The Book

He did it.  Michael Ririe got all the funds necessary to get his book published!  The Now I Can photographic documentary book will be published!!!  I can't tell you how excited I am for this. 

#1 -- I love when people reach their goals.
#2 -- I love when people I like/love/admire/etc reach their goals.
#3 -- Samantha's in it.  And, well, that's just cool.
#4 -- And something I wrote is in there too...so that's kind of fun for me too.

The goal was $12,000.  He needs $16,000 to cover all expenses.  You all have put in $12,970...and the nunmbers keep increasing.  I can't believe it.  Awesome! 

So, thank you all who pitched in, or who passed along an email, or posted it on facebook.  I'm so excited to see the finished project and will most likely be seeing it in March when Sammy commences her 2nd session of therapy there.

Happy New Year, indeed.

The Night Before Christmas

Happy Christmas to all...and to all a good night.

With love,

The Green Family

To the Sun

I love the moments when you are filled with so much love for your kids that you are almost knocked over.  You know that feeling?  Today, I was in the car with Callie, and we were just talking.  And it hit me.  I'm so in love with this girl.  I love her so much.  I felt like I was going to burst.  And, so I said...
Mommy:  Callie, I just love you so much.  Really.  Do you know how much I love you?
Callie: To the moon.
Mommy:  Oh Callie, I love you even more than that.
Callie:  To the sun?
Mommy:  (big smile)  Exactly.  All the way to sun...and even more.  I love you kid. 

I look back and she's looking out the window, smiling. 

Now that's a moment.

Callie while we were picking out our Christmas tree.

Candace Party!

I have to admit, I love Phineas and Ferb.  It's funny.  And occassionally, songs get stuck in my head.  I saw this episode months ago, and this song has been stuck in my head ever since...and today, I saw it again.  I guess I'll be singing this one to myself for another 3 months or so.

Thanksgiving 2011

Pass it Along

Almost four years ago, Callie came to our family.  Her adoption story is one of the best experiences of my life, and holding her for the first time is among the happiest days of my life.  While we were "waiting" for her, we created a pass along card of sorts.  We placed those in Christmas cards, and it was through that card that a friend thought of us for a birthmother and her baby.  Living states apart, we were connected through one. little. pass along card. 

As many of you know, we are going through the adoption process again. We have been encouraged by LDS Family Services (our adoption agency) to seek out our child.  In an attempt to do so, we created our family pass along cards with our picture and information about our family on the back of our cards.

If you would like to be a part of this process with us, we encourage you to take a pass along card (or more) and keep it in your wallet or purse. If ever you feel prompted by the Spirit, pass our card along.  It may not be a birthmother who you talk to, but maybe it's a friend of a friend and you feel that little prompting to pass our information along.  I don't know.  All I do know is that Heavenly Father, as intimately involved as He is, requires that we do our part as well.  This is a small way for us to do our part -- or, have you all help in our part. 

I equate it to when I was a missionary.   I knew there were people ready to hear the gospel.  I knew that the Lord was aware of those people and we would find them.  I also knew that at times, there seemed to be n o t h i n g  for us to do.  So, we'd knock on doors in between appointments.  We'd talk to the people on the street.  We'd do whatever we could try to get the word out that we were here to teach...to show the Lord that it was important to us and we were willing to work...and we'd work until we found that 1 person who was ready for us.

Here we are.  Willing to work.  We are trying to get the word out that we are here to love and raise a little boy or girl in our family ~ the little girl or boy that He has for us.  And, we are passing along cards.  Truly Heavenly Father was involved in Callie coming to our home, and we know He is involved currently as we seek out the child He has designated for our family. It’s an incredible thing to be a part of ~ creating eternal families.  Can you think of any better missionary work than creating eternal families?

If you'd like some cards to keep in your wallet, let me know.  We'll happily send some to you.  Share them with your friends, family, ward members, etc.  Whoever you feel would be receptive to hearing about a family ready for their baby.

