Adoption Rocks Final Sale

Meet my gorgeous (and oh so kissable) niece, Lydia and my good friend's adorable son, Grady.
Their mamas bought these shirts for them before they were born and they now FIT! Are they not the most amazing little models ever?!?!

In honor of their cuteness and my limited stock, I am hosting a BLOW OUT SALE!
Men's XL - $10 each
Youth Sizes - $8 each
Infant Sizes - $7 each

I have a small amount of shirts left and I want to sell them! Every penny you pay for the shirts go toward helping us bring our daughter Harper home!
Please go on and SHOP!

** P.S. I will not be reordering these shirts. I have a very limited stock and will try to
keep on top of all orders. I have a couple of sizes that have ONE shirt left so please be patient
with me if I run out before I can change the button. **

THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT!

I Saw What I Saw

Today is Orphan Sunday... an event hoping to bring awareness to the fact that there are millions of children without a mama and dada to care for them. These kids are living all over the world and also right there in your own town. There is a HUGE need for loving people to step in and care for these kids through adoption, through foster parenting, child sponsorship or by you supporting a family that is or has adopted.

Jesse and I found out this week that we are now #53 on the waiting list to bring home our baby girl from Ethiopia. We started this process in January and are quickly closing in on the end of the 2010. Each step forward makes her feel all the more tangible and real and like bringing her home might be a real possibility. I simply can't wait. My heart might explode.

People often ask why our family was compelled to adopt a child when we have two biological children. There are a ton of reasons but here is one of them. You can't travel to 3rd world countries and not be changed in some way. You can't serve people that are struggling in ways you never imagined possible without leaving a different person. It just changes you. Something inside shifts when you go beyond reading about them and instead see it with your own eyes. You can't visit an orphanage and not think about how much LOVE you have to offer. You do not forget those little crusty eyes or their wet behinds that soaked your shirt while you held them. You do not forget their faces or their tears when you have to put them down and leave. You cannot forget what you know they are up against if they are going to make it. You can't help but think about all of the kids that are still trying to just survive on the streets.

There is a song that I love by a musician that I adore. She is a poet with an angelic voice. I often feel like she is writing what I wish that I could so perfectly communicate. I was going to figure out how to attach her song when I came across this video. Enjoy and be moved.


"I Saw What I Saw" by Sara Groves

#63

We found out that we are officially #63 on the Waiting List to bring our baby girl home from Ethiopia! We are BEYOND excited to have moved up 20 spots in 2 months! Amazing...

The Playground

If you live in the Seattle area, get tickets for this movie RIGHT AWAY. If you do not live in Seattle, find out where you can go for a viewing. This movie is about the sexual exploitation of young girls throughout the US and needs to be seen.

Follow this link below and buy your ticket.
Click on the Trailer Link if you would like to watch a preview of the movie.
(This has some mature content so please watch who you are viewing this with.)

If in Seattle, BUY YOUR TICKETS here:

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/122618

(Let me know if you would like to carpool with a group of us!)

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
(Mature subject matter. Watch on your own before deciding whether to show your kids.)

I CANNOT DO IT ALL.

Tis the season... BOTH of my boys are now is school for a 1/2 day. Soccer season has started. Bible Study is back on. Eastside Women of Purpose is gearing back up for another fundraiser. Jesse's job is keeping him very busy. The boys have a few misc. activities. The HOLIDAYS are fast approaching. (Christmas has already arrived at Costco.) It can all start to feel a bit overwhelming... or a lot. I may be hyperventilating right now.

I so appreciated the post by Emily at Jones Design Company. She recently blogged about "Time" and how she runs her own business, has four kids, home schools, etc. Click HERE to read her entry and then take some time to explore her website. SUPER fun stuff. Check it out.

Super Fast and Easy Dinner Ideas

I am NOT a good cook. I am not exaggerating my lack of ability. I don't like to cook either. This can be a bit of a family bummer on so many levels. I LOVE food - just not making it. I am always in awe of people that can know what ingredients go well together, whip it up, time it perfectly and serve it without ever breaking a sweat.

I have always wanted to find (or write) a cookbook that is truly easy, has a short ingredient list and has been tested by ME, a truly lame cook. I am tired of buying cookbooks that say a meal will only take 30 min. or less. What they really mean is that they take 30 min. if you have assistants that have pre-chopped and prepared everything for you. My little assistants are short, slow, are prone to cutting themselves and have short attention spans.

Real Simple Magazine's most recent issue had a 3 ingredient meal idea list that I've been wanting to try out. I had some serious doubts. Can anything be that great when it's only 3 ingredients? I decided to try three of the recipes last night... They involved grilling, so Jesse got involved.

The ingredients were few and in season (or growing in your backyard) making the meal pretty affordable... Jesse enjoyed his time at the grill with a beer in hand... I enjoyed the ease of three, 3-ingredient meals... My kids RAVED about my cooking (they might have been in shock) and asked for more "chicken." They ate all of their food. Liam complained that the watermelon was weird after his 5th bite. :)

Here are the recipes. Thanks Real Simple!

Brown Sugar-Glazed Pork




Buttery Grilled Corn







Minted Watermelon Salad
(Ignore the Steak Kabobs. Haven't tried those yet.)













Enjoy!

The #76 SALE!!!

We just found out that we have moved up on the Waiting Family List! We have moved from #83 to #76! We still have a long wait before we are able to bring our Baby Girl home from Ethiopia, but I'm encouraged and excited to be in the 70's.

In honor of our jump into the 70's, I am hosting an Adoption Rocks Gear SALE through Friday evening! All T-Shirts have been marked down by $3!!! Sizes have become more limited but I am sure that you can find something. :) Please note that the Tote Bags are NOT on sale at this time.

If you live in Seattle, comment and we can figure out how to get you your gear without paying for shipping.

SPREAD THE WORD! These make great gifts and shows your support to all the adoptive families out there. Our little family appreciates your help and I ship anywhere in the US!