Have you ever thought of yourself as an advocate? Project HOPEFUL believes in you and invites you to partner with us as an advocate for orphans with HIV/AIDS. There are an abundance of opportunities for you to make your mark on a child’s life in a positive way. Our goal at Project HOPEFUL is to develop advocacy opportunities at every level for people who desire to effect real change in the lives of people living with HIV. Our HOPE+ Sisterhood seeks to prevent children from being orphaned by providing mothers and their children with life saving medical care, an education, and job skills training. Our Family in the Gap (FIG) program places the tools for helping unite a waiting orphan with their forever family. Our Truth Pandemic Campaign (link) combats stigma and educates the public with the facts about HIV/AIDS and orphans. You CAN make a difference in the life of a child. Finally, you can help fund the work Project HOPEFUL does through donating and shopping our store for awesome Project HOPEFUL gear.

I want to know what you think about the video and will you help spread TRUTH Pandemic?

You can travel with Carolyn Twietmeyer to Ethiopia and Uganda in April 2011… sign up today!

Dates: April 13 – April 23, 2011
Leader: Carolyn Twietmeyer
Location: Uganda & Ethiopia
Details: This exciting trip is in partnership with Project Hopeful. This amazing ministry works to bring awareness to orphans with HIV and to promote adoption of HIV waiting children. The trip will focus on HIV orphanages in Ethiopia like the Mother Theresa HIV Orphanage in Addis Ababa, another project through Project Hopeful called Hopeful House. This team will also partner with Project 61 to work with the children in the dump in Addis Ababa.
Cost: $3400 – $3600 (cost varies dependent on flights)

Merry Christmas Simply Love Blitz (1 week only!)

Today is Cyber Monday and I would love to offer tees today without shipping costs.  Store closes on 12/5 and I will re-open in March after my missions trip to Ethiopia!!  It has been my honor to share new Simply Love tees with you- I can’t wait for God to give me another dream & project!!

Buy your tees here!!

If you have a special Christmas order for 25 tees or more- email me and I can have them printed and shipped to you before Santa comes to your house!!  All 4 new designs are available for purchase in big bulk orders.  You & your friends can come together and be walking billboards for simply loving orphans!!  Discounted rate + plus shipping (my printing company will individually wrap your tees!!)

Simply Love Kit.

You can fundraise with Simply Love tees for your adoption, mission trips, etc… just email me for introduction packet.

Special Happy in the mail:

I received this email and [with permission] wanted to share it with you, too.  What a blessing!!

Kari,

I just wanted to shoot you an email and tell you a story. I have been reading your blog since the beginning of our adoption journey (March 2009). It has been a blessing to me in more ways than I can count. Anyway…

We brought home twin 6 year old boys from Ethiopia in May 2010 and Ethiopia has been heavy on my heart ever since. As you know, even after you leave Africa, it keeps a piece of your heart. When you were doing your missions giveaway I wanted so badly to purchase a t-shirt and enter, but we got into quite a bit of debt during our adoption and we are trying to be very faithful to our budget. Anyway, a shirt was out of the question for me.

Today we got out our Christmas decorations and that is a very stressful time of year for me. This year it was more than usual because my new twins were so overstimulated by all of the activity and it was taking every ounce of my energy to keep them contained. I finally snuck away to my bedroom to sit and pray for a bit and my body was literally shaking inside I was having so much anxiety…

Then the doorbell rang. I thought to myself…really, God? Right now, I just need some quiet time with YOU! Little did I know He was showing up at my front door!

I answered the door to the mailman who handed me a white envelope…you guessed it, one of your shirts!!! I have NO idea who bought it for me, but someone did, and I couldn’t have been more excited! I just wanted to share with you, that God knew in advance that my shirt would be delivered on this day, at the exact time that I needed reassurance of His never failing faithfulness and love.

God has once again, worked through you (and a mystery friend), in my life.

God bless,
Ashley Redburn
afr2007.blogspot.com

I have a week home with the kids for Thanksgiving holiday and I want to tackle some new books- novels, fiction or non-fiction… I want to know what you are reading.  Share the title and why you love your favorite book in the comments.

Top Bestseller List

I raced to Target this morning to buy hot off the press People Magazine!!!! I ripped through the pages and found what I was looking for… a 5 PAGE SPREAD about the Twietmeyer family (Kiel & Carolyn and their 13 amazing children) It was a little embarrassing blubbering through the check out line, but I’m just soooo proud of this crazy family!!! I asked Carolyn to share a little about why they decided to tell their adoption story to the world.

Hi Kari!

