Keys…

will make you a stronger mentor.

Dr. Brooks is one such mentor.

He’s read hundreds of classics…

made himself a life-long student…

and believes in the sovereignty of the family….

and that you are the expert in your own home.

Next week…

there is an opportunity…

to participate in a webinar with him…

to interact regarding “how all of this is going to look!”

You can also click here…

and read a bit more about what Leadership Parenting will include…

as well as register for this free webinar!

In conjunction with your commitment to pursuing Leadership Education…

through the reading of TommyMom…

Dr. Brooks would like to offer this readership…

a discount on registration.

Next week…

a code will be given…

that will reflect this opportunity…

upon check out!

Normal pricing for this series…

is $55.00 for a single in a 3-webinar course…

and $135.00 for a 3 course bundle.

TommyMom readers will be able to register…

with the code…

for $45.00 and $120.00 respectively.

And…

one TommyMom reader…

will get to attend this first trio for free!

Let me know with a comment…

why you are excited…

and would like to win this opportunity.

And remember…

the webinar is completely without obligation…

entirely free…

and next Tuesday, April 24, 2012…

from 9:00-10:00 MDT.

All you have to do is register!

I can assure you…

joining in is a piece of cake!

Don’t miss this opportunity!

Dr. Brooks is committed…

to a Leadership Education model…

that utilizes the expertise of individuals…

committed to mentoring in the above Organic fashion.

However…

for this first series…

he himself will be the mentor!

It’s a not-to-be-missed opportunity…

and class size is limited to 25…

in order to maintain the integrity…

of the mentor relationship.

“The Founders were great men and women of genius and inspiration, but it didn’t just happen to them. They were ordinary people who chose to live good, honest lives and to pay the price of greatness. In our day, the world cries out for good, honest people to pay that same price. Make your own education a Thomas Jefferson Education, then pass it on to your children, and begin exerting statesmanship in your community ~ and you will become the change you wish to see in the world.” ~ Oliver DeMille

Until next week!,

Filed Under: Leadership Education, Leadership Parenting

Are You In Need of a Refraction?

April 18, 2012 By Teri 14 Comments

This is the first in a two part series that serves the purpose of announcing a phenomenal opportunity for those pursuing Leadership Education! It is my hope that you will read on, commit, and engage. I know from personal experience, you certainly won’t be sorry that you do! For some of you, this is a genuine answer to prayer, requests, and inquiries. It is both my pleasure and privilege to be a part of this life changing opportunity and experience.

Recently…

this kid turned to me during church…

and politely asked…

if there were words on the screen up front.

After seriously castigating myself as “Epic-Fail-Mom-of-the Year”…

I took him to the eye doctor.

This post has been in the making for awhile circumstantially…

and it gives me tremendous pleasure…

to use these illustrations today…

to prep you for Friday’s announcement!

We are privileged to be under the care…

of Dr. Stuart Grant.

Dr. Grant is an amazing individual.

You see, he pioneered…

the field of orthokeratology.

What this means…

is that he uses hard contact lenses…

that have been fit especially for each individual patient...

to reshape the cornea at night while you sleep.

He has been practicing…

researching…

and writing…

for over 40 years…

with tremendous success!

Under his watchful eye and tender care…

what started out as deplorable…

nearsighted vision…

has become 20/20!

Allow me, if you will…

to make some analogies…

where both understanding…

as well as implementing…

Leadership Education…

are concerned.

1. Glasses are effective, but in their absence; the individual is still lacking vision.

Because Dr. Grant recognizes this, he is set apart in his field.

Rather than rely on circumstantial correction…

he is committed to correction that is permanent.

We have been informed…

that if we stick with this…

by the age of 16 or so…

Son #4 will experience restored vision!

2. People, while helpful, lack the experience of those who have paid the price.

Choosing mentors both wisely and carefully…

is vital to success in life.

Leadership Education has been practiced…

since the beginning of time.

It is present in every walk and arena of life.

Knowing how to look for it…

recognize it…

and implement it…

takes time…

practice…

and the recognition of a process.

