Sunday Snapshot {Where have we been}

Where have we been? Nowhere really except in the land of BUSY!!! Life is busy with 3 little ones to keep up with, not to mention the little ones we both keep up with at school. So needless to say I have neglected my blog once again. But I am here today with a quick update. Thought I would just update on all three of the kiddos and let you know that his momma is is doing good. My new 31 business is being blessed by leaps and bounds and we are so grateful!! We have needed that extra income, but it has kept me busy. But, at the same time I have gotten to make some new friends, and reconnect with old friends so it has been a blessing in more ways than one. Now onto my sweeties, youngest first.

Sweet Ainsley is growing and changing so much. She is starting to say some words: bye-bye, nite-nite, more, mama, daddy, and she tries to say Ethan and Charlotte but those are hard. Oh, and bunny-she LOVES her bunny. We would be lost without him, so I hope we never lose him. She is walking and running, and letting us know when she does not get her way. She has a little bit of a temper, I tell you, she KNOWS what she wants and when she wants it. I have no idea where she gets it from. Here are some recent shots of our little Ainsley-boo. Oh and to my mom's delight, I am pretty sure her eyes are changing and are going to be green. My mom has green eyes so she is THRILLED.

So Charlotte has started taking dance class and LOVES it.  She practices at home, and looks forward to Fridays so much.  She is also really starting to progress in her speech.  She is starting to leave spaces between words and syllables which makes it so much clearer.  She is working on isolating sounds and the it is starting to improve everyday!  She can write her whole name-bad mommy gave her such a long one.  She can identify all of her upper case letters and loves to play on the computer.  We still have our struggles and some days are better than others but she is going to be OK, I know.  It just takes lots of work and lots of love.  And when I think of how far she has come in her 3 years at home, it really is incredible.  I think I missed posting about Gotcha Day, we celebrated 3 years on November 5th.  The time has gone by so quickly, but I don't remember life without our sweet girl.



And finally, our oldest Ethan!!  As you can see he is all about soccer, soccer, soccer!!  He just tryed out for a travel team and made it!  We are very proud of him, he works really hard to be the best he can be.  He is a especially great Goal Keeper!  Besides his success on the field, he also made all A's the first nine weeks of fourth grade and is just the best big brother around.  He is just a super kid-we love him-lots!!



And so there you have it a little about where we have been....just busy!  Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas. I will be back soon with our year in review.

Big Give-away at Ni Hao Ya'll

Check out this awesome give-away!! 30 days of free stuff. Merry Christmas!!

Sunday Snapshot {She is starting to GET it}

So the questions are beginning....she wants to look at her China books all the time now. Wants to know who those ladies are, where we are in her Gotcha pictures. She asked if we had to call the police to find her when she was lost in China, and then we got her. We answer her questions, on her level and keep an open dialog. We want her to understand everything about being adopted but on her level and with what her 4 year old mind can process. She knows that Ainsley was in mommy's tummy but she was not and that God told mommy and daddy when it was time to come to China and bring her home. She knows she came home on an airplane. And just this week she finally made the connection that some China Girls live in orphanages and she did too. She told her daddy this week, "Daddy, I want to go to China and hug all the babies. I want to tell them that I love them and that their mommys and daddys are coming soon!" Melt your heart right. She also tells me that when she was in China she couldn't wait for me to come and bring her home. So much to process for such a sweet, innocent, little heart. Such a legacy to bear, but we are so honored that God chose us to be a part of His story and Charlotte's story.


And we will help her the best we can, every step of the way!!

Sunday Snapshot {1 year Portraits}

Enjoy my sweet girl!!

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Sunday Snapshot {My Baby is 1-what?!?}

I can't even believe it at all, it really makes me kind of sad.  But, my baby girl is 1 already!!  I tell people all the time if Ainsley had been the first and all the babies after her were like her we would have a house full-ha!!  She is just a sweet tempered thing, usually entertains herself, and loves to cuddle.  A girl after her mommy's heart for sure.  We celebrated her 1st Birthday with family and her very own cake.  I was picturing her just digging in-but she was very lady like and just took small bites.

Our sweet Birthday Girl!

I think Charlotte was more excited than Ainsley.  She helped blow out the candles.

He loves his baby sister so much!!  A great big bro!

Tried for good pic of girls, but too much excitement :(

That cake is all for me?

Okay I will try a little!

Mmmm that was good, need more!

Love the icing covered lips!

Uh, Oh-foot in the cake.

She looks like I caught her doing somethng in this one!!  Lots of fun with our sweet girl on her 1st birthday!

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Remember Lucy!!!

Do you guys remember sweet Lucy!! 

I posted about her a few times some months back.  You can read about her here.  Well just saw on another blog I follow that Lucy is HOME!!!  She is with her family and has been for about a month.  Her name is now Theresa and she is doing well.  Still in need of a new heart.. and she has a heart cath today so please pray for this sweet girl.  And please click on over to her family's blog and see her now and leave a comment to let them know you are praying.  Oh, how this makes my heart so full!!  I love our God and am so happy that I get to witness his miraculous works all around me.

My NEW BUSINESS!!!

Hey everyone,
I know I have been absent from my blog as of late, but I have been busy!!  I have a new business and I am so excited about it!!!  I am an Independent Thirty-One Consultant!  Thirty-One is faith based company that Celebrates-Encourages-Rewards Women.  I know God is really going to bless my family through this new business.

The name comes from Proverbs 31:

10-31

"A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.

Her husband trusts her without reserve,

and never has reason to regret it.

Never spiteful, she treats him generously

all her life long.

She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,

and enjoys knitting and sewing.

She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places

and brings back exotic surprises.

She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast

for her family and organizing her day.

She looks over a field and buys it,

then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.

First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.

She senses the worth of her work,

is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.

She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,

diligent in homemaking.

She's quick to assist anyone in need,

reaches out to help the poor.

She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;

their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.

She makes her own clothing,

and dresses in colorful linens and silks.

Her husband is greatly respected

when he deliberates with the city fathers.

She designs gowns and sells them,

brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.

Her clothes are well-made and elegant,

and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.

When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,

and she always says it kindly.

She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,

and keeps them all busy and productive.

Her children respect and bless her;

her husband joins in with words of praise:

"Many women have done wonderful things,

but you've outclassed them all!"

Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.

The woman to be admired and praised

is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.

Give her everything she deserves!"

Festoon her life with praises!

Translation The Message

I am so excited to see what God has in store! I had my first party last night, with some friends and it was so much fun.  I can't wait to see all the new friends I make through this venture.  And I wanted to invite my bloggy friends to my first online party too!!!  Here are the details:

Mystery Hostess Online Party for Thirty-One Gifts!!

When: August 22nd 8pm

But, there's no need to get dressed and drive over...only log on to your computer in your cozy PJ’s!
There are 2 ways to get in on the fun!!! And be entered into a drawing to win all of the Hostess Benefits!
1. Place an online order (via website or email) no later than Aug. 22nd at 10pm.
2. Log into Facebook~Carla’s Thirty One Gifts Page on Aug. 22nd at 8pm.
If you log in to Facebook on Sunday night, I will do an online product demonstration via Facebook. During the presentation you will have a chance to win some free stuff. For example I will say: okay the 5th comment on this post will win a FREE KEY FOB-the person to make the 5th comment will win the prize. At the end of the night, you will have a chance to place your order online or emailed before 10pm. Everyone who places an order will then be entered into a drawing to win the HOSTESS BENEFITS-which will include at least one half-off item and at least $20 in free products. As the Mystery Hostess, you will also have until Aug. 29th to get outside orders to add to your show and increase your benefits!

If you just want to learn more about Thirty-One products please attend the online presentation!! You will still be eligible to win FREE STUFF!!

Here’s what I need from you to participate:
1. To be eligible to receive the Hostess Benefits you must place an order no later than Aug. 22nd at 10pm.
2. To participate in the online demonstration and win FREE STUFF you must be a fan of Carla’s Thirty One Gifts on Facebook.
3. The mystery hostess may get outside orders to add to her party, but must be completed no later than Aug. 29th.
4. If you are local to me, you can just pay regular shipping and I will deliver your products to you. If you are not local you will need to pay an extra $4 shipping charge to have your order shipped directly to your house.
5. Only credit card payments will be accepted for online parties like this one.

Here’s what you will get from me:
1. I will give lots of info about our incredible Thirty-One products.
2. I will choose one of the participants to be the mystery hostess and she will receive all the hostess benefits.
3. I promise it will be a fun night!!

To RSVP for the event, please comment on this note or blog post. I need to know if you are planning on participating to move forward with the online show! If you would like to email your order please let me know in your comment so that I can send you an interactive order form.



Here is a link to the online catalog so that you can browse and create your wish list.
http://www.mythirtyone.com/content/catalog.aspx

To place order online go to my Website:
http://mythirtyone.com/carlalewter

Click on my events and it's the August online party to place your order!

Don’t forget the August Customer Special is $1 embroidery on everything!!! That is a $5 savings per item.
With birthdays, Christmas, school and teacher gifts just around the corner, it is the perfect time to shop!
For questions regarding ordering, hosting your own party, or becoming a consultant, please contact:
lewtercarla@yahoo.com

Happy Shopping!

Of the 6% of women in the United States that earn over $100,000 per year, 80% of them are in the direct sales business!  This could be you!!!!

*****I can't guarantee the Mystery Hostess any benefits. The party sales must be at least $200 to receive benefits. If the total sales are less than $200, no benefits will be given.******

Sunday Snapshot {Sisters}

Here are my sweet girls enjoying a snack together while mommy vaccumed! They sat so nice and still in the brown chair until I was all finished. I have to remember this trick for next time I guess. And in looking at these pictures, I can't believe how big they are both getting. And isn't Charlotte so tan, I use 50spf sunscreen on her everytime she is in the sun. Wish I could get dark like that! Enjoy your day everyone!