Seeds of the Heart...

Anyone who knows me very well, knows that I love to make things. I do a little bit of everything. I love the whole creation process and seeing a finished product. My latest "craft" is digital designs. I have made cards in the past, some Christmas gifts and of course playing around with the blog templates for Anna's and Elli's blog. Whatever I am doing, I want to enjoy it. So, I decided, "why not try to make some extra money doing what I like?"

I just, as in today, listed my first items on Etsy.com. Right now, I only have card designs for sale, but will be adding more items in time. The funds, of course, will be going towards adoption expenses. The cards are customizable for any occasion. You can opt to purchase a design and print at a photo finisher of your choice, or I can have the cards printed for you on a heavy matte or glossy cover cardstock with envelopes and shipped directly to you.

If you are in the market, I would love for you to take a look and spread the word. You can get directly to my store by clicking the icon in the right hand column of the blog or go to http://www.seedsoftheheart.etsy.com/

Thanks,
Marcy

Straws & Briefs...

You might be asking yourself how those two items are related or could even be said in the same breath. Well, they are related. They are the two latest milestones for Anna.

If you have a cleft child, then you will share in our delight of Anna being able to use a straw!!! Quite an accomplishment for her. She started having some lip seal while we were playing with straws, suckers, and teaching her how to lick her fingers. That is something that she never did...so when she would get food on her fingers, I actually encouraged her to lick it off vs. using a napkin. It helped with her sensory issues of the mouth as well as forming a seal with her lips. Of course, after mastering this, we began trying to teach her to form some suction...and encouraging the use of a napkin ;-). Rodney takes full credit, and rightfully so, for the straw thing. He worked with her one day and she was "interested" that morning. Finally she was able to get the juice up the straw. I think it frightened her at first, but then she knew she was doing something "new" and she was hooked. It has been very nice to not have to carry a sippy cup that she could use everywhere we went. It may just be a straw to some, but for us HUGE milestone.

Now, I know that she is 3, but we were going no where fast on the whole potty training issue. (One day she will likely hate me for these types of posts) She wasn't interested at all. Even though she loved her Dora and Cinderella undies, she didn't mind one bit just wearing a diaper or pull up and packing her underwear around. But, thank goodness, finally we had a break through and we are all but naps and nighttime potty trained!!!

Carter and Jacob were in diapers together for a little while. Purchasing diapers lasted about 4 1/2 years the first time. When we brought Anna home, Parker was still in diapers/pull-ups for a few months and with Anna in diapers, we have been buying diapers this go round for about 4 1/2 years...that's 9 years of diapers!!! Why didn't we buy stock in those things????

Glad to be finished with diapers..at least we think so ;-)
Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker & Anna Mei

On the Positive Side...

Today we mark the positive side of time with Anna. Our "time" with Anna has been positive from day one, but today is the day that she has been with us longer than she was without us. The day that she has been our daughter longer than she was an orphan. Today is the day that living with a family makes up the majority of her life and without a family in an orphanage is not.

We had to love her from afar...

We have been her family since before she was born, no doubt. She was in my heart long before her birth, before her conception, however, she didn't know anything about me. Today, she has known me longer than she was without me and today feels good.

...and now, she loves us up close & personal

Happy to be Anna's family & sending love to Elli,
Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker & Anna

Pictures of Elli!!!!

I woke up this morning to EIGHT beautiful pictures of Elli at her BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!!!! If you want to see one of the sweetest faces ever, you need to go check them out!

Sending love to our Elli,
Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker & Anna Mei

Merry Christmas...

It is so hard to believe that Christmas is really here! The tree is up, presents wrapped and Santa has been seen. The kids are pumped and we are already exhausted...'tis the season!

Standing in line at the mall, waiting to see Santa, you can't help be feel the excitement in the little ones as they try to peek through the crowd to get a glimpse of the man in red. Anna would point and say, "ho, ho! ho, ho!" Parker started getting quiet and a little nervous knowing he was about to meet the one who "knows if you been bad or good." Carter is totally in his own world as he is reciting lines from "Elf" saying he was going to tell Santa he smelled like beef and cheese!!! And Jacob, poor Jacob...he was terrified that someone was going to see him in line to see Santa! I don't know how many more years I will be able to drag them to sit on Santa's lap with their little siblings...boo hoo...where did my babies go?!?

When it was finally our turn to see Santa himself, Anna ran right up to him and got in his lap. She immediately started playing with his beard and again, "ho, ho! ho, ho!" Parker is hiding behind my legs, refusing to sit on the "Ol' Man's" knee. When "he" heard me tell Parker to go sit on his lap, Santa said, "come here Parker and stand beside me." Parker went over and ended up on Carter's lap. They all recited their wish lists....Transformers....and we went on our way.

Later that night at home, Parker was playing on the computer, he turned around, very serious and asked, "How did Santa know my name?" His sweet face was in wonder and you could tell in his eyes his little mind was running a hundred miles and hour. I bet he had been thinking about Santa saying his name all night. I could have just ate him up! He is too sweet.

Those are the little moments that I want to remember as I get older. The innocent fascination, excitement and wonder of Christmas. The funny memories of Carter and Jacob shouldn't be forgot either. I remember having to sit on Santa's knee with my little brother when I really didn't want to, so it makes Jacob's reaction a little bit funnier to me I guess. Of course, Carter wanting to play "Buddy" is just funny period. I know I am partial, but seriously, are my kids not the best?!?

As we have fun and begin the traditional Christmas gatherings, there is a sense of someone is missing. The holidays seem harder. As Anna ran up to Santa, I could just imagine Anna holding Elli's hand and them running together. She is already a part of us and we just wish she were here. But for whatever reason, she isn't and although very difficult at times, I must enjoy my children this year that I do have with me. There are times that I feel a bit guilty enjoying myself, but I guess that is the internal pull between two places...here and China.

Sending love & hugs to our Elli,

Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker & Anna Mei

The Winner Is.....

Julie Young!!! Congrats Julie on winning the necklace and thank you for your support. Thanks to everyone that participated. Every dollar is appreciated.

Sending love & hugs to Elli,
Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker & Anna

Fundraiser Experiment...

We are having a fundraiser/giveaway on Elli's blog. If you would like to check it out - please do ;-)

Thanks,
Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker & Anna