Adoption Auction

 

For whatever reason my hear has opened up for the family over at Team Chase: 4 and Counting, who are waiting to adopt children from Africa.  They had an auction earlier this year and I donated my Chips ACount Cookies.  They are having another auction beginning at the end of the month.

She may kill me but I haven’t mailed anything yet, I don’t even know what to donate.  Suggestions?  I need to get the ball moving and I suppose I had better do it rather quickly as she wants the donations by the 20th, YIKES!  I may just donate some more cookies but I want to do more for them, I can’t really say why I haven’t met them before but I feel drawn to this family. 

I will be mentioning more next week but just wanted to give you a head up as last time the auction was great and they had a lot of neat stuff, I even bought some items.

Boy Version of Shirts for Japan

Just a reminder that today is the last day that you can vote for a project over at One Month To Win It, if you haven’t voted yet please be sure to vote remember I am a contestant and 50% of the vote comes for you.  It would be nice if you would vote for my project but alas I can not tell you which one that is, so SAD.

As mentioned on Sunday’s post the girls and I made the Chloe and Mieko shirts for Japan.  They told me how everyone kept complementing their shirts but it wasn’t until we went skating that night that I really saw the response they were getting on their shirts.  Many people complemented them on their shirts and it was nice to hear the girls tell others what the shirts actually meant

We finished the boy versions of the shirts and they were a lot more difficult to make, not really more difficult but a lot more thread changes on the boys because of the hats as well.  They turned out great and two of them are on there way to Utah for my cousins along with a nice note telling them about the shirts and the other two shirts are on there way to California where they will be packed into a suitcase and then flown to Japan.

Again we had just a great time making these shirts and I encourage all of you to make your own shirts, it was really rewarding.  So make sure you got to Living with Punks and to Pink Fig Design so that you can get all of the questions that you may have about these shirts answered. 

Chloe and Mieko Shirts

 

I apologize for not doing a Giving Saturday.  I had every intention to do it but alas, my One Month to Win It project got the better of me.  After I submitted my project my girls and I spent some quality time together, we went to the movie Hop and really had a good time.

Needless to say, this very late Sunday evening will be my Giving Saturday, this is what I intended on posting but I didn’t get the project done until just now. 

It has been difficult finding something that my girls could physically do to help out with Japan, when I saw this Chloe and Mieko Shirt by Pink Fig Design I knew that this was something they could do and feel like they were helping.

Today, we took all of our supplies and they traced all of the pattern pieces onto the fabric, I did all of the sewing but it was nice to sit together and talk about Japan and Haiti and how it is important to help other out.

This is the shirt that Princess helped make.

This is the one that Kitty Kat helped make

They made a shirt for a child in Japan and a shirt for themselves, they are excited to wear them to school so they can tell all of their friends how they were able to help out the children in Japan.

We made four shirts today and we plan to make four more shirts.  The girls want to make the boy version of the shirts found at Living with Punks two for their nephews and then they can send them a nice letter explaining what they stand for and then two for Japan.

This has been such a fun and rewarding experience and I urge all of you to make your own Chloe and Mieko Shirts, they need to be mailed to:

Pink Fig Design

2415 San Ramon Valley Blvd.
#4-216

San Ramon, CA 94583

They need to be received no later than May 25th so there is plenty of time to make your own shirts.  Living with Punks did a nice week long tutorial found HERE for shirts and also has a boy version of the shirt, so be sure to check out her blog as it was extremely helpful.

Love Thy Parent

I had a hard time with today’s Giving Saturday, not because there are aren’t enough places that I think are worthy of mentioning, but because Japan is still on everyone’s mind as it should be, and I didn’t want to mention anything other than Giving to Japan.  Yesterday, I mentioned two great items that you can purchase and donate at the same time for relief in Japan and I contemplated if I should have just moved them to today’s post but I chose not to.

Last night was a reality check type of day.  I hyper ventilated for the 2nd time in my life and had a rather difficult time sleeping.  I always can call my BFF and she usually comforts me but on top of everything else I couldn’t find my phone, which meant no phone call to BFF. As you may or may not know I am single and I live in Pocatello with my two girls, my closest relatives (my parents) live 1 hour away and my only friend lives 5 hours away, I didn’t grow up here and have have lived here for close to 2 years now.  It can get pretty lonely at times but my girls keep me busy and occupied so I don’t really notice, it can be difficult not having a support system in the same town but for the most part it works out alright and I know that before I know it I will be done with school so that I can move if I desire (before I know it being 2 1/2 year YIKES!)

