LWB's 9th annual "Born in My Heart" Art Auction

There is a really fun and exciting fundraiser going on right now that I wanted to make sure you all knew about.

Love Without Boundaries's 9th annual "Born in My Heart" Art Auction: April 12-17th

Every year Love Without Boundaries art auction raises essential funds for their medical programs. Every penny raised in the auction goes to fund urgent medical care for orphaned children in China, which gives these children the opportunity for good health, and perhaps even a family of their very own.

Check out the LWB's ebay store where you will find many beautiful original oil and watercolor paintings, giclees and prints, stunning quilts, exotic vacations, amazing photography, embroidery, unique jewelry pieces, handmade children’s clothing, a Yo-Yo Ma autographed CD set, and more!

When you bid on one of the beautiful items in this year's auction - you can know that you are helping to provide critical medical funds for babies who need someone to believe in them. And if you are lucky enough to win an item - every time you look at it, you can know that a precious child found healing through your support. 

Visit the Love Without Boundaries Art Auction Today

 

Read more...

Instead of Presents...You Get Nothing

It turns out the spirit of Christmas fits inside a shoebox...

Go to Operation Christmas Child for more information about filling your shoebox.

Read more...

Give Aways and Good Causes!

Ok so this is sort of cool... at least I hope you think so.

Since I started writing Five of My Own last December readership has grown pretty steadily.  At this point Five of My Own averages 60,000 page views per month (and growing by >5,000 each month).  According to Alexa (if I’m understanding this) it’s rated in the top 2% of the most trafficked sites on the web.  We've been listed as the #1 Top Mommy Blog for most of 2011 and we were even voted one of the 2011 Most Inspirational Families by Circle or Moms.

It is totally crazy.

With the increased traffic I’ve been getting requests to do product reviews and giveaways.  To be perfectly honest I wasn’t sure at first if I was interested.  There are sites out there that do lots of giveaways and basically the whole blog is about reviewing products but that’s just not me.  I'm not making a living doing this (as if) I'm just sharing my experience with adoption and these crazy people I live with.  Plus I just can't get comfortable with "selling" something I don't really believe in. Especially since one of the first requests was for me to review a cord blood storage service.  Seriously, cord blood?  On an adoption blog?? After that I basically put it out of my mind.

But I think I've figured out how to have some integrity in this process... in fact I think there might be a way to have some fun and do some good at the same time.  So, beginning in September I will be reviewing products and hosting giveaways as they become available.



However I’m going to have some ground rules.

if you’re an advertiser - this is for you!

• The product or service has to be of interest to Five of My Own readers; think moms, mostly adoptive moms.  You know the kind of moms with kids, adopted kids. If you are selling something like cord blood storage or say breast pump or stretch mark cream you’re barking up the wrong tree.

• Now if you have cute clothes, toys, children's books, parenting books, therapeutic services, baby/toddler/kid gear, cool websites or something else you think we could use then by all means tell us all about it!

• If we agree you have something that makes sense to talk about here, I will share your product or service with my readers along with my honest review and opinion.  (If it’s negative, I’ll leave it to you to decide if I should publish).  My review will include pictures (both yours and mine) and links to you site.

• We can discuss details on a individual basis but generally here’s what I would like in return;

• Of course I need something to work with so send me samples and information on your product or service.

• I don't want to be paid BUT I will ask that you make a donation to an adoption charity or project of my choice.  This might be in the form of cash or merchandise or even a percentage of sales generated. (And great news your donation will be tax deductible!)

• Finally I ask that you sponsor a give away for Five of My Own readers.  I love my readers and I want them to get a little something too!

So that’s it.  A little something new.  Here's hoping this will add some fun for my readers while helping a few of the orphan related charities I love!

Our first reader giveaway will begin on September 12th!  I think all of my fashionista moms are going to like this one!

If you would like me to review your product, service or site here on Five of My Own please email me at fiveofmyown@gmail.com.

Read more...

Attachment & Trauma Network

I'm always so impressed to see the good work some people are doing to help orphaned and adopted kids.  Here's another I came across today.



Attachment and Trauma Network, Inc is participating in the Pepsi Refresh Project and trying to win funding to form a resource network for families dealing with attachment issues following adoption. If you want to vote for this group you can do it here.

