One Year Later...

One year ago, I was here:

One year later...

{I posted over HERE today}

Randomness On A Tuesday

Life has been a bit crazy of late. TaeKwonDo tournaments, birthdays, flag football practices and games, baby showers....

Sharing a little of my adoption heart over HERE

Working on new items and getting some ready to restock in the shop.

Making cupcakes {more later on that}

And playing with some fun new felt!

Over the weekend I made this fun new coffee cuff for myself to test out:

Lurve it. I needed a new Russia one to reflect my littlest little's personality. This does it. :)

It's a new eco friendly wool blend I am thinking of adding to the mix of my felt items in the shop. Recently, I tried out another new and fabulous felt, but not sure it's going to make the cut {haha}. I lurve it as well, but after a few weeks of testing it out compared to the eco friendly felt I've been using, it's just not quite what I was expecting. However, I could totally see it being used in some other crafty applications in the future, just not my coffee cuffs.

{I see a blog post dedicated to felt in my future...}

Sunshine Turns 5!

It's happening. She's turning 5. Today. 

This little girl that a year ago I didn't even know about. A little girl more than half a world away. 

I've been trying to find the words to express some of the mixed emotions of this day, but I've had a difficult time formulating them. Almost as though I don't want to think about the loss part, and try to simply focus on the joy part. 

I wish it was that easy. 

She has never really celebrated her very own birthday. She looks at me quizzically when I mention it {and my feeble  attempts to prepare her for it} and then I mention cupcakes and balloons and her face lights up!

And, it's no secret, that when she smiles and flashes those dimples...well...yes, there is much happiness and sunshine! 

I'm pretty much in love with this shot. The bright {and painted the night before by yours truly}5, the fun balloons, her Hello Kitty shirt and the best thrifting find ever...her fluffy turquoise pettyskirt. It just captures her. Right now. And that makes me happy. 

I pretty much adore this one too. The table and chairs {repainted cherry red chairs from my childhood, now hers}, her special dollies {or 'kukla' in Russian}, one mama made and the other from her Nana and her simply playing. Love. 

My dearest little Sunshine I adore you. You are cherished and loved. 

С Днем Рождения!

{Happy Birthday!}

And to many more celebrating together. 

Moments {adoption}

I posted over here today a little of my heart. Hope you'll check it out.

Here To There {an adoption journey}

Next week is Sunshine's birthday. Whew! Such mixed emotions...once I am able to get them organized, I'll post about it all. :)

Sunny Days and Sometimes Partly Cloudy....

{Being real is sometimes difficult...pushing publish on this made me want to grab a blanket and pull it over my head...}

I typically write and post things adoption related over on our adoption blog, but sometimes trying to post there and here is just too complicated....aaannd, often leaves one blog or the other neglected. Aaaannd...sometimes I just get stunned on WHAT to write about where and just not post on either. 

And then there are days like today....and weeks like this week. 

It was a several cups of coffee day today. An "oh my gosh my daughter did what?!" kinda of day when I picked her up from school. And a "seriously that kid just came up and smacked my daughter for no apparent reason?!" kind of day. {seriously, she didn't provoke it...I saw the kid walk onto the playground and just smack her. I've never seen him, she does not go to school with him. He just didn't like her I suppose. I kinda don't like him.} And then the "oh crap, I forgot my husband is working late, so we're gonna have hot dogs, canned green beans and blueberries for dinner {really, I was trying to use up what we had without going to the drive-thru or the store}" kinda day. 

And this is just a little snippet. I'd really rather not bore you with more details....or scare you. 

It was the little sleep, still getting over illness and Sunshine sometimes being a little more clingy than not {and sometimes button pushing more than not} kinda weeks. 

So far, she has been adjusting well and is sleeping well. I, however, am not sleeping so well. 

