bicycle basket

Design: Composition

2012-02-16T09:19:00.000-06:00

Love these compositions and styles from BDDW.

Valentines Day: And Take Out

2012-02-14T15:00:00.001-06:00

It's Valentines Day! Michael and I are ordering Chinese take-out to enjoy with candlelight after we put the kids to bed.

Hope you feel loved today!

Kristyn

Adoption & Life: Updates

2012-02-12T23:51:00.003-06:00

So, a dear dear friend sent us $410 for our growing family fund! What a blessing. May you be blessed, sweet buddy. I would really love to see you soon.

We have our first home study meeting this Wednesday!

Just signed Tegegne up for soccer this spring, on a team with a good friend! Let the games begin. This should be hilarious and cute!

Can't wait to catch up with Taryn and Micah tomorrow, as they had a fun filled weekend in NYC!

Planning a sweet + small first birthday party for our baby girl. Can't wait to celebrate her first year of life in a few weeks!

We had some friends for dinner tonight and our house was so clean and so cozy. Going to bed with full bellies (after veggie chili and beef+bacon chili...sourdough and vanilla butter...cookies...wine) and content hearts. It was a good weekend. Thanks be to God.

Good night, sleep tight.

photo.

Kid Stuff: via Meg's Pinterest

2012-02-11T09:27:00.000-06:00

Via Meg's Pinterest Board called Kids and Baby Items.

DRC Adoption: More Blessings

2012-02-09T13:13:00.000-06:00

Last night we opened an envelope from a dear couple that we barely know. They sent us $275, and said that they are praying that their money would also multiply. I teared up and Michael thanked God aloud. Being aware of what God is doing here is transforming our hearts. Thank you, friends! May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you!

Then we got a $27 check from Kansas City Title. We don't know why!

If you are reading and have faith in God, this makes sense. If you don't know of faith in God, let me say that we have money coming to us from many directions and the only explanation is that we prayed to God for financial provision and our prayers are being answered.

We are humbled. We know that Gods answers to our prayers are not always like this. Either way, we believe. We believe in God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We believe that Jesus died, rose again, and will come again one day. We believe when the sun is shining, or when clouds cover the sky. We believe when money comes in, or when it doesn't.

And we have hope. Hope that God shines a light in the dark places. Hope that our children-to-be are safe and can feel peace beyond understanding.

And we are thankful. For our community. For health. For love. Because what we do for the least of these, we do for God...who loved us enough to sacrifice his son. That is love.

photo credit.

DRC Adoption: Praise and Progress

2012-02-08T14:05:00.003-06:00

I chime in again today humbled by God's provision. We received $1000 yesterday from some very dear people. And we say, thank you! Thank you for your generosity! Thank you God for guiding our steps.

And last week we got $1200 from something that had to do with homeowners insurance that we overpaid a year ago. Michael knew about it, but I did not know that money was coming!

And there were 10 extra dollars when I took Tegegne's piggy bank money to the bank! Every little bit counts!

In case you are curious, here is an estimate of what our adoption will cost with a breakdown of what the money goes toward.

Agency Fee #1 - $2250
Dossier Prep Fee - $500
Foreign Fee #1 - $5000 ($2500 non-refundable, $2500 refundable prior to child referral.)
Humanitarian support & aid - $1000

Total Due w Contract: $8750

Fees below due w acceptance of child referral or dossier submission, whichever is first.

Agency Fee #2 - $2250
Foreign Fee #2 - $5000
Infant Care (0-12 mo) - $250/month

Due with Referral/Dossier: $7250

Costs to Others at time of Referral/ Dossier

State Dept Authentication Fee - $36 for 2 children
Embassy of the DR Congo - $1000 for 2 children
Courier - $70
Child Transportation from region to Kinshasa and administrative coordination - $1500

Our home study is cheaper this go around since we're using the same social worker! (Under $1000)

So, this is not all of the costs but a good chunk of it. Other costs will include our travel, and other possible costs for a second child. If you are not familiar with international adoption, this is overwhelming I'm sure. It is a lot of money. It is a major process, that needs to be done professionally. The costs are for the process and not the child.

There are other things that are on my mind regarding our adoption that I'll have to share soon. My computer is "dying" as our house was struck by lightening and all power cords were fried! Michael is bringing his cord home tonight!

Love,

Kristyn

Becoming Kind: Henri Nouwen

2012-02-06T22:23:00.000-06:00

Becoming Kind

Kindness is a beautiful human attribute. When we say, "She is a kind person" or "He surely was kind to me," we express a very warm feeling. In our competitive and often violent world, kindness is not the most frequent response. But when we encounter it we know that we are blessed. Is it possible to grow in kindness, to become a kind person? Yes, but it requires discipline. To be kind means to treat another person as your "kin," your intimate relative. We say, "We are kin" or "He is next of kin." To be kind is to reach out to someone as being of "kindred" spirit.

Here is the great challenge: All people, whatever their color, religion, or sex, belong to humankind and are called to be kind to one another, treating one another as brothers and sisters. There is hardly a day in our lives in which we are not called to this.

photo source.

Books: For Wee Ones

2012-02-06T08:00:00.000-06:00

Board books for babes:

Urban Babies Wear Black. Hilarious!

Yum Yum Dim Sum. I mean have you eaten dim sum style? It's so fun!

I Like Vegetables.

Caillou My Birth.

A Book of Sleep.

Plus, The Land of Nod features many darling books that we'll be adding to our library list. Children's books rock!

Love,
Mom

Books: For Kids

2012-02-05T23:25:00.003-06:00

Some of Tegegne's and Mommy's Recent Reads:

How I Learned Geography. by Uri Shulevitz. Seriously good book for all. You've got to read it.

George and Martha. Great stories of two friends. Love it!

How to Hug. "Used for preschoolers to learn the personal space of others." Ha! Tegegne, you're good at the lingering-hug-until-you-and-your-hugging-friend-fall-over, so this book was quite a necessary read!

Barack Obama Son of Promise, Child of Hope. A good book about your president's childhood, and vision of hope. Tegegne, you liked when he talks about getting an education because we often remind you that Birthmom wants you to get a good education.

Another on our list:

The Lion and The Mouse. By Jerry Pinkney.

I Can Read! is a great resource for finding age appropriate books and tips for getting our kids to read. I need to look for more from this list!

We'd recommend becoming familiar with your cities library, where books are endless and free! Or, if you're into buying books, local bookstores are good too. Our favorite is Reading Reptile in Brookside!

Adoption: Answered Prayers!

2012-02-02T10:04:00.000-06:00

photo credit.

Yesterday I woke up with a weird feeling about the agency we had chosen, called them to ask about some fees, and still did not feel right. Then a friend writes me sharing the same concern. It was perfect timing. She reminded me of an agency that her friends just brought twins home through. A great agency with lower fees, and good character. So, we are looking into that agency this morning and making the switch!!!

And then, I get another message from a friend saying she has written a director at Show Hope on our behalf, and says I can contact her to discuss DRC agencies.

And two days ago a friend who started Sseko Sandals offered to partner with us for a portion of our funds!

And then, right before bed we were blessed beyond measure...

Wow...at 9:32 pm, Michael and I opened a huge blessing from dear friends. Tegegne's piggy bank of $19.27 was multiplied 100 times!!! We immediately praised God for this generosity. Humbling and overwhelmed we have all approached this day with pure joy. Got a text from Michael this morning saying, "It's going to be a good day!" Then at breakfast, Tegegne blurts out, "It's going to be a good day, today!" So here we have it folks. February 3, 2012 is a good day. We have seen God's provision, and are hearing His encouragement through friends right and left.

(And this morning I told Tegegne that his piggy bank amount was multiplied 100x and he says..."Did it come from their piggy bank? What does their bank look like, mom?......We've got to tell them Thank You!)

May you also know the goodness of God on this day.