Just thought you'd like to know.

Read more...

Just thought you'd like to know...

Marvielles Jewelry has teamed with Both Ends Burning to create a limited edition (only 120 pieces to be created) memorable necklace in support of the Empty Stroller March (now called "Step Forward for Orphans") that will be held in Washington, D.C. on 8/26/11.  A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of the necklaces will be donated to Both Ends Burning to further the mission. 

 Necklaces are the standard 16". The stroller charm is silver plated (lead and nickel free) and the chain is satin rope. Only $16 and free shipping within the USA (outside USA is $3). Purchase via Paypal to info@marviellesjewelry.com.

Read more...

Nutrition Survey for Adopted Children

The Spoon Foundation's mission is to improve the nutrition of orphaned, fostered, and adopted children so they can grow and thrive.

They have a great site called Adoption Nutrition  that has all sorts of valuable information for adoptive parents regarding the unique nutritional needs of adopted children.





If you don't already know about Spoon I invite you to check out their website and watch this video.  I think they are awesome!

Right now Spoon is conducting a quick 10 question survey about transition foods, or foods that help bridge the gap between an adopted child's native diet and what will become their regular diet at home. They will use the responses they receive to provide more information for adoptive parents through their Adoption Nutrition website. They survey is of all adopted children regardless of where they were adopted.

Please help them to help our children by taking the survey by July 7th.

Spoon Adoption Nutrition Survey 

Read more...

Butterfly Blessings

One of the most inspiring orphanages we were able to visit while in China was Butterfly House in Changsa.  It is China's only known palliative care center for orphans.  Actually calling it an orphanage makes it sound much bigger than it really is because in fact it is a tiny operation taking space in a half dozen small rooms within the Changsa SWI.

Started just two short years ago by Lyn and Alan Gould a British couple from Australia, Butterfly House now cares for 12 children with chronic and/or life threatening conditions.  (Sadly two of the children there today are in fact terminally ill.) Since its start in 2010 Butterfly House has been home to 35 children.

Most children come to Butterfly House after being deemed terminal or otherwise being "given up on" by the orphanage authorities.

Butterfly House operates on a shoe string budget but everyone there has a huge heart and their love and persistence is paying off.  Right now two of the children at Butterfly House, two that were deemed too sick to provide for, have been nursed to health and are being adopted!  An incredible testimony to the power of prayer, the resilience of these children and ability for people like Lyn and Alan (and just like each of us) to make a real difference for a child in need.

Our Visiting Orphans Team with the support of MedWish International in Cleveland Ohio and many of my friends here in blogworld and on facebook, were able to deliver hundreds of pounds of medical equipment and infant care supplies to Butterfly House.  The donations were very much appreciated and desperately needed.  There were heartfelt tears of joy as we rolled our many cases of goods into the building!

Of course the need is great and much more remains to be done. Right now Butterfly House is searching for a Nurse to join their team! If you are a nurse and have ever thought about living abroad for 6 months or more this is your chance to do something AMAZING!!!!

I have witnessed first hand the work done by Butterfly House and can personally attest to its value and worth.  If you would like to learn more about Butterfly House or if you would like to sponsor a child there please visit Butterfly Children's Hospices for more information.

Here are just some of the beautiful butterfly babies I met during my short visit.

Won't you please say a prayer for them?

William (defective windpipe, adoption status unknown)

Eve, (Adopted)

Paul (post surgical/omphalocele, available for adoption!)

Sarah, (delayed development, available for adoption!)

Little Swallow, (spina bifida, available for adoption!)

Angel, (Adopted)

Ysmael, (terminal liver failure, not able to be adopted)

Hannah, (thalessimia-available for adoption!)

Isobel, (terminal liver failure, not able to be adopted)

Lyn Gould, my new hero.

Don't forget to click the banner...need to keep this blog high in the rankings if we want lots of potential families to see (and hopefully adopt) these beautiful babies. 

Read more...

Ust-Kamenogorsk Window Restoration Project

Two Hearts For  Hope is going to Ust Kamenogorsk Kazakhstan to take on it's biggest challenge yet: the replacement of  135 decrepit windows in the Ust Baby House.  It is a huge project that will undoubtedly result in a real and tangible improvement in the quality of life for the babies and toddlers who live here.  You can read about the project here.

