Breaking the Silence

It has been quiet here. I know. Quiet in part because the majority of the space around me is anything but quiet. Constant demands for my attention. Schedules to keep. Errands to run. Workouts to squeeze in. Wild boys. Giggling girls. Tantrums from any given child on any given day.

And when the noise morphs into quiet around 8 pm CST SHARP. I am tired. A blank blogger screen intimidates so I hide it underneath my laptop in the office and scurry on over to my green sofa to read or talk or watch or RELISH the quiet.

At times throughout my day I think of things I could tell you, but after a little thought they seem unimportant or trite or I can't figure out how to transform my thoughts to words, so I decide to wait for another time or another topic and then days and weeks and months pass and the quiet here continues.

I am hoping that will change, but I can't promise.

So for now, here are a few things that have been filling my time:

1.  Puking and Lice, the week before Christmas. Wasn't fun. Don't really want to talk about it.

2. Florida. Lovely weather. Lovely weekish. Lovely time.

3. Upwards basketball. Awesome program. Love watching the kids play. So fun.

4. Upcoming trip to Zambia. Mya and I. Can't wait. Probably talk more about that later, maybe before the trip... or after.

5. Hearts at Home. New books coming out next year. Conference coming up. If you aren't going, you should!  (www.hearts-at-home.org)

Thanks for listening, that is, if anyone actually is. I hope the quiet won't last so long next time.
At least here.
Quiet in everyday life is a most welcome commodity.

Our Christmas Card

We decided not to send out Christmas cards this year. It felt overwhelming.

Our kids were pretty bummed when we told them, so they asked...

"Can we put together a little song and dance to share with everyone anyway?"

How could I refuse...

Hope you enjoy their production!

Merry Christmas everyone!

The Adoption Ideal

I'm guest-posting on the MomLife Blog today.

"Idealize (Def: to attribute ideal characteristics to)
Ideal (Def: existing as a mental image or in fancy or imagination only)
Christmas, Birthdays, Vacations and other special events are prime targets for any idealist. Marriage and motherhood too, especially if you are single and have no kids...."

Want to read more, check it out here...

For my birthday...

... watch this video. It is exciting!!



It is proof that the cycle can be broken.

And even more exciting... there is a piece of land available in Ukraine that Lifesong will buy if they raise enough money. This land will be used to plant strawberries. It will be used to give more orphans a chance to rise above and make something of themselves.

It will allow them to beat the odds.

Odds like 80% of orphans who age out of the system end up dead, doing drugs or in prostitution.

Terrible odds.

BUT, Lifesong is making a difference and YOU can help.

Here's how... for my birthday (which happens to be today) I am asking for presents:

$33 donations to Lifesong (in honor of my 33rd birthday)

Donations that will be invested in the lives of orphans, so we can tell more stories like Sergie and Andre's.

Go here now to give!

Faceless Self Portrait

Tami's Photography Challenge, Day 21:  Faceless Self Portrait (almost)

Something Orange

Tami's Photography Challenge, Day 19:  Something Orange

I had to make a special purchase for this. I hope you all appreciate the lengths I'm willing to go to keep this challenge, at least in a skip-a-few days kind of way.  "Something Orange" gives me the perfect opportunity to show off my newest Etsy purchase, but in order to properly show it off, I had to purchase a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks to go with it. For the record, also orange.

And since my partner in crime, armed with Puppy, just happened to be wearing his orange coat...

He made it into the post. Lucky him. Lucky me and my pumpkin spice latte wrapped in Etsy cuteness.

Your Shoes

Tami's Photography Challenge, Day 18:  Your Shoes

I don't actually have the shoes I'm picturing here today in my possession, although they are on the way. Due to arrive tomorrow in fact. Here they are in all their tiny glory. If you squint and look really close (I couldn't figure out how to make the picture bigger without blurring) you can see why I'm so excited for tomorrow. They are my first pair of Toms.

I am sure you all know what Toms are? If you don't here is the scoop. Toms is a company that gives one pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair of shoes you purchase. So while I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new pair of shoes, a child somewhere is anxiously awaiting the arrival of their pair new pair of shoes. Pretty cool stuff. 

Which brings me to my next blog topic... Gifts that Give back.

Last year I set myself a goal to give as many gifts as I could that gave back in some way, kind of like giving two gifts at once! My mom got a scentsy warmer that also funded an adoption. My dad received a beautiful piece of artwork (from pitter-patter art) that also funded an adoption. You get the drift.

I'm attempting this again this year and thought I'd share a few links with you if you'd like to do the same. 

Check out these shops:

The Mercy Shoppe - all proceeds go to benefit a maternity home in Kenya

Wild Olive T's - 10% of all profits go to help children in China and Uganda

Toms Shoes - donate one pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair you buy

Gobena Coffee - 100% of the profits go to support orphans in Ethiopia

Junk Posse - your purchase supports numerous non-profit organizations

Minus One Project - an adoption fundraiser

Hearts at Home - all purchases support the ministry Hearts at Home

These are just a handful, I know there are more. 

If you know of others, please share the links in the comments.

Happy Shopping!!