I was blessed in my life to have a loving example in my life, my dad, to show me that just being yourself can make a difference in others lives. But well where he was an amazing man and loved by many I have of course been placed on my own path of life. Sometimes I may not have known what or where that path would lead me or take me but I was on it and along for the ride. I have met so many wonderful friends and people in my life. I have tried things, started things, helped in things...the list goes on.

But one thing that I know along this path of life is that no matter what I have been given a helping and caring heart. I have loved serving in our church as the Children's Ministry Coordinator for 8 years. When we found a new church that ministry of course kept calling my name. So of course I jumped in and started helping there too. But it just didn't stop there.

My husband and I have joined a non-profit group to help families and others that are in need. We just love it. We have raised money to help Toys for Tots after a fire. And it was amazing to see that in just 2 weeks that all the toys destroyed were replaced and even more given as well as enough money left over to help clean up and rebuild the building. We are also helping with other fund raisers and things to help raise money for other families too. It is wonderful to be apart of this.

But personally I have as well as my supportive husband we have stepped out to always in our lives to make a difference. We donate our time, help our friends and others in need, we donate our things that we don't need to others that do. Some of my friends say that I would give the shirt off my back and well I probably would or have. But I have wanted to make a bigger difference sometimes. I know that helping people one at a time is huge. I know that it takes baby steps and that the ones that every little bit helps I know that. But I would some how like to do something small that reaches many.

In the past I have tried with my MaryKay, lemonade stands with my kids, asking for my friends and family to donate to a cause with and for me. And no one has helped me make a difference. And well it hurts my heart. I would like to know that what I love and what I do in my life today makes a difference. I would love to see my friends and family help me do something good and amazing for others. I don't want to have to have something happen to me in my life or for me to go to be with the Lord for people to start to make a difference.

So I would love for you to help me help others by making a difference today. If you are interested ask me how you can. I am currently helping a couple families in need personally and it is hard on our family to do this alone. Also, with MaryKay if you have a party or order with me www.marykay.com/michelegrant I will donate to a charity each month. If you want to donate to www.bobnw.org we would love your support. Also, if you want to donate to Charity Water they help bring clean water to developing nations. http://www.mycharitywater.org/p/campaign?campaign_id=16396

So lately I have been trying to understand as some of my girlfriends have been sharing with me about their kids and having friends over. Now as a mom I totally love my kids and worry about them all the time. I want to know where they are and keep an eye and ear out for them where ever we are. When we are at home if they are playing outside I am watching out whatever side of the house they are playing. Have the garage or front door open so I can hear them or I go sit outside so I can be out there with them. Since my son is getting a little older and wants to do somethings on his own like walk to a neighbors house to see if they can play or something I have him take a cell phone with him and other things.

But what my friends are telling me is that some of their friends kids are doing is they come over to play and when they go to send them home for dinner or something no one is home. The parents have left. The parents will they say sometimes leave the kids with my friends for 5 or more hours and sometimes days without letting them know. Now to me that seems strange and wrong. I mean I would talk to a parent ask them if they could come over, watch my kid for a little bit, give them contact info. You know do things that well kinda make sense. But no these parents just leave. And my poor friends are being left with the kids and feeding them caring for them and stuck at home because maybe they now don't have a car that fits that many kids. But well that shouldn't be my friends problem. These parents should have the respect to talk to others about play dates and others watching and caring for their kids.

So I just want to know why parents do this? I also what to know that why the parents that leave their kids like this with people either their kids or themselves say that other kids can come over for play dates or to spend the night. Well I am sorry but if you just up and leave your kid or do things like that to others I am not going to let my kid stay the night. I might not even let them go for a play date. Because who knows if you will stay at home to watch them. That would be my concern.

Now don't get me wrong I know you may love your kid I am not saying that. But I am just saying I find it hard to leave my kid like this and not tell someone or ask someone to watch over them for me that is all. I want my kids to know where I am as much as I know were they are.

On Wednesday of this week (7/6) a warehouse in Tacoma holding about 25,000 toys and sundries for Toys for Tots burnt down and all was destroyed. One thing you may not know is Toys for Tots is not just for the holiday season, it’s doesn’t provide just toys, and it’s not just for little kids.

http://tacoma.komonews.com/photo-gallery/911/late-night-fire-hits-old-heidelberg-brewery/651589

Band of Brothers NW, EastlakeCC, and Myself & my husband are trying to help Toys for Tots great group and need. I want to share our idea and hope to accomplish replacing that are needed all year long. One thing you may not know is Toys for Tots is not just for the holiday season, it’s doesn’t provide just toys, and it’s not just for little kids.

So far what we especially need are toys for the older girls and boys, in the 13 to 17 year old range, always seem to end up short. For the girls, Cosmetics in Kits, no single items, curling irons, hair dryers. For the boys, body soaps and after shave in kits, again, no single items. Electric razors, both girls and boys, nail clipper sets in kits. Basically the things that get eliminated when a family's budget is stressed. And the other concern is Infants, like the Fisher Price toys 1 to 5 years old. Again, thank you for your support and feel free to spread the word and help us help Toys for Tots!

We will have a collection point ON SUNDAY, JULY 10 at:

3301 Monte Villa Pkwy Bothell, Washington 98021 @ EastlakeCC

Or contact chris@bobnw.org @ www.bobnw.com

So now that it is summer time and my son is out of school I am finally getting my husband to start to think about a vacation.  Yeah I tried to get this started way before but well he just doesn't work that way.  So well I am trying to plan a good vacation that will be fun, that we can get the most out of, that we can save some money, and can plan at the last minute like this.  But he wants to plan it like we did this months ago and try and spend less money and do it quick and get all the bang out of it now.  So I wanted to take the kids on this nice trip down the coast and stop at beaches, play in the sand, follow food trucks, and the dinners-drive-ins-and dives, skate board places by the beach, and other great places for the kids all along the coast from Washington to California. 

But now I am having to change my plans and re-think vacation.  My husband has a business trip to go to in Montana by the end of July.  The kids want to go to Montana.  I want to go too because I have a good friend that lives close by.  Then we want to do this trip.  But he wants to pack up and fly down and then rent a car and drive up.  So now I have to re-think all of this.  And well this is going to be hard.  Why couldn't we just pack up and hit the road and go and have some fun?  Nope he wants to spend a ton of extra money to try and fly us down there and then go back up.  I don't get it. I am trying to save us some money and not fly and to fly a family of 4 almost last minute is going to cost. 

So I don't know what to do.  I just want to have a fun time.  And wanted to do things like when I was a kid.  But well I just don't want to fight about this and to stress out.  But I am almost ready to just throw in the towel and tell the kids hey your dad can't make this easy so we aren't going right now we will take a trip later this year.  I just don't know what to do.  Why does this have to be so hard?