Love & Let Live ;)

Believe only what you know is truth.

Love with all of your heart, mind body and soul.

Do not judge other's or speak negatively about other people.

Practice random acts of kindness.

Forgive.

Let go of past hurts.

Appreciate the smallest of beauty and wonders.

Make a child smile.

Forward motion, head up, create your own future with the power of positive thinking.

The Sleep Tight Drive

This event is running pretty darn smooth.  I'm totally impressed and absolutely touched by the generosity of so many people.  It truly melts my heart!  I'm aquiring quite the pile of pajamas, books and bears for children in need.  I can't wait to be there when they recieve these little packages, "just because" everyone deserves a little something out of the blue.  I'll wrap them up with little bows, mark with sizes and gender and off they go.  I received a phone call from a woman at the Health & Human Services of Idaho.  She was calling to ask  me several questions about this donation program...basically wanted to make sure I was on the up and up and not collecting items to sell ect.  The conversation went good.  I've decided to also give some bears to the the Sherriff's office, so they can give to the little children who may be caught in the middle of scary situations and domestic upsets.  Oh, I contacted one of our largest radio stations here in Idaho, 104.3 to ask if they will announce the drive on the radio.  I spoke with the morning DJ, Alana and she's going to post the flyer on their website and call me for an interview.  That really should help get the word out because if this PJ drive is a success it would be nice to make it an annuall event.  This whole thing is so out of my comfort zone and new to me.  It's exciting and I'm meeting a lot of wonderfully kind people and learning so much about so much ;)

The Sleep Tight Drive for Foster Children

I've always had a feeling of wanting to reach out to people, volunteering or helping other's in need and the older I get I'm realizing that if I don't do something now instead of only "thinking about it" it will most likely never happen.  Sooo, here goes...

I recently learned of a Foster home in my neighboring town of McCall, Idaho.  It broke my heart, I suppose it touched me  more than normal because of my own baby girl.  We have an amazing and precious two year old.  It got me thinken' what's something that I can do to help make these little ones feel better about themselves and realize that they are thought of.  I decided being a Foster Parent is way out of the question, for now at least.  Then I was remembering back when my older children were young...I would always lay their pajamas out on the bed with a bedtime book for when they were done with their bath.  I believe it adds a feeling of comfort and stability.  After only a little research I've come to learn that PJ Drives are a BIG thing!!  Sooo, here goes...I'm in the process of putting together just that and I've named it the, The Sleep Tight Drive.  I've enclosed the flyer.  If anyone on-line happens to read this :) and are interested in donating, you're welcome to send your kind donations to-The Sleep Tight Drive, P.O. Box 1005, Cascade, Idaho 83611. 


****Please Note, for some reason blogger is not formatting my flyer correctly but I'm sure you get the jist****

Together we can make a child smile!

The Sleep Tight Drive

For Foster Children

August 01, 2012~August 31, 201

The  Sleep Tight Drive is a 501(C) (3) not~for profit foundation.  The mission of this drive is to provide gently used or new pajamas, books & bears to Foster Children who do not have a loved one to tuck them in at night and say, “I love you.” Pajamas & bears can be a sense of security and warmth, together we can help these underprivileged & neglected children experience a sense of home.

Donations Accepted:

*Gently used or new pajamas (Newborn to seventeen)

*Children & Teen books

*Gently loved or new bears/stuffed animals

Drop~boxes will be located at:

*Tea Leaves “N” Coffee Beans ~

121 South Main Street

, Cascade

*Endless Wave Hair Salon~109 North Main, Cascade

*Paul’s Market~

132 Lake Street

, McCall

*Ridley’s Market~

411 Deinhard Lane

, McCall

You are appreciated

If you have any questions regarding this event you may contact Amber at amberlievanburen@yahoo.com

Faith...

Sometimes with the change of season comes a change in your life, a new direction, a new road in which to be traveled.  It's scary when you don't have a map for your life, You don't know where to turn...you have to have faith and believe that through the travel you will arrive at your destiny.  Taking life day by day seems to be easier than trying to decide future situations or outcomes.  I now understand that quote..."take it day by day"  Life can be so wonderful, so satisfying and yet just when you think it's almost perfect you arrive at a dead end.  What do you do?  Do you make a u-turn and go back to where you came?...but then it seems you'll arrive at that dead end again.  Maybe its up to us to clear a new path in that road block.  It will take hard work, sweat and tears but how amazing will it feel when it's all done and said.  You'll look back and feel a sense of accomplishment at the new life you've personally decided to create.  Hopefully this direction will include the ones you love because with their help, your whole precious family will be wiser, stronger and closer than one can imagine.  I believe in the good and that everything happens for a reason.

The Beginning.

Fall~

I love the smell, the feel of cotton...kidding, I mean of Fall! There's something genuine and special when the leaves began to turn that bright yellow as bright as the sky or that amazing deep and warm red, together it's the perfect picture, the perfect astmoshere for being in love.  Nothen' like snuggling up with your honey on the couch, sharing the blanket his grandma made for the family.  Oh, the family...It's an amazing time to teach and explore the world.  So many changes happening everywhere you look.  The way the water falls out of the sky or how the leaves dance in the trees when the wind blows just right.   Collecting a basket of pretty apples from that one tree that never lets you down.  One of my favorites is filling the home with the comforting aroma of homemade apple pie.  Fall is the time of year to be Thankful, maybe that's why we have Thanksgiving in November :) or to "Fall" in love under an umbrella while dancing in the rain.   

*Thankfall*

It's up to us...

We have absolute control over our lives.  It's up to us to create our surroundings, I've done this and now I'm living my dream.  "See it, Believe it, Achieve it"...The more you think about something the more likely you'll manifest it's existance.  So, I say...think good, happy thoughts, push negative, crazy thoughts out of your mind.  Personally, I think trying to re~train your brain is truly one of the most difficult tasks you could take on.  It also has the most reward.  This is something that I have to work on daily and I hope someday I'll be Pro!! 

Toddlers!

Awe, toddlers!  They are so full of energy, you don't need to hound them to get off of the couch and put their texting device down, they keep you running around, getting up and down, pulling your hair out and constantly moving...no need for a gym membership.  The way we're always cleaning up after them, mopping up spills, sweeping up the cheerio's and putting toys away sure saves money on a house cleaner.  You can say anything to these sweet little toddlers and they just listen, they don't judge, criticize or give you their opinion, sure beats a therapist.  You don't have to spend countless dollars or hours in college to be an instructor of sorts, you're forever teaching these little youngsters the abc's, 123's and life lessons.  When you're in need of affection you can always count on the little ones to be there for you with a great big hug and sloppy wet kiss.  When they pick you that very first flower from the yard and look up at you with those shinning eyes, so full of love.  These are things I must remember when my toddler is whinning and refusing to eat dinner while throwing her spahgetti on the just mopped kitchen floor!  xo