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Ariel + Barbie + Rudolf = Laney Young turns 4 (plus a bonus yummy recipe!)

We celebrated Laney Loo’s 4th birthday Friday night. Laney wanted an Ariel party so we planned to watch the movie and have a pj party. Four days before the party while picking up a cookie cake at the Publix bakery for her preschool party she spotted THE Barbie cake…you know the one;). She did not want to ax Ariel all together so we decided we’d have an Ariel/Barbie party. Later in the week Parker was begging to watch Rudolf, and then Laney asked to pretty please get to watch it at her party…SO our party then became Ariel/Barbie/Rudolf! Which was GREAT because it was exactly what my little indecisive princess (like her MOMMA!) wanted…and Christmas crafts and yummy treats are way easier to come up with over Ariel or Barbie. So, now my blog readers get the bonus of seeing a craft and yummy treat you can easily do at home too:)

A few fun pictures from LooBear’s big night from start to finish…
A guest appearance from Laney’s spiritual godmother Aunt Nisia…
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Sorry Aunt Nisia…I know you don’t like the head wrap…but I keep talking about you and my readers need a face to identify with;) Isn’t Aunt Nisia gorgeous?!

Our banner welcomed our guests (can I just say I LOVE me some Hobby Lobby?!)

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After all our guests arrived…it was time for the movie and POPCORN (thanks to Hobby Lobby once again for these cute popcorn containers…)

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Then it was time for our RUDOLF part of our Party (please note–the only Ariel part became Laney’s pjs…thanks to Aunt Kelly for those!)
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Aren’t they CUTE?!

Then it was time for THE cake…our BARBIE portion of the party…does anything look scarier than me in this picture???

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I thought Barbie looked a little wacked with the candles coming out of her dress. Favorite quote of the night–Jack Denton, “Pwesh don’t baa-rn Ba-bie!” BUT..where else was I supposed to put the candles?!

Then it was present time! OK…so a lot of people no longer open gifts in front of the guests. Well, we think it’s really fun. And if your kid can’t handle it…your kid has problems. HA! Just kidding. OK, so maybe when they are younger they can’t handle it, but we think it’s really fun…so here’s Loo Bear opening her gifts…

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Whoever gifted the stamps…my thank you card isn’t gonna be pretty;). Man, Laney LOVES stamps…her mom on the other hand…was this a mean trick?! Just kidding. Oh but Play Mobile! WE LOVE at the Young house!!!

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Guess what Laney just opened here??…

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My new addiction!!!! STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE! She is BACK! AND she smells the EXACT same as she did when I was a kid! I have walked around for the last 48 hours snorting her. Seriously, she is taking me back to my childhood. Richard has already said twice, “Would you stop smelling that doll.” Oh my gosh, that smell just took me back. Heaven. I loved my childhood:)

And somebody’s got happy feet cause they just got…

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Mermaid rainboots! And what could be more grand than mermaid rainboots?! I want some:)

Next…it was CRAFT TIME! And we got to make ornaments since Loo had pulled Christmas into her party theme…CUTE, huh?!

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sweet little handprints…

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To make these you just need clear or frosty plain ornaments. (Got ours of course at Hobby Lobby:). You’ll also need a sponge paint brush, a black paint pen (for the name) and red enamel paint found at a craft store that says it’s for painting glass. After you paint their little hands though, have Huggies baby wipes on hand to quickly remove paint b/c enamel is hard to get off. Now don’t fret…you paint enamel on your little girl’s fingers and toes…you just have to be quick to get it off;). And as most of you know Huggies wipes will get off just about anything. They are my trick to most messes:)

THEN…last but not least–came our party treat. And since we had already gotten our hands sticky, I decided to keep things clean. We had made these before the party—Rice Krispy Holiday Pops!

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Here’s the recipe:
4 tablespoons butter
1 package (10-ounce) regular marshmallows
7 cups Rice Krispies cereal
wooden popsicle sticks
miniture M&M’s (hard to find…but easy to find right NOW in the stocking stuffer section of Target:)

In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the marshmallows, stirring constantly until melted. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cereal until it is well-coated.

