AIRPLANES (MOMMY AND KIDS REMIX)

My children and I love to listen to music, and sing or dance together. My son "Bear" is always excited to share the latest music he has downloaded to his tablet. His lil brother JC is known to stand on a chair and shake his booty to Monstercat (grin).

My daughter Nora loves dramatic music with a deep, soulful message. Nora expresses her thoughts and feelings through music, it has always been that way. Some of my best memories are of listening to music with my 3 beautiful children.

One of our favorite songs is "Airplanes" by B.O.B feat. Haley Williams. To honor my children, and tell our stories, I have remixed "Airplanes" to tell our stories. I could really use a wish right now... and I'd wish my children were home again, where the belong, with their loving Mommy and lil brother.

xoxox Tu eres mi corazon xoxox ~ Daylen Swift, 2015 ___________________________________________

(Pic: "Wish Upon a Star" By nofacecme) AIRPLANES (MOMMY AND KIDS REMIX Yeah, yeah I could use a dream or a genie or a wish

To go back to a place much simpler than this

Cause just one visit a month ain’t enough

The time flies so fast, and then it’s goodbye…

And all the pandemonium and all the madness

There comes a time when you fade to the blackness

And when you're staring at the phone in your lap

And I’m hoping to hear a word on how you are

But that's just how the story unfolds

You get another hand soon after you fold

And when your plans unravel in the sand

What would you wish for, if you had one chance?

I'd wish for my kids to come home,

And for all the pain to fade away

So airplane airplane sorry I'm late

I'm on my way so don't close that gate

If I don't make that then I'll switch my flight and

I'll be right back at it by the end of the night







Chorus







Yeah yeah somebody take me back to the days

When I made a picnic, and we played in the park

Read stories, and said prayers at dark

Yeah back when I was a stay at home Mommy

And back then so many things I took for granted

But nowadays I’m blogging to just stay relevant

Prayers and Letters to the Children

If can make some wishes out of airplanes

Then maybe oh maybe I'll go back to the days

Before family court stole you away

And back when we were a family

And back when we sung to “Airplanes” like rap stars

But this is for my children from your loving Mommy

So can I get a wish to bring my family together again

And get back to love, and to making happy memories

So here I stand and then again I say

I'm hoping we can make some wishes outta airplanes

Mom Braves the T-Rex That Almost Ate the House

The lights flickered on and off; the house shook from its foundation to the shingles. The sky darkened as the ferocious T-Rex neared… tree branches snapped then flung against the window in broken splinters, lightning tore through the sky….

I screamed in terror, and kicked the quilt from my bed. The small feet of a 6 year old slapped against the white and lime green linoleum floor. I shoved my bedroom door open, there was a boom as the door hit the wall, and another boom as the hungry T-Rex approached. Down the hall I ran, into Mom’s bedroom. I launched through the air, bouncing the cat off the end of the bed, and slamming my small body into a pile of blankets and pillows.

“There’s a T-Rex coming to eat us!” I cried to Mom, who mumbled in a dreamy reply.

Mom was there, somewhere, under the covers, warm and safe, and totally unaware of the coming menace. The cat hissed from somewhere on the floor. Then jumped back to his favorite spot at the end of the bed.

“Did you hear the roar?” I screamed, “My night-light went out too! The T-Rex is coming!”

Mom threw her arms out, struggling to sit. Her eyes were squinted with half-sleep. Her hair stood up in all directions. There was a loud pounding noise followed by hard droplets of rain pelting  the window.

“That’s just the storm, go back to sleep.” Mom said

“But I heard…”

“It’s thunder. Thunder is just angels bowling in Heaven.” Mom explained.

I curled into the powder blue comforter decorated with small blue roses, somewhat skeptical.

“Strike!” Mom cheered faintly with another boom, “The angels are having a good time tonight.”

I imagined an angel rolling a large bowling ball at the T-Rex, knocking him from the sky, he fell back into an overgrown jungle, and disappeared behind a massive palm tree.

I could have swore I heard a T-Rex…but that was what angels are for, to keep you safe.

~ Daylen Swift, ©  Sept. 2015

Psalm 91:11, “For He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways..”

A Lesson in Child's Song: "Jesus Loves Me, This Time Out"

It is pretty common for children to sing a song, and get a few words mixed up. My son did just that today, when singing "Jesus Loves Me". At first I chuckled but when I stopped to think about what he was really saying, I was amazed by the truth contained within those "mixed up" words. 

My toddler JC was listening to praise and worship music today, he says to me, "Mommy, play that song, I will sing and you dance."

