Fotolanthropy

As most of you know, Katie Norris blessed us immensely when she came all the way to Children's and took the most beautiful photographs I have ever seen in my life. 

Seriously.  The most beautiful photos.  Sometimes I just stare at them.  

Katie launched Fotolanthropy the morning that I (through tears) asked her to come and take pictures of sweet James before he lost his hair.  I really wanted pictures of his beautiful hair, and I was so sad he was going to lose it during chemo.  (Remember at this time I truly thought that James was going to beat the tumor and that we would be doing 52 weeks of chemotherapy.)  

Katie and her team of assistant photographer Brooke and videographer Daniel Troupe gave us the second most precious gift I have ever received (after the gift of James of course).  Little did either of us know the impact that these photos and her work would have.

Katie tells the story of how she became involved with our family on her Fotolanthropy blog.   I loved being able to read how James impacted her world.  It is truly a "God thing" how we got together, and I am so grateful that I got to know her.

Katie donated her entire session fee as well as gave us 2 HUGE prints of sweet James and a HUGE array of beautifully printed photos.  She and Brooke also created an amazing guest book for people to sign, which many of you might have seen in the various news stories we have been able to do.  Daniel also gave us all the footage of his shoot, as well as created the video that I still cannot watch without crying. 

Please visit Katie's Fotolanthropy site to read her side of the story!  Also, keep her and her ministry in your prayers.  Katie is launching Fotolanthropy in order to bless other families the way that she blessed us.  She is truly amazing, and I just can't believe that I am so lucky to have amazing people like her in my life.  

(Also- all you DFW people, Katie has been featured in D Magazine Weddings and takes amazing family portraits.  If you are looking for the most wonderful photographer to work with who has the kindest heart and takes beautiful pictures- call Katie!  She is beautiful inside and out!)

Eating for a Cause!

Fudge brownies

 So for those of you who don't love to shop-but love to eat- this is right up your alley!  Wholesome Foods Bakery is owned by Taylor Nicholson, who's brother-in-law and wife go to our church.  She was so sweet, and brought so many treats to the house when we brought James home.  The treats were gone in about 2 days!  They were delicious. 

The kicker is....all of their yummy goods are GLUTEN FREE!  And they have vegan options, as well as dairy-free treats.  I know many of you have food allergies or have children who have food allergies.

Whole grain sandwich bread

And these don't taste like your typical dry, crumbly attempts at bread and muffins.  They use only unrefined sugars and heart healthy fats.  So in my book, their products really count as a vegetable if you get their amazing pumpkin muffins, or a fruit if you try the cranberry apricot foodbars!  I had no idea they were gluten-free when I tried them and thought they were amazing.  I was amazed to find out how wholesome they really are!

Sweet Taylor has offered to donate 50% of her profits for the rest of the month of AUGUST to James' fund.  All you have to do is mention "James" when you come to her East Dallas storefront, or write "James" in the comments for any online order.  How amazing is that?

Cinnamon sweet rolls

These freeze really well and would be great to keep in the freezer for unexpected guests.  Also, they are great to have on hand just in case a friend of your children is allergic to lots of ingredients and you need a snack! 

WFB has many more options in their store, like cakes and cake balls, hamburger buns, pizza crust, cookie dough and more.  So, East Dallas people, please stop by and support James' fund through the end of August!  They are located at 718 North Buckner Ave, just east of White Rock lake near the Green Spot and Gold's Gym. 

Wholesome Foods Bakery also ships nationwide.  If you are wanting something other than is offered on the website, just give them a call and I am sure they would love to send you some of their scrumptious snacks. 

Yummmm....it's definitely time for lunch now!

Shopping for a Cause!

So who doesn't love to shop?!  I know I do.  Sweet Tahnie at http://www.ahappygirl.com/ has offered to donate 50% of her profits from Stella & Dot to James's fund!

 I am LOVING the Toujours collection.  I wear white jewelery all the time, and it just seems to go with everything.  (Or at least that is what I tell myself!)  It reminds me of spring and summer, which are my most favorite times of the year. 

  

And these gold earrings would go with everything!  So simple, yet can be dressed up for a night out or worn with cotton shirt and jeans around town.  (Unless you get dressed up to run errands.  And if you do, and we meet at the grocery store, please ignore my sweat pants and hot pink crocs that should really be banned to the trash can.  Or if it's 100 degrees and I have on my Baylor nike shorts,  a non-matching t-shirt and flip flops.  The flip flops are what prove I didn't just work out and I really have no excuse to be wearing work out clothes...but if we meet then please pretend that I did.  End of tangent).

• To order, go to Tahnie's  Stella & Dot website http://stelladot.com/tahnie.

• In the upper right hand corner it will say, "Can't make it to the trunk show?" Find your hostess

• Click on the link that says "Find your hostess"

• Type in James for the first name and Sikes for the last name

• Click on the James Sikes link and shop away for an amazing cause!

Please check out Tahnie's blog.  She has an amazing story and her little girl is just too adorable for words.  I just can't believe that people I have never met want to help raise money for this terrible tumor- and I am so incredibly thankful for that!  So if you love jewelery, shop away!!

