We're planning our DREAM vacation!

We are getting so excited around our house and planning our dream vacation. We've received several books filled with pictures and facts about the beautiful waters, mountains, cities and country sides. We are learning a little bit about the language and a lot about the gorgeous natives of this country. We are saving our money and making our plans and the best part is the souvenir we are bringing home. Won't you join us?

Watch this video and make this your dream destination!

Ethiopia: The Whole Picture from Paul Hassell on Vimeo.

Introducing... our new ministry and our first "baby"!!!!

I am so excited about a new ministry that some friends and I have just started at a local "transition home" for ladies. Those of you who know me well, know that this place is one of my favorite hang-outs. I love these girls but their stories tear me up. This is a place where about 300 women and their children come to find hope. The cool thing is that the first thing they learn is that the only HOPE they have is JESUS!!! Isn't that the only hope we all have?! They have the opportunity to learn how to live a life free from bondage, drugs, abuse and pain and instead, a life full of Jesus. To learn more about this place and all that they offer, you can check them out HERE!

I love all of these girls but for some reason I always get drawn to the pregnant ones. (hmm.. wonder why that is? ) I just want them to get the "fast track" to freedom so I usually attach myself to them as much as they will let me. My heart for these particular women brought about an idea for an additional ministry for them.

Expecting a Blessing, is a ministry that meets with these expectant mommas bi-weekly to pray, encourage them, love on them and build relationships. Each lady will receive a baby shower to supply her with the baby items that she will be needing over the first few months with an infant. We are still in the very early stages of developing plans to make all of this happen but we are not waiting until we have a perfect plan before we jump in..... we jumped in last week for our first meet and greet with these special girls and look what we already have:

This week-end we welcomed our "first blessing"! A precious baby girl that is just perfect in every way. Please be praying for her and her mom, Ashley. She was already well prepared for and the only item Ashley needed was an infant car seat. When this ministry idea was still in the birthing stages, a friend of mine, Heather picked up several car seats at a local sale, so we already had a good supply. All she needs now is prayer!

If you are local and would like to be a part of this ministry, please e-mail me at pollybice@aol.com.

Great tool for all of us homeschoolers...

Around our house right now we are beginning to gear up for the new school year. Deciding on curriculums for each child... whose going to co-op and whose not... which kids will work together on certain subjects.... whose reading what books.... and honestly, none of us are real excited about any of it. We just love summer too much! About the time our friends in the neighborhood go back to school and there is no one outside to play with, we get in the mood for school.

People ask me all the time which curriculums I recommend and what works well for my kids. The other question I get a lot is how do you teach with so many kids? Well, don't get excited because I don't have a great answer today but I promise to soon. I don't have a great secret but I am going to be putting together a post on things that work and don't work for us.

In the meantime, this blog is extremely helpful to me and hope you homeschooling mommas will find it resourceful as well. I think so many people want to homeschool but feel overwhelmed by the idea.... so, if you are a homeschooler, please share your thoughts and encouragement in the comments section below and I'll repost them for everyone to enjoy.

A few things that I like.... all for a good cause!

Lately, I've been searching for things to purchase as gifts or for myself that would benefit orphans, widows and the poor anywhere. I thought I would share some of my findings.

My friend Andrea, turned me on to this cookbook that looks really neat. I ordered one for myself and one for a friend... I will let you know what I think when I get them in a few days. You can check it out and hopefully order yours HERE. This ministry cares for the needs of orphans and widows, so your purchase will certainly be for a great cause.

While we were at the beach, my mom feel in love with these shoes. But, the story behind them is even better than the shoes.

Watch this video and then check out the on-line store.

That is amazing! So many entrepreneurs would never think of giving up so much of their profit to benefit children in need. Thank the LORD this man has a heart for the least of these. Mom tried on several pairs and thought they were very comfortable. He offers, men's, ladies, and youth..... so, if you need a pair of shoes (or just want a pair), these you don't have to feel guilty about purchasing because you are also supplying a precious barefoot child in a developing country with a brand new pair of shoes. I love that!!!! BTW, Mom the pair you were looking for are in the mail. After all of your help with the kids, the least thing I can do is buy you a pair of shoes. The best part of the deal...... a sweet child is also about to get a brand new pair of shoes.

Lately, several people have asked me where they could find really cute adoption/orphan care shirts. Well, I think

this one takes the cake right now. I got to meet these girls at an adoption conference last October and they have the most amazing hearts of any momma I think I've ever met. Their on-line store has lots of great shirts, caps and gifts. You can find them

HERE. Again, your purchase feeds an orphan.

