Saturday, December 19, 2009

the littlest angels

i am busy beyond the busiest busyperson, working, partying (5 nights in a row, a record for us!) shopping ( first present bought yesterday in a marathon session i finished all my list, FUN!), baking, cooking, birthday celebrating, my baby is 19 today!

i haven't had time to be a good blog friend (sorry) i'll be around soon! i've only just eeked out this post, because it was so important to me. because for me it is the real and true heart of christmas.

it began here, in my new room...








and then,
boxed up ever so carefully,
10,465 miles they flew,
Seventeen Christmas stockings,




arrived in Kasane, Botswana, to the littlest angels...




Merry Christmas Shima, Agri, Kago, Madala, Botu, Tumi, Baba, Sista,
Diti, Minto, Banjo, Nunu, Sandi, Kwena, Penyo, Thandi, Kay
and teacher Emeldah (one very lovely big angel).


From our family to all of yours,
however big or small, may all your dreams come true.
Merry Christmas and much love,


lori ♥




* you can read about the children (and see more of their beautiful smiles) at the Kazungula Children's Orphanage here.
photos of the children by Sharon Nel. Thank you Sharon.
I'd also very much like to thank Kathee and Jeannie for donating the felt for these stockings. Kathee is the owner of The Treasure Hunt in Carpinteria, a lovely Quilt shop (and so much more). If you are ever in the area, you will want to stop in. Thank you very much my friends.
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46 comments:

  1. kjDecember 19, 2009 at 10:30 AM

    As if I didn't have enough reasons to love you already

    ♥
    ♥

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  2. AngelaDecember 19, 2009 at 10:35 AM

    Never ever in their lives will they forget you, and this Christmas!! You did something so wonderful, Lori,I am really beyond words. And each one has got his PERSONAL stocking, with their NAMEs on it. What an incredible idea. Who was the angel here?!!!

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  3. HelenDecember 19, 2009 at 11:25 AM

    Dear Lori,
    May I add my very best holiday wishes to all seventeen of these precious little ones ....

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  4. bodaatDecember 19, 2009 at 12:54 PM

    you are just *so* ridiculously LOVELY!!! the kids look so happy! you are one incredibly thoughtful lady Mrs. Lori!

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  5. MichaelaDecember 19, 2009 at 12:59 PM

    This is so cool! You are making those kids so happy, great job! You are a very special soul! I am glad to "know" you.
    Happy Holidays!!!!
    ♥

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  6. MinaDecember 19, 2009 at 1:21 PM

    Oh, Lori, look at those beautiful smiles !!! Your love and kindness reflets from their eyes. And I love each of their names .
    You are a great inspiration and this is the real meaning of Christmas.
    Happy Holidays! We´re almost there in LA!!

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  7. Tina @GottaRunNowDecember 19, 2009 at 1:55 PM

    What a wonderful idea! Glad you shared!

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  8. An English ShepherdDecember 19, 2009 at 3:47 PM

    What a festive post :-)

    Wizz

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  9. xxxDecember 19, 2009 at 4:22 PM

    Beautiful Lori... I like what you have been busy with :) far more important than blogging I say.

    This is the gift we can give to ourselves... the gift of giving no matter how big or small it is a gift to be able to give.

    love to you
    Ho Ho Ho
    and all the best wishes for the year ahead too xoxo
    Ribbon

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  10. LoriDecember 19, 2009 at 4:48 PM

    Oh Lori, this makes my day, no, this makes my week...how perfectly wonderful. I did go back and read about the orphanage and these children. It is my dream to be involved in something like this. Doing all of this was far more important then coming to my blog.

    Bless you and your big heart and anyone else that helped with all of this. May all the things your busy with, fill you up with so much joy and peace. Happy birthday to your boy! Love and hugs to you. XX Lori

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  11. NatalieDecember 19, 2009 at 5:07 PM

    So beautiful..... I love their little smiling faces. I was grinning here like a lunatic. Bless you, Lori.
    Lotsa love, Natsy.x♥x

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  12. pink dogwoodDecember 19, 2009 at 5:49 PM

    Lori - you are just amazing. Have a wonderful holiday season.

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  13. CJDecember 19, 2009 at 7:05 PM

    So beautiful! Love you lots :)

    Happy weekend! and Happy holidays!

