Flitterbugs {the blog}

Almost There.....

2011-08-31T08:18:00.000-04:00

On Monday, I announced that I would be taking 35 more Flitterbug orders to fund our final adoption expenses......and then would be finished sewing Flitterbugs for this season in life.

Since then, 20 orders have come in!

Thank you, thank you!

You ladies all love the same fabrics.....of all 20 orders placed, a total of 2 different fabrics have been chosen. Can you guess which ones they are?!?!

My wonderful hubs is cheering me on in this last sewing stretch, and we are going to do a "mini" week of school next week.......as I finish these final orders.

Thank you for allowing me to sew for your little ones......I'll take 15 more orders....and that will be the end for now. Pop on over to see the available fabrics and styles if you would like to place a final order.

Thank you for being a part of Flitterbugs and our peanut's journey home!

Change of Plans....Not Finished Yet..........

2011-08-29T17:26:00.000-04:00

A couple of weeks ago I announced that I was going to quit sewing for a season....time to be just wife and momma in my home. I took several last orders....sewed all weekend.....and was ready and happy to put the Flitterbug patterns aside for awhile!

Just as I was taking my *last* order....our final, final expenses related to the twins adoption came in. In all honesty, my first thought was "nooooo! I am finished....ready to give my 100% of my time to my husband and kids!" After a quiet time of prayer, and good insight and encouragement from the hubs, it became apparent that necessity would demand I sew a little bit longer.

In a nutshell, we are 35 Flitterbugs away from being finished with the peanuts adoption:)

As He always does, the Lord has given me the strength and energy to finish strong, and as he always does, the hubs is cheering me on!

I have no idea how many more days of sewing lie ahead.....I know the Lord can bring the last 35 orders in a matter if minutes if He sees fit. As soon as I reach my goal....the sewing is done for this season!

I am going to do things a bit differently for this last big push.I typically purchase all of my fabric before posting them. In order to not end up with any extra fabric that must be sold to cover expenses, I will be purchasing fabric as the orders come. I have chosen mostly Christmas fabrics....as I have had numerous requests for some holiday sewing! I have also changed the style selection to better fit winter/Christmas garments. Pop over to the home page to see what is available!

All of the fabric is high quality designer fabric, and because I will paying full price for these fabrics....I cannot offer sale prices on the garments. The prices listed on the home page is what I will need to sale them for!

Thank you for all who have ordered a Flitterbug over the past 2 years and have helped to bring our babies home. We are now 35 Flitterbugs away from the finish line........an unexpected last hump, but one we know the Lord can carry us across quickly!

Thank you for giving me the privilege of sewing for your children!

Winding Down.....Ready To Ship SALE.....

2011-08-26T11:12:00.004-04:00

These are new, ready to ship dresses. I will continue to add more pictures of sale dreses and remove pictures of garments as they sell throughout the day. I still have several fabrics left, and you can place a customer order throughout the weekend. (Read more HERE.)
***UPDATE: You can also order a custom long sleeve dress for $28 sizes 1-4 and $30 sizes 5-8.

All prices listed below on these sale dresses include shipping costs.

To order, email me with the dress you would like....and I will ship it out this afternoon. (jubug231 @ aol.com)

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Long Sleeve Flitterbug Dresses- $28

(Right to left)

Size 3- Pretty Bird Flowers-SOLD

Size 5- Aqua Christmas-SOLD

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Short Sleeve Flitterbug Dresses- $23

(right to left)

Size 2- Sweet Divinity-SOLD

Size 2-Meadowsweet

Size 3- Bite Me-SOLD

Size 4- Mod Paris-SOLD!

Size 5-Whimsy

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Ruffled Sundresses- $25

(Winter and Christmas prints.....wear with a turtleneck or blouse! My daughter also loves to wear theses a few sizes "small" as a tunic top with leggings/jeans:)

(right to left)

Size 4/5- Sherry Berry

Size 4/5- Red Flakes-SOLD

Size 5/6- Poinsetteas

Size 6/7- Aqua Christmas-SOLD

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Thank you, thank you!

Last Week......$25 Shipped......

2011-08-22T08:26:00.000-04:00

This is the last week to purchase a Flitterbug!

The fabric stash is dwindling........

Pop on over to choose your fabric before they are gone!

For this final week.....any Short Sleeved Flitterbug Dress or Katie Dress.....

$25 Shipping included.

To place an order,

Simply coose the style you would like.

Pick a fabric, then email me your selection.

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Thank you all for the sweet words of support and encouragement I have received over the past few day!

To Everthing...A Season

2011-08-18T15:18:00.001-04:00

I love to sew.

I have loved sewing Flitterbugs. Every step, from choosing fabrics, drafting patterns, cutting out and constructing dresses, packaging and shipping.....and finally seeing a little one in a Flitterbug has been my joy and delight. Flitterbugs greatly helped in funding the adoption of our twins, and has opened up the door to many beautiful friendships and relationships made along the way.

It has been a sweet season of life....a blessing. I thank each and everyone of you who have been a part of this season!

Sewing has always been a love of mine, and from the time I was in high school and began smocking and heirloom sewing for customers.....it has been a large part of my days.

I have now come to a very different season of life. A beautiful, blessed season which involves holding teething babies, teaching phonics and watching little eyes light up when it all makes sense, science experiments and read alouds, bread to bake and warm meals to serve, kissing boo-boos and calming quarrels, laughing with my husband and asking about his days.....

a good, beautiful season. One which I would not trade for anything.

For the past 2 years I have been able to balance and blend the needs of my family with sewing, but that season has come to an end, for the time being. After finalizing our adoption I had envisioned sewing for others on the adoption journey, hurting friends or Christian ministries close to our hearts.

However, there are only 24 hours in each day, and it is too easy for me to set the demands of sewing ahead of training and instructing our 5 precious gifts and the needs of my home and husband. Those of you who know me know that 5 years ago I came dangerously close to loosing my life after a miscarriage and "freak" massive internal bleeding. That scare was a gift of the Lord....it has caused me on numerous occasions to stop and consider how I am using my life and spending my days.....as I realize how quickly it can all be taken.

Pouring into the lives the Lord has brought into mine is of far greater value than any garment I could ever sew!

For this season of life...

~Raising 5 littles

~Encouraging my husband as he plants a church

~Homeschooling

....and focusing on those He has brought into our lives...

I need to lay down my love of sewing and close that chapter for awhile.

I need to focus on these precious little ones and my responsibility to them, because in a blink this season of life will pass....and I can never get it back.

If the Lord blesses our family to once again pursue an adoption...when that time comes, I know He will provide the strength and perseverance to once again enter a season of sewing to help bring a little one home.

Until that time, I must give my days to this blessed season!

I am going to continue the Fundraiser for the Browns adoption through this weekend.

Next week, I plan to post a large stash of dresses I have been working on for a sale....plus have a sell on any orders placed to help clear out the lovely fabrics piled high around my house:)

After that, I will not be taking order for...I'm not sure how long. I may occasionally post garments I have made for sale on facebook......there are lovely, rainy days which are perfect for gathering the kids up to listen to a book on tape....sewing machine humming throughout:)

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So, if you would like to order one last Flitterbug.....you have this week and next to do so! After that.....sewing is going where the smocking, tatting, knitting, crocheting, heirloom handwork and scrap booking have gone.....on the back burner:)

Thank you all for your support and encouragement in our Flitterbugs season of life!

Flitterbugs.....for the Brown Family!

2011-08-11T14:49:00.001-04:00

I would like to introduce you all to the Brown family! Aren't they beautiful?

The Browns are a family of 6.....yes, 4 daughters...and they are in the process of adopting 18 months old girl/boy twins from Uganda. We love our girl/boy twins, and can't wait to see the Browns home with their little ones. The Browns are currently waiting for a court date in Uganda. Once a court date is set, they will travel and stay in country for 4-6 weeks before bringing their twins home. The Browns have been hard at work for the last several months fundraising. They have about 13K left to raise in order to bring their babies home. Promise 686 has offered them a matching grant of up to $6,000....so your gift can be doubled!

Would you like to be a part of these little one's journey home?!?!

From today through Wednesday, August 17th,

80% of all Flitterbug profits will benefit the Browns adoption!

Pop on over and choose a style....then pick your fabric.

Email your order to me....and I will get started!

I typically try to have dresses made and in the mail within 2 weeks of your order, but depending on the number of orders received for this fundraiser, it may take me as long as 3 weeks.

Thank you for being a part of Flitterbugs and the Brown Family adoption. You can visit their blog here to learn more about this soon to be family of 8, and watch their journey unfold!

Still going.......

2011-08-02T13:39:00.000-04:00

Our weekend in pictures:)

Sweet Jordan in on the move...and he is fast.

I'm beginning to think that right eye is going to stay bright blue...hasn't changed yet!

The kids love painting anything. This particular day...they painted rocks:)

My sweet little girls...who are pretty much inseparable!

I love my hubby! Tomorrow is our 9th Anniversary!

The peanuts are the little prince and princess of the house....the big kids spend a lot of time pushing them around in the laundry basket:)

Sweet Landis....after painting the rocks....he set up a "store" and sold his to me. I now have no money and a stash of blue rocks:)

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I am going to keep taking "Flitterbugs.....for Africa" orders throughout the remainder of the week and weekend. Thank you to all who have placed an order! I am trying to get the dresses made and to you just as quickly as possible. I'll be sewing for a few more weeks...then take a break as our new homeschooling year begins!

New Fabrics.....Sewing for Africa

2011-07-28T13:26:00.000-04:00

Several new fabrics are up......so cute!

Pop on over and have a look.

All profits from this weeks orders go to help the Horn of Africa.

Thank you for your support!

Flitterbugs....for Africa

2011-07-27T15:22:00.004-04:00

You have probably heard of the horrific drought that is affecting the Horn of Africa. Approximately 12 million people in Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, and surrounding countries are being ravaged by lack of rain....and now lack of food.

We have been sponsoring a young girl in Ethiopia through Compassion International for almost 9 years. Her name in Shitaye, and she is now 14 years old. Last week we received news that Shitaye is in an area which is suffering greatly from the drought. Compassion International is working to respond to to this great crisis, and to aid children and families with not nourishment, but the love and hope of Christ.

I am sure like many of you, my heart breaks at the images of hungry children....suffering peoples.

Starting today....and until I get the maximum amount of orders I can reasonably finish.....

80% of all profits from Flitterbugs will go to Compassion International's efforts to help the Horn of Africa.

Compassion has been within these countries for years, and is wise and effective in the manner in which they distribute aid.

Pop on over and pick out a dress for your little one.....and each time she wears it, pray for those so greatly affected by this drought!

$25 Ready to Ship!

2011-07-22T16:20:00.002-04:00

Little Stash of Sale Flitterbug Dresses......made and ready to ship!

To purchase, leave a comment or email me ......let me know which dress you would like.

$25, shipping included.....all profits go to Sallee!

I will mail the dresses out in the morning.

(Size and description from left to right)

Size 2- Sweet Divinity

Size 2-Meadowsweet

Size 3- Feelin' Groovy-SOLD!

Size 4-Pretty Bird Flowers-SOLD!

Size 5-Whimsy

Thank you!

(And thank you for all who prayed for our birthmother meeting yesterday. It was wonderful! Our hearts are full!)

Not Too Late!

2011-07-21T08:19:00.001-04:00

(Eliana helping me sew:)

I was going to end the "Flitterbugs for Poppy Dip" on Wednesday......

But I'm almost caught up on orders and decided to extend it a few more day!

All profits from any order you place through Sunday will go to the Couch family.

Lots of cute fabrics are up....pop on over and take a look!

(Sweet Ansley in her "Katie" dress)

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Kenny, the twins and I are off to a few special visit this morning.......

A much prayed for opportunity to meet Jordan and Eliana's birthmother!

I am excited, but also nervous. We would really appreciate your prayers. We pray today will be an opportunity to share the love of Christ, and to let this precious young woman know how deeply we care for her. Thank you for praying!

Run for Adoption!

2011-07-19T22:12:00.000-04:00

Do you love adoption? Are you interested in adoption....or just love life and want to spend a special morning celebrating life?

Would you like to meet this sweet face......

.....or this one?!?

Covenant Care Services is the agency that loved and cared for our birthmother during her pregnancy, and placed Jordan and Eliana in our arms. Covenant Care offers all services free to any woman who seeks their support or assistance, while also maintaining some of the lowest adoption placement fees in the state of Georgia. How do they accomplish this? Fundraising. Year round, Covenant Care works diligently to make care available to all women around the state and also adoption affordable to families seeking their services.

On Saturday, August 27th, Covenant Care will be hosting the "Ridge Run" in Macon, Georgia.

My mom racing with my nephew Pearce in last year's Ridge Run!

This is a 5K Run......there will also be a Kiddie Fun Run!

The cost to enter is $15 if you register before August 20th....$20 after the 20th up until race day.

You can go HERE to read more details and register online for the Ridge Run.

