A Call To Action

I have mentioned here before that adoption is something that is very important to Josh and I. We are praying that if it's God's will that we will be bringing a baby of our own home from Ethiopia in the next couple of years. While we are not quite ready to start the adoption process (I need some time to adjust to parenting ONE baby), there are so many that are right in the midst of an adoption as I type this. Sadly, things may be changing over in Ethiopia and this will affect many families and MANY orphaned children. Here is a letter that was sent out from one of the agencies that we have been looking into, AllGodsChildren.org:

An Important Update

The Ethiopian Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MOWA) has announced a proposal to decrease the number of adoptions they will process and approve—by as much as 90%. They are planning to accomplish this decrease by limiting the number of approved cases to only 5 per working day. This change is currently set to begin on March 10, 2011.
Please know that no one fully understands this proposal yet. Our staff, led by Almaz (in Ethiopia), are still sorting out what this could mean for each of the children and families that we work with. These children are their passion and they are working on the front lines in this advocacy. Also, this is not limited to AGCI. This will impact every agency and the families that each serve. This means that all agencies are working together in their advocacy making a very strong force that is working on the behalf of children and families. Currently, all agency staff are waiting for the Director of MOWA to return to Ethiopia. Once she returns they will have a chance to sit down and talk over the implications of this proposal.
To attempt to counteract this proposal, the Joint Council on International Children’s Services (JCICS) has put a “Call to Action” in place. This sort of international advocacy is what JCICS does, and they do it well.
We are strongly encouraging you to read their post below and follow the suggested steps. You can also share this with your family, friends, Facebook friends and church to do the same. It is so important that we are all united in this effort! We are all advocates in our own circles of influence—and it is good to partner with you in this!
Thank you again for all that you are doing at this time. You are all valued and important in this process of promoting and preserving the best interest of children in Ethiopia and around the world.
God Bless, 

Hollen FrazierExecutive Director

This could potentially be some very devastating news. My heart is hurting for these poor babies and children. We know God is in control of this situation, but right now prayer is going to be mighty powerful. If you are interested in helping out, please go here to sign a petition. They are hoping for 250,000 signatures. 




To end here is a very powerful song from MercyMe, "Won't You Be My Love." Brings me to tears every time.

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Where's May's Flowers?

Life has just exploded since last week. I am a bit overwhelmed. Josh has tried to give me a bit of his calmness (that boy seriously does not know how to get anxious about anything), but it is no use. I just happen to be an anxious person by nature. Thankfully over the past couple of years I have calmed down a significant amount (even more so once I became pregnant as crazy as that may sound). We just have a whole lot of stuff going on at the Crain household and I am plum tuckered out. I have always wanted to say that. It makes me feel like I went back in time....

We Oregonians are a in a bit of a funk. The weather is GLOOMY. Even I am going stir crazy and I am the biggest homebody you will ever find. Thankfully God gave us a glimpse of sunshine the other day and Josh and I were quick to take advantage of it. 

Our crocuses are in full bloom. They have more than multiplied this year. I love their cute purpleness (yep, just made that word up). They are so small, but have a big impact. Thank you previous homeowner for planting these, we like them a lot.

We took a walk past the park and made a beeline for Dutch Bros. Now, I am not a fan (sorry!), mostly because I have serious allergies to their coffee, but Josh loves it so I figured why not make a trip there. That boy has been hard at work lately and under a lot of stress...so sometimes I give in and choose Dutch Bros. over my dearest Starbucks. It's okay, he bought me a cookie. 

What made this week extra special is the birth of this beauty, Cayden. Eden+Cayden=BFF's. For reals. Our friends Bryan and Charissa are the lucky parents of this baby girl. I have known those two since 6th grade. We grew up in our church's youth group together. Some of my best memories come from those days. I love that I am still friends with my church friend's, and I love it more that my husband is now friends with them. Sure makes get together's much easier. 

Oh and funny hospital story. Josh and I were about to walk in to meet Cayden when a nurse asks, "is that your baby?" pointing to Eden. Our joint response was almost, "Oh, no, actually we stole her from the baby nursery. She's already 5 months old. Imagine that." Don't worry, I think we just said, "yes." Second statement from nurse, "she's not 16." My first response (still in my head), "WHAT?! No way? I was just going to take her to get her driver's license. Gosh darn it. Now I have to drive her everywhere." Glad those nurses taught us a thing or two about our daughter...

Speaking of Miss Eden Rae, she has a special message to all of you!

"Dudes, vote for my mommy and I in this week's I Heart Faces photo challenge. You know you want to." 

What happens if you don't vote? We stop being friends. Okay, not really. Actually I don't want you to vote unless you want to and not unless you think that my baby is pretty and that the photo is at least half decent. Thank you to all of you who have voted so far. This is actually quite embarrassing for me, asking for votes, but I refuse to ignore this photography goal I have made....so why not embarrass myself a bit more. You know you like it. Either way there are some great photos (yes, I voted, and it was hard). I think you can vote through Friday. I'm probably wrong, I don't know. So, if you wanna....go HERE.

Okay now that I feel super awkward I might go crawl into Eden's crib and hide under the sleep sheep (noise machine that is inside a sheep...nevermind).  

I was going to post some photos of my attempt at being domestic for a baby shower that we had for friends of ours, but it's late and did I mention that I have to be up super early in the morning AND be social?! I am much too awkward for social situations, I really do think I should just stay in my house all day long. 

Goodnight moon.

