The Holiday Spirit

I've been meaning to write a post for what seems like forever. The topic was supposed to be a complete breakdown of how well the auction went for us. Instead I'd like to just quickly sum it up by saying, "the auction was spectacular!" Twenty donated items were auctioned off in a span of just under 4 weeks! From which, we raised $1,799!! Now to be honest, that amount is actually a little more, because some of you paid/donated a little to a lot more than you were supposed to!

We have had so much fun getting all of the items to everyone, and hearing how they can't wait to open up some of the items on Saturday! All of your generosity is so appreciated, and we truly feel as if we are the most cared for people in the world! Thank you.

It's hard to believe that we are only days away from Christmas. When Chelsey and I started this process in February we had actually talked, hoped, and dreamed that we would have our referral by now (possibly even traveling to get our baby)! As the time has ticked by, we realized that our initial hopes were not going to be met. There has been many times through out this adventure that we have had to shift our plans/hopes. I guess the reason I'm saying this is because we are sitting days away from the biggest holiday of the year. The holiday where families come together and celebrate a love for each other, and for the world around us. And here we are a family that in many ways is missing a piece. It is crazy to know that at this point our child is out there. We have no idea what he or she may be feeling, and whether there will be a Christmas gift or hug or whatever.

That feeling was obviously being put out into the universe by all of us in the house, because the other day a commercial for World Vision USA came on the TV. It captivated Chelsey and both of our kids. When Chelsey asked them if we should do something to help, PK and MG agreed that we should. So, after doing a little research (World Vision USA is a quality organization) we decided that our gift to our child was to donate to a family in need. We decided to donate money to go toward the purchase of a goat and two chickens to help a family out. There was something so moving about the four of us sitting on our couch and deciding how we were going to include our baby in our holiday celebration. The holiday spirit told us to give, and that's what we did.

So to our little angel out there.. we love you, and we look forward to 2011. We can't wait to have you with us for next Christmas, and the countless number thereafter.

Merry Christmas to you all, and thank you for following our wonderful journey.

Love- Ken, Chelsey, PK, MG, and Baby

I just had to share.

There are a million & one things I want to tell you guys & share ... about so many aspects of growing our family & what this means to us that sometimes, it's hard to even sit down & start writing because it's definitely not a train of thought that starts at one station & ends at another! ;)

But today, a bigger message was sent to me. I was watching Oprah (I know, roll your eyes if you want, but seriously, I have a heart for Oprah & while I *never* get to watch her shows anymore - toady somehow, I was able to steal away for a few minutes to see this part ... maybe there was a reason for that) and John Travolta was on. The next thing I knew, they were showing a clip from Oprah's 50th birthday bash where Johnny (as she likes to call him ;) ) made a toast to her, with the general sentiment that the world is a better place with you in it.

This stuck out in the mind of a fan from Alberta, Canada who, long story short, ended up volunteering in an orphanage in Africa, later raising funds to build them a house. I was in tears. It just all seemed so real to me.

The mail also came today and with it, some holiday cards & holiday cheer, gifts toward our baby. Very unexpected and yet, almost seemed unreal due to the events of the day. I know there's a daddy post coming soon ... and I am going to show our puzzle - your puzzle - that we've been putting the pieces together for, very, very soon ... but somehow through all of this, we are just a little over $1,000 shy of hitting our half-way mark of $5,000. Isn't that amazing?!!!

And I think why it makes me more sentimental is that somehow there are signs along the way ... a few weeks before Thanksgiving I declared, "Wouldn't it be fantastic if we could hit the 2500 mark?! Wow! That would just be incredible!" A week before, it looked like it probably wasn't feasible ... and then ... just days before Thanksgiving, the truly thankful blessing of meeting & then surpassing that amount.

Shortly after that I whispered, "How cool would it be if we could raise half of this by Christmas ... wow, that would just give me such peace ... such a sigh of relief" we're not even traveling yet but the thought of being able to somehow cover some of this ground & be ready for the unexpected, as you have to be in this process, would be incredible. Beyond amazing.

With only 12 days until Christmas, I don't know if we'll make it ... but I feel such gratitude ... and such HOPE that we've made it this far.

Thank you.
And Merry Christmas to each & every one of you.
YOU make a world of difference.

The final set of items! -- CLOSED

So, we've saved this last set of items for the end, because we know they will help get you over the fact that this wonderful auction of ours is coming to and end (at least for now). Almost like a bad break-up, your heart and soul are going to need some healing. To help put both at ease, our twitter friend, Osbornmel, has decided to offer up a homemade batch of Kahlua Bon-Bons! There is nothing like a wonderful chocolately and alcohol filled dessert to help you through this holiday season (and the end of our auction)! This wonderful treat will be ready on December 21 for pick-up and there will be enough to fill a gallon size Ziplock bag! 

