I have been bad about blogging but here are some of the little things we have been up to....
So you all know I am seriously craft challenged but I had the urge to make these monogrammed pumpkins. I got the idea from my very talented and creative friend, Kristi (who gave me step by step instructions on the phone last week. It was so nice to chat with her:) This one is Kate's and we happened to notice that it matched her dress the day after we made it.
The S is black mini polka dots for our family. And the T is a fall toile for Harry's teacher.
Then, Will wanted me to make some for his two favorite teachers. I am going to make 3 pumpkins that spell out "BOO" for a counter between my kitchen and hallway too.
To make the monogrammed pumpkins~simply find a font you like and print it out (large font). Use it as a template to cut the initial out of paper (I used scrapbook paper). Then modge podge it to either a real or artificial pumpkin. Modge podge the entire pumpkin. Easy-peasy. You cannot mess this up!
Harry is having a blast playing soccer this Fall. He plays sweeper and he is awesome!
Will went to his homecoming dance last week (I felt SO old!) and he is joining Speech and Debate. He has become quite a social butterfly in middle school. However, he had a GREAT report card too. I don't have a photo of him because he is way too cool for that.
On a serious note...I have spent a lot of time reading about the corruption in Chinese Adoption and I am completely devastated. My whole belief system about our adoption process has been challenged and I am sick about it. I feel shaken to the core. I was very naive. I plan to blog about it someday when I can compose myself emotionally.
Hi Kim
ReplyDeleteThis is totally non-related to this post but bought this wonderful baking book today that I thought you'd find useful with your family's allergy issues.
It's called Red Velvet & Chocolate Heartache by Harry Eastwood. www.amazon.co.uk/Red-Velvet-Chocolate-Heartache.../0593062361 (not sure if I've copied and pasted the link correctly as I'm posting from my phone).
Most of the recipes are dairy and wheat free but uses rice flour, veggies and ground almonds (hope there aren't any nut allergies in your family). It sounds almost too good to be true (healthy veg & nut cakes?!) and am waiting for the weekend to test some of it out.
Hope this is of use.
Happy Baking
Shiew Yuin
I made the modge podge pumpkins last year using Kristi's help. They are so much fun... I love the idea of making three for "BOO". I might just have to try that too. Thanks for the suggestion.
ReplyDeleteHey Kim.
ReplyDeleteI love love love the monogrammed pumpkins. I will be doing that in a couple of days.
Thanks for sharing!
Kim
Kim,
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the pumpkins!
Once again so elegant!
Kate is as gorgeous as ever in her green!(She can wear anything though!)
Harry looks as if he really is enjoying that soccer game!
Great to hear that your Social butter-fly had a GOOD report card too!
So, sorry that you are shaken over the China corruption!
I know it must be disturbing,to you!
Just know the LORD will comfort
you emotionally!
Thabks so much for the up-date
Hugs and Love!
Cindy
Love the pumpkins! I also seen another great 'monogrammed' pumpkin idea on another blog using paints. I can't wait to try some of these fun projects myself...maybe this weekend! ;)
ReplyDeleteAnd I, too, have ready some of the scary stories that have surfaced about China adoptions. I know it's not all over, but it's still happened nonetheless, and it makes my heart sick, too.
Hugs,
Tanya
Gosh your pumpkins are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLove this idea, maybe I'll try it! :)
Jill
PS - Love Kate's artwork too!
Those pumpkins are adorable as is your little Kate! May have to try my hand at one or two of those too!
ReplyDeleteHarry looks like a natural and Will going to homecoming -- oh my -such fun times at your house!
Janet
Those pumpkins are adorable. Such a great craft to do with the kiddies.
ReplyDeleteI just read the article you posted about some of the adoptions in China. I couldn't even finish the article because it was so heart wrenching. I can't imagine the pain the families are going through after having a child taken away. My thoughts and prayers are with all the families affected by it.
Susie
I love, love, love your monogrammed pumpkins! I am completely craft challenged -- I don't even own any modge podge!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe Will is old enough for Homecoming. Time flies when you are having fun!
Hope you have a great weekend!
I understand why you are upset. When I was in China for our son there was such a "material" feel to the whole process, like they are a commodity. Exchange of crisp, clean bills for the babies. I can see how easily human nature, greed, could become a part of a beautiful gift if the system is not being monitored with honesty. Prayers for peace in your heart for you and your husband. You are good people.
ReplyDelete~Katie~
I love the pumpkins! My children are so excited about Halloween this year!
