Friday, April 04, 2008

Welcome to the Saturday Morning Chat Group...


Welcome to the Saturday Morning Chat Group! I am going to be driving to Kansas City and will miss the chat, but there is some important information that I wanted to roll out about the latest project.
If you go to the Chinese Starfish Blog, you can see that there are several babies who need surgeries in the very near future. One thing that I found really surprising is that Amanda has just recently been contacted by some larger orphanages and asked for help with fundraising for some of their babies.
The amount of money that needs to be raised seems so large, but when I thought about it, if we break it up into smaller amounts and have numerous blogs working to raise the funds, I think it can be done. I would like to encourage each of you to choose a baby from the Starfish Blog that you would like to sponsor during this fundraiser.
Verna is making fabulous links like the one above for each of the babies. The link will take people directly to the Starfish donation link. If each baby can have 5-8 sponsors, I would think that the money could be raised for their surgeries. Each blog that participates, touches that many more people. After everyone signs on, we will be able to calculate how much money each blog would need to raise in order to hit the totals needed.

Verna is donating all of her profits from her blog designs this month to the Starfish Surgeries. So, if you need a new blog look, please contact her.

I am going to meet with the Pastor of my church to see if they are willing to make a donation.
Please feel free to spread the word. We will distribute photo links to anyone who wants one.
April has raised a significant amount of the money that Breanna needs for her upcoming surgery, so she doesn't need as many sponsors as the other babes do.

Also, Amanda is fully aware of what we are doing, so leave her a comment and let her know how many people support her efforts and love the children she cares for.

Also, please keep Crystal and Savannah in your prayers. They are still in Africa.

112 comments:

Paula said...

Hi Kimberly,
I will sponsor Breanna on my blog.
Thanks to you anv Verna for organizing it.
Paula

Kim said...

Have a Great Trip..
Hope all goes well..
Sorry you are going to miss Saturday Morning..
I will finally get to talk for awhile..
Hugs..

Patricia said...

WONDERFUL idea!! Sign me up for the last baby girl on the post (there was no mention of her name - she's number 3 with Spina Bifida)...my only concern is that my site is password protected, so I don't "reach the masses", but every little bit helps, right?
BLESS YOU & Verna & Amanda!

Patricia/NYC

Middle-Aged Moi said...

RMJ,

Could you tell me why your friends are still in Africa? I'm curious, of course, because I want to know what we are possibly facing. Could you e-mail me at:

tuiningas@cruzinternet.com

Thanks!

Truly Blessed said...

Good morning Paula, Kim, Patricia, and Janet -- how's everyone doing today?

Unknown said...

Good morning friends

Unknown said...

mob,
you are everywhere.do you have a blog or is it private?

Truly Blessed said...

Hey Amy, you ready for that cruise yet?

I can't wait FOR you! It's already been six weeks that we've been home from ours...

Unknown said...

23 days to go. YOu would think it was my first!! Haha,Im on disboards daily

Unknown said...

Sure is quiet in here!!!

Nancy said...

Hello All. Just sitting here waiting for the gym to open so I can get it over with.

Truly Blessed said...

Good morning, Nancy!

Amy, the people on our cruise started the disboard thing more than a year prior to sailing. They were freaks about it!

Nancy, I applaud you on sticking it out at the gym. You are SO good!

Truly Blessed said...

Amy, are you doing Western or Eastern?

What have you done before?

I think we're going to wait for the new ships to be done before we do another DC.

Nancy said...

Good? Not sure if I would say that. Just know that if I stop for a couple days I will never go back.
It's time to update the monthly totals. I did it on paper the other night, but haven't gotten it on the blog yet.

Nancy said...

The last time we went to Disney World, all the bus drivers spoke of a new theme park they were working on that was going to be all about the Disney Villians. That has been 3 or 4 years and I have never heard anything else.
Any of you heard of this?

Unknown said...

dISBOARDS ROCK! We are doing the eastern this time, we have done both twice

Good morning everyone!

Truly Blessed said...

I hadn't heard about the Disney villian thing -- interesting.

However, I did see a thing on TV last night about a new ride at Animal Kingdom -- Mt. Everest I believe.

Looks pretty cool.

Truly Blessed said...

Amy,

I got a huge kick out of the people who hang out on the disboards. Very interesting group of people!

I did meet someone from that board -- she introduced herself as we were getting on the ship.

Unknown said...

I have not heard about that but its been a while since they have really built anything new

~verna said...

Good Morning Ladies,
Just checking in. We're just getting rolling here.

Janet, you can check here:
http://johnsonangels.blogspot.com/
to get all the details on Crystals adoption story. I think they will be at the consulate on Tues.

~verna said...

Just a sidenote, if any of you entered my give away and didn't include an email, can you email me at
blogfairytemplates at gmail dot com
so that I can email the winner info.
Thanks.