I can’t really explain why of all nights everything seemed to hit me yesterday but it did. I am finishing up the million assignments I was given this week and Spring Break officially started Friday evening.  I called my mom up in excitement that I finished my second to last paper due, the other being on Sunday, and she was telling me how they were selling their antique furniture and antique piano.  I lost my job last year and my Wonderful, Amazing, Generous Parents helped me get by for about 6 months.  I had acquired quite a bit of debt and was also in the process of having a surgery. At the time my parents were also going through a ridiculous law suit and had a lawyer that they found out all to late had some addiction problems.  My dad had to pull out most of his retirement to help me out and to pay for the fees from the lawsuit.

When my mom told me she was selling those items it just broke my heart, those items are some of the best pieces in her house.  She said that they were just downsizing and I know they hope to move away someday as the dream home the built has turned into a nightmare, but I can’t explain the emotion I felt when she told me, I really felt guilty that at 30 I still don’t seem to have my head screwed on correctly.

I am the worst when it comes to giving me presents.  Overall I’m pretty easy to shop for but I am not very good at surprise so I always figure out what I am getting before Christmas or my birthday.  This last Christmas was no exception I wasn’t nearly as good so I didn’t know weeks ahead of time but on Christmas Eve when my parents went out to the guest cabin I quickly opened all of my presents and the rewrapped them, yeah, I’m that girl.  I am the one who opens her presents and then rewraps them.  Now in completely honesty I would have been fine having nothing under the tree as my parents had already given me so much that year but this year was probably the first year that they surprised me.  On Christmas Eve Santa comes and leaves a big Santa sack at the house full of presents, he actually leaves the sack which is always exciting.  So the kids all pulled out there quite large gifts and then my nephew pulled out one smaller box that was labeled to me.  I was shocked as I already had more than I could ever dream of inside it was a nook, I had wanted one for quite sometime but couldn’t afford it they are not the cheapest of items. 

I swear there is a point to that rather long Christmas story.  When I was getting ready for bed I pulled out my nook and was getting ready to read a book that I actually have to have read for school, and the screen is ruined.  I can’t believe I ruined my nook.  I know it sounds petty, especially in light of what is going on around the world but my parents have sacrificed SO much for me and I go and ruin something so amazing, it just kills me.

So in light of my rather long story I ask you to give to your parents.  I know that I have the greatest parents in the world but I’m sure yours are pretty great too, just give them a thanks and a small token of your appreciation this week.  No monetary donation just give them something, because parents sacrifice and they continue sacrificing for their children as long as they need them too.  I know that whatever I do will not be close to show how much I appreciate them but I do and I am truly sorry for all the screws up I have had and will continue to have in my life.  Let your parents know you care.

Note: These are not my parents but this post needed an image and I wish I could send my parents to the beach and seeing as this couple is NAKED in the nude someone had enough money to send them on a private island.

Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief

It seems only fitting that for this Giving Saturday we all turn our hearts to the people in Japan who have been devastated by the earthquake and tsunami that hit yesterday. As I type this there is an estimated 1,000 dead and a nuclear plant is feared to have a leak, this has been one of the largest earthquakes recorded in history. I’ve searched for some places that are accepting donations to help aid Japan and there are several reliable sources but yahoo news put a great article together and has links to several foundations that are dedicating to help.  The link is HERE.


My heart goes out to those who are affected by this horrific incident.

For the Arts

This Giving Saturday is a little different. I am not going to suggest one foundation or another but express another way to give. I am a lover of the Arts, now I'm not huge into actual art but I love music and plays. I love going to musicals and taking my girls' to concerts and symphony's. I love supporting the arts in that way.

Princess has been taking Violin for 2 years now. For now the school district has an after-school program they pay half and the parents pay half. The program is lessening as budget cuts keep happening and the program barely survived this school year. I can't play an instrument but I love when I hear my daughter practicing her violin even if at times it seems she is screeching along on the violin.



Idaho State-Civic Symphony and Heinz every year put together an AMAZING symphony for the children. Last year was the first year we went and the conductor, Chung Park, came out with a cane and neck brace pretending to be injured and let children from the audience come up and conduct the symphony. I had never had so much fun at a symphony and the best part was that the girls LOVED it as well.