The next item is from our dear friend, Linda. We've know Linda for almost 5 years now?? Wow, I think that's right! Anyway, Linda and her family have become great friends to us to the point where our kids run to give her hugs anytime we get to see her. She is such a fantastic person. The item that she put together for us is a dozen eggs from her free range chickens! A perfect match for the bon-bons because after you eat such a wonderful dessert, you are going to NEED to do some baking for yourself! And most every recipe is going to call for eggs!! 

Both items are Fairbanks area only!

Starting bid is $5

In the Lead :: Winning bid $30

Starting bid is $5

In the Lead :: Winning bid $10

Winding the Auction down!

Alright, we are down to the last couple of days of this auction... :(
But! We have 5 great items left! We are going to do three items this round, so get yourselves ready!

Items 18 and 19!

So do you remember the bags from our drawing (click here)? Well... we have two more! These are wonderfully handmade by a friend of a friend in Anchorage! Surprisingly, she has yet to go out and set up her own business! But, after the reactions we've received from the drawing winners, I think she should start considering! And also I wanted to send a very special thank you to the friend that introduced us to these wonderful bags. Nikki and her family have been more than amazing to us, and we couldn't be more thankful for their friendship! Now, check out the last two bags!

Estimated Value per bag : $80 to $100

Bidding starts at $15

Bag #1 - Winning Bid $35 

Bag #2 - Winning bid $30 

Item # 20

Our wonderful friend Heidi has offered up this item for us. You may remember Heidi from this post. She and her family have been so very supportive with our fundraiser. We couldn't have asked for a better family to call our friends. 

Now onto the item! Heidi has put together a wonderful Mary Kay gift basket! Contents include:

(1) Plush Robe
(1) Red Tea and Fig Pampering Set (Body wash, lotion and deo spray)
(1) Make-up bag
(1) Rich Cocoa Lipstick
(1) Shave Gel/Body Wash and Lotion
(1) $25 Gift Certificate to spend in the Mary Kay store of Heidi Haas

Total Value: $140

Bidding Starts at $20

In the Lead :: Winning Bid $40

Auction Items #16 and #17 :: Wonderful Toys for the kids!

The first wonderful kiddo toy is a stick pony made by another one of Chelsey's wonderful photography friends, Elizabeth! You can see her work here. The horse is all handmade using cotton, (recycled)felt, and fleece. His eyes are felt buttons. The stick is a branch from a pine tree.  It is hard to see but there is still a pine cone attached at the bottom of the stick. The horse is  approximately 3'9" tall, the perfect size for a kiddo. Elizabeth has also agreed to pay shipping to anywhere in the US. And for you international followers that are interested in such a wonderful item, we'll split shipping costs with you! 

Approximate value: $70.

Bidding starts at $20


In the Lead :: Winning Bid $30 

The next item is a wonderful kid fly rod built for kids from 6 - 12 and is perfect for wrangling an Arctic Grayling on the Upper Chena, if you are here in wonderful Alaska! It comes packaged in a box, so it's ready to wrap and put under the Christmas tree! This is another item that will be shipped anywhere in the US, and we can thank our good friend Karen for donating this item for us from her wonderful employer, Redington! 

Approximate value : $99

Bidding starts at $20

In the Lead :: Winning Bid $60 

A last minute bid!

Auction Item #15 : Homemade Burp Cloths

These burp cloths were made for us by Chelsey's photography friend Jennifer Bertoch. You can see her amazing work here. The most amazing thing about her putting this together for us is that she is expecting her third daughter at the end of the month!! So, not only is she keeping up with her own business and two little ones already, she is also taking time to put some burp cloths together for us at 9 months prego!! Have I mentioned just how wonderful you all have been in supporting our fundraiser? Jen that goes double, make that triple, for you! Thank you sooo much!

Estimated Value : I'm putting it at $50. 

Bidding starts at $10. 

In the lead :: Winning Bid $20 

Auction Item 14 : One night King Suite stay in the Fairbanks Hampton Inn and Suites!

Closed!!

This is another great item donated to us through Chelsey's Twitter connections! It just so happens that Casey of the Hampton Inn and Suites here in Fairbanks not only follows Chelsey on Twitter, but his sister is also adopting a baby from Ethiopia! We have been very fortunate with all of the people that have come to help support our fundraiser!

Now, this auction item is another one that many people have been asking us about! Mr. Casey has provided us a gift certificate for a one night stay in a KING SUITE! Winner will also receive freshly 

baked hot breakfast in the morning and use of the indoor pool and hot tub. Maximum occupancy of this room is 2 people. The winner can trade down to a standard room with two queen sized beds with maximum occupancy of 4 people. The certificate must be used prior to May 1, 2011 and is not valid 
on December 31, 2010. Please check out the website here.

Item Value : $150

Bidding starts at $20!

In the lead :: Winning Bid $75!!