November 10th, 2015

That Time Of The Year Again

It seems as I get older the days fly by faster and faster. All of a sudden it is the most special time of the year, Holiday time. Thanksgiving and Christmas are our most favorite holiday times of the year. No matter whether you celebrate Christmas or another holiday tradition, everyone seems just a bit nicer during the holidays. Now that I have caught up to the holidays, I promise to get some cool ideas for all of our Santa Club Members to have fun with this season. Oh, and I have lots to share. Not only do we get to be a part of some amazing, wonderful projects but we get to give in the craziest ways. So please check back and Welcome to The Santa Club.
Kelly Moss

December 16th, 2014

Is Santa Real?

One of the most “googled” questions this time of year is the question, is Santa is Real. Yes, Santa is Real. For those of you who got the book, The Santa Club, you know that answer is truthful. No, it may not be the Santa you see at the mall, that is a Santa helper, but Santa is a most amazing being who loves totally unconditional. Santa loves without getting anything in return. Santa loves kids and adults and every year finds a way to give toys, presents, and sometimes bigger gifts. And most importantly, Santa gives in secret. Giving is secret is one of the coolest things anyone can do and Santa does it every year. To give without even getting a thank you is the most selfless thing a person can do and if you celebrate Christmas, then you know that the celebration of Jesus is also about giving without desire for oneself. So Santa’s type of giving is a reflection on who’s birthday we celebrate. Santa doesn’t take away from Christmas, he actually, embraces the giving story of Christmas.

So, yes Santa is real and yes, you can be a Santa too by giving in secret and with love. When your child asks make sure you tell them the truth. Santa is real and that they can be a great Santa too.

Merry Christmas Everyone and have a wonderful, marvelous Happy New Year.

Kelly

November 7th, 2013

Irrational Giving

There is many times through the year where we can give to others. The most joyous time of the year is the holiday season. It can also be the most difficult time of the year for some. This year make it a wonderful time for other people by giving in secret. Anyone who has met my husband thinks he is the kindest man in the world, which he is. What they don’t know is my husband gives in ways that are simple, yet life changing. Joe is always smiling or a taking the time to say a kind word when someone is struggling. He always makes people feel better after they talk with him.

I call it irrational giving. Most people think irrational giving is something so big that it is hard to accomplish, but when you think about it, being kind and giving even when you don’t feel good, or when you may not prefer someone’s company, that is when giving is not so easy. Irrational giving is to always give, even when your emotions say don’t.

Irrational giving is also giving when giving doesn’t make sense. Giving to a co-worker who may not be the nicest person, or giving to a family member, when they never acknowledge you or support you. That is irrational giving at it’s best and for those, like my husband, they realize it is a wonderful blessing.

Giving in secret teaches irrational giving. When you give with no expectation of anything in return, you realize that giving is much more than what you choose to do as in who you are as a human. Every so often I remind my self that we can never “make” anyone do anything. We can however, make ourselves act the way we wish to be as a person. I wish to be kind and easy going. That doesn’t mean I don’t get frustrated but what it does mean, is that I make decisions to overcome that frustration or emotion with an act of joy or kindness, regardless of the emotion.

Just like my husband makes a conscientious decision to be a giver.

Kids need examples and the Christmas season is the best time to show them irrational giving. How will you give this season, even when the chaos settles in? How will you overcome the desires of the season with the giving? How will you show your kids? The blessing of the season is it gives us opportunities to answer those questions in the best way possible for our families. So have fun this giving season and try Irrational giving, it is fun.

God Bless,

Kelly

April 3rd, 2013

Parents Guide

Hello Everyone,

 

All of us here at The Santa Club are moving along, giving and helping others in secret.  Gosh, it is so much fun.  We move this year to repackage The Santa Club so bookstores and parents can keep the book under wraps until the big day!  Along with that and working with the charities we support, we have been busy and blessed.  Let us know how things are going with you all and how your gifts of giving are impacting others.  It is a wonderful time to give as so many are in need.

