Kathy Ireland on Why Moms Matter Blog Talk Radio
We have received some amazing nominations for Why Moms Matter.
We asked you to send us stories about the moms you know who are living ordinary, extraordinary lives. And you have amazed us. You’ve sent stories that have made us laugh out loud and some that have made us cry.
We’ve highlighted moms who have battled cancer, moms who have started their own businesses, moms who have inspired beautiful and amazing charity projects, moms who have stood by the bedsides of their children as they struggled with heart problems and cancer, and just last week we highlighted both a mom who had lost her sweet child and the many moms who surrounded that mom with love and support.
Most of the moms we have spoken to are well known among their friends, their home communities and some, quite popular in the ‘blog world’.
This week is a bit different.
You already know our highlighted mom. Well, not personally, but she has such a kind persona, you may feel like you do. But because she is a ‘celebrity’, you may wonder if she fits the ‘ordinary‘ portion of our ‘ordinary moms’ living extraordinary lives.
She does. But, to learn how, you will have to join us live today, Friday, for a special hour long show on Why Moms Matter on Blog Talk Radio at 12:30PDT/2:30CDT.
Kathy Ireland began her amazing career when she was only 17. She was first known as a model - one who spent 13 consecutive years on the pages of the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.
She is now known for many more accomplishments - She is the CEO of Kathy Ireland Worldwide, an author of both children’s books and the newly released, Real Solutions for Busy Moms., a volunteer for many organizations and an active member of her church . But her proudest accomplishment is being a mom - and this is what makes her just like so many of us - ordinary.
Today, meet and understand Kathy Ireland as a Mom Who Matters. She does not yet know who nominated her - join us for the surprise introduction.
We will be talking to Kathy about balancing it all and her advice for moms. She has done the research - she is a mom and she has some suggestions you want to hear!
Do you have a question you would like us to ask Kathy? Please share it with us. We will do our best to cover everything you want to know. If we use your question, we will mention that YOU on the show!
As always, if you want to nominate a future Mom Who Matters, we would love to hear from you!
Why Moms Matter - Mother Letters
This past holiday season, Seth and Amber Haines decided, as husband and wife that they would not spend any money on Christmas presents for each other. Inspired by Seth’s visit to Mozambique, Africa the previous year, the family decided to donate the money they saved to a small village.
The challenge at home - to be creative, to be compassionate, to give from the heart.
Seth came up with an idea - one he says just sort of happened. ”There was no grand epiphany moment, nor was there a specific moment to which I can point for the genesis of the project. The project just came about and I began mulling it over with a friend.” So, Seth began to ask Amber’s friends for a generic ‘letter to a mother’. He hoped to gather 30 to 40 to present to Amber on Christmas.
As letters began to trickle in, a friend suggested, Seth set up a blog to take in more. New to the blog world, Seth went to some of the blogs Amber visited regularly. And he reached out to a few of those bloggers as well. He immediately received responses from Shannon, at Rocks In My Dryer , Ann Voskamp, from A Holy Experience , and Ann Kroeker. The “Anns” (as Sethnow affectionately refers to them ) responded right away saying they would assist with the project by writing a letter. Shannon also wanted to write a letter, but took it one step further, hatching an elaborate idea to let the blog world jump in and contribute. Shannon wrote articles on her site and on Blogher, making sure to keep Seth’s identity a secret. On the day the articles ran, thousands of mothers visited the blog that had been set up to receive letters.
By Christmas Day, Seth had collected around 600 letters.
At this very minute, Amber has not yet finished reading all the letters. She explains, ” Most every letter represents a mom’s individual story, and each story needs to be heard. I love how the Mother Letters have given so many moms a voice, and I love how different all the voices are. I want to admire each voice, so it is very hard for me to plunge right into a letter after having just read another letter.”
And she finds so many letters apply to her journey as a mother, ”As this year rolls by and I encounter new motherly trials, I’ll turn to the next letter, and behold, it encourages me right where I am.”
Clearly, Moms and Dads Matter. For Seth, reading the letters has been astounding - he can now appreciate, on a completely different level - just how difficult mothering can be, “it’s given me new respect and admiration for what Amber goes through on a daily basis. I think every father should read as many of these letters as they can.”
For Amber, The Mother Letter Project has been an opportunity to watch her marriage grow. Not only was she astounded the moment Seth revealed her gift, but she continues to be amazed by the joy they experience together in finding something they are equally passionate about.
