Organizations UNITED as One

by: Albert Melendez, Financial Specialist Alongside the still on-going Covid-19 pandemic, came the Texas Winter Storm that hit us in March, 2021. Many families were affected in all areas but many individuals and organizations UNITED as one to give back to the community to help those in need in many ways. Through the outreach made by Albert Melendez, a financial specialist from New York Life Insurance Company and Jerri Bankston, owner and publisher of the whole Kid and Kaboodle magazine, a giving back to the community event was initiated and held in March of 2021. The event was made possible by the collaboration of Albert and Jerri along with North East Ministers

Association (NEMA) and it’s member, Dayspring Church-Pastor Oliver Stillwell. Kid and Kaboodle would like to give special thanks to Albert Melendez, New York Life Insurance Company, New York Life Foundation alongside with the partnership with DaySpring ChurchPastor Stillwell and Porter First Baptist Church-Pastor Rob Ray both, joined together with the Montgomery Food Bank and HAAM (Humble Area Assistance Ministries), in an event to give back to the community held on Wednesday, March 31, 2021. A true non affiliation of each organization but yet a UNITED force that made it possible to outreach about 1500 individuals.

A quick message from Albert Melendez to all:

Braiding your daughter’s hair. Taking care of a sick parent. The promise to your baby that there’s nothing in this world you wouldn’t do for them. For 175 years, New York Life Insurance Company has lived by this belief — love is more than a feeling — it’s an action. Putting your love into action starts with a simple phone call to your local New York Life Agent, Albert Meléndez. He can be reached at 713-419-1734 or at www.NewYorkLife.com/agent/amelendez. He will make sure your needs always come first, just like you do for them.

Siblings By Karen Branch

Three minutes after giving birth to my first child, my wise old OBGYN says, “Karen, you should have your next child either less than two years or more than four years apart.” Though quite fatigued and rather exposed and vulnerable, I took him at his word and find myself at 43 with two daughters nearly four years apart, and a decade later, a son and another daughter 12 months and 12 days apart. In fairness, the son came free with the second marriage, and here are my secrets for getting everyone to get along. 1) Say it for them. Picture this. We are on a road trip. You forgot your wallet. You say to me, “Karen, I’m hungry…”. I could say, “I TOLD you to eat breakfast and pack a snack. You should be better prepared. It’s another 2 hours before the planned stop.” Or I could say, “I am hungry too.” Which answer makes you feel heard? Which makes you feel cared for? With a four-year-old and a newborn, when my husband would come home from work, I would, in fake desperation say, “Would you please watch the baby so Laura and I can go for a walk? I haven’t had five minutes alone with her today!” I said what she felt and even if it was only 15 minutes of “mom-time” she was grateful for it. 2)The baby belongs to the sibling. For my older two, when I would take the baby into my daughter’s preschool to visit, I would tell the other kids, “This is Laura’s baby. Only Laura can touch the baby.” Laura would beam in pride and possession over the adorable bundle that was hers. In the evenings, I would actively “complain” when Laura was within ear shot, “The baby likes Laura best.” What is said about us can have a far greater impact than what is said to us. Use this to your advantage. For my two Littles now (2.5 and 1.5 years old), I tell my boy that’s HIS sister. He defends her against the tickling fingers of an older sibling coming to get his baby. He asks for her first thing every morning and shadows every move she makes. 3) Keep things fair. Fair means fair regardless of age, silly as this sounds. From before the baby could even voluntarily or purposely move her arms, if she bonked her brother on the nose, I’d tell her, “That’s not nice. You are going to time out.” And I’d sit with her in the time-out chair. While that scene may seem ridiculous to you, it sent a message. “The rules apply to her as well as to you, big brother.” This is my first experience raising a boy, but I would like to say keeping things fair has made my days with both “Littles”, as I like to call them, much more peaceful.

One final thought for when you are considering how much effort you want to put into your children getting along. One day all they will have is each other. If they grow up with fairness and friendship, they will have family to rely on in this world. Take that thought and my three tips and all my best as we navigate 2021 and beyond. Sincerely, The Obsessive Mother’s Guide to Parenting By Karen Branch

Karen is a mother of four, a math teacher, a mediator, and the writer of The Obsessive Mother’s Guide to Parenting. This self-deprecating, tongue-in-cheek title admits with humor that we are all just trying our best to get the living embodiment of “our heart outside our bodies”, i.e. our children, to grow up strong, smart, and independent.

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Too much to do & not quite enough time on your hands?

