I have only heard stories of people getting their bank accounts or personal information getting hacked, but I never thought a crazy blog would suffer hacking and viruses. First of all, I apologize for the craziness the past month here and want you to know I hired a professional to clean things up. I’m 100% virus free, but a few of you have told me you still can’t get back to my site. I promise that will be an easy fix and a Cookie 101 lesson. A week ago, I thought a cookie was filled with nuts and chocolate chips, but actually they are in our computer.

So, if you are still getting the”block message” from viewing My Crazy Adoption from top to bottom and can’t read my posts- then do this…

Clear your browser cookies, then again open the link. If still get block message then let me know.

You can get article for clearing the browser cookies from your browser here – http://www.wikihow.com/Clear-Your-Browser%27s-Cookies#Firefox_3.0

What are cookies? A cookie is a message given to a Web browser by a Web server. The browser stores the message in a text file. The message is then sent back to the server each time the browser requests a page from the server.

Are cookies bad? Cookies do not act maliciously on computer systems. They are merely text files that can be deleted at any time – they are not plug-ins nor are they programs. Cookies cannot be used to spread viruses and they cannot access your hard drive. This does not mean that cookies are not relevant to a user’s privacy and anonymity on the Internet. Cookies cannot read your hard drive to find out information about you; however, any personal information that you give to a Web site, will most likely be stored in a cookie. In only this way are cookies a threat to privacy. The cookie will only contain information that you freely provide to a Web site.

How to Delete or Enable Cookies

• How to delete cookies- If you are having problems accessing web sites, there may be corrupt cookies in which case you will need to delete the cookies on your computer. It is recommended that you also clear your web browser’s temporary files.
• How to enable cookies – Cookies must be enabled for accessing many web sites, including Webmail and myExpedient as well as sites that provide a subscriber with personalized content or access to personal information.

For a yummy sugar cookie recipe- take a peek at this.

I survived our 14 day Christmas road trip with my 18, 15, and 3 year old kids (that’s another post) and took advantage of the 20 hour drive home to write down a few things that are coming up in my life. My hubby and I got so excited about the new year, we both agreed that it most definitely will be a crazy adventure. It’s really only been the past 3 years that I’ve had the courage to pray for God-Adventures. Do you pray for adventure? He has shown my little family His faithfulness in 2011 and continues to grow us through pain, mistakes, and miracles.

We are still waiting for our home to sell. It’s been over 5 years since we put it on the market without a single nibble. We continue to have faith that it will sell, but reminded everyday how grateful we are to live in a beautiful home, when so many people I love throughout the world struggle just to live.

We have started the process to bring Mercy here for medical treatment. I want to ask you to commit to praying for Mercy and her mother, Mulu, who is a widow, that God will expedite the paperwork needed to process her passport and medical visa quickly. I will keep you updated here on my blog  and together let’s help Mercy have a second chance on living a healthy life. We will start our new project, OPERATION: MERCY this month. Our goal is to raise $5,000 for all Mercy’s needs in Addis Ababa and in the US.

I have 2 upcoming mission trips scheduled for 2012. It was YOU that filled up the “Simply Love” trips to Haiti (Jan) and Ethiopia/Uganda (June) in record time. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for you, the mission-hearted who has committed to live dead. I’ve started the 30 day Live Dead Challenge and hope you will buy the journal and join me learning how to live dead and love the lost, unreached and unengaged people groups around the world.

I want to personally thank (you) readers of this blog, who stuck with me during our adoption to Zoie and all the new readers who have jumped in with both feet to radically live James 1:27. For those of you who are adopting, fostering, caring for orphans, going on a mission trip … we are all in this together. My crazy bloggers, we made our point clear- we are not focused on individual successes, but diligent on working together making a difference in the life of a child desperate for love. Your generosity and kindness have made it possible to crown over 7,000 princesses in Ethiopia and Uganda, as well as mission-minded projects throughout 2011! I can’t wait to see what adventures God has planned for us in 2012!

Adoption Fundraising Families: check out here- Simply Love Kit for all your fundraising needs. What makes fundraising with Simply Love products so unique and different: you pick your designs and products to fit all your fundraising needs. I truly want to eliminate your stress and offer you exceptional services to help you raise funds to adopt.

