Carrington Crew

Carrington Crew

Friday, April 29, 2011

Giving Thanks

Not a bad place to be.....
saddened for our state, amidst the horrific tornadoes that swept across the Southeast!
Thankful for the lives that were spared.
 Thankful for a mom who will come over to watch all my kids!
Thankful for a mother in law who will help out too, AND let us use her beach condo!
Thankful for a husband who is just as excited as me to "get away" for a few days!
(even if his blackberry is in his hand)....thankful for his job!
 Thankful that I found these 4 amazing starfish, as we walked on the beach, to bring home to the kids!
Thankful for a PF Changs gift card (from Valentine's Day) to use while we are here!
Thankful for a $75 gift card (given to Matt for 5 years of service) to eat out with 2 more nights.
Thankful not to cook, or clean, or fold!

Thankful for the peace, the quiet, the serenity!

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

More of the same!

Easter Morning.
  Of course, we need to try for that family picture. 
Unsuccessful, but it's all good! 
 We could not get Broby out of the picture!
 Here I am with "my boys".  I am a blessed mommy!
Out of all of these boys, "Broby" is by far the easiest!
 Owen got some in line skates in his basket, which he was totally pumped about!
 Giant Bubble Wand made it an extra fun day!
 We got to celebrate Grandad's birthday on Easter!
 I just love this picture...so I will end on that!

Monday, April 25, 2011

13 and counting...

Cousins, that is!

We love going home to Atlanta to hang out with my side of the family. 
 This Easter weekend,
 I got to see all 5 of my sisters
 all 3 of my brother in laws,
all 9 of our cousins, and
both, Meme and Pop!

The kids love being with their cousins.  It makes me wish we lived closer, so they could see them more!
The Easter Bunny did visit us too, so more on that to come, but for now, some pictures of the "Havig" side of the family!
Bunnies!
Cousins!
Snakes!


 Fun with Pop!
 So Fun for Kate to be with Girls!
 And the boys.......we are missing Hudson and Gray though???!!

And here all all 13! 
One more coming via China this Summer,and then who will have the next?! 
Just so you know how busy procreating our family is....
there are 13 kids, 10 and under.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

An Egg story

Here is Kate, following directions.  She was taking care of 
her eggs so carefully!
 Here is my 2 year old.  He is actually following directions!
 No big surprise with this one....following directions!
 Ummm....Not so much!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Red Thread Moms

Have I mentioned God is in the details of every area of our lives?    A few months back, 6 girls, all from Birmingham Alabama, all adopting little girls from China, somehow connected through friends of friends of friends.  Now this same group of girls, all in this rigorous, emotional, exhausting, but beautiful journey of adoption meet weekly to offer one another hope, encouragement, advice, love and understanding! 
God knew just what I  needed.  He surrounded me with other women who have a heart for the Lord and also a heart for the fatherless.   Aren't His ways amazing?   Not only has he brought me to a little girl clear across the world,  He has brought me 6 friends who all live close by to connect with forever.  Each one of these women will have a daughter from China, and therefore Avery will always know 5 other girls just like her.  5 other families that look like our family.  Yep....I believe God is in the details!

Here 5 of us are, with our Red Thread Bracelets. 
 An invisible red thread
connects those who are
destined to meet
regardless of time,
place or circumstance.
The thread may
stretch or tangle
but it will never break.
God has orchestrated each one of us meeting just as he has orchestrated our daughters to be in our families!

"Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the arm."
Isaiah 6:24
 

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

This is the Day...

3 of my children accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior!~
Or as they put it, "now Jesus lives in their heart and now their name is in His big book forever!"
blue mouth owen


It was a sweet day!  We have had this conversation in the past, but I felt that they really didn't fully understand what it truly meant.  God opened the door for me to have some wonderful uninterrupted time with the kids, (which is far and few between lately) to really talk about Jesus!   Each one prayed to receive Jesus and Wills and Owen are asking when they can be baptized!  Kate wants to wait until she is 5!  It was a good day.  A wonderful Easter gift as we celebrate that Jesus IS alive, the risen King!

Monday, April 18, 2011

Kid's Are Funny!

Answers from 2nd Graders about Moms!

Why Did God Make Mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. Because we're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mom like me.

What Kind of a little girl was your mom?
1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy..
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name...
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot...
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3.. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms and dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

Star Search

Gray and Kate had their end of the year program today.  It is always so cute when you get to see your kids on stage, and you can see their personalities all the better!  The morning started with Gray not wanting to wear the required outfit for the program.  You see, the kid has been wearing shorts since, well.... year round.  No, really!  Remember that snow day in early February?  Gray was outside in the snow in his shorts.  He has quite a strong will and since I am already so tired, I pick my battles and clothes is not going to be one of them.  I figure, he knows what it is  to be cold and if he is outside and is cold,  then maybe he realize it is because he has no covering on his skinny 2 year old legs!   Reasoning with a 2 year old has never been my strong suit!  So, with that said, I sent him in the required yellow shirt and blue shorts (not blue jeans). 
Bring in 2 of the sweetest teachers in the world and guess who is wearing his blue pants?!  Not for Mommy, of course.  Only for Mrs. Ann and Mrs. Donna!

