well, the day has come. i have hit the half way to fifty milestone and i am FEELING it.
i kid, i kid.
i feel the same as i did yesterday really. except today i feel extra thankful for the 25 years i have been given and for the abundant blessings in my life. a couple months back i started to think about what i could do with my blog to bless others on my birthday…
one of the greatest things about blogging for me is the relationships i have made and the friendships i have formed. i am sure a lot of you know heather. i am blessed by her friendship and so thankful that the Lord allowed our paths cross in this crazy blog world. although we have never met in person (YET…can someone say september!?) i still consider her one of my dearest friends. today is my birthday and it is also her wedding anniversary. my boys were each both born on the 19th. brody april 19th, foster november 19th. two of heather’s children, henry and piper, we both born on the 19th as well. henry and brody share april 19th for a birthday and piper was born on march 19th. we were clearly meant to be friends.
heather has another precious child, samuel, who went home to be with Jesus at six weeks old. samuel was born with an intestinal birth defect that caused him to contract a terminal form of bacterial meningitis. heather has chosen to be joyful, chosen to walk worthy and chosen to glorify God in her life. she is a constant inspiration for me to be thankful in all things and she has taught me to view trials in my life as gifts. i will be forever grateful for that.
after samuel’s death heather felt a tugging at her heart to help comfort and care for families with children in the PICU. while spending time there herself, she realized the importance of bringing a sense of normality to people in crisis. heather went right to work and created the joyful life library project.
you can read more about the joyful life library here.
being able to be a small part of this project is such a blessing to me,
and i am so excited for you all to be a part of it as well.
the joyful life library project started off at cardon children’s medical center in arizona, and just this month has expanded to miller children’s hospital in long beach, ca and riley hospital for children in indiana.
all of the books purchased for this giveaway will go directly to riley hospital for children.
i contacted twenty five of my favorite shops and asked them to participate in my 25th birthday giveaway by donating an item to benefit the joyful life library.
all of these items will be going to ONE WINNER.
in order to enter this giveaway you will have to buy a book for the joyful life library. every book equals one entry/one comment. please leave a comment for each book you purchase.
heather made things super easy for us and set up an amazon.com account just for the joyful life library. you will be able to pick out the books you would like and they will automatically ship directly to the hospital. i love that each of you who participates will be able to choose the books you would like to purchase for these children and families.
what if each of you reading purchased one book for the joyful life library? can you imagine the lives that would be touched? the mothers that would be so grateful? the smiles on those children’s faces?
please keep in mind that amazon offers free shipping on all orders over $25 and please save your confirmation email from amazon.com once your books are purchased. i will need this forwarded to me if you are the winner.
here is what you are entering to win:
(brace yourselves)
a huge thank you to each of the shops participating in this giveaway.
something diane made | knitty bitties | pink lemonade | poppie lane | picking blueberries | no. 17 cherry tree lane | angel face designs | yes, teacher | vol 25 | pleated poppy | mila rose designs | vintage junky | eclectic whatnot | yellow heart art | gussy sews | lisa from scratch | paint me a picture | red letter words | casey wiegand art | little miss momma | soso bella designs | funky vintage lovely | come and knock | mandipidy
this giveaway will be open for one week.
the winner will be chosen by random.org and announced friday, april 29th.
my heart is so full when i think about the families and the children who will be blessed by these books.
thank you for being a part of the joyful life library project.
hannah singer
happy birthday! xoxo
#1 i picked a "little critter" book because they are hysterical and i pray children at the hospital will get some laughs.
hannah singer
enjoy your day today! xo
#2 i chose "mr brown can moo-dr suess" because the funny sounds you read throughout make my little guy giggle-praying for joy in the midst of these hospital days for these children! xo
hannah singer
meepmeep. you are twenty five. holler. god bless you, sweet girl!
#3 chose a ruth krauss book "the happy day"-a very fave of mine. its darling illustrations and simple message is certain to warm up a cold hospital stay. praying for this project. what a ministry!! xoxo
Psalm 86:10
"For you are great and do wondrous things;
you alone are God."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Abigail
Bless you for celebrating your birthday in such a manner and bless Heather for spearheading this cause!!
I purchased From Head to Toe by Eric Carle – one of my favorite children's authors.
