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I CAN'T Believe That Just Happened!In the Stained Glass Tree, Jilly finds herself in plenty of embarrassing situations, but perhaps the worst is when she goes to her first dance and Brianna "accidentally" spills punch on Jilly's new dress - then she slips and falls in the punch! This just absolutely crushes her spirits and ruins her memory of the dance! She leaves the dance, hides out on the football field, and she nearly lets the moment come between her friendship with Anton and Trina. Ji …

America truly is a melting pot of many cultures, and our society’s diversity is what makes us unique, strong and vibrant. No matter what race people are or what religion or cultural beliefs they profess, in the end, we are all Americans.However, when misunderstandings or suspicion cause people to fear others who they consider to be “different,” it leads to the kind of tension and friction we see too often today across our country.As parents, it is our obligation and responsibility to instill in …

Just like actions have equal and opposite reactions, social interactions have equal and appropriate reactions. When someone offers a greeting, such as “hello,” the expected response is a similar greeting, not to walk by without responding. Likewise, during a conversation, it is appropriate to pause and offer the other participant a chance to talk and not just continue talking forever.Many children seem to learn these unwritten rules by observation and through play. But not everyone can. Fo …

Books are a gift. Opening a new book and allowing yourself to be absorbed into its pages can take you to worlds you never imagined. Different places and times. Magical, far-off destinations. Treasure hunts. Ship wrecks. Tales of friendship and love. New customs, cultures, and civilizations. A view into language, dress, and social mores of the past. Books have always been a part of my life. As a young girl, I loved mysteries. I remember asking for and receiving so many of the old …

Have you ever started off the day with positive intentions only to find your mood spiraling downwards as life seemingly throws all sorts of obstacles your way?Last week, I was rushing to drop off my oldest child to an event. The event was about 45 minutes away not counting the awful traffic that is the norm in our area. When traffic finally broke, I managed to pick up speed only to be pulled over by a state trooper. It seemed we were destined to be late no matter what I did. The day had ba …