Everyday Miracles

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 morning on Yahoo.com I was reading a story about a little baby who was a Christmas Eve miracle just one short year ago. The young mother died during labor giving birth to a stillborn baby, but both were revived back to life just minutes later. The mother went into cardiac arrest so the doctors had to take the baby by emergency c-section. Luckily both survived. The delivering doctor said that its rare for a woman to suffer cardiac arrest during pregnancy and far rarer for both mother and baby to survive. The father has his own explanation. He believes that it was truly a miracle. Read the full story here.

Another story I read was about a Wisconsin man who had been unemployed for the last 18 months and living with his parents, won $1 million dollars in the McDonald's monopoly game.

I too have a miracle that I experienced. Several years ago I was driving back to Dallas when my car hydroplaned next to a passing semi. My car luckily bounced off the truck instead of getting sucked underneath it. However, I went airborne and went nose first into the ditch and spun out into oncoming traffic on the other side of the highway. I was somehow completely unharmed; not a scratch on me. The car however was completely totaled. The police officer that came to the scene was in absolute shock that someone wasn't killed or atleast injured. I was truly blessed!

Maybe this Christmas you haven't received some major miracle such as one of these above. But know that the gift of life and love are miracles of their own. Everyday is truly a miracle. The lyrics to this Sarah McLachlan song put it so perfectly.

It's not that usual when everything is beautiful

It's just another ordinary miracle today

The sky knows when its time to snow

You don't need to teach a seed to grow

It's just another ordinary miracle today

Life is like a gift they say

Wrapped up for you everyday

Open up and find a way

To give some of your own

Isn't it remarkable

Like everytime a raindrop falls

It's just another ordinary miracle today

Birds in winter have their fling

And always make it home by spring

It's just another ordinary miracle today

When you wake up everyday

Please don't throw your dreams away

Hold them close to your heart

Cause we are all a apart

Of the ordinary miracle

Ordinary miracle

Do you want to see a miracle?

It seems so exceptional

Things just work out after all

It's just another ordinary miracle today

The sun comes up and shines so bright

It disappears again at night

It's just another ordinary miracle today

It's just another ordinary miracle today

What everyday miracles have you experienced? Is your child or marriage a miracle? Is your health, your home, your job a miracle? Tell us your EveryDay Miracle and share in the miracle of the Christmas season. We look forward to hearing your story!

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

In love and kindness,

 AND 

Email Heather and Elizabeth

And the winner is...

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!

Thank you to those who participated in sharing their most memorable Christmas stories. We really appreciate it when our community shares with one another! Many of these stories were so touching in very different ways. All of them truly special and memorable.

Now, for what you have been waiting for! We wanted to formally announce by random drawing that our winner is ...... drumroll please ......

ERICA!

Congratulations Erica on receiving a $50 gift card! We hope that this comes in handy right before the holidays! Please send us an email with your mailing address so we can get this mailed out to you right away!

Thanks again to all who participated and please continue to share with us any thoughts or ideas on our blog or facebook page about Pass It On, Baby! How can we better help others, any topics you'd like to see us talk about, thoughts on how to reach more people - we want to know!

Happy Holidays to you and yours!

In love and kindness,

Email Heather and Elizabeth

The best gift ever...and GIFT CARD 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!

Time sure does fly by! I want to apologize for the lag in posts but it's sure been hectic with Thanksgiving and now the holiday season among us. It seems like this time is busier than ever. I tend to get lost in all the things that seems so necessary to get done -  getting christmas cards out, shopping done, santa visited, baking goodies, attending christmas parties,  keeping up with the house, oh and not to mention working. I am overwhelmed with the whole to do list right now as it seems never ending. However, I read this wonderful quote the other day that reminded me what this time of year is all about...the best gift ever - LOVE!

"Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas." ~ Dale Evans Rogers. 

