Saturday, September 22, 2012

Lost and forgotten




So how is your day going ? Did you sleep well ?  
Wake up in a nice warm home, even though it's getting chilly overnight these days ? 
Did you enjoy a yummy breakfast, with a cup of hot tea or coffee ? 
 How about your babies. 
Did they wake up crying in the middle of the night, maybe because their diaper was wet, or they were hungry ?  
Did you get up, change their diaper, give them a bottle or a sip of water ?  Then watch them fall back to sleep in their cute little jammies ? 
What are your kids doing now ?  
Playing with one of the many toys they have ? 
Watching cartoons on TV ?  
Playing video games ? 
Or simply snuggling on the couch with you ?

Could you bear the thought of them spending all day and night in the same diaper ?
How about them spending all their time laying in a crib.
Alone.
Being fed from a propped bottle, most of it dripping down their chin.
Being hungry. All. The. Time.
No toys.
Nothing to do.
Sweating in the summers.
Freezing in the winters.
Surviving.
If they're lucky.

This is reality for far too many children.
Children born with a difference.
With cerebral palsy.
Down Syndrome.
Spina Bifida.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
Facial deformities.
Missing limbs.
HIV+

Hundreds of thousands of children living around the world.
Existing.
Children abandoned by their families, told they'd be better off in an institution.
Children with no one to love or be loved by.
Children with no hope.
Children who will die, from neglect, from untreated medical issues.
Through NO fault of their own.

I am but one voice - but I am one who cares.

I care about all the children - especially the older, forgotten children - who DO have a chance of freedom, a chance to escape those cribs and institutions.

Many of the forgotten children are available for adoption - and the one thing I can do to help is to advocate for them, shout out for them, and try and raise money for them

Adoption is expensive. Families who CAN care for a child physically, emotionally and financially more often than not don't have the $30,000+ that is needed to pay for an international adoption.
Families who want to adopt, but are afraid to commit because of the cost.
Families who would welcome the lost, forgotten, neglected children into their hearts, if they could.

What can I do ?
I can advocate, I can share, I can help raise the money.

I support Reece's Rainbow, who's mission statement is as follows

"The mission of Reece's Rainbow is to rescue orphans with Down syndrome through the gift of adoption, to raise awareness for all of the children who are waiting in 25 countries around the world, and to raise funds as adoption grants that help adoptive families afford the high cost of adopting these beautiful children."


Reece's Rainbow list hundred of children with special needs who are available for adoption around the world.
I know I can't save them all - but I can try.
My focus is the older children - over the age of 6.
Children who are still waiting for their forever family.
Children who have been passed over time and time again.
Children with next to nothing in their grants.

There are currently 151 children over the age of 6 listed on Reece's Rainbow who have less than $100 in their grants. 

My current goal is to get them all up to $100 by Halloween.
That may not seem like much in the grand scheme of things - but every little helps.

I am currently running a fundraiser to benefit all 151.

You can go HERE to see the wonderful prizes available.

I don't ask for much - a $5 donation to ANY of the 151 children listed gets you one entry into the giveaway.
You can also share the giveaway - on Facebook, on Twitter, on your own blog - for a FREE entry !

You can win toys and books.
Christmas is coming - toys and books make wonderful gifts !!!

Please - do what you can - help out the lost, forgotten, passed over children

















Thursday, September 20, 2012

A few faces to help you out !!



So if you read my last post, you'll know all about the wonderful stuff you could win in the great toy and book giveaway !!!  
I realize that having SO many children to choose from to donate to is pretty overwhelming, so I will dedicate the next few blog posts to pictures of some of the children.  

Remember - $5 gets you one entry - feel free to donate to one child, or multiple children - SO many children will benefit from YOUR donations !!

Marjorie - $5 would get her over $100 !!!


Brian needs less than $50 !!!


Christian needs less than $50 !!


Gerard needs less than $25 !!!!

Devon only needs $45 !!!

Ana needs $49 !!!

Caesar only has $10  :(

Lance needs less than $50 !!


Gideon needs $90


Joel also needs $90


Theodore needs $64


Milo only needs $50 !!


Remember - you can donate to one or all of the 151 children - the more you donate, the more chances you have of winning a wonderful toy or book for the child or children in your life !!!

