Photo Hunters - Sweet

The Hunt - Sweet

No explanation necessary. Just dig in.
Yum!

More "sweet" here, DEFINITELY here, and also here.

Fill up on "sweet" today and no calories to worry about. Now that really is sweet.


Grab the Scavenger Hunt code.


Join the blogroll. Visit participants.

WFMW

Late getting my WFMW post up. We're up to our armpits in room repainting. I finally broke down and told my girls they could re-do their room. (I'll post a picture when we're done.) Anyway, I thought about just waiting until next week, but frankly I'm sick seeing that bag of fish at the top of my blog so I'm going to go ahead and post.

My daughter, Rummy, has been wanting to plant a little garden for a couple of years. I've been reticent because while I'd love to be a gardener like, Mary or Carol or Hiraeth, I just haven't found that I have the patience for it. However, this last Sunday, a dear friend from church gave us a couple of little seedlings. She had more than she needed and couldn't bare to throw them away. I accepted them gratefully, knowing that Rummy would be thrilled.

I was starting small. It seemed manageable. But I wanted to plant them close enough to the house so that watering them would be easier and wanted some kind of raised planting bed because planting at ground level seemed so...well...down on the ground. Gardening has no attraction to me when it means I have to crawl around on hands and knees to do it.

So I took this:



I picked a location close to house so that Rummy wouldn't have any trouble watering it each day, with an extra bonus being that it is within sight of the back door so it's hard to forget. I drilled drainage holes in the bottom, put a little gravel in and then filled it with a couple of 25lb bags of brand new garden soil. Then I planted my two little plants and a couple more I bought.

Viola! Garden in a box. Works for me!




This is a couple of days later. And they're still ALL ALIVE!


More great WFMW tips.

Photo Hunters - Shiny

The Photo Hunters were searching for a picture of something "shiny" this week. It's been a very busy few days, full of Vacation Bible School, so tonight I wasn't sure I had anything. But then I remembered that earlier this week we went shopping for some new fishies for our pond and I took some pictures of them before we released them into their new home.

The Hunt - Shiny

Now they're all happily swimming around in our backyard pond.

Don't forget to drop by TN Chick's for a look her photo of "shiny", and also Arizona - but it's dry heat! the Photo Hunters "Site of the Day."


Grab the Scavenger Hunt code.


Join the blogroll. Visit participants.

WFMW

A quick WFMW today since I just finished the second night of VBS and I'm beat.

I'm the mother of 5 very fair-skinned children. 5 easily-sunburned kids. Until I figured out this WFMW, I often found myself arriving at an outdoor destination without any sunscreen. Had we remembered to put some on before we left? Sometimes yes, but often no. And what about the times that we ended up in a sunny situation by chance? You can probably deduce the results. Krispy kids. Oh the guilt!!

So I solved this problem by putting a bottle of sun screen in each of our vehicles. Now we are prepared for sunny events.

Sunscreen on the go. Works for me.

More great WFMW tips.

Shorty-isms

Yesterday morning (Father's Day) at our house:


Me: Guess what today is Shorty? (5 years olds)
Shorty: What?
Me: It's Father's Day! Today is Father's Day.
Shorty: Today is Faudder's Day???

I could see his mind working before my eyes. (Mudder's Day...Faudder's Day...)

hmmm....

Shorty: So the next is Brudder's Day?



Smart kid.

Father's Day

My dad is a good dad. He isn't perfect (who is?) but he does his best. He loves us (his kids) and he loved my mom deeply. It's funny, my mom used to refer to my dad as, "Big Daddy" although we kids just call him by his given name. That's the way he wanted it.



However, his guy, whom my kids call "Papa," has something that my dad was missing. He loves his kids and he loves me deeply. But he has something else. Something I consider crucial, essential. The desire, the goal, the intention, the heart's cry to point our children toward The Heavenly Father.

Happy Father's Day to the two dads in my life.

Photo Hunters - Hair

Hair was what the Photo Hunters were searching for this week. I wanted to do something a little bit different.

The Hunt - Hair

Pastormac kindly posed for this picture. This guy could grow a beard from high on his cheek bones right down to his shirt collar. He limits it to right here around his mouth even though he hates to shave. And look at all that gray hair! He isn't even 40 yet.


Grab the Scavenger Hunt code.


Join the blogroll. Visit participants.

Happy Bloggy Birthday to Me!

Happy Bloggy Birthday or Bloggiversary to Me!

A year ago today, at the prodding of my oldest daughter, Sweetanlo, I sat down and wrote my first post. A new hobby was born.