ReplyDeleteHuman trafficing is very upsetting and disturbing. I'm truly sorry this is happening and hope for healing for all who are affected. Hugs to you all. The ONE is in charge and I believe those who have done terrible things will receive their reward.
the pumpkins are so sweet ... just like your lil' pumpkins!
ReplyDeleteThe pumpkins are adorable! I will have to try that!
ReplyDeleteOK - What is Modge Podge???????? Can you believe my Mom was a Home-ec Teacher...
ReplyDeleteLove them... And, I would love to do it for a dinner party on the 24th. We may have to chat about this!
Hugs,
Di
These pumpkins are just darling!! What a great idea.I love the fall toile one. Sounds like your peanuts have been busy having fun- hope all is well!
ReplyDeleteEmily
These pumpkins are just darling!! What a great idea.I love the fall toile one. Sounds like your peanuts have been busy having fun- hope all is well!
ReplyDeleteEmily
LOVE the pumpkins.. I will have to try this..
ReplyDeleteHave a great week..
Hugs..
It looks like you have been very crafty despite your challenge! I grew up eating, breathing and living soccer. My father was the varsity coach for our high school and worked with the MSU team in his "free" time. My brother has played soccer for most of his life ~ traveling teams, high school, college and even now in his more mature years : ) Way to go for good grades! Just wait until he goes to the prom ~ talk about feeling out ~ ugh!
ReplyDeleteJo
Thanks for the super cute idea. I may be doing this too.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about the adoption process. I hope it all works out asap. The poor children who must be involved, as well as the waiting families.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the pumpkin sharing - what a terrific idea! And it has Three Peanuts written all over it! I am LOVING the font you chose!
Ok we are SOOO going to make those cute pumpkins. Lily and Ty would love that fun project.
ReplyDeleteWhat a festive idea! Thanks for sharing!
The whole adoption corruption issue is devastating. It has been on my mind since I first heard about it. When I first received some of the articles it was all I could do to read through them.
It is heartbreaking to us as adoptive families and to the birth families.
Your monogrammed pumpkins are so lovely! I painted some last year, but love the idea of scrapbook papers! Great gifts! Isn't Modge Podge the best? I use it on so much! :0
ReplyDeleteI have to learn to read more closely. I thought it said Mammogrammed pumpkins at first.
ReplyDeleteThe Monogrammed pumpkins are great!
I love the pumpkins. I have seen these on some other blogs and love them. I think I am going to have to make some before the season is over!
ReplyDeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteI ADORE these pumpkins! Jane and I must attempt them. Are they real or gorgeous fakes?
Super cute and adorable pumpkins!! I am going to have to try that with little princess.
ReplyDeleteI so enjoy reading your posts!
Jody
The pumpkins are so cute! I might have to make a few myself.
ReplyDeleteStephanie
http://www.eyeballgirl.com
If you are craft challenged, I think it's been conquered...your pumpkins are great. Sounds like the 3 peanuts have been busy. I love Miss Kate's dimples. I'm a little hesitant because "ignorance is bliss", but I'm linking over to read this article.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love those pumpkins! What a fun (and apparently easy?) craft. Although I have been told by my boys to stop monogramming everything....
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to read about the adoption corruption that is shaking you. I look forward to reading what you have to say about it when you are ready...
Gabi
Love those pumpkins! I'm going to try it!
ReplyDeleteLove your pumpkins Martha...I mean Kim! You crack me up with how you always say how uncrafty you are...I wouldn't even attempt that! Really they are beautiful. My kids will have to deal with my feeble attempts to make a jack o lantern without messing it up.
ReplyDeleteI read the story you linked to and was heartbroken. I am slowly trying to process the implications of this myself.
Let's try and catch up next week~
Kim,
ReplyDeleteAlthough I am sure that some of what the reporter wrote in her article does go on, she wrote it from an original article from shanghaidaily.com, here:
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2009/200907/20090702/article_406089.htm
-----------------------------------
Another interesting site that I found is this one,it's an "anti-trafficking" site thru the United Nations:
http://www.no-trafficking.org/china.html
----------------------------------
One other thing that I feel is noteworthy is that even mr.stuy,on his blog said:
"Brian
9/08/2009 9:46 AM My children obviously hear a lot more about adoption, orphanages, etc., than most children. Few families know for certain how their child came into the orphanage, who the birth family was, etc. Even the most recent story from Luoyang is filled with sub-stories that cloud what actually happened. My intent is to simply communicate that uncertainty to my children -- I don't know. My youngest daughter comes from Luoyang, an orphanage for which there are many questions. When she is old enough to ask those questions, I will give her as much as I know. But at the end of the day most families don't have easy access to the circumstances behind their child's finding. Our Birth Family Report is specifically designed to bring actual data to these kind of questions."
