CELBEBRATION OF MOTHERHOOD

You are cordially invited to attend a

CELEBRATION of MOTHERHOOD

held at the State Capital Building

Frankfort, KY

May 9, 2009

11:00 a.m.

Press Room

Honoring 5th Grade essay participants and winners!

RSVP: Betsy Lowe at betsy4kids@aol.com or 502-749-4339

CHRIS CHU of KENTUCKY wins National Essay Contest

At the National Convention in Portland, Oregon Betsy Lowe, National Literacy Chairperson announced the winners of the National Essay Contest. There were 19 states that participated in the contest including Idaho, Oregon, Wyoming, Arizona, Hawaii, Nebraska, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, Maine, and the great state of Kentucky. The first place essay winner is from Kentucky - Chris Chu, the second place essay winner is from Oklahoma - Stephanie Bradford, and the third place winner is from Texas - Kamish Kabani.

Congratulations

Chris Chu

on winning the

2009 National 5th Grade Essay contest!

2009 NATIONAL CONVENTION - PORTLAND OREGON

The 74th American Mothers, Inc. National Convention was held at the Embassy Suites in Portland, Oregon from April 23 - April 26. It was a wonderful four day event. At the Wednesday night banquet, Mrs. Bobbie Burbridge Lane was honored for her hours of donated service and her generous monetary donations to AMI in the effort to stop pornography. Betsy Lowe, State President has supported Mrs. Lane since 2002. They have worked hard to change law in Louisville and around the state. Above: Betsy Lowe, KY State President with Bobbie Burbridge Lane of the Burbridge Foundation.Above: Ilene Barlow - National Awards Chairperson, Betsy Lowe - National Literacy Chairperson and Judith Joe - National Literature Chairperson.

On Thursday we had State President's training. We also were priviledged to hear the Young Mothers speeches and attend workshops and hear from some the of the nationals best at mediation in schools, the problems of meth, character development, problems with pornography and internet bullying. We honored the 2008 National Mother of Young Children at the Lunchoen. Thursday evening was the Awards Banquet. Betsy Lowe along with Judith Joe and Ilene Barlow presented the National Awards. Betsy was very pleased to announce the winners of the National 5th Grade Essay contest: 1st place - Chris Chu from Kentucky, 2nd place - Stephanie Bradford from Oklahoma, and 3rd place - Kamish Kabani from Texas.

On Friday, we had the priviledge of hearing the Mother of the Year speeches and then attending the Gold and Silver or Tapestry gatherings. Lunch was in honor of our 2008 National Mother of the Year, Jo Blackwood. Friday evening was honoring the 2009 Young Mothers and the announcement of the 2009 - National Mother of Young Children. Mrs. Kimberly Wright of Nevada was selected. I had several opportunity to get to know Kimberly - she is such a delightful young mom!

Above: Connell Branan - Area V Coordinator, Ansley Barnett - Past NMYC, Kimberly Wright- 2009 NMYC, Kimberley Shelton - 2008 NMYC, and Betsy Lowe - KY State President, National Literacy Chair and past MYC (Ohio).

Kimberly with her husband!

Saturday started with the Interfaith Memorial Breakfast. Special attention was given to Phyllis Marriott, and Nancy Hawk, both Past National Presidents. It was followed by the Legacy Project and the Garden tour. What spectacular gardens are seen in Portland.

After the Garden Tour, our expedition to us to the University of Portland for the unvailing of the "Walk of the Heroines - Legacy Walk." I felt so priviledged to be at the very special ceremony to see all the amazing work that had gone into making this beautiful walk and fountain in the name of famous women and mothers.Later that evening was the Gala Dinner. What a spectacular evening. Ms. Betty Jean McGregor from South Carolina was named as the 2009 National Mother of the Year.

Mrs. Betty McGregor of South Carolina was named 2009 National Mother of the Year.

Mrs. McGregor receiving a kiss from her husband.

