Leftover Kids.

We've been home one year, and it's been so good in every way.  The progress that Carter continues to make is astounding.  I promise to do a big update post in a few days, but right now, there is something so much more important that I want to share with you.  

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Not a day goes by that I don't wonder about those kids who still wait in Carter's former orphanage.  The leftover kids.  Not one single day.  I wonder.  Pray.  Sometimes cry.  Every single day.

Carter has had 370 family dinners.  Every night, he gets tucked in to his cozy bed - and is covered with kisses from a Mama and Daddy who love him dearly.  Each morning when he wakes, a huge smile spreads across his face as he sees his Mama.  We rush downstairs, and he signs 'banana' and 'milk' the whole way.  Once breakfast is served, he starts begging for school.  'Guk-guk' (backpack)?  Yes, Carter - today you will wear your backpack and go to school.  Yes, you'll see your friends.  Yep, Mrs. K will be there too.  Yes, Carter - your friend Haleigh will be here later.  Yes, yes, yes.

Carter loves his life.  He loves the people in it.  It's obvious.

In the rush of our morning routine, I pause sometimes - and wonder.  What about Dennis?

'Dennis'

In the past 370+ days, what has his life been like?  Nannies in and out.  Cribs.  Play pens with no toys.  Wounds that don't get kissed.  Tears that don't get wiped.  And my heart breaks.  

All of our family outings, walks to the park, morning smiles and bedtime snuggles, books on laps, hugs, kisses, hugs, kisses.....

...and what about Dennis?

Since we have come home from Ukraine, I feel as though I have a responsibility.  I know things that many people don't know.  I've seen things that many people will never see.  And what am I going to do about that?

I could feel sad for the orphans we met.  I could cry for them.  And then what?  Go about my day to day activities just like I did before?

What if I did something?  What if I prayed?  What if I did what I could to raise money?  Even if I did it for ONE orphan.  Wouldn't that be better than 'feeling sad' for them?

So here I am.  Working to raise money for Dennis.  Working to get his sweet face out there - so maybe someone will see it, and feel called to be his mama.

I have some fun things planned, and I'd love for you to join me.

1} Cherish, Ink'd - I opened a little Etsy shop.  I'm creating personalized photo Christmas cards, with all proceeds going to Dennis.  You can visit my shop HERE, and take a look around.  I also will gladly do custom orders for anything you can think of: thank you notes, holiday cards, wall art, invitations, adoption announcements, prayer cards....anything!  I hope that you'll consider using my shop to purchase your own Christmas Cards this year - as it's something that most of us do anyway - and this way, the money will go toward such a worthy cause.  If you don't do photo cards for Christmas - that's okay!  You can still share with friends via email or Facebook!  I also made a Facebook Page to promote this Etsy shop - you can see and 'like' it HERE.

2} ThirtyOne - a sweet friend who adopted 2 boys from Carter's former orphanage has offered to donate her commission for my ThirtyOne party right to Dennis!  ThirtyOne makes cute, fun, incredibly useful organizational products.  Flip through their online catalog - and I guarantee you will be able to cross a few items off your Christmas Shopping List! If you'd like to order through my ThirtyOne party, click HERE.  Share with friends, and invite them to my Facebook Event HERE.

3} Donate - Of course, if you don't need anything from my Etsy shop, or ThirtyOne - you can always make a donation to Dennis' grant by clicking HERE.  It's all tax deductible, and benefits one very special little boy.

4} Share - Just by sharing this post, and Dennis' profile, you are getting his face out there!  You NEVER know who will see it, or share it - and all that sharing just may land his picture right in front of his mama's face.

That's it.  That's all I've got.  No huge giveaways.  No big ticket items.  Here's what I'm asking: please, don't leave this page without doing something.  Anything.  Not even for me, but for Dennis.

One Thing I Know For Sure: Together, we CAN make a difference!