Saturday, September 06, 2008

Welcome to the Saturday Morning Chat Group...

SPECIAL NEWS!
Paula has her third daugher! Little Bella is home with her family. Please go to 'The Baby Journals' to welcome their new family member. She is just darling.

Good Morning Everyone and welcome to the Saturday Morning Chat Group! We're going to be hanging around the house today and then we have our annual family reunion to go tomorrow.

Robin at 'Red Thread Stitches' is auctioning off her services as a seamstress for a year. She will make 12 custom outfits for the winner.

I am going to be holding the Halloween Blog Contest again this year, so you may want to start collecting or creating your Halloween graphics : ) It's going to be a lot o fun. I already have some great judges lined up.

THE CHAT ROOM IS NOW CLOSED...HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE!

PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT FOR CHINA EARTHQUAKE RELIEF. IT IS IN THE TOP 25 AND HOPEFULLY WILL RECEIVE A DONATION FROM AMERICAN EXPRESS.

Submitted by: CM248586 from Oregon
Updated: September 03, 2008
Project ID: YBIBMW

Children’s Recovery Centers for thousands living in refugee camps near the quake’s epicenter. Traumatized children will be offered a safe place for emotional healing – a chance to be children again. In ‘Big Top’ tents there will be preschool programs & afterschool/weekend therapeutic & fun activities for school-age children. Caregivers will be trained by trauma specialists & mental health professionals in nurturing and counseling for the long-term recovery of children suffering pain and loss.

Many children lost parents, family members, teachers and class-mates in the devastation of May 12. Children who experience such a violent, traumatic event need specialist care in their recovery – they may experience on-going fear, problems sleeping, eating, or even feeling any emotions at all. In order to heal, children need support through and beyond the grieving process. Children’s Recovery Centers will provide specialized programs and trained caregivers in a safe place for this purpose.

Thousands of children who survived the quake now suffer from trauma and loss – the impact will not have taken its toll only in the first days of the crisis, but will do so for months, even years. Each Children’s Recovery Center in the temporary camps near the epicenter will support approx. 1,000 children while the re-building of communities takes place. This project will support establishment and operation of 4 Centers serving about 4,000 hurting children for at least 2 yrs. Budget 540K.

I am proud of being part of a team that helps orphaned children in China by providing them with the love of family-like care. We’ve not been involved in disaster relief before this year, but immediately after the earthquake we wanted to jump right in and help -- and we did. I felt so much gratitude for being in a position to help back in May, but now the hype and world-wide attention has died down, we must still help the youngest survivors heal and rebuild their lives.

Concentrating on an art project

2879 people have nominated this project.

More ways to get involved

323 comments:

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Truly Blessed said...

Hello Sheri!

Everyone, I met Sheri and her lovely daughter earlier this week. We spent several hours together at FM Gardens where the girls got wet, had a tea party, had lunch and we moms talked.

It was a great day and I hope to do it again soon!

redmaryjanes said...

Hi there Nikki,
I have been thinking about you Southern ladies. I hope that you all are ok. I will pray for you all tonight.

Nancy said...

I would love to come up for a weekend. I think it would have to be in November though, unless I could talk my hubby into playing single dad for a few days when I have fall break in early Oct.
The weekends until then are just too crazy for one parent to do it all.

HW...MMMMMM!

redmaryjanes said...

Hi there Sheri,
Welcome to the chat! Your blog is so cute.
I did see the photos of the girls all together.

Truly Blessed said...

Good morning, Nikki!

NOT buying things is so hard, but it's such a gamble when you DO buy (even on sale) as you don't know what season the child will need that size in. When I was waiting, I concentrated on buying size 24 mo & up, figuring that our daughter wouldn't wear it soon, but eventually she'd be able to wear it all in the right season.

A Mom- In-W8ing said...

I finally have the vacation pics posted on my blog for anyone that usually reads and has been waiting for weeks for them, lol.

redmaryjanes said...

I'm always up for an evening at Yen Ching with HW and my girlfriends.
HW is going through a bad break-up right now. His fiance had abusive tendancies and he called off the engagement and she's kind of been stalking him.

k1 said...

