The word is out!

I sent a little sample of jewelry with Stephen today to show his colleagues. He's in a building full of ladies. There was a lot of interest and he has already sold several items!

A couple of my Haiti adoption friends kindly pointed out to me that the thing I thought was a very long necklace is actually Christmas tree garland. That makes a bit more sense!! I'm sure it would be beautiful strung around a Christmas tree!

I don't know how long these items will last, but it's not too late!!

Beautiful Jewelry

If you have had a chance to watch the Apparent Project video, you have seen how the beautiful Haitian Artisans make their beads. They used recycled materials such as cereal boxes. When I received my shipment of products to sell on Monday, I was stunned at the beauty of each piece. Each one is uniquely handcrafted. I'm so excited to be able to help the people of Haiti in this way. The Apparent Project's mission is to provide a means for mothers and fathers to keep their children so they don't have to take them to an orphanage for financial reasons.

These are perfect Christmas gifts! The box I received on this shipment is not for our adoption fundraising. If I have success selling these items, I may choose to receive a box of bracelets to sell in the future.  If you see an item you just have to have, please let me know!  Most of the items comes with a bio on the artist who made it which makes them extra special!

Christmas Tree Ornaments (Stephen loves these! $8)

Small bag for credit cards, passports, etc. $6

Earrings $5 (I have many different colors to choose from)

Key Chains $5

Cross ornaments $5

Child's bracelets $5

Christmas garland $25

Bracelets $5-6

More bracelets 

Short Necklaces $14

Short necklace $15 The artist who made this, Elinord, is a single mother of two who has suffered much in life including being the victim of domestic abuse. She is currently homeless and trying to save enough money to rent a home. She is one of the hardest working women in the Apparent Project program and is extremely intelligent with so much potential!

Short Necklaces $14

Short Necklaces

Long Necklaces $18-$22

Long Necklace (close-up is picture above)

Long Necklace $22 (reaches below my belly button)

Long Necklace $18

Long Necklace

Long Necklace

Long Necklace $18 (Nathan made this. He was orphaned by his mother's death as a boy. His father has done his best to raise Nathan and his two brothers in very harsh conditions. Remarkably, Nathan has been able to finish 11th grade and wants to use his earnings to finish school and go on to university.

I have 160 items to sell so there is lots to choose from! 

Apparent Project

Several of my Team Haiti friends started selling jewelry made by Haitians and provided by the ministry The Apparent Project.  I decided to jump on the bandwagon and start selling the jewelry too! Items from The Apparent Project have even been featured in Vogue. It is a wonderful opportunity to give to the people of Haiti and help our adoption in the process! Half of the proceeds go to the maker of the item and the other half goes toward our adoption expenses.




These make perfect Christmas gifts! If you are interested, please let me know! I will be receiving my shipment early this week.  I will post pictures of some of the items as soon as I can.

Regimens

I am terrible with regimens and schedules and I love to procrastinate.

So why am I signed up for a one-month treatment plan to ease headaches and neck pain?

I am signed up for Living Social (which I LOVE) and when I received a deal for a one hour massage for $20, I was all over that!

I had the best massage I think I've ever had and they offered a free chiropractic consultation. What's the harm in that?

Doc took an x-ray and determined I have a bit of arthritis in my cervical spine. My posture is terrible and my neck and upper back are weak.  He recommended physical therapy, chiropractic manipulation and massage 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Yikes! Thankfully I have good insurance.

Did I tell you I can't stick to regimens?

Poor Stephen. I'm set up for appointments from now until 2012 which means we won't be getting home until 7:30 three nights per week.

I had my first session tonight. I can tell you honestly I haven't felt this good in a long time. We'll see if it lasts. It's probably not normal to experience a headache almost every day, ringing in the ears, and other issues. Instantly after doc manipulated my neck my ears popped and I could hear as clear as a bell! I was in shock!  I had gone to my regular MD before Haiti and he had given me steroids for my ears which didn't do a single thing.

Tonight I sit on my couch, head in alignment, ice pack on my neck.  If history repeats, this will last, mmmmmm 2 weeks.

But, I really do want to be a good little patient. And I do want to feel better. Maybe this is a way to pass the time while we wait for our kids to get here. Heaven knows, I need all the distractions I can get!

New page added

When I discussed my blog with a dear friend, she mentioned that people might be interested in our home remodel we completed a few years ago. I finally got the chance to scan some old photos and organize them and post them. p.s. Google Blogger, you didn't make this very easy.

It's quite lengthy so grab a cup of coffee, or a bagel and enjoy. You can link to it here or at the top of my blog in the tabbed section.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Ms. Angie

Angie, along with the nannies at Maison is the mother figure to our two children right now. I don't know if I can really put into words the gratefulness I have in my heart for Angie and the nannies. I know she's too humble to talk about herself, but I would like to take a moment to share a few words about her.

When we were planning our trip to Haiti in March, besides meeting our kids, I was most excited about meeting Angie. You see, she named our little boy, Samson.

Samson was the first picture we saw when we received children's files. His name immediately caught my attention. I always desired to have children with strong Biblical names and you can't get more Biblical than Samson! His name was partially what drew us to have him be a part of our family.

Angie inspires me. She lives and serves in a country with unbelievable difficulties. Nothing is easy in Haiti. I've only spent 4 days there, but I came away from there wondering how she does it. I know she relies heavily on the Lord and prayers from her supporters. Would you take some time to pray for her today? This week has been especially difficult as one of the children at Maison went to be with Jesus this week. You can visit her blog here. 

Sitting in the Port Au Prince airport with Kim Harmon from For His Glory and Angie.

This and that

My dear adoption friend, Mandy posted this video from her church. I know you have a busy life, but this is one hour that might just change your life.  Do you know how much you are loved by God? Watch this and find out.





We received new pictures of Lydie & Samson this afternoon. A sight for sore eyes for sure! Enjoy the new pictures!