If there was one thing you could do today to make a change ??????

[Teresa Bodnar]

Let's say this change can be anything in your life! Start a savings account for a special vacation. Join a group to pick up trash on the beach or park. Plant something. Pick up a book you would never normally chosen. Research your family tree. Give to a non-profit. Volunteer. Cook a dinner that is out of your comfort zone. Visit someone in your neighborhood-take them dessert. Wear a color you never thought you would wear. Have your spouse and kids make dinner. Instead of a storybook tonight make up a story and have the kids add to that story. Do something for yourself. Call someone you haven't spoken with for awhile. That reminds me I have to go make that call.................................................

[Delphine]

Funny you ask Teresa! I've been thinking about this a lot, you know that Michael Jackson song, Man in the Mirror. At the end he says, "make that change..." I know it will have something to do with donating money from my site to some type of charity. The biggest challenge has been to take the time to look through all the charities and figure out where the most money will make a difference.

As a mom, i like to challenge my kids to branch out and do different things, try a new book or food, befriend a new child, etc...

[Teresa Bodnar]

Hi Delphine,
I copied and pasted some info about an event I was involved in last year. I am not affiliated with them in any way and I don’t know them personally-just passing on some info. I got involved with Operation Shower through the ladies that operate the sites listed below. I gave away a few Family Foldouts to a Shower they held for some military family moms to be. I donated from my home-based business www.iloveyourstories.com. It looks like Usborne books have gotten involved. I am sure Lena or Kris could offer some ideas how they got started giving. They have a little different format for this event right now. I think they have some great ideas!
http://www.operationshower.org/
http://www.cleverparents.com/ (Kris)
http://www.lenasnotebook.com/ (Lena)
• Mission Statement
Operation Shower is a non-profit organization (pending 501(c)(3) status) that recognizes and honors the sacrifices military families make by producing and coordinating baby showers for pregnant and expecting military personnel and their families. We believe every new life is a cause for celebration.
Help Operation Shower Provide Books to Military Families !
Operation Shower is very excited to be joining with Usborne books to host an on-line Book Fair (and E-fair) which will allow us to add some wonderful books to our “showers in a box” for military families!

You Are Invited:
When: through July 29th
Where: on-line at www.MMsBookshelf.com; Click on Operation Shower under “Active E-fairs”
Why: To Support our Military Families and help build our “showers in a box”. Each book you purchase will count towards free books to be gifted to pregnant and expecting military moms and their families in our “showers in a box”!***
*** If you would like to donate your purchase directly to Operation Shower, please shop from the Operation Shower Wish List located in the upper right portion of the Operation Shower efair page. Orders shipped directly to Operation Shower will not be delivered until after the Book Fair closes.
........................................................
More really special women giving-that I met at a women's meeting in Oregon-
www.TheBlessingProject.com
My heart is in the same place as yours, I believe!
There are so many needs out there. I started with my local food bank. Also children are very dear to my heart. If they don't get a good start in life-sometimes it leaves scars for their lifetime.
Teresa

[Mary Beth]

How do we embrace other cultures and love without boundaries? Children are the greatest teachers and we as adults learn from them. This is the change that I would love to see happen in our world.

I started a doll company about adopting baby dolls from around the world based on my own personal experience @ www.preciousbabydolls.com . I relinquished a child for adoption as a young girl and could not conceive again. I moved into the world of adoption again ~ this time as an adopting parent. Even with the profound grief that I experienced with relinquishing my child, I found complete healing and utter love with my two baby girls from Guatemala. I would never go backwards.

I wanted to give this message to others and thought that it would be a wonderful way to do it through my dolls. Too often parents want a doll that looks just like their child, but children have a different idea. Whenever I have had my dolls on display and asked parents to let their child choose, they have readily agreed and curious as to what they would pick. I have never had a child choose a doll of it's own origin. Children see only through eyes of love. Think how wonderful it would be for an adopted child to see their friends playing and loving an ethnic baby doll. It would give self esteem and a pride in their heritage and it would teach biological children more about adoption and loving without limitations. Everyone has a right to celebrate the beauty of their heritage.
My next doll will be an African baby and then onto other countries!!
Thank you,
Mary Beth Wells
www.preciousbabydolls.com