Powerful ... The Girl Effect

A really powerful message via The Girl Effect & Care.org.

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Dave Matthews Band ... You and Me ...

Not sure where I've been, but I just heard this the other day on the radio - seems like the perfect song for Valentine's Day. (...and it makes me wish I could play the guitar.)

(video via Dave Matthews Band on YouTube)

Lisa Leonard Designs...

Where to begin? Several months ago, I was introduced to the beautiful pieces created by Lisa Leonard over on a couple of my favorite blogs (Joanna's and Melisa's). Her family crest pieces really had me all aflutter ... although I could seriously take home nearly everything in her online shop. Anywhooo, a few months ago, she purchased an item from my shop. (wow!) Unfortunately, as I was preparing the item for shipment, I noticed a problem with a button - and for the life of me, could not find a replacement for it. I was stumbling all over myself trying to make it right - eventually deciding to issue a full credit -- then mailed her item to her, along with a note explaining my unfortunate oversight. (oy vey!) A few weeks passed when an unexpected little package arrived in my mailbox - showing a return address belonging to Lisa Leonard. Oh my... the box was far too small to contain her item (if she was upset with me and returning it). What could it possible be?



Oh. My. Gosh.

So incredibly lovely! I was completely stunned. Who would have imagined? So completely kind, gracious and generous.... and totally unexpected. The epitome of "paying it forward", in a sense. (And by the way, I get compliments on it every single time I wear it. I love it!)

In addition, one of the things that really drew me to Lisa's work even more, was her blog! It is a visual treat for the eyes and fantastically inspiring on SO many levels. She is one amazing woman - and a wonderful mom.

Top six images via Lisa Leonard Online.

From the mouths of babes ...

I've been trying to post more regularly, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to post anything today. It just didn't seem right, although I didn't want to ignore the day either. After reading one of my favorite blogs today and leaving a comment on her post about today's anniversary, I decided I needed to post.

Earlier this week, on my birthday to be exact, my 3rd grader said "This Friday is the anniversary of the day the planes hit the Twin Towers. Did you know that's why they call it 9/11 - because it happened on September 11th?" It was such innocence. He was just a baby when it happened, and it hadn't occurred to me that I would need to "connect the dots", so to speak, for him.

As I was watching MSNBC this morning, they were replaying the coverage from 8 years ago ... the raw pain of watching the tragedy unfolding was just so heartbreaking, all over again.

UPDATE 9/12: A thoughtful post over here by one of my favorite bloggers, Ava of Serendipitous Freelance Writer. She also links over to a captivating post by someone who was in the 2nd Tower when the 1st Tower collapsed.

Weekend Warrior ...

So this is part of what our family did this weekend ... watched the oldest son play high school football in the 19th annual President's Bowl. This is D as his name was read as part of the starting line up... pointing to the crowd before heading down the row/tunnel of his teammates. We are immensely proud of him and all of the hard work he has put in over the years.

My aunt had sent out the roundup-call via email -- so there were plenty of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends on hand to cheer him on. :) (I don't think any of them read this blog, but if they should happen to stumble upon this post, here's a big THANKS to all of you very special people!)

One of our dear friends, "Rem", who is nearly part of the family (thanks to my cousin Amy), sent a text prior to the game and asked that I forward it on to D. I swear, as goofy as this sounds, it nearly brought me to tears. (and I do not cry...) Rem is a soft spoken, bear of a man who played football on a collegiate level and ranks quite high on our son's scale of what a man should be. His opinions and advice are important to D, more so than anything I could ever say... and probably even his dad. Here's the text ... I think it's those last few lines that nearly got me:

"Please forward to D: D, play hard & fundamentally. Finish your blocks. Watch the ball all the way into your hands. Run your patterns perfectly. Fundamentals will help you win. I am very proud of you. I will be there tonight. Play hard every play."