Giraffe Necklace

THE GIRAFFE NECKLACES ARE AVAILABLE AGAIN FOR THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED!

Do you see this beautiful giraffe necklace?

I wear it every day now.

My sweet friend, Jean E, and my Sunday School Class contacted Lorelei from LoreleiRose etsy shop about possibly purchasing this necklace for me. Within 30 minutes of emailing Lorelei, Jean E had a response that Lorelei not only had this necklace, but she had already stamped it with Jamesie's name and was just waiting to send it to me. Lorelei shipped it immediately, and the amazing women of my Sunday School class bought all the ones she had in stock to wear in memory of James.

Lorelei has made some more necklaces, and she is offering to give $8 of every sale to James's fund.

I can't tell you how much I love this necklace. It's beautiful, and I am so grateful that Lorelei wants to donate $1 for every month of sweet Jamesie's life to his fund. If you would like your own giraffe necklace (which you should, because I hear giraffes are making a come back :) ) please follow the link and Lorelei will get you your very own.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/76764458/personalized-giraffe-custom-hand-stamped

James Camden Sikes Fund

Kara and I are establishing a fund in James' name to direct resources towards research of rhabdoid tumors. In order to give to this fund, please click here. We would like to thank the Communities Foundation of Texas for helping us facilitate this goal. Donations are tax deductible. For those of you who would prefer to write checks, checks can be sent to:

Communities Foundation of Texas
James Camden Sikes Fund
5500 Caruth Haven Lane
Dallas, TX 75225.

Make checks payable to Communities Foundation of Texas, with James Camden Sikes in the designation line or memo line. We would appreciate gifts to this fund in lieu of flowers. James never cared much for flowers, but I do think he'd like to do something about rhabdoid tumors.

Thank all of you.

A super easy DIY that makes a great Mother's Day gift

The new home networking site - Link My Home, was awesome enough to publish my post today on turning a Mason jar into a soap pump. Link My Home connects home owners globally to chat, share inspiration, and buy/sell - check it out.

Below is my post and DIY

Decorology DIY: Turn a Mason jar into a charming soap pump – A great Mother’s Day gift too!

via Country Living

I’m far from the first one to present this idea, but it’s really great and perhaps some of you out there have yet to discover it. All you need is a soap dispenser pump (reuse one from your last soap bottle or purchase one from a supplier like onedreamdesign.com), a mason jar, and the jar’s lid. It is also helpful to have a drill, as you will need to create a hole about half and inch wide to accommodate the soap pump. Other supplies you may want to have on hand include scissors, a marker to mark where you will drill the hole, and some 2 part epoxy to seal the cap of the soap pump to the jar of the lid.

(via Apartment Therapy)

Directions:

1. Use marker to measure and mark a circle in the lid of the mason jar the width of you soap dispenser pump
2. Drill hole where you marked in lid of mason jar
3. Mix epoxy and apply to the lower rim of the soap dispenser pump
4. Insert the pump dispenser through the jar lid (if the tube is too long for the jar, just snip it to size with some scissors)

5. Let the epoxy dry according to the instructions
7. Fill with your favorite liquid soap – and enjoy!

Here are some examples of what you can create:

(via Apartment Therapy)

If you don’t have a Mason jar they are pretty easy to find at thrift stores.

via Décor Chick

So cute right? I think I’ll be making a couple for my mom for Mother’s Day!

Really fun and pretty gifts for everyone on your list - all on one site!

These are just a handful of the really cute and unique gifts you'll find on Swirl, a discount shopping site brought to you by the folks who run Daily Candy. If you aren't a member of Swirl, which is required to shop, this link will take you directly to the sign up page. Membership is free. Once you're signed up, click on the "Holiday Shop" tap on the top of the site next to the "Sale Events" tab. Happy Shopping!



This "bowl" and "pitcher " are so clever!

These cookie cutters are too cute.
chalkboard candle
Perfume in clever packaging
The sale features lots of pretty soap and bath stuff.
The above is felted soap. Has anyone tried this before? I'd like to know how it is.
Lots of boys' toys too.

This totem is actually a stack of little bowls!




Gifts for your cutie too
Lots of cool dishware and kitchen gadgets


Adornments for you and your loved ones beautiful selves.

Like what you see? There's lots more!

Here's the membership link for ya one more time - click here.

HUGE designer discounts at ideeli's black sale

As usual, you gotta run to this one cause it sells out fast. They've got shoes, jewelry, bags, outerwear, knits, denim, dresses, classics like Calvin Klein, designers like Dolce and Gabbana. You're free membership is just a click away (it's fast to sign up, too) - www.ideeli.com/invite/decorology

There is also a big designer discount sale at members -only shopping site RueLaLa, which I have an invite link for you to join (free) - http://www.ruelala.com/invite/decorology, and at designer discount shopping site Gilt - you also need an invite link, which I have for you here.

Tons of great gifts without trying to find a parking space!

I have this jacket and love it! I always get compliments







I'm seriously considering this coat - wool and only $89!




Here's you membership link again.