tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10024339156874153862024-03-19T05:19:06.886-07:00dd2 sullivan adoptionFollow our family's journey to adopt our sons from China & EthiopiaDon and Denise Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13403180532943735498noreply@blogger.comBlogger629125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002433915687415386.post-53337362334167053772014-10-04T23:07:00.002-07:002014-10-05T07:43:57.840-07:00Life can change in an instant.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nKn5Den39DJTXBXcfY_gBQ1GEhjDiaL0gqiFjWoD0cZtD0DeLMRKixA9Xw5CzpxwhemoAWlfQp9D8C4F6W0v2GNdOwbTNEGn9FHNOLeIytYHZEYNwyDWDjTVNxX0H1ioyXus7vGUccA/s1600/perez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nKn5Den39DJTXBXcfY_gBQ1GEhjDiaL0gqiFjWoD0cZtD0DeLMRKixA9Xw5CzpxwhemoAWlfQp9D8C4F6W0v2GNdOwbTNEGn9FHNOLeIytYHZEYNwyDWDjTVNxX0H1ioyXus7vGUccA/s1600/perez.jpg" height="320" width="249" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #666666;">Uncle David and Aunt Annette, visiting my parents house during their travels.</span></i></div>
<br />
My Uncle David and Aunt Annette have been full time RVrs for years. They lived a simple life, traveling across the U.S. visiting relatives and friends and making new ones along the way. They were content and life was good, until a fateful day on Oct. 3, 2014. While traveling near Prescott, AZ, a sudden downdraft caused their trailer to fishtail. Unable to steady it, their truck and trailer flipped over 3 times, landing upside down on the road. Everything was totaled. My Uncle David was airlifted to Flagstaff hospital and is in ICU with a lacerated liver and broken bones in his neck. I am beyond thankful that they are alive but their life is anything but ok. Thankfully, my aunt had only minor injuries, however, the travel trailer was their only home. They lost every single item inside it so in a sense, they are homeless with mounting medical bills as my uncle will have a long road to recovery.<br />
<br />
We have started a fundraising site through giveforward.com to help offset the medical costs and basic necessities that they will need. Your prayers and support are very much appreciated by all of our family and we encourage you to check out the site and forward it to everyone you can think of. Click on the link here or on the photo and link to the right to visit the site: <a href="http://gfwd.at/1pCmFwK">DAVID AND ANNETTE FUNDRAISER</a><br />
<br />
Thank you!!<br />
Denise Sullivan<br />
<br />
<br />Don and Denise Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13403180532943735498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002433915687415386.post-44184156644556002262014-04-25T23:55:00.000-07:002014-04-25T23:55:16.996-07:00AdventureLand Quiet Book PageMy favorite land in DisneyLand is AdventureLand. I love everything about it... the Tiki Room (yes I sing along with the birds), the decor, Indiana Jones ride, Dole Whips, the jungly feel. So of course, I had to make an AdventureLand quiet book page.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmx1EUqWVUs-MO3zZQl8FFLMvAGoSain_D3zTbt5lTfqlf1itEB7f-mbYMkQJFarO8mFkEdqz6aUp-tfoEbs06gk-6UvLCrLHpl1GSEgBJTKOtfvqosFoA1FE7K0kqslWvNU_Njh3jm4/s1600/SAM_2972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmx1EUqWVUs-MO3zZQl8FFLMvAGoSain_D3zTbt5lTfqlf1itEB7f-mbYMkQJFarO8mFkEdqz6aUp-tfoEbs06gk-6UvLCrLHpl1GSEgBJTKOtfvqosFoA1FE7K0kqslWvNU_Njh3jm4/s1600/SAM_2972.jpg" height="400" width="396" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Instead of tediously cutting out and spelling the entire word, I opted for the first letter. Although I prefer the look of hand stitched pieces, all felt pieces are machine stitched to save time.