5th Grade Parent - Middle School Orientation Night at Goshen Elementary

American Mothers, Inc. was invited to have a booth at "5th Grade Night" at Goshen Elementary School for the parents of rising 5th grade students. The night's intention is to prepare parents for what awaits them in middle school. We had our parenting class sign up sheet out, along with other AMI literature including the Mother's Against Abuse booklets - "In Control" and "Be Strong".

In Control and Be Strong booklets were written for the middle school aged boy (In Control) and middle school aged girl (Be Strong). They are a great resource for kids and adults.

It was a great way to introduce American Mothers, Inc. to parents and share our message.

STATE 5th GRADE ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS

The Kentucky Association of American Mothers, Inc. is pleased to announce the winners of the 2009 5th Grade Essay Contest "What My Mother Means to Me."

Chris Chu, a fifth-grader at Goshen Elementary was inspired to write this essay because his mother is not just a caring mother, but also his best friend, teacher and coach. His essay, "What My Mother Means to Me," won first place in the state contest sponsored by American Mothers, Inc. (AMI). His essay will compete at the national level. The winner at the national level will be announced during American Mothers, Inc. National Convention held in Portland, OR on April 24, 2009.

American Mothers Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the moral and spiritual foundation of the family and home. "The strength of our future is our children," said Betsy Lowe, State President and AMI National Literacy Chairperson. "I especially enjoy supporting this program because it encourages children to take time to think about what their mother does for them, as well as promote writing and communication skills. I love reading these thoughtful essays. They touch my heart."

There were 98 participants from the around the state, 42 participants from Oldham County in the essay contests. Chu's essay took first place in the state. Three students from Harmony Elementary took second, third and Honorable Mention. Heather Wiley took second place. She states, “I couldn’t live without her, it would be like breathing with no air, seeing with no color, and reading a book with no words”, Kaitlyn Hampton, took third place sharing how her mom shows love for her, and Victoria Hafner’s essay was so impressive she received an Honorable Mention. In her essay she shares how her mother helped her cope with an alcoholic dad and divorce."

Participants in the American Mother's Fifth Grade Essay Contest were required to write a 150-essay essay entitled "What My Mother Means to Me." The contest was open to all fifth-graders in the state. A team of sixth grade teachers from North Oldham Middle School judged the contest using the Rubric Scoring Guide for paragraph, report and essay writing.

American Mothers, Inc. State President, Betsy Lowe of Prospect was at Harmony Elementary School on Tuesday, April 14 to present the three winners from that school with certificates. The presentation was shown on their video morning announcements. She was at Goshen Elementary School on Tuesday, April 21st to present Chris Chu his certificate in front of his 5th grade class. It was broadcast on the school news the following morning. An official awards ceremony will be held at the next American Mothers, Inc. State meeting where each of the winners will be recognized. "They are touching," she said. "They show excellent use of creative expression and language skills."

This is the fifth year for the contest, and Lowe said she appreciates the efforts of schools to create more involvement in the program. She said she hopes the contest doubles in size next year.

The theme is the same, and the winners again will be announced before Mother's Day. The Entry form can be downloaded from http://www.americanmothers.org/.


Winning Essays reveal writer’s hearts

First place: Chris Chu
Prospect

"Everyone thinks his/her mom is special in many different ways. I consider my mom is not just a caring mother, she is also my best friend, teacher, and coach for life.

Doctors delivered the dreariest news to my mom when I was three years old. "Autism Spectrum Disorder." They predicted I will never be able to catch up with my peer group, academically or socially. That broke my mom's heart. Fortunately, mom never let those words stop her from helping me to achieve my highest potentials. For years, I was reading without comprehending. Mom would spend endless hours reading with me, made sure I understood every word I read. Whenever, I behaved improperly, mom always took time to explain and correct my mistakes.

Today, I am still struggling with many difficulties. But with my mom's help, I am confident, I will be as successful as any of my peer groups. Thank you mom!"

