Her love for her son and her passion to bring comfort to families who are faced with the difficult and painful realities of hospital stays, amazes, encourages and astounds me.

I told my girls about Samuel and about the Joyful Life Library.
We chatted about how much we love to cuddle and read.
We chatted about how nice it would be to share some of our books with the kids in the hospital.

They excitedly picked many of their most favorite books from the shelves.
My heart sang.
Knowing that this simple gesture was teaching them so much.
Teaching me so very much.

Halley sent off her beloved Pinkalicious.
Lucy sent off her favorite Shamu adventure.

Their giving hearts continually surprise me.

Together we boxed them up and sent them off.

I encourage you to grab your kids, take them to the bookstore to grab a few, or scan their shelves for gently used books that you could pass on.
Hardback, soft cover, board books, and bilingual books from birth to age 18 are all welcome.

You can send them directly to the hospital at:

My niece asked for art and craft supplies for her 4th birthday and I was happy to oblige.  Halley, my resident expert in all things four was my shopping assistant.  We headed out and found this sort of girlie-ish tool box (lets be honest, if a handyman came to your door with it wouldn't you question his fix-abilty skills?) But to make it over the top girlie I ribboned up the handle and put her name on it.
Then we filled it up with glitter, glue, paints, scissors, jeweled stickers, pom poms, pipe cleaners, googly eyes and buttons.  It was a huge hit and now I am thinking this would also be a great gift for a boy, sans the ribbons.  Since all of the schools supplies are on sale in abundance the grand total was less than $20.  Not too bad.  Halley has already asked for her own.

While I was searching for a birthday gift for my sweet British friend I found this necklace inspired by a WWII poster.  It seemed perfect for her and just about any other person I could think of.  I feel like two weeks of being apart from my husband coupled with the day to day chores of life I have needed a gentle reminder to "Keep calm and carry on."  You can find your own over at Home Studio where they come in many gorgeous colors all guaranteed to help you through your most harried of days... British or not.

Look at this sweet little baby spoon.  I ordered it as a gift for a little girl's first birthday and I am just in love.  My girls are too old to use one, but imagine how cute one would look in their shadowboxes.  Lisa Leonard designs and creates many different kinds of hand stamped jewelry that make the most thoughtful gifts.  I could literally buy one (or more) of every single item. On top of all of that goodness, her blog is so beautiful and always inspiring.