I love our baby’s room.

It’s bright and cheerful…

 

 

And meaningful.

Every piece of artwork and furniture has a story.

This is the rocking chair I found on the side of the road. Mr. R and I worked together to refinish it. He gave me the monogrammed cushion for Christmas last year.

That painting on the wall was done by my grandmother. She was an artistic soul. I miss her.

That fun little ribbon and book page garland I found at a boutique booth with Jackson’s birth mom. We were both enchanted by it and how it was accomplished.

It’s my favorite little nook in our house. Before I broke my arm, Jackson and I would sneak away for an hour or so just to rock-a-bye and sing and have a little quiet time. (Rocking is not comfortable for either one of us with this cast on!)

This branded piece of wood honors one of Jackson Cameron’s namesakes–my great grandfather. He was a hard working and good looking blacksmith who made The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint’s brand for their livestock, etc.

Then there are his little buddies at the foot of his bed. These were given to us by family members and friends.

Each of my boys has a sock monkey in their room. In January, we sent all the birth moms sock monkey pillow slippers to help them get through the last of the winter months.

Which brings us to the sheep. Jackson’s birth mom LOVES sheep. She gave him the one on the right and has a matching one as well. And to top it all off? My grandfather was a sheep farmer!

In keeping with the sheep theme inspired by his birth mother, I asked A Vintage Poster to do some custom artwork for Jackson’s room and, of course, a matching set for his birth mom.

These prints were designed specifically for Jackson and his birth mom. The baby sheep is on the left, the mommy sheep is on the right.

In the middle is the quote, “And then, just love.”

While hanging out a couple weeks before placement, Jackson’s birth grandma asked his birth mom what the plan was. His birth mom mentioned a few specific things about the hospital and placement. She finished her response with, “And then, just love.”

I was so touched by her words and the promise they held for the uniting of our families.

______________________

I was totally impressed with A Vintage Poster–their willingness to work within my short time frame, their custom designs, adjusting to my feedback and their packaging was totally divine. (Seriously, I would buy a print just for the packaging.)

I have been dying to share A Vintage Poster with you and today is the day!

I am giving away THREE 11 x 14″ prints–two from her site (good luck choosing) and one custom that she will make just for you.

I know, it’s a dreamy!

 

This giveaway is being hosted by Rafflecopter. Enter below.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Will you be my valentine?

Sent these valentines to our families–including birth families–in post card form.

I hope they get a giggle out of them. We sure had a blast making them.

Here’s a peek at the full Valentine package that each of the birth moms got. Those mini books are from Printstagram and they come in duplicates so you send one to Birth Mom and keep one for the kiddo’s memory box.

I know this idea is too late for you to share with your child’s birth family, but I like my kids’ birth moms to be surprised by what arrives in the mail to them. I hate for them to see it on my blog first. Just pin the above image for next year!

More birth parent gift ideas from R collection.

Compilation video of items we have sent to birth families.

 

 

I love butterflies.

(And unicorns and glitter and rainbows. Let’s just get that out there right now.)

I especially love the symbolism of butterflies.

Change.

Progression.

Hardship.

Beauty.

Preparation.

Becoming.

All words that remind me of the adoption journey.

 

When we were hoping to adopt Jackson, I wanted to find the perfect placement gifts for his birth mom and her family.

She and her family came to visit Kim, Leisha and I at SALT Marketplace. As we walked around, I noticed how enthralled she was with the Trinkets and Butterflies display. I mean, how could you not be? It is intoxicatingly beautiful.

 The booth that Jackson’s birth mom fell in love with at SALT Marketplace.

 

After she left, I talked to Brittany Gerson, Trinkets and Butterflies’owner. I told her my hopeful adoption plan and we worked out the perfect gifts. She helped me (even with my insane time frame) on some custom pieces I wanted.

This is what I ended up with…

As I told Jackson’s birth mom, the beautiful butterfly was for her along with the ring. Then we gave necklaces to her family members who were with her on this journey. All the jewelry is made from the same kind of butterfly as the one framed to symbolize her support system. I even got Jackson a necklace for his keepsake box.

Brittany includes the most powerful little message in her creations. It spoke to my heart and I think it goes along so perfectly with the adoption.

The butterfly is a reminder to make changes when the opportunity arises. Change and transformation are inevitable for us all. We are on a journey of the soul. On this journey we encounter endless turns, shifts and transitions that cause us to morph into ever finer beings. At our soul-journey’s end we are not at all the same as we started. We are inevitably changed.

-Brittany of Trinkets and Butterflies

Don’t worry, no butterflies were harmed in the making of this blog post.

NO butterflies were harmed to make these exotic pieces of art and jewelry. All butterfly specimens are ecologically sustainable insects that come from butterfly farms all around the world who specialize in raising, breeding and releasing them into the wild.

The butterfly life span is approximately 3-6weeks, they are then are collected after they naturally perish. Purchasing these rare items not only will you get to enjoy their natural beauty, but you will also be helping and contributing to a good cause. The money that is spent to purchase the items goes to sustain these conservation programs and protect their rainforest habitats.

-Brittany of Trinkets and Butterflies

I love Brittany. Like a lot.

And I loved that when Jackson’s birth family came to visit a few days after placement, they were wearing the jewelry. Priceless.

Because I have been so moved by Brittany’s creations, I worked with her to organize a giveaway.

I will be giving away one framed butterfly and one matching necklace. You can work with Brittany to choose the kind of butterfly you’d like to feature in the frame and necklace. (On her site, you can see she has quite a few to choose from.) Lucky you!

Here’s how to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway