Adoption Fundraiser

I know that I have been on a blog hiatus, school created even less free time to do the fun things I love! 

I wanted to make sure to post about a wonderful dear friend that I have had the pleasure of knowing for over 15 years, wow that is a long time!  Her family has been a wonderful inspiration of what a God loving family is and what they can be.  So let me let her introduce you to her story and her family! 

From Jennifer:

I’m so excited to introduce you to our clan and share with you about this crazy journey God has our family on called adoption. We began dreaming of adopting when we first got married in 2004. We have three biological children Grace, 6 years, Faith, 5 years, and Titus, almost 3 years. After a complicated pregnancy and emergency c-section resulting in the birth of our son we knew it was time to adopt. Our heart for the orphan couldn't wait any longer. We hit some bumps along the way, but in April of 2012 I traveled to West Africa on a mission trip. While there I made connections with a local orphanage. In June we began paperwork to adopt from the orphanage I had visited. We can't wait to bring home our sweet little guy, David. On November 24th David will turn two years old. We are so glad this will be his last birthday without a forever family. Grace and Faith are the best of friends and Titus can't wait to meet his brother and already has a bunk bed to prove it. We are hoping to introduce David to our family in the Spring/Summer of 2013. We are currently completing paperwork and raising funds towards that goal.

If you’d like to know more specifics about the timeline of their adoption you can read about it on Jennifer’s blog here. (You can link to this post. http://www.jenniferhumiston.blogspot.com/2012/11/our-adoption-timeline.html)
Maybe you are wondering why I’m sharing all of this on my blog.

I’m glad you asked!

In honor of David’s birthday the Humiston family is doing a week long online fundraiser for their adoption. If you purchase any item in the following etsy shops during November 24-30th 100% of the purchase price (minus fees & shipping) will go straight to their adoption fund.

I know you have Christmas shopping to do and I thought maybe you would like to buy something and help bring little David home too! I loved the http://www.etsy.com/listing/106705689/long-sleeve-body-suit-size-6-months, check it out!!  New items will be added throughout the week.

To help simply click on the links below and purchase an item between now and November 30th.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/shotsibaby


http://www.etsy.com/shop/Shotsigranny

If you would like a card with David’s picture and “The purchase of this item helped to bring David home to his forever family.” to include with your gift simply e-mail Jennifer at jenniferhumiston@hotmail.com and she will be happy to send you one.

Thanks for considering helping out the Humiston’s.

Why we love Flora.

When I was growing up, which was in a city, I always dreamed of living in a mayberry kind of town.  I wanted to know our neighbors and all of that.  Every now and then I am reminded of why I really love Flora.  I don't know if we will live here forever but we will love it for as long as we do. 
One of those moments happened this morning.  The FHS Band is holding a fundraiser by Flocking your neighbors.  You either pay insurance to not get flocked or to flock someone.  What a fun idea.  The kids and I have had fun sighting them all over town and then this morning they got to see them up close and personal.

 Our flock with the kids.  The birds were all very friendly!  ;)

 Belle and London again, see Belle being a flamingo?

 Here is a better picture of it, she loved them all!  Look at my poor thirsty lawn...

 London with his favorite one. 

This is the crazy smile we get every once in awhile.  I love it!  He is getting a strong silly personality lately!! 
My kids were so excited to see this and I think they would be happy if they never went away.  The dog, who barks at everything, didn't make a peep when this was done.  I told him to either bark about something important or don't bark, guess I know what he picked.  We shall see when the garbage man comes next week...  Lame doggie!! 

A little shopping and a movie

#1 Go to a flea market
Well this past weekend we had a family day of getting things crossed off of our list.  We talked about going to a flea market, something that I have wanted to do for some time now.  So we looked for one that wasn't completely out of our way.  We found one that was about 45 minutes away.  It looked  like someone had made the flea market from an old storage facility.  It was so much fun and the kids had a great time looking at junk as a family!  The kids each got a toy from one of the shops, London got a Thomas train and Belle got a Barbie horse.  Matthew got some records so all in all I think we spent under $5 there.  I would love to go back and take a truck, the furniture there was so fun!  We will go back every now and then.

 #31 Go to a Drive-In Movie
Later that night we decided to see a drive-in movie at a theater close to us.  We got to see Brave and then we put the kids to sleep in the hatch of our car and Matthew and I got to see Snow White and the Huntsman.  It was such a good experience and I know that we will do it again!  The kids were so well behaved and it was so much cheaper than going to a theater!  If you get a chance to go to one you should, any age is perfect. 

 This picture is showing the big van that pulled up right in front of us and the kids were so bummed.  We talked about how we can move, that is one special thing about a drive-in, we can move if we want to. 

Then after a few minutes the van left and we got this wonderful space to see our movie. 
The movie Brave was FANTASTIC!!  The kids loved the movie, it is a new favorite!  We put the kids to "bed" and watched the other one and it wasn't as good as Brave but it wasn't bad.  During the last movie we had some sprinking and it did get chilly but we brought blankets so we were ok.  All in all we had such a great time!! 

My kid is awesome!