Mission-Hearted Fundraising: you can use Simply Love Kit for all your mission trip/orphan care fundraising needs, too!!

Guest Bloggers: I want to continue to share your adoption stories. Email me if you are adopting or fostering and want to encourage, challenge, inspire, support or make us laugh at any stage of the adoption process. I also want to encourage you, the reader, to leave a comment when you read their stories. It means so much for the families to read your words of support.

Mommyhood: I have major changes coming soon- my son will graduate in May, my daughter turns sweet 16, and my 4 year old keeps me striving to stay young & healthy. I want to have a family that is free to be different, free to make mistakes, free to be vulnerable, and free to be candid. I’m reading the best parenting book, Grace Based Parenting and want to share at a deeper level what I’m learning as a mom, with my own family. I want to learn from you, too. I’ll keep up posting yummy recipes and family craft ideas. Come follow me on Facebook and Twitter.

Is there anything NEW you want me to write about or share here on the blog this year? Let me know in the comments.

If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:

{UPDATED WITH WINNERS}

Congratulations to the 11 winners of My Crazy Christmas Giveaway. Winners were randomly selected. Thank you everyone who stopped by and entered to win! You are a blessing to me… Merry Christmas!!!

1. Chip- Live-Dead Journal

2. Becky Allister- Trevor Birch CD

3. Michelle Miller- Trevor Birch CD

4. Chantelle Grubbs- Trevor Birch CD

5. Catherine Bertossi- Trevor Birch CD

6. BB- Trevor Birch CD

7. Justin Simmons- Live-Dead Journal

8. Hauter13- Live-Dead Coffee Table Book

9. Kit Hoeck- Tom Davis Gift Basket

10. Jess Roch- Tom Davis Gift Basket

11. Christy- Live-Dead Coffee Table Book

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I have collaborated with three amazing groups- 1 singer, and 2 unique ministries reaching the lost and touching the lives of orphans. This is simply an introduction, but in the next few months we’ll start some VERY exciting projects together. This is My Crazy Christmas GIVEAWAY – you have the chance to win some extraordinary gifts. I will randomly pick 11 winners on Monday, December 12th!!!

Who is Trevor Birch?

Do you remember this guy? He’s one of my best friends and launched his 1st solo album on 12/6! It’s such an honor to share a little (behind the scenes) with one of my favorite new artists. I want to encourage you to head over to iTunes and purchase his EP album of 5 songs.

Trevor shares: The development of this project has been an entire season of lessons on faith. That is why I’m so excited to tell you that my first solo album releases today, December 6th on iTunes. I had the honor of partnering with platinum selling producer/songwriter, Scotty D (Francesca Battistelli, Jeremy Camp, Jessie Daniels, Kutless and Jimmy Needham), to record this project in Nashville, TN. Early on in life, I discovered music has the ability to move people to worship and inspire them to action. I have been involved in the worship ministry of my local church since I was young and I believe strongly in the power of Christ to change a person’s life.  I have witnessed first-hand how music can be an integral part in that transformation. I am passionate about seeing others encouraged in their faith and it is my hope I can challenge others to see for themselves God has more for them than they can even imagine! Taking the step of faith to start this project was challenging, but God has orchestrated all the pieces to fall together in a way I could not have anticipated or planned myself. When I started the journey of recording this EP, I had so many contrasting thoughts and emotions. In recent years, I’ve been afforded opportunities to perform regularly for tens of thousands through my active involvement in my church home, James River Assembly.  But, at the time, it seemed like so many things were stacked against me—the loss of a job, lack of finances, finding the right producer, the divorce of my parents and personal insecurities.  Deciding that I would make the commitment to see this project through meant I would have to live out my faith in Christ in ways I hadn’t done before. The lyrics to my upbeat, guitar driven single, “Open Doors”, describes this journey perfectly: “Here I go even though I still have doubt / A leap of faith isn’t safe / But it’s about time I start trusting You.”

Giveaway #1 – 5 people will win a free Trevor Birch CD. Leave a comment to enter.

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What is Live Dead?