You can also SHARE via Facebook, Twitter, or your very own blog !!

Please - be sure to comment and let me know how much you donated and who to - or how you shared !!

Our goal is to get ALL 151 older children up to at least $100 in their grants by Halloween.

We CAN do it !!!!

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Toys and books GIVEAWAY !!!





Are you ready ??

It's time for the coolest giveaway in town !!

There may not be an ipad or a Kindle or a humongous gift card

BUT

If you have kids 
or know kids
or just want toys - or books - for yourself - or as gifts - or to donate -

today could be your lucky day !!!


Here's part of what's up for grabs !!


NEW ITEMS ADDED TODAY SEPTEMBER 30TH !!!

Little People Nativity Gift Set
So cute, it might just become one of your family’s most treasured holiday collectibles. And it’s packed with more play features than ever for hands-on holiday fun and imagination! Place baby Jesus in the manger to see his bed of hay glow with soft, angelic light while Away in the Manger and Silent Night music plays. Open and close the stable door to activate fun animal sounds; slide the star to make the angel spin ’round and ’round in joyous celebration! Palm tree fence pieces let kids “connect” the stories of The Three Wise Men, Lil' Shepherds,and the Nativity—from Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem to Jesus' birth in stable.

Twenty-five piece collection includes nine cute and chunky Little People® figures (Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus in manger bed, The Three Wise Men, shepherd and 2 angels), seven animal figures, musical stable with animal sounds, and assorted accessories. 


Three lucky winners will win one Snowman AND one Reindeer Sing-a-ma-jig !!!
It's that time of the year, and the Sing-a-ma-jigs are all dressed up for the holidays !!  All decked out like a Snowman and a reindeer, these holiday inspired Sing-a-ma-jigs sing your favorite holiday classics. In addition to chattering and harmonizing just like the original Sing-a-ma-jigs, the Reindeer sings "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" while the Snowman sings "jingle Bells"! Press the hand to change modes and squeeze the tummy to hear them croon.  Remember - Sing-a-ma-jigs love to harmonize with each other and their friends, so start your own Sing-a-ma-jigs group today !!







"Back in the Bay - The Starfish Story" by Philip Bovencamp
An unusually high tide strands Simon and thousands of other starfish on the beach. Several people see the helpless starfish but, for various reasons, fail to help any of them back in the bay. The outlook isn't good for Simon, until one little boy, the most unlikely hero, comes along.


North American Bear Under the Sea Cozy
Made of silky soft ultra velour
Perfect size for small hands
Easy travel take along or bed buddy





36 Large Piece "Crocodile Creek" Dinosaur Puzzle in Carrying Case

AS NEW


"Thomas and Friends" Back to School 35 Pieces Puzzle in Tin Carrying Case 
 17.5" x 12.5"  - AS NEW
     

Disney Princess - 3 Wood Games
Domino's - Color Match - Number Match - NEW

"Goodnight Moon" Board Game
No reading required - matching game for age 2 1/2 - 6   NEW


"Mya and Olivia" - Twin Baby Dolls - for age 2+ - NEW

Hot Wheels Monster Jam - 4 Monster Trucks for age 3+ - NEW



Lego DC Universe Super Heroes - "Batwing Battle over Gotham City"
278 Pieces Age 7-14 - NEW



Polly Pocket Hangout House Playset - Age 3+ - NEW


Canopy Room Makeover 
A Beautiful Canopy for your princess's bed !! - NEW



Disney Fairies - 30 Peel and Stick Wall Decals
Removable and Re positional - NEW

 


Disney Princess Portable Rolling Paper Art Desk
6 Markers, 8 Crayons, 2 Sticker Sheets
1 Design desk with 24ft Coloring Sheet - NEW


Disney Princess - Chunky Board Books
Tiana, Mulan, Ariel, Pocohontas, Cinderella, Jasmine, Sleeping Beauty, Belle - NEW



"Baby's First Book of Prayers"
A charming first book of prayers for baby. Makes a wonderful gift for a new baby. Moms and Grandmoms alike will love this padded, foil-stamped and embossed edition of My First Book of Prayers. Baby will love it too as soon as Mom starts reading it.
and "His First Bible"
Hold Your little one close. Begin to hide God's word in his heart. Enjoy the treasured times as you share these Bible stories with him again and again."




