Someone's Trash is Now MY Treasure

As you probably know, a couple weeks ago we hosted a yard sale at my house to raise money for our adoption (a huge success).  Obviously, when have an event like that....not everything goes.  So as my husband and I were loading the van full for runs to Goodwill and then to the dump, there are a few things I held on to.  No, not for the fond memories! =)  First of all, besides the huge addition to our adoption account, that was not my idea of fun.  Second, I've been working REALLY really hard NOT to hold on to things for memory's sake.  I'm not perfect....I still have a lot of it...but this yard sale was also a good cleanser for my home.  We had a LOT of things I was holding on to, for who knows why. 

Anyway, here's one of the things I held on to because I was inspired when I looked at it (thanks to Sara over at It's Good To Be Queen)....see what it turned into! =)

This was a very inexpensive project that....

a. took my mind off of things

b. filled a blank wall in my kitchen

c. will have a lot of use

So here's how I created my beautiful (and handy!) chalkboard.

1. Find a dumpy old frame of a decent/desired size (the free-er the better) =)

2. Strip said frame of all hideousness (ugly picture with 60's newspaper backing, in this case)

3. Clean frame with old rag (mine just had a few spiderwebs, so a dry cloth worked fine)

4. Spray away with desired color of paint

5. Wait...

6. Repeat steps 4&5 until it is well-covered =)

7. Have hubby cut you a piece of scrap wood to fit in the frame (or if you don't have scrap wood...or a handy husband, Home Depot works GREAT for this part).  We found a nice thin piece that was smooth on one side.

8. Sand the wood until completely smooth and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.

9. Spray primer on the wood until you get a good coat.

10. Use some steel wool and buff the surface of the wood.  Wipe all granules away.

11. Spray with chalkboard paint (found at Home Depot, maybe $4 for a bottle...or $10 if you like the paint-on kind).  Use 2-3 coats until its fully covered.

12. Wait about an hour (or whatever the back of the can says) before putting it in your frame.

13. After 24 hours, you need to use the side of a piece of chalk and rub it over the entire chalkboard before use.

And there you have it!  An easy, affordable, useful, decorative object to place on the desired wall space!!!

And here it is in MY space:

Although someday I hope to have one as tall as Sara's...for now this is what my space allows.  And I'm LOVING IT!

I'm still finishing editing birthday photos (I might be halfway through now?) and I am hoping to have them finished in time for Monkey's birthday post tomorrow.  So check back soon!!!

It's PARTY Time!!!

Check back soon for photos of the big event!

(Oh...and if you click on the picture, it will blow it up so you can read the details.)

Craft Therapy

I was in some major need for craft therapy this week.  And no, not because my toddler was a terror...because even though he is a busy little Monkey, that is rarely the case.  And no, not because I'm stressed out.  Even though our finances are causing some reason for worry right now, that was not the cause of my much-needed craft therapy.  Those are all great reasons to put some craft therapy in your life, but in fact, the reason I did need some craft therapy was because I needed SOMETHING to help me feel just a little bit closer to my Lil Miss.  Since finances aren't allowing much work on the nursery, I had to find some inexpensive projects to prepare for her much-anticipated arrival.  After all, at more than a year into this adoption journey so far, I'm beginning to wonder if that day will ever come that I am holding my sweet girl in my arms and gazing into her chocolatey brown eyes. 

So here's a glimpse at what is keeping my sanity right now =)

I LOVE it!  It was everything and more that I had in my vision.  I still have some finishing touches I would like to add...plus moving it into a girly and PINK nursery would sure help!  Of course, rocking my baby girl to sleelp would REALLY be a cure...right there folks!  But...that's not going to happen anytime soon.  At least I can rest assured that it WILL...someday. 

He's a CAR Man!

...and no I'm NOT just talkin' about my hubby, although that is very true!

