Photos & more to come!

Shaeffer with Robert Barron and his new big ear

I feel awful that I haven't posted since our trip. We had a great time and couldn't be happier with the results! I will be posting photos and more this coming week and will give a full update on all that happened on our trip and since we've come home...

The night before we fly...

As I sit here, almost all packed and ready for our trip, I'm flooded with emotion. I am so thankful to everyone that has been here for us for the incredible support. I'm a ball of nerves and so anxious - not sure what to expect. I just want Shaeffer to be great with everything. I still see him and look at him very much the same way I did in this photo. So much in love. He is such a sensitive l'il soul I just hope that we have made the right decision. I think we have. I'll keep everyone posted on the progress. This whole experience has made me realize how incredible people are and we are so grateful.

Love, Shan xo

THANK YOU!

My husband and I weren't sure what to do as far as fundraising went - if anything at all. We were encouraged by a friends of ours to explore the idea of a bake sale/yard sale and silent auction. I didn't want to ask for handouts; this was a choice we were making to help Shaeffer by getting a prosthesis... No one told us we had to do it, we just knew as his mom & dad that we had to. In deciding to do some fundraising, we really wanted to make sure that people were buying/bidding on items that they were able to take home. The whole idea took on a life of it's own...

We are SO blessed. We didn't have to ask for one item.

Friends and family arrived the morning of the garage & bake sale with awesome items to sell, super yummy baked goods, or to simply to help out with the crowds.... The little ones even stayed to help Shaef & Wyatt sell lemonade to go along with the yummy treats (Thank you Amanda, Trudy, Laura (and for helping organize the whole event and all of your amazing advice!!!), Carli, Crystal, Alison,Trish, Sarah, Megan, and Doreen of Vanilla Gourmet Cupcakes)...

Our friends at Pure Yoga Ottawa offered to host a 'Karma Class' where all proceeds were donated to Shaeffer. They even quenched everyone's thirst after the awesome hot yoga class with cupcakes from Megan Scott Cupcakes (she also donated a gorgeous cake that we had at our bake sale) and David's Tea!

The Silent Auction... our uber talented friends volunteered to do artwork & photography (thank youDarren, Cedric, Steve & Myrosia), gift certificates galore (thank you to Jeff of McAuslan who donated beer for a year (yes, beer for a YEAR!), Jen & Amber from Pure Yoga Ottawa, Matt fromEagle Creek Golf Course, Annabelle of Emeline & Annabelle Sew Lounge, Tracy of Moonroom & Trio, Ivan, Matt & Chris from Union 613, Sean from Grace O'Malley's, Tracey Lynne Photography, Davonne & Mel from Foster Family Farms, Robin Morgan of Stella & Dot Jewelry, Alison of Miche Canada, and finally John Couse from the Lieutenant's Pump who is the classiest and nicest pub owner around...he not only bid on (and won) a lot of the items there, he donated 50% of back bar sales that evening... wow!).

Thank you to everyone who came out to support Shaeffer's Big Ear Adventure! Whether you bid on anything or came out for a hug and a smile, it did NOT go unnoticed. We love all of you and are so grateful to have you in our lives.

How lucky can one little family be?

The fact that all of these items were voluntarily offered without even being asked speaks volumes about the people we surround ourselves with. Truly wonderful, caring, incredible human beings.

After the Silent Auction at Lieutenant's Pump, we have raised enough to pay for nearly 80% of Shaeffer's Prosthesis. Amazing.