Emmett's Story~ How it Touched Us

Emmett's mother is a fellow WTE (What to Expect) mommy. We where both members of the Dec 07' board. I lost my son to a miscarraige in 2007. His name is Aiden Christopher Alvarez.

I became pregnant again and delivered a healthy baby boy in February 2009.

When I heard about Emmett's disappearance, it made me physically sick.... my heart broke for Emmett's mother and her family. I felth helpless and as I watched my own little boy bouncing around, it made me cry that Emmett was out there... alone, scared, hungry, cold..... I had nightmares about him wandering around all alone. All I could picture was my own son and it was beyond devestating. I prayed harder than I've ever prayed before and from the opposite side of the country, I watched the news reports in horror.

When I received the news from another WTE friend that Emmett was found, but it was too late.... I sobbed and sobbed at my desk. So much so that the people in my office thought something had happened to my own family. I left work that day with a heavy heart. Not knowing what to do to help (I'm on the East Coast) I did the only thing I could. I sent the family a small check to help with the baby's funeral expenses along with a note. There hasn't been a day that's gone by that I haven't thought about Emmett and prayed for strength for his family.

Well, that's it really.... it doesn't cease to amaze me that one small life could have effected so many from all around the Country. His picture still hangs on our refridgerator.

-- S.A.

Emmett's Story~ How it Touched Us

These stories were submitted for me to share:

I never had the pleasure of meeting the little guy...but when Emmett walked out his door around the same time..my son walked out our front door...we didn't know...in nothing but a red Elmo shirt and a diaper..before we even knew he was missing a neighbor recoginzed him and brought him home...didn't really scare me..i feel pretty safe here...it wasn't until that night.. i heard about little Emmett walking out of his house in thing but a green dianasour PJ Top and Diaper..I was kinda scared...but they were going to find him he'd be ok......just like my son did..they then found Emmett...but too late... I suddenly got scared...that could have been my son... We went out and bought better locks for our doors..I could barely operate and he can not!! Emmett saved our house from a simaliar fate..God Bless you Emmett and Trapp Family..I'm soo sorry for your loss..and i never want to see another family go through it...They should have found him..thats why this search dog is soo important!!!

From Julie B.

I also never had the pleasure of meeting Emmett or his family.. but Emmett's story change my life because just as Julie son..my son also walked right out the front door. I was washing dishes the next thing I know he was 3 blocks down it was about 10:00 pm. He was found by some lady driving to work she saw my son and she panicked, she called her husband who showed up right away, then took of his shirt to cover my baby and walked down the street looking for his home. I could just imagine what could of happened that night as there are so many young drivers on our block who love to speed. my son's name is Carlos, he just turned 4 yrs old. and he knows better not to leave the gate.

From Lorraine

Emmett's Story~ Reaching Across America

I remember logging on to my mom's group one August day, and reading about one of it's members, and how her little boy was missing. I remember hearing the story on the news, and then I remember putting it together, that the missing little boy was her little boy. That I "knew" someone who's child was missing, and that it was actually on national TV.

This message board was made up of women from across the world. We came together to debate, to discuss, and to learn from each other. Never could one imagine that friendships would form from daily log ons and discussions. One minute you could hate someone for what they said, the next you'd love them.

When I heard about this missing little boy, I began to pray for his safe return. I don't think I had ever prayed so hard in my life. I also had the news on all day, I had to try to stay up to date as much as possible with this story.

Slowly, we began hearing details leak in from someone other than the news. And, we all joined together to think and pray, send positive thoughts, and just 'be' with the family even though we were all thousands of miles apart and had never met.

Those few days that he was missing, made feel so blessed for my own daughter. It also made DJ and I discuss that we needed safety locks on all of our outside doors- locks that she would not know how to operate. It reminded us to always have the alarm on, even while we are home. It made my heart ache for the family and missing little boy.

I remember hearing the news that they had found Emmett, and for a second, I was so joyous, and then I was heartbroken for the family. They should not have lost their little boy. The family was being slammed by the media, and it just wasn't fair.

I cried. I tried not to cry, because I kept trying to convince myself that I didn't really know this family, although I had read posts from his mother, responded to them, and without realizing, I had become friends with so many people that I had never met and who were all touched by this story. Who had all joined together in prayer. And, who all had the same questions, of how could God do this.

I think looking back, it's still something that no one could ever explain, but in my own mind, I feel that maybe there are a few reasons. Emmett's disappearance joined together a few hundred women, who realized life wasn't all about debating and trying to prove each other wrong. It made people pray to a God they may not have prayed to in a long time. It made us thankful for our own children, and it opened our eyes, that we need to do everything in order to keep our children safe, including proper child-safe latches on outside doors. And, it gave us the opportunity, one year later, to come together to raise money to purchase a search dog so that this tragedy may not affect another family.

I ask each of you, humbly, to pray for Emmett's family. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think of Emmett. I also ask that you may consider purchasing a raffle ticket for our latest fundraising efforts for Emmett's Search Dog.

You can do so by leaving me a comment with your paypal email. Don't worry, I have to approve comments and I'll delete them rather than publishing them. Tickets are $2.00 for 1 ticket, or you may purchase 6 tickets for $10.00. If you leave me your paypal email, I'll send you a direct invoice. Or, if you prefer, you can send a payment directly to esearchdog@yahoo.com via paypal.com

Raffle prizes will be awarded via random.org. The raffle ends on October 17th.

Make a Direct Donation: Emmett's Search Dog

Emmett's story has touched so many lives. It has been over one year, since he has left this Earth, but we are wanting his memory to last much longer.

This week we are raising money to purchase a search dog in Emmett's memory. Had one been available when Emmett walked out of his family's home in July 2010, then he likely would have been found in time.

If you are not comfortable with participating in the raffle on Honey Pie Accessories' Facebook page, then please consider making a direct donation.

Here's how you can help, as posted by Elize M:

There are two ways to donate to the Search Dog Foundation:

1) Visit the Search Dog Foundation website – http://www.searchdogfoundation.org/

2) Online raffles and auctions. We will post the links and instructions to these events as they become available. Please participate. It is a fun and easy way to raise money for the Emmett Trapp project.

The Search Dog Foundation website allows you to make a one time or an automated monthly donation.

Instructions on how to donate on the website:

Both options will take you to the donation page.

a) Click the Donate Now (the cute puppy waging its tail) icon.

Or

b) Click the How You Can Help link located in the menu (below FAQS).

Make sure you select the OTHER dog biscuit option. We are not sponsoring the other programs they have. This is the only way to ensure that all the money donated is used for the Emmett Trapp Project.

You can make a one-time donation (default).

- Choose a dollar amount or enter your own donation amount (minimum $5.00).

• Important- Make sure you click on the circle next to the OTHER dog biscuit. The dog biscuit must change color to indicate your selection.

- To make a monthly contribution - select ‘Yes’ and enter your phone number. The Search Dog Foundation will contact you to setup a secure account.

- Remember to enter “Emmett Trapp project” in the My gift is in memory of: section.

- You may choose to complete the rest of the page.

- Click on the Submit Donation button to review your donation.

- If you are a new customer you have to register an account to verify your information and make a secure donation.

- If you are an existing customer login with your email address and password.

- Follow the web page instructions after you have logged in to complete your donation.

The Story of Emmett

Emmett was two years old in August 2010. One afternoon, he and his mother lied down to take a nap. (Isn't that something that we all do with our toddlers, just to get them to take a nap, especially when we're equally exhausted?)

A few hours later, Emmett woke up and quietly snuck out of the room, being careful to not wake his mother. I'm sure he figured she needed her rest. Somehow he managed to escape the family home along with the family's golden retriever.

Emmett's mother awoke and found that he was not in the house and they frantically began to search. During the search, they realized that the dog was missing and began to call his name. The dog returned, but Emmett did not.

