Perfect Moment Monday

In the midst of a chaotic week I did take a moment to stop and breathe.



Perfect Timing

I Capture Perfect Moments.

Local Yokel

How To Rock A Friday Night...

... Mel Style ...

I spent a lovely evening manning a booth for our county at a local street fair. As always, we're trying to get the word out that we are in need of foster families and respite care providers.

Big Time.

A couple of us did free manicures for littles (mine ranged anywhere from 4-13) and I painted nails until it was too dark to see well. Note to self: Bring a light next year because the iPhone flashlight does NOT cut the mustard under these circumstances. I feel for my last few customers but did remind them they couldn't ask for a refund. LOL

It was a great turn out, I loved chatting it up with the kids and it was nice to catch up with some fav social workers I hadn't seen for a while. Hopefully we were able to get some new families on board.


Today my back is aching and my hands are covered in a rainbow of nail polish colors.

I couldn't be happier..

1 Year Ago Today...

The twins went home... Here's the post. It feels like a thousand years ago and yesterday.

Weird.

Back then we were fairly certain the family would reach out and stay in touch with us (once the kiddos got settled back in). I think that glimmer of hope helped give our hearts peace.

Unfortunately, they did not.

It has been a tough week.. I miss Jack and Jill something fierce. Word through the grapevine had been they were doing well and that's all we can hope for. I am so grateful to the families of our other kiddos that have stayed in touch. It so helps in the healing.


Prayers for our beautiful twins.. that they are safe, smothered in love and happy. Today and always.

Lovely Suzanne Is Back For More Fun!!

Our special guest tonight is the lovely Suzanne Smith from Love Without Boundaries.

A mommy of four (her youngest, now 5, was adopted from China through the Special Needs program), is the Associate Director of Communications for LWB and passionate about getting the word out about her amazing organization.

What does LWB do? From their web site:
"LWB began in the year 2003, after a group of adoptive parents came together to help save the life of one tiny boy in China. Following his successful heart surgery, they realized that people with a pure love for helping children can truly make a difference. LWB incorporated as a 501(c)(3) charity in the state of Oklahoma, and our worldwide team of volunteers went to work. We have watched our foundation grow from providing a handful of surgeries and baby formula in 2003 to touching the lives of thousands of children today through our many program areas. LWB holds Charity Navigator's highest 4 star rating and has an administrative overhead of less than 8%."

Tonight is going to be a totally rockin' show.

Suzanne will be giving away 3 copies of "Love's Journey 2". A beautiful hardback full-color book featuring families with children adopted from China sharing their stories:


HOW COOL IS THAT??!!

Want to join the fun but not quite sure how?? Right around 9PM EST tonight
CLICK HERE ~~~>

Type in a chat name and you're in like Flynn!!! Grab your fav bevvie and join us!!

Miss Deb Goes To Washington

I love when someone spectacular gets recognized and today I'm thrilled to share some BIG NEWS! Deb is a dear friend of Full Circle and Adoption Angles and I'm OVER THE MOON excited to share the following press release. Please read it and leave Deb a BIG, HEARTFELT CONGRATS!! :o)

Congressman Jim Himes Honors Debbie Schwartz as an Angel in Adoption™ To Be Recognized at National Event in Washington, DC

Greenwidh – August 19, 2010 – Congressman Jim Himes has selected Jewish Family Services Adoption Connection Program Coordinator Debbie Schwartz as a 2010 Angel in AdoptionTM for her outstanding advocacy of adoption. The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI), which orchestrates the Angels in Adoption™ program, will honor Schwartz, along with more than 190 Angels, at an awards ceremony and gala event in Washington, DC, October 6, 2010.

For over a decade, Schwartz has been a devoted and effective advocate for adoption and adoption services. A longstanding volunteer for the Adoptive Parents Committee, Inc. (APC) she has served on the APC Board of Governors and as co-President of the Hudson Chapter. For more than ten years she has facilitated the APC monthly meetings in Fairfield County, helping countless numbers of people looking to build their families through adoption. An avid speaker and leader at area adoption conferences and workshops, she is currently promoting positive adoption awareness and education as the Program Coordinator for Adoption Connection of Jewish Family Services of Greenwich. She is an online group moderator and speaker promoting positive adoption language and support in this era of online social networking. Schwartz is also the founder and director of the Forever Families Weekend for Jewish Families Touched by Adoption, the first program specifically dedicated to furthering positive adoption growth and education for Forever Families in the Jewish community. Forever Families Weekend is coordinated jointly by Jewish Family Services of Greenwich and the New Jersey “Y” Camps.

