A tribute to cheerleaders and HAIR BOW GIVEAWAY!

Please note: If this is your first time visiting our blog, please click here to hear the premise of Pass It On, Baby! and how it all began.... Pass It On, Baby!

Many of you know that Elizabeth and I sit many times here on our soap box, trying to convey as many positive messages to our readers the best we can; all at the same time trying our best to continue to help families in need receive clothing. It's nice to be able to do something fun every once in awhile and also hear from another voice and point of view other than our own.

This special blog post is from Anne. Anne is what my circle of friends like to call "Super Mom!" She's a wonderful wife and mother of 3. She is also the most creative person I know! She teaches sewing classes to friends and makes all kinds of neat stuff like personalized towels, baby hooded towels, custom flip flops and the cutest hair bows!! She recently started her own company called Puddin Pie Designs! I am also linking her facebook page here as well so you can "like" Puddin Pie.  Check out her page and her website to see all the cute, custom gifts she has. Here is a special blog post by Anne from Puddin Pie Designs and her hair bow giveaway!

A Tribute To Cheerleaders

cheer-lead-er, n.   1. An enthusiastic and vocal supporter

When we think of cheerleaders, we usually think of pretty young girls, jumping and tumbling, rallying up support for the local football team on a Friday night. But when I think of a cheerleader, I instantly think of all of the amazing people I have met in my life that have been enthusiastic and vocal supporters of me. Not of my athletic abilities per se, but of my talents and even more importantly, my goals.

I don’t think anyone can be a truly happy and successful person without a “personal cheerleader” or two. Whether we want to admit it to ourselves or not, we need someone to pat us on the back every now and then, and look us sincerely in the eye and say, “Go for it!” Whether that “it” is running a marathon, or making a tough life-changing decision- a cheerleader can give you the push you need to kick-start your goals, or stand strong and be tough in your resolve. They are invaluable in showing us that we have something to give and share with the world that has worth.

Growing up we were cheered on for everything- using a spoon, tying our shoes, counting to 100- but it seems like that unwavering voice of praise got quieter and quieter as we grew up. It became our own job to pump ourselves up and not rely on others to make us feel good about the things we had done. But I think it is at this time in our lives when we need cheerleaders the most. Who hasn’t been scared to submit a resume to a great company, or what new mother hasn’t sat in the rocking chair crying along with her new baby thinking, ”I can’t do this!” Times can be challenging, and we could all use someone who stands by us, holds our hand and says, “You CAN do this.” I am so thankful to have so many of those people in my life.

We all have something we are good at, and we all have our own little (or big!) dreams. My own personal cheerleaders have been instrumental in not letting me demean my talents, but rather how to put them to work. I have always been a creative person- and as I have grown older, I have used those talents for my friends and family by creating custom gifts for them, which then led to me designing items for them to give to others. Their support and positive feedback have given me the confidence to turn my talents into a business. While it may be small- it is something that I love doing. I love having some time just for myself to relax and enjoy the creative process during the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Even still, there have been so many times when I have stopped and thought: This is so silly. I am not curing cancer or putting men into space, I’m making hair bows. How trivial. But then I can see the smile on my friend’s daughter’s face when she gets a box of “Miss Anne’s bows” or receive a kind note from a new mom who loves snuggling her baby up in the towel I made just for her and I think, I have given those people a moment of happiness. It may be small, but it’s real.  What’s better than that?

So I’d like to add to the definition of cheerleader: A great listener. An enthusiastic encourager. A dream booster. A thoughtful friend who will say little prayers for you and then call you later to see how the meeting or deadline went. Someone who can laugh with you when something turns out horribly wrong, and will sing your praises to others when they turn out really well. A giver of sound advice and constructive criticism.  Provider of hugs and high-fives.

So to all of my cheerleaders, I raise my megaphone up and say “Thank you!!!” I can only hope I am as supportive of your goals and dreams, as you have been of mine.

To keep the shout-outs going, leave a comment here at Pass It On, Baby about who is your biggest cheerleader and what you’ve accomplished with their support and we will select someone to receive either a Halloween or Fall bow (your choice).

