Thursday, May 06, 2010

The Gift of Motherhood + A Giveaway!

With Mother's Day rapidly approaching I've been thinking of thoughtful ways to bless the moms in my life. I have a small gift for them - but I wanted to do something meaningful. Plus since today is my birthday - it seems fitting to post this today as 34 years ago - another mother was given the gift of motherhood.

Yesterday morning, I read something online about making a donation in mom's honor. I searched the web and my brain for a great organization or idea to give to that meant something to moms. But, I came up not empty - but just not with the idea I was looking for.

Then, God reminded me of Becky. We went to the same Christian school and I've known her family for years! I stumbled upon her blog recently and noticed that she and her husband are in the process of adopting a little boy from Ethiopia.

Tears came to my eyes as I realized I could help give someone the gift of motherhood this year for Mother's Day. What would the moms in my life love more than knowing how much I love them and that I want to honor them by sharing the gift of mothering with another?

I quickly ordered my bags from Becky's blog and e-mailed her a short note. From her blog:

There are 143,000,000 orphans in this world. Too many to count.
Too many to comprehend.

But in 18 months, THERE WILL BE ONE LESS.

143,000,000 (-) 1

It's just one, but this one is so important to us.

Go here to read the story behind the bags and the powerful message they include: 143 million MINUS one. One bag is $12 which will help give the gift of motherhood!

I know I'm a little late in coming up with this idea - but God just gave me the idea yesterday and He is NEVER late! The bags won't be to you before Mother's Day - but I made up a little card you can print off and share with your loved ones if you are able to donate.

You can click this picture to enlarge and print or insert it as a clip art or photo into Microsoft Word and re-size as needed.

Since I've already ordered bags for the moms in my life - I'd like to offer one up here as a giveaway! Here are the ways you can enter:

* leave a comment on this post - telling me your plans for Mother's Day, what you're doing for your mom or your best Mother's Day memory

* for two more entries - you can post about this on your blog, Facebook or Twitter

* for five more entries, order your own bag from Becky! Let me know in a comment that you ordered from her or made a donation.

Comments will be accepted until 10pm EST Friday, May 7, 2010. Winner will be announced on or before Mother's Day!

PS: Becky also takes great pictures! If you live in Colorado Springs - you can contact her about taking your photos for a donation to their adoption fund!

38 comments:

aspiritofsimplicity said...

I will certainly check this out. Congratulations to your friend on her impending motherhood. I wish her many happy years. And, I wish you a very happy birthday.

Anonymous said...

we 5 daughters are planning to take the meal to our parent's house on sunday...all they are doing is hosting! :-) happy birthday! and thanks for sharing about your friend!

~eunice b
rsmile2u @dejazzd .com

Anonymous said...

http://twitter.com/tigergal01/status/13480180379

i tweeted!

~eunice b
rsmile2u@ dejazzd .com

Bonnie said...

Just wanted to say Happy Birthday!

Ginger said...

Happy Birthday! Have a wonderful visit with your parents!

Melissa said...

Happy Birthday, Monica!!! We are spending Mother's Day with friends ~ probably a sweet and thoughtful lunch on their porch... Since there is a lot of distance between me and my mom I am showing my appreciation for her on my blog over the next few days.

Katy said...

Happy Birthday Monica!!! :)May is such a beautiful month to have a birthday in! :) I hope you have a fantastic day!!! :)

I think it is wonderful that your friends are adopting! :)
I truly must admit that I am not sure, yet, what we are doing for Mother's Day....although, today, I am going for a brunch (along with Madelyn) with my grandma (who has Alzheimer's) for mother's day! I definitely need to plan ahead for my mother and mother-in-love! :)

Debbie Wright said...

Happy Birthday, Monica! Today is my birthday, too! I'm thanking the Lord so much for the past 48 years - the joys of being a mother and a grandmother! For Mother's Day, we're meeting for breakfast on Saturday as a family - and then Sunday, I'll be at church with my parents. Your gift is a wonderful idea - and I look forward to ordering a bag very soon!

The Stepford Stepmom said...

After 3 years of infertility, 7+ miscarriages, I'll be spending this mother's day with the love of my life celebrating the fact that I'll only be 4 weeks away from the birth of our son! We were so afraid for so long we'd lose him (there were SO many complications) and we both spent most of the pregnancy terrified to a point where we didn't enjoy it... But now that we've been told he's healthy and safe and if I had him tomorrow he'd be fine, we are celebrating! Exact plans, I'm not sure... I'm assured plans have been made and they are to be a surprise... My suspicions are that I'm being given my dream crib and stroller as I've been banned from the baby's room until Sunday. LoL!

Happy birthday and happy mother's day!

Andrea said...

My mom lives a couple of hours away so we are meeting of Sat and spending the day together. On Sunday, I'll be with my boys.

Hope you have a wonderful birthday!

Lisa said...

Happy Birthday! Today is my birthday too. I turned 42. My oldest child turned 18 this year and my youngest turned 7. I am feeling kinda old today. Hope you have a blessed day!!!

Stephanie said...

What a great idea ... and happy birthday! My children (and their cousins) are taking my Mom to a local Children's theater to see a performance of Charlotte's Web for Mother's Day this year. So thankful we all live close and do these type of "experience" gifts.

Pam said...

I plan on going to lunch with my son, as my mother is no longer living. We're making some new memories...

angie said...

Happy Birthday and forthcoming Mother's Day!
What a wonderful tribute to the mothers in your life. They will know how much you value them by the gift you have chosen.
I am a distance from my mom, but we plan to meet halfway to see each other in May or June.

Southern Girl said...

I ordered a bag for my mom! Thanks for letting us know about ways we can help. :)

Shari
sharinlilbit@gmail.com

Southern Girl said...

