Day 27 - November isn't over yet

Okay, after kind of catching up on missing half of the month, I realized that November isn't over yet.  The daily 'Thankful Posts' were meant to be each day for the month of November.  So, can I do four more? Sure, why not.

Today, November 27, I'm Thankful for this kid....

 

I've mentioned him in quite a few posts.  He's really a pretty amazing kid, even in all of his quirkyness.... He's got such a big heart. And is probably tied for second in eagerness for his niece to come home! 

He's my brother. And yesterday, he turned 16.  

Gasp, 16?  Where has the time gone?  

He has actually turned into a pretty great teenager...I can't wait to see what the next 16 years bring.

Day 22 - Thanks & Giving It

I'm truly thankful for my family, the time to spend together, to enjoy each others company. 

(Especially while sitting at this beautiful table!)

For my fiends, new & old. And all the 'typical' good things, food in my plate, a roof over my head, a good job (that I enjoy). This Thanksgiving Day, I'm thankful for 'really' learning to let go and trust God. I'm thankful for so many changes over the past year, and for so many more to come! I'm especially thankful that this spot...

...will be full next Thanksgiving!

A "whole lotta" Thanks

Well, my whole attempt to 'keep up', didn't work out so well (obviously!).  And I have missed....uhm....15 days worth of 'Thankful Posts'.  That's right, I'm a slacker.  Though, a thankful slacker, really.  So here are a few things that have come up in those past  few many days. 

This fuzzy little kitten appeared in my development about 2 weeks after I moved in. He was maybe 6 weeks old and so shy and timid and lonely.  After a few short days, he and my dog quickly adopted each other and have been BFF's ever since.  (Literally, this cat follows us everywhere on our multiple daily walks and rubs and loves all over the dog.  And the dog will stop and wait for the cat to catch up, or hurry to go 'say hi' with a little sniff and lick.) I admit, I now feed this scruffy thing twice a day (even though I really wanted to from minute one)...


....and am thankful to my silly dog for insisting that this fluffy grey kitty become a part of our family.



I have already mentioned my thankfulness for Preschool paperwork and here's another little taste of that.  These are just a few of the faces that will one day be Little Bear's classmates and friends.  I got to sub in the 'Walker' room at school and it happened to be this sweet boy's 2nd birthday.  

 

He brought cupcakes to share with his friends.  They were all very thankful!

 

A friend and her son made delicious little 'Thankful' goodies to pass out.  So, I get to be thankful for other people being thankful! (And for her Grandmother being an excellent baker!!)

I spent a weekend with 8 of our youth at a High School Fusion Retreat.  The purpose of the weekend was to give these High School kids a chance to grow closer to God and their friends.  It was an awesome weekend watching them share and learn and worship.  This young man was there with his church youth group.  During one of our worship times, he was looking around the crowd (of about 125) and looked a little lost, trying to find a familiar face.  He walked over to a certain redhead, put his hand on her shoulder and spent the rest of the worship next to her.  He knew how special her heart is. It was so great to see him interacting and participating with all of the other 100 plus High Schoolers. I'm thankful for this weekend in so many ways.

And last, but not least....

Tiny pink Nike tennis shoes.  Enough said.

Day 11 & 12.....Butter and Horses

I spent Saturday out of town, just a bit north in Savannah, GA.  It was a very long, but very good day.  There were lots of laughs, fantastic finds and tired feet.  And also there were horses and butter.  An odd combination I know.  We took the opportunity to go on a horse drawn carriage ride through downtown Savannah and learn a bit more about the town and it's history and to re-view some of it's hidden gems (which this old town has PLENTY of!).  Savannah's history is tied pretty closely to my little island's history, too, so it's always fun to learn more about things that overlap! 

I'm Thankful for this delicious meal....

I can't think of anything better at the moment, than Southern fried cookin', y'all...fried chicken, corn pudding, cheese biscuits, rice and gravy, beans, sweet potatoes, lemonade, and for dessert... 

Ooey Gooey Butter Cake.  I'm pretty sure there was at least a pound of butter in this meal and I enjoyed EVERY bite of it!!!

