The chicken or the egg?

A classic question that is applied to a variety of situations – which came first? Sometimes the question can be answered with science, sometimes not. Some research that came out this week was able to shed some light on one of these questions – do those with anxiety self-medicate because they are substance abusers, or do those with anxiety become substance abusers because they self-medicate? At first this might seem a weird question to ask – does it really matter which came first when you are talking about people with anxiety that have substance abuse problems? The simple answer is … Continue reading

Wyclef Jean’s Yele Haiti Charity Under Attack

Many people don’t mind making charitable contributions, but they may wonder exactly how much of their contribution is going to the actual charity. Currently, there are numerous Haiti relief organizations. In addition to traditional charities such as the Red Cross, others that are specifically for Haiti relief have gotten media attention. One such charity is musician Wyclef Jean’s Yele Haiti foundation. Jean, a Haitian native, established Yele Haiti in 2005. Let’s face it – even before this devastating earthquake, Haiti needed a lot of help. Yele Haiti has provided scholarships for the children of Haiti, food to residents after hurricanes, … Continue reading

An Intro and An Update

I am so excited to finally be back and writing for Families.com. It has been almost a year since I took a leave of absence in order to work to get my children’s adoptions completed and get them home. I was so grateful to the Families.com management team for understanding and for their offer that I could come back when I was ready. Well, I’m finally ready and boy do I have an adoption story for you! I will start sharing that tomorrow so make sure you check back. In the meantime, let me introduce myself again partly because I … Continue reading

Thank Goodness For My Computer

I am thankful for my computer for many reasons: it allows to me to work at home, it helps me stay connected to family and friends, and in 2006 it helped preserve a piece of my sanity. For a few months this year we didn’t have cable, which meant my 2-year-old daughter was without her beloved “Wonder Pets,” “Wow! Wow! Wubbzy,” and her best friends, “The Backyardigans.” At first she was a bit shell shocked that her daily routine was being altered (she gets to watch 30 minutes of TV in the morning and 30 minutes at night). But, I … Continue reading

General Conference Anytime, Anywhere

I love modern technology. Although it can come with pitfalls and problems, it can also bring blessings and make our lives easier. As a mother with three small children, General Conference feels like an extended version of sacrament meeting – I hear little and understand less, all while reminding myself that I’m setting a good example. I am grateful for the technology that allows me to read and listen to Conference long after the closing prayer has been said. Most people know that you can purchase Conference tapes and CDs from LDS bookstores, websites and distribution centers about a month … Continue reading