Race proceeds will benefits women in unplanned pregnancies, bithmothers, adoptive families.....and those seeking the counsel of Covenant Care!

If you are not able to come to the race, but are interested in the work of Covenant Care Services, you can follow their facebook page HERE. They regularly post videos of families meeting their children for the first time......which I can never get enough of:)

Come out to the race and meet the peanuts.....we would love to see you there!

Sweet Littles

2011-07-16T15:30:00.000-04:00

How precious are these littles in Flitterbugs?!?!?

Thank you to all who have placed an order! "Flitterbugs for Poppy Dip" will keep on for several more days.

Several new fabrics are up.....pop on over and have a look!

I so enjoy sewing for your little ones.....thank you for giving me the opportunity!

Have a Blessed Weekend!

New Fabrics........Flitterbugs for Poppy Dip!

2011-07-15T10:49:00.000-04:00

Several cute new fabrics are up......fun for back to school!

Pop on over and have a look.

I'm sewing for Sallee this week.......order your Flitterbug for POPPY DIP!

Flitterbugs For POPPY DIP!

2011-07-14T11:54:00.001-04:00

Not too long after starting our adoption journey, I met Sallee. From the start I have loved following the Couch family......and have so much in common with Sallee. We both love to sew, homeschool our kids, have twins, love adoption and both of our hubbies are cabinet builders.

Sallee and her husband have 6 children....3 bio and 3 adopted from Ethiopia. (Aren't they beautiful!) Sallee runs POPPY DIP, and over the past 2 years has sold something like 2,000 POPPY DIP dresses to bring their precious Samson Jude home. Isn't that amazing?!?! This lady can sew!

Only a few short weeks after bringing Samson Jude home, Sallee unexpectedly found out she has cancer. She has undergone several surgeries, hospital stays, complications and now chemo. Tough, hard chemo. Not only has the Couch family had to deal with the emotional, physical, spiritual and logistical details of bringing a little one home just weeks before discovering cancer........now the medical bills are piling up. Piling up high. Can you imagine? In a way I think none of us can imagine.....but in a way I think we can let ourselves imagine this situation. We just don't want to, because it is gut wrenching and terrifying.

Would you like to help the POPPY DIP family?!?!

You can!

Flitterbugs for POPPY DIP!

From today until Wednesday, June 20th (or until I get so many orders I can't keep up:)

All profits from the sale of Flitterbugs will go to Sallee's family!

Pop over to my HOME page to choose your style, them pick your favorite fabric (I will be posting new fabrics throughout the week). Hopefully many, many people will order a Flitterbug for POPPY DIP.....I'll sew as fast as I can and hope to have all order shipped to you within 3 weeks!

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This is my first "fundraising" endeavor other than our adoption....and I have no idea how much it will raise. Maybe a little, hopefully a lot....guess it depends on you:)

If you don't have a little girl....pop on over to Sallee's site and leave her a word of encouragement. Please pray for Sallee. Her blood levels are so low at the moment that they have had to postpone her current chemo treatment. If you do not want to order a Flitterbug but would like to make a donation to Sallee....let me know and I will help you get it to them!

Praying for you Sallee!!!!!

SALE!

2011-07-11T14:25:00.006-04:00

(So thankful for my little family.....I can't imagine being more blessed! Later this week we will head down to the courthouse and stand before the judge......the twins adoption will be final,official, complete!)

SALE!
Clearing out fabrics....making room for more!
All Flitterbug Dresses and "Katie" style dresses.....
$25 Shipping included.
Pop on over to pick your fabric.
This sale will run through Friday!

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(And thank you to all who have emailed me and left comments about fundraising with Flitterbugs! I am working on a few details, and will let you all know soon!)

Interested in Fundraising with Flitterbugs?!?!

2011-07-08T11:40:00.004-04:00

Eliana's new "cheese" face. I could just eat this baby up!

We are a week away from finalization and the end of our (first:) adoption journey.
So many of you have been a part of our twinnines journey home.
So many have prayed, celebrated....and purchased a Flitterbug!
I have prayed and thought for a while now about using Flitterbugs to help others in their adoption fundraising journey. I have some ideas rolling around in my head on how to make that work.....but am wondering if any of you in the fundraising process would be interested??!?!
Leave a comment or send me an email if you would like to partner with Flitterbugs in your journey........
I'll see what the interest is like and let you know what we come up with!

6 Months Home

2011-07-05T16:52:00.003-04:00

I can't believe that today marks 6 months since Jordan and Eliana were placed in our arms.

For 6 months we have had the joy and privilege of loving them.

For 6 months now we have had the blessing of watching them grow and thrive....

...of hearing every coo and soothing every cry.

For 6 months, the sacredness of life and the divine ways of the Lord have been a constant presence in out home.

My heart today is full of joy.....but also sadness.

Sorrow that today, not every child in America will be viewed as sacred.

Not every child will be "worthy" enough for life.

Young women will be threatened, coerced, pushed and even bribed into a "choice" of convenience.

"Doctors" will pocket money, parents and boyfriends will be spared "embarrassment" and responsibility, politicians will pridefully debate their "protection" of women.....

and those women will be haunted by a life time of hurt and guilt.

Today, close to 3,800 children will be denied their right to life.

Close to 3,800 will not take their first breath, but will succumb to the abortionist's knife.

That's a lot of Caylee Anthonys.

Is our society really so surprised when we say that life has no value, and then people go and de-value life?

Today, we celebrate 2 precious lives that have great value!

We celebrate a birthmother who fought for the right of those lives!

I long for the day when we as a nation celebrate 3,800 precious lives each day who are given life......

what a celebration that will be!

SALE!!!

2011-06-17T11:29:00.003-04:00

Eliana and Jordan will be 8 months old on Saturday.....can you believe it?!?!

They want to celebrate with a little sale:)

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The "Katie" Dress and all Short Sleeve Flitterbug Dresses

$25 shipping included

I just posted some cute, new fabrics.....only have enough to make a few dresses of each.

*Choose your fabric

*Email me with the style dress, size and fabric you like!

*The SALE price is only good today and tomorrow! (Friday and Saturday)

Funny Face

2011-06-10T20:27:00.002-04:00

Just a quick picture for tonight....
I whipped out the camera and told her to smile,
and this is what I got:)
I love my little girl!

Some Cuteness:)

2011-06-07T16:51:00.002-04:00

Jordan loves to chew....on anything. His favorite? To gum a zucchini:)

If the twins are near each other, they hold hands, touch faces......it is so sweet. They have also started "talking" to one another, and act like they know what the other is saying! Precious!

Miss Evangeline would sew continually if I would let her. She loves it! (Hummm....wonder where she gets that from?!?!) I may have a little Flitterbugs helper before too long:)

My bumbo babies.

Samuel is such a good big brother. He loves to play with the peanuts!

Lately, the kids are all into making lemonade. In other words, the kitchen floor is constantly sticky:)

We have a birdhouse near in our garden which is home to several different sets of bluebirds each summer. We love peeking in and seeing the precious little ones. It is amazing how quickly they grow!

The garden......just the sight of it makes me happy! (Or hot......a few minutes in it and I feel like I may combust:) It is a dry, hot summer in Georgia......

Yum.....breakfast from the garden!

Eliana loves her big brothers, and they have fun dressing her up:)

Sweet Landis and Samuel.....they are inseparable these days!

I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with the kiddie pool.

Love it when the kids are out giggling and splashing....the inevitable tracks of water, mud, freezer pop plastic, towels and heaps of wet bathing suits...not so much:) The kids are loving it, and we are definitely getting our money's worth out of this one! I love, love to swim in a "real" pool, but 5 littles, 2 of them babies in a pool? Not happening this year! :)

We are so in love with these precious children the Lord has blessed us with....and so thankful for them!

Happy Tuesday to you all!

Free Shipping, Sales and Shirts!

2011-06-01T13:20:00.008-04:00

(No...this picture has nothing to do with anything.....but have you ever seen such precious feet? I could just eat them up!)

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I am caught up on all sewing orders......and have some cute new fabrics in. Have you wanted to order a Flitterbug but just haven't yet? Wellllll....
Place any order today and get Free Priority Mail Shipping!

Free Shipping is only good on orders placed before midnight today, June 1st! If you have any questions, you can pop on over here, or read how to place an order here.

I have been posting regular sales of ready to ship Flitterbugs over on Facebook. If you would like to follow and get in on the fun......you can follow here. (Sweet Evangeline modeling a sale Flitterbug from earlier this week!)

Many of you probably follow Andrea from Babe of My Heart. (And if you don't...you are missing out!) Andrea and her husband helped to start an organization called Wiphan, which ministers to widows and orphans in Zambia. Andrea will be traveling to Zambia in just a few weeks to love on and minister to these precious women and children. Among other things, she will be putting on "True Love Waits" style retreats for the women and teens. I'm not sure if I've ever heard of someone doing this on a missions trip.....and think it is so neat the way the Lord has placed this on Andrea's heart! Andrea is selling tee shirts to help fund her trip and to put on the retreats. You can go here to read more about Wiphan and Andrea's upcoming trip....and to purchase a shirt.

You really, really, really should pop over........see the fabulous shirt design, AND the giveaway you will be entered for if you win.

Curious? Find out more at Babe of My Heart.

5 Little Faces

2011-05-29T10:04:00.002-04:00

Such precious gifts
And great responsibilitiesLittle hearts which we cannot save

but we are entrusted to mold

Beautiful lives which we have done nothing to deserve

But the Lord has chosen to place in our arms.

May we honor Him with these gifts! May He grant us the wisdom, patience and perseverance to train them in the way they should go. May they stand upright in His sight one day. To Him be all the glory!

In The Garden

2011-05-20T09:59:00.009-04:00

This picture has nothing to do with the garden......I just love it:)

Neither Kenny or I grew up having a big garden or farm animals....but from the day we got married we have talked about wanting our own little "homestead". A couple of years ago when we moved back to Georgia and knew we would be here for awhile.....we set out to find a little piece of land. We found five and a half beautiful acres, complete with 2 creeks and a lovely ~~little, old, tiny, doublewide trailer~~ house. (Have you ever thought you could not get homestudy approved while living in a small doublewide? And raising 5 kiddos in a tiny space? I'll save those posts for another day:)

When we first moved in, the backyard looked like a jungle. It's taken years to clear, weed, and break the ground. Each year our little garden plot grows a little larger. We've made tons of mistakes, and have pretty much learned as we've tried. This year, the garden finally looks about the way we envisioned it. We love going out in the garden as a family each evening after dinner, and working in our "little slice of Eden."

Landis is our chicken boy:) We love these little bantams.

It has gotten too hot in Georgia for lettuce. We enjoyed it over the winter, and are now letting it flower and drop seeds. We are going to gather up the seeds to plant in the fall. We'll see how that works:)

......onions......only a few more weeks and they will be ready!

String beans....these are the bush type and do not need to climb. They are beginning to bud!

We have put out about 100 tomato plants so far. I have a slight obsession with canning.....and hope to put up lots of salsa and sauces this year:)

In case you've ever wondered....this is where lettuce seeds come from. One it gets hot, the lettuce turns bitter, flowers shot out from the top, and seeds fall!

More green beans....these ones are climbing up saplings Kenny cut down from the woods:)

Pickling cucumbers!

Can you see them?!?! Another week or so, and it will be time to start making pickles!

Squash and zucchini.......yum!

Kenny loves to grow fruit trees. The blueberry bushes are looking good so far......if we can keep Samuel from picking them all:)

We have already starting enjoying a few blackberries. These are our favorite thing in the garden!

Not sure if you can tell....but they are really big! Just a few warm days and they will be deep purple and ready!

I love this! I told Kenny I wanted to make a "bean tee-pee" for the kids. You put several tall stakes in the ground like a tee-pee for beans or sunflowers to grow up, and the kids can use it as a fort. Kenny made an awesome long arbor instead. It is so neat! We have green beans growing up one side and sugar snap peas up the other. The sugar snap peas are about finished producing, and I'll soon pull them up and plant more green beans.

Isn't it neat?

More blackberries and raspberries.......

The muskadine vine is growing strong this year......

...and more tomatoes.....

We have also put out all types of peppers, some herbs, cantaloupe and watermelon....but I must have missed taking pictures of those:)

The peanuts have already spent hours in the garden. They are always happy when they are strapped to one of us outside:)

If you have any great gardening tips or fun plants we need to try....I'd love to know!

Better run...the peanuts are calling!

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Have a garden? Link up your post HERE!

Round Here....

2011-05-06T14:06:00.005-04:00

We have had a computer virus, (I never will understand what that means!)....so I have been MIA around here. I'll try to cover the past few weeks in pictures:)

The peanuts are 6 months old!

I cannot believe how quickly they are growing and how quickly time is passing by!
We could just eat them up! Eliana is quite the little chatter box, and "talks" constantly. We switched Jordan to soy formula....and he has been a happy boy ever since! That little butterball is a busy baby, and is happy when there is a lot of action. (He's come to the right place for that:)

We are still in awe of the Lord's placing them in our lives.

