My sweet William Jacob

Now that my baby boy is 3 months old, looks like I'll be getting a tattoo very soon of his handsome face on my right shoulder blade with angel wings.

Reason for the baby tattoos, my children are my angels. When I got pregnant with Ember I realized how much I was needed and how strong I needed to be than to give up and commit suicide, or be crying 24/7 with personal doubts of self esteem.

Looking at this collage, how could you not smile?

I'm hoping I can hold and tickle Ember down into making her a collage similar to this one. I may have to wait until Easter and have cousin Jenna help me. It's funny how Ember will listen to her cousin "Jen-Jen" better than me some days.

Opening soon.. JoAnn's Fabric

So excited for JoAnn's Fabric opening up in Campbellsville, KY! 

This will be me on opening day!

                                                                                      

Disc Replacement Program work?

Woke up to Ember trying to put a DVD into the DVD player. She was upset because she wanted to watch Toy Story but it wasn't in the case it was already in the DVD player. I was barely awake and I found a broken Tangled Disk next to the DVD's that she was trying to hide. *sigh* Luckily Disney has the Disk Replacement Program to save the trip to the store or spending more than $10 on a new movie.

How does Disc Replacement Program work?

If you accidentally damage or break one of your DVD or Blu-ray discs, you can get a replacement for a nominal charge of $6.95 for per DVD and $8.95 for per Blu-ray disc.
Go to Disney Replacement form. 

After filling out the form send the broken DVD and money to:
WDSD Consumer Relations
Attn: Disk Replacement Program
P.O. Box 3100
Neenah, WI 54957                                                

                                                  

Youth Center - Part 3

When I was growing up I used to go to the L.C. Simmons Youth Center in Mountain Home, Arkansas. http://www.mountainhomeparksandrec.com/page3.html

Most of my summers were spent there. I would like to take some of their ideas and put them into the Youth and Community Center in Adair County, Kentucky.

My husband and I sat down and wrote down what we would really like to open up if we had a massive budget and could make our dreams possible.


1. Paper Membership Cards with ID
Everyone will have a packet guardian/self to fill out with important information. Example: Emergency Contacts, personal cell phone number, allergies, family doctor, and etc.

2. A large kitchen and court to serve afternoon snacks and dinner during school days and during the summer: Breakfast, mid morning snack, Lunch, afternoon snack, Dinner. The members will have to apply for free meals. Everyone else will be able to buy for a low amount.

3. Basic Cooking Course during the snack times.

4. Ag Shop made from Pole Barn to teach people that want to be taught something to do with their hands and have skills for future, even if it has nothing to do with college.

5. A community Garden at least that is at least 1 acre with a greenhouse.

6. Two playgrounds. One in the back for older kids and one in the front of the building for babies and toddlers.

7. A lobby in the front of the building with windows for parents to wait to pick up their children. We want to enforce this for safety reasons. Everyone MUST be checked in and checked out with a supervised adult if under the age of 18. The person working at the counter will make sure they look in the packet for "approved" pick up personal and will look at drivers license.

8. Two Main Bathrooms downstairs and two upstairs. One in Lobby and one in the "break-room" so 6 in total!

9. Break Room for Volunteers, small room to hold about 10 to 15 people. We will have a mini kitchen with sink, microwave, and full refrigerator. Nothing fancy. There will be a TV for Local Announcements and Weather.

10. Front Desk will be in front of Office. Detail will be written on separate Post.

11. Five Tutoring Rooms - which will be one huge space with wall dividers. These will have basic tables and Chairs with plug ins for laptops. These spaces are used for group study, GED help, and etc.

12. Large Rec Room/Library for older children and adults. This space should be quiet. This space will be dedicated in respect of the personal's great grandma's house.

13. Two large Meeting rooms - free for use. There will be a dry erase board (with locked cover) to add who is using the room and during what times.

14. Art/Craft Room. Enough Said. (Only kidding) We want to provide a space for local artists to have another "studio" outside of College or outside of Home. Sometimes my best ideas came from being in a strange place among even stranger people.

