Camp

Time for summer camp again! Amy, Jeff and the girls arrived Sunday evening and we took Madison and Jenna to camp on Monday afternoon. They were excited as usual. Madison so looks forward to this week every year. She has made it known that out of all the summer activities and juggling the priorities for our time... camp is the one event that has to happen each summer for her! Her calendar gets cleared for this week at camp.
This year, I think the girls would have been happy to just be dropped off at the corner. Madison wasn't enjoying all the picture taking and at one point said, "OK... Mom! Thanks for dropping us off...." (as in, it's ok if you go home now) haha! I love it that she doesn't have any reservations at all about staying.
Madison and Jenna are excited to spend the week with Erin, Raeann, Alexa, Kiley and Peyton all in the same cabin too. Can't wait to hear about their adventures!

Summer Baseball

We've spent many evenings at the baseball field this Spring/Summer. I thought I would post a few from Quinn's game this last weekend. These are from his travel team, the Concord Future. He really enjoys playing ball with his closest friends. Two wins for the weekend!

Strawberry Picking

Just posting a random shot quickly this morning. We went strawberry picking recently and then made 34 pints of strawberry jam with Beppe and Pakka. We love this jam and we loved working on this project together. YUMMY!

Revolution Softball

Thought I would post a few pictures from Madison's softball tournament last weekend in Warsaw, IN. It was our first tourney of the season. We felt good about the 2-2 record for our debut. It was certainly a hot and humid weekend! Tournament number 2 coming up this weekend in Kendalville.

M.O.M. to Moms update

Madison and Quinn both learned how to make simple fleece baby blankets. We've made a total of 34 so far at our house.


My friend Erica delivered our very first M.O.M. to Moms kits personally in Haiti in April. She hand carried 4. She said the need is unbelievable and people basically only have the clothes on their backs. Each of the 4 moms/grandmoms were very thankful!

Our collection of 83 kits filled a large bin at the MCC Material Resource Center on Michelle's birthday!

I'm so sorry I've been ignoring my blog! Facebook just seems so much easier right now but I've realized that quite a few of you aren't on FB and would like info too. I will try to do better!

We have turned in a total of 94 newborn kits in honor of Michelle! This far exceeds our goal of 38. We are all very excited about that and also still feel good vibes and encouragement from all of you to keep this going. We are contemplating on what the future holds for M.O.M. to Moms. I've had several good conversations with Nadine at the MCC Material Resource Center. They are able to give receipts for tax purposes to anyone that would like one. Just let me know and I will work that out with her. If you write the check to me, I will cash it, turn it into baby loot and get you a receipt from MCC. I'm trying very hard NOT to go through the hoops of becoming a formal non-profit company and so far MCC is very willing to work with us. The ladies at the MCC resource center are all so nice and friendly. When Madison and I dropped off 83 kits (at that time) on Michelle's birthday, they held hands with us around all of those colorful bundles and said a prayer of dedication for them. Praying that the moms who received the kits would feel the love that we put into making them. When a "outsider" shares tears with you, you know they have genuine hearts.

I've revised the flier for M.O.M. to Moms and I will post that on my blog too. Look in the right hand margin for a link if you don't see it. We are doing some brainstorming at my house. We are considering having a food booth at the MCC Sale here in Goshen, IN and raising funds for M.O.M.s. We know we can't expect the same people to donate over and over again and having a fund raiser seems a logical next step. Madison suggested a baked potato bar so we are throwing that around. The sale is Sept 24-25 which is a Friday/Sat. It's the largest MCC sale in North America so that's a plus! We are still mulling over that idea. What do you think?

Here is a what a newborn kit looks like on the inside of the bundle.

REVISED~ M.O.M. to Moms

Michelle loved being a stay at home mom. Jade Isabella was blessed to call her "Mommy." Her sisters, Emina and Leila, received their mother's love as only a mother can share while they were growing within her. Sadly within just 11 months Michelle, Emina and Leila were gone. To honor Michelle and her daughters, her husband and family are gathering specific baby clothing to share with new mothers around the USA and the world, helping them to get their newborns off to a warm start. Most of the baby bundles will be distributed through the Mennonite Central Committee (www.mcc.org, search "newborn kits") which works closely with reliable partners around the world, ensuring that the supplies reach these mothers with little to no material resources. Some supplies will be distributed locally or sent with friends/family on special mission projects to be hand delivered. We would love for your assistance in this important endeavor! Will you please consider a donation today?

You can help in the following ways:
1. Donate money towards a Baby Bundle (formally called Newborn Kit). Each completed bundle costs approximately $30 to put together while using quality supplies. Contact me for further directions and info on getting a receipt for your tax purposes.
2. Put together your own Baby Bundle(s). Consider combining efforts with a group of friends or family.
3. Donate any item(s) of the Baby Bundle. Please follow the content directions below exactly and limit your generosity to only the supplies requested. Each bundle is designed to contain exactly the same contents (with a few geographical moderations made as needed). We will combine your single items together with others to complete more Baby Bundles.

Baby Bundle Contents NEW items only IMPORTANT: Sizes 3-6months or 6-9months

• 2 sleepers/gowns (3-6mo or 6-9mo sizes)
• 2 onesies (short or long-sleeved) These often run small. Consider a size larger than sleepers. Gerber brand: Purchase a size TWO sizes larger than the sleepers
• 4 cloth diapers ("flat-fold" preferred) Found at Target, Wal-Mart...
• 1 swaddling blanket (light weight fleece/flannel, minimum size 36" on at least 2 sides)
• 1 pair of socks
• 1 cap
• 4 diaper pins (2inches)

Remove all price tags, packaging (except soap). Wrap items in swaddling blanket and secure with diaper pins. Contact me for a drop-off location or arrange for pick-up.

THANK YOU!!!!