The Reason for the Season - Day 25

Today Christ was born and in celebration I will spend this day remembering why we celebrate it. It is because of Him that I live in a country where I have the freedom to celebrate this day. It is because of Him that I am blessed with my family. It is because of Him that we will have a beautiful dinner to enjoy with family and friends. It is all because of Him!

Merry Christmas friends! Thank you for coming along on this ride. I had hoped to be able to get out there and do more but the old hand held me back. However through this little "experiment" I was able to show my daughters that Christmas is more than shopping, baking and organizing. It is about giving back in both big and small ways. It was a beautiful 25 days for us!

The Reason for the Season - Day 24

Today was an important one. Today we sat down with our children and we spent time talking about the true meaning of Christmas. Not the toys or the food or even the coming together but the birth of Jesus. This is a very tough concept for children (and many adults) to grasp so it was a tough job. Thankfully with the help of some stories and books we got our children to listen and understand on some basic level.

I know not all of you out there believe in Jesus but I hope that this season you spend some time with your families thinking about what Christmas really means to you. Don't let it be about the things, the gifts, the cooking and the cleaning. Put the focus where it belongs.

Merry Christmas Eve to you all!

The Reason for the Season - Day 23

A couple years back a former employer of Brians did a collection for a local charity (The Sunday Breakfast Mission) who provides food, toiletries, clothes, etc. It was the holidays so Brian brought in a few things we had lying around the house. In the spirit of this "series" on my blog he decided that he would break into our stockpile in the garage and fill a couple bags full of toiletries and other things they are asking for for their shelters. He is going to drop them today so they have them in time for the holiday.

I am so happy to see my husband jumping on board. :D

What did you (and your family) do today?

The Reason for the Season - Day 22

Today the girls and I packed up some of the extra Christmas cookies we baked and left them on our neighbors doorsteps. The girls liked the "covert" nature of our adventure and I loved that our neighbors would wake up to a lovely surprise!

What did you do today?

The Reason for the Season - Day 21

When we upgraded to Aby's new stroller the Joovy Caboose sit and stand I bought six months ago suddenly became useless. It has been sitting in the garage and I planned to list it on Craig's List. Then I got a better idea.

I joined Free Cycle about two years ago. I decided that instead of selling the stroller I could find a family who needs one but can't afford one. Today I found a military family with a 10 month old and a 2 year old who don't have a double stroller. I promptly contacted them to offer ours. She was elated. That feels a whole lot better than the $50 I could have gotten from Craig's List!

What did you do today?

The Reason for the Season - Day 20

Today was the "finalize the girls pile" day. We made a concerted effort to buy toys that they will use throughout the year without much that is frivolous. When we stood back and looked at the piles there were a few things that just seemed excessive. We decided to take those out of the piles and go find a Toys for Tots bin. Maybe some kid who needs a little frivolity will get it on Christmas morning. Heaven knows mine don't *need* it.

What did you do today?

The Reason for the Season - Day 19

Today was a simple one. I decided that I would go out of my way to be kind to my neighbors. I brought up rogue trash and recycling cans, I threw newspapers by their doors, I picked up trash their kids left outside, I put bikes away that they forgot... little stuff. We are lucky that we started our life at our new house with less than fortunate neighbors. We have since gotten new neighbors that are such nice people. I thought what better way to give back than to my neighbors. Sometimes it's the simplest things that make the biggest difference.

What did you do today?

The Reason for the Season - Day 18

When I had my surgery the surgeon chose to use donated bone and bone jelly (whatever that is) to replace where the tumor had eaten. After my surgery the doctor gave us paperwork for the tissue in the case that I had a problem. In looking it over I noticed that you can anonymously send a thank you letter to the family of the person who donated. It is kind of a weird feeling knowing that someone has passed and I am benefitting from that loss. I believe strongly in organ and tissue donation so I realize what a sacrifice this family made for me.

Anyway, today I sat down and wrote letters to both of the families who chose organ and tissue donation. For me it was bone, tissue and bone jelly... for someone else a heart or lung. I thought it was a wonderful opportunity to thank this family and acknowledge both their loss and the gift that they gave. That seems to me to be the true meaning of the season.

If you have interest in this cause you can go to this website to learn more.

The Reason for the Season - Day 17

Today I was getting a great deal on the crocs website and had the option to add a donation to my order. So, I donated to this wonderful cause:


About Feed The Children

Feed The Children created the Americans Feeding Americans project to help American and military families across the country affected by the nation's economic downturn. Join Crocs and Feed The Children this holiday season to help provide food and everyday essentials to American children and families.

