Sometimes my mind is just blank and I don’t know where to start. I think I just over think things. Ya, things that mean a lot to me cuz I am not sure how to get it out in words. And my kids are fighting in the back ground. This makes me lose my mind. Love those boys but seriously can’t they just get along? Or at least when I am trying to blog?
I am sure many of you have read about Joe and know we’ve been working on a project together. Well, we finally got a few bags back and he is dying to put them on Platinum. We made at least 20 different ones. It seems whenever he is feeling down or gets stressed we run to 435 and create bags. He is seriously so good at this. SO good. And I love watching him light up.
We spend lots of time talking as he designs his bags. One day we were talking about Turnstone, the place where he got therapy when he was younger. It was such a great place for us. And when I say us I mean it was huge to him but epic to us as parents too. It made us feel normal. For quite a while it really sucked. We were scared and had no clue how we could afford therapy. And we needed a lot of it. Turnstone was the answer. They made us feel normal again even if it was a new normal. They helped us figure out how we were gonna afford therapy without huge bills. (sorry if my thoughts are scattered Gabe is at my hip and I can hear Joe crying upstairs, that’s another story). But above all Turnstone held our hand, the therapists, the other children and the parents taught me more about “life” than I dreamed. I have held it all tight to my heart and never once forgot.
Okay, once…well, a few times. And thanks to Joe I remembered. We at MJC give back as much as we possibly can. We donate to orphanages and schools in Peru, Africa, US and China just to name a few. We’ve raised over 10k to help a family adopt , over 10k for Tiny Sparrow Foundation, and sent well over 1000 Spread the Love packages throughout our few years of business. And so many more. But it is not about what we have given in the past and more about what we can give today, tomorrow, this year.
I forgot about Turnstone, the one place that has given my family so much. The one place that taught me “all you have to do is have one thing to shine at”. Joe reminded me. And throughout this season we have decided for every Joe’s Turn Bag and Joe Bag we sell we will donate 20.00 to Turnstone. They will be sold on Platinum throughout the season. So please, know when you purchase this bag you are also helping pay for therapy for many children and helping ease the mind of many parents the way Turnstone did for me and David.
I bet you are so proud of Joe! 🙂
I hope I can get a hold of one those cute bags! I missed them on the last Platinum upload! Maybe next time. 😉
Love that Joe =), he simply rocks. I hope to snatch one of his creations… missed the first round, but I’m not giving up!
Denise,
as the mother of four and full time working mama, I just want to encourage you. Sometimes it feels like all they do is fight. Sometimes you literally cannot form complete thoughts in your head because the comination of noise inside your noggin and outside is more than one human could possibly be expected to function in. Sometimes, you will be sitting in a room with the people you love most in this world and just want to holler! (Here’s the encouragement) You are doing a great job. They only need you to form one thought at a time. Joe just needs you to help him make a bag to feel loved. Gabe just needs a second of your attention when you allow him to sport a pretty headband to feel loved! The smiles that you lavish on their silly behavior will be tucked away in their hearts.
So be encouraged dear one, when it seems at its craziest, throw your head back and have a belly laugh with those darling boys. There is nothing better.
Love this! Awesome plan. I love how MJ is always giving back & what a great way to do so. 🙂
Thanks for sharing this story, love these that are so deep to our hearts <3
As a speech pathologist working mainly with peds, I love reading posts about Joe! His stories always bring a smile to my face. You and your family are an inspiration to all! Can’t wait to see Joes bags. I am checking every day on platinum labels site to order one!
One more thing Denise – I love Matilda Jane Clothes more than anything and I am so happy when I dress my daughter in the adorable outfits. However, the night that I saw my “spread the love” family I experience an unexplainable feeling of joy. I can still feel it every time I think about them. You sent the package to a Mexican Restaurant “Las Brisas” in Charleston, Missouri. I didn’t even know their names. I didn’t realize they won until a few weeks ago when my family was eating dinner there and we stopped to say hi to Miguel’s wife and daughter’s as we were leaving – that’s when I knew – I spotted MJ tights! I just wanted to share with you the joy you’ve brought to my life by the gift you sent a stranger!
Denise, I love your blog, actually I love reading anything you write. I have learned though, be sure to read when it’s an okay time to cry! I’m learning that giving is the key to happiness! Thank You so much!
I absolutely love this!
“Use what talent you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best.”-Henry Van Dyke
Everyone has something to give!
I love this, and just wanted to share.
love your stuff. love a company that I can believe in.
Denise and Joe,
This brings tears to my eyes. I am from the Ft. Wayne area. I know about Turnstone. Thank Joe for me! And, thank you for allowing him to give back. We can’t start learning about that too soon.
I just love your giving heart. You inspire others to give! Please ask Kiara about fighting with siblings! LOL! Kiara and her sister like to fight and then they start giggling when they have driven me crazy with the noise. I know that when they all move out I will truly miss the noise and giggling!! Enjoy the beautiful day!!
My husband actually gave me money to purchase one of these bags for myself as a christmas gift.. (i had told him how special I thought it was of you to do this) I havent been lucky enough to grab one so could I just send the funds to you to donate? I would love to purchase one but it is more about the donation and what it does for him to be able to make these that gets me so i would love for the orginization to atleast get the money even if i cant get the bag<3
What a great idea, Denise. I can’t wait to see the bags.