Five Baby Einstein Board Books.
These books are USED. They have been loved by both my son and the daycare children in my care. There may be one or two bent corners, even a tooth mark or 3 - but your little ones will love them !!




"The Earth"
A Visual Guide of  Our Amazing Planet - AS NEW



"Mr. Seahorse" by Eric Carle - AS NEW
When Mrs. Seahorse lays her eggs, she does it on Mr. Seahorse's belly! She knows he will take good care of them. While he swims waiting for the eggs to hatch, he meets some other underwater fathers caring for their babies: Mr. Tilapia, who carries his babies in his mouth; Mr. Kurtus, who keeps his on his head; and Mr. Catfish, who is baby-sitting his young hatchlings.

Eric Carle has done it again, with astonishingly beautiful collage illustrations and a story that introduces the very young to the wonders of aquatic life . . . and some very special daddies. A "hide and seek" feature with acetate overlays adds a colorful surprise. 



"Ozzy Owl" by Maurice Pledger - Book - AS NEW
An interactive LIFT-THE-FLAP and POP-UP book featuring Ozzy Owl. This book is beautifully illustrated !!



"Love Song For a Baby" by Marion Dane Bauer - Book - AS NEW
                                        Come hear a song about a baby,
a very special baby.
Come hear a song about you.

This affectionate tribute to the all-encompassing love of a child will touch parents' and grandparents' hearts at the same time that it satisfies children's requests to tell them about when they were little. Best-selling author Marion Dane Bauer's lyrical text and award-winning illustrator Dan Andreasen's timeless paintings combine to create a gift of love -- for parent and child alike.



"One Magical Morning" by Claire Freedman - Book - AS NEW
 In this fuzzy, warm story, a mother and baby bear watch as the animals of the woodland all wake up. The brief, rhyming text is great to read to toddlers with short attention spans: "As the silvery moon/faded high in the sky,/Twinkle-eyed voles/came scurrying by." The illustrations are done in wispy, softly muted colors that give the effect of a foggy, misty morning. The pictures are large and cover the spreads, making this a good book for story times.



"Where's the Dragon?" by Jason Hook - Book - AS NEW
With its beautifully embossed pages, shiny spot laminations that really pop, and a fun invitation to a dragon hunt, this one-of-a-kind book feels like magic, and looks great under the Christmas tree too. 




"The Night Pirates" by Peter Harris - Book - AS NEW
Read along and sing along to this rough and tough, swinging and swaying, seawashy piratical yarn! One night, young Tom is awoken by noises outside his house. He peeps out of the window and what should he see but pirates. And stranger still - they're girl pirates stealing the front of his house! Tom joins their pirate adventure across the high seas to an island where some rather lazy and silly grown-up pirates are guarding their treasure - but not very successfully. Tom and the girl-pirates make a surprise attack and are soon off on the seas once more with the treasure! 



"Dino Pets" by Lynn Plourde - Book - AS NEW
Where does a young dinosaur admirer go to find a pet? The Dino Pets store carries every kind of dinosaur a kid could possibly want. Sure, some of them might be a little too big, and others might be too fast. In this bouncy read-aloud, the larger-than-life but well-meaning dinosaurs come to life in vibrant color.



"Room on the Broom" by Julia Donaldson - Book and CD
The witch and her cat are happily flying through the sky on a broomstick when the wind picks up and blows away the witch's hat, then her bow, and then her wand!  Luckily, three helpful animals find the missing items, and all they want in return is a ride on the broom.  But is there room on the broom for so many friends?  And when disaster strikes, will they be able to save the witch from a hungry dragon?



"Who is Your Favorite Monster, Mama?" by Barbara Shook Hazen - Book - AS NEW
Being the middle child can be rough. Harry should know: he is the middle child in a family of monsters. He’s not old enough to do the things his older brother, Bruxley, is allowed to do, and he’s too old to make "cute" messes the way his little sister Bronwen does. Harry’s mama loves him "as much as a mountain and as wide as outside," but when Mama is too busy to appreciate what Harry does, Harry explodes. Finally Harry musters the courage to ask the question that every child yearns to ask: which child is Mama’s favorite? Luckily, Harry has a clever mama—she lets Harry discover for himself that he already knows the answer. Sparkling prose, full of language play and alliteration, and expressive, detailed illustrations bring to life a swampy world of silly monsters and lovable characters who resolve a universal childhood issue with humor and heart.



