Holiday Kick-Off

This year I have been completely ready for the holiday season. Mostly Christmas, but Thanksgiving is lumped in there too since it is a time to gather with family to make memories. I plan on doing everything holiday this year since Nat is old enough to get into it a little more. I am more than thrilled to be old enough (and now have children) to be SANTA.  It gives me great joy to anticipate the reaction from Natalie when she sees her new kitchen! She is going to go nuts (or be bashful and shut down completely as she so often does).

So to kick off our holiday fun I discovered that Santa would be riding in on a boat to the Bass Pro Shop's Winter Wonderland tonight. I of couse put that on our calendar and dragged Brian along. I suited Natalie up in her cool Christmas attire thanks to my friend, Kayla.

How cute is she?!

We got there around 4:30 for some free cookies and hot chocolate (even if it was 75 degrees outside still) and waited for Santa's arrival. Natalie kept asking where he was.

You can't see the boat he was riding it, but it was pretty cute.

Natalie didn't mind seeing Mrs. Claus up close, but Santa......

didn't get the same greeting. She immediately turned her head away from him. She didn't cry or get scared, per say, but she was not about to show herf face!

I figured this was a little preview of the meltdown that might occur when we asked her to sit on his lap. So, we decided to do prepare her a little bit by explaining that she was going to smile, say hi, sit on his lap, say cheese, ask him for a kitchen (that she may or may not get), and walk away.  She actually rehashed this to us a couple of times before we actually got up there! She's a hoot!

We waiting 45 minutes so we killed some time with other cute photos. Unfortunately it didn't even cross my mind to take the nice camera so all I have are phone pics. *Now it should be noted here that Brian actually DID think of bringing the nice camera and then decided we probably wouldn't use it anyway. WHAT?! He didn't bother to run that by ME! Ugh. Boys.

Coloring a Santa Stocking

 

Her smiles just crack us up. She almost looks pained.



and finally the grand prize photo where she did not meltdown and did exactly as instructed (including asking for a kitchen!).......

a photo of the photo with Santa!

She was only mildly fearful!

I just love this Santa. Legit. And how sweet is that little one?! My goodness.

 

 

As stated in the heading, this is just the kick off. The following includes our other must-do holiday festivities:

1. Holiday Train in local town

2. Christmas Parade and Tree lighting in local town

3. Christmas light looking with milk and cookies (stealing the milk and cookie thing from you, Susan)

4. Possibly riding The Polar Express (money might spoil this one)

5. Christmas crafts at home including a felt tree on the wall with ornaments (Liz, that's you)

6. Maybe a family campout under the tree (this one is from my friend, Sarah)

7.  Baking and decorating Thanksgiving and Christmas cookies

8. Annual day of baking with my friends Ally and Stephanie

9. Christmas dinner and get-together with close friends

AND

10. Anything else that pops up that makes me say, "heck yeah!"

 

 



 

My New Ventures

Since I am staying home now I have SO much more time to do things. NOPE! That's a big lie. I have a highly active 2 year old, remember?! However, I do have a little more time than before and have taken up new hobbies.  Some of you may remember my FB post stating that I needed a hobby that pays.  My only problem was/is I quit the only thing I was good at and passionate about as well.   Teaching!  But anything involved with that would require a babysitter for NJ which negates my money.  So my friend reminded me about a website called TeachersPayTeachers.  This site allows teachers to sell their created resources for other teachers at a low price!  So all these ideas and activities I made over the years (or wish I had the time to make so I never did) I can recreate and sell!  Genius.  Although right now it has only paid me $7! Hopefully, that number will have at least 1 zero behind it eventually. 

