Donations to BIB

WOW! We are so filled with love and are so blessed. Look what we got in the mail!!!

The next TEN survival kits for our baskets have been donated by the incredibly talented and beautiful DAWN CHRIST. She has also included a little extra love for the baskets...some beautiful fabric flower pins.

Big Tough Girls...you are SO SO SO LOVED from amazing people all over this beautiful world. Please don't ever feel like you are alone! There are so many of us that love and support you!

Dawn, you are amazing and I can't thank you enough for everything that you have done for BIB!

Goodies for the Retreat!

Oh my goodness!!! We are so blessed and we are so so excited for our Big Tough Girl Retreats! They are going to be so amazing! I just wanted to show ONE picture of the goodies that were dropped at my house this weekend....more to come...BIRTH MOMS...you are not going to want to miss this!

Time Heals.

We are just so excited to share our custom and exclusive BIB watches that were designed by Founder, Ashley Mitchell and assembled by hand by Becca Houston out of Logandale, UT. We are so excited about our watches and just wanted to share! Every birth mom basket that goes out will now contain our BIB watch....we hope one day we will be sitting in a room and be able to spot a birth mom from her watch...that would be so so so awesome! A big thanks to Becca for putting these watches together for us! We love you and think you are awesome! Here is what the watch means to BIB:

~ time heals: I am here to witness that your thoughts and some wounds will never completely go away. But time does heal so many things..and it is always moving forward. It is so important to remember to always look forward, never backward. That is why I am including these incredible watches hand made by Becca Houston. These are custom made just for BIB. You will not be able to get this watch unless you are a birth mom. Don't try and stop something that you can't control...move on and in time you will feel better. The BIB spiral watch face represents that time will never stop...it will continue to go...take time to heal, let time do what it does best...moves forward!

Thanks again and we are so excited for those who will receive our watches!

The Best For You!

I wanted to take some time and introduce you to an amazing author named Kelsey Stewart. There are so many adoptive families and birth moms that have children of their own and I know that adoption is not an easy topic to explain to your kids. Kelsey has written an amazing book (can't wait to get my copy) for children explaining adoption from a birth mom's perspective. If you are in an adoption situation and have kids of your own this book is a MUST READ!! Here is a little more about Kelsey and her beautiful book!

Who is Kelsey?

Well, glad you asked! I have 5 children, a daughter and twin boys that I placed for adoption and two boys that I am raising with my husband. I am the author of a children's book titled The Best For You that explains why one mother chose adoption for her children. I have written articles for The Open Adoption Examiner, Adoptions From The Heart, The National Council For Adoption and have an eBooklet that was published by Tapestry Books titled Guilt, Grief and Pride.

I wrote my book for them so they would always understand why I chose adoption for them. I have relationships with all of them, not like hanging out with each other kind of relationships, but we keep in touch. They know that they can ask me anything, tell me anything and I will always do my best to help them understand what and why I did what I did. I chose adoption...


You can read more about Kelsey Stewart on her Blog.

What about her book?

I always wanted to find a way to express to my children the reasons that lead me to place them with other families, to not raise them myself. It is not an easy task to do, but the open adoptions that I had helped me heal and accept life as a mother without her children. I had the idea for the book in my head for over 15 years, but just could not find the right way to tell the story until almost 20 years later.

I often would look at book stores periodically to see if there were any children's books that explained adoption in a real way ... not the "you were a gift from heaven" or "we wished for you" book. I wanted to see something that kids could read and really think about, talk to their parents about, show them that they WERE wanted. Sometimes we take kids for granted and do not take their feelings into consideration when it comes to explaining adoption to them. The last thing a child wants is a phony story or a fairytale, I think they would prefer the truth.

The Best For You was written in two weeks and the illustrations took almost two years to complete. I do not consider myself an artist, but it is amazing what you can do when you set your mind to it! So once I finished the illustrations I tried to find a publisher for this unique perspective, but like life...many were afraid to touch this taboo subject. I finally decided to take my fate into my own hands and researched self publishing. I chose a publisher, sent the files and The Best For You is the result.

If you would like more information about where you can purchase her book please email me: ashley@blessingsinabasket.org

Love for BIB

We received these incredible prints today from Kelly Lish! She is an amazing, talented artist and you can find more of her prints on her ETSY SHOP.