"Little by Little" by Amber Stewart and Layn Marlow - Book - AS NEW
Scramble is a little otter who can't swim. At the beginning of the story, we find him in the middle of writing a list. It's his Can-do and Can't-do List. The Can't-do side just says 'Swimming'. One small word. But not being able to swim is a big deal for Scramble. It means he's teased by some of the riverbank animals. It means he feels left out when everyone else is in the water. And it means he spends hours and hours sitting on his own on the slippery rock wishing and wishing and wishing that he could. But something is going round in Scramble's head. Something his mummy has said. Something his older sister has said. 'You've got to start small' And so, slowly, slowly, Scramble builds his confidence in the water - overcoming each new incremental goal that he sets himself. Until, finally, Scramble really can swim! At the heart of this gentle story about learning a new skill is the message of encouragement - something that is important for toddlers everywhere. 


I will add more items once the donations come pouring in !!!  :):)
All you have to do - is donate - or share this giveaway.


You may share on Facebook, on Twitter, or on your own blog.

Just let me know in the comments below that you have shared and you will receive one entry into the giveaway.
You can donate - to ANY of the children listed below - the choice is YOURS !
You can donate to one child or multiple children.
For each $5 donation to one of the children below, you will receive one entry into the giveaway.  

$10=2 entries
$20=4 entries
$35=7 entries
$50=10 entries
etc etc etc


Easy !!!

PLEASE - leave a comment below letting me know how much you donated and who to.
There are 151  148  149  150 154  152  159  
177 
older children who currently have less than $100 in their grants.
There are several children who are newly listed or have new donations buttons, and so have ZERO :(
Let's change that !!!!
This giveaway will end in on October 31st !!!!!!

Here are the children - they are all absolutely adorable and desperately in need of every penny that can get into their grants !!!


1 - Marjorie - $95.40  $100.40 - I MADE IT !!
2 - Brian - $50.50
3 - Christian - $51.80
4 - Gerard - $75.30
5 - Devon - $55
6 - Ana - $51  $231 !  I MADE IT !!!!
7 - Caesar - $5 $10
8 - Lance - $52.50
9 - Gideon - $10
10 - Joel - $10
11 - Theodore - $0  $36  $46 $57  $72
12 - Milo - $50  $60
13 - Bryan - $10
14 - Maverick - $10
15 - Shane - $5
16 - Brayden $10
17 - Moses - $10  $55
18 - Tyson - $50
19 - Anna - $0  $10  $100 - I MADE IT !!!
20 - Carly - $28
21 - Elliette - $28
22 - Tatumn - $5
23 - Aurora - $50
24 - Channah - $10  $55  $65
25 - Prudence - $54.70
26 - Lauren - $71.60
27 - Aubree - $5  $32  $54.50  $98  $103 - I MADE IT !!!
28 - Carissa - $50
29 - Rhonda - $50
30 - Marty - $50
31 - Daniel - $55.70
32 - Adam - $56
33 - Tanner - $60.60
34 - Dixon - $50.70
35 - Dylan - $51.80 
36 - Collier - $5
37 - Randall - $10
38 - Natalija - $52.50
39 - Kinley - $55
40 - Frankie - $50.40
41 - Tania - $50.20  $55.20
42 - Veronika - $50
43 - Rania - $20
44 - Emilija - $50.60
45 - Kylie - $30
46 - Angelia - $50
47 - Emmalyn - $10
48 - Ilyssa - $50
49 - Andrew - $50.20
50 - George - $65
51 - Eric - $50
52 - Steffie - $53  $103 - I MADE IT !!!
53 - Britta - MFFM !!!
54 - Jenny & Jordan - $68
55 - Octavia - $51.50
56 - Mark - $52
57 - Yelena - $50.30
58 - Avery - $53
59 - Celeste - $58  $118 - I MADE IT !!!
60 - Yuri - $57
61 - Andrey - $51.50
62 - Dash - $45.50
63 - Colin - $30
64 - Jedidiah - $12
65 - Alan - $58
66 - Roger - $32.50
67 - Donald - $50
68 - Corey - $91  $100 - I MADE IT !!!!
69 - Arthur - $50.60
70 - Liam - $10  $15
71 - Leo - $50
72 - Niles - $10
73 - Dmitri - $51
74 - Kramer - $0  $18
75 - Callum - $10
76 - Brian - $20
77 - Cooper - $85  $95  $100 - I MADE IT !!!
78 - Quinn - $10  $34  $45
79 - Nick - $25
80 - Eldon - $10
81 - Sergey - $20
82 - Jude - $28
83 - Caesar - $51.50
84 - Sealey - $50
85 - Evan - $50
86 - Parker - $50  $57
87 - Owen - $55
88 - Arnold - $21
89 - Nathan - $50
90 - Hayden - $10
91 - Peyton - $0  $18  MFFM !!!!!
92 - Greyson - $10
93 - Abram - $10
94 - Jack - $50
95 - Troy - $50.60
96 - Anderson - $50.70
97 - Russ - $52.50
98 - Enoch - $0  $18  $28  $111 - I MADE IT !!!
99 - Cambria - $20
100 - Brittany - $53
101 - Maiya - $25.20
102 - Winnie - $50.80
103 - Jenna - $15
104 - Brenda - $15
105 - Maddie - $15  $42.50
106 - Danielle - $30
107 - Victoria - $20
108 - Olive - $55
109 - Christine - $50
110 - Lexi - $37.50
111 - Linda - $53.50  $76
112 - Noel - $50
113 - Elise - $50.50
114 - Alisha - $50
115 - Evelyn - $35
116 - Lanie - $17
117 - Daisy - $50.50
118 - Judie - $51.50
119 - Leila - $55
120 - Cate - $85  $100 - I MADE IT !!!!
121 - Brandi - $0  $18
122 - Luke - $53
123 - Davin - $25

