Nie Update

Please continue to pray for the Nielson family and for Nie, especially during this time of Thanksgiving. You can read an update post here, which is simply beautiful, written by her sister.

Advent Project - Take 2

I got pretty overzealous on the whole advent stocking thing...I jumped the gun, didn't think before I leaped. I mean, do I really expect to whip out 24 stockings in, like, two weeks? Not this girl. But this is more doable. Isn't it lovely? Now...where do I find 24 matchboxes....hmmmm. Oh, note to self...check at the craft store first. They probably have some cute little boxes...looks like I need to add "a trip to the craft store" to the to-do list.



Here, here and here are some more fun advent ideas. Did I mention....I love me some Christmas?!

Ten Little Ladybugs

My 16-month-old daughter loves the book, Ten Little Ladybugs. She always claps on the last page. Here's a summary:

Ten little ladybugs sitting on a vine, along came a butterfly- then there were nine.

Nine little ladybugs skipping on a gate, along came a caterpillar-then there were eight.

Eight little ladybugs looking up at heaven, along came a bird- then there were seven.

Seven little ladybugs resting on sticks, along came a grasshopper- then there were six.

Six little ladybugs flying near a hive, along came a bumblebee- then there were five.

Five little ladybugs sleeping by the shore, along came a fish- then there were four.

Four little ladybugs climbing up a tree, along came a turtle- then there were three.

Three little ladybugs drinking up dew, along came a duck - then there were two.

Two little ladybugs basking in the sun, along came a frog- then there was one.

One little ladybug sitting all alone, along came a breeze- then she was HOME! (this is when Elyza claps ;)

Though the book has nothing to do with adoption, it has everything to do with adoption for me. When you read the book for the first time, you're sad to discover that the ladybugs, while minding their own business and just hanging out together with the other ladybugs, are swept away, one by one, by these odd-looking creatures, with beaks, feathers, wings, and gills. You don't know if the ladybugs have been gobbled up by the duck, frog, fish, etc., held for ransom, relocated, or what...until you get to the end of the book and discover that the last ladybug is home...and so are all the others. The last illustration shows all the ladybugs, happily playing with all of their new "family members" in their new home. A very positive adoption story or at least that's how I choose to interpret it.

In the Spirit

Yes, I know I still have a Halloween wreath and pumpkin on my front porch, but I'm really feeling the Christmas itch right about now...thinking about our traditions, our first visit to see Santa, Elyza's first Christmas tree, and on and on. Lots of firsts for us...FINALLY! This time last year, all we had was a picture of our baby-to-be, hanging in an ornament on the tree and lots of hopeful anticipation of what this Christmas would be like once she was home. No doubt, it's going to be our most fun ever, now that our little one has arrived and sugar plums can dance in her head...and ours. I truly love Christmas and can't wait to share the joys of this sacred time with our daughter!

This week I'm going to start on a project that I earmarked last year. I'm finally going to do it! For reals! An Advent countdown of sorts. Soule Mama posted this idea. By the way, I'm reading her book, The Creative Family, stuffed with inspirational ideas to bring art and creativity into your family life. I highly recommend it! Wish me luck on the stockings...oh, did I mention that I don't sew...this should be interesting!

Vote for Eduardo

For those of you who have read my blog, you know that I am a big fan of the movie, Bella and Eduardo Verastegui, the movie's actor and producer. My husband and I had the pleasure of meeting Eduardo in person at a Bella Premiere. This guy has a heart of gold...or close to it. He uses his fame in an honorable way...to promote the "right to life" and adoption. I admire his spirit, determination, and passion. He's beautiful inside and out. Please vote for him here.

China Ghosts

I just finished reading Jeff Gammage's China Ghosts ... and I must say, I couldn't put it down. His style of writing and storytelling captivated me. He poignantly writes about his journey to fatherhood through the adoption of his daughter from China. I must have been teary-eyed through the entire book, as he so eloquently and tangibly described his emotional journey to fatherhood. This is a must-read for every parent adopting from China.

Warning! Beware of the Tagless

Just read this on a site regarding tagless clothing. Apparently, the chemicals used to create the tag-less, can cause, for some infants, severe reactions, rashes, and/or chemical burns when in contact.