The pleasure of your company is requested for an
Evening of Music,
Art, & Inspiration

Thursday, the twenty fourth of September
Seven o’clock in the evening
River Ridge LDS Chapel
adjacent to the Jordan River Temple
10124 South 1300 West
South Jordan, Utah

Featured musicians
Nathan and Warren Mueller, violin and cello duo
Alexis Boskovich, harpist
Susan Alldredge, vocal solo

Unveiling of artist’s painting
Anne Marie Oborn

Guest speakers
Roger and Melanie Hoffman, composers

This program is presented in conjunction with the
Temple to Temple Steeplechase Charity Chase (run/walk)
which is partnering with the Christmas Box International
to bring awareness and community involvement to
“the sweet tender children who must suffer on this earth.”

For information and donations visit: thechristmasboxhouse.org

Sunday dress. Seating is limited to ages 18 and older.

Steeplechase

I am moving from angry (I resolved the issue!!) to spiritual!



A wonderful woman in my ward has organized a charity even that I am thrilled to help out with.



On Saturday, September 26, 2009 at 7:00 a.m. there will be a 5 mile Temple to Temple Steeplechase. The steeplechase begins at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple and ends at the Jordan River Temple. This is not a race but an opportunity to spend 5 miles of your life helping children in need! It is meant to be a fun walk/run where for everyone of every ability. Children are welcome! Along the route will be the opportunity to reflect upon life and the obstacles we face (I have heard rumors that there will be spiritual opportunities along the way if looked for).



The race is $15 for adults and $10 for youth/children. All finishers will receive a specially-designed key chain medallion. Registration must be completed by September 24 at midnight.



Here is an excerpt from the Cynthia, the race director, regarding the charity to be helped:



"I'd like to tell you a little more about the reason I chose The Christmas Box House charity for our Steeplechase." Through my experiences as a licensed foster parent and as an adoptive mother, I have seen first hand how children in state custody (who are all ready in fragile condition) cope with their ongoing fears, frustrations, and overwhelming turmoil. With amazing strength these children of survival endure their heart-wrenching situations. But they cannot combat their problems alone. Only with heaven's help and the involvement of many caring people working together can each child find what they deserve- permanency and parents-that home of their own. I have learned that taking care of our at-risk children is a complicated concern, deserving of our keen attention and cooperation. Every effort makes a difference."



"The Christmas Box House is dedicated to easing the trauma that these neglected and abused children experience. I am grateful for the opportunity to donate the proceeds of this race to their care."



I have worked with many children from the Christmas Box House and am proud to attend this event. This is one of those organizations that I cannot say enough good of. They have saved many of my precious little children that I have had the opportunity to serve and love.



There will also be an Evening of Music, Art, & Inspiration. I am super excited for this! It will be held Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. at the River Ridge LDS Chapel on 10124 S 1300 W (adjacent to the Jordan River Temple). Featured musicians will be Nathan and Warren Mueller, Alexis Boskovich, and Susan Alldredge (also in my ward and an adoptive mother). There will be an unveiling of Anne Marie Oborn's new painting. Roger and Melanie Hoffman (composers of 'Consider the Lillies of the Field') will be guest speakers. This event is Sunday dress and seating is limited to those 18 years of age and older. There is no cost to attend but additional donations to the Christmas Box House will be accepted at the concert donation table.



Interested in coming to either or both events? Register for the race at http://www.runnercard.com/ and click under road races and look for the Temple to Temple Steeplechase. No RSVP's needed for the benefit concert.



Come support our at-risk kiddos!!

Summer of Service Continues!

I cut and pasted this from the Mom It Forward Site because I LOVE how simple it is. Sometimes we get wrapped up in the thought that service has to be BIG. I like to challenge that thought.

Working in a school for so long has made me realize that oftentimes, a child only needs a friendly smile to feel better. So, I love this challenge for the week!

10 Ways to Make a Difference This Week By Smiling

1. Smile inside to give yourself a compliment or a pat on the back for a job well done.

2. Start your day out on a positive step by smiling at yourself in the mirror as you are getting ready.

3. Smile at each family member first thing in the morning.

4. Have a “best smile” contest with your kids to see who has the silliest, funniest, prettiest, nicest smiles. Have each child vote and win prizes in the different categories.

5. Have a “smile stare down” contest with your kids, family members, or friends to see who can stare the longest with a big grin on his or her face.

6. Go on a walk with your family members or friends and count who can smile at the most people. As an added bonus, count how many people you can get to smile back at you.

7. Take pictures of your kids doing their “best smiles.”

8. Make a smile photo album, where you capture each person in your family, smiling in several different settings.

9. Keep a smile log of how many times you smile during a single day and how many times someone else causes you to smile.

10. Keep a smile journal for a day. Write your thoughts and feelings about what smiling at others and others smiling at you does to your mood, your emotions, and the overall tone of your day.


I have been focusing on the kiddos lately since that is where I am greatly lacking in patience. Yesterday we went on a picnic in the living room (Champers was having a sad teething day. And it was raining) where we went on some amazing pretend picnics in fantasy land. Just doing such a small thing brought huge smiles from Bud and Baby. It was wonderful!