...at none other than this fabulous restaurant!

 And for this four legged creature...

The lovely Batman

who carried us around to see this..

Yes, Georgia is the only state that mines pink marble...who knew?

     
 And this...

 Those curves above the windows are called 'eyebrows'.  On this house they are made of iron.  All of this iron work cost over $100,000 back in the 1800's. AND this house was the first to have running water. I suppose when you put that much into the outside of your house, the least you can do is also be the first one in your neighborhood that can flush the toilet and take a shower!

And this...

This church has the tallest steeple in town. And the bells were hung upside down for almost a century...but they were ringing today!

And this...

Beautiful

   

Ah, the beauty of history and some mighty good cookin'.  

That's what I'm thankful for... (and leftovers for the next day too!)

Days 8, 9 & 10...Nature

Well, one week into November and I've already become a blogging slacker.  I shall catch up though and WILL finish up the month.

For all three days, I'm thankful for the sightings outside of my door.  I live in such a beautiful place.  I don't know how anyone could walk from their door to their car without noticing something amazing. I sometimes take my surroundings for granted. I pass by the annually blooming plants, the palm trees, live oaks with their gigantic limbs swooping to the ground, the super expansive sky, and on and on...

8 - Something beautiful blooms ALL YEAR!!

9 - No matter the background...always amazing

10 - Live oaks and Spanish moss...need I say more?

Day 7....Preschool

This fabulous orange folder is full of everything needed to enroll L in...preschool.  YIKES!! and HOORAY!! at the same time!  She will not be starting the day she gets home, of course, but there is a waiting list so she's getting signed up now and that way, there will be a spot for her when she's ready.

There are a few great things about this.  First, um, reality check, I am signing up my kid for preschool. Second, she will be get to be in school with her new 'friends'.  The same kids that she'll get to play with outside of school and at church! And.... Best of all.... She will be in the same building as her Mama!  I'm so thankful to be able to have a preschool just down the hall.  I'll be able to check in on her throughout the day, comfort her if she's too upset, and make sure she is aware that I will always be there (especially in the first few weeks) and will be able to just peek in and watch her grow and learn and experience everything new!  What a treat to be able to be so involved and know that she's learning while in such a great, caring environment!  

I'm so thankful for this beautiful orange folder and all of it's fantastic contents!

Day 6....Running

I admit, I can't believe that I am writing that I am thankful for running.  In reality, I have a love/HATE relationship with running.  I have to give myself a little pep talk while getting dressed in my running attire, which continues as I chose a playlist and leash the dog, and then, when I'm actually 5 minutes into my run, I think I've finally got myself all geared up for the next 45 minutes of torture.  

The first 15 minutes are usually not that bad, I get into the groove and am just going right along to the speed of the music playing in my ears.  Then I realize that I still have another half an hour (or more) to go and the pep talk resumes. I convince myself, for 5 minutes, to keep going and then something REALLY crazy happens, I start to enjoy it.  (I know, I said it was crazy!) The ache that starts creeping up my legs, the feeling like your lungs just can't take one more breath.  It almost becomes like an out of body experience and your moving one foot in front of the other, but it can't really be you doing it!?!  The sky is so perfect in the morning, the birds are singing.  Some mornings, the ocean is calm others it's splashing into the sand. It's a like a little taste of Heaven.

And before I know it, I've circled around and am heading back into my neighborhood.  My condo is just ahead of me and I've made it.  An hour after initial pep talk and I feel WONDERFUL!!  I feel like I could conquer the world.  My head is clear (as I've just spent an hour thinking all of the thoughts that I could). My body is tired in that feel good, I've just worked really hard sort of way.  My lungs feel like I could hold my breath for half an hour with no problem.  It's such a great feeling. By the end of my run, I'm extra thankful for running! 

(Editors Note: This was written AFTER the morning run.  These words probably could not have been written prior to the morning run!)

Day 5.....'And the stockings were hung by the chimney with care...'