You can help by making a donation at checkout when you purchase a pair of Crocs™ shoes, and for every donation made, Crocs will then donate a pair of shoes up to 10,000 pairs, to Feed The Children, who will deliver them to people who need them most.

So by buying shoes I was able to help donate shoes and some money.

What did you do today?

The Reason for the Season - Day 16

Cookies for Soldiers:

Here's another easy one (great for a one handed person ;D). If you go to Kenmore's FB page and "Like" them they will donate cookies to a soldier. Last year at this time we donated toiletries and games to Any Soldier. It is a fantastic charity and I am hoping to donate more after my hand gets better.

They will also donate $50,000 to Heroes at Home when they’ve reached their goal of 250,000 cookies sent to troops (they have almost reached that goal!

From Kenmore's FB Page:

Make the season a little sweeter for our troops! Ask Kenmore to send a dozen cookies to a soldier away from home with your personal message of support.

Even sweeter—by helping us reach our goal of sending a quarter million cookies to the troops, Kenmore will donate $50,000 to Heroes at Home Wish Registry to assist military families in need

The Reason for the Season - Day 15

This past week the girls and I rounded up all of the spare coats, hats, gloves and scarves we had lying around our house and today we are donating them to a coat drive. It seems like so many of us (including myself) live with some excess of clothes. I know I have more than I need.

By donating coats and other winter-wear I was able to include the girls on the discussion of how lucky (especially in this economy) we are to have a warm house with clothes and coats and boots. We are blessed and I want my children to know that not everyone is as lucky as they are. I am also hoping that these simple ways they can help show them how to be kind to their fellow mankind.


Click HERE to be connected with the charity One Warm Coat to find out how you can help.

What did you do today?

The Reason for the Season - Day 14

Today I used my banked Pampers Gifts to Grow Points to donate safe drinking water. Here is the information:

P&G Children's Safe Drinking Water (CSDW) program.

The mission of P&G Children's Safe Drinking Water is to provide clean water to children and families. Almost 4,000 children under age 5 die each day from diseases caused by unclean drinking water, which is more than HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and measles combined. P&G partnered with the U.S Center for Disease Control (CDC) to create the PUR Purifier of Water packet, which transforms 10 liters of dirty, contaminated water into clean drinking water in just 30 minutes. The P&G CSDW program partners with over 100 organizations globally to distribute these packets in emergency relief situations and in over 50 countries where there is an ongoing need for clean water.

If you have Pampers Points click here to donate.

To donate to this cause in others forms click here.

** I am writing this and making my contribution early. Yesterday was my hand surgery and I don't want to miss one of my 25 days! **

The Reason for the Season - Day 13

Today I donated to Toys for Tots. I am donating both toys as well as money. I read somewhere that they need both the toys as well as monies to help with the disbursement of the toys. It is such an amazing charity. They have been donating toys since 1947. I find that almost all malls as well as many of our local dollar stores have toys for tots bins. It's so easy. Bring an extra $5 or $10 when you shop, buy ONE extra toy and drop it in. It doesn't seem like much but if everyone who could bought ONE toy it would make a huge difference.

Click here to donate.



What did you do today?

** I am writing this and making my contribution early. Today is my hand surgery and I don't want to miss one of my 25 days! **

The Reason for the Season - Day 12

I know this is a small one but even the little things count. Today I went out of my way to make a conversation with a woman who looked like she could use a smile. She was taken aback when I asked her how she was (and really meant it). Turns out she just had a hand surgery similar to mine in recent months so we had plenty to talk about.

When I approached her she looked miserable and when I walked away she was smiling. Hopefully it brightened her day enough that maybe the cheer will go forward. :D

What did you do today?

The Reason for the Season - Day 11

"Like" for a Cause

I know I have said it before but I am not a FBer. I might if I had more time but don't want to commit any more time than I have. :D I am so pleased to see that this season so many companies are using Facebook as a way to give back. On the Freebies for Mom blog (of which I am a loyal fan and follower) I recently read a post where if you "Like" the listed 5 companies EACH ONE will donate $1. That $5 donated to pediatric cancer all for simply clicking a button 5 times. I am hijacking Brian's FB account (and any other family member I can) to click away.

So this is my "thing" for the day. Hurry up though you only have until Sunday.

CLICK HERE for the original post.