LittleGreenThread
Happy Birthday Danielle! I hope you have a truly wonderful day. I love that you are doing this! I purchased The Very Hungry Caterpillar because it's one that I read to my boys often. It's one of our favorites, and I love the thought of sharing it with another family!
sarah @ a drop of golden sun
Oh wow, this is totally amazing & inspiring! Happy HAPPY Birthday to you, Danielle. I absolutely love the thoughtfulness & sincerity of this post, and I hope they get lots of books. I just purchased The Peace Book, by David Carr; an absolute favorite in our personal library. Best wishes & have a blessed day!
megan
I just bought and sent Good Night Moon. It is an all time favorite of mine. This is an amazing opportunity and I feel blessed to have been able to contribute. Thank you! And Happy Birthday dear friend.
chelsea fox
happy birthday blog friend!!! oh my goodness…this is the coolest thing ever 🙂 i LOVE that you are doing this! i just bought several books to send to the hospital. i absolutely loved reading as a child and so i pray that this gift touches the lives of the children that read them. thanks so much for setting all of this up. book #1 Love You Forever. all. time. favorite.
chelsea fox
book #2 Curious George in the Big City. i loved curious george growing up 🙂
chelsea fox
book #3 Curious George goes to an Ice Cream Shop…and I love ice cream!
chelsea fox
book #4…The Berenstain Bears Count their Blessings. Love Berenstain Bears. Love counting my blessings.
Jessi
Book 1!
Jessi
Book 2!
Jessi
Book 3!
Jessi
Book 4!
Jessi
Book 5!
Jessi
Book 6!
Jessi
Book 7!
Jessi
Book 8!
chelsea fox
book #5…The Little Critter: The Best Teacher Ever. I used to play school when I was little and would write different names in the fronts of all my books and then set them around the table and "teach" the imaginary students. I'm sure I thought I was the best teacher ever.
chelsea fox
book #6…Are You My Mother in Espanol. I don't speak spanish, but I'm sure one of those little sweet children do 🙂
Nicole
hi! just found your blog, this is such a great cause. you should be so proud that having this blog has led you to be able to do something so great so many people.
i just bought "Curious George and the Hot Air Balloon" – i really hope whoever gets to read it enjoys it!
Leonora
YAY! I bought this book for the kiddies!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0590413805
who doesn't love a giant red dog? Uh thats right, NOW ONE!
This is amazing what you are doing, so happy to be a part of this in TWO WAYS!!! I was able to donate a book AND donate my art, double wammy. <3 <3 <3
Anonymous
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I remember my 25th like it was yesterday, and here I am now 30 wondering where the last 5 years went!
Riley Hospital is in my hometown, and many people I know have been cared for there. My youngest nephew will be having surgery there in a few weeks. He won't be in PICU and he can't read yet (only a few months old!), but it's still good to know that someone will be enjoying these books while he's there! You'll notice that I purchased a few Curious George books. They're my husband's favorite, and are becoming the favorites of the little people in our lives too!
Book #1 Curious George Goes to the Beach
Anonymous
Book #2 Curious George and the Hot Air Balloon
Anonymous
Book #3 The Berenstain Bears Count Their Blessings
Anonymous
Book #4 Love You Forever
Anonymous
Book #5 Curious George in the Snow
Anonymous
Book #6 Curious George Goes to an Ice Cream Shop
Unknown
This is so inspirational! This was apparently Samuels purpose in his short life.
Annie
um, this? this is amazing. and makes me believe that at 25, we can absolutely live lives full of grace ~ this is what grace is all about.
book #1: The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes
Annie
book #2: The Queen of France (this book looks adorable)
Annie
book #3: the sandwich swap
Annie
book #4: Marshmallow
Annie
book #5: Harold and the Purple Crayon (in Spanish)
Annie
#6: Goodnight Moon (in Spanish… I bet it's beautiful sounding in Spanish…)
Annie
book #7: Harry the Dirty Dog (in Spanish)
Annie
book #8: Children Make Terrible Pets
Annie
book #9: Go, Dog. Go! (in Spanish)
can i just say again how awesome this is? i love seeing bloggers use their talents/gifts/connections for something bigger. thanks for being an inspiration!
meg duerksen
I LOVE BOOKS.
I bought harry the dirty dog and lady next door
meg duerksen
and blueberries for sal (looooooove this book)
meg duerksen
and the spanish version of Are you my Mother (my kids' favorite…i know the book by memory)
meg duerksen
te spanish version of go dog go.
do you like my hat?
meg duerksen
richard scarry please and thank you.
lowly worm was my favorite character when i was five.