It took me awhile to read all about it and figure things out, but I have a good handle on it now and have about 7 products posted. I am very proud of them and think they are very helpful to teachers in the Pre-K-2nd grades.  I'm having to be selective in what graphics I use because I am trying not to purchase any until I make more. It's been tough.  If you are a teacher, or know teachers please share this link with them and have them BECOME A FOLLOWER. Becoming a follower means you will receive an email each time I post a new product! And it helps get my name out there.  I'm not looking for this to be a part time job, but I would like to make enough for some date night money that includes paying a babysitter!  That's not too much to ask is it? I mean even if that were once a month I need to make at least $50 or more!


http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Whitney-Weir


My second new venture I have discussed before but I'm making progress! Sewing. Mom came and helped me use a pattern (never done that before and not sure I can do it correctly yet by myself) to make NJ a pillowcase dress. It turned out pretty cute though. I just need to add some material to the bottom to finish it out.  A sense of accomplishment if nothing else! Next week I have booked some time with my friend, Kayla to refine my skills=)

This venture is just for fun, not to make money.

Wish I Could Say More

As I mentioned before, there is not always much to share when you ask, "so have you heard anything?" The answer has been no with not much else to say. Sometimes people stare back at me like they are waiting for more. Seriously, that's all I have to share. That's the journey of adoption right there.
 The most recent update we received wasn't anything new really. We are 1 of 16 waiting families, and they are working with 7 birth moms who haven't chosen a family yet. Their due dates range from now until May.  With our agency we never know if our profile has been shown or not.  The only exception is if there is something within the situation that they are unsure about whether or not it matches what we are open to. They will then present us with the situation and let  us decide whether or not to show our profile.  I love how they do this. I don't think it is good to know when or how often you are shown. I just want the phone call!

So until that call comes, I'll be enjoying this...

Tangled Up in Fun!

Natalie's Official 2nd birthday was a Tangled party, and it was a success! She loved her decorations and had so much fun at the party with all her friends.  Below is a montage of all her gifts. She got some of the coolest presents, but the biggest hit was her doctor kit. I knew she would like it, but oh my goodness she has not stopped playing with it. Poor Murphy has been a pretty good patient to get all his shots, medicine, and band-aids!

Thanks to Pinterest, I had a lot of cool ideas for the party and I was pleased with the way it all came together.

This was Flynn Rider's table complete with a WANTED poster, Snuggly Duckling sandwiches and a mini frying pan.

The main Tangled Table

 

Natalie is not a fan of cake right now so we had birthday cookies instead. So I made and decorated princess gowns and crowns. We also had Pascal tongues and the party favors in the cutest Rapunzel cups. I loved those things!

And this was Maximus' table. He was guarding the mix of apples and peanut butter with apples and caramel.

 

As the girls were getting there they had a variety of Rapunzel coloring pages to decorate. Then we proceeded outside to play 'Pin the hair on Rapunzel.' We let the big girls go first so the little would know how to play. Since Natalie wanted nothing to do with the game I put a sweet little picture of her friend, Jori in the mix! Precious!

A huge shout out to my mom for all the help preparing the party but especially for the cute little game and hair pieces they could take home. The big girls liked that!

 

 

I really had a lot of fun planning and preparing for her party, but I was also glad it was over! I had thought about it way too long!

I am so thankful for 2 wonderful years with this precious little one! What a blessing!

 

Natalie's First Slumber Party

Last week my dear friend, Kayla offered to keep Natalie so Brian and I could go on a date for my birthday. We gladly accepted her offer!  But that wasn't the best part=) She called later to offer to keep her over night and during church so we could work our Adoption Luncheon and not have to worry about Natalie running around.  I was a little hesitant because she has not ever slept away from us unless with family. Not that I didn't trust Kayla, but as a mommy it was hard. I knew she would have a blast with her 4 kiddos so we accepted that offer, too!
Here are a few fun photos from their slumber party.

The evening began at the church picnic so they got to be outside in the beautiful weather. Right up NJ's alley!

 

And dinner was pizza. Another hit with Nat!

How cute is this?!

 

 

They ended the evening back at the house playing kitchen. Again, one of Nat's favorite pasttimes.

