My Birthday Adption Jewelry

Today is my birthday! (I'm sure you were all dying to know that!!) For my birthday, I received a few pieces of jewelry that I wanted to share with you. For those of you that may not know me well, I am a jewelry FANATIC! I firmly believe that it's all about the accessories! LOL

I awoke this morning and found this beautiful necklace from my husband and kids!

It's from a website called Many Hearts, One Beat. I love it!
Just to give you a little information about Many Hearts One Beat, "Many hearts are touched on a vast array of levels encompassing emotions from deep grief to great joy throughout the complex journey of adoption. Over the passage of time, hearts continue to heal, evolve and transform. Many Hearts One Beat offers adoption keepsakes that honor those who travel the journey of adoption - birth families, foster families, adoptive families, all who help bring a family together & anyone who believes all children deserve to know & feel, the love & warmth of family."


The next pieces of jewelry are a couple of things I purchased for myself, with my birthday money (Thank you Nanny, PawPaw, Grandpa and Pat!)
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This necklace and bracelet came from a lady named Heather Hansen. I came across her jewelry on Facebook and I was instantly HOOKED!! The back of the Psalms 130:5 charm says, "Waiting".
"I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope." Psalm 130:5
You can find her beautiful jewelry at www.etsy.com/shop/thehansenfamily

I apologize for not putting the direct links to their websites on this post. For some strange reason, Blogger isn't letting me do it. Sorry!

Some Days It Just Hurts

I'm having one of those days today where my heart just hurts! My heart hurts because I want my 5th child home with me, in my arms. Somedays it's easier to go about my day-to-day "stuff" without thinking, every second, about how badly I long to have our child home. Today, however, is not one of those days. I took the two younger kids this morning to Hobby Lobby to pick up a couple of Christmas decorations (yes, I'm one of the crazy people that puts my Christmas stuff up as early as I possible can). As I was walking around looking at the stockings, an overwhelming ache came over my body. The thought of my child spending Christmas without us just plain hurts! I know some people don't understand how my heart can ache so much for a child that I've never even met. Well frankly, I don't exactly understand it either. All I know is that there is a 7th person that is suppose to be in this Cole household that isn't here yet and I don't like the empty feeling it gives me. Now, don't get me wrong, I have complete and total trust in God's providence and timing. God is completely in control of this situation and in that I do have peace. As a mom though, sometimes my emotions get the best of me!(Ok, those of you that know me, know that my emotions usually always get the best of me! HA!) So, I apologize to those unfortunate people that saw my emotional breakdown in the stocking aisle at Hobby Lobby! :) I can't promise it will be the last one.

Food for Missions

A very dear friend of mine and her family are going on a mission trip to Rwanda. In order to raise funds for their trip, she has started "Food for Missions". Hollie is the most amazing cook, and so she decided to use her "food talent" to raise money for their family to help homeless, orphan children in Rwanda. You can purchase meals, breads, desserts....and the list goes on. (She'll even deliver it to you for a nominal delivery charge.)

In Hollie's words, "We want to make an impact in the life of the orphans in Rwanda. The money raised in this business venture will be used to directly support Africa New Life Ministries and the homeless kids in Rwanda."

Please take a moment to check-out her blog. I promise, you WILL NOT be disappointed in her food. If anything, you may become addicted (which I am....to the artisan and pumpkin bread)!!


http://www.foodformissions.blogspot.com

I'm Not Sure What Day I'm On

Well, since I got behind on my daily postings, I'm not sure what day number I should actually be on! Ha! So, I'll just continue without a day number.

Saturday, November 12th
Write a letter to a foster care agency to tell them thank you for what they do for children. Most of the time they have a thankless job, and that shouldn't be the case.

On a side note, I had a wonderful visit with a friend of mine and her husband tonight. I cannot express to you the joy that "floods my soul" when I hear other Christians talk about their love for orphans and those in need. It encourages me in a mighty way! Praise You, God!

I've Fallen Behind

I knew at some point this month, I would fall behind in posting daily activities for National Adoption Month. Yesterday was my oldest daughter's 6th birthday, so we've been partying around here! She asked me yesterday, "Do you think my brother or sister from Russia will be here next year for my birthday?". I answered, "I hope so! I really hope so!".

Now to get back on track!

Friday, November 11th
Find ways that you and your family can help out orphans in orphanages for Christmas. Pack care packages filled with toys and items that the orphanage itself could use to help care for the children each and everyday. It's very expensive to care for all the many children living in orphanages, so every little bit that you can give will help. Many people, in many countries, work tirelessly everyday to care for these children. Brighten their spirits this Christmas by giving some of what you have to them. We ALL have at least something we can give!

Day 8 - National Adoption Month

Tuesday, November 8th

Work on your family's scrapbooks/memory books. Make sure you record every piece of your child's story.

Day 7 - National Adoption Month

Monday, November 7th

Read adoption books or poems together as a family. There are some great children's books on adoption out there. Check with your local library and see what you can find.

Day 6

Today we celebrated our church's 30th anniversary! It was such a wonderful day! My family has truly been blessed to be part of such an amazing group of God's adopted children. I sang a song today at the celebration titled "Thank You". As I was singing it, not only was I brought to tears at the thought of how my own life has been changed by members of our church, but I began to think about how blessed our next child is going to be blessed and changed by them as well. Everyone at Village Parkway Baptist Church has been so amazing in supporting us on this adoption journey. So, today I say "Thank You"!

Sunday, November 6th
Tell someone today thank you for what they've done to help care for orphans. Whether they've helped you with your adoption or you know someone who has/is adopting or fostering, let them know how thankful you are. Because of them, a life has been forever changed.

Day 5 - National Adoption Month

Saturday, November 5

Write out a family mission statement. Ask each member to write down ideas that they feel are important for a great family to have like love of God, respect, sharing, and/or honesty. Include goals and dreams.

Day 4 - National Adoption Month

Are you sick of my National Adoption Month posts yet?? I hope not, because we've still got 26 days to go! :)

Friday, November 4
Contact your local paper and/or news media about National Adoption Month. Encourage them to run a positive story about adoption - consider sharing your own story.

"How To Be The Village"

I came across this blog post yesterday and I HAD to share it! It puts into words what every adoptive parent is thinking. I hope that you'll take the time to read this and pass it on to friends/family.


How to Be The Village

Day 3 - National Adoption Month

Thursday, November 3rd
Have secret pals all month long! Place each family member's name in a hat and have each person draw one. Secretly perform several acts of service for this person or leave them small treats or gifts. Draw a new name each week.

Day 2 - National Adoption Month

Day 2 - November 2nd
Light a candle as a family for orphans who are still waiting for adoptive families. Set the candle outside in a safe place. Ask your neighbors to join you by lighting a candle as well.

National Adoption Month

For those of you that may not know, November is National Adoption Month.

This year's National Adoption Month initiative targets adoption professionals by focusing on ways to recruit and retain parents for the 107,000 children and youth in foster care waiting for adoptive families.

The first major effort to promote awareness of the need for adoptive families for children in foster care occurred in Massachusetts in 1976, when Governor Michael Dukakis announced an Adoption Week. The idea was extremely popular and spread nationwide. In 1984, President Reagan proclaimed the first National Adoption Week, and in 1995, under President Clinton, the week was expanded to the entire month of November.

There are numerous websites with fantastic ideas of things your family can do each day for National Adoption Month. I decided I would post an activity for each day here on my blog, as well.

Day 1 - November 1st
Begin Adoption Month by celebrating your family's story and sharing it online! Don't forget to also write it down or print it out and add it to your lifebook/scrapbook.