Love,

Kristyn

Hensley: Push-Walking

2012-02-01T13:49:00.000-06:00

Well hello there little dollie! We found this steal at the thrift store for $4 and it is the best learning-to-walk-push-toy. It's weighted down so you cannot fall over when pushing it. I've noticed that most push toys are not actually productive because they roll right out from under you. Thank you, Radio Flyer Walker Wagon, for teaching our girl that walking is not so scary after all! (When Tegegne is not making videos of you, he's really good at helping you turn corners!) Walking. Something you'll do for the rest of your life. Pretty cool.

Love,
Mom

Adoption: What's Next

2012-01-30T20:00:00.000-06:00

This was the coolest moment with my son thus far. We wake up Saturday morning, Ababayeh was out early grading papers, and Tegegne comes into my room...

Mommy: Tegegne we sent in our adoption application yesterday and now we've got to pray. Do you know how much money we need for our first payment?
Tegegne: No, how much?
Mommy: $4,050!
Tegegne: Oh, mom!!! I know how we can get it. I've got my bank. Go get Rufus! (his "doggie" bank) I can give the money in my bank.
Mommy: Wow Tegegne, that is really nice of you. It is a good thing to give all that you have, because God will bless that.

This gesture, son, means more than you know. We counted all of the money in your bank, minus one euro and stuck it in a envelope. I will make sure this $19.27 goes straight to our fund. Actually, my prayer is this:

Dear God,
Will you please multiply Tegegne's doggie bank funds two-hundred and ten times for our first payment? This is a humbling and tummy-grumbling process. It is so hard to be taking this step of faith. Like are we stepping into deep water without endurance to swim? I want the endurance though. So does Michael, and Tegegne, and Hensley (she smiled the other day when I mentioned a baby sister.) This process just goes so against what most people, or even what I would naturally do. You have definitely called us to something more risky and eye-opening in this life though. Michael and I are looking up the "poverty guidelines" with 6 in a household...to make sure we have more than that to qualify. We do, by the hair of our chinny, chin, chin. There is nothing "comfortable" about this, but we see it as good. Good, because when we loose our life we find it, and it's better to give than to receive, and when you give to the least of these, you're giving to Me. All of these lessons that you, God, remind me of throughout the day. Lessons that I thought I once knew, and still don't completely.

God, we are ready to sign the first papers toward bringing two children without family into a family, our family. But we must first have the humble $19.27 turned into $4,050.

Amen.

P.S. I mentioned praying about this again to Tegegne (as it's been on my mind all day) and he says, but Mommy...remember the money I found at the gym yesterday (he found a penny!)? We've got to add it to the envelope!

That penny is Tegegne's mustard seed.

Hensley Ruth: 11 Months

2012-01-29T23:41:00.000-06:00

You've almost done it, Little Stink Stink. Almost one year old. You still cry nearly every time you're strapped into the car seat. Good thing your cry is kind of low pitched, but really Hens. You've been eating lots of crackers and we've been weaning you off of breast milk with almond milk. We've also introduced peanut butter. Still breast feeding at breakfast, lunch, dinner and almond milk at snack time. Also smoothies, and whatever we are having for dinner. You've been quite healthy thus far. Thank you Lord. Here's a bit from your doc, doc.

1. "milks" for toddlers.
2. Nuts (peanut butter included), shellfish, and eggs.
The research regarding introducing solid foods is actively changing. This means the foods that have been traditionally restricted until later in toddlerhood (eggs, shellfish, peanut butter) are no longer on the “Do Not Have” list. In fact, some recent data suggests that delaying the introduction of high-allergy foods (shell fish, nuts, eggs) actually increases the risk of developing a food allergy. Other studies do not show an increase in allergic disease by starting allergenic foods early. In addition, adding dairy sources (cheeses, yogurt) and animal proteins (meat, chicken, pork, fish) can be added at any time.

Love your doc!

Love you too, Hens.

Mom

Tegegne: Conversations + Life

2012-01-26T10:15:00.000-06:00

Tegegne, you were such a darling little nugget with a huge noggin'! We love this photo that was on all of your embassy paperwork, and just framed your Ethiopian birth certificate in our kitchen. You still have a large forehead, and many shirts struggle to get over it. We love it. It has actually been months since you got a goose egg on your forehead, and I think we may be moving on! You are growing into a kind, funny, gentle boy, and of course you are still full of life. That energy is being used more productively these days, and we see you growing into a fine oldest brother role model kind of kid. This is not coming without much effort...timeouts and good discipline in love. : )

Mommy: "Tegegne, come here! Have you looked outside? It's a Magical Mystery kind of day!"

Tegegne: Don't say that moooommm....it's just fog.

(Last night was sad for our family...our dear friend Mike is no longer staying with us.)

Tegegne: "Don't woowwy mom! It's gonna be okay. I'm gonna be here....but somedays I'll go to school and I won't be here. Okay?"

Then during our dinnertime prayer you had one arm around me and one around your father. Hens was already sleeping. Your arm squeezed tightly around me and your little fingers were squeezing my shoulder, giving me a little massage. It was so kind.

DRC Adoption: What's Next

2012-01-23T23:21:00.000-06:00

Photo from Agency's facebook page.

Michael and I have had many conversations lately about the logistics of this next adoption, and it seems crazy and right at the same time. To be honest, it seems less crazy than right for both of us. Tegegne too, he now asks me about his "brother and sister" (we have no idea if it will be that combination) that we are adopting and when they are coming. Today he said, "Mommy, I think my brother is going to be a baby but then he will be big. And we will be crazy together!" Then Mike (17 yr old Mike) chimed in and said, "See Kristyn, I told you this is gonna be more than you can handle!"

Here's what we've done so far. Found an agency that we hope to proceed with. A few of their fees are higher than the others, but they do in-country foster care which really helps the children's health and well-being. In foster care they are seen by a doctor and social worker monthly, get medicines, nourishment, and love. Way, way, way better than the orphanages we've seen photos of. Also a much smoother transition for them.

I've joined the congo yahoo group, which is over a hundred families that have, are, or will be adopting from the DRC. Lots of emails, but a wealth of information. This website (kidsincongo.com) is new by an adopting mom and will be a great resource for families.

Going to send in the application this week and take a deep breath. It's most overwhelming because of the cost. If I'm in the worry state, it feels like a heavy weight champion is pinning me in the ring, saying "Are you crazy lady? You don't have the money for this." If I trust God, I get teeny butterflies in my stomach, and I gently try to see if God's up for telling me how this will play out." I mean, I don't even think I mentioned that we already got an anonymous $500 cashiers check in the mail. (Dear God, bless that person(s) more than they imagined and let them know we are forever grateful for their gift.) It was a sure sign that we should proceed asap.

In the mean time I'm praying for our daily bread...(and Michael's baking it!)

Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the Kingdom and the Power, and the Glory forever and ever. Amen.

Tegegne: And KC Weddings

2012-01-20T14:00:00.000-06:00

Tegegne also made an appearance in KC Weddings recently published issue!

The text reads:

For the Kids:
Face it, ladies--the flower girls and ring bearers will always steal just a little bit of your bridal thunder during that first trot down the aisle. So when it comes to dressing these smallest members of your wedding party, it's best not to skimp one ounce of style! (Photo by Aaron Leimkuehler)

This adorable wedding also in this issue reminded me of Taryn and Micah's wedding.

M Magazine: The Spread

2012-01-18T21:51:00.001-06:00

M Magazine was so kind to do a write-up on us in their Dec Jan issue. We had so much fun with our in-home photo shoot too! Here was the article:

One thing Kristyn Jones isn't is bored. Between raising two small children, keeping up with an increasingly popular blog, and shepherding along a new interior-design consulting business, there are not enough hours in the day. But unlike so many of us who can be tempted to let cooking and family eating time slide in favor of shoehorning another project, meeting yet one more deadline, the Jones family prioritizes another way.

"We think that 'table-time' is very important for family life," says Kristyn. "It's sort of a lost tradition that we try to keep alive. Michael and I hope that when the kids are in high school even, we want to have at least three nights a week where we all sit down together and eat so we stay in tune with each others' lives."

The kids are 8-month-old Hensley and 4-year-old Tegegne, whom Kristyn and Michael adopted from Ethiopia and whose addition to the family actually became a catalyst for many exciting changes.

