Soulmate

Today is our 5 year anniversary.  I still can tell him everything, we can be together 24/7 and never run out of things to talk about or do, and even shovling the driveway together (for the 10th blizzard this year) is fun.  I couldn't imagine my life without him.  He is my rock.  He is the guy who gives me a hug when I am about to tear up because I miss a little girl, he is the only person in the room who gets my jokes and laughs, he is the man who loves me even when I wear two different pairs of shoes (for an entire day), he can look at me and know exactly what I am thinking, he comes outside in the cold to help me back my car out of the garage, and he's the one who gives me a kiss every night before bed.  But most of all he is my sweet baby girl's daddy!

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband.  You are and always will be my soulmate!

{Quote photo came from here.}

Little Obsessions

I have a new little hobby or you could say obsession..........

I have been having so much fun making these cute little hats and I can't wait to donate them to the NICU.  I know that when we were in the hospital with Ella, these sweet handmade gifts were so special.  Especially now since I don't have many things of hers, these knitted hats are a few of my small treasures.

It is so fun to have a new little hobby that falls in line with my bigger hobby....Ella's Halo.  Oh little obsessions.

Random Thoughts

I sometimes have to step back and look at our life. I know that I am a huge planner and that I tend to overbook our life. I keep our schedule booked with dinners with friends, happy hours with co-workers, meetings for Ella's Halo, volunteering at the hospitals and spending time with family. There isn't always much room for rest and relaxation in our life. I don't know if it is my way of trying to keep busy instead of letting life happen or if I just naturally like to be social. But thankfully I have a good husband that reminds me to breath and just let things happen. I definitely need those reminders daily.

Ryan and I met with a group of parents called NEXT at Children's Hospital in Minneapolis. This is a group of parents who have all had a child in the NICU, and come together as a committee. Ryan and I met with them to talk about Ella's Halo, to see if there are ways we can help them, and to see what needs their NICU has that could benefit families and babies. It is fun to meet new people and spread the word about Ella's Halo with those who really understand what life in the NICU is like. We look forward to working with the parents and staff at the Minneapolis Children’s NICU in the future.

We have also been gearing up for Ella's Halo Bowling for Babies. May 14th is fast approaching and this year we started a little early with our planning. We are already receiving exciting donations for our raffles and silent auction items. Gift cards, tickets and wine tasting are all just some of the items up for grabs at this year’s event. We are also working on getting sponsorships for our event. If you know of anyone who would be interested in being a sponsor, just send us an email.

Over the next month, we have a lot of fun things to celebrate. Valentine's Day, our 5 year anniversary, Ryan turning 30, and Ella's 2nd birthday. Of course, both of Ella's Grandmas and one of her Grandpas also have a birthday in the next month. I can't believe we have been married for five years and that our little girl will be two. Time sure does fly by, probably because I have been over planning!

And don't forget our Borders "Benefit Days". Ella's Halo is the nonprofit on February 19-20 for the Minnetonka store's Benefit Days. Just bring the voucher below with you into the Minnetonka store ( Minnetonka - 1501 Plymouth Road, Minnetonka, MN 55305) and each time a voucher is used a portion of the sale will be donated to Ella's Halo.

***Print this voucher off and bring it to the Minnetonka Borders February 19-20! Help us raise money to help babies in the NICU.

Love

I just love......

dark chocolate,

a good book,

sunsets at the lake,

a warm cup of coffee,



twinkling stars,

my sweet angel,

and him.

Happy Valentine's Day.  May you enjoy the things you just love!

{valentine images from here}

Borders Benefit Days

Borders "Benefit Days" is a fundraising event hosted by the Borders Bookstore.  Ella's Halo is the nonprofit on February 19-20 for the Minnetonka store's Benefit Days.  By using the voucher below you can bring it into the Minnetonka store and each time a voucher is used a portion of the sale will be donated to Ella's Halo.

Come out to Borders Minnetonka store and buy books to help babies.

For information on location and hours click the link below:

Minnetonka - 1501 Plymouth Road, Minnetonka, MN 55305

Print this voucher off and bring it to the Minnetonka Borders February 19-20! Help us to raise money to help babies in the NICU.

Update

• May 14th, 2011, is Ella's Halo Bowling for Babies event at Park Tavern in St. Louis Park. We are working to get donations and working on all of the details. I am really excited for this year's event and all of the fun ideas we are planning. The bowling event is currently slated for 2:00-5:00 p.m. It will be a fun filled family afternoon with music, bowling and pizza. More details about where to purchase your  tickets will be available later this month.

• If you or someone you know would like to be a sponsor for Ella's Halo Bowling for Babies 2nd Annual Event, please contact us at info@ellashalo.com. We are also taking donations for our raffle and silent auction. If you have items or services you would like to donate, please let us a know.  All donations are fully tax deductible, we are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. 

• Thank you to the Minnesota Medical Foundation for giving our board of directors a tour of the new University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital and the newly remodeled NICU. We enjoyed our tour and it was nice to see the new facility for families and children. I hardly even recognized the NICU we spent 83 days and nights in. We were able to take the tour with two doctors that work in the NICU. It was really fun to see one of Ella's doctors again, and to spend an afternoon with him on the tour. It brings a smile to my face when her doctors recognize us and remember our baby girl.  Those doctors and nurses not only touched us, but maybe Ella touched them too.

• Also this past week we were a featured nonprofit here on The Blogunteer Blog. It is fun to be featured on other organizations' blogs and it helps us continue to keep spreading the word about Ella's Halo.  The Blogunteer is a blog about volunteerism and highlighting organizations like Ella's Halo who are making a difference.

• As always, we are constantly thinking of new ideas and ways to help spread the word about Ella's Halo. We are always open to your ideas and thoughts, so please share your comments, feedback and ideas in the comments section below, or email us at info@ellashalo.com, or write us on our facebook page.