Just as orthokeratology reshapes the eye…

under the conscientious care of the individual…

who practices it as second nature….

the principals of Leadership Education…

become most clear…

under the tutelage of veteran practioners.

As seen above…

caring, conscientious technicians are invaluable to any process.

So are friends and a community that is supportive.

But real results…

come from guidance given…

by those with mastery…

when coupled with efforts on the part of the student.

3. Do anything against the norm, and to the masses, you’ll look like a freak!

Regardless of mission, calling or statement…

real leaders don the necessary “gear” to evaluate true progess…

the price of the journey…

and how they will get there.

Son #4…

had to use equipment and processes…

in order for the “expert”…

to evaluate and assess accurately!

4. Regardless of methodology, there is always a cost for choices.

We could have gone the traditional route…

and simply ordered glasses.

After all…

it’s what most normal people do, isn’t it?

Either way…

whether we pay up front…

or over the long haul…

the investment demands a fee!

Interestingly…

the one that is “seen” by the masses…

is a temporary fix…

much like external pressure to perform…

meet a standardized expectation…

or peer approved result!

Sadly…

the route of the masses…

generally involves constant presence…

and external motivators…

in order to achieve results!

Much like the Leadership Education model…

the other is individualized…

tailor-made…

and encourages permanent alteration for the better!

Which brings me to this:

One of the Seven Keys…

is “You, Not Them.”

But…

most mom-mentors…

( or even dad/grandparent mentors)…

are in the daily trenches.

They use free time to seek inspiration…

in order to provide optimal environments…

for their children.

They get discouraged.

While they read…

attend events when possible…

and read some more…

most admit to wanting and needing orthokeratology.

They want a permanent…

altering change…

that gives the ability to see clearly…

without mere technicians…

that are great support…

but may not be that much further…

in the process than themselves!

So…

dear, dear mother…

mentor…

individual…

languishing for the above…

What if I told you…

that regardless of where you live…

how many children you have upright or under foot…

how little or much experience you currently have…

YOU…

can now be mentored by this man…

along with 24 other newly found friends?

Because it is about to become reality!

Come back Friday for all of the details…

and set Tuesday, April 24, 2012…

9:00 – 10:00 A. M. MDT…

to freely participate with him…

in a no obligation webinar…

entitled “Leadership Parenting!”

Yes…

this is huge.

Yes…

it is potentially life-changing…

and promises serious visual acuity along the way!

Feel free to express your excitement!

Until Friday,

Filed Under: Leadership Education, Leadership Parenting

Quick Solutions: A Post From Tim Driver

April 16, 2012 By Teri 4 Comments

The winner of the seat to the Face to Face With Greatness Seminar is Morgan Knudsen! Woo-HOO! Morgan, you are being gifted a seat to the upcoming Face to Face With Greatness in Rancho Cucamonga, April 27th and 28th! Congratulations!

As promised, here are some thoughts from my brother, Tim. They are very relevant in addressing the situation I posted about him Friday, where his first grade teacher was concerned.

When he wrote them, he and his mentors/coaches were up to their eyeballs in their own controversies. As always, his thoughts are both insightful and wise, as well as thought provoking. Enjoy.
I know that it has been a long week.

Challenges bring out so many things in folks.

People who have been involved in past “battles” sometimes tap back into the emotions surrounding those battles.

Others who are afraid by nature, tend to let that fear get the better of them, even if only temporarily.

Some just like to complain, because if they don’t have something to complain about, they would complain about it!

Still others like to exaggerate their plight in hopes that they will be seen as high achievers when the dilemmas get worked out.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not underestimating things that happen to create stress. It is very real, and when it occurs; hopefully it can’t be attributed to you!

My point is…

none of the actions above provide anything that is closer to a solution.

They might make us feel better temporarily…

but often times they only fail to move us forward.

Make no mistake…

they are contagious and self-perpetuating.

Months later…

you can hear people lamenting about the same things…

in the same ways…

and they’re still no closer to a solution.

It’s an energy drainer!

