Catch-Up Post

We've had so much going on lately that blogging has fallen by the wayside.  Therefore, a catch-up post in in order!

Of course, I have to include the family Easter picture.

My father-in-law, sister-in-law and all three cousins came for a visit!  While the guys went to the range to shoot a while, we went to The Dizzy Park, ran around and fed the ducks and geese.  What fun! My SIL and I also made Creamsicle Jam together.

My dear Oregon in-laws are coming for their annual visit later this month and we are beyond excited.  We love this special time of year!!  It's often the first hot streak of the year while they are here, but our weather has looked like this lately, so they might get lucky. The forecast is variable, calling for temps from the mid 60's, mid-70's to low 80's for their visit, with low chances of rain, even.

I've been working on our front yard landscaping.  It's been the same for ten years and the plants were getting pretty tired looking.  On a whim, I ripped everything out one morning and began anew.  I'm making a special little spot we're calling "Shady Grove" for the little  girls who love hidden places to read and do schoolwork.  It's coming together nicely and I should be finished this week.  I haven't taken any pictures yet, though.

I am collecting items for a Sidewalk Sale at church to benefit Abbott and a least one other Reece's Rainbow child.  The announcement was in the bulletin last Sunday. Please pray that we raise local awareness of the need and also lot of money to donate!

My Honey and I took our eldest daughter EmBlem and her friend R. to Six Flags last week to celebrate Em's 16th birthday.  We had a great time.  I sure do love roller coaster-ing. Colossus is still my favorite ride, with Ninja a close second, but I rode Scream for the first time and liked it, too.  The girls even rode the bigger rides like Tatsu and X-2.  Brave things!

I am making a cute retro granny square afghan to donate to a giveaway or auction, as the Lord leads.  It's working up fast and I really like how the colors look together.

We had a swarm of bees across the street in a neighbors bush on Easter Sunday afternoon.  We really didn't want them sprayed so we called all the bee collectors in the area.  Only one would come out that day.  He was something else.  He did collect the swarm.  We got to watch the process close up. One of my girls walked up to the swarm barefoot, though, and as we were saying, 'Go put on shoes!" she stepped on a bee in the yard and got stung.  This was her first sting. She is not allergic, so yay! Her remark?  "I thought it would hurt more than that to get stung."

All in all, it's been a great spring!  What have you been up to?

New picture of Abbott

There's a new picture of Abbott! Isn't he the most handsome boy?  There was no new information, but I am SO glad to see that he is, at least, getting food in whatever institution he was transferred to.  His grant fund has grown a little over the past few days.  If you have donated to it, here's a big THANK YOU! from me. (((Abbott)))  I'm praying that your daddy and momma find you soon!

Totals and More Fundraisers and Giveaways

The Mulligan Stew giveaway is over and almost $49,000 was raised for the kids and families.  What a blessing to be able to be involved in it!  There are some donations via check that are still coming in, so a final, exact total has not yet been figured.

There are always quite a few other giveaways and fundraisers going on and I thought I would link to some of them. If you want to share another, please link it in the comments!

Hidden Treasure-an auction benefitting the adorable Keith Unroe

Clare....her family was fully funded, but had an unexpected delay that will add about $4500 on to the cost of their gotcha trip.  They are having a giveaway featuring an iPad, in addition to other cool things.

Lillianna-top prize is an iPad 3, 32g!

Sam and Duncan-They have a matching grant, up to $2000, but just until April 4th.  Even if you read this after that date, they still need help!

Bernadette and Mason-someone has blessed them with an Etsy fundraiser.

No Greater Joy Mom-this has not yet been announced in full detail, but check back often. It will be soon!

Vitaliy-This a puzzle fundraiser.  Donate $10 and your name will be written on a puzzle piece for Vitaliy to see all who helped bring him home.

Gracie-another chance at an iPad!

Sara- Lots of fun giveaway items here!

A Chance For Chandler-look at his sweet face!!