It's hard to believe it's been a whole year. I've really enjoyed blogging. Looking back at the year of posts, I'm so pleased that I've been able to capture some really special moments in my life, and I look forward to sharing the rest of our adoption experience. Of all the things that blogging has brought me this year, the things that I treasure the most are the friends that I've made. Who knew? I'd throw my hat into the blogging ring and the most amazing and fulfilling result would be friends, true friends, from all corners of the world. My life is richer for it.

Here are some posts from the last year that I'm glad to have written.

A Perfect Night In June
I Am From
An Anniversary
Here Comes the Rain (Love the photos in this one.)
My Aunt, The Secret Agent
Treasures
Love Is
He Comes to Me

And if you're wondering what to get a person for her Bloggy Birthday? Comments are ALWAYS a welcome gift. So please, especially if you usually lurk here, would you leave me a note?


Photo by Danielito. Used by permission. morgueFile

WFMW

Last Thursday one of my girlfriends and I dropped by our local small-town nursery to do some window shopping. We had a wonderful time wandering up and down the aisles of plants and flowers commenting on all the beautiful colors, fragrances, possibilities. But we were just looking and enjoying our time together. As we made our way back to the door to leave, one of the owners walked by us. We exchanged pleasantries and then she offered us each pots of flowers. It was her, "Thursday Special," she said. Then she explained. They had ordered too many and the flowers had been at the nursery almost too long; they needed to be planted. We could take as many as we wanted. Some for us; some for our neighbors. She said, it was us or the dumpster. What a terrific surprise.

So stop by your home-town nursery (I doubt that the mega-store nursery would be as generous.) and inquire about plants or flowers in this slightly-aged condition, you might just come home with some free flowers.






Free flowers - always work for me!


More great WFMW tips.

The wait goes on...

Yesterday we got news about Bear from our case worker but it wasn't good. We need a certain piece of paperwork essentially verifying that Bear is an orphan. We're having trouble obtaining said piece of paperwork or an alternative. Until we have it we won't be scheduled for a new court date. The courts in Ethiopia close at the end of July for over a month or longer. We really need that form. If you're so inclined, could you say a little pray for us, for Bear & Lem Lem, for the paperwork we're waiting on. We can't wait to be together.

Why I Blog

Chilihead, of Don't Try This At Home, is hosting a fun carnival today asking folks to tell their blogging stories. Check it out and jump in and join if you like. She has a Mr. Linky set up for the occasion.

Here goes nothing.

My Blogging Story

How did you start blogging?
When we started our adoption process, I joined several yahoo groups and from there I discovered the wonderful world of blogging. I found adoption blogs, among them was Mary. Through her I found mommy bloggers like Shannon, Chris, BooMama & many others. After a couple of months reading blogs and having my oldest daughter suggest I start writing one myself, I began my own blog.

Did you intend to be a blog w/a following? If so, how did you go about it?
No. I really never imagined that folks would come by to read my posts. It’s still a puzzle to me that folks drop by, even if most of them don’t comment. (But I’m not bitter, really.)

What do you hope to achieve or accomplish with your blog? Have you been successful? If not, do you have a plan to achieve those goals?
I use it as a chronicle of our family life and our miraculous adoption adventure. I think I’ve done an OK job. I’d like to be a better writer, like Beck who astounds me daily with the way she puts words together and keeps me coming back throughout the daily hoping she’s posted something else.

Has the focus of your blog changed since you started blogging? How?
I was supposed to have a focus? Maybe that’s my problem. Seriously though, I started blogging in order to write about our adoption experience and also to chronicle family events. These goals haven’t changed.

What do you know now that you wish you'd known when you started?
Not to get so consumed by blogging about life and reading other people’s blogs about life that you miss actually living it.

Do you make money with your blog?
Don’t I wish.

Does your immediate or extended family know about your blog? If so, do they read it? If not, why?
My immediate family knows I blog. Pastormac and my kids read it. Pastormac and Sweetanlo have their own blogs. Some of my siblings know about the blog but don’t visit and the ones who don’t wouldn’t visit anyway. Blogging, computer stuff - not really their “thing.” Pastormac’s family drops by occasionally.

What two pieces of advice would you give to a new blogger?
Leave comments. It's a good way to draw traffic to your blog, you may make an actual friend and we all appreciate the feedback.
Join a weekly meme or hunt like, Photo Hunters, Thursday Thirteen or Works-for-Me Wednesday. There are some that are recipe-related or for the organizationally challenged. Find one that fits you and join in. It's a great way to meet other bloggers and also helps on those days/weeks when you're lacking bloggy inspiration.

