And Now For Something Completely Different...

Hey Guys,

I'm about to do something really weird and it might freak you out a little, but I think we need to have a heart to heart. I love this blog and all the people that read it. Like LOVE. But I have this little issue. And that's that I have this double life going on and I don't know if I can keep it up much longer! Here's the scoop. I am just one person, and like all people, there's lots of facets to me. Oh, yes, I'm a complex gal. You see as you know me I'm all Adoption Girl and Save Africa and everything. And that's true and real. But there's another part of me you don't know. The truth is that there's more to me than that, and my blog just has to show it or I'm all stifled. So here's the real deal. In addition to being Adoption Girl, I'm also a sugar fiend, a design nut, a photographer, and avid Flylady enthusiast, a Christian, and a mess. And I think it's time you got to know the real me. Because I bet most of you are just like me. If you really want to talk adoption all the time there are so many awesome blogs that do that. And if you really want to talk recipes and crafts and design all the time there are so many awesome blogs that do that. But if you can handle it, I'd like to do both. Maybe the internet has room for something like that. We're still going to give $1 every week to a new family adopting from Africa. That's the whole point, people! We'll do that on Monday, but every other day we'll be talking straight from my heart. Of course there will still be adoption and Africa and Jesus in there because I'm still writing it, but if you don't mind, right now I'd like to talk about rice krispy treats. :)

The Modern Marigold is one of my favorite blogs and Amanda has started doing this super fun thing where every week we have to actually DO something we saw on Pinterest and blog about it. Then we link up. And I just have to play! So this is what I did. Brown Butter Pumpkin Spiced Rice Krispy Treats. Kind of lame because that's what Amanda did last week, but I was out of inspiration and they just looked pretty good. And they were, really good. I recommend. They were easy peasy and the kids thought they were fancy, but not too fancy to eat a whole pan in one day. Here's the pin I found it on. But here's another rice krispy fave. Cake Batter Rice Krispies. I love those.

Now, hang with me while we try out this new weird format. I really want to get to know you guys too. I'm sure Lindsay, our mama of the week is freaking out right now, so if you haven't given your $1 yet, please do to reassure her that it's all going to be ok if we cut up a little too! We're going to be a dynamic group of girls that can whip up a wicked rice krispy treat and still fund an adoption a week. No problemo! Right? Can I get an amen if you don't think this is way too wacky?

I have a little announcement

Some really awesome artists have been at work behind the scenes to bring us this little announcement. The Give1 Shop is open for business. All items have been donated by various artists. When you buy from the shop you can know that your money will go straight into the Dollar Mob fund, which is given to the family of the week every week. It's like making a donation to that family and getting something cool as a super awesome bonus. Thank you so much for all contributers! This week our contributers are Michelle Armas, For the Love of Joy, Violastudio, Enduring Arts and 29Blackstreet. If items are sold out in the Give1 shop, just head over to their usual storefront to make a purchase. If you are an artist or crafter and have something you would like to contribute, email me! I'd love to add it. My email is b.cupitt(at)yahoo(dot)com.

New week, New family

Hey guys!

It's time to gather round and lift up another family. This is the Hirth family. Hi Hirths! They actually spent their honeymoon, 4 years ago, in Ethiopia. While they were there they met a young lady named Poppi (pictured here on the top right) who inspired them to learn more about empowering girls in developing countries. When they made the decision to adopt, they knew they wanted to give a girl a future. And they also wanted to give their two year old little guy, Hudson, a baby sister. So they are in the process of adopting a baby girl, age 0-2, from Ethiopia.

The Hirth family lives in Arkansas. Lindsay is a writer, and she volunteers for nonprofits. Bob is getting a PhD in business, studying social entrepreneurship and economic development in Africa. Their son Hudson is working on becoming a super hero and is excited to meet his sister.

So ladies, I ask you... is this the week we bust $1,000?! Please say yes. I'm dying here! We've come so close a few times. Let's round up the troops. Email your girlfriends. Join the Dollar Mob and you'll be supporting the Hirths adoption as well as 51 others in a year! It's over there on your right. That's a pretty good deal for $1 a week.Or just give to the Hirths this one time right here.

***UPDATE: I thought we'd keep a running total. I'll update you every day. So it's early Wednesday morning and the Hirths have received $293.