Eliana's smile just melts me:)

The first thing people say when they see Jordan (after they have asked if they are identical...he-he).....is, "Look at all that hair!" then a gasp and, "Does he have a blue eye?!?!"
Yes, Jordan's right eye is crystal blue, and his left eye is part brown, part blue. Eliana's eyes are both blue on the top half, and the bottom half of each eye is brown. I've never seen anything like it! They are sooo beautiful!

Easter was especially special this year. Celebrating our new life in Christ and His rising from the grave while holding these precious babies who were given life by their birthmom, and then a new life through adoption was amazing.

We spent the afternoon at my parents with my family. I am one of 5 kids, and my older brother and his wife have a 20 month old son and 7 week old baby girl. I loved watching these sweet cousins take an afternoon nap together:) My younger sister and her husband are expecting their first baby in December....which means my parents will have gone from 4 to 8 grandkids in just 11 months! (And they still have 2 kids at home!)

I am so thankful for my wonderful husband and 5 precious blessing!

....sleepy headed kiddos on Easter morning. Evangeline wanted to know why the peanuts got chocolate in their baskets.......that would be for me:)

My favorite.......It's strawberry season on Georgia! We have planted a large garden with: blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, tomatoes, okra, peppers, green beans, cantaloupe, watermelon, squash, onions, lettuce, cucumbers and muskadines....but did not do strawberries this year. Ours just don't compare to the u-pick farm down the road! We have been busy picking and canning jam.....yum!

Ha-ha! If you know me....I'm all about convenient and cheap:) Making an appointment, taking 5 kiddos with me and bouncing 2 babies on my lab while getting a haircut....and then paying for it...um, not too interested! The hubs cut my hair for me last night! I keep telling him if cabinetry and ministry don't work out.....beauty school could be in his future:)

We cracked up the whole time! I think he may be the new barber for the family:)

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That's a quick recap of the past few weeks. Yesterday marked the 4th month since the babies came home! We watched their video again, and cannot believe how much they have grown.
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On a sewing note....I have been posting sale dresses over on the Flitterbugs facebook page. There are a few left, ready to ship!

A few new fabrics are set to arrive today, and I will post them soon. You can choose your fabric and place a custom order anytime. This past week we finished up the paper work to finalize the adoption, and hope to get a court date in the next week or so! Whoo-hoo!

$25 Sunsuit Sale!

2011-04-19T15:35:00.007-04:00

This week only .........Tuesday through Saturday...

Sunsuit Sale!

Just $25

Choose your fabric...and make your purchase below. Be sure to email (jubug231@aol.com) me with the size and fabric choice you would like! (The sunsuit comes in size newborn to 3T)

Burrito Babies

2011-04-18T15:49:00.004-04:00

This may be my most favorite picture yet of the babies.

I could just squish them:)

There is something about watching twins sleep. For one, it doesn't happen often. (He-He)

Something about seeing two little ones snuggled up together....and how they scoot and squirm closer to each other even as they sleep.

What a gift the Lord has given these little ones in each other.

What a gift He has entrusted to us!

The Out Takes:)

2011-04-14T15:13:00.006-04:00

This week....I attempted to take A picture of all 5 kids. Having a handful of littles is teaching me many wonderful, sanctifying lessons. One such lesson is this:

Lower your standard of perfection in the areas of life that do not matter, and take captive every moment you have with your children to instruct and nurture them in the arenas of life that do matter.

In a nutshell....a perfect cute picture of all 5 kids....with all 5 kids dressed beautifully, and all smiling at looking at the camera.....has no eternal value. ummm.....I tried like a nut to get that perfect picture this week....all good advice and sage lessons aside:) The first few shots...they were pretty happy.

By about shot 15......Jordan was becoming concerned that this is what the rest of his life would look like. A constant attempt for all of them to "look" and "smile"on cue.

Oh....and it was vitally important that all 5 kids clothing be showing.

Because since I am on this, "Don't worry about the things that are trivial in life" kick......

.....I am trying to win a $100 Kelly's Kids gift card. I may need to be reminded of that life lesson again:)

At about this point...I began to promise a piece of gum to anyone who would smile.

.....then I upped it to a piece of gum and a piece of candy....

Nearing shot 50.....

...Samuel was done.

Bribery no longer had any effect on him:)

Four out of 5 kids looking at the camera.....the cute Kelly's Kids outfits my sweet mother in law and sister in law gave the kiddos sort of showing........

This will just have to be it. I'm thinking my new definition of a good picture involved one where no child is crying or picking their nose. How do you with 13 kids do this?!?! :)

I love my little people.....and know that one day I will tear up just looking at these pictures and remembering when life was so wonderfully full. Great is the Lord!

And if you want to help us win that worldly $100.......pop on over to Kelly's Kids and "like" them. Then scroll down to our picture and "like" it. Consider it a little shout out for the peanuts:)

Ready to Take Your Orders!

2011-04-01T19:32:00.000-04:00

You may notice a few changes......

I am not offering near as many styles this summer....trying to simplify and streamline every possible aspect of life right now:)

So, I'll be sewing the 3 most requested dresses.....and the new, super-cute Sun Suit!

You may notice a small change in price. In the past I have spent lots of time searching for high quality fabric which is on sale. I love a good deal! However, after paying attention to the amount of time I was spending searching for that fabric....it was not worth it! The new price reflects buying nice, in season fabric at regular price.

I also have tweaked the method of purchase...which should make it easier on you!

Fabrics.....are now listed with their coordinates. No more trying to decide from an online picture if the fabrics you have chosen match up!

I am also going to start posting ready to ship sale dresses on the Flitterbugs Facebook page.

Also....I am now offering gift certificates! Send a little love to your granddaughter or other special girlie.........and they can choose their Flitterbug.

I plan on taking orders from today through the September. Sometime in July I will have a Christmas in July Sale!

Since I am homeschooling the children, I do not plan on sewing in the fall and winter. If it is still cold in your neck of the woods and you need warmer clothes hop on over to my friend Sallee's site.......I believe she will be sewing year round!

I'm looking forward to sewing for you little Flitterbugs again!

Tomorrow.......

2011-03-31T18:17:00.004-04:00

I will start taking orders again in the morning!

I'm looking forward to sewing again.....and we just got word yesterday that the twins finalization may be sooner than we had thought. WHooo-Hooooo!!!

I'm still working on a few changes and updates to the site. If you have a picture of your Flitterbug that you would like me to add to this montage........email it to me! Gotta run.....typing while holding a peanut:)

Spring SALE!!!!!

2011-03-22T15:13:00.012-04:00

I made up a stash of "Katie" Dresses for a little spring sale......and to see if it is even possible to sew with the peanuts:)

I think they like the hum of the machines....I will start taking custom orders again on Friday, April 1st!

********************************

The Katie dress is Evangeline's favortie. Light and cool for hot summer days.

The dresses pictured below are ready to ship. I will mail them out first thing in the morning.

***They are $25 each, plus $2 each shipping.

First come, first serve.

***Please email me (jubug231@aol.com) or leave a FB comment HERE

and include the size and description of the dress you want!

***After you email me....and I confirm your order.....use the "BUY NOW" button at the bottom of this post to complete yoru purchase!

Size 6-12 months: Snails-SOLD!

Size 18 months: Dragonflies-SOLD!

Size 2: Groove Celebration

Size 3: Breeze Blooms-SOLD!

Size 4: Charisma-SOLD!

Size 4: Pink and Orange-SOLD!

Size 5: Passion-SOLD!

Size 5: Breeze Blooms-SOLD!

Size 6: Wildflowers

Size 7-8: Primrose

The "Birthmother Turtle"

2011-03-20T09:35:00.005-04:00

You may have noticed in several pictures of the peanuts......there is a turtle. Sooo....what's up with that?

(3 months old)

When we first began the adoption journey.......about the time we had started the process from Ethiopia, I came across the blog of a birthmother named Stefanie. She had placed her precious little girl just the day before, and I immediatly developed a deep respect for this young lady. I have since learned so much from her. She chose a wonderful adoptive family, and they have done many creative things to keep her up to date and in Olivia's life. One such thing was the teddy bear. They have 2 identical teddy bears, one for Stefanie and one for Olivia. They regularly take pictures of Olivia with the teddy bear. Stefanie can then look at her teddy bear and have a way to compare and visualize how much Olivia has grown. How neat is that!

(4 months old)

The day we got the call, was just a normal day. We had no idea our profile had been show, no idea a birmother had chosen us, and definatly no idea there had been twins in foster care for 11 weeks waiting to come home to us! I ran into Kohls that Monday morning to return some things, and noticed they had stuffed turtles for sale. "That's it!"I thought. "Great for a girl or a boy.....it will be our birthmother turtle!"

I also found a sweater on the sale rack that I thought would be good to wear to placement....which I had no idea would be less than 48 hours later! Good thing I got those items then, because jsut 2 hours later the call of our lives came and there would have been no time time for anything leisure after that:). We ended up with 4 turtles.....one for Jordan, one for Eliana, one for our foster family and one for our birthmother. We have not had the opportunity to meet our birthmother....we pray and hope and long that that opportunity will present itself in the future! For now, I am hanging onto her turtle and taking pictures so she can look back and "see" how little the babies were one day.

We gave a turtle to our sweet foster family, and it is fun to send them pictres of the babies with the turtle. Their 3 girls can then get their turtle and envision the babies and how much they have grown. They were in the 4 pound range at birth, and I wish we had pictures of them with the turtle then. They would have been tiny compared to it.

I would image these little turtles that hold so much meaning and love will be very special to the peanuts as they grow up!

So, now when you see the turtle, you know it has special meaning:)

World's Greatest Daddy

2011-03-15T17:18:00.005-04:00

He's covered in kids and loves it!

I love my hubs!

"Are They Identical?"

2011-03-11T16:17:00.006-05:00

Having a hand full of kiddos, including the twinnies, is teaching me a lot.

One such lesson is this; Don't ever plan on blogging.....or doing anything for that matter....on a certain day or time:) I really had planned on coming back and answering my last post, but before I knew it 10 days had passed and I had not so much a peeked at my blog. Life has been wonderful, full this past week...and time if flying by! (The fullness of life has also included van troubles, a dead washing machine, immunizations for the peanuts which involved 2 days of fever and crying, and a sweet 6 year old who vacuumed the house with a black crayon stuck to the bottom of the vacuum. You don't even want to know what that will do to beige carpet!:)

So, what is the question we get ALL the time, EVERYWHERE we go?
"Are they identical?"

The first time someone asked me this, I thought they were kidding. We soon realized...nope....they were serious! Just in case you are wondering...it is IMPOSSIBLE for boy/girl twins to be identical. I'm told by boy/girl twins that Jordan and Eliana will be asked this their entire lives. The responses people come up with are great:) Oftentimes, "Are they identical?" is followed up with, "So are they brother and sister?" or "Do they have the same birthmother?"

Really?!?

Almost without exception, we have been met with love and excitement each time we venture out. We do get the typical, "Are they yours/Are you a daycare" responses. We also regularly have women burst into tears when they see the babies and want to just look at them and rub their little heads. I haven't quite figured what triggers that response, but it happened 4 times in Kroger alone last week!

My favorite question thus far: "So, what color is your boyfriend?"

My response: "I don't have a boyfriend." ....and I just leave it at that.(We know that there will times throughout the peanuts' lives that they will feel different or uncomfortable with the questions that total strangers ask, and to the best of our ability, we are trying to take the focus off of them and rather make ourselves the "different" or "uncomfortable" ones....if that makes sense!)
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On to some Flitterbugs sewing!

I am going to start sewing again in the next couple of weeks.....with a few changes:

*I will only be taking Flitterbugs orders in the spring and summer months. (End of March through September). I just can't do a good job of homeschooling and sewing.....so I need to cut back on the sewing.

*In the past, though I have not advertised it, I have taken in quite a bit of sewing crib bedding/boys outfits/random stuff. From now on, I need to stick to sewing only patterns and styles I have listed on my home page.

*In order to get your order to you as quickly as possible, and to keep things running smoothly at home, I will be taking in 10 orders at a time. Once I finish up those 10 orders, I'll take in 10 more. I know this is not the savvy way to run business, and I realize I will loose customers this way.........but I need to work the sewing around my hubby and kids, rather than the hubby and kids take a back seat to the sewing! If you are wondering....all profits will go to our adoption finalization costs...and then in a saving account for a future adoption. (No, nothing in the works.....it will take a few years of sewing to be ready, so might as well start saving!:)

Hopefully, that all makes sense and I do look forward to sewing again!
If you do need a winter dress or don't like the way I am working things.....than hop on over to my friends Sallee's site and order a Poppy Dip! She does beautiful work, and from what I hear she is FAST! (Hum....maybe my little Flitterbugs will wear a Poppy Dip for Christmas this year:)

Since I will be sewing during the summer months, and since we have this precious baby model.....I thought it would be fun to add a few summer baby patterns to the mix!

