Style Friday

I mentioned last week how much I love the style from Mad Men. Here are a few things that would have been in my home had I been a housewife in the 1950/1960s.

1. Vintage Timex Luminous Dial Lighted Alarm Clock

2. 60s Modern Vintage George Mulhauser PLYCRAFT Lounge CHAIR and Ottoman

3. Trio of Heller Aluminum Kitchen Canisters

4 1960s Covered Pyrex Fridge Dish Single Serving Size In Cherry Red

5. 1950's Salt and Pepper Shakers

6. Fire King Set of two Apples and Cherries Bowls - Vintage 1950s

7. Vintage 50s Red Floral Vine Print Linen Table Cloth 47 x 50

8. Vintage Rotary Phone Western Electric

FAQ #8: How did you become interested in adoption?

A few people have asked us why adoption is so important to us. I think your exposure (or lack of exposure) with adoption effects the way you view it. We both have had positive experiences with adoption which I believe led us to being comfortable with it as a way to grow our family.

My family went to a small church up until I was in junior high. My parents became very good friends with the pastor and his wife and we spent a lot of time with them. They had one son (who was my brothers age) but wanted another child. I was young and did not understand all the complexities of this situation at the time but I do remember when I heard the news that they were adopting a little girl. It was a huge deal and everyone was very excited. Being around that family at that time in their life made a big impact on me.

When Dan and I were in high school, our youth pastor and his wife adopted a little boy. Being a little older at the time, it was awesome to watch him be celebrated and loved on by his family and the church. I was also able to learn a little bit more about the process and that experience truly developed my heart for adoption.

I think it is interesting that both these encounters with adoption were through spiritual leaders in our lives. This exposure, along with the understanding that adoption is a reflection of the gift we have been given, have led us to want to care for the fatherless.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
- Ephesians 1:3-8

Some people have not had any experience with adoption and others have only had bad experiences. The message that society sends is that adoption is a "last resort" when you cannot have biological children. It also does not help with adoption is negatively portrayed in culture. We know that there are risks but they pale in comparison to the abounding blessings and joy.

Style Friday

Did you think I forgot? We are making progress...

Primed & painted (walls are Behr Pensive Sky in Satin Finish)

New fixtures (goodbye brass, welcome brushed nickel)

The faucet is Kohler. I said to Dan (when I was explaining the cost of the faucet), "Dan, its Kohler....'the bold look of Kohler.'" He didn't have any idea what I was talking about. I am a sucker for marketing.

Just seeing how curtains would look; I think it is going to work (Amy Butler, Lotus, Tea Box, Cherry Wall Flower)

Cabinets are painted (Sherwin Williams Bitter Chocolate in Satin Enamel)

Right now, the cabinet just need hardware and I need to order more fabric for the shower curtain. Just a little bit more work to do and it will be all done.

7 Quick Takes Friday

I have never done this before but I am participating in "7 Quick Takes Friday" from Conversion Diary which I started reading several months ago when I linked to this post from Twitter.

So, here are my seven quick takes from this week...

1. My parents are amazing. Last week, my mom came over to help me with our bathroom makeover. She was there on both Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. While she was painting, my dad was organizing our garage and basement and mowed the lawn. My dad is really good at organizing and both the garage and basement look amazing now. My mom returned this week to help me finish up some things in the bathroom and even worked there on her own while I was at work. Things that would have taken much longer (or would have never gotten done) have now been made possible.

2. As someone who was both a public school and private Christian school student, I loved this post at Stuff Christians Like. I loved it almost as much as I loved this one.

3. Dan asked me yesterday, "So, how much did you cry listening to T & W's Adoption Day podcast?" Mmmm, the answer is, "I started crying when it started and did not stop for about 21.5 minutes."

4. I work with a bunch of awesome women (I believe I have mentioned this before). And what makes it even better is that we all subscribe to the belief that a day of work requires a least one piece of quality chocolate (preferably dark and with almonds).

