Fun Pics From the East Coast

This is my great niece, Shelby. Robin sent us her picture asking if she reminds us of anyone. Hmmm. Perhaps her second cousin, Jen, with whom she shares a middle name?

Shelby's older sister, Rachel, staged this picture for a photography assignment. Shelby's face is on the ball and younger brother, Carlton is sending her into orbit.

I've added Robin's blog (www.scrapbookwithrobin.blogspot.com) to the list of Family Links and her Close to My Heart stamping website (http://robinvoak.myctmh.com) to the list of Links to Check Out.

Dear Extended Family...(I Know You're Here)...

In case you haven't noticed the list of Family Links in the right hand column, take a minute to check each one out. For instance, since the K-Kids Family Fun blog is meant to include antics of the whole family, I started another one called Simply Me in which to record my own daily random thoughts and another in which to tell family stories that will provide a heritage for our kids. Similarly, JW has a blog that records her travels, DL has one for her art efforts, and Cherie is a family friend who is 2/3 of the way through getting her MA degree while helping to take care of her lively nephews. Feel free to make use of the links provided and join us. Better yet, email me if you have any news of your own that I can add to the family blog. We'd love to hear from you.

Love,
M

Remember the Mario Brothers?

Remember Nintendo, Luigi, and Mario? Remember coin boxes you bump with your head, smiling clouds you can jump on, and green pipes that transport you to other lands? Then go check out the moveable Mario Land mural elements that Jen and Danielle created, with Cherie's help, at Liam's house this week for his homecoming. They did a really good job and their efforts will be a great source of smiles and imaginative fun for both Liam and his sister. Kuddos!

http://www.normalcyaside.blogspot.com/

Working In the Wee Hours

This is what Don did last night. After Mom headed off to bed around 9:30, he started making homemade bread for a church breakfast this morning. He wanted it to be as fresh as possible, and it was wonderful!

Homemade...

Look what Mom and I got for Mothers' Day! Homemade strawberry ice cream. Enough said.

It's Simple

I just made a loan to someone in the Philippines using a website called Kiva (http://www.kiva.org/). J gave me a gift certificate that got me started with this endeavor a year ago and I still get excited to think that, with as little as $25, I’m actually able to help people who really need and appreciate it. If you have never heard of Kiva, please take a moment to check it out.

You can go to Kiva's website and lend to someone of your choice across the globe who needs a loan for their business - like raising goats, selling vegetables at market or making bricks. Each loan available for investment has a picture of the entrepreneur, a description of their business and how they plan to use the loan so you know exactly how your money is being spent - and you get updates letting you know how the entrepreneur is doing.

The best part is, when the entrepreneur pays back their loan you get your money back to keep or to reinvest. Their payments come in monthly – each investor getting a proportional amount. Once I’ve received $25 back, I like to reinvest in someone else so that the original money keeps on giving. The gift certificates also make more meaningful graduation and confirmation gifts. Please note that Kiva's loans are managed by microfinance institutions on the ground who have a lot of experience doing this, so you can trust that your money is being handled responsibly.

A few days ago I made a $25 loan through Kiva to an entrepreneur named Fe Manuel in the Philippines. She wants to sell bananas to supplement the family's farming income. The money I lent was from previous loans, like the one to silk weaver Boret Chea in Cambodia, paid back to me over the course of the last year. At the time, Kiva still needed another $125.00 from investors to complete their loan request of $250.00, but today I received notice that the entire amount has been raised and the loan has been disbursed to Fe.

It's finally easy to actually do something about poverty - using Kiva I know exactly who my money is loaned to and what they're using it for. And most of all, I know that I'm helping them build a sustainable business that will provide income to feed, clothe, house and educate their family long after my loan is paid back.

Join me in changing the world - one loan at a time.

Don't Forget Liam

Check out Cherie Rainwater's blog entry "Let Me Tell You a Story..." for a great story about Liam and his family at http://www.cherierainwater.blogspot.com/

By the way, the Pampered Chef opportunity runs through May 15, but if you want something in time for Mother's Day get your order in by April 30. Direct donations can also be made to the "Liam McNassar Fund" at any Washington Mutual Bank.

Most of all, keep the little guy in your prayers.