Orange You Glad It's Summer Gift Idea

Orange You Glad It's Summer

For the last day of school, we gave Reagan's 3rd grader teacher this fun gift.  

You could change this to fit most anything like:

Orange You Glad It's Your Birthday?

Orange You Glad It's Spring/Fall?

Orange You Glad I Love You?

Orange You Glad We're Friends?

I had so much fun searching for ORANGE items 

and putting them all together to fit my SUMMER theme.  

Starbursts, a Febreze Car Freshner, an Orange Impatien, and this fun Orange metal container to put everything in from Target. It was actually this container that inspired the gift idea. 

An Orange Cup filled with the teacher's favorite, Snickers

Orbit Gum

Orange nail polish

These fun Orange kitchen towels from Target

An Orange and Grey scarf from Cents of Style.

It really was a lot of fun to put this all together.  I did this another time when I gave all yellow items for a Happy Spring gift to my niece.  See that idea HERE. I think finding themes makes gift giving even that more personal because you have to really search for items to fit your theme.  The receiver will know you put forth a lot of effort and will appreciate the gesture even more.

It Was My 17th Anniversary

Last week I received an email recognizing my 17th Anniversary.  I hadn't even realized it had been 17 years since I made a possibly life-changing decision...................................

to be a marrow donor.

I remember in February 1996, while working at a health fair as part of my job as a Sexual Assault Counselor I was across from another booth at this health fair.  This booth was The National Marrow Donor Program through the University of Iowa and they were asking people to sign up to be marrow donors.  I listened to them give their presentation enough times that I decided that was something I could do.  So, I filled out the paperwork and a couple weeks later had my blood work done and officially joined the registry.  

For 17 years, I have been willing to step forward and donate my bone marrow to help save someone's life.  For most of those 17 years, I haven't given the fact that I am on that list a second thought.  Every now and then I may hear of someone getting a transplant and I will think, oh yeah, I'm on that list to be a donor, but most of the time I don't even think about it.  

If you have ever thought about being a donor or maybe this post is making you think about it, I encourage you to check out THE NATIONAL MARROW DONOR PROGRAM.  Rather than give you a bunch of facts or details, just check out the website and truly consider joining the program.  If you are between the ages of 18-44, I highly encourage you to sign up as that is the age group that 90% of the donations are from. You never know when you could be the person with the perfect match and can save someone's life.  I haven't been called for 17 years and I don't expect to be called during the next 17 years, but if I am called, I am ready and willing.

A Day of Giving

For the second year in a row, I was chosen by CEPIA and the RANDOM ACTS OF ZHU to hand out toys to a charity.  I again chose MISSION OF HOPE in Cedar Rapids because of the awesome work they do to help out the least, the last and the lost. December 21, 2011 was their Day of Giving and I was thrilled to be a part of it again this year. 

The kids were thrilled to be able to help out with this huge project.  They helped unpack all the boxes of toys and sort them out. 

Then we sorted all the toys and made them into gift packages with each set including two accessories and one ZhuZhu pet.  We tied them with ribbon and off they went. 

The hundreds of toys ready to give out at MISSION OF HOPE.  Would you believe we went through almost all of these toys????  At one point we even came very close to running out of toys for boys ages 8-12.  I stopped and prayed, asking God to help us provide toys for every child that day.  I didn't want to tell a parent that we didn't have any toys for their son.  Thankfully, a father and son came in and dropped off toys specifically for boys.  I was so humbled by their generosity and so grateful that God sent them in to the Mission.  Those toys got us through 'til the end!

We also handed out 225 food baskets with fruit, potatoes, veggies, rolls, pie, and chocolate.  Then a ham and milk were added to the basket as well.  After each person got a food basket, they were then allowed to chose some cold weather items like coats, blankets, hats, gloves, and scarves. 

Then the guests came to the toy area where the "elves" had toys for every age group. 

The guests were able to choose a toy for each child and then get several "stocking stuffer" items as well.

It was such a full and busy day, but so heart-warming.  So many times I was thanked over and over again for helping them provide a wonderful Christmas for their family.  So many children had gifts to open because of the generosity of others.  So many families were able to find some happiness in their Christmas with a meal, some warm clothing and toys under the tree. 

Thanks so much to CEPIA and ZHUZHU PETS for making this Christmas a little happier for so many families.  Thanks for letting me play "Santa Claus" and thanks to MISSION OF HOPE for letting me be a part of such a wonderful Day of Giving.

If you would like to learn more about Zhu Zhu Pets, check out http://www.zhuniverse.com/. 

If you would like to learn more about Mission of Hope and all they do to serve others, check out http://www.missionofhopecr.org/.

Christmas Giving Around the World

Several years ago, when Reagan and I were in MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) our group was responsible for an Operation Christmas Child box.  After doing that, I knew I wanted to give boxes as a family.  I even made it one of my 40 Before 40 Challenges and we accomplished it!

Operation Christmas Child is a part of the charitable organization Samaritan's Purse. Samaritan's Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan's Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God's love through His Son, Jesus Christ. The organization serves the Church worldwide to promote the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Courtesy of Samaritan's Purse

So, the first thing you do is get a shoe box. You can use one of your own, or purchase a plastic one with a lid.  They are only $1 at Walmart. Then you fill it with items for either a boy or a girl in the age groups or 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14 years old.  Some items you could put in the shoe box would be small toys like cars, stuffed animals, kazoos, and dolls. School supplies like pencils, paper, calculators, colors, and markers.  Personal items like toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, washcloth, and comb.  You can also include hard candies, gum, t-shirts, socks, jewelry, and hair clips.



