Tragedy Tweeting: Social Media Plays a Big Part in Personal Lives
A 2-year-old boy is found on the bottom of a pool. Minutes later, he's dead.Would you tweet about this?
Would you send out prayers publicly?
Would YOU, as a Mom, cry at the news and hug your children tightly that night?
That was me, when hearing news of Shellie Ross, @Military_Mom on Twitter, and her recent tragedy. I don't even KNOW Shellie, but I follow her on Twitter. I've been to her blog. I've heard her name spoken.
I also know that she is a Blogger and Mother, two select titles I, myself, own. She has been criticized by many for it being "her fault for not keeping an eye on her son while he was next to the pool. she was to busy with twitter i guess".
My heart drops to hear such things being Tweeted, being said, being publicly talked about. A precious little boy has been taken away all too soon and the ONLY thing going through my mind is praying out loud, on my knees, for this sweet family.
"Lord, hold this family tight, rock them gently, and catch every tear."
A community of Moms, where Shellie serves as ADMIN, quickly took action setting up a post with contribution information. Maybe that's why red flags went up, Twitter users thinking it could be a hoax. How can this be set up only half an hour after the fact? Because bloggers are supportive and awesome, that's why!
I don't serve in a Mom Community forum, nor do I participate in lots of forums such as these (anymore), but I AM part of a bigger "species" The Blogging Community. You learn those around you who blog for love, blog for brands, blog for freebies, blog for parenting, blog for green living, blog for fashion, blog for sanity and anything they have a passion for and you can never fathom the support such bloggers have for one another.
Social Media is a big part in MY personal life. I've met big brands, awesome writers, and wonderful friends. Some of these friends are closer to me than any friend here in town. I've cried with them, laughed with them, and hugged them good-bye (in tears I might add) after conferences. They ARE my personal blogging sisterhood.
We support each other.
Another example of support is when the news of Annisa Mayhew broke. My heart ached as I prayed for this person I didn't even KNOW. I've never tweeted with her, never commented on her blog, however, she is a blogger. She serves in this amazing community of writers that I'm grateful to be a part of. So, it doesn't matter if I know her. I knew OF her and I'd send out as many tweets and prayers as I wanted!
What do regular Twitter users say when someone asks, "What is Twitter?"
Me personally? I say something like "it's a Social Media platform to exchange information quickly." Of course I usually need to elaborate, but if we use Twitter to spread news and articles quickly to others, why would it be different when serious news breaks in your OWN personal life? Why should that be any different?
When I learned of Annisa, I asked my husband how he would let my blogging and social media network know if something happened to me. What if I couldn't because I was in a hospital bed? It's important for me to let the people who support me, on a day to day basis, KNOW if a tragedy has hit.
My husband chuckled his "Non-Social-Media-Brain" and says, "Umm... I'd go through your contacts on your Blackberry and call Toni. She'd know what to do and how to get the news out."
Social media is here for both business and personal lives through happiness and tragedy.
Shellie, I'm sorry you've had to endure such a thing and I'm even MORE sorry that people in the blogging and Twitter community felt the need to tear down the situation. I don't know you personally, but as a supportive blogger, I'm praying for healing and peace for you through the Holiday Season and beyond.
Simplify the Holidays: Holiday Cookies in a Snap
I love baking. In fact, I could spend all day creating all kinds of goodies in my kitchen, but with three little ones... it's almost impossible. I have an hour TOPS before my kids decide they want to help or, better yet, decide to create complete and utter chaos in the living room.So, what do I do?
How do you create fun, family memories during the Holidays? I'll say it, with no shame at all, I bake these easy, and "Oh So Time Saving" cookies:
Simply place them on a cookie sheet, bake, and you're ready to go. For a Momma with three young children, it's a time and sanity saver. And believe me, I WANT to keep it during the busy Holiday months!
Holiday Craft Tip:
Kids want to help or you just HAPPEN to find yourself with a few extra minutes?
•Create a cookie-on-a-stick by frosting the back of one cookie; place a craft stick (flat wooden sticks with round ends) on the frosted side and place another cookie, back side down on the frosting.
•Make an ice cream sandwich with a spoonful of softened ice cream between cookies.
•Pack up a treat bag of Shapes Cookies in a cellophane bag and tie with a pretty ribbon.
Go ahead simplify the Holidays!
Do you have any easy cookie recipes or product you like to use when you're strapped for time (or sanity)?
Am I the only one who takes this super easy shortcut?