Live Dead: Planting Churches Among Unreached Peoples Through Teams

The Holy Spirit is speaking to his Church, reminding us of the passion that he has never relinquished — the passion to be glorified by every tribe, tongue, people and nation. We committed to taking the church where it does not exist; to making Christ known to people groups who don’t have an opportunity to know him. Live Dead is more than a strategy it is a bridge to practically make a difference in the statistic that 40% of the world lives without access to Christ. We believe that we can make a difference; we believe that we must make a difference. Live Dead is a re-dedication to pioneering whatever the cost. Live Dead realizes that the places today where the Church does not exist are harsh, fierce, lonely and demanding; yet we still must go there. Live Dead is a commitment to evangelism and church planting among unreached peoples in community through teams. Live Dead acknowledges that if unreached peoples are going to embrace Jesus as Lord, we must die to our selfish passions and small dreams and live joyfully surrendered to the will, plan and means of our Missionary God. Living dead is a call to joy, a call to life, a call of hope. Living Dead means listening to the Spirit calling us to “take up our cross” for the sake of those who don’t know what the cross is or what it stands for. Living Dead means listening to the example of those who have gone before us, men and women like Dietrich Bonhoeffer who said, “When God calls a man, he bids him come and die.” Living Dead means listening to the cry of those in spiritual death. They call to us: “We will live, if you will die.”

Giveaway #2 – Two people will win The Live Dead Journal and two people will win Live Dead Coffee Table Book. Leave a comment to enter.

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What is Children’s HopeChest?

My good friend, Tom Davis is simply one of my heroes for the fatherless! He shares his testimony here …. Today, HopeChest is a thriving international ministry to orphans, connecting them to the life transforming power of community-based relationships with Christians in the U.S. and Canada. It’s my passion to inspire others to find their place in orphan ministry and give themselves to the poor and impoverished children of the world. At HopeChest, we advocate a “community to community”partnership model. While many great organizations exist to provide individual sponsorship opportunities, we believe that holistic, sustainable change in the poorest communities occurs when one community partners with another.

We invite you to become an extravagant giver this year by joining Change Their Story. You are invited to sign up and fundraise for orphans who are starving and girls who are targeted by sex traffickers. Your family will never be the same. And if you aren’t ready to take that step, then consider making a donation or supporting one of our HopeRaisers. See the full list here.

Giveaway #3 – Two people will win Tom Davis gift baskets full of his bestselling books (signed) and stunning souvenirs from the different countries Children’s HopeChest serves. Leave a comment to enter.

If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNER OF THE MISSION TRIP GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GET READY FOR A LIFE CHANGING GOD-ADVENTURE!!!!! CLICK HERE TO VIEW …. IS IT YOU?

There were over 2,000 of you crazy bloggers who read this post!! The voting is officially over, but now the REAL fun starts. You can win a free mission trip by purchasing the 2 winning tees you voted for here. You heard me, I’m giving away a mission trip. You can WIN A FREE TRIP for you or someone you love simply buying a tee shirt- 1 tee + 1 entry to win! SOMEONE is going to go on a mission trip and not have to spend a dime. This opportunity is so incredible, you don’t want to miss out! There are 13 countries you can pick and 50 trips to choose from with Visiting Orphans. You pick!

Buy Your Mission Trip Tees Here!

I’m so excited to officially announce My Crazy Adoption Blog and Visiting Orphans has partnered for a VERY special project coming soon! I will let your imagination go CRAZY!! First, I need your help. This week, I want to know what Simply Go. Be. Love.  and Man Up Go. Be. Love. tee is YOUR favorite design! What would you wear?

Even if you don’t normally leave a comment or have no plans of buying a shirt, would you please consider sharing your choice?

We had some funky designers make 8 graphics for you to VOTE. Click on each tee photo to view close up. Don’t forget to VOTE for TWO TEES in the comments!

What are your 2 favorite designs you would wear?

•  1- Simply Go Be Love.
•  1- Man Up. Go Be Love.

CHOICE #1

CHOICE #2

CHOICE #3

CHOICE #4

CHOICE #5

CHOICE #6

CHOICE #7

CHOICE #8

{UPDATED WINNER}

**Congrats Andrea** Email me your sizes!!!

Are you ready to be a real-life super hero and take the oath to protect, love, and defend the fatherless? Well, every super hero needs a tee shirt to stand tall and boldly testify his commitment to live James 1:27.  I’m giving away 4 tees (2 adult + 2 youth) to a family (singles, too) that faithfully dedicates to simply love orphans together – minus the cape. You can go Up, Up, and Away with NEW super-hero Simply Love tees.

