Merry CHRISTmas!

To all of our family and friends we are so grateful for each one of you. This has been a year of incredible blessings, change, beauty, joy, and pain. Through each and every life experience we grow and learn. We praise our God and King for His faithfulness, love, and grace.

We celebrate the birth of our King Jesus this CHRISTmas.

From our family to yours........

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

ET Air BOGO SALE Q&A

Its BACK!! Ethiopian Air is offering their BOGO sale again! Celebrating the official joining of the Star Alliance which is fantastic news for those collecting miles!

I started doing pre-bookings over the weekend and now the sale is in full swing! I've had a TON of questions so I thought I would do a little Q&A here in an effort to best serve you and to be as efficient with my time as possible I hope this helps. Check it out below.

If this sale is anything like the last one space goes QUICK and I get swamped with multiple requests.

1. Can I cancel my tickets I just booked and get the BOGO? Yes, as long as you have refundable tickets and your travel begins and ends between Feb 1 and March 30.

2. Can I book an adult and a child on the same deal? Yes, you can as long as you are departing at the same time and plan to travel together the entire trip.

3. Can I guess dates and book them but plan to change them later? Yes. However this may not be cost effective for you if you have to do a change, you're looking at a minimum of $600 in change fees. If you are anticipating an embassy appt you could choose dates and just plan to go no matter what on those dates.

4. What is the change fee? The change fee is $300 per person plus any fare difference.

5. What are the restrictions? There are three main ones. a. You MUST book your tickets between December 19th and December 23rd. b. You MUST travel between February 1 and March 30. c. You cannot depart from DC on a Saturday and you cannot return home on a Friday or a Saturday.

6. Can I go somewhere other then Addis? Yes! This BOGO deal is for ANY destination that Ethiopian Air flies.

7. What are the change fees? The change fee is $300 per person plus any fare difference.

8. How do I book? Email me your dates, full names/birth dates, departure/ destination cities and I will check what the fare will be. You'll have 24 hours to decide if you want to purchase. Easy peasy lemon squeasy.

If you have any other questions feel free to comment, email or call me and I'll be happy to help!

erica.shubin@mkigrouptravel.com

Reckless Abandon 2012 - and THE T-shirt!

Happy December 16th to you! Its just 9 days until Christmas and I feel like I'm juggling 45 things. I really much prefer to NOT have life be so crazy busy but it is what it is and for this season I am grateful.

In preparation for our trip to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in February we are selling SHIRTS! This is a new design that my oldest daughter drew and our amazing design team made come to life! All of the proceeds go towards Skyler's trip and anything above that will be used to donate to the ministries we are serving with while in country! These shirts are COOL! They come in two colors and you definitely want one! This is a pre-order and they will not ship until mid/end of January.

T-Shirts are $25.00 Shipped.

Sweatshirts are $40.00 Shipped.

Front of the Navy shirt.

Back.


Front of the gray shirt.

Back.

Pre-order yours today!!

Please email me or comment here with any questions.

**For sizes XXL-4X there is an additional $2 per shirt charge**

Order info is on my side bar to the right. These come in mens or womens, navy or gray, any size, T-shirt or sweatshirt.

Happy Referralversary Kids!

So I won't make mom of the year due to my lack of timeliness in this post - its not that I forgot - because I didn't. I just didn't have time to put into words everything I wanted to write before the days got away from me.

December 11, 2007 is a day we'll never forget. A phone call that changed our lives. He wasn't in the age range we'd put down but he needed a family and we were open to whatever God had. Enter a three year old little boy and the rest is history. Silas Esubalew David Shubin - you've turned our lives upside down for the better.

At Referral.

Today.

Adoption is now a beautiful piece of our family tapestry and it started with you little man. Four years ago we were walking on a cloud carrying his picture every where we went. Clinging to that in anticipation of the day we would be united forever. Going to Ethiopia to bring Silas home was something we'll never forget, we'll never be the same and I'm okay with that. We are forever changed because of what we saw. Forever changed by a little boy God saw fit to allow us to parent. Below is Silas' adoption video. He's changed so much!! We love you buddy!



December 7, 2010 is another day we won't forget. The day a friend texted and said she was sure she'd just seen our daughters face on our agencies waiting child list. I couldn't wait to get home and see for myself. I was a puddle. We were unsure, why was she on this list? Why didn't they call us? Oh, that's right because she was four and we said up to three. God said four. For this child we prayed. December 15, 2010 - The day we said YES to our daughter.

At Referral.

Today.

We are so grateful that Gods ways are not our ways. Our lives are so much richer because Zahra is apart of our family. Zahra brings so much joy, so much laughter, and so MANY one liners! We love this girl!! I haven't had a chance to finish Zahra's whole adoption video but this one below was the video we made for our church.

12th Day of Christmas $10 SUPER SALE!!!!!!!!

