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Sprinkle and Twinkle…& a special gift for Frank!

SOOO…on Tuesday night we scooted over to my sister, April’s house, for a little cousin Christmas break time. We were just minding our own business…getting ready for dinner…when out from no where the door bell rang and in came Sprinkle and Twinkle! Two of Santas sweet elves who just happen to be raising money to go on a mission trip…and these creative little elves decided a good way to raise money for their mission trips (they did this last year too!) would be showing up here and there to tell a few stories about the North Pole and do a little dance that all the elves do when they are finished making all their toys…

Laney thought they were fantabulous (think an elf costume might be in her future??)

Parker thought they were silly.

Frank thought they were scarey.

And Isaac…well, he didn’t appreciate them trying to hold him for a picture…
I’m not playin’ mommy…you better get me right this second from this crazy girls arms!!!”

Thank you Sprinkle and Twinkle for your visit…and for the fun little diddy that showed us that you girls are not only fun–but it’s also obvious that they are varsity cheerleaders with their cheer and in sync rhythm! What a fun way to raise money for a mission trip too!!! (I know some of you adoption families are already scratching your heads whether you could pull this off next year;). Maybe *I* should join their company…I mean…can’t you see me doing this too?!

THEN…today—the kids continued the fun…and I seriously didn’t know they were wrapping one another up!!! So…I heard some serious paper wrapping action going on in the living room and Laney had wrapped up Parker. OH the things my crazy kids do!!! Laney said she wanted to give Parker to Frank for Christmas!!! SO…I tried not to laugh through this and I just had to video it. Okay, so we don’t get out much…but still I thought it was pretty funny myself…(ok—just a warning that Frank announces what he has in his diaper in this video too…hey it was first thing this morning and I got him out of his crib and brought him right down for this…)

Ok…so you all probably think we are really weird now that we do things like wrap ourselves…OR maybe you think we are cruel because Frank REALLY wants a choo choo for Christmas and we made him think it COULD be a choo choo in there…sorry folks–this is just us!!! And you just never know what you are gonna get at our house!

This WEEKEND and this Christmas is so special to us as it is Isaac’s first Christmas with us BUT it is also the longest time he has been in one place during his 16 month sweet little life. Although night times have gotten hard for him again as this was a time for change last year for him…we have so much patience and miraculous love pouring out of us even during the wee hours of the night (and thank God for coffee in the morning…right?!) He has the SWEETEST little spirit and he is just full of joy and happiness. Merry Christmas to all of you…and especially to our new one–our sweet baby boy!

Sweet boy we love you. This mommy cried tears of wonder, anxiousness, heart ache and so many other emotions for you last season. I knew in my heart you had been born–I believe the Lord truly let my heart in on that and although we didn’t know if you’d be a boy or girl—I also know in my heart the Lord had a son for us. The Lord, indeed, does miraculous things…and you were growing in mommy’s heart. I have watched you begin to thrive, to get stronger week by week, to perservere…through learning to eat, sit, crawl and now pull up! You blow kisses…you dance…your favorite song for mommy to sing is “Itsy-bitsy-spider”…and when you clap…to see you rejoice makes my heart skip a beat. You were loved deeply before we even knew your sweet face, heart or by name…and now you are a Young boy through and through…truly perfectly placed in our family. I know you and I will one day sit hand in hand wondering how or why the Lord’s hand did this or that to bring us together…and while some days you may say “Why me??” You must know the REAL question I ask is “Why ME?!” Some days I feel like I have to pinch myself that *I* get to be your mommy. What a privilege! What a joy! You have no idea sweet boy what an honor it is to raise you…to be CHOSEN to be YOUR mom…your dad and I are so thankful…and this Christmas—will be one of the sweetest of all finally having you home. You are our son…and we love you.

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!!! We rejoice in all that God has done and will do!!! For those of you waiting…with aching hearts this Christmas…it will be worth it. God never promised following Him would be easy…but it will be worth it. For those of you celebrating your new ones…may this be on the sweetest Christmas’s ever!!! Merry Christmas to you all!!! A son in born…a Savior…He is Christ the Lord!!!