When we were trying to come up with a theme for Lil' Man's birthday party this year, we were bouncing around his interests...  Music/Rocker was one idea I had, but I had no ideas for decor or anything beyond that theme.  Cars (in general, not the movie) was what we kept coming back to.  Cars are BOTH my boys' love (besides loving ME of course =).  At almost any point during the day you'll either find Monkey leaning against the couch (or laying on the floor) parking all his little matchbox cars and then crashing them.  OR anywhere we go he is TALKING about cars (although it sounds like "guy" but with a "c"....lol).  But doing a car theme in general just seemed....to boring...or maybe just too predictable, I'm not sure.  (And Cars the movie was out because one: he hadn't seen it yet and two: no offense to families who choose this, but movie themes seem too common to me....but ask me again when Monkey is seven and choosing his own parties ;)

But there was a common denominator in all of this.  Whenever Monkey is playing "car crash", Mr. Policecar is there to save the day.  Whenever Monkey is talking about cars, he always reminds us what a police car sounds like! 

SOOOO....to change it up from the normal/common/predictable two-year-old car theme, we are doing a POLICE Car theme.  I tell ya....Lil' Man sure gets excited anytime he gets a glimpse of the decorations! ;)  Curious yet?  Here's a sneak peek at the birthday party decor for our ALMOST two-year-old!!!

Wait....what?!?  Its hard to see???  Hmm....

Wait....that's just a glimpse of the birthday boy! =) 

Sorry...that's all you get for now peoples!!!  The decorating has just begun and Oooohhh....we're gettin' excited here foks!!! =)  Party's on Saturday...you'll just have to be patient! =)

Great Animals + Great Friends = F-U-N

Last week my husband and I were going over our schedule for the week and trying to figure out what we were going to do for that day.  In the middle of the discussion the phone rang...with an invite to join some friends at the zoo.  Well...considering so far all we had come up with was a trip to the grocery store and the jewelry store, we figured we could put those on hold for a little fun!

I love spontanious moments/days!

Monkey was SO happy!  He got to ride in our friends BIG truck...AND had his own personal tour guide! 

He was definately a fan of the drums, and loved having his friend, Miss S, show him how things were done.  Next she took us to the African safari!  They explored grass huts, mud huts and Miss S loved to tell Lil Man about how the Africans make their food and how they sleep...  We even did what I think she called the "circle dance".  She made us all get in a circle and take turns going into the center and dancing.  I never thought of her dad as the dancing type, but it put on a smile on his face to see him "let loose" for his little girl! =)  Monkey even got in on the action....but only if daddy was helping.

The view from the class room was out on the "African Safari".  There were so many beautiful creatures, the only one I was quite disappointed to miss (one of my personal favorites) was the zebra.  But it's okay!  The giraffe was (obviously) in plain view and gorgeous as ever...

If you haven't noticed, I've been playing with my hobby of photography.  I'm not claiming to have talent, I just love it! =)  And Picnik is my personal online best friend right now.  If you haven't yet checked it out - DO!  It makes life SO much easier!

The petting zoo???  NOT my best friend.  But it was a first for my Monkey so I stepped back, took pictures, and let the boys take the kids in for the...ahem...fun?!?  (Choking on that word ;)  And don't worry, I made sure we ALL washed our hands 10,000 times afterwards.

Then Miss S took Monkey to the carosel.  I wasn't quite sure Monkey would love it as much as *I* would...but considering I was still feeling like we missed out at the NWW Fair this year, I insisted we give it a try.  For two bucks, it was worth the effort.  WELL worth the effort.  As you can see....he didn't scream!  He giggled, and smiled, and yipped with joy!  He had SUCH a blast, makes me sad we didn't get to do this more earlier this summer.  Good thing the zoo is here all year 'round!!!

Our friend J and his sweet daughter Miss S

The penguins were a great ending to our fabulous day!  They did a lot of swimming and little squacking.  And Monkey only tried to climb IN the tank once.  Huge sucess!  And it was extra fun having Miss S narrate it all for us.  What a kick in the pants, ball of energy, girly little sweety pants!  LOVED spending our day with her!  (And dads always like dad company, right?)

