What could you win?

Just a few examples of what you could win buy purchasing a lotto square for our adoption travel fundraiser. We will take cash or checks from local friends and neighbors, and those farther away can purchase squares by clicking on the PayPal button on the side of our blog (notate what number you want and your email address in your payment notes, please!)

Thanks for helping to spread the word and making our family's dreams come true!

Our family is hosting a raffle for Silpada sterling silver jewelry to help raise funds for our adoption travel. We are in the process of bringing home E and L's biological sisters and the kiddos all want to travel with us for pickup. E and L want a chance to see their family again, and a chance to say goodbye to their village. G and El want to learn more about their sibling's birth country. Unfortunately, airfare is $2000 per ticket right now, so we are not going to be able to make their dreams come true without some love, prayers, and assistance from family and friends. Enter this raffle :)

How the raffle will work: You can purchase a square or squares for $10 a piece. Once every square has been sold, we will host our drawing on May 1st for a total of $1000 in quality sterling silver jewelry. The drawings will be Silpada corporate gift certificates, which can be redeemed by any Silpada representative anywhere in the country. There will be two drawings for $50, three drawings for $75 in jewelry, two drawings for $100, two drawings for $150, and a final drawing for $175! 

Think of the thank you, Mother's Day, birthday, or just-for-me gifts you can win for $10!!! And, your purchase (cash, check, or use the PayPal button on our blog) will help our family travel together to bring home our two daughters. 

Thank you for helping to spread the word! The more squares we sell, the more jewelry we can raffle off and the more jewelry you can win!!!

Happy Halloween! Courtesy of SUPER MERRILLS

So, I'm learning that it isn't really Halloween unless you make a last minute run to the store for a new costume. For our family, it was a necessity for the boys as I had bought much to large costumes earlier and for the girls, well, if the boys were getting new costumes than they needed them too :) Of course, that meant that I had a family full of super heroes. Here are some pics of our fun evening:

Iron Man and Wonder Woman

(G actually agreed to wear a costume this year and enjoyed it with lots of fun, leading the way much of the night! Major accomplishment in our house!!!)

Maximus Prime, Iron Man, Wonder Woman, and Spider Girl

My strong girls

Powerful Heroes

Spider Girls -- Partners in crime ... I mean, crime fighting ;)

Beautiful Girl up a Tree

Crazy Boy up a Tree

Iron Man falling off a Tree

Ninja neighbor

We're not doing nothing -- sitting in front of the candy bowl :)

L flying high with Daddy home

Beautiful Girl, no longer baby girl neighbor

New neighbors, same fun in the 'hood!

Leading the way getting the treats -- NO FEAR! Love it!!!

Might have been E's first Halloween, but I think he quickly got the hang of getting free treats

One cute chick

There are still some men in our 'hood -- like this one "supervising", helping with glow sticks, and still enjoying life :)

Happy times with friends

Not so sure about this house

Just a little scary

Miss Kim saving the day and ringing the bell

Time to head home after a fun night

One last thought -- E and L both were content and ready to head home after about 5 houses. They couldn't believe the amount of loot they got for saying "trick or treat!" Yet, the rest of the rascals wanted more and more treats. Think the lesson Mommy learned is to find more ways to help little people be thankful for what they do have versus always wanting "MORE". Things kiddos teach big peoples :)

A Day in the Life

Slideshow of a "typical" day for the Fabulous Four. For family that can't be with us every day, hope you enjoy!

Family Fun at the Beach

Evidently, I've been negligent in posting photos of the Fab Four. So, yesterday we hit the beach for an extended photo session with a pro (aka Momma), and got some much needed photographic attention for the quartet. Here's a sneak peek of the photos for family -- but be warned: There will be special presents in the mail! Enjoy!!!

First Night of "Summer"

After Elena's birthday party and sleepover the crew has been chomping at the bit to have another sleepover party. Specifically, to have K and H sleepover. So, I promised them that the last day of school they could have their first sleepover of the summer.

The kids had fun with dinner at Chick Fil A and playing outside. Once we went in for the night I got them set up in their "special" sleeping spot on the air mattress and pull out couch. We watched "Surf's Up" and laughed at penguins hanging ten. I thought for sure that the six of them would sack out during the movie, but no go. All were awake until 9:30-10, with K and El my last hold outs.

However, by 10:15 this was the situation in the house:

Lydia had to sleep in her own bed, but the rest slept soundly in the living room for the night.

I think everyone had a good time. I know that my kids are excited for a repeat. H, however, thinks our house is "too crowded" and prefers to sleep in his own bed :) Pretty cute all around the compound!

Mommy's first try at Friday Hair Day

The first, and last, time that I had the girls' hair done it cost me an arm and a leg. Literally. So wanting to save some money, but also wanting to save some time (and my sanity) on getting the girls ready every day, I decided to try my hand at doing their hair myself.

After researching the internet on different options (specifically www.happygirlhair.com and the adoption hair and skincare group on Yahoo!) we got down to it. I gathered the elastics, combs, and creams, and sat the the kids down in front of a movie. It wasn't all fun. There were tears, and not just mine. But I'm pretty happy with the finished product for our first go:

I think the girls' faces show what they think of their new 'dos. Now what to do with their hair next Friday ...