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGs3pnGKnYFR77AqTGAIM2NGT0wbQA0syrJXNv0QfvHBOlchrgZCSpd5H8Uqro6gIyZ6SKYj-7l1Ug_R6B0En89arP7ALIhGOvFSleAHi8BX-bNtz424EZQK2M7IIU2zWZT_CeGnHev0/s1600/SAM_2973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGs3pnGKnYFR77AqTGAIM2NGT0wbQA0syrJXNv0QfvHBOlchrgZCSpd5H8Uqro6gIyZ6SKYj-7l1Ug_R6B0En89arP7ALIhGOvFSleAHi8BX-bNtz424EZQK2M7IIU2zWZT_CeGnHev0/s1600/SAM_2973.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Inside spread has a removable elephant, coconut button tree, swinging monkey on the vine and monkey attached with elastic that J can pull. The tiki has glued on googly eyes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8d1Go_tOSOp-qru61TUEBfiN6i6Iud5e_C_HuAs0XOPNcq_PngbIT2zBCdA5m28gINkdFoB6XFpRH8A9mcDp0uvyQOwxEepZERdyABXbyihSz-c_i9_YSQR5DCQcILaicJdh_H7VIxg/s1600/SAM_2974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8d1Go_tOSOp-qru61TUEBfiN6i6Iud5e_C_HuAs0XOPNcq_PngbIT2zBCdA5m28gINkdFoB6XFpRH8A9mcDp0uvyQOwxEepZERdyABXbyihSz-c_i9_YSQR5DCQcILaicJdh_H7VIxg/s1600/SAM_2974.jpg" height="383" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeVSecS4l2onLhhJz-e0Dm0iheBLPaxbtXMx6yUfyxUadnxYWFlRHGYwnZEb_5qT6e0a5yzEHY4xUzkxs-g9B2J9PSRwz2fJW5k6Laega18cPyttx5Iu0MeSvm1i54jWB-h6FAjWbTlg/s1600/SAM_2975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeVSecS4l2onLhhJz-e0Dm0iheBLPaxbtXMx6yUfyxUadnxYWFlRHGYwnZEb_5qT6e0a5yzEHY4xUzkxs-g9B2J9PSRwz2fJW5k6Laega18cPyttx5Iu0MeSvm1i54jWB-h6FAjWbTlg/s1600/SAM_2975.jpg" height="400" width="346" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6ElSi5f55Bhf7AO-qRL5WdUP0UYHnFbUC4Yytp2rvB_M3LgRQu45IC1sXZ-BKnjY5uph9rXCSAid3oijozhTAQziQejWJPi3Wqm2z2X_5_ybaEacypybKWUYy6xSTgrOMX385lfxQXc/s1600/SAM_2976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6ElSi5f55Bhf7AO-qRL5WdUP0UYHnFbUC4Yytp2rvB_M3LgRQu45IC1sXZ-BKnjY5uph9rXCSAid3oijozhTAQziQejWJPi3Wqm2z2X_5_ybaEacypybKWUYy6xSTgrOMX385lfxQXc/s1600/SAM_2976.jpg" height="400" width="261" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Don and Denise Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13403180532943735498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002433915687415386.post-79590501759720371222014-04-25T23:54:00.000-07:002014-04-25T23:54:51.380-07:00Pirates of the Caribbean Quiet Book pageYARRRR!! Love Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland, not to mention the movies too! I definitely wanted to make a quiet book page like this for J. My inspiration and patterns came from this talented <a href="http://www.imagineourlife.com/2012/01/09/treasure-quiet-book-page/">designer</a> of quiet books.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2v_urRQIAwQ_-PdQR19SwnH4dCl9RfdzNsQp_eXGFmKfZ6H0lS-fgJVsHliIeH7UlJfIGmK1rrfUVbxoO_JV2A-JBodzPyvuIaY3lCzTEz3mHSiVt3Gi0jiRXlkbHLtNDn0ES48XRwo/s1600/SAM_2981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2v_urRQIAwQ_-PdQR19SwnH4dCl9RfdzNsQp_eXGFmKfZ6H0lS-fgJVsHliIeH7UlJfIGmK1rrfUVbxoO_JV2A-JBodzPyvuIaY3lCzTEz3mHSiVt3Gi0jiRXlkbHLtNDn0ES48XRwo/s1600/SAM_2981.jpg" height="390" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Front cover above. The spread below has a treasure chest and map that open. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkl5auPKAN1bSnVUBKrniF12nH0ZU6_bwuHzX5LMCLz1ZeloTKcYgxBYCiqFqtfYDFbPj0mUNDc8fHZ0kFenphCDqGIjj3FaekluSTgKHOiI-RS2Uxm8Y6FraoW7HkCXJNOIKp5pbyhrc/s1600/SAM_2982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkl5auPKAN1bSnVUBKrniF12nH0ZU6_bwuHzX5LMCLz1ZeloTKcYgxBYCiqFqtfYDFbPj0mUNDc8fHZ0kFenphCDqGIjj3FaekluSTgKHOiI-RS2Uxm8Y6FraoW7HkCXJNOIKp5pbyhrc/s1600/SAM_2982.jpg" height="241" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The chest teaches skills like buttoning and counting the gold coins.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hDGi47Nr2ys3jZp8WCuQGhsU5xXJfgmkTY3M5EhZ-UY_riPh_mPkOc8nCze2_0ItfFh555hGyIib2pPDWE53dW3fsRWTB8bDZwQHyufnJIZUHdFOsw6LMe25zlcWuDkzROkUcLNZxN0/s1600/SAM_2984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hDGi47Nr2ys3jZp8WCuQGhsU5xXJfgmkTY3M5EhZ-UY_riPh_mPkOc8nCze2_0ItfFh555hGyIib2pPDWE53dW3fsRWTB8bDZwQHyufnJIZUHdFOsw6LMe25zlcWuDkzROkUcLNZxN0/s1600/SAM_2984.jpg" height="370" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The treasure map teaches how to tie and fold.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcOLe63523vXy_3XP5R0JHM9GmGGGpq86VLK5HqEFgbWHbd9lyWmjuvBQt4rHRbFZ-YBZ2BEZ9a7OCgU6QOnlow4YhKNm2125XprQHh3QrGSMI9zft9e-65J5PWoKlPmcI2WIv3jdUUU/s1600/SAM_2985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcOLe63523vXy_3XP5R0JHM9GmGGGpq86VLK5HqEFgbWHbd9lyWmjuvBQt4rHRbFZ-YBZ2BEZ9a7OCgU6QOnlow4YhKNm2125XprQHh3QrGSMI9zft9e-65J5PWoKlPmcI2WIv3jdUUU/s1600/SAM_2985.jpg" height="330" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Don and Denise Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13403180532943735498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002433915687415386.post-73477624462261476112014-04-25T23:53:00.001-07:002014-04-25T23:53:52.435-07:00FrontierLand Quiet Book pageFrontierland has one of my favorite rides, Big Thunder Mtn Railroad (I swear it's faster when you ride it after dark). The Golden Horseshoe Revue is a fun place to rest and eat. I decided to make a quiet book page that featured zipper skills and tactile sensory objects.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSghMx53kYtxpFtsTsJACjgESxNc2rjhHKYOvBNKTJ21BxsAih5M1nq3hGF66-sxI1biqA95N2ATZo0tE2mxCueXW8NzlI7O7zQe86oevmdHaaVY3FHQr3PY9CnjYZ5y3O8jRjcR0Oazo/s1600/SAM_2968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSghMx53kYtxpFtsTsJACjgESxNc2rjhHKYOvBNKTJ21BxsAih5M1nq3hGF66-sxI1biqA95N2ATZo0tE2mxCueXW8NzlI7O7zQe86oevmdHaaVY3FHQr3PY9CnjYZ5y3O8jRjcR0Oazo/s1600/SAM_2968.jpg" height="388" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Front cover above. Spread below has a zipped teepee and ribbon waterfall.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYI8DfXmWJdGr62Hl47xiKebpHzTvHUKbU5BMzzNylpAY7dto2my8BvLjemgXpTxFNG15NS23S7x3c__wQ85Vua3l5PjTyUMuLETHLY3tHF9yHphvlAmEcSIZXvR7GbFHHXNsO2Q2qyts/s1600/SAM_2969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYI8DfXmWJdGr62Hl47xiKebpHzTvHUKbU5BMzzNylpAY7dto2my8BvLjemgXpTxFNG15NS23S7x3c__wQ85Vua3l5PjTyUMuLETHLY3tHF9yHphvlAmEcSIZXvR7GbFHHXNsO2Q2qyts/s1600/SAM_2969.jpg" height="248" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Teepee unzips to reveal a campfire.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1vJt_DLtMnt479a8GpEnaRMrimSumHsOFW1gWSQZeIzl2JunPWe5MtnbhtfvcSWxeWxWsJfZDq-3iBkxwwrq6-blKdGFHvynC2hzwaErkG6pk_ENxwaUnKC3L543IT6R2kCkWtlPUX0/s1600/SAM_2970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1vJt_DLtMnt479a8GpEnaRMrimSumHsOFW1gWSQZeIzl2JunPWe5MtnbhtfvcSWxeWxWsJfZDq-3iBkxwwrq6-blKdGFHvynC2hzwaErkG6pk_ENxwaUnKC3L543IT6R2kCkWtlPUX0/s1600/SAM_2970.jpg" height="400" width="398" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtkSLq_WrTAsBiWzEpGwL-2KTbYGK6RUZbPRsf7jn4_S-C1Ih1LwUZ_MnWPgV4oOJbmg3SlM0CX56hFP2e-1Do4QU03TPPIe06TMxPJKcYDylAMDcZYKULbwaYjnF9Bze8rFeLgjH_fk/s1600/SAM_2971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtkSLq_WrTAsBiWzEpGwL-2KTbYGK6RUZbPRsf7jn4_S-C1Ih1LwUZ_MnWPgV4oOJbmg3SlM0CX56hFP2e-1Do4QU03TPPIe06TMxPJKcYDylAMDcZYKULbwaYjnF9Bze8rFeLgjH_fk/s1600/SAM_2971.jpg" height="400" width="336" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Don