SQUARES...this time it's SUPER!!!

It's the Big Game...the Super Showdown...the Fund-raising Phenom!

Super Bowl XLV. The Steelers going for their record setting 7th Championship vs. the Packers, the second oldest team in the NFL going for their 4th Super Bowl win.

The adoption of baby Silas is getting closer (hopefully around this summer). While we're excited, we also need to finalize the financial portion of the adoption. We had so much fun doing the Michigan vs. Michigan State Squares fund raiser, and we had a lot of great feedback on it as well. Most of all, we were so blessed by the funds that it raised to help with the adoption expenses. Here is a fun way to help raise funds, add a little extra interest to the game, and have a chance to win up to $500.


For those who don't know what "squares" is... It's simple really...and yet a little hard to explain. We will create a grid with 100 squares. Across the top, will be the Pittsburgh Steelers and 10 columns numbered 0-9 (randomly selected). Down the left side, will be the Green Bay Packers and 10 rows numbered 0-9 (randomly selected). For every $25 donation, your name will be randomly assigned to a square. That square will have a corresponding number at the top for the Steelers, and a corresponding number on the left for the Packers. See the grid below with the example names of Joe, Sue, Bob and Mary:
Based on the score at the end of each quarter of regulation time (for those non-football fans, there are 4 quarters in football), we will determine a winner for that quarter. That winner will receive $125, and will still have the chance to win in subsequent quarters - up to $500.

Looking at the above example, if the score at the end of the first quarter was Steelers 3 - Packers 0, Mary would be the winner because the Steelers score ended with 3 and the Packers ended with 0. Moving on, if the score at the end of the second quarter was Packers 7 - Steelers 3, Sue would win $125. If the score at the end of the third quarter was Steelers 10 - Packers 7, Bob would win $125. Finally, if the score at the end of the 4th quarter was Steelers 13 - Packers 7, Sue would actually win another $125.

Hopefully that makes sense. If you're ready for the fun, click the PayPal link below and donate $25 for every square you would like to purchase.

Enough

I am struck by this FACT...

It is a worthy enough cause to raise children who love the Lord their God, who show Him to the world and who are secure in being His.

It is enough and also so much. What an overwhelming task to bring little (and big) people continually to the cross while trying to remain there myself. Each and every day, I fail. Multiple times. The hope is in getting back up and doing it all again tomorrow. The monumental task ever in the front of my mind. Enjoying the moments and the journey. They are a worthy task. Housework, Facebook, committees, meetings, sleep...all else can fall away. Staying in the moment and enjoying the moment will be my focus and joy this Christmas...daily renewal my saving Grace!

Quotes of the day

Me: Seth, do you not like the Puffins cereal?

Seth: I do. It's just that you need molars to eat that. I don't have any right now.

Up next...a more intense adoption discussion

Sophie: I miss my mom

Me: ummm, I'm right here

S: No, my China mom

Me: Ohhh, well that's understandable (this is her first mention of her China mom)

S: What's her name?

Me: I don't know

S: Oh, only I know her name?

Me: I don't think so

S: I do. It is Rainbow Flower China Lady (a beautiful name to be sure)

2 years

Two years ago I gazed on this face for the first time ever. I'm not gonna lie. My first thought was -- wow! that kid has some HUGE eyes! My life has changed so much since I looked at this face. My life is much, much louder. Micah has not let his three siblings overshadow him. I have an uber (my first time using that term - what do you think?) crush on this little MAN (his initials are MAN). Is there a maximum number of parentheses allowable in a sentence? I hope not. Micah is such a smart, usually happy kid. He is a lover. He is a hugger, kisser and a talker. He likes to repeat the last word of every sentence that everyone says. I got my first "I wuv you" from Micah the other day. Nothing will melt a mom's heart more.

Adoption is a funny beast sometimes. Some parents say that they fall in love with the child just looking at the picture. That wasn't really the case for me with either of my kids. It was a process of getting to know them and falling in love with their strength of character, their ability to make it through more in their short lives than some of us will in our entire lives.

I can't imagine my life without this loud, adorable, hilarious man!

Overwhelmed

It's easy for me to get bogged down with all the hurt in the world. I can't stand to see a child in pain. My facebook is crowded with social justice messages. I am "friends" in real life and on facebook with many advocates. It's good for me to keep immersed in what life really looks like for people who are struggling with so much more than first world problems. My heart hurts for all that's wrong in the world. We are waiting to see what our answer to that call will be. In, the meantime...I am remembering...

Psalm 72:12-13

For he will deliver the needy who cry out,

the afflicted who have no one to help.

He will take pity on the weak and the needy

and save the needy from death.

He will rescue them from oppression and violence,

for precious is their blood in his sight.

Sophie is 5

Please pretend to ignore the fact that is almost month after her birthday. We had a great party (by my super low standards). Sophie wanted a surprise birthday party. She planned it all out. She knew every detail of the party, but wanted everyone to yell "surprise" when she walked in. Major stager that one. We had a movie party a few days after her birthday with popcorn, candy and cupcakes. Super fun!

On the actual day of her birthday, Dan asks Sophie at dinner how her day went. Her reply was "It was mostly good, but Mom said one really mean thing to me." I wasn't quick to deny anything...it wasn't out of the question, but I didn't remember any altercations - which doesn't mean anything. Dan asked what the mean words were. Sophie's reply "She said - "let's get out of the car birthday pants." Super offensive. Point taken.

Excited to present....

click on image above to enlarge

Our China-baby adoption shirts. We really struggled with what to put on a shirt. Dan and I are both well clothed in adoption/advocate garb. So, we've seen a lot of them. I really wanted this shirt to represent our hearts for the orphan. I wanted it to represent more than just adoption though. I wanted it to represent the fact that we are all called to Defend the Orphan. This will look different for all of us. But, it is a very real command.

Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless;
maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.

Psalm 82:3

So, here are our shirts. We are doing pre-orders now. We will order on October 28th.

Please specify size, womens/mens cut and color of background (blue or pink) in the comments.

Delivery options

Shirt - local $20.00 Shirt with shipping $25.00

colors

blue world pink world Option 3

Size

Mens XL Mens L Mens M Womens XL Womens L Womens M Womens S