Nancy, I am still so happy for you that you got the position! Where's Dave? Since this isn't your blog, he should come and say hi to everyone.

Sheri said...

Hi Kelly!
Sarah and I really enjoyed meeting you and the girls. I would love to do it again soon. I drove by the zoo last night -- haven't been there since last year. Maybe we could do that.
I didn't realize that RMJ lives near us, too. Maybe we could all get together.

Nancy said...

He's upstairs on the computer. He doesn't know about our little secret society:)

k1 said...

Being stalked is SO not fun.

Nancy said...

Just for clarification....
It's not that he's not allowed to post, I just don't want to feel as if big brother is watching me.

Where is the yellow rose guy?

redmaryjanes said...

Cool photos Nikki!
I would love to go to that haunted mansion and we went to Ripley's in Florida and had a great time.

redmaryjanes said...

Yeah Karen,
Where's Mav?? He's our token man on the chat, he and Michael.

k1 said...

Nancy, he doesn't get around the blog world much, does he. I didn't think ANYBODY didn't know about Kimberley's chat!

redmaryjanes said...

I would love to meet you ladies at the zoo. Eli LOVES the zoo. You mean the GR zoo right?

Truly Blessed said...

Sheri, not only does RMJ live nearby, she goes to our church!

Also, did you know that Debbie (Pixel Fairy) is moving to our state? We're going to have the family or kids pictures taken by her at the end of Sept. somewhere up north. Can't wait!

Nancy said...

I am happy that HW made the decision now to get out of the relationship. I hope things get better for him soon and that the stalker moves on. How sad!

redmaryjanes said...

Sheri goes to our church?

Sheri said...

I knew Debbie was moving here soon. How cool that she's taking pictures of your family. I'd thought about doing the same thing once she's moved here because we don't have a family picture with Sarah in it yet. She's so talented!

A Mom- In-W8ing said...

For anyone interested in following a journey in China; a local Canadian family is there waiting to get their little cutie tomorrow. Here is the blog addy: http://www.somewhereanna.blogspot.com/

redmaryjanes said...

Yeah, I'm glad for HW too. He's such a nice guy and is always really positive and happy. It was really hard for him, but you cannot marry someone becomes physical when they are angry.

Nancy said...

He sees all my blog favorites listed in our favorite list, but doesn't go to them.
You never know...one day you may have an anonymous post that could be from him!!!

Truly Blessed said...

No, silly, YOU go to our church (I was telling Sheri that). However, she did attend ABC for a while, but didn't like the long drive.

redmaryjanes said...

Debbie is amazing. I am glad she's moving here too. I can't wait to meet her.
So, you are having her come in Sept. to take your photos Kelly?
That is very cool.

Unknown said...

We have a friend (the one selling me crib) that only bought clothes online that were 10 dollars for an outfit or less and that was including shipping.she had lots of mental rules

Sheri said...

Sorry I'm a little slow here, just getting the hang of commenting and refreshing.

We go to church out in Hudsonville.

Yes, John Ball Zoo. I think we'd have to go early enough in the morning so that Kelly could work it into her schedule.

k1 said...

Don't know. Haven't heard from him since his Sci-Fi shows came on last night. Maybe his TV ate him.

I've sent a couple texts but he hasn't answered. Last Sat he got absorbed in his morning Devotion and lost track of time.

Ya gotta love a guy that loves the Lord!

Truly Blessed said...

YES, let's all go to the zoo! And yes, we're talking John Ball.

redmaryjanes said...

Nikki,
I love seeing families meeting their children for the first time, I'll definitely go and see their blog.

Nancy said...

In band, they have switched my son's instrument (two days ago) to a trombone instead of the trumpet he has played for 5 years. Although I find this cool, it also irritates me.
Tonight at the competition he will be completely FAKING it. He has no idea how to play the trombone, nor if they are planning on teaching him.

And I spent $200+ to have his trumpet recondition, cleaned, etc this summer;(

Truly Blessed said...

Debbie is coming to MI the last weekend of September and we're going to do our kids' pictures up near TC on Saturday. I am so excited to have HER take our first professional family pictures with all five kids!

Sheri, you should email her and see if you can do the same that weekend (she was mentioning Sep. 26/27).

redmaryjanes said...

