JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

Miss Lottie Phillips enjoys reading at the Tuscaloosa Public Library .

ESCAPE FOR A DATE : The Grand Hotel Golf Resort and Spa

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TUSCALOOSA ’ S FAMILY MAGAZINE

Where is The Tuscaloosa Public Library ?

PUBLISHER Kitty Collins

EDITORIAL COPY EDITOR Diana Barrett

DISTRIBUTION Mary Jane Turner

SOCIAL MEDIA Ryan Collins

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Larry Deavers , Carolyn W . Ezell Linda Holloway , Stephanie Osborn

ADVERTISING Kitty Collins

SUBSCRIPTIONS ds Life Magazine is available free throughout e Tuscaloosa area . Subscriptions are available r your convenience . Please send $ 12 for one ar to the above address .

NEXT DEADLINE Ad deadline for the March / April issue is Wednesday , February 9 , 2022 .

ids Life Magazine is published every other month . eproduction of any part of this publication without ritten permission of the publisher is prohibited . The ublisher is not responsible for incorrect information . he publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited anuscripts . Distribution of this magazine does not onstitute an endorsement of information , products or ervices . The publisher reserves the right to reject any dvertisement or listing which is not in keeping with he publications standards .

John and I on our Summer “ escape ”

COMING NEXT ISSUE : 2022 SUMMER CAMPS & PROGRAMS

Escape For A Date : The Grand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Helping Your Child Manage Stress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Where is the Tuscaloosa Library ? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 My Foster Care Journey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Supermoms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 School News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Happy New Year friends ! Can you believe it ’ s 2022 ? It feels like this should be some super futuristic time from an 80 ’ s sci-fi movie with flying vehicles . As Kids Life Magazine celebrates our 22nd birthday , I want to thank each of our incredible sponsoring advertisers who have been bringing us to you for over two decades . We really could not do what we do without them . They are all local , small businesses with such diverse talents and gifts that serve families in our community in so many wonderful ways .

In this issue , you will enjoy reading about the Tuscaloosa Public Library ’ s many locations and services . I learned several things I was not aware of previously . A reader favorite in every January / February issue is our “ Escape for a Date ” feature by our fabulous travel contributor Linda Holloway , where she highlights a dreamy getaway destination for moms and dads . As a mom to 3 boys , I know how hard it is to carve out time alone with our spouses , let alone leave town without the children - especially when you have one with medical needs . In our 25 years of marriage , I could count on one hand the number of times my husband and I have been able to go away without our boys ; however , this past summer , we were determined to spend a few days at the beach . It was such a needed opportunity to escape the distractions of our busy schedule , reconnect with who we fell in love with , enjoy silence for hours on end ( my absolute favorite part ) and act like silly children ourselves at times ! We came home rested , refueled and ready to squeeze our boys . We love making vacation memories with our entire family , but there really is something special about those times with just us .

Since the beginning of a new year typically involves new goals , you may remember my sharing that I had set a steep goal for myself ( having never been a runner ) by signing up a couple months ago for my first 5K . Joining Team JDRF for the runDisney Princess 5K race in February has given me not only a fun little “ reward ” to look forward to , but partnering with them in fundraising efforts toward research for a cure for those with Type 1 diabetes ( including my middle son ) has given me purpose in my training . The surprising motivation I ’ m experiencing on this journey has even propelled me to step up my original goal from just completing a 5K to actually running the entire distance - without walking . Of course , I run slower than a herd of turtles , but I ’ ve actually already done it once and am even starting to enjoy it . Now , an unfortunate incident a couple weeks ago involving an argument between my favorite sling backs and a staircase at church ( claiming my left shin as victim ) has caused a little setback but thankfully only minor and I am getting back on track . I briefly considered hanging up my heels but as a girl who LOVES her shoes , decided the stairs will be the one to go instead . I hope tackling a challenge such as this will illustrate a larger life lesson to myself as well as my children : that no matter how old you are , setting a goal and working hard to achieve it , even if you stumble along the way - and you will stumble -stay determined and you can do it . We are always telling our children “ you can do anything you set your mind to ” aren ’ t we ? I figured why not put the rubber to the road – literally .

Looking forward to 2022 with each of you !

“‘ For I know the plans I have for you ,’ declares the LORD , ‘ plans to prosper you and not to harm you , plans to give you hope and a future .’” - Jeremiah 29:11 ( NIV )

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