JC was belting it out to "Jesus Loves Me" when I heard something unusual... "Jesus loves me, this time out.. "

At first, I thought it was funny and started to laugh but then I began to think a 'lil deeper... When my son is misbehaving, he goes to "time out" for a few minutes. When he is calm, we sit together and talk about what happened, then find a way to resolve the issue. I don't just talk at JC; I encourage him to share what he is feeling or thinking, and help me find a solution. I often tell JC to "ask for help if you need" or "you can always say a prayer and Jesus will help you." 

What my son was really singing was that Jesus loves him, even when he makes a mistake. Even when my son -- or any of us - is not at our best, Jesus loves us. Maybe we have hurt someone or broken the rules, maybe we lashed out in anger, or just let a bad day get the best of us...in our "time out" - in our struggles, in our pain, at the times we have pushed everyone else away Jesus loves us. Wholly. Unconditionally. Without reservation.

Jesus will bring light to our dark times. He will heal. Restore. And forgive. 

Just like I had been teaching my son through the use of "time out", I could apply a similar approach to my faith walk. To take a moment approach Jesus with a humble heart, willing to accept His instruction. To submit my will, my ideas, my way of doing things to Jesus. To confess my faults, and turn away from wrongdoing.  

"Jesus loves me, this time out..." This simple song was a gentle but powerful reminder -  a few minutes in "time out" was enough to help change my son's behavior, a few minutes (or more) with God would be life changing. I need a "time out" with Jesus. 

~ Daylen Swift, 2015

Joel 2:13,"Rend your heart, and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity."

Proverbs 8:17, "I love those who love Me, and those who diligently seek me will find me."

Psalm 139:23-24, "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"

2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Birthday Party for My Child

My son's birthday is coming soon, one of the happiest days in my life, and I am sure his. 

This is also a sad day for us. Since my ex is engaging in parental alienation, his typical tactics of harassment will be to either 1) not let me see my child at all on their birthday (which he did with my daughter this year) or 2) make it as difficult, and painful, as possible to show he has all the power, and then let me visit my children. 

My son loves his mother, little brother and other family members. He wants to come home, and spend time with his family. My son is already thinking of the future, and when he is able to make his own decisions. This separation is only temporary, one day we will be together again. My son just wants his family in his life - both mom and dad. I agree with him. As a child, he should not have to ask or even thing about something so fundamental...that both parents be a supportive, positive influence in his life. Adults should work out their differences privately, and never involve children in their personal issues. Parental Alienation is child abuse, it is very damaging to a child, and leaves scars that last a lifetime.

So I decided to throw my son a birthday part on the blog, to let him know how special he is, and to celebrate his special day. 

Music to dance to.. Bear loves Monstercats so we are dedicating "Birthday Cake" to you. Your little brother is dancing around the house in his "Turtle costume". He is wearing a plastic turtle shell on his back and green underwear with no pants because "turtles don't wear pants!" H-i-i-i-ya!

And here is some cake.... can you guess who picked this out (lol)

Balloons

Presents!!!

I love you Bear, and thank God for you every day! Tu eres mi corazon <3

~ Mommy, JC, and Pets

"I love you. Happy Birthday!" from your little brother, JC

Let the Forest Echo with Laughter (Marghanita Hughes) - Video and Commentary

A beautiful video about the importance of play and exploration for children...  

Title: "Let the Forest Echo with Laughter"
By: Marghanita Hughes

The Vimeo video has a different song, and is also amazing: https://vimeo.com/60349873

When I was a child, I loved to play in the woods. I have fond memories of exploring, and playing under the emerald awning of leaves. I rarely wore shoes and loved the feel of the earth beneath the soles of my feet. I would slide down the red, sandy cliffs..laughing as I tumbled, and skipped like the stones pushing me along. One time I found some crumbling pottery at the bottom of the ravine, and was convinced it was treasure. Then there was the time I tried to follow my cat to see where he went...it was funny how my cat gave me this look like "leave me alone!". I kinda felt like the pesky sister following her brother.

Playing outdoors really help to grow my creativity. To this day, I turn off the TV and try to get my kids outside as much as possible. My kids are getting older but still love to run and play outside. We explore back roads to discover small towns and interesting sites. No matter how far we roam, all roads lead back home. 

~ Daylen Swift

Fun Ways to Bless Your Children (Parenting Tips)

Mom and Blogger, Carlie K., shares 25 tips on how to bless your children. These fun and inspirational ideas are not things that will cost a lot of money, but rather involve investing love, time and energy into your children in a variety of creative ways: 25 Ways to Bless Your Child(ren)

Here are a few ideas of my own... 