Truly Blessed said...

I keep popping in and out of here (doing laundry for six people keeps me pretty busy!).

I'm also trying to supervise one of the boys and Katie in the hot tub.

Unknown said...

Good morning Verna!!! Will be talking to you soon about a new blog design.. Michael and I have loved ours!

~verna said...

So what's everyone doing today? I think we HAVE to go grocery shopping. How's that for exciting?!

Unknown said...

I need to go grocery shopping but I am working again tonight so it will have to weight until after weigh in on Monday

~verna said...

Amy, I look forward to doing your blog. I'm glad to get going again.

Unknown said...

BTW< Im jealous..I want a hot tub

Truly Blessed said...

Good morning, Verna. How's that sweet Noah doing?

No big plans here. My hubby is at work trying to get ahead so we can leave for China as soon as we are told we can go. He's up to his ears in work, AND they're moving to another facility in June, so he has to be ready for that, too.

The kids and I don't have many plans -- how about you?

~Amy~ said...

Goooood Morning ladies!! It finally reaching about 60* today so we are heading out for the day!! I hope you all have a great Saturday!!

Truly Blessed said...

Amy,

We bought our first hot tub 13 years ago -- it finally gave out, so we replaced it at Christmas time.

Love sitting in it with the family (or just my DH) and talking. it's been a great thing to have.

Unknown said...

sounds very relaxing!

redmaryjanes said...

Hey ladies! I'm in KC!

Truly Blessed said...

Good morning ~Amy~ -- you sound like you might be in Michigan...

That's where we are, and we're supposed to get up to 60* today -- yee ha!

Unknown said...

hello to the other Amy

Truly Blessed said...

Kimberley, thanks for showing up to your own party!

How are things in KC?

~Amy~ said...

Yup I'm in MI!! and SOOOO ready for summer! :)

redmaryjanes said...

Kelly,
I finished the book you gave me about Jaclyn and Xia Mei Mei. I cried through most of it.

~Amy~ said...

HI other Amy! ;)

~Amy~ said...

I reading that book too RMJ!! I'm loving it!

Truly Blessed said...

Kimberley, don't worry, I'll take care of Michigan -- since we seem to be the only people in the state that are not gone for Spring Break!!

Have you read 'the Waiting Child' yet? ~Amy~ is reading it now (and she's also got 'China Ghosts' on her to-read list (I peeked at her blog).

redmaryjanes said...

We just got here about 30 minutes, so I won't be on for too long. We drove all night.
Has everyone signed up for one of Amanda's baby's?

~verna said...

A hot tub sounds wonderful. Are they much maintenance?

I think we will make the mid 50s today. So the kids will be outside to play! Yeah!!

Erin has a softball game. Keith was hoping to go to that.

Right now Noah is watching Little Bill

Unknown said...

HI new people. Hope you all have had a rocking week!

Truly Blessed said...

I told you you'd sob through the entire thing. You should hear the author speak in person. Incredible.

~Amy~ you're in college, but not for long, right? Where do you go?

Unknown said...

Ok, explain the signing up thing please

~verna said...

mob-are you still here? So glad you are sponsoring Breanna.

All the starfish kids are so cute. I hope we can raise lots of money for them.

I think we will be linking directly to the Starfish donation site but we're still checking on it.

Truly Blessed said...

Verna, hot tubs are virtually no maintenance. My DH puts some chemicals in once a week. We change the water in the spring and fall. It's really, really simple!

Truly Blessed said...

mob, Kim, Patricia & Janet left their posts last night. I don't think they've been here this morning.

~Amy~ said...

I go to CMU!! Go Chips! haha and yes only 4 weeks left...I can't even believe it!

~Amy~ said...

Hopefullly I can finally start planning my wedding! I hardly have a tend in my planning so far!

~verna said...

OK, I didn't catch their post times. Didn't even think about it.

Truly Blessed said...

Amy, I think what Kimberley has in mind is that five or six bloggers choose one particular child and try to raise money for that child's surgery through their blog readership.

So when you "sign up" for a child, you'll get one of those really cool graphics with that child's picture and information on it for your blog side bar. People can click to contribute through your blog.

By the way, April at "road to SiJi" has had Breanna on her sidebar for quite a while and has raised several hundred dollars for her surgery.

Kim said...

Good Morning ladies...
I am trying to catch up..

Truly Blessed said...

CMU, huh? We were at Albion and Univ. of Michigan yesterday with my oldest son. Talk about a 180* in colleges! Unbelievable, the differences in those two schools alone!

Glad you're almost done with school, and a wedding to plan as well. You'll be busy this spring!

~Amy~ said...

Oh yes I will!

Can I get invited to your blog Truly Blessed??

Kim said...