But I want to add a little of our own story...because this is not just a nameless far away place without meaning to us.

Nina is from Ust.

She lived in this baby house for 16 miserable months.

She was hungry.

She was sad.

And she was cold.

And it's really, REALLY cold in Ust Kamenogorsk.  When we were there temps dropped to 25 below zero (f). For days.  Weeks, even. This was typical.

For a month we visited Nina.  Confined to a small coat room. A large window clouded by age and grime, the only thing saving us from claustrophobia.

We rocked.

And cuddled.

And looked out the window.

Nina's only view of the world outside of the orphanage.

At some point in our trip plastic was taped to the window frame: an attempt to keep out the frigid winds. Eventually blankets were hung to insulate further. 

I am quite certain I was the first to ever pick Nina up and show her the view from that third floor window.  Before the plastic and blankets we spent a great deal of time holding her there: showing her the snow and trees and birds.  She went from glazed over and lifeless to giggles and amazement at that window. We literally bonded this way. 

So this project holds great meaning and importance for us.  Not just as a concrete way to make life just a little better for the children still there but as a tribute to my amazing, beautiful and resilient daughter.

Who survived this place.

This is OUR window!

And we are hereby pledging to replace it.

For Nina.

And for the children just like her.

Still there.

Still cold.

I am asking a special favor of all the Ust parents out there. 

PLEASE Pledge today to replace one window the baby house.

Because I know it means as much to you as it does to me. 

The Ust Baby House shelters nearly 100 newborn to 4 year old children.



Mommy and Nina in our usual spot.  We were often scolded by the staff because they thought she would get sick by being so close to the drafty window.



Nina's view to the outside world.  Notice the peeling paint and decaying edges of the window.



This is OUR window. 

you can also help by getting the word out...  feel free to share this post by email or by posting it to your facebook profile or linking to your blog.

Read more...

Going Back to Kazakhstan

I couldn't say anything sooner because it would have ruined the surprise for Kiefer (it was his birthday gift from us) but Kiefer and I will be returning to Kazakstan this fall with Two Hearts for Hope a wonderful non-profit organization that is doing amazing things for the orphans in Kazakhstan.  As part of "2 Hearts 2 Kaz Team 2011" we will travel to Taraz, Kazakhstan to build and replace 100 beds in the Ulan Children’s Home. At a time when Kazakhstan adoption is at a virtual standstill the need is more great than ever!

You might recall that in September I "ran" my first 5k race and in doing so helped raise money to purchase the beds for this particular project.  Back then I wasn't thinking I would actually travel to Kazakhstan to install the beds, much less that I would be able to share the experience with my dear son, but I am thrilled it has worked out this way. When I started talking to my family about possibly going on the mission trip Kiefer immediately asked if he could join me. (Can I just say, I love that this kid is searching for a way to have meaning in his life.)  His interest cinched it for me.

Kiefer and I are tentatively scheduled to leave on or about September 22, 2011 for the 11 day trip to Taraz. Please keep us and the project in your thoughts and prayers.

If you are unfamiliar with Two Hearts for Hope I encourage you to check out their website. 

Two Hearts for Hope Mission Statement:

           Proverbs 31:8 says "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute."

We believe God has called everyone to take care of the orphans. Our mission is to provide hope to the orphans of Kazakhstan through the donations we collect and the projects we organize. We believe by showing God's love, we are able to foster emotional and spiritual growth in these children. We believe that through our actions we exhibit the truth of the Gospel of Jesus. With God's guidance, our hope is to provide a better understanding of the plight of the orphans in Kazakhstan while providing the basic necessities these children lack.

We believe:

- It is the responsibility of all God's children to take care of the orphans.

- We are best able to provide for orphans.

- Every orphan deserves something of their own.

- Hope is a very powerful thing and with it, we can change lives

Read more...

Kazapalooza 2011

Team Printy will be there, how about you? Sure would love to meet you IRL! Registration for Kazapalooza 2011 is now open. Please join us June 3-5, 2011 in beautiful St Pete Beach Florida for the 4th annual Kazapalooza reunion of Kazakhstan adoptive families. Last year's event was a sell out so get your tickets early!

