Christmas Wishes

My friend Annie asked me to post this on her behalf. This is such a wonderful creative way to help her cousins. Please read her post below:

Nothing can prepare you for those moments when your whole world changes. It happens so suddenly. The seconds crawl while that one moment is seared into your heart and your mind. You lose all track of time while your reality shifts from just-fine to not-anywhere-close-to-fine.


It was sunny. Cold, but that’s normal for early February. I’d had a weird feeling that I should stick around home that day instead of going out with some friends. For once, I didn’t ignore the weird feeling and stayed home, working on various projects.

It was 3:41 p.m. when the phone rang. My mom never calls at that time of day, and I wondered if one of my siblings needed a ride or something. Matt was working from home so I had a car. Good thing, I thought. I hate saying no.

I answered the phone and could hear something was off in Mom’s voice. I wandered into the dining room as she told me that my uncle, Sam LaCara, had been shot at the school where he worked as principle.

My breath caught in my throat. I wonder how long his recovery will take.

“Shortly afterwards, he passed away.”

“What?”

I looked down at my phone. 3:41 pm. In California that would be…11:41. I have to tell Matt…how is this even possible?

I have to get home.

My family—my huge, loud, hilarious, beautiful family—lives in California. After Matt and I married, we moved 3,000 miles away to Maryland. As much as we love it here, we really miss our friends and family back home.

Never more so than after we lost Sam.

Being so far away has made it difficult to offer consistent support. I stewed for months over what I could do for my aunt and her three young daughters. I wanted to help make things even a little bit better, knowing full well that the holidays would bring a special kind of pain.

The result of all that stewing is a multi-authored storybook called Christmas Wishes: A Collection of Holiday Tales and Truths. Originally I only meant to print a few copies for my aunt Lisa and her daughters, but then the vision expanded a bit. We decided to sell the book and give all proceeds to the girls’ college funds. Education was a huge priority to Sam, a priority that took a back seat to only one thing: his family.

The following video was created to explain a little bit more about Christmas Wishes. Please take a moment to check it out, and please consider purchasing a copy of Christmas Wishes. You can order through Amazon, or go to any bookstore and order it using the following information:

Join in the Fun with Project Kids

My Bloggy BFF Dana over at Saturday Mornings is working on an amazing cause to help reward deserving kids. She is getting ready for a raffle to help these amazing kids. To learn more, donate, and enter the raffle click the button below. Every dollar makes a difference!

Do Some Good

Meet Austin.  He is a vibrant, sweet, and happy three year old in need of a kidney transplant. Last summer he contracted a deadly stain of E. Coli that caused his kidneys to shut down. Though he escaped with his life, his kidneys took a huge hit. 

Over the last year he has been through so much in his short life. Tests, operations, in and out of the hospital, and has to travel to receive dialysis three times a week.  He is scheduled for a much needed kidney transplant sometime this spring and his mother Courtney is the most likely donor.

You can read his entire story here.

As you can imagine, the cost of a transplant is high, even with insurance.  They are hoping to raise $50,000 (of the $500,000) for the transplant and anti-rejection medicine.  There are several fundraisers being worked family and friends. 

My bloggy friend, Crystal of Crystal's Craft Spot  and a personal friend of the family is setting up up an online donation/giveaway. There will be several fabulous prize packages to be won (including an item from yours truly!) and a $2 donation to the family will buy you an entry for any of the prize packages. You can enter as many times as you would like and trust me, these prize packages are well worth $2 for a family in need. Keep your eyes peeled in the upcoming few weeks.

I know not everyone can donate. Even if it's not in your budget right now, consider spreading the word about Austin. Blog,tweet , facebook, spread the word in any way you can.  The more people that know the better.  Prayers can't hurt either, if you are the praying type. 

Click that sweet little boy's face to read his whole story.

Lucky Dog Animal Rescue

One of my favorite hobbies is volunteering with a local animal rescue. I love being able to help animals, and since I can't adopt every single one I love being able to match up others with new furry family members. My dog, Rolly, has seriously changed my life. He has helped me so much with anxiety and depression I can't even tell you. 

Lucky Dog has some seriously amazing dogs for any of you in the DC/Maryland/Virginia Area. Please check them out if you are interested in adopting or volunteering. If you are farther away please consider ordering a calendar to support these deserving pups! I have met most of these dogs and they are truly angels who deserve a second chance.