You Pick One to Enter:

(Let me know what you pick)

1. Leave a comment and share who your (or kids) favorite super-hero is.
2. Add My Crazy Adoption button to your blog or blogroll for daily feeds.
3. Share the Super-Hero challenge on your blog, Facebook, or Twitter. (link- http://tinyurl.com/3be66jx)
4. Le me know how you would use your super-hero gifts to make a difference?

This is a 3 day GIVEAWAY!  I’ll announce the winner [here] on Monday with an **UPDATED POST**

Check out My Crazy Adoption Store.

You can purchase tees, hoodies, prints, beads, coffee mugs, and more!

What is a Vlog?  Here is the official “google” definition: Short for “video blog.” A vlog is the video equivalent of a blog, most commonly featured on YouTube. Much like plain ol’ text blogs, these can range from the informative to the hysterical.

I will really work on making my vlogging hysterical, but for the first vlog attempt, it’s just you and me gabbing… well, kinda.  I will admit, it felt a little awkward hiding in a corner of my church cafe talking to myself, but I got through it.  When I showed my hubby the video to preview, he laughed (yes!) and encouraged me to keep vlogging, but to commit from start to finish.  Honestly, I was nervous someone would come around the corner and catch me talking to myself and finally prove that I’m crazy!

3 things I need to improve on my next vlog:

1. Get better lighting so I don’t look green(ish) like Elphaba in Wicked.
2. Sit back a little further from the screen so I don’t cut off my eyebrows.
3. Add a variety of adjectives. Can you guess how many times I say the word “incredible” ?
   

I haven’t picked an official vlog day, but for now … let’s make it a weekly surprise.  My hubby will be my first vlogger guest and share an incredible story from his mission trip.  What topics do you want me to vlog about … any suggestions?

Just click play …

I have been asking some of my favorite bloggers about adding twitter to my blog and they all unanimously said – do it!!  The reason we blog is to connect with other bloggers, but tweeting was foreign to me.  I want to thank all of you who started following me on twitter a year ago, when I had no idea how to tweet!  I’m finally on board, and had a few lessons from my son @michaelgibby1 on twitter 101.  I also love this post from friend, Michael Hyatt here on how to Twitter like a professional tweep!  Thank you, Megan Miller on your twitter tips, too.

First of all, sign up for twitter.. click on the adorable little blue bird on top of my blog.  He won’t hurt you, I promise!  Just add your name and come up with a crazy password and you’re in! You’ll quickly learn the tricks- #crazywords and you will start joining other crazy bloggers craziness!  Twitter really is fun and easy.

If you want to follow me on Twitter when I’m in Uganda you can read tweets from @MyCrazyAdoption and @michaelgibby1 – just type in our “names” and you will be an official mission trip stalker!

Once you are tweeting, check out how to make your blog posts permalinks tiny to add on your tweets.  Check out http://tinyurl.com/ and also, Tweet Deck.

[WINNER: JULIE]  CONGRATS!!!!!

I love being a mom!  In honor of our day, I’m throwing a special giveaway for moms (adoption waiting moms too) here on my blog and on My Crazy Adoption Facebook.  If you have not joined yet- click here. I’m giving away a Simply Love Tote bag filled with goodies- a few of my favorite things!  I will randomly select a winner on May 8th! This is a 2-day giveaway.  Don’t forget to wear your Simply Love Gear on Mother’s Day- together we can make a difference for the fatherless.  **I will post the winner on Twitter (@mycrazyadoption) and MCA FB… also at the top of this post sometime on Sunday.

Praying for all the mom’s I know who are waiting, grieving, longing, and loving.  Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is LOVE. (1 Cor. 13:13)

1 Mother’s Day Giveaway Winner (you get this…)

• Simply Love Tote Bag
• Dig Deep Coffee Mug
• Simply Love tee (exclusive)
• Priceless book- Tom Davis
• Strand of Uganda Magazine beads

Two Ways To Win…

1.  Leave a comment here and share with me: pick one

• How many kids do you have?
• What do you love most about being a mom?
• How are you spending your special day?

2.  Facebook Entry:

• Wear your Simply Love Gear and post your photo with your kids!

