My last post of 2010

We are leaving in the morning to head to my parent's house to do Christmas. Last week's snowstorm delayed our gathering until now. It has been fun having one more holiday with family to look forward to! I am very excited to ring in the new year with my parents, sister, brothers, nieces and nephews.

And so as we wind down 2010 it is with a sincere heart that I say, "thank you". When I did my first blog post (here) I wasn't sure what to expect. Let me tell you that I didn't expect to be so encouraged, supported (financially and prayerfully) and to have made so many new friends. I have enjoyed reading every comment and email. I have cheerfully packed and mailed every "got love?" order. I have read and commented on your blogs. I have found it such a privilege to pray for you and follow your adoption journeys. What a blessing to connect with so many moms that love the Lord, their children and adoption.

God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.

Hebrews 6:10

I am so happy to welcome in the new year. I am excited to follow the Lord where ever He leads my family. I am clinging to His promise to continue the good work that He has begun in me. My heart overflows with the joy of seeing the face of my fifth child. I will continue to pray for you, many who are waiting, as well. And may many of us have another stocking to hang next year! :)

Lovin' lazy days!

The week between Christmas and New Years is one of my favorites because we never do very much. All the errands are run, the cooking is finished (LOVE leftovers!) and all the toys are new. Everyone, for the most part, is content just being home. I haven't been really dressed since Christmas afternoon. We had snow all day on Christmas and Sunday-so we haven't even left the house, except on sleds! :)

Here are a few random pictures from our Christmas week: Driving around looking at Christmas lights. And, yes, the kids are eating popsicles....tradition!

Making gingerbread boys and girls: (Lindsey worked on this one "creation" the entire time)

Lucy's girl with long hair and a purse:

Ben's boy with a top hat and gun:

Ethan's boy with a fishing pole and fish:

Tim and my favorite creations:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!!!

The boys' new hats and the gifts they gave to each other:

I am wishing I had a picture of my gift, tucked way under the Christmas tree, in a small jewelry-type gift box. I gave Tim "a look" because we weren't exchanging gifts this year...opened it..and to my surprise inside the box were 4 lego tires: to represent the van's new tires that we had put on after a flat a couple of days before Christmas!! I love that man and his sense of humor!!

With the van's tires and Tim's jeep's transmission repair the week before I am glad that the Lord gives us a hope and a future in His Son to celebrate. I feel like sometimes the stuff that the world deals us can try to steal our happiness--but my JOY is complete in Him. I hope that you had a wonderful celebration of CHRISTmas in your home!

Now..I am looking forward to eating some more chocolate and catching up on some of your posts!!

All I Really Want For Christmas Music Video

Do you have room on your mantel for one more stocking?

Last week of Advent

"So often in my desire to celebrate Christ's birth, I miss the point of it all. Jesus was born into the real world with all of its faults and imperfections. There is a lot of pushing and shoving and noise, especially at Christmas. God's mandate calls us to live in that same real world. We do have some choices. But doing something about it is much harder than complaining. To remain elbow to elbow in the shopping mall or knee-deep in the wrapping paper, tinsel, and glitz is a choice. To seek peace and privacy in the shepherd's cave is also a choice."

~Martha Zimmerman, Celebrating the Christian Year

Enjoy this last week of Advent! Remember (and I am saying this to myself, too) to slow down--enjoy your family and friends. Take time to thank your Heavenly Father for His many gifts.

Last minute Christmas shopping with Minus 1 Project

Here we are almost one week before Christmas day. Once again, the month of December seemed to go by very quickly. Every year I try to have all my shopping and errands finished by the weekend (at least 6-7 days) before Christmas so that the days leading up to Christmas aren't as rushed. We save some of our favorite traditions...like ginger bread boys and girls for this time. Typically we make some gifts as well.

And so here is my lending hand to you....if you are looking for that last minute gift, we would be thrilled to help you out!! I am planning on spending some time at the post office anyway mailing our raffle prizes, so....

We have some Ugandan necklaces..great for moms, grandmothers, friends, co-workers, etc...

We have many colors and lengths. All include a tag that explains the necklaces and the women and families that the gift supports. Use the donate button, $25.00 a piece and get a FREE "got love?" car decal.

We also have several large and medium "got love?" long sleeve shirts...

Use the donate button, $18 for one or $30 for two. We only have 3 larges and 4 mediums. Be sure to specify size in the comment to seller section or send me an email.

As always, we have all sizes (including youth) in t-shirts, travel mugs, cotton totes and car decals ready to mail upon order. Thank you for considering giving a gift that gives twice! :)

RAFFLE WINNERS

Here are the GREAT GIFT RAFFLE winners, in order:

1 .Stephanie A.

