Rachel says, "THANKS!"

My sister wrote a note to all you lovely people who have so graciously given towards her upcoming surgery on August 9th.  Please keep up the prayers and THANKS!!
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Dear friends,

 

I'm sorry I didn't get this thank you out sooner, but how do you thank people for something so important?  I am really blessed by all of you - though the Give Foward website doesn't reflect it, some people also gave to me personally, and with all the gifts combined you guys raised over $8,000 for me!  That's monumental, and I am extremely grateful.  If you guys hadn't pulled together and been so gracious, I would've had to wait at least one more year before I could afford surgery.  So thank you.  Thanks for caring about me.  Thanks for helping me in my greatest hour of need.  This experience of opening up about the disease and accepting help from my community has grown me in big ways and helped me understand how we ought to care for and interact with one another. I am really overwhelmed.  Really and truly.  I mean, $8000!  That's a lot of love. :)

 

Bekah will continue to post updates on the Give Forward website (http://giveforward.com/rachelsovilla) and on Facebook, and I will also be posting on my blog http://gracefulewe.blogspot.com/ if you would like to hear how surgery goes.  After all, you paid for it!  Oh, and I also found out they record the whole thing and I get a copy, so in some ways you could see it as having funded a full-length motion picture.  Movie night, anyone? ;)

 

Thank you again, so very much.  From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

 

Love,

Rachel

Long anticipated arrival (x2)

I gotta be honest...along with being excited for my new little guy, I have been nearly as excited knowing that I would get at least a weeklong visit from my mom as soon as the baby was born.  She's here now and we are all loving it!

Let's go out with a BANG!!

We're revving up for a great weekend to end my sister Rachel's fundraiser for surgery with a bang!!  Please help us finish strong! THANKS and God bless!

• FRIDAY: If you'd be so kind, please "donate" your Facebook status for 24 hours from Fri. 7/13, 8 a.m. - Sat. 7/14, 8 a.m. with Rachel's fundraiser page (http://www.giveforward.com/rachelsovilla),
• SATURDAY: Yard/Bake Sale in CA (http://www.facebook.com/events/370120443054780/), 
• SUNDAY: Pampered Chef party - can order online if unable to attend (http://www.facebook.com/events/492905577389857/)

***If you don't have a Facebook account, details for the yard sale and PC party can be found on the "events" tab on the top right of her fundraiser page (http://www.giveforward.com/rachelsovilla).

***Though online donations end at midnight on Sunday, 7/15, checks can still be sent in (written to "Rachel Sovilla" and mailed to our parents' address - just contact me for info by hovering over my name "Organizer: Rebekah Ruth" at the top of her fundraiser page and click "Send a message" - http://www.giveforward.com/rachelsovilla)!

Our Little Glow-Worm

Noah spent some quality time with a "Bili-Blanket" this weekend due to some slight jaundice.  We called him our glow-worm.  He ended being a handy nightlight for the a.m. feedings too. :-)

"Think Red" - Pampered Chef Par-Tay!! :-)

We're entering the last week of my sister's fundraiser for surgery (http://www.giveforward.com/rachelsovilla).  If you would still like to donate, there's time!!  You can donate online until next Sunday, 7/15/12, or mail in a check anytime.  Here's also an upcoming fun way to give:

A good family friend, Nancy Collier, is hosting a Pampered Chef party to help raise funds for Rachel's surgery.  Nancy will be donating her commission to the fundraiser.  Here are the details:

• Theme: "Think Red" - all food served at the party will be red! 
• Time: Sunday, July 15th, 3:00 p.m.
• Location: Nancy's house (in Whittier, CA)
• Contact: (714) 469-8929, pc.nancy@aol.com   

If you are unable to attend the party, you can still check out the catalog on their website (http://www.pamperedchef.com/) and order by emailing Nancy.  Put in the subject line "Rachel Sovilla."

Please pass this party info along to your friends, stock up your kitchen with new goodies, and even get a jump-start on Christmas shopping!!!  Thanks and God bless!

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7/10/12: Update for upcoming Pampered Chef party to help fundraise for Rachel's surgery...

1. Spend $60+ and get a FREE ice cream scoop!
2. Bring a friend Rachel doesn't know and get a FREE cookbook!
3. Wear red and get a FREE hug from Rachel. ;-)
4. Remember, if you're unable to attend, you can always order online by emailing Nancy (pc.nancy@aol.com)

Family of 5 :-)

Our precious little son arrived this week - 17 days early!!  We are all doing GREAT, just thanking God for answering all our prayers in such a kind way - healthy baby, smooth delivery (hmm, though it was still painful), ;-) and now back to home sweet home.  My in-laws have made this transition smoother than it probably should be by watching the older two kiddos while we were in the hospital (and DeeDee), bringing us groceries and dinner every night since we've been home, etc.  And thank you to so many of you who prayed for us this week!!  We are SO THANKFUL for each and everyone of you!  Keep up the petitions, but please just praise God with us too. :-)

Here's a quick collection of photos of our new little tike, Noah, and his adoring family:

See my scared expression?  My Jesus, my Scotty, my midwife and prayers got me through!

Noah voluntarily slipped his arm around my neck moments after birth - precious.

Daddy's first hold.

Noah has hair - unlike his big bro and sis who were bald babies!

Noah loves to open his eyes, and we love seeing 'em.

Proud big brother Micah.

Skeptical little sister Joy.

Papa Ruth.

Mama Ruth and DeeDee.

First family photo!

DeeDee and Uncle Brad.