124 - Kyle - $51.50

125 - Jordan - $53

126 - Alexei - $50

127 - Glenn - $56.70

128 - Kaleb - $53.30

129 - Charles - $70

130 - Fernando - $10

131 - Joey - $50.30

132 - Ahmed - $50

133 - Devon - $52

134 - Andrue - $50

135 - Madden - $55

136 - Fallon - $60

137 - Maksim - $67.50 $100 - I MADE IT !!!

138 - Henry - $28

139 - Donovan - $18  $36  $126 I MADE IT !!!

140 - June - $0  $51.25

141 - Megan - $50

142 - Annie - $20  $51.50  $53..85
143 - Brianna - $0  $7

144 - Hope - $5
145 - Jasmina - $25
146 - Marina - $0  $20
147 - Jennifer - $0  $10  $110 - I MADE IT !!
148 - Ekaterina - $10
149 - Lorraine - $0  $31.50  $103.50 - I MADE IT !!!
150 - Anjelica - $50.20
151 - Layna - $60  $75
152 - Weston - $0  $22.50
153 - Ella - $0  $5
154 - Kevin - $0  $10
155 - James - $0
156 - Henry - $0
157 - Corwin - $0    $5
158 - Ewan - $27
159 - Jessica - $0  $7
160 - Daisy - $0   $7
161 - Jeannette - $0   $5  $104 - I MADE IT !!!
162 - Buddy - $15
163 - Georgia - $25.20
164 - Kent - $0
165 - Paige - $5
166 - Valiant - $0
167 - Galvin - $0
168 - Shayla - $0
169 - Nick - $90
170 - Gillian - $18
171 - Patrick - $0
172 - Zion - $5
173 - Nikolajs - $0
174 - Hylah - $5
175 - Brady - $0
176 - Christian - $0
177 - Alys - $0
178 - Seeley - $0
179 - Braden - $5
180 - Victor - $0
181 - Saul - $5
182 - Geneva - $0
183 - Dixie - $0
184 - Jordan - $5
185 - Crystal - $0
186 - Jill - $0
187 - Dylan - $0
188 - Fritz - $0



 I really wanted to put all of their pictures on this post, but that would have made for a crazy long post !!

Don't forget - remember to comment below if you donate and/or share !!

We CAN get all of these children up to $100 by Halloween !!