2. Jody V.

3. Shannon K.

4. Amy P.

5. Darcie C.

6. Regan B.

7. Sheri P.

8. Melissa W.

I will notify you by email starting with #1 and let you know what prizes are left to choose from. Hopefully, I can get them in the mail tomorrow.

Thank you to everyone who donated. Every donation brings us one step closer to paying the ransom needed to bring our son or daughter home. We appreciate all of you!!

It's cold out there!

The fireplace hearth has become the kids' favorite seat these days with the freezing temperatures. It is definitely the warmest place in the house...

Last entry for me about our GREAT GIFT RAFFLE. I have several back posts about the prizes. Here they are one more (last) time:

"GOT LOVE?" HOODED SWEATSHIRT

UGANDAN NECKLACE

$40.00 VISA GIFT CARD

NECKLACE FROM TALK IS SHEEP ETSY SHOP

SIGNED BOOK BY TOM DAVIS: FIELDS OF THE FATHERLESS

147 MILLION ORPHAN T-SHIRT

WILD OLIVE T-SHIRT OF CHOICE

"GOT LOVE?" T-SHIRT, MUG OR TOTE

**8 Great Gift ideas--you can't win 'em if you don't enter!! 8 winners (1 per prize)

Using the Minus 1 Project Donation button:

donate $5 = 1 entry

donate $10 = 3 entries

donate $20 = 7 entries

I'll notify the winners by email and will post winners (in order) Friday noonish.

I hope you can grab a cat nap by a fireplace near you!! :)

What to do with Santa?

This may not be a question you've asked yourself, but as Ethan got older, we struggled a bit with this. I felt like I sat on the fence: The idea of Santa Claus is so magical, exciting and fun but it also seemed to distract from the true reason of the season. I wasn't so comfortable with telling the tale and having my children wait in anticipation of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, but I also didn't want to have the one kid who "spoiled" Christmas for all the other preschoolers!! :)

As we approached the Christmas when Ethan was 2, I read the story of the evolution of Santa Claus. I was surprised to learn that it derived from the true tale of a Christ loving man by the name of Nicholas. His love for the needy is inspirational. He demonstrated the gift of mercy as he cared for the poor.

I couldn't remember ever learning this. He died in 343 AD and his good deeds made known and people began to celebrate St. Nicholas Day. Over time, with the change and corruption of leaders his saint title was altered and he became known as Father Christmas in much of the world. There is much more to the story of how this real man came to be a chubby, red suited gift giver. I think every family needs to decide how to celebrate Christmas.

With the help of Martha Zimmerman in her book Celebrating the Christian Year, we began celebrating "Sinterklass" like they do in Holland. The beauty of celebrating a holiday like this is that you can choose your day. We aim to have it around Dec. 6, but coordinate it with our tree and Christmas decorating. (We also do it on a weekend so Tim won't have to rush out to work). We read the book The Story of St. Nicolas: More Than Reindeer and a Red Suit. This is a great book with beautiful illustrations. It explains so sweetly the story of Nicholas and how today we can celebrate HIM in Santa Claus--so you can tell your kids he is real and they won't spoil anyone else's family celebrations! :) That night the kids put their shoes out because Nicholas would throw money and food through open windows. Some was always caught in the shoes and socks that were put there to dry.

(Check out sneaky Lindsey who traded her shoe for her snow boot so she could have room for more treats!) The kids woke to find a slinky and a Christmas tree lollipop in their shoes. More importantly, we kicked off the Christmas season with a very Christ-like model to remind us how we should be giving during this Advent Season.

The GREAT GIFT RAFFLE is still underway. I wanted to share a couple of pictures of the gifts you could win...but you can't win if you don't enter!! :) The Ugandan magazine necklace and one donated from my talented friend, Jody, from talk is sheep.

The signed copy of Fields of the Fatherless by Tom Davis.

Not pictured, but included in the raffle: Wild Olive, shirt of choice

Large "got love?" hooded sweatshirt

147 Million Orphans t-shirt

$40 Visa gift card

"got love?" t-shirt, travel mug, tote or car decal

Just to remind you. Use the donate button to enter. $5= 1 entry, $10= 3 entries, $20=7 entries

We need to extend the raffle deadline due to an out-of-town trip and lack of entries. The raffle will now end Thursday, Dec.16, at midnight and winners posted early Friday, Dec. 17. I will notify you through email so you can choose your prize! So far...everyone's a winner! :)

Long Sleeve and Hoodies are being loaded on Santa's sled!

Look what came in the mail yesterday:

I spent yesterday scrambling around for boxes. (I have a hard time paying for something if there is a way to get it for free! Especially when it comes to fundraising!!) The kids had a great time playing at a local toy and book store and I got (for free) the boxes I needed to mail the hooded sweatshirts! Win, win situation!!