These prints are so amazing and are just a preview of some of the incredible stuff that we will be surrounded by at our Big Tough Girl Retreats! We love getting extra gifties in the mail..

This print is called Blessing of Love and is so perfect for BIB!

Thank you Kelly! We love you...

Designated Runner!!!

Ok Birth Moms!!!

We are giving away one of our spots to our AMAZING Big Tough Girl Retreat! We are so excited about this and you are NOT going to want to miss the chance to win!...

As you all know, we are hosting our 1st annual Big Tough Girl 5K. We want ALL our birth moms to come and join in...so this is how it is going to work.


Todd Mitchell, our HollyWood Star and Vice Chair, is challenging EVERYONE to a race at our 5K. We really want someone to beat him.....and even better we want a birth mom to beat him! So we are allowing ALL birth moms to have a designated runner!! If you are a birth mom and you don't think that you can beat Todd to a race you can recruit ANY ONE that you want to run against him for you....and I mean ANY ONE!...from a high school runner, to college runner, to marathon runner to olympian if you know one!!! If your RUNNER beats Todd, and has the fastest time of all the designated runners, then you are the winner of one spot to our Big Tough Girl Retreat!!!



*We are giving away one spot...so the designated runner with the fastest time that beats Todd WINS
Here are the Rules:
1. Both you and your designated runner must be registered to race. You will get a birth mom sticker and your designated runner will have a matching sticker to symbolize that he/she will be running for you.
2. You must be present to win.
3. The winner will be announced during the awards at the end of the race.
4. You must both be registered before Race Day. You and your designated runner may NOT sign up the morning of the race.
5. Once you and your designated runner get registered you must email ashley@blessingsinabasket so that we can make sure your runner packets have all the correct information.

6. Your runner can win for you and for themselves! If they place in the top 3 places for their age then they will win, if they beat Todd they win and they will be entered for all of our great drawings.


We are so excited that we are going to be giving away a spot to our retreat!!!!!! It really is going to be an opportunity of a lifetime for any birth mom!!!
Start recruiting those runners!!!!
We love you and can't wait to see you all at the race!!

*if you are a runner and would like to be a designated runner for a birth mom and have a chance to beat Todd in our 5K please email Ashley- ashley@blessingsinabasket.org

Big Tough Girl 5K Sponsor Spotlights!

coming soon!

1st Annual Big Tough Girl 5K

Blessings in a Basket is proud to annouce our

1st Annual Big Tough Girl 5K and Kid Fun Run

When: Saturday July 30th

5K starts promptly at 7:30am

Kid Fun Run 8:30am

Where: Mountain View High School

665 West Center Street, Orem Utah

Cost:

5K early registration-$30

5K race day registration-$35

Fun Run early registration-$10

Fun Run race day registration-$12

*registration includes a race shirt, runner packet filled with coupons and fliers from our sponsors, BIB race number, medals to our winners, refreshments, guest celebrities, entry into great drawings and fun entertainment for the entire family
Fun Run registrants will receive a race shirt and a special coupon

REGISTER HERE

We will have an early runner packet pick-up on Friday July 29th from 7:00-8:30pm

Please pass along the information! We would love to have EVERYONE join us!

Contact Ashley Mitchell with any race questions: ashley@blessingsinabasket.org

Soul Restoration Donation!

Hi Everyone!

Our dear friend Liz Coleman has picked the WINNER of our Soul Restoration Donation! Thank you to everyone that entered to win...it was NOT an easy decision for her to make...every story was so touching and inspiring. You are all truly Big Tough Girls!


Liz has such a big heart and passion for adoption and so it doesn't surprise us that she picked who she did!...we are so thrilled for our winner and her dear friend!

Go to BIB T.V. and watch our video announcing the winner!

Congrats to our winners and THANK YOU LIZ from the all of us here at BIB. You truly have a heart full of gratitude and charity...this would not have been possible without you!

xoxo,
Ashley Mitchell

Soul Restoration Donation!

Through Blessings in a Basket , our dear friend Liz Coleman is donating

ONE FREE Soul Restoration Class taught by Melody Ross brought to you by

Including a $75.00 gift card to your local craft supply store!!!