Second place: Heather Wiley
Goshen

What my mom means to me, my mom means endless hugs on depressing days. She means being the loudest when she cheers me on in Cross Country. Where would I be without food, clothes, a clean house and love? Nowhere. Well, that’s what my mom does. You always know she’s there for you. When you are sad, angry, frustrated or even annoyed she’s there. I love my mom and she loves me. My mother means giggles over silly mistakes, making funny noises on glum days, watching T.V. together, laughing ‘til we cry. My mom in my dictionary means “special.” There’s no one better than my mom. I couldn’t live without her it would be like breathing with no air, seeing the world with no color, and reading a book with no words. It’s just not possible. My mom is the world and more. Thank you mom for everything you do!

Third place: Kaitlyn Hampton
Goshen

My mother means the world to me. She takes care of me when I’m sick and buys me dogs. See how nice my mom is.

My mom helps me when I’m sick by taking my temperature about every hour. She also buys me ice cream even if I’m sick. There was this one time when I was sick with a fever. My mom bought me a new jacket and two little ice cream cups.

My mom rocks because she bought me a puppy when we were moving. She bought me the puppy so I wouldn’t feel bad when we moved. Once we got to Kentucky I didn’t feel sad because my dog is energetic exciting and funny. So probably no mom has thought of that when they moved.

Thank you for reading my piece now. I hope you know what my mom means to me. Now I hope you pick my piece.

Honorable Mention: Victoria Hafner
Prospect

My mom means the world to me. She did the most responsible action in someone’s lifetime. She made sure her children weren’t miserable. She conquered the pain that made her ache daily. How did she do this?

My mother put up with my dad while he was an alcoholic. She strained in his lies, insults, and threats. She made sure we were safe while my dad went out to have fun. She tried to help him recover and bring our family back together. She tried to save my tears everyday.

Surprisingly, she did eliminate crying. She did this by spending time and comforting me. It was just too much for her to fix a lifetime crisis. Everyday after the divorce, she talked to me and gave me advice. She paid money to let us talk and get advice from someone.

As I said, my mom did the most responsible action ever.

CHAPTER GROUP STARTING

We are excited to announce AMI will be hosting "Parent to Parent" classes starting January 13, 2009. The session includes 8 weeks of classes presented by Betsy Lowe (AMI State President) and Heather Deshler (2008 YM). Classes will be held on Tuesday mornings starting at 9:00 a.m. running one hour. The place is still TBD. There is a minimal cost to attend is $10 to cover materials.

Course topics:
Week 1: Make Time for Positive Interactions
Week 2: Establishing and Communicating Expectations
Week 3: Establishing and Dispensing Consequeces
Week 4: Picking Your Battles
Week 5: Staying Calm - Don't become part of the problem
Week 6: Reinforcing Appropriate Behaviors
Week 7: Letting your Love Show
Week 8: Helping your child succeed in School (involving the school counselor)

Lessons adapted from: The Power of Positive Parenting by: Dr. Glenn Latham

For more information, please contact Betsy Lowe at bloweAMI@aol.com or at 749-4339.

Press Release

Heather is to be featured in a future issue of the TODAY'S WOMAN magazine.

ANNUAL STATE MEETING

Kentucky AMI welcomes Raelene Hill, National AMI President and Kimberley Shelton, National Young Mother for 2008 to Louisville, KY. Raelene shared a message of JOY in Motherhood through all stages of life ...

Hearing from our National President, Raelene Hill!

Jennifer Hancock sang "Who Are You", a most beautiful musical number as intermission between Raelene and Heather Deshler. We were all touched by the words of the song and the sweet spirit she brought to the meeting.

These ladies made the meeting so special.

Kimberley Shelton, Jennifer Hancock, Heather Deshler, & Raelene Hill

Kimberley Shelton, National Young Mother, Betsy Lowe - Kentucky State President, and Heather Deshler, Kentucky Young Mother

Pearl did a great job at being the Auctionaire!

We were very sad that John Foe and Russ Morgan are in the hospital. We missed their vibrant personalities at the meeting, however Pearl Taylor did an excellent job filling their shoes as the auctionaire. We made $133 in the auction.

