Stand!!

I was listening to a song by one of my favorite groups today and really listening to the lyrics.  So much so that I went specifically to a website to find them and be sure I had them right.  I have been trying to get myself out of the stress and negativity of all that is going on in my life lately, that I need some pick me ups!  This song struck a cord in me today.  The song is called "Stand" by Rascal Flatts.  Here's the video of it...


Some of the lyrics are:

Cause when push comes to shove
You taste what you're made of
You might bend, till you break
Cause its all you can take
On your knees you look up
Decide you've had enough
You get mad you get strong
Wipe your hands shake it off
Then you Stand, Then you stand

I am feeling like I need to wipe myself off and take a stand.  A stand for me.  A stand for Charlotte.  A stand for all the children and adults living and dealing with T1D!  So, I am going to attempt to raise a much money as I can for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (and maybe win Charlotte a new bike in the process).  So if you are reading this now and you can STAND with me, please consider donating to our JDRF Walk for a Cure.  Click here and you can read more of our story.  Any amount will help us reach our goal!!!

Stand with me!  For Charlotte!  For my family!

Everytime you get up
And get back in the race
One more small piece of you
Starts to fall into place

My Friends and Family are the BEST!

I think I always knew that, but now that I have asked for help with a cause I truly believe in, everyone, and I mean everyone, seemed to step to the plate. People came out of the woodwork to donate to my March of Dimes Walk. I was so close to reaching my goal for about a week, and then sent out another email to all of my family and friends to "gently" remind them that I wanted to reach a goal. I can't believe who and how many of you responded! I wish there was a way to list all the wonderful people who opened their hearts and wallets to donate.

From some of my best friends, to co-workers who are also friends, to principals at schools where I work (who I didn't even know knew about this walk of mine), to strangers just reading my other post. It is crazy how generous people can be.

It really warms my heart to know that I have people out there that not only believe in me, but also believe in a cause that has touched my life in so many ways.

How do I say thank you? I have no idea, but I am hoping that this reaches all of you. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! You all mean so much to me!

Anyone who still wants to donate...the walk is April 26th, so there is still time, just click here.

Here are some small photos of those special little ones that I walk in honor of: Anthony, Christian, Margaret, Elizabeth, Jason, and Meghan!! Love you all!

It's time!

It's time for me to do something that I feel is important. Something I have a strong connection to. It's time for me to make it known that there are many people that we all know and love that struggle with the heartaches that come with premature birth. But it is also time to let the world know that there is a charity and agency that can help. That makes a big difference in the lives of the families and the little ones that are born premature. It's time to let the world know of the success stories of our preemies, that the March of Dimes is devoted to helping!
I have been indirectly effected by premature birth. Both my sisters had preemies, my cousin had a premature little girl, and most recently one of my best friends had a beautiful daughter at 25 weeks.
What can I do to help? I can walk! I can try to get the message of the March of Dimes out there! I can hopefully reach my personal goal through the generosity of my family, friends, and even strangers, who might be reading this post. It is an important cause.
Anthony, Christian, Jason, Meghan, Elizabeth, and Margaret are the reason I am asking for your help.

I have a link in the sidebar and I have a personal website where it is easy to make a donation.
Please search your heart and your pocket for any amount you can give.
Thank you!

There are no words...

I recently learned of another giveaway that I had to check out. But in checking it out I found it is so much more than a giveaway. I have no more words to say than what is written about Baby Mia on this A Mama Drama Blog

Also there is a blog just about helping this sweet baby and her family.

Check it out. It's a tear jerker. Consider donation.

What to do?

A new life, new hope, new prayers....

Here's a link with at least something else you and I can do.

Consider it.

Help!

Help!?!

Well, I have been inspired to help. "Help" is such a powerful word. How can we help each other, help the world around us, help ourselves, etc. etc. etc.
Gordon and I are invited to a wedding at the end of the summer and the couple has a gift registry at Macy's. Now that is not all that remarkable. Everyone has registries. But theirs is different. If we buy a gift off their registry, there is a donation made to a charity. WOW! Can I just say how impressed I was with that feature? The charity that they had chosen was Girls Inc.

I went to the website and it got me thinking about how I can help.

There is another campaign that I have given to and been inspired by, that I would love for you to check out too. It is the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty and Self Esteem Fund. Having a daughter of my own and knowing that there are so many beautiful women out there that don't believe they are beautiful. Dove has started these campaigns to help. I'm sure you've seen the commercials/videos. Check out "Onslaught". How can I help Charlotte truly believe in how beautiful she is?
Another charity I've been involved in, as most of you know, is March of Dimes. There are so many great charities out there, I can't possible list them all.
You don't have to give money or donations to help. You can donate time, a listening ear to a friend in need, a shoulder to cry on, a smile to a stranger on the street, and many more. I don't want this post to turn into a soapbox for charity. I just wanted to spark something in each of you reading this to reach out to someone in need.

As many of us know the economy is not doing so hot. I for one am feeling the pinch this year. Maybe it is because I was off on my maternity leave for four months, or maybe it is because I have chosen to take this summer off to be with Charlotte and Ian. Neither of these I would change, but it does make things alittle tighter around here.
So if I am feeling the pinch, I am sure charities and those in need are feeling it too.

So here it is. I am going to add some features to my blog that could offer help and search for other ways to help too. I have so many friends and family who have been helping me not only in the last month as I started this blog, but also through the many hardships I have faced so far in my life.

There are so many ways to help. How have you reached someone today?