"I started my blog, Bicycle Basket (michaelandkristyn.blogspot.com), when we began the adoption process in January 2009," Kristyn remembers. "I wrote letters to our son-to-be in order to bond with him in a similar way that a mother does with a growing baby in her womb for nine months. On those days that the process seemed unbearable I would sit down and write him a letter. Some day he can read about the immense love his dad and I had for him before we knew him. I wrote to Hensley, who was in my womb, in a similar fashion. I also love pinning recipes to pinterest.com As a visual person, it's my go-to for meal planning."

Now that he's gotten even a bit older, Tegegne loves to be an active part of mealtime. As well as his bright, inquisitive mind and a great personality, he also brought some unique traditions to his new family. "An Ethiopian tradition is to feed those at your table with your own hand. When he first came home, he always offered of food off his plate, insisting that we have a bite. He also loves to feed his sister and was quite proud to feed her her first food, mashed avocado."

But with a family, a blog and a business, how does she find time to get all the cooking done?

"Before having kids, I would go to the kitchen and cook a meal that was ready two hours later. Now I'm looking for a 30-minute meal, without compromising flavor. With that mindset, I went to make alphabet soup and thought: I know homemade pasta is not supposed to be complicated, but wouldn't lasagna noodles (that are right here in my pantry) work just fine? And they did! And on top of that, Tegegne got to help me cut out the letters with the cute little alphabet cutters I found at Pryde's Old Westport. He also helped me stir in the cranberries in to the instant cornbread mix for the mini muffins that are delicious served with a sweet vanilla butter. I've realized that even though it looks like the cupboard is bare, I can still usually make a satisfying meal out of it."

(Also in the article was the recipe for the alphabet soup and vanilla butter. The alphabet soup was a basic chicken noodle soup recipe with a secret ingredient of 1/2 cup of apple cider.)

Design: "Rope Lighting" and Woven Things

2012-01-18T15:39:00.001-06:00

Isn't Christien Meindertsma's Flax Project nice? Lighting will make or break the mood of a room and I love how she integrated rope around the cord of that pendant lamp. And then there are her kick butt woven rugs that look cooo-zy. Ran across this when looking up "the pouf" ottoman, which is also quite a fun and versatile piece of furniture.

Family Outing: Bike Ride

2012-01-16T08:00:00.000-06:00

Hello family. I like spending time with you. This bike ride on the Trolley Trail was especially fun. Also a bit stressful for me because I thought you (Tegegne) were going to crash into half of the people you passed.

Love,

Mom

Thrifty Mom: Long Skirts

2012-01-15T08:00:00.000-06:00

I did well today. Four skirts for $8. I was so excited I had to share. Hooray for being thrifty!

Baby & Boy: Soak & Paint

2012-01-14T15:48:00.001-06:00

Hens, you just fit in our sink. It's so cute. Just a little rinse off after a mega gross diaper.

Tegegne, you were hard at work making flower magnets for presents! I hope to offer you time and creative direction more often. This was a whole day spent at home and we had a blast! Love you, bugga.

-Mom

Conversations: Tegegne

2012-01-13T20:34:00.000-06:00

Photo credit.

Mom: Criss, cross, applesauce. Make a loop, wrap around, pull through...(I'm trying to make up a song while tying Tegegne's shoe slowly...He reaches in, eager to gain shoe-tying-independence and pulls the loops tightly!
Tegegne: Mom, what kind of college am I going to go to?
(As if tying his shoe will get him there...baby steps...)

T: Hensley, you've gotta dwive wight on the woad...get out of my garden!...we are fighting...(Hensley, you really do like tumbling around with your bro...and when you don't like it you b-line out of the room with your mad crawling skills.

M: Tegegne, can you carry this (a small humidifier) to our sleeping porch?
T: Sure...(he picks it up, grunting with Hensley crawling behind him)
M: Hensley, don't bother Tegegne while he's doing his job. (He took a break, sitting the humidifier on the floor.)
T: It's okay mom! She can bother it. She can touch my job.
+++++

Oh kids. They say funny things and keep the little things in life enjoyable. It is also, along with marriage, one of the hardest jobs I signed up for. But I love it. Marriage too. Phew, so good and so hard all at once. Well, not really all at once. Thanks be to God.

Speaking of marriage. Had a wonderful time with that dear young man I call my husband tonight. Our first date night in a while. We enjoyed Extra Virgin's Happy Hour, and hope to get back there sooner than later. I like that spot, a lot.

And lastly I should be working. I know...on our first date night in months I'm pulling a close-to-all-nighter to do one of my interior design jobs. Always takes longer than I hope, but its all good. I love it. And of course, I found time to blog instead of get my work done.

Good night!

(Stole Michael's The Dark Chocolate Lovers Chocolate Bar (85% dark!) to get me going!)

Love,

Kristyn and Mom and Wife

Conversations: Nicknames & Meetings

2012-01-10T10:22:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, while sitting at lunch, Mike thought Hensley needed a nickname. Not just any nickname...

Mike: I think Hensley need a black nickname. Can I give her one?
Me: Sure!
Mike: Okay...Fhat, Fhat! Gotta have a black spellin' too...F-H-A-T, F-H-A-T!
(Hensley, in case this nickname sticks...now you know where it came from...the biggest friend you have, Mike! You like him so much! He is pretty fond of you too! And Tegegne. Phew! You two fight and play like brothers. You and Mike. It's hilarious!)

Needless to say, we are getting some good laughs over here on Wabash Avenue. We love having Mike here. I had a meeting tonight and the boys laughed the place up (Hens was sleeping.) I was out with a new interior design client. My second new client this week! I'm quickly becoming way busy, as I'm working with two couples who own Brookside homes...one wants kitchen and bath designs and the other wants furniture layouts and selections. I do love the work and am giddy about helping people make their homes super cool. Kind of nice to make a little money too! It's going to be a full week.

We hope you enjoy your week!

Love,

Kristyn

Friendship: A Gift

2012-01-08T08:14:00.000-06:00

The Gift of Friendship

Friendship is one of the greatest gifts a human being can receive. It is a bond beyond common goals, common interests, or common histories. It is a bond stronger than sexual union can create, deeper than a shared fate can solidify, and even more intimate than the bonds of marriage or community. Friendship is being with the other in joy and sorrow, even when we cannot increase the joy or decrease the sorrow. It is a unity of souls that gives nobility and sincerity to love. Friendship makes all of life shine brightly. Blessed are those who lay down their lives for their friends.

by Henri Nouwen

photo source.

Here and There: Santa + Sweet Friends

2012-01-07T08:15:00.000-06:00

So we did Santa at the library this Christmas! He was a jolly ol' soul, but Hensley's not too sure of him in the photo! Tegegne, instead of telling Santa what you wanted for Christmas you asked where his sleigh and reindeer were!

Of course you have to show off while hanging out with the girls! Here are two sweet buddies of yours. Olive and Petra, after storytime.

We finally got to watch Taryn's younger brother (saying "little" brother is not accurate) play some basketball in Richmond the other night. We love her family, and hope to go to another game soon!

Hensley Ruth: 10 Months!

2012-01-06T00:54:00.000-06:00

You are always on your tippy toes!

Oh Hensley! You can throw down some dramatically sad faces!

Are you a baby genius, holding up 4 fingers at the large number 4? Or maybe you were trying to wave to brothers photos!

Happy 10 months old, baby girl. We are starting to see more of your personality and it is so much fun. You've said "kiss" and make a cute little lip smack trying to imitate me. You say "ma-ma" specifically now. "Da-da" was your first sound, but now you say that toward your "da-da." You give the cutest little wrinkly nose grin, especially for your brother and daddy. You are at the beginning phase of throwing a good fit. Haven't been interested in our random attempts to use the potty, but that could simply be that you haven't need to go when I've tried. We recently noticed that you associate your silky bunny blankie with thumb sucking and sleep, so I've learned to bring it with us in the evenings. You stand alone, and walk while holding onto us. You like to crawl.

