handsful

Apparently inspiration for craft projects? Thought I’d share a couple of projects I just finished. Here is a frame for Lainey’s room I made. I had this idea to have a mat cut with 6 same-size holes for this 8×20 frame. Went to the store, they did the calculations and measurements…mat will cost $43. Uh…no. So, I bought thick, acid-free paper and letter stickers instead and came up with this. I love it! The ribbon matches ribbon that accents the white curtains in the room .

This one was done with solder wire, thin colored wire, and beads. I saw this craft in a Family Fun magazine and just had to try it. It was fun! It’s hanging on the glass doors of the nursery (yes, we’re planning on getting curtains to cover the windows…this room used to be an office!)

So, if you drop by unannounced and see dishes in the sink and dust on the furniture…you’ll know how I’ve been spending my time .

The theme for March’s gift was “Clothes” and Lainey got some really great ones! An adorable 2 piece skort/top, cute PJs, and the prettiest white sweater! Honestly, these are clothes I would have picked out myself, and they’re all in size 24 months…a safe guess for clothes that either will fit her when we receive her or that she can grow into! Oh, and she always spoils my kids with candy. They REALLY love you! And, chocolate for me? You DO know me. Thank you, SP!

My July Fireflies secret pal sent a bag FULL of goodies for Lainey, from her head to her feet! Hair clips, scrunchies, gobs of ponytail holders, elastics, adorable socks, the cutest pair of pink sunglasses you’ve ever seen (somehow I forgot to include those in the pic!) and little leather slip-on shoes! We love it all and can’t wait to dress Lainey up! Thanks so much, SP!

Carolin, on my July Fireflies Yahoo group, made this video of her daughter Emma dancing. I dare you not to at least smile, and I bet you’ll be laughing! Turn up your speakers…

http://tatorsalad.net/hunter/EmmaDanceSound.wmv

As it shows on our counter at the very bottom of this page, it’s been 1 year since we began this journey. Specifically, since our agency accepted the Clark family as an adoptive family to be! We’re very excited about what this next year will bring…Lainey!

…we sent in our adoption application to Chinese Children Adoption International! That year really did go by quickly.

Today, my parents arrived from NC for a weekend visit. They brought gifts for the kids, as usual, and also had a wrapped present for Lainey! The card is addressed to her, and tells her that this is their 1st gift to her, how they can’t wait to meet her, and how anxious they are for that phone call from us telling them that she is ready to be picked up from China! The gift is an adorable mini Glo Worm! My oldest had one of these and loved it. This one WILL be making the trip to China! Thanks, Mom and Dad. Your support and excitement for our journey means a lot to us.

I also received my CCAI June/July Secret Pal gift today! The theme was “frames” and she sent an adorable flower/butterfly clip frame and a “Family” album frame on a stand. I love them both! She also (as usual) included sweets for the kids! Pop Rocks (they shared these with grandma and grandpa…what a riot that was!) and little bags of lemonade mix with gummy worms on top! I would have these in the picture, but the kids got to them before I could get the camera! Thanks, Secret Pal, for always remembering my kids. It means a lot to them! Here’s a picture of the great frames…