Is It Spring Yet?

No more snow please - we are waiting to see popcorn on the trees!

 

Thanks to the nursery leaders who are teaching him!

Simply Pin-spiring!

I've been meaning to do this blog post for a few months now, but we've been crazy busy so I'm just now getting around to it.  I have a total love affair going on with Pinterest!!  I've heard from several people that they just pin stuff and never make any of it and I'm just the opposite.  I make stuff ALL THE TIME from my pins.

This past Christmas, I made it a goal to make EVERY single gift.  It took me until Christmas Eve to finish, but I had a blast and I can honestly say that I had never felt so excited to see the reactions of the recipients.  Below are pics of the finished products and I also included the links to all of the tutorials I found on pinterest.

Superhero Fort Kit:

http://megandandymade.blogspot.com/2011/05/super-hero-fort-kit.html

 

Neighborhood Guess Who?

(for neighborhood white elephant party)

http://www.obseussed.com/2010/08/personalized-guess-who-game-family.html

 

Finger Painted LOVE Sign for Miss Amanda

(technically Luke made this so I can't take credit)

http://deborahgilbert42.wordpress.com/2012/02/14/capris-valentine-craft/

 

Subway Art for Daddy's Desk:

(this one was just an image on pinterest that I re-created & personalized in Word)

James' Co-worker Gifts:

http://twocuteblondies.blogspot.com/2009/12/merry-kissmas-chappy-new-year.html

Dry Erase Menu Board:

http://pocketsofhappiness.blogspot.com/2012/07/dry-erase-menu-board.html

The Teenager Friendly Gift - CASH:

(another image on pinterest that I re-created in Word)

 

Family Birthday Sign:

http://leahandkyleg.blogspot.ca/2013/01/family-birthdays-sign-diy.html

On-The-Go Lego Boxes:

http://www.finleyandoliver.com/2012/03/diy-lego-travel-box.html

Rosette Scarf:

http://watchmedaddy.blogspot.com/2011/12/felt-flower-scarf-tutorial.html

Candy Sleighs For The Kiddos:

http://justsaysew.blogspot.jp/2012/01/cookie-exchange-and-kelleigh-bread.html

Dry Erase Calendar:

http://lindycottagehill.blogspot.com/2011/01/dry-erase-calendar-wall-art.html

Vintage Inspired Pin Cushion w/ Vintage Bead Pins:

http://loulovesthis.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/monogram-pincushion-tutorial.html

Framed Holiday Subway Art:

http://eighteen25.blogspot.com/p/subway-art-collection.html

Vintage Inspired Bookmarks

(with a Vintage copy of "Persuasion" that I found online)

http://www.u-createcrafts.com/search?updated-max=2011-11-29T04:00:00-07:00&max-results=8

Personalized Yahtzee Game:

http://www.u-createcrafts.com/search?updated-max=2011-11-29T04:00:00-07:00&max-results=8

As you can tell, I've been crafting it up like crazy!  I hope you found some "pin-spiration" for your own projects.  Happy Crafting!!!

Snow Day!

Well, the weather finally decided to cooperate - it had just snowed, and it wasn't sub-zero temperatures anymore, so I finally ventured outside to play in the snow.  I have touched the snow before, and Mommy has even let me taste the snow from our deck, but I haven't actually gotten all bundled up to actually play in it.  So here I am getting all warm!  Hat - check!  Heavy coat - check!  Gloves - check! and Boots - check!  Time to play :)

It still was just a little bit cold (this is me doing my shiver):

Mommy threw a snowball at Daddy, so I wanted to try to throw one too!

I fell over - but that's okay.

I am definitely going to have to go back out again - it was so fun that I was kicking and screaming when Mommy and Daddy brought me back inside.

Pass It On!

For those of you who may have followed our previous adoption blog, you may remember reading about Pass-Along Cards.  We are firm believers that if we are proactive in getting the word out about our desire to adopt, a birth mom will find us (sooner rather than later).

 

Well we have ordered our first batch of pass-along cards for this next adventure - have a look see!

We have a large stack of them, so if you would like some, send us an e-mail and we will gladly get some to you!

If you don't know what to do with them, here are a few ideas:

• Leave them as a bookmark for a library book you are about to return
• Leave it with your tip at the restaurant
• Leave one on your hotel nightstand, or inside a drawer
• Send one with your utility bill payment
• Share it with someone who is considering placing a child for adoption
• Share it with someone else who is thinking of adopting (it gives them an idea of being more proactive in their adoption search)
• Etc.

As I mentioned above, we are very firm believers of pass-along cards - do you want to know why?  If it weren't for pass-along cards, we wouldn't have our little Lucas.

One of Miss Amanda's friends was out on a date and they decided to have some ice cream.  The date recommended going to Cold Stone, but she wanted to try something new - some "Leather" place in Taylorsville.  After doing some searching on their smart phones, they ended up at Leatherby's where we had a stash of our cards at the cash register.  When they were leaving, she saw the cards and grabbed one, remembering that Miss Amanda was thinking of placing her baby for adoption.  She went home and checked out our blog and quickly called Miss Amanda to tell her that she was sure she had found THE adoptive couple from a "business card".  Miss Amanda was perplexed, and thought this business card concept was weird, until she saw our card.  She quickly checked our Its About Love profile and read all of our blog posts, and she, too, knew that we were meant to be the parents of her baby boy.  And the rest, as they say, is history....

Finally, you may have seen that many people are now searching for their birth parents via social media.  I am thankful that we have an open adoption with Miss Amanda so that Luke will always have that relationship.  As you may have also heard, some of the people, who have been looking for their birth families, have found them!  All because their search was shared by so many people (and news outlets)!  AWESOME!  If you don't feel comfortable passing out our pass-along cards, we hope that you will consider sharing our blog on your Facebook wall, or just writing a quick status update about us.  The more our information is out there, the more likely a birth mom will find us.  (For our protection, please don't use our last name).

We know that Lucas is going to make the BEST big brother and we can't wait to continue on this journey.  Thanks to all our family and friends for your support - you're the best!