 

God Bless,

The Santa Club

August 26th, 2012

Teaching about Giving.

 

“ Watch out!  Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your father in heaven.  2   When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do – blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity!  I tell you the truth; they have received all the Reward they will ever get. 3. But when you give to someone need don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.

4. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

(Matthew 6:1-4)

 

The Bible has so much to offer in the way of advice.  I have seen so many books that claim to be a new thought and the advice was taken from one of the oldest books in our history, the Bible.  Like the idea of a vision board found in a book many people have read.  If you look at Habakkuk 2:2-3 you will see that a vision board is a very old idea.

 

It says, and the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.  For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak and not lie; though it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (KJV Habakkuk 2:2-3)

 

Giving and especially giving at Christmas time is best served to give in secret.  The three wise men gave at Christmas and the first Santa, St Nicholas, gave in secret throughout his community.  There isn’t a parent I know who doesn’t want to teach their child to give in secret.  Not only is it an important skill to learn, it is also fun.

 

As we get closer to the holiday our family is thinking of ways, already, to give back this coming holiday season.  What about you?

 

Some ways to give in secret are,

Buying food for a neighbor and dropping it off at their house, ringing the doorbell and running.

Sending an anonymous cash donation to a charity of your choice, just make sure it gets to the right place.

Sending homemade cards to your local hospital to be distributed to patients.

Dropping food off at the local food bank.

 

We do some of these things and some other fun things as anonymous members of The Santa Club.  We make a card that says, Merry Christmas and From The Santa Club.  It gives us a way to give back and still let people know we believe in giving as the first Santa did, and as all the other members do today.

 

So get those holiday vision boards started and get ready.  The most joyous time of the year is close approaching.

 

January 4th, 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Today is January 4th, 2012.  Today is a great day.  This past year has been a whirlwind.  Thank you to everyone who was kind enough to visit me at the Christmas Shows or chose to buy the book.  Not to mention all the people that helped me this past Christmas season.  My life has changed considerably in terms of new experiences, but I would like to think, I have not changed in my focus.  How about you?

Every New Year should bring a new beginning.  Not just for losing weight, but a new beginning of a life that will be lived to the fullest this year and beyond.  So many of us get caught up in everyday life that we awake January 1st and go, “Where did the year go”?  When I stayed home, taking care of my kids, life seemed to be a never ending series of days.  Kids, school, sports, shows, cooking, cleaning, and all the other things that took my time rolled on in an endless wave.  Bed brought respite and the morning brought chaos.  I loved those years, but now I realize that I should have taken a little bit more time for me.  Not a huge spell of time, just a little.  I did my quiet time on most days, but I look back and realize that I needed more.  Laundry, dishes, the floors and other chores should have been put back in my list of things to do and my time should have been put higher.  Today if I could go back to that time period, I would have bought almost nothing in terms of toys, clothes and things. Having to take care of anything but the bare minimum was not a smart thing for me.  It took away from living and my goals and from the new beginnings I always strove for.

Now, I am wiser.  I have my writing and my goal of sharing this world by giving.  Every day is a beautiful day when you are living by giving.

So, today is a great day.  As Ecclesiastes 3:1 and The Byrd’s song Turn, Turn, Turn says, there is a time for everything.    Make your time to build and dream today and this year.  How do you do that?  Below are some small steps that I know work.  The first one requires a bit of time, but the others are very easy and require at the most 15 – 30 minutes of time.  Take the time, your chores and work shall always be there!