Get more information                 Register Now!

Kazapalooza is a weekend long reunion of families with children adopted from Kazakhstan. Each year since its inception in 2008 the event has grown and last year 300 moms, dads and kaz kids attended. Kazapalooza 2011 is being held on the white sand beaches of the Gulf Coast of Florida in St Pete Beach.  The hotel this year is the incredible Tradewinds Island Grand Resort, a  20-acre beachfront playground.  The resort is just a short drive from Disney as well as other fabulous family friendly destinations so come kick off your summer vacation at Kazapalooza 2011!

Read more...

Our Christmas Angel

The darling little boy under the red arrow is Vanya. He just turned 10 and is in the third grade. Vanya lives with his "family" group (pictured) at the RBS orphanage in Petropavlovsk, Kazakhstan. We don't know if Vanya is eligible for adoption or if he will ever have a mother and father to call his own but this week we decided we would sponsor him through the Antares Foundation and in a small way make him part of our family.

Many of the kids in this photo do not yet have sponsors. Those of us who have already sponsored children are working hard to make sure every child has a gift on Christmas morning but more sponsors are needed. The hope is that every child will have their own sponsor family to encourage them and let them know they are loved.

If you want to show gratitude this Thanksgiving in a real and tangible way,

If you've wondered about how to make this Christmas truly miraculous,

If you've always wanted to adopt or adopt another child,

If there is a face in this picture that tugs at your heart


PLEASE contact Antares today.

Read more...

Two Hearts For Hope 5K

I ran my very first 5k race today. I trained for about 6 weeks to be able to run the 3.1 mile race and though it doesn't sound like much, it was a lot for me:) Of course it wasn't quite how I imagined it since I ran pushing a double stroller that weighed 83 pounds with the girls and their assorted electronics!  So I didn't break any land speed records but I did run the whole way and I finished and best of all I got to do it with some really wonderful friends.  Actually the toughest part of the run was keeping the girls entertained.  They would much rather be running beside me than be pushed in a stroller (come to think of it they would probably be faster than me too).

The 5k benefited Two Hearts For Hope and I was happy to have been able to raise $800 (thanks again everyone) for the cause. All together more than $10,000 was raised. The donations are being used to buy new beds for an orphanage in Taraz, Kazakhstan.  I am praying that I will be able to join the Two Hearts mission trip next fall when the beds will be delivered.  It would be amazing to see the end results of this weekend's hard work (and running/walking).

Ready. Set. Go!  UP HILL!!!

Crossing the finish line with my awesome (slightly cold) Team Printy!

Kaz Mama's Angela, Stacy, Regina and me

Accepting our prize for first place stroller finish ...they made that up for us:-)

Read more...

5K...5Kids...$5bucks!

I have been running for weeks now trying to get ready for my first ever 5k. I will be running (quit laughing) the "Walk for Kaz" 5K on September 25th in Indianapolis. I followed the couch25k running program and I am finally at the point that I can indeed run 5 kilometers without stopping to walk, gasping for air, cramping or throwing up!  I am not going to break any land speed records but I do feel like I'm ready!

Of course it's never that easy....just this week I decided to take both of the girls with me to the event (Dart and the boys will be staying at home).   I had been planning a different sort of  "girl's weekend" but after our last minute getaway  to the Bahamas I just didn't want to be away from my girls another weekend.  And, as if the 5 hours drive with two demanding diva's isn't enough to make you sweat, I now have just 10 days to work up the strength to run while pushing a 23 pound jogging stroller filled with almost 60 pounds of double trouble.  Honestly I'm hoping that the adrenaline will kick in and I wont even notice my extra load...bring on the runner's high!

The bigger hurdle is the need to raise a few dollars for Two Hearts for Hope the beneficiary of the event.  I am hoping to raise $500 dollars.  Actually,  I am hoping I can get 100 friends to donate $5 each. Somehow that seems fitting; 5K...5 Kids...$5 bucks!

So I am asking YOU dear reader to please make a $5 donation to sponsor my run.  You can donate by going to Pay Pal and making a personal gift payment to my email address loriprinty@gmail.com.  Thank you everyone who can help out and please be sure to leave a comment too...all support is welcome!

Read more...