Tag Archives: winter

Everyday Life, Photography, Project 365

December First

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I originally wanted to learn photography to document my kids’ childhood better, but now that I have a bit of knowledge, I’ve found that I really love landscape photography. I still have much to learn, but I try to get out with my camera as often as I can.

Today was our last day visiting Aaron’s family, at their farm. When we woke up this morning, the fog was intense. So, the first opportunity I got, I headed out with my camera.

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When I came back in, breakfast was done and Reed and Lena were playing the card game “war” with Aaron. Gus was clearly in a mood.

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We came back home early in the day. The first of December is also the first day that we are using our Advent Calendar, of course. Today’s card was the one that I showed in the blog post– write cards for military service members. A friend shared this link from the Red Cross.

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Everyday Life, Project 365

Preparing for Advent

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Last week, I saw this neat Advent calendar idea. In short, you can purchase a digital download of a “random acts of kindness” cards, which benefits the Cystinosis Research Foundation. It’s a cool idea, so I purchase the download. But, I realized I can’t do a random act of kindness with the kids each day. There are days where we only have an hour and a half to eat dinner, do bedtime and spend a bit of time together.

But, I loved the idea of random acts of kindness in the Advent season. I decided to use the ideas from the RAK cards for some days, and fill in the rest with Bible verses.

The cards for Monday-Thursdays are Bible verses related to Christ’s birth and why we need Him in our lives. Friday, Saturday and Sunday are a random act of kindness that we will do.

I had to gather some supplies.

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I wanted to stamp the envelope with the date, but apparently stamps are crazy expensive at Hobby Lobby. Not happening. I should have printed the date on them, but I ended up hand writing the date on each.
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In Photoshop, I made the actual template for the cards. I was inspired by the RAK cards one, but that ones says “Random Acts of Kindness”, so I wanted to make one that was accurate to what we are doing.
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I know the little symbol in the middle looks like a sun, but I’m calling it a Moravian Star.

When I went to print them out, I realized that I had no colored ink cartridges. Only black. Oh well.
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I could only find 2 finish nails, so I had to hang the two strings from the same nails. It would look a bit better and the cards would overlap less if I had 4 nails.
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Can’t wait to start! Anyone have any fun Advent traditions of your own?

Adoption, Everyday Life, Photography, Second Adoption

True Love

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I want to talk to you about love. Surprise, surprise, it IS Valentine’s Day after all.

Last year, on Valentine’s Day, I met my baby boy for the first time. I fell head over heels for that kid and I’m still an obnoxious adoring mom, soaking up his kisses and tugs on my legs.

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I love that kid. And I’ve seen how our family’s love for him has transformed him. And I’ve seen how the love of families has transformed the lives of so many once-orphans.

Love can do incredible things.

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“Мама любит Андрюша.” “да!” I say this to him often. “Mama loves Andrusha!” “Yes!,” he happily exclaims.

Love can be material. Roses that will die. Chocolates that will add to your waist line. Lingerie that will end up in the dust under your bed.

Or, love can be more. The love a mother has for her son. The love a God has for his children.

Along with my friend Jill, I’m committing to spend this lent season praying for the orphans who do not know love. That families might find them, and barriers will be shattered, political, financial, all kinds. That they will someday be LOVED.

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(And disclaimer: I know I blog about Gus way more than Reed and Lena! I need to do some posts on them soon, but I had to use Gus an example since today is our Metcha-versary.)