Thanks Anne from Puddin Pie Designs for the support of Pass It On, Baby! and this awesome giveaway! We look forward to your comments and announcing the winner on Monday October 25th!

Have a great day and as always - Pass It On, Baby!

In love and kindness,

 (and Anne)

Email Elizabeth and Heather

A Breath of Fresh Air...

Please note: If this is your first time visiting our blog, please click here to hear the premise of Pass It On, Baby! and how it all began.... Pass It On, Baby!

This message goes out to those in need as an explanation and a truthful commentary on our system of donating. Heather and I are pretty fortunate. We have lots of friends that are willing to donate clothes to our little outreach and at times our storage areas are overwhelmed with tons of clothes in various sizes from friends, neighbors, family and kindly strangers. Those that live close to us come over frequently and drop off those items their kiddos no longer need. And we appreciate every single one of them. With all the clothing that we have, when we have a need that we cannot fill with donors, Heather and I send out the boxes. But, just like each of you, we have a budget - and so we feel guilty when we are not able to send more boxes to help. We are going to continue to do what we can where we can, but please be patient with us. We truly care about each one of you and want to help. If you find yourself unable to wait for the normal processing time, we always allow someone to write and "jump" the line by covering the shipping cost of the box. Just an FYI to those whose need might be absolutely immediate and cannot wait in the order in which Heather and I send out boxes....wow, this seems so formal, right? It's just us trying to explain that we have SO many sizes of clothes, but can't possibly send out 20+ boxes a month... =) Send good wishes for us to figure out some way to send more boxes and help more people!

There is so much I want to share today! Heather and I have come across some AMAZING people running their own charities and we are so fortunate to have been able to "meet" them. We LOVE to share about others doing good deeds and so if you know of someone you'd like to introduce to us, email us! I know hearing about others making a difference inspires me and hopefully it will to you too! This week, meet "Project Head Start 2010" from Victoria who reached out to us. Here is how she describes her organization:

"Every other month ( six times a year) I will be mailing out a box of goodies. This box could include a few outfits, toys, diapers, etc for the mother and child. I want to give people who cannot give their child "everything" but wants to. This is not a pity party, it is a true genuine charity. This is not for people who cannot afford ANYTHING for their child, just a little added something to help a little bit. The box is not large or full of expensive clothes, toys etc but it provides people with a little extra umph."

LOVING THE CONCEPT!! And what's better - she's a college student! Hooray for young people caring enough to make a difference. You can find them on Facebook (like us). Wishing them HUGE success as they set out to help mommas also!

You know, though, you don't have to run a charity to make a difference. This past weekend, I was outside a grocery store with my two middle boys, who are Boy Scouts, selling their annual popcorn at the troop's designated selling location. We tried to approach everyone kindly and politely and very aware that sometimes people just don't want to be bothered as they are doing their weekly shopping trip. My kids were cute with their selling routines and I tried to jump in when they were getting long-winded or high-pressured...(I swear, my 7 year old must have been born a telemarketer!) Several people were very patient, but just simply didn't want popcorn....no biggie. One of the women paused and said she would think about it while shopping. After she walked away, I gave my boys a break and gave them a few dollars to go in to the store and get a treat to keep their interest up and the monotony away. As they were checking out with their goodies, the woman who had just said she would think about it, stepped up to the register and told the boys she would be buying their treats. They were SO happy and SO thankful, and as they ran up to me to share their happiness, I used it as an example of goodness in the world and how easy it is to make a difference in someone's day. She didn't want the popcorn, but still wanted to make my boys feel special. She did exactly that and through her they learned an important lesson about spreading joy. I think we can all think of little ways to add little bits of happiness to another's world. Especially if you find yourself in a bad mood, getting outside yourself and affecting someone else's life can be just what the doctor ordered. It actually affects two people's lives.... :)

I hope all the mothers out there, especially the ones struggling, know how much others care. Heather and I and our little community all come together with the one common interest of helping up those who are struggling. Victoria and her crew do the exact same. People care... So hang on and hold your head high. There are lots of kind people out in the world today. Here's hoping you run in to some today! And if not, who's to say that you can't be that person for another??