Once Seth and Amber were able to process the magnitude of this gift, they realized they had one regret, ” that I was not able to benefit the village in Mozambique in a more tangible way: “Instead of holding on to that regret, Amber and I decided to try and make another run, raising money for people who have some of the same struggles as the villagers I visited.”
While he was in Mozambique, Seth heard tragic stories of the hopelessness that grew among the people due to low wages, poor agricultural resources, and curable diseases, such as malaria. These stories prompted the couple to focus on combating malaria - a disease estimated to take the lives of 1 million children per year in Africa.
So, The Mother Letter Project continues with a new focus: gathering even more letters for a Mother’s Day edition and raising money to combat malaria. The money they raise will go to Compassion International’s Malaria Intervention Fund.
They are still taking letters, so submit your very own Mother Letter to motherletter@gmail.com. If you submit a letter, you will be given a copy of the collection. If you are a dad who thinks this would be the perfect gift, or a daughter who would like to give one to her own mom, pledge to donate 10 cents per letter written to The Mother Letter Project, and you will get an electronic copy.
And today is THE DAY you can help! Seth and Amber, with the help of PensieveRobin, have created a Twitter movement called #10on10 - the goal: for people to donate $10 on the 10th of April (THAT’S TODAY!) to Malaria Intervention. $10 is the basic cost of a mosquito net - one of the keys to combating malaria. If you want to donate, click here!
Join in - follow @motherletter and @pensieverobin on Twitter. The hashtag to play along and to spread info is #10on10.
To hear even more amazing stories about this project, join us on WhyMomsMatter on Blog Talk Radio at 12:30PDT/2:30CDT
And, as always, if you know an ordinary, extraordinary mom, nominate her for WhyMomsMatter!
Pictures of the Haines Family were taken by Brooke Robinson.
Running for her Life - Why Moms Matter
Nine years ago, Trina Pockett at the doctor for a routine pregnancy check up. She was 4 months pregnant with her second child, a daughter, Kate.
She had noticed a small lump in her neck and simply decided to ask about it.
The answer was not what she expected. She had cancer.
At the young age of 23. With a toddler at home. With a baby in her belly.
Trina had cancer.
At the time of her diagnosis, this young mother did not consider herself to be a fighter, but she claims her ‘inner fighter emerged’ as she began the process of beating the cancer.
She had 2 months of treatment while she was pregnant. After she gave birth to Kate, she settled in for chemo and radiation.
How is it possible to be a mom, especially to very young children, while undergoing something that is so physically draining?
“The kids were an absolute blessing to me because they gave me a sense of purpose. On the days when I was most tired and discouraged, the kids gave me a sense of purpose. Even though I was sick, they still needed a mom.”
Moms matter - they still give everything they have, even when they are taking on the fight of their life - literally.
Trina says the kids routine kept her going through the tough days and the kid’s hugs gave her the push she needed to make it through.
This difficult journey changed Trina as a parent, “. There are days that I watch my children and in awe that I get to be their mom. It is a true joy. I have tried to instill into them the importance of making the most of each day. I want them to pursue their goals and dreams. ”
And now, cancer free - Trina and her husband, Jeff, have added another little one to their family and she is now tackling a dream of her very own. Find out what that dream is on Why Moms Matter Blog Talk Radio at 12:30PDT/2:30CDT
Trina is also being featured on Lifetime TV as part of their Clean Start Challenge 2009.
If you would like to nominate an ordinary, extraordinary Mom, we would love to hear from you!
Beating the Odds - Why Moms Matter
You might be the most calm, centered, passive person in the world, but find out your child is being attacked and your Mama Bear instincts kick in. You stand up tall, you don your SuperMom cape and you MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.
Just ask Sandie Haskins - this week’s WhyMomsMatter highlighted mom.
Three years ago next month, Sandie Haskins and her family were given devastating-knock-the-wind-out-of-you-news. Sandie’s youngest son, Kyler, was diagnosed with brain cancer. Just 5 years old at the time, the doctors delivered a grim prognosis. While this cancer typically allows for a 70-80% survival rate, Kyler’s disease was a ‘fast-growing aggressive type’ that might not even respond to treatment. He was given a 10-40% chance of beating the cancer.
Sandie asked the doctors how many kids they had treated with Kyler’s form of the disease who had survived.
None.
