smith family blog: 2010

December 30, 2010

Happy Holiday's!

Here is our Christmas Card...we slacked this year!

December 29, 2010

I have shared with some of you that Cade is going to Haiti in January. He'll be leaving with my father, who has been dedicated to completing an orphanage just outside of Port au Prince, where a tragic earthquake struck. Everyone who is going down will do so at their own expense, and all funds donated are going for labor and materials.

The organization has raised over $250,000 but is still short on funds to complete the orphanage.

I'M ASKING FOR YOUR HELP.

Click here to lend your support to: Finish Construction of Haiti Orphanage and make a donation at www.pledgie.com !

CLICK THIS BUTTON TO DONATE

Another $70k will get the building to a point where the children can move into the new building. Conditions in Haiti are very dangerous at this time, cholera has killed hundreds and kidnappings still take place. This new orphanage is located out in the country, safe from the horrible situation they face in Port au Prince.

While the goal of having the kids in by Christmas was not met, a lot of progress has been made. The $53,000 needed to complete the tile work was generously donated and work should start this coming Monday.

An extremely large donation was made that allowed the purchase of two 40’ containers, which were loaded last Thursday & Friday. By Friday night, they were on a train and en route to Haiti. They should arrive in Port au Prince, Haiti about the first week of January and will be delivered by the 15th. My dad will be taking five or six men, including Cade to with him to Haiti to help work on doors, skylights, painting, etc. and to meet the containers on their scheduled delivery date.

For those who HAVE or are INTERESTED in donating to this cause, please join us for an open house at the home of Ken & Laura Potter and meet Bishop Mardy (who runs the orphanage) in person.

January 2nd from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
551 S. Ranch Circle
Alpine, Utah 84004

This is a rare opportunity to meet the director as he is in the country for a short time visiting his family. Light refreshment served. He will be returning to Haiti Tuesday morning.

December 19, 2010

Haitian Orphanage -- Update

While the goal of having the kids in by Christmas was not met, a lot of progress has been made.

The $53,000 needed to complete the tile work was generously donated and work should start this coming Monday.

An extremely large donation was made that allowed the purchase of two 40’ containers, which were loaded last Thursday & Friday. By Friday night, they were on a train and en route to Haiti. They should arrive in Port au Prince, Haiti about the first week of January and will be delivered by the 15th. My dad will be taking five or six men to with him to Haiti to help work on doors, skylights, painting, etc. and to meet the containers on their scheduled delivery date.

***Please note -- Both the $53,000 donation and the donation for the shipping costs were donated outside of this site, so the amount needed to complete the orphanage has been reduced from the original $125,000 to reflect the new totals.

The taxes imposed by the Haitian government on all the furnishings doubled the cost of shipping. It was crushing, but the value of the furnishings was declared at the amount required was paid. A very generous, dear friend of my dad's was able to cover these expenses, in addition to the amount he donated for shipping.

We still need just under $70,000 to completely finish the building, and any and all donations are sincerely appreciated by my dad, Bishop Mardy and all the orphan children.

Bishop Mardy's family is currently living in the U.S.A, because of the dangerous conditions in Port au Prince. But, there are still many, many children living in Port au Prince, with Bishop Mardy. The sooner the orphanage is complete, the sooner we can get these children and Bishop Mardy's family out into the country and away from danger, in this new orphanage.

I want to personally thank those friends and family members of mine who have given to this cause!!!

December 14, 2010

7 years....

This is the time I look for ways to stay busy... but at night it always hits me. The pain still hasn't eased.

December 13, 2003. Can hardly wait to hold you again. Love you!

Brinley's First Dance Recital!

First of all we went to the wrong school so we almost missed it and I'm sorry but I would still be beating myself up, and sobbing, had that happened. But luckily we made it and I was shocked I was a "nervous mother"! SUPER NERVOUS! But she was so darling! If my computer ever decides to let me upload the 4 minute video I will definatly share it!

This is the "beyonce" in her. What a shot!

Doughnut Day! YUM!

Family Bingo!

And Doughnuts!! A tradition anticipated all year long!! I think I got a picture of everyone licking all their fingers at one point. D-lish!

Haiti is a go!

Here's my cute Dad, my hubby and a few others HAPPILY finishing what he set out to finish! My Dad helped raise just barely enough money to finish the Orphanage in Haiti and FURNISH it! These sweet little kids will soon have soft cozy beds to sleep in, much needed nurishment from those who donated food and so much more! Over 30 TONS......30 TONS of furnishings were shipped in two large freight containers last Saturday night headed for Haiti. And sadly there is still much more that couldn't fit. (which hopefully more funds donated will contribute to another pricey shipping container) The containers should be arriving mid-January when my Dad and any strong volunteers will unload and set-up and COMPLETE the Foyer de Sion! This Christmas Season if there is room for giving, please consider donating to this wonderful charity. (Link at the top of my blog)