In love and kindness,


Email Elizabeth & Heather

"In the Strangest of Places if you Look at It Right"

Please note: If this is your first time visiting our blog, please click here to hear the premise of Pass It On, Baby! and how it all began.... Pass It On, Baby!

I have mantras.....things that reignite my faith and my faith system. They help to focus my thoughts in to positive energy and a positive outlook. So, here goes....Today, I am thankful. Thankful for the fact that when I get overwhelmed (like I was a few posts ago) that every day is a new day with new hope and new promise. I believe in destiny. I know that I am in the exact moment I am supposed to be at each and every moment.....even if it won't make sense until years later. I believe in kindness. And I believe in karma. Not in the weird eye for an eye sense, but the kind that says putting kindness and goodness in the world makes for a better place for all of us.... I love that letting those thoughts in means feeling so much more than the daily tasks, the struggles....it takes you to a place of infiniteness and wonder.

Strange things happen to me. Sometimes they just seem so normal that I just don't question it. I know that they aren't really coincidences, but little pushes to get me back in the right direction. Today when I went to the gym, there was a new woman, whom I have never met or seen, working in the child's care area. She commented on my daughter and how "girlie" she looked and I made a joke of it saying after four boys, I was ready for some estrogen and some girlieness in the house. She sort of hesitated and said I have one boy and one girl. She quieted her voice so that only I could hear and said, "We are struggling. Everything is hitting at once. We just bought a new house." She began to tell me a story about her son having a fit last evening and her opening the door and for the first time looking at him dressed in clothes that don't fit. It broke my heart. She then asked me for any hand-me-downs I might have. She has no idea that I run a little charity regarding clothes, she doesn't even know why she mentioned that to me today. She doesn't have to....I know. I know that I was in that moment to remind me that the people among me are sometimes the ones struggling too. That there is goodness and kindness to be shown anywhere you go. She asked me because she was supposed to ask me, and I am supposed to help her. No questions, no judgment....just help. And while in the physical sense, it will be me helping her...she will have helped me too. Brightened my day because she trusted me, reached out....and reminded me of what I need to be doing in this exact moment. So again, today I am thankful.

Heather and I have kept this blog for awhile. Sometimes you glance at it to see what we have to say. Sometimes you see our updates on Facebook. It is not always your turn to help. Sometimes you can't. But you can always keep an eye out for those that are struggling out in our world today and likewise those that would love to be a part of this because it makes them feel good - just like it does for me. I want to ask you today to remember that each size on our right-handed sidebar is a child. A child doing without. A mother struggling.

I've said it a hundred times, but I have kiddos and so therefore, I have kiddos clothes. This is how I can help. Some of you are just like me. Some of you just can't help in that way. But you can help by just simply showing kindness. By talking to those who look like they are struggling. By smiling. By reaching out and letting them know they are not alone -- even if you can't say those exact words.

I'm not always the girl that randomly strikes up a conversation with anyone. It's not that I'm standoffish or anti-social, but sometimes I struggle with small talk before I've met or know someone. The other day, though, I was reading an article about homelessness and one of a previously homeless person turned director of a help group was talking about the hardest part of being homeless. Surprising to me, he said it wasn't the struggle for shelter, food or clothing. It was the fact that people didn't look at you, didn't talk to you, they dehumanized you. That was the toughest part for him. For this man, the smile, the kind word meant more than the money for panhandling. And that's something that regardless the others ones situation, we all can do.

Right now, lots of people are talking about the horrible bullying that has been going on for kids today. Boiling it down to the simplest level, it all starts with kindness. Respecting another human being. For what? For being human. For being a part of this journey with you. Because it truly says more about you than it ever could about them. Focus on yourself. Judge less, look inward more. And make sure to teach our children that as well. Each child is a perfect little person. But subjected to hatred, judgment, ridicule and worse, makes for a damaged adult. Be careful with our little ones and make sure to teach them by your example - not just your words.

Little tiny acts of kindness...build together to slowly change not only ourselves, but our world.

In love and kindness,


Email Elizabeth & Heather