And then Kate!  She gets pretty shy up on stage.  She was suppose to wear a pink shirt (check!) and jeans.  Problem #1....she does not own a pair of jeans.  She is a girly girly little girl.  We had  a jean skirt so that worked!  As she stood on stage,  I  thought about how she will be heading off to Kindergarten next year.  I will have a Kindergartner, a First grader, and a Second grader!  How is that possible?  Is it really time for her to go already?  I will admit, it will be difficult.  I will miss her company.  She is my little buddy.  The other day I told her she was one of my best friends and she just laughed and laughed and said that "No, I was her Mommy".         



I am going to go out on a limb and say that I am pretty sure my younger 2 will not be heading to Hollywood anytime soon...or ever!  Thank you Lord for that!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

OMGoodness...check this out!

THESE ARE ALL THE AMAZING PRIZES DONATED BY
SWEET FRIENDS FOR OUR ADOPTION FUNDRAISER!
Click on the birdie and donate $15 or more to put your name in the drawing to win! $30 and your name goes in twice, $45 (3 times), etc...

$50 GIFT CARD TO CAHABA CYCLES!!!  (thank you Faris Malki)
http://cahabacycles.com/

$100 Gift Certificate to Flemings (donated by my sweet friends, Travis and Sarah Grappo!) http://www.flemingssteakhouse.com/

$100 Gift Certificate to Flemings (donated by Travis and Sarah Grappo) http://www.flemingssteakhouse.com/




iHome  $100.00
wake, sleep, play and charge your iphone or ipod (also plays cds and MP3 players)











$50 Gift Certificate to HOLLYDAYS
http://www.shophollydays.com/
This company is great!  She is reasonably priced and has the cutest stuff.  Check out the award she got!

 

Gift Certificate to FAVORITE LAUNDRY
http://favoritelaundry.com/ or look on their FB page for updated pix of these adorable clothes!
If you live in Bham, you know about Blessed be the Name clothes.  Well, these are from the same designer and founder.  She has great clothes for boys and girls!

Movie GIFT BASKET from PLAIN JANES!!!














$25 GIFT CERTIFICATE FROM PLAIN JANE'S GIFT SHOP
http://plainjanegifts.com/
I love this store and Rosemary (the owner) has been so sweet to help us in  our fundraising!  She has a little bit of everything in her store....gifts, jewelry, baby items, clothes....really, a little bit of everything.  I see something I want every time I go in Plain Janes

This One of a kind Painting from RESTORE THE ARTS
http://www.restorethearts.org/index.html
Maylia, the master artist!, has been so kind to donate this one of a kind painting. Her ministry is through her paintings and they are beautiful!  I actually bought 4 of these as gifts for Christmas.  Thank you to Restore the Arts for donating this...what a treat!













Beautiful necklace AND EARRINGS from OBSESSIONS
This is a local gal from Birmingham, who carries some of her jewelry at Plain Janes.  I love this bracelet and earring set. 










Gift Certificate towards a Photo session from JennyMo Designs
http://www.jennymo.com/
Jenny is a friend of mine who is so passionate about the plight of the orphan!  She does so much for others when it comes to "getting the word out" about adoption!  Her photography is amazing.  Check it out on her website.  She is very talented!

$50 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO NATIONS OUTFITTERS
http://www.nationsoutfitters.com/
I own 2 of their dresses and can honestly say...they fit cute, they are stylish, affordable and the ministry behind it is very cool. 

$75 TARGET GIFT CARD ----Do I really need to explain?  Who spends less than $50 when they go in here?
 
$25 to Starbucks---You can get like 4 or 5 coffees with this one!  :)

A beautiful handmade Wooden Frame, donated by Kelly Burley (value $50)
check out her stuff, she is so talented!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/69993194/pink-azalea-hanging-wooden-frame-with
Kelly was my neighbor is Mt Laurel and she is so creative and talented.  Think of living right next to Martha Stewart!  She started making these frames a while back and they are so pretty.  Thank you Kelly for donating a piece of your creativity and talent!

