Well it has been awhile since I’ve posted.  Time just gets away from me, but I so love to write that I must return to it! 

Operation Shower has been keeping me busy — we held two Mother’s Day showers — at Ft. Hood and at Scott AIr Force base and sent “showers in a box” to 65 deserving moms-to-be! It was so much fun and such an honor to meet the women for whom this organization was formed! Here is a picture, courtesy of Angela B Photography, of the wonderful group at Ft. Hood! 

I will be providing more pictures soon and information on the sponsors and the wonderful support we had !

Posted under Charities, Giving to Others

If you haven’t checked out Operation Shower recently, please do!  We have updated our look and are planning lots of great events.  We are busily planning our April fundraiser (please come!), which will help support our May showers in Texas and Illinois for wonderful groups of military moms to be! 

Posted under Charities, Giving to Others

On Wednesdays, we hope to write about “giving to others”  or “giving back” as part of our Happiness Project.

Check out the new “I’m Tired of  . .” bracelets to support your favorite cause.   Whether you are tired of cancer, global warming, AIDs or any other world issue, you can declare it with these bracelets.  They are much more stylish than the silicone bracelets everyone wears, and they are environmentally friendly as they are made from recycled tires (get it — I’m “tired” of . . ) and metals. 

For every $10 bracelet sold, the company donates $5 (that’s half) to important causes. “You pick the cause and your bracelet and the donation will automatically be made on your behalf.” These are also a simple gift idea that looks great and can be worn by men, women and teens.

Posted under Charities, Giving to Others

Every Wednesday, we hope to write about “giving to others” as part of our Happiness Project.   Today, I want to share with you a really wonderful company , resa design, that is hosting an online baby registry in support of Operation Shower.   Thank you Resa Design, Julian & Co and other companies that join this project!   I am so thankful for companies like this that make Operation Shower possible! 

Resa Design, Julian & Co., and other independent designers have teamed up to host an online gift registry to support Operation Shower, a non-profit organization sending and hosting baby showers for expectant military spouses and personnel.

Mother and independent designer, Resa Troyer, of resadesign.com, is committed to give back to US Military families by teaming up with Operation Shower.  

Beginning November 15, 2008, resadesign.com will play host to an online baby registry and shower where all the gifts go to military moms-to-be or spouses. Products from Resa Design‘s accessory line have been selected and made available at super low prices.  Customers and visitors will have the opportunity to add any of the gift registry items to their personal purchases, or shop solely for Operation Shower. Resa Design has committed to shipping the designated purchases directly to Operation Shower’s home office in St.Louis, Missouri for distribution in ‘showers-in-a-box’ and event showers on military bases.  ”I can not begin to imagine being pregnant, birthing a baby, or raising a newborn while my husband is on the other side of the world.  When I heard about Operation Shower and what they were doing I knew this was something Resa Design could get behind. Expecting a child is such a special season of life. All new mom‘s should be showered with great goodies and lots of love. Military moms-to-be and spouses deserve all our support, and if we can do that by way of special baby gifts, I’m all for it.” -Resa Design owner, Resa Troyer.

Resa Design products are not the only items available. Southern California’s Julian & Co. has also committed to participate by offering their stunning Galleria Necklace at more than 60% off. More designers and products are expected to be added in days to come and throughout the year.  

Creative ways customers can get involved with the Operation Shower registry at Resadesign.com:

•Give a gift on behalf of someone else. (tribute cards are available)
•Give to Operation Shower instead of a birthday or holiday gift.
•Invite your playgroup over and gather around the computer to host a baby shower on behalf of Operation Shower.
•Have scouts raise funds and make purchases for Operation Shower.

Posted under Baby, Charities, Giving to Others, Happiness Project

Operation Shower has made the news!   Click here to see the latest video from Great Day St Louis!

Posted under Charities, Giving to Others

Happy Halloween to all!   I know many parents are trying to make sure everything is perfect for their children’s big night out !  We are doing the same and trying to enjoy every last detail !  

But today, I also want to wish a special Happy Halloween to a little boy named Ben (he’s the monkey to the right)!  I want to share with you his story and why it is such a special day. 

Here’s the story as told by his family’s friend, Kare:

“My dearest friend Kim and her husband Dave gave birth to their first little boy, Ben on Sept 19th, 2007. At 3 days old a nurse practitioner suspected that he might have a rare genetic disorder named Menkes Disease. On Halloween, 2007, it was confirmed by Doctors at NIH that baby Ben did in fact have Menkes and he was immediately put on an experimental treatment to prevent the horrible effects of this disorder. Most Menkes children are only diagnosed after the seizures begin at around 3-6 months. Ben was lucky to have been dignosed early, but he was still only given about a 66% chance of making it to his 2nd birthday. Read More…

Posted under Charities, Random Thoughts

Somehow I missed this in the news, but I think it’s great! What a great way to draw attention to the cause of breast cancer research.    

According to the White House website: “The north side of the the White House turned pink on the evening of Oct. 7, 2008 to raise awareness about breast cancer. The unique view of the North Portico and the side of the house facing Lafayette Park was in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer awareness is a cause Mrs. Laura Bush has worked on around the world. The World Health Organization estimates that each year more than 1.2 million people worldwide are diagnosed with it and breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death for women. White House photo by Grant Miller” 

Posted under Charities, Random Thoughts

A few years ago, Reese Witherspoon made a comment in her Oscar acceptance speech that, like June Carter Cash whom she portrayed, she was “just trying to matter.”

I have long felt the urge “to matter.” I am learning as I get older that there are many different ways to matter and to make a difference and sometimes it’s as simple (yet so important) as loving your child and loving your neighbor.

When my grandfather died a few years ago, these things started to be more clear. As I reflected on his life and what he meant to so many, I realized that although he didn’t go out and change the world or do “big things” that the world would notice, he touched so many lives by smiling, laughing and caring for everyone with whom he came in contact. He was important to others. His life had influence on others. His life mattered in every sense of the word — to his family, his friends and his community. Grandpa knew this was what was important. And now, so do I.

In honor of all of us trying to matter in our own way, I have created this t-shirt shown above. If you are interested in purchasing a t-shirt for $20, all the proceeds will go towards charities — this month, we will donate to the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure in Houston in memory of our friend’s mom, Linda, who died of breast cancer a few years ago.    Please email me at lena@lenasnotebook.com if you would like to order, as our new shop is not yet open.

Posted under Charities, Random Thoughts

Check out the fun, cute (or should I say hip?)  outfits at Hipster Hugs.  I love animals for kids’ clothes and I love separates for little boys and girls that are easy-on and easy-off.  One of my favorite sets from Hipster Hugs is the Giraffe Land set below ($47) : 
 

Thanks also to Hipster Hugs for donating to Operation Shower — only the best for our Hipsters in the military! 

Posted under Charities, Kid Gifts, Kids Clothes

Ok, I need to toot my own horn, here.  I hope you will check out Operation Shower — a non-profit organization we started with Kris Jackson from Clever Parents.  Operation Shower is a way to give back to military families and to say thank you for their sacrifices !   Operation Shower gives “showers in a box” to expectant military moms whose spouses are deployed during the pregnancy.  We also have unit-wide showers at which we host a baby shower for all the expectant moms in a unit. 

We are thrilled to have showered almost 200 military moms and moms-to-be!  

If you are interested in helping, please check us out at Operation Shower ! 
 

Posted under Charities