Wordless Wednesday The Evil Eye
Link it up my Wordless Wednesday Peeps:
Music Monday: I'm Alive
As I go over the, infamous "Christmas Budget" my anxiety creeps into my throat. With our recent move from TN, securing a new house to live, enrolling kids in a new school, saving for a new car, the day to day life of a young family of five is exhausting and really stressful.My husband mumbled something yesterday, "We should run away together. Never come back, start a new family." Wait. Why would we start a NEW family, we're running AWAY from the kids!
It's all in good fun, we really don't mean it, but there have been many a day with tears just trying to balance it all.
I cried because the dishwasher broke.
I cried because we finally got a sitter, but no money to go out.
I cried because I passed out at 7:30pm with the kids and never woke up to finish work, I desperately needed to do.
I cried because my sweet friend in Charlotte says she'll never get to see me again.
I cried because my bank account laughed at me when I said I wanted to go Christmas shopping.
I cried because my feet are in desperate need of a pedicure.
I cried because the sun won't come out after a week of clouds and rain here in Texas.
I cried because my toddler seeped through his pull-up on my bed AGAIN.
I cried because I remembered that, although I'm going through what EVERY Mother in history has gone through and struggling, I'm a alive and well.
I have a hard-working husband who loves me, respects me, and protects me every day. There are three precious children that hug and kiss me every day. There is food in my pantry, a roof over my head, utility bills are paid, and my extended family just 10 minutes away. Life is good.
I remember someone telling me The Holidays can be a time of great Happiness, but for a lot of people, it's a time of great sadness and loneliness. It shouldn't be that way. Christmas is a time of Hope and Miracles as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. The One who knows exactly what we need in our lives.
Matthew 6:31-32 Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
No need for stress.
No need for worry.
I'm alive and well.
It's good enough for me.
Everybody’s got their share of battle scars
As for me I’d like to thank my lucky stars that
I’m alive, and well
It’d be easy to add up all the pain
And all the dreams you sat and watched go up in flames
Dwell on the wreckage as it smolders in the rain
But not me, I’m alive
And today you know that’s good enough for me
Breathin' in and out's a blessin' can’t you see
Today's the first day of the rest of my life
And I’m alive, and well
I’m alive, and well
Stars are dancin’ on the water here tonight
It’s good for the soul, when there’s not a soul in sight
But this boat has caught its wind and brought me back to life
Now I’m alive, and well
And today you know that’s good enough for me
Breathin' in and out's a blessing can’t you see
Today is the first day of the rest of my life
Now I’m alive, and well
Yeah I’m alive, and well
Simplify the Holidays Recipe: Sweet and Spicy Picante Chicken
As we browsed the aisle at our favorite grocery store, HEB Grocery, my husband and I were kind of just walking aimlessly. With the Holidays in full swing my Momma Brain seems to be shut-off unless it has to do with Presents, School Events, Christmas Decorating, or Blogging (not necessarily in that order). I couldn't figure out what to buy, much less what to cook! Been there?Holidays can be stressful and downright busy, so I'm on a mission to find easy and budget friendly recipes and Simplify the Holidays. Will you join me?
-Do you have any low-cost recipes you'd like to share?
-What's the ONE thing you cook when YOUR Momma Brain has turned off (your throwback recipe)?
Prep: 5 min.
Bake: 20 min.
Makes: 4 servings
Ingredients:
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 1/2 cups Pace® Picante sauce
3 tbsp. packed light brown sugar
1 tbsp. Dijon-style mustard
3 cups hot cooked regular long-grain white rice
Directions:
1. Place chicken into 2-qt. shallow baking dish. Stir picante sauce, brown sugar and mustard in small bowl. Pour picante sauce mixture over chicken.
2. Bake at 400°F. 20 min. or until chicken is cooked through. Serve with rice.
Wordless Wednesday Caught Red-Handed
Link up YOUR Wordless Wednesday!
Christmas Quilted Wonderland
It's a warm & fuzzy feel here in Texas as we prepare for Christmas. This year, money is tight, weather is cold and our focus is on the birth of our Savior and family togetherness. This is the first time, in about 5 years, since we've been able to spend Christmas with our immediate family so we're relishing all that the Season brings.Especially times like this.
Last week, we celebrated with Ganee and Papa, helping them put up their Christmas tree. After stuffing our bellies with food galore, I relished her amazing Quilted Christmas scene. Take a look:
Decorating the tree is one of our favorite Christmas activities. When we lived miles and miles away, we invited over any friends we had time to muster while in that town, make yummy appetizers, turn on the Christmas music, and decorate away. We plan to do the same next year, only with our family.