Betsy Manship, Mary Lou Kirby and Stacy Tucker (IN)

11 members from around Kentucky and 3 visitors from Indiana were in attendance at our Annual State Meeting. The program included invited guest speakers, Raelene Hill and Kimberley Shelton. Betsy Lowe announced that AMI has been invited to start AMI Chapter groups in Oldham County Schools, and that the website www.KentuckyAMI.blogspot.com is created, up and running.

Also on the program was remarks from Heather Deshler. We were also blessed to hear a solo by Jennifer Hancock entitled "Who You Are". Chef Salads were served for lunch followed by a delicious apple struddle. The Auction followed lunch. Pearl Taylor did a fabulous job raising prices and moving items for the state fundraiser. The meeting ended with the installation of new officers.

Future fundraisers were discussed. Dates for the next meeting will be announced later!

Heather is Famous!

Heather Deshler, 2008 Young Mother of Kentucky was invited as a guest speaker at North Oldham Middle School on November 6, 2008.

North welcomed her by putting up a nice marque welcome!

Speaking at local schools

On Thursday, November 6 Heather Deshler will speak at the North Oldham Middle School sharing information about American Mothers, Inc and the programs we offer. She will also be sharing information on "How to help teens make good choices." The meeting starts at 7:00 p.m.

Article in Courier Journal

Award-winning women is "best mom in the world"

A wonderful article was written about Heather Deshler being named 2007 Kentucky Young Mother in the Courier Journal on Wednesday, October 22, 2008.

It was as if they were about to burst...As soon as I asked Heather Deshler's kids what they thought about their mom being the "2008 Kentucky Young Mother," the words spilled out of them. "She's the best mom in the world," said Avery, 11.
"She has so much to do," said Easton, 10.
Collin, 7, piped up about how great she is at sewing. And Zoe, 5, sported a smile that seemed to reach from plonde pigtail to the other.
Deshler, though, stays grounded when she talks about the honor. It's "an opportunity to volunteer and just sort of dedicate some time to spreading the cause of advocating and supporting mothers," she told me.
"I just think it's something that's easy to be overlooked -- what an important role mothers play in our society and our communities. It's a hard job, and it's day to day," she said. "You just get small moments that are very rewarding and the rest of the time it's a lot of worry and work, and it can be hard."
The Crestwood mother is part of American Mothers, Inc., a non-profit group that works to strengthen the moral and spiritual foundation of the family and home. After reviewing a portfolio of Deshler and an essay she wrote about what's most fulfilling in family life, the group picked her in February as the 2008 Kentucky Young Mother.

Most Wonderful Job in the World

Being a mother is the most wonderful job in the world, but the fruits of our labors are not often immediately apparent. Sometimes it’s hard to see the progress or feel the sense of achievement that is easier to measure and identify with other jobs. My dear friend once described it well when she told her husband that in leaving the job force behind to stay at home with her first daughter, she no longer received job performance reviews to help her gauge her success in her most important job. However, because of our human need for validation and because we care so much about being great moms, we look for signs that we are doing the right thing all over. Without a written job description, we do what comes naturally—we compare ourselves, and our children, to other mothers and their children. We compare labor stories, newborn milestones, walking, talking, reading, grades, athletic & musical ability, behavior, college entrance exams, and on and on. And all the better if my son just won the summer swim league championship—right? That must mean I’m a good mother. What about when my daughter can’t read Harry Potter at entrance to Kindergarten like my friend from church? How many of us have let our own feelings of worth about the work we do slip because we compare ourselves and our children to others? I know I have been guilty of this.Motherhood is NOT a competitive sport. I don’t know exactly when I realized this, but it has been liberating. I can love my four children, praise their successes, and be unashamed about theirs and my own shortcomings (we ALL have them). I’m not less of a mother then my friend who has 8 children, or better than my friend who’s child didn’t pass the test for the advanced program at school—we are all mothers. Motherhood is not a game with winners or losers, it is a journey and I believe that one of our greatest resources are the others mothers we associate with—just remember, they need cheerleaders too!