1) Teach them how to cook a favorite family recipe

Remember the "Green Buffet" - haha! When my daughter was little, I would tell her that there is a buffet that serves ONLY green food, called the Green Buffet. We would have fun thinking of menus of all green food, and imaging what we would eat. 

2) Let a child plan a fun or special activity to do together (may need to set limits on costs)

3) Let your child run around in a costume or their pajamas all day

4) Listen to music videos together. Bonus points if you sing and dance together.

5) Ask your child how to play their favorite video games, then join in.

6) Tell your child the story or special meaning behind their name, or how you chose their name.

7) Teach your child how to pray. Or, alternately, praise dance or other meaningful spiritual celebration.

8) Do a make-over with your daughter.

9) Volunteer together. (My kids had a blast packing boxes at church for Operation Christmas Child).

10) Play charades - act out what you love about your child or a favorite family memory, and have them guess what it is

Any other ideas?? Please post yours in the comments!

xoxo Daylen xoxo

Not Your Average C-A-T (Cute Pets)

My son, Bear, looks out for his 'lil brother CJ by finding educational games and toys for him to play with. Bear is always teaching his little brother something new, opening his mind to the endless possibilities, and adventures of life.

Bear got CJ the Gyro Bowl that would not spill over no matter how hard little hands tried... the bowl spinned but always righted itself, saving the carpet from an avalanche of cereal bits. Baby food smudged all over his face, and stained his hair orange but was held securely in the Gyro Bowl. This baby tested that bowl every which way, and still it held fast.

And Bear wanted to get CJ a set of read n' learn cards so his baby babble could form into real words, the cards would help CJ learn to read by using phonics. Bear got the set early on, and only now is CJ using the cards. My daughter Nora is always reading to CJ, and now teaching him how to write books. So their gift of love has been a tremendous blessing.

Someone else is learning to read as well, can you guess who???

~ Daylen Swift, 2015

Teen Answers Call to Prayer: Christian Crawford didn’t know who or what specifically he was praying for, he said he just felt led to it, not knowing an emergency was happening

Inspirational Story...

"Thursday evening in Alabama, Clay-Chalkville High School’s graduation was suddenly interrupted by a student who spontaneously took the podium to pray. Christian Crawford didn’t know who or what specifically he was praying for, he said he just felt led to it. Acting on that prompting turned out to be significant for one suffering person in attendance that evening.

A commencement speech was unexpectedly sidelined when a medical emergency began to unfold in the stands....

'Everybody, can I have your attention real quick?” Crawford announced, much to the surprise of his classmates. “We don’t know what’s going on, but we will pray. We know that prayer is power and that God is able. Let’s pray'.”

Read Full Story: "Teen Suddenly Takes Podium to Pray Not Knowing Why, Then He Finds Out" by Amanda Shea. Mad World News: 5/22/2015: http://madworldnews.com/teen-podium-pray/

***************

Dear Bear and Nora~

Your cousin posted this, and I wanted to share it with you, kids.. Alot of people love you and miss you. All ways and all ways, loved. Tu es mi corazon.

I am praying for you both.

xoxox Mommy xoxoxo

Keep on Shinin': Shine Video (Paddington) Gwen Stefani & Pharrell

"Everybody feels the same, inside, they just wanna go home..." 

       "PADDINGTON - SHINE"
       co-written by Gwen Stefani & Pharrell
The Weinstein Company

Dedicated to my children: 

Keep on Shinin'

Your 'lil brother 

is singing this

for you tonight! 

xoxoxo

Happy Mother's Day from the Cats

Happy Mother's Day - 

Two Siamese Cats. 

Mama and Kitten. 

A Mother's Letter to Her Alienated Children

It will be a quiet Mother's Day without my children... another day like so many birthdays, holidays, religious celebrations, family events..without my children.

Parental Alienation or Domestic Violence by Proxy: There is no way you can claim to love your children but at the same time, deprive your children of the benefit a loving, nurturing parent in their lives. There is no way one person alone, forcefully assuming sole custody and control over a child by abusing the legal system or inflicting parental alienation, can replace the love, the skills and abilities, the family history and culture, the God given role assigned to be a mother or a father. Parental Alienation is brutal. It causes lifelong scars. It robs a child of the love and care they deserve, and makes them strangers to their own culture, their religion, their family and all the things family is made of. Even worse, parental alienation causes estrangement, fear and separation between a fit, loving parent and their child.

I will not be with my children on Mother's Day. But it is not my choice. My children were wrongly taken for me. I love my children with all my heart, and would do anything to have them safe at home, and in my arms again. One day my children see the door is open, and it always has been, to come home.