Happy smiling, all!

If you are interested, there is a fantastic Kodak giveaway on the Mom It Forward site that ends tomorrow! Hop on over.

SOS Summer

Going in line with my Pay It Forward Friday I am participating in the SOS Summer of Service plan sponsored by Mom It Forward. This week's focus is on the family.




Honestly, the best way to improve our society (and BOY does it need improvement!) is by increasing positive family relationships. I cannot tell you how many families I have worked with that are in total disarray. And the problems from one dysfunctional family have long reaching and long lasting devastating consequences.

But the same is true for strong families. I can quickly name several families that I respected as I grew up. They had trust, love, compassion, and fun! I look around me and see many now. I am thankful for all these great examples as I aspire to become one!

My question for you today: what is your family strength? Ours: Dan and I are a team. We support each other 100%, especially in front of the kiddos. I don't believe they have ever heard us say a disparaging remark to one another, let alone fight.

Let's focus on making our families great!

Pay It Forward Friday

Do you live in Utah?

Want to help the Muscular Dystrophy Summer Camp?
Listen UP!

Save all your:

Toilet paper and paper towel rolls.

2 liter pop bottles with lids.

16-20 oz. water bottles with lids.

Butter or margarine round tubs.

Give to Amber by May 30.

Pay it Forward Friday

I'm finally posting my Pay It Forward on a Friday! Imagine that!

I am still in the process of collecting Spanish books to send to the Dominican Republic to help establish a library system there. Please remember to search your library! To learn more click here.

But, I also firmly believe that some of the greatest service we can give is the most simple! So, today my forward act is not grand or spectacular.

I have recently mentioned that I know some neat people. I have been very blessed to have you all in my life, thanks for being there! Sarah is one such person. We were next door neighbors at the townhomes. She was often a lifesaver. I could drop off my kids and run to the store or borrow some flour or go over to scream at the insanity of my life. We have both moved, but our friendship has stayed.

Well, she is INCREDIBLY talented. I love her work! And she is putting it to work!!!!! She makes masterpieces out of paper. Well, her hubby has talked her into selling her cards and I couldn't be happier. No more Hallmark for me, thank you very much! Well, most of us know how difficult it is to get the word out there that you are selling some amazing things, so here is my pay it forward! Stop by her site and if you are impressed, you can pay it forward by forwarding on the love!

http://www.yesterdayscreations.com/Home/Welcome.html

Pay It Forward

If you scroll down on my sidebar, you will notice a widget for helping Kenyan women. I am excited about this project for a couple of reasons:

1. Basa Body is helping women in Kenya use their knowledge to create jobs. Fantastic! I tire of Western orgs going in and mandating how other cultures should live. This is different. While in Kenya, the founders recognized skills that had been used for centuries and merely helped them develop into a company!

2. This is an organization that is small. This translates into little or no overhead cost. The profit is going to where it says!

3. If you are interested in learning more about this organization, click here: http://www.basabody.com/

4. This widget is brought to you by Mom It Forward, a service organization of moms!

If you have a few extra bucks laying around and feel like helping some sisters across the world out, donate by May 12. That's coming up soon!

Pay It Forward Friday....on Saturday

Hi! I am so super excited to post about this week's Pay It Forward. It is not my idea but I'm thrilled to help.

Rachel Denning and her husband are on a mission to bring books to the world. I think this is a great idea! They are starting in the Dominican Republic where most the people are literate but can't read. Why, you ask? Due to the lack of books and libraries most citizens of the DR are unable to read. Their vision: set up a system of miniture libraries to increase book availability.

This is where we can ALL help!!

Please look around your house, local thrift store or neighbors' to find books that can be donated. Because they speak Spanish, books in Spanish are needed. Also, Rachel has requested that these books be more than simple mindless reads....she wants them to be enlightening! Any classic, non-fiction, thought provoking book is on the list!

Another avenue is to purchase some Spanish children's books from Usborne through me! If you would like to do this, email me at amberorme@yahoo.com and I will offer you a great discount since it is for such a great cause!

If you would like to know more about this project, you can go to facebook and look at the following link: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=8606&uid=53435182242

Pay It Forward Friday

Today is simple. But, that is the most heartwarming service!
Today is the day before my little sister's wedding.
Everyone is cooking or cleaning or buying photos.
I did not.
I bought Cafe Rio.
Is any service greater than yummy lunch for those hard at work????

Pay It Forward

So, in an effort to be less self centered, I am going to start a Pay It Forward Friday! Yay!!
I don't know if you noticed, today is not Friday, but I am just so stinkin' excited that I'm going to start today!

This week's friendly act revolves around my little buddy, Savannah. Grayson and Alora ADORE Savannah. You have probably seen some pics of Van scattered around my blog. Anyho....she has been entered in a contest to win a new playyard! Check out her awesome skills on the following link and vote for her on March 20th! (That is Friday!) She is contestant #20. Seriously, check it out. She has some mad skillz!

http://www.971zht.com/pages/kiddieokee-2-4_09.html?page=2