 

CLEAN OUT THE EXTRA POSSESIONS.  I know it is January and spring cleaning is a lifetime away but now is the best time to get rid of the clutter.  It is the perfect time to take two hours a day for one week, or two Saturdays, to share the extra stuff you have.  Whatever you accomplish in that time is perfect.  Some of you may have to put more time in but whichever time you spend, please be happy with what you accomplish.  This is not a race and pats on the back are important. Plus it is great to show your kids the importance of getting rid of stuff.   Kids love to give so get them involved in giving.  Have your kids keep the bare minimum and give the remaining things to a shelter, or the Salvation Army.  Make it fun with lots of music and GET RID OF THE POSSESSIONS THAT ARE POSSESSING YOU!

GET UP 15 MINUTES EARLY TO READ A DEVOTIONAL BOOK.  A great devotional book does not take long to read.  It is usually one page per day and you don’t have to get out of bed to read it!   I have a great one by Joel Osteen, but there are many others.  Our Daily Bread is another great one you can order online, or you may have something inspirational you love that you have never gotten around to reading.  Reading a devotional first thing in the morning is a great way to start your day and set your mind to the blessings that surround us all.  When the kids were little, I read a small devotional page when we were all together eating breakfast.  It was fast and fun and I never did anything but read it so they didn’t get lots of me “preaching” as moms can often do.

STRETCH YOUR BODY.  Every animal we have had stretches when they get up…you should too. Even today my two dogs do “downward dog” as soon as they stand.  If it is only a minute of stretching you deserve it.

DRINK A HUGE GLASS OF WATER.  Most of us would think that this is a no brainer, but you would be surprised how many people don’t drink water in the morning.  Most people grab a coffee or tea.  Refresh your body….it needs it.

TAKE TIME DURING THE DAY TO LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE, WRITE, OR LEARN A SKILL.  AND EXCERSIZE.  This seems like a huge task.  But it is not as big a task as you think.  15 minutes a day is all you need to write, learn a language, or learn a new skill and the recommended goal of 30 is what you should have for exercise.  If you only get 15 minutes of exercise than woo hoo! 15 minutes is better than nothing.

These are things that build you up little by little.  So if you did these small things everyday…..what would your life look like on January 4, 2013?  What if you taught your kids this, what would their life look like at the end of one year?

Happy New Year Everyone and remember today is a great day.

 

XO

Kelly

September 28th, 2011

Blessings and Giving

 

We have much to be thankful for here at the Moss household.  Everyone is healthy, we are all very busy, and The Santa Club Book reviews are wonderful (TYG).  With life being a struggle for so many, we know how blessed we are and thank God every day.

Joe and I grew up in middle class families were money was not always there and times were sometimes tough.  We know what it was like to not have certain things and even in our blessings, we choose to never forget.  That is why The Santa Club is so important.  It is all about, the gift of giving and a way to give back.

We believe that material things are not important, that giving is.  Every day we try to give in some way.  Not every gift has to be monetary, but if we have extra money, we give it back to those that need it.  Saying that where and who needs it more?  As I have gotten older, I realize it is not about the need someone has, there is always need.  It is about giving where you are led to give.  When you give where you feel led to give then you have a vested interest. Everyone has a different “calling” to give in different places for different needs.  In our house I love to support missionaries, orphans and families fighting cancer.  Joe has a special place in his heart for the homeless, Jonathan thinks the Make- A- Wish Foundation, www.wish.org,  is the coolest, Jameson loves to support the Tug McGraw Foundation, www.tugmcgraw.org , and Alena wants to help everyone!  As a parent, that is the greatest gift you can give your child….letting them decide where they should give.  Just as we sometimes guide our children into things we love, we can also guide them into giving where we feel led to give.  A long time ago, we realized that our kids are individuals who have different desires and different callings on where they need to put their time, talents, and treasures.

So this Christmas our goal is to help families find an organization that fits their kids.  As we go on through the season we shall try and send information your way about organizations that are doing amazing work.  Most have stores to buy support products, some will need volunteers and even if your child just writes them a letter saying thanks for helping others, they will be able to give back.  In our family we give to many different charities and not all is giving through treasures.    We can give in many ways so this is not about money.  But as for our giving to each other, we do try to give with a purpose.  Since we are all t-shirt lovers, we give each other or family members t-shirts that help a charity.  The website sevenly.org, www.sevenly.org, is one of our favorite websites to find out about amazing charities and support them.  Every week they have a new charity that they sell t-shirts for.  Since t-shirts are cool and my kids love them, we support each charity by splurging on a t-shirt from Sevenly.

