Sunday, March 11, 2012

Adoption Auction Summary

3 Day Auction
13 Winning Bidders
18 Donated Items Auctioned
3,000 (ish) blog page views 
$593 raised
Countless hours of work
1 very tired & VERY appreciative Mommy
2 Orphans one step closer to having a forever family

I'd call that a successful "Adoption Auction"!   

Thank you, everyone, so much for all of your hard work, help, donations, bids, spreading the word about the Auction, sharing our story, and prayers.  We are so thankful for everyone's generosity.  You are all so, so kind.  We are encouraged to know that so many of you share our heart for orphans, and are doing all that you can to help us bring them home.  This is so much bigger than us...this is a God-sized vision that we know we can't do alone.  Your words of encouragement, thoughtful questions, sweet prayers, and offers to help are appreciated more than we can express.  

An auction may be something we decide to do again in the future.  Any feedback welcome. :)  

**Also, a few of you have asked how to pay for Auctioned items.  You can use the PayPal button on our blog or send a check.  Thank you, friends!

One step closer, Babies.

~ 6 in Love ~

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

More Promises...In Pictures

Hi Babies (#3 & #4)!

I was uploading pictures of your brother and sister today.  I kept thinking about all of the great times we were having together, and how I can't wait for you to come home and experience them with us!  I think about you all the time.  Currently, so much of how I spend my days (& late nights) are for you.  Just for you.  Okay, and for Him.  And for us.  But mostly for you.  =)  Adoption paperwork and processes are kicking my tail.  It's rough.  Really rough...and exhausting.  But it doesn't even matter.  It is temporarily challenging.  But you are so beyond worth it.  In the midst of all of the craziness we have getting things ready and able to bring you home, we really do have fun times together as a family.  As I was flipping through the pics today, and thinking of you, I thought of some things I'm looking forward to teaching you (if Brother & Sissy don't beat me to it!).  So here they are.

More Promises to you...
this time, in pictures from the week.

I promise to teach you:

To solve the problems that you face.  Don't be intimidated by the challenges before you.

That it's okay to be silly.  Be who you are.  Strap a giant purple monkey to you and stay that way all day...on all of our errands.  It doesn't matter what other people think.

To do super important things, like load your own nachos. ;)

That I care about what's important to you. And if you happen to be 3 years old, and wearing a different hairstyle every day is 'it,' then so be it.  I'll do my best.

That winning isn't everything.  This may prove to be a little difficult to do being that you'll be in this family (esp. Mommy's side...uh huh).  But, don't worry.  I care enough about you to beat you in Chutes and Ladders so you'll learn this lesson.  Unless that is, of course, you totally destroy me.  Little booger.

To make silly faces.  Life is fun.

To pick out your own clothes.  Good job, G!

That you are beautiful.  Inside and out.  And that one of those is way more important than the other.

To draw rainbows.  And about God's promises. ;)

To laugh.  Even if at first you don't know how.

How to be a good friend.

That exercise is important.

To help others.  That we will always be there for each other.

Fresh air is good...  And learning to do something by yourself- awesome.

To eat healthily.  Darn Nerds boxes in the background.  To my defense, they were from a party..and the kids have been working on a little box each for like a week now. 

To get plenty of rest.  Please- I'm begging you- do as I say, and NOT as I do for this one!

Think outside the box.  Be creative.  

To imagine.  And to be resourceful.

To share. Okay, so maybe I'm a little *thrifty* and didn't want to splurge on 2 milks.  But, I knew you wouldn't drink them all.  Save money, no waste, a lesson on sharing, and a rocking immune system.  
So there. Ha.

To stand up for what you believe in.  To use your voice.  To be a good citizen. 
 *Ever since G was born, at least one of you have gone with me to vote every time.

To trust.  We're in this together.  Family is forever.

To. Dream. Big.

There will be many more adventures.  Lessons.  Memories.  Promises.

Until then, Babies, 

~ 6 in Love ~

*** After Auction post to come!!***

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Blogger Website Issues- Read This Before Looking at Auction Items Please!!

Okay, so I freaked out for about 10 minutes just now. 

I have all 14 items/blog posts completed in exactly the same way, posted them all, but for some reason Blogger is skipping a page when you go from page to page w/ the "Older posts" link.  So DON'T use that.