and Denise Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13403180532943735498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002433915687415386.post-61912631653924159922014-04-25T23:53:00.000-07:002014-04-25T23:53:37.371-07:00Tomorrowland Quiet Book page<br />
This was the first quiet book page I made and fun to create. I love riding Space Mtn in Tomorrowland. In fact, we lived in socal for a couple years so I got a Disneyland SoCal annual pass. On my way home from work, I would occasionally pop in, hop on Space Mtn, chuckle at all the tourists frantically rushing from ride to ride (although that's ME now. boo) and head back home. Sometimes, I would stop in and grab breakfast on Main St before heading on to my job. Good times!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1lzeISW42Bhv8E0NwQTWhzXkYMGabJKmv_o_Hsvzb257pYsVIiGR0aiM4XeWv3azueswlKVH-XzDx3jgS4_T6wc1aVWxiZQHruyQ7Op5X8IJc4YLo3DqoNe9vD6SX66YnU5koYFyPogE/s1600/SAM_2977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1lzeISW42Bhv8E0NwQTWhzXkYMGabJKmv_o_Hsvzb257pYsVIiGR0aiM4XeWv3azueswlKVH-XzDx3jgS4_T6wc1aVWxiZQHruyQ7Op5X8IJc4YLo3DqoNe9vD6SX66YnU5koYFyPogE/s1600/SAM_2977.jpg" height="385" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Cover above. I found this awesome glittery felt to represent the galaxy.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAR5wklKW2y9UU0EmuXMoCk5TlnsqqfcLGEgKtco_WngQTSPwu3hMvmWIIks3wiqSxJI4GWZyx83niu-x2s8kxklJy5bua2kvPLbmWlBjniY1aGY3jWAhx7OGxDgsSRRNpjqIcMUtgng/s1600/SAM_2978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAR5wklKW2y9UU0EmuXMoCk5TlnsqqfcLGEgKtco_WngQTSPwu3hMvmWIIks3wiqSxJI4GWZyx83niu-x2s8kxklJy5bua2kvPLbmWlBjniY1aGY3jWAhx7OGxDgsSRRNpjqIcMUtgng/s1600/SAM_2978.jpg" height="257" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
J can "fly" the rocket ship through the rings.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIccUajC_QW3BKJyiSrkEJ06TrTUxKHxCu1GWtlvkJiudylxMpyppUdPi5kQEaTdRsqfLZI06KxHLknSDCoFXWjuq5TBZ8LEmtMxmRhFMD0fRLmsyXRBe2YI1XIt4NPYpgZYUnYPS1KQg/s1600/SAM_2979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIccUajC_QW3BKJyiSrkEJ06TrTUxKHxCu1GWtlvkJiudylxMpyppUdPi5kQEaTdRsqfLZI06KxHLknSDCoFXWjuq5TBZ8LEmtMxmRhFMD0fRLmsyXRBe2YI1XIt4NPYpgZYUnYPS1KQg/s1600/SAM_2979.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhBdyI3ZP0atYpHXjAo9IxWtB6bFIDNJfslPGqVcgwdM-7HcJLudcau8G_hLsx1mPrgc3dwnusPadlYKwmdYsLqce7s-kIRq7UKan5rw-_IK4v5VTV5Tj2zDhI5osHvvaoVhDYi2Oz2I/s1600/SAM_2980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhBdyI3ZP0atYpHXjAo9IxWtB6bFIDNJfslPGqVcgwdM-7HcJLudcau8G_hLsx1mPrgc3dwnusPadlYKwmdYsLqce7s-kIRq7UKan5rw-_IK4v5VTV5Tj2zDhI5osHvvaoVhDYi2Oz2I/s1600/SAM_2980.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Don and Denise Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13403180532943735498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002433915687415386.post-43577990070810733882014-04-25T23:50:00.000-07:002014-04-26T00:16:59.608-07:00Quiet Book ProjectI have been looking high and low for a Quiet Book for our 2-1/2 yr old son. A toy he could fiddle with but quiet enough that it didn't require batteries, would entertain him in the car, or not reverberate off the walls if he threw it on our tile floor. I remembered these as being fabric books that taught you how to tie, lace, zip, snap, button etc. Shouldn't be hard to find right? WRONG. After scouring the internet, the only places I could find one was Amazon and Etsy and they were well into the $25-$80 range! *cough* Not in the budget. Being the busy work-at-home mom with a very sociable, have to be around someone...anyone... toddler, I rolled my eyes at making one.