tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72496941628374189662024-03-05T01:26:18.952-05:00Two Cats and a CradleAn Adoption StoryJenn :Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03321417953344433109noreply@blogger.comBlogger163125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249694162837418966.post-2386772253104455092018-06-28T19:00:00.000-04:002018-06-29T08:04:58.900-04:00Dreams Do Come True<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">After six years of waiting, hoping, and dreaming our forever family finally came true. In May 2017, we were matched with the greatest loves of our lives - two smart, funny, talented, and beautiful daughters. In March of 2018, our adoption was final. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">As 2017 approached, Marlon and I started talking about the past six years, how different our life is from 2011, and what we hoped for in the future. We quickly realized that a newborn may not be the best fit for our family anymore. Our home study was amended in January of 2017 to include older children. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">In May, we were contacted by a birth family about sisters. It felt right. It felt like divine intervention. A couple of weeks later, we were on plane to meet them. It was love at first sight. The connection was immediate. We knew that these girls were our daughters. We found each other! We had a tearful goodbye with the girls and headed home. I cried all the way to the airport. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The next month felt like an eternity in preparation of us becoming a forever family. On June 17, 2017, our daughters came home with us. It's been an incredible year. Parenting is an adventure. I've never been so tired, at times frustrated, rewarded, and blissfully happy in my life. Before I go to bed each night, I go into their room and look at their sweet sleeping faces and think, “how did I get so lucky?” Their birth family has been amazingly loving and supportive; we're all learning how to be one big family. That means the world to me because you can never have too many people that love you.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">This journey has changed who we are, taught us to never give up, people are always cheering for you, to forgive, to be open, to get up when you get knocked down, and most of all to love bigger and greater than we ever could imagine.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">I truly believe that we were waiting for them. Without a doubt, our family was worth the wait. This chapter has closed and we're now off doing all the things that families do. Thank you for your unwavering support and love. You held us when we were down and cheered for us along the way. Marlon and I want to express our sincere gratitude to you for being there for us throughout the years. Instead of two cats and cradle, we have two cats, two daughters, and bunk beds and it's absolutely perfect!</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tLVzjH5SlaaBTGNShLuYWxh0eiwxdM_RYUIdQAyXitnNnNsYCsufb5bHgF4uxXXQhhHSehmNC4oFMuBgmp9rFWHd79aNXxVl4bIFjAqoZ0I5woYNF944akSQ5WQIzOIrK3JHx5H1RFkm/s1600/34730453_1174715602670302_1199246218702618624_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tLVzjH5SlaaBTGNShLuYWxh0eiwxdM_RYUIdQAyXitnNnNsYCsufb5bHgF4uxXXQhhHSehmNC4oFMuBgmp9rFWHd79aNXxVl4bIFjAqoZ0I5woYNF944akSQ5WQIzOIrK3JHx5H1RFkm/s640/34730453_1174715602670302_1199246218702618624_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/kathrynecrowephotography/" target="_blank">Kathryne Crowe Photography, 2018</a></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>Jenn :Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03321417953344433109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249694162837418966.post-52695819396970862452016-11-16T11:16:00.000-05:002016-11-16T11:16:00.094-05:00It's Good to Be the Cheesiest!There a new Queen of Cheese in town! I won the 5th Annual Grilled Cheese cook-off competition at my office. My competition was stiff and their recipes were inventive and delicious, so I was genuinely surprised and thrilled when my name was announced!<br />
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I planned to go with either a cinnamon toast, cream cheese grilled cheese or a take on apple pie and cheddar sandwich, but Marlon convinced me that meat and cheese was the way to go. So my sandwich was inspired by the White Castle slider. A guilty pleasure. It turned out great.<br />
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The morning of the competition, I realized that I used most of the Velveeta and all of the onion in my test batche<span style="font-size: small;">s</span>. Luckily, I have the best sister in the land and she went to the store and brought me my missing ingredients at 7:30 in the morning! Thank you, sister!!<br />
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On competition day, I let my butter soften until griddle time. I organized all my ingredient and started make my sandwiches. They were coming out perfect! The bread was golden brown, the cheese was melting nicely, and my co-workers had happy faces! They even came back for second tastes!<br />
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The votes were counted and I won by 2! I told you the competition was stiff! I was crowned the queen of cheese. I've always been a cheesehead though! Enjoy the recipe!<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“The Crave,” a White
Castle inspired grilled cheese </span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sunbeam white bread<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>Unsalted,
softened butter</span></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Velveeta cheese slice<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>Colby
cheese slice</span></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Copycat White Castle burger<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Steamed
Minced onions</span></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Place one slice of bread with softened butter on the griddle, butter side down. Assemble the sandwich - Colby cheese slice, burger patty, steamed minced onions, Velveeta slice, and top with second slice of bread, butter side up. Grill until golden brown and cheese is melted.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Copycat White Castle burger recipe is from <a href="http://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/our-version-of-white-castle-sliders/" target="_blank">favfamilyrecipes.com</a></span></div>
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<div class="h-4 strong" id="mpprecipe-ingredients" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box ! important; clear: both; color: rgb(42, 172, 141) ! important; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ingredients</span></span></div>
<ul id="mpprecipe-ingredients-list" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #444444; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.5em; list-style: outside none square; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0em; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<li class="ingredient" id="mpprecipe-ingredient-0" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px none; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1em 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 1/2 pounds hamburger</span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" id="mpprecipe-ingredient-1" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px none; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1em 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 package Lipton onion soup mix</span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" id="mpprecipe-ingredient-2" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px none; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1em 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tablespoon peanut butter (yes, peanut butter.. trust me)</span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" id="mpprecipe-ingredient-3" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px none; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1em 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 cup milk</span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" id="mpprecipe-ingredient-4" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px none; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1em 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 onion, finely chopped</span></span></li>
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<div class="h-4 strong" id="mpprecipe-instructions" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box ! important; color: rgb(42, 172, 141) ! important; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Instructions</span></span></div>
<ul class="instructions" id="mpprecipe-instructions-list" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #444444; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.5em; list-style: outside none square; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0em; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<li class="instruction" id="mpprecipe-instruction-0" itemprop="recipeInstructions" style="border: 0px none; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1em 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In a large bowl mix the hamburger, Lipton onion soup mix, peanut butter, and milk. Spread the meat mixture on a cookie sheet as thin as possible. Use a rolling pin to roll over the meat to smooth it out.</span></span></li>
<li class="instruction" id="mpprecipe-instruction-1" itemprop="recipeInstructions" style="border: 0px none; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1em 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes. The meat will shrink. Take it out of the oven and put the diced onions all around the edges, this will give the meat a great flavor.</span></span></li>