We also love hats.  Krochet Kids International, www.krochetkids.org  is an amazing charity that teaches woman to crochet in Uganda and now Peru.  The wonderful hats they make are then sold thru Krochet Kids with the proceeds going back to the women.   These are great places for your kids to buy someone in the family a “Santa” gift while learning about giving back.  As the time goes on both on Facebook and on my blog we shall link more and more charities that need support. Our prayer is that your child, with your support, will start to think about which charity they feel led to help.

Also by November 1st we shall have merchandise on our website ready to sell.  It will be fun merchandise with our logo for families to share.  11% gross of every product will go to charities like Krochet kids and the ones you see on Sevenly.  Our goal is to take the blessings we have and pass them on while spreading the message of The Santa Club Book.  We know that there are amazing charities and instead of starting another one we hope to funnel any blessings we have right back to them.

The Story of Christmas, the birth of Jesus, is all about giving.  God calls us all to do different things in our life so not all of us can be missionaries working in a charity. But we can all give back and what a wonderful time to do it during the Christmas Season. Thanks for checking out my blog and for checking out our site.  As we grow we pray we can be a blessing to you all as we have been blessed.  Merry Christmas Everyone and God Bless.

 

Kelly

P.S.  Please see some amazing charities below.  If it says parents check first it means the charity may be easiest explained to older children.  If you have any charities you would like us to list please email me at kelly@thesantaclub.net

 

MERCY SHIPS- Provide surgeries and medical care to the people of Sierra Leone-  www.mercyships.org

WORLD RELIEF- Provide peace building and protection from violence for the people of the Congo. (Parents check first)     http://worldrelief.org 

HOPE INTERNATIONAL- Provides opportunity for a family in Africa to escape poverty.    www.hopeinternational.org

LIVING WATER INTERNATIONAL- Provides clean water for families.   www.water.cc

FREE WHEELCHAIR MISSION- Provides a new, free wheelchair to someone in a developing country.  www.freewheelchairmission.org

OPPORTUNITY INTERNATIONAL- Provides Micro-Loans to poor families in Sub-Saharan Africa. www.opportunity.org

 

September 11th, 2011

September 11th

So much has happened.  As I sit here in my office finishing up a guest blog, I realized my blog is suffering the lack of attention, no blog should.  Life has a way of intruding on my quiet time and as I get older, it intrudes more and more.

Labor Day weekend was wonderful for us.  Nothing fancy, just family and friends.  With our daughter away at school, life is a bit quieter but not much.  Our sons brought home five college age friends and life was still chaotic.  Now, everyone is gone and I am sitting in a very messy house.  Life is good. Life is good now, but ten years ago this Sunday we remember the day that changed all of our lives, September 11th.   I think about the families that don’t have the simple pleasure of their kids or husbands coming home.

Did you realize that kids 16 and under may not remember September 11th?  They were babies and just might not remember that day.  How sad that “time” diminishes the intensity of those moments that shape a generation.  Anyone older than say nineteen remembers September 11th with clarity. Our kids remember because their teacher’s were smart enough to deftly handle the news unfolding that day to their young learners.  And, I got them out of school right away.  After the Pentagon, I was out the door and at their school.  We got food, money and gas.  I had no idea where the next plane would hit and I was going to be prepared if we needed to move.  We were in Atlanta at the time and I am sure some people thought I was crazy, but no one knew what was happening.  I was for sure not waiting.  If the terrorists were stopped, then I was no worse for wear.  And to be honest I am so glad I did what I did.  My kids were with me and I could explain what was going on as we learned it, not someone else, but me.  Thankfully my husband was in town.  He traveled for work back then so he could have been anywhere.  That night we prayed for everyone who was missing or lost a loved one.  It was so sad.

