A couple of our friends asked us recently if they could make some “Team Nora” t-shirts to raise money for us while we are here in Houston. I was completely amazed that they thought of us and wanted to do something so wonderful for us. The financial burden has been growing since we moved here, and we still have several months of pregnancy left (hopefully) and a NICU stay after that. The medical costs are more, we have extra living costs (the Ronald McDonald House costs $25 per night) and I can’t work while I’m here (I usually work part-time teaching English in Tuscaloosa), so this fundraiser came just at the right time.

I do realize that we spent most of the year last year doing fundraisers for our adoption. I am still astounded by the generosity that we were shown, and although it was out of my control, I often feel ashamed that the money did not result in us bringing “Scarlet” home. Please don’t feel pressured at all to buy a t-shirt if you don’t want to.

Our friends, Michelle and Joy did an amazing job designing the shirts. The first order still hasn’t arrived yet, so I don’t have a real life picture of the shirts, but here is the basic outline of what they will look like:

The shirts are grey and the writing is pink (which just happens to be the same colors as Nora’s nursery at home.) The front says “Fighting for Nora” and the verse reference is 1 Samuel 1:27 “For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to Him.” And the back says “TEAM NORA.” I actually cried when I saw this shirt for the first time because it brought to mind all of you who have diligently prayed for our Nora along the way and it overwhelmed me with gratitude. Throughout this difficult and terrifying pregnancy I have felt like Nora and I had an army of prayer warriors lifting us up and going with us into “battle” each week and it has comforted me more than you know. Whether you buy a t-shirt or not, thank you so much for fighting for our little Nora. Nothing means more to a mother than someone showing love and grace towards her children. For the rest of Nora’s life when I look at her I will think of all of you who helped get her here safely and I will be forever grateful.

If you want to show your Team Nora pride by buying a t-shirt you can send your order to Michelle Moss. You can pay by check, cash or if you have a paypal account you can pay directly through paypal. Here is Michelle’s information:

Cell Number:  (205) 765-1080

Address:        PO Box 861345, Tuscaloosa AL 35486

E-mail and Paypal address: mmoss610@yahoo.com

If you can’t get in touch with Michelle you can also contact Joy Connellan at (205)331-9298. If you are local (in the Tuscaloosa, Alabama area) the cost is $15 per t-shirt. If you aren’t local and the shirt needs to be shipped, the cost is $17 per t-shirt. Don’t forget to include the sizes you need: Adult XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL or Youth S, M, L, XL. Also don’t forget to include your mailing address if the shirts need to be shipped.

Thank you all again for your support, and thank you Joy and Michelle for working so hard on these shirts! I’ll post pictures of the real shirts as soon as they come in!