For those of you who have prayed for us for the last year…here is a little early Christmas present:). Here is our sweet Isaac Temesgen at 16 months…pulling up and dancing…full of JOY!

Our sweet boys…usually Isaac is copying Frank…but it definitely can go both ways…these two are just a pair…and Isaac definitely has a sense of humor! How cute is this???

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Elle J - December 23, 2010 - 10:29 pm

Merry Christmas, Andrea!! What a cute series of videos (I just love your sweet voice). I wish you all beauty, love, joy, and peace this Christmas surrounded by your family of precious children and wonderful husband.

Lauren - December 23, 2010 - 11:58 pm

oh my gracious! where to start??? I am just completely in love with your little ones!! SO precious! God has been so GOOD this year!!!! Merry Christmas my friend!!!

Megan - December 24, 2010 - 2:51 am

Love these videos =) Merry Christmas to your and your family!

missy - December 24, 2010 - 3:14 am

just watched all the videos in between 2am cooking. i LOVE that laney wrapped parker up. i can’t believe he stayed so still!!! my favorite lines…”then he won’t think it’s a choo choo” and “present, open yourself!”. merry, merry christmas to your sweet family.

Jennifer - December 24, 2010 - 8:38 am

Loved the last video of Isaac. Too cute. They were all cute, but that is my favorite. Poor Frankie baby. ๐Ÿ˜‰ As prez of his fan club, I hope he gets a nice choo choo for Christmas. ๐Ÿ™‚

It takes a village…

…to pull off a retreat:). I am so excited as things fall into place…and I have to say I’m so encouraged how the Lord continues to work out the details from breakout session speakers to worship…to even our fundraising efforts to help fund additional retreat needs. I feel like these mommas coming are “my girls” and I just want to BLESS, BLESS, BLESS them!!! Truely–it’s amazing to see the BODY OF CHRIST…and I am so humbled to be a part of it. I get emails daily about the retreat–and if you haven’t heard back from me…email me again! I keep reminding people that I’m just a mom with 4 little ones who is still adjusting to a new one too!!! Someone asked me the other day if we would be live-streaming or doing simulcast online of the talks…I’m sorry but that one make me chuckle (not a bad idea!) but I had to chuckle thinking this entire retreat just started as thinking *I* needed it and *MAYBE* 25 other moms would need it and join me too. 225 moms later…I see it’s a growing need!!!

We’ve also had lots of moms tell me that this is a huge need that they have longed for for YEARS–and I’m winking AND smiling (and maybe trying to run a bit) when moms tell me they would like it to be a yearly thing…and could we do it on the west coast too??? For those of you flying out from the west coast–you rock! For those of you on the west coast with your fingers crossed…we have a few things in the works:). And for the rest of you who think we need to get our 501c3…you are crazy–but we’ll see. I mean, I think I could totally dig encouraging moms who are adopting and involved with orphan/widow care for the rest of my life…BUT we will see. You know me–I’m just rolling with it and trusting the Lord!!!

Although for now–this is a one time thing…and although a name for a ONE TIME;) thing should not really matter that much–we did pray about and decided to tweak the name from Created TO Care to Created for Care. HERE GOES: Not only were our children…orphans…those we know the Lord is calling us to…not only were they created to be cared FOR…and not only did He call many of us to be the instruments to care for them—but we were ALSO created to be cared FOR as we care, as we love, as we pour into His precious ones. There is no doubt that WE mommas also desperately need to also be cared for. Can I get an AMEN?! SO…not that it mattered because it’s a one time thing…right;)?! YET…we felt we needed to emphasize that and THIS was really what our weekend emphasis will encompass.

And of course you don’t need a logo…especially for a one time thing;)…BUT the Lord provided one anyway;). One of our retreat attendees just happens to be a graphic designer…she just happened to email me and ask if we would like her to design something for us…and she just happened to send me without maybe knowing how God has used the sparrow in our journey (you past blog readers know how my eyes popped out when I saw the logo below!) It’s just perfect. A momma and baby bird…they might not look alike…but they were created for one another…and they both were created to be cared for.