{Read: drinking large amounts of coffee}

There are the moments this week that I have felt inadequate as an adoptive mom and moments where I really wish there was a homeschooling co-op of only mother's and kids adopted from Russia (or any country, really), so that when my daughter acts out, or doesn't understand "taking turns"  or kids look at her like she has two heads because she didn't understand what they were saying to her at the playground...well, they would understand. They would understand the underlying issues and reasons for some of her behavior or outbursts and "freak out" looks and actions. Yes, she is TERRIFIED of public bathrooms and the dark. Not the dark like "I need a night light" kinda dark. Outside dark. Like, we can go into a store at sunset and come back out once the sun sets and she has a little freak out moment and tries to climb me like a tree because she is VERY leery of that "dark stuff" out there. 

People stare and I keep on walking, speaking to her in Russian, letting her know "it's okay. mama's here".

Let's not even talk about bumpy roads, rain on the car or dinner not getting on the table or in her mouth fast enough. 

I understand not all of this only applies to adopted kids. But a lot of this applies to Sunshine and her being in an orphanage setting for her whole little life. 

And then, there are the moments she just wants to be held. And I look at her and get a glimpse of what she might have been like as an infant. 

Sometimes it breaks my heart to pieces knowing she didn't get this time with a mother. Simply being held. And I sit and hold her....for long periods of time.

Yes, there has been a lot of holding this week. A lot of "mama...mama...MOM!" Sunshine calling me, begging for my attention at every waking moment. So, blog posts don't always get finished or posted (seriously folks, there are several just sitting in que...), new items for Little Bird stay in the ideas bin in my brain, just waiting to be let out onto paper and fabric ( they can wait a little longer...) and dinner doesn't always get done in time (thankful for crockpots!). 

I often wonder how other mamas and small biz owners and bloggers do it. Because, lately? I cannot. I cannot and I think it's OK. For now. 

This is a season and I am assuming one day sleep will come back to me restfully and I will have too much time in the studio and be longing for these moments that my kids were 8 and 4.   

Yes. This week. It's been Sunny and sometimes partly cloudy. 

Sunshine

I normally post adoption/Sunshine updates to our adoption blog over here, but I decided to post some pics taken today (3 months as a forever family!!!) on here!

So, without further delay, here is Sunshine month 3 of being with us:

Happy Friday!!!

Thanksgiving Adoption and Orphan Care Fundraiser

::UPDATE:: I've decided ALL donations are going to Orphans At Play. Seeing the kiddos left behind...it's heartbreaking. The Grandma Mentoring Program is so, so needed::

So, I've mentioned it before...but! It's finally here! A fundraiser for orphan care! And just in time for a little holiday shopping!

I started this to help out with our unexpected third trip with our adoption. You can read more about that HERE.

It was difficult, yet, we've been able to move forward and complete the adoption of a precious child who desperately needed a home. You can meet Sunshine over HERE.

Meanwhile, I began to get a fundraiser together. As I was doing so, something just kept delaying it.

I think I know why.

I want this to be so much more than just about our adoption. And, through this last trip we've taken, I met some fabulous mamas and learned about an organization that helps orphans. It's called Orphans At Play.

Amazing.

They have something called the Grandma Mentoring Program.

Here is a little more about this great organization and the program:

Children thrive with simple contact in promoting emotional growth and physical development by giving a baby home a grandma. The few orphanage employees cannot keep up with the growing number of children in these homes. This is where Orphans at Play have partnered with the vladmission.org in the Primorsky Krai region to provide the Grandma Mentoring Program giving children a chance to “play”.


In early 2011, several adoptive parents came together and shared their experiences of adopting children from the Vladivostok region in Russia. Although their children were born in a variety of cities and lived in many different orphanages, there is one common theme among their conversations: the children had limited stimulation before coming into their families. Many children without early attachment and bonding may experience reactive attachment disorder, sensory integration concerns and hyperactivity just to name a few. Through research Orphans at Play has the opportunity to bring the latest in current development and create solutions to support the children in the baby hospitals, orphanages and those in transition to their new families.


Orphans at Play is celebrating the holiday season by giving the Gift of a Grandma. Please join us in helping fundraise during this special time of the year to help children in need.

Our goal is to raise $5000 dollars this year so we can place four grandmas in 2012. We need your help through donations and holiday shopping in the online store. All proceeds go directly to our grandma mentoring program

Will you please consider helping out with a donation? Will you help spread the word?


