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Yes, another sunrise! They are just so amazingly beautiful lately.  I'm sure the neighbors think I'm crazy, running down the sidewalk in my jammies and barefoot with my camera waving.  These sunrises come and go super fast.

via Instagram

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If anyone needs me, I'll be in my car at the Walmart parking lot with a trunk full of purses.

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Photo Card

Merry Montage Christmas

Turn your favorite photos into personalized Christmas cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

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Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope you are enjoying this very special day with an abundance of blessings and thankfulness in your heart!

The ABC's of the Happy Camper

A. Age: 47
B. Bed size: queen
C. Chore that you hate:so many to choose from..ummmm...cleaning the kitchen
D. Dogs: 3   see our mutts here
E. Essential start to your day: CAFFEINE and caffeine, oh and more caffeine
F. Favorite color: too many to list
G. Gold or Silver: white gold
H. Height: 5’7″
I. Instruments you play: sewing machine
J. Job title: Domestic Engineer, PTA Queen
K. Kids: 2 nutty boys
L. Live: Mountains of Southern California
M. Mother’s name: Therese
N. Nicknames: Kimmy Cupcake, kimmywimmy, mom
O. Overnight hospital stays: appendicitis, hysterectomy
P. Pet peeves: dishonesty
Q. Quote from a movie: I'm blonde (chemically blonde), I can't remember movie quotes
R. Right or left handed: right
S. Siblings: 4-see I am blonde, I included myself in the number of siblings
U. Underwear: no butt floss
V. Vegetable you hate: brussel sprouts
W. What makes you run late: not much, I'm pretty punctual
X. X-Rays you’ve had: head
Y. Yummy food that you make: lemon cake
Z. Zoo animal: all of them. I love animals.

YOUR TURN!

Pinterest...My new love

Have you discovered  yet?  Oh my, oh my.  You are in for a treat.  Pinterest is like a virtual cork board or inspiration board might be a better way to describe it.  You can look at other pinboards created by other people who may have similar interests or taste as you do.  People use pinboards to plan weddings, decorate their homes or share recipes.  It's great for when you are surfing the web and you find something you might want to look at later, to pin it.  The pin will take you back to that site.  No more searching thru bookmarks.  The one problem with Pinterest is that you can get so lost in looking and pinning all these great ideas, you don't have any time to try one.

So, I've pinned a bunch of things; photography cheat sheets, sewing tutorials, holiday ideas, homemade products that are cheaper than buying and better for the environment, etc (you can follow my pins on my sidebar).  I have to warn you Pinterest can be (should I say IS) addictive.  Wow!!! There are so many amazing things to look at, to be inspired by etc.  So the other night, my step mom and I decided to try one of the homemade product recipes I found on Pinterest.

Home made facial pore peel-like those Biore Pore Strips.  Here's the original site of the pin Pore strips.  I have to say, this little gem really worked!  It was fun, kind of weird, and REALLY cheap.  It probably cost about .40 cents for a full face.  The box of Knox Gelatin was only $1.25 for 4 packets at Walmart and a tablespoon of milk is what...a nickle?

First, we both donned our favorite pj's, washed our faces and got to work making our concoction.  Once you get it mixed, you have to work quickly because it starts to set up.  We just smeared it all over with our fingers.  Now, let me warn you, it smells a little like wet dog at first and you will look like you have leprosy.   Then we plopped our butts on the couch and watched the latest episode of Bath Crashers on DIY.  We waited about 25 minutes, until we couldn't talk without feeling like our face was going to crack.  Then we started peeling.  In some places it felt like peeling off a band aid.  It's a little rough, but so worth it.  Once I got it all peeled off, I couldn't believe how smooth my face felt and there was some serious junk on those pieces I pulled off.  Yuck!  I have sensitive skin and rosascea, I was a little concerned that I might have a breakout or flareup the next day, but I didn't.  Couple of tips for you.  Be careful not to get it in your hair, too close to your eyes or in your eyebrows.  It crusts up pretty good on hair.  But if you do get it in sensitive areas, just take a warm, wet washcloth and it softens it right up.  Pretty cool.  Will definitely do this again next time I want to deep clean.

