…to Jessica Bell and family.
Over 1,000 entries for the giveaway! Poppa & Gary were very busy indeed organizing them all. Random.org must have thought it was your lucky day, Jessica. Pack your swimsuits.
And thank you for sending us a picture of your beautiful family! …and I hear your little Ethan has a birthday coming up! Congratulations.
Naples awaits!
What?! I didn’t win?! I already started packing! I have been waiting all day to read….Congrats to Jill and family! ha!!
I am sure Random.org picked a great winner! Have fun, Jessica!
Jill B (Overland Park, KS)
Congrats – enjoy the time with your sweet family!
And we see they will travel from Spokane, Washington–we thought only near folk would enter, but we are so happy to provide what we hope will be a memorable event for you and yours! Thanks to all who entered…you feel like family to us!
So nice of you to help others make sweet memories too!
Congratulations to them! All the way from Washington. Wow. They will love it!
congratulations!!
thanks for hosting this fabulous getaway giveaway!
So SWEET!!!
Congratulations!
Washington, according to my sister, is having uncharacteristically warm weather right now. But come vacation time, I imagine the winners will be all too happy to head to FL!
Yippee!!
xo
c
Wow! Congrats to the winners! Again, this was just SO generous of Poppa and Gary, to offer this free vacation!
Congrats!!!! And kudos to the poppas!!!! Such kind folk you all are…
This is awesome – I enjoyed seeing faces of the winners. Have fun on your vaca guys!!
CONGRATS to the family! And awesome to see their little one is also in the awesome “little something extra” club :)!
What a sweet family! Congrats and have a wonderful time in Florida. Your little guy is adorable!!!
Congrats! And what an adorable family to boot.
Hope you have a great time and give Poppa a hug from all of us 🙂
Allison in Australia 🙂
congrats!!!!!
Aaawww….CONGRATULATIONS!! I’m sure you deserve it!! Have the best time in florida and (again!) sooo thoughtful of the poppas to give someone wonderful memories!! You guys rock!!
Congratulations to an adorable family! Poppa and Gary – you are just too sweet. Naples looks like a beautiful place for a vacation – memories to last a lifetime!
Have fun!!
Wow. How exciting. Congratulations to this sweet family!
Congratulations Jessica and family! Beautiful family. What a great gift, Poppa and Gary. You feel like family to all of us, too!
Congratulations Jessica and family. Baby boy is GORGEOUS! Have a wonderful trip, and tell Poppa we said HI. Such a generous prize. I had my packing list ready, too!!
Congratulations. Have a great trip!
Beautiful family! Enjoy!!!
(I love the name Ethan)
Congratulations, please share pics of their trip if the send you more! I still think Poppa and Gary rock for offering such a wonderful vaca spot giveaway!
Congrats!!!
Cindy in WA
congrats… i wish i could have entered but i’ll be super pregnant by labor day so NO TRAVEL for me! :o)
CONGRATS!!! What a cute baby boy!!
Congrats to Jessica and her family! I am sure it will be awesome for them.
Congrats!!!! Jessica you have a beautiful family. Thank you for giving this away
awwwwwwww… man! my heart stopped when i read the first few words when it said the winner was jessica! that’s my name, too! and my son’s name is ethan & his first birthday is july 29th! so cool! are you sure it’s not a mix up?!? heeheee!!
congrats to jessica & family!
seriously, this just makes my heart want to burst!!! love that poppa and gary gave, love that kelle has spread her love to others through this lovely blog…but most of all love that this beautiful little family won!
congrats to all involved in brainstorming this and congrats to the winner!!!!! i just love this wonderful world and all the good i see in it.♥
Congrats to the sweet family! What a great vacation! Now that we know of a great place to stay, we will be visiting Naples as well!
