year in review

Taking a cue from some of my friends, I thought I'd reflect back over the year in bloggy land.

Here are a few little snapshots that give you a window into our world in 2011.

In January I reflected on 2010, the first time I realized Nick was a keeper and a few of my favorite things and my gratitude for a timely phone call.

February held a few hard lessons, a thankful heart for small tender moments with my boys, and the (now funny) day that Eddie almost broke my nose.

March was a big month around here. Nick and I took our first solo trip (to New York!), the oldest turned 4,  and I traveled down memory lane (more than once).

April was busy: I started bakin' it to the streets, celebrated more birthdays, redid Lute's room and made a cake that sold for eleven hundred bucks (for real).

May was filled with reflections on motherhood (the good and the bad), some unsolicited marital advice and a recipe or two.

In June I turned...one year older, Lute started asking what adoption was all about, I tried to be thankful in the midst of inconvenience and all of the responsibilities of the day to day and Lute and I made some super easy chocolate-y, sprinkle-y haystacks. We announced our second adoption and my sweet Eddie turned 2!

July was c.razy full with the opening of my etsy shop, birthdays galore, talking about my love for my sister, the day I saw Jesus on the streets of Seattle, and my thoughts on the misconceptions surrounding adopted kids.

We took a family vacay in August, I talked about God's healing goodness, I started linking up with the Pleated Poppy, I discovered pinterest (aka time suck #74), and I learned some hard lessons.

In September, I started getting crafty, talked a lot about our next adoption, and started praying for my kids in a way that changed my entire outlook.

I did a few more DIYs in October, shared about our first adoption fundraiser (which was a huge success!), and confessed my constant state of worry. 

In November my little Georgie turned 2, I shared my heart for the homeless, had a little reality check, and showed off my first advent calendar!

And now it's December! Things have slowed down for us as we try to reflect on the glorious birth of Jesus, but there is never a dull moment, especially when your kids are as artistic as mine. 

Here's to a hopeful, joyful, hilarious 2012...

Happy new year to each of you!

let's talk about shopping

I feel a moral obligation to tell you something. In case you didn't know, I like Target. I spend way too much time and money there, and I am thinking maybe they should sponsor me considering how much airtime I give them. But that's another story.

So a few weeks ago I started watching an episode or two of Extreme Couponing. Have you seen it? While I have no desire to fill my basement to capacity with liquid detergent and candy bars, it did make me think about how much money I could be saving if I at least checked for coupons for the things I needed. And that is when I discovered that Target has a whole section of their website filled with printable coupons! What? Like hundreds of them. And granted, most are for things I don't need, but just today I saved over $15 with my little print outs. Like, for example, pull-ups are stupidly expensive. But there was a coupon for $2 off, and there was another coupon attached to the package for $1.50 off, plus they were on sale. I felt like I needed my own camera crew. 

(Let's not talk about the fact that everything is on sale right now, and I ended up spending way more than the fifteen bucks I saved couponing, kay?)

I feel like a whole new world of saving has opened up to me. This could be good or bad, depending on where it goes. 

But, I thought you should know. 'Cause diapers are expensive, man. 

Here's the link!

Target Printable Coupons

from our family...

busy busy all the day long

I am actually done with my Christmas shopping! Who am I? What is going on? This is not the norm, people. But, I am knee deep in handmade crafty gifting, which means I'll probably be up until the wee hours of Christmas morning burning my fingerprints off with hot glue. It's a labor of love, though, so it's worth it. 
Let's take a few minutes of quiet, grab a hot beverage (peppermint hot chocolate, maybe?)
and sit yourself down for a few. Catch up with these ladies and visit their lovely little spaces. You'll be so glad you did!

Hi there! I'm Lindsay, the creator behind Originally Me (the shop and the blog).  I'm a happy go lucky girl, a dreamer, and a go getter.  I have a passion for design and a love for all things creative.  I'd love for you to visit my little online home (aka my blog) where you'll find lots of randomness about my daily adventures, crafty projects, recipes, inspiration and more.  