In addition…

these types of actions can steal the optimism that others have as well.

I want to remind you of some things:

1. Mentoring/Coaching without compassion, is either bribery or bullying.

You have to have compassion for people’s plights.

I know that I don’t want to ever be accused of not being “people focused.”

However, in the midst of being people focused…

2. Try to steer clear of Quick Solutions.

Most importantly–

If you are solving all of the problems…

other people aren’t learning how to solve them.

Your job does not include solving everyone’s problems for them.

Teaching them that sometimes waiting for things to settle…

or taking the time for a longer range solution…

will not only save time in the long run…

it is often far more effective and is just good mentoring/coaching.

3. Allow for individuality…

that gets the desired results.

People aren’t always going to do things the way we want them to…

but as long as it isn’t in blatant disregard for policy or authority…

people need to put their own brand on how they perform.

This only emphasizes the last point even more.

Productive problem solving is then just one more thing…

that individuals can put their mark on…

with your guidance!

By modeling confidence and consistency…

you set the example for how you want others to respond to uncertainty.

I am reminded of a quote that sums it up!

“In a crisis, don’t hide behind anything or anybody. They are going to find you anyway.”

Thanks for all you do for kids,

Tim

Filed Under: Driver's Ed., Leadership Education, My Brother Tim

There Would Be Many “Firsts”

April 13, 2012 By Teri 7 Comments

Don’t forget that there is an opportunity to win a seat to the Face to Face With Greatness Seminar that is happening in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. April 27th and 28th. This is a $95.00 value! All you have to do in order to enter is leave a comment here on TommyMom. The winner will be chosen Monday.

You simply do not want to miss a day of TommyMom posts next week! I’m so excited to share incredible news, I’m honestly about to burst! Consider this the official heads up.

We moved from Wisconsin to Seattle…

when my brother, Tim, was 2 1/2.

He remained, to his dying day…

totally and completely in love…

with the Pacific Northwest.

Oh, he enjoyed visiting us…

in sunny Southern California immensely…

and tried to faithfully and often...

especially during times of intense rain!

But he always claimed…

that there was simply no place…

like Washington for him.

We all utter statements from time-to-time…

that inwardly cause us to wonder…

about their validity.

At least I know that I do.

Things like…

“It’s for your own good”…

“That which does not kill us, makes us stronger”…

you get the gist.

Leadership Education highly believes and values…

the thought that every human being…

is born with genius…

and that genius is for the purpose…

of fulfilling a life calling and mission.

In my brother’s case…

this couldn’t have been more accurate.

There have been an infinite number…

of exceptional teachers and mentors…

in the history of the world.

Tim was one of them.

More than once…

I received a phone call behind his back…

requesting an opinion…

as to whether or not someone should pursue…

nominating him for the Disney Teacher Awards.

No one ever did follow through to my knowledge…

which in retrospect is best.

He would’ve been mortified.

Never one for personal accolades or attention…

he believed with every fiber of his being…

that he was here to teach and mentor…

for the success of others.

This was evident in his life…

as early as the first grade!

My brother was brilliant.

He believed that everyone else was, too.

However, let’s just concur that some…

wear it right out front…

whereas others make you practically mine for it!

Here’s a picture of his first grade class.

His “teacher” was one of those individuals…

who was on the other end of the miner…

and also rode a broom.

(Please do not confuse her for the cute one on the left.)

If she’s in a home somewhere…

reading this post…

I want to sincerely thank her.

You see…

Tim’s memory was a force…

with which to be reckoned as well!

And he never forgot her…

and the fact…

that where he was personally concerned…

her real profession…

was that of a bully.

She spent the entire year…

with him as a student…

looking for a quick fix.

It’s a beautiful thing…

to see the above mentioned…

sayings and statements…

come true in someone’s life.

This woman’s actions…

only served to make my brother stronger.

Tim’s mental acuity was disgusting…

if you were caught in a trap of comparing yourself!

His ability later on…

beginning in high school to multi-task…

while juggling really difficult things all around…

was simply staggering.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.