For all the children alienated from your parent, and spending Mother's Day or even Father's Day without that special person... my message to you is that you are loved. Unconditionally loved. Despite the time and distance apart, you are not forgotten. Be courageous and continue to love that parent. When you are hurt or confused or raging, call back those memories... the times you laughed together, the times you were nursed when you were sick, the special nickname you had, the bedtime stories..that is REAL, that is the TRUTH.

Be forgiving, and know that whatever you are being told, no parent is perfect. Before you judge or assume what is being said about the other parent is true, be willing to talk to that parent, and be willingly to examine your own memories and experiences for the truth. The birthday and holiday cards, the photos of you together, the silly games and countless other things that made your relationship special.. all offer clues. Do not lose your memories. They are precious.

Finally, dear children, know that you deserve to be loved, you deserve to have a real childhood and you deserve a life of your own. You do not need to know what adults are doing or why, adults can take care of themselves. You do not need to know personal details about your parent, if it is important they will tell you. You do not need to worry or be afraid, your childhood is a time to dream, explore and grow.

My prayer for your, dear children, is that you are safe, and that you know how much you are loved. Maybe you cannot say what you want to now or show your feelings. Maybe you have to pretend to be someone that you are not. Or you have to do things just to get along. No matter what - you are loved unconditionally; I know who you really are. You are precious. You are held up in prayer. And in countless ways, your name comes to my mind and heart every single day. 

Tu es mi corazon

I love 1,222,222,222,000,000,000 + 0 = U!

Mommy

Listen To Your Heart: Song and Letter for My Daughter

"Listen to Your Heart" cover by D.H.T. is one of my daughter's favorite songs. Funny, because I also love this song. That happens alot with my daughter and I.. we have similar likes, and even when we are apart and cannot talk, we find each other in our favorite songs.

A letter for my beautiful, amazing Daughter:

Sissy, listen to your heart. 

Always know your Mommy loves you, always and forever. 

Even though we cannot be together now, one day you will be able to come home. 

On that day, I will throw the biggest party! We can listen to all your favorite songs. And dance around the house. 

I will let you raid my closet, wear anything you want. 

And we can do make overs, even on your little brother (grin). 

Listen to your heart... you are loved and cherished. 

I love you Baby Girl. xoxo Mommy xoxox

"We'll Always Play Minecraft" - A Minecraft Parody of Royals by Lorde

For my kids...

Journey to the Cross: Bringing Good Friday Service to my Children

Hello to my lil Easter bunnies, Bear & Nora,

I miss you both. And love you very much :)

I am writing because today is Good Friday and I wanted to take you to church with me for the special "Journey to the Cross" service. I did ask if you could come with, and the answer was no. So since I cannot take you to church with your brother & I physically, we will just have to visit another way :) 

The Bible does talk about the power, and purpose of people praying together. 

Matthew 18:20, "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." 

Romans 8:28, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." 

Psalms 50:5,"Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice."

So I want to begin by saying I woke up this morning with the both of you in my heart, and in my prayers. I am so thankful to God that I am your mommy, and pray to be the best Mommy I can be. I am thankful for the wonderful kids you are. 

Bear, that you have such a kind heart to help others. You have a gift in science and math, and want to use those gifts to start a foundation to help people with charity and humanitarian projects, is just amazing. Bear, I remember when you were 5 years old, and we would read that science magazine. I remember how we were studying the different parts of a bone, and that we went to the grocery store to look at the cuts of meat, to see those parts. And then we made up that song "Break it off, bone!". "Break it off bone, got me movin' fast, break it off bone, I'm an osteoclast.." Osteoclasts are cells that break down bone. It was so funny because when they went to test you to enter kindergarten, they found that you knew subjects and things that were not even on the test.

Nora, you are such a beautiful girl, and truly a joy in my life. I remember the first time you went to daycare at just a few months old. The note I got back from the daycare said, "Nora is a joy". That is so true. Nora, I love that you write books and draw pictures. And am excited to see your talents grow. It makes me so proud that you are carrying this gift, because I also write books and poetry, and your Grandpa is a storyteller too. I grew up hearing tall tales from Grandpa, they are some of my fondest memories. Nora I think of you when I am shopping, and think of how you like to design clothes. I can't help but to buy cute jeans, baby tees and designer hoodies for you...maybe this way you won't be stealing the clothes from my closet (grin).

Belle also misses you, she is laying in front of me and purring right now (sits on my arms as I type!), sending love to you both.

