Life with the Brudfam

How to avoid folding laundry

For the last year, my life-long friend Katy and I have set several times to get together and go volunteer at the Humanitarian Center.  Without fail, some conflict would arise, and one of us would have to cancel. We went thru the entire school year setting and then canceling our service days.

So when our kids got started school, we committed to trying again.  Today was our day.  And I came oh so close to canceling again.  I was tired.  Blue Eyes had a cold and her voice was scratchy.  Perfect excuse to cancel.  Not that I didn't want to go, but it was just one more thing in a very busy week.  Plus, three loads of laundry have been sitting in my bedroom since Monday, accruing more wrinkles each day that they aren't folded and put away.  My den is a mess, and is rather impatiently calling my name each time I walk by..."clean me, please" it begs each time I pass by.  

But...Blue Eyes felt better once she got going this morning and had no problem going to school.

So my laundry is still unfolded.

My den is still messy.

I am still tired.

And Katy and I helped assemble a whole pallet of hygiene kits, ready to be sent out when the next natural disaster occurs.  With the recent horrible weather, the Humanitarian Center has sent out thousands upon thousands of pounds of relief aid to Haiti and Texas to help with the devastations.  We worked quickly assembling and inspecting ziplock bags that were filled with very basic hygiene kits:

Toothbrushes**Toothpaste**Soap**Combs**Hand towels

Our work wasn't much in the grand scheme of things.  But it did feel good to do something for someone else in need.  It made my problems feel so small.  And my heart fill with gratitude for all that I have.

So if you have a few hours to spare (or some laundry to avoid folding), head down to the Humanitarian Center and see what they need help with.  They'll be so happy to see you!

Lots of great goodies

Lots of great goodies are up for auction all over the blogworld for NieNie and her family.  Go check out the amazing things up for grab...there are so many items available, I'm sure that you will find exactly the perfect gift for someone you love (or for yourself) and at the same time, helping out a great cause.

You can find a list of auction items over at DesignMom

And another list of items over at A Room Somewhere

I am keeping my eye on several items...

And you can click on the button below to go to Nie's Recover Website where lots of other fundraising events are taking place.

Our little balloon launch

As I mentioned earlier, my thoughts and prayers have been with Nie and her husband, and the family of the pilot who passed away.  The family held a balloon launch for them today, and asked anyone who was interested to launch balloons in their honor today.

So this afternoon, Olivia and I ran to the store and bought some balloons.  We came home and with the help of Hannah, and Hannah's friends Hannah N. & Berkley, we wrote little wishes on pieces of paper and rolled them and tied them on the balloons.  We chose a few words, like faith, hope, miracles and love, and wrote them on the balloons.  And at 6:00, we went out on the back porch and let them go. 

 

Prayers + Faith

If you've never read NieNieDialogues, you are really missing out.  Stephanie is an amazing mother, wife and lover of life.  Her enthusiasm and zest for life is contagious, and has made me want to be a better person.  

Tragically, Stephanie and her husband Christian, were involved in an airplane crash last Saturday night, along with another man, Doug Kinneard, who sadly passed away on Sunday.  Stephanie and Christian are in critical condition and have suffered severe burns, with Stephanie faring worse than her husband.  

Although I only know them thru her blog, which I've been reading for the last year or so, I feel like I know a small part of them from the stories and pictures and insights that she shares on her sight.  So I've been praying and keeping positive thoughts for both families close to my heart since I heard the news on Sunday.  They could use your prayers and faith too.  Check out her blog if you want to catch a glimpse of this talented and genuine person (despite the fact that she went to my rival high school--Provo High). And if you are interested in the progress of both Stephanie and her husband, as well as the choice that their family has made in handling this trial with tremendous faith and grace, you can check out Stephanie's sister's blog, CJaneRun.  

And if you have the desire to contribute to the their overwhelming medical costs, which will run into the millions, click on the box below or in my sidebar.  It certainly is a worthy cause.

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