Please give! It is so important!

Yesterday I heard a story about the mall Santa Clauses. They are saying that kids are asking for very peculiar things this year. Some of the kids this year are not asking for the usual bikes, toys, Transformers, the latest gadget, doll, etc. They are actually asking for their mommy to get a job or daddy to get a job. They are asking for their house back, their old rooms, furniture or cars... They are also asking for more food to feed their bellies. This is terrible! The pressure put on these kids is unbelievable!

When you think about the economy and how it has affected your family - do you only think about your own need? Do you think about how am I going to pay this or that bill... or how am I going to make the house payment... or how am I going to put food on the table this week because 'x, y and z' are due? I know I do. I don't stop and think about the thousands of people here in St. Louis that's unemployed this year. I know several families that are unemployed this year that normally have jobs. Some from Chrysler, Maritz and AB. It is happening all over - not just in St. Louis. I know many more people that have been cut back on their hours - in order to save someone else's job. This is a sad state we are in with our economy!

With that all being said, I do want to encourage people to give. If you have an extra $5 - give to your local charity. If you know someone that is not going to have Christmas this year becasue they don't have the money - let a local church or charity know or ask for donations from other relatives, friends and family to help support them. We all must stick together in this time of need!

Two weeks ago, my daughter, Gabby, asked me for money. I was like - geez, again..I just gave you $10 for a class t-shirt. But she told me they were collecting for a local family that wasn't able to have Christmas. I had $5 in my wallet so I gave it to her. Well, this morning she was bummed because they didn't raise the most money for this family at her school. I asked her how much I had given becuase I couldn't remember. She reminded me of the amount and then she said she had given money too. I asked her how much. She told me she gave $12. I was like - how could you give all of your money away to this family that you don't know. She said - Mom - they needed it more than me. Wow - what a profound statement!

Please give this year! Other people may need it more than you!

Missing her....

RIP ~ Florence June Carver ~

My Grandma June will be missed so much...
She brought so much comfort for me to hear her voice...
She had an opinion on everything and she would tell it to you...
She loved purses and shoes.
She loved her babies too...
She could talk and shop all day long...
I guess that is where I get it from...

I know you are smiling down from heaven.
Give Dad and Grandpa kisses when you see them. We miss you more that you will ever know.

Grandma June is the lady on the left in the pink. She was always there for me... I will miss her always and forever.

Today...is a special day!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM! Today is my mom's birthday! She is turning the whopping age of 56. She is so young in so many ways! She is a great mom.

Top 5 momemts with my mom....

1. When she came down to the "Sunbeam Camp" I was attending when I was 8 years old. We had a ton of fun. But when she left, I cried the rest of the time becuase I missed her so much.
2. When we were camping out at Bourbon - all of the summers we spent out their when we were kids were all very enjoyable! The cooking over the fire, bathing in the pond, peeing in the woods....it was crazy!! But so much fun!!
3. When I bought my mom and I tickets to see "Mama Mia" the musical at the Fox for Mother's Day. We ate dinner on the campus of SLU and we went to the musical. It was great - She is my "Dancing Queen". :-)
4. When we took Brandon and Gabby to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to see Dave and Dianne. We stopped in Chicago at the Navy Pier. It was a great time. The kids still love to see the pictures and talk about it.
5. The day my mom walked me down aisle to marry my husband, Dave on May 22, 1999.

There are so many more days that come to mind. But way too many to list.

Remember to hug your mom and let her know you love her. You only have ONE mom and you should always make her feel special! Even if you don't agree with everything she does, you must love her for who she is.

After already losing one parent, I often worry about the time I have left with her.