Advent

This year Igor and I are doing the Jesse Tree Advent Family Devotional together.  It's a sweet time for Igor and I to count down to Christmas. 
I am not sure how it happened but Advent snuck up on me this year so I wasn't prepared on the first day.  I decided to make a tree out of construction paper and having Igor draw glue on an ornament each day because it was easy and it was time to start.  When I mentioned my plan to Igor he said, "Why don't we get out my little Christmas tree instead?"  Why didn't I think of that?  We pulled out his little Christmas Tree from storage.  Igor insisted on lights, the big ones.  I downloaded copies of ornaments here .  Each day Igor and I go through the Advent devotional.  Igor  may choose to color in the ornaments or draw his own. 
We are on day two.  I am enjoying this special time with my son.

Stocking stuffers

Check out the beautiful stocking stuffers to benefit the uniform fund at Grace Baptist Church in Kombolcha, Ethiopia!

Grace Baptist Church is in Kombolcha, Ethiopia- which is approximately 7 hours by car from Addis Ababa.   The church cares for 375 orphaned and vulnerable children in Kombolcha.  In order for the children to attend school they must have a school uniform.  For many families, the cost of a new school uniform is cost prohibited so we are currently raising funds to purchase uniforms for the children.   

With a donation to the Uniform Fund you can receive these stocking stuffer cards. (business card sized 3.5″ x 2″) These are a perfect fit for stocking stuffers, a little something extra for your kids’ teacher gifts, co-workers or include one in the Christmas card you mail out this year! Here’s how to make a donation:

PLEASE follow these instructions, so that your donation goes to the correct fund.
Go click HERE to make a donation on the Children's Hope Chest site. (Your donation is 100% tax deductible.)

Under “Gift Information,” click on “choose a fund” and select “designated gifts”.

Type in your gift amount (if you’re giving gift cards to more than one person, just add up the total amount to be given and write it in the blank, then when you email, state the number of total gift cards needed.)

Then (this is the important part) under the “notes field” be sure to add in the Fund code which is “ET2116000 Uniforms.”

Finally, add in your info and follow the prompts to complete your donation.

Once you complete your donation, send an email to  mommysmoneysavingmadness@gmail.com with your donation amount, your mailing address and the number of gift cards.

The cards will be mailed to you within a two days of your donation/order. To ensure you get your cards before Christmas, be sure to make a donation by December 15th. If you have any questions at all, please email Tracy at mommysmoneysavingmadness@gmail.com
Thanks you so much for making a difference this Christmas!

November 16, 2005

On November 16, 2005, a Russian judged approved our adoption- Igor was our son!  I cannot believe we've been a family for 6 years!  We celebrated with Igor's favorite meal- pizza and prince charming pumpkin cake.  Life couldn't be sweeter.

Halloween