Uganda or Bust

As you may have heard by now, 

this girl and I, along with our friend Erin, 

are heading to Uganda in May to serve with Sole Hope. 

(You can read more about the work Sole Hope is doing and why I think it's so very important here.) 

And we can't wait. 

But first, we've got to sell some t-shirts. 

If I've learned anything in the past few years, 

it's the fundraising is humbling. 

It's hard to put yourself out there and ask people to join you and stand beside you while you step out in faith to do whatever it is you believe you've been called to do. 

I wish you could see Libby's face every time someone places an order. 

It's like you rang our doorbell, looked her in the face, and told her, 

"I believe in you, and I support what you're trying to do."

If I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times: 

If you wanna make me feel loved, love my littles. 

And you guys are loving us so very well. 

The love has come pouring in from all across the country, 

and I seriously wish I could high five and fist bump each and every one of you. 

I've been to Africa five times. 

And each of those times, 

Libby has begged to come with me. 

But this time? 

This time, she will. 

And it's not too late for you to help us get there. 

Simply head HERE and purchase the shirt you're loving. 

And then imagine me  and Libby happy dancing in the kitchen. 

You only have until next Wednesday, February 15th to place your order. 

So run, don't walk. 

And thank you from the bottom of my mama heart. 

So I'm taking my daughter to Africa....

As you may have heard by now, 

Libby and I (and our dear friend Erin) are headed to Uganda in May....

and I absolutely can't wait. 

But while I'm over the moon excited and counting the sleeps until we leave, 

I'm sure that a few of you will raise an eyebrow at this news. 

In the six years since I fell in love with a land far, far away, 

I've pretty much heard it all. 

Why would you ever want to go back? 

How can it possibly be safe? 

Why don't you just serve here? 

( I won't even begin to talk about the things people have said in regards to our adoption; 

that's a post for another day.)

While I don't hear remarks like these as often any more, 

(Pretty sure people gave up on trying to convince me not to go back after the second, third, fourth, or fifth times....)

I don't doubt that there are people out there

(maybe even someone reading this now?)

who simply can't understand why I would take my twelve year old daughter across the world. 

Where do I even begin? 

I'm pretty sure I could talk about this for days on end, 

but for your sake,

I'll try to keep it simple. 

JESUS.

Yes, Jesus. 

God has called us to serve. 

He's told us to love our neighbors. 

He's told us to treat others as we would want to be treated.

And I am certain that the word 'neighbors' is limited to the people living next door. 

I want my children to know more than their own towns. 

I want them to see the ways other people live. 

Yes, materially many people we will meet will have less than us. 

But do material things equate happiness? Joy? Quality of life? 

I'm  pretty sure you know my answer. 

By seeing where and how other people live, 

we can better understand and empathize and relate to others. 

We become more aware of what matters. 

Our perspective shifts.

Our hearts stretch just a little bit bigger. 

I mean with all of my heart when I say I fully believe the greatest joy we can experience on this Earth comes from serving others, and if my daughters learn only one lesson from me as their mother, this is the one I hope they learn. 

God has called us to love. 

We are never too young to do that. 

As long as we are capable and able, 

we should serve others whenever and wherever possible.

It's our responsibility as Christians, 

as families, 

and as people. 

I can't wait for my daughter to experience the beauty that is Uganda. 

I can't wait for her to see more of this world that God has created. 

I can't wait for her to step foot in the land I love so dearly. 

I can't wait for to step outside of her comfort zone in the name of serving others. 

So yes, I'm taking my daughter to Africa....

and I absolutely cannot wait. 

Eleven whole years.

This girl of mine is simply amazing. 

She's so brave and bold. 

This past year she's learned a lot about what it means to be a friend. 

And she's growing up. 

I'm noticing it more and more in everything she does. 

Slowly but surely she's becoming the girl God made her to be. 

And even though she knows how to push my buttons more than anyone else, there is NO ONE I'm more proud of. 

I feel like I'm just sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to see all that life holds for her and all the ways she will make a difference in this world. 

And even though if it were up to me, she'd be five indefinitely, 

I sure am enjoying the adventure that is Libby. 

Happiest of happy birthdays to the girl who made me a mom. 

I pray that your eleventh year is nothing short of amazing. 

The beach life is the best life.

This past weekend was just what a needed. 

Four days at the beach with my girls, my mom, my sister-law, and my nieces. 

It was simply simple, and that happens to be my favorite way to spend a weekend. 

The girls boogie boarded until they all but fell out. 

The waves, sun, wind, and sand were practically narcotic. 

And Hollyn swam floatie free for the very first time. 

Also, I was able to cross #3 off of my 30 in my 30's list. 

I'd say this weekend was mighty fine indeed. 

Shake it off.

Oh, I love this girl.

Look at her-- she just radiates fun and adventure and creativity. 

She has such a fun style, and her independence is growing a little more each and every day. 

Fourth grade and ten-- they've been whole new worlds for us. 

For you see, my girl is growing up. 

We've seeing in all avenues of her life-- 

her abilities, her thinking, her friends--

everything is changing. 