My favorite Christmas tradition is spending Christmas Eve and morning with my cousins.  It started when my sister and I were much younger, but is a tradition that we continue year after year.  We take turns spending one year at our house and the next at my Aunt and Uncles.  It's so fun to be able to share the excitement of Christmas morning with them.  It often includes matching pajamas, gingerbread houses, and s'mores.  How cute! 

hello! i'm hannah singer. 

i enjoy each day as wifey to patrick, and mama to elijah grey.

it is an honor to sponsor carina and her blessing of a blog!

pretty sure my favorite christmas tradition is all of them. ha.

these are my most favorite:

 baking and decorating gingerbread cookies!

i've done it since i was a wee girl and now make them with my kiddo:)

also we have lots of delicious appetizers and desserts

all day christmas eve and watch movies and sing!

it's a special, fun time with my cozy little family.

may your christmas be joy-filled and lovely in every way!

emmanuel!  blog :: twitter

5ohWifey is a mommy & cop's wife blog written by a southern girl trying to make it in Northern California. I like to blog about motherhood, the life as a police wife, mommy style and fashion, and love posting  recipes I make, use, or find.  

My favorite Christmas tradition is the"ornament of the year". Every year for Christmas we get ourselves an ornament to commemorate the biggest event of that year. As we have more kids we will probably do an ornament exchange with all of them since they will all have big events each year. As the quantity of our ornaments grow we will remove all the "starter set" ornaments until our entire tree is full of memories. Love it.

My name is Danielle, and I am a NYC girl, living in the heart of the south!  I have an amazing husband who is part of God's work in the world as a missionary, and two beautiful daughters who we adopted from Ethiopia two years ago. In addition the being wife and mom,  I work as a special education director at a small private school, and blog about life, love, adoption and faith at This Life I Live! 

I don't know that I have any favorite Christmas traditions from childhood, but for the last few years we have had a fun little Christmas eve tradition that our kids love.  We each draw a name and get $5 to take to the dollar store.  Each person buys $5 worth of funny things for the person whose name they drew.  The idea is to be as silly as you can be! We run home after shopping and fill our person's stocking with our sill gifts then open them that evening!  It is a really fun time (although not that spiritual!) that we all really enjoy!

Hey there! My name is Alyx and I blog over at Every Day is a New Adventure. I'm just your average American girl living in Europe for a year. This blog documents my crazy adventures with the Hubby! 

My fave tradition is definitely reading the story of Christ's birth on Christmas Eve. New traditions into adulthood? Well, since we're living in Germany where they open their presents on Christmas Eve, we have started a tradition where we each get to open two or three presents on the 24th, then save the rest for the next morning! 

I am Erika-- handmade, happy, fashion and DIY-lover who lives in Seattle with my hubby and doggy. I sell pretty accessories for you and your home in my Etsy shop and blog about inspiration, fashion, vintage and all other good things at Rouge and Whimsy

My favorite Christmas tradition has changed since I've gotten married, but growing up every Christmas morning my brothers and I would pile in my parents' bed-- even up through college. Then we'd head down the stairs in age order to see what presents were left by "Santa."  :)

Hi! I'm Bailey from the little blog Lost&Found.   I ramble about life, love, fashion, food, running, travel, and pretty much everything else that makes my life, my life.  Head over and say Hi!

My favorite Christmas tradition?

My mom would always buy me and my siblings matching Christmas PJs that we would open on Christmas Eve night.  I can't wait to have my little babes and carry on this tradition!

Hi! I'm Ashley from Sugar Mama Bakeshop, where I make and sell vegan and gluten free baking mixes. I also blog about life, family and everything in between at Go Greeno. Please vote for me at the Gluten-Free Cookie Exchange and help me win a KitchenAid Mixer! :)

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Seriously, I love every one of these ladies! I think you will, too.

Now, what's YOUR favorite Christmas tradition?

a beautiful christmas

Last week a friend of mine posted this video on facebook. 

I thought it was such a beautiful picture of that first Christmas night, and I wanted to share it with you.

