(Bump) In Lieu Of Gifts

I thought today would be a good day to bump this. I probably shouldn't be, but I AM amazed that people actually took me up on these alternative ideas. Thank you so much for your generosity to the CFF and pregnancy centers in Tricia and Gwyneth's honor!!!


I've received several emails and comments over the past few days and weeks asking us where we have registered for baby stuff. While we are incredibly humbled and appreciative of the generosity of total strangers, to be completely honest, we'd rather not post all of that info on the blog or give it out to too many people for two reasons:

1) We're scared if we did give it out to anyone who asked for it there wouldn't be anything left for any of our family and friends to get us. We've yet to have an actual baby shower, and I've heard from so many friends and family who are very excited about participating in one when we get home. Based on the generosity we've already received, I have no doubt that you crazy people (and, I say that fondly) would give us all we need and more, and that's not really what we want out of all of this. Again, as much as we genuinely appreciate the gifts we have received (and I'm sure will continue to receive), we would like to experience some normalcy in this area of our life and are looking forward to a real shower. :)

2) What we really want, as I've mentioned several times before, is to turn our blessing into ways that can bless others. If you are one of the people who really want to give a baby gift (and if not, that's totally cool because we've never expected anything out of this blogging experience), consider the following options in honor of Gwyneth and/or Tricia:

> Donate to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and help us find new drugs and treatments and possibly a cure that will benifit thousands of CFers across the world. I have nearly met my personal goal of $10,000 (almost entirely with your help!), and have decided to bump my goal up to $15,000 since I have until September 13 to accomplish it. Every penny makes a difference!

> Contact your local Crisis Pregnancy Center and/or hospital and inquire how you can donate some new, baby items. I can almost guarantee that they would more than welcome your donation and that they know of plenty of families who are in much greater need than we find ourselves in.

All of this is NOT to say if you have already sent us a gift that we don't greatly appreciate it...we DO! You have made our lives so much easier and more enjoyable now and in years to come.

We truly appreciate that some people who have already given to the CFF are now asking for ways to give in a more personal way...and, we can honestly say that there could be nothing more personal to us than if you would consider giving to others because of our story.

Thanks!

Nate