VLOG- I Want to Make a Difference – My New Project

July 7, 2013

I cannot keep this to myself any longer!!
I’m too excited about this to wait.
This past year this has been on my heart…
and once I decided to make this happen I had such peace and a
feeling of “I can make a difference!”


I have finished writing a children’s Book called “Mommy has an Angel.”

A Book for a Grieving Parent- To help Mothers Heal and
explain loss and heaven to their children.

This book idea came about after losing my best friend violently through domestic violence. I found myself grieving but needing to parent my children at the same time. A part of me searching to understand and heal from this loss and a part of me needing to help my little ones understand this loss.
I found that the greatest time of healing for me was through the simple prayers and thoughts of my two girls (2 and 4) when we would pray at night together. Just listening to them talk about how “mommy has an angel”..helped me so much to realize the hope of heaven and finding peace in loss. I wrote a small book from the point of view of my sophia talking to my sienna about mommy’s angel. It’s a simple sweet and heart touching story. I wrote it not only for my own healing.. but for any woman who has lost someone.. an unborn baby.. a child.. a best friend.. a parent.. I think this book will help them to heal as they read the book to their child and also to help a child understand their grief. My girls are very smart and could tell mommy was sad.. talking to them in simple ways about mommy’s best friend being in heaven, helped them to understand my grief and it even took it one step further by helping me to realize that she is where we all hope to be one day! heaven!
I’m very excited about getting this children’s book out there and making a difference in the healing of those who are going through loss. Especially those who are experiencing loss while being a parent to little ones.

I’m about to start a kickstart to raise funds to help in the
illustration and distribution of this book.
I am grateful for any form of support and it will be forever appreciated.
Your contribution will tie you to it forever.

The launch for the fundraising is this friday!
IT HAS BEGUN! PLEASE CHECK OUT MY KICKSTARTER.
I am hoping that you will see this

video, my passion behind this project  and my mission..and want to be a part of it! 
So many of you, who are regular readers, know Shannon’s story and have a
connection with her without even meeting her. You know my heart..and the
sadness I have felt and shared candidly with all of you. I ask that you please help
me spread the word to create this book so that it can be in the hands of women who really need it.
Those mamas who are grieving the loss of an unborn baby.. or a child..
or a parent or best friend. My mission is to bring healing to moms who
find themselves in the same places I have found myself.
My hope is that this book, with it’s simple message will bring
a mother peace late at night while she reads to her child.
Sometimes the night is the hardest part of grieving.
I am asking that anyone who has social media or a blog to share my video and
a link to my blog on friday to get as much traffic to see the video as possible
for the launch of the kick starter. I will have a set amount of funds I am trying to raise..and a set amount of time.
If I don’t raise the funds in that set amount of time it is all returned.
I pray that this book becomes a reality. I feel it has the possibility to heal many hearts!

Be a part of this book. Donate here.



**I made a conscience decision to keep Shannon’s name private from the book. I’ve shared her story and my connection with her on my blog.. but I wanted to respectfully keep her separate from the actual words in the book. I think it’s the right thing to do. You will know who I’m talking about when I say in memory of my best friend…. And I think that leaving it open like this will help the readers connect with it in their own grief.**


9
  • Anonymous
    July 7, 2013 at 10:31 am

    How can we donate? Link?
    Also, will all of the book sales go to you or to her kids too?
    Good luck!

  • Laura
    July 7, 2013 at 1:33 pm

    What an amazing tribute to your friendship to Shannon and helping others in their grieving process! I will be sharing with all of my followers and hopefully help in getting the word out there. Good Luck!! You’re an inspiration!!

  • Natalie Catherine of TheBusyBudgetingMama.com
    July 7, 2013 at 2:00 pm

    Anonymous: the donation information will be live Friday! And at this time all profits(if any) will go towards continuing the distribution of the book and to help people who are grieving from all types of loss. If I’m able to contribute financially to her children I will! I would also love to see how I could contribute to my local dva organizations. Thank you for your comment and prayers!

  • Natalie Catherine of TheBusyBudgetingMama.com
    July 7, 2013 at 2:00 pm

    Laura: thank you so much!!!!

  • Lauren and Joe O'Brien
    July 7, 2013 at 8:51 pm

    Do you have a publisher yet? I have a family friend who publishes small runs of books through digital publishing that allows almost no up front investment & can do smaller runs like 200-500. He is an author so I have edited books for him as a SAHM, and illustrated a children’s book for him when I was 16 yrs old. I can give you his name & number if you’d like. He is Christian and may be interested in this project. Here is my contact info: laurenobrien52@gmail.com. Also my dad just passed away in a car accident last year at 51, leaving my 2 little brothers (9, 14 yrs old), so this book sounds like something I could read my kids.

  • Anonymous
    July 8, 2013 at 2:37 am

    This sounds just wonderful. I lost a baby 2 years ago. It was so hard having to explain to my 2 girls why their little sister wouldn’t be coming home. I look forward to finding out more on Friday.

  • Anonymous
    July 8, 2013 at 11:21 am

    Hi, this is a great idea. Crongratulations & best wishes in yr new project.
    one question. How did you made that glitter font, could you share the tip. it looks amazing and i have a new project running and i need to use something glitter in my font too. rgds, mit

  • Keri D
    July 8, 2013 at 3:33 pm

    Hey Natalie!! Such a wonderful idea – congratulations on the progress of the book so far. I can’t donate until probably September, but I wrote myself a note to remember. I promise as soon as I get the chance, I will donate! I am keeping you and this project in my prayers.

  • Anonymous
    July 8, 2013 at 11:06 pm

    This idea sounds amazing! You are a HUGE inspiration to all women and specially to mothers going forward with such a great project! I wish you all the best :)
    P.S I follow your blog daily, you’re awesome and you give me ideas everyday to add to my mothering skills!!. Thumbs up**