Today Serengeti Steve came to Flora's library.  He brought so many different creatures and all were pretty terrifying.  I told Belle and London that it was on our list to pet a snake and we didn't want that to not get crossed off.  Neither one of them were even close to interested, terrified is closer to how they felt.  He had a small rat snake, so cute, NOPE, they were NOT going to pet it.  Then he got out a lizard, it had a blue tongue.  How can you pass it up?  NOPE, they were NOT going to pet it either.  By this time I said fine just touch any reptile and I will count it.  Then he got out a baby alligator, awwww!!  It was a baby, easy peasy!  NOPE, they were NOT going to pet it, even if it was a baby.  So I got frantic and said if you pet something here I will buy you ice cream from DQ, that will give them courage to do this!  So the next thing was a furry tarantula, I knew right away I was beat and we would have to go to the zoo or something.  I asked just to see and sure enough...  NOPE, they were NOT going to touch that thing or get near it.  He walked near us and they jumped behind me.  I don't know why they did that, I was not going to save them from that gross thing, every men for themselves!!  So we waited to see what was next...  A stupid scorpion, I mean what the heck?!?!  So I asked the kids to see what they said and again I got the same.  NOPE, they were NOT going to touch that thing!  I sighed knowing that I was beat and was going to have to count a stuffed animal at this time, ugh!!  I told Belle this was lame and she was Brave, she has always been.  I told her the new Disney movie was coming out and I don't know how she could see it if she couldn't do this.  Then another bribe, I will pick up a friend and get you both ice cream if you do this.  So I waited....
Steve tells us about the next creature and tells us it is huge... Dang!!  I am done!  It was a big python.  So I look at Belle because Steve is going to ask for volunteers and she looks at me and says I can do this one!  So she raised her hand and he picked her to go up and hold part of the snake.  I was floored!  All I was asking for was that she pet a snake.  She marched up there and they lined up and she held the giant snake, near the head no less! 

 She is my brave girl and I love her for doing something she was so uncomfortable with because she knew I wouldn't let her do something that would hurt her.  We talked about venom, she was the most afraid of that.  I told her that Steve knew what he was doing and wouldn't let someone get hurt.  So here she is being awesome and not only touching a snake but holding it near the head....  You go girl!!!

So this is #75 Pet a snake! 

Another one checked off...

#23 Dig for Dinos
We had a Dino Dig at London's 3rd party and it was a huge hit!  The kids thought it was such a fun activity. 

 Belle finding a Dino... 

I found this activity on Pinterest, that place is awesome!  I dug up dirt from the yard that I was going to dig up anyway.  I added 80 small plastic dinosaurs, 2 bags of colored glass pebbles, shells, and marbles.  It was awesome!

Checking things off the list already!!

#43 Get a professional pedi...
My friend Sara got a gift certificate for services at a spa in Effingham and she asked me to join her, gift cards treat!  How nice was that?!  She is a gem!  I used my birthday money and hired a babysitter for the day.  We headed to Effy and it was a blast!  We got pedi's and sat in a message chair for the whole thing, that was awesome!  It was her birthday and so we shopped. lunched, and had a wonderful time being girlie!!  Thanks Sara for helping me check this off my list and being an awesome friend!
Sarah soaking her feet.

 Me enjoying the message and pedi.  The chair was huge!

 #7 Have a swim party.  After London's birthday party we invited all of the out of town guests to stay, swim, and eat BBQ.  We love having people over and party!  The kids loved getting in the pool and jumping off the sides! 
Janet and Logan and Chloe swimming!

 Chuck had all kinds of girls on him!!  He is the fav in the family with the kids!

 Belle and Mattea swimming together.  She and Mattea are suction cupped to each other when they are together! 

 Sarah and Ruthie Shirley getting ready to get in the pool to swim!

Summer Fun List

Well I haven't posted in some time!  I have to say I have no excuse really I just didn't have a real desire to blog!  I am trying to change that! 
My sister in law and some friends of ours have all made summer bucket lists, but bucket list sounds to much like death is around the corner.  So we are sharing our list with you all and then will update with pictures of us checking things off the list.  Fun!!  So here we go...

The List
1.  See a Drive-In Movie
2.  Make and enjoy snow cones
3.  Have a lemonade stand
4.  Ride the Arch
5.  Have a family dance party
6.  Participate the library summer reading program
7.  Have a swimming party
8.  Go on a hike
9.  Catch a fish
10. See a shooting star
11. See a wild animal
12. Go off the diving board(Belle)
13.  Pick blackberries
14. Plant something as a family
15. Go to Sullivan Beach
16. Visit a children's Museum
17. Have a snowball fight
18. Have a family night swim
19. Sew something with Belle
20. Go bowling
21. Go to the zoo
22. Make huge bubbles
23. Dig for Dino's
24. Have a water fight
25. Make a pinata
26. Make baggie ice cream
27. Go on a picnic
28. Fly kites
29. Go mini golfing
30. Make caramel popcorn
31. Go to a flea market
32. Go to a farmers market
33. Have BBQ with friends
34. Sleep in a tent
35. Have a living room slumber party
36. Go rollerskating
37. Make a bird feeder
38. Memorize the books of the bible(Belle and I)
39. Potty Train(London)
40. Make a Wipe-Out course in the backyard
41. Make play dough
42. Make bath paint
43. Get a professional pedi(Me!!)
44. Play with Sparklers
45. Make cookies for the church staff
46. Put a puzzle together as a family
47. Go to VBS(Belle)
48. Have a family game night
49. Learn to tell time(Belle)
50. Have a tea party
51. Go to a parade
52. Play in the sprinkler
53. Play at an indoor park
54. Have a picnic
55. Family movie night
56. Go to the park
57. Watch fireworks
58. Walk to DQ
59. Paint the kitchen(Matthew and I)
60. Go to eat at Moonshine
61. Do a scavenger hunt
62. Go on a date(Matthew and I)
63. Finish Phonics curriculum(Belle and I)
64. Go to Family Camp
65. Play yard Twister
66. Go on a night walk with flashlights
67. Feed geese
68. Go to the Salem Pool
69. Have a water fight
70. Hang up the flower box(Matthew)
71. Volunteer for meals on wheels
72. Clean up litter at a park
73. Visit the Ring farm
74. Play in the rain
75. Pet a snake
76. See a puppet show
77. Take Guthrie on a long walk
78. Have an egg hunt
79. Go to a fair
80. Make a photo book about this summer!