It’s time for us to have a serious conversation.

Here it goes.

If you have a healthy body, and if you’re between the ages of 18 to 60, you have both the priviledge and responsibility to donate bone marrow.

Even before Jonathan found out he had cancer, I was a strong believer in donating blood on a regular basis. Then, just a few years ago, I also registered to become a bone marrow donor.

And now that we’re looking cancer in the face, I’m more than just a casual advocate for joining the National Bone Marrow Registry. I’m a 100%, look you in the eye believer who is not really interested in the reasons why you can’t won’t join too. Trust me, I know the excuses and they are lame. (And, I might add, your excuses are probably assumptions that aren’t even accurate. Here are a few myths and facts about a bone marrow donation.)

You never know when someone close to you is going to be diagnosed with a blood cancer. It could be your husband, your son, your brother. It could be your grandpa. It could be your precious infant. It could be your boss, a best friend, a neighbor. It could be a total stranger living in Iowa who just happens to share your exact bone marrow type.

If you are reading this blog, you are now connected to someone affected by a blood cancer. Yup. It happens.

Fortunately, at this time Jonathan does not need a bone marrow transplant. We hope and believe he never will. But, you know what? Should his cancer return, he’d be a candidate. What if he needs a transplant and no one is a match?

And what about all the people who are on a big long list right now, who are getting needles jabbed in their veins each week, and throwing up in the middle of the night, and fearing death because they don’t have a match?

The process to sign up is simple. You just have to request a kit by mail, take a cheek swab, fill out a form or two, and wait. You will likely never get called. But if you should get called, you’d save a life with no monetary cost and very little physical pain to your body. You could even save more than one life!

If you are watching Jonathan’s story unfold, and if you’ve asked yourself, “What can I do to help?” and if you’ve been rocked by the fact that cancer can happen to ANYONE…then you need to step up. Join Be the Match. Leave me a comment with a pledge to do it. Tell your friends to join you.

And, if you are having children, consider donating their cord blood. Just think- a precious newborn could save a life just as their own is starting! (We looked into cord blood donation when Anna was born, but our hospital didn’t participate. I now very much regret not pushing to find a way to bank or donate her cord blood. If we are blessed with more children, we may consider banking their cord blood due to Jonathan’s increased risk.)

So, what are you waiting for? I mean, really, what an honor to give someone years they might never have! I hope I get chosen someday. I hope I can give that gift.

Here are the medical guidelines/eligibility.

Here’s where you get started registering.

Here’s what would happen should you get called to donate.

Only 8 days left ’till I’m officially a 30 year old. So, here are my 20 lessons learned during my 20′s. I can’t wait to see what I might be taught in the next decade! For some reason, I think patience with small children might be very high on the list…

1. I learned that the phrase “Follow your heart” is (excuse me) bullsh*t.
2. I learned to follow my God. He hasn’t let me down.
3. I learned that my God sometimes moves slowly.
4. I learned to speak up even when I thought it might cost me a job, or a future reference.
5. I learned that I love writing, and I’m good at it!
6. I learned the good employees aren’t usually the ones who got incredible grades or went to the best school. Incredible employees stay late, read a lot, ask appropriate questions, take risks, figure it out, push back, think creatively, make mistakes and fix their mistakes.
7. I learned not to chase the money if it’s going to cost me my soul.
8. I learned that fresh veggies are worth the time and money.
9. I learned I won’t love work everyday. That’s why it’s called work.
10. I learned that some women never feel ready to have a baby, but that doesn’t mean a darn thing.
11. I learned that I will never regret taking creative measures to make vacation happen. Memories are worth more than new shoes. But at the same time…
12. I learned that vacations are a luxury, not a right, not something I’m owed, not something that trumps living within our means.
13. I learned that marriage is richer and more wonderful than I ever thought it might be.
14. I learned that running is actually quite fun, and not the chore I hated for so many of my younger years.
15. I learned that getting life insurance is a very, very smart decision. Thank you Jesus.
16. I learned that my relationship with friends from college grow even sweeter as we age.
17. I learned creative ways to help people in need, and I learned to never look past a woman on the streets.
18. I learned to use sunscreen every single day.
19. I learned that I prefer white wine over red, but Old Vine Zin is also quite good.
20. I learned that I like old homes and I like remodeling.

