a means to an end...a means to a beginning...

**to order a coloring book, please look to the left of this blog post and click "Buy Now" to go to PayPal and purchase!**


dearest kiddos,

i am pretty excited about my latest endeavor.  it's finally done!

a while ago I started trying to think of unique ways to raise money that will go towards the expenses of getting you guys here.  somewhere in there, i tried to find some sort of children's book that we could give you guys to help you understand a little bit more what to expect when you come to America.  one of my favorite moments of our trip to Sierra Leone was when dad took you guys to the bathroom and you encountered the electric hand dryer.  it was really loud, and so you were scared at first because you didn't know what it was.  you quickly learned it wouldn't hurt you and you started having a BLAST holding your hands and faces under it to feel the warm air.  i never could find a book about those things...

so that got me thinking...what if i wrote my own book that helped you learn about some things to expect when you get home?  because i couldn't find what i wanted, i decided i would write and draw a coloring book just for you!  that way you all could do one of your favorite activities (coloring) and get familiar with a few sometimes scary and unknown things you will come across when you get to America.  it took me a while, but i finally finished it.  then i thought, well there are a lot of families that would maybe find this coloring book beneficial!  families who are in the process of adopting kids, families who have adopted kids, kids who have friends who are adopted, or kids who have siblings who are adopted!  to me, it was perfect - a way to help adopted kids AND a way to raise money to help get our children home!

here are some of my favorite letters:

(Dad must be scared of the vacuum.  He never goes near that thing!)

i will bring four books with me next time we come see you.  i don't know when that will be, but i know when we're there we can go through these books together and talk about the things in them.  what is scary, what is exciting, and some other things you might be able to expect!  i do hope this coloring book will help us talk about our new family and our new life together.  i also hope it can help other families talk about things, too.  at the very least, it will help kids learn the alphabet!  kinda like you guys:

these last few weeks have been tough.  dad and i think about you so much, and we miss you so badly.  we wish you were here for so many things!  we've had a lot of changes lately, and these changes are really forcing us to trust in God, trust in His greater plan, and have faith that He will take care of us.  i am learning that a lot of things about my life a few months ago (a few weeks ago even) must not fit into this plan, because i am faced with a new direction.  i do feel certain, though, that these changes are for the best, and i believe they are preparing us to be the parents that you need us to be.

i love you all.  i can't wait to see you...maybe in the next few months?

lots and lots and lots of love,
mom