Originally New - 1st donation

We returned to my old mission area of San Antonio, Chile and gave Originally New shirts to 120 people! www.originallynew.com

Help us help more. Buy a t-shirt please. Thanks!

Give. Help. Share. Launching Originally New

The WilliamsFam5 have come up with a new plan to help out internationally, and be fashionable at the same time!

Don't you love wearing new clothes? It feels so empowering and refreshing to pull a new shirt over your head. We believe all people feel that way, regardless of where they are from. That's why we started "originally new", aka "on."

Some people in underdeveloped countries never get that opportunity to have their own new clothes. Sure, they're dressed, but everything they wear is hand me down, donated, and discarded. For each tee you purchase, "on." will put a fresh new tee on the back of someone in need on your behalf. 

Our first tee shirt give away is to a small village in San Antonio, Chile on February 5, 2012. We are paying it forward now, with a goal of selling 100 shirts. Buy yourself and an amigo tees for $22 for the two, and be a part of our pioneer phase.

The more we sell, the more we'll give. Follow our blog for pictures, and upcoming news about our second give away in Costa Rica, May 2012. Buy shirts and spread the word now so we can give away more in May!

www.originallynew.com

 

Pinterest

I told myself that as a reward for passing my "big teacher test" I could get a pinterest account. It's nice to have time to collect things I like online. I posted a lot of my personal photos of trips I've taken tonight, so if you are interested - check out my pinterest boards. https://pinterest.com/

Happy pinning.

2012: already exciting

Lucas' tooth finally decided to come out.

Ian cracked his forehead on the kitchen chair. Glued, not stitched. (Thank you Dr. Heiner)

Elliott & Katie's baby girl was born! 1/9/12, 7 lbs 10 oz. 

No name yet, so I just call her my sweet baby.

I think Elliott is a pretty great dad already.

Fast forward review of the past 6 months

Amazon Region, Ecuador 

August 2011: 

I was in Ecuador. Ian's 9th birthday. Brooklyn's 11th birthday. Aaron is super-dad. I came home, and went back to work 10 hours later.

September:

School. Working at school.  Field trips with school. I studied for a big teaching certification test.

Ian at the Idaho Bird Observatory releasing a songbird.

  

Cub Scouts is back in session! 

Soccer Season! 4 Practices Weekly and Saturday Games!

October: 

Youth Ambassadors for Ecuador visit Boise for 3 weeks, and I'm in charge.

Aaron invests in a Go Pro Camera that everyone in the family enjoys

Corn Mazes 

Halloween: Lucas = White Ninja, Brooklyn = Christmas Mantle, Ian = Ninja Bandit

November: 

We had a baby shower for Katie & Elliott

Lucas got his tonsils out.

 

 I studied for my test. I had a birthday. Aaron had a birthday. The USA had Thanksgiving.

Lucas' baby teeth forgot to get loose and fall out. But the big ones are in.

December: 

I PASSED my test! 

(HOORAY! Now I can teach any subject K-8th grade. AND now I can have a life again!) 

Brooklyn continues to rock! 

We took a family vacation to Midway, Utah.

Christmas lights at the Salt Lake Temple 

I went to Madrid, Spain for a Professional Development Training for a few days. 

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Once upon a time...

I had a blog.
I had good intentions.
I had a lot to say; too much.
I didn't know where to start.
I was too far behind.

I am back.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Monday, July 18 I fly out to Washington DC filling my new role as a US Youth Ambassador Mentor. I'm not sure what access to the internet I'll have there, but for now I will post my pre-adventure feelings.

1. Uneasy about leaving my family. I am SO BLESSED to have the best husband and mom to hold down my normal responsibilities for the weeks I'm gone. I know they will all be fine. However, I might be a huge blubbering mess leaving them. I prefer to say I will be gone for 4 weeks rather than a month. It is easier on my heart.

2. Excited to see Washington DC as an Ambassador Mentor. I've been there before, but never with the kind of access to the embassy and service projects we will have this time.

3. ECUADOR! I get to return to South America. It has been 14 years since I was in a Spanish speaking country. TOO LONG considering being a Spanish teacher is my livelihood now. I will be in Quito most of the time, with a few days in the Amazonian region, as well as a day or two in an indigenous region. I will stay with host families, and visit children's homes and an orphanage. We will do some service projects down there, as well as spend time touring and getting to know more about the country in general. AMAZING OPPORTUNITY, right!?!

I have the same feelings I've had before every big thing I've done in my life. (college, mission, marriage, having babies, new jobs, etc.) I guess that is a good sign. Hopefully I will be able to post while I'm gone (I'll be on facebook occasionally at the least), but if not...nos vemos en agosto.