We were shocked when we first got the call from People. While we have been very open about our adoptions and verbal about the HIV related issues because of Project HOPEFUL, this was scary. We stepped back and realized if we believe what we have been preaching for the last four years that we HAD to consider it. If ALL of our kids were on board, especially understanding that, although never secretive about their HIV status that MILLIONS of people would have access to that information if we moved forward. They thought it was a NO BRAINER. So here we are, 10 months later in the BIGGEST publication in the world, exposed……..and it is BEAUTIFUL. I pray MANY will open their hearts and homes to adoption as well as caring for orphans infected with HIV….AND VISIT THEM!!

We prayed…and PRAYED……..and prayed……God has been clear from the beginning. There’s NO SHAME in His game and there are MILLIONS of children that wait….and suffer stigma all over the world.
I pray it brings comfort to the people hiding in shame and brings knowledge to the people that shame them into hiding. What a PRIVILEGE for our family to speak on behalf of these kids and speak God’s heart for the orphan.
This qualifies for ALL that is “CRAZY” for sure!!!!! Leaves me wondering how much “CRAZIER” it can get!

PLEASE go to www.projecthopeful.org and watch the TRUTH PANDEMIC VIDEO…PLEASE share it with FIVE friends….NO child should perish for OUR lack of knowledge!

ALL for ONE!
Carolyn Twietmeyer
Founder/Executive Director
Project HOPEFUL, NFP
Educating, Encouraging and Enabling families and individuals to advocate for and adopt children with HIV/AIDS.

“A FATHER of the FATHERLESS and protector of widows is God in His holy habitation. God places the lonely IN FAMILIES and gives the desolate A HOME in which to dwell;” Ps 68:5-6 Any questions?
www.projecthopeful.org

You can purchase any of the stunning jewelry at Project Hopeful Website!!

ROCK, ROLL & STUFF TEE PARTY

My family and friends helped roll and stuff 575 Simply Love Mission Project tees and they are heading to the PO today!!!  Please allow 1-2 weeks for delivery, unless you have a super hero mailman!

I want to thank Roger, Sarah, Amelia, Michael, Jessica, Kim, Dawn, Marki, Kelly, Hannah, and Dad for helping me with all the orders and craziness!!  xoxo

If you would like to FUNdraise with Simply Love Kit – please email me for the Introduction to preview.  You can purchase the Kit for $49 and have exclusive rights to the designs.

My Crazy Store will stay OPEN till December 1st and won’t re-open until March 2011.  You can purchase any of the 4 new designs for Christmas presents- delivered before Santa makes it to your house!!

What is your favorite new simply love tee and why?

My CRAZY Printing Company rocks simply love !!

It was so much fun visiting my printing company and see firsthand how graphic tee shirts are born.  I had no idea how much team work went into printing shirts and the gifts, talents and passion it takes to create a beautiful design.  I am blessed to call Creator Designs my friends and the dedication they pour into every simply love tee!! They have helped hundreds of families fundraise for adoption or mission projects- celebrating 19 countries!

I have four new designs and wanted to head to Boliver, MO to personally pick out new ink colors.  We met my tee rock star, Jeremy [manager] and he gave us the printing tour and introduced us to the team.  The owner blessed me with a screen print of my original Simply Love artwork- what a treasure!  They have spent a busy week printing our 575 tees for the simply love missions project.  Thank you  for all your hard work, support and cheers!!

I love finding awesome activities for Mommy DIY.  Here are 11 crazy ways to make a turkey gobble with your kids this Thanksgiving holiday.  Click on the links and have some turkey fun!!  Bloggy friends, what is your favorite thing to do at Thanksgiving with your kids?

1.  Bakerella’s Turkey Pops.

2.  15 Different Ways to Make Turkey Cookies.

3.  Thanksgiving Turkey Luminarias craft.

4.  Colorful Turkey caddy fun.

5.  Yummy Turkey Sundaes.

6.  Gobbling Good Cupcakes.

7.  Feather Foliage Craft.

8.  Teeny Turkeys Appetizer.

9.  Put on a happy snood game.

10.  Thankful Turkey craft.

11. Rice Crispy Gobblers.

I’m crazy about these amazing links- bloggy friends email me their special projects and I LOVE shouting out for you!!  If you have a special project or fundraiser let me know… add your own links today in the comments or Linky Tool.

1.  I’m crazy about these amazing Christmas ornaments. My friend Kim is production, order fulfillment, and shipper… somewhere underneath all the ornament love is our dinner table.