So…you might start seeing this on quite a few things:)…especially if you are with us in February. Thank you Rachel of Logos Atlanta!!! If you have a business that you ever need a logo or website for…Rachel and her husband are incredible!!! You can visit Logos Atlanta here. Also, they are finishing up their hoop jumping journey and THIS CLOSE to officially being on the waitlist with our agency. Please pray that everything is in place and they get waitlisted next week!!! I’m so excited for them that I could almost pop. You can follow their journey to their little one/s here. Are they NOT the cutest things you have ever seen!?!? We are so thankful to get to do life with them and to have them in the African Fellowship group that meets in our home monthly.

Alright retreat attendees…GET EXCITED! You mommas are in for a real treat!!! Isn’t it wild how God is providing for every last detail?!? Know our volunteer team is beyond excited and we will be praying for each of you as you journey here. We will be sending out breakout signups in a couple of weeks–so stay tuned!!! And if you are so sad or bummed because you can’t come this year…just keep us in your prayers—and JUST maybe…it will be more than just a one time thing;). Just sayin’…this momma is always open and willing to how the Lord calls.

AND I have a REALLY FUN tutorial to show you all from Momma Elf (aka me). Hope you all are having a great week with your families!!! God bless and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

P.S. Smiling is my favorite:)

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Heidi - December 22, 2010 - 3:10 pm

Ahh I wish so badly I could attend the retreat this year! But God had other plans .. I just pray you continue to have them I will for sure be there for the next one.. they sound awesome! Hope your doing good and having a wonderful Christmas season.. thinking of you and always following along:)

Amy @ Filled With Praise - December 22, 2010 - 3:14 pm

The logo is perfect! I am so excited to attend the retreat. Have I told you lately…you totally rock!
Merry Christmas to your family.
Love,
Amy

admin - December 22, 2010 - 3:30 pm

Awww…two of my home girls!!! Heidi…totally sad you won’t be there…but maybe next year:). Keeping up with your sweet family too!!! And Amy–so excited to see you soon!!! Do we HAVE to go to sleep at night?!?! I can’t WAIT to catch up over coffee (and dessert!) with you!

Meredith - December 22, 2010 - 6:27 pm

I love the logo! I am so excited for the retreat. I can’t tell you how much I need it.

christie - December 22, 2010 - 9:55 pm

LOVE the logo. I so wish I could come this year ๐Ÿ™ So you need to have it again next year then I can make it!!!

Rory Cookman - December 22, 2010 - 10:14 pm

I am one of the west coasters that is so bummed I am not able to attend, but for good reason since we just welcomed our fourth little girl a couple of weeks ago.:) Anyway, this is our year! We are beginning the adoption process to Ethiopia and I love your blog! I wish you lived down the street!:) Praying for a great retreat. Love to all the mamas. Can’t wait to learn from each of you through the blogs.
Rory Cookman
Portland, Oregon
woosterweester@aol.com

Vanessa - December 22, 2010 - 11:58 pm

I’m so praying that you make it an annual event! I so wanted to go, but just don’t feel like I can leave little man that soon.

Esty - December 26, 2010 - 4:21 pm

I am Mama #1 who is PSYCHED and GRATEFUL for the retreat whether it’s FOR me, TO them, FOR them, TO me – whatevs. Love it. You’re awesome. @Amy is right “You totally rock”. THANK you.

In the plus…Christmas cards…and Honey Nut O’s….

Wow!!! You guys awesome!!! In just a few days we have sold close to 90 shirts putting us in the PLUS–meaning all the shirt expenses are paid for and what we are making now all goes to our fundraising!!! 100% of the proceeds goes to The Created for Care Adoption Retreat the first week in February!!! Not every family is called to adopt–but you CAN be a part of encouraging moms who are opening their hearts and families to adoption by buying a tshirt! You can buy the shirts in the previous post right here–and as I said before I recommend going AT LEAST 1 size and maybe 2 sizes in this fitted tee. We ordered lots of 2XLs even because if you normally wear just a L, then you’ll probably want the XL or the XL (if you don’t like your shirts touchy, touchy). Our goal is to sell at least 150 more shirts…so please continue to help us spread the word!

