New Number!!

Howdy! 2 Posts in one week - awesome!

Well - we moved up 2 spots this month and are now #33! We are creeping up the ladder! When we hit the 20's, my mind may just explode. The excitement/tension/joy this process takes is unreal. I am so lucky that I have met some wonderful families online that are with my agency. We are all going through the process together and it helps to have such love and support from strangers that are now wonderful friends. 

The sheet sale is going great. For those of you that ordered this week - thank you so much!!!! I sent the first order of 12 in today and they should be here next week. We have been sleeping on the sheets and they really are so soft. You won't believe the quality. :) From those of you that are letting me know - take your time and email me your orders when you can. You won't regret it. And please share with your friends. Only $37 and everyone loves the feel of new sheets!

Thanks for all of your constant love and support!! Have a great weekend!

xxoo


Nicole

Long Time. New Fundraiser!

    Well, it's been almost 2 months since I posted last. It's not that my life is slow, or simple. On the contrary. It has been crazy around here. Work, Kids, Homework, New Dog, Kid's Sports, etc. Life is good for us. But busy! We are trying to see the amazing parts of the day and really appreciate them.

The adoption process is SLOW. There are many reasons why - last month was a time of re-licensing in Ethiopia for agencies and orphanages. That slowed everything down. We have not moved a #. At all. It stinks. Just when I get all happy and start to guess how the year will look with a new daughter in it - it all comes to a stand still and i have remember to enjoy this moment. Remember that it is all happening in a time that is "right" for us. That third world countries move at their own pace. That we need to be patient.
I have high hopes for our April #. I do know 3 families received referrals last week - so we should move up at least 3. (fingers crossed!)

So! While we wait - we are having a fundraiser!!! We have decided to only have 2 more (we don't want to overdo it for you guys!). This one and a jewelry one in a couple of months for the ladies. :)
But this one is great! I have lots of fellow adoptive parents that have done it and they LOVED it!

Here's the Lowdown: Sheets. Yes, Sheets. Sheets. Sheets! 12 colors. Only $37. Any Size. 
A great company works with adoptive parents to help them fundraise and they are helping us!

Here are the Yummy Details: Beautiful sheets. Suuuuper Soft, Silky, Wonderful!!!
We ordered some to try them first and we LOVE them. They really are amazing. You will not regret ordering them for yourself, kids, grandparents, etc....

The Plan: Order sheets from me - pick your color and size. Email me and send me a check for $37. (add $11 if you need them shipped). Also, you can use Pay Pal! Email me and I will walk you though buying the sheets with out paying fees. Hooray!

The Good Part: We make money to help with our adoption. We have a long way to go to meet our goal for the adoption and you are a wonderful, generous part of that!! Also, you can think of us every time you cozy into your bed. (Maybe that's too much?) :)

If you feel inclined I can email you an order form and you can pass it around at work or church, the gym, the freeway - wherever many folks are gathering and send it back to me with all of your orders.
As soon as I get 12 orders, I'll turn it in and get them to you as soon as they are delivered - which is in 3-5 business days!

Please email me with any questions and orders!! nlbalick10@gmail.com

Oh! Before I go - I can't leave you without some baking pictures. :) 
And.... our new dog Maximus.

Green Eggs and Ham 

Kitchenmade S'mores... Mmmmmmm

Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes. Truly the Best Grownup Cupcakes in the world!

I'm trying this for Easter. Peanut Butter Chocolate Crunch Cake

Oh Yeah.....

Love, love, love you guys...

Nicole

Paper Pregnant?

I follow the blogs of several families that are with our agency. In these wonderful blogs we Moms mention being Paper Pregnant. It sounds funny, but it's oh so real. Since Brandon and I made the decision to adopt, I have been "preparing" for my next child. Once my paperwork was officially in Ethiopia, I definitely felt "pregnant." I am nesting. I think about how the girls room will be laid out, any toddler stuff we may need again - like baby potties, high chairs, car seats, etc... I think about her school, our family, her love...

So, although I am not getting bigger and rounder, I am pregnant. I am emotional and volatile sometimes. Happy and excited and then sad and frustrated. I am so ready for this wonderful girl to become my daughter. But, all I can do is wait. She is out there. Alive. Since we are approved for a girl age 2-5, we know that our daughter has already been born. Taken her first steps. Laughed her first laugh. All without me. I think about her Every. Single. Day.
So, although she is not growing inside of me - I do have all the same feelings as a pregnant Mom.

And then there's baking.
When I was pregnant with my daughter I started baking. And baking. And baking.
On Christmas, when I was only 3 month along I baked 10 kinds of cookies for our friends and family.
The baking is back. I dream about desserts. I am reading food blogs and pinterest-ing goodies until the wee hours of the morning. I have lists and plans and ideas.
I am baking and now, canning! I don't know what it is about being in this state of limbo that makes me feel like Betty Crocker - but I am all in.

Here's a sample of what's been "cooking" lately:

Kumquat Marmalade (Amazing!):

Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie (Incredible!):

Chocolate Chip Cookie with Marshmallow Santa Centers (Oh Goodness!):

  

Awesome right?! I'll keep you in the loop on the baking madness. :)

In really great news.... we moved up 3 spots this month to #35! My hope is that I will see my sweet girls face by summer so keep your fingers crossed and keep your prayers coming! :)

By the way - if you are reading this blog and are a West Sands or Lifeline family and haven't seen the families private Facebook page. Email me - I'll give you the info, we would love to have you in the group!


Love you all so very much!
xx

Nicole

Happy New Year!