This blog was a great way to start the day! Thanks Denise for the wonderful post and Joe for being so inspiring! Can’t wait to see the bags!
Excited about Joe’s bags……more excited about how others will benefit from this project. Denise and Joe, just hoping you have LOTS of bags.
Would love to see one!!!!!! Would love to buy one!!!! You go Joe!!!
We need more bags so we all have the oppurtunity to have one. 🙂
“Joe’s turn.” I have never met the boy, but want to see him shine at MANY things. I want him to be the best Joe he can be. I can’t wait to see his creations make a difference for so many. But most of all I can’t wait to see him grow and be proud of any differences he may have and watch him shine BECAUSE of them. What a rock star!
I love this post:)!! I am so happy to have gotten one of these sweet bags…can’t even tell you which one I got, and it doesn’t matter:) It will make me smile to see our sweet girls with a “Joe” bag!!
This blog really hits a special place in my heart. We too have a family struggle and I love the idea of helping an organization that helps families like ours. And what an amazing person Joe will be when he grows up, having parents like you two who teach him so much about giving back to others.
I love it, I love it, I LOVE IT!
Hugs to you all!
Awesome!
yeah Turnstone! Our family will directly benefit from everyone who buys these great Joe bags… Our son receives therapy at Turnstone 5 times a week and we have never had to pay a dime… I LOVE TURNSTONE!!!!!!!
I love that your company stands for! Keep up the good work.
Rock on Warrior Mama! Nothing compares to having a place that makes you feel normal when you feel like the furthest thing from it. What a great cause.
I LOVE this picture, gorgeous. As a social worker and counselor thank you all for being such am awesome company and giving back!
Denise you are an amazing person. I am really hoping you would be able to help a friend of mine that had to make an unexpected immediate return from Tanzania, Africa (her and her family were doing mission work in the village of Mumba) Her daughter Lola became sick and arrived back here in MI just yesterday. They found out this morning that she has Leukemia. They were in such a rush to get back to an American Hospital they left all of their belongings in Africa so all they have are the clothes they wore back. I was hoping MJC would be able to help them. They have two little girls. If you could email me I can give you more information or I could email you. I am just hoping to be able to help them with more than what I can do alone. XXXX
I like everyone else am anticipating the new Joey bags. I love the idea about him working with you on some new Mighty Acorn items. My boys are 4 and 7 and they get a bit jealous and also tired of hearing about their sister’s new MJ clothes. They are at that age where they wanna dress cool too!! Graphic Tee’s are the way to go and hoodies!I remember you talking about Gabe and his thing with shirts and the pictures on them, made me SMILE! Thanks for always opening your heart up to all of us MJ fans!!
Absolutely love your giving Denise as well as teaching your kids to do the same…you inspire so many of us…me especially. Your giving to the twins in uganda has given me the opotunity to communicate with Mandie and send headbands to those beautiful orphans….as well as another group in gutemala. Thank you for always sharing and allowing us to do the same.
Can’t wait!!! I’m sure Joe is very talented…hmmmm, wonder where he gets that? LOL…I hope I have the opportunity to help! (If I am fast enough…haha)
Wow I love this! You are amazing 🙂
This is unreal!
I just saw Joey bag the other day online, and I knew I wanted one.
Well, now I NEED one!
What a great idea…you are one amazing woman!
I’m new to the MJC world and am constantly amazed at what your company does for others. This sounds like an awesome project. And I love the name of them. I also hope that the people who are lucky enough to snag one of these bags, they’re purchasing it for the cause and turning around and selling it on ebay for a profit.
Denise, I love that you and your team are always thinking of ways to help those that have helped you and those that just need help. I hope that I am quick enough to purchase one of these bags as I always seem to miss when things go on Platinum. I have tried to figure out a pattern, but there is none! Also, you only make Plat for little girls…not big girls or adults so there are very few options for me!
Love it Denise! So proud to know you! You help so many people, and well, the clothes are adorable, too! 🙂
Ps… I agree with Bee! Our boys NEED some MA love,
To all are lucky enough to secure one, (hopefully I can!), these bags will be treasured-both for the charitable aspect of them, and for the handsome creator, the artist who designed them…”our” Joe! xo to him 😉
As an occupational therapist who works with kiddos, I would LOVE to purchase one of these bags. My kids that I work with have forever changed my life, and I would love to be a part of this!
I look forward to helping Joe and Turnstone! LOVE it!!I have an awesome idea….how about Joe designs the Mighty Acorn line too????? PLEASEEEEEEEEE. From one little guy to the next!!!!
How wonderful, just another example of all the great things you do! I can’t wait to get one of Joe’s bags.
I love this and all you do for people. I hope I’m one of the lucky few to purchase one of the worthwhile bags:)
Keep up the great work Joe!
Spoken from the heart… Hoping with eyes squinted tight that I will have the opportunity to purchase one on platinum xoxo
I will buy one! or two! Can’t wait to see them. I just hope that they do not go too fast for me to get one.