Enjoy the week leading up to Christmas.  May you be surrounded by love and joy as you spend time with your own family and friends. 

Marcus, Jenny, Samantha, and Callie

Pow-Wow

Samantha's pow-wow at school (back in November)

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson

I finally read this book! It's been on my list for quite some time, and I'm glad I finally had a chance to sit down and read it. It's a good way to end my reading list from 2011, since this will, most likely, be the last book I read this year.

There's not much I want to say other than I was inspired by Dr. Greg's passion and drive to make a bad situation better. I'm not sure I'd have the same courage he has. I'm much more comfortable staying at home working from here. But he got out there, risking his life for the children in Pakistan and Afghanistan. I was touched.

Just another reminder of how important education is, how it changes not only individuals, but communities and nations. It's worth reading.

ANTM

With poses like this, Callie will most definitely be America's next top model...I'm sure of it...or at least the top model of our home.  Modeling her new jacket -- fierce.

Book

We'll a little over halfway there, but we only have 17 days left.  Pass this along, donate...help us get this book made.

Nutella

Somebody likes Nutella

Yep...that's a smile alright.

Two for Tonight

I have a ton of reasons why I love Callie, and I try to tell her regularly...but for tonight, here's just two.

One: Today it rained.  While driving in the car, Callie asked, "Why does it rain?"  I replied as I have in the past.  I gave her the scientific reason (for a 3 year old comprehension) ~ the clouds hold water and when they can't hold anymore, they let the water go.  She then says, "It's cloud pee."  "Um, yeah, kind of like that I guess."   I couldn't help but laugh.  I mean, really?  I couldn't help but laugh.  The thing is, she knew she was being funny when she said it.  She knows why it rains.  If you had asked her, she'd be able to tell you.  But I thought it was kind of clever (albeit, probably inappropriate)...and come people.  That's funny stuff right there.  The clouds can't hold it in anymore so they pee rain?  Funny.

Two:  After reading some books, I let her watch I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown.  I knew she'd be up too late, so I made sure she was ready for bed so right when it was done she could go to bed.  I was watching it with her but got up to finish something up in the other room.  At 8:30pm, she comes to me and smiles.  "Are you ready for bed Callie?"  She shakes her head in the affirmative...and off to bed we go.  I scratch her back and she's out.  Callie has always been such a great sleeper and understands her need for sleep relatively well. 

Just two reasons for tonight...

Kindergarten Picture

I didn't get pictures taken of Sammy last year...but now that she's in Kindergarten, I felt it wasn't just a good idea, but essential.  I was worried.  I mean, she's adorable, but she also tends to not smile, tilt her head back, and give very unflattering faces when we WANT her to smile and be her adorable self.  If you have kids -- or cousins, nephews, etc -- you know how that goes.  But, today, she came home with this picture, and I'm pretty pleased.  She looks pale...her head is tilted back...but all things considered, my heart just melts when I see this first school picture! 

My Message to the Masses

I met Alex while I was serving my mission in Hungary. She was among the first people I met...and we became instant friends. She has a sincere heart. She is motivated to do good. And because of that, she's one of the most compassionate people I know.

Alex recently asked me to write a blog post. She is answering a series of questions, and what she asked me to answer was the following: If I had the opportunity to send a message out to the masses, what would it be? Well, I gave my answer, and it's posted on her blog.

Now that it's posted, I sheepishly think, "Ooooh. I should have written about the birth of our Savior....or that Christ still lives. That the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. That there's a living prophet." But, that's not what I wrote. hmmm I kind of wish those were the first things that came to my mind instead of this...but oh well. It's still a message that I think is important, has been important for me to learn, and hopefully can help others as well.

Are you a Backer?

Have you backed THIS project yet?  Do you know any businesses, companies, foundations -- or wealthier friends and family members perhaps -- that may want to be mentioned for their charitable donation in the front of a book? 