You don't know this yet, but you are most likely going to have two more African siblings. I know I didn't have to say "African"on one sense, because at your age you will simply see them as more siblings to play with. One special thing about your relationship with Tegegne at this age is that you see him purely as your brother. I know from some eyes you may look like the "miracle" child, the biological one. I see so much of God's love through your relationship with your brother, and I am sure that you and Tegegne will learn to love these next two with the same heart.

Thanks for being such a sweet baby, Hensley. We love you!

MaMa, DaDa, and Bu-Ba

Conversations: Big and Little

2012-01-05T10:38:00.000-06:00

T: Mommy, are we going to the wec center tonight? Well, here's our lock. I'm sitting it wight here. We can't forget it this time!

T: Are we getting two more kids adopted yet? Are they coming now?!
Me: Not yet, we have to get an agency first.

M(ike...not Michael): Can I go get Hensley?
Me: No, she's napping! Why?
M: Well, I feel bad for her. She's been sleeping too long.
Me: (laughing a little...)Oh, Mike. Don't worry. She will wake up happy. Babies and small children need much more sleep than one would think.

T: Ababayeh, let's westle! I'm gonna beat you because I'm 15 tall.

This Little Light: of Mine

2012-01-03T08:00:00.000-06:00

O Candle Holder

Folding Lamp

Book Rest Lamp

This little light of mine.
I'm gonna let it shine.

Light after dark, what a phenomenon. When the sun goes down, we all need a little light, right? I much prefer lamps, or candlelight, to create a soft glow and set the mood just right! So here are a few little cuties for sale. I just love the 2nd robot-looking one and the book rest!

Goodnight: 2011

2012-01-01T23:30:00.000-06:00

Phillip Finder

Well hello there, two-thousand and twelve. How are you? What are you thinking creeping up on us like that? I mean, I'm glad you're here...or I guess you'll be cool and all but to be honest I wasn't eagerly anticipating your arrival. My apologies.

And to you, two-thousand eleven...I didn't even say good bye. Let me do so by thanking you for the following.

For some reason the first thing that I want to thank you for is the introduction of childbirth last Feburary 28th. Odd, I know. I guess it was such a monumental time for me. Bonded my husband and I like crazy and it made me realize that any other stubbing of my toe or tear shed was a drop in the bucket compared to the pain and beauty of birthing a small child. So thanks. For those 26 hours that changed my perspective forever.

Thank you for the fruit of that labor. Hensley Ruth Jones. She's a keeper.

It's never easy to say thanks for letting us have tough times in our marriage and as a family. But I'm going to take a gulp and thank you anyway. It's often through the toughest situations that we see God in a deeper and richer way. Experiencing God's overwhelming love for us. "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Thanks for all of the laughter in our home. Often over dinner with friends, while Tegegne tries so hard to tell a joke with a good punch line. Or right after dinner when he dances his little booty all around the house.

Thanks for this house. Okay I'm realizing that it feels weird to be thanking "two-thousand-eleven" for all this stuff...let me just get down to business and rephrase that. Thank you God for these things that You did in our lives this past year. Okay, now I can get back to it...this house. Wow, its so grand. Big windows, big light. Old wood, what delight. Cold in winter, hot in summer...but we love you anyway old house. Exposed brick, sweet new kitchen, and more projects to come. (Michael has one more week of Christmas break, wink, wink.)

Was introduced to pinterest and got an ipad. Wohoo. Big events for sure.

Also thankful for all Michael's chocolate chip cookies I consumed. I wonder how many I ate...did I eat more than him? That may be a good thing to keep a tally of for 2012.

Thank you for my best friends wedding. My dance parties with my son. My glasses of wine with my husband. My breast-feeding-bonding-with-my-babe. Our getaways to Big Sky. My le Creuset. Hot cups of tea. And God's grace on thee.

Goodnight 2011. Thanks for the good times.

Kristyn

Fun

2011-12-31T10:48:00.000-06:00

Just a few looks into your days as children...

Merry Christmas: 2011

2011-12-29T00:46:00.000-06:00

Twas the Night: Before Christmas

2011-12-24T23:28:00.002-06:00

Santa.

"Twas the Night Before Christmas"

By Clement Clarke Moore

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!
On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONDER and BLITZEN!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!

(So, it is a bit ironic to post that poem, as we don't do the Santa thing, really, but we talk about the joy in giving gifts to others and the birth of Jesus! I had just read the poem's entirety for the first time and I thought I'd share! Because, tis the night before Christmas, ya know.)

And really quick I'd like to share a bit about what I'm really thinking about this Christmas...our family. How lucky I am that I have parents that are not divorced. How thankful we are to have our friend, Mike with us this Christmas. And then I'm thinking of all of the children and families that may not have a merry and bright Christmas for one circumstance or another. God be with them. May everyone receive a gift in some way on Christmas. Also thinking of my dear husband and am excited to see what he made for me! He always makes something quite cool and it makes me feel well loved and appreciated.

Happy Christmas to All, and to all a good night!

Love,

Kristyn

Tis the Season: For Good Books!

2011-12-21T17:00:00.000-06:00

Who is Coming to Our House? by Joseph Slate and Ashley Wolff. Great board book...for Advent and preparing for Jesus!

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats...We love this one...and it got a Caldacott Medal!

The Snow Globe Family by Jane O'Connor and S.D. Schinler...Cute and funny!

Stick Man by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheppler...Funny...Santa appears at the end of this book!

These are a few we've been reading lately, seasonally appropriate! If you are looking for a last minute gift for kids...go to your local bookstore! Reading is fun!

If in Kansas City, that would be The Reading Reptile. Love that place. They are so good at suggesting books!

The Christmas Story: Adorable Rendition

2011-12-20T22:58:00.000-06:00

A friend shared this video. It was a church they visited while living in New Zeland. I mean, seriously cute, yes? St. Pauls Church in Auckland, New Zealand.

Merry Christmas: Love, Joseph

2011-12-19T12:25:00.000-06:00

You saw us in the crowd, and are waving to your surprise friend that came...Miss Amy...plus Ababayeh and Mike!

We were so proud of you, little "Joseph." You did awesome in your Christmas Play. It was adorable. I know Michael sometimes gets defensive when people comment on your "size", but I just have to say that the first photos of your feet dangling on the hay bale are just cute. Yep, you are the smallest in class, but most of these kiddos are going to kindergarten next year and because of your September birthday you'll go the year after.

Thank you so much photographer friend, Matthew Collins, for taking the photos for us! (Tiger's dad...striped tights! And then there's your best bud, Soren, to her right!) Seriously, check out Matthew's work. Oh my gosh, the portraits..."the boys"...it's all so good.

Love,
Mom

Seventeen: And Crispy!

2011-12-17T10:14:00.000-06:00

Seventeen.

The story that M Magazine put out about us mentioned that there are not enough hours in the day...between keeping my blog updated, two small children, cooking dinner, interior design consulting, and then there's the keeping the house somewhat clean and laundry and dishes...all mom's would agree another hour would be nice! My motto on a busy day is usually that the laundry can wait. I also wanted to mention that my interior design consulting is one-client-at-a-time right now, without strict deadlines. Eventually, after these two, and hopefully two more are in school, I'll go full speed ahead!

I chimed in today to mention the extra bundle of time and friendship that is more recently filling my days...which means that laundry and house stuff is way behind! That would be our 17 year old staying with us. Wow. We are so thankful for this time to foster a friendship like this. It's been super exhausting, but also so good. He is a great kid that wants to do well. Life has not dealt him the best hand, and my eyes have been open wide in our conversations...

"Yeah, it's crazy...they will carve the shape of their gun out in their textbook to sneak it into school. The security officers just glance in their bag but never open their text books..."

"But see...you don't get it because you weren't brought up way different than me..."

"That's crispy."

"That's boosie!"

"You are actin' like a mama to me, with all this preachin'."

We have had great conversations, and hard ones. We are trying to help him get back into school, but as you can imagine...it's not super motivating to go to a school where kids just want to pick a fight, and as he says, teachers just want to push him through. In a better environment, he would thrive.

Lord, have mercy on our friend. We want him to succeed. We want him to graduate from college and get a fair chance in this world. I just think...if only we could have helped him sooner. But You are with him and can help him through. Please give him a vision and the means to do well. And thank you for your provision.