He would finish his assignments in record time.

There were many kids that simply didn’t…

and still others that couldn’t.

They began asking him for help during class.

He obliged.

Perhaps in some cases…

I am being a bit hard on the teacher.

I know that when I have a plan…

an agenda…

or want control…

I don’t like pesky interruptions…

regardless of whether they present themselves…

in the form of situations…

or people.

And when I take that attitude…

I’m the loser.

Every.single.time.

Rather than focusing on potential…

and the incredible strengths…

an individual is exhibiting…

if I focus on my “inconvenience”…

I become irritated, angry, or even bitter.

Been there, done that…

and so did Tim’s teacher.

She spent the entire year…

trying to get him removed from her classroom…

so that he wouldn’t “bother her anymore.”

She called a conference with my parents and the principal…

in order to attempt to bring this about.

See, Tim and I attended the same elementary school…

for 4 years.

This was back in the day where K-6 defined elementary.

And we had an incredible principal….

God rest his delightful, insightful soul.

Mr. Murray was a man of very few words…

huge bushy eyebrows and a foreboding presence.

But he was wonderful.

He brought in the counselor…

and had my brother evaluated.

The teacher kept complaining…

and nagging about moving him to second grade.

“He’s helping other kids with their seat work…

and is socially engaging with them.”

Tim was found to be…

“more than capable of doing second grade work.”

Mr. Murray suggested that his teacher give him more work.

She said she didn’t want to do that…

and that it was a bother.

He then informed her…

that no child under his administrative efforts…

would be moved a grade…

without the consent of their parents.

If they would like my brother moved…

to the second grade…

it would definitely be their decision.

And here’s a little nugget:

He told my folks at the beginning of their conference…

“Regardless of which decision you make…

years down the road…

you’ll inevitably wonder…

if it was the right one!”

Tim was already…

the youngest student in his class…

because of the age cut off for school entry.

He stayed in the 1st grade that year.

Here is what his teacher wrote in his report card:

“It is interesting that he will not do the others work for them…

but steps in with information.

When they succeed, he feels happy for his part in their success.”

One day…

I, the big shot 5th grader…

walked by his classroom…

and peeked in the window.

There he was…

in this exact green turtleneck…

helping another kid…

inspiring them with a math problem!

I saw him assume that same stance…

countless times as a grown man.

And he never, ever, even once…

saw it as a burden, a bother, a nuisance.

On the contrary…

it was a privilege.

How about you?

I know there are days…

I still have lots of work to do…

where my attitude is concerned.

Come back Monday…

and read Mr. Driver’s thoughts…

about people who choose attitudes…

like those expressed above.

At this point, however…

he held three degrees in education…

and had taught on a spectrum from junior high…

through post-graduate level.

You know…

it really is true.

“It is for your own good”…

much of the time…

because…

“That which does not kill us…

will make us stronger”…

if we’re willing to let it!

Filed Under: Leadership Education, My Brother Tim

We Have Some Winners and Yet Another Giveaway!

April 11, 2012 By Teri 2 Comments

So here’s the deal.

If you recall…

Dana agreed to award both kinds of Pepper Jelly…

to the individual…

that lent the most inspiration…

to her “naming journey.”

But this is a bit complicated…

in that she’s not quite ready to unveil…

either the names…

or her website…

complete with ordering venue!

So…

you’ll just have to trust the process!

Know that…

we are going to follow her progress…

here on TommyMom…

complete with an update on the unveiling…

and more pepper jelly giveaways to come!

For today…

the individual closest to the inspiration…

that Dana was seeking…

is Nancy Doria!

Congratulations, Nancy!

You are the winner of both a jar of original…

and a jar of “hot” pepper jelly from Dana.

Those will be coming your way…

as soon as the packaging process is completed…

within the next few weeks.

In the meantime…

Dana whipped up a batch of original…

and the following three people have won…

via Random.org.

Mandie Galgan

Christy McKiel

Hailey White

Congratulations, ladies!

And again…

be watching in the near future…

for updates and more giveaways!

Speaking of giveaways…

there is another!