Here is a sneak peak at the Ruffled Sunsuit:

Can there be too many ruffles on a baby's bum.......I think not:)
This fun little sunsuit will run from size 3 month to size 4, and can be used as a bathing suit. So cute!

I have one more pattern......cute for your baby girl/toddler in the summer.....I just need to get it made up and take pictures. (And this time I will not promise as to when that will be:)
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The peanuts are done with me blogging.....better run.
Happy Friday to you all!

Can You Guess?

2011-03-02T09:05:00.003-05:00

What is the one question we are asked over, and over and over about the twins?
At church , the grocery store......everywhere we go, people want to know.......
Can you guess??
Come back tomorrow to find out....and to see:
The NEW Flitterbug Design for the summer!
(Yes....I'll be back to sewing......time to work on our adoption finaliazation costs. There will be a few changes to better fit homeschooling and life with 5 littles. Come back tomorrow for more!)

Is There Really A Need?

2011-02-24T10:08:00.004-05:00

In the past 2 months since our children have come home, one question we have received repeatedly is...

"Is there really a need to adopt domestically? Aren't children dying in Africa? Why wait on a list domestically when there are thousands of infertile couples in America wanting to adopt? Aren't you taking "someone else's" baby? Shouldn't couples with kids not "take" newborns that so many other people want? Children are dying in Africa....at least kids in America can go in the foster care system and not starve....." While I am by no means an expert on the subject, I can say: Yes, there is a need for families in America. There is a need for families everywhere.

An adoption agency can in fuller detail describe why that need exists and the specifics of exactly how that need looks. My suppositions as to why there is a need were not exactly correct as we better understood the real need that exists.

This is my advice to those who are seeking where to adopt from:

Go where the Lord leads you.

Yes, there are millions of orphans worldwide.

Yes, children are being aborted here in America at horrifying rates.

Yes, the need looks different in different countries....but one constant remains:

Every child needs a family. Go where the Lord leads you.

I know I have at times in my own heart had a "hierarchy" of adoption. I have many times categorized that to adopt a healthy, Caucasian newborn was at the low level of the pyramid, while those who adopt a teenage, special needs, HIV+ child from Africa carry a special holiness.

Yes, it takes a certain calling to adopt children with more complicated histories, and the desire to do so must not be minimized, yet one constant remains.

A person is a person. Every life has value. Every child needs a family. Go where the Lord leads you.

Has everyone been called to adopt?

By no means.

Would it be in the best interest of a child for a couple who has no desire or calling to adopt to do so out of guilt or a sense of obligation?

Certainly not!

When we first began our adoption journey, it was to adopt a toddler from Ethiopia. We pre-applied with an agency, were pre-approved, sent in our formal application and were formally approved and then began the long haul of paperwork and fundraising. However, early on in the process, the Lord made it clear that our child was not in Ethiopia, but here in Georgia.

We never anticipated that.

In the months that followed, and up until the day we got the call and heard our children's story, my heart was still in Africa. Listening to that call, I knew, it is the Lord who sets the lonely in families, and he has clearly set Jordan and Eliana in our family.

Chances are the Lord has not called you to adopt all 163 million orphans in the world, plus the 1 million plus babies aborted in America each year. Perhaps He has called you to adopt 1, 2 or several of His precious children.

Should you take into consideration the need, requirements, logistics and details of a country or program before starting the adoption process? By all means! But in the end,

GO WHERE THE LORD LEADS YOU!

He will give the strength, finances, ability and joy for the journey. He will equipt you for the path He has called you on. Every child needs a family, and He will lead to the child He has known since the foundation of the Word would be placed in your arms. He sets the lonely in families, and He will guide you to your childen.

And then you will be able to look back over your journey and your child's story, and know that only He alone could knit together the details of your lives in the way He has.

Then you will raise your arms in praise and thanks that you have gone where He has led you!

"God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform. He plants His footsteps in the sea and rides upon the storm. Blind unbelief is sure to err and scan His work in vain, He is His own interpreter, and He will make it plain."

GO WHERE THE LORD LEADS YOU!

Sweet Sisters

2011-02-22T11:37:00.003-05:00

Little best friends in the making

Our Gottcha Day Video

2011-02-18T14:15:00.003-05:00

We pray this short video will help to encourage, educate and advocate for both adoption and birthmothers. Feel free to share it with anyone you think may be interested!

My Favorite Way To Get Books For FREE!!!

2011-02-15T14:27:00.002-05:00

If you were to come to our home...you may notice something.

There are books everywhere.

We love to read.

Recently, I have discovered a fabulous way to get great books for free.

Children's books, adoption books, homeschooling curriculum, gardening, sewing......everything!

Paperback Book Swap.

How it Works:

Pop on over HERE (or click on the image above) and sign up. It takes about 3 seconds...all you do is type in your name and email address. And no, they will not send you spam or unwanted mail.

Go grab 10 books you no longer need. They can even be books from a kids meal......just so long as they are in good condition. Novels, books from high school, the "how to teach a baby to sleep through the night" books that did not work. Anything!

You will simple type these 10 books in....and.....you now have 2 credits!

Browse the books, choose 2 you want, click on "order" and in a few days, your books will arrive to your door. Just. like. that. Super easy. (Slightly additive, I might add:)

I am hoping to order hundreds of dollars worth of read-alouds for next year's homeschooling curriculum via Paperback Book Swap. (And yes, the above link is my referral link....so if you sign up through it, I'll get referral credit. Then invite your friends to join and do the same!)

Hop on over and join!

Growing Peanuts

2011-02-14T19:06:00.003-05:00

Seven weeks ago....it was just a normal Monday.

A phone call changed that.
Two precious lives, fearfully and wonderfully made.....were entrusted to us.
We are humbled.

The past 7 weeks have flown by......beautiful weeks full of laughter and love.

...every minute a gift, every day treasured....

We have been told time and time again that adoption is not a fairy tale.

However, that is exactly what these past 7 weeks have felt like.

Our little peanuts are growing and changing right before our very eyes!

We stand blessed.

We stand amazed.

We stand in love!

99 Balloons

2011-02-11T08:05:00.002-05:00

This short video is one of the most beautiful pictures of the sacredness of life, the love of parents and the glory of God revealed that I have ever seen. Watch and be blessed!

99 Balloons from Igniter Media on Vimeo.

Because of Adoption....

2011-02-03T17:30:00.002-05:00

Because of adoption.......these precious children will grow up in the arms of a family.
Because of adoption......5 children will view the World by the content of their character...not the color of their skin.
Because of adoption, we have the opportunity to nurture, train and disciple 2 more little lives in the truths of the Scriptures.

Because of adoption, this precious baby girl will grow up with the strong protection of a Father's love.....

....and this sweet baby boy with be guided by his wise hands.
Because of adoption,

because of the loving choice of a birthmother,

because of the gift of life.

I love adoption!

Day 17 With The Peanuts at OneTrueMedia.com

2011-01-22T15:35:00.001-05:00

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Gotta a Little Bling For My Baby Girl:)

2011-01-20T10:58:00.006-05:00

2011-01-19T09:18:00.002-05:00

Each year in America, approximately 1,350,500 babies are aborted. That about 3,700 per day.....1 every 24 seconds. For every 100 live births in the U.S. there are 31 abortions.
On October 18, 2010...there were 3,700 babies aborted.....

minus 2.

Birthmothers fight hard for the lives of their babies. They fight against the tide of our culture, the advice of many "professionals" and their own fears. At great loss to their own hearts, they not only choose life, beautiful life, but a future within a family for their little ones.

The love and sacrifice of our birthmother humbles me. It challenges me. And it makes me want to fight for the lives of the 3,700 babies lost each day, and the precious hearts and souls of the ladies who carry those babies.

Today, we hold in our arms 2 precious children......proof of the handiwork of God, and a living picture of the war we are fighting.

They are fearfully and wonderfully made!

We Love Our Peanuts!

2011-01-17T15:50:00.008-05:00

If I can figure out how to type with one finger while holding 2 precious babies....maybe I can actually blog one day:)

We are so in love with these babies! Kenny and I still look at each other daily and ask, "Can you believe this?"

When we started the adoption journey, we had no idea the blessings the Lord had in store for us! I'll leave you with a few pictures..........one day I'll sneak in some blogging moments.:)

Our 5 precious treasures!

Evangeline (7)

Landis(5)

Samuel (2)

Jordan and Eliana (12 weeks)

Twin Tip #1

2011-01-10T15:51:00.003-05:00

You have just been entrusted with an incredible honor.

Sit back and enjoy those babies!

(Eliana is the most happy baby....until I whip out the camera. Sweet baby girl does NOT like having her picture taken!

They are going to grow up soooo fast. Yes, twins are work.....blessed, glorious work!

Count each minute a privilege!

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"My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;

For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has

done great things for me, and Holy is His name."

Luke 1:46-49

The Call, Goattcha YA"ll Day and Home....All In Under 48 Hours!

2011-01-09T10:13:00.006-05:00

The past 5 days have been the most unexpected and exciting days of our lives. I know I am so late in posting all that has occurred. Yes, we have been busy.....hardly a moment to sit at the computer! Mostly, I have waiting, in my mind trying to word and express all that has happened, all that my heart feels. I know realize this post will never be able to capture our amazement at the work of the Lord......it will merely scratch the surface of His blessings!

It was just a normal Monday. The thing about a domestic adoption is.......you have no timeline. You finish your homestudy, turn in your profile, and wait. There are no list serves, time estimates, monthly updates, numbers.....you just wait. You could be waiting a day, a month, or 5 years. You just wait.

So, it was just a normal Monday....Monday, January 3rd, 2011 to be exact. Nothing was out of the ordinary, except that dream I had the night before. Sunday night I woke in the midst of a dream about twins that was so vivid I got up and looked in the cradle beside our bed. The cradle, given to us by a dear friend....was the only item in our home that would even suggest we were hoping for a baby. Since we have not know the age, timeline or if we would be adopting a girl or a boy, we pretty much have bought nothing....and had months ago passed on most of the baby items from our other kiddos. Oh, that dream! I got up on Monday morning, loaded up the kids and headed out to run a few errands and buy groceries. At lunch, I told Kenny about my dream. I could not get it out of my head and heart. At about 2:30 that afternoon, I quickly turned on the computer to check my mail. There was a facebook message from a lady at our agency asking simply, "Julie, are you there?"

"Yes, I am here!", I messaged back. Something in my stomach turned. What was that about? Moments later I received an email from our caseworker, asking me to call her to talk about my sewing some placements for her dining room table. I laughed when I first miss-read the word "place mats" for "placements"! I call the office and got on the line with our caseworker. I noticed it sounded like I was on speaker phone, and that made me wonder if something was up. Connie asked if our line was down, she had been trying to call about the *placemats* for a few hours. No....our line was not down, we had been receiving calls all day! Well, she asked if I would be willing to sew some placemats, and I said , "sure! I'llbe happy to!" THEN, my heart stopped as she said,

"There is something else I want to talk to you about. How do twins sound?"

I hit the floor and starting sobbing. It was over. The wait was over. We had babieS. One girl, one boy....perfectly wonderfully and fearfully made. I was, and am in total awe and wonder at the Lord's hand in this adoption. We never in our wildest dreams could imagine who He had in store for us!

The next day was a blur. I mean really...how do you process and prepare for twins in a day? It was so much fun calling relatives, telling the children...and scampering to borrow car seats and swings! In a number of hours I had over 300 emails and 120 facebook messages of love and congratulations. The outpouring of love and encouragement has been amazing!

On Wednesday, at 1:00, we drove the familiar route to Covenant Care. Only this time was different. This day, we would go in, and have our 11 week old twins placed in our arms. Our birthmother, a noble, courageous young lady, was in my heart and on my mind every second.

The anticipation of sitting and waiting on our foster family to come through those doors with our babies was killing me!
It was love at first sight!
Our first picture with Eliana Mesheal and Jordan Kenny.......dressed in beautiful outfits picked out and purchased by their birthmother. I think I am going to frame those little outfits in a shadow box and hang them in their room! My heart was so full it could just burst!
We then went downstairs to present our babies to Evangeline, Landis and Samuel and all of our relatives. Here we are with our precious foster family. Notice something? Yup, they have twins as well!
We are so thankful to now be a family of 7!

It was amazing to watch my mom hold her grandbabies for the first time!

Evangeline had so much fun getting to play with Jordan and Eliana's "foster sisters".

We loaded up....and headed HOME. Every seat in the van is taken my a car seat! Ha....I love it!

The first few hours at home were bliss. We would all just look at each other and laugh. "Can you believe this?", we would ask over and over!

Kenny is the most wonderful Papa. He has already mastered loving both babies at the same time!

Sweet Jordan.
He has the most beautiful, tight, little curls. Jordan loves to be help and cuddled.

He also loves to eat!

My little Eliana. Eliana means "God has heard and answered." And that He has....in ways we never imagined!