Love,

Mom

Oh and we had quite an experience the other day! Went to the barber shop...in the hood. The boys got the best haircuts. I have no match to Jerome's expertise. Tegegne got a real haircut, finally. His line is tight, which means a distinct, smooth line across the forehead. I had no idea he could have such detail around his hair line. I must take photos. Mike got "The Gumby" which looks awesome. I'm learning a ton! It's great!

Adoption: The Congo

2011-12-13T23:55:00.000-06:00

More Photos...

So, here goes. First I must preface this with a word from my mother. "You know, Kristyn, this is sort of like you being pregnant so you'd better call your brother as well...before he reads this news on your blog." So we've made a few calls to our family, but here's our phone call to the rest of you...

Michael called me the other day and asked if I was sitting down. He said he had a strong feeling that we should adopt from the Congo (really the Democratic Republic of the Congo...or the DRC). He proceeded to say that the voice in his head (which we know was God) suggested that we go ahead and adopt two children. Siblings.

I was speechless. Up to this point we had discussed adopting one child, locally, and then being done. Three kids, five total Joneses, sort of sounded manageable. But he said two, not one.

This was last week. Since then we've learned that the DRC is the second poorest country in the world, with one of the highest infant mortality rate. These children are subject to becoming child soldiers. (I can't even think about that.) And then there are all of the other issues that a very poor country faces.

I sit here typing as I think of our two children sleeping peacefully in the other room, about to enjoy a Christmas holiday centered around family and love and peace. I cannot imagine the millions of orphaned children in the Congo right now.

If there is one thing we've learned through our adoption of Tegegne it was this. When God speaks, we listen. We listen and say, oh wow...really? You sure? Then we take action and trust that this is right. Not easy, not laid out completely, but right. With Tegegne we took a giant leap of faith in many ways, especially with our finances, and we saw God provide. We were overwhelmed and humbled and blessed. Adoption is definitely not easy, or completely laid out, but it is good.

And here we are. Researching adoption agencies that work in the DRC. Gaining information, trying to assure that we find legit people to work with. Looking wide eyed at each other when we total the adoption for two children...and then thinking about college someday. (Actually Michael mentioned weddings...in case we bring home more girls...but I told him weddings are a walk in the park but what about college!)

So that's it. This wild adventure that we call life. Please, if you will, join us on this journey asking God to provide for the days ahead and show us the next steps.

Faith, hope, and love. These three. But the greatest of these is love.

Kristyn

Christmas Craft: w Little Helpers

2011-12-12T14:13:00.001-06:00

Easy and fun wreath to make with your kids!

Supplies:
*Cardboard
*paper bag,
*water based acrylic paint
*scissors
*tape

1:
Cut a circle wreath out of cardboard and paint if desired.
2:
Now paint paper bags with various colors / let dry / cut strips in various desired widths.
3:
Place strip on wreath, making sure to bow it out so that that an arc is formed by the paper. Tape it in place on the underside of the wreath.
4:
Repeat this process until you cover the entire wreath.
5:
Now your wreath is almost done; You can add a personal touch by adorning it with paper flower, paper ribbons, buttons, or a written message.

(Thanks, Bloesem Kids and Giddy Giddy)

Hensley Ruth: 9 Months (+ 2 wks)

2011-12-10T16:10:00.001-06:00

Well Little Hensley. We still think you're great. Nine months, wow. Kind of a cool age because you were in my belly for the same amount of time. All moms would agree that it is quite a miracle to be able to "grow" another little human. Just got done feeding you a banana orange smoothie. You also love pureed mexican chili. We are trying to give you one bottle of whole milk a day in hopes to start the one year weaning-from-mamas-milk process. (Because I'm secretly (shhhh) trying to tag along on Ababayeh's trip to France this year...but also hoping to get to Boston and RISD to visit a friend before that. Aka, our first overnight(s) away since...I'm not sure...it's been awhile. Gramma Debby, you ready for this?) You use the potty every now and then and your face lights up each time!

You will be walking any day now. You love sharing a room with your brother. You think he's hilarious and he thinks he's hilarious so that works well for everyone.

Photo number one represents you and a "toy" that is not really a toy that you found laying out because your brother was playing puppy. This is not a part of your everyday playtime.

Photo number two is with dear Aunt Kyna, whose middle name is also Ruth after Grandma Jody (Ruth Josephine). We had a fun pool visit to see Auntie last week!

Love,

Mom

Gift Making: Easy & Fun

2011-12-08T11:38:00.001-06:00

Sunburst Mirror Tutorial. Easy peasy. Just need white poster board, tiny mirror, glue gun and scissors.

White Christmas Trees in Jars. I love these. She used tall and skinny old Alka Seltzer Jars. Mason jars would work though. W painted lids. Then get a brushes from the hardware store and trim them like a tree. (She just said get mini trees....) I also love her idea of turing the jars right side up and taping string to the lid and dangling stars.

Fringe Scarf. Seriously easy. Only supplies are old t-shirt, scissors, and your hands!

Bleach pen shirt! Shirt, or tea towel, cloth napkins, onsie, and your own creativity.

Embellished cozy shirt.

Felt Shingle Tree. A thick vintage fabric could work, too. Supplies are foam cone, pins, scissors. Pretty simple.

Happy Making!

Love,

Kristyn

Thankful: Our Family Feast

2011-12-08T08:00:00.000-06:00

What a wonderful Thanksgiving was had by the Joneses this year. Seriously fantastic.

Pink Baby: Red Car

2011-12-07T08:00:00.000-06:00

Looking for a PINK BABY or a RED CAR?

PINK BABY: Cries only out of necessity, six teeth, almost walking, one-of-a-kind, quite a charmer.

RED CAR: A gas guzzler NOT, not as cute as baby but a close second, only 45k, 2008, ready to be yours! Honda Fit Sport, Carseat and Crumbs sold separately...Just Kidding...both have been removed and it's prestine and ready to drive off the lot!

**The baby thing was a joke and I hope your not offended. That's what I get for blogging when I should be sleeping. The car was so not-a-joke. It's for sale and its lovely and we don't wanna sell it. You would be lucky to become the owner of such a dependable and long-lasting vehicle!

Comment for purchase price and details.

The Kids: Crawling & Grawling

2011-12-06T08:00:00.000-06:00

Hensley Hoot, Hoot. Cute Scoot.

Hey baby, where's your boot?

Brother bear, nice growl.

Love you and Papa Bear too.

-Mom

Gift Making: More Ideas

2011-12-05T08:00:00.000-06:00

More on making-things-with-friends. Sam is holding up a lovely wreath she made, inspired by this "how-to" only made on a foam or straw wreath instead of the 2D in the tutorial. She was also making braided bangles from modeling clay that were baked in the oven to harden.

These unbraided ones are cool too.

Shanna was making JOY garland.

And Katie was making a furry ball wreath!

Happy Gift Making to All, and to all a Good Night!

-Kristyn

Holidays + Housemate: Good Times

2011-12-04T12:28:00.001-06:00

Well, hello again. It's been too long and I feel like I want to write about several things at once...soooo I may just do that.

First off, tis the season for dinner with friends, decorating the tree, gift making, and thinking of others! Went to a gift making party with a few friends and it got me going. I did make this bracelet and I plan to make these...

Hex Nut Bracelet How-To

I'm dying to make this chocolate pudding and serve it with vanilla bean icecream. So basic, so good.

Michael's been making delicious bread like a madman, and tonight he made pita bread from scratch. We had good friends around the table, white chili, black bean soup, mini corn muffins, pita and hummus, and sourdough w flax and vanilla bean butter. The carbs made a serious appearance!

And lastly, we've got a new housemate. Mike. A high schooler that was staying with our dear friends. They have to be out of town for the month, and we are so glad he's here. It is so fun. Our kids are now sharing a room, which I had been wanting to do anyways. It's a houseful and we love it. A highlight with Mike so far was when he had Michael, Tegegne and I in the dining room trying to learn the jerk, cat daddy, the wheelchair, and the dougie. Oh my was it fun! The harder we tried, the more Mike laughed. We are determined to make our white bodies move, and you know Tegegne looks cute busting his moves.

For the love of dancing,

Mom

Thanksgiving: Cousin Love

2011-11-30T08:09:00.000-06:00

A Party: Girlfriends, Food...Clothes!

2011-11-29T08:00:00.000-06:00

Shoulda taken photo after the romantic candles were lit!

Can you see these ladies getting down to business in this last photo? One highlight of November was my girls party, with soups and cider and a clothing swap. Yes, we all brought a few bags of clothes from our I-never-wear-this-or-that-doesn't-fit-quite-right pile and we swapped. One room was set up as a dressing room, the other for shopping, the music was loud, and we giggled the night away. It was seriously fun. Our house is big enough for parties and I love hosting them! I'll definitely be having a spring party just like this one!

(Note: Here are a few tips for a successful "clothing swap". Make it big. Have many friends bring lots of clothes and there will be a range of sizes. Have displays and clothes racks ready. I prefer to have no rules on who shops when or what you can take. Set up a dressing room with full length mirror. Parties in a home are always more fun. Make it a true party with good food and drinks. Don't be afraid to turn the music up in case people feel like dancin'! Whatever is not swapped will be donated to charity at the end of the night.)

The soups were mexican chili and autumn gold soup with Michael's cranberry sourdough and vanilla butter (new fav).

Mexican Chili

1 lb ground turkey, browned
1 jar salsa, I prefer a chunky salsa
1 cup water
1 bag frozen corn
2 cans black beans, undrained
1 package Taco seasoning

Combine all ingredients in crockpot on low for 8 hrs (or high for 4ish hrs) OR whip up in a pot on stovetop and let simmer on low for 30 minutes. Enjoy with your favorite chili toppings.

Kids Rooms: Decorate!

2011-11-28T11:09:00.001-06:00

"Kids and Baby Spaces" by Megan Biram

So I've got kids rooms on my mind. These are a few images with creative ideas that I'm thinking about.

We had the best time with our families on this holiday weekend! Only three more weeks until Ababayeh has his long holiday and we'll be celebrating Christmas break!

I'd better help Hensley as Tegegne tries to get her into the dryer with him! She is laughing and loves his "brotherly play" but it must be highly monitored!

Happy Monday.

Tis The Season: To Window Shop

2011-11-25T22:32:00.001-06:00

So, it's the Friday after Thanksgiving and we are all full and happy and laid back out here at Big Sky Ranch. I've been "window shopping" + day dreaming = surfing the net (with my mama) and thought I'd share the fun with you!

Ready for drapery, floor to ceiling, in our home. I want a soft PINK, but will probably go white.

Need a wall giraffe? (I'm ready to decorate the kids rooms.)

Dipped serving spoons. Lovely gift idea.

Have stockings yet? My mom said she'd make me some from her collection of burlap coffee sacks!

These boots are made for walkin'. (Tried these on in Paris last year and I haven't forgotten about them.)

Need a POP of color in your home? Aren't those blue babes adorable?

Ever seen a spinning Christmas tree? (Need Christmas tree ideas for kids?)

Wreath making + this one = recycling an old book.

Tis the season to decorate the house for Christmas, take family photos and send cards, make gifts for loved ones, eat, drink and be merry! (Cozying up by the fire and drinking a chai latte was also a part of my evening!)

Good night.

Kristyn

Recipes: For Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T10:06:00.001-06:00

CROCKPOT HOLIDAY CRANBERRY SAUCE

WHAT YOU NEED:

1 cup orange juice + zest of 1/2 an orange
Get Ingredient
16 ounces cranberries, fresh or frozen
Staple Mark
½ tsp cinnamon
Staple Mark
1¼ cups sugar
Staple Mark
dash of cloves (very small dash!)

WHAT TO DO:

Put all the ingredients in your crockpot and stir carefully to combine. Cook on high for 2-3 hours until the liquid is starting to get syrupy. Refrigerate until ready to use!

Door to Door Organics.

CINNAMON-SPICED WHIPPED CREAM

WHAT YOU NEED:

1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

WHAT TO DO:

To make the whipped cream, beat heavy cream on high speed in a large bowl until soft peaks form. Beat in confectioners' sugar, vanilla and cinnamon. Serve with the pie.

PUMPKIN PIE WITH PECAN CRUST

So, we are hosting Thanksgiving tomorrow and I thought I'd share a few simple recipes I'll be using. We will also be doing the turkey and gravy, stuffing, sweet potatoes (I mash mine with orange juice and bake it with green apples on top!). Michael will bake rolls, and the rest of the Joneses will bring the other dishes to make our meal complete!

Yes, I did mention that I'm hosting. That probably means I should get moving here.

Happy Day Before Thanksgiving. Remember to eat lite today so you can go to town tomorrow!

Love,

Kristyn

P.S. I must tell you that we will also be making vanilla bean butter...because it is to die for!

VANILLA BUTTER

WHAT TO USE:

1 stick 1/2 Cup Butter, Softened
1 whole Vanilla Bean
2 Tablespoons Sugar

WHAT TO DO:

To make the vanilla butter, combine the softened butter, the caviar from the vanilla bean, and the sugar. Stir until totally combined, then spread into a ramekin and serve with the warm muffins. (Butter can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge.)

(Thanks Pioneer Woman!)

And that's a wrap, folks.

TV Show: Up All Night

2011-11-21T16:06:00.001-06:00

Up All Night. Do you watch it? We love this show.

Shopping KC: H&M

2011-11-17T19:57:00.001-06:00

So H&M opened on the Country Club Plaza today and I heard it was the place to be. Maybe Hensley and I will check it out when Tegegne is in school next week. Zara, if you come to town I won't miss your grand opening. I'm just sayin.

Get Ur Skate On: At Skate World

2011-11-16T13:18:00.001-06:00

So I loved it when my boss at my old job would get on the intercom on a Friday afternoon and announce an "All Skate" in the cafeteria. He is so funny.

This was by far the best 9 year olds birthday party we've attended yet. And we (especially the boys) go to quite a few. Why was it great? Because it was at Skate World. Why else? It's the place for parties, young and old! Tegegne used more of a skate-running technique. We had a blast.

Design: Elle Decor UK

2011-11-16T08:03:00.000-06:00

So, I am a bit out of the loop when it comes to what sits on the magazine racks these days. Hensley and I were killing time before picking Tegegne back up from school so we ventured into Barnes and Noble. I found Elle Decoration, UK Edition and I love it. This magazine is jammed full of unique design ideas, informative articles, and the Nov issue even has a fantastic bread article...

It's perhaps understandable that we embraced cheap, plasticky bread in the 1960s, the decade when Britain went doolally over mass production and disposable Pop culture after decades of war-time austerity. But it seems like a good time to snap out of that habit. Real bread is too precious a thing to lose; making it is an instant route to emotional wellbeing, comforting you on dark days and reminding you that home is a place of safety and indulgence.

And with that said I best walk the walk and not just enjoy the talk. I'm going to make a loaf of bread. Not today. But Thursday. Michael does it quite often and tells me it's so easy. So, I'll do it. And then maybe say...Oh that is easy and fun and I'm going to do it again! Yum!

Anywho, I'd highly recommend Elle Decoration, UK Edition. My friend does like the US version too.

Toodly Doo,

Kristyn

Tegegne: Conversations

2011-11-15T14:46:00.001-06:00

Photo.

T: Mommy, why don't you have arm hair under there? (He says as he sneeks his little fingers in my under arm.)

M: Well, I do, but most women don't like hair under there so we shave it.

T: Well Ababayeh has hair under there. I don't want you to shave it. I want it to grow really big, like as tall as my room!

M: Really? I'll work on that.

T: Mommy, when I get big will I still be chocolate?

M: Yes.