I know I mentioned a few days ago that I really love Christmastime, but REALLY do like waiting until after Thanksgiving to truly bring out all that is Christmas.  I love Thanksgiving as well, and like to give the holiday it's 'day'!  BUT, today, November 5, I have to be thankful for Christmas stockings.  (Sorry Thanksgiving!)

I was given a gift today, or actually L was given a gift today, but I accepted it in her current absence.  Her beautiful stocking is already hanging up (again, sorry Thanksgiving) waiting for Santa to visit next month.  Even though Little Bear won't be here to see her stocking full of goodies this year, the goodies inside will be waiting for her to open and explore when she gets home.  

Our family stockings

My Grandma made stockings for everyone in my family. As each new addition joined (kiddos AND spouses), they were presented with a Christmas stocking.  All hand knitted and all with the ideal Christmas colors and Christmas designs and of course, personalized.  I knew, when my Grammie passed away just after Thanksgiving two years ago, that my children would not get to experience having one of 'those' stockings, I had resigned myself to the fact that additions to the family from that point on would not have look alike stockings.  (Maybe I should have paid closer attention when she tried to teach my cousin and I how to knit one summer when I was about 12!?!)
 
BUT after some hunting, L's Grandma found the right person, some wonderful lady on the east coast, who could knit, and had the right patterns and this is the result.  My daughter's Christmas stocking, that will hang along side her Mama's and look just like it was always supposed to be there.  For this, I am thankful today.

Day 4....Orphan Sunday

Today is called Orphan Sunday. (The entire month of November is actually Adoption Awareness Month!)  On Orphan Sunday, people all over America make a stand for the orphan.  
Sharing and praying.  
You can read more about Orphan Sunday by clicking the link below.

                                                                           On THIS Orphan Sunday, I am thankful for a couple of things.  I am thankful for families who turn these kiddos into 'one less orphan'.  I'm thankful for individuals who pray for those families.  I'm thankful for individuals who pray for those orphans who are waiting for their turn to become a part of a family.  I'm thankful for organizations that provide medical care and offer gifts to children waiting in orphanages.  I'm thankful for organizations and individuals who offer monetary support to orphanages and to families working hard to bring their orphan home. 

I am thankful for this organization....

P.S.  Pay close attention at about 3:44 in the above video!

And I am especially thankful for this particular orphan, who one day (soon) will become an orphan no more...

    I'm thankful that she will soon know the love of a Mama  She will soon learn what a family is. She will soon experience the feeling of a hug. She will soon know what life outside of a crib, outside of an orphanage, is like.  
And I'm SO thankful to be able to be a part of the rest of her life.

And just for an added bonus...a few more orphan faces, just for your viewing pleasure...

Day 3....Junior Mints

I know it's not Christmastime yet, and I am a big one for wanting to let Thanksgiving have it's day, (I wanted to plug my ears while in Michaels today and the Christmas music starting playing... ahhh... too early!!!) BUT Christmas candy (and other unmentionable items) are starting to appear on store shelves.  This means only one thing!  PEPPERMINT CRUNCH Junior Mints!!!  I must say, Junior Mints are by far my favorite candy EVER, but the extra peppermint crunch that gets added to the rich dark chocolate shell during the Christmas season is just pure joy.  And because Christmas is next month (uh, what!?!) this delicious little box of candy can be purchased and enjoyed for the next 8 weeks!!

So today, Day 3, I'm thankful for Peppermint Crunch Junior Mints and the little bit of happiness in every crunchy minty bite.

Day 2....Spiders

Yep, you read that correctly, on this second day of November. Day 2 of giving thanks, I am thankful for spiders.  Pink ones to be specific and to be even more specific, pink ones that go in your ears.  

(HA!...fooled you all!!  Like I'd ever be thankful for real spiders!)

And in addition to the pink spider earrings, 

I'm thankful for the person who sent them.  

I have know idea who that someone is (well, I take that back, I know they are currently adopting or have adopted an orphan from another country)  (oh, and the person is also a 'she')  But this person signed up to be a 'Secret Sister' for other women who are adopting and just sometimes needing a little pick me up throughout the process.  As it's a LONG process and though EXTREMELY rewarding, can be very frustrating at times.  