image: 20s ladies 

With Anna nearing the stage where NO item is safe, this coffee table is dreamy. We’ll never buy it, but one can imagine how much easier life would be…

The 8 Best Foodie Getaways from Around the World.

The trendy teething toy I didn’t know about, but I’m so glad someone told me existed.

I wish I could attend BlogHer ’12 in NYC. Meg/Katz/Anna/Anna/Corinne: Are You IN!?!

This week’s Glee was actually worth watching. In the spirit of MJ and commercial weekend, here’s a flashback for ya.

If you’re having a tough day, you’ll read this site and may be reminded it’s actually a great day.

The Before They Leave Me List.

A dessert I forgot about for awhile but just rediscovered. (photo credit: here.)

I just downloaded this free app to keep track of wines we enjoy, because, I spend way too long being indecisive at Trader Joe’s.

Bonus: Pick up the latest issue of Sactown. It’s fabulous. The cover story is a MUST READ. That’s all I’m gonna say.

“I don’t think that if I live to be eighty, I’m going to wish I’d spent more hours in the gym or kept my house a lot cleaner. I’m going to wish I had swum more ashamedly, made more mistakes, spaced out more, rested. On the day I die, I want to have had dessert. So this informs how I live now.” –Anne Lamott, Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith

Today marks the start of my birthday month, and anyone who knows me realizes that I love my birthday. I realize this is somewhat narcissistic because I’m basically saying that I love gifts, attention and celebration centered around me. But, I can’t help it–birthdays bring me joy and I love celebrating mine as well as other people’s special days.

Since this year I’m turning 30 (!!!) I am feeling the pressure to really reflect on the last decade of my life, and the decade to come. 30 feels BIG for some reason, and I’ve (admittedly) anticipated this birthday even more so than years past. My hope is that I can make some time to write a few 30/birthday related posts this month. Consider this the first of several more to come.

A few months ago, while wasting time on Pinterest, I stumbled across something that touched my heart. A blogger, Robyn, decided to celebrate her 30th birthday by doing 30 random acts of kindness. I read her post and thought it was such a great idea. And then I forgot about it. My friend Lori, however, did not. She turned 30 last weekend and celebrated by gathering her friends and family to spend the entire day (9am-11pm) doing kind acts for other people. This honestly doesn’t surprise me which says a lot about Lori. Anyone who knows her will agree she is genuinely kind, compassionate and giving. I love, love, love that she spent her 30th caring for others. I asked her if I could post a few pictures of her day and share some of the things she did.

If you’re inspired by Lori’s day, check out www.thebdayproject.com to see others who are celebrating their birthdays with kindness for others.

Lor, thanks for letting me share your story. I love you and your sweet heart. Happy 30th!

I’m totally against the belief that “crying it out” is not a Christian value. So basically this article really annoyed me.

What is SOPA anyway? 

The marketer in me is fascinated by JC Penney’s new sales approach. Cheap towels all the time? I like, I like.

I dream of the day I can return to Iona, stay at this place, and let our kids run through the green grass until they collapse. (Note: I say “kids” (plural) because there is no immediate plan to visit.)

Why should (YOU) care about the Gingrich marriage? “Because I think it comes down to the simple question of character. I think character matters. It matters in your family, it matters in your business, it matters in everything you do each day of your life.”

It’s Meyer Lemon season. This means I hope my  neighbor brings me lemons again so I can try this, this, this and this.

The migrant Chinese culture is fascinating to me. How will you celebrate Chinese New Year? We’re going to get takeout from the hole in the wall place down the street. Duh.