A Party: Halloween in NE

2011-11-10T17:44:00.001-06:00

Great Day: M Mag Shoot

2011-11-07T19:26:00.002-06:00

We had a really fun morning with the editors and photographers from M Magazine. They are doing a story on us for the "To Market" section of their Dec/Jan issue and we will also be on the cover! We made alphabet soup, cranberry sourdough, and mini corn muffins with vanilla bean butter. Tegegne and I had fun taking these photos after they left. they captured the morning a bit more professionally. The magazine should be on news stands soon so be on the look out!

Love,

Kristyn, Tegegne, and Hensley (who may have her head resting on my shoulder on the cover! she was so tired and has a runny nose and is drooling a ton b/c of teething!)

Design: 12 Kameren

2011-11-05T05:15:00.000-05:00

Hello sweet little home at 12 Kameren. I have a design crush on you and here's why:

10. You contain my all time favorite piece of furniture. The Ligne Roset Togo loungers.
9. Your natural materials are beautiful. You realize that gray from your stone, and orange from your wood and white are colors too.
8. You perfectly threw in the colors olive green in your kitchen cabinets, blue in your study lamp, your babies red rocky horse, and red and green in your bedding. (But really, how can you have a baby with those stairs?)
7. Your windows and frames and doors and frames are nice and simple.
6. You have selected the most lovely dining table and chairs from the Eames era.
5. You pretend that you work out in the room with a ladder and two dumbbells.
4. Your exposed ceiling and delicately placed angled beams are quite good.
3. You have a dear outdoor patio for parties.
2. Your proportions are so likable.
1. You're cute. When can we move in?

Source.

Relaxing and Healthy: White Tea

2011-11-04T15:58:00.004-05:00

Did you see the cartoon I posted yesterday? Well, I thought about it and realized that I rarely think "I'd rather be working!" When I am a the peak of my children melting down completely, I don't actually think of working. Instead, I try to take myself to a peaceful place...such as sitting with a friend at a coffee shop drinking some tea.

Speaking of tea, are you familiar with the benefits of a cup of white tea? I'd like to drink more of that stuff. Locally, Shang Tea in Crown Center is a great spot to learn more about and purchase white tea.

photo.

Cartoon: On Motherhood

2011-11-03T13:26:00.000-05:00

Um hem. That's me. Especially after running errands through lunchtime which cuts into nap time and me thinking...man I should have planned this out better!

Hensley Ruth: 8 Months

2011-10-31T10:58:00.001-05:00

Hello. My name is Hensley. I am eight months old. I like long walks through the house holding hands with my brother. I really like being held by my mommy especially after 5pm, but my dad has been putting me to bed lately and that's nice too. I think my brother is hilarious. I've been a fairy for four Halloween parties now and I'm really hoping for some variety next year. I save most of my smiles and laughs for immediate family only. We have tons of fun together. I like bouncing, and hope to walk soon. Crawling's okay, but if I'm wearing a dress it's quite inhibiting. I often go to bed around 6:30pm, and if we're still out socializing I sometimes let everyone know that I want my bed! I did fine staying out at the party last night though. Sometimes I pee and poop in the big potty, and my mom gets really happy.

Have fun at Halloween tonight. Don't eat too much candy!

Love,

Hensley

Goofs

2011-10-27T17:47:00.000-05:00

Which is your favorite?

A Humble Abode: Straw Bale Style

2011-10-27T16:00:00.000-05:00

So I totally love my family! But that's obvious, right? Let me be more specific. You see, my mom has two sisters and a brother who have the most delightful offspring, aka my cousins. Andrea (pronounced AUUN-drea, not ANNdrea) is one of those cousins. "Andie" is two years older than me. Whenever she got Birkenstocks in 8th grade, I had to get some. Then she studied interior architecture and traveled to Denmark and Germany, and I was inspired. She was designing in Chicago and traveling to NY, which was so cool to this midwestern girl! She now has a dear husband, Bob and adorable son, Orien. Orien and Hensley are about the same age and I love it that they get to grow up together! Their biggest venture was quitting their design jobs in the city and doing a year of organic farming stuff, which led them to building this straw bale house outside of the city! Here are a few photos of our workday. We love you Andie, Bob and Orien!

The boys were king of the mountain and got SO muddy.

Andie, remember why you made that face?

My dear brother and sister-in-law were there (a huge highlight!) and they watched our kids while we went to a wedding! Thanks Uncle Eric and Aunt Erica! Hensley says sorry and she's embarrassed for being totally inconsolable.

(If you, dear reader, are interested in a straw-bale house or being green or have a smile on your face they'd love for you to visit and pick up a shovel while you're there! They are making the final push to get in before winter hits! Just leave a comment and I'll get you )

Bears & Kitties & Eagles: Oh My

2011-10-26T10:15:00.000-05:00

Tegegne the "Kissing" Bear, Olive the Cat (Her Mom's Vintage Costume!), and Coco the Eagle (homemade and amazing!)

Little Lamb, Norah the Sweet Cheeked Monkey, and Hensley the Tiny Fairy!

Bears and Kitties and Eagles, Oh my!
Lambs and Monkeys and Fairies, Oh Baby My!

Central Library on a Tuesday morning is the place to be. Especially this week! Storytime with Ms. Claire and a bonus short film in the Vault in your costumes! Olive and Tiger and your newest buddy Coco + their fun mamas make it quite a highlight of week. Plus Hensley's friends Norah, Kai (the Samurai!), and Theo. We love you all!

Tegegne: Busts a Move

2011-10-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

Tegegne, it's Monday night and you've got moves! You love to dance. We most definitely hope to get you in a hip hop class in a few years. Cause the good Lord knows that you will not be learning any stylish motions from your pops or I.

Caleb: The Band

2011-10-24T21:07:00.000-05:00

Okay, CalebtheBand...we are in sweet anticipation to see more of this To the End of the World Project. Nice work guys! Please bring it to Kansas City and let us hug your necks!

Love,

The (Mitch and Millie) Joneses

Evil Monkey Party: Dolphin Gallery

2011-10-23T14:32:00.000-05:00

Ah yes, one of our favorites...the Dolphin Gallery Evil Monkey Party! This party is so much fun, honoring an old friend and artist to the Dolphin Gallery who knew how to cook! In that regard, everyone brings their finest foods...smokers, grills, specialty brews, cheeses, desserts, live music. We have a blast!

Girls Just Wanna: Minneapolis

2011-10-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

Keys Diner had the best banana granola pancakes!

Liked this lighting detail with the cords shooting through the wood panels.

Girls just wanna have fun! And that's just what we did with Gramma Debby in Minneapolis last week! Ate dinner at the lovely French Meadow Bakery and Cafe in Uptown, Keys Diner twice, stayed at the W Hotel, and got our kitchen cabinets from Ikea. We had a blast until you (Little Hens) got a fever of 103.5 and were totally sick. It was still a great trip. I would love to go back and explore the city more!

Weekend Warriors: Kitchen Cabinets

2011-10-16T23:01:00.000-05:00

Well, okay. So the real weekend warrior is not in the photos above. That would be dear 'ol Ababayeh who is plumbing our kitchen sink as I type on this fine Sunday evening in Kansas City. We are both exhausted and ready to get the water back on, clean up, and hit the hay. Still workin' though. His most recent quote was, "Hey! At least we aren't paying someone to do this!"

The first photo is the assembled cabinets in the living room, but they have all settled into the kitchen now. The bright blue color is the film, too bad its not the color of the cabinets, eh?

Besides working hard we have had some fun. Saturday morning we took a family bike ride on Cliff Drive to this new coffee shop on the Avenue with friends. Best part being Tegegne riding his very-own-big-guy-no-training-wheel-bike the whole way and back! It was so fun to ride alongside him and see his deep concentration and little legs spinning so fast!

We are so glad to have Taryn and Micah back from their honeymoon to Spain! I'll have them "guest blog" so you can see some of there photos!

Love,

WM (Warrior Mama)

P.S. Hensley, sorry your teething again. I really hope 2 am comes and goes tonight without notice!

Need One?: Pocket Man Friend

2011-10-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

If you're lost without a manly man by your side, here's your solution.

This pocket manfriend is called Eric. Graphic designer, bike enthusiast, vegetarian. Combs his beard. Collects vintage armchairs.