A few months after wards I met Chung and I must say I was a bit star struck, he is really talented. I was glad that I was able to express how grateful I was to him for putting on the event for the children and how much fun it actually was. To my satisfaction he was telling me all about the plans for the following year and that it was going to be a Snoopy production. Needless to say I have been eagerly awaiting.

This past Wednesday they finally had the performance. Princess got to go during school for a field trip and I had plans to take Kitty Kat later that evening, unfortunately, I fell ill and was unable to go. Here is a news segment to tell you what it was about, still very sadden that I was not able to go



On Wednesday I was at Fred Meyer and I was walking past a lady who was on the phone, I don't have much of a social life so I eaves dropped on her conversation. These were the exact words I heard, "Oh, she is at the stupid symphony." It still makes me so upset to hear those words. I know that a lot of work and planning went into that event and I also know that parents are the ones who make things seem stupid and boring when in fact they are truly fantastic.

So for this Giving Saturday I urge you to give to the ARTS, support them! Go to a play, a symphony, an art show, the ballet, and try and include the children as well. There are so many events out there even locally. On Monday the girls and I went to a Musical called "Back to the 80's" one of the public high schools, Century, put it on. We had so much FUN and my kids can learn to respect these productions. All I ask is that you respect them and include children as well.

Sseko Designs

After the groundhog announced that Spring was right around the corner (LIAR), I went ahead and ordered these sandals through Sseko Designs.



I had been eyeballing them for quite some time and with the announcement of spring I knew I had to get ready. Sadly, they have been sitting in my closet waiting for the snow to melt.

It might sound weird that these shoes qualify for Giving Saturday but the makers off these shoes are women from Kampala, Uganda. After secondary school is completed there is a 9 month gap so that the students can earn money to go to the University. Women have a harder time finding jobs then men so Sseko Designs only highers women for a short period of time and then they will go off to school and finish their education.

Sseko Designs is a not-just-for-profit enterprise and the goal is to provide university tuition for young women and help with the overall economic development of Uganda. They have a lot of great programs so that you can help. You can become an ambassador, an intern, you can host a party, or you can simple go and buy a pair of shoes.

I bought the shoes and I must admit that they don't look like much but these shoes are the coolest sandals I have ever owned. Check out the video below to see how amazing these shoes really are.



This is the first of many videos that are out there. With one simple change of my strap or even the design I have hundreds of different shoes with just one shoe. I am so excited for spring and when I can wear these on a daily basis and it is nice to know that these shoes help women further their education. I LOVE my new shoes!

Operation Shower

For this weeks Giving Saturday I wanted to talk to you about Operation Shower. All of us in some way have known someone or know someone who has served in the military. My list is extremely long as I am sure many of your own lists are long of people who have served. My brother served in the US Army, my Grandmother worked for the US Air Force, my Grandfather served as well but sadly I don't know what service he was in, many of my friends and their spouses have served as well, my very good friend Len over at Crafty Homeschool served with the Navy. The list goes on and on.

I recently became aware of a great organization called Operation Shower. There website explains it best so here it goes:

OPERATION SHOWER is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that honors the sacrifices military families make by producing and coordinating unit-wide baby showers and "showers in a box" for pregnant or expecting military families in a deployment or high stress situation.



Families of deployed military men are often forgotten and I love that this organization puts the pregnant women and their families as their main focus. Families sacrifice just as much if not more for their families and it is great to let these women know that we appreciate them and there families. For donating they have two different options you can become a volunteer and you can send a monetary donation as well. This is a worthy cause and I encourage you to check it out and hopefully next time you hear about Operation Shower you will know exactly what it is about.

Team Chase Auction

This giving Saturday is an easy one, as mentioned in a previous post the Chase's are in the process of adopting children from Ethiopia, which is an extremely expensive process. Today is the beginning of their Adoption Auction. They have gotten some amazing things so be sure to check it out and bid on some great items, I have my eye on some items and I can't wait to start bidding. I also donated some of my felt counting cookies for the auction so check out the link below it is sure to be worth it.

Shaken Baby Syndrome

For today's Giving Saturday I wanted bring up another issue that is close to my heart. During my elementary school years my parents were foster parents. My brother is 10 years older than me so at times it felt like I was an only child, I loved having new siblings come into my life and also knowing that we were giving many of these children a new hope for the future.