Here is the information:

When you “Like” these five Facebook pages, they will each donate $1.00 to Journey 4 A Cure, a non-profit organization helping families affected by pediatric cancer.

Please go “Like” these pages and ensure that they reach their donation goals of $2,500 per sponsor (so up to $12,500 total) by Sunday, December 12:

“Like” Cheep - they will donate $1.00 on your behalf plus they are a great way to get real-time price comparisons while you shop

“Like” CoupSmart - they will donate $1.00 on your behalf plus they send you coupons and samples when you scan your groceries with their free iPhone application

“Like” Extrabux - they will donate $1.00 on your behalf plus they help you find the best online deals

“Like” Valpak – they will donate $1.00 on your behalf plus they are the folks who deliver you that big fat envelope of coupons to your mailbox on a regular basis

“Like” Valpak Deals – they will donate $1.00 on your behalf plus they help scope out the best deals and deliver them to you in a daily email

What did you do today?

The Reason for the Season - Day 10

What is Diaper Need?

Diaper need is the struggle to provide babies with an essential need - diapers. Some mothers face having to clean out and reuse soiled diapers or have to choose between diapers and other basic needs like food.

Diaper banks are making a difference
With clean, dry diapers, babies are more secure emotionally and physically, moms suffer less stress and importantly, baby hygiene and health are better protected.
What is a diaper bank?

Diaper banks collect, store and help distribute diapers to families suffering financial difficulty. They get diapers through donations, local diaper drives and are able to purchase additional diapers through fundraising.

Huggies is promoting an initiative called Every Little Bottom and they are working to donate 700,000 diapers. I can't imagine having to make a decision between reusing diapers and giving my kids dinner. I want to help!

Today I donated enough to provide 200 diapers to families who need them. I plan to donate more through Huggies Reward points. This is an easy cause to get behind (no pun intended :D).

What did you do today?

The Reason for the Season - Day 9

Today the girls and I donated a bag full of clothes, toys, socks, hats, gloves, etc. for a family that the girls school has adopted. The idea is to provide a full Christmas for a few local families who have fallen on hard times. Each child is assigned a specific family member and are given suggestions for what to buy. We got a baby girl which made it easy. I allowed the girls to go shopping for things that the baby would like for Christmas. They chose some clothes, a hat and gloves set, socks, jammies and a few books and toys. I was very proud of the smart decisions they made and what they picked. Instead of choosing frivolous toys they realized that the baby would need clothes and things. It was a wonderful sign that this blog journey is paying off!

What did you do today?

The Reason for the Season - Day 8

Today I reached out to an extended family member who is having a tough time. This person has lost something that no one should lose and I cannot imagine the pain of a holiday season after such a loss. I am not going to go on about the details but I wanted to share this for today.

Giving at Christmas isn't all about money or food or donations. It is also about meeting people where they are at. Not everyone needs something you can hold in your hand this season. Some people just need support and love. If you know someone who needs a little extra support right now... call them. Write them. E-mail them. Send them a card. Just let them know you are there.

What did you do today?

The Reason for the Season - Day 7

At the beginning of the school year the girls preschool teacher sent a list of items that parents could donate to the classroom. They also ask for a small amount of money to help buy supplies. Because of the small classroom size I know that our teacher and the aides did not accumulate a lot of the good they needed.

So today I sent in a bunch of the things I happen to know they are short on. They were inexpensive (flour, paper towels, plastic bags, etc), easy to get and easy to send in. I know that a lot of that cost trickles down to the teacher and I thought this would be one less thing for our teacher to do. She is young and recently married so I don't think it's fair that she should have to pick up all the slack.

It was something small but I hope it brought a smile to her face.

I also did a little looking around for how you can help a school near you. I found THIS LINK which gave some great low cost suggestions for giving to a school near you. Things that you might have around your house could be a big deal for a classroom in need.

What did you do today?

The Reason for the Season - Day 6

I was planning on winging it today and hoping to find some way to contribute today in a casual, passerby kind of way. However something better came up. I have been plugging away at my Christmas list for a couple of months now. I vowed to spend less and give more back in September. I didn't come up with this little blog challenge for myself until last month but anyway... I digress as usual. :D

So, I have a couple people left on my list. I had some ideas but nothing felt right. Today I decided that instead of just buying something to buy something I would contribute to a cause that each of these people feel strongly about. I donated what I would have spent on a gift in their name. I am hoping that this idea will help them feel as good about it as I do.

What did you do today?