And change can be hard sometimes. 

But, I've said it 100 times before, and I'll say it again:

this girl was made for something special. 

There is only one Libby. 

And I'm so glad she's mine. 

And then she was ten.

Oh, my Libby. 

I just can't believe it. 

I know they say that the days drag on and the years fly by, but seriously? 

Ten? 

It's gonna take some time for me to wrap my mind around 

the  idea of a decade. 

You, my precious girl, are the epitome of special.

You are 

the most creative, 

daring, 

bold, 

brave, 

strong 

girl that I know. 

And even though you sometimes make three kinds of crazy, 

I wouldn't trade YOU,  my Libby, for anything in the whole wide world. 

You, my girl, were made for something very, very special, 

and I simply can't wait to see what all God has in store for you. 

If He could just keep you little a little longer, 

I'd be all kinds of happy. 

Here's to hoping year ten is the best year yet. 

Bunkbeds and bug spray for the win.

Next to Africa, summer camp is probably my favorite place in the whole world. 

I spent eight summers at camp growing up and then worked at camp for three summers in college. 

It's my happy place. 

I literally love everything about it-- the hiking, the swimming, the bugs, the flashlights, mail call, all of it. 

And so does Libby.

She literally looks forward to it all year. 

This is her fourth summer (we started her early), 

and I won't be surprised if she stretches it out through college. 

She gets it honestly. 

I have always loved her independence. 

She loves me. 

I love her. 

But she also loves meeting new people and having adventures and doing something this is just for her. 

This is one of my favorite things about my girl. 

I love that she's confident enough and secure enough to step out into the world

 and do her own thing for a few days. 

I hope she giggles until her sides hurt and comes home on Friday all kinds of dirty. 

Dirty means fun was had. 

And fun is always a good idea. 

Were you a camper? 

Did you love it? 

Favorite camp memories? 

Do tell. 

And did I mention that I'm leaving for Africa in seven days? 

Because I am. 

Libby: Third Grader No More

Yes, school did let out almost a month ago. 

Yes, I'm almost a month late posting this. 

It may be that I've been oober busy, 

or it may be that I've been in denial about the fact that I have an almost fourth grader living in my house 

and eating my cookies. 

Either way, third grade is officially over for the Libster. 

Here are some year-end thought from the girl who made me a mom: 

Oh, how I love this daughter of mine. 

Wanna see how much she's grown? 

Check out our first grade and second grade breakdowns. 

The beach is different with kids.

The beach is different with kids. 

It's as simple and complicated as that. 

No more closing my eyes and drifting away into a sweet, sunburn slumber. 

No more floating on a rift and staring up at the sun until I am in a sun and sand daze.

No more throwing a beach towel and a good book in a bag and heading out. 

Nope, nope, nope. 

Now I roll out with no less that fifty pounds o' goodies. 

Things like sunscreen with ALL the SPF, enough snacks to feed a small army, and every beach toy known to man find their way into my beach bag. 

My eyes are on overdrive-- constantly watching. 

Constantly counting kiddos. 

Constantly reapplying all the sunscreen to all their many, many parts. 

The beach is still fun. 

It's still relaxing. 

But these days, my joy comes from watching them rather than from my own time spent sunning. 

Seeing Hollyn sit in the water, little green floaties bobbing up and down, up and down brings a smile to face. 

And watching Libby find and treasure every. single. shell.--- that's pure joy, people. 

But the greatest beach joy these days? 

Oh, that's easy---

watching my girls love the heck out of it the same way I do. 

Takes the cake with every splashing wave. 

Tiny dancers unite.

You know how some mothers are emotional about things like graduation or birthdays 

or the last days of schools? 

Well, I'm the mom who is emotional about dance recital. 

There is just something so special about watching my girls perform. 

It slays me to see them so grown up and so independent. 

I'm not holding their little chubby hands or standing close by. 

They don't need me to be; they've got this. 

That time they are on stage, watching them up there looking so confident, it does something to my heart. 

It's one of my finest mom moments. 

Not because they're doing anything that a million other little girls around the world are doing this time of year.....

....simply because they're mine. 

And I love them as big as the sky, ripped tights, tap shoes (or no tap shoes-- way to pull that one off, Hollyn), and glitter eye shadow aside.

Life Lately

*Yesterday was Libby's second piano recital. Man oh man, how my girl has grown.

*This song has been making me happy all week. It has absolutely nothing to do with my life right now, but it's making me happy nonetheless. 

*IF: Equip. Have you gotten in on all the IF goodness? I am loving it. Seriously. 

*I leave for Rwanda in eighty days. I may or may not have already made my packing list. 

*Easter candy. It's gonna be the death of me. It's also gonna be the reason we can't afford to send Hollyn to college, seeing as how we will have spent that money on dental bills. Make it stop.

* Funny thing about adoption-- it takes lots of patience. I have almost zero patience. You can see why this would be problematic. 

*We are currently working on our Summer 2014 bucket list. Anything we need to be sure to add? I'm most excited about snowcones and a trip to the beach to visit our best friends who happen to live there. 

