Todd is coaxing Jenny and I to just do it.  This may not be the final product for the website we have planned, but that does not mean we can’t start our Honoree Pages.  And so Todd is right (he doesn’t always hear that from us).  We are going to start posting our Honoree Pages dedicated to Giving to the world, or Inspiring us to do something for a positive change, or simply to Honor someone, some company, or something.   THE WORLD NEEDS TO KNOW!
And if any of you reading this blog decide you would like to have an Honoree Page posted to get the word out to the world…let us know!  We are here to help.  That is our goal.

After much consideration and discussion, we have finally chosen our kick-ass LOGO.  Our contest gathered 168 different entries – which was exciting, and inspiring!  So without further ado, may I present our new logo (drumroll please…)

At the teams request I have been working on integrating our very young Wordpress Blog into our site.  It looks like I did get it migrated over!  I was up late late yet the juices flowed and I was pumped.  I am paying for it today, but it is worth it.  My next goal is to work on a more customized theme and to integrate our logo.   Oh man our logo is cool, I am really jazzed about it.   On another note, I do plan to start posting a few honor pages.  If any readers out there are interested I would be willing to post some for them as well.  I can’t wait to see what happens next!!

The excitement my daughter is showing is exactly how I felt late last night when it all came together!!

I went to the Oregon Coast this weekend to spend a day with my family.  It had been a while and as the kids loaded up I was thinking all I wanted to do was stay home.  Then we got there and I remembered that people are great!  I enjoyed every minute of my stay and wished I went more often.  I want more chance to celebrate great people and the great things they do.  I can’t wait to put up my first page at inhonorof.com and I know it will be to honor my family.  Oh and if Jessy and Jen are reading this I want to let them know that they are doing a great job and to just keep swimming!!

And so we begin… I’ve rewritten this blog entry roughly 17 times, and with the ummm… encouragement (or perhaps thinly veiled threats – ha!) from my partners, I’m finally ready to post my very first blog entry… ever.  I find myself overwhelmed, intimidated, and frightened by the world today as it appears.  Corruption, acts of violence, panic and negligence seem to color every media outlet – thus being the first (as usually last) thoughts to come into my world each day.  Catching a glimpse of the morning news (while trying to wrestle Porter my dog into his collar and leash) to listening to the radio (on the mornings I’m not singing along with my favorite CD), to opening my internet browser at work (and doing my best to avoid the temptation to log into facebook first thing) – I suddenly realize I’ve been looking for every possible distraction to AVOID the state of the world.  Why?

Because I’ve been losing hope.

Now I do realize that I have a responsibility to my peers and myself to remain aware of current affairs and to make conscious efforts to be a positive contributor within my community.  But sometimes it seems like the problems are just too big, too daunting – what kind of difference can just one person make?  I find myself sighing with irritation taking my recycling out, only to walk past my neighborhood dumpster filled with other’s careless mess of items that could have been recycled a mere 30 yards away.  I find myself losing faith in the good of mankind – instead of offering a smile to a passing stranger, I wonder if my wallet is secure.

I’ve logged too many hours filling my thoughts of the negativity and ugliness of everyday life.  There is beauty to be found in so many areas, but it’s hard to shine that light through the darkness that can surround the good.  There are countless good deeds being done, honorable tasks being undertaken, and acts of kindness everywhere.  What is lacking is NOT “the good” – it’s an outlet to let the good shine: to find out how you can give to your community, to inspire others or to have a place to find inspiration in yourself, to honor those people and places and causes that strengthen your world, and your spirit.And so we begin – our mission to give hope.  I promise you that here you will find just that.  We’re here to honor the world – my world, your world, our world.

And to Todd and Jessy… thank you for the strength and foundation you bring to my life and this task.  You are both inspirations to me.  Let the fun begin…     -Jenny

So we heard of this great website through a friend.  www.elogocontest.com  We are in need of a logo for our website and this is the way we are going to find it.  Logo Designers from all over come to this site to compete in your very own Custom Logo Design Contest.  We are getting a lot of great entries and feel very optimistic that we will find one we love.  How cool is it to have all of these people trying to make you happy with their creations.  Cross your fingers for us!

… take on more!  I currently have a huge number of things going on in my life.  I should really consider not taking on more, yet this project is just too exciting and important.  I truly believe that so many people are doing so many important things and we are just not taking notice.  It matters what people are doing and we need a great way to share, cheer and inform.  I can’t wait to see where this goes and I want to sincerely thank my partners for helping to keep the ball rolling.

Sometimes I think I come off as a nonchalant, go with the flow, non-analytical person because I don’t care to get into deeply heated discussions.  But it’s a front. I care a lot.  I have been searching to find that starting point in me, in the world, that lights my fire so that I can help blow out others that are damaging our children, other cultures, our world.  And all of a sudden, there was a spark…THIS IS IT!!  In Honor Of.  When my husband, Todd told me of this idea, I knew I had to be a part of it.  I couldn’t get away from it in my mind!  I immediately stated that if they could see me helping in any way possible, please, let me.
In Honor Of was the initial idea of Jenny, who then approached Todd, who then shared it with me, and my brain envisioned the amazing domino effect this is going to have.  Daily my mind excitedly drifts to In Honor Of and actively thinks about honoring a family member, or inspiring a group of people, and giving to the world WHILE cataloging it online for the world to know.  To break the negativity that can easily be passed on and instead share the CHANGE that can happen, is happening, all over this world to make it a healthy place to live, nurture and grow.  People NEED to know.  It’s time …I am excited!!

And to Jenny and Todd,

I am deeply appreciative to you both for letting my life take this path with you.  Thank you for inspiring me…the spark that will soon help the world!