The Monster and the Mom (Short Story)

As parents, there are definitely days when sleep deprivation gets the better of us. You know what I'm talking about - we're grumpy, our energy levels dip into the negatives, and even the hard floor looks so inviting. You just want to curl up in a ball and drift off into a wonderfully hazy cloud of sweet, sweet sleep. But instead, you get sticky fingers shoved up your nose and drool oozing down the back of your neck. Ah, the joys of parenthood.

So in the spirit of laughing at ourselves, I hope you'll take a few minutes to enjoy this quick read. The short story in its entirety can be found at Tampa Bay Moms Blog.

"She heard the sound instantly; the baby was up. The siren-like screech darted across the house and echoed through the monitor. Her feet hit the floor, but she didn't feel the worn carpet between her toes. Her eyes were open (barely), but she didn't see the hallway. She could make the trek from her bed to the nursery in her sleep because, well, she did. Every night. Hovering over the crib, she patted the mattress for the lost treasure. She found the pacifier and effortlessly plugged the source of her wakefulness. Too late. He was up and he was hungry..." (Read more)

GIVEAWAY: Blu-ray/DVD of "Beethoven's Treasure Tail" Family Comedy

The wonderful folks at Universal Studios Home Entertainment are gearing up to release "Beethoven's Treasure Tail" on Blu-ray/DVD and they have graciously provided a copy for giveaway before it's even released!

You may remember this lovable St. Bernard from your own childhood (I know I grew up watching "Beethoven" and "Beethoven's 2nd"). "Beethoven's Treasure Tail" is his newest adventure and this family comedy will be released on 10/28/14. 

Photo Courtesy of Universal Studios Home Entertainment

SYNOPSIS:

"Get ready to howl with laughter in this all-new family comedy starring America’s favorite St. Bernard, the one and only Beethoven! After a doggone disaster of a movie shoot, the big-hearted pooch and his trainer, Eddie (Jonathan Silverman, Beethoven’s Big Break), are heading home when they get stranded in a small coastal village. When Beethoven befriends a local boy (Bretton Manley, Ted), he helps him find a pirate map to lost treasure and together they em-bark on an adventure that brings the whole town together. Co-starring Morgan Fairchild (Flamingo Road), Kristy Swanson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), and Jeffrey Combs (Re-Animator), it’s a heartwarming “tail” about finding fun wherever your nose leads you."

Enter below for your chance to win! Complete each task to earn additional entries! Hurry - giveaway ends at midnight on 10/28! Good luck!

Bonus: Here are some fun activities for the kids! 

Beethoven Coloring Page

Beethoven Maze Activity Sheet

a Rafflecopter giveaway

New Quarter Means New Fundraiser for Local Bay Area Family

First off, I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who participated in my online fundraiser benefiting I Matter Too! It was amazing to see people spreading the word about such a great organization!

Now that we're on to the final quarter of the year, it's the perfect opportunity for ANOTHER online fundraiser!

Emil and Angie Baltic are a local Tampa Bay area family with two biological kids - Owen, 4, and Emma, 2. They feel that God has now called them to adopt a little boy in Haiti and I want to help. Sometimes it can be difficult to listen when God calls us to do something and when it comes to something like adoption - which has its own obstacles, expenses, and challenges - completing that task only becomes harder.

From 10/1/14 - 12/31/14, in an effort to help them raise the money they need to bring their new son home and care for him, I will donate 100% of my author profits from all online sales of my children's books to their adoption fund.

Please help me to raise money and awareness to benefit this wonderful family by purchasing a book. Be an adoption advocate - share this campaign with your friends and family! Remember, Christmas is coming and these books will make wonderful gifts or stocking stuffers!

Both books can be purchased at www.kdbrown.tateauthor.com. They can also be purchased through other online retailers such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble.





For more information on the Baltic Family's adoption and to learn about other ways you can help, please visit www.balticadoption.com.

Thank you and God bless!