<li class="instruction" id="mpprecipe-instruction-2" itemprop="recipeInstructions" style="border: 0px none; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1em 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bake for 15 more minutes, remove from oven. Spoon the onions from the edges into a bowl. Cut meat into square shaped patty a little smaller than your bread</span></span></li>
<li class="instruction" id="mpprecipe-instruction-2" itemprop="recipeInstructions" style="border: 0px none; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1em 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Assemble the sandwich and grill</span></span></li>
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Jenn :Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03321417953344433109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249694162837418966.post-63957188178142402872015-11-02T20:29:00.000-05:002016-01-18T14:25:40.964-05:00New BeginningsWow! It's been almost a year since I've written my blog. We've been busy changing our lives and the year flew by. I'll catch you up!<br />
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Last fall, we decided it was time to leave New York City and return to our hometown Virginia. You can always go home again and it's been great. Moving back to Virginia was the best decision that we've made.<br />
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In the past year, we have just about changed everything except our happy marriage and our two cats. In January 2015, Marlon and I moved to a historic neighborhood that's close to my family. We started new jobs and bought a car. Sadly, I lost my grandma and mom after long illnesses. I'm thankful I got to spend some time with them early in the year. Our adoption home study has been completed for Virginia. Last month, we closed on our dream house! An 1880 Victorian townhome, which we are renovating. It's been a whirlwind. All of these things could be stand-alone posts, but I'm moving forward these days. I never thought Virginia would be busier than NYC. Sometimes you have to give life a little kick to get where you want to go! All in all, we are happy and we're still waiting to adopt.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGsKaE9HI_nXsHM5H9MaXWiGlqhE7ZmniSndoG8I237rmQ4zwwsw3fdfJk38rx59qwyqCTOuDmDGwLSzorXxFzm8kPWkYoVBFEGbXp0u-H-gLMNdZ4S-kWHbPweFUXuYDHnhXF3rhpDyb/s1600/mondayquotebegginingsss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGsKaE9HI_nXsHM5H9MaXWiGlqhE7ZmniSndoG8I237rmQ4zwwsw3fdfJk38rx59qwyqCTOuDmDGwLSzorXxFzm8kPWkYoVBFEGbXp0u-H-gLMNdZ4S-kWHbPweFUXuYDHnhXF3rhpDyb/s320/mondayquotebegginingsss.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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If you or someone that you know is thinking about making an adoption plan, we ask that you think of us. Thank you! <a href="http://www.marlonandjenniferadoption.com/">http://www.marlonandjenniferadoption.com</a><br />
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<br />Jenn :Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03321417953344433109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249694162837418966.post-42891248088856071032014-11-09T19:11:00.001-05:002014-11-09T19:11:38.750-05:00World Adoption DayIt's World Adoption Day! The first worldwide day to celebrate adoption! So posts your hands up smiley faces to celebrate and hashtag #WorldAdoptionDay Here's ours!<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HjHq_PDYEMKnX-so30rvpTQVuSmjLSkB02F-Q1Rdq4qRQkQuucA0GAEkQ1HNnYFA9BSUNPj-i-vulxwBcJH-w10gz-jpsHyfKeBhyphenhyphensSYYXVXlUnv9tZRcjeCPUPQacEN_SeZtQHQ-1v7/s640/blogger-image-1922299333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HjHq_PDYEMKnX-so30rvpTQVuSmjLSkB02F-Q1Rdq4qRQkQuucA0GAEkQ1HNnYFA9BSUNPj-i-vulxwBcJH-w10gz-jpsHyfKeBhyphenhyphensSYYXVXlUnv9tZRcjeCPUPQacEN_SeZtQHQ-1v7/s640/blogger-image-1922299333.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For more information, go to: worldadoptionday.org</div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Jenn :Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03321417953344433109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249694162837418966.post-43483505838433536962014-09-03T19:00:00.000-04:002014-09-03T19:16:14.288-04:00Unveiling Our New Website<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Three years have passed since we were </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">first</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">approved to adopt, so we thought it would be a good idea to freshen up our website and book with new photos and stories. I think expectant parents want to see what we look like now and for us to share our new adventures. My fear is meeting someone in person and they think, "you look nothing like your photos." Our website and book are mostly likely our first impression.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been working on our new adoption website and wanted it to look clean without a lot of distractions and to be easy to navigate. I found a great template on <a href="http://www.weebly.com/" target="_blank">Weebly</a> and scratched our Wordpress site. Honestly, Wordpress gave me a headache. Sorry to the Wordpress lovers. Weebly was really easy to use and I was able to achieve the look that we wanted. After I signed-up for the Weebly Starter plan, I was able to direct our domain name to the Weebly site. Directing the domain name took a few chats with tech support and waiting for the new site to load on the network. I know, I sound like a Weebly commercial. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was worth it, we are live! Unveiling our new website...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our </span><a href="http://www.marlonandjenniferadoption.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Blogspot</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> website has longer versions of our life for those that want to know more. Our new website links to those stories. We also updated the look of the Blogspot site to coordinate with the Weebly site. Sometimes, I amaze myself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I am on a roll, I updated this blog's look too. It's a little more modern and streamlined. You'll still be able to read all your favorite posts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our next project is updating our book that is shared with expectant parents thinking about adoption. It basically needs to be a combination of the two websites. Not too long, not too short and it should be personal. Guess what I did over Labor Day weekend?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We hope you love our new look! Please feel free to <a href="http://www.marlonandjenniferadoption.com/contact-us.html" target="_blank">contact us</a> or <a href="http://www.marlonandjenniferadoption.com/" target="_blank">share our story</a>. Thank you.</span></div>
Jenn :Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03321417953344433109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249694162837418966.post-51021686304426599822014-08-27T19:00:00.000-04:002014-09-04T16:28:19.073-04:00Say Cheese!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, I told you all about the <a href="http://twocatsandacradle.blogspot.com/2014/08/exploring-my-roots.html" target="_blank">family reunion</a> that we attended recently. While we were there, one of our cousins, Lisa is a photographer and had voluteered to photograph all the events at the reunion. Lisa had also offered family portrait sessions for a small fee. I jumped on that. We have been thinking about getting new photos done for our various adoption materials. The grounds of our hotel were beautiful, we brought nice clothes, so why not? Sign us up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lisa is based out of Iowa and her company is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LisStoPhotography" target="_blank">Lis Sto Photography</a>. So if you live in the <span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 15.359999656677246px;">Greater Dubuque and Davenport areas of Iowa </span>and need some gorgeous photos taken, please <a href="mailto:LisStoPhotography@yahoo.com" target="_blank">contact her</a>. She does it all! Her photos are fun, fresh, full of energy and tell your story.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's the funny thing, we've never really had a professional photo session before. We were married when we were 20 and our awesome friend, Scott captured every moment beautifully. He was probably 18 at the time. Since then, friends have taken pictures of us, but we have never hired a photographer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I admit that I was a bit nervous and hoping I wouldn't look too stiff. So we went had a beer before our shoot. What?!! We needed to loosen up a little. I tend to worry about the stupidest things. Lisa and her trusty "assistant", Mike were super cool, professional and put us a ease. Marlon had already geeked out with Mike about Star Wars and comics the day before, so we just had to stop them from talking long enough for us to take some photos. We told them they were for our adoption and how we would be using them, the only thing left was for us to smile!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The photos are awesome! We can't thank Lisa enough for our lovely photos and for sharing our story on her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LisStoPhotography" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page. Who knows, maybe at the next reunion she can take our photos of a family of three.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you or someone that you know is thinking about making an adoption plan. Please feel free to <a href="http://www.marlonandjenniferadoption.com/contact-us.html" target="_blank">contact us</a> or <a href="http://www.marlonandjenniferadoption.com/" target="_blank">share our story</a>. Thank you.