Louisville Young Mother Announcement

Heather Lynn Deshler

2008 Kentucky Young MotherOn March 22, 2008, the meeting room at the Oldham County YMCA was packed with people to honor the newly named Kentucky Young mother, Mrs. Heather Deshler. Although she currently resides in Louisville, she and her family will be moving into Oldham County later this year. Oldham County welcomes her. Heather Deshler was selected by AMERICAN MOTHERS, INC. to be an example to all mothers throughout the state and to help the organization promote its purpose of strengthening the moral and spiritual foundation of the family and home. Heather Deshler was presented flowers as 2008 Kentucky Young Mother

Photoed with Betsy Lowe

Heather Deshler with friends Kelly White, Voni Saxi and Jamie Gilbert

Heather's passion is the BIG picture. She would like to help promote the many wonderful programs American Mothers, Inc. offers to anyone interested.

For more information please contact your area contact:

Louisville: Betsy Lowe 502-749-4339
Bowling Green: Vivian Foe 270-842-3566

SAVE THE DATE - November 22

Dear members and mothers, friends and family,

Our next State meeting will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2008

at the Hilton Garden Inn, in Louisville, KY.

The meeting will start at 10:30 a.m.

Special guests include:
2008 National Young Mother, Kimberley Shelton
and
American Mother Inc, National President, Ralene Hill

Lunch will be served.

The cost is approximately $15.00 with an $5.00 registration fee.
Invitations will be sent out soon.
Please reserve the date on your calendar now.

This is a meeting not to miss. New state officers are being installed and the

2009 Kentucky Mother of the Year and

2009 Kentucky Young Mother will be announced.
Please invite your friends and neighbors to this meeting - it is sure to be wonderful.

National Convention - Lincoln, NE

National Convention was held the week of April 23 - 29, 2008 in Lincoln, NE. What an amazing congregation of people. Men and women from all over the country, in every different stage of life were present at the Annual AMI National Convention. Betsy Lowe accompanied Heather Deshler to convention. Heather was also joined by her husband and her parents. "What a great honor it is to be here among such outstanding women," says Deshler.

The convention was packed with various activities. From the onset with orientation, the mothers were actively participating at every gathering. The first night was BIG RED NIGHT. We had a traditional "Husker" dinner with folk singing and dancing. Later we were entertained by the Nebraska Husker Mascot:

Heather and Betsy with the CornHusker Mascot; GO BIG RED!

Thursday was a very BIG day for all the State Young Mothers as they presented the audience with their three minute speeches. The pressure was on to get everything said in less than three minutes. Heather Deshler and Betsy Lowe at National Conveniton after her speech
Heather did a fabulous job on her speech!
2008 State Young Mothers

Throughout the convention there were several workshops to attend offering information on the various program offered by AMI. Betsy Lowe and Heather Deshler attended workshops on Mother Mentoring, Chapter Group Development, Anti-Pornography (WRAP) and Public Awareness. Following the awards luncheon where the winners of the 5th Grade Essay Contest, Music Award, Literature Award, and Arts Awards, we were invited to tour the State Capital and have tea at the Governor's mansion.

Betsy Lowe & friends with Heather's family at the Governor's Mansion Heather and Betsy at the State Capital

Friday was another wonderful day filled with funny, heart felt and touching stories from the State Mother's of the Year. Following the speeches was the traditional Young Mother Luncheon honoring the 2007 National Young Mother, Mrs. Ansley Barnett. Friday night was the Gala for the Young Mothers, Mrs. Kimberly Shelton on New Hampshire was announced as the 2008 National Young Mother.

Saturday started with the Interfaith Memorials and Honors Breakfast. Later we heard from Jon Bruning, NE Attorney General. We had a wonderful lunch followed by speaker Gail Brand " Family Strengths". The afternoon was open for picture taking and personal time. That evening was the GRAND GALA where it was announced that Ellen Jo Blackwood was selected as the 2008 National Mother of the Year.

A highlight of this convention was that the Young Mothers, including Heather and Betsy were filmed in the process of making a documentary on motherhood. The documentary should air around Mother's Day 2009.