"You know you are not getting any money from this?"

Last Sunday Russ & I along with my parents, Taylor, and Court & Jill's family went over to Justin & Liz's house for Dessert and FHE! Well, let's first describe the loveliness that was dessert..I wish I had taken a picture, but I didn't.

On the menu was homemade chocolate chip cookie bowls, with creamy vanilla ice cream, drizzled with a smooth, homemade hot fudge sauce (compliments of Liz), topped with whip cream and nuts...and then some popcorn on the side :) I would bathe in the hot fudge sauce if the occasion presented itself, it was that good. Then Liz conducted a lovely spiritual thought and Justin and Maren performed a musical number that was the best rendition of heart and soul I had heard since the 90's. It ended with a small planing session for the upcoming fundraiser, which I'm totally excited for. Hopefully by the next week we'll have the date and kinks worked out and I'll post about it.

The most amazing part of the whole evening was the enthusiasm for the fundraiser generated from all our adorable nieces and nephews ages 2-12. As we chatted about trying to get crafts, goods, services etc., donated, the 4 girls said, "We can make friendship bracelets for people to buy." This was then followed by the older boys announcing that they were going to make gimp key-rings and parachute cord bracelets to sell. It just made us so happy that it's a family affair. How cute are they? They have some good parents.

Then, as an added bonus, the next night, I was talking with Liz and Jill about the kids' endeavors and they both said that the kids were working so hard making bracelets and key-rings. Liz told me that she really wanted her son, Zach (11yr) to know that by making these bracelets, he was not getting anything or money from them. She asked if he understood that and he replied, "Yes I am getting something, I'm getting a baby cousin." Insert my tears. I just welled up.

It was not more than 5 minutes later that Jill's daughter, Ava, (7yr), came up to me and handed me a dollar bill. She said, "I want you to have this." I told her I wasn't going to take her money, but she said, "It's for your baby, I want you to have it." Insert round 2 of tears. I was so floored by there simple love and mature understanding of our desire. But that our desire became their desire as well. The next morning I told Russell about these sincere experiences and we just stood in our kitchen and cried again.

We feel so incredibly humbled by the outpouring of love and support from our families, friends and community. We can not thank you enough for your encouraging words and amazing donations. We are so lucky to have such people in our lives, we love you.