2.  Take a look at this wonderful adoption blog and fun give away  www.taylor-family-blog.blogspot.com The iPad GIVE A WAY blog is http://taylor-family-blog.blogspot.com/2010/11/win-ipad-enter-here.html

3.  Please check out adoption blog: www.familywovenbyfaith.blogspot.com and take a peek at their amazing new Africa shirts!!  They are traveling soon to bring home a beautiful baby girl (I met her in Ethiopia!!)

“What an amazing blessing it is to have so many people supporting us as we cross the finish line on our adoption!  And if our financial need is met in excess, then we will pass the blessing on to other adoptive families…because we are all in this caring for orphans together!”  Thanks so much!  Wendy

4.  Nepal Adoptions need our help- take time to fill out petition and help families bring home their children waiting.

http://www.petition2congress.com/2/3710/ to help our daughter in Nepal as well as the other families struggling to bring their children home.  PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help us spread the word to bring these precious little ones home so they can finally be with their family….something they have never known. With ALL my heart, I thank you. ~GiGi  Be sure to visit http://www.petition2congress.com/2/ for important action items.

5. “My name is Jillienne (blog) and my family and I are fundraising right now for our 3rd Ethiopian adoption.”  Take a peek at these adorable items for sale on her Etsy site here- http://www.etsy.com/shop/bjmiker

6.  “We are planning on adopting from Rwanda. (We are aware it is closed.) Our 4 1/2 yrs of marriage is in December and we plan on applying right after that. It is where God is calling us. So who are we to question:)”  Take a look at Michelle’s Etsy here-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/shoptoadopt?ref=seller_info

If you have a favorite link and want to share it with my readers- please leave a comment here with Linky and description!!

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My family is coming to town for Thanksgiving and we have some fun crafts planned for the kids.  Zoie and Annie will love making these adorable glowbirds with help from their big sisters.  If each cousin makes a glowbird- we’ll have a table full of the crazy gobblers glowing bright for Thanksgiving dinner.

Create a flock of these bright votive holders: they’re a great project for kids and, filled with battery-operated tea lights, a luminous addition to your table.

Materials

• Hot glue
• Glue gun
• 1 1/4-inch wooden doll head (available at craft stores)
• Small glass bubble votive holder (ours is 4 inches wide by 3 1/2 inches high)
• Brush

• Mod Podge
• Tissue paper
• Scissors
• Tacky glue
• Beads

Instructions

1. Apply a dab of hot glue from a glue gun to the wooden doll head. Then adhere the head to the votive holder.
2. Brush Mod Podge over the head and body, then cover them with overlapping tissue paper scraps. Apply another Mod Podge layer and let it dry for at least 45 minutes.
3. To make the tail feathers, cut 9- by 2-inch strips of tissue paper, bend each in half without creasing it, then twist the ends together. Use a dollop of tacky glue to attach each feather to the body.
4. Cut a beak from a double layer of yellow tissue and affix it with tacky glue. Add two beads for eyes. Cut a long oval of red tissue, twist one end, and affix it as a wattle. Allow the turkey to dry.

Look for more fun Thanksgiving crafts on My Crazy Adoption Blog on Monday … 11 ways to make a turkey gobble!

Help… the winter has caused Zoie’s curly hair to be extra dry.  What is your favorite leave in conditioner or creme to keep things soft all day?  Leave your suggestions in the comments.  Thank you moms!

I’m sooo not a hair care professional, but I learn a lot about Zoie’s curls and coils reading Happy Girl Hair Blog.   This crazy hair guru blogger mentions co-washing in many posts, but I had no idea what she meant, so Mr. Awesome googled it last week.  I was surprised to learn I had been doing it all along and it’s really good for Zoie’s hair.  I thought it would be fun to have a little hair competition and find out what your favorite products are for curls, swirls, straight, thick, frizzy or wavy hair.  God gave all our darlings a unique crown of beauty!  I love mom’s advice about hair care.  I want to always be open to stretch and grow… just like sweet Zoie’s curly hair!

Zoie’s hair in the morning- dry, mushed up curls.

It’s a good Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Day.

Here’s what I found out about co-washing… I do this weekly on Zoie’s hair.

What is Co-washing? Co-washing hair means to “use conditioner instead of shampoo to wash hair. One would think that skipping the shampoo step when washing hair would leave it dirty, but the truth is that there is a small amount of detergent in hair conditioner.”

How do You Co-Wash Hair: To co-wash hair, you would “wet your hair in the same way as you do before you wash it with shampoo. Then you need to massage a liberal amount of conditioner into the scalp. Massage the scalp for several minutes. Next, you would put a plastic cap on your hair and take your shower while you let the conditioner sit. Finally, rinse out the conditioner thoroughly.”