A Change of Pace

I have to admit, I'm glad I'm not the only one!

I've been receiving a few emails about feeling extra depressed about the lack of movement on "The List" this month.  I hear ya!  I'm there with ya!  This month has been a hard month for me too!  In fact, just last week hubby came home from work and literally asked me, "Are you all right?  What is wrong with you?"

Adoption is definitely a roller coaster of emotions, as you all know even by following my blog.  I KNOW God's timing will BLOW me away with how perfect it is, but for right now, this wait is HARD.

However, I am having a better week this week.  So what did I do to force myself out of this depressive slump?

1. I spent a spontaneous day at the zoo with some friends.  Guaranteed pick-me-up!!!

2. I'm marking the end of the Summer by bringing out Fall decor....one season closer folks!

3. Change in normal menu...we've been trying some new recipes around here to switch things up.  BBQ Chicken Pizza, made up casseroles....and even though Pasta Fagioli isn't a new one....its a Fall/Winter recipe....so its something we haven't made it a loooong time.

4. I cleansed my closet.  Cleaned out what I don't wear.  Created new outfits from what already exists.  Re-organized...

5. I changed my hair.  Maybe this is the "Hair Designer" in me, but changing the reflection I see in the mirror every day always helps!  Give it a whirl!

Are you losing your mind over this long wait ahead?  Can you not seem to get ahold of your emotions?  Try some of these tricks, and let me know how it works for you.  But above all, don't forget to PRAY and ASK for prayer.  God hears you friend!  Remember, He once pursued YOU (and me) to adopt us into HIS family.  He not only hears your cry, but He knows your heart and feels your pain.  Let Him be a part of this season with you.

Baby Love

We talk about our Lil Miss all. the. time. around here.  Monkey has his little dolly that he calls "baby sister" and pushes her around in a hot pink princess stroller (yes, I DO realize Monkey is a boy...but it was FREE, okay?).  Occasionally he'll purposely topple the whole thing over, throw his arms in the air and yell out "Uh-oh!  Uh-oh mama!!!"  (Don't worry...that won't be happening once she's home! =)  He carries her around and gives her hugs and kisses and even has a little nickname for her he can barely say, so cute!

Well, the other day Monks was helping me empty the dishwasher...putting away the tupperware and lids (which isn't REALLY help because then I have to go back and organize them...but its PRINCIPLE people!) and he opened the wrong drawer!  The bottle drawer.  Well, Monkey only had like four bottles in his LIFE so he wasn't quite sure what to do with it.  Teething as he was (darn two year molars, ugh) he shoved that nipple into the back of his mouth and starting biting down.  ChOmP cHoMp!

Mama: That's not for Monkey, that's for babies!

Lil Man pretty much shrugged, put it back, continued with the dishes, and then went back to the bottle drawer again.  He was playing nicely with the bottles, however, so I shrugged and went back to my dishwasher. 

That's when it became quiet.  A little too quiet, you know what I mean?!?  I turn around and the bottle drawer is left open (NOT like Monkey, he's the one who follows me around the kitchen and CLOSES every drawer and cupboard I forgot about) but HE is no where to be found.  I call for him - nothing.

Then I see a little blonde head over the back of the chaise in our living room.  I tip-toe in his direction and peek around to find my heart in a puddle on the floor....

{she's cradled}

{she's loved}

{he's shy}

{there's smooches}

Be still my beating heart...this child MELTS me!  Can't wait to see the REAL interactions between Lil Man and Lil Miss!!!

Melkam Addis Amat!!!

Melkam Addis Amat = Happy New Year

Today is the Ethiopian New Year!  Every year it is celebrated on September 11th (Meskerem 1st).  The Ethiopians still follow the Orthodox Julian calender.  It consists of 12 months of 30 days and a 13th month, Pagume, of 5 or 6 days (depending on leap year).  The Ethiopian Calendar is seven years and eight months behind in Western Calendar, so they are celebrating year 2003!

