THANK YOU!

I cannot even begin to express how incredibly overwhelmed, and grateful I am for the enormous amount of support we have received for the Huntsman Institute Cancer totes!

What I expected to be a small way to honor my brother has exploded into something that is going to be HUGE!  People are coming out of the wood work to offer anything they can. 

THANK YOU, THANK YOU...a hundred times...THANK YOU!

If only the English language didn't limit me to those two words to express my gratitude. 

We are getting closer to our first goal of making 50 totes...and hopefully we will surpass it!  We will make as many totes as we possibly can with the donations.  

I have been trying to keep my list updated of what we still need, so that is a good place to start for anyone wondering what they can do.  We also accept monetary donations to buy anything we will need to make all the totes work out evenly.   

As I think about the joy and comfort we may be able to bring into these patient's lives, in honor of my AMAZING brother Ben, it just overwhelms me, and has brought me to tears more than once.  Every time I get to walk by the living room that is being taken over by donations, I feel SO happy and excited.

So I just want to say - again - THANK YOU!

You can read the whole post here, or scroll down.

Huntsman Cancer Institute Donations

{A running total of items still needed can be found on the right of the blog.  If you donated money, we have used it to purchase the items already crossed off of the list, or are saving it to fill in any gaps we may need to make all the completed totes.  THANK YOU!}

* See FAQ at the bottom*

With the Christmas season approaching, I have been trying to come up with a way we can incorporate some service into our celebration.  Especially to help teach my young children about the true meaning of Christmas.  I have been wracking my brain, wondering what we could do.  And then the idea hit me this morning.  

Gather items to donate to the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

My sweet brother has spent a lot of time in hospitals, including Huntsman, during his cancer battle.  We know that it can be a sad and lonely place, and that not everyone has the amazing support that my brother has in his incredible wife, Sara.  I wanted to do something to help other patients fighting cancer.  So I started doing some research, and have decided I want to make "Essential Totes" for patients that are on an extended stay.  

This is where I ask for the support of all of my family, friends and even strangers. I will gather donations from now until mid-December.  We will then assemble and deliver the items with my girls (if they are allowed) as we get closer to Christmas.  If you feel like you could help out, PLEASE do.  We have seen the incredible suffering that cancer patients go through first-hand.  We have seen the ones that are lonely as well, and it is heart breaking.  If you would prefer to donate money, I can use that to buy supplies as well.  I can take checks, cash or PayPal (there is a button over on the right to donate).

Here are the items I will need (items must be new):

Tote (big enough to fit a magazine)

Fleece Blanket/Snuggie

Unscented Healing Lotion

Hand Sanitizer

Lip Balm (Burts Bees)

Beanies/Knit Hats

Travel size tissues

Puzzle Books

 Paper/Journal

Magazines

Cotton Gloves (to put on after lotion application)

Warm Comfy Non-Skid Socks

Playing Cards

Biotene Mouthwash

Gum

Mints/ SPRY Mints 

Starbursts

Life Savers

Warm scarves

Knit winter gloves (for being out in the cold)

I know that things are tight around Christmas...I have 4 kids, I get it...but if you could find any wiggle room to give, it would mean a great deal to us.  I plan on including a note in each bag saying that these are dedicated to Ben...the strongest person I've ever known.

Thank you in advance!

P.S. I promise to document this and put pictures on the blog as well.

FAQ:

What is the cost of one completed tote if I want to cover the cost of one?

The cost of one tote will be approximately $25.  

When do you need donations by?

We need all donations by DECEMBER 10th 
We have EXTENDED the deadline and will be collecting donations as long as they continue coming in!

What items do you think you will get the most/least of?  I want to help, but don't want to donate things you will get an over abundance of.

I will keep an updated list on the right of my blog as items come in. 

Do you prefer money or items to be donated?

We are happy with ALL donations!  Money is great, because we can purchase whatever we need to make these totes work out evenly.  But if you already have items to donate at home, or want to go to the store to have a more hands-on experience with this, then that is fantastic as well!

If you have any other questions, please email me: camille.davis1@gmail.com 

Check out Sara's blog as well!

Dear Mr. President

*I have had this letter going in my head since all the hoopla surrounding the election has been going on.  And because this is my blog...I'm posting it.  I am in NO way wanting to start a political debate.  This is my opinion, and mine alone.  If you agree, great, if you don't, that's great too.*

Dear President Obama -


First and foremost, I need to say that I did not vote for you, I do not agree with you, and I would have preferred that someone else win the election.  But you are still the president, and I offer my support.

I do not consider myself a political person.  At all.

I don't understand all the ins and outs of how the government works.  I don't follow all the policies and things happening in Washington D.C.

But what I do know, is how depressing things seem to be getting.


I hope that the election for you was eye opening.  Please do not believe you "won" easily. Based on a popular vote, nearly half the country did NOT support you, and does NOT agree with your policies.  Nearly half the country is unhappy with how things are going.

I hope it is eye opening that within days of you being re-elected, companies are announcing down-sizing because they cannot afford the new health care plans you have in the works, companies are announcing raising their prices to cover these new costs, and some are going out of business because they cannot afford the new burdens placed on them.

