whatever

twenty nine.

i kind of threw everyone for a loop when i just casually mentioned i would be traveling to Haiti next week.
as in... everyone.
my own mother texted me within minutes "WHAT!? WHY don't you tell me these things?"

all day my friends were texting me asking "how did i miss this?"
they didn't.

i think i had mentioned it to three people. 

total.

it was a coping mechanism.
i knew it was coming but i also knew i had a very busy month and needed to get through it one thing at a time.  
so craft weekend january is done and now it is time to think about going to Haiti.

i am nervous deep down.  for my heart to break.  for my world to be rocked again.
but i am not scared.
i am aching in my heart already because once you SEE and KNOW... you see and know.
it doesn't go away.
you can't UNSEE it.... and that is major. 

so here we go.

i am going with Becky Straw and Jody Landers. (they are the two women in the video)

i have not met Becky yet but i am stoked about finally getting to meet face to face.  

Jody was the team leader from the trip to Sierra Leone, Africa a few years back (so sad that it's been years)

there are a few others going along that i will meet there too.

we will be documenting stories and photos of the stove vendors that are part of The Adventure Project.
i am SO excited!!
i don't have any idea even where to begin with the emotions in my heart about it all.
i feel like i cried my way through africa.... it was a lot of crying.
and i hope i can be a little more composed on this trip.

hmmmmm.

pray for me ok?  
that i will have a servant's heart and mind.  
that i will see what God wants me to see... not necessarily with my eyes.  
that i would listen when i need to listen and keep quiet when i should.

and that there will be no speed boats.  (just kidding)

 

i would LOVE to reach my goal of 50 stoves sponsored in the next 7 days.

i would actually truly love to exceed my goal and i would really like your help.




i need 29 more stoves sponsored to reach my goal.

each stove is a $20 donation.

twenty dollars.
that is.... a disney dvd.  a new cardi from target.  ONE earring at anthro.  

twenty dollars can provide so much good!

{{{sigh}}}

 

Give a Stove this Holiday - The Adventure Project Campaign on Vimeo from The Adventure Project on Vimeo.

 

twenty nine more stoves.

 

i am fully aware that a stove won't change the world.

(but... will your cardi?)

i am not trying to "save the world."
i am trying to help where i can and when i can.

the leading cause of death is from breathing smoke while their mothers cook their meal?! 
oy.

lets help to change this.

 

thank you for helping reach my goal of 50 stoves.

if you sponsor THREE stoves your name is put in with all the others who sponsored 3 stoves and we will draw one name to win a trip to Haiti!  
seriously?!
you would get to see it all with your own eyes.
i get to help pick the winner!
wouldn't it be so rad to see that YOU won?!
life changing. 

but one stove is awesome.
it's super amazing.

and so much better than a cardi.

(that says a lot coming from a cardi collector....)

 

SPONSOR A STOVE TODAY.  :)

 

 

 

let's do this.

it's been three years since the earthquake in Haiti.
and then this year 70% of the crops in the South of Haiti were ruined by Hurricane Sandy.
it has been extremely hard for Haiti.

through The Adventure Project we continue to be able to help.
we have been able to provide funds to make the charcoal efficient stoves afforable to the poor.

for just $20 you can help in Haiti!  

you can help families cook food in a more afforable way (less charcoal) and improve the toxic smoke in the air and protect the environment all by buying a stove. 

i love when there are EASY ways to help.

The Adventure Project is doing something pretty cool right now... sponsor 3 stoves and you can win a trip to Haiti.

so.... ready to enter the coolest contest you have ever seen?!

how amazing it will be to get to see the stoves first hand, meet the women, see the children... it's awesome?!

GO DONATE 

purchase three stoves and you will be entered to win.

it's so cool!  

what an eye opening, life changing, A M A Z I N G experience it will be!!

but also....you don't have to want to go to Haiti to help.... just providing a stove is super cool on it's own.

it's OKAY to be an awesome do-er of good with no intentions of world travel.

i just love that we get to give in a way that i know makes a difference!

 

and guess what....

i am going to be there in Haiti on January 26th to help draw the name of the winner.

i am traveling with The Adventure Project to Haiti!

i can't wait to share with you ALL that i can.  
i am so thrilled to learn all that i can about the stoves, the people, the needs and ways to help.

i really REALLY hope we pick YOUR name.