15. Two large courts with simple activities to start with and build onto more advanced activities.

16. Concussion stand open during tournaments or weekends.

17. Stage attached to Court for drama and Talent Show. RESPECT THE ARTS!

18. Not set in stone but we would like to add in a pool (not huge) but one that people should respect like a grand hotel. We want people to have fun and respect the building and each other like one huge family (without the Thanksgiving fights)

19. Bouncy house or Two for Fundraisers and Birthday Parties. At the Beginning of Each Month we will have a celebration for all the Birthday Members. I remember growing up I Had a friend that told me she loved it when our Elementary Teacher had a monthly Birthday party because that was the closest thing she would ever get to being part of a celebration. With the economy not doing that well. I want to make sure that everyone gets to have fun and smile even if it is only for a short while.

20. Fire protections and Video Surveillance.


The vision for Future:
1. Adding a small workout gym for adults over 18.

2. Electronic Membership Cards. Another way to enforce security measures.

3. More variety to Sport Equipment.

4. HUGE copy/fax Machine

5. Larger playground equipment

6. More library books and computers

7. 15 passenger van (like a church van/bus) to take people home.

8. More equipment for fundraising.

9. Advanced Ag equipment to do a "children's workshop" with supervised adults.

10. Advance Art equipment (maybe Pottery?)


To my extensive craziness. I have looked up shops I would like to buy from as well as businesses I would love to take part of.

Youth Center - Part 2

Adair County - According to Google Public Data
Population = 18,686
Area = 412 Square Miles
According to Education.com
High School = 776 Students
7th and 8th grade = 377 Students
K - 12 = 2,604

Note: That is not including the number of students that are home schooled or attending the Kentucky Christian Academy in Taylor County.


Chamber Meetings are Every 3rd Tuesday of each Month 11:45 a.m. in the morning at Lindsay Wilson College

City Council Meetings are the First Monday of each month at 6 p.m.

Fiscal Court Meetings are the Second Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Annex



Group Meetings
Ten Days to Two Weeks before the Meetings - Send announcements of the Meeting to all board members.
>Include Minutes from last meeting and agenda for upcoming meeting.
>Any committee reports
>Financial Statements
>Background research that the board will be talking about.

Limit the length of meetings to two hours or less, if possible.
>Offer refreshments are always a plus.

Try to find a conference room for the meeting.
>It sets the stage and implies that work is to be done.
*Avoid restaurants - to noisy and constant distraction.

Stick to the Agenda!
>Try not to go off course!

Follow Robert Rules of Order
>Stay casual, but have basic knowledge of when to make a motion and when to call the question is helpful.

Thank your Board!
>Take opportunities to mention their names when appropriate in newsletters and media releases.
>Small gifts are appreciated - but don't be accused of wasting the organizations money.

What is 501(c)(3)?
A 501(c)3 is type of incorporation that is used to set up a charitable corporation. A charitable company is a type of company that is set up with the intention of providing a service to the community, rather than making a profit. Incorporating a company makes it a legal entity, responsible for its actions in the community. This is important, as it removes a great deal of the responsibility from the person who is starting the company. If you start a 501(c)3 company, you want the legal liability for possible damages to be the responsibility of the 501(c)3 corporation so that your personal possessions are safe from creditors.

Rules for forming a 501(c)3 corporation vary across every state, so legal and financial advice should be sought before using a 501(c)3 incorporation. Costs for forming a 501(c)3 corporation vary with the size of the corporation, increasing with the size of the organization. The 501(c)3 designation is a reference to the section in the Internal Revenue Code that deals with charitable corporations. This is a very dry document, which may explain why such an unwieldy and unimaginative name is used for this type of organization.

Requirements for 501(c)(3)
Formation: Incorporation, bylaws, budgets, minutes for initial directors' meeting, and other start-up documentation (routinely within 2-3 weeks of retainer)
Tax Exemption: Establishing Tax Exempt Status at the federal and state level (IRS response within 60-120 days of filing)
Maintenance: Guidance and instructions in maintaining corporate formalities and keeping your nonprofit status over the long term
Support: Continuing Representation and consultation including employment, real estate, leasing, and contract issues (Ask us about our on-call attorney retainer program as a way to address your legal concerns in a cost effective and timely manner)
Compliance Review: Entailing review of bylaws, state and federal filings and representation when organizations are out of compliance
Filings: IRS, Tax and state filings (990, 8734, etc.)
http://www.nonprofitlegalcenter.com/homepage?gclid=CJK-vJa1mbYCFc9AMgodvBcAvA

What is Form 3624?
http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/misc/nonprofitApplication.htm
Authorized mail for Non Profit Business

Bylaws
How the organization operates - the "rules"
Although Bylaws are NOT required to file for the 501(c)(3) for IRS status, they help you in governing your organization. Bylaws should be drifted with help of an attorney and approved by the board EARLY in the organization.
Common Format:
>Name of Organization
>Mission of the Organization
>Membership (responsibilities, Dues, Quorum, Voting Procedures)
>Board of Directors (Duties, Officers, Meetings)
>Committees
>Procedures for amending the bylaws
>Date bylaws were adopted by the board.

