Fundraiser Success!

Our fundraiser was a success! Despite the snowstorm and bad roads, we raised around $1100! A lot of people didn't come because of the weather, but some of them donated to our FSP, and two people handed me money at church the following Sunday. I am blown away by the support we have received. It kinda feels like a kick in the stomach, but in a GOOD way. What would that be? Hmm...I'll think on that. It just amazes me how many people came – jumped – forward with auction donations, monetary donations, and verbal support. People I haven't heard from in years have contacted me to say what a wonderful thing we are doing and how blessed Littlekid will be! And it gives me a great opportunity to share about Reece's Rainbow and the fate of the children left behind. During our fundraiser, I gave a mini-speech before the concert. I hadn't really planned it out beforehand, and it probably would have been more coherent if I had. But I ended up crying while talking about the treatment of the kids in EE who have disabilities. About the institutions. I was MORTIFIED because I do. not. cry. especially in public, but I think it went over really well.

One of the best parts of the night was meeting two other kids from Littlekid's country! One little boy and his mommy live about a mile from us, and he came home at the beginning of the summer. And I got to meet a little girl who came home from Littlekid's orphanage a month ago. I was so happy to meet these kids and their mommies! I read their blogs and “knew” them online, but that's just not the same. My aunt said it makes it more “real”, and it really does. It's not just, someone Out There adopted. It's, Hey look at these cute kids, and I'm getting one soon too! And then it's, oh my goodness, I'm getting one of these soon! And I can't wait to hold him and love him, and fatten him up! Right now he's smaller than Brennan. Good news is, he'll be well-clothed with Brennan's outgrown clothes!

Speaking of Brennan, today he finally stood up all by himself! He started walking when he was 11 months old, but he couldn't get to a stand by himself, he had to pull up on something. This past week I have been working with him to get him to stand up on his own. He started bending over to the floor a few weeks ago, so I knew he was ready. I started by bracing his legs while he stood up, then his ankles. Then we moved to holding hands, and I would put my hands down on the floor and kind of boost him with his hands. Then finally today he did it all on his own, without falling over! He was just. so. cute. while we were teaching him. When he stood up, we'd clap and cheer, which B loves. So then he'd bend over and stand up again, and make us clap some more! What a ham. Also, Brennan LOVES running around Target. He takes off running and giggling and often throws his arms in the air. He'll start following any stranger who smiles at him! Today I brought cheerios with me and bribed him into following me. It kept him happy for about ten minutes. :)

Ken is playing a Wii Fit game that involves sitting still for several minutes. Seriously. I'm not even going to attempt that game!