That's right folks! As a grand finale sale I'm offering ALL of my Ugandan Beaded necklaces for just $10! I'm also offering ALL size small womens "Where You Live T's" for just $10 as well!!! Last but certainly not least how about Africa cookie cutters?! Just $10 each!!








I'll ship everything by Wednesday so you'll have all of your items in time for Christmas!
Paypal information is on the right side of the blog!

10/11 Days of Christmas!

Crazy weekend and a total fail on 12 Days of Christmas deals!

I have THREE things to share with you today -

ONE is hand made hair flowers pictured below - aren't they cute?! Any one of them can be yours for just $7 shipped.

TWO is repurposed Ugandan bead earrings! Hand made by my daughter with all proceeds being donated to Skylers mission trip. Just $7 each pair!

Paypal information is on the right!

THREE is some AWESOME body butter from Kiara where all proceeds go towards their adoption expenses! Kiara has graciously offered to add in a tube of chapstick for anyone that orders and mentions my blog! Check out her blog here and order yours! I can't wait to get mine!!

Simply Love/Audience of ONE on this 9th Day of Christmas Celebration!

Shopping with purpose is something I always try to do but I really try to do it even more at Christmas time. Here's some ideas for you!

TOMS - These are a family favorite - my girls generally ask for a new pair every Christmas. Give one as a gift and TOMS gives another pair to a child in need.

The Hunger Store - Seriously cute stuff - something for Everyone and every purchase gives back!

147 Million Orphans - Such cute stuff!! Here's my top two picks!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this bag! Want a Christmas idea? I so want it!

Love these earrings. I wear mine ALL THE TIME and get TONS of compliments!

Last but CERTAINLY not least......todays SPECIAL!

$20 Each Shipped!

Simply Love USA T's and Audience of ONE T's! You'll love them! (Nichol is wearing it below, it comes in black or espresso)

Available Shirts:

Audience of One black with red/white font Womens regular fit XL
Audience of One black with red/white font Kids burnout Sz 4T

Simply Love USA Brown Mens Large
Simply Love USA Olive Mens Large
Simply Love USA Chocolate Womens Small
Simply Love USA Womens Espresso Medium and Small
Simply Love USA Womens Charcoal S
Simply Love USA girls Black Size M (7/8)
Simply Love USA boys light blue Size S (5/6)
(All of the Simply Love shirts run true to size)

The purchase info is on my side bard - specify in the notes if its a kids T!

12 Days of Christmas Continues!

Thank you all SO much for supporting our upcoming trip to Ethiopia! We're SO excited to see what God has planned for that trip.

Up today are our All For One Shirts!! We designed these shirts as our final fund raiser to bring Zahra home and they were also our family shirts as we were united back together a family of 7.

I love the unity the shirt represents and of course the Amharic on the back.

I have the following shirts available:

$20 Each!

Womens Fitted Red Sz. L
Womens Fitted Wine Sz. XL
Womens Indigo Baseball T Sz L (runs true to size to a bit big style pictured below)
Kids Charcoal T Sz Small


AND I'm adding in MORE beads!
AND Ugandan beaded necklace is just $15 shipped!

Paypal purchasing information below.

Specify style/color

Necklaces $15.00 USD T-Shirt $20.00 USD

On the 7th Day of Christmas..........

Today we have hand made earrings! Made by my daughter and I these sweet earrings are made of natural stone and wood beads with silver findings. They will come packaged in an organza bag ready for gift giving.

$7 each shipped.


In GIVING BACK.........

Check out the Bring Love In Store!


Jessie and Levi live and work in Ethiopia. We have the great honor of partnering with them on our upcoming trip and I CAN'T WAIT!! Check out their store, all proceeds go to support the work of Bring Love In.

Lifesong & The 6th Day of Christmas.........

Todays Deal!

We have Africa Cookie Cutters discounted!!!!!

Oh yes! Get yours today! 2/$20 SHIPPED! It doesn't get any better then that! Buy one for yourself and give one away.


Use them as Christmas Ornaments.

Top gifts with them.

Add to stockings.



Use as a gift with cookie mix.

Bake cookies for your neighbors.


So many options!

Don't need a cookie cutter but still want to help? Why not consider donating to Lifesong for Orphans? Lifesong was a huge part in helping bring Zahra home, we are forever grateful. They are currently doing a campaign to raise funds for three schools in Ethiopia. For obvious reasons this is a ministry close to our hearts. All donations are being matched up to $130,000!!!! That's INCREDIBLE!!

YOU can be apart of something bigger! Will you consider joining us in the Hope Ethiopia:100 campaign and donating? Check out the link below for more information. Don't forget to watch the video to see who your $100 will help!

http://lifesong.squarespace.com/home/2011/12/5/hope-ethiopia-100.html

Hope Ethiopia from Lifesong for Orphans on Vimeo.

Misc. Monday and Day 5!