I remember some of my most exciting Christmas'. Those when I got that special gift or a time when my family enjoyed themselves in an extra special way. One I can remember most is when my sister and I got a Nintendo. My parents made it so fun by creating a scavenger hunt. We spent atleast 20 minutes figuring out the next clue, running through the house, excited to see where the next clue would take us. We were sure it was something big. We giggled and laughed and enjoyed every moment together. Those memories of love and excitement are truly the times that warms my heart the most. Especially since my sister is no longer with us. When I think of her and that Christmas, it's not the Nintendo that I still think about (although it was an awesome present), it's the love that we shared. It's a gift that will forever be in my heart.

The presence (not to be mistaken with "presents") of Love to me is truly what makes the spirit of Christmas so meaningful. It is the BEST gift we could give ourselves and those who are closest to us. To allow love to flow in us and through us and outwardly to all those around us - in how we think, feel and act at all times. It is the best gift ever. You don't need a lot of money to give that gift, just an open heart and the mental awareness.  LOVE is all you really need.

In the spirit of Christmas and giving, we would like to giveaway a $50 gift card from Pass It On, Baby! Just a little thank you from us to you for being apart of our community of love. For giving love, receiving love, and feeling the presence of love that is here. We hope that you can use this to give a gift to someone special. Whether that be your child, neighbor, friend or even yourself. Tell us about that most memorable gift you received or the most memorable Christmas time you shared. We want to know. Please respond by Sunday December 12th and we will announce a randomly picked winner next Monday.

"Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas." ~ Dale Evans Rogers. 

In love and kindness,

Email Heather and Elizabeth

Notes of Thanks.... How Appropriate! =)

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!

It sort of comes with the territory, but many times it seems like Heather and I are always asking for help instead of thanking you for how much so many of you have already done. So, how apropos that as Thanksgiving approaches we share some of the MANY notes of thanks we receive. As we are well aware, our words are hardly as touching as those who have actually received some help - so read along and feel the warmth of human love and kindness.... =)

"Oh thank you so much thank you thank you thank you, again thank you really even if you're not able to help just the idea of people out there trying to help others really touches my heart."

"hi i received the clothes for my son today .. is there a way to personally thank the mom who sent them to me? she included a note about her tragedy and it was very heart warming .. i truly would like to thank her personally from the bottom of my heart for doing this for my son knowing what i now know. she is a true angel .. if its not possible for me to thank her.. can you pass the word on for me?"

"I got my donation today, I have to say I do not cry much and today after I got this package I was in tears, The mama that sent the donation also sent along as special note with a little about her life she explained that she has a little boy at 3 years old pass away It really made me cry today because I had a daughter 3 years ago this Dec that passed away from SID it was so special to me that this mama shared this with me and I really for some reason felt so connected with this person I do not know, This mama that sent me the donation has no idea how much this will help us, We love everything and now she has some stuff that fits her perfect so I wanted to really thank you for running this program and connecting moms in need with moms willing to help this so amazing of you all to do, My family thanks you."

"I found your blog after a friend wrote into you about my best friend who was featured on your blog in XXXXX. I am amazed at all you do. I just wanted to thank you for your help. My best friend is going to court for the custody case on Thursday and I will be able to present her with the two boxes and gift cards I received for her because of your blog. I am sure she feels like no one cares and I have proof because of your blog that she is deeply cared about. I cannot tell you how much my faith in people has been restored. Thank you soooo much."

"Thank you so much. After your last email I felt much better. But now I feel like dancing again. You have made me so happy thank you again this really means so much to me."

"Yes, she is in 3-6 months, It makes me cry to actually come across some people with big hearts, It means a lot to My little one and myself, Thank you again for everything.."

The above notes are all from a two week window...that's how much you loving people are out there influencing and touching lives...not just the mother, but a family - and little eyes are watching the joy that is spread by such acts of kindness. Just as many believe that children are influenced by the violence that they witness, so too are they influenced by the kindness and joy that they see.

Happy Thanksgiving from our families to yours!! Enjoy this special time of togetherness. Whatever your struggles, lay them down for the day and find some appreciation in whatever you do have. To those that are hurting, hang in there - people do care. For those helping others - thank you from all of us. May this be a wonderfully, happy holiday for each of us.

