Here's a 1 minute video of my 92 year old friend Archie. He owned Lofberg -- a wood carving company that made gift items and plaques. He started out as a one man shop and ended up being one of the biggest employers on the iron range. He says "I still am into dreams" and helping small business, reaching out to me when he saw me in the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Archie talks about how he got a lot of help from people to grow his business and about his first connection with the right company that resulted in an order of 30,000 carved wood ducks. I think I'm getting closer to reaching that tipping point with Memoir of Me!

Grab a Book Mark! Here's my new Book Mark promotion.  If you see it in the store, pick one up for a Memoir of Me personalized Book!  Love, Michelle

Jake weighed my book for me.  I have to have the book weight to get it on Amazon.  He said it was the first time he ever weighed a book on a meat scale.  I met his co-workers Irv and Glen, too.  They were the sweetest!  Even took my new bookmarks because Irv and Glen have grandkids!  Thanks Jake, Irv and Glen!

Here's some more feedback from 99 books in 33 days.  My heart breaks when I read how memoir of me books touched you and your special children's lives.  Thank you.

I got my Memoir of Me book today ... I love it! And I just know that this special little girl is going to love it too. I can't wait to give it to her and read it with her .... still trying to decide when I should do that, debating between saving it for her birthday or some other special day or just giving it to her right away as "just because" thing : )

From @jaredroy "Received my @memoirofme book yesterday. My daughter's eyes lit up & she smiled from ear to ear. What an amazing book."

My friend Carmen made a book for her neice.  Carmen's sister wrote this, "Hey we got the book you had made for Bella. It's so sweet. Of course I couldn't read the letter from you, I started crying. Nathan had to read it to Bella. Thank you!"

Here I am!  Wave and I'll pull over!  Eric says he'd rather drive in a rusty pinto.  But I'm certain I detected a hint of jealousy in his tone.  Excited to connect with more people to share their kids stories in our personalized children's books.  Love, Michelle

LOVE THE BOOK!!! It arrived today!! Perfect timing--it was just Griffin and me hanging out today, so it was really fun! The 2 of us getting the mail, finding this package, and being able to sit peacefully together and share this book. He LOVES it more than I could have even imagined! And I am so impressed with the quality of it! Thank you again, Michelle!! Hope you are having a great day!

It was true! the book from @memoirofme did arrive! It is AWESOME. I love, love, love it!! Every kid needs one of these books!!!

@memoirofme Thanks again for the Memoir of Me book! After I read it to my son, I got a great big hug. I think we'll be reading it a lot!

We received our book for Ian this past weekend and it is great!  It is very high quality and I think he will love it.  I can't wait to place an order for Ashley and Andrew!   

It’s been 33 days.  3 books a day.  For a total of 99.

As 99 in 33 comes to close, I reflect on the kids and parents and aunts and uncles and grandmas and grandpas.  The stories of triumph overcoming tragedy.  I think of Abby, who has battled cancer since age three, and Ian who’s birth mom did just die of an overdose, and Ceriah who struggles with diabetes and Hayley who lost her mom to cancer and the triplets Nicholas, Delaney and Alannah.  I think of the stories of quiet moments made meaningful with funny thoughts.  I think of Griffin who at age three does Sudoku and Ben in the bathtub and Charley and Josh and Seth.  And Grace who sings rock songs.  And Will who hacks into his dad’s iphone.  These stories -- like little seeds nestled in the fertile part of my heart.  These stories -- growing into the landscape of my story, too.

The last stories I’m sharing, Dads and Daughters!  The first is Matt and Maddy and Liz’s story.  Matt and Liz moved from Minnesota to Los Angeles.  Liz was pregnant and gave birth to Maddy.  Complication during birth took Liz from Matt and Maddy.   Matt has been raising and blogging about his experiences as a single dad here.  So when Matt came back with Maddy to visit everyone in Minnesota, we captured Maddy’s first sledding experience in a Memoir of Me book.  Thank you, Matt, Maddy and Liz!

The last goes to a little sweetie and her dad in St. Louis Park.  Skylar!  Below is a picture of her in pj’s, swim cap and goggles.  Skylar’s dad, Jared, just competed in the world Cycle cross Championships in Belgium January of 2010.   Looks like looks like Skylar maybe wanted to swim across the Atlantic to follow in Dad’s active footsteps.   An ordinary day for Skylar makes an extraordinary day for her Mom and Dad!  Excited to share Skylar’s memories in a Memoir of Me book! 

Dear Ben,

I am sitting in the bathroom with you while you take a bath. It is our daily ritual and one of the most peaceful moments of our day. You in the hot, soapy water, me listening to you sing and talk to your animals. And then the occasional conversation between us:

Me: What was that?
Ben: A bubble fart!
Me: Wow!
Ben: Now I'm going pee pee.

It's our one pause of the day, a rare moment when we have nowhere to go and we're not rushing to the next thing. When will I ever learn to stop rushing to the next thing?

Andrea, thank you making me laugh!  Love, Michelle

Day 31 of 99 in 33 goes to Autum and Morgan.  Jill writes a beautiful letter, “Dear Autum and Morgan, I’m sure neither of you can remember back to when I started taking care of you, but I remember it very clearly. It was late when I got to your house that first night, and your grandma came and helped me put the two of you to bed. Morgan, you were about seven weeks old. You were so tiny; you still are. You cried a lot those first few days, but it wasn’t long before you were smiling at me. Autum, you were a cute little two-year-old. I went into your room that first morning, thinking maybe you’d be scared; you didn’t know me well. You just smiled at me from your bed, and reached your little arms out towards me. When Dad came in the house, you pointed to me, like you were  showing him I was there. That first time I stayed for two weeks, but I was back before long. I loved taking care of you and watching you learn and grow over the years. I could never get enough of you. I can’t believe how old you both are now. I try to come and visit as much as I can, but I still miss you so much when I can’t be there. I will try to remember what you told me Morgan: “Don’t be too sad. It’s not like you’ll never see us again.” You two have wisdom beyond your years. I love you, Jill”  Sharing special memories for Jill in a Memoir of Me book.

The next goes to Perri who writes a lovely story about Eleni.  My daughter, Eleni, whose namesake means Bearer of Light, came into this world both wanted and made of Love. Learning that I was going to be a mother brought tears of joy to my eyes; I was thrilled to know I was going to have a greater part in the Big Scheme of Life. Eleni was born on her due date and I brought her home “healthy” to live with me, her father, and her “Abuelos” - her paternal grandparents, those first 10 months of life.

I took Eleni to her first well-baby check-up on a pleasant October day. The pediatrician, Dr. Takahashi, a cardiologist’s wife, detected a heart murmur. We learned that she had several heart anomalies, and it was likely too risky to operate.  In addition to Eleni’s story, her only sibling, Eric, was born 2 years after her, with a hole in his heart in need of closure. He had open heart surgery at 3 years old, and at 16 had foot surgery for a congenital variation. He has cared deeply for his sister, and has carried mixed hope and grief for her.  

 Somehow as overwhelming as it has been for Eleni, and her family, I have persevered and made everyday still count, as Living Life with Enthusiasm. Having a strong spiritual awareness and supportive family and friends has also been my saving grace. My daughter has taught me that with all her challenges and all her pain, fears and despair, that I, her mother, must always be truly present, and the ultimate keeper of faith. Perhaps her greatest gift to me has been to have chosen me to be her mother, and nurture her, believe in her, and love her just as she is. Eleni’s soul has carried the torch; she has been my Bearer of Light.”  Sincere gratitude for you, Perri and Eleni.

Two more days.  Six more books.  Love, Michelle

The first book for 99 in33 goes to Kelly from 29 gifts!  Kelly says, “I saw your post on 29 gifts and since I have three children I knew there had to be a story that stuck out. I was thinking throughout the day of which story I could post, and one happened to present itself at exactly when my daughter came home from school. She came in the door and ran straight upstairs and grabbed her allowance that she has been saving. I asked her what she wanted to buy, and she replied "it's for the people in Haiti".  Her school is collecting brand new sanitary items to make into packages and send to Haiti. I asked Kara how much she wanted to use of her allowance, and she said, "all of it". Her class was collecting wash cloths and her brother's class was collecting towels. Kara even bought a towel for Chris to bring into school. I have never been more proud of my little six year old than I was today.  What a special girl you are raising, Kelly!

The next one goes to Kerrymy BFF, who nominated her friend Janelle’s daughter Anna!  Kerry says, “Anna is VERY energetic, athletic, sweet. Reminds me a bit of Ava at that age. Lots of dimples and super long eyelashes. She's a little peanut but starting to catch up to her peers in size. She loves her family, cousin's especially, and all things/toys girly. Pink, red and blue are her favorite colors. Her birthday is January 23rd when she will turn 5. She goes to Fraser to school and takes swim lessons at Foss. She almost lost a front tooth last year due to a fall off the bed...5 stitches, but all is ok now.”  Anna sounds adorable and we will be so pleased to share your memories in a Memoir of Me book.

The last three of day 30 in 33 days goes to Michelle and Tyler’s son Josh.  Tyler writes “Josh is a great 3 year old boy who will be turning 4 in April. He is very smart and always looking for the reason something happens, or the name of that person. This past Christmas we went to see Santa at the 8^th floor in Macys and we made quite a big deal out of it. We arrived in downtown Minneapolis and he had fallen asleep on the car ride there. As we pulled into the parking ramp and started to get out of the car, we woke him up, and as he was realizing that we were going to see Santa, he asked “Mom, are we at the North Pole?” We both looked at each other and laughed, thinking “how cute is that.” We told him that we were not at the North Pole, but Santa had come from there to visit us and ask him what he wanted for Christmas.”  Can’t wait to share your special memories, Josh!

Josh and Santa!