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I Heart Faces: Best Face In February

You have seen this one before, but I seriously LOVE it. It captures our baby girl so well. I am entering it into this week's challenge over at I Heart Faces. Check out the other entries, and I challenge you to enter as well! 

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Yarn Wreath Revealed

Confession. I started this wreath shortly after Eden was born. I actually got the wreath part done fairly quickly, but the flowers...well, I took a bit longer to get those done. I don't know why, but the flowers made me quite nervous. What is funny is the fact that the flowers were SO SIMPLE. I am so glad I finished this up just in time for Spring! 

My wreath likes to flaunt all her curves. Check out this close-up shot of her. Oooh yummy. 

I forgot just how much I L.O.V.E crafting. I already have some plans to work on some more fun projects that may or may not include the flowers I finally got the courage to create. 


I am not going to do a tutorial on making this wreath since there are some great tutorials out there, check here. I will say, I am definitely glad I bought one of those wreath forms that look like hay instead of the styrofoam ones. It seemed to work really well. I kept the plastic wrap on which made it super simple. I also found that holding the wreath still and just wrapping the yarn around it made for the easiest process. 


As for the flowers, again I'll leave it up to the other fabulous bloggers out there that made some easy to use tutorials. You can find the rosettes tutorial here and the giant flowers here. Oh and because I have commitment issues (this is why Josh proposed two months after we began dating..) I hot glued paper clips to the back of the flowers so that I could move them wherever and change them up if I so desire. Why paperclips? Because I am lazy and that is what was right next to me on my desk. 


If you need a craft to keep your hands busy, or need a gift for a friend or family member, make one of these! I am quite addicted and I am pretty sure I need to make a million. Don't be surprised if you get one from me because we definitely don't have room in the house to keep all of the ones I want to make.


Oh and if you want to save money here's what you do..collect your supplies by using those handy 40% off coupons at Michaels. It may take you awhile longer to get all of your supplies, but you will surely save a few bucks which in my book is so worth it. 


Now go forth and prosper craft!  

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A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock 'N Roll

To anyone who knows me very well, this statement is going to bring big bouts of laughter....

Sometimes I think it would be fun to buy an old farmhouse on an acre or two of land.

via

Say what, say what, say whaaaaat?! 

Okay, for those who don't know me like my family and friends do, this statement is kind of crazy. In fact, I am guessing my parents are going to call me if they read this and make sure I didn't bump my head. Here's the thing. I grew up in a town outside of L.A....yep, as in the super big city in Southern California. We moved to Oregon when I was 9 years old. I was angry with my parents. I LOVED living in California. Sunshine is my addiction. I had my best friends. I didn't want to move to this stinky old state with endless rainfall. And snow?! Don't even get me started on snow. Well, not only did my parents have the evil desire to ruin my life by moving me to this state full of green grass and trees, but they made me move to the COUNTRY. As in, horses, pigs, tractors driving down the roads. Yeah, that kind. You better believe there was some major lower lip poutage (new word, I just made it up) going on. In fact, I threw a fit almost daily all the way until I was in college. I actually planned on going to school in California, but things just didn't work out. 

Silly me. Now I actually see the beauty in this state. I enjoy having four seasons. Don't get me wrong, I miss California and no matter what you tell me, I think it is the greatest state, but I fit in here. My hair turned brown when we moved here and I think it was a sign that I was here to stay. 

Okay, I went on just a bit of a rabbit trail there. I felt it was necessary for you to understand just how crazy the idea of me wanting an old farmhouse really is. BUT think of the possibilities. A house so full of character that just needs some loving. An old barn with wood just begging to be salvaged. A large field just begging for my baby girl to run through and make up adventures among the tall weeds. I would love to hear her laugh in the field while I am making dinner in our kitchen. Oh and animals? We would definitely have to have more animals. I definitely want chickens. Farm fresh eggs? YES PLEASE. Now, dream with me if you will....look at the possibilities...

We could use the salvaged wood from the old barn to create a headboard and a bedroom door like this...

House*Tweaking

I have already tried convincing Josh of doing this one and when I found this photo I thought for sure he would be on board...maybe the next house (no we aren't moving yet...but we definitely are not in our forever home right now either).

If you haven't yet understood my love for Sarah Richardson, maybe you will understand now. She turned this old farmhouse into a place where I could stay forever. So beautiful and serene...

Oh and the kitchen of my dreams? You want to see it? Why, of course you do!

House Beautiful

Don't worry, I am not waiting until I have a farmhouse to actually have this kitchen. We have something similar in mind for our current kitchen. Unfortunately you will not be seeing after pics for awhile...the kitchen reno will most likely be in 2012. Sorry for the disappointment. 


I want me an old farmhouse. NOW. Actually, I will settle for the dream...because in reality I love being so near to stores and houses and people. I love the sound of cars driving by, sirens in the distance, and children laughing...it makes me feel a bit like I am back in the big city. It never hurts to dream though right? 


What's your absolute dream house? Would it be located in the big city, a small town, or maybe you would really love to live amongst tractors and horses. 

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After receiving quite a few questions regarding my camera and photography in general I thought I would just do a post about it. I don't know why you would want to know because let's face it...I am totally amateur, but hey I don't mind answering questions to the best of my ability! So here is the deal...

Either comment here or send me an email at thecrainsnest [at] gmail [dot] com. Give me your questions...any and all of them...I am totally game. I am hoping to do a post sometime next week so get going folks. 

Oh and by the way...you are all the greatest...thanks for sending me so much love! Hope March is off to a good start for you. 

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