Here's the scoop: There are three groups of items to win! They are numbered #1, #2 and #3.

To enter, give a donation of any amount by clicking the "chip in" button located on the side bar (top left). Suggested donation is $5 per entry and for each $5 you will receive one entry into the giveaway. When you use the chip in button, please put which group number you are wanting to put your entry towards (ie please put my donation towards #2). Of course, if you are not able to give at this time, but would still like to enter the giveaway, just leave a comment on this post. :)

For a BONUS entry! Just facebook or tweet about the giveaway, linking back to this post and then just come back here and leave a comment that you did so! You will automatically receive an additional entry!

That's it! Easy peasy!

Giveaway will go for 1 week and winners will be drawn December 2nd ::Update: Extended through December 10!::

So, without further ado....here are the lovely items to be won!

Group #1

3 pretty flower pins, donated by Edan. 

Custom Little Bird Creations Vintage Definition Pendant: You choose the word!

Design Your Own LBC Owl Coffee Cuff! You choose the colors.

 Group #2 

Beautiful "From Russia With Love" necklace donated by the fabulous Tracy at JunkPosse

2 large pretty flower pins donated by Edan. Great with scarfs!

Pretty Bloom statement necklace & 2 pretty bloom pins by Heather

Group #3

Fabulous trio of button earrings donated by Lindsay. You pick!

2 Statement necklaces & 4 Pretty flower headbands donated by Heather


Thank you and many blessings to you and yours this holiday season!

*No donation necessary to participate

Is It Dusty Around Here?!?

Wow...poor little blog of mine. It's been terribly neglected.

But! It's because I've been blogging a bit more over HERE on our adoption blog!

And guess what else?! This little blog will be hosting a giveaway/fundraiser fairly soon. Just getting some kinks worked out. However, I'm excited to get it going and introduce you to an amazing new non-profit I've recently learned about. Half of the fundraiser will be going to this organization that loves on orphans. I hope you will join me next week in raising funds to help complete our adoption, as well as support orphan care!

Until then, hope you've all been having a lovely November!

Blessings!
-Jaime

Then and Now

Little Bird Creations started almost eight years ago. It started out as a means for my creative outlet making items for baby. My son was (and still is) a very big part of my inspiration for Little Bird. After all, Little Bird is named after his nickname he received in the hospital. 

Eight years later, he clearly is no longer a baby and Little Bird no longer makes and sells items for baby. Little Bird has changed and grown over the years and it's purpose has too. 

What started as a creative outlet has become something more. More personal and with more purpose. 

As many know, we started the process of adoption almost 3 years ago. We are (hopefully) nearing the end of this process for this adoption. However, we know we want to do more. I want Little Bird to do more. 

Last year I introduced the Little Bird Russia Coffee Cuff. A portion of the proceeds of the sales of those Coffee Cuffs goes towards an organization called The Harbor. More info on them HERE. 

Throughout this past year, much has happened in my life personally. I lost my grandmother and then we lost Songbird. These are things I have shared about here and there, but mostly I write about our adoption over HERE. 

And throughout this whole adoption process of learning and growing and meeting other families and Little Bird being able to help out with their adoption fundraising, I've come to truly see how much more I want there to be a purpose for Little Bird. 

Not just about me or my coffee cuffs or pendants, but within those items, why those items are being sold. For whom. 

Yes, all the sales in my shop go towards helping make our adoption possible, but I want to do more. With more purpose. 

So, not only will sales from my SHOP help out our adoption, but other organizations, like The Harbor and others, that are doing what they can to help out orphans and families. 

And that leads me to introduce a NEW item in the Little Bird shop! 

Hand Embroidered Little Bird Pendants. Each unique. Each a little different. Each handmade. 

(shown are the Heart for Africa pendants. More styles and sizes to come)

Each sold, a portion of the profits will go to help out the 147 million orphans and those that are doing what they can to help. 

It's not just about me. It's not just about Little Bird. It's about so much more....so many more. 

So, not only these pendants, but now ALL Little Bird items sold in the shop, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to these organizations. 

