I want to thank Kari for allowing me to guest post again.  What an honor to help “hold down the fort” while she’s in Ethiopia loving on precious orphans, and spreading her contagious smile across Africa!

The last time I guest-posted here, I chatted away about food…and my lack of New Year’s exercise motivation.  Here I go again, talking about the same old things.  Huh.  I don’t see a problem here, do you???   If ever you find yourself wanting some *wink wink* good old-fashioned snacks and conversation, feel free to stop on by my blog anytime!  My blog door’s always open, cold Cokes in the fridge!!  www.marythekay.com
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Dear Aisle 1 at Walmart,

You really make me mad.  I try so hard to walk past you—right there at the front of the store.  Tricking all the people who have just filled their carts with healthy fruits and vegetables.  Oh, but I’m on to you, don’t you worry.  I know your little trick.  Putting the daily necessities like bread and coffee right next to the middle-aged forbidden fruit.  You know exactly what kind of forbidden fruit I’m talking about.  Things with such sweet and helpful sounding names–like “Hostess” and “Little Debbie.”

Well, I’ve got news for you, Walmart.  Debbie was not little.

No woman can create beautiful snacks that pack 785 calories into 4 small bites, and still shop at Petite Sophisticate.

Oh.  Do I sound bitter?

It’s just that I try so hard.  I really do.  I make a list beforehand, I try to find the most healthy choices in the fruit and vegetable aisles…I take a deep breath, and determined turn down the bread aisle—you know, the dreaded Aisle 1—and already I am assaulted with the choice of wheat vs. white.  My brain says “wheat,” but my heart cries out, “White, please!  Think of the jelly toast, the grilled cheese, and oh my wheatberry—the peanut butter and jelly!”  Some things in life are just meant to be smooth, you know?

Then, after my brain and my heart have battled out the (lame-o) sandwich bread choice, what assails me next?  Well, the bright lights, the flashing neon, and the catcalls hollering at me from the shelves.  It’s kind of like leaving Mayberry, and running smack into Vegas, baby.

You think I’m exaggerating?

Have you SEEN that aisle?  I had to wait 5 ½ minutes just to take a picture without the mom and too-old-to-still-be living at home daughter.  That poor duo could not decide between the Donut Sticks and the Honey Buns.  And frankly, I don’t know which they chose.  I had to look away.  It was just too painful to watch.  Because that decision is easy.  Put them BOTH into your cart and move on.

I mean, am I the only one who feels violated by the colorful packaging and names of snacks that sound like your best friends?  Who doesn’t want a Nutty Buddy?  Doesn’t everyone want to feel like a celebrity eating a Star Crunch?  We all could use a little fancy in our lives with the Fancy Cakes.  And dangit, if that’s not enough, guess what Little Debbie’s motto is?  “Unwrap a smile.”  Who knew a smile was as easy as that?  I’ll take a Nutty Buddy smile with a side grin of Donut Stick.  And heck, while we’re at it, I’d like at least a month’s worth of smiles—how about you?

And, therein lies the problem.

My hips and waistline cannot support a month of Little Debbies.  Smiley, or no smiley.  Heck, my hips and waistline cannot even support a 4-day workweek of smiles.  Already my belt is one smile short of disaster.

I don’t really remember the day I stopped shopping the Vegas part of Aisle 1.  I’m kinda sad there was no farewell party or Bon Voyage.  I know my formerly skinny self “smiled” a lot in high school and college…and partying with no remorse, eating those seasonal Valentine hearts and Christmas tree snack cakes.  I even remember occasionally splurging on a Donut Stick or two in our early days of marriage.

Somewhere between my aerobics days of the 90s and the what the heck happened to my metabolism of my 30s, I started avoiding that part of Aisle 1.

And now.  Now I give people the angry eyes as they grab boxes of smiley Ding Dongs and Cosmic brownies.  Oh, they laugh now, throwing their heads back as they carelessly toss the Oatmeal Cream Pies into their carts. Oh, but just you wait.  Give it another 5-10 years, and they’ll be shopping the Activia and plain almonds soon enough.

How do I cope?  Well, let’s just say I feel like a downright rebel with my processed white sandwich bread.  Yep, I’m eating my smooth jelly toast and grilled cheese sandwiches with abandon.  Toss in a side of Activia and some almonds for dessert—and I am partying like it’s 1999!

So, Aisle 1 at Walmart, go on with your tricks and manipulation.  I’ve got your number.  And it is 1-800-Forget Jenny, It’s the Twinkie Diet 4 Me!!!