</span>Jenn :Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03321417953344433109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249694162837418966.post-58411017268123924172014-08-18T19:00:00.000-04:002014-08-18T19:39:33.983-04:00Exploring My Roots<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Marlon and I recently attended a national family reunion in Richmond, VA and I was elected president of the organization. I am truly honored.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My grandma and I started going to these reunions together in 2008. Grandma used to go with granddaddy before he passed away. I told her I'd go with her. It's a national reunion so you meet cousins from all over the United States. The first one that we attended was in Savannah, GA. Grandma and I flew to Savannah, shared a room and signed up for all the events. We got dressed up and I curled her hair in the bathroom before we went out. We came back to the hotel room in the evening with her cousins that she hadn't seen in 50 years and I would listen to them laugh and tell stories about when they were growing up. It's a memory that I will treasure the rest of my life. When we came back from the reunion and told the rest of the family that we had such a grand time, they all wanted to go to the next one in Nashville, TN. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fast forward to this year's reunion in Richmond, VA.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The current president of the association called me earlier this year asking me if I wanted to be nominated as president for the next term. I was surprised. I've enjoyed attending the reunions and I am interested in history, but me? I asked what it involved and told her I would have to think about it. One of my hesitations was our adoption. Would I have time to be involved in the organization if we were to become matched and parents. Would adoption seem weird to the members because the organization is based on preserving genealogy? I thought about it and really wanted to do it for my grandma. The association is very important to her and I want to honor her heritage and mine. I accepted the nomination and was voted in as president at the reunion in July. Grandma wasn't able to make the trip, she's 90 now, but I know she is very proud of me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The reunion was a lot of fun. I was a nervous wreck for about half of it knowing I had to do the invocation and a speech. After full days of tours, dinners and mingling, I was up half night the tweaking my speeches. I am an open book and happily write my blog, but to actually have to talk in front of a group of people, cousins or not, is not my strong suit. If I commit to something, I commit 100%. So, I made my speeches.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">An interesting little note, our ancestor that first came to America had lost both of his parents by the age of 10. Before she passed away, his mother had asked a group of Quakers to take care of him. Sounds kind of like an adoption. We don't have a lot of details of what happened after his mother passed and when he came to America at around the age of 20, but someone was looking out for him.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Hanging out with Richard Henry Lee</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">and Thomas Jefferson. "Tom" and I are</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All the cousins were so welcoming and enthusiastic about me becoming president. Everyone was also very supportive of our adoption and asking how they could help us. I am truly fortunate. I want to do a good job for them and the association. The past president has done an excellent job for 12 years, so I am filling big shoes. It's exciting! I am planning the next reunion in three years in Charleston, SC. The board has great ideas on how to increase membership and bring the organization to the next generation. I hope I can lead them all the way! I've made so many new, wonderful friends in the last month. I am truly honored to be a part of this family.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.francisemma.org/" target="_blank">Frances/Emma</a> "Belmead" and<br />originally the land of our ancestor.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you or someone that you know is thinking about making an adoption plan. Please feel free to </span><a href="http://marlonandjenniferadoption.com/?page_id=18" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">contact us</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> or </span><a href="http://marlonandjenniferadoption.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">share our story</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Thank you.</span>Jenn :Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03321417953344433109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249694162837418966.post-18616130875735747582014-08-11T19:00:00.000-04:002014-08-13T17:20:18.458-04:00The Great Outdoors<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To celebrate 4th of July weekend, we went camping! Honestly, I can't remember the last time we headed out into the great outdoors for a camping weekend. It's been at least a year, maybe two. We're "car campers" and I have a few requirements - 2 night maximum in a tent, a bathroom (port-a-potty is fine), an air mattress and of course, s'mores. A few months back, Marlon had found online an <a href="http://www.icelandichorses.com/" target="_blank">Icelandic Horse farm</a> in Vermont, so I thought camping near the horse farm would be the perfect weekend! I booked a reservation at <a href="http://www.vtstateparks.com/htm/allis.htm" target="_blank">Allis State Park</a> and we packed up the car and headed out early.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We made it to Vermont early enough to set up camp and make our 2 pm trail ride. I was so excited and nervous about riding a horse. I haven't rode a horse since I was about 12 at </span><a href="http://www.triplerranch.org/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Triple R Ranch</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Icelandic horses are a smaller breed and are known to be friendly and docile. On my release form, I marked novice as my experience and tried to act confident. It only took two tries to hop on the horse. My horse was calm and patient with me. Marlon was a natural, of course. It was so much fun!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the ride, we stopped at the grocery store for our campsite food. It was kind of late, so we ate dinner out instead of going back to camp to cook on the fire. We were pooped from the ride. Don't judge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before we left I posted on Facebook, "We're going camping, what I am forgetting?" I got a ton of great responses and brought everything that was suggested. You know what no one suggested? A jacket or sweatshirt. It was freezing that first night in the tent. Mountains in Vermont = chilly. I had to resort to adding beach towels on top of my blanket to keep warm. The next morning, I said we have to go shopping. I'm too cold. We cooked breakfast over the fire, I sat with my blanket around me. We jumped in the car and went to TJ Maxx and Big Lots to buy a sweatshirt and a comforter. I know.... After our purchases, we went straight back to the campground to do camping things. We took a hike, climbed a fire tower, sat around our fire and ate everything. It was nice to get away from the city and distractions and spend time together. I can't wait to go again! I think we have everything now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">If you or someone that you know is thinking about making an adoption plan. Please feel free to </span><a href="http://marlonandjenniferadoption.com/?page_id=18" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">contact us</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> or </span><a href="http://marlonandjenniferadoption.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">share our story</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">. Thank you.</span></div>
Jenn :Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03321417953344433109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249694162837418966.post-87351199150892676002014-08-04T19:00:00.000-04:002014-08-04T19:38:32.817-04:00Patience, rabbit<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Waiting... it's a part of adoption that tests you. We've been waiting almost 3 years to adopt and much longer to have a family. When you are in constant state of waiting, life passes you by. All of the adoption professionals that we have spoken with along the way have encouraged us go out and have fun while we wait. "It's only going to be the two of you for a little while longer." That's easier said than done. Marlon and I have been together 23 years, so we feel like we've done it all as couple. I'm sure we haven't, but we're ready for the next chapter. The longer we wait, our thoughts or (excuses) for not doing things are we don't want to spend extra money to go out, don't want to be away in case someone calls or just felt like avoiding some outings. If you are not careful, the waiting can consume you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recently, we've made a conscious effort to start living life again. Personally, I was letting the wait get to me. This year, we went on a real vacation, went camping, rode horses, attended a family reunion, and started hanging out with friends again. I even accepted a position to be the president of our national family association. It has made a big difference. Staring at the phone all day or checking email a 100 times a day hoping to hear from someone, anyone is not healthy. I know I was beginning to drive myself crazy. If someone calls while we're out, we'll answer it. Marlon said, I feel like we're our normal selves again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adoption is not easy. Waiting is not easy. But I am 100% sure it will be worth it. My mom would always tell me when I was a kid, "patience, rabbit." I am trying.