The family immediately dialed 911. The sheriff department responded and the family tried to explain the direction that the golden retriever came home from. But, the sheriff department did not listen and began to search in the opposite direction. They also did not make it public that Emmett was missing until 24 hours after the fact.

As soon as the word got out, numerous neighbors, friends, and community members showed up to help. However, due to specific search guidelines they were all told to go home.

A helicopter flew for only 20 minutes in the first night of Emmett's disappearance and the search was not expanded until the 3rd day.

I remember by this time, seeing the story on Nancy Grace, and how Nancy had inaccurately accused the family members, and blamed Emmett's mother for falling asleep with him. I remember praying for his safe return to his family.

On the 3rd day, Emmett was found by a community member who refused the officer's trying to turn him away. Sadly, Emmett had made his way down into the Iron King mine property where he was found in a hole, that had been improperly filled, and was thus filled by rain water.

The area is only 200 yards from the main highway, and could actually be seen from the Sheriff's office.

We all know that every minute counts when searching for a missing child, and sadly, the search team was only 90 minutes too late.

There are many people, including the family, that believe had a search dog been provided, Emmett would have been found in time. Those of us that do believe this, have joined together one year after Emmett's death, and are donating a search dog to Emmett's area of Arizona. His mother has decided to rightly name the dog, Emmett.

We are currently holding a raffle in order to help raise funds to purchase the search dog. Prizes will be awarded via random.org. You can purchase 1 raffle ticket for $2.00 or 6 raffle tickets for $10.00. Utilizing paypal.com send payments to esearchdog@yahoo.com and make sure to include in the notes section the amount of tickets you are purchasing. Should you prefer a direct invoice sent to you, please email us at esearchdog@yahoo.com

Every little bit helps, just as it would have in Emmett's search. We are also still accepting donations for prizes.

Current prizes include, but are not limited to:

Amazon.com gift card

Yoga Mat and Wal-Mart gift card

Necklace by J. Pogo Designs

Ride on toy from Bright Starts

Bow of the Month Club membership from Sweetie Pie Couture

Life Coaching Sessions

Crochet Hats and Scarves

Emmett's Search Dog Raffle How To

This raffle benefits Emmett’s Search Dog Fund. All proceeds will be donated directly to the fund.

The raffle items can be viewed at http://www.facebook.com/HoneyPieAccessories . Look for the items in the Emmett’s Search Dog Raffle album.

The raffle start: Monday 10/3/2011 @ 6:00 AM
The raffle end: Monday 10/17/2011 @ 6:00 PM
The winners will be announced on Wednesday 10/19/2011.

Tickets are $2 each or 6 tickets for $10.

Tickets can be purchased by sending money securely via www.paypal.com to esearchdog@yahoo.com. In the notes section (in paypal), please remember to enter your name and how many tickets you wish to purchase.

PayPal instructions:
1) Login into your PayPal account or create one if you do not have an account.
2) Click on the Send Money tab
3) Enter esearchdog@yahoo.com as the To email address
4) Enter the dollar amount you wish to send.
5) Select the Goods selection
6) Click the Continue button
7) Important:
a. Before you click the Send Money button scroll to the bottom of the screen
b. Enter a subject i.e Emmett’s Raffle tickets
c. In the Subject body section. Enter your name and the number of tickets you wish to purchase.
8) Review your credit card information and shipping information.
9) Click the Send Money button
10) You will get a confirmation email from PayPal.

If you do not want to use Paypal, you can leave a comment on the Emmett’s Search Dog Raffle album (not on a photo) with the number of tickets you wish to purchase and your email address so we can send you an invoice. All payments are due within 48 hours of receipt of invoice.

Your name will be entered into the raffle as many times as the number of tickets you purchased.
You will not be able to buy tickets for a particular raffle item. The winners for a particular item will be selected randomly.

We will be using this website www.random.org to enter the number of entries. The first number that the website draws will be the winner of a particular raffle item.

Disclaimer:
All decisions are final.
www.Facebook.com is not responsible for the raffle or for awarding any of the prizes.