This is truly an incredible gift of generosity and Liz wanted to share her love for Blessings in a Basket:
“I have three cousins and two nephews who came into my life through adoption. I am so deeply grateful to their amazing birth mothers, truly Big Tough Girls. Offering a spot in the Brave Girls Club's Soul Restoration online workshop would be a small way for me to say thank you and to celebrate the extraordinary women whose deep love and ability to make an incredible sacrifice enrich the lives of countless people, many of whom they may never meet. We are so grateful to you.” Liz Coleman

HOW TO WIN:

Tell us WHY you need some Soul Restoration!
LEAVE YOUR STORY (as a comment) HERE about why you need Soul Restoration and what you would hope to gain from this class!

*UPDATE* Blessings in a Basket is going to do a Soul Restoration Donation Match! Please include in your post a loved one that could benefit from this class...someone that you know would love to take this with you! If you WIN then they WIN!

The winner will be announced on February 14th, 2011

What a great Valentine gift for you and a loved one!

THANK YOU LIZ!

All of us at BIB LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!
*Liz will be giving away either Soul Restoration 1 or 2...so anyone can win!
for any questions please contact Ashley Mitchell-ashley@blessingsinabasket@hotmail.com

BTG-Justina!

Welcome back Justina! We are so excited to see you in your awesome shirt! We love it!!! Thank you for sharing with us and for you kind words!! You are so strong and we are so proud of you!


"I got a pic of my Big Tough Girl tee. I absolutely love my shirt!! I wear it every chance I get!! Ashley you are such an amazing person! You have touched my life. Knowing that there are women who have gone through what I have and having there support is just amazing! Things are hard, but May was worth everything in the... world and so much more ♥ I love each and every single birthmom and my heart goes out to them! xoxo, Justina "

*if you would like information on how to get your own BTG shirt please email us at ashley_blessingsinabasket@hotmail.com

BIB Soul Restoration Donation Match!!!

Because BIB was so touched by Liz Coleman and her generous gift we have decided to match her donation!!!

Tell us why you need soul restoration HERE and include a loved one that you think would benefit from this class...if you WIN.................THEY WIN!!!!


We love you all!!! Good luck!

email Ashley Mitchell-ashley@blessingsinabasket@hotmail.com if you have any questions!

What will Soul Restoration do for you?

I have had the incredible privilege to participate in BRAVE GIRLS Soul Restoration class. It truly has been an eye opening experience and has brought great healing and hope to my life. I have met incredible women through this experience and have gained a total new perspective on myself, my soul, my life challenges and experiences.

I am a birth mom. I placed my son for adoption in 2006 and have had several years that I felt lost, disconnected, ashamed and out of control. I have spent a lot of time and have worked very hard to put myself back together and put myself in a position where I could reach out and help others like myself. I have been doing pretty well and then I started taking Soul Restoration and I realized how much damage had been done and how much work I still needed to do.

This course has allowed me to be gentle with myself, to go through and take a hold of my life, to accept the things that have happened, to stop blaming myself and embrace all aspects of me, to set boundries for myself , and to move forward as a whole person instead of leaving pieces of me behind.

This truly has changed my life and I encourage EVERYONE that is able to sign up for the next session. I can guarantee that I will be taking Soul Restoration 2. These are lessons that we will refer back to for the rest of our lives. You are at a crossroads...do you do something to save yourself or do you turn the other way because you are to scared to face yourself..this is one of those moments...it is my prayer that you will be gentle with yourself, love yourself enough to get the help that you need...to find peace and fogivness, to move forward to live the life you imagine!

In honor of our organization our dear friend LIZ COLEMAN is donating ONE FREE Soul Restoration Class- 1 or 2 and a gift card to your local craft store for supplies for the class!!! This is an incredible gift that values over $150.00.

Please leave us a COMMENT ON THIS POST with why you feel like you need Soul Restoration 1 or 2. What do you hope to get out of the class? What are you searching for? Why are you here? We will pick the winner and make the announcement February 14, 2011...

*UPDATE* Blessings in a Basket is going to do a Soul Restoration Donation Match! Please include in your post a loved one that could benefit from this class...someone that you know would love to take this with you! If you WIN then they WIN!


Good luck from Liz and all of us at BIB!

BIB Shirts are FINALLY here!!!

GET YOURS TODAY!!!!

We are so excited to finally have our shirts here.
Every birth mom that gets a basket from us will be able to get a free shirt.
But we know that everyone is going to want one..so this is how this works....


Go to SHOP BIB for all the information about how you purchase your shirt for a donation to Blessings in a Basket. It is really cool. You can pick the price of your shirt, or the amount that you want to donate!