Category: From The Heart
Giving, Love, & Support with CaringBridge
“I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for CaringBridge. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.”
The nonprofit organization CaringBridge is kicking-off its WonderFull themed year-end giving campaign to raise $1.2 million. CaringBridge was launched in 1997 so people–for any reason or length of time–could start a free website, remain connected to their family and friends and receive support when they need it most.
That’s what the Steinback family did when their daughter Julia was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. During her nearly three years of treatment, Julia and her family could count on one constant: the emotional and physical support they received from friends and relatives who followed Julia’s story on her CaringBridge website. Now in remission, Joy continues to stay connected with loved ones through CaringBridge as Julia undergoes monthly checkups. For the Steinbacks, seeing their daughter happy and healthy is the greatest gift they could ask for this holiday season. 
As a nonprofit, CaringBridge relies on donations to allow anyone facing a health journey the ability to rally support. Nearly 95 percent of all funding comes from people who use CaringBridge. The campaign features match contributions from three generous donors ranging from 10K to 25K. Humankind excels at human kindness when it’s needed most. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation so that families like the Steinbacks can always get the support they need.
For more information, visit https://www.caringbridge.org/give.
It’s Christmas time and it’s also a time when you can bless others. When giving a gift to someone in need, please keep CaringBridge in mind.
Count your blessing everyday- health and happiness is such a GIFT!
Support OUR VETERAN HEROES™ BAND-AID® Brand #RunWithGlory
“I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for BAND-AID® Brand. I received product samples to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.”
I’ve talked about our military experience before here on the blog. When Terence and I first got married we were in the Air Force for a little over 5 years. Those were probably some of the most trying years of our lives. Not only were we newlyweds, but the month after we got married September 11th happened. Our lives were forever changed.
I love supporting brands that support our military. It’s a way I can show our troops we care. BAND-AID® Brand recently launched OUR VETERAN HEROES™ BAND-AID® Brand Adhesive Bandages, featuring patriotic and military-inspired designs. Being a part of the military comes with sacrifices and stressful situations, but builds positive relationships and pride. Some of the best, life-long friends we’ve ever made have been the ones we made while in the military. Those years taught us a lot and we grew closer through good times and bad.
Connor is always getting boo boos. He’s a 4-year-old and constantly jumping and running around. A BAND-AID is like a badge of honor…even if he doesn’t need one, it makes him feel better. It’s funny how the little things can make such a difference. BAND-AID® Brand Adhesive Bandages are a staple in American households and have been involved in the U.S. Armed Forces since WWII when they provided first-aid products – but they understand that the needs of veteran communities go beyond just first aid.
BAND-AID® Brand has partnered with Team Red, White & Blue to help enrich the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their communities through physical and social activities.
BAND-AID® Brand is donating 5% of the sale price of each box sold to Team Red, White & Blue, available at Walmart, Target, Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid.
BAND-AID® Brand is the presenting sponsor of the Team Red, White & Blue Old Glory Coast to Coast Relay. Now through November 9, runners will carry an American flag 3,800 miles across the country to raise awareness and funds in support of veteran communities in America. This is a great cause. If you happen to be in any of the above stores this week remember to pick up a package of these special BAND-AIDS® to help support our veterans.
BAND-AID® Brand will further support Team Red, White & Blue during the Relay by donating $1.00 for each consumer message encouraging Relay runners and thanking veterans, up to $25,000.
Visit HERE and share your encouraging messages or use #RunWithGlory on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. It’s such an easy and simple action you can do in less than 5 minutes to help support this cause. Check out the video below and remember we wouldn’t be FREE without those who served and the so many who gave their lives so that we can live freely.
Let’s chat shall we?
Let’s chat shall we?
I can’t believe Christmas is like 70-something days away. It’s my absolute favorite time of year. In my family I’m known as the Christmas CRAZY person. Yep…I’ll take that honor and own it honey!
I like to jingle jangle in every way possible. Connor and I even listen to Christmas music every morning before school. George Michael’s (WHAM) “Last Christmas” is always a favorite. I think I know every word of that song.
Life right now is consumed with work, home crap (laundry, dishes, poor meal planning, and cleaning), and photo shoots on the weekends. I LOVE taking photos and it makes my world to take photos of all these precious families. The fun part comes when I get home and go through them all and edit. I love to turn them into something magical. It’s taken YEARS and tons of $$$ but I just love this photography thing. I’ve always been a creative gal. In college I was working towards a degree in graphic design. I’m glad I still have my creative outlet through blogging and photography. That’s probably why my blog design changes so much….I just can’t stop “playing” with it.