And story time. Yep, she was just fine....

And now for the totally cute part! All of the kids had to sleep around her. Too sweet!

What sweet, sweet memories this girl will have to grow up so loved by more than just her family. We are so thankful to this family and many more for helping us all feel like family is here even when they are really miles and miles away. God is good.

Thanks to Kayla and fam and my husband's hard work we had dinner AND a movie (on his company might I add!). What a needed night out!

 

 

 

MOSAIC

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Well, did you catch that title? That is our official new name for our Adoption Ministry! I love it! One of our team members came up with it and it just fits!  This is the flyer that will go out in info bags at our church's Trunk or Treat. I am so thankful for the timing of this for our ministry to get the word out!

 

 

Last Sunday was our Launch Day and it was a success! During the offertory we played a video from the Orphan Sunday website, and showed a slide as an announcement that we are a new ministry and have a table set up in the foyer with more information. The pastor even mentioned it from the pulpit so everyone heard!  Our friends, Robert and Susan, said 15 people signed the cards stating their interest and a lot of others stopping to ask questions and inquire more about it. This Sunday Brian and I and another couple are manning the table. After the final service we are serving sandwiches and ice cream to those interested in hearing and learning more. We will each (4 couples) share our testimony of adoption and let them know why we felt God's call and where we would like to see the ministry go. We have another form for those who come to fill out giving us more details about the families and where they are with adoption. One couple joined Sunday and are a waiting family! Odd timing? I think not!

 

Have I mentioned how amazing it is to be right smack in the middle of God's work? He is doing something mighty, folks! How will you be a part? Will you....

 

1. Pray for someone you know is adopting?

 

2. Pray for someone considering adoption or dealing with infertility?

 

3. Take a step of faith in adopting or fostering?

 

4. Financially support a couple or ministry?

 

5. Take food to a family that just brought a child home?

 

6. Host a special shower?

 

7. Read about adoption/fostering/orphan care so you will be educated and not fall into the pitfalls of "uneducated adoption comments"?

 

8. Pray for birthmoms to choose life, and VOTE for those in our government who support this choice!

 

9. Start a ministry in your church?

 

There are so many ways to be involved. One of the most powerful moments when Brian and I were at the beginning stages of adoption planning, was when a sweet family from our church called and asked if their family could come to our house and pray for and with us. Now that's power! I was moved. And so was their son who asked 2 years later about this moment he was involved in, and whether or not that couple got a baby. What a testimony from his mom and dad!

 

 







Birthday-Not mine, hers!

Last weekend we celebrated Natalie's 2nd birthday with our family while we were in Arkansas for the game. We had a tailgate birthday and this is how it went.......

After looking through all of our photos I decided we needed to create a "Many Faces of Natalie" montage. This girl is a hoot! Upon second look, I figured out where she gets it...............me! Good heavens the looks of mine that were caught on camera were just plain ridiculous. I saved the best for you though! Seriously?! How embarassing! Maybe if I get brave enough I will crop all of them into a nice little laughing board for ya.  Maybe.

I digress.

Natalie loved her little gifts. She got the cutest Rapunzel doll and necklace and backpack along with a bottle and stroller for her baby so she is set and ready to play!

 

Here is the queen on her throne. We celebrated with birthday cookies because she is not a cake eater. Mimi made some delicious iced and decorated sugar cookies. They were in the shape of a crown, dress, and one more I can't remember. The genius idea Mom had was putting them in a paper CD holder and writing Happy 2nd Birthday! That's Pinterest worthy!

It was a fun little mini party for the AR folks, but her big TANGLED themed party will be on her actual birthday. Look forward to those soon! No boys allowed! Here are some random other shots of the tailgate.

That's my friend, Kim and her family. Loved getting to see them as I guess it had been one year exactly! That's my handsome nephew at the bottom left! Love that boy. Now here are some with my beautiful niece!

 

That's my goofy girl! Happy 2nd Birthday, NJ!