Posted on 12 February 2011 by Kari Gibson
Guest Blogger-
There were very few things more important than a Valentine box when I was in the fourth grade. It was an unwritten rule; if it looked good, so did you. I spent hours crunching through my cardboard shoebox with safety scissors creating what looked like a crepe paper and glitter explosion. It was perfect!
However, there was an even more daunting task ahead … making sure the right card was sent to the right person in the classroom. The rest of the school year could end up in ruins if a girl goofed and sent a boy one of the cards that had the LOVE word on it. The thought of Ricky Ashmore or Bobby Webb getting one of the LOVE cards with my signature on it still makes my mouth go dry!
One simple word can alter the landscape on any relationship, especially if you are in the fourth grade. Even for grown ups, the word love can be misunderstood and confusing. What does it really mean to love someone? Does our behavior match our loosely spoken words? Do we say, “I love you” but fail to show respect or keep our promises? Do we get testy and selfish about silly details? Do we explode on someone who innocently says something to kick us up from steaming mad to boiling over?
First Corinthians Chapter 13 doesn’t hem-haw or stutter when it tells us what love is and what love isn’t. But have you ever read past verse seven? Verse 11 says, “When I was a child I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man I put childish ways behind me.” The translation straight from the Greek is, “Get your thumb out of your mouth and grow up.” What is the mile-marker-age we put childish ways behind us? I’m not sure, but clearly we’re old enough to put on our big kid pants, get over ourselves, and move on.
All of us fumble around attempting to do the best we can in our relationships and we still mess up more than we would like to admit. Humbling ourselves, acknowledging when we’re wrong, asking for forgiveness and trying again is how love works. By the way, if we’re honestly putting childish ways behind us, the pouting and grudge holding aren’t a part of the equation.
Love is so much more than a fabulous Valentine box or a I love my Doberman bumper sticker or a I heart … fill-in-the-blank tee shirt. It’s complicated, mysterious, and like anything, the learning curve can be exhausting. But it’s worth it. The one thing I do know this: the farther behind us we put the childish things, the easier it gets.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Posted on 12 February 2010 by Kari Gibson
We made a red velvet cake on Monday… Hannah was home for a snowy day off. She pretty much tackled the entire cake by herself and it was incredible! The best part was the pics of the girls with red stained lips and teeth! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Red Velvet Ingredients:
- 1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
- 1 (3.5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 4 eggs
- 1 ounce red food coloring
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup cold milk
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
- 1 (3.5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
Mix it Together with Love Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour one 9 x 13 inch pan.
- Mix together cake mix, 1 box pudding mix, eggs, oil, food coloring, water, vinegar, and cocoa. Pour into prepared pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 35 to 40 minutes. Cool.
- Beat together milk and cream cheese. Mix in 1 box pudding mix. Fold in whipped topping. Spread on cooled cake. Refrigerate.
Posted on 12 February 2010 by Kari Gibson
I read every one of your comments!! Every entry you earned was counted. I randomly selected 1 crazy lucky winner out of the candy bowl!! CONGRATS … Amber Booy!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are the winner of the Valentine Heart necklace. Email me!!
Also, the very last comment left tonight was HEIDI- closest to 100!!! Heidi, you were the 63rd comment on My Crazy Adoption. You have won a HopeChest Africa & Heart T shirt for Valentine’s Day!! Congrats!! Here was your entry- email me!
Heidi says: February 14, 2010 at 8:01 PM
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This is my biggest giveaway yet on My Crazy Adoption! On Valentine’s Day, I’m giving away 1 stunning “What’s in My Heart” necklace and 2 charms. (I know… I’m sooo excited too!) This is a value of $150 and includes the heart pendant, chain and 2 charms. These beautiful pendants allow you to insert a variety of charms to make a fully customized necklace.
The necklace and heart are both made of genuine Sterling Silver and the heart is approximately 1″ by 1″ and has a clear backing. Charms vary in size but are generally around 1/4″ (approx. 6-8 charms will fit in the heart). Hearts and chains are finished with rhodium to prevent tarnishing. It was even featured in People Magazine.
For goodness sakes, how do I win this crazy necklace?
You have a few ways to earn entries….
- 1 entry- add my crazy button on your blog. If it’s already there- you still get 1 freebie entry.
- 1 entry- share my craziness on FB or Twitter.
- 1 entry- click & vote for me on top mommy blog button.
- 1 entry- share with me “what’s in your heart?” You can be mushy, gushy or silly. (I can’t wait to read these!) If you are too shy to share- then I want to know what your favorite candy is to eat on Valentine’s Day.
OK- all I need you to do is leave the number of entries you earn in 1 comment. (not one at a time, but all in 1 comment) You can earn up to 4 entries for this giveaway. Please don’t forget to add your first name and email. 1 winner will be randomly selected after my Valentine’s Day date with hubby. Winner will be announced at 8:00 PM right here at this post.
Again, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for making “Shirts For Shoes” so crazy for over 800 orphans in Ethiopia! My crazy readers, you are in my heart… you really are!
A little sneek peek of my niece, Annie who is waiting in China for her new parents. “Annie, you are in my heart… Aunti Kiki can’t wait to meet you!”
Click button everyday 2 Vote- that’s it… to help make crazy blog #1!!! Clicky click!!
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Posted on 28 January 2010 by Kari Gibson
I just asked Hannah to randomly pick a number between 1 and 35…. she has not read any of the comments, but I did and loved reading why you wanted to win the 2 HopeChest Simply Love T shirts. I wish I could send all of you a T, but the WINNER for the romantic giveaway is #5…. here is your winning comment: Congrats & email me!!
Jenn says: January 27, 2010 at 9:16 AM
I’m so happy you hit the 400 shirts mark! I’m praying for the extra 100 (or 200!). Who wouldn’t want a shirt to help spread orphan awareness?!?!?! I want it because I bought one for me and the kids and now dh could match us too! 
Crazy Update: We’ve exceeded the 400 goal and are now opening up to older kids…we have set a new goal for HopeChest Project “Shirts For Shoes” Please pray we can sell an additional 200 T shirts to provide new shoes for OLDER orphans at the Kolfe Orphanage in Ethiopia. Their shoes cost 3x more $. Please donate now!!
I LOVE romance and I LOVE Giveaways = combine the two for a special Valentines Day happy just for you & your sweetheart. All you need to do to win 2 HopeChest Project T shirts is leave me a comment and share with me why you want this giveaway. This is a 3-day Giveaway, so feel free to enter 1 time a day. I will announce the winner right here in 3 days!
Giveaway- a value $75 of crazy love.
Couples, even if you don’t win, please be a part of our HopeChest Project and help us reach our new goal of 600 T’s by Feb. 1st!!!
You win…
- 2 HopeChest Project T shirts- you pick style & sizes.
- 2 autographed books- As Long As We Both Shall Love by Gary Smalley & Ted Cunningham.
Winner- email me so I can get all your mailing information.
Will you do me a big favor? Please take the time to help My Crazy Adoption win #1 Top Mommy Blog. Just click on this cute button & it automatically grabs your vote- that’s it. Click & Click- you can vote everyday for craziness!! We only need 300 votes to jump up to #3rd place today.![Top Mommy Blogs - Mom Blog Directory]()