And so began Sandie’s journey to save her child through prayer, nutrition and supplements. (In addition to traditional treatment of chemo and radiation.)
Sandie and her family received emails, notes and verses that helped to guide them through the challenges of this time.
Listen to WhyMomsMatter on Blog Talk Radio, Friday at 12:30Pst/2:30CST to learn how Sandie helped to beat the odds and save her son’s life.
Kyler is now 8 years old, and as of his most recent MRI on March 3rd, he is cancer free. This leaves him to be a child, to be a little brother to 10 year old, Kendrick and to be the son Sandie and her husband simply refused to lose.
It is easy to recognize a little of ourselves in Sandie….even if you haven’t dealt with the type of circumstances she faced. In addition to her Mommy duties - Sandie has her own business - My Mosiac Memories - photo books that allow you to capture the most special moments. The enjoyment she received from her business rapidly became a passion after Kyler was diagnosed and she recognized how important it would be to have photos of Kyler if they couldn’t tackle his disease the way they hoped.
Moms Matter because they will do anything they can to protect their children.
If you know a MomWhoMatters - nominate her! That way, we can know and love her too!
And don’t forget to listen to the Show!
Blog Tour! Why Moms Matter - Blog Talk Radio
You, Mommys of the world, YOU matter. You know that, right?
I know, it is easy to forget in the day to day of nose wiping, diaper changing, homework doing, manner teaching, attention paying, family feeding and all-around-loving that you do, but I’m here to tell you, YOU MATTER.
Amidst all the joy, the challenges, the sacrifice, You are still You - a woman, yes, a mother, yes. And what you do with your family every day is truly extraordinary.
Join the MomFavesteam of Josh and Rebecca Unfried and me (Danielle) every Friday on our Why Moms Matter Blog Talk Radio Show, beginning this week, March 6th at 12:30PST/2:30 CST as we highlight ‘Ordinary Moms with Extraordinary stories.”
The Why Moms Matter Project recognizes the beauty and significance of Mothers. Each week on the show, a new mother, or grandmother will be highlighted for being an extraordinary example of motherhood. You will hear stories that make you laugh and some that make you cry, but every story, every woman, will remind you Why Moms Matter. Each week’s featured Mom will also be profiled on www.ExtraordinaryMommy.com and on www.WhyMomsMatter.com.
And, don’t forget to nominate any mom you know who is going above and beyond for her family. No sacrifice is too small, no challenge too easy - Nominees do not need to be bloggers. We have already received some amazing stories - we know you know an Extraordinary Mommy. We want to hear from you!
As a special treat for Mother’s Day, we will be combining all the stories we recieve into an E-Book to be given away for FREE! Listen to the show for more details!
All this week and next, the Why Moms Matter Blog Talk Radio Show will be ‘touring’the blog world. Check back each day to follow our travels. If you would like to join the Blog Tour by highlighting WhyMomsMatter on your blog, send me an email at danielle@ExtraordinaryMommy.com.
Announcement - Blog Talk Radio Show Coming Soon!
If you want to nominate a mom for WhyMomsMatter (or just learn a bit more about it),
click here.
If you would like to join the Blog Tour next week and help us spread the word about the WhyMomsMatter Blog Talk Radio Show (we will love you forever) either post a comment here on the blog, or email me directly at Danielle@ExtraordinaryMommy.com .
P.S. The Blog Tour is easy peasy! If you want to participate, there are two options - we can give the info on the show and the WhyMomsMatter Project and you can share it with your readers one day next week OR you can ask us any questions you want about the project and then create your own post. We wanted you to have options since you know YOUR readers the best!
We are so grateful for all of the people who are already helping us spread the word about this wonderful project that we truly hope will give so many amazing moms the recognition they deserve!
WhyMomsMatter Blog Talk Radio starts Friday, March 6th at 2:30 Central (that’s 12:30 Pacific) We can’t wait to hear from you!
The MomFaves Challenge
So..have you heard about MomFaves.com?? Newly launched, they have issued a challenge to moms to spread the word about who they are and what they do. Because I think ALL moms need to know them, I’ll take that challenge.
Here’s my 2 cents:
Created by Josh and Rebecca, an unforgettable and truly magical couple, MomFaves.com is destined to be THE WAY moms make decisions about everything!! Who do you trust the most??? That’s right! Other moms.
Get there: www.MomFaves.com. Now.