Photo Hunters - Shoes

The Photo Hunters were in search of shoes this week. Well, I am so NOT a shoe person, I found this hunt to be a tough one. I only own 1 pair of sneakers, 1 pair of sandals, 1 pair of dress shoes and a pair of swim shoes (I don't think they count). And they're all exceedingly boring. So it was clear to me that I would be looking elsewhere for inspiration for this week's photo. I didn't have to look far to find these little beauties.

The Hunt - Shoes

I found these shoes not long before Lem Lem became our daughter. I knew immediately that she must have them. In some small way they've come to symbolize this little girl on the other side of the world who is waiting for us to come get her. Granted, her feet are too small for them now. But someday in the not too distant future, they will be hers. She will put them on and I will tie the laces for her. We will be together. I can hardly wait.

Don't forget to drop by TNChick's to see her shoe choice and please visit Bloom where you're planted, the Photo Hunters Site of the Week.


Grab the Scavenger Hunt code.


Join the blogroll. Visit participants.

Love Thursday #36

Love is...

Blowing up rocket balloons for your baby brother over and over and over and over and over again.





And enjoying the moment he releases one and throws his head back in pure joy and laughes. EVERY time.



It's Big Sister kind of love

WFMW - "Mom, I'm bored!" Edition

This week Shannon is looking for ideas to combat the "Mom, I'm bored!" pleas that happen when summer vacation begins. I'm looking forward to reading everyone's great tips.

Here are a few of my ideas.

• Paint Rocks! Painted Rocks is a GREAT book. I would suggest that you go to your local hobby store and pick up a rainbow of colors of acrylic paints and some inexpensive paint brushes. Be sure to dress your kids in old clothes and put down newspaper to protect your table. Then let them put their imaginations to work. All my kids enjoy this activity. The younger guys require more assistance.



• Klutz activity books. There are activity books of all kinds for all ages of kids, boys and girls alike. Buy a few and keep them stashed away for those times when your kids are desperate for something fun to do. Many of the activities can be done over and over. Others might need refills of supplies.



• Stamp! Many of us have a box of stamps for making cards, gifts, etc. Invest in a collection of cheap stamp pads, a stack of card stock, and a set of markers or colored pencils. When your kids are looking for something to do, pull out your stamps, instruct them in the basics of stamping and then let them make cards, bookmarks, wrapping paper, stationary, etc.



• Free Movies! Regal Entertainment Group offers free morning movies on Tuesday and Wednesdays throughout the summer. Beginning today! Follow the link to see if there's a theater in your area that's participating.

Check out Rocks in My Dryer for many many great ideas.

No news...

No news. Nada. Nothing. We have no news on Bear's status. Did we have a successful court date? Is he ours yet or not? Good questions. All we have is no news. So more waiting.

To cheer myself up I'll finally getting around to posting about a really fun thing I participated in a long while back. Before Easter, I dropped by PEA's Corner and noticed that she was hosting a "Bunny Swap." Those signing up, received a partner and the two were to exchange care packages filled with Easter-themed items. Sounded like fun so I added my name. My "Bunny Swap" partner was Aaron's Momma. I had a really fun time shopping for her. I used her "100 things about me" list to get ideas on what she might like. And I was thrilled to come home one day and find the box of goodies she sent me. The biggest blessing was making a new friend.




Our caseworker is going to try again tomorrow to find out if anything has happened with Bear. Perhaps I'll have good news to share then.

Photo Hunters - Art

The Photo Hunters were looking for pictures of art this week. Sooooo many possiblities! Fine Art. Modern Art. Children's Art. Folk Art. There are paintings, sculpture, music, photography. There's the Art of Pottery. (my cousin) And there is the Art of Woodworking. (my friends) There's the Art of Dance. The Art of "cinching the deal." The Art of Communication. The Art of Listening. Handicrafts and Needlework. The Art of Baking and Cooking. Even the Art of Gardening! The list goes on and on and on.

It was hard deciding on what to photograph. I settled on this because it took me on a trip down memory lane.

The Hunt - Art

This sketch of me was done in 1985 by an artist at a street booth in an art district near the Moulin Rouge in Paris France. I was 16 at the time and on a 2 week European trip sans parents. Wow was I ever young. Can't believe my folks let me go on that trip! It's not an exact likeness but it's not bad for what I paid, which wasn't much. I bought it as a gift for my parents and my mom kept it for years. After she died, I found it and gave it to Pastormac.

TNChick's choice for The Hunt this week is too cool!


Grab the Scavenger Hunt code.


Join the blogroll. Visit participants.