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PUBLISHER Kitty Collins

ASSISTANT EDITOR Diana Barrett

DISTRIBUTION Mary Jane Turner

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Nannette Cain Caroline Crownover Larry Deavers Linda Holloway Dave Ramsey

ADVERTISING Kitty Collins

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

NEXT DEADLINE Ad deadline for the March / April issue is Wednesday , February 10 , 2023 .

Kids Life Magazine is published every other month . Reproduction of any part of this publication without written permission of the publisher is prohibited . The publisher is not responsible for incorrect information . The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts . Distribution of this magazine does not constitute an endorsement of information , products or services . The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement or listing which is not in keeping with the publications standards .

Happy New Year from the Collins Family : Ryan , Grant , John , Kitty , Drew and Molly

Anxiety and The Autonomic Nervous System . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Escape For A Date : Hotel Effie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2023 Tuscaloosa Education Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Tuscaloosa Private Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Where to Start Homeschooling in Tuscaloosa . . . . . . . . . . 21 Dave Says . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Taking Control of Your Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Easy Valentine ’ s Cupcakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

I love the hope a new year brings . New goals , new adventures , new growth . As the year closes and a new one begins , I tend to focus more than usual on things I ’ d like to do better . As a mom to 3 boys , wife , sister and small business owner , I often feel like I ’ m not juggling any of these important jobs very well . In fact , I ’ ll admit I feel like an absolute failure in all of these at times . Life is way too busy to dwell in those thoughts too much but if you happen to struggle with this like me , let ’ s resolve not to focus on our mistakes and shortcomings but on finding strength in the Lord ’ s grace and mercy as we try to slow down a bit and find a better balance . To serve as a constant reminder for myself , I have written the apostle Paul ’ s wise words on an index card and put it where I can see it in my car , above my kitchen sink , washing machine , bathroom …. everywhere I spend time .

No , dear brothers and sisters , I have not achieved it , but I focus on this one thing : Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead , I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God , through Christ Jesus , is calling us . PHILIPPIANS 3:13-14

Our 2023 Education Guide is a new feature for Kids Life Magazine that I hope you will find helpful . We look forward to expanding it in the coming years . Up next , our popular March / April Summer Camp issue will be packed with summer programs and activities available in the West Alabama area so be watching for that !

Happy 2023 !