 

let's do this! 

 

 

 

 

share the joy.

World Market is one of my favorite stores!
i chose which side of town i shop at so that i can be sure to be close to the world market.  :)

$150 gift card?  yes please. 
LET'S GET SHOPPING!!

i had my instagram working hard while i was shopping.
i shared lots of the the fun things i was finding and dreaming about.
i started following World Market on Instagram too!




i stood there in front of this wall of pillows and thought "i love every single one... how could i choose?"



this chair is my favorite... i drool over it every time i am there.
each tufted button is a different colorful fabric.
it makes me so happy to see.


i loved both of these huge signs.





world market has a great section of stocking stuffers and gifts for kids!
i know Sean would love this in his stocking.


this chair?!  it looks vintage!!  i looooove it.  




i am pretty sure that this rug should live at my house...it's lovely.

my girls would enjoy every second of making this gingerbread tree.
and my boys might also if they had their own so they wouldn't have to share.
my favorite part... premade cookies.... all supplies are included!


how sweet are these deer hooks?
i think spray painted in hot pink would be even more amazing!

everything i find at World Market makes me smile and i feel inspired.

 

but this day at World Market wasn't really for MY wants.
i had $150 to spend on a gift basket to donate to a charity of my choice.

it took me awhile to choose one... i wasn't sure where to go.
i asked my friends for suggestions and they lead me eventually to
Youthville... a local organization that has secure housing for girls ages 12- 17.

Youthville's Secure Care program is designed to serve girls who have chronic runaway behaviors and have been deemed by the courts as "Children In Need of Care". This 24-hour, highly structured and safe environment allows females to address behaviors in a safe home-like setting. The program's objective is to return girls safely to their families and communities by decreasing the likelihood of future runaway episodes through skill building and improving decision making.

while in their secure housing they are taught cooking and baking courses.

i found mixing bowls, cookie sheets, measuring cups, cupcake pan and liners, sprinkles, ruffley girlie hot pads, cute spoons, sweet smelling soap, spatulas, and even yummy mixes to enjoy.  
it was so much fun to keep filling and filling that basket!

i'm grateful to have had the opportunity to think about & pray for these girls who are living here.
they deserve the chance to have big dreams, happiness and even just a pretty bowl to make cookies in.
life has not been easy for them but maybe they will find some simple joy in learning how to bake.

i thought about my own girls and how much they enjoy decorating a gingerbread house each year.
maybe the girls at this house have never gotten to do that?
yes... put it in the basket!

i loved being a part of World Market's Share the Joy campaign.

i highly encourage you to find SOMETHING around you to help with this christmas.
anything.

just pick any charity near you, call them and say "i want to help you...tell me how"
and i promise they will tell you how.
then go do it.
your heart will feel like it's about to burst when you go and give your gift!

and take your kids!!

you can find World Market on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter too! 

Be sure to enter the World Market Share the Joy Sweepstakes HERE.

• Grand Prize package includes: A $5,000 American Express Gift Card for you and $5,000 for a charity of your choice
• You could be one of 5 winners (one winner per week).
• The Share the Joy Sweepstakes ends 12/21/12.

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™, but all my opinions are my own

 

 

wish book.

when you were a kid did you get the sears or jcpenney christmas wish book and look at them OVER and OVER?
i did.
i circled things on almost every page.

just like my girls do now with the American Girl catalog or Justice.

i thought i would be silly and share my grown up wish list that is some parts completely impractical/pure dreaming and some parts regular stuff.

you never get too old for that.

 

tissue garland....that i didn't have to make myself.
isn't it lovely??

 

 
these Nike Free shoes that i can't find anywhere in an 8.5 online anywhere!!!
but if i find them IN store again i WILL snatch them up.

 

i would love to learn to make doughnuts.
i would need...

a Doughnut Pan or two

and a Doughnut Cookbook to guide me into being a wonderful baker.

 Bossypants  i never read it and i want to.

 

this is my favorite scent at Bath & Body Works.... STRESS RELIEF.  
i am not a smelly kind of girl but if i ever DO want to smell something this is it.
i don't wear perfume and lotions but when i take a bath... this makes me happy!  

