Chrismas Shopping With Purpose

I have found my Christmas mojo.  Last week, when Jerome asked me what we were getting everyone for Christmas, I said, "Nothing.  I don't even want to go there.  Don't talk to me about it.  Shush."


Yes, I know.  Bah Humbug!


Every year I would obsess about finding just the right present, what they would like, what I have given them in the past few years.  And it stressed me out.  But, wow, have I had a realization this week!  I love to receive presents that have a story, or a purpose, behind them.  A reason.  And I am sure our family and friends feel the same. 


And there are so many people who, especially in this economy, still feel God's pull to bring home a precious orphan.  My heart has done a 180 on adoption since our pastors arrived at our church.  I have met precious children who have come home to their forever families.  I have held them.  I have snuggled them.  They have stolen my heart. 


And I thought, perhaps, my bloggy friends were looking for a little more purpose and meaning behind their gifts this year as well. 


So, here are a couple of ways and families you can help:


Our nanny Sara and her husband are working towards adopting their first from Africa.  She makes stocking caps and beautiful jewelry.  You can find her Etsy site here.  She is adding new pieces daily, so keep checking back.  But I would suggest doing it quickly, as I plan on raiding her stock this Sunday for my presents.  BWAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!


Also, our pastor's wife has a post on her blog completely dedicated to families trying to adopt.  Each link in the post is a family raising money for adoption through creative endeavors.  There is literally something for everyone!  You can go here for her Shopping With a Purpose post. 


UPDATE:  My new bloggy friend Laura pointed me towards a friend of hers.  Chris and Lindsey adopted a sweet little girl from Guatemala.  Lindsey was recently diagnosed with Lyme Disease after a 3 year battle to find a diagnosis.  They are selling anything and everything they can think of, and accepting donations to help with their medical expenses as well.


If you know of someone selling their wares for a purpose, be it adoption, medical costs, etc, please send me a link.  I would love to include it in this post.


The knowledge that a present I purchased to bless someone else is working towards bringing home a sweet babe is well worth the time, in my eyes.

Gwaat Papa Bawoom!

And in case you don't speak fluent Violet, I will provide the translation:

Great Grandpa Blume!

Yes, that's right.  Jerome's 90-year-old grandpa drove with a friend all the way from Indiana to come see us.  He rocks like that.

We are, just now, starting to see him age.  His mind is still as sharp as ever, but his body moves just a bit slower.  Mind you, he still keeps up and runs circles around guys half his age, but he is slowing down a bit - for him.

We didn't tell the girls until Monday evening that he was coming.  That way, the nanny only had one day of insanity.  Oh, by the way, the nanny is starting her own blog!  She and her husband are beginning the process of adopting from Uganda.  You can read her blog here.  She also has an Etsy page here where she is raising money by selling her beautiful hand made children's hats and women's jewelry.  Yes, my children are her models.  I can speak from personal experience that the hats are wonderful for kids, and her jewelry is exquisite.  She doesn't have the jewelry up yet, but she will soon.  It is stunning, and so unique.  I have a few pieces...

Anywho, back to Grandpa.  Last night we went downtown for dinner with him.  The girls were so excited.  Violet kept hugging and snuggling him all night.  Katrina told him every last detail about school (even though he didn't hear much of it - darn hearing aids), and Madi just giggled.  Kat is the only one who really remembers Grandpa.  The last time we saw him was for this wedding in Indiana right before Violet's first birthday.  But, nonetheless, our girls were giddy to show Great Papa all their new tricks.

I just noticed we have one kid in long sleeves, one in short sleeves, and one in a tank.  Gotta love Colorado fall!

I love my granddaddy-in-love.  He is such a sweet man.  Ornery, for sure, like most of his generation.  But such a gentle sweetheart.  We talked about my parents' ranch (he used to be a vet), about our fruit trees (he has a massive orchard), and about the girls.  I think he reminds me of my granddaddy.  I am so grateful to have him.  And so is Violet.

We aren't sure how long Grandpa will be staying here.  It all depends on his friend's schedule.  But, while we have him, we are going to enjoy him. 

Haiti Dresses Update

Wow! I have been so blessed to see the outpouring since my last post. I spent last Saturday sewing these dresses:

Then last night I received a package from my awesome friend Jessica. She sewed these wonderful dresses. Aren't they beautiful?

Another friend posted a message at work, asking for pillowcases or material. Her mom is now sewing like a mad woman, making a pile of dresses for me from material donated by her daughters co-workers.

Then, a friend of a friend from Cortez gave me 9 BAGS OF MATERIAL. Not just little W*l-Mart sack, but 9 giant garbage sacks full of material. She heard about what I was trying to do, and searched through her Zircon to find material to bless Haiti's children. She also donated multiple bolts of fleece for blankets.

Tonight, our nanny took some of that material home to make dresses and shorts for little boys. Another friend is making more shorts and shirts for the boys.

So, how can you help? Here are our needs:

• more dresses. I have material you can use.
• shorts & shirts for the boys. There is some really cute boy fabric in those bags, and some really easy shorts & shirts patterns online.
• cloth diapers.
• blankets. If you are interested in making those, I have a lot of cute fleece.
• sewing materials. We are using a lot of thread, elastic, and double-folded bias tape. If you cant sew but would like to help, this might be a great way.

Contact me if you would like to help in any way. I would be grateful for any help I can get. It looks like we will probably be going sometime in May or early June, so we have plenty of time. If you leave a comment on this post, I will respond with any info you need. Also, please feel free to link up this post onto your blogs. It is my dream to connect seamstresses from around the country to bless the children of Haiti. Thanks for helping, my friends!