I'm good pretty much anytime with John Ball.
I work during the week though, so it would have to be a weekend.

Sheri said...

Yeah! Could we go to the zoo soon?

redmaryjanes said...

Nancy,
I don't think that is right. If you son plays the trumpet and has for 5 years, it is unfair and a waste of all of his years of practice to switch his instrument now.

Truly Blessed said...

I am bummed that I have to get moving, but Dad and DS#1 just took off for Holland and I really need to pay attention to the other three kids milling about (one is at a sleepover).

W MI girls, let's get together SOON!!!

redmaryjanes said...

I am free this afternoon and next weekend.

Sheri said...

I'll have do check John's schedule for that weekend, but that would be awesome to have her take a family photo!! I may have to look into having her take James' senior pictures next summer. That would be awesome.

Nancy said...

Well ladies, the clock on the wall (and a little Dolphin) is reminding me that I need to get someone to his football game. I hope to get to more of your blogs this week, but only time will tell.

{{HUGS))

k1 said...

Sheri, I am Karen, Kelly's sister. I have to say I love your avatar of all the feet!

Truly Blessed said...

Can everyone do John Ball Zoo next Saturday? Or would Sunday work better?

redmaryjanes said...

Sounds good Kelly, have a great day...see you tomorrow : )

Unknown said...

we bought just a few outfits after LID but not much. I visit the consignment stores every now and then but I cant wait to buy a brand new christmas dress for yer!

redmaryjanes said...

Have a great weekend Nancy!

k1 said...

Bye Kel. Hugs to the kids

Sheri said...

Let's look at our calendars for next weekend and see if that would work and get in touch later. I've got to run as well. We got two new kittens last night, and Sarah needs a little supervision around them. It's been nice chatting with you all. I'll have to jump on sooner next weekend.

Truly Blessed said...

Sheri,

Karen is my sister that graduated from GVSU in the criminal justice program (Karen, we talked about you on Tuesday). Karen also came along with us to China for both of our adoption trips.

redmaryjanes said...

Amy,

You could be matched at any time now, I think you could do a little shopping.
I love consignment stores too.

k1 said...

Bye Nancy. Hope his team plays well

redmaryjanes said...

Have a great weekend Sheri!

Truly Blessed said...

Kimberley,

The girls and I are free today, if you want to do something...the zoo, FM Gardens, Fallsburg Park...

Just a thought.

Sheri said...

Hi Karen:

Thanks for the comment on the kids feet! I love pictures of kids' feet and hands.

Kelly was telling me a little about you this week. My oldest is thinking of the same profession as you are in. We may have to talk more later because I have to run.

redmaryjanes said...

Hey, that sounds good. I'll e-mail you my phone number.

k1 said...

Bye Sheri.

I love consignment/2nd hand stores!!! I rarely buy elsewhere!

redmaryjanes said...

I don't know where Fallsburg Park is. I can do FM Gardens, I haven't been there in ages.

What is Fallsburg Park like?

Unknown said...

I have 2 guesses about a referral which is sooo odd to even think about. Either right after Christmas or in June! But I also like a good surprise

k1 said...

Amy, just realized I hadn't said hi yet. Hi!

redmaryjanes said...

There is a woman who keeps telling me I will see Sophia's face this month, September. She's been telling me that for about 6 months now. I don't know why she thinks this. But I would love to see my girl this month.

Truly Blessed said...

Fallsburg Park is north of Lowell, there is a covered bridge there -- it's beautiful.

We'd love to do FM gardens again. My girls love the Great Lakes water feature and the treehouse in the children's garden.

If you're not busy, we'd love to meet you there!

A Mom- In-W8ing said...

Well I better scoot my hubby will soon be home and I am still lounging in my pj's and drinking my tea. We need to go get some snacks and a movie for tonight. I start Weight Watchers next week so I am going to enjoy some "bad" munchies tonight, lol.
Chat with ya's next week. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Smiles! :o)
Nikki

redmaryjanes said...

Hmmm...Lowell is probably quite a bit closer to us. I could probably find a map on mapquest.

FM gardens sounds great too though. What do you think?

redmaryjanes said...