There is a Face to Face With Greatness Seminar coming to town!

The event is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 27 & 28, 2012…

from 8:30 to 5:30 p.m. …

at the Goldy S. Lewis Community Center…

11200 Baseline Road, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91701.

The cost is $95 per person.

More details are available on the flyer at the Monticello College website:

http://monticellocollege.org/event/2012/04/face-face-greatness-seminars.

This seminar is life-changing in so many ways.

Hostess Deena Ortiz…

is generously giving away one seat to this event!

Again…

I can not recommend this event highly enough!

So…

leave me a comment…

telling me why you’d like to attend…

and I’ll choose a lucky winner on Monday!

Enter as many times as you like.

I’ve decided I’d make a great game show host…

in all of my free time!

See you Friday…

when I continue…

with my brother Tim’s story!

Until then…

Filed Under: Giveaway

Happy, Happy Birthday, and a Reminder

April 9, 2012 By Teri 4 Comments

Just a quick reminder to remember to comment and continue to submit name suggestions regarding the pepper jelly post. Wednesday, we will announce three lucky winners: two will be drawn and the third will be awarded based on most inspirational name suggestion! Hope you win!

Last week…

Our family experienced a milestone.

It took place Thursday…

so there was a quiet, earnest request…

that I forego posting on Good Friday about it.

To which I say, “Hope springs eternal.”

Son #3…

celebrated his 18^th birthday.

I must confess…

that there were days…

in which I wondered…

if we would ever arrive to 10…

much less 18!

This is the child…

that will keep me humble….

until my dying day.

without modern medicine…

we both would have expired during his birth.

He learned to climb before he could walk.

It was not uncommon to find this child…

peering down at me from the top bunk…

at 8 months of age.

We removed all ladders.

Totally unphased….

upon learning to walk….

he pulled out the kitchen drawers…

making stairs out of them…

and walked around on the counters!

One morning just before he turned 2….

he greeted his father with a hearty good morning….

from the top of the fridge!

At 3, he could tie a terrific bowline knot….

and did so around both ankles…

while straddling the bunk beds!

I came away from that backwards launch…

where his head cleared the bedroom floor by roughly 3 inches…

with a new resolve not to let him see me sweat.

He was fascinated with all things pirate…

and wore out 4 VHS tapes of Robin Williams…

and Dustin Hoffman in Hook.

Clearly…

the love continues.

One broken arm and 4 years later…

He took up the unicycle….

tirelessly riding from the couch to our slider…

across the living room.

Now…

he’s just flat out scary-while-being-inspiring on the upgraded model!

We got a Rainbow play gym and an Olympic trampoline…

and the launch from the pinnacle of the tree house….

a mere 14 1/2 feet above the ground…

for years and years later…

brought more than one unsuspecting individual to our front door!

My brother, Tim was a vital ingredient…

in successfully parenting this wild child.

One day a huge plate glass window shattered.

Son #3 stood there with the ball and mitt….

and admitted that it didn’t break …

but rather “made a cool wave” the first time he hit it!

Upon calling Tim and asking if he’d like another student…

I remember his sagely advice…

that was given through many chuckles.

“Learn to both discern as well as evaluate…

the difference between childish impulsiveness….

and deliberate disobedience.”

It’s became a mantra for years.

Watching him grow to possess…

a tenderness of heart with an attention to detail….

has been very humbling.

He is forever the champion…

to both the elderly…

those with challenges…

and of course, other wild children!

He is on a first name basis…

with pretty much anyone and everyone…

if you’ll give him 20 minutes.

Out-of-the-box thinking….

has been his forte…

and a fascination to watch…

along with a wicked sense of humor…

and an equally quick wit.

He excels at whatever he decides…

to put his mind to doing, creating, or studying.

I have learned an infinite number of things….

from being the mother of this child….

most of which have been about myself!

Eighteen years later here we are….

and I’m still learning!

I am honored to be your Mom….

and look forward to the discoveries…

adventures, and personal growth…

that the next 18 will bring!

