We are so excited to finally collect donations to take to Ethiopia ourselves!

We have put a lot of thought into this list.  Every item we are collecting is for a reason.  We have very limited baggage space, so we we're going for big-impact items that pack light.  

For heavy items like formula, we are asking for cash.  That way we can purchase formula and other items in Ethiopia (helping their local stores and economy) and purchase a greater quantity than we could have carried in our luggage.

We want everyone to get involved in this!  We can not collect too much.  We have two trips with four 50 pound suitcases each trip.  So, please forward this information, get your friends involved, get your church or workplace involved, spread it on Facebook, whatever!  We want everyone to get involved!!  

  • Shoes  We would like to bring new (or like new) tennis shoes in children's sizes.  Often times the children in the orphanages only have Crocs (with holes worn through the bottom) or sandals and we would like to bring them new leather or canvas tennis shoes.  The same quality of shoe that we would put on our own child.  Remember when you're shopping, there are big kids in the orphanages too!  
  • Waterproof Crib Mattress Covers
  • Toothbrushes and Toothpaste
  • Vitamin D Drops and Iron Drops (for Infants)
  • Diaper Rash Ointment
  • Scrubs for nurses and nannies
  • Powder-Free Gloves
  • Antibacterial Hand Gel (40 oz. container at WalMart for $5)
  • Toys  Puzzles for young children, Toy cars and trucks for toddler-age children, toys to stimulate infants (that are not cotton-based) such as colorful objects, rattles, etc. 
  • Multi-Vitamins Tri-vi-sol (0-6 months); Poly-vi-sol (6 months - 2 years); Chewable multi-vitamins (2 years - 9 years); Adult multi-vitamins (9 years plus)
  • Tylenol (Acetaminophen)  Infants; Children's; Suppository
  • Syringes for giving medicines (5mL)
  • Baby Nose Saline Spray
  • Neosporin
  • Mouth and Nose Masks
  • Benadryl Liquid/Elixir
  • Permetherin (for Scabies)
  • Lice Kits
  • Twin Bedsheets
  • Special Request: There is currently a child on the AWAA waiting child list who walks with a cane.  He can not run and play with the other children.  He is 15 years old.  We would love to bring him some special things just for him that he can do while sitting.  (i.e. games, cards, puzzles, etc...) Keep in mind the items must not take up much space in a suitcase.

You can continue collecting indefinitely, but if you want the items to make it on our first trip to Ethiopia, we must have the items by Friday, April 6th.

We will be delivering donations to the AWAA transition home, Kids Care orphanage in Addis Ababa, Abeneezer Orphanage in Harar, and AHOPE for Children- a home for HIV positive children in Addis Ababa.

And because every post needs a picture...
The Anderson family sent us this picture of our pretty little girl's piggies.  
 
The Coopers arrived home yesterday and we were at the airport to greet them.  It was the moment that we had literally waited two years to see. It was amazing.  Aerie is beautiful and so happy and sweet.  We are so happy for them.  They are making homecoming look easy.
Picture
Our picture and a toy from us above her crib.
They also brought back our special blanky, some souvenirs, and a TON of pictures of our sweet baby.  And even surprised us with an ink hand and foot print!  
Picture
Her hand on the blanky we sent over. She is also wearing the 0 - 3 months outfit that we sent over in her first care package.
 
Our very best friends, Tim and Angi Cooper, are in Ethiopia right now picking up their beautiful daughter Aerie.  Aerie is at the same transition home as our baby.  Since Tim and Angi will be meeting our daughter before we do... we wanted to send a very special care package with them.  We sent two outfits, a video camera, a toy, a headband, a special blanky from our house and a family picture.
Most importantly I included a list of instructions titled "Instructions from a Crazy Mommy" with explanations of pictures and videos we wanted taken, things to do, and a few important things we wanted them to tell her.
Picture
River sleeping with the blanky we sent over. We wanted it to smell as much like us and our house as possible.
They delivered the package today (through the night on Sunday our time) and they said that she was happy and sweet.  She was happy when they handed her to them, but cried when they tried to change her clothes.  And I sent two outfits!  They said she is beautiful.  

We can not wait to meet her ourselves.  We just booked our tickets and we will finally meet her on April 13th!  
 
A co-worker of ours is loading up a truck and a trailer to take to Henryville, Indiana.  If you have items you would like to donate, please contact us before April 5th.  
 
We have a court date!  April 19th!!  
 
I am combining three posts into one, because all of these items are only available for a short time. 

T-Shirts
Courtney from Northern Indiana is selling t-shirts for Because Every Mother Matters.  The proceeds will help furnish a newly purchased therapeutic and life skills training home for young women who live on the streets in Ethiopia.  And I can tell you, having worked with BEMM in the past, 100% of the profit from your t-shirt will go directly toward that cause.  

Shirts say, "Delivering Hope.  Because Every Mother Matters"

The shirts are $20+shipping, but the more of us who order from the Linton area the less the shipping will be.  If you live around here, just let me know what size and color you want XS-XXXL (white, black or brown) and I will let you know the price and I will deliver it to you myself.

If you live outside of the area, just leave a comment with your email address (I won't publish it) and I'll forward you Courtney's contact information and a document with more pictures and information.

I need all t-shirt orders by this Friday (3/16).

Tulips
You must live in or around Linton for this one...
Greene county's Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are selling tulips to raise money for the foster children of our county!  The money allows the CASAs to do fun activities with their children throughout the year. 

They are selling:
  • Holland Tulips - potted or by the bunch for $10
  • Bouquet of mixed Iris Tulips and Pussy Willows for $12 
  • Easter Lilies (1 stalk w/ 4-5 blooms) $10
  • Hyacinths (3-4 Blooms) $10
   I need orders by this Sunday evening (3/18).
March Madness
A friend of ours is hosting a March Madness adoption fundraiser.  You can fill out a bracket for just $10 for a chance to win one of three great prizes!  But you must join TODAY!  (3/14)  Ask your friends and family to play along with you!

Use this link:http://talesoftherogi.blogspot.com/2012/03/march-madness-help-bring-us-closer.html
 
They were able to get everything they needed to submit our case to court and have our case opened!  We should hear about our court date within the next week or so.  We are still hoping for the week of April 10th or April 16th!  

We are so relieved and thankful!  Thank you for all of your kind words and prayers!  
 
Anna Graham, the America World Africa Program Director, is in Ethiopia this week and will be checking up on our case.  Please pray with us that she is able to get the documents we need so that we may be submitted to court this week.   

We know we won't have a court date before April 10th.  April 16th has always been our lucky day (the day River came home from the hospital and the day I came home from the hospital last year), so we are praying that we will either have a court date on April 16th or be in Ethiopia that week.  But we have to be submitted to court this week in order for that to happen.

So please pray that they get the documents they need!
 
A friend of my moms will be taking two horse trailers to the victims of Friday's tornados.  If you would like to donate anything for the people or animals you may drop items off at our house before noon on Tuesday and we will make sure that they get to her.  They are taking the trailers down on Wednesday.  Contact me or Logan or leave a comment here if you would like to donate.  

Three much needed items are diapers, storage totes and tarps.


Donate to the Red Cross here.