It's time for YBC 2014!

My Dear Readers,

Hi! How are you?

You have probably wondered if I have fallen off the face of the planet. I am still alive and well... doing much better than I was 6 months ago, actually. You can read all about my current lupus progress and chemo treatments over at I'm a Little Lupie.

I have taken a long, much-needed break from blogging, however, to clear my head. The struggles of being sick have been real and intense. I have had to put my full focus on my health and my family and so the blog has suffered. :(

I'm back in the blogosphere today, though, to ask a favor of you.

My sons and their teammates are about to participate in the Youth Birding Competition. This is the next-to-last time they will compete because they are growing up. Only one more competition will be held (we compete every other year) before my Ben graduates!

Waaaaaaaaaaaah! 

I am trying really hard to hold it together, but look at these cuties!

Their 2nd year in the competition...
I couldn't find a picture from the 1st year!

These guys have grown up together, blessed to be such good friends as well as teammates. Here they are a couple years later.

in 2012

This year, they will enter the high school division!

 

What a bunch of sillies!
I hope they remember how to use their binoculars properly
before Friday!

 

Something they do as part of the competition is fundraise for the American Bird Conservancy. This is a conservation effort that we have chosen, as very conservative families, and feel free to support in good conscience. Check them out, and if you feel similarly and would like to support our team's efforts, please consider sponsoring our team.

You can pledge to donate a fixed amount, as little as $5.

OR what we really like is a per-bird pledge. It really motivates the guys to work hard.

In 2012, they identified 105 species. We hope they will identify 120-ish this year (to give you an idea of what your total pledge would come to if done per-bird).

To sponsor the boys, please email me at homeschooldawn (at) gmail (dot) com. You will need to give me your real name, your pledge amount, and your email address. After the competition, I will let you know how much you will need to send directly to the ABC. You can pay by credit card here.

Thank you so much for following my blog and sharing in and rejoicing over the successes of my kids and their friends over the years. If you can't sponsor the team we'll still love you! ;)

We also ask that you keep us in your prayers as we travel. Pray for safety, lots of birds and good health. This trek will be very taxing on my lupie self, but you know how we moms will do anything for our youngins, right?

Team Birds of a Feather, 2014

Thank you, also, for considering supporting the team and for praying for their efforts.

Edit: We need pledges in by 9 p.m. (EDT) on Thursday, April 24, 2014, for them to count toward the team's total. They could win prizes for this fundraising effort. However, if you miss our deadline, you may still make a donation to the ABC. Thank you to the reader who brought this to my attention! :)

Blessings,