Happy, Happy Birthday, Son #3!

XO,

Madre

Filed Under: In the Spotlight..., Leadership Education

Observance Revisited

April 6, 2012 By Teri 2 Comments

Many thanks to my dear friend, Beth Lambdin, whom I credit in this post from 2011, for some of our Good Friday traditions. This year as a family, along with several friends, we are attending a live performance of “The Way of the Cross” at St. Paul the Apostle, where our dear friends, Racquel and Rebekah Hernandez are performing.

I wish you and yours a Blessed Easter!

Observance: The act of observing; the act of keeping or adhering to in practice: performance…

I am old.

At least that’s what my lovely Sons tell me quite often!

Funny, isn’t it, how every generation perceives those that go before them?

The fact of the matter is, in some ways, I probably am.

I am “old” enough to remember when Good Friday was an observance in this country, whether you were “religious” or not.

Schools were out for the day.

Businesses closed…

whether for a half day or full.

As our society continues to get busier and busier, there are many observances that just seem to go by the wayside.

Good Friday and the contemplation of Holy Week would be one of them.

I have my dear friend, Beth Lambdin to thank for today’s inspiring post.

She is the product of a Leadership Education…

and is raising the 6 of her 7 children remaining at home in the same fashion.

They are a family that is rich in everything that matters.

They’re leaders.

She and her husband, Dan, founded a Christian high school together in the Stockton area years ago.

They have chosen to home educate their children until high school age…

and then send them to this school.

We will eventually be hearing from her personally here on TommyMom.

However, at the moment, she is up to her eyeballs in an annual fundraiser.

Allow me to “show and tell” some of her family traditions that we have also adopted…

in order to practice observance…

reverence…

honor and respect.

For those that are Christians, this is Good Friday…

The “end” of Holy Week.

Here, on our dining room table, is a simple yet powerful reminder of what this week means for followers of Christ.

Each evening, one of the candles is lit, in order to commemorate a day leading up to the Crucifixion.

Tomorrow morning, we will light a candle in the cross as well.

Then, we will read the account of the Crucifixion from the Bible in Matthew 27…

starting at verse 11 and going through to the end of the chapter.

Once this is completed…

we will discuss and contemplate what we’ve just read.

Then, we will cover the candles in the shape of the Cross…

and the Cross itself with a black cloth.

I want my family to ponder the tenents of our faith…

and the sacrifice that was made for them.

Drawing the blinds and simulating darkness is also very powerful.

It’s hard to ask young children to be still and think for a long period of time.

Beth had many preschoolers at one time and came up with a great solution.

This movie…

Image of Ben Hur (1959) (Ws Dub Sub Ac3 Dol Gfor Spkg)

Is 3 hours and 30 minutes in length.

It is a poignant depiction of the Crucifixion as well as the culture at the time.

We will watch this together.

Another tradition that the Lambdins have is Maunday Thursday.

They choose to clean their house spotless…

telling their children all the while that “this is part of the celebration”…

and observe a Passover Seder.

Regardless of your faith base…

it is my hope that you will observe…

reflect…

take in the parallels to those that were there at the Crucifixion.

They had placed their faith on something that was seemingly dying…

and eventually dead.

There was huge emotion, angst, and doubt involved.

When it was all over…

I’m quite certain that a feeling of futility enveloped many.

Doubt brought questions like…

Was I wrong to believe?

Am I foolish?

Did I place faith and trust in something or someone that was, indeed, wrong?

We’ve all been there as humans.

We will undoubtedly be there again.

Life is difficult.

No, at times, it is downright hard.

Issues arise and emotions run high.

People betray others and hurt…

both intentionally and unintentionally.

However, standing on truth is what matters.

Even when others don’t…

or simply won’t.

And when you know you’re doing the right thing in this life…

you can always rest on the fact…

that Sunday’s comin’!
TeriSig

Filed Under: Holiday Happenings, Leadership Education

I Need Your Help!

