My Trip to Oprah!!

Most of you already know that I was invited to enjoy the trip of a lifetime to the Oprah Winfrey Show with my friend Jill that will be on the show on Friday the 8th of April.
While on the show the audience members were treated to a little surprise and challenge. You can imagine the surprise that we had when the winner of Oprah's Big Give Away announced that we were all going to be given $1000.00 dollars to start our own foundation. I screamed and jumped up and down like everyone else, and then realized what a challenge it would be. I couldn't concentrate for the rest of the show thinking about what a gift this truly was and knowing that no matter what else happened, I would do my very best to make a difference with the money given. I knew that it would need to be something that would be near and dear to my heart, so it needed to include children.
For those who don't know, I became a mother at 17. Without giving the entire history, I was a mother with a little baby boy and didn't have a clue as what to do. I knew it involved feeding, changing diapers, bathing...but what I didn't know, was how much I didn't know.
I barely slept last night; I have been pretty tearful all morning as I contemplate this awesome responsibility. I have decided on Snuggle UP Parents.
My foundation's goal is going to be meeting with expectant mothers or newly delivered mothers  (and daddy’s) in either the hospital setting or at home and bring to them some expert advice, some mommy advice, some grand mommy advice and some resources that will answer questions, offer support and even warn of some pitfalls we've all had as parents. Our goal is to provide any baby within our reach to enjoy a truly safe, nurturing and loving start to life.
As I look back, I so wish that I would have had anyone just give me the heads up on "what now"?? How to react to a fussy baby, how to deal with sleep deprivation and most of how to support each other. This is where you all can help.
The foundation will need lots of mommies, grand mommies, aunts, just about anyone who cares about these little tiny people to have some resources to get to the people who need them. Through the website http://www.giveback.org/ there are hundreds of organizations that we buy from everyday. For each purchase that is made on behalf of our foundation up until July 16th 2011 the vendors such as: GAP, Land of Nod, Macy's Sears, Lowes, Barnes and Noble, Express, LL Bean...the list goes on and on 50% will be given to the foundation. After that 30% will be given to the foundation through this opportunity 
Since we are all going to shop anyway, can you imagine that each time you buy through the foundation it may it may provide the resources necessary to prevent shaken baby syndrome, child abuse or neglect...the sky is the limit and I know that each of you have the desire to be the community we need to be to educate and support positive parenting! Be patient, it may take up to a few days to get the foundation up and running. Thank you so much for your support. Let's show Oprah we can make a difference!