Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Where we live

There are times when the paperwork and housework and school work need to be left for the next day and I need to create something--make something out of nothing. It reduces stress and relaxes me more than an extra hour of sleep would. Tonight was one of those times. There is still a pile of laundry on the sofa and dishes in the sink (don't worry, Mom. They will get done tomorrow) but now I have this to print and hang in my gallery hallway.  And every time I walk past it, I will smile, thinking about the little boy in Haiti who is going to make this sign true.




Monday, February 27, 2012

A Loser and a Winner

The Loser is me. The Winner is one of you.

I completely forgot to choose a winner last week for the mixedbags giveaway!! Seriously, who does that? 
I am one form away from being done with my homestudy paperwork (not the dossier--just the homestudy update--about 25 pages) and we have spent the past two weeks running from one appointment to the next. 
So, I apologize. 


My mom wants to know why one of you didn't remind me. We are blame shifters in our family. (not really--my mom just doesn't want to tarnish her image of me as the perfect child.)


I carefully typed all your names quickly wrote your names on a scrap of envelope that was lying on the dining room table and put them into this gorgeous mug that Daniel made for me at school.


 See? There they are...all 6 of them. sheesh. Good thing my self-esteem is not based on the number of people who read my blog.



And then this loser pulled the lucky winner.....


Tara--send me all your info and I'll send your bag out to you.  hahahahaha....I could write your address with one hand tied behind my back.  Your bag is on it's way (if you don't get it in 6 weeks, remind me, ok?)

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Sunday photo shoot

Our wonderful friend, Sara, is going to Ethiopia and is going to try to take some pictures to Daniel's parents for us. Today, while Andrew was singing his little heart out in Acorn Choir at church, I took advantage of the amazing natural light in our church to get some pictures of Daniel. He was very cooperative because he wanted to play with my phone. 



 Kissing a picture of his parents in Ethiopia.





Success!

 I love this picture!





Last night, I got a picture of him holding the heart he made on Valentine's Day at school.  We are going to send it to his parents.


Sunday, February 19, 2012

Priceless videos

I came across some videos of Daniel today that were taken by some amazing friends while he was still at the Care Center in Ethiopia. I never posted them at the time because I wasn't allowed to show them before he came home. And once he was home, well...I got a little busy.

Looking at a picture of Andrew and me for the first time:




Daniel's favorite mode of transportation at the care center:  a plastic chair.




Opening the package that we sent (a photo album, bear pajamas and one of Andrew's cars):
Yes, that's him. He had his head shaved that day and decided to accessorize with a stunning purple shirt.




Some first steps on his own:



And, of course, one of him doing what he does best--eating:





Jen, Kendell and Sarah--you are such fantastic women and we will be forever grateful for these amazing videos and glimpses into Daniel's life in Ethiopia.

Friday, February 17, 2012

GIVEAWAY!


I'm giving away a drugstore bag from:





Share this giveaway on FB and leave me a comment telling me that you did. :)  On Monday, Feb 20th, I will randomly choose one name and send you a mixedbag designs drugstore bag.  Please leave me a way to contact you in case you win or friend me on FB.



Check out their site! http://www.mixedbagdesigns.com/Spring-2012



If you're local, you can order from me and I'll deliver your items to you. If you live more than 15 miles from me, check out their online catalog. Order using my code (don't worry that it says 'Ethiopian Adoption Fundraiser. It's me.) and have your items delivered right to your doorstep. Jill Daniels at www.stitchessosweet.com and I are both taking orders.  Our id# is: 39362. (you will need that if ordering online)


These bags are great and will last for a looong time!
They make great gifts for Mother's Day, daycare providers, grandmas, and teachers (trust me on that last one. We'd much rather have a mixed bag than another apple mug)
They have ipad and iphone covers, laptop covers and huge beach bags. 



Why are you still reading this??? Go check them out!!!!






















Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Manno's 1st gift

My wonderful friend, Barb, sent this gift home with Andrew yesterday.  I put it on our bookcase where I can see it from several places in the house. I love it.


Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Monday, February 13, 2012

Daniel's Family Day--Take 2

It's amazing to think that 2 years ago, Daniel, Andrew and I became a family of three.  

February, 2010

February, 2012

Our Family Day banner


Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Then and Now

Two years ago today, I finally got to hug this amazing little boy.



And now I get to spend every single day with him.



Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Mixedbag Designs!

And now for the fundraiser you've all been waiting for....




Check out their site! http://www.mixedbagdesigns.com/Spring-2012



If you're local, you can order from me and I'll deliver your items to you. If you live more than 15 miles from me, check out their online catalog. Order using my code (don't worry that it says 'Ethiopian Adoption Fundraiser. It's me.) and have your items delivered right to your doorstep. Jill Daniels at www.stitchessosweet.com and I are both taking orders.  Our id# is: 39362. (you will need that if ordering online)


These bags are great and will last for a looong time!
They make great gifts for Mother's Day, daycare providers, grandmas, and teachers (trust me on that last one. We'd much rather have a mixed bag than another apple mug)
They have ipad and iphone covers, laptop covers and huge beach bags. 



Why are you still reading this??? Go check them out!!!!