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you or someone that you know is thinking about making an adoption plan. Please feel free to <a href="http://marlonandjenniferadoption.com/?page_id=18">contact us</a> or <a href="http://marlonandjenniferadoption.com/">share our story</a>. Thank you.</span>Jenn :Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03321417953344433109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249694162837418966.post-40804362459587128112014-06-30T19:00:00.000-04:002014-06-30T22:04:56.186-04:00The Adoption Blues<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven't written in awhile. Mostly because I don't want to share when I feel down about our adoption journey and a little because my character and ethics were questioned from previous posts. Thank you to those that quickly rose to my defense. Private adoption is very different to navigate versus one with an agency. I am doing my best to share our personal experience and learning along the way.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a hard time of year for those longing for a child. Mother's Day and Father's Day are especially hard to lump. Marlon was a dad last year and now he's not. It's been a year since we first thought we were going to be parents. I keep comparing last summer to this summer. We would be celebrating Ian and Ada's first birthday. I try to push those thoughts down, but it's hard to do. We bonded with them. They'll never remember us, but we'll never forget them.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I keep telling myself that we were there when they needed us and to move forward. We have, but I still think about them and what happened. What have I learned from going through this loss? Sometimes I feel embarrassed for being so naive, for wanting something so badly that I didn't question why it wasn't right from the beginning. I relied on what we were told versus finding out for myself. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I didn't know and now I do.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I get down in the dumps because it's been three years of waiting and we still don't have a child. I think, what's wrong with us? Last year we weren't really waiting, we were matched twice and then we had to take some time off. My logical self understands this, but emotional self is weary. It's like holding your breath for years. Waiting for something to happen. The few times we've talked to expectant mothers recently, it hasn't resulted in anything. We've heard of situations, but it's out of our budget and we can't be considered. We're still paying off the disruption. I am trying to find a balance between hope and disappointment.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In meantime, we fill our time with keeping busy visiting family, camping and summer activities. If you are busy, your mind doesn't have a chance to drift to that negative space. My normal optimistic self pushes hard to overcome the adoption blues. Each day we put ourselves out there, letting anyone who will listen that we are hoping to adopt. Every adoption story is different. Ours has had a few more twists and turns. I keep reminding myself that the last experience won't be the next experience and not to compare. We're still hanging in there waiting for our kid.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Comments or Questions? Email me - <a href="mailto:twocatsandacradle@gmail.com">twocatsandacradle@gmail.com</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="mailto:twocatsandacradle@gmail.com"><br /></a></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">If you or someone that you know is thinking about making an adoption plan. Please feel free to <a href="http://marlonandjenniferadoption.com/?page_id=18" target="_blank">contact us</a> or <a href="http://marlonandjenniferadoption.com/" style="color: #cc3300; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">share our story</a>. Thank you.</span>Jenn :Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03321417953344433109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249694162837418966.post-11396633823976326322014-05-08T19:00:00.000-04:002014-05-08T19:12:47.092-04:00Iggy and Sid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For my birthday (in February), my boss gave me this really cool </span><a href="https://www.backtotheroots.com/shop/aquafarm" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">AquaFarm</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. How did she know I had been thinking about getting a fish? Anyway, we had a busy few months, but I kept telling Marlon we needed to go and get our fish.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, we finally did it! We now have a male halfmoon betta named Iggy and a zebra snail named Sid. They are so happy in their AquaFarm tank! Edie and Twiggy are fascinated and jealous at the same time of the fish and snail. Every time we go to feed Iggy, Edie and Twiggy have to be right there twitching their tails. I feel bad, so I give them a treat after I finish feeding the fish. Like those girls don't get plenty of love.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGBj5N9-n9ycf_74o_tMz7ulsDs95ZdPOIbpsi4oNQAn6w5oNE5pDAqsYX9miSmtcdRM9kczKCyw-MJFnJerR2S5MFR95iAHL0FwmoCX_dLrn5Yj_60IZu1zHR9GXCXXrKp5Vqm-9WyY4/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGBj5N9-n9ycf_74o_tMz7ulsDs95ZdPOIbpsi4oNQAn6w5oNE5pDAqsYX9miSmtcdRM9kczKCyw-MJFnJerR2S5MFR95iAHL0FwmoCX_dLrn5Yj_60IZu1zHR9GXCXXrKp5Vqm-9WyY4/s1600/image.jpeg" height="209" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iggy the Male Halfmoon Betta</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqps1I3fZcXlU2nELQFRGw9gkg5_gzwtUHcCD7TTwbWb3ydLuP9cJvSPcVAu2vfC39q39Nqay7U9J_WQS1lvKvirOjHKzf9-rDxxxLvNXkJN6vX7oBNdB3etZb5nY47bDuY6k4R9QOoYuE/s1600/sid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqps1I3fZcXlU2nELQFRGw9gkg5_gzwtUHcCD7TTwbWb3ydLuP9cJvSPcVAu2vfC39q39Nqay7U9J_WQS1lvKvirOjHKzf9-rDxxxLvNXkJN6vX7oBNdB3etZb5nY47bDuY6k4R9QOoYuE/s1600/sid.jpg" height="210" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you find Sid the Snail?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, do I change the blog name to Two Cats, a Fish, a Snail and a Cradle????</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMpuUyFHxCACnHLQts1n7maVIufw8YLCBxZJdnRqueZ-fHXGO5hA3SqZliaW_z5bhbKHPwCxDDbZneNm8tzZq-Tf4wAzyJQGYDs-ENOO1QxAei0fejkjRE0AxSKlW9Y2uUZDCiI8IrCTHi/s1600/twig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMpuUyFHxCACnHLQts1n7maVIufw8YLCBxZJdnRqueZ-fHXGO5hA3SqZliaW_z5bhbKHPwCxDDbZneNm8tzZq-Tf4wAzyJQGYDs-ENOO1QxAei0fejkjRE0AxSKlW9Y2uUZDCiI8IrCTHi/s1600/twig.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twiggy is curious.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzljnzkaJw65Avlecjkk-5MH7NBxmC0dvjnuhraTKzl3Iu_jmh4zeHHAa_ux7J4FEIWx2TGx0XQplydtSp_Rihqcyl7r1vk3keuJHWqW7e6kF-OWmFYDj59TuP3FAteUgKH2wJ5gtiS1xZ/s1600/edie1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzljnzkaJw65Avlecjkk-5MH7NBxmC0dvjnuhraTKzl3Iu_jmh4zeHHAa_ux7J4FEIWx2TGx0XQplydtSp_Rihqcyl7r1vk3keuJHWqW7e6kF-OWmFYDj59TuP3FAteUgKH2wJ5gtiS1xZ/s1600/edie1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edie just wants to be in the picture.</td></tr>
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Jenn :Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03321417953344433109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249694162837418966.post-13545632938651494672014-04-21T19:00:00.000-04:002014-04-22T08:38:46.260-04:00Haters Gonna Hate<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've had an amazing outpouring of love and support since we started this adoption journey (again). Putting yourself out there can be challenging and humbling. With an agency, they are doing a lot of the behind the scenes work for you and they are in contact with organizations that work with expectant parents thinking about adoption. When you pursue private adoption, you're trying to connect with someone yourself. Which in turn, puts you in contact with those that are anti-adoption or have strong opinions about what you are doing. I am not even going to mention scammers at this point because we haven't encountered that yet. We were warned by adoption professionals that these people will seek you out. Even though we received more well wishes than I can count, those handful of hateful messages really hurt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Internet allows people to make comments to anyone without any repercussion. I can see why cyber-bullying is out of control. It removes the filter of social etiquette and allows people to say things that they would never say face-to-face. Cowards can leave ugly comments from the safety of their locked down accounts. You can't respond or even see what this person looks like. In about a week, we received comments like 'disrespectful', 'disgusting', 'whores', that we want to 'buy' a baby, that we are trying to 'steal' someone's baby, we can't afford to give a baby a good life since we have fundraising on our site and on and on. After the first couple of days, I broke down and cried. It's not in my character to want to publicly shame and defame anyone. Who are these hateful people? Their comments rattle me. I am not sure if their point is to convince us not to adopt or if they just enjoy making us feel bad. I think if they wanted to make a difference, they could channel that energy by doing something more productive.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-hLkaQEXQbt-I7J6Vqn3MVFRRAXeoC19F2F4KkLb1IpLw2TCRu-PnCnyAo0kDliCf5_x5shvUEDf8lQsTGGBzjQ04tHv6xZYtihYnP7Nm2RYK5E78KReqjBYqxVPdCF8u_4TPAGCjgiR/s1600/10249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-hLkaQEXQbt-I7J6Vqn3MVFRRAXeoC19F2F4KkLb1IpLw2TCRu-PnCnyAo0kDliCf5_x5shvUEDf8lQsTGGBzjQ04tHv6xZYtihYnP7Nm2RYK5E78KReqjBYqxVPdCF8u_4TPAGCjgiR/s1600/10249.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My first instinct is to defend myself. To say in no way shape or form, do we want to buy or steal anyone's baby. In fact, I am in total agreement that adoption procedures need a major overhaul. There are some dishonest tactics being used and money is being made off of people's desperate desire to have a family. There are good eggs out there as well and we try to align ourselves with those professionals. Yes, we have placed ads and set-up social media accounts. If we aren't with an agency, you have to put yourself out there. If you don't, there are hundreds of other families out there that will. If we meet someone that is thinking about adoption, I want to get to know them. I want them to get to know us. I want them to feel confident placing their child with us. We need to be a good fit with each other because we will share a bond and a relationship for the rest of our lives. It's about making a connection. I can't really respond to these unkind comments though. Either these people have their accounts locked down or I'll expend a lot of negative energy having a Twitter war with a faceless stranger. So, I just absorb the negativity, delete the comment, and block the person.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I reached out to my adoption support community for help on how to deal with this. They had some good advice and I felt better. There are so many raw emotions associated with adoption, you could easily unintentionally offend someone by simply not knowing. They reassured me that what we are doing isn't wrong. They helped me look at this with compassion. Maybe these people were hurt by adoption, had a bad experience or have some unresolved feelings. This is the only way they can express those feelings. I am sending out a big hug to those that are hurting. My perspective on adoption has evolved since we began this journey. I am still learning everyday. One thing that hasn't changed is that we are a nice couple who want to have a child to love.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZyzNShYL5EDqzWCMewDeskocM3VXgop0_zOiE8-ljpHfD5qwcNVpN96Wo8HR-OyXv63dYPlo_CxEaUGyIFiXbr7J8E_hXNfbBlvAHrN4bqId8R77EhHUK02yzZhEcZouRNxqQKm_vzYG/s1600/jm1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZyzNShYL5EDqzWCMewDeskocM3VXgop0_zOiE8-ljpHfD5qwcNVpN96Wo8HR-OyXv63dYPlo_CxEaUGyIFiXbr7J8E_hXNfbBlvAHrN4bqId8R77EhHUK02yzZhEcZouRNxqQKm_vzYG/s1600/jm1.jpg" height="280" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you or someone that you know is thinking about making an adoption plan. Please feel free to <a href="mailto:marlonandjenniferadoption@gmail.com" target="_blank">contact us</a> or <a href="http://marlonandjenniferadoption.com/" target="_blank">share our story</a>. Thank you. </span></div>
Jenn :Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03321417953344433109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249694162837418966.post-76114315599881617012014-04-08T19:00:00.000-04:002014-04-08T19:29:12.248-04:00Phase One<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We rolled out phase one of our networking efforts this week. Since we are forgoing working with an agency this time, we have to actively look for an adoption situation ourselves. That means getting the word out by any means necessary.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We created a Facebook page for our adoption. Go <a href="https://www.facebook.com/marlonandjenniferadoption" target="_blank">LIKE</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/marlonandjenniferadoption" target="_blank">SHARE</a> it. Word of mouth is a powerful tool. If you share it with your friends and they share it with their friends, we could potentially reach 1,000s or even 10,000s people in a short amount of time. You never know who will know someone thinking about adoption and then think of us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please Like and Share our Facebook page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/marlonandjenniferadoption" target="_blank">Facebook.com/marlonandjenniferadoption</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We also placed targeted ads on Facebook. You can set a budget and perimeters for the ads. You can use up to six different photos for the ad and we directed the click through to our personal website, <a href="http://marlonandjenniferadoption.com/">marlonandjenniferadoption.com</a>. It's interesting to see that one photo of us is more popular than another. That's really useful information.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5XidqRFRMAuKM2RiWq6ypBofFwGmVTx3To3tZN5KEnHSbE_0cKMJnwH4K8przEMUOTYbZKUECBYaD2SLmxw-yKmTl01aLDyETTaO2HmOofeivt4HCK6XuXLHoXLg9R9FxunRNNZeoghyphenhyphenH/s1600/Presentation1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5XidqRFRMAuKM2RiWq6ypBofFwGmVTx3To3tZN5KEnHSbE_0cKMJnwH4K8przEMUOTYbZKUECBYaD2SLmxw-yKmTl01aLDyETTaO2HmOofeivt4HCK6XuXLHoXLg9R9FxunRNNZeoghyphenhyphenH/s1600/Presentation1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next, we went old-school and placed newspaper ads. One ad ran in our hometown newspaper in Virginia and the other two ads ran in small local papers in New York, but outside the NYC area. We'll run them for a week or two and see if we get any response.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We can't leave out Twitter! Introducing our new Twitter account, <a href="https://twitter.com/marlonjennadopt" target="_blank">@MarlonJennAdopt</a>. You know the deal, go follow us. I am not sure how I am going to keep up with three Facebook and Twitter accounts. I need to get a social media system or an intern.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've been </span><a href="about:invalid#zClosurez" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">listed</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> on the Adoptimist website for awhile. We switched to a Featured account (which you pay for) to see if we get more looks this way. We need to freshen this page up with some new pictures. Soon...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel like we are starting over, yet we've been doing this for almost three years. Waiting and (not)adopting has been such an emotional roller coaster. We want to be a regular family, gushing about first steps, snapping photos on the first day of school, going to dance recitals, soccer games or whatever they are into. You know, sharing laughs at the dinner table or tucking them in at night. As each day passes, I start to doubt if it will ever happen for us. Maybe expectant parents won't like us because we live in NYC or that we aren't super rich. I see other people's ads "promising" that the child will have a happy life and will go to the best schools. I don't think anyone can really make those kinds of promises. We can promise that we'll always parent the best we can, love them with all of our hearts and honor their adoption story. The rest is the surprise of life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am excited about the possibility of another match, but really nervous too. The disappointment and heartbreak of losing the twins was almost too much for us to bear. I keep thinking about the advice we got from an adoption conference that we attended - the next situation isn't the last situation, so keep an open mind and open heart. So with that, we move forward.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look out for phase two!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you or someone that you know is considering adoption, please don't hesitate to share our information or <a href="mailto:twocatsandacradle@gmail.com" target="_blank">contact us</a>. <a href="http://twocatsandacradle.blogspot.com/p/how-you-can-help.html" target="_blank">Click here</a> for more information about building our family through adoption. Thank you for thinking of us.</span></div>
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Jenn :Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03321417953344433109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249694162837418966.post-90922128787884111102014-03-31T19:00:00.000-04:002014-04-01T09:40:23.890-04:00We Are Ready!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been a busy year and so far I haven't had a lot of time to blog. I thought I would catch you up on our adoption plans. After a rough year, we took some time off from the adoption roller coaster to heal our hearts and figure out what we want in life. We still want to have a family, we still want to adopt. So we are gearing up for the next ride. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This time, we pursuing an adoption with an attorney versus with an agency. What this basically means is that we will look for a match on our own and do a lot of the leg work ourselves. If you hear of a situation, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. After this past year, we think the best advocate for us is us. We have a great attorney and she'll hold our hand throughout this process.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since we moved, left the agency and another year has passed, we had to do another homestudy. Ay yi yi. Please enter homestudy #3. We were able to use the information from the previous ones and just have this one updated. It was definitely less paperwork and hoops. Third time's a charm, right? We got this. The social worker came and visited our new apartment four days after we moved. Nothing was unpacked, boxes were under sheets because the painters were coming and it was my 40th birthday. <a href="http://www.infantadoptionguide.com/5-tips-for-adoption-home-study?