WE’VE MOVED THE BLOG!

Since I’ve been really interested in the whole “misadventures” concept, I really wanted to stick with that. So PLEASE update your links! We’re now at:

http://misadventuresofamommy.wordpress.com

THANK YOU for your continued support and see you on my new blog!

Couples planning to be married can bid for wedding-related auction items online starting in October or at a Blissful Wishes Balls Nationwide in November, with all proceeds benefiting Wish Upon a Wedding. This new organization is the world’s first nonprofit that provides weddings for individuals facing life-threatening illness.

Blissful Wishes Ball, our first ever cross country Galas, will take place during November at 12 locations across the country (tickets go on sale on August 15th at http://wishuponawedding.eventbrite.com)

The purpose of both events is to raise crucial funding for Wish Upon a Wedding. While it’s true vendors from the wedding and hospitality industry help us grant wishes by donating their products and services to couples facing terminal illness, there are many other costs associated with being a brand new, grass-roots nonprofit organization.

Imagine how much MORE we could do for these wonderful couples if we just had the funds to:
* Reunite families by flying up to four people to and from the weddings we provide!
* Put those friends or family up in a nice hotel for a few nights, further enhancing the experience.
* Allow them to enjoy a nice meal the day before the wedding, or perhaps a day after brunch?

About Wish Upon A Wedding: Making Wedding Dreams Come True Across America

As the World’s first nonprofit wedding wish granting organization, Wish Upon a Wedding provides weddings at destinations across the United States for individuals facing life-threatening illness, regardless of sexual orientation.  It is a chance for couples to enjoy a very special day, without any thoughts of existing health issues, while surrounded by their closest family and friends.

By celebrating the courage & spirit of these couples, we help create lasting memories that will be cherished for years to come. It is our hope that others facing similar situations will find hope, strength, and the promise of eternal love.

Officially launched in January of 2010, Wish Upon a Wedding currently has over a dozen chapters to serve Wish Applicants. We service couples residing in or wishing to get married within 300 miles of any one of our chapter locations

Wish Upon a Wedding ™, Blissful Wishes Ball ™, and Bid Your Wish for Wedded Bliss ™ are registered trademarks of Wish Upon a Wedding ™.

Most donated items are tax-deductible, however we recommend that you speak to an accountant for clarification. Wish Upon a Wedding is operating as a nonprofit organization, incorporated in CA. We are recognized as a 501 c 3 organization, as the IRS received our 1023 application in February of 2010, and it is currently being reviewed.

I’m volunteering for Relay For Life Long Beach, and I’ve been given the honor of making the Survivor Goody Bags. So I’m looking for a few people who are willing to donate some of their talents!

#1 I’m making 50-75 bags. So I need items to put in there!
Cookies
Jewelry
Cards
Spa items
Chocolate
Etc etc etc
Anything that can be used to pamper them.

#2 I need 3 centerpieces. Floral, anything decorative.

If you can help us out, please email me at heathercrownelson{at}gmail{dot}com to discuss details.

The event is July 30, so it’s coming up soon. THANK YOU!

And I’m actually asking you, my friends, family, and readers, to nominate, but not for reasons you may think

Getting nominated, not even winning, would bring big publicity and help expand all of my charity work. I’ve donated over $500 to 15 organizations in 2010 alone. I’m a Kids Are Heroes Ambassador, HUGS Program Rep, & Bears On Patrol supporter. I’m also starting the monthly Kids Craft & Charity Corner at the Sunday Market to show kids they can be creative and crafty and volunteer. AND I’m starting the Friends Like Us HUGS Program in collaboration with the LB Depot For Creative Reuse and LB Creative, benefitting Miller Children’s Hospital.

For a mom of three, full time office manager, and someone dealing with health issues, to be able to do all of this is wonderful. Getting nominated would be HUGE because then people would pay more attention. They’d see that you don’t have to be a superwoman to be a volunteer. You can have many outside situations to deal with, AND still make an impact. People would realize even small acts help.

