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!! :)