The WINNER of the tee give-away is KRISTI HERTSTEIN!!! We’ll do another fun give away later in the week…so stay posted! For now—thanks to your spreading the word,my dining room table is full of assembly line madness!

I can’t BELIEVE the retreat is just 6 weeks away!!! STAY tuned for more news on that because we’ll be sending out emails to every registrant soon so you can sign up for your breakout sessions! They are SO GOOD I think you all are going to have a hard time picking just 2 or 3 to attend!

I’m still have such fun running to the mailbox every day to get Christmas cards!!! I officially have a board that is FULL of families changed by adoption!!! HOW SWEET IS THIS?!

You KNOW how you like to see EVERY single card at once???

Well…I tried to get creative how ELSE I could display them. One more strand to go…and I totally think I have to leave this up all year even if it is Christmasy!!!

LAST BUT NOT LEAST…SOMEONE in our house is preoccupied with sneaking in the pantry…this SOMEONE also loves Honey Nut O’s (by Trader Joes)…although I put rubberbands on the knobs to keep the doors closed…SOMEONE pulls long enough and hard enough that they pop off! LOOKS like it’s time to invest in the real deal child-proofing!!! I heard about 100 little things drop on the floor to come around the corner and find this…
“Opps!!! She caught me red-handed!!! Sorry mommy–I just love Honey Nut O’s…I mean you understand don’t you?!”


“Mommy, you want some–there’s a few more left in the box…I’ll get ’em for you and everything!”


“Yayyyy! I thought she’d be mad…but she’s shaking her head and sneakering at me!!! Aren’t you PROUD of how strong I’m getting mommy!!! And you thought your rubberbands would keep me out!!!”


“Oh no–say what? We have to clean this up??? Oh mom–just let me eat a few more!!! Please???”


“VICTORY FOR ME!!! She falls for that face and my clapping every time!!! Honey Nut O anyone???”

Hope you all have a great Tuesday!!! Off to package…see a friend…ballet…and then a special little surprise at my sister’s house!!!

XOXO!

Andrea

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Bobi Bobbitt - December 21, 2010 - 11:55 am

So fun seeing our card as well as so many other adoption friends on your board! I even see sweet little Teamir who goes to our church! His mom and I just met and are traveling together to Atlanta in Feb for the conference! God used that little cutie pie as another confirmation in our lives of our family’s Ethiopian adoption!!! So wonderful to see him on your board with our family! Going to mailbox is one of the very best highlights of my day!! LOVE sweet Christmas cards!!! Your families is up on our kitchen cabinet! LOVE it!

Lauren - December 21, 2010 - 12:05 pm

Oh my… my heart is just melting… I just want to scoop him up right out of the computer screen!! ๐Ÿ™‚

Jenny - December 21, 2010 - 12:18 pm

YAY for the Tshirts and congrats to Kristi!!! And ITY is absolutely adorable…

Susan - December 21, 2010 - 1:12 pm

LOVE those pictures! What a charmer he is! And I love your string of cards too!

Christy - December 21, 2010 - 3:26 pm

Alright, I’ve procrastinated long enough! I’m going to get my shirt now. Thanks for all the reminders since it’s been so busy lately. ๐Ÿ™‚ I’m amazed at how you are finding time to do all of this during CHristmas week!

Dawn - December 21, 2010 - 8:20 pm

He he he he- those pics of Isaac crack me up!!!! Love all those cards- totally leave them up all year ๐Ÿ™‚

Alison - December 21, 2010 - 8:56 pm

Oh my goodness, he is so precious!! And I love seeing all the families that have been changed through the blessing of adoption! Love seeing our card up there too! ๐Ÿ™‚

sara just - December 22, 2010 - 6:40 am

Just added a shirt in my box!! If we aren’t able to come to the retreat will there be streams on line to download the talks? I would love to be able to gleen from this time! Thanks!

Tees are shipping…we have ANOTHER size for ya! AND a craft:)

So…what really makes a family?