When I entered 6th grade my parents got a call to take in a baby who was still in the hospital who suffered from Shaken Baby Syndrome. He had a lot of medical problems he was only a few months old but my parents had taken care of a crack baby earlier so they understood to some extent how difficult it would be to take in a special needs child. As a family we agreed to take in this beautiful baby boy, and he later my parents were able to adopt him. Our lives with Michael were forever changed.



Because of what his father did to him Michael was never able to eat, walk, or talk. He had an amazing personality though and those who knew him loved him. My mother would take Michael and visit schools to help inform and teach others that violence was not an answer. When Michael turned 12 he lost his battle and passed away on March 30, 2003. I miss him everyday and I know that because of him my life is forever changed.



When my brother and mother were visiting the schools they were working with The National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome and made videos to send out to schools. On their website http://www.dontshake.org/ you can donate to them and get more valuable information to Never Shake A Baby, and steps on what to do when you feel stressed.

Oneida Crisis Center

For today's post I thought I would go in a slightly different direction and share a personal experience one that makes me the woman I am today.

On April 27, 2002 I ended a relationship with a man who had been abusive to me for a few years, because of this I don't have very many fond memories of this relationship but I was fortunate enough to get two amazing little girls out of it. I don't feel that details are necessary but the form of abuse I was enduring at the time was physical, mental, and sexual abuse. Also, the way the relationship ended was through a phone call to the police.

Even after he was taken away to jail I felt a need or desire to forgive him and take him back, something that is all to common in abusive relationships. Fortunately for me, I had amazing parents who helped me through this trial in my life, gave me a place to stay, and helped me out financially. I know that if it was not for the love of my family then I would either be dead or still in the same abusive relationship.

The reason I am bringing this up is today is because it is "Giving Saturday" a day that I would like to dedicate to giving to others and mentioning organizations that are important to me and always appreciate donations.

Through some weird twist of fate my mother became the director of the Oneida Crisis Center and is in the process of getting an addition for the Crisis Center. Office space, counseling space, and a handicap apartment are desperately needed and they are accepting on going donations HERE. The donation page is set up through crowdrise a great new website designed for fund raising. If you are not familiar with it become familiar with it because it is great!!



I was fortunate enough to have a great family to help get me through this difficult time but many people do not have the resources to help out that is why it is great to have these Crisis Centers to help one another out. Any donation is greatly appreciated and this is an issue that needs to stop being ignored. ABUSE HAPPENS!

Adoption Auction Donation

Upon reading one of my favorite blogs, a lemon squeezy home, the other day there was a post mentioning a family who planned to adopt a set of siblings from Ethiopia. Here is a copy of the email that posted on the site:

“My name is Jennifer Chase and my husband, Trevor, and I are in the process of adopting a sibling set of two from Ethiopia. We just completed all the paperwork and received word that we are a "waiting family" today! So, basically, we are officially waiting for our referral. This waiting could be two days, or it could be two years! Anyway, as you may know, international adoption is a pretty expensive process (the whole process will end up being around $30,000). To offset some of these costs, we are working on some fundraisers. We have done a few that have been total flops and a couple that have been more successful, but the most successful fundraiser we have done so far is an adoption auction that someone did for several adoptive families on her blog. This got me thinking that maybe I should do my own adoption auction. This is where you come in! :)

So, here is what I'm asking of you...Please be a part of my on-line adoption auction to help us raise money to bring our babies home! It is as simple as this:

1. Identify one or more of your projects that you would be willing to donate.
2. E-mail me to let me know what you would like to send.
3. I will E-mail you my mailing address.
4. Send either the items or a picture of the items (a picture would be best if your item is something custom like an article of clothing).
5. Help me by promoting my auction on your blog.

…..Honestly, the items can just be things that you have made that you didn't find a use for or you can create something new, whichever you'd like!

I will run the auction January 29th to February 5th, so I would like to have the items/pictures by January 15th. Thank you so much for considering giving to help us raise the necessary funds for our adoption.

Jen Chase

I was immediately inspired and went to their website Team Chase: 4 and Counting and knew that I had to donate something. I will be donating a bag of my "Chips ACount" counting cookies.



If you would like a set of your own make sure to check out their auction when it opens on January 29th. I will post another link as the date gets closer to help remind all those who are interested in purchasing any items from the auction.