Sounds like you ladies have been busy this morning..
Does anyone have any BIG plans this weekend..??

Truly Blessed said...

Amy, sure, I'll send you an invite now.

Truly Blessed said...

Hey Kim, how are you this morning? Don't have to work today?

Truly Blessed said...

How funny is it that Kimberley drove all night and only got to KC 1/2 an hour ago, but still logged into the Sat. AM Chat. She might be addicted, you think we need to plan some sort of intervention...? :^)

Unknown said...

are there any left to choose from? I would to do that!

Kim said...

NO WORK!!!!
YEAH!!!!
I took Fri,Sat,Sun,Mon, off.. we had a charity ride yesterday..
and today we are going to the lake..
Just up waiting on everyone else to getup... it is still early here..
actuall 6:30 ~ told them they could sleep till 7

Kim said...

Just a little FYI if anyone is interested.. Ladyfrog is doing a sock swap , if you don't have her blog I will send it to you if anyone is interested...

Truly Blessed said...

Amy,

I think the goal is 5-6 bloggers per child, but the more, the better, I'd think. It would be that many more people trying to raise money, and that might get the money raised more quickly!

BTW, Verna is designing the cool photo graphics -- isn't she amazing?

~Amy~ said...

Thanks for the invite Truly Blessed...I'm adding you to my sidebar! ;)

Well ladies, have a great day...we are headed to the mall for a few hours!

Unknown said...

Ok, so where do I go to sign up? Im in!

redmaryjanes said...

Verna,
I just received an e-mail from Amanda stating that the page you showed to me is the correct place to link to.

redmaryjanes said...

Amy,
Just let us know which baby on the Starfish site you would like to sponsor and when Verna has the links completed, we will get the correct one out to you.

Kim said...

http://laydfrog.blogspot.com/
Here is LayDfrog's blog..
Anyone can sign up.. even if you already have your little girl..
Good Morning Kimberley..

Truly Blessed said...

A sock swap is a fun idea. You don't know how hard little girls' socks are to find that aren't pink, lavender, white, cream or pale yellow!

Kim said...

Or little boy... SORRY.SORRY
Is it still cold everywhere..

redmaryjanes said...

Ok, have a wonderful morning ladies. I'm going to have a cup of coffee with my Aunt. Please sponsor a baby!!

Unknown said...

are they the babies on the blog or the other site?

Whats everyone gotten planned this weekend?

Kim said...

Well I am going to have to get off here..
We are packing up so we can head to the lake..
Hope I don't get a little red like yesterday on our FUN, FUN, ride..
Stop back later on my blog.. I will be posting..
Have a Great Weekend..
HUGS

Somewhere In The Sun said...

Good morning everyone! I'm in for sponsoring. Can I get the info on the last little one mentioned who was just abandoned by her family? That's the one that "jumped out at me".

Carol said...

Kim sign me up for Emily!!! Yeah I'm a sucker for that name!! Do I need to send that to you in an email?

Carol said...

AMY!!!!!!!!!!!!

I so want to do that cruise one day!!

You will have to tell me all about it!!!!!

Carol said...

so sorry if I haven't been to your blogs of late...........

I can't shake this cold!!!!!!!!!!!

Truly Blessed said...

Good morning Carol and Lynn!

So glad you two have found "your baby" in the Starfish roster. Won't it be wonderful to see them after their surgeries are complete -- and they have families of their own?

Unknown said...

Hey there Carol..Ok I am going to look at the babies again, which ones do I look at? the ones on the blog?

Carol said...

Yes!

I saw Ericka in the dress I sent and that thrilled me!! Can you imagine me finding out I helped with Emily's surgery!!!!

Carol said...

yes Amy at the Starfish blog.....

Somewhere In The Sun said...

It's such an honor to be able to help! Especially after someone sponsored my Olivia's surgery!

Somewhere In The Sun said...

It's also really neat how you just know which one God has put on your heart.

Kelley said...

Good morning!! I won't be here too long...have errands to run to get Chloe all ready for her new daycare situation next week. We've had quite a few days here! Hope all of you are doing well today...

Carol said...

Oh yes, we found our Emily a year after her open heart surgery, that is very expensive. Wish we had known about her then...at least we could have helped.....but now we can share with others....

Unknown said...

Id love to sign up for one of the spina bifida babies since thats the type of patient I take care of..

Rock on!


We are having delurking day at the adoption blog and an interactive day over at www.amychristopher.blogspot.com

Go brag about your loved one!

Carol said...

Hey Amy can you put my friend Maddie on your blog for Monday? She just had a big surgery and poor little thing has had a rough time of it.....she is my friend Jane's daughter, from my blog favorites if you want to read about her.................

OH MY #6 said...

Morning all.

Hope you have a fantastic weekend. Its pretty spring like here in Toronto today!

