Small Things Are Big Things

Have you fallen in love with Henry’s sweet little face like I have??

Yesterday I introduced my vision with our Fedorables and helping families bring their kiddos home.

Now meet our first family.

Henry’s family.

(Written by Gretchen, Henry’s mama)

###

My husband and I are both in our 40’s and have two grown children, Ben who is 26 and Vivienne who is 17 so we considered ourselves past adopting at this point in our lives, we just wanted to serve the Lord in the capacity that He had called us to. We minister to the youth at our church and last year, summer 2010, God put it on our hearts to take a team of young adults to China to serve at Shepherd’s Field Children’s Village, an orphanage for special needs children. Two years prior we had taken a team to England and were amazed to see the transformation in the hearts of those who go on these short term missions trips, not to mention the work that the Lord accomplishes there.

While at Shepherd’s Field we not only fell in love with the children, we fell in love with the entire ministry and its people. Everyone is so selfless and focused on the children’s welfare. Each day a different child won my heart and Charles and I were both amazed at the fact that none were self conscious about their special need. Each are so special that their “special needs” simply fade away.

While spending time with the school aged children we met Henry. He was born with a missing right eye and has limited vision in his left. I was drawn to him each day while doing crafts and playing, constantly amazed at how self-sufficient he was, not to mention how smart and completely funny. We asked about advocating for him financially so that he could have surgery on his left eye so he would not loose his vision completely. By the time we left China our hearts were invested and we started hearing the call to adopt Henry, but the cost and commitment is so tremendous that we could not fathom it being possible.

After we got home, the more we prayed the stronger we felt the Lord was confirming that we bring Henry into our family. Its hard to argue with God…all of our reasons not to adopt seemed so completely selfish and shallow in the light of the reasons to adopt. Its especially hard to argue with God when He has the ability to transform your heart and mind and by the end of the week there are no reasons left. We started looking into adopting in September and have felt the Lord’s hand every step of the way. We are so excited as we walk this path and are amazed as the Lord provides everything we need at just the right time. Henry turned 6 on January 2^nd and we are thrilled that this summer he will have a family….and we will be blessed.

  

I have been eluding to a surprise.

Mentioned adoption.

And China.

A few of you have guessed that we were adopting from China.

Nope. (Though I’m praying about adoption from somewhere right now…)

Here’s what’s really going on…

Each Fedorable purchase is going to help Bring Henry Home.

Who is Henry? (you ask)

Well, let me tell ya…

I have a friend named Sarah… well more of a friend of a friend… (though I’m hoping wiggle my way into her circle as soon as we move back to South County)… who has adopted 3 children from China. My heart tugged a bit at her story and since I’ve learned that a little heart tugging can actually turn into kinda a big thing, I shot her an email about “somehow helping out in some way with some sort of China adoption thing.”

Really, my email was that vague.

Sarah came up with the best ideas and introduced me to Gretchen from A Well Watered Garden.

Gretchen and her family are in the process of adopting a sweet lil’ guy from China, named Henry.

He’s cute…

They need $26,000 total to bring him home. They are almost there.

We are going to help them with the final bit.

And after they get there, we are going to help another family and another family and another and another and another…

Does that excite you as much as it excites me?!!?!?

Right now I’m committing 10% of our profits for Henry (money goes directly to his agency for his adoption). My vision is to have 25% going to families by the end of the year. And next year… well… I wouldn’t want to ruin any surprises… now would I?!!!

Tomorrow I’ll share Gretchen’s story, but today I’ll share some of the ways you can help:

~Buy a Fedorable, of course! (Super Secret Sale going on now for newsletter subscribers!!)

~Donate directly through paypal! $5, $10, $20 or how about $1,000?? (had to ask)

Go to the right hand side of their blog and click the yellow donate button right under the bring Henry Home button. It looks like this: Every little or BIG bit helps!! Come on… do $5 right now. You won’t even miss it and I promise you will get an extra blessing – the knowledge that you were part of something greater today!!

~Check out Gretchen’s shop on her blog and on etsy (more selection on etsy). She is making quilts to raise money.

How awesome is that???

I’ve had my eye on the Olive Oyl one for Tess since I saw it (remember our Halloween costumes?). I’m saving my allowance to get it… so don’t buy it… unless of course you are getting it for me. Then you can totally buy it!!! And this Scrappy Birds one just makes me smile!!

More tomorrow!

Important Side Note:

We are still donating 10% from our profits of the Snowboarder Lids to Surfers Healing! With the same vision of donating 25% by the end of the year!! Each line will go to something different as we grow grow grow!! Thanks for being a part of this with me!

…a Happy Valentines Day!!

 

               

                  

 

        

Thank you to all my little models and their families! Each one of you are so inspiring to me, super encouraging about my biz and you make gorgeous babies!

