Pinterest Challenge

Ugh...I forgot to post my last Pinterest projects. Little bees for the Little Bee! It was our turn to provide the snacks for snack day! The ones I have on Pinterest are butterflies...but our Bee needed bees so here they are!!

I also made the OTHER oatmeal chocolate chip cookies...and THEY ARE GOOD! I added a dash of cinnamon to mine. These were made as part of the auction and shipped to some lovely and generous ladies!

~mama

Things I Must Do Better Now

There are a lot of things that I thought I was capable of doing before E came into my life. She disagrees. Here's a list of things that she feels I cannot do without assistance from her. I'm not sure how I ever made it this far in life.

1) Closing doors
2) Locking my car doors
3) Putting clothes in the dryer
4) Starting the microwave
5) Pooping
6) Feeding the animals
7) Sweeping the floor
8) Eating any food on my plate
9) Flushing the toilet
10) Turning off a light
11) Turning on a light
12) Brushing my teeth
13) Carrying anything cumbersome and/or over 50lbs.
14) Taking a shower

The list will continue...

~mama

Yum Yum for a Cause!

Hi Everyone! My friend Amy who has been a blessing to fundraising efforts for the Warm Shelter and is just a genuinely good person and mama has started hosting Tastefully Simply parties and giving the funds raised to good causes. Party number one is for little Willow a sweet little girl who needs some sponsorship funds.  Not only is this for a good cause, but I've heard DELICIOUS comments about the products from Tastefully Simple so I don't think you'll be disappointed. Please put AMY LIVINGSTON in as your host

Here is the link to the Facebook event:  http://www.facebook.com/events/104115956411407/

Not on Facebook?

Here's the link: http://www.tastefullysimple.com/home.aspx

Remember to make Amy Livingston your host!!

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT WILLOW???

http://reecesrainbow.org/38690/willow

Thanks friends!! Enjoy your treats (I've ordered some beer bread mix!)

~mama

Zzzzzz...

March 18th was the first day we woke up in our home as a family of three. Really...it's only been six months? Seems like she's been a part of us forever.

~One lucky mama

Fear and Grieving

I'm not sure that I ever talked about my emotions on Gotcha Day. I was so excited to pick up the Little Bee. I couldn't wait to get to the orphanage and bust her out. I had thought about it for so long...and then there we were. Sitting in the room with all the little children who WEREN'T coming home to a new mama and papa and a family that loved them and wanted to make everyday special for them. Children that weren't #1 to anyone. Children that the Little Bee played with every day, went to bed with every day, dined with every day, woke up with every day...the only home she had ever known and suddenly...

I had a fear of taking her from the only home she had ever known.

I grieved for the children we were leaving behind. 

For the little frozen boy that stood there terrified because he was just dropped off. For little D who only wanted me to cuddle him on my shoulder (forever) when he bumped his head on the floor...for the others. The tiny faces that were part of my dreams since we first set foot in the orphanage 5 months earlier.

I too was frozen.

J kept asking me if I was ready to dress E and leave. I shook my head no.

I stalled.

It took me awhile to work up the nerve to dress her and to say goodbye to the children that I would never see again. That she would never see again.

She cried. I cried.

These emotions were unexpected. I thought it would only be joy and delight, and I had that...but I also had fear and I also had grieving.

Sometimes I still cry for those little faces.

Then I think of E and the laughter and the giggles. Our #1. I am happy to make every day special for you my sweet Bee.

I love you.

~mama

Auction Update

Here's a little update (thanks Amy):

The first purchase with our auction money has been made!! Warm winter clothing was purchased with the first $200 transferred over- the rest will be transferred when our coordinator returns from vacation. Here's the letter from our facilitator:

"Yesterday I went on the market and bought warm things there (in the market of a thing usually cheaper, than in shops). It is overallses and jackets for autumn and winter and some small things for the rest of money. When I told to the hostess of things that I buy it for a orphanage, she gave me one more overalls free of charge. Today I was in the Warm shelter and gave all things. [The nurse] was very glad and surprised that all things new and beautiful. She told that inhabitants of Pskov often bring absolutely old things. The personnel doesn't want to offend people, and thanks them. But then they doesn't know what to do with these things - after all for small children important to observe hygiene. Your things certainly were pleasant to all. At first we considered it with the personnel . Then just children woke up and all started to try on clothes with pleasure. (Though then children were a little afflicted, as they hoped, they are going to conduct for walk). Laura, excuse that I not always do everything quickly. I haven't enough days off, but I want to make everything whenever possible better. For example, if I bought things in shop near to my house, they would be more expensive almost twice. One overalls there cost nearly 3 thousand rubles, and I could buy thus only two and several trifles. And in the market I bought four sets (moreover the fifth get as a gift), hats, a little knitted trousers. I am very happy with result and it was pleasant to me to see pleasure and gratitude of children and the personnel. [The nurse] wrote the small letter. There it is written approximately so: From office the Warm shelter: By us it is received from [our facilitator] warm clothes for children. With huge gratitude to all philanthropists - now we can walk with children in a cold season. Thanks for your kindness and understanding! 09.05.2012. And once again I thank you - you and all donors is such good fellows!"

 

Such good news! I am very excited to send the next installment (once our US facilitator returns from vacation) and will soon work on a plan for another benefit. Please stayed tuned...and as always I will take cash for them anytime. Just let me know!!

 

 

 

 

 

~mama

Pinterest Updates

The Pinterest Challenge is really hard with a two year old. I may not be doing one a week...but I have done a few.

I have made this before, but I was reminded of how wonderful they are via Pinterest and made a giant batch. I don't have a photo of the ones I made as they went to friends...or in our tummies. This is just the Pinterest photo. These cookies are in the style of Neiman Marcus. Pretty yummy.

I also LOVE Halloween and I've started putting E in "Halloween Boot Camp"...practicing saying "trick or treat,"singing songs, and making decorations...also learning the critical things, like what a jack-o-lantern is. I found a cute hand print spider and also a cute finger paint project that involves writing with masking tape and painting over it. I helped her embellish a little bit of web and the spider details but the rest is all E! I combined the two Pinterest pins and made this...I think this should be two points for the challenge (since it involves TWO pins)! She is very proud...and so am I. She's definitely an artist!

This is the inspiration for the hand print:

This is the inspiration for the lettering:

I also found this silhouette of a witch that I loved...

And decided to  make my own..."witch" I actually like better!!

I was looking for a cool oval frame at yard sales (and also eyeballing trash piles while driving), but I never found anything. I then saw this frame at Ross and it was already black! $7.00 for the frame, some black paper, a grocery bag and some ribbon and we are in Halloween business!

I am still working on details for the little store. I want to make a little awning but I haven't found the perfect fabric yet.

Happy pining!!

~mama