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But.......</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I finally gave in. So I figured, I'd make a very simple basic one that incorporated all of the above necessary skills in life. But, oh no. I'm an Art Director..an arteest. I own my own business and cannot do anything the simple basic easy way. So in my Clark Griswold thinking, I thought...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Wouldn't it be COOL to make a DISNEYLAND quiet book??!!?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And then my brain kicked into gear and next thing I know, I'm making sketches in Adobe Illustrator, hitting Michaels for felt and emptying my sewing box for odds and ends that I haven't ever used. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Then I started sewing and I became OBSESSED with this crazy quiet book. Four pages later and I admit I had a lot of fun making this. Plus it whipped together faster than I expected (during the late night hours when said toddler...and hubby... are snoozing) and I can add pages later if I really wanted to.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So here you have it... Jax's Disneyland Quiet Book pages! I decided to make each page separate instead of a gianormous thick book so he can play with them one at a time. Click on the "lands" below to see each individual page. My inspiration came from this very talented <a href="http://www.imagineourlife.com/">designer.</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://dondenise.blogspot.com/2014/04/adventureland-quiet-book-page.html">ADVENTURELAND</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://dondenise.blogspot.com/2014/04/pirates-of-caribbean-quiet-book-page.html">PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://dondenise.blogspot.com/2014/04/frontierland-quiet-book-page.html">FRONTIERLAND</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://dondenise.blogspot.com/2014/04/tomorrowland-quiet-book-page.html">TOMORROWLAND</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtmaj2cU3uK2x8EJUbV8Fxz9Blsm_KpOMf0Dmc53dlMEYSrpbGpm1KI4pb6YOVzSlhFv-UbxGPWumVHYGG1EPK_4l7RPhF4KAsZfWHl2bdhMmpGFhlwgB32D-FMQH8s8M0dFTfp1katQ/s1600/SAM_2967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtmaj2cU3uK2x8EJUbV8Fxz9Blsm_KpOMf0Dmc53dlMEYSrpbGpm1KI4pb6YOVzSlhFv-UbxGPWumVHYGG1EPK_4l7RPhF4KAsZfWHl2bdhMmpGFhlwgB32D-FMQH8s8M0dFTfp1katQ/s1600/SAM_2967.jpg" height="380" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Don and Denise Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13403180532943735498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002433915687415386.post-57642143730259612092014-01-31T18:58:00.000-08:002014-01-31T18:59:42.463-08:007 Months HomeI have been debating whether to continue this blog. Can you say "BUSY?!" Just no time to write. I find myself on Facebook more because I can write a quick post or upload a quick photo from my iPhone and be done. But I'm sitting here tonight relaxing with my family, updating stuff on my Macbook and thought... what the heck? Might as well update my blog. Go figure.<br />