So she sent me these little earrings, because pink is my absolute favorite color and spiders are the thing that I fear (HATE) the most.  Her words- "it would be a symbol that in all the bad things that come with this adoption business, there is always good! Some of the things we hate the most and are most taxing to us bring us the most good!"  (I bet she didn't think she'd be quoted here!)  

And how true that is, I'm thankful that these little spiders remind me every day, that even through all of the frustrations and bumps along the road in this process, my beautiful daughter will be the pot of 'pink' at the end of the rainbow.

 

Today, I'm thankful for pink spider earrings and

   a super 'Secret Sister'...

Thankful...Day 1

     Many people are using this month to share what they are thankful for, of course, because Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away. (WOW...this year has flown by!)  I think putting out daily 'Thankfulness posts' is a brilliant idea and so I'm going to attempt it as well.  Hopefully it will go a little better than the idea of extra posts in October.  
     Some things might be silly or just a tiny little thought, but I believe everyone can come up with at least one thing per day to be thankful for! And really, I have SOOO many things to be thankful for and it's hard to not just share them all in one day! Anyway, today is November 1, the first day to share a thankful post so, here goes...

I am actually kind of posting two things today, but really they go together so we'll just let it slide...

I am thankful for my desk, in the new office and my new 'now full time' job.  It still needs a few personal touches, perhaps a photo of the Little Bear? But otherwise a nice, happy place to work.

 AND a more flexible schedule to be able to spend more time here...

 I've missed the daily walks on the beach...

and I think she has too.  

Thankful for something new, more time and a very happy puppy.  

That's a pretty good start to November.

Happy Birthday

Today was a very special day.  Little Bear turned TWO!!  

What a great age, so full of exploration and learning...gaining independence and a personality starting to shine through...meeting milestone after milestone.  Two is Terrific!!  We celebrated in our hearts on her special day.

   There were cupcakes and a balloon...necessary items at a birthday.

 (Pictures to come...) 

 Presents to be purchased in her Birthday Auction. 

And friends and family...also good to have on your birthday.

The only thing missing? The. birthday. girl.  She spent the day alone, in an orphanage, on the other side of the world.  The last birthday spent alone though!  Next year, the celebration will be grand and best of all, it will include the most important piece.

This baby...

...is growing up.

Happy Birthday Little Bear!

I love you to the moon and back!

 

Birthday Party? Nope, try again.....Birthday AUCTION!!

     Okay, fundraiser number two...I'm having an online auction for L.  It will begin on October 21st, Little Bear's second birthday, and run for 10 days, through the end of the month.  

     Normally, for a birthday, if you're invited to a party you bring a birthday present.  This year, instead of giving presents to L for her birthday, we are selling presents for her birthday!  Really, the biggest present that could be asked for is for her to come HOME.  We know that will happen in God's time...and this will be her last birthday in that stinky orphanage!  

     The auction will run on Facebook, but will also be linked to this blog, so that those of you who do not use Facebook can still go shopping.  There will be items for anyone and everyone. It's a perfect excuse to start shopping for Christmas, for upcoming Fall or Winter birthdays, or for a little splurge for yourself! 

     And by you shopping at L's auction, you will help her move another step closer to coming home...

     And next year...we'll have the BIGGEST birthday bash a three year little girl has ever experienced!!

     The Birthday Auction is OPEN...Start your bidding!!!

Jewelry ROCKS!!!

This post is not really related to Down Syndrome (or well, maybe it can be...) and is not one of the two originally planned fundraisers for a little girl turning two this month but...it is fun news.

A friend of mine is co-partners in a jewelry business and also has a daughter with Down Syndrome (who I have determined is going to be L's future BFF...) Her business is called 'Jewelry Rocks'.  And for L...it did just that.  Rocked all through the month of September as part of their earnings were shared towards Little Bears 'break out' costs. 

The jewelry is pretty awesome! You should check it out at....

 

It was very nice to see L's FSP take a nice jump in one day! 

