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Oh, how I love the new year! There were many joys and blessigs in the last year. But it was hard, too.
We had two failed adoptions.
We entered our third year since Andy had been laid off. (He now has a full-time job at an architecture firm -- hooray!)
Our middle children have been struggling deepling, and require much of us. For the last few months, we've been feeling depleted and have not always up to the challenge.
But every Christmas break, we have the opportunity to start fresh....to evaluate what's been working, and what hasn't, and make changes. Sure, we can do that anytime, but after a week away, and lots of time away from usual routines, we always return motivated and ready to jump back into life at home.
This year, we're revisiting the books and blogs that have been instrumental in helping us help our children. These resources focus on wounded children -- whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually, and how we can help them overcome and heal. I can't wait to share what we're learning with you!
You'll also see posts about our family life and spiritual life -- what encourages us and keeps us going. I'm looking forward to a couple of giveaways.
And, when I have the time, energy, motivation, and pictures downloaded, you'll occasionally see a back-dated post pop up in your reader or inbox. Those are the catch-up posts that I try not to burden myself with *having* to do. But the reality is, there are some I want to get to because this blog is our version of a family scrapbook. :)
So, let's get to it! If you like to comment (we read every one!), I'd love to hear your view on the new year. Do you like to make New Year's resolutions? Do you take a day to re-evaluate how life is going, and how your family is doing? How do you celebrate the new year with your family? If you blogged about the new year, feel free to post it here. I'd love to follow your link and read it!
I've received a large number of body butter orders this week. It turns out several bloggers have featured our organic whipped hair & body butters on their blogs. What a fun surprise! A big thank you to Ashlee, Sharla, Lovelyn, Lora, & Kristen for encouraging families to check out our products! :) It's a great way for me to pass the time while we wait to find out if the little one we're matched with will be joining our family or not. It's been a hard wait this week, so I'd appreciate prayers for that.
As we look forward to our day of thanks tomorrow, and the shopping that traditionally begins right after that, I am thankful that our family keeps it simple. Both sides of the family exchange a bare minimum of gifts, and keep the focus on the reason that Christmas exists -- to celebrate the birth of our Savior!
This year, I've been reminded that the shopping that we do has the potential for feeding into the consumerism that surrounds us, or making a difference.
If you are looking for opportunities to shop with a purpose this Christmas, check out this post, by Lovelyn. Every idea posted is an opportunity to invest in helping women in other countries support their families, assist an organization that cares for orphans, or add to the adoption fund of a family bringing a new little one home. I will be checking our budget soon. There are some awesome products listed, and I can't wait to buy a few!
If you didn't find everything you need there, check out Andrew and Lora's blog, Vitafamiliae. They said, "Every shop on this list represents a family or ministry raising money for adoption and orphan care. This Christmas take your gift-giving to the second power by buying gifts from these families." Be prepared to enjoy a lot of browsing and find some very unique gift ideas. There are almost 60 links here!
Then, since by this point you're staying up until 1am anyway, take a few more minutes and check out on of my fav blogs, Rage Against the Minivan. Kristen says in her Gifts that Give Back post, "In a season marked by giving, I love the idea of giving back to our community and our planet. A few years ago, my family decided to forego gifts for the adults, and give donations in each person’s name instead. It’s been so fun thinking of each family member and finding ways to honor each of them with a unique donation. Here are some great ways you can do your Christmas shopping and give back at the same time."
If you know of any other great lists, please let me know. I'd love to post them here!
I know. We have been quiet around here lately! Thank you for all the sweet emails, facebook messages, and thoughts and prayers for us after our adoption loss.
Someday I hope to write more about losses in adoption. We have now experienced three failed adoptions over the last 5 years -- each of them unique. Failed adoptions are so often feared in the adoption community.
For now, I want to simply reassure our friends and family that although I haven't been blogging, we really are doing fine. We're just enjoying some quiet time and the flexibility of summer schedules.
When we suddenly matched with this expectant mama, life went on hold as we helped her relocate, get set up with our agency, etc. Now that the adoption is off, and we are finding closure and moving on, life feels normal again. I like that. :)
I have half a dozen posts floating around in my head, and when I get a spare minute, I might get to post one or two. Maybe.
For now, I'll let you know that we are far from giving up on adopting again. We have enjoyed a break from it all, but now we're gearing up to apply for a couple adoption grants & an interest-free adoption loan. Then we'll start Parents' Nights Out fundraisers again, keep making whipped body butters, and do our homestudy extension, which is due in September.
We still hope that God will bring another precious baby our way, but in the meantime we're enjoying all that life keeps us busy with for now. And trust me, that is plenty! :)
- our rabbits are almost named.
- we are getting 3 - 4 eggs daily -- blue/grey, tan, and brown.
- the kids and I are slowly working through a list of important life skills that will take years and years to teach. (oh, wait -- isn't that the point of parenting?)
- the chapsticks we make have stylish new labels.
- we're trying something new in our house, and it has to do with little glass marbles.
- we had family in town recently, and we missed them the day they left!
- we're in a hair rut, but I have a new idea to try out.
- March kids' quotes are way overdue.
So....lots of posts in the works. Someday soon, I hope! :)
I must live under a rock. Or maybe I'm just really busy with my kids.
It took me long enough, but I recently discovered that Blogspot keeps stats on my blog (and yours, too, if you have one). At the bottom of one of the pages, there is a list of key words/phrases used to find your blog. Today, someone found our blog using these key words:
'help little kiara with her hair'.
Incidentally, I really could use some help with my hair. Anyone?
Destany and Lucas are writing blogs now, too. I figure we can call it home schooling. :)
Here are a few of Destany's thoughts on Glee gum.
Here is Lucas' blog. He says he is ready to start typing some of his own posts now. Love it!
We love comments! The kids like to ask if anyone wrote anything about 'their post', and we make sure to read those comments to them.
We have it set so that anyone can comment, even if they do not have a Google or Blogspot account. And none of that annoying 'word verification' stuff here. Just make sure you sign your comment so you don't come through as just 'Anonymous'. :)