These are the organizations that Little Bird will be donating to:

Both Hands Foundation: http://www.bothhandsfoundation.org

The Sparrow Fund: http://www.sparrow-fund.org/

The Harbor:  http://www.theharborspb.org/

More will be added in time, I am sure. For now, these people, these organizations....these orphans.

To Be Made

Things in the making...

I picked up this fabulous turquoise dupioni silk, black and white damask print and some fun buttons at the fabric store not too long ago.

What will it become? Little gifts for the caregivers in the orphanage our Sunshine is currently in. Just a simple way to say 'thank you' for caring for our daughter until we could get back for her.

I cannot wait to get back to her.

Fundraiser To Come!

A little sneak peek at our adoption fundraiser coming up this month!

We are still taking donations if you are willing to donate and spread the word about things! Just contact me at jaime (at) littlebirdcreations (dot) com!

If you've offered an item and are planning to send it/send a pic my way, give me a holla! Also, I am happy to include any links to shops/blogs etc., so just let me know what those are and I will include them with the fundraiser listing!

A Series Of Unfortunate Events.

As some of you have heard through twitter and facebook, my family received some devastating news this week. We were supposed to be traveling this week to go bring our daughter home from Russia.

This is not what will be happening. Instead of re-writing it all on this blog, please go HERE to learn more about what happened.

*********************
Obviously, we are stunned and in disbelief. At the same time, we are still invited to travel to meet another child.

This is the hard part. How does one mourn such a loss and at the same time be willing to open their heart to another child? I am still not sure how my heart will be capable of this. What I do know is that God has not said no and we are to continue down this path of adoption that He is leading us on.

That being said....

This will now require us to make an unplanned third trip to Russia. A trip that we are not at all financially prepared for. This means we absolutely cannot complete this adoption without more fundraising. And this trip could be coming more quickly than we realize.

This is where we need your help. We need you to help spread the word via twitter, facebook...whatever means possible about an online fundraiser we would like to put together. We need donations of items to raffle.

Are you willing to donate an item? Do you have an Etsy (or other handmade) shop that you would be willing to donate something from or a gift certificate?

Please let me know! Just email me at jaime(at)littlebirdcreations(dot)com if you are interested.

Thank you. Thank you all that have already been supporting us in prayer and your kind thoughts and encouragement. This is an extremely difficult time right now and we need your thoughts and prayers more than ever.

Bless you!

Just 203 To Go!

It's been a while since I have mentioned much about adoption fundraising, but this just might be my last post on it for a while. At least for our family. Yes, we plan to adopt again in the future, but right now we are focused on Songbird and the time is coming fast to when we finally get to bring her home.

Meanwhile....

We still have a puzzle to finish! I've mentioned it before and there are details about it HERE.

It's no secret that adoption can be costly. I haven't calculated it yet, but I'm pretty sure FedEx has received quite a chunk of it. Let's just say...sending paperwork over half way around the world (whether the size of a novel or just two documents) is pricey!

SO...if you don't mind helping to spread the word, we just have 203 pieces to go! We'd love to be able to finish it before we leave.

***Update: Now just 193 to go!***

ALSO....a little something extra for you! If you click above about the details, you will see that each piece can be sponsored for $5. I am also offering you another option! From now until May 12 (when LBC closes  shop until July) any purchase made at Little Bird will count towards finishing the puzzle! All you have to do is enter coupon code Songbird to receive 15% off your order and in the notes just tell me you'd like to be added to "the missing piece" to help finish the puzzle!

How does that sound?! Good? Hope so...I would love to be able to put as many names as possible to show our Songbird just how much so many care and love her.

Thank you and, if you would, please help spread the word around blog and twitterverse!

Shop NEWS!!!

Some of you that follow me on twitter or facebook have already heard the good news....but, we finally got our court date to travel to Russia to see Songbird and (hopefully all goes well) bring her home!!!

SO, that being said, Little Bird will be going into vacation mode starting May 12. Custom (*design your own*) will only be excepted through May 6. If there is something you've been eyeing, go take a peek and snatch it up! I will not be reopening until July to allow time to spend with our new family of four!

