On August 28th, I'm turning 30!!!! Yikes. :)

At first, this seemed surreal, even daunting.

But then I found out that millions of people don't live to see their fifth birthdays. And why? Because they don't have access to clean, safe water.

So I'm not scared of turning 30 anymore. In fact, I'm embracing it and celebrating my birthday like never before.

I'm asking for $30 from everyone I know -- and every penny of the money raised will go directly to fund clean water projects in developing nations. Even better, charity: water will show us exactly which projects we funded once they've been fully completed (which takes about 18 months). That means we'll be able to see the communities we've helped!

My goal is to raise $5000 by my birthday. My family and I are going to match whatever donations come in. Dollar for dollar. It will take work, but I think we can do it!

I hope this makes us all aware what a gift and blessing it is to not have to even think about where our water to drink, cook, clean and wash with will come from. I want to live (and I want my children to live) with an awareness that this is not the case for many people around the globe today. When I turn on my faucet I want to think of those women walking for hours to get what I so easily have access to. I want to remember to say a prayer for them, the children they are providing for and the communities of people they represent.

Please join me to make this birthday count!