FAVORITE.
meg duerksen
and freight train.
my boys were obsessed with this one as toddlers.
going…going…..GONE.
meg duerksen
Boats board book
my boys has Trucks….we wore it out!
meg duerksen
and of course…..ALexander adn teh terrbile horrible no good very bad day because that book is all kinds of awesome.
i hate limas.
Lexi
Book #1 – This is an awesome idea!
Lexi
Book #2
Lexi
Book #3
Lexi
Book #4
Lexi
Book #5
meg duerksen
AND another harry the dirty dog and the lady next door because it made since to bring the total to an even number. 🙂
danielle please feel free to fix all my typos because i always press submit before i catch what i wrote.
and happy birthday…..it's craiggers birthday too.
he is 37.
ouch.
AND this is the best birthday giveaway idea.
love it. love books. love helping. love gratitude.
love you.
🙂
i can say that because YOUR HEART is obvious…loud and clear.
have a fabulous AMMMMAAAAAZING (like oprah) birthday.
you are just a baby!
25.
sigh.
Lexi
Book #6
Wifecon
Book #1 – Little Critter: The Best Teacher Ever
Wifecon
Book #2 – Danny and the Dinosaur
Wifecon
Book #3 – Bathtime for Biscuit
Wifecon
Book #4 – Richard Scarry's Bedtime Stories
Wifecon
Book #5 – Curious George in the Big City
Megan C
This is an amazing idea and I loved participating in this. I bought Once a Mouse…
Megan C
and "The Grouchy Ladybug"
Megan C
and the "The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear"
Megan C
and my favorite "Love you Forever"
Megan C
and "If You Give a Pig a Pancake"
amy
Helllo!
amy
And a Big Happy Birthday to you!!
amy
Book # 3
amy
The fourth.
My last child of 4 was born at that hospital. Fabulous and thank you so so much for doing this generous and gracious birthday tribute to that PICU!
katygirl
hi. happy birthday dano. i bought a book in spanish since i am half mexican. i know, i know. no one believes me. anyway, this is a perfect idea. hope your day is the bomb.com.
Unknown
look at all these comments! Praise God!!
i just purchased 'i love trains'. Emerson loves trains and i am overjoyed to think of how happy this will make a dear boy somewhere!
Mom2two
This is the sweetest thing…love it!! I bought Click, Clack Moo…Cows Typing.
Tara @ Beautiful Blendings
Crap! Forgot to actually list my books last night. Ok, here goes….
#1 GoodNight Moon
Tara @ Beautiful Blendings
#2 Harold and the Purple Crayon
Tara @ Beautiful Blendings
#3 Just Go to Bed (Little Critter)
Tara @ Beautiful Blendings
#4 The Going-To-Bed Book
Happy Birthday Lady! Welcome to the 25 club. Yay quarter century!
Anonymous
Happy Birthday! This is a great way to celebrate!
#1 Time for School, Mouse!
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
#2 Danny and the Dinosaur
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
#3 Dear Zoo
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
#4 The Fire Cat
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
#5 Big Max
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
#6 There was an Old Lady
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
#7 Grizzwold
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
#8 Morris Goes to School
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
#9 Go Away, Dog
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
#10 The Snowy Day
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
#11 Bathtime for Biscuit
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
#12 Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Jessie
I love the idea of participating in a giveaway means helping others! I gave The Peace Book.
Anonymous
#13 I Like Bugs
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
#14 Curious George at the Parade
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
#15 The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
#16 Down by the Bay
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
#17 The Paper Bag Princess
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
#18 Harold and the Purple Crayon: Under the Sea
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
#19 Mittens
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
#20 Big Max and the Mystery of the Missing Giraffe
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
#21 Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Melissa G
This is SO neat! It was so fun to order those book! It reminded me of some of my childhood books that i had forgoten about.
What a blessing this much be to those families in the hospital.
Thank you for letting us in and asking us to help out! It's blessed my heart.
I ordered Big Max and the Mystery of the Missing Giraffe.
Anonymous
#22 Snow book & CD set
Thanks for letting me be a part of such a wonderful birthday celebration!
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Melissa G
Happy Birthday to you!
I ordered Danny and the Dinosaur.
Melissa G
I ordered The Fire Cat
Melissa G
I ordered Grizzwold.