So far, we've raised $4,121 and we need to get to $12,000 in a short 24 days.  If we don't raise the money, your not charged...and the book doesn't happen.  We need to raise $330 a day to make this happen.  We can do it...maybe even $5 at a time.  But we can do it. 

Work

"Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities." The Family: A Proclamation to the World

Got that Sammy? And I don't want to hear another word, young lady. mmm hmmm

Christmas Charity

The red metal buckets and the ringing bells are out...and I'm excited.  I'm selective when it comes to donating my money to "charity."  But even when money is (perpetually) tight, there are always a few causes that I find worthy of scraping the bottom of the purse for.  Here are a few on my list, and a few that I think are worthwhile for everyone...no bias here...

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Salvation Army

I don't know why, but putting my loose change in these red kettles makes me happy...so do the people ringing the bell.  I encourage you to drop your loose pennies in the red kettle next time you pass one by.

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Church

Whenever I donate money to the church, I know where 100% of it goes.  100%.  The church has an incredible welfare program  and I feel honored knowing that I'm a part of helping my brothers and sisters in my own backyard, and also throughout the world.  Whether you are a member of this church or not, it has an amazing reputation for it's worldwide welfare assistance and I'm sure anyone is free to donate.

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Sammy Sam

The girl's cute, what can I say?  It's not easy, but whenever we get any "extra" cash, we try to put it in her account toward her therapy.  And 100% of her account goes to her and her therapy.  She has a long road ahead of her, but if I'm still invited, I want to keep going along with her.  It's amazing to witness her overcome, figure it out, and  b e c o m e.  She's a doll and every penny is worth it to me.  We're starting to plan Sweatin' for Sammy 2012, and just please know all you who have donated in the past have made a HUGE difference in her, and our, life.  Thank you.  If you are around for our 5K in the spring, please come.  It'll be awesome.

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Now I Can 

Photographic Documentary Book

I would just say that Now I Can is the cause worthy of my cash...but right now, it's this book FOR Now I Can that I'm passionate about.  Maybe 'cause the little girl pictured above is in it a few times and I actually wrote in the book...I mean, that is kind of cool.  But more importantly, this book will make a difference.

I first met Michael Ririe back in Utah during Sammy's therapy at Now I Can.  I was so impressed with him ~ with his heart.  He's done work before to draw attention to Now I Can, but he's decided to take it a step further.  In creating a book of professional photographs that showcase these children...their drive...as well as what is written about them, we are hoping to bring more awareness and raise funds for the center -- allowing more financial assistance to families like us.  We were recipients of a grant that helped cover some of the expense.  That extra money made a big difference to us and insured Samantha's return to Now I Can this coming March.  What if every family in need could send their child to Now I Can with some kind of financial assistance?  What is the potential of this small book?  It will raise awareness.  It will tell the real story to future possible donors.  And ALL proceeds generated will go back to Now I Can therapy grant fund.  100%.  That money will go towards Sammy.  It will help a lot of people.

$1.  $5.  $12.75.  $25.  More?  My weekly blog "hit" is roughly 500, give or take.  If every hit was $5, that's $2500.  Pretty cool.  Anyway.  Check out the link to Kickstarter -- Now I Can -- A Photographic Documentary Book and watch the video.  And decide.  If enough people don't support it and the book doesn't happen, your donation won't be charged.  You won't "lose" a thing.  We have until December 31.  But if there are enough of us, and this book does happen, you could be one of the many who believe in this program and help Samantha and other kids just like her.  The video, alone, is worth a look.

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These are the causes in my radar currently -- they are the things that matter most when I think about giving/charity/cash "gifts."  Some of these I can give to all year long, others I can't.  But either way, what I love is feeling of giving to something I feel is worthwhile.  I know I'm not alone in that.  Who wants to throw money away?  But when you can give with confidence, what a happy feeling.  It's nice knowing that the little I can give makes a big difference.  It makes me happy.