The Future You Are Dreaming.

Buenos dias, ladies. Happy Friday! Well, we're wrapping up another week here on Give1Save1. If you haven't had time to give to the new school in Ethiopia, please do. It's just a tiny dollar and less than a minute of your time. Imagine how many children will have a safe place to be, food in their bellies, and a chance at life once this school is constructed. But the true fact of the matter is that it's going to take dollars to put a building in. And dollars to hire caring teachers and cooks. The Good Book says that where our treasure is is where our heart is. Let's show those kids that our hearts are with them and send a bit of our treasure over their way.

A Giant Collaboration

Alot of rockstars teamed up to create this very cool line for Nordstrom's. Disney, TOMS, and Petunia Picklebottom, just to name a few. All proceeds go to Unicef's FEED campaign. Usually Nordstrom's is just not on my radar. I'm more of a Target girl myself. But check this stuff out and you'll see that the price tags are not ridiculous. So keep them in mind when shopping for your little ones (and mamas, there is a cool line from clarins too!)

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Don't look now, but it's time to shop.

Yep. It's October, which is almost November, which is almost December. So no one can deny that it's time to shop. Want to see me use a big word? Here it is. Sustainability. This week we are talking about supporting sustainability in our Christmas shopping. I feel so smart right now. Sustainability is when our money not only fills a need, it does so in a way that will keep going beyond the immediate need. It's the sort of thing that spreads HOPE.  Let me provide a prime example. Noonday Collection. I found this site through Wynne Elder, one of our upcoming mamas. She's a Noonday Ambassador and now I'm dreaming of being one too now. Another day, another day. Today we shop. Let me showcase a few awesome pieces real quick and then tell you why you should shop here. Click on the pic to go see some more.



This one is my first time purchase. I thought I'd start my Christmas shopping last week and this one caught my eye immediately. But I think it's mine. It wants me. How am I going to give this stuff away? Anyhoo, it was made by a woman named Coral. Read her story here on the Noonday blog. A portion of the purchase goes to her.



I'm sort of in love with this one too. It's an infinity scarf so you don't have to know how to wrap one. I'm sort of ridiculous when it comes to wrapping a scarf.



These sandals can have a different fabric every day and can be wrapped a gazillion ways. Ok, so sandals for Christmas might be weird for some of you guys, but I live in Texas and sandals are 10 months out of the year.



This is the Daughter's First Diamond Necklace. Do you have any idea how sexy my husband would be if he bought this for my daughter? Quite.

Just one more pic. You have to check out the site because I could put a picture of all their products on this blog and that would be super weird so I won't. But one more.



I think I'm going to have to go with the patchwork clutch. But just do yourself (and a bunch of other people) a favor and go on over to Noonday Collection.

Now let me tell you why you can feel good about doing such a thing. Noonday portions out their profits in such a fair and fantastic way. Some money goes to orphan care, some to the consultant (Wynne is one of our upcoming adoptive moms, so her portion is funding her adoption), and some to the women who make the products. That, my friends, is a crazy awesome Christmas gift.

new week, new cause

Hey guys,

Time to gear up for a new week! This week we're supporting our project of the month, Awake and Alive. Let me tell you a little about what Awake and Alive is doing for orphans. Danielle and Jolene are two mamas who have both adopted from Ethiopia. While they were there they really developed a heart for the children who weren't in the orphanages. Not all of the children don't have parents. Some parents are sick and the children have to lead the household.  Some are left home while their single mothers make a living collecting and selling sticks. They are gone for up to seventeen hours a day and those babies are alone. Sometimes very small children caring for infants. There's no one to watch out for them. This village is so poor it is thought to be cursed, so even the government won't offer any assistance. Awake and Alive is a nonprofit founded by Danielle and Jolene, two moms just like us. And they are opening a school there in September of 2012. Education is the key ticket out of extreme poverty. We all know that. But this school is going to provide much more than that. It will be a safe place for the children to be. A place with safe adults and hot meals. I want to be a part of making this happen! Don't you?

Give to Awake and Alive right here. It's their blog. Just look on the right hand side and you'll see the donate button. Sorry about the extra click, but it's easy peasy and I'm working on getting the direct Paypal code. I'm just super slow this Monday morning! My bad!