All Roads Lead Home - Custom Images

I am sooo excited about this! I have been brainstorming about something creative, something fun and something that means something special to each family. I have gone over and over in my head different things, but in the end, nothing seemed 'just right'...until this. I am in LOVE with these images.

You see, each family, whether, biological or adoptive, is different. Each family came to each other differently. It all started with love, and then a family grew.

How did you meet? Were you neighbors growing up? Did you meet in college? Blind date? Chance meeting at the ballpark? Fender bender at the local grocery store? Did you start your family at once? Go through a journey to meet your child/ren? Move a million times in between each child? Or grow your family in the same town you grew up?

See...we are all very very different! Your journey is just that...YOUR journey, and no one else will ever have the same story!

I created this image for our family and fell in love. Hubs and I were born in the same state, about 30 minutes (and a year-ish) from one another. One child was born in another state and another child in another country. Our beginnings all looked different, but all roads led home...to our family. It is our journey...and our journey is not over yet!

I ran out today and had a quick print made of our family image. I LOVE it!! I had hoped to have it matted and framed for this photo, but the afternoon got crazy so here it is! I have big plans for the kids hallway and it includes this print!

Wouldn't you love a custom image like this for YOUR family, to represent YOUR journey? Awesome! Simply click the donate button under this image, and don't forget to add the following info about your family:
Husband: State or Country born
Wife: State or Country born
Children: Current age, gender, Country or state born
And please make sure I have your email address. 

Once your custom image is created, I will simply email it to you and you can print at the location of your choice. Just that easy! And I would LOVE to see yours once you have it printed! If you are on instagram, you can tag me @brinawynne and #themessageisclear

Update 4/28/14: I am overwhelmed with the response from each of you! I knew *I* loved this, but had no idea if anyone else would. Thank you so much!!! Sooo, to answer a few questions that have been asked the last couple of days.

Can the quote be different? YES! If you have something in mind, just let me know. 

I don't see a spot to leave my information? Just add it in the 'notes' to seller spot in paypal.

I forgot to leave my information? No problem, email me at foreverblessedbyadoption@gmail.com

We were all born in the same state...ours will looking boring! Nope, I will use different maps to mix it up a bit.

What size are these? Good question! I'm trying to size so that you will have the option to crop to the size needed. However, with larger families, panoramic really is the best option. 

Where do I get these printed? Anywhere really, but I've found just running to the local print shop (Office Depot, Office Max etc) works well. They can work with the size you need and adjust/crop etc. Since the image background is white, it is easier for them to work with to if you need it printed on a larger size than what I have created. I chose a white matte cardstock for mine and love it.

What is your turn-around time? I'm trying my best to get these back within 48-72 hours. Just a quick as I can!

Do you need the city we were born? No, I'm really focusing on the state (or country if born outside the USA) instead of the city. 

Are the maps you use old? I'm using all types of maps, so yes, many are old. Many look aged and some are new with bright colors. I'm using them all, because I think a wide variety represents the many different people that we are.  

4/29/14: I am working on orders from 4/28 today. I am going with Hulk on a feild trip tomorrow so if you message me and I don't reply it's because I'll be hanging out with several of my favorite 8 and 9 year olds. :) I promise, I am trying my very best to get these out just as quickly as I can. And again...a million thank you's to each of you!!!!

$20 and I will have it back to you within 48-72 hours. 

And....THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! 

I hope we can announce some big news soon, and as always, ask for your continued prayers!
Either way, I will update our journey later this week. :)

Don't forget that Mother's Day is just around the corner. A gift for yourself perhaps? What about an image representing grandchildren? So many options!

Adding a few that I've created....

 

Notice anything? Yep...every one is different, just like every family is different!

Spring Cleaning - Refreshing the Shutters

Now that Spring is finally here, I'm getting motivated to fix up a few things around the house. This happens every Spring, and every year, we manage to let things slip by. For about a month, Hubs and I have been trying to decide what color to paint the shutters and front door. And the shutters are vinyl, so do we paint or just purchase new ones? They look awful and we have to do something. ugh! Well, who knows, because we can't come to a decision about the color. We just can't agree. What I REALLY want, he doesn't want at all. That's typically the way it goes, right? That's fine!

When we moved into this house several years ago, the shutters were already starting to fade, and it's just been worse and worse over the years. And since we can't come to a decision on color, I quit putting thought into it. Until this week, when I walked past the bucket of car wash supplies.

Ding Ding Ding!!

These are vinyl shutters! Surely this would work right?