Lea

Unknown said...

I just love to learn about your emily

Truly Blessed said...

Good morning, Kelley!

What did you decide about the daycare situation?

Kelley said...

Hi Kelly!

I spent much of the morning yesterday calling different places that were highly recommended to me...it's a good thing that my little students don't mind having extra center time. Yikes! The only opening I could find was our first choice...my church daycare. The director was kind enough to give me a detailed tour and sign us up. So, I'll be taking Monday and Tuesday off to stay home with Chloe, and then she starts on Wednesday--which was the soonest that they'd take her. This has been really stressful, but I think it's going to work out just beautifully. The church daycare seemed really well-organized and staffed with loving people...

Those Starfish babies are beautiful...I was just on that blog. It makes me want to adopt every one of them...

Unknown said...

Carol, Id be happy to!

Carol said...

hey ladies, I do daycare so if you ever want to know some things to look for in an interview ask away..........

One thing I hear people say is that the places are messy....well dirt is bad, but paint, crayons, and glue mean we've had fun so if your child is a mess of paint and glue she/he had fun that day.....

Kelley said...

I didn't know you did daycare, Carol...

s/s/';;

Chloe says "Hi!"

Carol said...

Yep..9 years....and going strong..

Ok one hint ladies...if you don't see a rocking chair...run!!!

I rock my babies :)

Unknown said...

Carol
You are a ton of info

Ladies,

I have to go to bed. worked last night and I work again tonight.

MIchael may stop in and say hello in a bit.. Be nice to him ladies!
hehe

Truly Blessed said...

Well, I'd better get busy doing something productive. I want to have enough time to go for a long bike ride when it warms up later today.

Everyone have a wonderful weekend, and don't be surprised if I pop back in again a little bit later!

Carol said...

yeah I must go too....Emily is running around naked......I'm hoping this means she is ready to use the potty!!! :)

Unknown said...

Ladies, I love talking to each one of you..See you guys in bloggyworld this week and see you next week!

Unknown said...

Dont forget to stop by my personal blog
www.amychristopher.blogspot.com

Its brag about your loved ones day!


bye

Kelley said...

That's it for me, too...have to run errands! I hope to chat more next week, and I hope that everyone has a great day!!

~verna said...

Well Ladies, I'm going to bug out.Got a few Domestic things to do here. So will have to resist the temptation to be on the net all day!

Will be getting the links for the babies ready later today or tomorrow. Hope to have them out by Monday. I have the graphics ready.

Will be picking a winner for my give away in a few hours. Leave a comment if you want to be included.
blogfairytemplates.blogspot.com

After that I will take orders to support Starfish.

My shower is calling. Gotta go!!!!

Nancy said...

Yeah, Look at you all. I finally return to the party after the gym and a shower and you all bug out!!!

Nancy said...

Guess I'll update my blog!

Kim said...

Hey everyone! I am new to the blog chat thing and looks like I came in a little late but I have a question...what are some good questions to ask daycare providers at the end of the day? I am usually so tired and ready to get home that I barely do more than ask "So how was the day" and hear "Good" and then run out the door...I'd like to know more about my kids day than that...but they usually only give one word answers.

It's a cold day in Grand Forks...in the 30s...nothing much going on except laundry here.

Obama, Oprah and Hilary were in town last night...all the hotels for 40 miles were all booked up. I work right beside the Alerus center so I saw the crowd forming as I was heading home...not into politics or the Dem party much so I didn't give it much thought but the town has been buzzing with excitment over all the money they are going to dump into the city with their visit... My son attends a really low budget high school (they don't even have computer classes)Wish they would dump some of that money into the schools... the ones that don't have super sports going for them

Nancy said...

Kim, I always asked about what they ate and how they slept to start off with. That would give me a heads up on what I could expect at home. If they hardly ate anything I knew I had to give them a snack when they got home as I got dinner ready. I also knew if they didn't get much of a nap it was going to be very hard to hold off "the witching hour".
I would then ask my child on the way home how their day was. By doing this in the car, if an issue came up, I was able to call and get further information if need be on a situation without having to wait for the next day when someone forgot about it.

Mav said...

Good morning Lady's

Kim N Jeff said...

haven't been at the chats lately just wanted to drop in and say hi and hope that you all have a great weekend!

k1 said...

Sorry I missed you all. Actually slept in this weekend.

See you all next Saturday maybe. Have a great week!

Anonymous said...

Hi Kimberley

You have been tagged!
Do stop by and visit me, www.roguequeen.wordpress.com

Kim said...

Just wanted to say "Hello",
Been thinking about you..
Hope all is okay..
HUGS

Yudith Valles de Perez said...

Se le ha otorgado el Premio Dardo 2008 The Seventh Diamond. Felicitaciones!