Take him anywhere with you for moral support. Lend him to a friend in need of a bearded companion. All the best bits about a manfriend in a pocket-sized format for portability.

Don't be shy, introduce yourself to Eric's friends... Craig, Dominic, Nicholas, Ray and Kenneth are very sociable chaps who also hang about in my shop.

Purchase here!

P.S. Also love this Boyfriend Girlfriend Pillow Set!

(I know...this is totally random. I just thought it was so funny. )

Our Guest Post: For Polly's Blog

2011-10-12T10:12:00.000-05:00

Here is what we wrote for Polly's blog...a bit of a "what's-on-our-minds" update:

Hello there friends!
We are the Joneses. Michael, Kristyn, Tegegne and Hensley. Polly asked that we blog-swap and share a bit of our story with you! Thanks for reading! We started our blog at the beginning of our adoption process and wrote letters to our son-to-be. Those letters to our son allowed us to bond with him before we knew him, just as a mother does with the child in her womb. Bringing Tegegne home (January 2010) was an incredible journey that we continued to write about. We thought we wanted to adopt all of our children, but decided to try for a biological child too. This past February, Hensley Ruth joined the family. Life is full and we love it!

(Tegegne is all boy...wild and adventurous...which explains the goose egg on his head!)

Michael and I were sitting in church a few weeks ago and I could tell we were thinking the same thing. Afterwards we agreed that we both had adoption on our minds again. A few days ago, Tegegne randomly asked, "Mommy, are we going to adopt again?" (This threw me totally off guard!) "Well, we are thinking about it...why?" "I think we should because it's a new day and the sun is shining!" (What? It's a new day and the sun is shining? To me this response sounded like God speaking through my 4 year old...saying, what is stopping you? It's a new day...and the sun is out! When we started our last adoption process it was clear that God sent us on that wild journey. Michael and I are considering our next adoption the same way. Hoping to get a few "signs" that it's the right direction, because like most things we do...timing, finances, etc...don't always line up! God can be clear about something and it requires our faith to proceed.

Anywho, we are still blogging about our day-to-day, pregnancy-labor-newborn-solid food...ya know the baby stuff, potty training, our adoption story and conversations with Tegegne, renovating our historic home in an urban neighborhood, and all the fun stuff we do in between!

Here are a few more highlights:

Meeting Tegegne!

Meeting Birth Mom

Our Adoption (This was on of our first of many posts about our adoption. Either you read the journey backwards, or start here and go forward.)

And a few more photos:

Thanks again and have a lovely day!

Kristyn

A Guest: Learn and Go by Polly

2011-10-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

Hey There Bicycle Basket Readers!

My name is Polly and I'm excited to blog swap with the Micheal and Kristyn! I'd love for you to swing by my blog, Learn and Go when you have a chance. I describe it as a "blending of creativity, frugality, home, life and family."

About four months ago, we had our first kiddo, Adelyn. (click here for the whole story) Every day has been an adventure... some more exciting than others :)

In my spare time, I like to sniff out good deals, be crafty, re-purpose old furniture, sew, and of course hop around in blogland. Here's a sneak peak of some projects you can read more about at Learn and Go.

My Changing Table Makeover for the Nursery

A Dinky Dresser that I Snazzed Up

Some Sewing Tutorials I've Put Together

Yummy Recipes

And of course, lots of baby and mama stuff...

Hope you can follow along as we Learn and Go through this crazy life!

Saturday Morning: Hensley and the Boys

2011-10-08T08:21:00.000-05:00

Hey what's up out there? It's Hensley here. Just hanging with my dad and bro this mornin'. Dad likes to take us to soccer games on Saturday mornings. That way he gets us to himself, and mom gets to chill (ya know, blog, drink hot tea, read a book in bed...) We also get to stop at the donut shop on the way to the games. Too bad no one ever offers me a donut. Someday, someday.

Whelp, check ya later. Have a great weekend. I'm headed to the Twin Cities with my mom and Grandma on Sunday. Can't wait for our girls trip!

Love,

Hens

Friends: Adopting & Selling

2011-10-06T14:03:00.001-05:00

1. So these dear friends of ours are near the best part of their Ethiopian adoption...traveling to bring their son home! It's also the hardest part because their timeline to travel has changed and is still not concrete. They have met their son in Ethiopia, got to feed him his first solid food, and had to come home and wait. If you would please, pray for Aaron and Heather and dear Baby Arthur! May they reunite soon!

Adorable Baby Arthur...in pink!

2. On a bittersweet note...they are also moving out of Kansas City back to their homeland of Texas. We are seriously sad about this, but I know that as new parents they will love being near their family. So, here's another way we can help them...

3. Buy their cute house in the darling Brookside neighborhood...OR tell a friend who may!

More photos here!

4. Did I tell you that Arthur's nursery (or Stateside Vintage Suite) was published on Apartment Therapy's ohdeedo? (Aaron is a musician and artist, and Heather is a graphic designer and artist too!)

5. Lastly, you have to check out Aaron and his pals' band: The Himalayan Adventure League!

We love you Hales!!!

Halloween: Costumes

2011-10-05T15:08:00.000-05:00

book.

We are reading Ant and Honey Bee to get us psyched up for Halloween this year! It's a cute little book about a pair of friends getting their costume ideas and trick or treating. So Tegegne, last year you asked to be a cow, so you were a cow that made chocolate milk. This year you have asked to be a horse or a bird. We thought a cardboard airplane would be fun too. While wrestling with Ababayeh he noticed that you have quite a good growl with a rolling tongue and all, so that makes me think you'd like being a monster. I think Little Hens could be a monster too.

How about something along these lines...

pottery barn kids.

My two favorite costumes as a child were Rainbow Brite and Punky Brewster!

Do you remember yours?

More cute costumes for kids:
1. Super Hero (kids can make!)
2. Gnome
3. Joker
4. Scuba diver

Baby costumes:
1. Little Lambs
2. Spring Chicken
3. Max

Hensley Ruth: What Just Happened?

2011-10-03T13:43:00.001-05:00

Hensley Ruth, you are seven months old and you just peed and pooped in the big potty! Holy cow! This has your mother so excited and proud! You peed in the big potty last week too!

So, am I crazy? Maybe. (Crazy for the midwest, but if I lived in San Francisco, I may be normal!) I've been sitting you on the big 'ol toilet just after you eat (because I noticed that is usually when you go) and after the second time I sat you there, you went pee. It was quite interesting to see your little mind and body work.

I just ran into this article from the NY Times on infant potty training and I totally need to read more! Wish I would have heard of this stuff earlier. Watch out, this mommy is full speed ahead and going to be finished scooping poop out of those cloths before we know it!

Some tidbits from the article:
For many parents in the United States, the idea of potty training before a baby is able to walk, or even before age 2, is not just horrifying but reprehensible - a sure nightmare for parents and baby, not to mention a direct route from the crib to the psychiatrist's couch. But a growing number of parents are experimenting with infant potty training, seeing it as more sanitary, ecologically correct and likely to strengthen bonds between parent and child.

As with breastfeeding, a turn toward infant potty training would represent a leap into the past. Before the 1800's, babies in Western societies were swaddled, which restrained them and contained their wastes, Laurie Boucke said in "Infant Potty Training" (White-Boucke Publishing, 2002), one of several books she has written that advocate the technique. When cleanliness became a virtue in the 19th century, Ms. Boucke wrote, infants were regularly held over a chamber pot until they learned the habit of using it.

"When I started doing this, I got to start seeing him as a little person with abilities," she said.

At two recent meetings of support groups, mothers and one father shared signals their babies gave: kicking, nose-rubbing, getting loud, getting quiet, hiccupping, feeling warm to the touch, shivering.

If you or a friend have done this please comment and let me know! I'd love to learn more. Or if you have a baby and want to try it together contact me!

Chocolate Me! : By Taye Diggs

2011-10-01T08:00:00.000-05:00

Thanks, Taye Diggs, for writing this book. Our family will most definitely be purchasing it. We also use the words chocolate and vanilla. As a "white" mom, it is tricky sometimes to know how to talk about differences and how often to do so. Tegegne is going to love this book!