<br />
SO MUCH has happened in the past 7 months since we brought Jaxson home. I am really amazed at how quickly he has adjusted. In fact, I don't recall a grieving period like we had with Nate. However, we did have a bit of a scare a month or 2 after he came home when he had a night terror that appeared to be seizure-like. Scared us to death. He's had several since then but not near as bad. Someone told me it's because they get overheated. He does get really hot at night..even with a light sheet and sometimes even drenched with sweat after a night terror. I started putting a cool damp washcloth on the bottom of his feet when he was in the middle of one and it seems to calm him down. Crazy stuff!<br />
<br />
Jaxson is extremely easy going and laid back. He's our social bug. Loves people, loves life, loves music..always smiling and one of the most flexible kids I've ever seen. Maybe that's why the transition has gone so smoothly. He loves his big brother and they can be the best of friends and worst of enemies. haha. I act annoyed when they're aggravating each other but later I smile when I think about it.<br />
<br />
Its amazing to me how quickly Jaxson is picking up English. He's saying words on his own and has begun identifying things that are his or ours without copying what we say. I really thought communication would be difficult but it's been pretty easy. We started with sign language and a few Amharic words but it wasn't long before his comprehension just took off. Big brother Nate loves being the little Daddy but Jax is becoming more confident and independent.<br />
<br />
Potty training is progressing..only major thing to work on is his learning to tell us "when" he needs to go. Otherwise, he's pretty good at holding it until we tell him it's Potty Time. A big habit to break is his eating habits. He has no cut off switch for eating..snacks or meals and would even grab popcorn off the movie theater floor, stuff it in his mouth faster than we could blink. We've had to teach him to wait for his food without getting mad and to trust that we would feed him. It's an on-going process but he's getting better about it. He prefers spicy, pureed food like Indian food or Ethiopian rather than cut up pieces of meat or veggies. I think his spice-meter is hotter than mine! He'll devour spicy food, nose running and all with a smile on his face. I love it!<br />
<br />
He definitely rounds out our household. He's quite a charmer and woos everyone at every store we visit not to mention a funny entertainer. We all just watch him and laugh and he'll milk every minute of it! It was the highlight of 2013 to meet up with several families in St. Louis over Christmas break. Two couples of our friends had adopted from Ethiopia and the other two adopted from China with us. I loved seeing the kids together and it was great to catch up although way too short. Next time we need to stay an extra day at least!<br />
<br />
Looking forward to what this new year will bring!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnmZNjpWAgG93wTnxl1Exc_01XC-xN8R7TLavsy3u6Im82Z0QtrpmZJud_5DJ4mFEmV76krEQHUSnTc62SFcel1caNe-3J-9IubY_3jFWWoueDoBFnLP-6JDJFLoBv1UV_nTYwRxdtoo/s1600/1483341_10203048253551914_879279419_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnmZNjpWAgG93wTnxl1Exc_01XC-xN8R7TLavsy3u6Im82Z0QtrpmZJud_5DJ4mFEmV76krEQHUSnTc62SFcel1caNe-3J-9IubY_3jFWWoueDoBFnLP-6JDJFLoBv1UV_nTYwRxdtoo/s1600/1483341_10203048253551914_879279419_n.jpg" height="171" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Don