kids

This Full House Gives Back: Cuss, it's for a good cause!

I have a potty mouth.  No, it's NOT a very proud statement.  Is it?  Anyhow, once I became a mom - wow...has it been 14 years, already? - I tried really hard NOT to swear, especially around the kids.

They have this terrible habit of repeating things, you know?

So, as my children got older and their understanding the improper use of vocabulary got bigger, I started a "potty-mouth" jar.  The kids paid 25 cents for each swear word and a dollar was donated for each time one slipped passed mom (or pop) and, let me tell you, I practically paid for our family vacation to Cape May, last year!

Today, we were able to make a rather large donation - with the help of my blogging friends - and I AM PROUD to say that I'm in pretty good company!

This Full House: Giving Back Receipt

In keeping with our mission, good faith and transparency - here is the receipt of our first "test" donation to the Ronald McDonald House:

Dear Liz Thompson,

Thank you for your support of Ronald McDonald House of Long Branch.

Transaction Receipt

DONATIONS

Adopt a Family/Share a Night   $10.00

This is a joint gift from myself and:   This Full House Kids
How did you hear about us?   http://thisfullhouse.com/kids

Would you like your donation applied to a specific House? If yes; please indicate:   Long Branch

Payment Status   Approved
Date Processed   Wednesday, May 21, 2008 12:06 PM
Amount Charged   $10.00

Organization Info:  Ronald McDonald House of Long Branch

Organization Contact:  Lynne Siedentop
  732-222-8755
  lynne@rmh-cnj.org

I will post a portion of the receipt, as it comes in, and file it under the category "giving back" as a way to keep track of ALL donations made through This Full House Kids.

It works for me - how about you?

This Full House Kids: Giving Back

Hello, for those of you who don't know me, my name is Elizabeth Thompson (but, you can call me Liz) and I am the owner and keeper of ThisFullHouse.

This Full House Kids is our family blog project and it's where I give ALL four of my children the permission to "talk back!"

But, you can read more about that here.

My husband Garth (not his real name) and I are trying to raise our kids to be responsible and caring adults who love and respect each other, as well as care for the world and the people around them.

Riiiiiight!

If you are a parent (like me) then, you know, it isn't always easy.  In fact, considering the negative influences being projected in nearly every venue of mass media, there isn't a day that goes by when I'm NOT trying to explain away something, or throw my hands up in total denial.

Just, don't do what he, she, or they did...m'kay?

So, yeah, I'd love to teach them about something positive - for a change - and this is where you (yes, YOU!) as a part of the-ever-loving-blogging-community, can help.

How?

By joining us in our campaign to raise money for our local Ronald McDonald House.

The Ronald McDonald House of Long Branch provides a “home away from home” for the families of seriously ill children undergoing medical treatment at area hospitals.

So, how IS it that you (yes, YOU!) can help, again?

Just "click on" the button (on the left sidebar) that reads "Ronald McDonald House" and it will redirect you to a new window, allowing you to make a donation (if you wish) and then onto our PayPal page to complete your donation.

[Edited to add:  Of course, PayPal is down for maintenance as of 5/21/08, go figure!]

This is the ONLY time that you'll find any solicitations from us at thisfullhouse.com and ALL donations to This Full House Kids will be made to The Ronald McDonald House in Longbranch, NJ through their Adopt-A-Family Program:

Adopt-A-Family: Although it actually costs the Ronald McDonald House $50 per night, we only ask families for a $10 a night donation for their stay at the House. The Ronald McDonald House never turns away a family based upon their inability to pay. Instead we roll up our sleeves and raise a few more dollars to cover our expenses. One way that we do that is through our Adopt-A-Family program.

I am in the process of working up a "total raised" widget and will post it, as soon as I figure out...you know...how to post it, along with receipts of "payment to Ronald McDonald House."

[5/22/08 Edited to Add:  Click here to read about our "test donation"]

In the meantime, I hope that you've enjoyed my kids' writing (yep, I am one proud momma) and please know that my kids and I truly appreciate that you stopped by - you ARE truly welcome, anytime - and THANK YOU so much for your time and support!