Let the mixture cool until it is warm but comfortable to handle with the fingers. Lightly butter your hands, then shape the treats into 12 balls. (You’ll have to re-butter your hands in between each treat or else things get really sticky!) Push a popsicle stick into each one. Set aside to cool.

Gently push M&Ms in each treat. Cool. Then wrap the treats in plastic wrap and tie with ribbon. So easy…and your little people can even help!

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MERRY CHRISTMAS FRIENDS! I am having SOOO much fun getting cards in the mail! You have to mail me one if I wasn’t cool enough to make your list. BECAUSE guess how we are displaying our cards?! You’ll have to come back in a few days to see! After the paint drys:). And they’ll be staying up all year so we can pray for our friends that came our way via our mailbox this holiday. That fun project and a few more to follow this week:). MAN…I’m loving the holidays–it sets me in FULL project mode. And what a great way to keep my brain off the adoption WAIT and to just HAVE FUN with my sweet family!!! XOXOXO!!!

Andrea

P.S. If you have NEVER had M&Ms and Rice Krispy Treats together—you HAVE to try this. It is absolutely sinfully delish! Off to eat one RIGHT now. I lost a few pounds during my paper chase…so I’m counting this off as a way to save money…we wouldn’t want to have to buy new jeans now would we. A few more Rice Krispy Treats and we should be good to go;).

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Amy - December 6, 2009 - 1:22 pm

You are such a crafty mom. You better still be blogging in a few years when I can use some mommy crafts 🙂

crispy - December 6, 2009 - 1:24 pm

Looks like a fun party. I love all your creative ideas.

Kim - December 7, 2009 - 7:53 am

Our twins turn FOUR on the 22nd. Love these great ideas!
Happy Birthday Laney!
Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
Kim

Liz Blalock - December 7, 2009 - 12:14 pm

I love coming over to visit you on your blog…now if I can make it out to see you. Actually, I was out your way Saturday. I went to a wedding off of Canton Street. I wish I had some time to stop by. I thought of you while driving through the cute square.
I love your photos and your recipe looks yummy. I can't wait to try it!
Blessing to your precious family!
Liz

[…] Thank you sweet Gigi and Aunt Tami for coming to keep the rest of us company this week! Aunt Nisia won’t let me post when Richard is out of town on my blog…so I had to wait until family […]

The "Spectacular" in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular…

Last night, we celebrated Laney’s 4th birthday with her sweet little friends (pictures to follow later)…her gift from momma and daddy was two tickets to see the Rockettes Radio City Christmas Spectacular. It was an entertaining show to say the least…
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…but I’ll confess–after you’ve seen the girls kick once…for me–that’s plenty. Don’t get me wrong, it’s high and all–and I might try it at home later to entertain my family—but once is enough for this momma. After intermission, Laney started whispering that it was time to go (enough for her too I guess), but thankfully we were with some sweet friends so it was easy to convince her to hang in there. And I’m so glad we did—because at the end…came the SPECTACULAR.

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I have to applaud the production team behind the Rockettes as they did the most moving and beautiful presentation at the end of the Christmas Story. I, myself, was moved to tears. The story was beautifully told—even a few details that have been carried down from tradition that I hadn’t heard before but felt compelled to come home and do some research on. For one–like where the Three Kings were actually from…their reindition was the same as what I found cited from Saudi Aramco World which based their information on a 14th century writings of John of Hildesheim.

According to him, the first king, Melchior, was from from Arabia. He was smallest in stature and brought gold to symbolize Jesus as king. The second, Balthazar, was from Saba where incense (frankencese) was most popularly from, and he brought incense which symbolized priesthood. The third, Gaspar, was from Ethiopia (can I get a shout out!) and he brought myrrh which was used to heal wounds symbolizing Jesus as healer. Myrrh also was used as an embalming ointment and is scene as a symbol of death or suffering. What prophetic gifts!