These same girls are teamed up with a precious young missionary named Katie Davis who lives in and serves the people of Uganda. Katie is friends with the ladies from the Karamojong tribe of Uganda and they make beautiful necklaces and sell them to help support their families . I have seen these in person and trust me when I say, they are gorgeous. Great price and great cause. Check them out here.

Looking for a good book for yourself or a friend? If you have followed my blog for long, you know that I raved about this book for weeks. I read it, sent copies to a few of my dear, momma friends, and then did a book give-away on the blog. If you are a parent, it will challenge you in the way you train up your arrows. You can order it HERE and all of the proceeds go directly to support an international orphan ministry.

Well, that's all for now. I know there are many more great buys out there that supports a good cause and that's where you come in. To all of you orphan loving, widow serving, hungry feeding, servants of the least of these.... please share what you know. If you know of other ministries we can support by simply making purchases for things we would typically buy somewhere else, please share it in a comment and I'll post about it.

BTW, to all my bloggy friends.... what in the heck is wrong with the font in the middle of this post. I kept trying to make it the right size by going into my "edit Html" but never got it right. Any suggestions? Sorry, if you need a magnifying glass to read those few lines of the post. Those who know me, know that "tech" is not my strong point ; )

Can't wait to hear from all of you!

One thing our whole family likes... the BEACH!!!

Every summer we head to Destin with my parents to celebrate the 4th of July. We spend the week swimming, building sand castles, riding bikes, playing in the gulf, catching frogs, feeding ducks, and of course a little shopping and eating out. It's a trip we look forward to all year. This year we also celebrated Lexie's birthday while we were there.

Here's a picture of the entire family out for dinner one evening. My parents only had two kids, myself and my brother.... I'm quite certain they never imagined they would be grandparents to this dock-full of grandbabies but they have so much fun with everyone of them. Between helping me and playing with kids, I'm sure they need a vacation when we get back home. : )

Our neighborhood had a 4th of July bike and stroller parade this year. The kids had a blast decorating their bikes and the wagon.

Lexie turned 15 while we were there. We spent the day at the waterpark and then went to our favorite "Shakes" for a hotdog dinner and desert. I can't believe she is 15! WOW! She is as beautiful inside as outside. We are so very proud of the young lady she is becoming.

One thing will never change, she's always been a daddy's girl. I love how she reminds him how that will never change. As soon as we got home, he carried her to get her driver's permit. She passed! YEA!!! (I think)

This is her friend Kayla.... she is like our extra daughter. I think their picture is beside the word "FUN" in the dictionary.

Maggie and her friend Kynslie got to play together. Another precious girl that is daughter to some of our dear friends. They also vacation at the same time and place as us. They also could probably use a vacation after hanging with us all week. ; )
This is their oldest daughter, Lauryn with Dallas. Do they make a "cute couple" or what? I'm thinking arranged marriage sounds good to me.

Well, your probably thinking, "where are the beach pictures"? For some reason we don't have many... maybe because when we are all out on the beach the camera is the last thing on my mind. It is like a circus act going on out there most of the time. But here is baby Cash's first time in the sand. He loved it! He loves everything....this is the best baby in the world!
I mean, could you eat him up or what?

(Below is a picture of me and the girls and then a few individuals of some of the kids)

We had a wonderful week.... the only thing missing was our little Ethiopian princess. We talked about her alot and wondered if she would like the sand. We joked about how she would have her "tan" before we get to the beach... and, we even bought her an adorable outfit and headband at one of our favorite shops while we were there. I'll try and snap a picture of it and post it soon. We don't know when she will be home with us but we are praying that it will be soon. Amazing that we already love her so much!

Get ready to have your heart stirred... Here's a brand new Gotcha Video!!!!

I know many of you have been following baby Isaac's journey. Last week I posted the link to their blog and many of you shared with me that you were so touched by their story. Well, get ready..... here's their video. It is beautiful!!! But, I warn you, this little guy just might inspire you to adopt.... Im praying so ; )

BTW, we are home from the beach.... had a wonderful time and saw not one drop of oil. Yea! Lexie took tons of pics.... I will try to post some in a few days.

(stop my music at the bottom)

147 Million minus 1 adorable baby boy!!!!

I have been following THIS family's journey to their son in Ethiopia and you would think I actually know them considering how excited I have been for them this week. She has a great blog that you really need to check out. Lots of good resources, not to mention, she is a beautiful writer (a talent the LORD clearly didn't choose to bless me with). She is on her way home from Ethiopia now. Try to go back and read her last several post, and you don't want to miss the pictures of this precious little guy. I'm certain she will be posting about their up-coming return home very soon.

You can find them HERE.

Happy Fourth of July week-end to everyone!!!!