Miscellany Tuesday!

No Misc. Monday in honor of Dr. King - so today will be Misc. Tuesday instead. :) Yep catchy I know.

My baby daughter is obsessed with food. She eats more then me. Always. The other night during her prayer she said "Thank you for food eat it. Annnnnd.....thank you for eating bodies." Now I'm not quite sure where that last part came from. We don't eat bodies around here. Ever. I'm thinking she meant "Bless it to our bodies" but then again....who knows.

My 14 year old daughter informed her dad and I that some kid at school wanted to go out with her. This isn't the first time but each time I get a little nervous because my kid isn't exactly gracious to these young beaus. This poor lad didn't know what he was up against. I think his final futile attempt at winning her heart came when he told her she was beautiful. Her response? "I know. Thank you". I died. I told my husband at least we know he's doing his job at filling her love tank.


This past weekend my husband brewed his own beer in our garage. I guess the booze must now "rest" in perfectly controlled temps. My room that used to be a tranquil love nest now resembles an old musty bar with 47 beers on tap. He says it will be worth it in the end. If only I drank lots of beer. Maybe he needs to become a wine master.

Silas is home sick. I'm not sure if he's really sick or he just didn't want to school. Either way he's all cozied up in his bed sleeping so we're going with sick.

This is short but sweet - I'm off to the back cracker - check back tomorrow - my T-shirt closet was purged last night so I'll be listing my offerings tomorrow in an effort to clean things out and raise some funds for Africa!

Ciao!

In Honor of Dr. King

Today is Martin Luther King Jr Day. I'll admit years ago I didn't have the depth of understanding of this day like I do now. Having experienced racism on a personal level because we chose to adopt cross culturally I have a new appreciation for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the message he fought to get across. The change he was trying to make in society. For people. For human beings. I'm grateful for his boldness, for the stand that he took, for the message he proclaimed.

As a white American I will never ever understand what it feels like to be black. I have as close of an understanding of what prejudice feels like because I am the mother of two black children and we've experienced it. Yet I will still never know what it feels like to be black in a white family. As we raise our children to love Jesus and that God loves us all equally and we are made in His image, HE is our defender, He is the one who matters and it is the bloodline of Jesus that is ours.

There is still the reality that we are raising a little black girl and a little black boy and the color of their skin matters to the outside world. I don't remember where I read it but the writers point was that to ignore what is so visible to everyone else is a bigger disservice then to acknowledge it. While my identity is in Christ, every one of my children's identity is in Christ we cannot ignore racism, we cannot ignore that we are a multi cultural family, and we cannot ignore that someday my black little boy and my black little girl will grow up to be a black man and a black woman MUST be a reality as David and I navigate parenting them. We must fight against racism, we need to educate others, challenge them, ask questions, and most of all point them to the cross. Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe.

Today we will watch a documentary on Dr. King with our children, we'll talk about His stand, his speech, and the difference he's made in the world.

Because of his boldness we have come SO far as a nation. We still have so far to go. Here are a few of my favorite quotes from Dr. King, in honor of him today.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. - MLK

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase. - MLK

He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it. - MLK

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. - MLK

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made straight and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together. - MLK

AMEN and AMEN!
Check out my post on this same topic from last year.
http://thisshubinclan.blogspot.com/2011/01/in-honor-of-dr-king-and-his-dream.html

Reckless Abandon T-Shirt Pre-Order! LAST DAY!!!

This is it! Last call for pre-orders - I'm not ordering any extras!

I'll be placing the pre-order on Monday the 16th to ensure that the shirts are here and shipped before we leave for Africa in February!

We have T-Shirts and Sweatshirts available! Gray with yellow or crimson and Navy with yellow. Mens or Womens unisex. We are also offering hooded sweatshirts - super soft and comfy.

Email me with any questions - order information is on the right side of the blog. THANK YOU for your support!

T-Shirt Pre-Order FINAL WEEKEND!!!

This is it! I'm placing the order on Monday morning! All proceeds go towards Skylers trip to Africa.

