Preview Logistics and An Angel

If you are coming to the preview sale tomorrow evening, please park in the front to the right of the drive. We will have signs pointing you in the direction you need to go. For those of you who came to the Hoedown in the fall, parking is in the same place. We aren't parking in the pasture this time because it's almost baling time and the grass is too tall. Follow the noise to the back of the house- we'll be in the barn.

Several people have asked if they can bring more donations to preview night. Absolutely!! Just know that we'll be busy so we may or may not be able to help you unload. DONATIONS ARE STILL WELCOME!!
And here is beautiful Grace. Just look at that sweet girl!! An angel whose family found her through Reece's Rainbow. We "met" a couple of days ago, and it turns out they live only about 30 minutes from us!! Please, hop on over to their blog and support them in their journey. I tell you, little Miss Grace is a beauty born with something extra whom I can't wait to see come home!! Since Grace has lived in an orphanage her entire life, she will have some adjusting to do once she's home. Two things that will be VERY beneficial to her attachment are both a sling and a backpack child carrier. If you are able to help get these things for this angel, please email me privately- nogreatergiftmom@yahoo.com. If you happen to live close and would like to give either of them to Grace, I will be happy to pick them up.

I pray that we are not only able to share our story over the next few days during the sale, but also Grace's story (oh how I love each of these angels!!). And more important than all...God's story and His amazing works in our life.
In Him,
E

The end is in sight!!

Hey, thanks to those who donated the seats for the bus, the steering wheel (belt) and engine (tv cart)! They were invaluable yesterday!! They kept my sister and I sane!!

Although these are VHS tapes, there are some wonderful titles here! For those of us stuck in the ice ages, we are selling them for $1 a piece- who can beat that?!!

This was when we began yesterday. You should see it now!!

A super nice wood sleigh toddler bed.

Brand new fleece blankets complete with a small pillow- brand new!! Thanks Laura!

Love Melissa and Doug!

We have been working H..A..R..D the past few days getting ready for the sale. We had some of my favorite people come by yesterday to help us out- my sister and her 2 boys. We love you guys!! Thank you SO MUCH- you are the awesomest!! They helped us make such huge progress, but J- you should see it now!

If you live close and are planning on coming to the "preview night", make sure you bring boxes or baskets or something to carry ALL your goodies home in! We want it gone!

Off to rest....and eat icecream! I told everyone I'd treat them for working so hard today. And Leigh, YES!!! Please, come tomorrow!!! I'll call you later, but I do need your help!

In Him,

E

Baskin Robbins

Don't forget to stop by Baskin Robbins this evening and help a great cause (while devoring some deliciousness!). We hope to see you there!

A Thought

"In a defining moment in your life, you either step forward in faith and power or you step backward in fear." -James Arthur Ray

I read this just a bit ago on another adopting momma's blog. Many people have told us we're crazy. They ask if we realize this or that? We could very easily let these comments sway us, but ultimately this is God's decision for our family....we are just following His lead. I thank Him every day for choosing us and using us for His glory. I pray that all those who doubt us can look beyond their own fears and accept that we truly feel as if we are doing exactly what we feel lead by God to do. Honestly, we have no idea who our children are, where they live now or what their circumstances are, but He does. And we can't wait for the day they are forever home!!

To lighten the mood a bit I though I'd share (tempt you with) a few more pictures of some of the amazing donations we have received for the sale. I pray you each have a blessed day!

In Him,

E

Adoption Yard Sale Tease

Awesome donations- Awesome family and friends!

I'll be honest here- this post is all about tempting you a bit. We want you to come shop the sale. Here is just a sampling of a few items we have received.

There is also a matching coffee table that goes with this side table.

Brand new wine cooler- see, sticker still on.

This dining set is also brand new- still in the box!! The picture shows it with 6 chairs but we actually have 10 and the leaf.

And we have so many more children's items! Coloring table complete with crayon "holders". Climbing thing with slide. Lots of games and toys, toys, toys!

Donation Only Yard Sale
May 1st and 2nd

How can you be a part of this sale?

*Pray for our adoption and for the weather to cooperate this weekend.

*Donate items that are in good condition.

*Donate baked items for us to sell during the yard sale.

*Bring a table or clothing rack for us to use for the sale.

*Spread the word- forward this blog on to friends and family in the local area. Post this blog onto your Facebook page a few times between now and the sale.