My breath was literally taken away and tears come down my cheeks as I watched this presentation of manger scene…

The kings were all, indeed, SPECTACULAR. They did not come alone but came with their entourage behind them (makes you wonder what it was really like!)…traveling across the desert until finally they reached the Everlasting King! What a show their entrances must have been in the quite and dark night!

And there we sat…in the balcony of the Fox Theatre with all it’s glitter and glory…orchestra pounding…and these three kings parading up to the lowly manger where camels, sheep and a donkey (yes, real ones!) rested and walked to and fro…all beside and surrounding the baby KING. Oh, what was that night really like?! To think these kings came in all their majesty to see a rumored king in a MANGER?! They BELIEVED! They really believed!!! How in the WORLD did they believe? What did their entourage think as they followed them into the middle of no where? What did their people think as they left to travel afar? But oh how SPECTACULAR it must have been to be out in the middle of no where—to follow a bright star along the way—AND TO BELIEVE! To believe they were going to see a baby who would be THE CHRIST…the Savior of the world!

Can you believe three kings—THREE KINGS—traveled miles upon miles…crossing borders, crossing desserts…traveling with their precious gifts and in all their glory to see THE KING OF GLORY IN A MANGER! Could this baby King truly be THE King?! Oh my sweet readers—if you do not know this King as your Savior—think about how GRAND this really is. That more than 2000 years later, in Atlanta, Georgia…this King’s power is so GREAT that even in 2000 years His story cannot NOT be told! Yes, I’m sure the production staff gets emails and calls petitioning AGAINST this presentation…BUT…when you BELIEVE you BELIEVE and the story in your heart MUST be told!!!

What happened in the middle of NO WHERE is STILL rumored about—Jesus is still the most talked about man in the ENTIRE world…yet, He was born in a manger. IF He was not the king, how would we know this story? If there was no power in that manger more than 2000 years ago, how much quicker would this story have fizzled out?! But if this story was TRUE–if He really was the king…if three kings would leave their people and travel because their hearts KNEW before they ever left to see him…and if that story still just has to be told among hundreds today in a theatre…then let us, too, believe! Let us open our hearts to the miracle! Let us not live another day without knowing this powerful, most talked about, most adored KING! Oh my heart knows it! And there is no man, cause, reason I would rather live my life for but for the glory and purpose of this king!!!

And even more spectacular…did you know that He knows your heart…and He loves you TREMENDOUSLY. Whether you have known him for 20 years or 2 minutes…He has loved you WAY before you ever loved Him. He created you and loves you—HE REALLY DOES—and this Christmas He wants nothing more than to be known deeply by you. He already knows your heart…but He is dying for you to know His. Literally. He lived 33 short years–died so you might know Him–yet His life was so powerful that 2000 years later we still talk about Him. But He wants us to do way more than talk about Him. He wants us to know His heart and live for Him. While it may sound crazy, when you experience a life with Him–you will wonder how you ever lived without Him!!!

And today I couldn’t be more blessed to hear hundreds and hundreds sing together “O Come Let Us Adore Him”…tears came down my cheeks as I held my sweet 4 year old girl—indeed it put the SPECTACULAR in the show. I ask you today…where ever you are…to consider deeply the King…and won’t you join me in adoring Him today? Oh Come Let Us Adore Him! Truly, there is no sweeter way to celebrate Christmas!

My love to you all sweet brothers and sister in Christ. And for those of you who do not yet know Him…may your ears and heart be opened this season to hear His sweet voice for the first time. Some times faint. Some times little by little. But always SPECTACULAR.

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3 Blessings - December 5, 2009 - 6:39 pm

Very beautiful. Happy Birthday to your sweet daughter.
Blessings,
Amy

crispy - December 6, 2009 - 8:57 am

Such beautiful thoughts. Thanks for sharing.

cris

A sweet treat for the holidays…(+ our new numbers!)