Life is so crazy right now.  There is so much rhetoric and so little confidence.  I never remember life being this complicated.  Of course I am older now.  Maybe I was too young to remember tough times, but I know even my father – in – law thinks the world has gone crazy and he is in his 80’s.

So why do I write such a sad mundane blog?  Christmas is coming.  I know we are still a few months out, but it is coming.  And this year more than ever we all need to stand up and act.  Like those amazing first responder’s who ran towards the twin towers and not away.   Like this crazy mom who got prepared to be ready. We must start now to choose joy and be kind to one another.  The most amazing gift we can give those who lost their life on September 11th is to stand up and choose joy.   To do the opposite of what the terrorists did, to bring happiness and kindness.  I ask that this year in the spirit of Christmas, give the “Gift of Giving”’ thru random acts of giving.  Make a little gift and wrap it up.  When you see someone in need, pass it on.  It may be a hat, a card, a smile.  This is not about money or gifts that cost a fortune; this is about the act of kindness.  The opposite of what the terrorists did on September 11th. This is about the act of giving, without any gift in return.  It is what I call “The Gift of Giving”.

My family is starting this after September 11th.  We think that day is perfect to begin preparing for the season of Christmas. Nothing fancy but when I have time, a card I shall make, or if I am at the store and see something silly and fun for a dollar then I shall get it.  I shall get it to pass along during the fall and holiday season.  It is my way of telling the evil in the world, you don’t win.  It is my way of telling all those politicians who use angry rhetoric, you are not me.  I believe we all can be kind and respectful to others.  Even when we disagree, it is ok. We were not made to be the same; we were only made to “love” one another, with kindness and respect.

For those families that lost their loved ones on September 11th, I am so sorry for your loss.  Please know that your loved ones shall never be forgotten.  Not by this woman, not by this family.  And when we give this Christmas Season, it will be to show the world terror cannot rule us.  It cannot change us.  No matter what happens, during this time and this holiday season we shall choose joy.

God Bless,

Kelly

July 19th, 2011

Book Expo 2011

July 15th, 2011

Book Expo In New York City

In May I was in New York City for the Book Expo. I love New York. It is such an marvelous place. It is like no other city and when I am there I feel like I belong. But this trip was not for fun, it was for work and the Book Expo is the official beginning of getting the word out about The Santa Club Book.

As anyone who reads my blog knows, The Santa Club is more than just a book. It is a way of thinking. It is a gift given to me by my mother-in-law, an answer to a tough question that is truthful. It is a parenting resource, and a gift book that you can document your child’s growing years. With all that, when you get down to it, The Santa Club Book is all about The Gift of Giving.

We forget that giving is a simple thing. We spend lots of time and money on gifts, but our everyday life is an act of giving. We give to our families, we give to our kids, and hopefully we chose to give more than receive. If we are really into thinking like a Santa, then we give in everything we do, and that is when life truly begins…

So this year, we started getting the word out about this little book, The Santa Club. The Book Expo is the American Booksellers Association’s show for all of the booksellers, librarians, publisher’s distributors and so on to meet and see what is new. Our distributor, New Shelves Distribution, was kind enough to have The Santa Club Book exhibited in their booth. Along with that New Shelves set up two book signings so I could give away the books to get the word out.

If I didn’t say I was nervous, then I would be a liar. I know that the book is a great parenting resource so I believe people who need it will like it. But I was worried that no one would want a copy, as they had no idea what it was. Can you imagine sitting at the table and no one comes to get a copy? That scared me more than anything else. Me, sitting at the author’s table and not a soul, or maybe a brave few coming up to get a copy. As I got ready to go into the green room before my time, Coco and Ice T were outside filming their show. How funny. They were really excited for their book and fun to see. I think Ice T was signing before me. I am pretty sure I said a prayer right then that all the people seeing them would stay, just a little bit longer, ha-ha.