Now, go enter, so you have a chance to win!  Thanks so much!
James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Atleast Something is Off to China

Today I mailed a care package for Avery.  It was bittersweet to mail her a few things, but what I really want to do is just hop on a plane (you know for a quick 20 hours) and go get her.  I so wish we did not have to go through a whole round of more paperwork, but that is what lies ahead. 
Keeping my focus on my kids and letting God take care of her is the only thing I can do for now!
I knew that I needed to keep my care package on the small side, as the shipping would be a lot, and it was hard to do.  There was so much I wanted to send, but honestly I cannot even be sure she will receive it.
I pray, I hope she does. 
In the package we included the following items:
A bunny silky blankie (each of the kids had taken turns sleeping with it one night)
A small, really soft and cute bunny stuffed animal (it is the year of the rabbit, after all).
A letter to the Director and Nannies thanking them for taking care of Avery and also a few instructions about the care package.
A disposable camera, which I am hopeful will be used to take pictures of Avery in her last months at the orphanage.
Candy for the Nannies
Stickers for the other kids
And 6 laminated photos of our family, which I hope she really likes to look at  :)




I was so excited to go to the post office and send it off.  I felt like I was sending her a piece of our family. 
The Mail lady thought I was an idiot because I kept asking, "Are you sure this will get there?" 
In the next few weeks, we are praying for an update on our baby girl...pictures or anything they will give us to help us get through the next months!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

YOU can WIN!!

Here it is....OUR ADOPTION FUNDRAISER
We have so many amazing prizes donated, you DO NOT want to miss out on this.
Here is how you do it!
1.  Click on the 100 good wishes button on the right hand side of my blog.  The orange bird in the blue box!
2.  Click on GIVE A GOOD WISH
3.  Fill in your name, email, etc and make a donation of AT LEAST $15 (go to other and fill in $15 or more)
4.  Write a wish/prayer for Avery, if you would like to.
5.  You can upload a picture, or if you'd rather, they will put one in for you.

****if you are not comfortable using paypal and would prefer to send me a check.  Feel free to email me at mallorycarrington@att.net and I will send you my address.  You will still be in the drawing!

also, don't worry you "out of towners".  All the great little speciality shops have websites you can shop from!

NOW YOU ARE IN THE DRAWING TO WIN ONE OF THE AWESOME PRIZES LISTED BELOW! 
For every $15 you give, your name is put into the "hat".  We will reveal the winners in June!  So, if you donate $30, we will put your name in twice, $45, your name 3 times...etc...
There will be 1 winner for each prize. 
Check out these great donated prizes. 

$100 Gift Certificate to Flemings (donated by Travis and Sarah Grappo) http://www.flemingssteakhouse.com/

$100 Gift Certificate to Flemings (donated by the Grappos)

$50 Gift Certificate to HOLLYDAYS   
Gift Certificate to FAVORITE LAUNDRY
http://favoritelaundry.com/ or look on their FB page for updated pix of these adorable clothes!

Movie GIFT BASKET from PLAIN JANES!!!

$25 GIFT CERTIFICATE FROM PLAIN JANE'S GIFT SHOP

http://plainjanegifts.com/

This One of a kind Painting from RESTORE THE ARTS
http://www.restorethearts.org/index.html

Beautiful necklace AND EARINGS from OBSESSIONS

Gift Certificate towards a Photo session from JennyMo Designs

$50 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO NATIONS OUTFITTERS
http://www.nationsoutfitters.com/

$75 TARGET GIFT CARD 

$25 to Starbucks

A beautiful handmade Wooden Frame, donated by Kelly Burley (value $50)
check out her stuff, she is so talented! 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/69993194/pink-azalea-hanging-wooden-frame-with

Pink Azalea Hanging Wooden Frame with White Accent - holds FOUR 4x6 Photos

WOW!!!!  Don't miss out on the fun and thank you for your support!  Winners announced mid June!
JAMES 1:27

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Playing Hookey

Today I decided to surprise my older two and check them out of school for a trip to the zoo on a beautiful day!  I waited until 11:30 (so they would not be counted absent) and then sneakily checked them out of school!  Everyone needs a little break every once in a while, and I knew neither would  be taking zeros on math exams quite yet!  I did forget to mention to my younger 2 to keep quiet about where we were going until we got back in the car, so of course, they announced to the registrar, to Wills' teacher and to Wills entire class that we were checking out of school to go to the zoo. 
We had a blast just hanging out together.  If Homeschooling meant we could have fun all day, I would totally do it.  I honestly just enjoyed being out with my kids.  No schedule.  No need to rush (although Wills wanted to make it through the zoo in record time for some reason), and enjoying being outside on a beautiful Spring day!
I did skip Gray's nap and he was not so happy at the beginning of the trip! 
 Owen convinced this kid to let him have his food he was feeding the bird.  My little salesman!
 The new elephant exhibit is great!  Gray is in there somewhere!
 The Freshbeat Band!
 Not sure if we were suppose to do this, but the kids fed the giraffes.  They found bamboo leaves and the giraffes took them right from their hands!  It was so cool.

 We topped it off with a carasoul ride.  We usually don't do the train or the caraseoul, but after all, it was Elementary School skip day!