AND...to add a little goody for you, use coupon code LBC15 to receive 15% off your purchase at Little Bird!

Thank you and have a lovely weekend!

Uniqueness Box

My son brought this home the other Sunday from church. It's called a uniqueness box. Or at least that is what it said on the paper. It's also like his own little prayer box...you'll see why...

He was so excited to show me all the different sides of it. Especially the one he drew of Songbird:

He even included one of our dog and one of himself.


Then I opened the box and my heart melted into a puddle:

There they were. Three simple prayers of a child. In case you need translating, they say:

-Please keep them safe while they are gone
-Please keep my mom and dad safe in Russia
-Please keep my sister safe

Yeah, I know we need to work a bit on the spelling, but for right now? I do not care. It's the thought and simple plea of a child in prayer.

I am not sure my heart will ever leave it's puddled state....

Finding Balance...

Learning to say "no", or "I cannot this time"....

You'd think it would be easy, but for me? It's not.

This entire year...this whole year of roller coaster land and adoption and Russia...

I have had to say "no" or "I can't" or "maybe next time" many times this year. Not that it's not apart of everyday life and interactions anyway. It is for the most part....sometimes the answer is simply "I cannot this time".

But this year? It's been a fine balance to try and figure out. Early in the year we had so much hope and promise and then so much uncertainty and not knowing what was going to happen...or when we were going to travel for that first trip....or IF we were going to even get to travel.

And yet? Here I am again....not knowing when we are going to travel and not knowing when we will get "the call" about "the date"....

It's meant saying "no", or "I cannot this time", or "not this year" to different events, holiday bazars or shows, possible 5K's or races I otherwise would have liked to do.

I am OK with it...for the most part. It's just so hard to try and plan events or holiday celebrations or even promote my little Etsy shop without worrying about committing to too much. Yet, at the same time finding that balance of not just stopping and pushing that pause button on life, which oddly enough, doesn't exist. I sometimes wish I had a pause button....alas I do not.

Mainly, it's hard with Christmas right around the corner. Yes, my daughter is in Russia, but my son is here with us. Balance....

How to make sure he is taken care of and holiday celebrations continue....and life is not put on hold...and at the same time, plan for what could be in just a few weeks or possibly a few months.

Limbo....uncertainty....balance....

It will all get worked out....it's just not so easy is it?!

Not Just About Me

I have a heart for adoption. A HUGE crazy heart for orphans. Orphans all over the world, but for me, the place God has placed on my heart is Eastern Europe.

Since I was a little, little girl I knew Eastern Europe was somehow going to be a place that I was involved in when I grew up. A place I had heard about....heard about children that needed care. That needed families. That simply needed. Orphans.

And I am going to go out on a limb and say this....it's not just about adoption. Yes, children all over the world are in need of homes and people to truly love and care for them. But, what about the ones who never find their forever homes? Their forever families? What about the ones that age out of the system?

They have little hope. No where to go and no one to reach out to. These children, these orphans, are targets . Targets for trafficking, for drug and alcohol abuse...and so much more. I don't like to think about it, but I cannot help it.

It's my heart. My heart to reach out and do something more. Yes, we are adopting a little girl and yes, we know that is our calling at this time. But, we know we are called to do more...

Orphan care. Former orphans...children aged out of the system. What about them?

I started making coffee cuffs last year and also have made them for other families adopting from different countries. I LOVE, love being able to help out others with a similar calling. Those answering the call to adopt. And through that, I realized this adoption journey? It is not just about me.

So not just about me. I want to help others. I want to help these children that do not have a forever family and a place to call home. A place to be loved.

So, I have made up three different Coffee Cuffs. All three are countries in Eastern Europe: Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Russia.

For each coffee cuff sold, I will be donating half the proceeds to an organization that is devoted to helping these children. These aged out orphans.

The organization I have chosen is called The Harbor. You can find out more about them HERE.

These Coffee Cuffs will be making their debut in the SHOP next week. "Design Your Own" will be available for these as well.

These will be available in the shop until Dec. 1st. Then, not again until the New Year.