And to know that the people behind that jump, aren't helping 'just because', but are helping because they realize how special L is and already love her a lot even though they have never met her and how much it will mean for her to get busted out of that ol' orphanage and have a family of her very own. 

 

Thanks Jewelry Rocks,

You...ROCK!!!

October...a month of awareness and celebrations

   This is going to be a month of many things...awareness, pumpkins, trunk-or-treat, fundraisers, celebration and BIRTHDAYS!!! 
  
   October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month  I will be posting interesting facts, new information and uplifting stories all month long.  You can read the first post in regards to DS Awareness, HERE.
  

Pumpkins!!!

     October also means Pumpkins!  At our church we have a huge Pumpkin Patch that is run by our youth. (After being coordinated and then continually overseen by our Youth Director.  Could you just imagine what excitement could ensue when mixing teenagers and a field of pumpkins!?!)  Families from all over the Island come to our Patch to hunt and choose the perfect pumpkin. There are lots of 'Pictures in the Patch' and the feel of Fall is always in the air when you're walking through rows of pumpkins. This is also a fundraiser for our youth group as they earn points by working at the patch, which they can then cash in towards trips and outings throughout the year.  It's a win-win!!  As part of the pumpkin patch, we have a Pumpkin Fun Day.  Which is pretty self explanatory.  You spend the day, having fun, at a Pumpkin Patch, with pumpkins!  There will be food, games, food and lots of fun activities (and did I mention, food?) I CANNOT wait for next year when Little Bear will be running around choosing her perfect pumpkin and enjoying the fun of a pumpkin filled day!!   And at the end of the month, after the patch is closed down and the final pumpkins are hauled off the lot, we have a night of Treats and 'Trunks'?  Yep, you read that correctly.  We have Trunk or Treat for kiddos to don their first second third final choice of costume (No child ever changes their mind about what they want to be for gathering goodies, right?  Especially not within days of the actual treat gathering!) and go from 'trunk to trunk' gathering goodies.  I have wondered the aisles of many stores scanning the costumes for what could be the 'perfect' find for a certain little girl next year.  I suppose I'll let her have some input as to what she'd like to dress up as.  Though her cuteness will probably get her all the treats she could ever want!  There will be games, contests, pumpkins, fun and guess what...FOOD!  It will be treats all around!
   
    October also holds a very special birthday.  My Little Bear will be 2!  This is a big.deal.birthday, for a few different reasons.  First, uhm, 2 is just kind of a big deal.  At 2, you're not really a baby anymore, you kind of fall into the ranks of being a 'toddler'!  And, well, being a toddler is a big deal!  This birthday, turning two, will happen in an orphanage.  That is definitely a big deal.  There will not be a family to celebrate with or presents to open or cake to devour.  (Whoa...no cake...I know, REALLY big deal there!!)  Anyway, the biggest deal about this birthday is that it will be her LAST in an orphanage! and THAT is the BIGGEST deal of them all!!!  Though she doesn't know it, she has a family who will be celebrating on the other side of the world.  Celebrating her for all of her two 'long' years, celebrating that her birth mother chose life for L so she  and I could find each other and celebrating that next year, we'll have the biggest birthday bash EVER! Family and friends to party with, presents to open, cake (LOTS of cake) to devour and the big deal for her birthday next year...she'll be home!

    As this is such a special month, I have a little fundraiser (well two actually, but will tell you more about the second at another time) to share.  For the month of October, we are holding...'Loose Change for Lizzy'.  I will be passing out cups... placing them at local business, sharing them with friends, putting one on my own desk... to gather 'loose change'. (you know, those extra coins from your pocket, the change from your drive through lunch at Chick-fil-a, the 'found' dollar at the bottom of the dryer).  I'm positive, if L could tell you herself, that the biggest birthday wish she'd have is to be busted out of that darn orphanage (and that is certainly MY biggest birthday wish for her!). Isn't cool to think that YOUR loose change could help make that happen!!  To find out more about 'Loose Change for Lizzy'.  Click HERE and you'll go directly to a post dedicated just to change...