I'm placing the pre-order on Monday the 16th to ensure that the shirts are here and shipped before we leave for Africa in February!

We have T-Shirts and Sweatshirts available! Gray with yellow or crimson and Navy with yellow. Mens or Womens unisex. We are also offering hooded sweatshirts - super soft and comfy.

Email me with any questions - order information is on the right side of the blog. THANK YOU for your support!

Final Day of $12/12 People/12 Days!

This is it! The final day of our 12 Day campaign to raise the funds to send Skyler to Africa! INCREDIBLY AMAZING to see God at work through each of you. THANK YOU!

Skyler is now just $300 away from his goal!

There's just THREE days left to pre-order T-shirts!

Last chance!!! I'm placing the pre-order on the morning of January 16th to ensure that the shirts are here and shipped before we leave for Africa in February!

We have T-Shirts and Sweatshirts available! Gray with yellow or crimson and Navy with yellow. Mens or Womens unisex or fitted. We are also offering hooded sweatshirts - super soft and comfy.

T-shirts are $25 shipped and Sweatshirts are $40 shipped. Order information is on he right side of my blog.
Thank you for your support!

We have about 35 cookie cutters left, if we sell every last one Skyler will be at his goal. I'm excited to post pictures of our cookie making coming up this week. We'll be doing Africa Valentine cookies!!! It'll be so cute! Order your cookie cutter today, make cute cookies, and help send Skyler to Africa! Its a win win!

If you don't need a cookie cutter you can be one of his 12 or buy a Ugandan Beaded necklace!

Order information is below or on the right side of the blog!

Choose Item

Africa Cookie Cutter $10.00 USD

Aren't these cute? I'm not sure who made them but I saved the picture because I loved them so much!

We covet your prayers as we prepare for this trip, we're so excited to be able to go. To serve and to love on the precious children and families in Ethiopia.

To God Be The Glory!!!

Cookie Cutters & Beaded Necklaces!

This week is FLYING by!! I can't believe its already Wednesday, so much to do so little time!

We're in the final 36 hours of Skylers final fund raising blast of 12 people/$12/ 12 Days. We only have $350 left to raise! AMAZING!!!!! We are SO grateful to all of YOU for your support!


We have about 40 cookie cutters left, if we sell every last one he'll be at his goal. I'm excited to post pictures of our cookie making coming up this week. We'll be doing Africa Valentine cookies!!! It'll be so cute! Order your cookie cutter today, make cute cookies, and help send Skyler to Africa! Its a win win! If you don't need a cookie cutter you can be one of his 12 or buy a Ugandan Beaded necklace!





Order information is below or on the right side of the blog!

Choose Item

Africa Cookie Cutter $10.00 USD

Aren't these cute? I'm not sure who made them but I saved the picture because I loved them so much!


We covet your prayers as we prepare for this trip, we're so excited to be able to go. To serve and to love on the precious children and families in Ethiopia.

Don't forget to check our T-Shirt Preorders too! We're only taking pre-orders until January 15th!

http://thisshubinclan.blogspot.com/2012/01/t-shirt-pre-sale-ends-soon.html

Africa Cookie Cutters & T-Shirt Pre-Orders

Happy Tuesday!!!

We've been busy around here with crazy life stuff and some weird stomach bug. Fun times I tell you. Getting back into the groove of school after a 3 week break is no easy task!

PLUS we leave for Africa in just 5 weeks! CRAZY!

We're in the 10th day of Skylers final fund raising blast of 12 people/$12/ 12 Days. So far he's about 3/4 of the way to his goal which is AWESOME! THANK YOU all for your support!


We have about 50 cookie cutters left, if we sell every last one he'll be at his goal. I'm excited to post pictures of our cookie making coming up this week. We'll be doing Africa Valentine cookies!!! It'll be so cute! Order your cookie cutter today, make cute cookies, and help send Skyler to Africa! Its a win win! If you don't need a cookie cutter you can be one of his 12 or buy a Ugandan Beaded necklace!