Four o’clock came and all of the author’s for the last time slot of the day made their way out to the tables. I was on the end, closest to the green room. No one was on my right side. OHHHH, that was not good. What I mean is if someone was on my right then for sure the people in that line might go to mine for the heck of it, right? Well, no one was there so….

The first person to come into my line was an angel, really an angel. She had black pretty hair and a great smile. I was so thankful that one person came in line I was talking to her before she came up. “Thank you for coming in line”, I said with a huge smile. She said something really special. She told me in not so exact words, “Oh don’t worry, you will have lots of people”. Lot of people, really? You know what, she was right. I never stopped signing until after my stop time of five o’clock! When it was all said and done, I had signed 100 books and was the last author to stop! It was amazing.

Now I would like to think it is my charming charisma that brought everyone in, but what I had always thought but now knew, it was that The Santa Club book fills a great need. Just as all those years before when I was in need, so many parents need help in answering this age old question, Is Santa Real. I am just blessed to be the person who wrote the book, in the middle of the night so long ago! It was divine Intervention….TYG.

It was truly a gift signing books at the Book Expo. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO TOOK THE TIME TO GET A BOOK. I can’t thank you enough. You gave me a great gift by coming to say hello. In the end I think I signed between 150-175 books. I met booksellers from all over the world, authors, distributors, and the wonderful librarians from schools and cities alike. I even met Hercules! Kevin Sorbo, the actor from the TV show Hercules, was kind enough to stop by. What a really nice guy. His book, True Strength, will be out in October 2011. Ironically he knows a gentleman my family knows, Governor Bob Miller. Governor Miller was the longest serving Governor for the state of Nevada and a wonderful man. Not only do they know each other, but Governor Miller also has a book coming out in 2012. Writer’s all around….I love it.

After the Book Expo we went to visit family and friends in Lake Placid, NY, Holyoke, MA and back to New York to visit some dear friends whose daughter is fighting Lymphoma. Kate is also in the book industry and just graduated from college a couple of years ago. Please say a prayer for her and her family. You can pray for Kate C. Out of everything Joe and I did in New York and the surrounding areas, seeing Kate’s mom and dad was the most important. We have been friends since our kids were young playing ball in Alpharetta, GA. Your prayers for them will be greatly appreciated.

That was the month of May…June, well that was a very busy time too. I was in Atlanta and Los Angeles and to be honest just working on my businesses is crazy busy. July…well that is another milestone for The Santa Club. Our first reviews started coming in and what a blessing. First to all of the reviewers, thank you for taking the time to review all the books you review. As an author, I relish honest reviews. I don’t let them dictate my stories but I love feedback. Writing is so lonely in terms of you only have yourself to guide you as you formulate and begin writing your story. Reviews good or bad, are special in that someone took the time to write them. Someone thought enough of the book to put what they believe down for all the world to see. It takes commitment, time, and a presence of thought about more than just the story itself. Thank you to the reviewer’s who took the time. I appreciate that so very much. Of course, I am human, so good reviews are wonderful and you can check out all the reviews at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com

So, the rest of July we are in San Diego for Comic-Con and LA, as well as Henderson. Someday you shall see The Santa Club comic book, that is a promise. I loved comic-books when I was young and there has never been a moment that I didn’t think The Santa Club will be in that format. Stories of kids sharing the gift of giving and fighting evil…perfect for what The Santa Club is all about.

If you are in San Diego and see me, please say hello. I shall have a few books to give away as well as hats and pins. I shall be up at my friend’s booth( on and off on Thursday), Mindy Sterling, helping her so if you see me there, I promise to pass on the things I have and say hello.

Until the next moment I have to blog, have a wonderful summer. Christmas is just around the corner and I promise that Christmas around here, will be very fun.

XO
Kelly