In love and kindness,

Email Elizabeth & Heather

True stories of families in need...

It's that time of year again. The weather starts to turn colder (more cold for some of you than me as I live in Texas). And families start wondering how to make sure their little ones stay warm. I must say some of the stories we've received lately just break your heart. It surely makes me realize how many blessings I have and not to take those little things for granted. Both Elizabeth and I really felt that it was important for our community of readers to read the words that have been sent to us. We do protect identities, however, we know that for people to be compelled to action, sometimes it takes reading and feeling the same cries for help that we have read.

 To Whom it may Concern,

      I am a desperate woman. I am due to have my first child in Feb. My Mom thank God for her has helped me as much as she can. I live with her and my sister who has 2 kids of her own to take care of. We are all on very limited means. I am not working because the town we live in doesn't like to hire pregnant women. They still are stuck in the stone age. My Mom has tried and gotten me some things and so have the few people that have a little extra but that is limited and hard with the holidays right around the corner. The hardest thing for me to do is ask anyone for help. So this is very hard for me. But I am having a little boy and still need a lot of things like bottles, clothes, stroller, bassinet and a crib. I need help with everything.  After he is born I will be able to get a job and things will be easier on all of us. It is just these things that keep me up and stressing at night. I know it isn't good for the baby but what can you do when you can't get the stuff you need and there isn't any place in the town you live in to help you. If you can or know someone that can help me please contact me.  Please, please, please help me. ~ Kentucky Mother 

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My daughter Michelle Lyn is going on 2 months old and the only thing she has to her name are some night/spring clothes and a bassinet, We don't even have a baby bathtub for her so I have to take her into the shower with me and it's hard trying to bath a 2month old and yourself all at once.. I feel bad for her because she has no toys no swing NO winter clothes nothing the only thing I do is leave her on her stomach on the floor with a blanket for tummy time then back in her bassinet so I can do things around the house. I use to live in Michigan but a year ago I moved out to Wisconsin so I really don't have any money to get her anything at this time and I feel bad for my baby girl.. I'm not really asking for anything I'm just wanting to see if anyone would please try and help us out in any way possible with anything they might not be using.

If not then I understand and I soon know that God will give us what it is we deserve. Just have to sit and wait it out and all will come together, but thank you for even reading this. May God Bless your family in everything you do! ~ Wisconsin Mother

____________________ 

Greetings and thanks in advance for your kindness!  A friend told me about your blog, what a great way to share kindness with others, I will pass along your story. 

Now for the requests.  I have been working with a young woman for about 18 months, tutoring her as she works toward getting her GED and mentoring her as she takes positive healing steps in her life.  She started life in an orphanage in Brazil with her brother and sister.   When I met her, she was in a residential two year program for women who have survived lives of violence, addiction and prostitution.  

She decided to break free from her lifestyle when she found herself in jail and pregnant.  She has more than 2 years “clean”, is a graduate of the residential program and is working towards full custody of her daughter.  Recently, she helped her sister leave a difficult relationship with her two children.  The two sisters work hard to make ends meet and support their 3 children. Please help me to help them with clothing for their children. ~ Tennessee

___________________ 

I have a mother and son who need help. The father has been abusing her for a while, and recently started with their 5 year old son. The dad broke the childs collarbone when the child was trying to stick up for his mom. Needless to say she finally left him, but not before he cleared out the accounts so she has no access to money, and she is currently unable to work but looking. When she left she literally left with the clothes on her back, and the clothes on the boy. Because of no current income and no money to live off of, they are living in horrible conditions. I am wondering if you or anyone you know have any 5t clothes that you can spare for him? This family is in desperate need. She is very embarreassed. Let me know if you have anything that might help. Thanks! ~ Friend of mom in need

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i am going through a really tough time right now, and could really use help with clothing for my daughter as it is getting colder out, and she has barely any warmer clothes. its hard being a teen mommy and raising a little girl, while trying to keep up with school, no job, and having to worry about bills, only being able to pay what i can from what i get from my financial aid. thank you so much for your consideration and i look forward to hearing form you. ~ Florida mother

These are just a few of the heartbreaking stories of families who are hurting. Families who could use our help - YOUR help. Can you do something small, even if it is just 1 or 2 outfits out of your own childs clothes that could help ease the burden of a family in need? If you don't have any clothing to provide, do you have $5 or $10 to help ship a box? A gift card for a family for a couple of outfits? Can you share this blog post with any family members or friends, church groups or schools, or any other organization that can help spread the word? Anything you do will help. I can promise you that. 

