Craftivism Day for We Are Kenya

Hi there crafty people and do-gooders!

It has been almost a year since I have had a craftivism day and I sure do miss it.  When I can do something I am passionate about to show love to someone else, I feel full, joy and purposeful.

These small acts are done with the great hope that it will make a difference in one persons life.   I love to think about the small child that will hold the bear or wear the dress that I have made and my hope is they will know that someone somewhere cares about them.

Here are a few things we have done in the past for Craftivism Day:

We got together here to make bibs for babies in China,  Christmas Stockings for tornado victims in Alabama.

We  have made Birthing Kits for mothers in Haiti and  Pillow Case Dresses for girls in Africa.

This time we will join with Crafthope to make some handmade teddy bears.  The non-profit organization We Are Kenya has opened up a new dorm for orphans in Soweto Kenya.  Soweta is the second largest slum in Kenya.  We Are Kenya believes that changing the future of the youth will change a society.  They work in Soweta, bringing food, education and shelter to the orphans and children living in vulnerable situations.   They have asked for a few things for their new dorm.  They need twin sized quilts, stuffed animals, knitted beanies and scarfs and re-usable sanitary napkins.

Photo from Crafthope

We will make stuffed bears.  If you don't sew, or don't think you are crafty and can't do this, never fear.  This is a really easy project. Besides, there is always something for everyone to do, even if it is just hanging out with friends and cheering us on.

I found this great Free pattern for a stuffed teddy.  His name is Warren the Charity Bear.  I found him on Shiny Happy World.

Photo from Shiny Happy World

We will gather in my home on October 19th at 1:00 to make as many Charity Bears as we can in one afternoon.  If you have a sewing machine, please bring it.  If you would like to join us, please let me know.  Also, feel free to pass this on to anyone you think would be interested in joining us.

Hope to see you soon!

xoxo,

Carol

Claire Bear

Meet Claire!

She is full of sass!  She's spunky, doesn't like to be told what to do and gives the best hugs in the whole world!

I just love her spirit!  It will be so fun watching her grow up to see how this independence develops.  

Something I have learned from raising five kids is to let them be them. Let their personality blossom.  Of course it's our job to guide them and teach them but we have to remember to allow their own individuality shine through. 

Claire's parents are great at this. I consider myself blessed to be a part of her life and to get to watch her grow. 

I am so excited to see the adventures that lie ahead for her.

xoxo,

Carol

When Time Stands Still

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Have you ever had one of those moments when it felt like time stood still?  Even if for a moment?

I have had this experience a few times over the last few years.  

One time was at a birthday dinner for Courtny.  We were at a local mexican restaurant with our whole family and some really great friends.  As I sat there watching everyone laughing, celebrating and generally just being happy, I was struck by how I almost missed out on these great moments.  You see  after 4 years of marriage, Tom and I divorced. 5 years later we reconciled and remarried, but it was not easy.  We still didn't know how to be married.  We were broken people who loved each other, but didn't know how to recognize or deal with our brokeness.  God's love saved us.  As we learned about the unending love that God has for us we started to grow and change and put each other before ourselves.  We had wonderful times and really hard times, but we kept going.  We didn't give up!  We locked that back door and decided we were in. So when you can't leave, you are forced to change and figure out how to work things out.  I am so glad we did.  I would have missed out on these magical moments of watching our family loving each other.  The growth that happens when there is unity and connection and love is miraculous.

We love to gather together as a family and with friends.  I have these moments of time standing still more and more.  This family night was one of those nights.  We weren't all here this night, but it was still magical.  Our family is growing within our immediate family unit as well as with friends we like to "adopt" into our clan.  I am grateful!

My meager attempt at a pinterst project.

The firepit is a great gathering place.

Snuggles

She loves her daddy.

Story time in the teepee.

Great friends and new babies.

Grateful for this guy who works so hard to make our marriage and family a priority.

Until next time.

xoxo,

Carol