Christmas presents?--Shepherd's Field Children's Village--raising awareness and funds UPDATE

As most of you know, in addition to our 2 wonderful sons, Troy and I have 2 daughters from China. We are also hoping to adopt another little girl who is at Grace's orphanage. Adoption has changed and enriched our lives in so many ways. It has opened our eyes to see God's hand at work, truly shown us what God has done for us when He adopted us, blessed us with 2 amazing daughters who could only have been chosen by God.

But it has also opened our eyes and hearts to the plight of orphans and God's command to ALL Christians to care for them. For some this may mean adoption (which I would LOVE to discuss with you if you're feeling led); for some it may mean helping others to adopt--with financial support, a friend to lean on, cry with, and rejoice with; for others it may mean giving of ourselves with our time, prayers, and finances.

Our Grace was truly blessed to live at Shepherd's Field Children's Village. This was not her original orphanage. She was moved from her original orphanage when she was 2 months old. In God's wisdom, great blessing, and HUMOR (if you know Grace and how big she is for a 3 year old), the reason she was moved wasn't her missing arm--it was for "failure to thrive!"

SFCV is an orphanage dedicated to children with special needs and is run by Philip Hayden foundation, an American Christian foundation. SFCV is not only an orphanage, they are growing and expanding constantly. Check out http://chinaorphans.org/phfblog/ about-sfcv/ to see EVERYTHING they do for the orphans. SFCV is also in need of sponsors for the children. One way we are raising awareness for them is to sell jade bracelets. We are selling the bracelets for $7 each. ALL profits go to SFCV! I think these would make wonderful gifts at Christmas time. I always love gifts that keep on giving!

Bracelets are $7 each.  If you're interested in purchasing any bracelets, you can email me at troyandcharlene93 @ yahoo.com (take out spaces).

If you are interested in adoption, we have 2 blogs about our adoptions:
http://www.journeytoshaoey.com/
http://www.yourgraceisenough.com/.

And SFCV's site is www.ChinaOrphans.org

Picture 1: (SOLD OUT)

Picture 2: (1 left in brown)

Picture 3:

Picture 4:

Picture 5: (SOLD OUT)

Picture 6: (SOLD OUT)

Picture 7: (SOLD OUT)

Picture 8: (SOLD OUT)

Picture 9: (1 red and 1 dark green left)

Picture 10:

Picture 11: (SOLD OUT)

Picture 12:

Picture 13: (sold out of the one on the right)

Picture 14:

Picture 15:

Picture 16: (SOLD OUT)

Picture 17:

I sold out of quite a few, but I have more coming by either Tuesday or Wednesday of next week!

Some lighthearted encouragement

Since Monday is therapy and library here at our house, Tuesdays are my Monday. Thought I share a little laughter and encouragement with you:

When life hands you lemons...

What does any self respecting homeschool family do?

We make LEMONADE, of course!

We also had a bunch of satsumas.  The kids peeled them.  Gracie had a special job of pulling the pieces apart.  We spread them on a pan and put them in to freeze.  We'll see how it works.  I figured we'd take them out the when we pack a picnic lunch and see if they've defrosted enough by lunch time!

Nature study

One Charlotte Mason study I've had trouble implementing is Nature Study.  Wierd, huh, considering we live on 6 acres...  We took a walk around the yard today, exploring, taking pictures, collecting items to look at back in the house, and trying our hand at sketching what we saw (mom, too!).  Thought I'd share some of the things we found today:

I love my kids...

Confession:  The computer is my escape from "reality," or atleast my reality.  When the kids are rough, or Troy's gone hunting, or I just need Cal*gon to take me away, I hop on the computer.  I LOVE living vicariously through other people's blogs...  So while I am physically here with them, I wasn't mentally with them (OUCH!).  So I've been trying very hard to cut back on computer time and spend more involved time with my children which is why I haven't posted as often.

Spending so active time with my children has allowed me to see them doing all sorts of wild and wonderful things, so most of this post will be pictures.  I think they all pretty much speak for themselves!

Sorry, I know that was a lot.  I just couldn't choose.  We have had so much fun the last couple weeks!

I love my kids so much.  They really are the best kids in the whole wide world!  I cannot imagine missing out on all the wonderful adventures we have together.  I am so thankful that we are a homeschooling family--it's not something we do; it's who we are, it's our way of life.  I think that's why so many people say they can't "do" it.  It's not about doing "it," it is about living together as a family the way God intended us to live.  They don't understand "it."