The Angels in Adoption™ program is CCAI’s signature public awareness campaign and provides an opportunity for all members of the U.S. Congress to honor the good work of their constituents who have enriched the lives of foster children and orphans in the United States and abroad.

“The Angels in Adoption program is unlike any other program in the Nation’s Capitol. Because of it, over 1600 “Angels’ have come to share with Washington their adoption experience and left with a renewed excitement of all that adoption makes possible,” said Kathleen Strottman. “I learned one simple lesson from my time on the hill, knowledge is power. Angels in Adoption is meant to give Members of Congress the knowledge they need to use the power they have toward making the dream of a family a reality for every child.”

In addition to the more than 190 local angels from around the country, several National Angels will also be recognized at the ceremony and gala for their dedication and commitment nationally and internationally to child welfare on a grand scale. Former “National Angels” include First Lady Laura Bush, Patti LaBelle, Jane Seymour, Muhammad Ali, the late Dave Thomas, Steven Curtis Chapman, Bruce Willis, Alonzo Mourning, and Marcus Samuelsson.

The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) is a 501(c)3 nonpartisan organization dedicated to raising awareness about the tens of thousands of orphans and foster children in the United States and the millions of orphans around the world in need of permanent, safe, and loving homes through adoption. CCAI’s goal is the elimination of the barriers that hinder these children from realizing their basic right of a family.

CCAI was created in 2001 by the active co-chairs of the bicameral, bipartisan Congressional Coalition on Adoption (CCA) to more effectively raise Congressional and public awareness about the issue of adoption.

The Angels in Adoption™ program was established in 1999 as a Congressional press conference to honor outstanding individuals. Since then, the program has developed into a yearlong public awareness campaign culminating in an extraordinary awards Gala and celebration in Washington, D.C.

CCAI does not receive any government funding and they rely on the generous support of foundations, corporations, and individuals to accomplish their mission. For more information visit http://www.ccainstitute.org/

Deb, I still think you should do my MomTV show LIVE from the Washington awards ceremony.. LOL...

Miss Harley Jo ~ Another Great Save!

This is the little 5 year old female that was on death row with only days left at the shelter. She had been surrendered because of barking complaints from neighbors. We were told she had gotten nippy with kiddos but they were bugging her to the point she finally gave them the what-for.

Min Pin Style

I was thrilled to discover she is crate trained (let me tell ya, a non trained dog in a crate makes for a looooong hour and a half transport.. no joke..). She was quiet and slept through most of the trip, undoubtedly relieved to be out of shelter with all the big, scary noises and smells. Harley Jo is sweet, sassy and cuddly and has the most beautiful soft, silky coat ev-er.

I transported our little Missy to her new foster home last night... her new mommy fell in love with her at first sight. She's just that darling, y'all!

SO, if you're in CO and looking to adopt a wonderful miniature pinscher companion, please go to IMPS CO and check out ALL of our darling babies (Harley Jo will be posted soon).

Not in CO and interested in a min pin? Do not fret, IMPS is a National Rescue.. go to our Dogs Available Page, find your state and fall in love.

You know what they say.. Min Pins are like Pringles.. you can't have just one..

Headed To The Humane Society.. AGAIN!

But this time it's a GOOD THING!

I'm pulling a minpin for our rescue (a 5yr old black&tan) that is on death row. We had a volunteer step up to foster her.. YAY! She's gonna stay with us tonight and I'll be transporting her to SW Denver tomorrow. Another great save by IMPS.. WOOHOO!!


Yes, we foster 4 legged loved ones, as well..

:o)

Who Is Up Tonight On MTVAA!?

Lovely Erika from The Rock Church Adoption Ministry will be joining us from sunny San Diego, CA! We will be chatting about their infertility struggles, their own adoption journey, open adoption and their Rockin' ministry.

Pun intended. :)


How do you find us? Click Here:



Make up a chat name and voila! You're in like Flynn! Make sure to give yourself a chatname because we'll be giving away some cool shirts from LikeWear!!!

Join us TONIGHT 9PM EST and 6PM PST for all my westie besties! See y'all then!

Hiatus Highlights...

So, what-all happens when you're on break between kiddos? First and foremost, you catch up on sleep. In JuneBug's instance, I can count on one hand the times she slept the night through. You don't feel it while you're in the throws of the issues but once your little one has departed, exhaustion hits you like a Mack truck. 5 months of little to no slumber takes it's toll and sleep is still my bestie.

Big Time.

During hiatus we also cut loose and break away from the schedule. On weekends I stay up late catching up on all my DVR'd shows and eat we what we want, when we want. Take last weekend for example:

My Breakfast:


My Lunch:


My Dinner:


Chocotherapy? It works.. trust me..

My Rock Star Guest Tonight On Adoption Angles Is...

JUDY M. MILLER!!!

Judy is an adoptive parent and adoption advocate living in the Midwest with her husband and four children. She has mentored prospective adoptive and adoptive parents for over a decade about adoption—its joys and issues. Judy is a columnist for the adoption network, Grown in My Heart, focusing on transracial parenting, special needs, and teens and tweens. Her essays and articles appear in adoption and parenting magazines. Judy’s stories are featured in A Cup of Comfort for Adoptive Families (Adams Media), Pieces of Me: Who Do I Want to Be? (EMK Press), and Chicken Soup for the Soul: Thanks Mom (Chicken Soup for the Soul). She presented on “Finding Our Stories Online” at Story Circle Network’s Stories of the Heart. Judy works as an adoptive parent educator and also offers online classes for adoptive parents of tweens and teens at Parenting Your Adopted Child: Tweens, Teens and Beyond.

She can be found at http://www.judymmiller.com/ and on Twitter: @MamaMiller...

We will be chatting about adoptive parenting, of course, specifically about parenting tweens and teens who have been adopted.



Join us LIVE TONIGHT at 9PM EST On MomTV's Adoption Angles!

Raving Over Ravi ~ Instant Wine Chiller

The Ravi chills wine instantly as you pour, going from from room temperature to serving temperature in seconds! Remove your Ravi from the freezer, insert it in your bottle and pour. Wine passes through the frozen steel chamber inside into your glass, chilling your reds or whites to perfection. Don't worry, the chiller maintains the wine's characteristics and does not alter the taste. The finger tip-control air inlet helps you adjust serving temp and prevent dripping. It also can be used with your other favorite spirits, as well!



As a wine enthusiast, I love this very handy device.. it's an absolute must-have (and makes for a great gift, as well!).

Where can you find one?? Why, it's the first of many products at my OpenSky shop, as a matter of fact! It's only $40 and from now until August 16th shipping is FREE!! Zilch, Zip, NADA!!! Just plunk in the code: FREESHIPPING and it's.. let's say it again.. FREEEEE!!



Remember, not only are you buying an item I'm giving two thumbs up for, proceeds will be going to help build families at Parenthood For Me!!



Let The Shopping Begin!!

Perfect Moment Monday ~ Totally Stolen But Perfect Just The Same..

To be quite honest, last week was pretty much one big, "Meh".. I worked wicked long hours, I was exhausted and kinda cranky. And I missed BlogHer 10 in NYC. My Perfect Moment came LAST NIGHT when I SAW THIS ...

WHO IS ON THE LIST???? --->GO HERE<--- and find out! Yes, my Perfect Moment is totally kieped but it made my week. I screeched so loud it sent the canines scrambling out of the room and DH in to check on me.

I was that happy.

I am throwing down the Bloggy PMM Bling, but no, I did not actually capture the moment. I'm just basking in the glow of another's..

(Make sure to leave a note of congratulations!)

I Capture Perfect Moments.

It's A Sign...

Right?

MomTV Rocks BlogHer 2010 In NYC!!