So I’m asking you guys to nominate me, if you’re so inclined. If I’ve helped your organization, if I’ve donated time and/or money, if I’ve inspired you, then please nominate me. If not, at least wish me luck

The url to nominate is http://www.presstelegram.com/women

I thank you in advance

Starting on August 1, Brianne’s Basics will be hosting a Kids Kraft Korner at the Long Beach Sunday Market.

Every first Sunday, the Market has an Arts Theme. So for our kick-off event, we’re having the kids make Summer Journals, which are pretty  cute and easy. We’re asking all the kids to bring photos and mementos to make the books. We’re also taking pictures for them to put in the books.

We’re also kicking off monthly charity drives! For August 1, we’re collecting both school supplies and items for the  troops, benefitting Love In The Mirror and Soldier’s Angels. (To see exactly what we’re collecting, click on the links). Each month, we’ll have a different theme and we’ll be collecting different items.

Each craft is a $1-2 donation, depending on the craft.

I am very very excited to be taking on this project for this awesome Sunday Market! It’s a very family-centric place. I have  three kids, and I obviously do a ton of charity work. They say charity  begins at home. So I’m trying to do more in the Long Beach area.

I was also inspired by Kids Are Heroes. Kids can change the world, one event at a time.

If you’d like more information on sponsoring a craft, or having us collect items for your charity, please contact Heather at heathercrownelson {at} gmail.com

Nana scrubs the toilet, guess what Kaylee tries to do! Today we heard Mom scream and we went running in. Sure enough, Kaylee was scrubbing the toilet with Mom’s USC umbrella!

Sigh, they were right. Monkey see, monkey do.

We tried to think of an alternative, tried to distract her with CD cases, no luck. Then I remembered Lisa at the LB Depot For Creative Reuse had DVD cases! So I stopped by today and bought two for her. I got home, gave them to Kaylee, and she was in HEAVEN! Toddler playtime heaven!

When you’re a mom of 3, you gotta get creative

Got Lamali Lokta paper notebooks.

“For centuries, the people of Nepal and Tibet have inscribed their legal, historical and religious texts on this very same paper.

…..Made from the lokta plant, an unassuming shrub with the ability to regenerate every six years, lokta paper is still produced using time-honored methods passed down from generation to generation.

…..Every step in the production process is done by hand: from the harvesting of the long, sturdy fibers to the careful binding of every journal. Each resulting item is a piece of art, combining elegant design with a rustic yet soft look and feel.”

I also got a new journal. Very Indian inspired. Gold, elephants, etc. Gorgeous.

Lastly I picked up an order from Merry Blues Art. Two upcycled notebooks I do love The Depot!

Michael and Kaylee went next door to play in our neighbor’s wading pool. It wasn’t her first time in a wading pool, but it was the first time since she’s been walking around. The kids had a fabulous time just splashing around being silly.

THEN we heard about the rain and storms coming! So Ryan had to get up on the roof and check the tarp to make sure there were no leaks or anything. He once again decided to spend time up there LOL So Michael decided to toss some rations up to him!

And the rain continued. Big fat drops this morning on my car!

For me, it’s a powerful lesson for any age. Learning to love again after any type of loss is so difficult. I’ve lost many people in my life, and each time I had to learn how to love again, how to let others in, how to be ok with letting go.

In the book, it’s the relationship with the another person that teaches the main characters how to love and, most importantly, how to heal.

For me, it was each child that helped me love again. My grandfather (almost father) passed away in November 2000. In June 2001, I found out I was pregnant and in February 02 my first son was born. I learned that it was ok to love again. I was so scared to open myself up. I was so afraid I’d lose Michael. But he’s become one of my best friends

When Kaylee was born November 08, she healed my heart a bit more. And she also healed Ryan. He’d lost his grandfather that September. Kaylee came at a time when he needed healing.

Robert was born in January ’10, after a 7 month separation between me and Ryan. That little guy healed both of us and our relationship. He helped us realize that things were ok. We were ok. We could be together, and we could save our marriage.

Sometimes, your heart can be healed by people you least expect. You just have to keep yourself open.