Anna has so many clothes and yet I still want to buy her this romper.

Etsy’s Valentine’s Day gift guide. CUUUUTTTTEEEEE. Jonathan- are you listening?

photo credit to chiot’s run

“Get a life in which you notice the smell of salt water pushing itself on a breeze over the dunes, a life in which you stop and watch how a red-tailed hawk circles over a pond and a stand of pines. Get a life in which you pay attention to the baby as she scowls with concentration when she tries to pick up a Cheerio with her thumb and first finger. Turn off your cell phone. Turn off your regular phone, for that matter. Keep still. Be present. Get a life in which you are not alone. Find people you love, and who love you. And remember that love is not leisure, it is work.” -Anna Quindlen, A Short Guide to a Happy Life

photo: m.i.l.k. photography

We watched The Bachelor last night. It was the third time we’ve watched this season which is a lot because both of us hate it in a very judgmental we don’t like reality tv sorta way.

The entire time the show is on, I say the same things over and over:

“I CANNOT believe we’re watching this.”

“Ew- seriously? She just said that? Ew! She’s so fake. We can’t watch this.”

“This is disgusting TV. Do these women really think this is love? They must have their heads screwed on the wrong way! (Can you pass me the gummy bears, love?)”

“What is wrong with Americans that they’re entertained by this nonsense?”

“We should NOT be watching this. Let’s turn it off.”

This is what Jonathan says:

“Her eyebrows are really weird.”

Usually when we watch TV at night, one of us has our laptop open. It’s a bad habit. (Do you or your husbands do this too?) It’s like we can’t even fully concentrate on television…we have to be bombarding ourselves with multiple forms of entertainment at the same time.

To give us some credit, and so that we don’t appear to be total idiots, we don’t actually watch that much TV. But, when we do, it’s not a cuddle fest the way it could and should be.

Last night though? We wrapped up in a blanket, held hands, touched each other’s hair, and watched The Bachelor in all its insanity.

I’ve decided a couple of things:

Kacie B is his girl.

and

Sometimes reality TV is just what the doctor ordered.

p.s. That couch above does not belong to me. It’s up there because if I tried to take a professional looking photo of my own couch, I’d fail. The above couch is from Pottery Barn. It’s pretty and comfy looking, right? And much better than me posting a yucky picture of BEN or whatever the heck his name is.

My friend Ashlee is the Managing Editor at The Violet Online, and this basically means that when I asked her if I could write an article for their upcoming winter issue, she said yes. It also means that I got to attend a mid-week brunch at her house a few Thursdays ago because she was shooting images for the issue. Translation: Lesley wins!

The issue debuts today and it’s lovely. I know you’ll enjoy the entire magazine–so many pretty photos, unique finds and crafty ideas– but at the very least I hope you’ll read my article on page 14. The prompt was friendship, and the piece I wrote is a reflection on my relationship with my childhood friend, Sarah.

Sarah, if you’re reading, I love you!

Yes, these ballet slippers are speaking to my heart. I might even pre-order a pair and I NEVER DO THINGS LIKE THAT.

These badboys are now up and decorated in my house. It only took a year. I am so happy. Thanks Grandma Jeanne for the Christmas present!

I’m not usually a designer person but if the First Lady says so…

The countdown to my big 30 is ON! And I’m happy to say that I’ve accomplished a majority of things on this list.

One of those articles that’s good for every mom, soon-to-be-mom, and veteran mom to read. 

I love Pinterest, but this is too funny not to share.

Why we shouldn’t participate in the Kate baby bump watch. (When a woman gets pregnant is no one’s business but her, her partner, and the baby. Can I get an amen?!)

Should we expect work to be meaningful? 

Jessica Alba’s new venture- eco friendly baby products. Thinking about it…

Kevin told me that Brad Pitt always eats in movies. It’s true. He really does. I don’t know why, but this fascinates me.