Solution (!): 

Please look to the far right of the page, under the PayPal button, where it says "Blog Archive".  Use those links to view ALL 14 of the items for auction.

I don't want any to get left out.

Thank you! 

~ Panicked Peach 6 in Love ~

Our Adoption Auction...Here It Is!!!

Hi everyone!


Thanks for taking the time to view our "Adoption Auction."  We have been blessed by wonderful friends (& strangers even!) who have donated the following items for auction.  


As you probably know, we are attempting to adopt siblings (orphans) from Honduras.  It is a lengthy, difficult, and expensive process (over $35,000).  But we know it will be well worth it!


That being said, this Auction is one of our first big fundraising efforts.  Every single cent raised on this Auction will be used for our Adoption expenses.  


*** Okay, so here's how it's going to work:


- This is a 3 day Auction.  It will run from  9:00 pm Thursday, March 1st - 9:00 pm Sunday, March 4th.  (Eastern time)


- There are 14 different blog entries- one for each of the items up for auction. They are in no  particular order!  (The exception to this is that there are several canvases and canvas sets, created by me, listed in #14)  Use the "Blog Archive" on the right side of the blog to see ALL 14 items/posts!


- In each post, for each item, I have listed details, business/donor information, as well as value/worth of each item, the starting bid, and the bid increments.


- To place a bid, post a comment under the item for which you are bidding.  Bid like this:
 "John Doe (Your name) - $ amount/bid"


- If someone bids higher than you, you are welcome to bid again. Bid as many times on one item as you want!  (Make sure to follow bid increment guidelines listed though).  And for that matter, you can bid on as many items as you want...no limitations!


- If you have any questions, you can post that in the comment section as well.


- At exactly 9:00 pm Eastern time on Sunday, March 4th, the bids will stop.  (Any posted after that will not count).  I will then contact the "winning bidder" of each item.  It is at that time, I will let you know that you won & discuss details about getting the item to you.  And it is also at that time that you can make the payment via PayPal on our blog page.  


- Even if you don't bid on an item yourself, you can still help!  Would you please take a one minute and link our blog to your facebook or twitter account, send a quick email to a few friends, etc. to let them know about our Adoption Auction?


Thank you to everyone who has helped us get this together.  We appreciate you!!!  You have played a role in bringing our babies home.


Let the countdown begin.... 34 minutes...


Thank you & Happy Bidding!
~ 6 in Love ~

Auction Item #1: $200 Gift Certificate for Cricket’s Mobile Petting Zoo & Pony Rides

Details:
               * Valid towards any of their services, including the petting zoo, pony rides, and bounce
                  houses.
               * North Georgia or Metro Atlanta area
               * Must be used within one year
               *Certificate will be mailed to you upon end of auction
               * Valued at $200

Contact:
                2377 Pine Mountain Rd., Kennesaw, GA 30152
                Jesse #770-789-1422
                jesse@minizooparty.com
                www.minizooparty.com

Starting Bid:  $100
             *Please bid in increments of $10    





Auction Item #2: 11x14 Custom Subway Art

Details:
           *11x14 faux canvas
           * Created in collaboration with the artist just for you!
           * The artist will mail the canvas, at no additional cost to you.
           * Valued at $55

Contact:
          Mom’s Little Secrets
           starnesco@yahoo.com

Starting Bid:  $25
          *Please bid in increments of $5


Will look something like this.  You get to work with artist on colors, wording, etc.:



Examples:




Auction Item #3: Atlanta Hawks Tickets (Pair of 2)

Details:
            * A voucher to be exchanged for “One Upper Level Ticket to select Atlanta Hawks
               Regular Season Home Games”
             * You get to choose seats upon exchange at Box Office
             * Subject to availability of tickets
             * Honored at Philips Arena Box Office only
             * Must be redeemed during the 2011-2012 regular season
             * Two tickets do not have to be used at the same time; they may be used at different 
                games
             * Vouchers will be mailed to you upon end of auction at no additional charge to you.
             * Valued at $25 each (Pair of 2 for $50)

Contact:
             * Generously donated by Georgia Peach’s good friend, Mary Wade!
             * Visit http://www.nba.com/hawks/ for other information

Starting Bid:  $20 for the pair of 2 tickets
            * Please bid in increments of $5




Remaining Season Schedule: