Elisha's Garden: A picture post

Welcome to 

Not flesh of my flesh

or bone of my bone

But still miraculously my own.

Never forget for a single minute

You didn't grow under my heart

but in it.

"Elisha's Garden" sign: chalkboard paint on canvas (bought years ago)
Flower and butterfly decals: Target 
Plastic flower garden: Flower cups in spring section at Hobby Lobby + rub-on transfer faces (on clearance, Michaels, $.29, oh yeah!). Dowel rods stems and leaves covered in contact paper from Target.
Tree: Leftover kitchen paint (Home Depot, Apple Core by Behr), painted by me (and darn proud of it, hehe)
Bedding: Target Circo Happy Flower Toddler bedding in lavender. (Scored off Craigslist for $9!)
Pink rug: Garland Flower Power rug, walmart.com (thanks Mom for the awesome find!)
Lighting: Ikea (bought years ago)
Giant nylon butterflies and dragonflies and tablelamp: Gifted by Tamraz family (Thanks!!)
Wall Color: Martha Stewart "Sea Glass"

One Week!

We leave a week from today.

To say I am ready is an understatement.

It feels very much like anticipating giving birth. The excitement, the fear, the joy, the wondering what other projects we should have accomplished before baby arrives.

We have been trying to prepare for a mobile newborn. Because, really, that's what she is. In our world, she is an infant. Everything is brand new. Doorknobs. Lamps. Toilets. TV.  The kitchen. Her own room. Literally everything she encounters will be a first experience. The difference between her and an infant is that she can climb. And run. And pull and explore...
yeah, I'm a little nervous about what's to come.

And still, I am SO ready for her to come home.

Books 'N' Butterflies!

We’re having a

BOOKS ‘N’ BUTTERFLIES

celebration in honor of
Elisha’s 4^th Birthday!

Elisha will soon fly free,

but she is one of many who get left behind. 

This year, we will honor Elisha's birthday through the donation of books for the other children at the orphanage. 

We were surprised, and thankful, to see how well these children are cared for. 

There is very little that they need, (other than families of their own.)

They have toys, they have medicine, they have food and clothes. 

One thing, however, that we noticed was missing:

BOOKS

In fact, it's not that books are non-existent; they are just in terrible shape, due to the slew of little hands that aren't quite sure just how to nicely turn the pages to look at the pictures. 

Would you like to help us donate books to the children at Elisha's orphanage? 

There are two ways to donate: 

1. Make a donation in any amount (suggested donation per book is $5-10) to the ChipIn on this page by February 15th. I will purchase books for the orphanage based on the amount of money donated. If there is a particular book you would like to have purchased, please leave me an email or a comment. Due to shipping charges, I find it most economical to purchase and carry the books over myself, rather than have individuals make purchases and have to pay more for shipping.

AND/OR

2. CLICK HERE TO SHOP ONLINE through February 15th on my Usborne Books and More website. 25% of the sales will be added to the ChipIn total for more book donations. This is a GREAT way to make purchases for your own children or as gifts (Usborne are THE best books!) and at the same time give a little something to someone kids in need as well.

THANK YOU FOR CELEBRATING ELISHA'S BIRTHDAY WITH US!

Who's Counting?

Seventeen days from now, our daughter will turn another year older. Her final birthday without a family.
Eighteen days from now, we make our final flight to our daughter's homeland.
Nineteen days from now, we'll be achy, uncomfortable, cramped on an airplane... but so thankful to be on our way.
Twenty days from now, we will make our final visit to the city where our daughter was born.
Twenty-one days from now, we will sign the piece of paper that officially frees Elisha from life as an orphan.
Twenty-two days from now, we will head to the remote corner of the world that Elisha has spent the last four years of her life.
Twenty-three days from now, Elisha will step out of door of an orphanage and never again have to step foot inside again.
Twenty-four... Twenty-five... Twenty-six.

In just twenty-six days, Elisha comes home forever.
Elisha comes home to her family.
Forever.