If you are selling Simply Love gear- please leave your link on My Crazy Adoption facebook, so readers can purchase your products and help celebrate Mother’s Day all year long!

I would love you to be a guest blogger on My Crazy Adoption Blog during my 12 day mission trip to Uganda! Please email me and submit your post for approval.  Please limit your posts to subjects for moms, adoption, missions, and orphan care.  This is such an exciting blitz for bloggers who love to write and make connections with other crazy readers! I simply love guest bloggers!!

I need topics:

• Send me your post ready-to-go (that means y’all do the writing, editing, and spell checking)
• Stick to the top 4 subjects- moms, adoption, missions, orphan care
• Attach photos of your family or subject clipart
• Mommy DIY craft
• Add your blog link to share
• posts to encourage, support, and make us laugh
• yummy recipe

Due date for your blog posts- May 22nd.  Email at karigib@gmail.com

(don’t forget to include attachment with photo)

Thank you so much for helping me blog when I’m in Uganda!

{UPDATED with WINNER}

Congratulations to Marybeth Rolfe !! You are the winner of the Mama Kiki Tote- email me and let me know the color you pick and your mailing address!! 

This is a 4 day giveaway- you can enter 1x a day.

Last year, on my Uganda mission trip, I was named Mama Kiki by my beloved friend, Pastor Isaac where we served at Canaan’s Children Home.  You have no idea how much fun it was for me to hear hundreds of orphans calling me “Mama Kiki!!”  I adore my nickname and to celebrate my son’s 1st mission trip visiting orphans in Uganda, I want to offer you the chance to WIN your very own Mama Kiki Tote + 1 Uganda Magazine Bead Necklace.  You have 6 tote colors to choose from- this is EXCLUSIVE ONLY for the Giveaway winner.  colors- army, black, natural, navy, red (shown), and safari.

How do I win the Simply Love “Mama Kiki” Vintage Tote?

(you pick two)

Leave a comment and how you entered to win.

1. Click on my “Like” badge on the right side to follow my craziness on Facebook- shown on home page.
2. Add my new My Crazy Adoption blog button on your blog and stay in touch.
3. Shout out my Simply Love Tote Mission Fundraiser on your blogs or FB.
4. Share with me- where do you want to take your “Mama Kiki” tote bag?

What do I win? (tote details)

You win 1 Mama Kiki Tote and 1 Uganda Magazine Bead Necklace.  I’m stuffing the tote with a few of my favorite things… my crazy surprise for you!  Value- $50

This stunning vintage bag has the Simply Love Crazy Heart design, but faded to look really vintage.  The pockets and key hook help keep Mama Kiki organized on her mission trips.  Celebrates the verse- Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is LOVE. (1 Cor. 13:13)

Product details- canvas tote bag with double handles. features two outer pockets, one lobster clasp and one o-ring for compartment closure.

• 100% cotton canvas
• 19” length x 17” width
• this item is custom vintaged for a perfectly worn-in look and feel. nuances in color and texture are unique to each piece. hand wash with care.

Giveaway Ends April 18th- I will randomly select 1 winner and announce the name here on April 18th (top of this post on winning day!) and add your blog site, if you have one. Look for the *UPDATED with WINNER.*   You have 48 hours to email me your address and color choice… or I will have to pick another winner.  Thanks for your understanding!

How can you help my son go on his 1st mission trip?

• You can purchase a Simply Love Tote bag {exclusive design} Click on the store button here. My Crazy Adoption store closes on April 18th, so don’t miss out!
• Follow Man Up 4 Orphans Facebook Group.
• Pray for his mission trip!

My bloggy friends… I want to know what YOU are reading this month?  You are smart and crazy and interesting, so I want to know what you recommend!  Please share book title and author in the comments.

I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!
Dr. Seuss

I can read in red. I can read in blue.
I can read in pickle color too.
I can read in bed, and in purple. and in brown.
I can read in a circle and upside down!
I can read with my left eye. I can read with my right.
I can read Mississippi with my eyes shut tight!

There are so many things you can learn about.
But…you’ll miss the best things
If you keep your eyes shut.
The more that you read, the more things you will know
The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.

If you read with your eyes shut you’re likely to find
That the place where you’re going is far, far behind
SO…that’s why I tell you to keep your eyes wide.
Keep them wide open…at least on one side.