We are selling away!!! ALSO we have another size to offer you!!! Ladies 2XL…now this would be a normal L but it is loser but still a women’s fit! Remember I normally wear a S but I am getting a M and I feel most comfortable in a L. JUST to help you with sizing…go AT LEAST 1 size up—and 2 if you don’t like things really fitted. I LOOVE the fit and these tees! Just want to help you order the right size!!! I am happy to exchange if you get these and they are too fitted. If you are coming to the retreat–you can just exchange it there of course—but hopefully this info will help you order the right size the first time. I put a S on Laney and she can pull it off with a turtleneck underneath but a S would be PERFECT for a middle schooler. SOOOO…if you have a little girl between 10-18 this might be a great shirt for her too in S!

To purchase Ladies Shirt (S, M, L, XL, 2XL) – Please note this run VERY SMALL (you can see explanation at bottom of today’s entry):


Ladies Shirts




To purchase Unisex T-shirts (L, XL, XXL):


Unisex Shirts




A manger scene craft…And now…for all you mommas with little ones home on break—how about a fun craft to help your little kiddos celebrate the true meaning of Christmas?! For this craft you will need:

11 wide popsicle sticks
brown paint (I used acrylic…like I do for most crafts…I love the brand Basics)
2 old school clothes pins
scrap fabric
straw (you can also use dead grass…just sayin:)
if you don’t have old clothes pins–you can just use more popsicle sticks…you know I’m the queen of “make due!”

Paint 4 popsicle sticks brown for manger roof and floor…

Line up 6 popsicle sticks for back of manger…

Glue brown sticks on base to make manger (you can use regular glue if you have all day–I just used hot glue…)

If you have little people like us…you can make lots of mangers ahead of time and let your littles do the rest. And it’s always fun if you have a friend to make them with:)

Glue straw in center (and you can add twine to the back if you’d like it to be an ornament)…

Let your kiddos pick out scrap pieces of fabric and cut in small squares to dress up Mary and Joseph. I used a small piece of twine (or some kind of grass like tie) to keep the headpieces on. You could probably glue them to help too. For baby Jesus, cut one of the popsicle sticks to about 2 inches. Take a pieces of white fabric and you can swaddle. I tried to glue the swaddle but had to go back and hot glue to reinforce it.

Hope you all are having a wonderful day! Off to the post office with 4 little ones after nap time to ship off some t-shirts!!! THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS ALREADY SUPPORTED THIS CAUSE!!! WE NEED TO SELL ABOUT 175 MORE SHIRTS! THANK YOU FOR HELPING US SPREAD THE WORD! COME BACK TOMORROW TO SEE WHO WINS THE T-SHIRT GIVE AWAY!

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Elle J - December 20, 2010 - 3:09 pm

Adorable craft – wish I had this handy earlier in the month so I had time to prep and bring to my Sunday School yesterday. I think I could have done this one. Haha. Next year! =) Yea for tee shirt sales!

Nicki G. - December 21, 2010 - 10:54 am

Someone wins a free shirt? Me, me, me?? I love it and I love the craft. We have a family friend who’s selling this stuff to adopt a baby from Ethiopia. Too bad this shirt wasn’t available at the time of her last order… I’d love one!!

[…] and families to adoption by buying a tshirt! You can buy the shirts in the previous post right here–and as I said before I recommend going AT LEAST 1 size and maybe 2 sizes in this fitted tee. […]

Christy - December 21, 2010 - 3:32 pm

Oh, these are adorable! They are like the Oriental Trading ones but way cuter! Is that where you got the idea from? Where did you get Laney’s dress from too? It’s so cute!

