Millions and millions of calories!

Today is the day. It is the day that millions, (I am sure I am not making this up) and millions of calories are constructed in my house.

It started my first year as a teacher. I was the FBLA sponsor and we were trying to find a fundraiser around Christmas time.

One of the students said, how about making fudge?

I was completely for it...why not? How hard could that be? Maybe about 20 pounds and all would be good.

They started selling the fudge - all 25 of them. Some selling 10 pounds, some 20, some not so much. Orders were due Wednesday, so I could go get the ingredients and make it over the weekend.

The orders came in - all 390 pounds of it. Yes almost 400 pounds of fudge.

I almost cried, really I did.

I left a little early from school that day and went to the store. I got some chocolate chips, some sugar, and little bit of the other ingredients.

And started making the fudge.

I really had no idea how much almost 400 pounds of fudge would be.

I worked about 12 hours on Saturday and almost another 6 hours on Sunday. My mom helped or else it would have been even longer.

It was amazing.

I made fudge for the next three years, with the kid selling about the same amount each year. I had it down to a science.

Then I told the kids...I can't do this again. I am very tired of it.

Then...my son started fundraising with his class of 10 for their senior trip.

The idea of fudge came back.

Last year it was about 150 pounds, this year it is around 175 pounds. Not so much really, when you compare it to the first year.

No problem...a mom would do anything for their children - right?

It happened...

I have heard rumors about this type of thing happening...

I have talked with people who have dealt with this before...

But it is totally different once it happens to you...

And it is in reference to your own child!

I was talking about adoption with a person I know.

"Somebody is getting rich off of the international adoptions."

That was all I could hear from this conversation. It struck deep, really.

Was it that bad? Was it horrible? No, not really. But it was still hurtful.

All Gussied Up...

One day, the girls and I thought it would be a good idea to curl their hair before church. My mom found some really neat curlers that you just stick in the microwave for 10 seconds. They worked really, really well! And the girls looked a cute as a button!

Black Friday!!!

I absolutely love to shop on the Friday after Christmas. It is my FAVORITE day to shop.

This year, I don't know if any of you noticed, but Kohl's had their stores open at 4:00 am! Yes, 4:00!

Who would be so crazy as to get up at 3:00, brave the 18 degree weather, just to go to a good sale?

You are reading her blog...

My mom, dad, sister and I all got up, freezing and still half asleep from the day before, and waited in line.

The line was down the street and around the corner. We were in the middle, which meant only one thing...

We had a really good chance of getting exactly what we wanted.

You betcha we did.

"So what exactly are we getting here?" my dad says to me as we are both huddled together, shaking from the freezing wind that was blowing.

"Um, I would like to get a car rug for John's room, but if I don't get it, that is ok too." I said between chattering teeth.

"What are you wanting, dad?"

"Nnnothing."

So we braved the weather, the crowds, the long lines, and the lack of sleep, just so we could all go in and pick up the car rug that I wanted for John's room. How much did I save?

$5.00

Yes, $5.00. Think about it this way, somewhere in the world, someone worked an entire day or week for the $5.00.

Makes me feel a little better!

Again, you are kidding me...

I want to adoopt again.

There, I said it!!! Yes, that would be six kids.

Eight pairs of pants, socks, underwear (when everyone is potty trained.)

Eight shirts, eight plates, eight glasses.

Probably about 24 -36 pancakes at breakfast.
15-18 eggs, one pound of bacon or sausage.

8-10 gallons of milk a week, and how much toilet paper?

But, I really believe we have another child out there, most likely in China.

I want Kaycee to grow up with another Chinese princess running around the house.
Someone that came from where she came from, that has the same heritage, culture, etc and most likely the same special need.

My husband is looking at the ticket prices before he gets on board with the whole idea. He has stated that he is thinking about it.

Right now, that is all I can hope for...

Finding Day

It was two years ago today, our daughter Kaycee was found on the street in front of the Fuzhou City Orphanage.

It is hard as a mom, to think of their child, at one month old laying on the sidewalk, alone.

I am not dealing with this so well today. I look at her and wonder if her mom thinks of her on this day.

We celebrate her birthday on October 6, however, this is only an estimate. November 6 is the first truth we have about Kaycee. We know she was found on 11-6, before that...it is only a guess.

It is hard to think about that. Maybe as the years go by, and we have more truths and knowns, it will be easier for me to deal with.

The not so scary side of Halloween

Our school has a great Harvest Festival for the little ones. Nothing that scares the kids, just fun games. It lets the dress up in their costumes, play some games, win some prizes, all in a warm and safe atmosphere.

We spent about an hour there last night with the three little ones, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, and Thomas the Tank Engine.

I ended up giving three left over tickets to one little boy and about five dollars to another little boy. It made their night, and I won't be vaccuuming up a little toy in the next couple of days...made my day too.