 

 

Treadmill .... a good sturdy one that doesn't rattle or shake and is not deafingly loud
for all the running i will have to do all winter to train for this half marathon i agreed to do.

because i am crazy.

 

 

Mad Men Season One, Two, Three, Four and Five so i can watch Don Draper for hours on end.

 

i want this dress.
i would put it on and twirl all around.... my husband would take my hand and tell me how beautiful i looked... we would go to a fancy party and dance like they do in romantic movies... 

ohhhh... wait.... maybe this one instead.

it sparkles.  it's glittery.  i can just close my eyes and imagine what it would feel like to wear this dress.
{{{ S I G H }}}
it's a very nice thought.

 

this hot pink velvet chair from World Market..... is this the most perfect chair ever created?!!
yes it is.
can't you just imagine wearing the glitter dress and sitting in this pink chair?!



and this beautiful gray painted dresser also from world market that would look so perfect in a room that only exists in my head at this time... but trust me... it's a gorgeous room.  :)

 

 

i love yellow and i LOVE a big bold stripe...this is from west elm.

 

 

i have wanted a hot tub since... forever.
i still do.
i think it would be so relaxing.
the farm house could ROCK a hot tub so easily.  :)

 

i always love new colorful fun running gear.
athleta is beautiful but pricey so that is why it's on my dreamy wish list.
i feel like i am supposed to want a garmin... since i run.
but i run my miles and then i don't think about it again until the next time i go again.
so i don't know if i would even use it.  
what is the exciting part of garmins? 

 

this book Decorate Workshop looks like a fun book!

 

******************************************

 

so i made this whole list of things i love and "want"
but all day while i was working on it i just felt.... funny.
it's just a fun list.
i don't NEED any of it and do i even really "want" these things??
"it's just fun inspiring stuff....why am i feeling like this?" i said to myself all day.

 

 

what do i REALLY WANT?

 

 

i want Yana to have a mom & dad to take care of her forever.
to love her forever.

 
i saw her on Jeannett's blog yesterday and i can't get her out of my mind!!!
she is precious.
she is an orphan.
she needs a family.
it could be you!

don't you want to kiss her face?!  and hug her tight and never let her go....

i was not planning on writing about this.... i was just making a silly wish list.

but God would not let me leave it at that.
he took a hold of my heart and my blog today and made sure i refocused on the REAL want...
the desire of my heart. 

because all i really WANT today is for Yana to get a family this christmas.
i want to help her get that!!
that is the good stuff.

THAT is the sparkly glittery dress of real life. 

jeannett has helped two other sweet babies through Reese's Rainbow find families the past two years and it is so joyous to know i was a part of that.

so let's ALL help YANA this year!!

go over to Life Rearranged, read all about Yana and you can even enter jeannett's giveaway.

AND DONATE. 

it will be the best christmas gift you will give. 

 

wednesday.

 

      

(i had my settings off on my camera so lets all pretend this is....a newspaper photo...ha!)

she had a great birthday.
so grateful and sweet.
she wanted ice cream sundaes but i had to get at least one cupcake.  
we watched one of her favorite movies after dinner.
i like that kid a whole bunch.

we had a girls day just the two of us yesterday.

she used her birthday money (and her allowance...she is a saver) for some cute clothes.
i loved watching her pick stuff out.
she and i are finding our way.
me saying "it's ok to not like what i like" when we disagree.
or when she says "do you like it?" with a big smile then OF COURSE i like it.
i want her to form her own opinions...have confidence in herself and her choices.
i am so proud of her when she does.

and she is pretty darn cute. 

 

******************************************************* 

 

i got out my electric mattress pad for the winter.

oh yeahhhh.

my toes are nice and warm now.  :)

 

********************************************************

 

so...i got to see Flight on monday.

holy cows.


it is definitely rated R.
it was... hard to watch?  very real?  very grown up?  intense?  but seriously... SOOOOO good.

ha ha ha

it stuck with me.

but i can't quite figure out why....

and no spoilers in the comment section.
i don't want people getting mad at me! 

the couple sitting next to us...they were talkers.
"oh no he didn't"    "oh no...don't do it"    "GASP!!!"