Philanthropic (Charitable Organization
Non-Profit organization that is primarily organized and operated to benefit the public.
Example:
>Relief of the poor, distressed, or underprivileged.
>Advancement of religion, education, or science.
>Erection or maintenance of public buildings, monuments, or works.
>Lessening of burdens of government
>Promotion of social welfare for any of the above purposes or to lessen neighborhoods tensions, eliminate prejudice and discrimination, defend human and civil right, secured by law, combat community deterioration or juvenile delinquency.

Plan
Idea
>Assessment
>Mission
>Vision
Organization
>Start-up
>Program Planning
>Partnering and Collaboration
>Facilities
>Board Management
Funding
>Proposal Writing and Fundraising
>Sources of Funding
Best Practices
>Model programs and best practices
>Staffing, recruiting, and retention
Evaluation
>Evaluation and outcomes measurements

To write a Mission Statement one should ask 3 questions:
1. What are the opportunities or needs that we exist to address?
>The purpose of the organization.
2. What are we doing to address these needs?
>The business of the organization.
3. What principles or beliefs guide our work?
>The values of the organization.

How to Write a Proposal for a Grant
Cover Letter and Summery - Provide brief overview of the entire project and it's costs linking the project to the interests of funding projects.
Introduction or Background
>Present the applicants strengths and qualifications.
Problem Statement or needs Assessment
>Describe the situation that the proposed project will try to improve or eradicate.
Goals, Objectives, and Outcomes
>Outline a vision for success in both broad and pragmatic terms
Methods
>Describe the project activities who will manage them and why the proposed approach is the best.
Evaluation
>Explain how the organized will measure whether it met its goals, objectives, and outcomes.
Budget
>Present the projects costs and sources of income
Sustainability
>Discuss how the balance of funds needed will be raised if grant is awarded but doesn't cover the entire cost and if its program expected to continue, how projects costs will be covered in the future.

What are Community Facility Grants?
Funds maybe used to assist in the development of essential community facilities. Grant funds can be used to construct, enlarge, or improve community facilities for health care, public safety. This can include the purchase of equipment required for facilities operation. A grant may be made in contribution with other financial assistance.

Fundraising Ideas
1. Car Wash
2. Chili Supper - Have at least 5 willing people well through the town or area set up dinner that way they each make chili, provide rolls, plates, and etc. Where do you get the money? People vote for their favorite chef by the money they put into a jar. The winner gets a small gift certificate (that can be donated) for local restaurant.
3. Community Yard Sale
4. Easter Time - Local jewelers unset gem stone and about 200 fake cz's. Put into plastic eggs and hide. Charge $10 to participate in the Hunt! Advertise! To add to the excitement - gemologist test for the two real diamonds. Also sell refreshments.
5. Lollipop - 50 cent each or 3 for $2 with Ribbon.
6. Online Fundraiser - Keep 40% of what is sold.
7. Members donate food and IGA donate a Turkey - wrap in Basket sell raffle tickets $1 after church or during half time school event. Perfect for Holiday Seasons.
8. Guess ? Jar - Pay to guess. Winner takes home the Jar.
9. Each year the Child Abuse Prevention Center has a raffle that is called "Playhouse for Prevention. Four area builders build and donate children's playhouses sell for $2 a piece or 3 for $5. Let the playhouses set up for 2 weeks. The person who did this raffle raised as much as $20,000!
10. Raffle of GIANT Christmas Stocking for Christmas.
11. Strawberry Social - Sell Tickets for social gathering, bake treats using "themed" fruit.
12. Talent Show!
13. Tournaments.

Youth Center - Part 1

This past fall of 2012, our community had a revival. The few weeks of revival my husband and I felt like we were being called to follow our hearts with Christ and build/open up a Youth and Community Center in Adair County. I began to look into even though I was close to 8 months pregnant with my son. It helped me rest with my feet propped up.

Two main Pros and Cons are:

Pros:
Safe environment for children, teenagers, and young adults.
Activities for all ages.