What a wonderful idea!! I would love to win this bag so I could give it to my sister-in-law, as she's going to be making me an aunt this year for the second time. :)

As for Mother's Day, I'm spending it with my mom, planning on making her pancakes for breakfast, and then later that day we're going out to my brother's in-laws' house to celebrate with a cook-out. And I've already given Mom her gift -- a new metal bench for our deck. :)

Carrie said...

As an adoptive mother myself, I certainly appreciate your willingness to support another family in this way. It's a tough road to travel and a great way to for the body of Christ to help support the caring of orphans!

And also - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Wendi said...

Great idea! You know that adoption is near and dear to me. I have a friend that adopted a baby boy from Ethiopia last summer.

Saturday we will have lunch with my mother-in-law and then attend a cook out on Sunday afternoon.

La Familia Garcia said...

I love this idea! My hubby is doing (most) work in our flower garden! He's so good at it and wants to bless me on mother's day.

Happy Birthday!

Anonymous said...

I am spending the day with my 3 wonderful children and amazing hubby. Church and then lunch by the pool. (It is hot here in SW Fl. :) I will also be remembering my dear mother who passed away when I was 17.
Wishing you a blessed birthday!

~Yvette

Trish said...

Monica,
Super happy birthday to you!!
I have 5 kids and have no idea what they (and my husband) plan to do for Mother's Day. I lost my sweet mother-in-law to cancer 16 years ago and my own mom to breast cancer 21 years a...and I miss her every day.
Enjoy those mothers out there!!

Mrs. Pear said...

Happy Mother's Day!

This year is a little different for us for Mother's Day. We just moved to a new state, but I got exactly what I wanted for mother's day:
1. We all moved as as family, no one got left behind to sell the house.
2. Our 4 year old is completely recovered from her open heart surgery in January - it is a miracle. The doctors call the surgery a complete success and she has no restrictions on her.
3. Our 20 month old is happy and healthy too having almost completely out grown the hip dysplasia that had her in a Pavlik harness a year ago.
4. I have a husband who loves God and his family.

I am blessed, and this mother's day I know it.

I pray that all moms would.

~katie~ said...

What a wonderful thing you are doing here, Monica. I will definitely check this out to see how I can help more too...hopefully we can help bring that little boy home to *his* family very soon! :-)

For Mother's Day, we are treating our mother out to lunch after church with the extended family. I praise God for my mother ~ she has been such a true source of unconditional love and support in my life. I pray I can only be the same for my children.

HAPPY Birthday and a special Happy Mother's Day to you as well!

Heather said...

Happy Birthday!

What a neat giveaway..and I'm off to check out her blog. We'll be celebrating by attending church and the special mother's blessing, calling my mom, many hours away, having my mother-in-law over for dinner and patiently awaiting the birth of our second child in a few weeks!

Thanks again,
Heather

rachel@thecupcakesprinklesinlife said...

Happy Birthday Monica-

I also have a link on my blog to help a family adopt an asian child by buying lovely cloth beaded bracelets for 10 dollars each.

I agree- a great mother's gift!

Blessings!

Anonymous said...

What a Wonderful idea! I took my mom (and sisters and aunt) on a surprise outing last weekend for lunch and a quilt shop stop in another town. Joan S JRSwanda at cox dot net

Lisa @ Simply Things Family said...

My husband and I are making a brunch for our mother's on Sunday.

Thanks for another wonderful story and post. I still anticipate every one of your posts.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Vickie said...

Happy Birthday!

I won't be spending Mother's Day with my mom. She lives in another state and my daughter is still away at school. I will be spending a terrific day with my mother-in-law and the rest of my husband's family.

Sheila said...

I don't need to be in the drawing, but wanted to say Happy Birthday! I hope the year to come is filled with blessings from God. Actually, I believe that God is always blessing us, so I hope this year you are aware of every blessing God give.

LS said...

I love this idea and plan to use it for my mom's gift next year! I would love to be entered in the giveaway.

Rachel said...

I put the link and info on my FB status! Great idea...

Rachel
rlcohee@hotmail.com

Paige said...

I love this idea! The bags are great and what a story they have.

At this point I have no plans for Mother's Day. Waiting to see what my family wants to do. Hoping to just hang and be together.

*carrie* said...

This is neat, Monica. I wasn't aware about Mark and Becky's journey and will keep these bags in mind.

Love you!

Lee said...

My mom is visiting this weekend and we'll be crafting together. Plus I have some wonderful treats planned in the kitchen. :-)

forr2girls said...

This Mother's Day is going to very special at my house for the simple reason that my daughter had her first baby my first grandbaby 4 weeks ago!
So we have a lot to celebrate! We have been blessed with a happy and healthy baby boy!
I have known for 23 years how special it is to be a Mother, and I'm so blessed to get to watch my baby with her baby! It's amazing!

Anonymous said...

for mothers day, my mama & I are going to church then we're going to work on a quilt together all day!
God is good :)

Annie said...

Dear Monica... What a sweet way to honor the mothers in your life and to make a difference in the world. I will be doing the same thing... 3 additional bags -- and one for me!
Bless you, and Happy Mother's Day!

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday!
I drop by and read your blog fairly frequently. I always enjoy reading about your little ones and your homemaking. It is a joy to me to see young moms enjoying being young moms and loving wives. And you are such a prime example of both.
This is a different Mother's day for me. My little Mama died almost a year ago on the 29th of May. This is my first Mother's day without her. It has been a hard year. So this year, we will come home from morning worship and MY daughter will have prepared dinner for us--ham and potato salad and lots of other goodies! (I've already received my gift--a garden cart to haul things in!!LOL)
I hope your Mother's day is blessed!
Judy in TX