This sweet song draws my heart in every time I hear it.

If you'd like to hear about Christmas in our house and some of the ways we celebrate,

head over to my friend Hannah's blog, where I am sharing today!

giveaway day!

I am so excited to introduce you all to Nicole. She is adorable AND she is giving away something really fun.

Hey Lovelies!

So excited to share this lovely little treasure from my most recent trip to China.

I am Nicole.  He is Adam.

We got married on June 4 and have since moved into our 120 year old house.

On a normal day you will find me sharing our adventures over at The Neesby Lookbook.

Our little bloggy is for sharing our lives with you.

The adventures.  The struggles.  The travels.  The love.

Here's your own sweet little invitation to join the fun.

Hop over and say hey.  Cuz there's plenty of room in the family!

xoxo
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Nicole brought these darling earrings back from China - how could you not love them?!

She is giving them away to one lucky reader!

Want to win?

Just follow her blog to enter and let me know in the comment section.

extra entries:

follow Nicole on twitter 

follow Nicole on  bloglovin

follow this blog

like me on facebook

and leave a comment for each!

That's five chances to win! 

Best to each of you :)

your stories and bakin' it to the streets

It's been eight months since I started bakin' it to the streets with the boys: twice a month we bake something, or make some lunches, or buy donuts and hit the road to brighten the day of someone in need. With a homeless population of over 8,000 here, it usually isn't hard to find a person or two to share with.

And something has happened in the process.

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My heart broke. Our outings went from a nicety - teaching my kids about sharing with those in need, handing out treats - to a calling. There is so much hurt and sadness and hopelessness in some of the faces I meet.There are so many who need an outstretched hand, a smile of hope, a moment of prayer. I can't do much, but I can do that.So, we will continue. I will post about our experiences once a month or so, and I encourage you to continue to share your stories in the comments section. They are such a blessing to read.
Here are a few sweet words that have stuck with me:

We live in a community with a fair amount of homeless people that come out of hiding once in a while to ask for money around our grocery stores and restaurants. Last weekend I was popping into a grocery store (without the kids so I was able to be a little more aware of my surroundings rather than keeping their hands to themselves) and I noticed a man asking people for money.. It's not hard not to recognize it.. so I went in and and came out and sure enough he was waiting by the door to ask me. I didn't have any change on me as I just had my debit card, but I did have a bottle of Ginger Ale with me. So I asked him if he would like to have it and he said yes. He was so thankful and held out his hand for me to shake it - of course I did and I pray that he felt respected. He sat down, opened his pop and waved and smiled at me as I drove away.

Jordan Anne

I made care packages with my students to pass out to the homeless here and when one student passed her's to a woman on the street corner, the woman starting weeping and said she'd almost given up. Doing something, even if it's small, can give hope!

Chelsea

I know I can't change the world, but I can spread love and hope at all times. We went downtown last Saturday and fed some homeless people, and a man we call a friend. He is always on the same street, and we take food down to him every time we go down there. He is so sweet and smiles each time. He touches my heart so much. I have been blessed and my life has been changed in so many spiritual ways since we've started feeding the hungry. 

Nicolle

Carina, my students (aka the entire St. Thomas More middle school) are doing Bakin' it to the Streets on Monday. We are making and delivering 50 sack lunches (complete with cookies!) to the less fortunate at Lafayette Park in DC. Your idea has gone from one coast to another!

Jack

Sometimes I think it's pointless to do so little, but what may seem little to me could be huge to someone else. When we lived near downtown Lincoln (NE), when we passed a homeless person, my husband and I would always ask them if they wanted something to eat. If they said yes, we would get something to go from the restaurant and bring it back to them. Once we saw a group of three men sharing food we bought for the one (we didn't realize he wasn't the only person, otherwise we would have gotten more food). It was seriously so heartbreaking to see three grown men so hungry.

