The Gift of a Lifetime: Getting Kids Involved in Community Service

Brad_Jamison getting kids involved in community service

  Please welcome guest contributor, Brad Jamison, who was wonderful enough to write this article for my blog while I’m away with my family on vacation. Note: this is not a sponsored post. Just great information! People ask me all the time why I am so dedicated to volunteering. While there are many reasons I […]

100 Years, 100 Wishes

Kajj's wish

  Note: I received a package of Birthday-themed ice cream treats so that my family could celebrate Wells’ 100th birthday, but no monetary compensation was received. All opinions are my own. A 100th birthday is no small event. Definitely party-worthy. This year, Well Enterprises, the makers of Blue Bunny ice cream, is celebrating its 100th […]

Kmart’s March of Dimes® IMBORNTO Contest

born to play - Kmart's March of Dimes Sweepstakes

  This is a sponsored post with Kmart and March of Dimes through Mom Bloggers Club. How adorable is this face?   This may not be one of my kids, but I did take this little guy’s picture…and I have to admit he’s a total cutie. Just wait til he grows into that football! Knowing […]

Scott Brand & Box Tops for Education Surprises Local School with $25,000

My kids are trained well…when it comes to collecting Box Tops for Education, at least. We purchase enough cereals and snacks for lunches (and yogurt and Hanes underwear and canned veggies…) to make a sizable contribution to the elementary school across the street. My kids know to clip Box Tops off of any boxes or […]

Empowering Women Together #EmpowerWomen

I never pictured myself as a business owner. I never imagined that I would feel such pride in creating a beautiful family portrait or sending in an article I’ve written for a national brand. Being a full time blogger along with running a small photography business keeps my creative juices flowing…and I love it! I […]

2013 Shot@Life Champion Summit

shot@life campions summit day on capitol hill

Last night, my son’s scout troop headed to our city’s Town Hall to meet with the mayor and pass off a requirement for a citizenship badge. As I was driving him to his meeting, I asked him how much he knew about what I had been doing for the last 3 days. He knew I […]

We Are Not Powerless… {In Honor of Susan Niebur}

In Honor of Susan Niebur

Susan was a rocket scientist. I loved being able to say that I was friends with a rocket scientist (ok, technically an astrophysicist), as if some of her brilliance might rub off on me. Susan was a mother. A wife. A blogger. A friend. One year ago today, on February 6, 2012, those of us […]

I’m Heading to the 2013 Shot@Life Champions Summit in Washington D.C.

2013 Shot@life champions summit washington dc

Next Sunday, I will travel down the road to Washington D.C. to join one of the most inspiring groups of people ever - at the Shot@Life Champions Summit. I am proud to have been chosen to stand among this group and to share this message, meet with Congress and LEARN. WHAT IS SHOT@LIFE?   Shot@Life […]

Gifts of the Heart - NY/NJ Disaster Relief - WW

Gifts of the Heart - NY/NJ disaster relief service project

On Sunday my family and I were able to participate in a disaster relief service project of an enormous and inspiring scale. Approximately 300 volunteers of all ages gathered for 3 hours to sort, fold, box, and label thousands of boxes of donated clothing to be shipped to the victims of Sandy. We filled two […]

How to Teach Children Values - Compassion, Kindness, and Generosity #OCCGiving

Operation Christmas CHild shoe box

Teaching children to be kind, compassionate, and generous is neither easy nor quick. Values such as generosity and compassion aren’t learned overnight. Every Sunday I am reminded just how tricky it is to teach children values. My 7 year old son rushes into my classroom, where I teach the 3 year olds at church. After […]