What kind of conditioner do you use?

I juggle these 3 conditioners on Zoie’s hair- co-washing weekly, that make her curls soft and bouncy and smell beautiful.  You can purchase the products right here on My Crazy Adoption Boutique (right side bar column) or click here-

1. 

2. 

3. 

Here are four reason why I love co-washing Zoie’s hair:

• Keeps Princess Z’s hair moisturized.
• Keeps her scalp clean.
• I can clean her hair all week without drying out her curls.
• Helps retain her growth by keeping hair moisturized.

I never brush Zoie’s curly hair when it’s dry- always moisturize with products before brushing or detangling.

I keep a wonderful supply of different hair products that I simply love.  Breeze through My Crazy Adoption Boutique and purchase a few of my favorite things.

I simply love these Jojoba oils:

Zoie’s curls freshly co-washed and adorable in box braids & poofy pigtails!!  I rinsed out all the conditioner thoroughly and put jojoba oil and organic shea butter leave-in conditioner (I am just learning how to braid Zoie’s hair) but went a little crazy and put too much in for the photo… oops!

I have bloggy friends that have adopted all over the world… what hair products do you love & why and what country did you adopt from ? I have soooo much to learn- a life long student of Zoie’s beautiful hair.

Defining Beauty

Webster defines beauty as, “qualities that give pleasure to the senses or exalt the mind.”  If someone were to ask you to name a “beautiful” woman – given the world’s standards of beauty – it would be a simple task.  We can all think of women who by society’s definition would be deemed as beautiful.  Every magazine, billboard, and commercial bombards our senses with images of beautiful women on a daily basis.  Like many women, I wrestle with insecurities in the area of appearance, body image, and just measuring up.

But many years ago – as a young Christian woman, I became drawn to the life and suffering of Corrie ten Boom and my perception of beauty began to change.  Now I am not suggesting that Corrie ten Boom WAS NOT a beautiful woman by appearance standards – I am simply trying to differentiate between our worldly perceptions of beauty and inner beauty – so I hope you can hear my heart and follow my message here!

Most of you probably know the story of Corrie ten Boom and her family.  Corrie is the author of many books, the most recognized being, The Hiding Place; depicting the ten Boom family’s suffering at the hands of Nazi Germany and their years in the Nazi prison camps.  Corrie’s father and sister both perished in the death camps, but by some miracle, Corrie survived.  Her remaining years on this earth were spent sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ – His love, mercy, grace, compassion, and yes … His message of forgiveness.

I recently was reading in her devotional, Not I, But Christ, and was so encouraged by her words.  She shared that she accepted the Lord Jesus when she was five years old and that, “He has never left me alone.”  She suggested that there are many battles to be fought before peace will come, but that we are not alone in any of these battles.  I love the truth of what she reveals when she shares that the Holy Spirit is ever present and that Jesus is our secret weapon.  I’m not sure that … actually, I KNOW that I do not live each day as if my Lord were my secret weapon in all of my battles!  Too often, I face them alone – running stubbornly right into the midst of them.  But Corrie further explains that it is in surrender that peace comes:  “God cleanses what He takes; He empties what He cleanses; He fills what He empties; and He uses what He fills.  This is the showing forth of Jesus Christ, dwelling in us.”

That completely rocks and challenges my view of beauty!  I want to be a woman who lives in surrender to the Lord’s purposes for my life – I have not arrived.  My journey is just that … a journey every day – each day a process.  Corrie has since gone to eternity with the Lord, but what I saw when I looked at Corrie ten Boom and when I read her words was beauty in its purest form.  The beauty of Christ radiating from her eyes, her smile, her confidence, her compassion, and her incredible desire to encourage others.  And I am inspired by the beauty of her words as they impact millions of hungry souls around the world still today.

Psalm 27:4 says, “One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek:  that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord.”  His promise to those who seek Him, to those who make Him their home, is that “he will keep me safe in His dwelling: He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.”  Our heads will be raised high above the enemies who seek to destroy us.  And our home, our dwelling will be in the safety of His shelter.  That’s a pretty beautiful thing to ponder.

I would love to hear from you – how has the Lord impacted your life in the area of beauty?  Is there a person who has spoken truth into your life or modeled beauty to you?

Walking this journey with you,
Kit

I have ordered all 575+ tees!!!!  I also visited my amazing printing company to finalize all my ink colors for the new tee designs.  I can’t wait to show off the incredible printing team… they are crazy too!!  I love my Christian based printing company- they bend over backwards helping make a difference with adoption and orphan care!  If you are interested in ordering the Simply Love Kit for fundraising please email me.