   As for the second fundraiser...you'll have to keep checking back.  That will be happening during 'birthday week'.  (TWO fundraisers for a TWO year old girl...perfect right!)
    

     

Loose Change for Lizzy

      For the month of October, we are holding...'Loose Change for Lizzy'.  I will be passing out cups... placing them at local business, sharing them with friends and family, putting one on my own desk... to gather 'loose change'. (you know, those extra coins from your pocket, the change from your drive through lunch at Chick-fil-a, the 'found' dollar at the bottom of the dryer).        
      I'm positive, if L could tell you herself, that the biggest birthday wish she'd have is to be busted out of that darn orphanage (and that is certainly MY biggest birthday wish for her!). Isn't cool to think that YOUR loose change could help make that happen!!  

      This are the cups that I'm sharing.  They are for 'kids on the go'.  I'd say that is a pretty good description of the Little Bear. 

 On the go, from an orphanage...On the go, home...

Plus they are orange and can so easily be transformed into pumpkins for the perfectly pumpkiny month of October!

 If you would like me to send you a cup, please give me your address and it will be at your door in no time.  Or if you already have a container to use and would simply like the picture to add to your collection device, I can email that instantaneously!  (Isn't technology wonderful!)   

I am also sharing a little 'blurb' to go with cups being left in businesses and for people who really wonder 'What IS this all about?'.  If you would like me to include a sheet of these 'blurbs' to share as well, please let me know.  I can add a sheet when sending your cup or in an email.  You can feel free to copy and spread around as wanted.

The pages look similar to this...

...but are adjusted slightly to explain the 'Loose Change for Lizzy' fundraiser 

and come 4 to a page!

You can fill up your cups for the ENTIRE month and at the end of October, we'll gather them all up (and the change inside), add it all together and share the total that will to go towards busting L out of that orphanage and giving her the chance to enjoy the rest of her birthdays at home with her family!

Down Syndrome Awareness Month

   Okay, this will be the first of (hopefully) many posts this month to share uplifting stories and information to raise awareness for individuals with Down Syndrome. 

    I saw this on Facebook this morning- 

"It's October 1st--the first day of Down Syndrome Awareness Month 2012. Time to reflect on a little history...check out this photo from 1984: President Reagan signs a resolution declaring October as "National Down Syndrome Month"!"

I think it's pretty fitting for the first Down Syndrome Awareness post on the 1st of October!  If you click the picture, it links to the National Down Syndrome Congress website.  The National Down Syndrome Congress is the country’s oldest national organization for people with Down syndrome, their families, and the professionals who work with them. They provide information, advocacy and support concerning all aspects of life for individuals with Down syndrome, and work to create a national climate in which ALL people will recognize and embrace the value and dignity of people with Down syndrome. 

I am also going to share a video that many of you have probably seen, but I think it's PERFECT for the 1st day of this special month!  Once my Little Bear is home safe in my arms, I can share more on how impactful this video was for me!  In this video, (which was posted on March 21 - World Down Syndrome Day) a little girl (Ace) talks about having a brother with Down Syndrome (Archie), who was adopted.  I can't watch it without crying.every.single.time!  (And I should drop a little plug for one Miss Danielle Rhymer as she is the one who shared this video when I saw it for the first time!  It goes to show, you never know who might be touched, in what sort of way, by the things that you chose to do or say!  Thank-you Danielle!) 

(If you scroll to the bottom of the page, you can pause the background soundtrack to better hear the video!)

Fall

Tomorrow is the first day of the Fall season...
the leaves are starting to change (in most places),
the little squirrels are out gathering their winter meals,
the temperatures are starting to drop...


 

Fall colors in EE...



and squirrels with crazy ears!!

 

This year,

you will watch the leaves change outside your window,

you might catch a glimps of a little bushy tail scampering up a tree,

 and you are bundled in shared tights and onsies...

I promise, next year...
we will find leaves to jump in,
we will make squeaky noises at the squirrels while walking outside,
and we will snuggle together in cozy new sweats that only belong to you...


Next year...