Melissa G
I ordered the Perro grande… Perro pequeño / Big Dog… Little Dog
Melissa G
I ordered Curious George at the Parade.
Melissa G
I ordered Curious George in the Big City and i'm a new follower.
Dana
Holy cow! I had to go back and re-read the instructions… only ONE winner gets all of that!! WOW! As much as I really really want to win (especially the gorgeous "joy" wreath), I am very excited to know that some children and caretakers will find joy in reading just like my son and I do. We are huge Sandra Boynton fans at the Kroh house so naturally book #1 was "Snuggle Puppy"!
DanaLKroh[at]gmail.com
http://nestofkrohs.blogspot.com
Dana
And book #2 is "Doggies" also by Sandra Boynton… again, I adore her books :0)
Happy birthday to you! Hope that it is a blessed day and am really inspired by your choice to give back on your birthday. Something to consider when I celebrate my 25! Woot woot!
DanaLKroh[at]gmail.com
http://nestofkrohs.blogspot.com
lesleyzellers
Let's Eat – because you know I love to eat and Happy Birthday to you!!!
lesleyzellers
And There Was an Old Lady because it's a classic and I remember singing the song with my sister when we were little! And again, happy birthday to you. And, you are too stinkin awesome to do this for your bday!
Melissa I.
Harold and the Purple Crayon: Under the Sea
Melissa I.
Big Max
Melissa I.
Mittens
Melissa I.
Grizzwold
Melissa I.
The Fire Cat
Melissa I.
Go Away, Dog
Melissa I.
I Like Bugs
Kristen @ Just Live Simply
I let my 5 year old son pick the books….he chose Big Max
Kristen @ Just Live Simply
and Blue Hat, Green Hat. Sandra Boynton's books are always so much fun to read with the little ones!! Happy 25th Birthday!
Anonymous
Book #1 – Mittens (My First I Can Read)
Anonymous
Book #2 – Go Away, Dog (My First I Can Read)
Anonymous
Book #3 – Oliver (I Can Read Book 1)
Anonymous
Book # 4 – The Snowy Day
Anonymous
Book #5 – Peter's Chair (Picture Puffins)
Anonymous
Book #6 – A Letter to Amy (Picture Puffins)
Anonymous
Book #7 – Down by the Bay (Raffi Songs to Read)
Simply Created by Cole
I picked "Time for School, Mouse!" These books are great for beginning readers! I use them in classroom.
Simply Created by Cole
The second book I choose was, "Caps for Sale." This is one of my all time favorite books ever. We acted it out when I was in school. The kids will love the monkeys!
Simply Created by Cole
Board books are the best and last a long time. For that I choose, "Little Blue Truck Board Book."
Simply Created by Cole
I also choose, "Buenas noches a todos/ The Going to Bed" book. A great book for all! Can you tell I love books?! What a great project!
lindseymwolters
I was so happy to order a Sandra Boynton book to send to the hospital- my kids LoVe her work:) Hope you've had a marvelous birthday and love the blessings that are taking place through this fun give-away!
Eli
Buenas noches a todos: Sandra Boynton goes bilingual! I like it!
Eli
How could I resist "Quiero a mama porque"?
Eli
I had to get both copies. "I love mom because…"
Eli
And a little bit of "Donde esta el ombliguito", since belly buttons are apparently littler in Spanish….
Eli
And "Opuestos" to round out the Spanish collection….
I'm so glad that you are taking on this project!
Kelly
So amazing! Happy Birthday!
i just picked "rosie's walk"
God Bless you and your great big heart!
BAILEY
What a wonderful cause.
I ordered Eating the Alphabet.
Jami
What a great idea! I'm getting one to represent each of my healthy children that God has blessed me with!
#1 I love trains
Jami
#2 If you give a pig a pancake
Jami
#3 The Family Book
Jami
#4 The Paper Bag Princess
ragamuffinbeauties
bought a book in memory of sweet Samuel! love, love, love you heart friend!
Rach
What a great idea…happy birthday! I donated "If You Give A Moose A Muffin…" (because it's so much fun to read!)
Rach
Oh, and I also sent one called "Peek-A-Moo!" It's my son's favorite book, and he's loved it since he was only a few months old!
Brianna
#1 "Go Away, Dog (My First I Can Read)"
Brianna
#2 Ve, Perro. Ve!: Go, Dog. Go!