I am an absolute sucker for sweets–especially at the holidays. I’m also married to Mr.Sensible/Mr.Organic/Mr.YouDon’tGetDessertUnlessYouFinishYourPlate. Did ya get that? But the holidays are a great excuse to indulge a bit, and it’s way more fun to let the kiddos help create the treats too! Tonight–being one of those nights that we just couldn’t resist somethings sweet after dinner:) And what fun family time for all of us!

This is a sweet, EASY treat for the kids–which they had a BALL putting together…To try this, you’ll need just 3 simple ingredients…

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+
hershey-s-semi-sweet-chocolate-chips-92-p
+
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[You’ll also need wax paper and popsicle sticks.]
These all = Melt in your mouth…YUM.
Here’s your quick step-by-step…
1. Spread your wax paper out and put a popsicle stick in each big marshmellow
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2. Melt 1 cup of chocolate chips (you can do it the old fashioned way in a double boiler or if you want to leave time for reading books…just keep things quick and simple—heat 1 cup chocolate chips in the microwave in a microwavable dish–2 minutes and stir at 1 minute half way point)

4156253239_9b1fd2e970_m3. Pour sprinkles (or whatever fun topping you have or find or craving—ice cream sprinkles are fun…get creative with butter finger topping, crushed nuts, shredded coconut…so many fun options! We kept it simple tonight and just pulled out the sprinkles.)

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4. And finally—go to town! Dip the marshmellows in the melted chocolate and then roll it around in your chosen topping. Then set it aside on wax paper to dry. My kids thought it helped to have an extra popsicle stick to spread around the top of the marshmellows…

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And WA-LA!!!
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OK…I can’t promise your kids won’t be able to actually TRY just one before letting it actually dry!
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We’re making these tomorrow night at Laney’s party as one of the favors for the kids to take with them (along with really cool ornaments that I’ll have to share later!) We bought candy bags to cover each one in and fun ribbon to tie it up for a fun little presentation:). And they are SO yummy! Think SMORES without the graham cracker. YUM.

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I have some more fun kid friendly desserts we will be making this weekend:). Will share those soon…but to end on some fun NEWS! Not much movement this month in the adoption numbers…but we DO have NEW numbers!!! Drum rollllll…

For boys we are #…
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And for girls we are #…
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New number to come the first week of January! It’ll be here before we know it…until then, we’ll be eating sweets and enjoying the holidays…DREAMING of our baby to come that will be in our arms this time next year! All we want for Christmas IS YOU!
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missy - December 3, 2009 - 8:53 pm

we are SO making those!

The Young Family - December 3, 2009 - 9:33 pm

Aren't they FUN Missy! And YUMMY! Easy too:)

JonesEthiopia - December 4, 2009 - 5:58 am

That looks like so much fun! R would love to make those, and they are so pretty all tied up with the ribbon.

Your new numbers are very exciting! 🙂

Beautiful Mess - December 4, 2009 - 8:37 am

Loved this idea! Thanks!

Are These Kids All Yours? - December 4, 2009 - 10:01 am

I think we will have to try those treats!!! Look great! Yeah…new numbers!

Karen & Brad Hernke - December 4, 2009 - 6:46 pm

Cute idea…so have to make them:) Also, thanks for posting on my blog…did you get the I-600 form out? Praying for you:)

Karen
WI
http://www.hernkekid.blogspot.com

Heidi - December 6, 2009 - 10:22 am

I love it and will be making these with my kidos..Thanks can't wait to see the other ideas. I just LOVE your blog!

[…] Remember when I made THESE last year…I think I totally might need to do this too! You can find the instructions for those here. […]

Adopting 2 Sweet Peas…

Exciting news for a family just behind us on the waitlist. On Monday, our agency emailed all of the families on the waitlist and shared a need of 2 beautiful boys that just came into the orphanage. The boys are almost 2 and 4…and lemme tell ya…they are PRECIOUS! I can’t share their picture, but you can visit their blog in a few months and see their picture with A FAMILY that is stepping out in faith to adopt them when they bring them home in just a few short months!!! I’m selfishly bummed that we won’t get to travel with them now…but I’m OVER THE MOON excited that they will be traveling VERY SOON to bring how their 2 beautiful boys!!!