I love that you have giveaways! What a great, generous idea! I found this website full of crafts and other fun things to do with the littles. I thought of you and wanted to share…
http://lets-explore.net/blog/category/play/
Awwwww! Congratulations you guys, Florida is just awesome at the beginning of September! 🙂
Oh, I just think this was SO awesome and kind, to offer this free vacation spot! What thougtfulness and generosity. Reminds me of the “doing random acts of kindness” and such. This adds to all that and hey, wouldnt it be great if we are all inspired to start..or continue..do more often – these kinds of things? And spread the word – a movement as it were. giving..doing for..Maybe it can’t always be on a big scale, but little things. Even kind words..praise..a helping hand. giving just for the sake of giving, with no expectations. Giving sometimes, without it even being known WHO is giving, just for its own reward of giving! Love your blog Kelle, and your spirit, and Poppa’s too~
Congrats to Jessica and Co., and thanks again to Poppa for his generosity *and* for setting a good example for the rest of us! We can all be generous in our daily lives (even if it’s not *quite* as amazing as that gift. lol).
Yey Jessica! I can’t believe it! I am so happy for you, Justyn, and Ethan! That’s some good karma for sure! I can’t think of a better family who is so deserving of this! And thanks to Kelle for the inspiring blog! And to Poppa for providing this opportunity for the Bells! You guys are good people who have blessed thousands of lives–including mine.
And congrats, Kelle, on Nella’s accomplishment at sitting up! Reading your blog entry after a lousy day at PT with my little one gives me hope and energy to keep pressing forward…
((hugs))
Congratulations!! Such a generous giveaway. Gotta love the Poppa!
I think that the idea was awesome but were the rules to enter only allowing parents with DS children? It seems a little shallow to have a “random” winner have DS. I mean really? Everyone should have a fair shot at the contest. or have a DS contest ONLY!
Ugh…can’t believe the anonymous comment above. Is she serious?
Congrats to the winner! Enjoy!
Ugh…can’t believe the anonymous comment above. Is she serious?
Congrats to the winner! Enjoy!
The fact that there are many readers who share the magic of a child with Ds may effect the odds, but there were no “rules” that eliminated others. We were overwhelmed with the response and originally thought only those readers near would enter…and only after the winner was identified did we learn that maybe God knew a family who needed a special getaway. The best response to such comments is…no response.
Thanks so much Kelle and Poppa! I can’t wait to visit Florida! Sometimes everything in the world aligns and I think(know) that is what happened with us.
We have been desperately needing a vacation and this is absolutely perfect. I have truly enjoyed reading your blog it makes me smile everyday. It is quite an art form and we are lucky to have you as a role model for parents in the DS community.
Oh and let those negative messages that people write roll off your shoulders. Its easy to let them get to you but just know that there are literally thousands of people that get great joy out of what you do and you bring so much light to us all.
Oh and DS is random and not fair, this contest WAS random and fair.
Thanks again guys! ~ The Bell Family
Seriously, Anon-hole, are you really that miserable that you can’t even congratulate the winner? That’s really, really sad to me. Why even bring that sort of negativity to a place where so many of us with and without DS kids find such joy and peace? I think I speak for everyone when I say we’re just really not interested in it. Pffft.
Moving along… I wanted to say how amazing it will be for a family from Washington to visit and enjoy the Keys. I’ve always wanted to visit there, it seems like my idea of paradise. Poppa and Gary, you are such generous and kind people for even offering this opportunity… Kelle, you are truly a class act.
Keep the love coming, people! This is a happy day!
YES< YES, POPPA!! I agree 200%. ALWAYS, the best response, as you said, to these negative comments, is NO response. It is beneath to even respond or reply. Or as others have called these negative, nasty people, haters. Really, lately I have noticed them creeping up here more often. As someone else wrote, you know you have “arrived”, Kelle, when you start getting haters I guess. Sad, but true. Just ignore them, like we do little children trying to get negative attention (for it is SOME form of attention at least). they usually give up after a while. Love you, Poppa and of course, you, Kelle, and your entire family!
How sweet to hear from the Bell Family! Your kind response made me cry…but then, your photo did! Poppa sometimes feels like the Poppa of this backyard playground reminding “the kids” that sometimes, one of the kids–and we have seen this in our homes, in the back seats of our cars, in the stores when we are shopping–who just provokes to provoke…to “stir the pot” as I say. It has nothing to do with what they say…they just want a response. My three granddaughters up here, at the end of a “Poppa sleepover” always seem to reach that point of boredom or growing tired of quiet harmony, and one of them just “bugs” the others and stirs things up. Again…to starve the flow, you just don’t respond and you just understand what their intention is…and draw them back in. These little comments are just that…little. We just won’t let them distract us from…the big and beautiful things like picturing this family, splashing in the pool and building sand castles on the beach. Watch my words…it happens in our families big and small. Live happy!
Congratulations Bell family! Your son is absolutely GORGEOUS. Have a blast. Poppa really needs to adopt me! I need a Poppa and a Kelle and a Heidi in my life!!!!!
I’m so happy for you Bell family!
Congratulations! Wishing you a wonderful time in Florida! C:
Many Blessings~
Congrats Bell Family! ENJOY EVERY MINUTE!
bottom line–the good are rewarded…enjoy your vacation-I am very happy that you won this beautiful trip..and I WILL BE WISHING YOU WELL!!!enjoy yourselves!!!
Oh cool! This makes me happy 🙂
Hey Kelle and Poppa,
Pay no attention to negative comments. This blog is such a gift to all of us who follow it.
I always have a warm heart reading it. It makes me realize how much we all have to be thankful for and to enjoy each day. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
TO POPPA, I wanted to say thank you for your comment to me last week.
I wrote that Kelle was so blessed to have such a wonderful Dad and that my parents divorced when I was very young and my Dad moved away and we never really had a relationship. Well this blog has made me see that its never to late to fix mistakes in life and life is too short not to and so my Poppa is coming to NJ for a visit and spend some time with his grandchildren! I am so excited! So thank you Kelle and Poppa! This blog has been such a gift to me and thank you to Poppa for taking the time to write a note on this blog to me. You are a special Poppa and I wish you and Gary happiness always! And Kelle you rock!
All the best to you!
Poppa is always so uplifting! Can I borrow him for a day? (c: I could use his encouragement!! Congrats to the winners. Hope they are able to enjoy some time away with their family. Those are the memories to cherish!!
Congrats Bell´s, I’m so excited for you and yes the world, the universe aligns….
I must confess that when I saw your photo I just saw a beautiful family happy and about to go on an awesome getaway! an until I read the comments I learned about the DS…and I still see the same.
Enjoy tons.
Kelle and Poppa, you rock. Ü
xx
And congrats to the Bell Family!
God knew that another special family needed a special vacation.
So happy to see them win!
And Gary and Poppa you are the best to donate such a generous gift.
Congratulations, Bell family. Your baby is adorable!
Poppa-thank you for the opportunity for such an awesome giveaway….Can you please start a blog as well so Kelle’s readers have even more inspiration :). We all lurve <3 your family!!!
~Jen
Lovingpeanut.blogspot.com
Congrats Bell family! Hope you have an amazing vacation. Poppa & Gary you totally rock.
yikes annon, how can you possibly be a visitor to this blog and still manage to come up with an obscure negative to focus on? Come away from it!
Congrats Jessica & family, I hope it it fabulous for you all!
yikes annon, how can you possibly be a visitor to this blog and still manage to come up with an obscure negative to focus on? Come away from it!
Congrats Jessica & family, I hope it it fabulous for you all!
yikes annon, how can you possibly be a visitor to this blog and still manage to come up with an obscure negative to focus on? Come away from it!
Congrats Jessica & family, I hope it it fabulous for you all!
I didn’t enter because I live too far away. However, I’m soooo excited that this family gets to have a wonderful vacation given to them by a truly wonderful family. Kelle and Poppa – you are an inspiration to many….to think of the best in others and always have a positive outlook on EVERYTHING. I love that!!! Thank you so much. (I agree – Poppa needs a BLOG!! But then if that happened I might just drop dead out of pure excitement….so on second thought – maybe Poppa should hold off.) Ha. LOVE!!
congratulations! awesome blog Kelle! your Poppa is quite awesome too!
Mommy of Three…you made my day! I shall be thinking of a family in New Jersey…laughing, loving, learning how to heal, finding the daddy and daughter of years ago and walking together again! Life is too short not to try to repair and refresh relationships. After all, it will be people and not possessions that matter. I know…I walk with so many at the end of the journey and their regrets have nothing to do with failed business aspirations or foiled financial success–it is all about the people they longed to love. Cheers to your open hearts.
Very cool! Enjoy the trip to Florida, Jessica & folks!
Kelle & Poppa, this giveaway was an awesome idea!
Congratulations to the sweet little family who won the trip to Naples!! As I drop you a note, I am sitting with my little on our very first vacation together since she entered our life with her own little sparkle! We have two older children who are teenagers who we’ve enjoyed bringing to the gulf coast in FL for several years & now we have made more beautiful memories by bringing their little sister too! 🙂
Coming from Ohio to the white sands of the gulf coast has always been a week of heaven on earth for us & this week is no exception! Congratulations to this sweet little family & to Kelle’s family for being so generous to offer such a wonderful opportunity for them. Your generosity has provided them with more than a trip but a chance to create beautiful memories:) Life is good!!
Awesome…congrats to such a cute little family! And how cool that they are from WA – we live in WA too! In fact, we lived in Spokane for two years. I bet this will be a fabulous trip for them!
To MOMMY of THree (and Poppa) – GOod for you, Mommy; so glad about you and your dad. You are so right (as always), Poppa. I had not seen my dad since I was 14. At the age of 27 I reached out to him and was ever so glad I did. My kids got to have a grandpa and I had a dad again.
Would you mind sharing this Stella & Dot fundraiser for my friend with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma? She has a 2 year old she’s trying to stay alive for!
Thank you!
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=114662278581692&ref=mf
Funny how things fall into place sometimes what a happy surprise that little Ethan has some magic too love when that happens! 🙂
Congrats Bell family! What a great picture! He will just love splashing in the water!
I’ve never been to Florida but dream of it from way up here in Canada.
Have a great time!
Poppa, bless your heart. I see where Kelle gets her generosity!
wonderfully scrumptiously beautiful family!!! i hope you have an amazing time. xoxo
awww Congratulations to the beautiful Bell family! & Happy Birthday to their adorable little.
This was such a nice thing for Poppa and Gary to do. So sweet of you to spread the sunshine!
Have Fun in Florida!!!!
Poppa, I agree that the best response to unkind post is no response at all. How nice of you to offer such a gift to this family!
I am the nana of two precious little boys and they are truly the light of my life. I am so blessed.
I love seeing you with your grandchildren and love that you play such an active part in their lives.
Nana from SC :o)
Dear SWEET Kelle, I have been enjoying reading your post and viewing your photos for a few weeks now. My sister told me about it. I have to say that you are such a special mom, wife, friend, and daughter. Love you honesty!
I also LOVE that lipstick you put on this morning, lol. Would you mind sharing the name of it?
Ann
So happy for the beautiful Bell family!
No Response at all? Pretty sure you responded!
Congrats Bell Family!! Ethan is such a cutie! I hope you have a wonderful Labor Day holiday in Naples. Poppa and Gary you are so generous to offer such an amazing gift. And Kelle, I know you hear it all the time but this blog of yours is so much more than that. I love the positive energy and love that pours from each and every blog entry. Much love and peace!
Kelle I love how you inspire me to be a better mother, wife, friend and human being! I can feel the love poring out of each and every post causing my heart to make room for more love. You have a beautiful family! You are truly blessed and used of God!
I would like to exchange links with your site http://www.blogger.com
Is this possible?