Eliana is a very happy baby! She also loves to be held.....and gets tons of loving by all of us!

This week has been a perfect dream. Our hearts are full of praise and honor to Christ! He has formed and knit together 2 perfect, precious treasures.....and so honored our family by placing them in our arms. Our birthmother will also forever be a part of our forever family. Her love for her children is great.
I have so much more I want to share....but both babies are waking up and hungry!Never a dull moment:)

A sweet friend of our and awesome photographer came to take pictures at placement.......you can view them HERE. If you follow me on facebook....you have been hammered with pictures these week:) We're pretty proud of these blessings:)

I'll leave you with a quick video of us meeting the babies. And soon I must share the amazing details that only the King of Heaven could weave together!

Ok, Jordan's "hungry button' just got pushed....gotta run!

Introducing Our Babies!

2011-01-04T16:29:00.002-05:00

The last 24 hours have been a whirlwind.....with such a wide range of emotions.

I do intend to post just what that blessed call was like......but that will have a wait a bit longer!

We had at first planned on bringing the babies home today (yes! less than 24 hours after even knowing we had twins!)....but our precious foster family has grown very attached to these 2 little ones over the past 11 weeks, and asked for just one more day together. I pray this day is wonderful for them...and we are so eager to meet this family tomorrow!

I know what you all really want, are pictures:)

We got the ok from our agency to post pictures of the most beautiful babies in the world....our son and our daughter!

Introducing Jordan Kenny and Eliana Mesheal Johnston!

I cannot wait to get my hands on these peanuts and kiss all over those precious checks!

Tomorrow, at 1:00....we will get to do just that!

Thank you, thank you for all of your kind words and encouragement.....they are all treasured!

Off to "ready" the house. I read just yesterday morning that having twins was like being in a submarine. Guess we are about to find out:)

Does God not move in a mysterious, wonderful way?!?!?!?

WE GOT THE CALL!!!! WE HAVE TWINS!!!!!

2011-01-03T22:11:00.004-05:00

Praise my soul, the King of Heaven!

Today, every second of every minute of every hour of the past 18 months was made so worth it.

WE GOT THE CALL!!!! WE HAVE TWINS...A SON AND A DAUGHTER!!

Our little ones are 11 weeks old today, the most beautiful babies you can imagine!
I have so much to share, my heart is so full. But for the moment, I'm going to have to leave you hanging with just a few pictures.We need to get some sleep, because it may be the last time we do for awhile. OUR BABIES ARE COMING HOME ON WEDNESDAY!!!
Needless to say......we are popping with excitement!

And feel like the most blessed family alive!

A family of 5 today....is just about 36 hours....we will be a family of 7!

Can't wait to tell you more.....just leave you that for tonight!!!!

JOY!

2010-12-24T09:42:00.002-05:00

Joy to the World! The Lord has come!

Yes, He has come...He has loved...He has redeemed....and He shall come again!

Merry Christmas....from the Johnston family!

Kenny and Julie

Evangeline Betsy (7)

Landis Miller (5)

Samuel Elias (2)

Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

2010-12-22T08:27:00.005-05:00

He came the first time....

and HOPE was born.

He is coming again....

AND JUSTICE WILL REIGN!!!!!

"And God will wipe every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:4

"Rejoice! Rejoice!Emmanuel,

Shall come to thee, O Israel!"

Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

7 Months.....Waiting

2010-12-18T09:13:00.002-05:00

Today marks the 7 month mark of being homestudy ready and officially waiting. And yes...that's in addition to the months prior when we started this adoption journey. We never, never, ever thought we we would be waiting this long. How to I find my heart today?
Quiet, calm.....and (for the moment:)...content with the wait.

Oh, don't get me wrong, we are ready for that call to come. We are longing to meet our peanut.
But this journey is the Lord's, written by Him...and we are willing to wait on our child.

When that day comes.....I know we will be filled with nothing but praise.

I cannot think about our baby without also praying for our birthmother. Seven months we have been waiting. Has she been pregnant these seven months? Is she even pregnant now? Has our child been in foster care all of these months? Has our birthmother lived at home with a family who loves her? Is she being treated with extra mercy and kindness this Christmas? Has she seen our profile yet? Does she want to choose our family for her baby, or are we her only choice? Does she know we don't "just want her baby", but long to meet her as well?

I have been asked the following question many times, and have asked it myself even more:

"If there is such a need, why are we waiting?"

Are there really children in the US who need homes, or are we simply adopting domestically to "get" a newborn.

Children are starving, dying, longing for a home all over the world.....and here we sit, profile ready...just. waiting.

I know the truth, though it is not always easy to "feel".

This journey is the Lord's. It is He who knows our child...who knit this child together. Yes, we pray and even long to adopt children internationally. Children who who are sick, have special needs, have never felt a mother's love.....who are HIV positive and life on earth could be cut short.

However...at this time, in this adoption.....our child is here. And we must wait on that child! We have "done" what we can in this adoption....and now we will wait.

Our baby isn't ready yet.

When the day comes that our baby is ready, that phone will ring. And the wait will be over.

And the celebration will begin.

********

We never thought we would pass through the summer without meeting our child. Much less the fall....and certainly not celebrate Christmas without our baby in our arms.

The journey is the Lords and we are blessed and thankful to be a part of it!

We cannot speed it up....try as we may.

This Christmas, I pray our birthmother may relish the moments her baby kicks within her. I pray she is shown love, grace and mercy.

And if our baby is in foster care, I pray this little one is doted on and celebrated......

and millions of pictures are taken:)

Seven months waiting.....means we are 7 months closer!

Future Men

2010-12-17T08:53:00.004-05:00

Kenny came home late last night after a long day of work. He was greeted by a sick wife, a pitiful dinner and a broken dishwasher. Without so much as a grumble, he got down on the floor and started in. This would have been so much easier to accomplish without the "help" of two curious little boys.

Yet he patiently and gently let them climb all over him, whacking him with flashlights and screwdrivers as he talked through what he was doing.

Kenny knows he is not raising little boys, but future men.....

who may just one day have wives who clog up the dishwasher with popcorn kernels and sippy cup straws.

Please Pray for Tucker

2010-12-14T16:27:00.003-05:00

Please pray for baby Tucker. He is a little guy in Ethiopia waiting to come home. His parents leave in just a month to meet him for the first time. He is very, very sick.......and I can only imagine the anguish Lauren and John are in aching to go and bring him home!A few weeks ago, I had the honor of doing a bit a sewing for baby Tucker. (Not sure if his Momma knows that yet:) It is always such a joy to sew for a little one....a precious child waiting in an orphanage...not knowing how hard his parents are working to bring them home! I always feel such a connection with these little peanuts after sewing for them and thinking of them with each stitch.Tucker....I am praying the Lord covers you with His healing power!(You can go here to read more about Tucker)

This Kid....

2010-12-14T08:50:00.004-05:00

...is all boy...

I think he must dream in mud, bugs and sword fights.

It is such an honor...

a frightening, terrifying, blessed honor to raise tomorrow's men.

I am so thankful and humbled at the blessed gift of sons!

*************

"My son, keep your father's commandments and do not

forsake your mother's teaching. Bind them around your heart forever; fasten then around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you: when you sleep they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you."

Proverbs 6:20-22

Last Chance for Christmas Gifts!

2010-12-10T10:32:00.002-05:00

It's not too late to order a Flitterbug for a special Christmas gift......but you need to go ahead and email me your order today or tomorrow so I can make it and mail it to you in time! (Gift certificates can be ordered anytime.)

Christmas day is just 2 weeks from tomorrow....can you believe it?!?

You can order dresses, wide ruffle pants, skirts and apron....pop on over to the HOME page to see the pattern selections!

You choose your favorite fabric HERE and I'll make your little one's Flitterbug! All of the dress styles can be worn with a turtleneck in the winter...so you have a year-round fit.

Add leggins as your peanut grows to squeak several seasons out of your dress....I love all things frugal:)

Have any questions? Pop on over HERE and see some FAQ's.

Email me at jubug231@aol.com if you would like to place an order.....and I'll have it to you in time to put under the tree.

Go ahead and place your order today.....I'll be taking a little break soon to spend time with my sweet hubby and kids over the holidays!

The Past Few Weeks......

2010-12-07T14:32:00.002-05:00

Have been busy, busy, busy. A good, full busy...but busy!

And since blogger will not let me drag my pictures around today.....here is a peek at our "busy" in total, random order:)
I'm so thankful for our little family. I love my hubby and sweet kiddos more and more each day. What a privilege and joy to be a part of each of their lives! And yes...once again this year a fourth stocking does not hang along with the children's'....but "hope" does. Perhaps we will still yet hang a stocking this year?!?! Only the Lord knows!

I got to go with Evangeline and a sweet group of girlies from church to paint ornaments. I love getting to be with this little lady!
I have been sewing, sewing, sewing like crazy.
...For our kiddos....some special French handsewn and other southern heirloom style things for baby....Christmas gifts for everyone and yes,
lots of Flitterbugs! We are thankful for each order that comes in.

It has actually turned COLD in Georgia! I have to go bust the ice off of the chickens' water a couple times each day. (Sooo not typical for Georgia!)

Sweet baby girl. Evangeline is becoming more and more my helper with each passing day!

We went to see Kenny's family at Thanksgiving....and had such fun being with cousins.

How I love my little people! What a blessing and a joy!

We had one of the most amazing and humbling experiences several weeks ago. Kenny had met a man from Haiti named Vilmer Paul through his online seminary courses. Vilmer came to Mississippi to take some residency courses last month, and was able to come and meet our family one weekend. It was truly life changing for our family. I will have to tell you all about Vilmer and his ministry in another post!

Kenny has been hard at work lately....and I have to brag a bit:)

Kenny is a cabinet builder and carpenter....and yes, he is GOOD. The best:)

I snagged a picture of an entertainment center he did for a customer recently. The picture really doesn't do his work justice! If you live in GA and want some beautiful well made, handmade cabinets.....the Hubs is your guy!

Landis (5), Samuel (2) and Evangeline (7)
We love evenings at home just being together. One of our favorite new games....called "Pa's a crab!" Such a joy to hear the squeals of delight from the kids!

Me and my wonderful hubby....yes, posing with the compost bin my mother in law gave us:)

I was soooo excited! Who has a MIL cool enough to give her a compost bin?!?!

I love that lady.....she knows me well:)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am busy finishing up Flitterbug orders for Christmas gifts.

It's not too late to order something....just get the order to me soon so I can get it to you in time for Christmas!

You can also email me if you would like to give a gift certificate to someone....I will mail/email you one.

I have several new fabrics I am working on posting.....and sewing up a stash of dresses for a sale....and several pictures to post of little girls in Flitterbugs. Whew....can I get a few more hours for my day?!?!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who has placed an order lately.......we so appreciate your support in our adoption! I can't wait until the day when I get to post those 4 coveted words....we got the call. Not yet, but longing for that day!

I'm Still Here and Sewing....

2010-12-02T17:40:00.003-05:00

If you have sent in an order or email in the last few days.....and things have been quiet/silent on my end....I'm still here and sewing!

Our computer is having major struggles- I don't quite understand the virus things.....but they have pretty much shut us down:)

I have received orders...and am sewing and shipping out Christmas gift orders like crazy, I just am having trouble on the message/email end. Your orders are on their way!

(most boring post ever....don't you agree?:)

Anyone Want It?-SOLD!

2010-11-19T09:00:00.006-05:00

SOLD!

The cutsie Christmas outfit that is....not my little best friend:)

I made this for Evangeline last year.....she only wore it twice as I did not get it finished until Christmas week!
It is a size 5...A-line top to be worn with a turtleneck and wide ruffle pants.
It is red featherwale corduroy.....with ornament appliques.
Just $35 shipping included!
Email me at jubug231@aol.com if you would like to buy it.....I will mail it right out to you!

(And don't forget......tomorrow I will announce the winner of the $75 Flitterbugs gift certificate! Pop on over HERE to learn more!)

Beautiful Blue Eyed Girl

2010-11-16T07:46:00.003-05:00

Thank you, Lauren, for these sweet pictures of your beautiful little one in her Flitterbug!

Would you like to win a $75 gift certificate to Flitterbugs?!?!

We are having a little photo contest.....you can read more about it HERE.

The contest ends on Saturday....hop on over to read more and vote on your favorite Flitterbug!

Hunormous Giveaway.....Grab a piece of "The Pie"!

2010-11-15T16:59:00.003-05:00

Would you like to win:

20 shirts

3 hats

12 handmade items (yes...any Flitterbug of your choice is in the mix!)

and even better...

help to bring home a baby from Ethiopia

AND support Amazina Ministries?!?!

Pop on over to "The Farmer's Wife Tells All" and "grab a piece of the pie"!
This is a huge, huge giveaway......and does so much more than just get you cool shirts:)

There are about a bazillion ways to enter....you know you want to be a part!

Head on over and see all of the great stuff you can win!

Going....Going.......

2010-11-11T17:41:00.004-05:00

This is the last chance to order your Christmas Flitterbugs and ensure I get them to you before Thanksgiving! Next week.....I will begin pulling the Christmas fabrics off of the fabrics page....and start sewing up a stash of dresses and aprons for a sale!
To order.....just click on the home page to choose the style of Flitterbug you like. Then head over to fabrics and choose your favorite fabric. Email me with your choice....and I will get started on your order.
********I will be taking orders throughout the Christmas season....I just cannot ensure I have your order made and to you before Thanksgiving unless you place your order in the next day or two!

Thank you, thank you for your support of our adoption!

Yes, we are praying to have a baby soon......

but constantly having to remind ourselves WHO is in control of this journey. We know HE knows HIS timing and HIS timing is best.

If only my heart and emotions could follow that truth!!!

Order Now For Christmas!

2010-11-08T08:27:00.004-05:00

Pop on over and see a few new Christmas Fabrics I just posted......

Be sure to place any order for a Christmas Flitterbug no later than Thursday (Nov. 11th) to ensure that I can make it and have it to you before Thanksgiving!

Don't forget to enter the Photo Contest......winner will receive a $75 gift certificate to Flitterbugs!
******************************
No news on the adoption front yet...but our agency does have a fundraising banquet tonight that I am so excited about. I'll try and not pump our wonderful caseworker for any info:)

Have a blessed Monday!

Win a $75 Gift Certificate to Flitterbugs!

2010-11-04T14:15:00.003-04:00

We are so thankful to all who have ordered a Flitterbug and are helping to bring our little one home.

How about a little photo contest, and a chance to win a $75 gift certificate to Flitterbugs, as a "thank you" to our customers!!!

How to Enter:

***Pop on over to Flitterbugs on Facebook

***Upload a picture of your child wearing any style of Flitterbug.

***Invite your friends to vote on your child's picture.

***To vote....simply click on the "like" button under the picture.

(You will need to "like" the Flitterbugs page in order to be able to click on the "like" button under the picture!)

***Whoever receives the most "likes" will win!

***Contest ends Saturday, November 20th.

(If you are not sure how to upload pictures to facebook.....you can just email it to me and I'll upload it for you!)

Little Flitterbugs

2010-11-02T14:27:00.003-04:00

Shopping With A Purpose

2010-10-30T22:18:00.003-04:00

"A Place Called Simplicity" is graciously hosting a "Shop With Purpose" link up!

Pop on over and see many families who are selling tee-shirts, jewelry, handmades....all sorts of things to help fund their adoptions.

Buy something unique......and help bring a child home!

A wee bit about our family.

We are the Johnstons......

Kenny and Julie..

Evangeline (7)

Landis (5)

Samuel (2)

and are waiting to get the call on our domestic adoption!

(We don't know who our little one will be.....boy/girl...special needs/healthy....we are excited to see whom the Lord brings into our family!)

I am sewing children's clothes.....

mostly dresses and skirts for little girls...

and aprons for girls and mommas....

to help bring our peanut home!

Pop around on my site for a bit, or hop back over to the link up to find more families!

************

(And if you do not follow Linny at "A Place Called Simplicity", I'd encourage you to do so. She has so much wisdom and experience in the adoption arena. I most appreciate her devotion to prayer. Each time visit Linny's blog...I come away encouraged to pray and praise! Visit and be challenged!)

SALE!!!! Long Sleeve Flitterbugs in Little Sizes!

2010-10-21T15:01:00.007-04:00

Many of you have asked for a sale price on smaller size Flitterbugs.

I made a little stash of Long Sleeve Dresses....ready to ship to you!

They are just $25 each....shipping is included in that price.

If you would like to purchase a dress...just leave a comment or email me...first come first serve! I will mail the dresses out in the morning.

Size 6-12 Months- Pink Polka Dots

Size 6-12 Months- Freebird Flowers

Size 12-18 Months- Woodland Delight-SOLD!

Size 12-18 Months- Fall Dots-SOLD!

Size 24 Months- Moda Flowers

Size 24 Months- Pumpkins-SOLD!

Size 24 Months- Tweet Tweet Butterflies

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You can also pop over and see all of the lovely Christmas fabrics. Christmas orders are rolling in....place yours before your favorite fabric is gone!

What If It Were Today?

2010-10-20T11:30:00.003-04:00

Each day......several times each day, I think, "Will it be today?"

While writing out the date, I often wonder, "Is our baby being born today? Is our birthmother's due date today?"

Sometimes, I cast a glance at the phone, as if I could will it to ring, yet at the same time and in some supernatural way, I am content and confident to let the Lord write this adoption and timeline. (As if I have any control of it anyways!)

Some days, Kenny bluntly and randomly states, "I am ready for our adoption to happen." He has a child he loves and longs to meet.

It has been 8 years since the Lord wrote adoption on our hearts....15 months since we officially began our adoption journey.....and 5 months and 3 days since we were officially homestudy approved and waiting. Honestly, I never thought we would be waiting for so long....and I a ready for the waiting to be over. Oh, please let it be today!

This morning, "could it be today?" casually crossed my mind, as it does everyday. Then me heart realized, as a Christian, I should live in that state. Jesus is coming....what if it were today? Do I not long for that day? I admit, I rarely think about it. It could be today, it could be tomorrow....it could be in a thousand years...but it will be. Why do I not think about that as I wake, plan my day and prepare for tomorrow? Would it not change the way I live...would I not walk my days in a more eternal perspective?

Four years ago, in a unexpected blink of an eye....I almost met my maker. One day I will share those moments and what went through my mind. I will tell you it has changed my perspective on life and how I live. How I mother, what kind of wife I want to be and my desires in life have forever been altered. But even though I experienced first hand how quickly our lives can end, I still do not often think.....

"Today could be the day! The eastern skies could split, the trumpet could sound and the Lord could descend. Hallelujah!"

Just as wait in hopeful anticipation for the phone to ring, just as we long to receive that call and meet our child, I want to live in hopeful anticipation and expectation of the Lord's return. Heaven and Earth have been waiting for over 6,000 years....and it could be today!

"So you must also be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him." Matthew 24:44

What if it were today? Are you ready?

*****************************

(If you are going on the "Created to Care" retreat.....scroll down to yesterday's post to leave yoru link!)

Who Going?!?!? LINK UP!!

2010-10-19T17:05:00.005-04:00

I am so, so excited about the "Created to Care" Ladies Retreat in February....and so thankful my parents and hubby are making it possible for me to go. (And really hoping I have a little peanut to tote along!)

After I registered.....I sort of realized....."ummm, I going on a weekend retreat...where I do not know anyone."

If you know me...this is so not like my shy self! Kenny tells me that adoption and orphan care has brought out something in me that nothing else ever has....and he thinks it is good.:)

I am sooo excited about meeting so many ladies who I have gotten to know through the "bloggy" world....and would love to know if any of you are going?!?!

Sooo......leave a comment or link up your blog below. I'd love to know who all will be there!

Are you going on the Retreat? Link up here!

The Lord's Provision...and His Generous People

2010-10-13T10:16:00.002-04:00

I think we plunged into this adoption journey as many families do: excited, hopefully, eager and with high expectations. You hear stories of families who complete their paperwork overnight, get FBI clearances before they are even fingerprinted, receive a check in the mail on day one to cover all expenses, get their referral call 3 hours after the waitlist, get the call for twins, have the kiddos placed in their arms the next day and never have so much one second of court holdups. Our adoption...just like every other hopeful families....was going to go just.like.that. :)

Then we started to process, and the Lord showed us that His ways are not our ways...and praise Him for it!

Many days we have wondered why He led us down the domestic path, even after approval with AGCI for Ethiopia....and then praised Him at details of our current journey. Many days I have cried over the exhausting hours of sewing and fundraising...only to realize precious little has been raised.....then PRAISED Him as His faithful followers have bestowed their love and means upon us. Many days we have sat frustrated as we sit waiting....knowing that there are millions of children who are n desperate need of a family.....then praised Him as we pray for our birthmother, whom we so long to meet.

Most of our encouragement, support, funds, and excitement have come in ways, and from people, we had never anticipated being a part of our journey.

Day by day, detail by detail, He is proving to us that this journey...this child....is His, not our. He is writing this story, and His narrative is higher and greater than ours.

This past week, He has once again encouraged and strengthened us....in the most random of ways!

One huge aspect of sewing...is fabric. And fabric, nice fabric, is not cheap. I spend tons of time on the Internet looking for nice, high quality fabric at sale prices in order to offer Flitterbug clothes at a good rate to you all. Making a garment, from start to finish, takes a lot of time....and some days it seems like to slowest way possible to fund an adoption!

A couple of weeks ago, I received an email from a lady I do not even know....a "friend of a friend" she stated. Could she send me some fabric as a "donation" of sorts for our adoption?!?!

Wow~how neat! I am constantly surprised at the creative ways in which people have been a part of our journey. Her email was such an encouragement to me.

Over the course of the last few days......we have received package after package after package of beautiful fabric from our, now dubbed, "secret fabric lady." Each yard of fabric has been met with squeals of delight and gratitude! Yesterday, the children and I took to posing with our new, beloved stash:)

The Lord has once again provided through the generosity of His people, and we are left praising Him for it!

I wish I knew who this "secret fabric lady is....I would hug her neck and smother her in thanks!!! (So if you know who she is....please do so for me:)

See the fabric stash in the above pictures?!?! It is enough to make 120 Flitterbugs.
I'm ready to sew like a deranged woman:)

Praise the Lord, who gives good gifts in His time, in His ways and for His glory!

Two Winners and Free Shipping!

2010-10-11T09:31:00.003-04:00

Thank you, thank you to all who entered the Long Sleeve Flitterbugs Giveaway!

We had close to 100 entries left here..and on Facebook...and emailed in.

The children and I had fun pulling 2 names out of the hat!

The winners are:

Lauren Evans

and

Erin McCoy

Ladies...I'll send you an email with more info!

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How about a special on this beautiful fall day?!?!

FREE SHIPPING ON ANY ORDER PLACED TODAY ONLY!!!!

Just pop on over and see what style of Flitterbugs you like...then choose your favorite fabric.

Email me with your selection...and I'll make your little ones Flitterbug!

Have a lovely Columbus Day!!!!

GIVEAWAY!!

2010-10-08T09:18:00.002-04:00

Thank you, thank you to all who invited your friends to follow Flitterbugs on Facebook!
We are over 500 fans.....so it's time for a giveaway.

Winner will receive a Long Sleeve Flitterbug Dress....

any size and fabric of their choice!

You can enter up to 3 times!

To Enter:

**Leave a comment below (or email me your comment..and I will leave it for you)

** Leave a comment on Flitterbugs on Facebook

**Share this Giveaway on Facebook

We will draw the winner on Monday morning.

Have a beautiful, blessed day!

11 Away.... Then a Giveaway

2010-10-07T13:34:00.004-04:00

If you follow Flitterbugs on Facebook...then you may have noticed a Giveaway is coming.

We are up to 489 fans....as soon as we reach 500 it will be time for a Long Sleeve Flitterbugs Dress Giveaway!

So pop on over to Flitterbugs on Facebook......click "like" and invite your friends to follow.

I occasionally offer sales and giveaways on Facebook that I don't post here....

head on over and don't miss out! Winner will get to choose any size and fabric they would like for their little one's dress.

This beautiful fall weather is making me want to bake.....perhaps the next giveaway will be for a ladies apron.

What would you like the next giveaway to be for?!?!

Make Your Own Swiffer "Refills"

2010-09-30T10:29:00.010-04:00

I love the ease and convenience of the Swiffer Mop.

I do not, however, like the price of refills pads.

My mom discovered that you can run the "Wet Jet" pads through the washer and dryer and reuse them once or twice before they totally come apart....but I have been racking my brain to find a more permanent...cheap....solution.

Here's what the kiddos and I have come up with. It took about 15 minutes to make a big stash of these homemade Swiffer covers! I used what I had on hand, thick cloth diapers. (Reminders of my failed cloth diapering attempts!)

If you do not have cloth diapers on hand, you could use kitchen hand towels, old shirts, old blankets...whatever comes to mind. Remember, you will be scrubbing dirty floors with these puppies....use what you have!

Mark a big rectangle 6.5 inches wide and 12.5 inches long. This is a big larger than a mop head, but it needs to be a bit loose in order to slip it on.
Cut out the rectangle..

Snip off the corners so that you have the far ends of the rectangle left.

These will be the "pockets" to keep the pad on the mop.

Pin the "pockets" on the far ends of the rectangle. Be sure to place the finished ends of the cloth diaper to the inside so that they do not fray. If you are using something other than a cloth diaper, sew a zig-zag stitch on the inside of the "pocket" so that it will hold up in the wash.
Using a serger, stitch around all four edges of the rectangle.

If you don't have a serger...that is fine!

Sew a straight stitch around all four sides, then go back and finish off with a zig-zag stitch.

That's it!

Slip the pad on your mop...and you are ready to clean.

For the regular swiffer, you can wet the pad before mopping, or use a spray bottle of your favorite cleaning solution to spray the floor as you mop. For the wet jet, use a small funnel and refill the wet jet bottle with your favorite cleaning solution....or just water for the kids to do a quick "wipe up" after dinner!

When your pad is dirty....wash, dry and reuse!

Again, He has Reminded Me....

2010-09-29T10:51:00.011-04:00

There are days when my heart is filled with awe at the great privilege and responsibility the Lord has bestowed upon us in our children. Today is one such day. Little lives to shape, to mold, to encourage, to instruct, to train in righteousness, to educate, to love, to pray with and for. Precious hearts, little souls whom we can not save, can not redeem, yet with whom we are commanded to teach them in the way they should go. The joy, the blessing, the responsibility is great. Praise the Lord for it!I recently heard it said, "If you are more concerned with your child learning their multiplication facts than you are them learning the scriptures, your priorities are not in check." I have had to remind myself of this truth often lately. Why is it, that is so easy, and seems so crucial, that I give my children the best education yet find it so easy to not have time for what is most important? Why, do I so easily focus on shaping their minds, rather than nurturing their hearts?

This week, for the gabillionth time this year, I found myself once again researching curriculum reviews. Am I using the best math curriculum..or should I switch to Singapore? Would Sonlight really be worth that money? Latin beginning in 2nd or 3rd grade? Wow....a logic program for 2 year olds...would that make calculus easier in the long run?

In the distance, through the open window, I could hear little Evangeline taking 2 year old Samuel on a bug hunt. "Come on Samuel, we need to catch some bugs quick before chilly weather comes." I listened to her instruct her little brother in how to catch bugs and where to best places are. Over the course of the past few days, I have watched Evangeline gently tend to her sick brother Landis, eagerly wanting to help put a cool rag on his head and take him pedialyte. She has happily, and without complaint, set the table, cleared the dishes, gotten Samuel dressed and folded clothes. My little girl, who only last week turned 7, has a precious heart which is turned towards home. A little heart who loves the Lord, and would sit in my lap all day and ask questions about the scriptures....if only I had time to listen and answer them.

I state and proclaim that my one desire for my kids is that they know the Lord, seek justice an love mercy. That is true...it is my prayer for them that they would walk in the truth! Yet many days it would appear that all I am more concerned about educating their minds than shepherding their hearts.

Today, as He has graciously done so many times before, the Lord is reminding me of what is most important. Yes, doing a good job of educating my children is an important responsibility I have....but not the most important.

Today, I am reminded I am called to teach the truths of God's Word to my children, to sit and answer their many questions....to pass the covenant of redemption on to the next generation.

Today, He has once again refreshed in my heart and mind what I want our home to be, how I desire and am called to serve my husband, how vital it is that I raise valiant, Godly boys and how important it is for me to train my little girl to be a keeper at home.

Evangeline means, "One who brings good news!" She does just that, in her gentle, kind, tenderhearted way. For years now, I have tried (oftentimes weak, feeble attempts!) to begin instilling in her how to run a home and the purpose of doing such. Many days, it seems like such work. Many days, it would just be faster, easier and more effective to do it all myself. But would I be equipping my children if I neglected training them?

This week, it has been a blessing to see that hard work is paying off. In spite of my many failures and shortcomings, my baby girl is transforming into a little lady....a daughter of the King.

When Evangeline notices that the carpet if dirty, and of her own accord gets the vacuum and cleans things up with a cheerful heart, I am reminded...

"she sets about her work vigorously, her arms are strong for her tasks." Proverbs 3:17

I am reminded that the most important job for a parent is to shepherd our children's' hearts, teach them the truth of the Savior and equip them for life.

I see glimmers of hope and a gentle voices whispers, "press on!" each day.

Since her birth, Evangeline has watched me grind wheat and make bread.
Yesterday, she made her own batch of bread, from start to finish.

Standing beside her, watching my little girl and giving her tips as she mixed the dough, kneaded the dough and braided the loaves was surreal. Where has the time gone?!? The little baby I just yesterday was carrying in the sling is now baking the bread!

"She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." Proverbs 31:27

Our time with our children is so limited!
It is a gift....one that is given for a time and cannot be reclaimed. May He continue to remind, encourage, equip and grant wisdom to those of us on this journey!

"These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 6:6-7

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***For those of you wondering, "How is the adoption going?"....still just waiting.
Waiting, praying for our little one and birthmother...and trying to remind ourselves that He is in control of this journey and one day that phone will ring!

SALE!!!!!

2010-09-24T16:30:00.010-04:00

First Day of Fall Sale.....all in fun Autumn colors!

These are ready to ship and first come first serve.

Just $20 each....

shipping is included in that price.

Email me (jubug231@aol.com) or leave a comment if you would like to buy one!

(from left to right.....click on the picture to enlarge!)

Size 2- Charissma-SOLD!

Size 2- Woodland Flowers-SOLD!

Size 3- Tweet Tweet Birds-SOLD!

Size 3- Opulence-SOLD!

Size 4- Orange Swirls

Size 4 (1 inch longer that a regular 4!)- Poppy Pink-SOLD!

Size 5- Paisley Brown-SOLD!

Size 5- Gervias Rust-SOLD!

Size 6- Bohemian Dots

Please Pray!

2010-09-22T09:59:00.002-04:00

Tracy and Dennis Siler have been such an encouragement to us on our adoption journey. Tracy and Dennis have 2 boys, and just welcomed home beautiful Ellie Grace from Ethiopia this summer. On Monday, Dennis totally unexpectedly passed away. Please pray for Tracy and the kids.....you can see more of this beautiful family and leave Tracy some encouragement HERE.

2010-09-21T10:56:00.003-04:00

7 Years Ago Today......

I became a Momma.

God, in His great mercy, entrusted us with a precious little life.

Sweet Evangeline has lived up to her name thus far....

"one who brings good news."

Her tender heart is a joy and delight to watch unfold.

With each passing year I am reminded what a gift....a treasured gift she is.

I also become more aware, more in awe of the great responsibility and privilege the gift of Motherhood is. Oh, that He has chosen to put little lives in our hands......loaned these little souls to us for a time,

to teach, to correct, to instruct and to train in righteousness.

Little Evangeline Betsy, I am so proud of you, and so grateful to be your Moma.

My prayer for you is this: That you would know Him, that you would trust Him...that you would know His grace, forgiveness and redeeming love in your life. Oh, that you would act justly and love mercy and walk humbly with your God. Little one, I prayerfully await the day when we journey this life as sisters in Christ, and it is my single and foremost desire,

that I spend all of eternity with you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVANGELINE! WE LOVE YOU SOOO MUCH!

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent

2010-09-17T09:12:00.006-04:00

A year ago, we purchased our first dishwasher.

I L.O.V.E. it.

I do not, however, like shelling out for dishwasher detergent. With sales and a coupon, liquid soap to hand wash dishes is easy to find for free....but not so with the dishwasher stuff! After many sleepless hours swagbucks-ing the internet....I finally found a homemade recipe that works. The ingredients cost just under $12 total. This should make enough to last us for several months.

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent:

~1Cup Borax

~1 Cup Baking Soda (or washing soda....find in the laundry detergent isle. Some ladies find the Washing soda works better....Baking soda has worked great for us!)

~1/2 Cup Kosher Salt

~1/2 Cup Citric Acid

(I use "Fresh Fruit" produce protector...which is basically citric acid. You can find it in the canning isle...or use 15 packets of unsweetened Lemon flavored Kool Aid...which has lots of citric acid! Guess that is why most detergents are lemon scented, the citric acid keeps the dishes from building up a cloudy residue)

*Put all ingredients into a container with a tight fitting lid, and shake up!

*Use about 1 TB per load

*****DON'T SKIP THIS STEP- Pour some white vinegar into the "rinse aid" compartment of your dishwasher. This will help to keep your dishes...especially plastic...from having a "cloudy" look!

Wa-Lah! Your own Detergent!

We have been using this for some time now, and love it!

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If you do a bit of research on homemade detergent, you will find lots of "controversy" as to how well it works. Apparently, much of this has to do with what type of water you have. Also, it is debated as to whether or not borax is "good" for the dishwasher, as it can build up in your plumbing. Dig a little deeper, and you will find that all commercial dishwashing detergents have a borax-like ingredient....they just also have a chemical to keep the plumbing clear. It is a good idea to every month or so use a regular detergent for just one cycle to clean out the buildup.

Enjoy!

Win A Flitterbug!

2010-09-16T09:19:00.002-04:00

Would you like to win a Long Sleeved Flitterbug Dress?!?!?!

Once we reach 500 Flitterbug Followers on Facebook.......we will have the next giveaway. There are 384 fans so far.

Head on over to Flitterbugs on Facebook and invite your friends to follow!

I occasionally post sales and giveaways on FB that I do not post here.....so pop on over to join!

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Thank you for being a part of our adoption journey.....we are so eager to meet the baby and birthmother the Lord has for us...and can't wait to one day share pictures of our peanut in our arms. "To everything there is a season".....we are in the season of striving to wait patiently and confidently....knowing one day the phone will ring and that season will change to one of great joy!

One day......cool will come:)

2010-09-14T15:07:00.005-04:00

The pumpkin candle is burning, and the fall wreath is on the door....but our afternoons are still sprinkler filled. The Johnston family is eager for the cool to come.

And hoping it will bring the stork with it:)

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How about a Long Sleeve Flitterbug for when autumn does arrive?!?!?!?!

(click on the pictures to enlarge)

Elastic sleeves with a little ruffle.....
A contrasting band on the hem........ choose two of your favorite fabrics here!

The Long Sleeve Flitterbug
Sizes 1 to 6....... $38
Sizes 7 and 8......$42

Just email me with your fabric choices..... I'll make your peanut's dress....and send you some wishful thinking on that cool weather!

Yummy for the Fall

2010-09-10T13:03:00.003-04:00

I just posted several new fabrics......all yummy for the fall.

Perfect for both little girl's clothes and aprons for the ladies......

Pop on over to the fabrics page.....dream up something fun!

Stash of Flitterbugs.....anyone?

2010-09-08T12:14:00.003-04:00

Little Evangeline is about to turn 7.....but she's a tiny one! She is finally outgrowing her size 5's.

I have her stash of size 5 Flitterbugs....wondering if any of you would like them.

Included are 11 Flitterbug items total.

I am just asking $75 for the whole stash.....shipping is included in that price!

First come first serve......just email me or leave a comment if you would like to buy them....I will mail them out immediately!

SOLD....THANK YOU! More sales to come!

On my heart today....

2010-09-07T14:56:00.003-04:00

Sin, forgiveness, redemption....a pure heart....all on my heart today.

"I need thee, precious Jesus, for I am full of sin. My soul is dark and guilty, my heart is dead within. I need the cleansing fountain where I can always flee, the blood of Christ most precious, the sinner's perfect plea."

"Jesus! What a strength in weakness! Let me hide myself in Him; tempted, tried and sometimes failing, he my strength, my victory wins. Hallelujah! What a Saviour! Hallelujah! What a friend! Saving, helping, keeping, loving, He is with me to the end!"

"I am trusting thee for pardon; at they feet I bow, for they grace and tender mercy, trusting now."

"We will never fully appeciate what a deep and awesome thing conversion is until we own up to the fact that it is a miracle. It is a gft of God...we not only sin, but we are sinful- blind, hard, dead, unable to submit to the law of God. And so when we hear the gospel, we will never respond positively unless God performs the miracle of redemption." (John Piper)

"For it is by grce you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:5

"....let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our harts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. " Hebrews 10:18

What a mighty God we serve! One who holds out free, cleansing grace. One who rejoices in our repentance and seeks only the redemption of our hearts and purity of our lives. One who searches after us, pursues us at all costs and to every end. One whose blood can cover our sins, and immediately make a heart bound by sin pure....in an instant!

What a mighty, gracious, forgiving, patient and joyful God we serve!

Last day......just a few hours left!

2010-09-04T13:22:00.002-04:00

Today is the last day to purchase the "Isabelle" dress at just $25.

Just send me an email (jubug231 @ aol.com) and let me know which fabric you would like.

I can make the sleeves out of the same fabric as the dress...or out of a contrast for a more "whimiscal' style!

Scroll down to see more pictures and a bit more info.

Home, SALE and Fabrics!

2010-08-31T10:24:00.005-04:00

After spending a wonderful week in our old hometown of Westcliffe, Colorado...we are home. It was a wonderful week.....and I am refreshed and ready to get my machine humming:)

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How about an "Isabelle" sale!?!?!

The "Isabelle" dress is typically $38 each....but Tuesday through Saturday....any Isabelle dress is

just $25

This is the only time I will offer the "Isabelle" dress at just $25.....go ahead and buy them up for the fall! You can also add a turtleneck under the Isabelle for an extra warm dress.

You can look at the new fabrics I have purchased HERE......just email me (jubug231 @ aol.com) with the size dress and fabric you would like!