Less than 10 minutes later and all of the shutters are finished...and they look great! I mean, they look brand new! Maybe this is knowledge that everyone has....but I clearly had no idea that this could be an option. I'm attaching a photo of a couple of windows with one completed and the others in there old sad state of fading. Whoa what a difference! I left that one done for a couple of days. I knew rain was coming and wanted to see what would happen. Rain came and rain went, and the shutter remained the same. Now...will I have to redo these soon? I have no idea, but for now, I could not be any happier! And even if I need to redo them soon...what's 10 minutes, vs painting or even worse purchasing new shutters?

A fresh coat of paint on the front and back doors and I'm calling it done!

Family needed for 10 Year old Boy!

First, let me cover some bases please. I do NOT work for or am I affiliated with any adoption professional...I'm just a mom with a heart for children and a mom who has been blessed a million times over by adoption. 

I've been in the adoption community for awhile and from time to time am asked if I know of families that may be interested in certain situations. Sometimes I do...and other times I do not. In those cases, I ask everyone I know and often find a connection. 

More and more recently, I've been contacted about sharing information via my blog. I have put a lot of thought and prayer over doing this. Over the past few months I have watched as several new families have been created by the power of social media and blog networking. So, with that said, here is a new adoption opportunity that has been asked to be shared via this blog. I will post new information if any is given at a later date. For now, the only information I can share is listed here. Contact the adoption professional listed for additional information or to ask any questions. 
As with any adoption opportunity, please do your own research on any adoption professionals. 

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PLEASE NOTE:
 To be considered you must have a current Home Study! Please do not inquire if you do not have a current homestudy. Time is crucial in finding this young boy a family, and inquiring without the needed requirements only takes time away from sorting through families who could possibly move forward. Thank you for understanding! If you would like to help this child, please forward this blog post to anyone you think may be interested.

4/15/14 - Posted

10 year old African boy, currently living on the West Coast. Any family, with a current homestudy, can inquire for more information regarding this young man. He can be adopted by a family in any state.

This young man was adopted from an African orphanage at the age of 4. He is very healthy and has not missed any school due to illness. He is nearsighted and requires glasses. He hasn't had any surgeries, is not allergic to foods or medications. He has no mental or physical disabilities. 

He is a smart boy showing strength in mathematics. He receives good grades in school and tests at grade level in all subjects. 

There is additional information to those who are currently homestudy approved and genuinely interested in this possibility.

If you would like additional information, please contact Marian at marian@loveandhopeadoptions.org

Please share with your friends...you never know who his new family will be!

Oh where oh where have I been?

Wow, I just looked back and realized that it has been a long time since I've updated the blog!

Whoops! I've had a few people ask about our adoption journey and if we had any updates? Well, not really. We have presented to a couple of moms over the last couple of months but we have not been the right family. And that is totally ok. See we are in this journey because we felt led to have an 'open door' for adoption. If God wants us to adopt again, than He will allow it to happen. He will allow our child to find us and us to find our child. While it's hard not to get our hopes up when we hear about a child being placed for adoption, we have to remind ourselves, that if this is the child God has meant for us, then it will happen. It is not in our hands. We simply pray that when we present our profile to a mother considering adoption, that she is able to see exactly who we are. And that if she feels connected to us, that she will choose us. But we want her to find the perfect family that she is looking for...and that may not be us. And that is ok.

People are often asked how they can help:

First, simply pray for mothers considering adoption. Pray that she are at total peace with their decision. Pray that if she wants to parent, that she will find a way. Pray that if adoption is the choice, that she finds the right family. And pray that if we are that family, that we all have a wonderful connection. 

Share. If you hear of a mother considering adoption or a baby/child looking for a family, let us know. Share about our family. Share this blog. You never know who will see. We are not signed with an agency or a specific organization this time. We are flexible in all things and our hope for a child is wide open. Any gender, any race, medical needs, drug exposure and up to 4.

Funding. This is the hardest part of adoption (other then the emotional side that it can bring). I hate that adoption involves money...but it does. Even in the most simple adoption, legal fees are involved. But in most cases, there are legal fees for all parties, agency fees, medical fees for mother and baby, travel expense (often weeks away in another state), post placement fees and finalization court fees. It adds up and sadly we just don't have it on hand. BUT we do believe whole heartily that God funds what He favors. So while we are here saving every extra nickle and dime we can, there may also come a time when we launch another fundraiser to help put a little back. I ask that if that happens, that you help us by sharing, praying for the fundraiser and contributing if you feel led.

So, that is a quick update! Other things going on:
Baseball season has started once again. We are at the ballpark at least 2 nights a week watching Hulk play. I love this season! There is just something about watching your son play ball while eating peanuts. ah! Love it!!!

Bug has always loved gymnastics, but the last several weeks has shown amazing improvements. She has always been in a small preschool class (5 or less kiddos), but for the past several weeks, her class has been smaller and smaller resulting in several weeks of privates with her awesome teacher. I have been amazed at her focus and determination. Looks like Level 1 is just around the corner!