Have fun Nikki!
I'm still in my pajamas too : )

k1 said...

Mav just replied to my last text... he was still sleeping.

redmaryjanes said...

Tell him good morning from us : )

k1 said...

Ha! I'm still in BED!

redmaryjanes said...

You are the Queen K1!

k1 said...

But, despite the time stamp on the comments saying it is 11am, it is only 8am here.

Truly Blessed said...

Oh, Fallsburg is easy to find. Fulton to Lincoln Lake, north to Fallsburg, right on Fallsburg. It's a huge, beautiful park with play equipment, the Flat river running through it and lots of areas to run.

FM Gardens has more structured things to do, but either would be fun on a sunny day like today.

BTW, because I'm ignoring my children, I just found out that Ella had dumped a huge bag of rubber bands all over the floor (thanks to J who had the bag o' bands out and was making a rubber band ball). Guess I'd better clean them up now.

Oh, and Katie dressed herself in long jeans and a long sleeved BLACK turtleneck. Not such a great choice for the weather, but looks cute on her!

Kimberley, if you want to do something, email or call...

Truly Blessed said...

I'm really leaving now. Bye all!

redmaryjanes said...

I did e-mail you. Let's go to Fallsburg park. I'll figure out how to get there. Then we can sit and talk about our church stuff or whatever. I'll bring some snacks and we can stay as long as we want to. Eli will be so excited!
What time?

Unknown said...

I wish all of you lived closer! YOu guys are so much fun. If you are on facebook or twitter let me know! I would love to get to know you guys better!

k1 said...

bye k3

k1 said...

Amy, I know Kelly and I are on Facebook

Unknown said...

come find me, amy christopher

Unknown said...

so for those of you who have decided what types of nurseries do you have or will you be doing?

Anonymous said...

Back at the Blog Fairy. Installing a panda blog
It will go here:
http://runningdowndreams.blogspot.com/

A new bethany blogger.

K1, The cat blog is yours if you want it. Email me and I will install it for you. NO charge. Just fun.

Hi everyone else. Not able to keep up with you all!! Distracted.

Anonymous said...

Oh, and here's another one to welcome to blog land

http://my3ducksinarow.blogspot.com/

redmaryjanes said...

I'll check them out Verna.!

Anonymous said...

A true addict. I'm on this computer for the chat and the laptop for the blogs. Yep, that is very very sad. Can I get an intervention!!??

Yeah all this from an out of business blog designer!! Lots of fun and lots of freebies!!

Unknown said...

Verna,

How are you and the family doing?

redmaryjanes said...

Girl, you aren't out of business. I have to get some new Halloween stuff together.
What size is Noah wearing now?

k1 said...

Thanks, Verna.

Anonymous said...

Amy, We are doing OK, hard week here. Work has been stressful and Keith's boss died suddenly. Noah is not liking daycare.

RMJ-I'm putting N into 4's pants. They are a bit big but room to grow. Shirts I use 5s. Sizing is a crazy thing. He is on the edge again so some 3s fit just right.

Kayce said...

Hi everyone!

Hope you are all enjoying your mornings.

Kayce

redmaryjanes said...

Ladies,
I did not realize that Paula has little Bella home!

redmaryjanes said...

Good Morning Kayce how are you girl?

redmaryjanes said...

Verna,
I'll send you Eli's clothes from last winter. They should fit Noah perfectly.

k1 said...

Amy, there are several Amy Christophers!!

Unknown said...

Verna,
Will be praying for you@


RMJ, can I steal the Pray for China pic for my Monday Meditation

Kayce said...

Hi Kimberly...
I'm good! It's beautiful here in the Bay area today so that makes for happy people here! ;) How are you and the family??

redmaryjanes said...

Amy,

You are welcome to take the Pray for China graphic, I think it's darling and perfect for your blog.

k1 said...

Is Michael in the photo with you in a 17 jersey?

redmaryjanes said...

We are doing really well Kayce. The boys seemed to take going back to school in stride and Eli is his normal wild self.
It's cool here today, the high will only be in the low 70's. I think we're heading to the park, but I'm not sure yet. What are you guys doing today?

Truly Blessed said...

