We hosted our first ever garage sale this past Saturday as part of our fundraising efforts to bring home Baby D. I know this was no ordinary garage sale, but hats off to those that host these regularly because it is ALOT of work!!! We began collecting donations shortly after we announced we were adopting. As I mentioned in past blog posts, the donations began pouring in. We were so fortunate to have friends, family, neighbors, and friends of friends calling wanting to give us donations to help us along the way. In the end, we collected items from over 50 families. Chad and I have included the names of all those who generously donated in the puzzle that will hang in baby's nursery.
To help give us guidance along the way, we enlisted the help of a fellow running buddy and garage sale guru, Jeanne. With her enthusiasm or as she calls it "caffeinated energy" we were able to sort all the items, price them, and organize them so as to make setup much easier the day before. Jeanne, along with several family members, generously joined us several days the week leading up to the garage sale to help make sure we were ready. Chad and I both took 1/2 day Thursday and all day Friday off to prepare. We were joined by Jeanne, my mom, Chad's brother, and my Nanny B. We worked tirelessly all day to get things ready for the "Big Day".
On the "Big Day", we were up bright and early(let's be honest...no one really slept the night before) and the weather was beautiful!! The first customers began arriving at 6:15 a.m. Before I knew it, the customers were lining up. People were parking a block away to come shop. We had at least 50 customers there at any given time for the majority of the morning. Many people coming to share their story of how adoption had touched their lives and then generously donating above their purchase price to help us out. It was an emotional and heartwarming day to say the least, and by the end Chad and I were totally exhausted. We were so blessed to be surrounded by friends and family all day. Thanks to Jeanne, Adam, Mel, Jody, Lauren, Heather H, John, Ms. Sherry, Mr. Leo, Mom, Dad, Noelle, and Melissa we got it done. Everyone worked so well together handing out bags, greeting customers, carrying packages and furniture to cars, and helping make sales. We could not have done it without all of you. Because of everyone's hard work we were able to raise $3,500 dollars!!! I still cannot wrap my mind around it.
Since then, we have been preparing for our second garage sale in New Orleans on March 28. Mom and Dad have been collecting items from family and friends and working to price items and sort them in preparation. I know it is tough work and we appreciate them giving up their time to help us out. I know they are as excited to become grandparents as we are to become parents.
Thanks again to all those that helped, sent texts, came by, donated, and said prayers for us through the whole process. We are getting closer everyday to our ultimate goal of meeting our baby!!
Here are some pics from the garage sale!! Enjoy!!
To help give us guidance along the way, we enlisted the help of a fellow running buddy and garage sale guru, Jeanne. With her enthusiasm or as she calls it "caffeinated energy" we were able to sort all the items, price them, and organize them so as to make setup much easier the day before. Jeanne, along with several family members, generously joined us several days the week leading up to the garage sale to help make sure we were ready. Chad and I both took 1/2 day Thursday and all day Friday off to prepare. We were joined by Jeanne, my mom, Chad's brother, and my Nanny B. We worked tirelessly all day to get things ready for the "Big Day".
On the "Big Day", we were up bright and early(let's be honest...no one really slept the night before) and the weather was beautiful!! The first customers began arriving at 6:15 a.m. Before I knew it, the customers were lining up. People were parking a block away to come shop. We had at least 50 customers there at any given time for the majority of the morning. Many people coming to share their story of how adoption had touched their lives and then generously donating above their purchase price to help us out. It was an emotional and heartwarming day to say the least, and by the end Chad and I were totally exhausted. We were so blessed to be surrounded by friends and family all day. Thanks to Jeanne, Adam, Mel, Jody, Lauren, Heather H, John, Ms. Sherry, Mr. Leo, Mom, Dad, Noelle, and Melissa we got it done. Everyone worked so well together handing out bags, greeting customers, carrying packages and furniture to cars, and helping make sales. We could not have done it without all of you. Because of everyone's hard work we were able to raise $3,500 dollars!!! I still cannot wrap my mind around it.
Since then, we have been preparing for our second garage sale in New Orleans on March 28. Mom and Dad have been collecting items from family and friends and working to price items and sort them in preparation. I know it is tough work and we appreciate them giving up their time to help us out. I know they are as excited to become grandparents as we are to become parents.
Thanks again to all those that helped, sent texts, came by, donated, and said prayers for us through the whole process. We are getting closer everyday to our ultimate goal of meeting our baby!!
Here are some pics from the garage sale!! Enjoy!!