Nuggets For Neal - Book Sale

Another adoptive mom who believes in Neal and understands that he needs a family has graciously offered to help me raise funds through selling a book she has written.  All profits from any sales will go directly to Neal's grant fund.

The book is called Tree of Life.  It's available for $12.00 here or $9.99 as a Kindle edition via Amazon.



"Connect the dots" from Genesis to Revelation!
This book is unique in that it's not just filled with Bible stories, but it is THE story of the Bible--unified, and continuous, in chronological order, from the book of Genesis, through the book of Revelation. Readers will get the big picture of God's plan of salvation for mankind!  This book is a great accompaniment to the Bible, and will help readers gain more insight into the Word of God. 
 Free audio book download included with purchase! 

Also available: The Tree of Life Curriculum Guide:
Download Free Curriculum Guide 
Over 500 activities & questions to help readers gain a deeper understanding of the scriptures!

You can purchase the Kindle edition of the book directly from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Tree-Life-Garden-Jerusalem-ebook/dp/B00GFVE90A/ref=tmm_kin_title_popover?ie=UTF8&qid=1385358150&sr=8-2

Please email me at viviane 8 at yahoo dot com if you have any questions.

Looking A Lot Like Christmas

I have a strict rule about no Christmas decorations going up before December 1, so today finally started the magical holiday season in our home.

I broke down and bought a mini real Christmas tree at Whole Foods.  We have it on the mantle where hopefully Rex cannot get to it.  It has a battery-powered LED light string, so there's no point of contact for Rex unless he moves and climbs a chair. I threw all of my style preferences to the wind and just hung the ornaments that have most meaning for us: one-of-a-kind glass globes blown by our friend Yuri, a pomegranate from Armenia, a ballet slipper from Bulgaria, a German ornament, an ornament Rex made at school, a picture ornament of our first photo with Rex, and a bunch more. The stockings are special, too: we purchased the little one for Emilia in Bulgaria and Rex's was custom-made after we won it in an adoption auction supporting another family.  I'm not sure about keeping the wreath up.  It might just be too much.

This afternoon, I baked our first batch of Christmas cookies from a new recipe.  Nothing fancy, but yummy.  The only thing I will do differently when I make these again is to roll sanding sugar into the dough log prior to cutting and baking for an even prettier look.

And, the incredible cuteness of Christmas pajamas has arrived.  I could just eat these babies up.

P.S. Thanks to those of you who have inquired about the outcome of Rex's medical testing on November 18.  All went well at the hospital and Rex was an incredible trooper.  We were relieved and thankful when all results came back as normal and the doctors' suspicions were proven to be wrong.  Among other things, we now know that Rex has perfect hearing through the brain stem, dispelling his Armenian diagnosis of severe hearing loss once and for all.

Nuggets For Neal - Stocking Stuffer Reminder

IF YOU WISH TO BUY AN ORNAMENT (NOT PICTURED IN THIS POST), PLEASE EMAIL ME AT VIVIANE 8 AT YAHOO DOT COM.

Just a reminder that my fundraiser for little Neal is still going on.  Thanks to all who have so generously contributed.  As you can see, his grant has grown to $700 and will hopefully reach $1000 by year's end. 

With the holidays fast approaching, here are some cute stocking stuffers for the little girls in your life.  All proceeds from this sale will go directly to the Neal Grant Fund at Hopscotch Adoptions (see fundraising thermometer on the right).  There will be several payment options which I will email to you after I receive your order.

Ponytail Holders Set 1: Red & Blue Crayons - $3.00 SOLD

Ponytail Holders Set 2: Orange & Green Crayons - $3.00 SOLD

Ponytail Holders Set 3: Yellow & Purple Crayons - $3.00 SOLD

Ponytail Holders Set 4: Red Hands - $3.00

Ponytail Holders Set 5: Blue Hands - $3.00

Ponytail Holders Set 6: Green & Orange Hands - $3.00 SOLD

Ponytail Holders Set 7: Blue & Yellow Hands - $3.00 SOLD

The infinity scarves measure anywhere from 12 to 15 inches.  They are made from 100% cotton, except for the flower embellishment.

Infinity Scarf 1: Purple & Orange- $12.00

Infinity Scarf 2: Purple & Hot Pink - $12.00 SOLD

Infinity Scarf 3: White & Hot Pink- $12.00 SOLD

Infinity Scarf 4: Purple, Orange & Hot Pink- $12.00

Infinity Scarf 5: Purple, Orange & White- $12.00

These aprons were made by my mom for little crafters, cooks and bakers.  Some tie in the back behind the neck, others are one-pieces that you just slip over your head.  They should fit little girls who wear sizes 2T-4T.  Emilia is petite, currently in 3T-4T, around 30 pounds and 34 inches and they fit her perfectly over a t-shirt.

Apron 1: Orange, Pink & Brown Dots - $12.00 SOLD

Apron 2: Blue & Brown Dots- $12.00 SOLD

Apron 3: Flowers & Birds - $12.00

Apron 4: Green & Brown Stripes- $12.00

If you would like to buy any of these items and help a wonderful little boy find his family, please email me at viviane8 at yahoo dot com.  Thanks so much for your support.

For more information about Neal, please email waitingchild@hopscotchadoptions.org.