I’m just one crazy blogger busy rolling and stuffing your orders!!!  Please allow 4-6 weeks to receive your tee- I ordered one HUGE batch the day after the giveaway.  Everyone at my printing company is working hard to print all 575 tees with perfection!!  We are all in this together… making a difference in the life of an orphan.

FYI- I had to make a color changes for the Taylor Tee Long Sleeve.  I received notification from Next Level Apparel that the black combo burn out is on back order until January 20th. (ha really?!?) I am now printing the Taylor Tee Long Sleeve on charcoal grey combo burn out.  Also, they discontinued 2xl ladies sizes for combo burnout black & thermal plum , so I’m using another funky long sleeve for all 2xl ladies orders.  Thanks so much for your understanding.

Please continue to pray for God’s favor for the missions project.  You can keep checking back here at My Crazy Adoption Blog for updates!!

• My crazy friend, Carolyn is selling tees and necklaces to support Project Hopeful. It is PH dream and vision that NO child affected by HIV is waiting for their forever home because of ignorance or lack of funding and to help to attend to the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs specific to these types of adoptions and children.
• Simply Love Taiwan – Patterson Family adoption fundraiser.
  
• These gorgeous Africa necklaces from one of my favorite bloggers to support The Mercy House.
• Doing It Afraid blog.
  
• I just bought this adorable silk sleep cap for Zoie’s curls & coils.

• Hello Fellow Adoptive Families!  I just wanted to let you know that our family is selling the most adorable necklaces and key chains to help support the new Love In Action orphanage in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  We had the privilege of visiting LIA while in Ethiopia and are so excited to see the work that is being done through Arise for Children (our agency) and the new programs that are going to be offered through the Love In Action facility.At one time or another, our paths have crossed, and I know that you share our love of orphans all around the world.  When we were blessed to travel to Ethiopia in July to bring our little beauty home, we promised we would not forget those left behind.  Our first fundraiser is selling cute bottle cap necklaces and key chains.The key chains and necklaces are only $5 and will make great gifts, stocking stuffers, or fun surprises for our little ones from Ethiopia and their families. Our Ethiopian beauty, Grace, LOVES to wear her necklaces and show them to everyone she meets.  They make great conversation starters when we are out and about.  She can point out Ethiopia on her Africa necklace, and makes sure to explain to everyone that “G is for Grace” when she wears the “initial design.”  We have six designs to choose from.  You can see photos of the necklaces, key chains, and of course our model Grace on our blog - www.teammarquis.blogspot.com
• Jennifer Nix  -www.dearlylovedchildren.blogspot.com
  “True Religion” Christmas Shopping!!! Religion and shopping in the same sentence, whoa, doesn’t sound right!!! Read on my friend…  This Christmas let the receiver of your gift know that somewhere around the world others are celebrating love & redemption right along with them. In support of Orphan Awareness Month and James 1:27 I would like to invite you to shop for fun Christmas gifts that get MULTIPLIED BY THREE: to your recipient, to the orphan, and to the widow!!! In the months of Nov. and Dec. I am donating 100% of my commission on designated Pampered Chef orders to help rescue orphans.
  There are an estimated 147 million orphans around the world. Adoption costs range anywhere from $5,000-40,000, and often keep loving families from reaching the orphan. The funds your gift help raise will go to either our Ethiopian Adoption Fund, little Dmitry- a baby with Downs Syndrome hoping to be rescued from an eastern Europe institution, or to any other adopting family of your choice.
  Your one order can make a lasting, literally life changing impact for others. But *PLEASE* consider being an ADOPTION ADVOCATE by collecting 4 or more orders from friends, family and co-workers to go with it, and by posting this invite to all your facebook friends. Catalogs and ordering instructions will be sent to anyone who messages me!
  OK, now do you want to know where helping the widows comes in??? Great question!!! Host rewards from Pampered Chef equals great free products. The more orders we collect the more free products we will earn…those products will be given directly to widows in need locally, and/or auctioned as a second fundraiser to help widows in distress through Amazima (Katie Davis http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/).
  This is just one more way to help out and I SO appreciate your partnering with me. Spend $60 or more and there is a free gift for you too! Grilling tools for Dad, Seasonings for Sis, Cookbooks for the teachers, Stoneware for you, Gift Certificates available too! Do all your holiday shopping in one place simply because those gifts will make a WORLD of difference!
  Thank you in advance!
  With love,
  Jen
  www.pamperedchef.biz/joyfullyhis
  -Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27

Please share YOUR fundraisers or favorite links to my crazy readers!!

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