It's a new year....

Wow! Can't believe that in a few hours it's gonna be 2011! Time truly does fly when you're having fun. :)

This post from Amanda at Starfish Foster Home in China is a MUST READ, so I had to post it here! Go, read, and be inspired to DO SOMETHING in 2011 to make a difference.

Read Amanda's Year End Post Here

You're Invited

Abraham would have been 5 today. But, he died. He died in China, an orphan, waiting for a family to claim him. He had made it to a waiting child list. But he was not chosen. Not even one family asked to see his file.

Was there not one single family who would be willing to adopt a blind little boy?

I wonder... I really wonder... if a loving family would have adopted Abraham if there had been no financial obstacles. What if there had been a grant to cover the entire cost of his adoption? What if finding a family for Abraham was 100% about finding a family for a little boy who couldn't see? And not about finding a family for a little boy who couldn't see AND who had the financial resources to pay for his adoption?

I'm having a birthday party for Abraham, and you're invited. Would you be willing to get Abraham a balloon? Some party plates? Streamers? How about a toy?

There are many, many families this Christmas season working, saving, and fundraising to give a child a home. I challenge you to give to one of these families today in remembrance of Abraham's birthday. I think he deserves to be remembered. Don't you?

Winner

Mandie won the zipper pouch!!! (Picked at random by Thomas!) Thanks so much to everyone who posted!!!! Please keep spreading the word about these adorable calendars!!

Starfish Calendars!!!

HOW stinkin adorable are these calendars???!!!

It's all those ADORABLE babies from the Starfish Foster Home in Xian!! That's where Jack volunteered over the summer. He lived at Starfish for 2 months and says that it is an AMAZING place. He also says that Amanda (Starfish founder, director, person in charge, mama to all the babies, adoption dossier preparer, medical care/surgery getter) is one of the most incredible people he has ever met! SOOOO... you know that if you buy one of these calendars, your money is going to one of the best causes on the planet!!

Click here to see the whole calendar.

To order, send $35 ($30 for the calendar and $5 shipping) by paypal to Michelle at michelle@bindandremember.com  There are price breaks on shipping for multiple calendars, so email Michelle if you want a bunch!


(Choose "personal" and "gift" when checking out through paypal to avoid Starfish losing money to paypal fees.)


After you buy your calendar, PLEASE post about it on your FB or blog!!! Everyone needs a calendar for the upcoming new year! Why not help special needs orphans in the process!! 

And, as a little, tiny incentive for you to repost, how about a chance at a large Thirty-One Zipper Pouch? :)

Leave me a comment and a link to where you posted. I'll choose someone at random on Friday at noon and send them this awesome pouch!  Good luck!!!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

My sweet princess turned 2! She wasn't too sure about the whole birthday thing. Out of 176 photos (yep, I'm serious) of her standing in that chair looking at the cake, this was the closest thing to a smile we got. :)

She had no idea there was STUFF in those wrapped packages. She walked around them for about 2 hours before her party.  Will was more than willing to get her started. :)

I love her serious face! She looks like she's thinking, "These people are crazy. They've been hiding toys in loud paper!"

Little did she know at this point how fun Elefun would be. :) She ended up absolutely squealing in delight when the butterflies start flying out of that thing!

After the first present, she had the idea and started ripping paper off the next one.

Yep! She got the hang of it!

And she LOVED the frosting on the cake! Which was kind of surprising to me. I thought she would think it was too sweet. Thomas still gets a little "sweeted out" sometimes. But not my girl..!!!!! She can eat butter cream roses with the best of them!!

The question I'm getting asked the most these days is, "Really, how is it going?" Well, it's going GREAT!! REALLY!! :):) She is a mama's dream come true! And a "rest of the family's" dream come true, too!

Today my kids have said:

Jack - "She's a really great toddler!"
Thomas - "She's so kissable!"
William - "She has the most adorable voice!"
Savannah - "Come on little Cinderella." and "I'm so glad I have a sister."

She's talking.. a lot.. and has used the potty several times. She has asked to go! She puts on her lipstick with me in the mornings, and pretends to put in HER contacts. She puts her sunglasses up on top of her head - like her mama -, and alerts me if the washer or dryer buzzer goes off. And she'll sit still and let me put bows in her hair.

It's pretty much not stop stinkin fun!!! :):):)

Our only real problem right now is car sickness... uuuggg... It happens so quick. Any trip more than 15 or 20 minutes and we have .... a problem. If anyone has any suggestions on that front, I'd love to hear them!