Brianna
#3 Jorge el Curioso (Curious George)
Brianna
#4 Let's Eat / Vamos A Comer: Chubby Board Books In English and Spanish
Brianna
#5 ¿Dónde está el ombliguito?
Happy Birthday! I think this is an amazing idea.
Jessi Bishop-Royse
#1. If you give a cat a cupcake.
The Three Queen Bees
#2. The Family Book.
The Three Queen Bees
#2. The Happy Day.
The Three Queen Bees
#3. Boats Board Book.
Sarah Sprague
Thank you for doing this Danielle! I love it 🙂
LMNO peas
Sarah Sprague
Bedtime for Bear 🙂
Sarah Sprague
Quiet time 🙂
Anonymous
Just sent one! Thank you for doing this. 🙂
deana rooks
Deanarooks[at]gmail.com
jacqui
happy birthday danielle! what a great way to celebrate! i bought Corduroy- in 1st grade we each got to take Corduroy home for a week and write a journal of what we did with him. i love that little bear & i hope these kids will too 🙂
April Kennedy
Happy Birthday Danielle! I can't pass up on this fabulous cause and fabulous prize pack. So many shops I love. This is for book number 1!
April Kennedy
Book #2!
April Kennedy
And book #3!
{cuppakim}
Happy Birthday Danielle! Grouchy Ladybug is on it's way!!! <3 🙂 Had to, total ladybug lover over here!
Erin
I got The Napping House!
Erin
And Going on a Bear Hunt. yehaw!
Lindsey
I bought "Doggies"…so cute!
Unknown
Love what you are doing here! My mom is a kindergarten teacher and taught me to love books!
I bought "If you give a mouse a cookie…" Classic!
Unknown
And "We're going on a bear hunt."
Unknown
And "Alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day!"
Also, I'm a nurse with a special place in my heart for the PICU! Great project! Happy birthday Danielle!
Carey B
Hi Danielle! I've been reading your blog for a while now, but this is the first time I am actually commenting! So great what you are doing to celebrate your birthday – I bought two books for a fabulous cause!
#1 – Harold and the Purple Crayon – because its awesome.
Carey B
#2 – Children Make Terrible Pets – one of my favorite new childrens books
kaylee@life chasers
Thanks for the reminder this morning!
#1-Click, Clack, Moo
kaylee@life chasers
#2-Giggle, Giggle, Quack
Anonymous
What a great idea! I bought "Freight Train" in honor of my 8 week old nephew Zane. He went home to Jesus after spending some time in a PICU in Kansas. What a blessing this will be for the families in Indiana.
Anonymous
I sent three books:
inside freight train
bear snores on
blue hat green hat
Mom
Angela
I immediately connected with this cause because I lost my son when he was only eight days old. I was floored to see that the Joyful Life Library expanded to Miller Children's this month–that's where my son died.
Book #1: If you Give a Cat a Cupcake
Angela
In honor of Josiah, Book #2: If You Take a Mouse to the Movies
Angela
In honor of Josiah, Book #3: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
And.. Happy Birthday!
Anonymous
Happy Birthday again!
#1 Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
#2 Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo (second copy)
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
#3 LMNO Peas
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
#4 Rosie's Walk
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
#5 A Book Of Sleep
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
#6 A Book Of Sleep (second copy)
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
#7 The Carrot Seed
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
#8 The Carrot Seed (second copy)
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
#9 Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
#10 Flying
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
#11 Flying (second copy)
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
#12 The Quiet Book
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
#13 Once a Mouse…
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
#14 Biggest, Strongest, Fastest
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Anonymous
Thanks for doing such an awesome thing for your birthday! It's a great idea that I just might steal! 🙂
#15 Biggest, Strongest, Fastest (second copy)
Jessica H. (jah019@shsu.edu)
Michelle Porth
I sent Inside Freight Train by Donald Crews. I'm brand new to your blog (just became a follower today!) and this was the first post I saw– love it! What a wonderful cause! I'm a preschool teacher/ wanna-be children's book writer, so I definitely know the importance of books!
Anonymous
bear snores on.
-mom
Anonymous
blue hat green hat
-mom
Erika B.
Book #1: I'm a Little Teapot by Iza Trapani because it is always fun to sing!
Erika B.
Book #2: Shake My Sillies Out (Raffi songs to read) by Raffi because I loved Raffi when I was little 🙂
Erika B.
Book #3:Down By the Bay, By Raffi again love him!
Erika B.
Book #4: Baby Beluga By Raffi!