Hi Guys!
Happy New Year! The holidays were wonderful, crazy and fun-filled! We had family in town for Thanksgiving and Christmas. There was loads of cooking, baking, eating, and playing.

The Mister and Little Miss both had Christmas recitals and performed beautifully. They are so talented and have so much love and joy to give. I am lucky to have such incredible kids!
We all trucked to the lot and picked the perfect tree for Christmas. Literally. It was perfect.

Plus, at our annual Christmas party the old jolly man from the North Pole made another visit and drove the neighborhood kids into Christmas Madness. :) All of the Christmas joy kept our 10 year old in the Magic of Christmas for one more year. I fear it's his last, but one never knows the Power of Santa.

As of today, I must admit I am full. There has been a multitude of food and sweets in the last month and I have reached my limit. Stella and I baked an entire weekend and gave wonderful Christmas goodies to the whole neighborhood. They were awesome! 
My neighbors either love us or hate us for helping them gain some serious poundage during the year. I hope it's love.

We made Peanut Butter Kiss cookies, Fudge and these totally delicious treats:

Trix Crispy Treats

 Carmelitas

Chocolate Chip Cookie Peppermint Patty Bars

I don't think I have ever cooked so much in my life! Such amazing food this year...

I have joined a Facebook group for the families with my adoption agency. It had been wonderful to learn more about the other families adopting!! We all keep track of our numbers and for the most part I have an idea of where we are in the process. It's still a long wait, but I feel pretty confident that our daughter will be home by the end of the year. We got a new number for January - #38. We are moving up. Our agency placed 78 children with families in 2012. What an incredible year!

I hope that all of you had a special end to 2012. I am looking forward to 2013. 
Our family wishes you all a year filled with laughter, peace and prosperity. xo


Nicole

New Number!

Hi all - Just a quick post to let you know that 10 children found forever homes this month! :)
We have moved up 8 spots to #43. It is such happy news for us!

We are so ready to roll into December. The four of us trucked out in the rain and bought the tree last night. It is probably the most perfect tree I have ever seen. The kids really did a great job!
It supposed to be rainy and cloudy all weekend. Perfect Decorating weather. :)
Stella and I are decorating some tonight - she has it all planned out: Hot Chocolate, Christmas Movie playing, Warm House and Bare Feet. She is such a cutie!

Thanksgiving was wonderful. We made a turkey and a ham and all the trimmings! The appetizers were so yummy - Crabcakes, Pesto Pinwheels, Blue Cheese and Fig Tarts. I wish I had taken pictures!

For sides we had Brussel Sprouts with Breadcrumbs and Sherry Vinaigrette, Stuffing, Baked Yams and Brown Sugar, Cranberry Sauce, etc.... But the Dessert - oh that's the best part! I made Pumpkin Pie bars and a truly amazing Maple Pear Cheesecake. It was incredible!
I hope you all had great Thanksgiving too...

This month should be really fun. Lots of Christmas Parties and things to do and see. I can't wait.
Our hope is that by this time next year we will have one more stocking to put under the tree with a
new daughter... keep you fingers crossed. We are so very hopeful.

I'm off to put the lights on the tree! Talk to you soon!

Nicole

October!

Well, I know I haven't posted in a while. Our agency didn't have any referrals for a bit and it sort of spiraled me in to Blog-Sadness. I started thinking, "Who is reading this Anyway?" "Will we ever be in single digit numbers and bring our daughter home" "What is happening?!". I have no way of telling if anyone if following this, so I am always wondering....

Needless to say, I am over that now. In much better, rational spirits. I figured out that I'm writing this blog to have fun. If you, my friends and family, and adoption community like it - than yay!, that makes two of us. :) That takes the pressure off me writing too little, or (possible one day!) too much.

October was crazy busy. Halloween is awesome in my neighborhood. Parties and a parade with the kids around the block and Trick or Treating with hundreds of kids. Hundreds.
I tried my hand at Halloween cooking for the our neighbors big time Halloween Party. It turned out pretty great (If I do say so myself!). Superfun!

Caramel Apples

Dracula's Mom's Cherry Pie (Before Baking)

Mummy Dogs

Brandon and I were going to go as Kevin Costner and Stands With A Fist from Dances With Wolves. He changed his mind that Saturday and wanted to go as Wolverine for the kids. He makes an amazing Wolverine. So, needless to say - we ended up being Dances With Wolverine. :) 

The Mister was Robin Hood and my Little Miss was an Argentinian Dancer. They looked perfect.

Oh, and by the way - our number went up on the wait list. Once you stop over-thinking, things just seem to happen.... We are now at #51. Life is pretty wonderful.

xx

Nicole

Sambossa!!

Howdy all, it's been quite a week. The Sambossas were a hit! They were super delicious. I had to buy 3 extra spices that I didn't have and I learned that cardamon is really cilantro (who knew?!). Wish I would have known that at the store! :) They went fast and furious. I will definitely make them again.

Here are the photos:

We have a wonderful delivery service for organic produce. They deliver a box of veggies and fruits every two weeks. Usually the box has oranges, apples, strawberries, lettuce - and there is always something interesting that I don't normally buy which is great! It makes me think "outside the box" (ha!) and make something different for the family. This week they had beets and figs. Yum!

So, I roasted the beets and we had had them as a side dish with Crock Pot Ribs one night, and then I made pizza with Little Miss another night. We made cheese pizza for she and the Mister and then I made an AMAZING pizza for me and the Hubby. Prosciutto, Arugula and Fig. Drizzled with Balsamic. 

Seriously. It was so easy and so wonderful. Here are more photos:

That's all for now. Just food and yumminess today. More goodness later this week.

xx

Nicole