Will you help spread the word? What is your calling or God sized dream?

An Urgency...

I have this insane urgency...this feeling in my gut. I feel it, but I cannot explain it.

Everything is about to change.

No, we don't have our travel dates yet, but we are in the "any day" moments and I just feel...well...you could almost call it "nesting".

Her room is ready, for the most part. She has all the basics she will need, plus a little.

We bought her "gotcha day" outfit. The first new items of clothing she has ever had. Bought just for her...her very own.

A few other new items (shoes, socks, tights, jammies, etc.) and some other clothes my sister has given me from my niece.

I got this feeling and I went to work, laying out everything we will need to take for her. I have it on her bed all ready. Ready for what I'm not sure....to be packed in a suitcase? Perhaps.

I know when "that call" happens, my brain will just get overloaded with all the planning....

Which is why I seem to be "nesting" and getting it all settled and ready to go now. I even have our court clothes all picked out....shoes and all....

If it's one thing I don't want to forget it's our clothes for court and her gotcha day outfit. The rest we can deal with later.

Oh, and coats...it's gonna be much chillier there than here!

Even my son feels it. I can tell in the way he is more snuggly than usual. I breathe in those hugs a little longer knowing I will be away from him the longest I ever have. Yet, at the same time going to take care of my daughter.

I do not know how I will find the balance....being away from one to be with the other. It will be only my second experience doing this. But this time? This time is different. This time she is coming home.

Songbird is coming home with her mama and papa to her forever home. Her forever family.

Yes...everything is about to change...

Loving Orphans

I've been working on these little by little over the Summer and it's been hard. Every time I just start thinking about the kiddos there at Songbirds orphanage. I think about how wonderful it is that three others there (two in Songbirds group) were being adopted as well. My heart was so happy to know they too would be going to their forever home with their forever family.

But there are so many more. So many.

They need clothing, shoes, socks...underwear. Such basic things really, and yet they have to share all of it. On our first trip we took bunches of socks and underwear for the children. This trip? I am taking handmade appliqued tees.

I cannot wait to be able to take them to the kids there. The kids left behind who will, forever, be in my thoughts.

We have been told we "might be invited soon to travel". Those words both excite and terrify me. It's like preparing to have a baby...you kinda have a due date, but there is plenty to prepare for...and you are never really sure when that "date" is to happen until it does...

Meanwhile, I have plenty of sewing of appliques to do. It's my way of being able to show a little love to some very deserving orphans.

What about you? Any loving projects you have been working on?

Today

Ahhhh.....I feel like I can breath again.

And this is a good thing compared to yesterday. Yesterday felt like a nightmare. A horrible, no good, very bad nightmare. The nightmare, unfortunately, isn't over, but I am still hopeful. And not a false sense of "everything is just gonna be great and fine and OK!", but just a peace. A peace that truly surpasses all understanding.

I went back to the fabric store (with coupon in hand!) to get the other fabric I found yesterday. Funny thing, I ended up choosing another one! I liked it better. I even texted the pic to my hubby to see what he thought. I love my iphone. And guess what? It was ON SALE! I didn't even need my coupon. Bonus. Aaand...it didn't rain buckets on me! The sky was dark, but just tiny drops and I did not get drenched walking to my car.

I also love that I feel mostly me again! I know that might sound completely odd to some, but if you know me in real life, you know I am a pretty positive person who is typically pretty happy and excited for others and their good news. Yesterday though? That me was buried under potential grief and pain that was just so dark. I did not like being there in that dark place. It's just not me.

But sometimes I think we all need to just be let to be mad. To be angry and hurt and let it come out. To be able to express it and be OK with not wanting to talk or be reminded of the pain that was bearing down so hard on me yesterday. The fear and pain are still there, but I am able to let it go and let a peace wash over me. I am able to breath today.

I was also able to see cute little girl stuff and not burst into a mess of tears. That is a super improvement over yesterday! I cannot promise I won't tear up on occasion, but ahhh. Breathing feels good.

It feels good to feel more like me again.

I hope no matter what your day is like, that you are able to breath and have a peace too.

Happy Weekend and many Blessings to you!