Cons:
There is a community center already in town.
The local College: Lindsay Wilson College offers some of the same ideas we would like to add in.

During the time I spent looking up information on how to start a Youth/Community Center I picked up a book about nonprofit businesses. I even filled up a notebook with everything I could think of. Why? Where? When? How? Money: Grants, fundraisers, supporters? Volunteers? Requirements? The repeated: How could we afford to live on our own and run such a responsibility?

What kind of non-profit would the Youth and Community Center be?
Philanthropic (Charitable) Organization!
Mainly because we are organized and operated for relief of the poor, distressed, or underprivileged. We would like to lessen the burdens of government

First things needed is:
1. Board of Directors!
2. Write out a Plan
3. Talk to the Mayor and Fiscal Court of Adair County.
4. Attend and present idea to Chamber Officers, City Council, and Fiscal Court Meetings.
5. Apply for EIN and file for Articles of Incorporation - Non-Profit.
6. Write out Bylaws.
7. Develop a Budget for Start-up and Monthly expenses.
8. Develop Record-Keeping of group meetings.
9. Accounting System?
10. Talk to a lawyer before filing for tax exempt 501(c)(3)
11. File for State and Local tax exempt 501(c)(3)

After the board gets that list complete, here is the second:
1. Look at Land/Commercial property options.
2. Find a Fiscal Sponsor.
3. Budget the total cost of how much it would cost to build/remodel to meet the buildings requirements.
4. Find who would do the building/remodeling renovations and how much they would charge.
5. Apply for Form 3624 after getting Tax Exempt.
6. Find out how to get the Community Mailing List to send announcements of the Youth and Community Center.
7. Write a Proposal for Grant.
8. Contact USDA about applying f0r "Community Facility Grants"
9. Ask USDA about food programs for the Youth and Community Center.
10. Print Business cards, Letterheads and more.. (Would love to use South Central Printing)

Grants that looked up:
Bluegrass Community Foundation http://www.bgcf.org
Calipari Family Foundation for Children
Keeneland Foundation http://www.key.com
McDonnell Family Foundation http://mcdonnellfamilyfoundation.org
Mebane Charitable Foundation
National City Community Foundation
Toyota USA Foundation

My husband and I have become Extremely addicted to Dr. Who. I love it because for the most part it is kid friendly. I laughed and reposted a Dr Who reference to my facebook wall saying this is totally Ember and Jake. After posting, I was folding laundry and Ember was in the kitchen painting at the kitchen table. I had the chair scooted up to keep an eye on her and bounce Jake at the same time. I turned my head to fold towels as quickly as I could. When I realized HOW quiet Ember was, I turned my head (very slowly) to see that she had painted herself up to be a Warrior Princess. Than again - it shouldn't surprise me. She did pick out a battle ax for her second birthday last month!

 There is never a dull moment.

I drooled over this green dress from Maurices I finally broke down and bought it. I'm so glad I did. It feel so beautiful in it. When I got the courage to share this picture on Facebook my spirits were lifted to see how many of my friends responded. Future reference: No matter what, love yourself.

I meant to post this poster yesterday. My husband and I looked up the Saint Patrick's Prayer to put on a card for his second Mother. I made this 11x14 to add to our living room wall next year for the month of March. This spring is going to be rough with the changing weather. It's just going to add more stories for our family.

Bumblebee Inspirational

dear mom who feels like she wants to quit.

Yesterday I didn't really do anything - I was having a rough day. I wanted to throw in the towel. Today I'm finally picking myself up and doing laundry and some of the dishes that have been sitting there awhile, along with bleaching the bathroom. I feel like I could find maggets in a spot or two because I have not been focusing my attention on what needed to be done. Today while taking a break from Laundry I started going through my pins on Pinterest and found a link to Finding Joy blog.
dear mom who feels like she wants to quit.
I needed to read that today. Or should have read it yesterday. I blame the weather. It rained yesterday from midnight til 3 p.m. and I wasn't able to sleep with the kiddos taking different naps. Today is bright and shining. Looking forward to a more POSITIVE mind set.

Valentine's Day

Ember's Second Birthday.. We let her pick out her gift at K-Mart. Of all the things she could pick out: A BATTLE AXE!

Meet our warrior little Princess.

Today I went outside and spent time with my daughter. After a few minutes I ended up running inside to get my camera to capture the bees in a tree near our house. I lost track of time standing there listening and watching the bees. I hope we have more Saturdays like this in the near future.