The whole way they measure time in Ethiopia is different from the West.  Their clock starts at 6am western time and runs until 6pm.  Because Ethiopia is so close to the Equator, the sun rises at around 00.30 Ethiopian time and sets at around 12.45 in the evening (6.45 western equivalent) all year round.  That puts Ethiopia 3 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time).

The years run in a four year cycle bearing the names of the Gospels with the year of John (or Yohannes) being the leap year.  This is what their months look like:

Meskerem (11th September)

Tikimt (11th October)

Hidar (10th November)

Tahsas (10th December)

Tir (9th January)

Yakatit (8th February)

Maggabit (10th March)

Miyazya (9th April)

Ginbot (9th May)

Sene (8th June)

Hamle (8th July)

Nehasa (7th August)

Pagume (7th September)

Enkutatash is an important festival for the Ethiopians.  After three months of heavy rains, the sun comes out creating a beautiful clear fresh atmosphere.  The highland fields turn to gold as the Meskal daisies burst into flower.  When the Queen of Sheba returned to Ethiopia after her famous visit to King Solomon, her chiefs welcomed her forward by giving her "enku" or jewels.  Enkutatash which means "gift of jewels" has been celebrated ever since spring. 

On New Year's Eve, torches of dry leaves and wood bundled in the form of tall and thick sticks are also set on fire in front of the houses as the young and old sing.  Early in the morning everybody goes to Church wearing traditional Ethiopian clothing.  After church there is a family meal of Injera (flat bread) and Wat (stew).  the girls go from house to house singing New Year songs for money and the boys sell pictures that the yhave drawn.  in the evening, familis go to visit their friends and drink Tella, the traditional Ethiopian beer.  While the elders discuss their hopes for the New Year, the children go and spend the money they have earned.

In more recent times, it has also become usual for well-to-do city dwellers to send each other New Year greetings cards instead of the more traditional bunches of flowers.

How fun does this look???

September Official Number!!!

Although we are still celebrating being in the twenties, our official number this month came as no shock to us.  However, we are anticipating the courts reopening the end of this month, which will hopefully speed things up on this end too. 

Also, if I'm counting correctly, there are eleven families who just returned home with their children.  That leaves LOTS of rooms for open beds and hopefully means more referrals too.

One thing we have learned a little about this month is the relinquishment process that the birthparents of our child will need to go through.  It surprised me actually HOW extensive it is.  Definately explains why the waitlist has slowed down some.  But I am so grateful on how thorough the Ethiopia program is as well.  I would hate to go through all this hard work and get our daughter home and not be 100% confident that she was placed in our arms ethically.  I know of people who will forever have to struggle with those type of situations and it makes me so grateful that God put the right people and circumstances in our life at the time we were researching agencies and that He made AGCI such an obvious choice for us!  I wouldn't have it any other way!

P.S. I don't know why I always make you wait so long to see our number....so I won't anymore...here it is:

Even though I have had a REALLY hard month waiting, I truly know and am completely confident that God's timing is perfect.  So please don't misunderstand my anxiousness with a lack of confidence in God.  I just struggle with not being in control...an issue I am in constant prayer over.  Just because I know that we will celebrate EXACTLY how God knit together our Lil Miss' adoption story when this is all over and done with, does NOT mean the waiting is easy.  It does bring comfort, but it doesn't take away the pain...if that makes any sense. 

I AM excited, however, to share with you some of the projects I've been doing this last week to attempt to keep my mind off the numbers.  I promise to share them with you soon...if I can EVER get my pictures to load.  (My wonderful husband keeps promising to figure out what's going on there, but he's been just a wee bit busy - so please forgive him!)

Alright...on to the rest of my day, but I look forward to sharing more with you later!