Order information is below or on the right side of the blog!

Choose Item

Africa Cookie Cutter $10.00 USD

Aren't these cute? I'm not sure who made them but I saved the picture because I loved them so much!


We covet your prayers as we prepare for this trip, we're so excited to be able to go. To serve and to love on the precious children and families in Ethiopia.

Don't forget to check our T-Shirt Preorders too! We're only taking pre-orders until January 15th!

http://thisshubinclan.blogspot.com/2012/01/t-shirt-pre-sale-ends-soon.html

Weekend Sale!!

Alrighty we're over 1/2 way through the $12/12 people/12 days push. We're over 1/2 way to the fund raising goal! This is GOOD!!!

In celebration we're having a Hat and T-shirt sale!

The shirts pictured below - I only have size Small left in womens. I also have a handful of mens shirts - Size L and XL in olive and royal blue.

Uganda Beaded Necklaces AGAIN!

They're back!

I'm trying to clear out my stash while raising funds for Skylers trip as well. I have a couple different kinds. Long, short, and triple strand. I also have a handful of the super long 147 Uganda beads that were leftover from our adoption fund raising. I've updated the button on the right side of my blog to reflect these and taken some new pictures as well. Here goes! Stay tuned for the remaining WHERE YOU LIVE T's I've got left as well!

Uganda Beaded Necklace - long length - multi - $15
Uganda Beaded Necklace - short length - $10
Uganda - Triple strand - $15
147 Uganda beaded super long necklaces - $20
Shipping - $2.50





I'm shipping out the last batch of cookie cutter/T-shirt orders today as well! Email me if you have any questions!

Moments In Target.

Last night my husband made a trip to Target to return a rug I didn't like. (yep I'm picky) He also had to replace a fan for the girls because theirs broke and our sweet angels can't sleep without one. (I blame my husband for this)

The idea was that this would be a "quick trip" but instead it took two hours. Not kidding.

The rug - well I couldn't find the receipt but thank goodness they track my every purchase via my debit card. (some what creepy that they know I had a 1000 items purchased in the last year)

Oh and that fan? Well it was marked $34.99. The ONLY fan in the whole store according to my husband. Yes the state of Florida is in freak out mode and since hitting 60 degrees they've replaced all fans with space heaters. True story.

Back to the fan. Marked $34.99 but at the register it rings up at $52. My husband nearly choked and kindly said the price was incorrect. The young man asked the correct price but when told he said he couldn't sell it at that price. Perplexed my husband asked for a price check. They verified that the price was indeed $34.99 but they couldn't sell it to him for that. Yes this is the part of the story that made me a little cranky. What do you mean you can't sell it for the price listed? Nope the price on the register is too much higher then the listed price so I can't over ride it. My husband is much more patient then me. He's also more patient then the woman next to him who was attempting to buy the last two fans she'd found and having the same issue. She was a heap of tears and security had been called to calm her. Not kidding.

A manager was called. 45 minutes later Target finally decided to sell the item for the price they listed. I felt the need to impart wisdom and a few pricing laws on Target corporate. My husband needed a beer.

Oh and if you weren't looking for a story about Target but instead wanted to check in on Skylers T-shirt and cookie cutter sales go here:
http://thisshubinclan.blogspot.com/2012/01/t-shirt-pre-sale-ends-soon.html

He's pluggin along! We just need 5 more people to donate $12, buy a T or cookie cutter to hit todays goal! THANK YOU!!

T-Shirt Pre-Sale Ends Soon!

A quick update on Skylers 12 people/$12/12 Days/2012 - He only needs 70 more people!!! That's less then 7 people each day for the next 11 days! THANK YOU all SO much for your support!

Now more info on T-shirts! :)

Last chance!!! I'm placing the pre-order on the 15th of January to ensure that the shirts are here and shipped before we leave for Africa in February!

We have T-Shirts and Sweatshirts available! Gray with yellow or crimson and Navy with yellow. Mens or Womens unisex or fitted. We are also offering hooded sweatshirts - super soft and comfy.

T-shirts are $25 shipped and Sweatshirts are $40 shipped. Order information is on he right side of my blog. Thank you for your support!

12 people. $12. 12 Days. 2012.

We're getting down to the wire with Skylers last bit of fund raising. He's been busy helping with yard sales, listing things on Craigslist, packaging T-shirts and cookie cutters, etc. We're getting close! In order to finish him out we're starting a 12 in 2012 campaign.

The idea is simple. 12 people. $12. 12 days. Essentially is 144 people give $12 he'll be funded. Actually some have already given so we're already part way there. I read recently about micro giving and I love the idea. If many people give small amounts it adds up to bigger amounts and funds others helping others. One of our family goals for 2012 is to give more, love more, share more. Even if you can't give $12 ANYTHING helps.

Taking our 13 year old son to Africa is an incredible blessing. We can't wait to introduce him to the people, the culture, the joy, the pain, we're praying this experience WRECKS him in a GOOD way.

Will you be one of Skylers 12 today?

If you'd rather pre-order a T-Shirt that will also count towards his 12 too!


OR how about an Africa cookie cutter?

Order information is on the right side of my blog.

If you'd like a tax-deductible option you can donate here: http://lifebridgechurchpinellas.com/give (just be sure to specify "Reckless Abandon - Skyler Shubin" in the notes)

For T-shirt pre-order info check out this post: http://thisshubinclan.blogspot.com/2011/12/reckless-abandon-2012-and-t-shirt.html

To see info about the cookie cutters read this post: http://thisshubinclan.blogspot.com/2011/11/africa-cookie-cutter-beaded-necklaces.html

Can't donate? Will you consider sharing this blog? Reposting to spread the word? Above all will you pray for us?! We are so grateful. Thank you!!

Post Christmas Travel Words of Wisdom.

Traveling from Florida to Oregon and back with seven people was quite the adventure. Having a little girl who hasn't been on a plane since we brought her home from Ethiopia was FUN. All of that said we learned MUCH. Here's a few tips.

1. Don't try and pack everything in a carry on. Pay the $20 for the checked luggage and move on. It'll be worth it. Unless of course you want to watch your 7 year old play dodge the people as he RUNS with his rolling suitcase through the airport.

2. Airplane lavatories are too small for an adult and a 5 year old. Nuff said.

3. If you're a germaphob like me the above scenario might be enough to activate the sensitive gag reflex.

4. Don't let your independent 5 year old pack her own bag for the plane. You never know what kinds of small unnecessary things will show up. The same goes for your seven year old or you might have a whole lotta sugar added to the mix in the form of hoarded school treats!

5. Something that does work: Pairing up kids with partners. Worked like a charm. An older with a little one. I love having big kids with little kids!

6. Bring snacks. For the love of all things good and holy the kids are BOUND to be STARVING the minute you board that plane. Snacks were a life saver. Especially since those airlines are so stingy, even with things like water!

7. This is probably the last trip we'll get away with renting a minivan. With all of our stuff and peoples we've outgrown it. I think David secretly rejoices. He hated that thing even if it was only temporary. The minivans only saving grace is the STEAL of a deal I got on renting it. :)

8. When did it become so normal to bring your dog on the plane? Most of you know I'm not a "pet" person. I'm just not. I'm a kid person. :) Every. Single. Flight. Dogs. LOTS of dogs. Dogs under the seat, dogs in the lap, dogs in a cage. Even a cat! Seriously?

9. Air pressure. Bring gum for your child. Oh and make sure you know where it is and its easily accessible.

10. Passing gas. Okay I know this one may shock you. I don't talk about bodily functions on my blog. I just don't. But this one has to be mentioned. Please remind your children that passing gas on an airplane is not pleasant for those around you. I wish I could tell you that my precious angels would never do that but I can't. I forgot to remind my 7 year old about his manners prior to boarding the plane. I'm so sorry passengers on flight #1242.

And with that............

Happy New Year!!!