So before Christmas hits us square in the eye I’m trying to savor the beginnings of fall and I’m currently bathing in Purell. All that’s on the news here in DFW is E-B-O-L-A. Errrr single day. Yes, it scares me, but I’m not going to sit around and think about it until I worry myself to death. But why in the WORLD would you freaking get on an airplane and fly across the country after you were just exposed to Ebola!!! Dumb. Dumb. Dumb.
I just want to slap someone!
It brings out the worst in OCD people like myself. FYI- At our local Target this week if you get a flu shot you also get a free tall Starbucks drink. Just so ya know 😉
So what’s on the top of your Christmas wish list? I feel like everyone is a fashion blogger these days and has such great style. I’m lucky if I get my eyeliner on straight. I’m not clicking on that link because note to self: I can’t afford a $3000 purse even if you do get a 10% commission! They do have a lot of pretty pictures though (well, you know if you are a size 2-4). I see a lot of pretty outfit photos that catch my eye, but when I actually click on the link I nearly stroke out at the amount of money these people spend on CLOTHING. For real??? Someone needs to do a blog series called “The Look for Less”. I used to love that show when it was on Style Network. Now that’s an idea!
All I want this year is a new desk chair and maybe a new camera lens or camera equipment. You know the stuff I used to think old people asked for? Like maybe some socks and new bras?
And if anyone works at Starbucks or knows if the Christmas bevies are coming out early would you holler at me? In the mean time I’ll be dousing myself in Purell and living the dream…live each day, love each day, you never know if you’ll have another day….and if you do it won’t be like today!
Thank you for reading my rambling…
Xo Becky
There’s Just Something About Fall…
There’s just something about fall that renews my soul. The crisp air and the feeling of renewal. Knowing the holiday season is just around the corner. People just seem to be nicer during that time of year.
Yes, it’s busy. School is back in swing & everyone is getting back on their own schedules. I’m starting to pull out my scarves and boots again anticipating the day it drops below 80 degrees outside. I love the colors of orange and red all around me.
I imagine myself on the streets of NYC at Dean and Deluca getting a coffee and scone 🙂
I don’t care much for Pumpkin Spice Lattes…imagine that? I do however secretly wish Starbys will do an early launch for the Christmas beverages so I can get an eggnog fix.
Football season is here. No matter how many rants and raves you see on Facebook…remember don’t take it personal. It’s just football! Let them rant and rave because at least they believe in the value of a “team”.
Should I change my hair color for fall? Nah…I’m getting gray hair. I just need a good highlight. Remember that time you decided to dye your hair dark because you were in the midst of reading the Twilight series and thought it sounded cool? Yeah…that was awesome.
Enjoy this season of life because you will never get it back. Cherish your family, but don’t forget to take care of yourself either.
Just because everything at the store comes in “Pumpkin Spice” scent doesn’t mean you NEED it! Ha! It’s hard for me to walk past that aroma and not want to fill every nook and cranny of my home (and car) with the feeling of fall.
Yes FALL….it’s all around us and I couldn’t be more happy about it!
Life Changes: How do you Manage the Every Day?
Right now everything in my life seems up in the air. I’m a planner by nature, so it’s hard for me not to have everything all laid out and know what’s coming.
I do know there is a time and place for everything and I shouldn’t worry….but I do.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
I don’t know where we’ll be a few months from now or even a year from now. What I do know is that I need to have trust in the Lord that things will go according to his plan.
Terence and I both work full-time. Terence has a LONG commute every day (about 45 mins each way) We are trying to find a middle ground that makes us both happy. What that middle ground is??? I don’t know yet. I know it probably means moving in the near future and making some changes. I’m not a big fan of moving or change.
At the end of the day what’s most important is family & I want us all to be happy. As of late our daily schedules have taken a toll on both of us and effected our attitudes and happiness. I want to bring joy back into our every day lives. How that will happen? I don’t know yet…
I just know that something has to change and we have to take a leap of faith.
Terence and I are total opposites in the way we plan. He’s a financial planner- I say penny pincher. He’s constantly spread sheeting and planning for the future and retirement. I’m more of a live for today sort of person and it’s only money….blah blah blah. You can’t take it with you. I think we work hard, so it’s okay to have a balance and buy a shirt or dine out occasionally.
Doing what’s best for Connor as he gets ready to start Kindergarten next year. I’d like to be settled before then….no matter where that is. My mind is always torn in two different directions. I feel like I’m living in a temporary time frame and it makes me nervous. I want to please everyone….but sometimes you just can’t.
How do you deal with every day stress? Being a Mom, Wife, and working full-time is rough sometimes…but I’m so thankful for all these rolls.
How do you juggle your every day?
Happy Thursday friends….and thanks for reading and prayers!