AND she sang the words to a whole song that was on the movie!

seriously. 

and the school called craig at the very last 4 minutes of the movie.
so he missed the ending.
craaaaazy.

 

*********************************************************

 

have you filled your boxes for  Operation Christmas Child?




i usually post about it but time got away from me.

my kids loooooove to do this project.
i hope you do it too.

and i saw that if you drop off your shoe box at Chick-fil-a... YOU GET A FREE SANDWICH!

bonus!

 

*********************************************************

 

here is somehting happy for you this morning....

i am off to run errands.
walmart...the bank...the post office.
so exciting eh?

what to make for dinner?
the question of my life... 

 

 

 

 

Mercy Project

today i would love to tell you about Mercy Project.

Heather Hendrick of the Mercy Project wrote these words about the group and their mission:

There’s an estimated 7,000 children who work in the Ghana fishing industry. Some of
these children are as young as 5 and 6 years old.  All of these children are slaves.

Today many in our country will take a day off from our jobs to celebrate the social and economic achievements of American workers.  
No matter if we’re celebrating at home or at the beach, we’re entering into a tradition that has largely been shaped by Labor Unions - organizations that are dedicated to protecting workers’ interests and improving their wages, hours, and working conditions.  
Today as we lounge around or hang out with friends and family, we’re not only celebrating hard work, we’re honoring fair, ethical working practices and the laws that prevent discrimination, abuse, and child labor in our country.  
Without these laws in place (and enforced), the most vulnerable members of society suffer.  

Who are the most vulnerable? Children. 

Today as we’re celebrating the systems in our own country that strive to prevent injustices like child trafficking and child labor, we’re mindful of the many child slaves around the world who are unprotected and the organizations, like Mercy Project, who are working to free them.

 

As a mother, it’s difficult for me to imagine my children working 14 hours a day, 7 days a week.  
I’m unable to wrap my brain around the thought of my children engaged in long, hard days of physical labor, eating one meal a day, and then falling asleep at night on a dirt floor filled with other slave children.  

Yet this is the daily reality for kids who have been trafficked into the fishing industry in Ghana, Africa.  

As with much of Africa, there is a great deal of poverty in Ghana.

Unfortunately, this leaves many mothers in an unimaginable position: sell their children to someone who can take better care of them or watch them starve to death.

Most of the mothers are told their children will be given food, housing, and an education.
Instead, the kids are often taken to Lake Volta where they become child slaves and their mothers never see them again.  

Thankfully, Mercy Project is working to break the cycles of trafficking around Lake Volta by providing alternate, more efficient, sustainable, fishing methods for villagers – ultimately eliminating the need for child slaves.  

Because of the work Mercy Project is doing in Ghana, the first group of children will be freed this month from Lake Volta.

*******please watch this documentary about the issues in Ghana and the HOPE Mercy Project is bringing! *******

 

Mercy Project is the only NGO working on Lake Volta addressing the injustice of child labor and child trafficking at its root - by strengthening the Ghanaian economy and eliminating the structures that cause the demand for trafficked children.

Whether these ideas of child labor, child trafficking, and modern-day slavery are new to you or you’re aware of these injustices, but need to hear some good news every once in awhile, we invite you to become a part of what Mercy Project is doing in Ghana.  

When Mercy Project frees their first group of children this month, we can all celebrate together.

........................................................

thank you Heather....

i don't know about you, but when i hear about another kind of injustice i get to where i think about those children constantly.  
i worry for them.  
i hurt for them.
but i am so excited when i hear about REAL programs that are trying to fix things one step at a time.
one step at a time is better than no steps!

what would you do if this was happening HERE to our children?
these are children just like ours.
no different.
everyone deserves a chance! 

let's support Mercy Project today.
can you donate today?
i would LOVE, love, looooove if ALL of my readers donated something today.
any amount is worth it.
i would love to say "WE support you Mercy Project" 

$5.00 can buy you a fancy coffee or make a difference to a child in Ghana.
that is pretty amazing when you think about the impact your money can have!
you really do count in making a change!

i can't wait to see what can be done through these awesome willing servants!

Mercy Project Facebook and Twitter can you keep you up to date on what's going on daily.

 

“When the lives and the rights of children are at stake,
there must be no silent witnesses.” - Carol Bellamy

 

thanks for joining me.