Bags, Hats and Cuteness Galore!

There have been a lot of happenings around our home these days.

We have been wrapping up school and activities.

And just as exciting, we have been adding new items and working on new designs for our ever growing Minus 1 Project (-1) site.

I shall alternate between new items and some Apisa family cuteness.

New Item

Cuteness

New Item

(Available in 7 colors, for a limited time.)

Cuteness

New Item

Cuteness

New Item

(An additional front fabric panel can be ordered with last name embroidered on it.)

Cuteness

New Item

(An additional fabric panel can be purchased embroidered with last name.)

To see all the information on the above new items (colors available, size, etc...) please visit our
Minus 1 Project (-1) site
at
www.gotloveadopt.com.

To see more cuteness continue to follow our blog. :)

Minus 1 Project doll style

I find this very bizarre.

Lucy really enjoys the people from her Loving Family doll set.  That isn't what I find bizarre.

She likes to set them up around her while she plays.

(Above they are helping hold her cards while we play a game. I like the dad juggling two babies and his playing card! :)

She likes to set them up around her while she does her school work.

I don't find either of those bizarre but rather cute!

What I did notice today about the Loving Family, I do find bizarre.

Something I have failed to notice in the past...some of the family's clothing.

Exhibit 1:

 Above is the mom or actually, this might be, the teenage babysitter from across the street.

Below is one of our Minus 1 Project designs.

Exhibit 2:

Above is one of the daughters.

Below is one of our Minus 1 Project designs.

What's up with that?  Bizarre...

 I thought we were being original with our designs but maybe subconsciously we have been trying to outfit all adoption shirt wearing people to look like the Loving Family from Fisher Price.

We did however model our doll house family after our own...just look at the sisters.

Today Only...

Coupon code: mom

Free shipping off of orders over $25.

(We are happy to wrap and include a note if you are shipping directly to someone else.)

Today only at Minus 1 Project (-1).

Mother's Day Breakfast idea brought to you by Minus 1 Project!

Photo Session

I can often be seen in or around our yard searching for good spots to take pictures of our Minus 1 Project (-1) gear.  

Sometimes it pays to be mommy's little helper. :)

Don't forget to order your "got love? adopt." Tervis tumbler soon.

We only have the 16 oz. (with or without handle) left.

Minus 1 Project (-1)

Minus 1 Project (-1) Package Disclaimers

We are so excited about how our Minus 1 Project (-1) fundraising site is growing.  We have plans to add several new designs and items over the summer.  The past week our house has been busy trying to ship out our new "adoption is..." t-shirts.  As you can see our living room has turned into the distribution center:

We always enjoy delivery day and a good photobomb, too. :)

When a shipment arrives we do our best to package and ship it out the next day because we know many of you have waited several weeks.  We now have this design in stock and can ship right away, hint, hint. :)

Disclaimer 1:  I enlisted two helpers for this last shipment.  Actually, not sure if they were enlisted or they just insisted to help.  Here they are pictured next to their packages holding a Minus 1 Project (-1) car decal and magnet.  The magnet is free with every purchase, the decal is not.  Can you see where I am going with this?  I placed them side by side on the table.  One of my adorable helpers' jobs were to place a magnet in each package before sealing them up.  And only afterwards was I informed that one or both of the girls had confused the magnets with the car decals.  Therefore if your newest package arrives with a free car decal, thank my helpers. :)

Disclaimer 2:  Packages from Minus 1 Project (-1) do not contain oatmeal, running shoes or items from GameStop.  They do not need to be refrigerated.  We do, however, need to consider purchasing some boxes with "got love? adopt.", "Adopt on!" or "Adoption = (-1) Orphan so we can share the adoption message throughout the postal service and neighborhoods. :)

Reminder:  Mother's day is just around the corner.  Be sure to get your order in soon so we can ensure deliver in time for your special day.

And don't forget your opportunity to support Little Flower Project in China with the purchase of a Mother Teresa quote tee, available with the adoption message or without.

Order from Minus 1 Project (-1) today.

One year ago...

I took the walk of a lifetime from the offices at SWS back to our hotel, with our newest family happily strapped to my front.

It has been a fantastic year for our family.  Carson has brought so much joy and laughter and togetherness into our home.  He is a wild little guy who keeps us on our toes!  We celebrated family style by having homemade pizza on the porch for dinner:

(I stood at the kitchen sink window and just watched.  I was seriously overcome by thankfulness that I get to be a part of this family...what a privilege to be the wife and mom to this crew.)

After dinner we had a fire in the fire pit for s'mores:

We finished the night with a movie on the screened in porch.  The weather was perfect!

Family times like this evening remind me of the true beauty that adoption brings.  Obviously, in order for an adoption to be needed, there has been a tragedy.  There has and always will be that loss but the Lord grants redemption and gain upon gain when we follow His example and grow our family through adoption.  His plan of adoption brings love, belonging, inheritance, redemption and a legacy.

Adopt on!

Little Flower Projects

"The King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

Matthew 25:40

Least--smallest in significance.

There is a rather large population of the "least of these" in China today.  They are, for many different reasons, considered small in significance to most of the people living around them.

And then there is Little Flower Projects.  A light in the darkness, a refuge for the forgotten, a place of healing for the hurting.  I first came to learn of Little Flower Projects several months ago from facebook.  I saw others sharing the amazing photos and captions.  I quickly "liked" their page and everyday since have smiled or teared up due to their updates.  (If you are on facebook take a minute to find and "like" them.)  And since, you are obviously a blog reader...click HERE and be sure to follow their blog.

It is an amazing thing to see the unloved being loved.

It was about this same time that my brother shared a Mother Teresa quote with me.

"How can there be too many children?  That's like saying there are too many flowers."

Something about that quote struck a chord with me.  I thought of how unique flowers can be.  How a bouquet can lighten up any room and bring it cheer.  I began to see the correlation. :)

So as we began to work on a new shirt design aimed at Mother's day, I could think of no better quote to use and no better group to support than this one that is being "mothers" to so many without.  Therefore, the proceeds of this new shirt design will go to Little Flower Projects and the work they do.

We chose to do two designs.  We wanted this shirt to appeal to as many moms, grandmothers, aunts, friends as possible so we have one with "got love? adopt." because that is the heart of Minus 1 Project's message but also one without to celebrate children in general.

Soft, lightweight heathered lilac tee (fits true to size).

We are ready to begin taking preorders and will be sure that your shirts arrive before Mother's Day.  If ever you've considered a purchase from Minus 1 Project, now is the time.  Your purchase will help support a group of women, an ocean away,  that are daily being the hands and feet of Jesus and a mother to "the least of these".