This new book i've been reading is about the purpose of relationships. The main point of the book is that the purpose of ALL relationships is to help the other person be the best version of themselves and vice versa. How can you help a family from Pass It On, Baby! be a better version of themselves? How can you, your kids or your family be a better version of yourselves by helping? That is our goal with Pass It On, Baby! Whether it be with our little soap boxes - discussing the evolution of ourselves personally - hoping it touches you in some way to betterment. Whether it be with the stories of hope, the stories of giving, the stories of struggle - we hope that Pass It On, Baby! is helping readers, donors and recipients be their best version.

Thanks for reading. Thanks for sharing.

In love and kindness,



Email Heather & Elizabeth

The Fun of the Season....

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!

Happy Halloween to all! I hope each and every one of you had fun with your own trick-or-treaters, or with some that visited you! I just love Halloween. Having kiddos means getting to relive your own fond memories of Halloweens long ago, all over again. It means letting loose a little... Letting the kiddos stay up later than usual, eat more candy than they should and run from house to house just getting to be themselves. Adults in my neighborhood are as excited as the kids. We all love to see the fun costumes, to see neighbors that we haven't in awhile, to catch up with new births, new additions, and new happenings. Halloween means not being annoyed with people who stop by, sharing what you have, buying extra to have some to share...just a fun holiday all around. For me it means baking for school festivals, running to all kinds of outside activities with the kids, and a rekindling of that sacred family bond that each of us holds so dear, but that sometimes gets jeopardized by our hectic schedules.

I've had fun all day looking at so many of my friends children dressed up for costume parades, community activities and the like. Each one of them is so happy and excited for the present moment that they are in. As I was talking to my own kids about Halloween, I was shocked that they couldn't decide between Halloween, Christmas and Easter as their own favorite holiday. Here, we as parents, spend SO much more money on Christmas than either Easter or Christmas and my little kiddos don't know what their fav holiday is??!! What?! I guess its because of the family time that each holiday brings. No one ever TRULY feels loved or cared for by material possessions, like them as we may, its the together-ness. The hunting for the costumes, the parties, the fire pits blazing, the s'mores roasting, teasing Dad over having his fav candies, carving pumpkins, decorating the house....that's what its all about. This year I truly felt it too.... Yes, it was busy, but it was SO good for the soul. It was such a happy time.

With that happy time passing, means the beginning of another season, Thanksgiving. The season of truly being thankful for what we all have...even if it isn't much. Make it your mission to truly FEEL your blessings and where you can, to share them. For my family, Thanksgiving means putting together an entire meal for another family we will never meet via a local organization in our area. We all head to the store together...Daddy in charge of picking the turkey, Mommy the vegetables (no one else would tolerate that role!! ha ha!), and diving the desserts, potatoes, stuffing, drinks, etc amongst the kiddos. They each set out with their list and are so happy to be preparing another meal, just like I do for them. I have to tell you, this moment is one of my favorites of the season. I hope you have one just like it that brings your family together while teaching those lessons that each of us hope to instill in our kiddos....Do unto others...Be the change you wish to see in the world.....said so many ways.

If you find that you can help another child with clothes...reach out. Make this season as magical for another as it already is for so many of us. Embrace the thankfulness and love of the season....there is another on the receiving end that you will have forever made a difference. Really, is there anything better? Please reach out to friends, neighbors, anyone you might know that can help a child. We have so many beautiful little ones in true need right now....

In love and kindness,

Email Elizabeth & Heather

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