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  14. LynDecember 19, 2009 at 7:38 PM

    Lori - you are a Christmas angel! What joy you have spread to little children a world away. YOu make the world better ... and smaller! Love to you and yours!

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  15. CocoDecember 19, 2009 at 8:06 PM

    Awww. You are an Angel. I love that people keep reenforcing my belief in the good of others.

    Thank You

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  16. AnonymousDecember 19, 2009 at 9:34 PM

    this IS what Christmas is about
    xxx

    PS love that you're up to being the Social Christmas Butterfly :-)

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  17. karenDecember 19, 2009 at 10:12 PM

    So glad the special gifts got there in good time! thanks for the email, and sorry i didn't manage to reply yet... I just love the photos, and I love the way Sharon told you their faces lit up like Christmas lights when they saw them.. Christmas blessings to you and your family, Lori xx

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  18. Fire ByrdDecember 20, 2009 at 1:39 AM

    What an Angel you are to spread such joy so far away. And I bet it doesn't stop there, you'll already be planning cherishing your family at home. If not the next project!
    With loads of love dear Lori. you put the love into having a Happy Christmas
    xx

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  19. ValDecember 20, 2009 at 5:44 AM

    I know you are not trying to make me cry!! this is so beautiful - the stockings, you, the labour of love, the children at the Daycare Center - all makes for the real Christmas meaning. THANK YOU xxx

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  20. SammiDecember 20, 2009 at 1:41 PM

    Oh how fantastic Lori!

    Hope you're having an awesome holiday season

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  21. BogeyDecember 20, 2009 at 6:28 PM

    You made my eyes leak. Damn! Somebody gets it....they really, really get it. Your heart is as bright as the star hovering over Jesus. You definitely put a smile in my heart. Not to mention those precious little faces. You are a Christmas Charm! May the true spirit of the Season stay with you always!

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  22. DianaDecember 21, 2009 at 3:24 AM

    Oh Lori, thank you! In all of this holiday mania, this reminder of what's really important is so poigniant! Happy holidays, I'm honored to know you as a cyber friend!

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  23. ReneeDecember 21, 2009 at 8:43 AM

    The most important post of all dear Lori.

    I love you and your gentle heart.

    Merry Christmas darling.

    Love Renee xoxo

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  24. Rosaria WilliamsDecember 21, 2009 at 11:29 AM

    You touch many hearts, dear Lori ann.
    Best wishes for a peaceful and joyful holiday season.

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  25. Butternut SquashDecember 21, 2009 at 5:49 PM

    Lori this is absolutely wonderful. Angels everyone! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a healthy happy New Year! Peace.

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  26. NaniDecember 21, 2009 at 7:08 PM

    Lori,

    What a beautiful gesture of Christmas spirit–I wish I had known, I would have sent something your way to add in. Next year! Love that you share in all the holidays goodness with those in need and then share it with us in return. What gorgeous children too!

    Blessings, Romney

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  27. NancyDecember 21, 2009 at 8:59 PM

    What a beautiful Christmas gesture! Truly the best I've read so far. Those tiny little children are so dear, and the thought they had their own little stocking is so sweet. Thanks for sharing, Lori. You made my day.

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  28. King of New York HacksDecember 22, 2009 at 10:13 AM

    Incredibly generous and what this season is truly all about !! Mrry Christmas Honks from Times Square NYC to you !!!

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  29. Sally AnneDecember 22, 2009 at 10:48 AM

    This is surely Christmas! The beautiful children in Botswana clutching their special love filled stockings ...... yes you must be the Christmas angel Lori.
    You are an inspiration to all of us and thank you for your wonderful generous spirit.
    xxxxx

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  30. AnonymousDecember 22, 2009 at 7:42 PM

    kj loves you too. she told me so.

    i however so far only like you because rabbits are slower to love instead of like even though it may not look that may because they multiply whatever that means but anyway my mother told me to only say 'love' to your family and best friends and so far my best friend is marianne do you know her? but maybe if you are very nice to me and don't mind if i have temper tantrums sometimes then i might become a best friend to you and then i would say i love you the same. how does that sound?

    sincerely,
    emily v. v. rabbit

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  31. AnonymousDecember 22, 2009 at 7:55 PM

    lori, how come you don't still love me even if i don't love you yet? that is not fair because why can't you be very sweet to me even if i'm not but maybe i will be soon? right?

    i told you this on kj's blog too but i thought you'd want to know right away so i'm telling you twice. you shouldn't be a fair weather love friend because you aren't and besides maybe i will come around faster than you think and then i will be the most fun especially because we can get in trouble together and i will teach you how to get away with it.

    okay?

    yours truly,
    e.r.