Notice the pink shirt? I am thinking "spring line" for our "got love?" shirts. My sweet friend added as a gift to me..but I am thinking I could pass the love on to you all!

If you ordered a "got love?" long sleeve or hoodie it will be out in the mail this morning. If you missed the order deadline and still wanted to order one.... WE HAVE 5 MEDIUM AND 5 LARGE LONG SLEEVE extra. We also ended up with one LARGE HOODIE.

If you would like to purchase one (lg. sleeve $18, hood $25 w/ a car decal) leave me a comment or email. You can pay through the donate button.

Speaking of our donate button...if you haven't heard, we are running a GREAT GIFT RAFFLE. See the post below. Enter now, you have a great chance of winning some wonderful gifts. Right now we have more prizes than entries.......just say 'n!!!

Fields of the Fatherless by Tom Davis

Author Tom Davis encourages us to move beyond words and become Christ to those in need. Filled with remarkable stories of hope and mercy, Fields of the Fatherless will inspire you to love "the least of these" and discover the joy found in becoming the hands and feet of Christ.

THE GREAT GIFT RAFFLE

comes from the idea I had to raffle items that would make great gifts this Christmas season. I think you will agree that any one of these items would make for a great gift to give or keep! :)

(~use our Minus 1 Project donation button on the sidebar)

For every $5.oo donation you will get one chance to win and

For every $10.00 donation you will get 3 chances to win and

For every $20.00 donation you will get 7 chances to win.

To win what?? Your choice, starting with the first name drawn. We will pick 8 names allowing the first picked to have first prize pick and so on down the line. Without further ado:

1. A large "got love?" hoodie

2. A $40.00 Visa giftcard

3. Your choice of a Wild Olive, short sleeve shirt

4. A 147 Million Orphans t-shirt

5. A copy of Fields of the Fatherless signed by Tom Davis

6. A Ugandan magazine necklace

7. A necklace from The Mama Sheep (themamasheep.etsy.com)

8. A "got love?" t-shirt, mug or tote

The raffle will run from tonight until Dec.15 at midnight. The list of winners will be posted Dec. 16th morning. I will be posting pictures of the prizes here for the next week along with stories and pictures from our home and family life.

Thank you for all your support and encouragement!!

WE HAVE A TUTU WINNER!!

I was hoping to post a picture of the actual name drawing but my two tutu bandits (wearing them over their feety pjs--a VERY cute look) were just too silly. Remembering we have the whole day ahead, I chose not to fight this battle...as you all get to see plenty of them, anyway!! :)

Our winner is: RACHEL (a new follower and friend)

Rachel-you can email me your color choices or choose one pictured on the blog along with approximate waist size (inches) and address! Congratulations!! I know you will make some little girl very happy!!

To the rest of the ladies that posted on their blog and/or Facebook. Thank you!! We appreciate you taking the time to help us spread the word on our fundraising! I wish I could give all of a tutu.

Hope you all have a wonderful day! Don't forget to check out our GREAT GIFT RAFFLE going on now. Another great way to shop!!

The Great Gift Raffle

I have watched and participated as raffles have come and gone on many blogs. (I did win a t-shirt once!) And I thought...I can do that, maybe. So here is my attempt at a raffle. The title

THE GREAT GIFT RAFFLE

comes from the idea I had to raffle items that would make great gifts this Christmas season. I think you will agree that any one of these items would make for a great gift to give or keep! :)

(~use our Minus 1 Project donation button on the sidebar)

For every $5.oo donation you will get one chance to win and

For every $10.00 donation you will get 3 chances to win and

For every $20.00 donation you will get 7 chances to win.

To win what?? Your choice, starting with the first name drawn. We will pick 8 names allowing the first picked to have first prize pick and so on down the line. Without further ado:

1. A large "got love?" hoodie

2. A $40.00 Visa giftcard

3. Your choice of a Wild Olive, short sleeve shirt

4. A 147 Million Orphans t-shirt

5. A copy of Fields of the Fatherless signed by Tom Davis

6. A Ugandan magazine necklace

7. A necklace from The Mama Sheep (themamasheep.etsy.com)

8. A "got love?" t-shirt, mug or tote

The raffle will run from tonight until Dec.15 at midnight. The list of winners will be posted Dec. 16th morning. I will be posting pictures of the prizes here for the next week along with stories and pictures from our home and family life.

Thank you for all your support and encouragement!!

Oh, so cute!!

I know I have already posted pictures of Suzanne's, One Less Broken Heart, tutus BUT....my girls' came in the mail yesterday and I decided that pictures don't do them justice!! Honestly, they are so well made and just plain fun! Lindsey and Lucy were so excited to receive them!!