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+InfantAdoptionGuide+%28Infant+Adoption+Guide%29" target="_blank">Those of you sweating about the home visit, please don't</a>. I cleaned up, bought some pastries and that was it. We chatted around the kitchen table for an hour, gave her a quick tour pointing out the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and the fire extinguisher and briefly told her about our decorating plans. The painters rang the bell and she was gone. We spent the rest of the afternoon in <a href="http://www.cityislandchamber.org/" target="_blank">City Island</a> celebrating my birthday with renewed hope for the future.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our homestudy was submitted to family court by our attorney to be approved by a judge. We had to be fingerprinted again for another background check. I've been fingerprinted quite a few times now to have never been in trouble with the law. I thought I was going to get into some trouble when I got a little huffy with an officer after waiting 1 1/2 hours to get through courthouse security only to be told he was the only one who could fingerprint us and didn't have someone to cover his post until all of the people got in the building. Really? I waited just like everyone else, everyone else who got through were off to take care of their business and we had to wait. I asked him if he thought he could call and get someone to cover his post for the 5 minutes it took to fingerprint us. It didn't seem hardly fair. He said, no and told us to wait against the wall. I was really trying to be patient. After about 15 minutes, someone did come to cover his post and the officer fingerprinted us. I thanked him for calling someone. We now have to wait for a judge to review our file and approve us. Again. At this point, we can start "advertising".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The other important piece to us being able to adopt again was filing for the adoption tax credit on our taxes this year. We spent ALL of our adoption savings on the attorney fees for the disrupted adoption. We didn't have the babies and we lost all of our money. Talk about a sock in the gut. I spoke to a tax attorney for advice and then decided to file our taxes claiming the credit using TurboTax. TurboTax was fairly easy to use. For a failed adoption, you skip the part where you enter the child's name and social security number. That part wasn't really clear, but we figured it out. I didn't need to submit any receipts, but I have them. I also have a letter from the adoption agency stating that it was a disrupted adoption. I also splurged for the audit protection just in case. We received a large refund within a month. We didn't get everything that we spent back, but our monetary loss is significantly less.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We're refreshed, armed with life experience and we are ready to be parents. WE ARE SO READY!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you know someone interested in making an adoption plan, please share our website, <a href="http://marlonandjenniferadoption.com/" target="_blank">marlonandjenniferadoption.com</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BREAKING NEWS! We were certified by family court and are officially approved to adopt!</span></div>
Jenn :Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03321417953344433109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249694162837418966.post-5965546685965294932014-03-07T17:04:00.000-05:002014-03-07T17:04:21.363-05:00I'm Back!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello friends! I'm back from my blogging break. It has been a hectic six weeks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>We moved. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>I turned 40. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>We filed our taxes with the adoption tax credit and I did them myself!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>We are leaving soon on our dream vacation to Scotland and Iceland to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I have lots to share with you. I'll resume my regular posting schedule next week, so stay tuned! I've missed you all!</span><br />
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Jenn :Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03321417953344433109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249694162837418966.post-43730381040407532662014-01-27T19:00:00.000-05:002014-01-28T10:09:44.736-05:00No Sleep Till Brooklyn<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am taking a little break from blogging, I just don't have the time right now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are moving to Brooklyn in less than a week, so that involves packing, cleaning, tossing, scheduling and every moment of my spare time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, not every moment, we are also getting our homestudy updated. I just scheduled the social worker to come 4 DAYS after we move. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll be serving her coffee out of a cardboard box. Good thing this is our <a href="http://twocatsandacradle.blogspot.com/2011/12/dreaded-home-visit.html" target="_blank">third home visit</a>, I am not even worried about it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Homestudy day also happens to be the day that I turn 4-0. I am starting this decade with big plans.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sing it with me, "No Sleep Till Brooklyn"...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Beastie Boys are so awesome.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll talk to you guys again when I am on the other side. My hubby refers to this move everyday as "the other side." The other side of what? I don't know. I'll let you know when I find out.</span></div>
Jenn :Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03321417953344433109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249694162837418966.post-3470435646105196502014-01-09T18:19:00.000-05:002014-01-10T10:01:24.268-05:00Full Speed Ahead<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We never do anything easy the way, it's only the 9th day of January and I have so many things going on that my head is spinning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First, we are in full packing mode. We are hoping to move next weekend, but we haven't found an apartment yet. We thought we found one, but the lease was questionable so we passed. Nothing like waiting until the last minute, but that's how you do things in NYC. Apartments go so fast that you really can't start looking until you are ready to move. Hopefully we will find something in Brooklyn on Sunday. We have until the end of the month to move. No pressure here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We're packing, looking for an apartment AND my family will be in town visiting this weekend. I can't wait to see everyone and get some cuddle time with my niece and nephew. I warned them, they will be surrounded by boxes. Good thing I work well under time constraints because we are losing two prime packing days. We love you!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also thought this is a good time to start the renewal process of our adoption homestudy. It's the new year, fresh start, why not? Ummm, because of things mentioned above. But I figured before we packed it, I could make copies of all of our documents, ask for our reference letters and get this moving. The way I see it, the social worker can start on the paperwork while we move, we'll unpack really fast and have her over for a visit. The hubby thinks I have lost my mind. This will be our third homestudy, so no sweat. I guess I want to enter my 40s (in three weeks) with the groundwork laid for a good start to a new decade. Or I have completely lost it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Full speed ahead...</span></div>
Jenn :Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03321417953344433109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249694162837418966.post-7301499688066114572013-12-31T12:00:00.000-05:002013-12-31T18:28:18.591-05:00Onward to 2014<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2013 was a tough year for us, but we made it through. We are a little weary, have been a touch withdrawn and have been waiting for the days to tick off the calendar. But we made it through. I don't know why we think with a flip of the calendar the new year will be a fresh start, but you have to hope, right? I am definitely hitting the reset button.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last year at this time, I was bursting at the seams with hope and proclaimed that it would be our year. I had no idea. For Marlon and I, it was probably the hardest year of our lives. I know plenty of people have had tougher times than us, so I am thankful for a few bright spots - the birth of my niece, Renee', extra time with my mom and grandma (who have been battling that dreaded "C" word), good jobs, a roof over our heads and friends and family that love us. I have gained more insight about adoption and the nature of people. I have learned that I can get knocked down and pick myself up again, again, again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are making changes, hitting milestones and turning this ship around in 2014. We're moving to Brooklyn in a few weeks. It will be nice to have some new scenery. I will celebrate entering a new decade in February. I say good riddance to my 30s. Marlon and I will be happily married for 20 YEARS in March! He's my everything. Twenty years of marriage deserves a prize, so we are taking a trip to Scotland and Iceland. This trip has given us something to look forward to and kept our minds occupied during those rough days in 2013. Our home study will be renewed as soon as we move and will continue to pursue this adoption journey. We'll actively look for a match instead of waiting for an agency to find a situation for us. If you hear of anything, <a href="http://twocatsandacradle.blogspot.com/p/our-bethany-profile.html" target="_blank">call us!</a> So, big things for us in 2014!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's another year, a year full of possibilities. I am not going to say that this will be our year. I am just going to say I hope that it's a little better than last year. Thanks for hanging in there with us. Happy New Year to all of you.</span></div>
