Jess is a scientist, a kitchen scientist. And, while my kitchen smells of dinner, I’m thinking her kitchen smells like fruity and minty and chocolate deliciousness because she’s cooking up lip goodies called Tulip Grease rather than dinner for 6. And, somehow, she still is managing to do this with a 3 month old girlie in tow.

She’s got this thing called Kiss for a Cause that I love—she’s created special lip balms to benefit a charity. Since her sisters are passionate about donating to the Red Cross, Jess created Coconut Swoon, scented like the coconut macaroons they used to make growing up. 10% of the sales from Coconut Swoon benefit the Red Cross. My daughter’s favorite flavor Ho*Cho* was created because it’s what her dear friend with MS calls hot chocolate; 10% of the sales of that balm are donated to multiple sclerosis charities. I’m hoping we’ll have a Kiss for the Cause of adoption soon!

For now, Jess is donating 10% of ALL her sales this month to The Sparrow Fund along with the other 50ish partners building the nest this May. And, believe me when I tell you you’re in for a treat when you order from her. I keep one of these in my purse at all times.

And, she’s offering a giveaway here of her special purse pack which includes 3 lipbalms in a sweet handmade pouch from Tearful Touch etsy store. You totally need this pack. Enter to win it. And, go check out all the partners’ sites. (If you leave a comment naming just one thing you have ordered/purchased from one of them, you get an extra 10 entries for any of the giveaways going on right now…and there are quite a few!)

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I’ve loved having Julie from Lifeverse partner with us. Rather than have me wax poetic about her heart for the fatherless, I’m going to give her the stage…

I have had a heart for adoption since watching 20/20 or Dateline news shows as a teenager. I remember one in particular where a photographer did black & white portraits of orphans & I thought, if I see one more photo of a beautiful child, I may scoop them all up.

We are still trying to figure out what my heart for adoption means for our own family, but in the meantime, it has been my joy to help support those adopting through my gift of art.

The above art is traveling to Africa on Monday. My friend & her hubby are off to bring their son home and she asked me to create a piece for the orphanage director. She went on to explain how so many children die while waiting to be placed into a home & how truly they are the forgotten ones. But those dear & selfless orphanage directors who selflessly love & care for those children do not forget.

So, this memorial is to write the names of those children who have passed away in their arms so they will not be forgotten. The other heart breaking thing is that she requested the piece be large and yet has to fit in a suitcase. Friends, there are that many children.

As with the other 50ish partners, Julie is giving 10% of all her sales this May to The Sparrow Fund to support adoptive families. And, to draw a few more folks in and share this fundraiser with more folks, she’s offering an 8×10 print here as a giveaway, winner’s choice.

So, go ahead and enter to win it. And, go check out all the partners’ sites. (If you leave a comment naming just one thing you have ordered/purchased from one of them, you get an extra 10 entries for any of the giveaways going on right now…and there are quite a few!)

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