Please, PLEASE consider this post before you move on.

In just ONE DAY, little Olga received $3400!! That was just one day guys! But she needs about $17,000 more. Won't you please, please, please donate just $10 to her? If everyone did just that...well...she'd be on her way to a forever family. I know its a tight economy, but we still have far more than we need..I know I do...and so...I'm donating more right now as we speak...join me?
Getting this baby the money a family needs to be able to love her forever..means Olga doesn't have to spend the rest of her life in a mental institution, where lots of little ones pass away, because there simply isn't the care they need.
Don't let that include Olga. Please.
Donate Here. or for more info read THIS.
thank you for reading all the way through. this is worth it. I promise. And if you check out that last link and donate and leave a comment, you are entered to win AN IPOD TOUCH!!!

please meet little Olga...UPDATE!

Please...please take a moment to really see this little girl. Her name is Olga. She has downs syndrome. And if she doesn't get a family soon, she'll be sent to a mental institution for the rest of her little life. Can you bear that? I can't. I really can't. Read a dear friends blog HERE to learn more, and to be entered to WIN AN IPOD TOUCH!!! seriously!!!...or just go straight HERE to donate to her fund to help a family financially, so that they can save this little one from a tragic, horrifyingly unjust end.
UPDATE: SHE ALREADY HAS 422 IN HER FUND!!! ITS SIMPLE MATH, IF WE CAN ALL DO JUST 20 (MORE IF YOU CAN) IT WILL ONLY TAKE 30 PEOPLE TO GET HER $1000!! THATS A BIG DEAL GUYS!!!!! LETS DO IT!!!!

Just so you know I'm still alive...

I haven't posted in a while...I've been back home for two weeks..John was able to go to Israel this year (his grandfather graciously paid for him) and so I got to go back for two weeks. During that time I was asked to speak at a women's fellowship at the corvallis church (thank you Patti!!!) and my home church..it was one of the most humbling, wonderful experiences I've ever had. What an honor to even be asked, that they would trust me with something to share that would edify their women...
more later..but wanted to end with a little fun project...

scented playdough guys!!! whoop whoop!!!

Mmmm...almost makes you hungry eh? Go find the recipe's and instructions HERE!

Mon Petit

I bet there's a little girl in your life who would love A PETTICOAT!!!! I know I have two!
 Petticoat baby!!!

Mon petit

In case you wondered how much of an absolute nerd I am? I LOVE this..which means...I'm a major nerd. And proud. whoop whoop.

That's right. It's a fanny pack. a HIPSTER one at that.

Shutterfly Baby!!!

I heard about this incredible offer over HERE and I had to follow suite...
I have never ever done Christmas pictures, because quite frankly...I just suck. Yup, I said it.
But this year maybe that will all change! Because this is an offer I can't pass up!
Wanna try it? Click HERE! Go! Its wonderful really..I mean, I doubt i'll need more than 50 but hey..THIS will definitely give me the head start I need!

The rest of Mendocino

our little americana cabin

 I wanted to get the rest of these pictures posted before I forgot or it got so far past the actual date that you guys all wondered why I was posting pics from 5 years ago...you know what I mean...

It was breathtaking. Mostly the cabin and the owners and the story..which I promise to blog about shortly.

here's the pictures.

look at those rosebud lips...(reagan's I mean hahaha)

John and the baby monster

I SEE THE BEACH MAILEY!!!

These girls are always holding hands...its so sweet....

look at this handsome gentleman! what a wonderful papa...

This is an incredibly symbolic picture for me...

Papa and his reggae

the only picture of me. taken in the bathroom at a cafe. now lets move on

the outdoor fire pit

It was so quintessential and charming...

This very old and well tuned piano stole my heart.

This was in the town of Mendocino..I haven't a clue whats going on but this statue sits a top a church. Its very avant garde and dark...an angel with a pick ax holding the hair of  a praying maiden...?! kinda creepy...

A very old home...so many homes looked like this with hundred year old water towers all over the place

And who doesn't need a good windmill pic?

Did it charm you like it did me? I will try to explain the significance of the family we met...this is a place we hope to return to time and time again when we need a reprieve. In fact, the couple staying there asked if our entire family could come for christmas...what do you think grammy zhanette? wouldn't that be amazing? Christmas in the wooded oceanic town of Mendocino, with smoke curling out the top of sleepy cabins, and trees and deer all around...oh! be still my heart!