Because their referral happened months before they expected–AND instead of adopting one, they are adopting TWO brothers–we’re all praying for a Christmas miracle—for $10,000 to be raised in 10 days! They are already well on their way as in just 2 days they have approximately $2800 raised. I’m writing this post to give my readers the opportunity to BE A PART of a CHRISTMAS MIRACLE!!!How amazing would it be for this family to get to have a court date soon and bring home these boys in the beginning of 2010! To know before Christmas that THESE TWO BROTHERS are officially THEIR SONS and for these boys to know they now HAVE A FOREVER FAMILY! How amazing would it be to cut back on Christmas spending just a bit–and instead to pour into this life changing moment for this family?!

 

To read more about this sweet family…and these two sweat peas–visit their blog at http://adoptingsweetpea.blogspot.com/

Every little bit helps—lets surround this sweet family with prayer…and please share this need with others! For many of us, we aren’t all called to open up our homes. But we can ALL be a part of changing orphans to SONS…making a life-changing difference and watching a miracle in our own hearts when we make the choice to be used in someone else’s miracle! Join me in praying for this family…and come back to my blog in 8 short days to see how God provided!

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Kimberly - December 3, 2009 - 1:06 pm

Goosebumps….. I just love this!!!!!!!!!!!!! Blessings abound everywhere I look and you are one of those blessings for me. THANKYOU!!! This is just $1000 per day. This is easy and absolutely can be done!

crispy - December 6, 2009 - 8:59 am

Thank You !!!!!!!! What a blessing to have you advocate for us. We are watching God work a miracle this week.

Cris

A Thanksgiving Recount:)

Finally had a chance to upload some Thanksgiving memories from last week to share…every other year we do Thanksgiving with my family–and vice versa with Richard’s. This year was my family–and my sister, April, hosted at her casa. So thankful both of us Alabama girls planted ourselves in the Atlanta area! Sad that my little sister Katie couldn’t be with us!!!

Meet my momma and my sister (she’s just 14 months older than me…yes, she’s 22;)…

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Here’s the adult table…love Ellie’s art as the centerpiece:)
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The kid table BEFORE kids…

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The kid table WITH kids…and Frank not wanting to be a part of it…
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Frank didn’t make it at the kid table. We took turns holding him so we could actually eat. He doesn’t like being buckled in his seat either. Trust me, it’s more pleasant to hold him than to hear how he feels about being buckled over Thanksgiving dinner.

He also suffers from OVERattachment disorder. This is how he currently feels about me taking pictures (aka putting him down to take A picture)
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I’m thinking maybe it’s a good thing we’re on a waiting list…that requires a WAIT…that gives Frank time to get out of his overattachment disorder. Agree?

And guess what special dessert we get to always have after Thanksgiving???

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My niece,  AK, has a Thanksgiving birthday!!! Happy 2 years sweet baby girl! What a treat for the kids-Thanksgiving and then a birthday party!

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And then of course–when the party is all over–there’s CLEAN UP. But who says clean up can’t be fun? If you do it Papa’s way…it’s of course fun!
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And speaking of fun…shouldn’t AGCI be calling with a new number soon? It’s Thursday already and we are supposed to hear a new number some time “later in the week”. Wednesday is mid-week…I think Thursday is officially “later”:). Stay tuned…hope to have some good news “later in the week”:)

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Beautiful Mess - December 3, 2009 - 7:50 am

Looks like a lovely, thankful, day!

JonesEthiopia - December 3, 2009 - 9:13 am

Can't wait to see your movement this month!

I'm glad my comment was helpful. It is just one of those things that looking back, it'll all make sense.

Kimberly - December 3, 2009 - 10:43 am

I want a Papa like that!!!