I am already missing the mountains.... but thankful to be back home! We are still waiting patiently for "the call", eager to meet our newest little one and know our birthmother by name.

Thank you for being a part of our adoption journey!

2010-08-19T18:34:00.002-04:00

Off we go! We are going on a little trip to visit some precious friends of ours.....really the only vacation we have taken as a family-unless you count that one night, $35 get-away to the local KOA:)

If you know our family...you can probably guess where we are going....or you can figure it out by watching our "Anniversary Video". If "The Call" comes this week, we will be screaming it from the mountain top...quite literally!

Be back Monday, August 30th.....unless I can't go that long without my sewing machine:)

Taking a 2 Week Break......

2010-08-16T08:12:00.004-04:00

We are going to visit some precious friends of ours, and I am getting things in order for the upcoming homeschool year....so I will be taking a little break from new orders. I am going to finish up all new orders and giveaways today.......

and will be back on Monday, August 30th to take new orders.

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Come back on the 30th for a special sale on the new "Isabelle" dress.

The Winner Is......and a few skirts for sale!

2010-08-12T09:43:00.006-04:00

Evangeline and I loved all of your name suggestions for the new little Flitterbugs.

We sorted through suggestions left here, on Facebook and emailed in. You all are some creative ladies! We loved all of your suggestions....finally narrowed it down to 6 (and there were a lot of "Sadies" in that stash!).....then pulled one of those 6 "out of the hat".

This little dress now has a name:

And the winner is:
The "Isabelle"......and Andrea is the winner!
(And if you are not a reader of Andrea's blog...you are missing out! This momma has encouraged me so much in my walk with the Lord and love for orphans and widows.)
Andrea...I'll send you an email:)
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I also have a few skirts for sale......
Just $15...shipping included!
Just leave a comment or email me if you would like to buy one of these. I will mail them out today....and there are still several dresses left from yesterday's sale....scroll down to see them!
(From left to right)
Size 4-6: Merry Mushrooms-SOLD
Size 6-8: Taxi Trio -SOLD
Size 8-10: Le Poulet Pink and Orange
Size 10-12: Leinaka Love Birds -SOLD

$18 End of the Summer SALE!!!!!!

2010-08-11T09:00:00.009-04:00

"KATIE" DRESS SALE!

These dresses are made and ready to mail out today....first come first serve. Wear with a turtleneck as a winter jumper....or buy ahead for next year. (Or if you live in the South....wear for the next 3 months of summer we have remaining:)

The cost is $18 each....shipping is included!

To buy a dress...just email me (jubug231@aol.com) or leave a comment letting me know which ones you would like.

(I will mark the dresses as "Sold" as they sell off!)

Size 24 months-Fantasy Blue (has a blue background...not white:)- SOLD
Size 2-Plain Jane Aqua -SOLD
Size 3-Spiro Dots-SOLD
Size 4- Le Poulet Pink and Orange
Size 4- Plain Jane Navy Flowers -SOLD
Size 4-Paisley Frog Blue-SOLD
Size 5- Paradise Garden-SOLD
Size 6- Taxi Trio-SOLD
Size 6- Hunky Dory Leaves Blue-SOLD
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Scroll down to yesterday's post and enter to win the new style Flitterbug Dress!
Come back tomorrow for a "Sarah Skirt" end of the summer sale...and I promise sizes for older girls:)
Thank you all....and have a blessed Wednesday!

Name That Dress.....and win it!

2010-08-10T11:37:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, I posted a few pictures of some new styles for the fall......including this dress:(Do you like little E's haircut? It wasn't origionally going to be so short....but I had trouble getting it straight. We just kept going shorter and shorter!)

This little dress needs a better name than the "3-Quarter Length Sleeve Flitterbug"

You have given me some lovely ideas so far! So how about a contest!?!

**Leave a comment or email me with what you would like me to name the dress.

It could be your daughter's name, what the dress makes you think of.....even your name:)

**Evangeline and I will pick our favorites from your comments, and put them "in the hat".

**The name we draw will be the title of this little Flitterbug......and.....

You will win one of these dresses, any size and fabric of your choice!
We will draw the winner on Thursday morning....and check in tomorrow for the $18 end of the summer sale!)

Sneak Peak at New Styles......

2010-08-09T15:27:00.002-04:00

I have been working on a few new...and some "tweaked" designs for the fall.

I have been asking some of you ladies, and you all agree....."whimsy" is the style you like:) Evangeline was not too happy about modeling in the triple digit heat for me.

The quarter length sleeve Fliterbug Dress.....hum, need to think of a different name for it. Any ideas? You can choose 2-3 fabrics for this dress, and it has an elastic waist for a more fitted look. A turtleneck fits great under this dress....but no, I did not ask E to try that out fo me:)
Girlie Gauchos
.....come in girl's sizes 1 to 14. Choose 2-3 fabrics. Fun pockets on the front, and the waistband in a coordinating print!

The Wide Ruffle Pants

Little girlies grow up too fast.....I'm lovin' some ruffles while she will still let me!

Choose 2 fabrics, and I can make them the length you would like.

Do you love to dress your Flitterbug in the most funky of styles?!?

.....The Double Wide Ruffle Pants.....

Choose up to 3 fabrics...

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more pics to come!

20% off sale....through Monday!

2010-08-07T15:49:00.002-04:00

Would you like to get 20% off of any order?

Just follow Flitterbugs on Facebook HERE, and you can get 20% off of any order placed between now and Monday at midnight. Just let me know you are a follower when you place your order:)

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I have a big stash of dresses for an end of the summer $18 sale.....PLUS some new designs:

*Gauchos for girls

*Wide Ruffle pants

*Double Ruffle pants

*A new quarter length sleeved top and dress

I had planned on posting pictures today.....but my pitiful little camera finally bit the dust. So, pictures will have to wait until Monday (when I can borrow my parents':)

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The kiddos and I have been having such fun this week putting up corn, visiting the peach farm and canning peaches and jams, ordering the last bits of this year's homeschooling material and enjoying (um.....wishing away:) these last few days (um...weeks/months here in Georgia!) of summer. Life is full and good...and each day that passes brings us closer ot our little one. Thank you for being a part!

Praising the Lord for 8 Precious Years!

2010-08-03T10:34:00.007-04:00

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy Anniversary to the most wonderful husband and daddy......I love you!

(If the video has trouble uploading....you can also watch it HERE)

New Fabrics and an Apron Sale!

2010-07-29T09:35:00.004-04:00

Several new fabrics are up....fun for the fall, and a few choices that you could "tweak" with a festive hairbow and make work for the holidays as well. (I'll be posting a few more throughout the day......in between loads of laundry:)

**********AND************

An Apron Sale!

Today until Wednesday, August 4th..

any child's size apron......$15

Ladies Sizes........$20

Aprons are fun for birthday and Christmas gifts....extra fun in sister or Mother-daughter matchies!

Would you like free shipping on your sale apron order?!?!?!

Just invite your Facebook friends to follow Flitterbugs, share about this sale on Facebook, or email your friends and tell them about Flitterbugs....and I'll pay your shipping!

Pop on over to see my new fabrics......and choose some of your favorites for a fun apron!

"Katie" Dress SALE!!!

2010-07-27T16:46:00.007-04:00

SALE!

"Katie" dresses...just $20 each....shipping is included in the price.

Just email me or leave a comment if you would like to buy one. I will mail them out in the morning. Scroll down to see sizes and a description......

The "Katie" dress is Evangeline's favorite...a turtleneck fits great underneath for a year round dress!

(left to right)

Size 18-24 months: Limeade-SOLD

Size 2: Plain Jane Aqua

Size 2: Buggy Sage-SOLD

Size 3: Roesbuds-SOLD

Size 4: Le Poulet Pink and Orange

Size 4: Paisley Frogs Blue

Size 5: Ambrahic Tiles Orange-SOLD

Size 5: Eiffel Tower-SOLD

Size 5: Poppy Oz-SOLD

Size 6: Spring Flowers-SOLD

Size 6: Splashy Rose-SOLD

Flitterbugs at the Beach:)

2010-07-26T15:38:00.011-04:00

My wonderful parents let me and the kids bum a trip to the beach with them:) It was such a special week, and would have been just perfect had Kenny been able to come. For the kabillionth time, sweet Evangeline let me take some Flittebug pictures. Yes, she did get the promised trip to the shell shop afterwards!

I am finishing up the last of a stash of 'Katie" dresses for a sale tomorrow....and an apron sale to come later in the week!

So, How is the Adoption Going?

2010-07-18T10:21:00.003-04:00

A few months ago, I was bursting to tell everyone about our adoption progress...and I couldn't wait for someone to ask about it.Now, everyone asks...and there does not seem to be much to tell. Every agency, every country...in some ways, every adoption is different. With out domestic, birthmother placement, and with our agency...this is probably how the "call" and remainder of our adoption will play out.

*We are officially done with everything we can do! Today marks the 2 month mark of being "paper pregnant". We are just waiting:) With our agency, we are not told when our profile is shown. Basically, once our caseworker left our home from our final homestudy, we will not hear anything until that call comes. I think this is a wise way for our agency to go about adoption...they have bee doing this for a long time, and they work hard to protect both the rights and freedoms of a birthmother, and the emotions of the adoptive family.

*Every adoptive momma longs for that phone the ring and for that blessed sentence to be spoken from her caseworker. One day, our phone will ring. It could be next week, next month or next year. We long to hear the words, "We have situation." Probably, though every situation is different and there is no way to be sure about anything...probably our little one will be placed in our arms very soon after that call comes. We really don't have set expectations of how everthing will play out.

*Yes, we hope to have a semi-open adoption, depending on the situation! This will be up to the birthmother and at the discretion of our agency. I am so thankful that Covenant Care works diligently to protect the birthmother, baby and adoptive family!

A few months ago, I was beginning to feel frantic. There are over 147 million orphans worldwide who need a home. Our state's foster care system is full of precious little ones in need of love and security. Our love for birthmothers grows deeper by the day, and how we long to pray for and love our birthmother by name. It is hard to just wait when you desperately want to welcome a child into you home. If you had told me that after 2 months on the waitlist I would be calm, that I would go from jumping every time the phone rang to just discovering that I have answering machine full of messages that I have not checked in over a week....then I would not have believed you! Over the past 2 months, the Lord has filled me (on most days!) with peace, my heart with rest. Sure, I daily long to for our little one(s) to be placed in our arms, but again, and again, and again, He has reminded me....spoken to me the voice of truth.....and I find myself content in His truth:

*I cannot "save" and adopt every child who needs a family. God does not "need" any of us to take care of those He has created! In His great mercy, He has called and encouraged our family on the journey, and all glory be the Him for allowing us on this journey!

*Before the foundations of the World, God knew I would be, He new Kenny would be, He knew who this little would be. It is He who knits together life, and it is He who will bring this life to us, in His time, not our. Nothing we can do will speed this up! (And in the end, I think we will look back and be glad we could not change a thing!)

*I want our baby, the one the Lord has known and set apart for us. I long to love our birthmother, the one for whom our heart so hurt. If we have to wait a month, year or decade for our baby and our birthmother....we will do it! I look at the faces of Evangeline, Landis and Samuel....I would do pregnancy, labor and that scary complication over, and over and over for those little lives. One day, I will look at the face of our baby, and I will say, "I would wait over, and over and over for you!"

In the end, the timing, the details, the finances, the fundraising, the waiting......He will make it beautiful in His time. For once, I am glad I am not in control! All I must do is sit back, love the 3 little ones He has placed in my care, bask in His pace and praise Him for guiding us on this journey......and one day, probably when I least expect it....that phone will ring! All glory be to Him, Who Was, and Is, and Is to come!

NOW JUST $8!!!!!

2010-07-17T12:46:00.010-04:00

I was sorting the kid's closet, looking for some smocking.....and found box of Flitterbugs left over from a trunk show I did a couple of months ago. These are all new, never been worn, dresses, skirts and ruffle pants.

NOW JUST $8 plus $2 shipping!!

Just leave a comment or email me if you would like to buy one.....first come first serve!

(the Flitterbug dresses are all sold...but there are still ruffled sundresses, skirts and pants!)

Ruffled Sundresses
Size 5: Field of Flowers

Size 4: Pink Birdcages-SOLD

Skirts
(left to right)
size 4: Spring Fling
Size 5: Little Red Riding Hood -SOLD
Size 12-14: Lava Leaves

Ruffled Pants

Size 4: Christmas Dots

Size 4: Metro Market Chickens Red

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Just email me or leave a commet if you would like any of these outfits for just $8!!!!

I will mark them as "Sold" as they sale!

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The Winner of the Apron Giveaway is:

Alisonmancuso@.......

Congratulations Alison.....I will email you directions.

My parents are letting the kids and I tag along on their beach/fishing trip next week!

I have a couple new styles to put up when I get back,

plus

a big sale on aprons and the "Katie" dress!

Thank you for being a part of our adoption journey!