Bobi Bobbitt - December 21, 2010 - 4:48 pm

Have stolen this craft idea for our Birthday party for Jesus/Cookie exchange at our house tonight! I have run around town all day looking for these old clothes pins! Can’t seem to find them anywhere, about to head to Dollar General to look there! LOVE these, thanks for sharing!! I will post pics on my blog of the kids here doing this craft tonight!! (:

Celebrating at our house! (so many reasons to…)

Well…this has been one PERFECT weekend I must say! AND…it has ALSO been yours truly’s birthday weekend!!! Yep! This momma turned 34 years old today (by the way–doesn’t Facebook make you feel SO LOVED on your birthday…when all 1500 of your VBFF send you birthday wishes!!! SO fun:) I just love that my birthday fell on a Sunday this year…as many of you who know me–Sunday is one of my favorite days!!! I force myself to REST (much needed always!) and there is nothing more refreshing to meet with a big group of believers and worship together. I was just singing in church this morning thinking what a sweet birthday gift it was to get to start my day with worship!!! ITY and Frankie baby stayed at home with daddy (didn’t want to share their runny noses) while Parker, Laney and I scooted off to church. Truly, I was overwhelmed this morning…just thinking HOW GOOD the Lord has been to me! Then I sat there thinking…there are so many who do not believe…who do not know Jesus this Christmas…who may look at my other brothers and sisters in Christ…and me and think…half of the time they just talk mumbo jumbo–they just doesn’t live in reality…I mean…can you REALLY KNOW Jesus? I mean…really?

Well, I’ve been there…and I completely understand what some of you MIGHT be thinking…

I know it seems crazy…to think this baby born in manger was Jesus, God’s son. To think this baby was actually part of the Trinity…God made fles!?!? That this boy, once a teen…a tween even…then a man…was sinless. Yet–to cover our sins there needed to be a perfect sacrifice…one without sin. So, God sent His son–to be that sacrifice for us. What kind of God would send His son to be sacrificed anyway? A God that loved you…one that would risk everything in order to have a relationship with you…a REAL relationship that can only be understood when you take the chance of seeking Him out to discover if truly this baby was God made flesh…so you might know Him and follow Him as Your ultimate Father. Yes, a crazy story…but my friends–when you know Him…you KNOW Him–and truly it is a miracle. This baby in a manger came so we might have a relationship with God. He loved us that much. And, indeed, the story is wild…but would you expect anything else out of a miraculous God? Oh to know the story! To BELIEVE the story!!! And to be the one telling my children of this baby…this miracle. There is no greater story you can tell your children this Christmas…so don’t let this week slip by without sitting down as a family to retell the most beautiful story of all. Don’t let just teachers, friends, books, grandparents, tv or anyone else be the one to pour the most beautiful story of Christmas into your children this week. No matter their ages…this story is the story that changes hearts and lives…through the birth of a Savior who came so we might know Him.

sweet Laney as Mary in last week’s school performance

Parker the shepherd

I sat there during worship this morning thinking of the Savior born as a babe in the manger as the congregation sang “O Holy Night”. It’s the first song on my playlist today. Go ahead…start it over…turn it up…close your eyes–and take it in. The words…so powerful and true.

As I sang “fall on your knees”…it was if my knees could buckle at any moment…and truly my heart wanted to fall to my knees. O night, devine!!! I thought of my little babes back home…how GOOD the Lord has been to me. My sweet ones who would soon run out of their Sunday school rooms with candy canes and their hand-made ornaments that I would safely tuck away and forever treasure. The hymn continued…In Him all oppression will cease…I thought of the children THROUGHOUT the world…whose lives are SO FAR DIFFERENT from my children…His precious ones being trafficked into sex slavery…orphans doubling up in cribs in orphanages with not a gift to their name this Christmas…orphans who don’t even know a BIRTH DATE like I know mine today…with no idea the day they were born as there has been no one to tell them or remind them…just left–abandoned and hoping for love…YET…IN HIM ALL OPPRESION WILL CEASETHIS is why Jesus came! This is what the night devine…O Holy Night WAS ALL ABOUT. His calling on my life is just beginning…how thankful I am to know Him and that I get to live for Him…

I was overwhelmed thinking more on His goodness dispite the things that overwhelm us when we pray “break our hearts for what breaks Yours”…although the sin of the world and hard things you see can make your heart weary…truly in Him the weary heart rejoices for He came for a purpose. In Him hope is present!! And I love how this song proclaims that!!!

