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!
Friday, December 09, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
The Adoption Ideal
I'm guest-posting on the MomLife Blog today.
Want to read more, check it out here...
"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...
Monday, November 21, 2011
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!
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!
Monday, November 14, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
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.
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.
Wednesday, November 09, 2011
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!!
Tuesday, November 08, 2011
Technology
Tami's Photography Challenge, Day 16: Technology
Can I reuse a picture from day 13?
Can I reuse a picture from day 13?
Cause I have been loving my iPhone. It, quite frankly, amazes me.
Today I set my calendar to sync "in the air" through iCloud. If I make a change on my PC Outlook, it shows up on my iPhone. If I make a change on my iPhone a state away from my PC, it shows up in my Outlook within minutes. Woot! Woot!
It's the little things. The mind-blowing little things. Pandora. Skype. Facebook. Words with Friends. ITunes. Google Earth. Take a minute to think on what any one of these little apps can do, especially compared to ten-years-ago technology and it is CRAZY how far we've come so fast.
Now my kids are growing up taking all these crazy technological advances for granted. I overheard them talking yesterday while playing a game on the computer,
"Look, Aunt Leslie is on-line. We should skype her."
Easy-peasy, lemon squeezy.
Crazy, mind-blowing technology.
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