Blogust 2014 : Happy and Healthy Firsts

Blogust 2014 : Happy and Healthy Firsts

Dr Visit

It’s that time of year again! The time where your comments (and shares and likes) are currency, quite literally. I believe it was the bright and beautiful Liz Gumbinner who coined that phrase 3 years ago (brilliant, yes?) and that idea was the impetus for Blogust; the inspiring and life-changing project created by Devi Thomas supported by the entire Shot at Life team and brought to life by bloggers like you and me. I can’t begin to tell you how much of an honor it is to be an “alumni” of Blogust, having the pleasure of sharing my story on Aug 10 2012. A story, not unlike all the others shared by the Blogust team, where each comment someone shared actually translated into a vaccine for a child who desperately needed one. A simple comment gave a child the shot at the healthy and happy life they so deserve.  And so the torch is passed.

Today, August 1st, I’m thrilled to announce that myself and all the other alumni are kicking off Blogust, round 3 with posts and Instagram pix and a Twitter kickoff party (Aug 1st 1pm ET- Join us)!  Blogust is a blog celebration where each day of August, a new inspiring blogger shares a story about the happy and healthy firsts that they have experienced in their own lives. Follow along each day and leave your comment on each post to be sure you’re contributing to the cause. It’s an important one. And all it takes is a comment to donate a vaccine (thanks to the help of Walgreens). It’s that easy.

In honor of the theme, I wanted to share a window into my world of happy and healthy firsts. Of course, when I think of that phrase, my mind immediately goes to moments like “first steps” or “first tooth” or even “first day of school”. I’ve long passed those milestones with my girls and am grateful for every one. Ironically, the firsts don’t end there. They just keep coming. And regardless how grown up my babies are getting, these more grown up firsts still feel as huge, as exciting, as monumental as those precious early firsts (if not moreso). And with that, I want to share just a few of the images that I was getting in real time via my oldest daughter’s instagram feed just a few weeks ago. Her First College Tour Road Trip. Happy and healthy, as she maps out the course of her bold and brilliant future.

College Pix on Instagram

How amazing is that? Be still my mama heart.

OK, I shared mine (sniff sniff) now you share yours. How about it? Leave a comment here today sharing your favorite “first” to date (or just to say hello) and in exchange, a child will be vaccinated.

Thank you

 

During Shot@Life’s Blogust 2014—a month-long blog relay—some of North America’s most beloved online writers, photo and video bloggers and Shot@Life Champions will come together and share stories about Happy and Healthy Firsts. Every time you comment on this post and other Blogust contributions, or share them via social media on this website, Shot@Life and the United Nations Foundation pages, Walgreens will donate one vaccine (up to 60,000).  Blogust is one part an overall commitment of Walgreens donating up to $1 million through its “Get a Shot. Give a Shot.” campaign. The campaign will help provide millions of vaccines for children in need around the world. 

Sign up here for a daily email so you can quickly and easily comment and share every day during Blogust! For more information, visitshotatlife.org or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Now, let’s get this happy and healthy party started!

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19 Comments
  • Emily McKhann
    Posted at 04:13h, 01 August Reply

    Tracey, your post is gorgeous – and your daughter’s photographs are stunning. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree! What talent in your family!

    A favorite first for me this summer is my girls baking pies. Yum!

    So excited to kick off Blogust with you today!

  • Chrysula
    Posted at 05:25h, 01 August Reply

    Love love love this Tracey! College visits (gulp) are a ways off for us, but will be here before I will be ready.

  • Elena
    Posted at 05:54h, 01 August Reply

    Love this story and insight into your daughter’s creative and personal journey Tracey!

  • Madeline
    Posted at 07:48h, 01 August Reply

    I love the idea that blog comments can save lives! Thank you for participating in such an awesome use of the internet! 🙂

  • IlinaP
    Posted at 08:23h, 01 August Reply

    I’m putting in a plug for Northwestern! You’ll see my Shot@Life necklace on my Instagram feed today. I think of you every time I wear it. PS I posted today too so go over and comment!

  • Kirsten
    Posted at 08:42h, 01 August Reply

    Love you my friend. Your girls are so lucky to have you as their mom! xo

  • Julie Marsh
    Posted at 09:22h, 01 August Reply

    First college tour, whoa! Gorgeous photos, brave girl, proud mama.

    My girls went to sleepaway camp for the first time this summer, and it was wonderful for them both.

  • Kyla Hunziger
    Posted at 10:01h, 01 August Reply

    What wonderful “firsts”! You are such an amazing mom. <3 And I have a BIG first that I'll be sharing on my blog later today. I'm bubbling over with excitement and I haven't had a chance to compose my thoughts on it all before sharing it. So I'll refrain from leaving a hugely modge podge comment. 😉 LOVE this project! Vaccinate. Vaccinate. Vaccinate!

  • Sherry Carr-Smith
    Posted at 10:41h, 01 August Reply

    Gorgeous! The post and the daughter!

  • Candy
    Posted at 11:23h, 01 August Reply

    Great post and pictures! It’ll be a while before my daughter has her first college tour! She’s set to have her first overnight stay with grandma in a couple of weeks- it’s definitely a first I’m looking forward to!

  • Elizabeth
    Posted at 20:12h, 01 August Reply

    This is wonderful. (Both the project and the post.)

  • Jennifer Burden @WorldMomsBlog
    Posted at 06:20h, 02 August Reply

    I remember when I met your daughter at the first Champion summit for Shot@Life!! College, wow!!

  • Melissa
    Posted at 09:55h, 02 August Reply

    Great post

  • Emily N
    Posted at 11:44h, 02 August Reply

    Thanks so much for writing for blogust this year! My favorite first? My first day at college–nothing gets more exciting than that!

  • Felisa Hilbert
    Posted at 10:02h, 04 August Reply

    I remember your beautiful daughter January 2012. Beautiful pictures and amazing women.

  • A Year From Now | Tracey Clark
    Posted at 11:20h, 04 August Reply

    […] off, but I KNOW how fast this next year is going to go and with this summer being all about the great college hunt, it’s been on my mind almost all the time. It’s been on all of our minds around here. I […]

  • Andrea B (@goodgirlgonered)
    Posted at 05:55h, 05 August Reply

    This campaign is something I just completely love with my whole heart. I’m so glad to see it flourishing again this year!

  • sam
    Posted at 10:04h, 06 August Reply

    Lovely!

  • Emily N
    Posted at 11:08h, 17 August Reply

    This is wonderful! I remember my college search…what a happy and healthy first! Thanks for sharing this for blogust! 🙂

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