So today is Good Friday. And what that means is that we honor, and remember, that Jesus went to the Cross to die for our sins. It doesn't sound like "good" news but it is because Jesus loves us so much that He was willing to die, in order to take away sin, the whole world was forever changed when Jesus gave his life to defeat evil. Good Friday tells us that God forgives us when we make a mistake, and that no matter how dark things may seem, there is always hope. Jesus was buried in the tomb and on the third day, which is Easter Sunday, He rose and went to heaven. In our family, this is a holy day, and we would be celebrating and going to church. I would read you the Bible, and we would learn about Good Friday together.

At church, there is a special worship called "Journey to the Cross". It is a service that takes you back into time, to Jerusalem, in the days leading up to Jesus death (Holy week). When you go to church, everyone is dressed up in clothes from Bible days -- robes, sandals, long head coverings and shawls for the women.  There are even Roman soldiers with spears and shields. 

There is a Jerusalem marketplace where you can play games that they played in Bible days, and you can look at and touch common objects from Bible days. 

The service takes you through all the events of Holy week and it is really cool because they have an electric piano on wheels, that rolls along so we can sing and praise the Lord.

We get to wave palms on Palm Sunday as Jesus enters Jerusalem on the back of a donkey....

We get to share the Last Supper with Jesus and the Disciples

You can enjoy a traditional Passover meal of grape juice, bitters (herbs), salt water (to remember the tears shed) and unleavened bread. Passover commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, as recorded in the the Book of Exodus. On Passover, Jews also celebrate the birth of the Jewish nation after being freed by God from captivity.

You can see Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane

The Disciples slept while he prayed

You can see Judas betray Jesus, and receive gold coins in exchange

The Roman soldiers come to arrest Jesus. You can feel a real crown of thorns and nails.

You can see the trial of Jesus before Pilate, Herod and his soldiers mock Jesus and he is found guilty, though innocent of any crime

Jesus carries the cross to Calvary. 1 John 4:9, "By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him."

You can see Mary crying at the foot of the cross

And you can visit a replica of a tomb with a granite boulder to remember where Jesus was laid to rest. 

We go to church on Easter Sunday to remember the resurrection, when Jesus rose from the grave, and went to Heaven. 

-- Daylen Swift, 2015

Hallelujah! He is Risen! Matthew 28:6, "He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay."

Also see images on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/daylenswift/testimonies-about-god/

Skylar Grey - Coming Home Pt. II Song

"Still far away
From where I belong
But it's always darkest
Before the dawn

 ..But I know
No matter what it takes

I'm coming home
I'm coming home
Tell the world that I'm coming home..."




Praying my two beautiful children will come home soon, and the pain of yesterday will be washed away. Mommy loves you always. I thank God for you both, and pray He will bring you home soon. I am so sorry we have to be apart. I will never stop fighting for you. And never stop loving you.

Tu es mi corazon. xoxox Mommy xoxox

Keep Hope Alive: "The Fork", An Inspirational Video

Every little girl dreams of her fairy tale ending... The grass and mud splattered across her jeans were an attempt to catch the frog that hopped into the long grass with a rude croak; he was not destined to be her prince.

Every little girl has a bedroom  filled with dolls of all sizes and shapes, each one given a name and the unconditional love of a child who dreams of one day being a "mommy" that will hold a real baby. Sometimes she dreams of being a school teacher or a nurse, and on the best days she is a rock star. Her dolls are always there--as pupil, patients and adoring fans.

And sometimes...those dreams of happily-ever-after don't always turn out the way you wanted or the way you thought they would. 

My daughter (and son) is growing up without a mother. I did not leave my children. In fact I had no choice at all. An unjust court ruling, and a vindictive ex stole my children away. The love for my children never leaves my heart. I pray for them every day. And when I go to the store, they are with me when I shop for meals they will never eat.. or wander in the toy section imagining what toys they like to play with. They are with me in the empty rooms, as dust gathers on their toys. I have dreams too...dreams that they will one day my children will come home, and our family will be reunited.

I am posting this video to say... keep hope alive. Your dreams may not turn out the way you want, life may have its twists and turns but one thing is for sure and that is real, unconditional love. 

-- Daylen Swift

"The Fork"  https://www.feeln.com/films/thefork

A Holocaust survivor encourages her soon to be wed granddaughter. We can't control all the events of life but we can control how we look at them.

Starring: Peggy Lord Chilton, Kelly Huddleston, Harv Popick

Written, Directed, and Produced: Rob Fried

No One is Complete Without A Family (Picture Quote)

No one is complete without a family

Family is the basic role of our world,

every person's deepest need

is a good and established

FAMILY

so make your family strong and happy

and be rich with memories. 

Source: "I Love My Family" post: https://plus.google.com/105527436782871369678/posts/H8iBg8rhGZC?pid=6107869669511711346&oid=105527436782871369678