Karen,

I just checked your blog -- April & Patrick have CA? FANTASTIC!! When are they traveling?

Kimberley,

I didn't get your email -- checked both of my email addys. Anytime is fine. We should pack lunches. Did we settle on Fallasburg Park?

redmaryjanes said...

Kelly,
I just e-mailed you again. I'm going to hit the shower at noon when the chat closes. Eli is really excited to go.
Do the girls have a naptime? Anytime works for us too.

Unknown said...

If that question for me than yes, Michael is in the pic with me with a jersey on

Kayce said...

Glad the boys are enjoying school, we are as well even with the major schedule change 3 weeks into classes.

We are laying sod today in our front yard. Not something I'm completely looking forward to, but it will be beautiful when it's done. Hopefully we've got enough wire and netting down to keep the gophers out this time.

A day in the park sounds perfect and I'll be lucky if we hit 72 today, but for us that's warm. LOL!

k1 said...

Kel, they leave Oct 3!

redmaryjanes said...

Many of our neighbors have layed down sod in our neighborhood and it really nice once it gets settled.

We have a mole on the side of the house and he's making a mess of things.

redmaryjanes said...

Kelly,

I'm e-mailing the comcast e-mail.

k1 said...

Amy, sent an invite

a Tonggu Momma said...

Did I FINALLY find my way to the chat? I realize it's almost over, but I've always wanted to do this. I have Mandarin on Saturday mornings, but it was canceled due to the storm this week.

Kayce said...

Well this is our second time with the grass in the front yard. The dang gopher got in between the netting and wire last time and destroyed everything. this time we are taking NO chances. As for my roses....they're all going in pots from now on.

Unknown said...

sweet!

Welcome to the chat.

k1 said...

Wlecome Tonggu Momma. It is always exciting to welcome a first timer

a Tonggu Momma said...

Thank so much, y'all. So... what do you guys usually chat about? :)

Unknown said...

anything and everything..Weather, adoption, baby names. blah blah blah

redmaryjanes said...

Hey there tonggu momma!

k1 said...

I had hoped that April and Patrick would be traveling the same time Ruth, Brian, Alyson, and Ford were, but they won't be.

At least they FINALLY got the CA. It is for Oct 14. They come home on the 16th

Truly Blessed said...

October 3 -- fantastic. They'll have Eliana home a while before her 2nd birthday!

Kimberley, I'll call you.

Hi to all who are here, and goodbye to all as well.

Until next week...

TB (Kelly)

redmaryjanes said...

Kayce,
I hope you get some gopher relief~
He's getting expensive.

k1 said...

Sis,let me know if J really does get married. Will be praying.

redmaryjanes said...

Love your cancer post tonggu momma. My aunt is a survivor and my grandmother is battle lunch cancer right now.

a Tonggu Momma said...

I'm sorry I only caught the tail end, but I thank y'all for welcoming me. I know everyone is signing off now. Goodbye and I'll try to stop in when I can in the coming weeks. Stay dry, y'all!

a Tonggu Momma said...

Oh, thanks so much. I'm sorry to hear about your aunt and grandmother, but glad to hear that your aunt is a survivor. My momma survived breast cancer and my sister (34!!!) is a skin cancer survivor.

k1 said...

I'm going to have to get going here. It was a pleasure, as usual, to chat with you all.

Have a great weekend, and week.

I get to go to a baby shower for Ruth tomorrow. And, I get to meet blogger Jody (Mommy2Gabby) this weekend too.

Kayce said...

Thanks!

I've got to get going...Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. It was nice to say hi to everyone!

redmaryjanes said...

Have a great weekend everyone!

Unknown said...

I gotta get going as well.

Just remember, all of you rock!

redmaryjanes said...

Bye Amy!

redmaryjanes said...

Are you still there tonggu momma?

redmaryjanes said...

Ok, I am closing down the chat room. Everyone have a wonderful weekend : )

Anonymous said...

Well, Saturday morning chat is WAY over and no one may ever even SEE this comment, but, I just had to stop back in and read what all I had missed after having to depart way too soon...

I want to thank "Truly Blessed" and "K1" for all the tutoring in abbreviations! Now if I can REMEMBER them!

THANKS!!!

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