LAKE HOUSTON AREA LIBRARIES

Atascocita Branch Library

19520 Pinehurst Trail Dr, Atascocita, TX 77346 Hours: Mon. 11a-8p / Tue. 1p-9p / Wed. 10a-6p Thu. 10a-8p / Fri. 1p-6p / Sat. 10a-5p Phone: (281) 812-2162

Octavia Fields Branch Library

1503 S Houston Ave, Humble, TX 77338 Hours: Mond 1p-7p / Tues 10a - 9p / Wed 10a - 7p Thurs 10a - 9p / Fri 1p - 6p / Sat 10a - 5p Phone: (832) 927-5500

Kingwood Branch Library

4400 Bens View Ln, Kingwood, TX 77339 Hours: Monday, 1pm-9pm / Tues.10am-6pm / Wed. 10am-9pm Thurs. 10am-9pm / Fri, 10am-6pm / Sat. 10am-5pm Phone: (832) 927-7830 http://www.hcpl.net/location/kingwood-branch-library

In accordance with Harris County's efforts to stop the spread of the Coronavirus, all Harris County Public Library branches will remain closed to the public at this time. Contactless Curbside Holds Pick-up is available at all HCPL locations

The Bible is more than a collection of great children’s stories. When read as one complete story, the Bible is the greatest children’s story ever told. Presented as one complete adventure, The Little Kids’ Bible weaves together 12 stories from the Old and New Testaments to teach children the big picture of God’s great plan to save the world. Witness your child discovering how God continually rescues His people from their enemies and how He delivers and heals us from our ultimate enemy—sin sickness.

Follow along as The Little Kids’ Bible takes you and your child through God’s amazing rescue mission, from Creation to the Second Coming of Jesus.

www.LittleKidsBible.com

About the authors

Marie Shearer is a master’s degree candidate in Developmental Psychology at Liberty University. She grew up as one of eight children in a homeschooling family and now homeschools her three young boys. Marie grew a successful children’s entertainment company and has spent many years in children’s ministry. Darren Shearer is the founder and CEO of High Bridge Books & Media, a multimedia publisher specializing in publishing and promoting the world-changing ideas of inspiring thought leaders. A seminary graduate, he is also the director of the Theology of Business Institute, which is dedicated to equipping marketplace Christians to explore and apply God’s will for business. He has authored three books, including Marketing Like Jesus: 25 Strategies to Change the World and The Marketplace Christian: A Practical Guide to Using Your Spiritual Gifts in Business.

Deborah Elum, Author & Speaker, and Producer

I noticed a beautiful black seashell while I was walking along the beach in Galveston, Texas. When I reached down and was about to pick it up, a big wave rushed in and washed it back into the ocean. I knew that I would never see it again. It brings a question to my mind. Have you ever had something within your reach that slipped from your grasp? It may have been a job, ministry, home, or even an opportunity to get married. We all share this in common. We have had disappointing moments. As hard or unfair as it might have been, it is just one seashell in the ocean of life. One thing for sure, we must not let it cause us to continually focus on what was washed away. The next week when I went to the beach, I found a different black seashell that seemed to be just waiting for me to get it. That is how God helps us get over disappointments. He always has another opportunity waiting for us if we keep walking and seeking after Him and His plan for our lives. “For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” - Matthew 7:8

You have a reason why you exist. Now, it is time to discover the REAL YOU! Unlock your destiny and purpose so you can achieve what you were created to do. Overcome procrastination while learning to stay motivated and focused. This book will empower you to let your destiny, desires, and dreams shine forth. Learn the five doors that stop you for achieving your purpose and destiny.

Have you struggled with letting the wrong people, ideas, or thoughts into your life? Having trouble setting goals and sticking to them? Don’t let the door of procrastination cause your destiny to be locked away, not achieved, and eventually forgotten. This book will help you stay motivated, focused, and pursue your purpose. It is time to discover The Doors to the Real You! by Deborah Elum, 5 ½ x 8 ½, 58 page trade book,

Available on Amazon.com, $8.99.

If This is Life, I’m Not Getting Out of Bed shares tips on how to live beyond past fears of what others say about you. This book helps you to free yourself from the captivity of rejection. It’s time to get up and stop allowing negative words and wrong opinions to determine your future. It’s time for you to take back control of your LIFE! Available on Amazon.com, ,

ISBN: 978-1-7339510-2-9, 5.5 x 8.5 inches, 90 pages, $10.95.

Miss McDoogle always has the giggles! Join her and her adorable cat, Jingles, for loads of fun. Miss McDoogle Has the Giggles is a picture book that is packed with humor. Available on Amazon.com, Paperback, ISBN: 978-1-7339510-1-2, 8.5 x 8.5 inches, 46 pages, $10.95.

Tommy Brown is misbehaving again! Is it his curiosity or is he just a bad kitty? Great surprises are in store as you curl up with Tom and find yourself in his hilarious misadventures. It will have your fur standing on end! Tommy Brown Misbehaving is a fun and hilarious chapter book that teaches about the importance of following rules. Recommended for ages 6 and up. Available on Amazon.com, Paperback, $8.99.