Jenn :Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03321417953344433109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249694162837418966.post-14305811599719474712013-12-26T09:00:00.000-05:002013-12-26T09:00:07.070-05:00Winners of the Red String Good Luck Charm Bracelet<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Congratulations to Angela, Karen and Robin!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">You've won the Red String Good Luck </b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Charm Bracelet Giveaway!</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I hope it brings a little luck your way!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thank you for entering and reading Two Cats and a Cradle!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you'd like to buy a charm bracelet of your very own and support our adoption fund, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/118249467/red-string-good-luck-charm-bracelet?">click here</a>. The bracelets are $10 each on Etsy. Quantities are limited.</span>Jenn :Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03321417953344433109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249694162837418966.post-60747285612311881152013-12-23T19:00:00.000-05:002013-12-23T19:00:06.254-05:00Be Merry, Be Bright!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJiWgh1WJCoVXKTXxwxO_-bUhtvWbRnPV471OFlEdQVi_YC6vvFy0goup1C5kNwEHdXADKImiWqEtLpNeGIcAl7293u1EZR8aW9e7cVolG4JVYHBt0DYykbD8GJi2g5o_OLSbWzoLgWas/s1600/card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJiWgh1WJCoVXKTXxwxO_-bUhtvWbRnPV471OFlEdQVi_YC6vvFy0goup1C5kNwEHdXADKImiWqEtLpNeGIcAl7293u1EZR8aW9e7cVolG4JVYHBt0DYykbD8GJi2g5o_OLSbWzoLgWas/s400/card.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Happy Holidays from Two Cats and a Cradle!</b></span></div>
Jenn :Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03321417953344433109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249694162837418966.post-37694796662420359862013-12-19T19:00:00.000-05:002013-12-19T19:00:00.998-05:00My America Adopts Guest-blogging Stint<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not too long ago Lawrence from <a href="http://www.americaadopts.com/failed-adoption-match-how-to-pick-yourself-up-and-go-on/" target="_blank">America Adopts</a> asked me if I wanted to do a guest blog post. Hmmm, YES! The post could be on anything as long as it was open adoption related. Great! Then he asked if I wanted to write about our failed adoption match. Okay...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRa3TP9JqQn6iupwZC1KYYeS-PKQilvxddG51VWne1-ThyphenhyphenQai-vO5V39aabzlCbK4LqBez6T4cNq9CpbUs5-IOpKBta69aX9Co-vmPa4rq2glwy1yYrnyNBvKOvukymQmNXrEg7uVlaDi/s1600/logo_aa.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="44" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRa3TP9JqQn6iupwZC1KYYeS-PKQilvxddG51VWne1-ThyphenhyphenQai-vO5V39aabzlCbK4LqBez6T4cNq9CpbUs5-IOpKBta69aX9Co-vmPa4rq2glwy1yYrnyNBvKOvukymQmNXrEg7uVlaDi/s320/logo_aa.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been four months and we are in a better place. I thought it would be helpful to others going through the same thing to share our story. Life goes on and your heart heals a little everyday. Your heart is not the same, there is a scar, but it heals.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So sat down and started to write about how we have moved forward. It was tougher than I thought. We have moved forward, but you see, those emotions still bubble up and the tears appear out of nowhere sometimes. I get up in the morning, put on a happy face and try to keep what happened in the past. But then WHAM!, something little will remind me of the babies or that we should be to doing xyz with them or there is a billing mistake with our insurance company and we were charged for the twins entire hospital stay and you receive pages and pages that say son and daughter. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am just saying moving forward is a process. Tears will appear. We have good days and some days that ache won't go away. That's the way it's going to be for awhile.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLK3jLIPdjDg7GP6Ld0-RqCNQlwCbUc1FrXY7CaTmv3Td2k3Q260JKwOpKqPr49Ny1PrPOYIurv0CJY5-USCCcWm0uQcTuZ4obb-kg5338oRPKmXwLxh4L6PjxgpaetDDGvZEbA_ARE4n/s1600/quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLK3jLIPdjDg7GP6Ld0-RqCNQlwCbUc1FrXY7CaTmv3Td2k3Q260JKwOpKqPr49Ny1PrPOYIurv0CJY5-USCCcWm0uQcTuZ4obb-kg5338oRPKmXwLxh4L6PjxgpaetDDGvZEbA_ARE4n/s320/quote.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are definitely at the "have hope" stage of this process. We really believe <span style="line-height: 23px;">the child that is meant to be a part of our family will find us. What happened is just part of our adoption journey and it's not our final stop. So, onward to 2014!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Thanks to Lawrence at <a href="http://www.americaadopts.com/failed-adoption-match-how-to-pick-yourself-up-and-go-on/" target="_blank">America Adopts</a> for helping me move forward another step. <a href="http://www.americaadopts.com/failed-adoption-match-how-to-pick-yourself-up-and-go-on/" target="_blank">Click here</a> to read my guest blog post on the <a href="http://www.americaadopts.com/failed-adoption-match-how-to-pick-yourself-up-and-go-on/" target="_blank">America Adopts</a> website. While you are at it, follow America Adopts on Twitter, <a href="https://twitter.com/AmericaAdopts" target="_blank">@AmericaAdopts</a> or "Like" their Facebook page, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AmericaAdopts" target="_blank">facebook.com/AmericaAdopts</a>.</span></span></div>
Jenn :Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03321417953344433109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249694162837418966.post-18021423840619368432013-12-18T19:11:00.000-05:002013-12-18T19:11:00.538-05:00Just Love Fa-La-La-La-La Coffee Winners<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Congratulations to</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Karen, Julie and Christina</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>for winning a bag of </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Fa-La-La-La-La coffee from Just Love!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your holiday just got a little more festive! Thank you for entering and reading Two Cats and a Cradle.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaLGMp5wv6wgvTux_ML7knxZZxiw_rVmFSzcpe7Ylupy2MCqyz4hVpWUwzk2rfpXN2B-A-746BlFWOjCTniTQfJ8U0o1JdqtUluFaRtPvOzOeOe7atGJ3MI2TzVQNo9y2wpysXUebRV9A/s1600/package.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaLGMp5wv6wgvTux_ML7knxZZxiw_rVmFSzcpe7Ylupy2MCqyz4hVpWUwzk2rfpXN2B-A-746BlFWOjCTniTQfJ8U0o1JdqtUluFaRtPvOzOeOe7atGJ3MI2TzVQNo9y2wpysXUebRV9A/s320/package.jpg" width="204" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Want to order some Just Love Coffee? <a href="https://justlovecoffee.com/about/beneficiary/TheDeasons/" target="_blank">Click here</a> to shop in the <a href="https://justlovecoffee.com/about/beneficiary/TheDeasons/" target="_blank">Two Cats and a Cradle Just Love Coffee store</a>. For every purchase made a percentage goes to our adoption fund. Thank you!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are interested in adoption fundraising with Just Love coffee <a href="https://justlovecoffee.com/fundraising/fundraising-overview/" target="_blank">click here</a> for all the details.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are lots of ways to show Just Love Coffee some <b>LOVE</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">Website: </span><a href="http://justlovecoffee.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">justlovecoffee.com</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/justlovecoffee" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">facebook.com/justlovecoffee</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">Twitter: </span><a href="https://twitter.com/justlovecoffee" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">twitter.com/justlovecoffee</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">Pinterest: </span><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/justlovecoffees/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">pinterest.com/justlovecoffees/</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">Instagram: </span><a href="http://instagram.com/justlovecoffee" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">instagram.com/justlovecoffee</span></a></span></div>