November is Thankful Month...Today I am EXTRA thankful...

Thanksgiving is the time of year, we reminisce about what we have in our lives to be thankful for.  

This is my baby (he's my youngest, he will always be my baby).  Today my baby turns 9 years old.  Whuuuuuuuuuuut....it just hit me......NINE??? OMG, How did that happen?  It doesn't seem possible that 9 years ago, Mr. Ranger and I were anxiously biting our nails in the waiting room of the hospital waiting to meet our second son.  

As a mother of 2 adopted children, this time of year is extra special to me.  Don't know if you know this, but November is Adoption Awareness month.  Sadly, when a young girl finds herself faced with an untimely pregnancy, adoption is most often the least popular option.  It takes a strong character and a very selfless woman to put her unborn child's best interests before her own.  It is a decision that she will carry with her forever.  

Often times, adopted children are told they are lucky, because they were chosen by a family or that the child is a gift to the adoptive parents.  I could not disagree more.  WE adoptive parents are the lucky ones.  WE are the ones that are chosen, chosen and trusted by his birthmother, to love, cherish, honor and raise her most precious child.    

Often times a birthmother doesn't know the adopted parents well- there is not a lot of time to build that important relationship before the baby is born. When making such a monumental decision-choosing a couple she has known for only a short period of time, why on earth would she feel compelled to give US, almost strangers such a gift?  It is sometimes a complete leap of faith. WE (adoptive parents) are the gift a birthmother gives to her child, a gift, that in this very difficult time in her life she is not quite prepared to carry out. To tell a child they are a gift to be given away, is not a fair burden to place upon the child.  That huge and awesome responsibility is OURS-his parents, to live up to, not the child's and we are honored to make his birthmother proud and give her the resolve and the opportunity to know and to see that her decision was the best for her baby by maintaining on ongoing relationship with her. 

This is Amy, our son's birthmother.  We are forever connected to her by this beautiful, sweet, love muffin of a boy.  She is forever a part of our family, she is forever a woman who will be our hero and has our undying respect forever and always.

In the NINE years since Boo Boo was born, our beloved Amy has built a life of her own with a loving husband, a daughter and another son. Her family is our family-we are her family. Mr. Ranger, our sons and I are so lucky, we get to see Amy about once a year (she now lives in another state) and our son is confident and proud to tell people he was adopted and to tell people he has a mom, a dad, a brother, a birthmom and another brother and sister.  It is never confusing to him because it has always been normal.

So Miss Amy, on this day that I am sure is very bittersweet for you;

We love you!  We honor you!  We thank you!  

And we can't wait to see you next week!!!

To our son, Happy Birthday, you bless us every day, we love you more than you will ever know.  We are so lucky to have such a wonderful son!  I love you, baby!!!

Beatitudes of Openness

Blessed is the adopted child who learns from the cradle that he is a unique individual, with heritage from two families.

Blessed is the adopted child who feels unfettered by guilt when asking about his birthfamily.

Blessed is the adopted child who believes in truth and honesty 

because these qualities have been nurtured throughout life.

Blessed is the adopted child who feels free to be totally himself when the questions asked, based on his level of emotional understanding.

Blessed is the adopted child who is armed with all the facts about his heritage 

when it comes time for him to make a place for himself in the world. 

Choose Adoption...in the words of Martha Stewart
"It's a good thing"

 Autumn and Connor-birthsiblings

 Amy, Connor and Bryce

 Birthsiblings-A+B+C= Autumn, Bryce, Connor

 Amy, Connor and Ian-our older son.

The Happy Campers

Brothers!

One loving, extended family!

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Let's make Christmas 2011 All American

I was perusing all my favorite blogs this morning and came across this post over at Crooked Gulley Art Quilts.  With the holidays quickly approaching and decorations already up in the stores, I thought it was very appropriate to share.  


"As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!

It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?  Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber? Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement. Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell  you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.
 
Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the Benjamins on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.
 
There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is 
about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.
 
How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy? Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services local cleaning lady for a day. My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.
 
OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.
 
Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.  Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.
 
Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.
 
You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.

THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.  Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussion groups -- throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in your city -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't that what Christmas is about?"

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