I am extremely proud of my boys and with?that comes a little bragging from time to time. They can be a little ornery and can get kind of loud, but they are truly the sweetest kids. I know I’m biased, but that comes with the territory of being their mom. My boys do many things on a regular basis that make me proud. This is just one of the latest.

Here are pictures of my little sweeties dropping off their donations to Toys For Tots. Toys that they picked out and bought with their own money. One of the things I love is how considerate they are about picking out the toys. Each of them takes their time and really thinks about what they would like to receive if they were only getting one toy for Christmas. They don’t just pick the cheapest thing and move on. When it comes to the price their only concern is that they have enough money to pay for it on their own. This year they had all done a really good job of saving and budgeting for the holiday season.

I am so proud that by boys do this. Not just that they do it, but that they want to do it. Proud that they understand the importance of giving and sharing. I love the compassion and kind hearts that my boys have. Not just at Christmas, but all year long. I wish I didn’t have to teach them that there are kids out there who don’t have any presents under their Christmas tree. But it is a truth that can’t be denied and a lesson important for them to know. I know some adults that my kids could teach a thing or two about giving and not being so selfish.

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.?~ Winston Churchill

We were approached by Taylor Global, Inc, a national PR firm, on behalf of Kimberly-Clark and asked to help them promote breast cancer awareness. We do support breast cancer awareness (as evidenced by our donations via our apparel sales) so we gladly agreed. We have included the news release below:

Kimberly-Clark?s Viva Paper Towels and Huggies Baby Wipes Come Together to Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Donation and special packaging will support breast cancer research and awareness programs.

NEENAH, Wis. (Sept. 18, 2008) ? Kimberly-Clark Corporation?s Viva Paper Towels and Huggies Baby Wipes have joined forces to help fight breast cancer during October ? Breast Cancer Awareness Month ? by donating as much as $450,000 to breast cancer research and education.?

?Having Viva Paper Towels and Huggies Baby Wipes simultaneously supporting unique breast cancer programs is a first for Kimberly-Clark,? said Laura Keely, director of Kimberly-Clark\’s consumer promotion marketing. ?The massive impact of breast cancer, which affects more than 200,000 women and their families each year, inspired the brands to raise both funds and awareness.?

As part of the Viva Paper Towels program, the brand will donate $.10 for each package of paper towels purchased at select retailers across the country during the month of October. Additionally, the Viva brand will donate $5.00 for each new consumer who becomes a member of its online Viva Diva Caf? at www.vivadivacafe.com. Collectively, the Viva brand will donate a minimum of $125,000 up to a maximum of $200,000 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).

Huggies Baby Wipes is conducting a two-part program. The brand will donate $.20 for each Huggies Baby Wipes Gentle Care Sensitive tub featuring the Komen graphics purchased between Sept. 15 and Dec. 31, 2008 at select retailers. Additionally, Huggies Baby Wipes will donate $1.00 for each specially marked Gentle Care Sensitive refill box purchased at Sam?s Club through the end of the year. Through the two programs, the Huggies brand will donate between $150,000 and $250,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The brands? donation will support two of the nation?s premier breast cancer organizations: The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Susan G. Komen for the Cure. These organizations provide critical funding for medical research and offer education and awareness programs.?

In addition, beginning today and continuing throughout October, Kroger will display specially marked packaging of Viva Paper Towels and Huggies Diapers featuring the inspiring stories of two Kimberly-Clark employees and cancer survivors. Anita Banjak and Brenda Nelson will be featured on select Viva
Paper Towels and Huggies Diapers product packaging respectively.?

Keely added, ?We hope these stories will inspire women to take an active role in the fight against breast cancer in their local communities and serve?as a reminder to get screened.?

You can find the original news release and more details on Kimberly-Clark’s site.

We would also like to invite you to help us raise donations for Breast Cancer Research by purchasing official MTAH branded apparel.