Jenn :Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03321417953344433109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249694162837418966.post-10926701251858609682013-12-12T19:00:00.000-05:002013-12-13T10:55:08.759-05:00Red String Good Luck Charm Bracelet Giveaway<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's the LAST giveaway! It's been fun giving away neat things over the past six weeks. I hope you've enjoyed it too!<br /><br />Last, but not least, this week I am giving away 3 Red String Good Luck charm bracelets handmade by me! I have been selling these on Etsy to benefit our adoption fund. Then I thought, what's more lucky than to win one?<br /><br />This bracelet is full of luck! I'll be wearing mine into 2014. A little extra luck is never a bad thing. The red string and six charms each have a special meaning. Oh and the red string + 6 charms = lucky number 7! See what I did there. ;)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4oRh9_5iBQmxPUVntz4RJi8gI54G4EcHXzgPdDilNvYTE1_9O4-gvMqphEakyt1fd1srEcIOBC6l8IfUPBzjHMR95EqZa8LrJwW0P-ZxR8rao0-2hZ8WJDWiSZYbr3WtqtE11zDv55kG0/s1600/bracelet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4oRh9_5iBQmxPUVntz4RJi8gI54G4EcHXzgPdDilNvYTE1_9O4-gvMqphEakyt1fd1srEcIOBC6l8IfUPBzjHMR95EqZa8LrJwW0P-ZxR8rao0-2hZ8WJDWiSZYbr3WtqtE11zDv55kG0/s320/bracelet.jpg" width="275" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><b>Red string</b> – It’s believed that a person who wears a red string will see their life change for the good. It wards off all evils and negative energy.<br /><br /><b>Star</b> – Wishing on a star and your wish may come true. "Star light, Star bright, the first Star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might, Have the wish I wish tonight."<br /><br /><b>Evil Eye</b> - Stares back at the world to ward off the evil spirits, envy and keep you safe from harm.<br /><br /><b>Angel Wing</b> - Symbolic of the higher evolution of the soul, spiritual mobility, protection and love.<br /><br /><b>Four-leaf Clover</b> - According to legend, each leaf represents something: the first is for faith, the second is for hope, the third is for love, and the fourth is for luck.<br /><br /><b>Amazonite</b> - Enhances creative expression, aligns astral bodies, unity with life. It is called the "hope stone" because it inspires confidence and hope.<br /><br /><b>Wishbone</b> - It is believed this symbol will "catch" your dreams, bring good luck, channel of "good” energy and make your wishes come true. <br /><br />The bracelet fits a 7" wrist (measures 7.5" including closure). Enter via Rafflecopter below. Three lucky winners will be selected at midnight on December 24, 2013. Winners will be announced on December 26th.</span><br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/c6f1c25/" id="rc-c6f1c25" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wishing you great happiness, all the luck in the world and wonderful new year!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you'd like to buy one and support our adoption fund, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/118249467/red-string-good-luck-charm-bracelet?" target="_blank">click here</a>. The bracelets are $10 each</span>.</div>
Jenn :Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03321417953344433109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249694162837418966.post-81555100603129236122013-12-11T09:00:00.000-05:002013-12-11T09:13:37.885-05:00Kidecal Giveaway Winner Is...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Congratulations to Alvina for winning the <a href="http://kidecals.com/" target="_blank">Kidecals</a> Giveaway!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Get your creativity flowing, your <a href="http://kidecals.com/" target="_blank">Kidecals</a> prize package is on its way to you. Thank you to everyone for entering and reading Two Cats and a Cradle.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYB5Ht60X0sBEv_nBkQCkUL2pLLi9ZVN-ozZchyphenhypheni-dFFn2xosFmrcVOFDS7bD5qM26RlLD3vEcXnVNWgxtQ_kOTMwdyua8ZNhXu1R7FpIV3vHFsCP-V89Ws7amYUizCbMeh-8LiL1Gs4G/s1600/blogger-image--778998040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYB5Ht60X0sBEv_nBkQCkUL2pLLi9ZVN-ozZchyphenhypheni-dFFn2xosFmrcVOFDS7bD5qM26RlLD3vEcXnVNWgxtQ_kOTMwdyua8ZNhXu1R7FpIV3vHFsCP-V89Ws7amYUizCbMeh-8LiL1Gs4G/s320/blogger-image--778998040.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Want your very own <a href="http://kidecals.com/" target="_blank">Kidecals</a>? Order these super cute, crazy durable, waterproof labels at <a href="http://kidecals.com/">kidecals.com</a> and don't forget to use the <span style="background-color: #ffe599;">15% off discount code - kidecals15</span> at checkout! Did mention they do FREE SHIPPING? What are you waiting for?</span></div>
Jenn :Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03321417953344433109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7249694162837418966.post-9792727930849208922013-12-05T19:00:00.000-05:002013-12-05T19:00:03.654-05:00Just Love Coffee Giveaway<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://justlovecoffee.com/about/beneficiary/TheDeasons/" target="_blank">Just Love Coffee</a> is one of those organizations that makes you excited to share what they do. They are a roaster in Tennessee offering fair trade, organic coffees AND they help families raise the funds they need for adoption. By purchasing with them you are getting a great product and you are supporting a family during the adoption process.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started our <a href="https://justlovecoffee.com/about/beneficiary/TheDeasons/" target="_blank">Just Love Coffee store</a> soon after our home study was approved. Registering was simple and there were no cost associated with the starting a store. I just had to tell people. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's easy enough.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just Love Coffee sends us a percentage for our adoption fund for every item we sell through our </span><a href="https://justlovecoffee.com/about/beneficiary/TheDeasons/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">unique web address</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. When you are raising funds for an adoption, every little bit helps. If you are interested in adoption fundraising with Just Love Coffee, </span><a href="https://justlovecoffee.com/fundraising/fundraising-overview/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">click here</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> for all the details.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Companies are always emailing me asking to give something away on my blog. Two Cats and a Cradle is not really a giveaway type of blog, but I figured the holidays are here and who doesn't like prizes? So I said yes to a few giveaways. I thought if I am going to give some stuff away, I would ask a company that has helped me along the way to participate. Hello Just Love Coffee! The "Keeper of the Bean Talk" over there said YES! He sent me a bag of their holiday <a href="https://justlovecoffee.com/shop/product/fa-la-la-la-la/" target="_blank">Fa-La-La-La-La coffee</a> to try AND three bags to give away! YAY for me and YAY for you!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaLGMp5wv6wgvTux_ML7knxZZxiw_rVmFSzcpe7Ylupy2MCqyz4hVpWUwzk2rfpXN2B-A-746BlFWOjCTniTQfJ8U0o1JdqtUluFaRtPvOzOeOe7atGJ3MI2TzVQNo9y2wpysXUebRV9A/s1600/package.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaLGMp5wv6wgvTux_ML7knxZZxiw_rVmFSzcpe7Ylupy2MCqyz4hVpWUwzk2rfpXN2B-A-746BlFWOjCTniTQfJ8U0o1JdqtUluFaRtPvOzOeOe7atGJ3MI2TzVQNo9y2wpysXUebRV9A/s320/package.jpg" width="204" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We headed down south to visit the family for Thanksgiving and my bag was packed with Fa-La-La-La-La coffee and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FNXKRRU?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=393177&creativeASIN=B00FNXKRRU&linkCode=shr&tag=twocatandacra-20&=kitchen&qid=1386034436&sr=1-18&keywords=keurig" target="_blank">Keurig K-Cup reusable coffee filter</a>. I was ready for the whirlwind trip! The family was all too excited to try the coffee and be famous on my blog!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1Naz6aMEBGTq8jvs3lmSPe-SBMfi3ivNlB1YICa7eXiNb_IP8926r-8zPbifrjS_Yxyd7BKEYxlvW2uSleipDV9vbOr39QUr7nPF6iR31t08I5_IfamaCf7g_Du50UULPC3vjAWrJwId/s1600/group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1Naz6aMEBGTq8jvs3lmSPe-SBMfi3ivNlB1YICa7eXiNb_IP8926r-8zPbifrjS_Yxyd7BKEYxlvW2uSleipDV9vbOr39QUr7nPF6iR31t08I5_IfamaCf7g_Du50UULPC3vjAWrJwId/s320/group.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Fa-La-La-La-La blend is nice medium body coffee with a light citrus flavor and hints of spice. It's perfect for a holiday brunch or with pecan pie. It definitely made everyone a little more merry! Caffeine tends to have that effect.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSAr5_2Eu9tWppem9iOks5_BLCRh2sgEqcHfzISb7QQ2qEOOp0w3mL9of_XWgH3FmOH-XE05mTgvDxbO7AAYmdLmsVCpIiEREcE7xX7dE4sBpQqMGyptMqMICd1PO7yJeqoOfKGdO-iXr/s1600/coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSAr5_2Eu9tWppem9iOks5_BLCRh2sgEqcHfzISb7QQ2qEOOp0w3mL9of_XWgH3FmOH-XE05mTgvDxbO7AAYmdLmsVCpIiEREcE7xX7dE4sBpQqMGyptMqMICd1PO7yJeqoOfKGdO-iXr/s320/coffee.jpg" width="259" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now here's your chance to win a bag just in time for Christmas festivities! Enter below using the Rafflecopter form. Just enter your email address, Like Just Love Coffee on Facebook and Follow Just Love Coffee on Twitter. Three lucky people will win a bag of the Fa-La-La-La-La blend of their very own! Giveaway ends on December 17, 2013. Good Luck!</span></div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/c6f1c24/" id="rc-c6f1c24" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you can't wait to get your hands on Just Love Coffee, <a href="https://justlovecoffee.com/about/beneficiary/TheDeasons/" target="_blank">click here</a> to shop in the <a href="https://justlovecoffee.com/about/beneficiary/TheDeasons/" target="_blank">Two Cats and a Cradle Just Love Coffee store</a>. For every purchase made a percentage goes to our adoption fund. Thank you!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are lots of ways to show Just Love Coffee some <b>LOVE</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">Website: </span><a href="http://justlovecoffee.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">justlovecoffee.com</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/justlovecoffee" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">facebook.com/justlovecoffee</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">Twitter: </span><a href="https://twitter.com/justlovecoffee" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">twitter.com/justlovecoffee</span></a></span></div>
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Jenn :Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03321417953344433109noreply@blogger.com4