IAC 262 Results

The following referrals were issued in IAC Session 262 which was held on October 23, 2013:

1) French dossier from November 2009 referred a male child aged 4 years and 3 months

2) Dutch dossier from February 2010 referred a female child aged 3 years and 5 months

3) Dutch dossier from March 2010 referred a female child aged 2 years and 3 months

4) US dossier from April 2010 referred a female child aged 1 year and 11 months

5) Italian dossier from May 2010 referred a male child aged 3 years and 10 months

6) Spanish dossier from May 2010 referred a male child aged 3 years and 5 months with features in health status

7) Dutch dossier from June 2010 referred a male child aged 5 years and 3 months

8) Italian dossier from July 2010 referred a male child aged 6 years and 4 months

9) German dossier from March 2011 referred a female child aged 3 years and 5 months with features in health status

10) Dutch dossier from October 2012 referred a male child aged 2 years and 9 months with features in health status

11) German dossier from January 2013 referred a female child aged 2 years and 1 months with features in health status

12) Italian dossier from January 2013 referred a brother and sister aged 10 years and 2 months & 8 years and 8 months

13) Italian dossier from February 2013 referred a male child aged 8 years and 3 months with features in health status

14) US dossier from May 2013 referred two female children aged 9 years and 9 months & 9 years and 5 months

15) Italian dossier from May 2013 referred a female child aged 10 years and 11 months

A Wonderful Weekend

This past weekend our family had the privilege of spending some time in WV with four other families who adopted beautiful children from Armenia.  It was an utterly enjoyable experience with good friends, yummy food, and many fun activities.  We hope to do it again soon.

These photos tell the story, but I am protecting the privacy of the other children by not posting any of the great close-ups of them here.

Dads kicking back with their children

My kids loved the pool
and both are so confident in the water now

Time to color

I adore that Emilia still wants this closeness

Puppies at snack time?

Everyone loved the parachute play

Watching deer from our cabin's deck

Blessed with hand-me-downs,
she turned into a super model

These princesses were crazy about Craig

Midnight at the cabin

The horse menagerie

Communal baths and potty times
were not unusual

Driving through the big Christmas light display

Tipping The Scales

Today would have been my dad's 62nd birthday.  He died in 2006.  Typically, this is a day of remembrance for my family, especially for my mom who still feels his loss very acutely.

But this year, my dad's birthday is associated with a different milestone. Today, Rex is tipping the scales.  Today Rex has been in our family longer than he was in state care in Armenia.  I know today isn't going to be different from any other Monday we've had this school year.  Rex isn't suddenly going to overcome his challenges because of a special date on the calendar.  There isn't a magic switch flipping today that will erase his experiences of the first two and a half years of his life.  But, the date does mean something to me.  Rex's life is with us and we have filled it with love, joy, adventures, learning opportunities, trust, safety, family - as opposed to what he had before we adopted him.  Our efforts are bearing fruit in Rex's heart and mind and he is so very changed from the child we brought home in July 2011, changed even from the boy he was a year ago.  Time does play a part in that process and today we mark it by acknowledging that the scales have tipped.  Rex was an orphan for too long, but has now been a son, brother, grandson, cousin, nephew, and friend for longer.

Even though they never met, I am pretty sure that my dad, who wasn't always easy to live with, but whom I miss nonetheless, is very proud of his first and only grandson.

Nuggets For Neal - Stocking Stuffers For The Girls

With the holidays fast approaching, here are some cute stocking stuffers for the little girls in your life.  All proceeds from this sale will go directly to the Neal Grant Fund at Hopscotch Adoptions (see fundraising thermometer on the right).  There will be several payment options which I will email to you after I receive your order.

Ponytail Holders Set 1: Red & Blue Crayons - $3.00 SOLD

Ponytail Holders Set 2: Orange & Green Crayons - $3.00 SOLD

Ponytail Holders Set 3: Yellow & Purple Crayons - $3.00 SOLD

Ponytail Holders Set 4: Red Hands - $3.00

Ponytail Holders Set 5: Blue Hands - $3.00

Ponytail Holders Set 6: Green & Orange Hands - $3.00 SOLD

Ponytail Holders Set 7: Blue & Yellow Hands - $3.00 SOLD

The infinity scarves measure anywhere from 12 to 15 inches.  They are made from 100% cotton, except for the flower embellishment.

Infinity Scarf 1: Purple & Orange- $12.00

Infinity Scarf 2: Purple & Hot Pink - $12.00 SOLD

Infinity Scarf 3: White & Hot Pink- $12.00 SOLD

Infinity Scarf 4: Purple, Orange & Hot Pink- $12.00

Infinity Scarf 5: Purple, Orange & White- $12.00 SOLD

These aprons were made by my mom for little crafters, cooks and bakers.  Some tie in the back behind the neck, others are one-pieces that you just slip over your head.  They should fit little girls who wear sizes 2T-4T.  Emilia is petite, currently in 3T-4T, around 30 pounds and 34 inches and they fit her perfectly over a t-shirt.

Apron 1: Orange, Pink & Brown Dots - $12.00 SOLD

Apron 2: Blue & Brown Dots- $12.00 SOLD

Apron 3: Flowers & Birds - $12.00

Apron 4: Green & Brown Stripes- $12.00

If you would like to buy any of these items and help a wonderful little boy find his family, please email me at viviane8 at yahoo dot com.  Thanks so much for your support.

For more information about Neal, please email waitingchild@hopscotchadoptions.org.