Stuck at home and missing all the BlogHer 2010 fun in NYC (like Moi??!). Feeling down and left out?? Fret no more!! Some of our fav MomTV hosts (and hostesses) will be broadcasting LIVE Thursday (TONIGHT), Friday and Saturday!

Check Out The Awesome Schedule:

And join them LIVE ----> CLICK HERE <----

It'll be just like being there (in your pj's like me!)..

My Awesome Guest (& Giveaway Winner) Tonight On MTVAA!

Who's my rockin' guest tonight??! It's our dear friend Debbie Schwartz, that's who! She is one of our wonderful regulars and we adore her! Deb is the Program Coordinator at Adoption Connection at Jewish Family Services of Greenwich, where she oversees pre- and post-adoption education. She's chock full of valuable information (and a total HOOT, I might add!).

Don't forget.. I'll also be announcing the winner of the SkinCareRX's Personal Microderm System!!! A $180 value, y'all! There's still time to enter..

---> CLICK HERE! <----

Join us LIVE tonight on MomTV's Adoption Angles at 9PM EST (6PM PST!!) and chat it up with Deb and me!

Psssstt!!! There's Still Time..

To enter to win a Personal Microderm from SkinCareRX
(A $180 value!)

---> CLICK HERE <---

And scroll down for instructions!

One randomly-chosen winner will be announced LIVE on MomTV's Adoption Angles Wednesday (8/4) at 9PM EST!!

Now go on.. SSHHOOO!!!

My OpenSky Shop ~ With A Cool Twist!

I am thrilled to announce my partnership with OpenSky, a new online concept of shopping. It is a personalized feel with shopkeepers (moi) who believe in their products and share with their readers. What will I be selling? Ooohh, just wait and see..

BUT HERE'S THE COOL PART!

ALL proceeds (yep, 100% of what I make) will be going to Parenthood For Me, a nonprofit that helps build families via grants to aid financially with infertility treatments or the cost of adoption.Bottom line? Not only will you be able to purchase awesome products hand-chosen by yours truly, you will help build families by giving to an awesome cause!!

STAY TUNED!

Nantie Has Left The Building..

For all of you newer readers, our fost-adopt journey started in 2007 with DH's Auntie coming to live with us shortly after our original certification. She had just moved back from out of state and the home she owned here in town was rented. A brilliant family member came up with the fantastic idea of her moving in with us, getting certified and helping with the kiddos. Doing transport to visits, watching them, etc. while we were at work. It was a perfect solution for all of us. She was a Nanny-Auntie.. Hence her blog name, "Nantie".. Before JuneBug left a few months ago, it was decided that Nantie was going to retire from fostering and check some things off "The List". Some R&R, travel.. you name it. During Bug's time with us two people she adored passed away (one an expected loss, one completely unexpected .. both crushing). It was a wake up call that our time here is short and every single day a gift. She would continue to live here (of course!) but life was calling and there were adventures to be had. 

 Then, in walked Elvis.. (Nantie, I know you're giggling).

Out of the blue, she gets a phone call from a widowed gentleman-friend she has known for years. Someone she has had a crush on from afar.. and he asks her out on a date. (Cue romantic music and hearts a-flutter). Since that call, it has been nothing short of a fairytale romance. They both are head over heels and completely inseparable. Graceland (Elvis' home.. duh!) is about an hour away and Nantie (along with Miss Oreo-her darling Dal) are there pretty much full time now. 

For the first time in 2+ years, our home feels really big and empty. It's so quiet. Nantie, I will miss our weekend coffee klatsch and the hours we spent chatting at the kitchen table. Please know you made a huge impact on the lives of Jack, Jill, Mannie, Sunshine, JuneBug.. me and DH. Thank you for putting up with all our crazy, loving the children with all your heart and being with us on this journey. We could not of pulled this off without you and we truly hope you know how much we love you. I believe with all my heart the timing of this is so not a coincidence and it's His plan. We couldn't be happier for you and Elvis (still giggling) .. no one deserves this joy more than you two. Last but not least.. Thank you.. ThankYouVeryMuch! (sorry, I just couldn't help myself..) xoxoxo,