Raise Awareness

I write this blog to keep people updated on the goings on in our lives here.  I started this years ago, mainly for my family since I was living out of state and I would always get asked what was new and didn't want to repeat it all the time.  Somehow it has turned into something more.  I am sharing our life's struggles, our highs and our lows and throwing some recipes and fun stuff in from time to time.  Almost 2 years ago we started walking down a new road.  My oldest was diagnosed with Epilepsy, you can read her story over here.  It took me a little while to feel like I was standing strong again, it really knocked me down for a while and ever since then, I want to raise awareness.  Not only for her, but for kids who no longer have a voice, in the video below, it is summed up perfectly, "life isn't fair, sometimes it just isn't".  That statement is so true.  Seeing my child lay in a hospital bed hooked up to IV's and undergoing numerous testing, I think, life is not fair.  I wish I could take her place for her and go through her pain for her but I also think, no one should have to take her place.  It isn't fair for anyone to have to go through this.  Please take a moment and watch this video.  These are just a handful of families who have been affected and thee are numerous more out there.  I am one of those families.

After watching, if you feel the need to help or want to know what you can do for families like me, please just let me know.  One thing you will find about people living with Epilepsy is that they want people to know and they don't mind people helping raise awareness on their behalf.  Thank you in advance!!!

Acts Of Kindness For Henry

I have been following this blog for a little while now.  The woman who writes the blog is Katie Allison Granju.  She writes beautifully and has a wonderful sense of humor.  She has also been hit with the most tragic of events this year, the death of her 18 year old son Henry.  If you have a moment, take the time to read her blog, but today, go out and spread some kindness in remembrance of Henry.  Yes, he was a drug addict and yes, it did lead to him getting into a bad situation which would ultimately lead to his death, but he was also an 18 year old kid.  A kid who had gotten in too deep and couldn't find his way out.  He was also a son and a brother who is missed deeply.  despite his addiction, he was a wonderful young man and today he would have been 19.  So, to honor his memory, his family is asking that everyone go out and spread some kindness in the name of Henry Granju.  Nothing wrong with being nice right?  If you do, please join the facebook group Acts Of Kindness For Henry, and let the family know what you did int heir sons name.  They don't have him here to celebrate with and I know it would bring some sort of peace and happiness to know that the memory of their son still lives on.  And why stop today?  Being kind is something we should be doing everyday!!!  And if we are kind to others and help others out, maybe people like Henry would still be around.  Have a blessed day!!!

World Vision

If you have not registered and are a part of House Party, I strongly recommend it.  It is a free site and basically, they send you invitations to host a party for a specific company.  You fill out an application and then if you "win" the party, you get a ton of stuff from that company sent to your door for you to hand out to guests at your awesome party.  And it is not a hoax type of thing.  A couple of months ago I won a Febreze house party which was awesome and this past week I received my goods to host my World Vision house party.  If you are not familiar with World Vision, it is a Christian based company that you can go through to sponsor children who are in need in other countries.  Did you know that 26,000 children under the age of 5 will die from hunger or another preventable disease?  When you sponsor a child, it will provide them with clean water, nutritious food, education, basic health care and spiritual encouragement.  It is also a way for us who are privileged to bestow our blessings that we receive back onto others who are not as fortunate.  Through World Vision, their sponsorship is $35 a month.  I know many of you are skeptical, as was I, that the money would basically all go back to the company and a tiny amount would get sent to the child and their family.  In fact, 86-89% of all money sent is sent directly to the child and their family.  And when sponsoring a child, you get a welcome kit with the photo and info about your sponsored child, the opportunity to write letters back and forth and even possibly e-mail them and annual progress reports on your child.  I think it is an amazing opportunity to help out.  If you would like to know more, you could always go to the World Vision website.  And if you would like to ask me, I have a ton of info, along with some cool World Vision swag.......

To pass along to others, I have shopping totes, some pictures of needy children, awesome bracelets, brochures for Women of Faith conferences (which look awesome and I am thinking of going, come with me!) and nifty World Vision spatulas.  And if you decide to sponsor a child, I have cute key chains as well.  I know that many of you cannot afford to spend any more money, we are all struggling these days, but if you can fit it into your budget, I know it would make a world of difference to a child in need, their family and hopefully the world.