Welcome to My Crazy Adoption Blog!!  We have a brand new look and it reads just like a magazine.  I blog daily for moms and advocating for orphan care in a crazy way!  I’d love for you to check out posts, videos, and articles from top to bottom- it’s my passion to blog with a purpose and have fun making new bloggy friends along the adventure.  The best way for me to meet you is by becoming a regular commenter.  I read every comment and respond to as many of you as I can.  You can also email me if you want to chat privately.  Thank you for stopping by and joining the craziness!

I leave for Africa in a few days, so stop by and read all the new posts from incredible guest bloggers.

Moms, I found this super cool blogger Frugal Upstate that had a great article on snowy day activities to do when school is closed and your kids are starring at you to be fun!  I came up with snow ice cream, but Jenn came up with 40+ things to do outside & inside.

40 Things to do on a School Snow Day- click here for list!

 

This was my very first Mommy DIY post last winter.  A blast from the past- watch the video and start making snow memories today!  I realize many of you already knew I was a crazy mom, but this video proves my craziness.  I thought it would be fun to make this activity out in the elements- it was freezzzing!  My adorable son, Michael helped make it so fun!

What is your favorite snow memory?  Share with me in the comments.

If you don’t live near snow, you can still make snow ice cream- find a way to make or buy shaved ice- we have a snow cone maker that spits out the best fake snow!  Be creative & have fun!

Snow Ice Cream:

• 1/2 cups half & half or whole milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 4 cups of clean snow or shaved ice

Blend the milk, sugar and vanilla together until the sugar dissolves.  Mix 4 cups of snow & stir until you get the same consistency of ice cream.  Add toppings or chocolate syrup to make a Snowy Sundae!

Once upon a time there was a group of Pirates that didn’t have anything to do.   Arrrrrr they were tired of the same old lazy land lubbin’ plundering, homework, sports practice, and chores.  Well, the Pirates who didn’t do anything decided to make a difference in Ethiopia and dig a well.  They were good at digging, but had neverrrr “piratin” such an adventure before!

I’m one proud mom of one of those crazy Pirates who arrrrrr digging a well in Ethiopia- please leave me a comment if you have any questions about how you can jump on board!!

The Pirates have teamed up with Julie and Rob Neal’s Dig Deep Project and A Glimmer of Hope and are working hard to raise $10,000 or more as a school to bring fresh, clean water to Chuko Weyama.  In fact, at the time of print, their total booty earnings $4,700!!!

Campaign Details

Status:Running

Campaign Type: General Fund Raising

Targeted Project Type: Water and Sanitation

Village: Chuko Weyama

The Pirates Dig a Well team has 2 big events scheduled and needs civilians to help them spread the word:

• January 22, 2011- Pirate Auction at Payne Stewart Golf Course

• March 24, 2011- Pirates Run 4 Water (Dogwood Canyon)

You can participate simply by donating to the well project at www.piratesdigawell.com!!  A generous ex-pirate has pledged to match all earnings from December 1-31st 2010. (capped at $2,000)

A little information about A Glimmer of Hope: first of all, 100% OF ALL DONATIONS go directly to funding Pirates Dig A Well (even credit card and Paypal fees are reimbursed by Glimmer and back to the projects!) Glimmer’s mission is to lift women, children and families out of extreme poverty in rural Ethiopia. Using an entrepreneurial model developed by the organization, it provides clean water, schools, health clinics and micro finance loans. Over the last 10 years, A Glimmer of Hope has improved 2.5 million lives.  On behalf of those who lives are forever transformed by your generosity, thank you.

We are the pirates we don’t do anything

We just stay at home and lie around

And if you ask us to do anything

We’ll just tell you, we don’t do anything… but now are DIGGING A WELL IN ETHIOPIA!!

JUST FOR COUPLES… win a trip to a castle!!

Here’s the deal, buy a Dig Deep t-shirt, sweatshirt, hat, or coffee mug (proceeds benefit the Pirates/Dig Deep campaign to dig a well for Chuko Weyama, Ethiopia) and get entered to win a trip for two (husband and wife) to Gary Smalley’s incredible retreat for couples, “Guarding Your Child’s Heart” at the beautiful Glen Eyrie Castle!

Click here to enter to win!!

Come to beautiful Glen Eyrie Castle for the Guarding Your Child’s Heart Conference. Gary Smalley will present an action plan of memorizing and meditating for parents that will help parents turn everyday situations into moments where their child’s heart and mind can be engaged with Scripture and shaped to follow God. You’ll hear real life stories and be challenged to implement this simple yet powerful method for children of all ages.

Click here for more details about the retreat.