I have seen tutus at many stores for the same price and honestly none of them are as well made as these. The tule is thick with matching ribbon--the waist band is expandable--making them wearable for years!!

You can even custom order--choosing favorite colors or matching it to a favorite shirt or tights!

Thank you to all who have reposted about our blog. We will draw a tutu winner tomorrow!

GREAT GIFT RAFFLE will be posted this evening. (We are waiting to hear back from a couple of donations) In the mean time consider who would love to have a colored tutu under the tree and order--you will not be disappointed!!

Thank you, Suzanne!! Your generosity and talent are a true blessing from the Lord!!

If you haven't yet, go over to One Less Broken Heart, many of you have already posted for our family, so you may be eligible to be entered in her hand-made creations give away!! I would love for Suzanne to receive from comments and love for all her hard work!!

GiVe AwAy and great gift raffle

Coming this week to Minus 1 Project:

~~a tutu of your choice GiVe AwAy!! All you need to do is post about our blog and/ or put it on facebook-each gives you one entry (leave me a comment and let me know what you did). Winner chosen Wed. morning at 10:00 am!!

~~Tuesday morning starts our GREAT GIFT RAFFLE!! We have some great gifts to be raffled off...just in time for Christmas!

You picked a great week to follow our blog!!

We are teaming up!

Minus 1 Project is excited to announce that we are teaming up with One Less Broken Heart to sell: TUTUS !! #1, #2

These adorable tutus are hand-made (to your color choosing) by Suzanne at One Less Broken Heart. I will be featuring already made tutus or you can choose your color(s)!

Red, yellow, baby maize, emerald, fuchsia, pink, lt. pink, shocking pink, purple, lavender, plum, navy, lt. blue, smoke blue, copenhengen, apple green, and/or willow!

CUSTOM MADE TUTUS FOR $20.00 OR 2 for $35.00 #3

#4

Be sure to stop by Suzanne's blog, One Less Broken Heart, for a fun GIVEAWAY from this talented and creative lady with a huge heart for families and orphans!

BONUS, BONUS, BONUS!! Place an order for a tutu this weekend and we will throw in a "got love?" decal! Every girl loves a tutu, right?? Another opportunity to buy a gift that gives twice!

Check back for more pictures as we update! #5

Order this weekend, Dec. 3-5, any tutu and get a FREE "got love?" decal!! A gift to give and a gift to keep--or 2 gifts to give! :)

So...why all the traditions?

When Tim and I married long ago, I knew I wanted to have strong family traditions. I wanted to establish certain things we could do each year for certain celebrations, as well as, family time. Some we did when it was just the two of us-like the Tree of Thanksgiving-others we started when Ethan was born and we continue to add some each year.

WHY?

Doesn't this add to your "to do list" you might ask. My answer would be "yes". But it is things that I love to do. I think it is very important! Family traditions are just that...FAMILY traditions. We have so many things in our lives that include others--church, sports, clubs, etc.. These are great things that I want to be involved in but I am very protective of our family times. Times when it is just us--growing and enjoying one another, hopefully strengthening our relationships.

I would recommend the book Celebrating the Christian Year by Martha Zimmerman. I love this book and the fact that she agrees with my view on family traditions doesn't hurt either! :)

"Jesus taught that the His Father's desire for us was not a religion but life. The best way to experience joy in that life is through meaningful relationships. How do relationships happen? What causes a relationship to grow? relationships grow as people experience things together. It is psychologically true in relationships that doing things for the one you love increases your love for that person. Observing family traditions is one way to demonstrate your love for the Lord. At the same time your actions are speaking volumes to your children, and all the while the love between you and them is growing."

I really think that having these special little things we do together creates a common bond between us. Especially the boys as they grow older. I have so enjoyed listening to the boys tell the girls about what we are going to do on this day or that--and just when I think "oh, maybe this year we'll skip that part" I hear the kids talking in anticipation about it. And I realize that it IS important to them. Their family and it's silly and serious traditions are important to them.

This morning the kids woke up to find our Christmas countdown thingy out. We open a door a day to find a note, verse, project, or candy inside.

Dec. 1st door opened to "Prepare a road for the Lord through the wilderness, clear a highway across the desert for our God...thus shall the Glory of the Lord be revealed" Isaiah 40:3,5

As we begin this season of Advent, I pray that you and your family will find special ways to "prepare a road for the Lord" in your busy schedules. December is full of traditions in our house, that I am happy to share. I would love to hear of any of your family traditions, as I am always open to more!

"Handwoven fabrics are special! Like babies and snowflakes, no two are ever exactly the same. Families are like tapestry. Many threads run through each piece. As you participate with the Lord in the weaving of your family, choose the threads carefully. Remember time helps to hold the fabric together."