Spotlight Features
Alex’s Lemonade Stand – The Mini but Mighty Heroes – End Childhood Cancer
As a mother, as a human being…the words escape me. There is no way to properly express the empathy I feel for families who battle cancer, and for those with young children…I just can’t even speak. It makes my heart ache. It scares me. It makes me angry. And I want to end childhood cancer. All cancer. NOW. So that no child will hurt or suffer in its horrible grasp ever again. So that no family has to brave such heartbreak ever again. I am honored to have the opportunity to join the fight alongside Alex’s Lemonade Stand and Auntie Anne’s, and encourage you to consider giving whatever you can to help fund research to put an end to childhood cancer.
Today is about sharing one brave boy’s battle with childhood cancer. As a part of the Mini but Mighty Hero campaign, it’s my job to introduce you to Elijah. This sweet boy hails from Little Rock, AR and was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2005. To get him the very best care at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, his family made a big decision to move from their home to the busy city, and he’s been fighting cancer with the hospital’s special care for 5 years.
To Elijah and his family and the wonderful hospital staff providing his care: I pray steadfastly for a speedy journey to recovery. I pray that wisdom and creativity would flow through the doctor’s and nurses entitled with your care. I pray healing, hope, and heart to traverse the dark days when you’re tired, frustrated and down. I pray for sunshine and strength, peace and comfort. I pray for the good health of your family and that they are strong in body and mind to stand with you every second of every day in this battle. I admire your smile and I think you are beautiful. God’s light shines in you and I and humbled by your spirit. Keep up the good work! Keep fighting and know we are all standing with you, battling to cover more ground in the war against childhood cancer. You are loved.
Will you join me? Will you give back and contribute to the battle to end childhood cancer? Will you honor these mighty heroes and show them that you care?
You can contribute to the cause by clicking on the widget above or by visiting this link: https://www.tilt.com/campaigns/themightyfight. You can also choose to wear a yellow pretzel ribbon to spread the word among friends, coworkers and family that we all need to join the battle to end childhood cancer.
Lastly, as The Studio Hampton Roads prepares for our big open house at our new location, we will be taking the cause one step further by hosting a Lemonade Stand at the celebration. Please join us on September 6, 2014 from 11AM – 3PM at 2513 N. Landing Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23456 to enjoy some tasty lemonade and other treats and bring your donations for this worthy cause. If you can’t join us in person, we hope you’ll choose to join us from wherever you are by helping us reach our goal to fund a week’s worth of research by visiting our fundraising page, Life is Sweet. And if you’re really willing to dig in and help even more, sign up to host your own lemonade stand!
Now is the ideal time to get clever with your cash.
How much does it cost to have a new baby? The price varies from couple to couple but every survey tells us that most of us spend more than we really need to. Of course, you want your little one to have the very best but the reality is that as long as they are warm, clean and fed babies are usually quite happy with their lot.
Far too many of us spend too much money at a time when cash will be tight anyway. Some people even get into debt using expensive credit cards or personal loans to buy what they want for their new baby when most of the stuff will be outgrown in a few weeks or months. So, when it comes to the essentials there are some simple ways to save some cash.
Baby clothes: Avoid over-buying
When Kylie Jenner gave birth to her daughter this year, a video the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star released on YouTube revealed an entire wardrobe of baby clothes and racks of shoes already purchased before the child had even arrived in the world. If you’re looking to keep costs down for your little one then steer clear of this approach. Babies grow so quickly that cute onesies and expensive little outfits will soon be redundant. Instead, buy just the basics and sell on what you don’t need when your baby has grown out of it. If you want to get a headstart researching the right pram for you, check out the reviews featured on wifeknows.com
Your clothes: Steer clear of the maternity wardrobe binge
It’s very easy to spend thousands on a maternity wardrobe, as there is such a range of choice these days. However, the reality is that you’re only going to wear these clothes for a matter of months so there’s no need to go crazy. Try to wear your own clothes for as long as you can, adding layers or opting for stretchy fabrics to provide coverage. It’s also worth asking friends and relatives if they have any maternity wear they no longer need so you don’t have to spend money on new items.
New Baby Kit: Buy the basics for the first few months
It’s tempting to kit your home out with all the latest gadgets and tech for a new arrival. However, the reality is that all you really need is a cot and a car seat for the first few months. You may not even need to buy a pram initially. So, rather than splurging up front and realising that half of what you’ve purchased you just don’t need, hold back. That way you’ll be able to make better informed buying decisions when it comes to something like a pram and have more time to find the cheapest options.
Food and supplies: Become a deals expert
From discounts on baby items through to the deals available at your local supermarket, this is a great time to get interested in what’s on special. There are always discounts available for new parents, whether you’re looking for toys or clothes or diapers. Spend a little time researching where to find the lowest prices on the things that you use the most of and you’ll be able to cut the costs during those first few months, not just of your newborn but of the cost of living too.
The statistics are stacked against marriages as the data shows that more than forty percent of marriages end up in divorce or separation. While that is a tragic data point, we must remember that life goes on.
This is even more true for the children that are a crucial part of the family and the eventual proceedings. The point of this simple guide is to look at how to stay positive and strong through a divorce and separation and how to make sure that the family can stay strong throughout the process.
It is undoubtedly a monumental feat, but it is quite possible and very necessary as it can help to maintain peace, prosperity, and general stability over the long-term. Let’s find out more about staying healthy, positive, and keeping it together for the long haul to ensure happiness and strength for everyone involved.
Staying Positive Amid a Divorce
The first point is that you must maintain a sense of peace and calm within yourself during these stressful and usually hectic divorce and separation times. Ideally, this event is not something you have had to deal with several times in your life, and it is a singular event.
But even then, if it is a singular event, it will be all the more impactful as you do not have much experience.
It is easier to stay strong throughout a divorce or separation, but it is much more difficult to do so due to the intricacies involved in the entire process. Remember that you are conducting the divorce proceedings for a number of reasons. The main reason is usually that neither people are happy with the partnership and choose to go in a different direction.
In that event, it is necessary to ensure that you dig deep down and comprehend that it is for the best overall. It may be hard to do so at first, but it is necessary. You must accept that it happened, and only then can you move forward into the future.
It is a normal aspect of the process for you to require some time to cope and come to terms with this significant change. But remember that you must stay vital for yourself and your children.
It is not only about you and your future but your children’s as well.
The Peace of the Children
It is easy to think about yourself during a divorce and forget about the collateral damage involved in the process. By collateral damage, I mean your kids.
Your children may spend countless hours screaming and misbehaving due to the issues that this brings in their lives. It is not just your life that is going through a sense of disruption but theirs as well.
Remember to have meetings with your children and to help them cope with the process. It is easy to lash out and be hard on your precious children for no reason, fight that urge, be a better parent.
Find peace by spending more time with your children for the sake of spending time with them. You want to make sure that you are healing the hurt feelings early on so that your family stays strong even with the adjustment.
The Strength of the Family
A strong, bonded, and hopeful family unit is still possible even during and after a separation. The process is not easy and will take work but will be quite worth it in the end.
Ensure that everyone in the process feels as if there is an anchor and that everything is not being ripped away from them. Show how life will be after the event and how it is possible to navigate through the turbulent period without too much angst.
Remember that there is a life after the event and think about the long-term during and after the process.