This edition of Misc. Monday will include some tips on what NOT to do when traveling to Disneyworld. When you live a bit over an hour from Disneyworld sometimes its fun to meet up with friends or just go hang out for the day as a family. Silas wanted to go to the castle for his birthday and this was in lieu of a party. His choice. So we did. Here's where the helpful hints come in.


1. Don't assume your child is just walking like a zombie because its 6am and you're getting ready to head out the door to meet up with the mouse.

2. When your normally overly excited child doesn't act real thrilled about his day maybe you should ask if he's alright instead of jumping up and down with excitement to celebrate HIM.

3. When a child who normally loves rides, the faster the better in his mind, says he doesn't want to go on any more you might finally catch a clue that he's sick.

4. Don't take a sick child to Disneyworld.

5. When you're more worried about your sick child you might not realize that you dropped your state issued ID somewhere along the way.

6. Its great to know that there are nice people in the world. Both the person that found and turned in said ID as well as the people of Disney who agree to mail the lost item. I probably shouldn't drive this week.

7. Sometimes instead of Disneyworld on your birthday you leave early and you get a chicken noodle soup party.


9. Hey it wasn't a total loss. Mario Lopez was in da house! Oh and some Justin Beiber as well as a bunch of other Disney singer peeps. They were filming the Disney Christmas special. Yeah so be sure to watch - we might get our 9.8 seconds of television fame. I mean if we were smiling big enough and clapping like a crazy person. (which we weren't)

9. I'm pretty sure my daughter thinks she's 1/2 Spanish. Thanks to Dora she knows how to count in Spanish, say her colors, and even turned to the young man who answered "si" the other day and said "Si means yes mommy". She's so smart.


10. Skyler informed me that he feels Dora isn't a safe show for his sister. He said "what parent lets their small child wander around volcanoes with just a back pack and a monkey"? He's got a point.

11. Our 12 Days of Christmas Extravaganza continues!!! Check out what we've got up for today!

12 Days of Christmas Deal!

All Long Sleeve T's and Sweatshirts I have in stock!

Long sleeved T's $25 each shipped!
Hooded Sweatshirts - $30 shipped!


Unisex "Shut Your Pie Hole" long sleeved black T Sz. L (I have two)

Unisex "Shut Your Pie Hole" black sweatshirt Sz. L


Unisex light gray Alternative brand "All For One" back print only hooded sweatshirt Sz. L (pictured above)


Unisex Charcoal Hooded sweatshirt All For One both sides printed Sz. L and XL (you can see the price well in our homecoming picture above)

AND GIVING BACK!


A portion of today's sales will also benefit the Habuda's! They leave in NINE days to go meet their son Levi in Taiwan! Because of the holidays they are quite a bit short on funds due to when they have to travel. Read their story, pray, and if you feel led please consider donating on their blog link above to help bring Levi home. He's precious!

Day 4 of The 12 Days of Christmas Extravaganza!

I'm late posting so this will last through tomorrow morning!

Today we're offering our LOVE HATS!!! These are Alternative brand hats with our globe logo and the word LOVE on them. I have them in black, olive, and stone. (olive and stone have black ink, black has cream ink)

I love how this hat fits! I wore mine all the time in Ethiopia!

Up close of the details.

Cap shown below in stone.

Happy Birthday Silas!!!! 12 Days of Christmas Continues!

This is one of the first pictures we ever saw of our sweet boy Silas. He was barely 3.

This was days after meeting and it captures so beautifully the bond God was forming between a father and a son. I love this picture for so many reasons.

My little man! Silas has always always been photogenic and he's always up for a pose. He's 4.5 here.

This picture captures so much. Crossing cultural bounds. Love wins.

Its hard to believe Silas turns SEVEN today! SEVEN. When did that happen?! The sweet, insecure, scared, high pitched screamer of a three year old boy we brought home almost four years ago has blossomed into a kind, loving, hilarious, well adjusted, secure, precious boy. Silas brings so much laughter to our home, a joy we would never know without him. He is confident and opinionated. He will talk your ear off and show you his gymnastic tricks shortly after your introduction. There is no greater joy then being Silas' mama. Son, I love you to the moon and back. Adopting you was the beginning of an incredible journey, you've taught me more about myself , my desperate need for the King, the beauty of His love for all of us. Watching you embrace life for what it is has taught me to be content in my circumstances and to cherish every moment. My prayer for you little man is that you would love Jesus more then anything in this world and that you would put Him first in EVERYTHING. I love you Silas.

With every adoption story there is always tragedy and heartbreak that goes with our greatest joy. I can't help but think of Silas' first mom on this day. The celebration of his birth. She loved him first, she chose LIFE for him, and she's given us the greatest honor to be his parents. We will never ever forget that.

AND the 12 Days of Christmas continues!!! Today we're offering ANY Ugandan beaded necklace of your choice for $15! TODAY ONLY! Until Midnight its on! Just specify in the notes what colors/style you'd like and I'll do my best! Paypal link to the right.

Here's just a few samples.

You can check out this link for more pictures.