REMEMBER, BUY A T-SHIRT, BUILD A WELL, AND GET ENTERED TO WIN A TRIP FOR YOU AND YOUR SPOUSE TO A SPECIAL RETREAT WITH GARY SMALLEY, “GUARDING YOUR CHILD’S HEART”, AT THE GLEN ERYIE CASTLE!

I watched this video- It Began with Bale and I knew I had to know more about the family who adopted this precious little miracle girl, Bale.  The Wahlberg family’s adoption story is truly remarkable and miraculous- a story only God could write.

Introductions from Bale’s new daddy:

Wahlberg Blog here.

“In February 2007, while flying home from Uganda I (Kenny) asked God to position our family to be better givers. The answer came in the form of bankruptcy. We lost everything except for one vehicle, learned humbleness, and how to rely on God in the process.
During this time, we became pregnant with our third child. We transitioned into a rental home and learned to re-prioritize family and finances.
After two years of maintaining a consistent, healthy pattern with our family and stewardship of our finances, we were blessed with our fourth child. In July 2009, immediately after the delivery, I (Stephanie) heard God speak to my heart to trust Him with our future children and to give Him control of how many children to add to our family whether it be natural children or by adoption. This was a paradigm shift for us, which took faith and obedience. This was not an easy pill to swallow.
In October 2009, during a Rock Seed Offering service, our church family was presented with the possibility of adopting from the Drawn From Water Orphanage in Ethiopia, an organization that rescues children deemed “mingi” by their tribe. Mingi means the children are cursed; the most common reason is because the top teeth grow in first. The children are tossed into the river or left in the wilderness to die. Drawn From Water has set up an orphanage for these children rescued from sure death.
By November, we were fully committed to adopt one of these beautiful children and begin to complete the necessary adoption paperwork.
In March 2010, we received an adoption referral for Bale, the first child rescued by Drawn From Water.
In May 2010, the Ethiopian Government deemed Bale our daughter, but because the U.S. Government requested more research and paperwork, it would be over three months before we could pick her up.
I (Kenny) flew to Ethiopia and met Bale on 9/11 – our gotcha date in adoption terms. In Ethiopia this date signifies Ethiopia’s New Year and there is celebrating in the streets as people wear traditional attire and put long grass in the streets and their homes. This is a time of expressing hopes and dreams for the future. This is indeed what we felt as we embraced Bale as our daughter.
During our early years of marriage Stephanie was diagnosed by doctors of having very little chance of getting pregnant. It was not until our 6th year of marriage and after 1 ½  years of trying that we finally had our first child. We are now expanding our family to number six – Stephanie is now pregnant again!
Children are a heritage and a reward from The Lord. In our scenario, 2.5 kids would be ideal, but we are so thankful that God has bigger plans and ideas then our mere ones. Our quiver is very full and we are beyond blessed. Choosing to obey, give sacrificially, and trust God with our lives is a much more satisfying and exciting life. We are not missing out with that combination!
As we are getting to know Bale we are discovering how much she really fits into our family.  She is full of energy, loves to meet new people and make them feel special, and is showing lots of leadership qualities. Each of our family is learning to become a new an improved member of the Wahlberg clan as we discover the world of adoption.

God heard our cry to be givers and to make a difference in this world with our family; He has graciously provided. May God do the same for you as you trust Him for the cry of your own heart.”  Bless you,  Kenneth Wahlberg

New video to watch of the Wahlberg family

Update on Bale from her new mommy:

(pronounced Ball-A in case you were wondering)  “Bale has adjusted very well like she never missed a beat. The major transition was the first 6 weeks when she would go to any mommy for comfort because they all represented nannies to her. (She lived in 3 places before she came to us….that is a lot of change for a 3 year old!) After 6 weeks that stopped and she knew I was her mommy and only came to me for love and comfort. That melted my heart! The practical side of things: She stayed in our bed the first month and then transitioned to a toddler bed in our room. My son who is the exact same age moved his toddler bed in with her so this was great! Then the following month, we placed both of them and our older daughter in their own room! And the toilet was her favorite thing for the first two months…..always going to the bathroom and twice I was not with her and she flooded the toilet. At church, they had a plunger in the bathroom and I found her plunging it and making a mess. Oh the joys! Having two toddlers means double the trouble too! I am always on the alert! One time I found teething gel all over their faces! Her English is coming along. She can put 2 or 3 words together to make sentences and she has almost from the beginning understood me. That was a surprise….she is a smart girl! And one last thing, I must say her favorite thing are flowers. She just loves flowers!”

Drawn from Water Website- Follow the blog!!

Drawn from Water Store- click here.

Mission Statement

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!!

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. 

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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.