G lately

G is tons of fun and she always has been. She's also a very strong willed, stubborn, little girl, and I hate to say, but she's exactly like me. Which could be why we already butt heads a little bit at the young age of 3. I know, I have it in for me once she's a teenager.

But, she does make you laugh.
She found her clown nose the other day, and had to wear it. She proudly exclaimed that it fit!
Her gee and grandpa came last week, and the day before they arrived, was grandpa's birthday, so we covered the front door in streamers and the entry way with balloons. G had a fabulous time playing in them before they arrived. And, she was so excited about grandpa's surprise party.
She had school pictures this week. Her very first school pictures. We gave her a good scrubbing Thursday night and I made her let me blow dry her hair. I even gave her a poof afterwards. Every southern girl needs to know how to poof their hair!
And, here she is before school on Friday morning. Her jumper came from Lolly Wolly Doodle, as one of their Facebook sales. If you aren't one of the 95,000+ fans that follow them, then you're missing out on some great clothes! I purchased her collared shirt from a local uniform store, and bought her new white shoes. My plans for this dress, were that she'd wear them the first day of school, but it didn't arrive in time, and I quickly realized how messy she'd get at school. So, we saved it for picture day.

DJ took her to school that day, and as usual she ran ahead of him. He reminded her that it was picture day and she had to look her best, so instead, she stopped running and tip toed very slowly into school.

I'm just amazed at how much she's growing up, and how smart she's becoming. Smart ass- yes, that too, but you can't help but love her just the same!

MC Rolls Over!

We have been waiting for weeks for MC to roll over! She is currently 18 weeks old, and I knew that it was time and maybe even past time for it to happen. I kept telling myself that G had rolled over by now, but I also don't want to compare the girls, so I stopped myself from getting out Gs baby book and looking at her milestones.

I also told myself that MC loves being on her tummy, so there's not much motivation to roll over. She sleeps on her tummy during the day. We also don't have much time for tummy time, because she has reflux, I try to keep her in an upright position for at least 15 minutes after she eats. And, she goes back down for a nap within 30 minutes.

DJ was home early on Thursday night, so we were letting MC practice some tummy time.
She was able to get up on all fours, and DJ swore that she'd be crawling before she'd be rolling over. Thankfully, she kept getting irritated while being on her tummy and I thought that was a good sign that she's finally starting to care.
And, then she popped up as happy as can be. As if to tell me that she was not going to roll over and that she had tricked me into sitting beside her for several minutes holding the camera.
We eventually got G tucked in, because she had been watching the show too, and moved MC out from her play mat.
And, she finally did it!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Bow

I had a custom request for a Very Hungry Caterpillar Inspired hair bow for A's first birthday!

Her mom sent me a photo of the dress and requested a pinwheel bow to match.
I also made a caterpillar clippie that is interchangeable with the hair bow.
Miss A can wear these alone or separate! Her birthday is this weekend and I can't wait to see the photos of her in the bow!

Happy 1st Birthday A!!!

Oreo Treats via Pinterest

Yes, another recipe found on Pintrest, that I must share with you!

These were fabulously easy and very delicious! Think rice krispie treat, but with oreos!
These are super easy to make. You'll need a package of oreos, 4 tbsp. of butter, and 5 c. of large marshmallows.

In a food processor crush your oreos. Or, if you want to get your little honey involved, dump the oreos in a large ziploc bag and let them bang, hit, and squish away! Of course, you're going to get a much smoother texture if you put them in your food processor.

Once the oreos are crushed, melt your butter and marshmallows in a large microwave safe bowl. This takes 2-3 minutes. Then, you're going to slowly add the oreos stirring everything together.

Next, you'll line a 8x8 pan with parchment paper. If you don't have parchment paper, don't worry. Just grease that dish with some butter, and dump in the oreo mixture. Then, you'll want to take a piece of wax paper, lay it over the mixture and press it into the dish. I promise, you'll want to use the wax paper, because your mixture will be hot!

Let it cool, and then cut into bars and serve!

Easy peasy, and fabulous too!