Shop to Send Us!!!!

So many awesome things are happening for Because Every Mother Matters. One of the most exciting is the opportunity to bring 10 women with us. 10 beautiful giving women that desire to pour their hearts into the women we serve. They will be leaving their families to come along side of us. This is such an walk of faith for all of us. Most of us don't have a chunk of money laying around to pay for the trip. We have to fundraise and rely purely on others to believe enough in us and what we're doing to send us. Delicate Fortress is helping us raise the needed funds for these amazing women to come. We will receive 30% of all purchases made in their online store for the week of FEB 1-7th using the coupon code TEAMBEMM at check out. At the end of the week, I will divide equally all money raised to help fund everyone's trip. Check out the store. Get it in time for Valentines Day. Shop to Send Us!!!!! Every purchase not only helps us get closer to going, but supports the survivor of human trafficking. WIN/WIN!!!!!

Joining Forces for the Women of Ethiopia It's almost here! In just a few short weeks I'll be heading to Ethiopia with Because Every Mother Matters (BEMM) for what promises to be an incredible, life changing experience. Through this trip, I'll be humbled to work alongside women half a world away to bring livelihood and health to their communities. I'm so excited for this wonderful opportunity. The thing is, it's kind of expensive..... Around $2500 expensive. And not all of us have $2500 laying around. :) So, all of us participating in the trip have decided to work together to raise the necessary costs and we're partnering with a fantastic organization, Delicate Fortress Creations (DFC) in order to do so! DFC is a shop with purpose - offering hand made items created by individuals who have escaped human trafficking, modern day slavery, poverty and exploitation. They have beautiful, unique gifts - jewelry, bath and body, handbags, children's items.... You name it, they have it! From February 1-7th, 30% of all DFC sales utilizing the coupon code "Team BEMM" will go to our team! At the end of the fundraiser, all monies raised will be split evenly amongst our group in order to help offset our travel expenses. I'm so excited we're partnering with them because it will help us raise the money to defray some of our costs and as we do so, we'll be making a difference in the lives of countless women around the world by purchasing their products. It's a win win deal! Won't you join us? Anyone in the United States can participate. Simply go to www.delicatefortress.com, find what you like and put in the coupon code "Team BEMM" at check out. 30% of everything you buy will go to our team! So, mark those calendars! Thank you so much for your support in this very important endeavor. It means so much! Pass it on to your family and friends and make the impact even greater! Anyone with a United States address is welcome to participate! Connect with Because Every Mother Matters Website Facebook Quick DFC Links About DFC Delicate Fortress Creations (DFC) is a Shop with Purpose store where you can fight human trafficking, modern day slavery, poverty and child exploitation with every purchase. We support over 25 different non-profits and small businesses who are reaching out to help those effected by these crises with opportunities for education, rehabilitation and vocational training. Visit DFC Here!

Finding Balance

I'm beginning to think finding balance in life is like getting in the car when I see a rainbow and driving every direction it shines to find the pot of gold. It's chasing Nessie in the Scottish Highlands. The quest for achieving balance has made billions for self help guru's, conventions, mental health practitioners, exercise clubs, preschools, resorts everywhere, churches, bars, organic farmers, online colleges, non-profits (including mine), and the list goes on and on and on....Finding balance in life has now become the politically correct way of saying, "NO" or "YES". Pull the balance card on a friend asking if you can come over to talk and she understands. Volunteers are needed at the shelter...Don't want to say that you have plans watching your favorite show...balance card works. Moms that are stressed are joining the gym, put the kids in daycare...why? Balance. Even church is now included...Yep, pretty sure if I attend church on Sunday it brings balance to all the other days I was kind of an ass, everyone is seeking balance. If I give $50 to this org, take yoga one day a week, have "me" time a few times a month with friends, read to the kids at least 3x a week, church on Sunday, scale work down to only 40 hours a week, eat in 5 days a week, read at least 15 min 4 times a week, go on a date night once a month, read my bible at least 30 min a day,buy organic milk, volunteer 2x a month at the shelter.....then maybe I am balanced. I will feel good about myself. I will be able to justify every other decision I make outside of what is scheduled. It will be okay to say, "NO" when I'm asked for more....I will also say, "YES" out of guilt because I didn't meet the "balance" quota.

I am NOT saying that any of the above is wrong. Finding "balance" is NOT a bad thing. My issue with the great quest for achieving "balance" in life is... it is NOT based on what I truly love. It is a concept made by people.

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; ..."

Finding balance is trying to control our moments.

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

When you seek balance in your life you are limiting your life to the box you define. When you are truly seeking HIM and following HIM your life will NOT be balanced. Your life will be a big beautiful mess.

Live life boldly. Live life messy. Dare to live an unbalanced life

*Some weeks I want nothing more than to trade my kids in for a quiet sandy beach ALONE.
*Some days I want nothing more than a new outfit and manicure.
*Some days I want a go large McDonald fries.
*Some days I sell half the clothes I own because I know it will help someone
*Some days I hide behind my computer working 18 hours a day and barely say, "Hi" to my kids.
*Some days I unplug everything and build forts, do puzzles, howl at the moon with my 6 babies.
*Some days I want to quit
*Some days I do quit
*I don't want to get out of bed half the time
*Some weeks I won't shower for days
*Some days my kids only eat organic, no sugar. Everything made from scratch
*Some days we eat cereal for dinner

Everyday is either a struggle or a victory...sometimes both throughout the day.

It's a gift, you know...Today is a gift. Don't waste it trying to achieve balance. JUST EMBRACE IT