The saddest thing to me about Hostess going out of business, is that I would be willing to bet it was a vocal minority in the union that chose to go on strike.  And that the majority of the workers were not behind that decision.  But now because of that vocal minority, the entire company is going out of business, and 18,500 people are going to lose their jobs.  Really?  That is what is wrong with this country right now.  The vocal minority is making all the decisions while the quiet majority suffers.

How is this good for the country?

I saw a quote today that said:  "Obama won because Romney promised jobs to a country that doesn't want to work".

How sad is it that our country is turning into a group of entitled citizens.  People who believe they are ENTITLED to free healthcare, ENTITLED to free food, ENTITLED to free housing, ENTITLED to do as they please regardless of consequences.

How sad that our country doesn't have a strong work ethic, that good work goes unnoticed and unappreciated.

How sad that people who are using drugs are getting by on welfare, while those of us who have strong morals, strong ethics and are hard working can barely get by because of taxes and the cost of living. (Gas, groceries, healthcare, etc.)

Now, I do not believe that pointing fingers is right.  I do not believe that everything is all your fault.  I am not naive enough to believe that.  But what I do believe is that as our president, it is your job, your duty, your RESPONSIBILITY to do what is right for our country and the citizens, even if it is not popular.  You are not a celebrity who needs to be putting on a good face for cameras and talk shows.  You are the President of the United States.

Just like I'm sure you want to raise your children to be responsible and well rounded children, which may sometimes mean saying no and giving them structure, you have that same responsibility for this country.

Just because this is a free country, does not mean that we are ENTITLED.

I end my letter with one word of advise, from a little lowly stay-at-home mother.  Please, listen to both parties.  Look around at what is happening in the country.  Do not listen to the vocal minority at the expense of the quiet majority.  I understand the squeaky wheel gets the grease, but what about those wheels that are working hard, and doing their darndest.  Don't they deserve a little recognition and consideration as well?

Sincerely -

Camille

A few little laughs...

Most of these were posted on Facebook...but I needed a little walk down funny lane tonight.  So I am posting them here.  Enjoy!

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Conversation between Claire (5) and Addison (2 1/2):

C: Addison, I bet I can get you to say black.

A: Black.

C: NO. You're supposed to say "how?"! I bet I can get you to say black.

A: How

C: Tell me the colors of the flag. *whispers* They are red, white and blue.

A: White, blue, orange, yellow....

C: NO, red, white and blue!

A: ...Pink, red, brown.

C: No, Addison. You're supposed to say red, white and blue. Okay. I bet I can get you to say black.

A: I not black!

C: No, the colors of the flag are red, white and blue.

A: I not blue!

C: Ugghhhh....

Poor Claire, her comedic genius was lost on the 2 year old.

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Addison quickly looked up at me with a worried look on her face and said: "Uh-oh! My panties!" Expecting the worst (an accident) I went to check. Nope...just a wedgie. Apparently it's her first wedgie since potty training, and she was not happy about it.

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Favorite quote from Halloween night comes from Claire. Her and Brielle were discussing why someone came up with Halloween:

Claire: "Someone probably made it because they wanted to be able to go for a nice little walk...and maybe get some candy at the same time."

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Addison was sitting at the table, and had two fingers in her nose. When I asked her what she was doing, she said: "My fingers are walking in my nose. Do you want my fingers to walk in your nose?" I politely declined the offer. Then she said, "And now I throw boogers in your eyes." and acted like she was flicking it in the direction of my eyes....I blame Marty.

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During sacrament meeting in church, Brielle said she needed some water.  I told her that was coming around soon to which she said:  "I know how I can get more water!"  Expecting that she would think taking more than one cup would be okay, I hesitantly asked her how.  Her response:  "I can just add the water to my spit!"  She's a thinker that one.

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We like to lovingly refer to Claire as our "absent minded professor".  While she is FAR above her grade level at school, her imagination often makes it so her attention span at home is...less than desirable.  One morning I was getting the kids ready for school, and told them to get their shoes and socks and coats on.  Once they were done, they were allowed to sit down with Addison to watch a show (the only way I can keep Addison quiet and out of their way in the mornings).  So, Claire knelt on the floor to watch a show. (So I couldn't see her feet...which is important to the story)  She had on her coat, gloves and backpack and was ready to go.  When the time came, I said:

Me:  "Okay, time to go to school."  

Claire:  Got up...and had no shoes on.  

Me:  "Uh, Claire, where are your shoes?"

Claire:  Looking down somewhat confused..."uhhh....I don't know".

Me:  "Remember how 5 minutes ago I told you to get your shoes?"

Claire:  "Oh right....yeah...I forgot."

Some days I worry about that girl.  But I sure love her!

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I came home from doing errands one day, and was greeted by Addison at the top of the stairs...hissing.  

Addison:  "Ssssss....ssssss.....*whispers* I a nake (she doesn't put the S sound at the beginning of snake).

Me:  "Oh....awesome."

Addison:  "Sssssssssssss."

We sat down to dinner, and Marty asked Brielle to say the blessing on the food.  Addison said that SHE wanted to say the prayer.  So, while Brielle was praying, Addison was praying as well...in snake.

Brielle:  "please bless the food...."

Addison:  "Ssssss sssss sss ssss...."

Brielle:  "amen"
Addison:  "ssss"

It was too funny to really reprimand   But I guess at some point we should explain that praying as a "nake" is not necessarily reverent.