Becoming like the Noonday

I neglect my blog on a regular basis. Signing up for a blog train, probably not the best idea. But here we go. A blog that normally is dedicated to those special stories about three little individuals that give my life meaning, today will be about the venture my family has taken with me.
Choosing to become an ambassador for Noonday Collection was something I debated for months. I fell in love with it as a customer and then a hostess. Stories like those of our artisans in Ethiopia were the first to draw me in and give meaning to the power my purchases were making as a customer. Providing sustainable living wages for the vulnerable is a powerful thing.

Feeling called to get more involved with it, I did my research and talked it over with my husband. Totally supportive of my decision, I signed on as an ambassador. Then it hit me, my children had been given no say. My attempts to become more "hands free" were going to become more of a challenge and the first to notice was my oldest. Worried mom would be too busy for him. But this was a venture for the whole family.  I used their interest in the beautiful pieces to expose them to a world outside of their own. Now my children are learning the stories of our artisans and can even tell you some of the countries certain items come from. They are learning that we can consciously purchase items with a purpose. It's changed us. Now I find myself thinking before I buy. Where was this made? Was it a fair trade? What story does the maker have to tell? We all have a story.

I chose to join Noonday Collection to be an ambassador for the artisan. To give voice and tell their stories of change. The stories my children are drawn to. The stories I want to share with others and so ask you to partner with me. Hosting a Noonday trunk show, like other direct sale parties, does get you some pretty awesome hostess rewards but it also does much more. You are the key part in changing the lives of our artisans!

And so today's blog is special for all you readers - It's time for a giveaway!!! To ENTER, comment here with your favorite piece or something you like about Noonday and you will have the chance to win our Clustered Charm Necklace, handmade with love by our artisans in India. The winner will be chosen this time next week and will be announced here. So make sure you continue following my blog for the next days to come. In addition to sharing your love for Noonday on my blog, partner with me and schedule a trunk show this week and receive an additional 5 entries to win. To book your show email me at sgallman.noonday@gmail.com.

To learn more about Noonday and our artisans visit my site at http://saragallman.noondaycollection.com/

Check out last night's blog post/giveaway by fellow ambassador Lane Shell  and check back in this evening for Paige DePratter's giveaway.

A Blog of Thanks

It is good for the heart to focus on the things we are thankful for. Good for the soul to voice that thanks as often as we can. And I can never say thank you enough for all the blessings my family has received, even when faced with hardships or difficult times. It's during those trying times I tend to focus more on things I'm thankful for. Such as family, friends and the love and support shown by them. This is a blog of thanks for the things big and small I find myself focusing on today:

So much thanks goes to my husband and partner in all I do. He is my rock. We often joke about all the different choices we almost made that would have taken us on paths that never would have crossed; but fate and a mutual friend brought us together. He knows me better than any one of you ever will and for that I am thankful. For the children we were blessed with, ages 6, 5, and 4. Our pride and joy. Nothing will ever top those 3 gifts!

To the friends near and far, old and new, past and present - I cherish and love you all! To the coworkers I now call friends, thank you! To the family we see often and the ones as often as we can, we love you all!

I am thankful for the jobs my husband and I are both blessed to have. Thankful for the roof over our heads, the beds that keep us warm, and the food that fills our belly. Even the smallest of things like clean water to drink are considered a luxury in other parts of the world. I refuse to take even the simplest of things for granted. 

The list goes on and on. Even a Blog of Thanks isn't enough. Life has taken my family on many different roads. Most recently, as an Ambassador with Noonday Collection. And so one last prayer of thanks - I am very thankful for the opportunity to make a difference. Thankful for my husband joining me on this path and for the amazing support family and friends have given since! I don't expect much, just an ear to listen to the life changing stories and a voice to continue spreading the word about Noonday. So many of you have joined me on this adventure, and every bit matters!

For ALL God's blessings, I give thanks! And much love to you all!

In a special, upcoming blog I will share more about why I became an ambassador and what that means to me. You won't want to miss it :)

Kindergarten blues

I wish I could say I was just that distraught over JW's first day of kindergarten that his first day's blog became my last post. I did draft a few incomplete blogs along the way that were never posted. This day seemed most appropriate for another post. 

Today marks JW's last day of kindergarten. It was an uphill battle full of challenges for all of us. Days following my last post we were tested each morning before school. I'll never forget the dreadful day they had to pull him off of me kicking, crying and drag him into the building. Other days the battle would start before heading out the door - "I'm not going". Shoes would disappear and suddenly no where to be found. Moodiness was at an all time high and it seemed to go on forever. 

It was a team effort at home and at school with his wonderful Kindergarten teachers. It took reassurance from all of us that it was all going to be okay. That his day was what he made of it. He had to decide to have a good day. 

He's grown so much since those difficult weeks starting Kindergarten. He's grown into a little boy with a big heart for his friends, a love for learning new things, and a sense of pride in all he's accomplished leading up to today. A day that has brought back that same knot in my stomach. He's had such a memorable year and grown so much. Even he was nervous this morning knowing it was his last day. A big thank you to his teachers! Especially Mrs. Rachel who took the time to listen and support him through it all. 

We are so very proud of our first born!!