Votes are in and the name Fedorable is the winner!! (Thanks Stephanie!)

If you sign up for the newsletter you will get first dibs AND a super secret sale going on now.

Like right now!

So sign up here.

Below are two of my favorite pix from the photoshoot. I just snapped them while the boys were chatting Star Wars. To see a bit of the real shoot click here.

 

We got to spend today at Knott’s Berry Farm for their TWOgether is Better celebration. Running from February 1st–28th, Knott’s is offering discounted online admission for only $34.99 each! Season Pass holders can also bring-a-friend for just $24.99 all month long! (Fun side note: Leap Day Special- One day only- February 29, 2012 everyone gets in for $29.00!)

Knott’s has all sorts of Valentine-sy things going on for February, like…

The Peanuts characters are dressed in red and pink V-day ensembles.

Cy loved Snoopy…

“Love is in the Air, Charlie Brown!” is playing at the Camp Snoopy Theatre. My kiddos love the shows there. It’s funny

  

And there is a hugging booth… (fyi if you want a hug like that from me, it’s not free. Not that I charge for a butt squeeze… or that I give them for free… um… never mind.)

You know I had the whole fam-damily coordinating in traditional Valentine’s Day reds.

I can’t even tell you how happy it makes me to see my kiddos matching.

Like all is well with the world.

I’m odd.

But likable. (Thx Aunt Patti B for Tess’s heart onsie!)

 

Of course Knott’s always has rides rides rides!

Up to now, we have been able to camp out in Camp Snoopy (pun intended) but this trip I think Eli might have been ready for some big kiddo rides. Maybe a Guys Night Out with Daddy soon!?!

 

Cy is finally tall enough for the Camp Snoopy rides. He was LOVING it! And yes that is a shaggy, white trash, hipster, faux hawk. Prepping for the fedora photo shoot.

Another fun thing during TWOgether is Better are these chocolate dipped goodies at the Ghost Town Bakery. Warning: you dip and decorate them yourselves and it can (will) get messy… but yummy!!

 

Cy was a gonner by the afternoon and fell asleep with his fedora over his face.

Old man style.

It was awesome!

P.S.

How do you like our new fedoras?????

I’m deciding whether to call them Hipster Lids or Rat Pack Lids.

Thoughts????

P.P.S.

Have you entered our Valentine’s custom card giveaway yet??? Do it now here!!

Happy love month!!

How about we start off the month with a giveaway?

Good, glad you like the idea!

I received an email last week from Orange County local, Regina, about her design business. She specializes in cards and they are AWESOME!! I love they way her business works – you pick the design from her shop and email her a picture and within a day she sends you the digital image for one flat rate and you can have them printed  to your hearts content!

Fun right!?!?

The winner of this giveaway will get their choice of one card from Delicious! designs by regina frank.

Now a bit about Regina…

Delicious! designs by regina frank

I’m passionate about cards…they give me the opportunity to truly express my creativity as a graphic designer. I’ve been working in Orange County for over 20 years as an art director in print, editorial, advertising and freelance design. I’ve designed projects from moist toilet paper wipes (oh boy!), to promotional pieces for Quiksilver and Mikasa Sports. I was the art director at Powder, Bike and Inside Golf magazines for many years and I have a special place in my heart for magazine design. But I always come back to cards. I’ve designed them for my own family and for friends…but now it’s time for me to take them and go for it…reach for the stars. In my newly-launched Etsy shop you’ll find birth announcements and Valentines, with many more occasions to come. It’s actually really difficult to stop myself from filling my shop with hundreds of items. Pace yourself, I tell myself…but it’s hard! Especially as a mom to three AWESOME kids who I’m working hard to grow this business for! 

I love everything about designing these cards! I hope you enjoy them too…

I’m loving these treat bag tags…

AND baby announcements…

How to win:

Leave a comment on this post with anything Valentines Day-ish. Kiddo activities, crafts, valentines. Anything because I need some inspiration. A link would be great!

Extra Entries: (you know you want them)

~Go to Delicious! designs by regina frank and leave a link in the comments section of this post with your favorite card (5 entries)

~Let your friends know about the giveaway in your FB status with a link to this post: http://www.smallthingsarebigthings.com/delicious-designs-by-regina-frank/  (2 entries)

~Like Eli’s Lids on Facebook or let me know you already do (1 entry)

~Follow Eli’s Lids on twitter or let me know you already do (1 entry)

~Subscribe to the Eli’s Lids Newsletter or let me know you already do (5 entries)

For every extra entry, be sure to leave a separate comment on this post! i.e. If you follow Eli’s Lids on Facebook, and Facebook about the giveaway leave 3 separate comments!

***Giveaway ends Tuesday, February 7th, 9pm. Hopefully in time to get a Valentine if that’s what you pick!***