Flitterbugs

As some of you may know, I am trying my best to learn to sew. But being in a teeny apartment and about to move, sewing has been SLOW going. I hope to start back after the New Year (and probably after boxes are unpacked) so in the meantime, I am finding FUN, FUN handmade items.

As we turn to buying Christmas presents and other gifts from people wouldn't it be great to find items that are giving to a cause or raising money for a cause. If we are going to be spending money anyway then we might as well help others in the process. There are many many worthy causes out there, but these next few people are all raising money for adoptions. Please take the time to read through and click on their blogs or shops and considering buying some of your gifts from them.

First, I have mentioned my friend Leigh a bunch. Be sure to check out her blog every Monday for a Making a Difference Monday post. She has some great resources for buying and supporting local people for good causes. She will also be hosting some really sandal parties after the new year. Trying to decide if I can host one or not...

Second, I will start with my new friend Julie, she and her husband are the parents of three beautiful children here in the US and one precious one waiting for them in Ethiopia. Julie and her husband have about 80 days now to raise over $7000!!!

Julie makes fabulous little girls dresses and clothes. It would be the perfect gift or you can get your own daughter a beautiful Christmas dress now. She custom makes ALL the outfits.

Check out Flitterbug SUPER CUTE!!!

Here are the outfits Julie custom made for Sara and Emily... and under that are just a few other tempting items!

Giveaway Week #5 has begun!

 Like what you see?  Cute jewelry, children's gifts, an ipod touch, and so much more!!!  Giveaway Week #5 has begun!  Click the button below and enter to win some of these fabulous gifts!!!

A prayer and a giveaway

It's Friday!!!  Internet is up and running, but no pictures today- sorry!

It has been a long, stressful week.  I didn't realize how stressed I was until my husband said that I wasn't acting like myself.  I am anxious about the house selling.  I can't quite wrap my head around whether I am sad that the house is selling, frustrated that we will love mucho money when we sell, or stressed that the buyers have STILL not gotten back in touch about our counter.  And we gave them our counter on TUESDAY!!!  Seriously...  I am ready to know one way or another- will this offer work out or will we need to have patience to wait on another offer.

So, I am needing prayers.  Prayers that something, anything will happen this weekend.  (And may it be that we are locked into a contract!)  And a prayer that I will let go of the stress and actually sleep.  I can't sleep when my mind is wondering and so these past few nights I have been wide eyed.  And of course, when you are sleep deprived, you are no good to your kids. 

And I need some other prayers, not for myself, but for my friends Leigh and Gray Ladd.  I have posted about them several times over the past few weeks, but today, after reading her blog, I wanted to share once more.  Leigh and Gray set out many months ago to adopt a child from Ethiopia.  Following their call from God, they began the adoption process and are in full swing of trying to raise their initial fees.  At the end of last week, they thought that $5000 more would do it.  But God has a way of changing things around when we least expect it right?  At a conference on adoption, Leigh and Gray heard God calling loud and clear that they were to open their home to not one child, but to two children!  Amazing, yes!  Scary, yes!  And so now, they must come up with close to $8000 in the next couple of weeks.  Prayers please for the Ladds, for their family, for the children they seek to adopt and for those around the world who are supporting them in prayer, financial donations and giveaway donations.  The Ladds feel strengthened by all the support, but $8000 is still a daunting number!

For her full story, jump on over to her blog  http://leigh-onedayatatime.blogspot.com/
And after reading the blog, please, please join in praying for the Ladds and if you are able to support them financially, donate to the giveaways posted on http://bringingourbabyhome-onedayatatime.blogspot.com/

More later...

Auction, Bed switch, internet and more

Since moving into the apartment, we have been able to pick up internet from our wireless, but it isn't working now.  I am on Ben's computer to write this blog and say who knows when I will be able to update pictures. 

For those of you following, you all know that we have had some bed issues with the kids.  Well, this weekend we stayed with my parents in Columbia and the kids were all in the same room.  Surprisingly, it went so smoothly!  Henry goes to sleep first and once asleep, the twins will head in there.  As long as Emily has a flashlight, she is fine with no lamp on! 

So, what did I do when we got home on Monday?  I moved Henry's bed into the girls room.  Henry's room is now a playroom.  The kids LOVE it and I love all the toys in one room.  And really no more bedtime fights.  How long will it last?  Who knows?  But I like it now!

For those of you who follow my blog, you have read about Leigh a lot lately.  I was able to visit with her this weekend and hear her passion about adopting a little girl from Africa.  She has some great auction items going on and if you haven't checked them out yet, you NEED to this week.  There are some AWESOME things up to win!  Entries are $5.00, get 6 for $25.00.  The button for the auction is on the right.  "Bringing our Baby Home"

Awesome Giveaway... awesome cause

   

When you have a few minutes, mosey on over to the blog above and register to win some awesome giveaway/raffle prizes. Each entry makes you one step closer to winning some fabulous prizes, and also makes Leigh & Gray one step closer to bringing home (adopting) their sweet baby girl, MG.

Entries are $5.00 each, get 6 for $25.00!

Stop by, help the Ladds bring home MG, and win some fabulous prizes!

The Giveaway has begun

Check out my friend Leigh's blog for some awesome giveaways for the next few weeks!

Fashion Friday

I have a good friend, Leigh (she is the one trying to adopt a baby from Ethiopia- check out her giveaway blog link on the side!). Leigh always does a fashion friday blog with fun things like kid clothes, earrings, dresses, etc. Well, since everyone has been asking about the twins and their hair. I thought I would do a fashion Friday based on their new do (and cover ups for the do!) More hats to come, maybe even some bows!

Let me know which one you like by commenting!

Option 1: No hat, just the short hair!

Option 2: Hats from the Children's Place

Option 3: Sweater hat shown on Sara above the ear

Option 4: Sweater hat shown on Emily pulled over the ears

Ready for a giveaway???

My dear friend Leigh and her husband Gray are in the process of raising money to adopt a child from Ethiopia. They were approved for the adoption in mid-August and now have the task of raising money to bring their baby home. They are holding a great giveaway fundraiser to help raise money. You can find out more by clicking on the link below or the link to the right in my blog.

Join me in prayers for Leigh and Gray as the seek to bring their baby home. I hope you will be inspired by their journey!