*I'm still coming out of a "The Fault in Our Stars" reading slump. Anyone have suggestions for a book to read next? 

Here's hoping your Monday has been kickin' it. 

We ate lunch at 10:30 this morning, so there's that. 

Happy Birthday, Day 4

Tomorrow my baby will girl will turn two in an orphanage in Africa. 

And today Libby wants to talk to her about THE most important thing. 

Happy Birthday, Emily (Day 4) from McCall Aldridge on Vimeo.

Only one day left to help Libby meet her goal of raising $1000 to bring her sister home. 

If you'd like to help her reach her goal, 

simply go to www.aldridgeadoption.bigcartel.com.

Or if you'd like to pass on a bracelet and just donate a dollar or two,

there is a paypal button on my blog sidebar. 

Every dollar donated is one dollar closer to her goal. 

As of right now, she's at $533 raised with about thirty hours left to go. 

Thank you to everyone who has already purchased a bracelet. 

YOU are helping to change the world for our little girl, and we are forever grateful. 

And thanks again to my precious friend Tobi for this precious print.

 It brings joy to my heart every time I see it. 

And don't forget-- just SIX days left to place a t-shirt order!

www.aldridgeadoption.bigcartel.com 

Happy Birthday, Emily (Day 3)

Red, grey, brown, blue, pink....which one are you loving? 

Libby loves them all and is over the moon excited about her sister's second birthday. 

Have YOU ordered one of Libby's bracelets yet? 

She's on a mission to raise $1000 by February 5th to help bring her little sister home from Africa. 

And she's jumping for joy over each sale...literally. 

And today's letter? 

I cried filming it. 

I cried previewing it. 

I cried watching it. 

And I'm crying now. 

Adoption is hard. 

It comes with loads of hurt and heartache. 

But God? 

God is good. 

And He makes all things new, even families. 

libby3 from McCall Aldridge on Vimeo.

So thankful that adoption is teaching our kiddos to be thankful for the blessing of family and to realize that not everyone has one of those....and that's never ever going to be okay. 

*Reminder* 

Only seven more days to order one of our super soft adoption shirts. 

You can place your order here. 

Two more days. 

Two more letters. 

One step closer to our girl. 

Thank you thank you thank you.

High fives and bear hugs for everyone. 

Happy Birthday, Emily (Day 2)

Oh, my Libby. 

The girl is on a mission. 

She's literally checking the computer or my phone every five minutes to see if someone new has ordered a bracelet for her sister. 

SO SO SO CUTE!

And the bracelets? 

They're selling. 

In fact, the grey and white chevron sold out on the first day, so at Libby's request, we just ordered more. 

A mission, I tell you.

Emily, you are so so so loved, baby girl. 

And without further adieu, here's Libby's second letter to her sister: 

Happy Birthday, Emily (Day 2) from McCall Aldridge on Vimeo.

If you'd like to support Libby and our adoption by purchasing one of Libby's bracelets, you can find them at www.aldridgeadoption.bigcartel.com  .

They come in several colors: 

And I'm pretty sure Libby has never been more proud of anything in her whole life. 

She seriously wants her sister home....like yesterday. 

And just a reminder: 

WE ARE ONLY ORDERING ONE MORE BATCH OF T-SHIRTS, so if you'd like to order one, act quickly! The last day to order will be February 10th. 

You can also find them at www.aldridgeadoption.bigcartel.com  .

Thank you again to everyone who has ordered so far. 

You are bringing the BIGGEST smile to our faces and joy to our hearts. 

Happy Birthday Emily, Day 1

Our newest addition, Emily, turns two this week.....in Africa. 

There are so many things that run through my head when I think about this. 

It would be so easy to be sad and let this wreck me. 

BUT, I'm choosing joy....and Libby is helping me. 

First, let me say that this was her idea. 

She's a creative one, that girl of mine. 

She had a huge part in every piece of this project. 

And she wants to help bring her sister home. 

Her goal?

She wants to sell 100 bracelets in the five days that lead up to her sister's birthday. 

With the help of her cousins, she made each and every one of these. 

And she is so proud of them. 

And she hopes to sell them all.....this week. 

That's a lot of selling, folks. 

The girl is dedicated. 

Each day for the next five days, Libby will read a letter she has written to her sister, Emily. 

Melt my heart and pass the Kleenex. 

Letter one: 

Happy Birthday, Emily (Day 1) from McCall Aldridge on Vimeo.

If you'd like to help Libby reach her goal, head on over to www.aldridgeadoption.bigcartel.com. 

You can select your color or choose to be surprised. 

Each bracelet is a minimum donation of $10.00 and comes with free shipping. 

Each bracelet is one step closer to bringing our girl HOME. 

Or, if you'd prefer, you can make a donation in any amount through the paypal link on my sidebar. 

And while you're there, feel free to place a t-shirt order!

We'll only be ordering one more batch of shirts.

$1000 in five days. 

One less orphan. 

Three forever sisters. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you, and come back tomorrow to hear letter #2!