Le Bonheur....

I was asked an interesting question over the weekend.....

I work full time at Walmart, I am a wife and mother to two dogs and one cat, I recently took on a second job and I fund raise for Le Bonheur Children's Hospital (volunteer my time).

Now that you know where this question will be coming from....'How do you give so selflessly to Le Bonheur when you have no children of your own?'

Well let me just tell you my story with Le Bonheur....I went to Le Bonheur for a Walmart appreciation day 5 years ago. We got to tour the hospital, talk with nurses and doctors and here from former patients. Needless to say I was in tears before we were done. I thought to myself..'How do the parents do this day after day?' That was before the new hospital and FedEx House was built. Yes I give any moment of spare time to that hospital and it is time well spent. Now back to the question...My response to that question is ' I do it because no one else will.' I took that question and thought long and hard about what my real answer is. Well simply put....' All children are God's gift to us and we need to make sure these precious gifts are well taken care of. I know that all my countless hours put into fundraising are helping the children that need it and the families that are taking care of these precious gifts.' Walking down the halls of Le Bonheur and seeing the smiles on the children's face are priceless.

During the many years of fundraising I've had the heart touching experience to hear the wonderful care Le Bonheur gave the children and families that went there. Henderson Co. has been blessed by Le Bonheur in many ways and this community gives so much to the hospital. Several times during our door events..I've had children come up and ask if they can give their allowance money to the kids that are sick I look up at the parents and they are almost in tears. It's so heart touching to see so many kids giving their money they worked hard for and was going to buy something cool for themselves but give to the sick kids. One in particular time I had a small boy come up and ask what we were taking money up for. I told him 'Le Bonheur Children's Hospital. All the money that we collect will go to the sick children there .' He asked me 'if they get to play with toys and what will the hospital do with the money.' I told him ' that some children do get to go to the playroom while other children are too sick to leave the room. The money we collect will go towards the care of the children that can't leave the room and to buy toys for the playroom.' With the boys heavy heart and saddened eyes he ran to his mom and ask if he could have the allowance he had saved to give to the children. His mom was almost in tears and asked if he was sure. He replied 'mom I have cool toys at home but those sick kids need my help.' Oh my talk about a moment that stays with you forever... It is amazing at the kids that want to give what they have to help others.

This is why I do what I do. When kids are willing to give what they have to help sick children, why can't we give what we can too. Any donation is appreciated...

Let me leave you with this thought... Would you give selflessly if possible?

Well this is a very short summary of why I do what I do for the hospital that gives so much!

Home...Sweet....Home

Well we have made it home from Gatlinburg and it was wonderful. Although we spent a week without internet lol but was worth spending that extra time together. Sunday we got to the hotel around 1:00 but couldn't get to our room until 4:00. We were not happy. Both of us were tired and aggravated. So we sat in our car for about 2 hours and then I checked on our room but still wasn't ready. So we drove to Ramsey Cascade trailhead. Driving up there was kinda scary with a mountain on one side and drop off on the other. We were meeting cars after cars going back down. So finally got back to our hotel and finally got our room. That night we walked downtown and ate at HardRock!! Monday we got up and for Doug's birthday we ate breakfast at Pancake Pantry, went to the Craftsman's Fair, did some of the Art and Craft Community and ate at the Peddler that night. The Peddler was great!!! They came to the table and cut our steak right there. Tuesday we ate breakfast at the Old Mill, went shopping at Tanger Outlet, bought a new Christmas tree at the Christmas Place and ate supper at The Partridge and Pear. The Partridge and Pear was wonderful food, great service....all around pleasent dinning. Wednesday we got up early and went to Ramsey Cascades. We didn't know what to expect but was really excited about doing something competely different. So we started the trail about 8:30. We walked over rocks, tree roots and crossed two bridges. I didn't like the bridges so much. Finally another couple cought up to us and showed us the rest of the trail. When we finally got there (2 hrs and 30 mins) it was breathe taking. The waterfall was absolutely gorgeous!!! I fell in love with hiking and seeing God's wonderful creations. We stayed at the fall about 30 mins and then decided to hike back down. Coming down was so much easier than going up. We got back to the car in about 2 hours. We had lunch at the English Pub at the Art and Craft community. We went to some shops there and then back to the room. We walked the strip some more then to Sevierville to go to Wal-Mart to grab some laundry soap and other things. We had Geno's Pizza for supper and it was great. Thursday we were going to get up and go to Cades Cove and hike Abrams Falls but we were so sore from hiking 8 miles Wednesday. So I washed some clothes at the hotel's laundry room and then we got ready and went back to the Craftman's Fair. Then we drove to Piegon Forge and ate at Huckfinn's for supper.

Long time no write....

Well on my lunch break and just wanted to jot down a quick blog. We have completed phase one of our remodel (just got to paint lol). Work has been crazy busy for both of us. Seasons are changing which means my department changes too. On a better note in 4 days Doug and I will be leaving for a much needed week long vacation. Yep that's right headed up to Gatlinburg. To us it's our favorite place other than Key West of course..lol. Anyways time to head back to work. Until next time ......... Write Much

Day 2 blogging

Well today hasn't been the best. Wait I can't say that it has. I lived another wonderful day in God's great country. I got up this morning and started the day off with coco and bandit snuggled up with me on the couch. Got an email from a band that signed today for Battle of the Bands~Battling for a Cure...YaY!!! Went to meet him and got his registration papers today. I also got two emails from two bands that cancelled the BOB, Oh well life will go on. Oh, I went with mom and Shay to the Lawn and Garden Show this weekend and they were giving away Dogwood Trees. So of course we couldn't resist the temptation on the trees. We ended up getting 12 trees. I got 6 to plant on the backside of my property fence and mom got 6 too. I planted the trees today and hopefully they will grow. Made home made lasagne last night and it was wonderful. First attempt turned out great. I also made chocolate cobbler today and it turned out wonderful too. I've missed being able to cook but I've got friends at work that will eat my attempts...lol. Unfortunatly I've put off cleaning today, which I need to do badly. I will when I finish this blog and make white chocolate chip muffins ;)

Sometimes I wonder if our true friends are really friends at all but aquaintances. I do let alot of stuff bother me when it shouldn't. At least I know that I can come home after a long day at work and my dogs will be the ones snuggled up to me and loving me unconditionaly. Such a wonderful feeling beeing a mother to two wonderful dogs.

Well guess I'm out. Going to make my white chocolate chip muffins and clean a little before bed time. Work will be here before I know it....blah blah blah. If you read this.....Thanks for reading!!!

For Starters....

Ok so here is my first Blog. Not really sure how this works but it's a start to share my days of work and woe and my big dreams. I got the idea after I watched Julie and Julia. Wish me luck ;)So here is a bit of information about me: I've been married for almost 4 years to my best friend, Doug. I have 2 dogs, coco and bandit and 2 cats, whiskers and George. I work at Wal-Mart as the Department Manager of Automotive. It's an ok job, I've been with Wal-Mart for 6 years now. I'm currently on the Relay for Life Team as the Co-Captain. It's been fun this year and hopefully will be successful. I'm also on the team that raises money for Children's Miracle Network, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital. I love the feeling I get when I fund raise for Le Bonheur. We held our annual 'Kisses for Le Bonheur' and raised $1,200.00 ;) The next event will be 'Luck for Le Bonheur', we will be selling green ribbons for St. Patty's Day! Also for Relay for Life I am coordinating a Battle of the Bands ~ Battling for a Cure May 1, 2010. Open to any band or individual!! Can't wait for the event. Well this is a start to my blog and hopefully it will continue. Here's to a wonderful blog *cheers*