April 4, 2012 By Teri 27 Comments

“My mom used to make everything. She had a great garden and composted and made everything from scratch – peanut butter, bread, jelly, everything. I don’t know how she did it because all those things take time and love and labor. I only do half the stuff she does – but there’s still time. ” ~ Julia Roberts

I understand that this is Holy Week.

And Friday’s post will reflect that.

I also know that there is a lot of prep work…

that goes into making holidays great.

The food…

the fellowship…

and the memories.

Did I mention the food?

From the time I can remember…

pepper jelly has been a part…

of at least one holiday in my family.

Before you…

who are not familiar with this pheomenon…

gag and click off…

hear me out.

Because you are missing out!

Good, well crafted pepper jelly…

will be present in heaven.

I thought I had tasted every good one…

until I met my friend, Dana Stenzel…

and wrapped my lips around hers.

And the angels sang.

It is a beautiful thing…

both visually and physically.

Dana uses four kinds of peppers…

in her original…

and five in her spicy.

Both are masterpieces.

Two Christmases ago…

I volunteered to help make it…

forgetting that I had…

a conflicting lunch appointment.

So yes…

perhaps midstream…

I did personally stiff her…

and didn’t return for 2 1/2 hours.

I am still sorry.

What I didn’t offer in labor…

I made up for in marketing…

starting a near firestorm of demand…

through Facebook and word-of-mouth.

People who had never even thought…

of the words pepper and jelly…

were lining up together…

to give it a try.

This created supply and demand…

that left me with less.

(Rule #1: It’s all about me.)

I can’t tell you how incredible…

this stuff is.

It’s addiction quality.

My boys have been reduced…

to primitive behavior…

when “the jar” appears.

They’ve actually reverted…

to preschool-like comments such as…

“You took more than your share.”

” I did not!“

“I saw you, and couldn’t eat mine…

fast enough to get a second helping…

before you were on your third!”

Seriously?!

Fast forward to Monday…

of this week…

when Dana invited…

Son #3 and myself…

over to taste test…

numerous jellies…

in a blind format.

We were evaluating…

on color, taste, smell, and heat.

May I be candid?

Some were nasty-bad!

Dana has decided…

to go into business!

As in formally…

“I-knew-you-when”…

business.

And with that new status…

she needs a name.

Actually…

she needs two…

because there will officially be…

an original…

as well as a spicy version…

of this pepper jelly.

In this blind study…

we sampled both.

I had to force Son #3…

to put the lid back on both jars…

at the end when we were aloud…

to consume “for real.”

I told her how brilliant…

resourceful…

and talented…

the readership here on TommyMom is.

So…

now would not be the time…

to sit idle and silent.

For the next week…

chime in with name suggestions…

comments as to how and when…

you would or do…

personally use this jelly…

and more potential names!

Whether your name is chosen or not…

the individual that gives the greatest inspiration…

towards them…

will receive a jar of both original and spicy…

as a thanks.

And once you taste it…

well, I’ll pray for you.

Along with considering…

a support group start up.

Because I love you…

there will be two more jars of original….

also up for grabs!

Talk it up!

Like the Stenzelberry Facebook page…

and follow the jelly’s progress.

If you come back and comment that you did….

BAM!…another automatic entry.

I love it when people find their passion!

And Dana is topped off with it right now!

It is so fun to hear her vision…

experience her happiness….

share in her excitement…

and eat jelly!

Lots and lots of jelly!

And you can be a part of “knowing her when!”

Help a mom out, will you?

Her jelly is filled with three essentials…

Time…Labor…and Love!

She’ll be following along and commenting.

The floor, my dear friends…

is yours!
TeriSig

Disclaimer: The jelly received by the winners is eaten at one’s own risk. TommyMom and Dana Stenzel are not liable for consumption on any level. This would also include addiction. Winners will be chosen next Wednesday through Random.org from the comments received. This is a family friendly blog and Dana’s a mom with a family friendly business and background in law enforcement. Words like “luscious” “liscious” paired with “spicy” and “hot” aren’t cutting it in this day and age for the image being perpetuated here; so act accordingly, please. Thanks in advance for your understanding. Over and out.