The prettiest mommy in the world…

I am interrupting our regular programming of Amazing Mama Mondays to share this completely insane story with you. Sadly, because we live in America in 2008, it is true. This past Mother's Day Florida-based plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Salzhauer, released his first children's book, My Beautiful Mommy. This is a book for children who are confused about their mommy's upcoming plastic surgery and why she will look different. The cover is so amusing, I thought it was a joke, but alas it isn't. Isn't Mommy beautiful with her new nose, jumbo boobs and trim tummy. She is downright sparkly, just like a Disney Princess.

At first glance this book is truly comical. Want a laugh? This is what Dr. Michael looks like in real life. Take a look inside the book. This is what Dr. Michael looks like in his book. He's a super hero here to save mommies from their saggy breasts! Inflata-man here to save the day!
But a second look at this book, which was written for the 4-7 year old market, shows how truly sad and dangerous it is. On one page the Mommy explains, "Not just different honey … prettier," while she is imagining herself being crowned in a beauty pageant. The little girl looks alarmed and replies, "But you are already the prettiest mommy in the whole wide world!" I wonder if the author knows how real this interaction is. Our kids do think we are the prettiest mommy in the world. It is one of the most wonderful things about having young kids. I put on a dress, Sarah is in awe. Emily is perpetually telling me I "look pretty." What we do with this impressionable window in our daughters' lives is critical. What we teach our daughters today about self image, is what we will reap ten years from now. If our response to "Mommy you are beautiful," is "Oh if only I could lose 20 lbs," or "Well, mommy will be prettier when Dr. Michael is done with me," than Dr. Michael better get working on a second book. Here are some suggested titles for him; Mommy I Need a New Nose – preparing for your daughter's first plastic surgery or how about Saturday with Sophie – a parents guide to visiting your daughter in Eating Disorder Rehab.

Heritage Table – a great idea for weddings, reunions and family celebrations

Last week, we were in Florida for my husband's cousin's wedding. Stephanie and Danny planned out every detail of their wedding with amazing care and thought. The service was beautiful and the reception was amazing, but there was one little table that left many guests speechless. It was the Heritage Table. A small rectangular table was left empty until just before the end of the reception. Then, guests were invited to go over to the Heritage Table for a special take home treat. So what was it?

Along the table were lovely glass platters and containers of cookies. But these were no ordinary cookies. Each platter had a sign in front of it with the name of the cookie and whose recipe it was. They were the special cookie recipes from each of their grandmothers and great grandmothers. Isn't that beautiful! Really, it makes me tear up just thinking of it. Each guest was invited to fill up a small box to take home. It was the most beautiful way to honor and include the special women in their families, most of who have passed on. It was so touching seeing the older generation of guests go up to the table and see platters their own mother's peanut butter cookies or layer bars.

I love this idea, so I had to pass it on. I think it would be a wonderful inclusion at any wedding, shower, reunion or large family celebration. Thanks Steph!

Amazing Mama Monday part 3 – A mama with heart

(As of posting time I have 53 minutes in Monday left! J )

Mother Teresa once said, "We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But if that drop was not in the ocean, I think the ocean would be less because of that missing drop. I do not agree with the big way of doing things."

I love to read biographies of people who have devoted their lives to trying to change some giant injustice in the world. I get fired up about trying to do something about AIDS orphans in Africa or little Afghan girls without educational opportunities, then reality settles in and I think, "What can I really do as a stay at home mom in suburbia Colorado?" I love the above quote by Mother Teresa because it reminds me that I can do seemingly small things and still change the world. I am lucky to have several friends who are great examples of this principle. One of them is my friend Julie, and she is this week's Amazing Mama.

Julie has three children ages 6, 4 and 2. She is one of those refreshingly real women. She hides behind no fake pretense or persona, she's just Julie, and if you know her, you love her – everyone does. I have known Julie for about 2 years. Over the years I have heard her talk about her assorted volunteer roles. She has a very full plate, yet she somehow makes time to work with organizations close to her heart. In addition to volunteering at her son's school and with her church's school board, Julie works with the fundraising efforts of Hope House of Colorado and Play for a Heart.

If you give Julie the opportunity to talk about either of these groups, she'll have a lot to say, because she is very passionate about them. Her work is driven by a heart-felt connection to both groups.

Hope House is a Christian home for parenting teenage mothers, providing a two year self-sufficiency program in a safe, structured environment, offering each resident the opportunity to build a firm foundation for her life. Julie started volunteering with Hope House after attending a fundraising event and hearing the Hope House residents talk about their lives. As a mom, she related to these teenage moms, but she also remembered being a teenager, and couldn't image having had to deal with motherhood at that age. Her heart was so touched by these girls; she knew right away that she wanted to help.

Play for a Heart is an annual event to build awareness and raise money for congenital heart defects. Julie became involved with this event through her husband's childhood friend. His daughter was born with a Congenital Heart Defect (CHD). She is the same age as Julie's daughter Olivia. When Julie learned the severity of CHD (this year 40,000 children will be born with CHD, 4,000 of them will not live to see their first birthday), she knew she had to get involved.

Having said all that, what makes Julie an Amazing Mama is not what she does, it's who she is. Julie has a heart for loving people. She keeps her eyes and heart open to where she can be of service. She reflects the love of Christ through the way she servesand that is amazing to me. The perfect illustration of this is that while Julie and I were talking about this article, we started talking about some dear friends who are going through an unimaginably difficult time. Immediately, Julie started formulating colossal yet concrete ways that we can help this family, and there isn't a question in my mind that she won't get it done. The girl has heart!

It is so easy as a mom, dad, student, employee – any title will do here – to get stuck in our own lives and not see a way that we can help those around us. I asked Julie to share some advice for those people who want to be a drop in the ocean as Mother Teresa described.

Here is what she said:

1. Follow your heart – Find organizations/causes that touch your heart.
   


2. Bring your work skills to the table – Volunteer through your skill set. I use to work in sales, that's what I know. I have become the "Silent Auction Maven." I use my professional experience in sales to put together successful events to raise money for the causes I care about. Take a look at your resume and bring your skills to volunteering.
   


3. Go deep not wide – Select 1 -2 organizations to work with. If you try to be everywhere, helping everyone, you will be left feeling like you are just giving pieces of yourself here and there. Select your 1-2 causes and give deeply; it will be much more rewarding.
   


4. Know when to say no – learn when to say no, and do it. My main mission field is my family, when that starts to suffer because of my volunteer work; I know it is time to say no.
   

Thanks Julie! I am a better mom and a better woman for knowing you! Happy belated Mother's Day.

Need stationary? Julie also works as a Duly Noted rep.