COME AND SHOP!! We will be having a "Preview Night" for friends and family Thursday evening. I will be sending out an email with all the logistics by Tuesday. Feel free to email me at nogreatergiftmom@yahoo.com with any questions.

And just a side note- I love frozen mango from Trader Joe's (snacking on it right now!).

Have a blessed night!
In Him,

E

One Full Post

First....OUR TRAINING IS OVER!! And both hubby and I each have our own personalized certificate to prove it- oh yeah! While that may not be terribly exciting to many of you, that is HUGE in our book. As happy as we are that there are no more early Saturday mornings and hour + drives, I am kind of sad that I may never see my classmates again. We had a great group of 9 and really enjoyed their points of view and company. I will be praying for each of them.

Fun Friday- our 2 oldest were busy so I decided that the youngest and I would share a "special" day together. Just she and I. What a blessing and something we should do more often! The day began with breakfast out- complete with an extra special treat, chocolate milk! We then headed to a local toy store. Now honestly, stores like this bother me. The entire concept of buying, buying, buying for our children makes me sad, to tell you the truth. But, that's another post for another day. I do commend the store, though, because it is very hands on. Many Moms take their children there for just a play day.

After leaving the toy store, we decided that we wanted to finish planting the flower garden together. I let her pick out the seeds and we got busy.

It was HOT! Our high Friday was around 87, I believe. Yuck! And what do you need after being so hot! Well, mint chocolate chip ice cream, of course! And who cares that it was 12:30 and we hadn't eaten lunch?! It was our special day, right? We ate ice cream while watching a movie- just she and I. What could be better than that?

Now, terra cotta pots are my favorites. I love the simplicity of them. I love the color. Not to mention they are 'el cheapo! Oh, and very plentiful at thrift stores. I have seemed to acquire many over my short (ha! ha!) life. Last week I decided I wanted to spruce up and change a few a bit. I decided to steal the idea from my brilliant sister-in-law, Markana, and paint them. Well, I didn't exactly paint them. My oldest really wanted to, so I gave her the honors. RED! My fav-o-rite color!

Silhouettes- I adore them and decided to try my hand at them. I could tell you that I got out my tiny, sharp scissors, gathered my children and began cutting. They each sat angelically still, and I perfectly cut out a silhouette of each of them. But, I'd be lieing. Here's how it's done-

First, take a picture of your subject and cut it out. This photo kind of looks like a booking photo, doesn't it?!

Next, place the cutout on your choice of colored cardstock. I used cardstock because it was thin enough to handle and cut but thick enough to hold it's shape. My little one wanted her's to be on pink.

We had to test background colors. Here it is on dark brown. She wanted something a little more fun.

And here's the final product. I like it but don't think I love it. It will probably change so that we can see the cute little silhouette (and master craftsmanship) a bit better. Not sure if I'll keep the cute background theme or cut a new, darker silhouette.

Hope you all have a blessed week! We'll talk soon.

In Him,

E

Warm days and cute toes!

First, HUGE prayers being said for my friend, Lyndi, tonight. Her family's USCIS application was approved at 1:30 yesterday!!! That is the last piece they need for their dossier!! A dossier is what is sent overseas to adoption officials in a foreign country. It includes every important document that families work tirelessly to get and must have before approval. YAY!! Patrick, your Mom and Dad are on their way!! Hopefully, Lyndi and her husband will be traveling soon to get their sweet little guy with designer genes! Please, join me in praying him home.

Okay, some of you definitely have me beat in the "meanest Mom" department.:) No, I love all your stories- thanks for giving me some wonderful ideas!!

What else do you do on a day with some down time and 3 cute girls! We found this book today at our local library book sale. Since we volunteered for several hours we were allowed to each take home 5 books. This is one my youngest picked out, and I'm sure glad she did. Super fun! When I pulled out the camera my youngest said, "You know she's going to put these on her blog!" That's probably why my girls plus another teenage friend would not (under any circumstances!!) let me take pictures of them at Ben and Jerry's Tuesday. Not sure what the big deal was?! Oh, did any of you join in the madness? Free cones all day Tuesday! Of course, we drove 20 miles for the free ice cream (anyone see the irony in that), but it was Ben and Jerry's! The girls were even allowed to go back through the line for a 2nd cone. And we did read the small print- "One cone, per customer, per trip through line." Yummy!

Our evening sky tonight- a storm is a brewin'.

Have a blessed night!

In Him,

E

A Woman's Heart

Amen. This is what we try to teach our girls.

In Him,

E