WHAT a way to start your birthday and end your weekend!!! Thank you God for this most precious, perfect gift!!! (Truthfully…my day started long before church…with my 3 nieces calling me at 8am to sing Happy Birthday to me! So sweet:) And to be reminded during worship of our purpose in this world…all the ways He has cared for and blessed us…and our continued purpose!!!

Instead of celebrating with cake, candles and ice cream…I just wanted to take a minute to really celebrate with His goodness in my life!!!

SO thankful for my kids being raised in environments that surround them with Jesus’s love…

Thankful that as we prayed about God putting other families like ours in our lives…to raise our kids together and do ministry together…and life together…that He didn’t just bring one–or two (although we would have SO THANKFUL for that!!!) Instead He brought LOTS!!! And thankful that we spent our weekend celebrating Christmas TOGETHER!!!! Some of the sweet families who meet monthly in our home…

(these kids LOOOOVE some crafts…so you know I just adore them! they are SO MUCH FUN!!!)

Some of the Levy crew…

LOOOVE this little stinker!

EVERYONE loves CLIFFY!

We’re rejoicing because the cool Teabos moved to town last month!!

And of course Angie…who helped us get the group started…

One of ITY’s sidekicks with his momma Tiffiny

More of ITY’s sidekicks…

SOOOO many reasons to celebrate!!! So thankful for these families and how God is using them to make change all over the world through His sweet children.

AND there is something else I am VERYYYY thankful for today!!! We are EXPECTING A BABY!!!!! (okay, okay…I, personally am not expecting a baby!!!) BUT…my bestfriend Kelly IS!!! SO…I FEEL LIKE I am!!! Kelly has been my friend since the 7th grade and this is the year that we’ve actually lived with our hubbies longer than been roomies ourselves!!! We were roomates ALL THROUGH collage at Auburn and THEN 4 years after college!!! SO…we might as well be twins…sisters…or something like that and her children are like mine and vice versa…SOOOO we are expecting;). You will hear A LOT about doctor visits from me because I’M SO EXCITED!!! (Sorry if I threw some of you off there for a second!) Congratulations Kelly and Shawn!!! This will be #3 for Kelly! And I’m so excited!!! We have raised our babies together…and I’m so excited to welcome another sweet one into this world! Here is a picture some of you might remember from last summer of our babies together!

WHEW!!! What a POST! Off to enjoy my babies after nap time!!! Hope you all had a GREAT weekend!!! DON’T FORGET to enter the t-shirt give-away!!! We’ve already sold 50 t-shirts but we need to sell 200 more!!! SO…see this post and comment on how many times I should enter you…there just MIGHT a few surprises in store for the winner!!!

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Jen - December 19, 2010 - 8:30 pm

Happy Birthday! Awesome post. (:

Amy @ Filled With Praise - December 19, 2010 - 8:58 pm

Happy Birthday!!!! I love that you and Elijah share the same day.
Love ya,
Amy

Alison - December 19, 2010 - 10:53 pm

Happy Birthday, Andrea!!! Sounds like you had a great birthday!! So glad! And yes, you did throw me off with the “we’re expecting a baby!” comment! ๐Ÿ™‚

laura wesson - December 20, 2010 - 1:35 am

Happy Birthday, Andrea. . .we share a birthday!! Sounds like you’ve had a great weekend. Looking forward to meeting you in Feb.

Kristi - December 20, 2010 - 9:59 am

Love this! “Oh Holy Night” has been the most powerful song to me as well this season. Every time I hear the line “all oppression will cease” I completely lose it. I think of Abby home with us and I think of all the others that need a home. My heart breaks more and more for another in ET. Hmmm!

Karen - December 20, 2010 - 11:15 am

My heart gets a little weepy every time I read about the adoption conference… because I want to come. ๐Ÿ™‚ In March, we brought home our 6th child, our first adoption. Like you, I will never be the same nor do I want to be the same. My soul cries out to help those left behind- I’m not sure what my call is yet and I am struggling in the wait. Homeschooling the 6 children keeps me oh so very busy but I know there is so much more I should be doing. I’d love to be around like-minded people. Any possibility of a waiting list? If not, then I just don’t need to be there and I need to accept the closed door. ๐Ÿ™‚