One more week to order!!

Thank you so much for the towel orders and sweet emails thus far!! It's been so encouraging to read about your excitement in helping us bring Caroline home. We're excited about traveling as a family, knowing that it's the best thing for Grace and an amazing lesson for Carter. When asked what he'd say first to Caroline, he replied, "I'm your brother!!!" I think he "gets"adoption, and what a sweet moment he and Grace will experience on the day Caroline becomes a daughter and sister in our family. I also think Caroline will enjoy having siblings there in China to play with and care for.

Our fundraiser ends in one week. You can still order towels up until next Monday, April 4th. Just email me with your order and contact info. Put "Covered" in the subject line. And I'll respond with my address so you can send a check. The ladies of (Cover)ed are offering us over 50% of the proceeds to go toward our adoption expenses...what a huge blessing!

To browse your design options for your custom-hooded towel, click here.

My realistic goal is to have 40 towels sold, and my "dream" goal is 65. :) As of tonight, I have 26 towels on order. Will you please help me spread the word by posting the original post (click here) on your blog, Face*ook, Tw*tter, email? Thank you, thank you!!! And don't forget to enter for the free towel giveway by leaving a comment here or on the original post.

With blessings and gratitude,

Kelley

Mercies in Disguise

I just saw a facebook post by my college friend and roommate, Rebekah, about Laura Story's latest song "Blessings." She typed out just a few lyrics, and the words gripped me. I immediately went to itunes to download the song, and I've been sitting here listening to it on repeat for at least half an hour.

I feel like I've always been pretty transparent on here, for better or for worse. So I'll share that I've felt a tiny bit empty lately. Judging by the events of the last few months, I shouldn't feel this way. We moved to a beautiful new house, I landed my dream job (part-time), my relationship with my kids has become even better, my husband loves me despite my many flaws, and we all anxiously await our trip to China to make Caroline a part of our family. But while life seems good, I ache for God.

What this song made me remember is that I have been closest to God, and I've had my richest moments with Him, when I've been on my knees in pain and tears. When I'm comfortable with how everything is going, I tend to pull back and think I can do it on my own. This is very common, I know. And that's why I wanted to share this song with you. If you're going through a hard time, I hope it will be encouragement. If thinks are going well, I hope you'll be ready to embrace the next trial as a mercy in disguise. And most of all, I pray that we would just know our Lord and Savior more intimately every day.

Here are just a few of the lyrics...

"What if Your blessings come through raindrops. What if Your healing comes through tears. What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near. What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise..." "What if my greatest disappointments.... or the aching of this life... is the revealing of a great thirst this world can't satisfy?" -Laura Story, "Blessings"

Rebekah gave birth to her 3rd son prematurely last year, almost losing her life in the process too. Mills died six weeks later. She and her husband survived devastating grief and loss, and yet they have such incredible testimonies of God's presence and healing. You can read about it here.

I certainly don't wish to pray myself into a trial. But I guess this song brought a fresh recognition of the significance of hard times, and I realize the need to to be on my knees even when I don't "have" to be.

"Blessings" to all of you....

(Cover)ed

Need a baby gift? A birthday present? An Easter basket filler? Or just a fun gift for the kids in your life?

Then get (Cover)ed with these adorable custom and high-quality towels!

Okay, I'll kill the radio PR advertisement tone. :) But seriously, these towels are great for bathtime, the beach, or the pool. And now's the time to get ready for the spring and summer days ahead.

We're gearing up (and saving up) to travel to China in about 3 months to adopt and bring home 12-year-old Caroline LiYun. After much prayer and consideration, we've decided to bring Carter and Grace with us...mainly because the experiences of other families who've left adopted children at home for a subsequent adoption had year-long setbacks. And given that this is our 2nd adoption in less than 13 months, we've decided that doing a few fundraisers would be incredibly helpful. So we're asking you to consider helping us out by...SHOPPING! :) I mean, do you need a better excuse to shop than this beautiful face??? In just a few months, she will go from "orphan" to "beloved daughter."

So, I'm thrilled to introduce our first fundraiser! We are partnering with (Cover)ed to sell custom hooded towels for kids!

Each towel is 54x30 inches, with the attached hood measuring 10 1/2 inches long and 15 inches wide. They are great for snuggling infants but are also large enough for toddlers and big kids. The towels come in a variety of colors and personalization options.

Each towel is $25.

Our family will receive over 50% of each towel sold to go toward our adoption!

If you'd like to purchase a towel, you can email me at kelley.b.brown@gmail.com. Please put (Cover)ed in the subject line. You can also leave a comment on this post with your contact information. Please pay with cash or check. If another payment method is needed, let me know and we'll see what we can do.

To see all the different color and design options that are available for purchase, please click here.

When ordering, please include towel color, design color and initial color (if needed). The end date of my sale is Monday, April 4th. Towels will be ready 3 weeks from that date. However, if you need for Easter, let me know when ordering. If you live in Bham, there won't be any shipping. I'll get them to you. If you live outside of the Birmingham area, please include $2.00 if ordering one towel and $3.00 if ordering two or more towels. Also, if you live in the Birmingham area and would like to see a sample towel, just let me know.

PLEASE pass the link to this fundraiser on to everyone you know! Share it on blogs, FB, forums and anywhere else that you can. I am praying that we can place a HUGE order on April 4th!

And to kick off the sale, I'm doing a GIVEAWAY!! Leave a comment, and you'll get your name in once for the drawing. The prize is a FREE towel of your choice. Pass this blog link along to friends and have them mention your name in their comment, and they'll get their name in once plus you'll get another entry. And so on. I'll draw a name on April 4th. We so appreciate you spreading the word and helping us promote this fundraising event!

Finally, please go and take a look at the (Cover)ed website. This is a new ministry being done by two ladies right here in Alabama who have a heart for orphans and the call to care for orphans. Many lives are being blessed by their talents and passion!

Personality in Pictures

These poses are all their own.

Trying to curtsy

Dance move???

Bowing

Grace was really quiet this morning...

And when I went into her room, this is how I found her.

Kind of a cross between a Mardi Gras Queen and a Hawaiaan luau princess.

I've never sprinted so fast before to grab my camera.

Don't worry "Daddy," I'm not letting her out of the house in this.