mr.stuy also said:
"Brian
9/08/2009 11:48 AM
I don't think it is healthy to introduce possibilities to our children that may not be (and probably aren't) true. While there are cases of kidnapped children being adopted internationally, these are in the vast minority. I prefer to keep quiet what I don't know, acknowledge my lack of definitive truth, and leave it open for my children to sort out."
-----------------------------------
Kim, he says "there are cases of kidnapped children being adopted internationally, these are in the vast minority" so please try not to worry too much and enjoy your family!!
PS:your pumpkings are lovely!
Nancy
Nancy,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment and response. I appreciate it and will go read those sources. I am so glad that other people are researching this topic. I agree that the kidnapping might be rare. However, it seems that trafficking is much more common and that also concerns me greatly.
Thank you again for you insightful comment. I am hoping more people will enter into the dialogue.
Kim
Those are the cutest pumpkins! Thanks for the cute idea!
ReplyDeleteSo cute! I am heading to MIchael's for some Modge Podge right now!
ReplyDeleteThere is so much in this post! First, I wanted to say that I think that the photo of Kate with her pumpkin is really stunning.
ReplyDeleteThe boys sound like they are having a good time in their activities and are growing up...dances, speech and debate...wow!
The corruption issue is emotionally overwhelming. It is all so very complex. I almost wish we could have an "offline" yahoo group or something about it just to toss our thoughts around.
....because he is way too cool for that. I laughed out loud! How lucky he is to have a Mom who clearly "gets it"!! Bravo!!
ReplyDeleteHated to read the article- but thank you for providing it. I imagine there are so many thoughts in your head and heart. Stay strong in your faith.
The pumpkins are precious! I am surprised you are not crafty! I would think you would be by how good you are at photography and decorating! I am not a good artist or very crafty myself. I am very sad for you about that news story. My heart goes out to you.
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to try ModgePodge. After seeing your cute pumpkins, I went out and bought some today, and a pumpkin, and now have a very cute little pumpkin with our monogram on it! I love this idea!
ReplyDeleteLaura
((Peace for your heart as you process all the adoption information))
I've always wanted to try ModgePodge. After seeing your cute pumpkins, I went out and bought some today, and a pumpkin, and now have a very cute little pumpkin with our monogram on it! I love this idea!
ReplyDeleteLaura
((Peace for your heart as you process all the adoption information))
Those pumpkins are super cute!
ReplyDeleteKim, I had to come back to this post after letting it sit on my heart for a few days! This "corruption in Chinese adoption" story was just so hard for me to even read! However, NOT READING does not make it all go away, or even say "it does not exist"!
ReplyDeleteTo imagine these emotionally devastated parents wonder where there children are, just tore my heart apart! I would like to believe that this is the "kidnapping stories" are in the "vast minority", but still ONE child is ONE too many!
When I read where the mother said "if they could just see a picture of their child" I literally cried!
I pray for these families, I pray for their heartbreak. I pray for the children. I pray for the families that welcome them to their American homes!
Kim, thank you for yet again, bringing yet another REALITY of adoption (international)!Your blog is more than just a place to meet and chat, it has become a place to learn and to grow! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.
Kim, I will be anxious to read your post on the corruption in Chinese Adoptions. I just tell myself that we went through the process with the purest of intentions. It's sickening to think about how the process has changed the course of so many lives...
ReplyDeletelove the pumpkins, If you want to wander down my road I’m home.
ReplyDeleteThe pumpkins are TOO CUTE. I have never used modge podge. I have not heard about the corruption in Chinese adoption. That breaks my heart. Praying for you!
ReplyDeleteDarling pumpkins. I made some last year with a black intial, but the pattern papers are a great touch!
ReplyDeleteI adore the pumpkins and will one day get around to copying the idea.
ReplyDeleteThe corruption in China adoptions has shaken me to the core as well....as you know. I am still still in the processing mode...
I AODRE those pumpkins! My college BFF sent me a Pierre Deux covered pumpkin! It's cute but I want to get some fabric and have a go at it myself -- I think I could do better ;)
ReplyDeleteI have tons of mod podge and great paper... need some pumpkins tho!