Girl age 5-9 box



Boys age 5-9 box

We had a lot of fun filling the boxes with things that our kids love.  We also included a letter and picture from us talking about our family, what we like to do, and where we live.  Next year, I would like to do boxes for the older age groups as I would expect they are likely the least to get filled.

Photos like this one below, make my heart break.

Boy from Phillipines opening his Christmas Box. Photo courtesy of Samaritan's Purse



I know there are kids in our own country that have needs, but the conditions in other countries seem to be so unimaginable.  When kids in other countries are asking for things that we take for granted like shoes and socks and pencils and paper, my heart says, I can do that!  Our family will also be contributing to children in our community by purchasing toys and food baskets for the Christmas giveaway at Mission of Hope. 



The Operation Christmas Child boxes travel all over the world to some of the poorest places like Mongolia, Phillipines, Africa, and India.  Our family is hoping the children that received our 3 boxes will take a moment and write back to us.  We can't wait to hear where our boxes traveled.

The shoe box drop-off for this year has ended, but you can still donate money to help pay for the shipping costs to send all these boxes across the world.  My mom will be traveling to Minneapolis to one of the warehouses where all the shoes boxes will be packed into larger boxes for shipping.  She said there is always a need for money for adding items to boxes and for shipping.  To make your tax deductible donation, go to http://www.samaritanspurse.org/ !  Be a part of bringing Christmas cheer and the love of Jesus to a child today!

My First and Last Time

Several weeks ago I scheduled an appointment to donate blood.  The blood drive was coming to our small town and the last time there were here I found out I was able to donate.  (I received several blood transfusions about 6 1/2 years ago and I wasn't sure how long you had to wait to donate.)  My mom is a regular donor and I always thought I would be able to donate blood, just like her.  I was a regular plasma donor 15 years ago and just assumed it would be easy for me to donate blood.  Not the case.  The blood didn't want to come out of my left arm so they tried moving the needle in farther (lots of pain), then that still didn't work, so we tried my right arm.  It took a few jiggles and moves with the needle and then it finally started flowing....slow but sure.  After having a cookie and some soda, we headed home where I became nauseated and felt icky all evening.  Now both of my arms are painful and have huge bruises.  So even thought I really wanted to be able to give back I just don't think blood donation is for me.  I completely appreciate every single person who donates blood. I saw a lot of my friends there today donating blood, including my husband.  I am grateful for everyone who gives of their time and precious blood so that others can live.  If it weren't for someone else's blood, I wouldn't be here today.  If you have never donated blood, it is worth the shot to see if you are a good candidate.  Depending on where you donate, the process can be quite quick.  Many communities have local blood drives every few months and larger cities have regular blood donation centers.  Some good websites to check out are http://www.redcross.org/ and http://www.givelife.org/.

Gifts Ideas That Don't Cost A Penny!

Is a snow storm coming your way and you don't have anytime left to shop? Are you always looking for the perfect gift for you mom, husband, or best friend? Try these ideas and you don't have to wait until Christmas to give them out!

1. The Gift of Listening But you must really listen. Don't interrupt, don't daydream, don't plan your response. Just listen. Just sitting with someone, asking them questions about their life, giving them a chance to talk can be just what that person needed. Refrain from giving advice, telling your story, adding comments.....JUST LISTEN!

2. The Gift of Affection Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends. Give your children hugs, your spouse, your neighbor, your pastor. Let them know they are appreciated and loved!

3. The Gift of Laughter Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you." You can even email a funny story or joke once in a while...just don't fill up their inbox! :)

4. The Gift of Solitude There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others. Giving your spouse the "night off". Let him go into a room, shut the door and read or watch TV without interruption. Ahhhhh!

5. The Gift of a Favor Everyday, go out of your way to do something kind. Just once, say "yes" when someone asks you for a favor and see how good you make them feel and I bet it will make you feel good too!

6. The Gift of a Written Note It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full all-out letter. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime. Yes, email is quicker, but to receive an handwritten note in the mail is priceless!

7. The Gift of a Compliment A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job," or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day. You will never know the impact on someone's day when you offer them a compliment! It could be just what they needed to hear!

8. The Gift of a Cheerful Disposition The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone. The person that might need this right now is the checkout clerks at your local store. They have been putting up with cranky customers all day and they are bracing themselves for the next cranky/tired customer when you walk up Happy, Cheerful, and Kind! Wow! What a relief to them that would be. I just did this yesterday at our Sam's Club. The customer 2 ahead of me in a VERY LONG line was having difficulties at the register as was the clerk. It took a LONG time for her to check out. The couple in front of me was NOT patient. Yes, I was getting a little worried because if I didn't get through soon I would have been late picking up my kids from school, but when the couple in front of me in line got to the checkout, they were embarrassingly RUDE! I could not believe the harsh words they were saying to the customer (with 2 children listening) and to the cashier. So, when it was my turn, I was extra careful to be cheerful and appreciative. I noticed the cashier smiling again when I left and I hope I helped her day go a little smoothly....at least until the next cranky customer.

I know you can't wrap these in a box with a pretty bow, but you can make an effort to change somethings about yourself and give of yourself to others a little bit each and every day. The effect you have may be life-changing for others as well as yourself!