The perfect mudroom when you don't have a mudroom...

I have delusional dreams of a white beadboard mudroom with cubbies, baskets and lots and lots of coat hooks. Since the Chief says we're NEVER MOVING AGAIN I'll have to put that dream in a bubble. This house doesn't have a real mudroom but when we built it I had grand plans for a pseudo-mudroom. Long story short that didn't work out. Anyway. There is a wall in my back hallway that was screaming for something like this. I loved the bench and shelf from PB but the price tag is RIDICULOUS! Thankfully my pal Cindy turned me on to this one from JC Penney. I ordered it in December and it FINALLY came last week. WE LOVE IT! I ordered it in red (which is more of a dark red rather than a primary red). Anyway, it is well built, looks great and you can't beat $199 for a bench, wall shelf, bench cushions and six baskets. I'm not crazy about the cushions but those are easily changed. If you are on the hunt for something like this look no further.

Project Chosen

5 months ago at this moment we were on a plane en route to Newark, NJ. Three weary Wombles were counting the miles until we touched down on US soil. The time has flown by and some days I still can't believe Mei Mei is really here. Today her story is featured on Project Chosen. Click the above link to read her story along with many other families who have experienced the miracle of adoption.

Hmmmm...

Anyone care to wager a guess? The who? The what? The where? The how?

Threads of Faithfulness...

Every day throughout the month of February Jeanette at Threads of Faithfulness is featuring the story of one family blessed by adoption. It has been so encouraging to read their stories and visibly see the miracles that have unfolded within these families. On February 24, five months to the day we arrived home and became a family of 5, the story of our journey to Mei Mei will be featured. Please take this opportunity to read the stories of these beautiful children and the families who love them. I know you will be blessed.

Channeling her inner Mrs. Courtney...

Apparently SOMEONE stole my camera...I discovered this little rendezvous last night...
when I uploaded our pictures from snow day...In the interest of anonymity the culprit shall remain nameless...
but I'm happy to tell you it was a SHE...
and considering WHO was the subject on the opposite side of the camera lens...
and knowing the culprit was a SHE...
I bet you can figure it out...
Obviously she had a very willing model...
who was quite happy to pose...
and ham it up in front of the camera...
I think we have a budding photographer on our hands...
but I also think Mrs. Courtney needs to teach her a thing or two...about spinning the dial off the green box...
Mrs. Courtney (our resident photographer)...I think we're going to need a little assistance over here. Do you teach photography to preschoolers?

So Long January...

I have a confession. My name is Mommy and I think I have Seasonal Affective Disorder. Seriously. I think I do. It happens to me every year. I LOVE October, November and December. They are my most favorite months of the entire year and pass way too quickly for my liking. Once they are over--WHAM--it hits me! The Christmas decorations are packed away, the calendar turns to a new year and I fall into this icky winter funk. I get bogged down with all the things I want to do in the new year (and then I get overwhelmed because I put too many things on that stupid list). Then I start dreaming of spring time and daffodils and swim day and summer vacations. And I avoid things I love (like friends and blogging) and a few things I don't love (AKA laundry) until...

February shows up...Ahhhh...February. With the flip of the calendar I can feel my mood change.

February--
the shortest month of the year.
the month of LOVE.
the month where your hubby tries to find a new way to say I love you.
the month where my kiddos gift Snicker minis because they know they are my fav-o-rite (and I would never dream of disappointing them by refusing their generosity for the sake of calories)
the month where our family will celebrate a new family holiday...Chinese New Year!
the month where we start planning someone very specials SECOND BIRTHDAY PARTY!

Ahhhh...February. Maybe your not so bad after all. Maybe the marketing centerpiece of this month IS just a Hallmark holiday but it serves as my gentle reminder that I have a lot of people to love. Snap out of it sister. So long January! Go away S.A.D.! You are no longer wanted here.