Tyler’s Way is excited and proud to announce a new project funded by YOUR SUPPORT! In an effort to leave a lasting and permanent impact in our community, as well as our continued commitment to our Family, Community and Character missions, we will break ground in May 2015 on the Tyler’s Way Walking Trail of Johns Creek , located on the property of Findley Oaks Elementary School.
The trail will be a professionally constructed path, over a half mile long that circles the Findley Oaks property. Although exact details of the trail are still being developed, it will consist of character markers, memory pavers and several areas to reflect. The trail will be a safe and comfortable path for our community to use at their leisure. A great place for friends to join together, families with strollers looking for a smooth path, animal lovers walking dogs and all who love walking/exercising/ being outdoors to enjoy. We will break ground on the trail in May of 2015 with an anticipated completion date of July 2015.

This project would not be possible without the support we have had from this wonderful community over the last three years and without your continued support. The trail will be a wonderful place for families and individuals to enjoy a safe and inspiring walking/running path. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to give back to such an incredible community in Tyler’s name and memory. More details will follow and we look forward to updating all of our supporters and the community on this exciting project.

If you would like more information or want to be a part of this wonderful project, please email Carrie at carrie@tylersway.com or Kristen at kristen@tylersway.com

This video was done as a school project by one of Tyler’s friends, Lindsey Smith. She is a ninth grader at Northview High School.
She did a great job in telling the story of how community is affected and plays a part helping families try to heal when a child has died.

We all know that most New Year’s resolutions fall by the wayside come Feb. 1 (or earlier!). Instead of making unrealistic resolutions, make some new commitments as a family to spend more time together, argue less and stay active. Here is a great article we found on SheKnowsParenting.com

To read the article in its entirety click here

1
Sit down to dinner
Eating family dinners together has been linked to a lower incidence of teen smoking, drinking and drug use. Research also shows that kids who eat with their family get better grades.

2
Stop overscheduling
If your kids have every moment of their days scheduled, consider letting them opt out of one or two activities. You have to let your children find the balance of participating in activities they enjoy while also allowing time for free play, friends, family and sleep.

3
Unplug once a week
Designate one day a week as an “unplugged” day. On this day, turn off computers, televisions, smartphones and all other electronics and get back to basics with these fun and simple ideas:

Go hiking, biking or swimming.
Create a special arts-and-crafts project.
Cook a meal together as a family.
Set aside a couple of hours for reading time.
Go visit family or friends.
Do some spring cleaning.
Draw, paint or take pictures.
Plant a vegetable garden.
Play board games or cards.
Spend time talking, relaxing and laughing.

4
Plan family fitness days
Hold fun family fitness days to keep your family fit and healthy this year. Take a walk or go running together every evening and take advantage of extra time on the weekends to try out these new, fun ways to exercise as a family:

5
Start a family hobby
Collaborate with your family members to start a hobby together. Discuss options that interest everyone and take a vote on which hobby you would all like to try. When tossing out ideas for a hobby, consider the following:

6
The family that journals together stays together
Starting a family journal is a great way to spend more time with your kids as well as gain insight into their innermost feelings.

7
Hit the road
Traveling more is a wholesome resolution that every member of the family is sure to enjoy. The trips don’t have to be extravagant, break-the-bank treks. Think camping, road trips and visiting friends and family in nearby cities or states.

8
Make a chat pact
If you’re not used to simply chatting with your kids, creating a resolution to communicate more (outside of the necessities of the day-to-day) may seem a little silly at first. However, the more you start enjoying casual conversation with your family as a whole, the easier it will become.
9
Laugh more, argue less
Probably the most important thing you can do for your family is to enjoy life and avoid arguments. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Create a laid-back atmosphere in your household with lots of laughs and love.

I once heard someone say the true meaning of life is people. Our relationships that help shape us and the impact we leave with others. I didn’t understand this idea completely but what else is there? We all get caught up in always wanting to be first, to have more “stuff”. We are all in this together so we should attack each day wanting to make a positive impact on people around us. After we lost Tyler no one ever talked about his cool shoes or clothes, they talked about the impact he left in their lives. We got letters of the time he stopped a bully picking on a younger kid, helping the kindergarten girl off the bus to her class the first day of school. Always being there for his teammates and friends.

We found this video and I thought it was the ultimate show of character. For these young men to understand that theory at such an early age is amazing to me. It impacted all of them more than they ever thought. Just like Brian Stann said at the 2013 Tribute To Tyler Walk, “Do a good deed and you will be amazed how it makes you feel!”

I hope this video inspires you as it did me to get out there and make the world a little better!
Play Hard!
Coach Jeff Safari

A New School Year

We hope everyone had a great summer and you are now getting settled into what will be a great school year!

The Tyler’s Way Board and foundation are excited about the great events and community support we will be providing this year.  We support our mission of Community, Character and Family through Character Education Awards, TS82 Scholarships, sports scholarships, grief baskets and family support. We are expanding our reach this year adding more Johns Creek schools and more sports scholarships through different organizations.

We thank you for your continued support which enabled us to give over $5000 to recipients of these awards last year.

A Note From Carrie

I sometimes struggle with finding our precious family time during a busy school year of shuffling kids to sports and activities and the additional time focused on school work. In line with our family mission, I wanted to share some helpful advice and ideas I have found to bring our family back together:

· Take a walk as a family-with no phones, television or household distractions, the conversation will flow. We have found it fun to sometimes add a short scavenger hunt list for our little one which adds additional fun.

· For those little ones, set a timer for 20-30 minutes and give them your undivided attention to play games, color, read etc. Put your phone away and don’t let anything distract you during that time. Twenty minutes of total time is much better than an hour of time spent sporadically checking your phone. Kids notice.

· Try to schedule at least one meal a week as a family. If week nights aren’t possibly due to children’s activities or work then find time during the weekend to do a big breakfast, brunch or even linner(that’s what we call a meal after lunch but before dinner)

· Take the time to read to your kids or just talk to them as they go to bed. Don’t send them off to bed on their own. If you have little ones, a good short book gives you one on one time to snuggle and let them feel loved as they close their eyes at the end of the day.

For older kids, ten minutes of talking to them about their day as they wind down for the night shows them they are important and things in their life matter as well.

Good luck to everyone on a great school year and don’t ever take for granted what is right in front of you! Family is everything and life is precious!

With Love,

Carrie and the Tyler’s Way Foundation

Love Life, Laugh Often, Play Hard

For fallen child, Johns Creek family makes day of kindness  

Watch the 11 Alive video taken on June 5, the anniversary of Tyler’s birthday. Thanks to all who offered Random Acts of Kindness in Tyler’s memory.

If using device with Flash and unable to see video please paste this link in your browser.
http://www.11alive.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=2437214894001

April 20, 2013 was our first ever Tyler’s Way Play Hard Event at Park Bench and it couldn’t have been better! Great people, great music, a great cause and a beautiful night! We were introduced to the amazing Davin McCoy who warmed us up with his soulful and honest music and then rocked the night away with Drivin and Cryin! For a moment it felt like college again.

Sponsors, we couldn’t have done it without you! Thank you so much!