Not much goin on…..

Not much goin on around here lately. Just to fill everyone in, we took the year off from Mother’s Morning Out. The kids and I have just hung out together the whole year. And I must say, it has been GREAT. Of course, there are days when we might get a little bored. But we always find something to do. I have still tried to work with Mady on learning basics like her letters, writing, drawing, numbers, etc. I try to remember she is only 4! But she enjoys learning new things….. for about 10 minutes and then she wants to move on to something else! So, we have definitely enjoyed our time together. Joe Hudson has been so much fun to watch as he is growing up! He is now quite the talker! And such a busy body- he is into everything! I mean everything!

In other news, we are STILL trying to sell our house. I never in my life would have thought this would be such a task, but God has definitely taught me a lot in this time of WAITING.

Joey starts his new job in July so we are eager to sell our house and move on to this new chapter.

Adoption news- We are currently waiting for some direction from God in this area. Some changes and such are occurring and so we are just…. WAITING. Is  this a recurrent theme in our lives? Anywho, we could use some prayers in this area.

Which brings me to my final point! We are currently working with someone to design a tshirt specific to our adoption. I really like the shirt. We’re working on a few changes. It’s very basic and would be great for guy/girl/kid. I’ll let you know about a price when we get it all straightened out. In the mean time, if you’re interested in one let me know. I’m going to take pre orders for about a week. This will really help me get an idea of how many to order. ALL proceeds from the tshirts will go directly to our adoption fund. And just in case you hadn’t heard…. adoptions can range from 20,000 to 30,000. So…. we gonna try to sell us some tshirts to help bring our child home! Plus, who doesn’t love a tshirt?!

Here’s a few pictures from about this time last year for ya to enjoy! Hope everyone has a great Mother’s Day!

Oh my how my babies have grown!!!!

-Jill

Here Lately

A few pictures here lately….

Joe Hudson thoroughly enjoys cutting the grass!

Pretty girl

Sibling Photoshoot!

a little Double Decker fun!

Sweet tea anyone?

Mady loved the bouncy house!

Mady and Sage- love their poses

Lots to be thankful for. Looking at pictures always reminds me to count my blessings one by one!

-Jill

Shop with me!

I’ve created a little shop that displays what jewelry I’m selling to raise money for our adoption. We still have a lllooonnnggg way to go to raise what we need! So, shop around and get some cute jewelry! I hope to add some other pieces to the shop soon. Thank you for supporting us!

Click on the tab above that says, “Shop with me”. This will take you to our shop!

new 147 shirts

I just placed an order two days ago for some earrings and necklaces and so I missed this super cute shirt they just put out!!! It says 147 Million Orphans in rainbow colors on the front.

I know that’s not the best picture so go here to get a better look: http://www.147millionorphans.com/Rainbow-Love-1_p_152.html

On the back, it says Love 1 in pink. They are $22. Let me know if you’re interested in purchasing one. Here’s another cute tshirt which I just ordered for myself!

Short sleeve baseball tee $30

I have some beaded necklaces as well as blue, brown, and green glass earrings. Any purchase supports our adoption as well as 147 Million Orphans.

Email me if you’re interested! jillcarpenter@hotmail.com

Beaded necklaces

These necklaces are made by women in Uganda from recycled paper. These women are able to help provide for their families by making these necklaces. 147 Million Orphans allows adopting families like us sell these necklaces to help fund our adoptions. By clicking the Buy Now button to the right, you can purchase one for $20!

Length may vary a bit as well as the colors (all are multicolored). Limited quantities so you can email me prior to purchasing to determine quantity left.

Pinterest

I don’t look at Pinterest all the time,but when I do….. I find ALL kinds of ideas! These are two recipes I tried with my family and were a HIT so I thought I would share.

Frozen Yogurt Drops- These are simple (not really even a recipe, just yogurt) and my kids LOVED them. Even Joey and I couldn’t stop eating them! One pan was gone by the end of the night!

http://pinterest.com/offsite/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.onegoodthingbyjillee.com%2F2012%2F03%2Ffrozen-yogurt-dots.html&token=35b9722bc426a1c58169eb21d3a8881b&pin=169729479676720825

Smores treats- These are oh so good. Although, mine did not look like the picture in the link below….. they were still just as good. These were gone within two days!

http://chef-n-training.blogspot.com/2011/09/smore-krispy-treats.html

Lately….

I hope your weekend was wonderful. What beautiful weather today! Many times today when I was just so so thankful for moments with my family.

Anywho…. I have not blogged in a bit so I thought I’d see what I could come up with.

1. Not much updates on the adoption process. Just waiting. Praying God will guide us and that we will trust in Him for provision. Adoption is so expensive. I get so caught up in it sometimes that I could lose my mind. How are we going to pay for it? What can we sell? Etc.  And then I remember….it’s out of my control. I have to trust in Him. I know He has called us to do this, so I know He will provide.

2. The kiddos are so funny these days. Joe is really starting to talk and it’s hilarious trying to guess what he’s saying. Mady and Joe are starting to play together more and enjoy each other. They chase each other up and down the hallway screaming and laughing. I love watching them play and laugh. Nothing like listening to your kids laugh!

3. Our house is for sale. Somebody please buy it. :) The end.

4. We’re moving- hence, the reason our house is for sale! Joey recently took a principal job in his hometown of Carrollton. We are very excited. This was not planned, but just sort of happened. So, we really need our house to sell in about two months! Joey starts his new job this summer, so we would obviously like to have our house sold before then so he doesn’t have to commute. So, add us to your prayers please. We know God is in control- just have to remind ourselves sometimes.

5. I still have some cute earrings for sale from 147 Million Orphans. I have 8 pairs left. They come in blue, light green, light brown, and clear. $18 (Great Mother’s Day gifts!) As always, a purchase supports our adoption.

6. My sweet nephew got “babatized” (as Mady says it) tonight at church. I was so proud of him. He has such a great heart and LOVES the Lord! And boy, can he pray! Whew! So thankful God has stirred in his heart the desire to know Him as his personal Lord and Savior.

7. Yesterday, April 22nd, marked two years since Joey’s ruptured aneurysm. SO hard to believe it has been two years ago. I am SO THANKFUL for my living, breathing husband to continue in this life with me. I catch myself so many times thinking- I could be raising these kids by myself. I could have been a widow after three years of marriage.

God spared his life and for that I am beyond grateful. I pray we live each day for the glory of God doing His work because none of us know when we will be called home. And when I am called home, I hope I hear the words….  “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:21

So…….I guess that’s about all. Hope everyone has a great week!

If you get a minute, become a follower of my blog and keep up with

(PRAY FOR) our adoption journey! :)

-Jill