Alyx

Thanks for sharing YOUR stories. 

advent=anticipation

For all of my adult life, I have loved the season of advent. The weeks leading up to Christmas day: a day filled with hope, and joy and peace. Every year I try to take some time alone to read the story of Jesus' birth and close my eyes in wonder of what it must have been like that first Christmas night. I imagine stillness and quiet and awe as Mary held her baby. That despite all the chaos of a barn, she was so taken with her child - God's child - that everything else faded into the background as she breathed in His very being.

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This year I am reading a little daily devotional called the Magnificat that has very short reflections on preparing our hearts for the wonder of Christmas. Honestly, I haven't found the few minutes it takes to sit down everyday and read it, but today I did. I caught up with missed days and one reflection in particular struck me: the idea of anticipation.

Is there anything that brings greater anticipation than the birth of a baby? The excitement and joy surrounding welcoming a new little life into the world is sometimes too much to bear. I know with my own babies, and most recently with my sister's , I couldn't wait for the day to come. I was giddy and nervous and totally and completely impatient. And when they arrive...utter joy. To snuggle a sweet little babe in your arms, the quiet warmth, the unending love, the little bundle that you just want to drink up and never let go of...(oh man, I want another one. right. now.)

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Do I have the same eagerness, excitement, giddiness for Jesus? Do I sit in quiet wonder and drink Him in? For a baby that I am not called to nurture, but to be nurtured by?

I hope so. I hope I can. It's my prayer this advent season, that's for sure. Because in all the crazy busyness that the holidays bring, I need those moments to bask in the sweetness and the holiness and the utter joy that comes from above. 

This season is the one that draws me closer like no other, calls to my heart in ways that renews me for whatever comes next. And I need it now more than ever.

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My hope is the same for each of you.

just trying to capture the moment

I took some photography classes in college and loooved them.

My professor said you might take a hundred shots and only get one you like.

I don't think she took into consideration trying to get a decent photo of three rascally boys.

There is no shortage of personality around here.

And for that, I'm grateful.

surprise! a little gift from me to you

click on over!

things that are awesome and things that are really not

My temptation is to be kind of a whiny punk in this post, because this morning was ridic. But to balance it out, I am also going to share some of the good things, too.


Things that ARE NOT awesome.
waking up at 5am because one kid has a cold and woke up his brother who he now shares a room with and then just deciding to be up for the day because there is no way they are going back to sleep.


driving to the grocery store with the car carts so you can get supplies for dinner and such with your two 2 year olds.


walking into the store with the two 2 year olds, holding hands, which takes 14 times as long, only to find out they don't have any car carts available, which makes the 2 two year olds scream. a lot.


driving to the next store and repeat.


driving to the third store, which is the original store you were going to go to because it is right across from the preschool where you dropped off your oldest, but they have way higher prices and finding an actual car cart and spending all the money you would saved on gas anyway.


two minutes into shopping having to relocate one kid because the other kid won't stop pinching him. in the face.


surviving the whole ordeal only with mild sweating, to get to the car and realize that the kid in the car section, unbeknownst to you, stole a candy bar and has chewed through the wrapper and it's a PayDay, which is the candy bar that is one big choking hazard and having to push the dang car cart back into the store to pay for it while the kid in the front of the cart tries to climb out because there are no buckles.


going back out to the car again to have one of your bags break apart while you attempt to unload your groceries.


And this was all before 9:30 in the morning. 


Things that ARE awesome.
today is my husband's birthday, and he is awesome.


yesterday my awesome mom babysat all day and did my dishes while we went wine tasting.


crock pot french dip sandwiches, which is happening right now and my house smells.... awesome.

Source: jasonandshawnda.com via Carina on Pinterest

egg nog birthday cake because my husband likes to choose strange and unusual original and unique flavors every year. I tried it, it is amazing and I am about to whip up the cream cheese frosting to go on top of it. holla.

Source: lifeinthegarden.wordpress.com via Carina on Pinterest

my kids taking two hour naps today all at the same time.


actually being able to clean up my house and discovering this little gem in the process:

the kid has talent, amiright?

I hope your day is filled with awesomeness, and not even a little not. 

Cheers!

{and happy birthday to my amazing Nick!}