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  32. sallymandyDecember 23, 2009 at 4:07 AM

    Oh Lori, you kill me with your generous spirit. Kill isn't the right word, of course. You know what I mean. All those beautiful little stockings and the beautiful little people who received them. I'm touched and humbled.

    You have a beautiful and restful Christmas, dear, and don't for a minute worry about being behind on your blog reading. What you did this week was more important!

    xo Sallymandy

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  33. UnknownDecember 23, 2009 at 9:24 AM

    Hi Lori. I've been very absent too, but not as busy as you, just silent. The stockings for the children are so sweet. I can see all your love that you've given to them. Have a very merry Christmas! Lots of love, Aden

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  34. SarahDecember 23, 2009 at 1:20 PM

    All I can say is WOW! You're amazing Lori ann!x

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  35. Lori annDecember 23, 2009 at 6:58 PM

    Thank you lovely friends, it fills me with joy to know that you all believe in the power of the smallest gesture of love, it really can change lives. You are the best blog friends a girl could ever hope for.
    Happy, Merry, Peace and LOVE filled Christmas to each of you.
    ♥ Lori

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  36. NatureStopDecember 23, 2009 at 8:13 PM

    Hi Lori,
    Enjoyed going through your posts.Had missed quite a bit.Enjoy your Christmas!!!
    Shantana

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  37. kjDecember 24, 2009 at 1:08 AM

    dear lori, i wish you such a happy holiday. i am thinking of you. i hope emily did not hurt your feelings. if she did i will cut off her supply of jelly beans.

    love you, later aligator
    &hearts:

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  38. Reya MellickerDecember 24, 2009 at 7:26 AM

    Ah! Fantastic!! All those stockings. Truly you are an angel, Lori.

    Bravo!! And happiest Christmas!

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  39. MimiDecember 24, 2009 at 4:06 PM

    Hi Lori, thanks for visiting me and for your lovely comment.
    These stockings are beautiful, but the thought and kindness behind them are even more beautiful.
    I'm sure you've made Christmas for these little children.
    Have a very, very Happy Christmas.

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  40. ReasonsDecember 25, 2009 at 10:12 AM

    Merry merry Christmas to you Lori Anne - so lovely to have known you this year. Love and laughter xxx

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  41. UnknownDecember 25, 2009 at 11:16 PM

    Lori, you are the Christmas Angel! What a wonderful thing you've done for these children!
    I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and that you haven't exhausted yourself too much with all your activity! xxx

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  42. Teri and her Stylish Adventure Cats December 26, 2009 at 3:43 PM

    Amazing and gratifying and full of love...you are an angel!

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  43. ChrisDecember 26, 2009 at 6:53 PM

    I don't even know-know you, but I love and admire you. You are a kind, giving person. I love that you are still connected to Africa, and these stockings will make a difference to these kids. Your example, and time and energy makes a difference in mine. You are a really great person.

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  44. ReneeDecember 27, 2009 at 10:26 AM

    Oh Lori I received the most magical treasure chest. Oh darling. I love your gift so much.

    Thank you dear heart. What a magical surprise.

    Love Renee xoxo

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  45. ReneeDecember 27, 2009 at 12:28 PM

    Did you get over here and measure my feet somehow.

    The slippers are perfect and cosy and blissful. I am wearing them right now with a pair of blue pajamas.

    After I shower before I go to Jacquies, I will again wear them with who knows what.

    Love Renee xoxo

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  46. PhoenixDecember 28, 2009 at 4:30 PM

    Lori! You are such a kick-ass woman I can barely stand it. How huge your heart must be to make adorable stockings for kids halfway around the world, just to see their beautiful smiles light up the world.

    I'm in awe. I hope you and your family have a beautiful Christmas...just like you deserve :)

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xoxo lori

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