5. About seventy-five people I know linked to this on Facebook/Twitter today. This one is still my favorite:


6. In November, I was in Colorado for work and got to catch up with a friend from high school. Her husband had been deployed to Afghanistan just a few months earlier and she was having a rough day. I couldn't blame her. I realized how rarely I think about the men and women who put their lives at risk for the sake of our country and sitting talking with Carey made it all very real. The good news is Steve (Carey's husband) returned home today! I'm so thrilled for them to be reunited. Thank you, Steve (& Carey), for the sacrifice you have made.

7. Dan and I started the second season of Mad Men. I just love the design from the 1960s. Whenever a scene is taking place in the main characters house I am just looking at the furniture and linens. I actually said out loud the other night, "Oh, I really want that table cloth." I would just love to be part of the set design for that show.

So, that is my seven. Have a great weekend.

First Step

I’ve been a bit hesitant to prepare our house for kids. I guess it is because I am not really sure what age they will be, or if there will be more than one, or when exactly they will be coming. But, per the encouragement of a sweet friend, I am trying to put myself in the mind set of any first time parent. I have been doing that somewhat, mostly by dwelling in the “oh-my-gosh-what-is-going-on?” part of becoming a parent (I guess this would also be known as panic). But the other part – the fun part - is getting to be excited for the addition that is coming to our family.

We have collected a few toys but I’ve sort of written that off in my brain as something for when my nieces and nephews or friends with kids are visiting. Recently though, I decided to take the plunge and I bough this print from Etsy. I think it is sweet and childish.  I love the city theme and the colors so it will be my "inspiration piece" for the kids' room.  So, that is my first step.

Additionally, my mom’s friend, Julie, kindly gave us two Cozy Coupes, pretty much the quintessential toy of childhood. She could have easily sold them in a garage sale but decided to pass them on to us instead. Thanks, Julie! Right now they are parked safely in our garage but I look forward to the day I can watch them flying up and down the sidewalk.

Celebrating Adoption Day

Today is an awesome day because our friends (and what I've come to think of as "foster parenting mentors") adopted their two girls officially.  To celebrate, they put together this video.  I think these two precious girls make it pretty clear why people should consider becoming foster parents.  Enjoy!

Style Friday

I've been on the search for the perfect bag since I saw this picture of Reese Witherspoon:
I am unhealthily obsessed with this purse. It is the Kansas Tote by Lanvin. And it retails for about $1500. So, yeah, it is out of my price range. I've done my best to look for some good alternatives and along the way I've been distracted by other styles. Apparently, I have a penchant for international style because most of the bags I found on Etsy are from out of the country.

1. Grey tiled tote from Drika B (California)
2. Ruffled linen bag by Ruta Jasiunien (Lithuania)
3. 2in1 Messenger bag by Big Tree (West Malaysia)
{Click on link to see the variations of this bag}
4. Canvas multi purpose bag by Love Janice (Malaysia)
5. Yellow Leather Pocket bag by The Leather Store (UK)
6. Diana large leather slouch tote by Frei Design (Australia)
7. Truffle in Charcoal by Morelle (Greece)
8. Brown messenger bag by Fantella (Virginia)

I could go on and on with hundreds more pictures but I think you get the point. Happy Friday!

A Couple Great Posts

In place of FAQ this week, I wanted to post links to a couple of great blog posts I have read lately.

First, I love this post from Adoptive Dads - An Exception to the Rule. Here is a little snippet:

Foster parents have tremendous power to shape our foster care system by providing an environment that creates many more ‘exceptions,’ and gradually, if ever so slowly, changes the ‘rule.’ This is not some idealistic vision that calls for the end of foster care in our lifetime or even an ambitious and laudable effort to clear the roles of children who are waiting. No, what we need is an army of foster parents that re-imagine what is possible because they understand foster care primarily as a ministry. With a renewed and fresh passion to see hearts mended, bodies healed and lives transformed – both children and parents alike – these foster parents can, and are, making the realities and outcomes of foster care different for all involved. They expect the ‘exception’ and refuse to accept or even be discouraged by the commonly assumed ‘rule.’

Adoptive Dad's has a great series going on called Myths & Realities.

Another post that really ministered to me recently was this one from Parenthood for Me.

Hope you get a chance to read these two great posts.

Chickpeas and Spinach

I have totally fallen in love with this recipe. I sort of adapted it from two versions that I saw online (this one and this one). And, best of all, it is pretty healthy!

Ingredients:
Olive oil (or whatever oil you want to use)
Cumin
Red pepper flakes
Fresh garlic
Chickpeas/garbanzo beans
Salt
Pepper
Fresh spinach
Lemon juice
Eggs

1. In a pan, sauté over medium heat 1-2 cloves of garlic with ½ - 1 teaspoon cumin and ¼ - ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes. This should only take a couple of minutes. Make sure they do not burn.

2. Turn heat up slightly and add in a can of chickpeas/garbanzo beans and heat them through. Add salt and pepper to taste. Lower heat and add a generous amount of fresh spinach (like a whole bag). You can probably turn the heat off after a minute or two and the spinach should wilt down. Squeeze the juice of one small lemon over top.

3. Serve with fried egg on top.

This meal certainly has a kick to it so if you do not like spice I would go easy on the red pepper flakes. I am pretty sure you could sub black beans if you are not a fan of chickpeas. I actually really do not like cold, whole chickpeas so I was a little skeptical but they are delicious warm.

Style Friday

I decided to take a different route this week with Style Friday. Instead of things I want to buy (but usually don't) I thought I would post things that I already own. These are some of my favorite items that have been gifted to me. There are many more but I figured I would save those for another week.

1. This little glass cup was given to me by Meredith as a thank you for watching her dog (aww, RIP Maggie). I believe its intended purpose is a candle holder but I use it to hold the rings and earrings that I wear on a regular basis. I think it was from Anthropologie and, you know, you just can't go wrong there.

2. Dan gave me this Ansel Adams print sometime early in our dating relationship. I love it and it made me think, "He must know me pretty well to know I would love a picture of a sad, lonely tree."

3. Meghan gave me these "twigs" (I don't really know what they technically are) as a thank you gift for helping with her baby shower. They add just the perfect amount of color to the shelf above our television. They are not nearly as beautiful as her baby but they do the trick for our house.

4. Oh, Heather. You may just be my style soul mate. These earrings were a birthday gift and I'm pretty much basing my entire life around them now. I buy clothes depending on how they will look with these darlings from Brooke Marton. The unexpected color scheme of these earrings just makes me happy.

FAQ #7: What kind of kids are you going to get?

Part of our licensing process is determining what kids we are able to take in to our home. Our agency asked for our specifics on what age, gender and race we were willing to accept along with a whole check list of behaviors and special needs. Honestly, it felt sort of awful checking off certain characteristics we were willing to accept while skipping over others.

My parents have custody of my fifteen year old cousin (Shout-out to Emily!) and they have become great friends with their first social worker. We were able to meet him at my parent’s house one week. He gave us great advice – do not take on any kids you do not feel prepared to handle. Part of us wants to say, “We will take any kids who need a home” but we know there are certain kids that probably would not be a good fit for our family (at least at this point in our lives).

At our last class we turned in our paperwork saying that we would accept newborn to four years old. We also said we would like boys but should there be a sibling set of a brother and sister we are willing to accept that situation as well. We are willing to accept children outside of our race. On the checklist of special needs and behaviors, we checked several that we felt prepared to work with.

I definitely felt guilty leaving out older children and certain special needs on our forms. As two twenty-six year olds, we just felt like taking on pre-teens and teenagers would not give us much of an age gap between ourselves and them. Someday we will probably be open to that option though as there is a huge need for people who are willing to foster teens.

Style Friday

I love my dog. I pretty much let him do whatever he wants. I don't even get mad when he does stuff like this:

Let's all pray right now that I have better parenting skills.

I've been known to spend a few bucks on my puppy. Here is the best in puppy style from Etsy:

1. For safety reasons - just in case he ever gets lost (The Poppy Tag from Make Your Dog Smile)
2. Piper may completely destroy this but it is just so cute (Eco Pet Bed from Annie's Sweatshop)
3. Because it can get cold in Michigan (Hansel's Thick and Warm Dog Neck Warmer by Beantown Handmade)
4. More for me than Piper - everyone should have their dog immortalized in art (Patience - A Schnauzer in the Dog Art Series by Studio 12-12)