Tuesday, May 3, 2016

April

I thought after Rex's spring break April would be rather calm, but it wasn't.  We've tumbled quickly into spring and been busy.  Here's a quick run-down in no special order.

*Had our first campfire of the season with friends.

*Rex learned to ride a bike with training wheels.

*We ended vision therapy for Ella because the homework load was not manageable.

*I was able to help SOAR and Hopscotch Adoptions raise $8000 for Rex's orphanage.

*Craig's weight loss challenge ended and he lost 17% of his body weight.  He is now back to what he weighed when he was in high school.  Now to keep it off...

*Ella, our trickster and wanna-be jokester, left a nice little surprise for us in the fridge, adorning the hot sauce.


*I organized another t-shirt fundraiser for Rex's small school which sold over 100 shirts and raised $150.

*Attended the Festival of World Cultures at the museum center where we had the opportunity to hear a Japanese choir, watch Chinese and Latin American dancers, make origami, dance and sing along to Appalachian tunes, taste Korean candy and Bulgarian treats, and even try our hands at wood-turning.




*We selected a new CSA farm which will deliver to our door weekly, starting this month.  Unlike our CSA last year, this farm not only grows vegetables, but also fruit.  We'll likely have strawberries in our first box.

*Got accepted into Heart Camp, a full day of fun and free activities designed specifically for pediatric heart patients and their families.  More on that after we go.

*Celebrated the diversity at the girls' school at International Night where Ella performed an Armenian song on stage in front of about 200 people.  She did great, but got shy at the end when the applause started.  I didn't hit record when she began singing, but still got most of it, but the video is apparently too big for blogger.  Also, our local Bulgarian friends came and set up a table to represent Bulgaria on Emilia's behalf which was fantastic.

April out.

Monday, May 2, 2016

Nappies For Nork 2016 Success

I am thrilled to announce that Nappies for Nork 2016 raised $8000 to help with the diaper supply at Nork orphanage where Rex spent the first 2.5 years of his life.  With this money, SOAR will be funding a monthly diaper delivery that will provide one additional diaper change per child in need per day for the next 52 weeks.  Thanks to all of you who gave so generously to make a difference one little bottom at a time.

And the raffle winners are...

Gift card #1: Hildret B.
Gift card #2: Maria and Peter J.
Gift card #3: Talar H.
Gift card #4: Gagik P.

Greeting cards from Zadik Orphanage #1: Sherry D.
Greeting cards from Zadik Orphanage #2: Karen H.
Greeting cards from Zadik Orphanage #3: Kirby B.

Bzerk Reloaded by Michael Grant: Paulette K.

Handmade ornaments with antique Armenian stamps #1: Sheila J. and Doug C.
Handmade ornaments with antique Armenian stamps #2: Molly S.

Martini Family Recipe Book: Carrie O.

Original photograph by Beth Shepherd: Whitney W.

SOAR and I will be contacting the winners directly with details.

Monday, April 25, 2016

Our Little Fairy

Craig and I quite often call Emilia our little fairy or pixie.  Her spirit so reminds us of the magical creatures.  Here's a photo from this afternoon to illustrate.


While she was picking dandelions, the wind blew lots of helicopters off our big maple tree and Emilia joyfully exclaimed, "It's tree snow."  I love her wondrous mind.

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Pictures Of The Day

Emilia's teacher sent me these photos and said Emilia did a great job and had so much fun today watering the flowers in the school garden.





Saturday, April 16, 2016

Nappies For Nork 2016

Just a reminder that there's only one week left in this year's Nappies for Nork fundraiser.  The children at Rex's former orphanage get two diaper changes per day only.  We're trying to raise many to supply them with additional diapers for the next 12 months.  Please consider giving.  It's tax-deductible via SOAR.

Photo from one of last year's deliveries and receipt from the orphanage director

1 dollar = 2 diaper changes

30 dollars = 2 additional diaper changes per day for one child for an entire month

40 dollars = 2 additional diaper changes for every child at Nork who needs them for a day

280 dollars = 2 additional diaper changes for every child for a full week

1200 dollars = 2 additional diaper changes for every child for an entire month

Raffle for prizes will be held on April 22.

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Picture Of The Day

Spring is here and my little tree doesn't stand a chance against our adventurous Armenians.


Wednesday, April 13, 2016

IAC 348 & 349

The following referrals were issued in IAC Session 348 which was held on February 18, 2016:

1) US dossier from February 2012 referred a female child aged 2 years and 1 month with features in health status

2) Italian dossier from November 2013 referred a male child aged 10 years

3) Italian dossier from March 2015 referred a brother and sister aged 8 years and 9 months & 9 years and 10 months

4) Italian dossier from April 2015 referred a female child aged 9 years and 2 months

5) US dossier from February 2016 referred a waiting child (#2536) with a profile on the MOJ site

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The following referrals were issued in IAC Session 349 which was held on February 25, 2016:

1) Netherlands dossier from December 2010 referred a male child aged 5 years and 9 months

2) Canadian dossier from December 2010 referred a male child aged 1 year and 2 months with features in health status

3) French dossier from February 2011 referred a female child aged 5 years and 8 months with features in health status

4) US dossier from July 2013 referred a female child aged 9 years and 6 months

5) US dossier from June 2015 referred a male child aged 1 year and 10 months with features in health status

6) Canadian dossier from November 2015 referred a male child aged 1 year and 6 months with features in health status