and Denise Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13403180532943735498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002433915687415386.post-48071607264850242142013-11-04T19:07:00.002-08:002014-01-31T19:55:05.857-08:00Adopt Without Debt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDs1vJawsiql9ZxTLCoa2TSbxCBlASTXLB0rfQdWCR70XB4di2nF8YCUCgJaYihjv6eGjP2pcepT0B4mHW-CQCF2g2ZXWaD2itWAoalWl3uYo4yyYfS2bwSOC17lGKqihEehLRP16elQ/s1600/LandingPage-ProductShot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDs1vJawsiql9ZxTLCoa2TSbxCBlASTXLB0rfQdWCR70XB4di2nF8YCUCgJaYihjv6eGjP2pcepT0B4mHW-CQCF2g2ZXWaD2itWAoalWl3uYo4yyYfS2bwSOC17lGKqihEehLRP16elQ/s640/LandingPage-ProductShot.jpg" height="138" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Wondering how to adopt without doing into debt? Julie Gumm's book "Adopt Without Debt" is only $2.99 for the e-book BUT… only until midnight tonight (Nov. 4)!!<br />
<br />
Find it here: <a href="http://juliegumm.com/you-dont-have-to-be-rich-to-adopt-debt-free/">http://juliegumm.com/you-dont-have-to-be-rich-to-adopt-debt-free/</a>Don and Denise Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13403180532943735498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002433915687415386.post-5148685863172045742013-09-25T08:30:00.002-07:002013-09-25T08:30:31.473-07:00Tucson Music EventIf you're looking for something fun to do in Tucson this weekend, here you go! My art agent shared this with me... "<span style="background-color: white; color: #215868; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">Bill and Marie are wonderful musicians…they have traveled with some amazing artists…Phil Collins, Anita Baker, etc…we have heard them a few times at Saddleback and other places around San Diego, LA and Orange county."</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUyC-zuN-2WqBuaWn2TzHMy5ungeSrRyuPwh3OHoPGJM8-28eDmDBt9oMkE7wBORA54ZTnFS0uJV8ESZeJGvY48JBv08GD2eZvN21ygOFqPUXKXd-Wuoq83-Me-ikdNeya7tJcfvllNw/s1600/1174739_294225127382409_12913952_n-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUyC-zuN-2WqBuaWn2TzHMy5ungeSrRyuPwh3OHoPGJM8-28eDmDBt9oMkE7wBORA54ZTnFS0uJV8ESZeJGvY48JBv08GD2eZvN21ygOFqPUXKXd-Wuoq83-Me-ikdNeya7tJcfvllNw/s400/1174739_294225127382409_12913952_n-1.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #215868; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span>Don and Denise Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13403180532943735498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002433915687415386.post-75540112572617099902013-06-13T13:40:00.002-07:002013-06-13T13:40:39.558-07:00Gotcha Day!!I'm way behind, but we FINALLY were able to bring our son home from Ethiopia! Our Gotcha Day was May 27 and we came home June 1. Jaxson has been adjusting well.. better in fact than I ever imagined. Communication has not been an issue like I thought but it did help that I learned a few Amharic words to get by. In just a week, he is picking up English and can say & identify our family and a few objects. He can sign "please" and "thank you", has an infectious smile and a mischieviousness at times. Nate loves his little brother and is enjoying being the BIG brother.<br />
<br />
I will write more about our trip later but for now, here's pics!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ddsullivan/sets/72157633757372306/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/ddsullivan/sets/72157633757372306/</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnu8QG4P20wT4XIWzeHD8gtM-xPkUjlKyAYSaktksXg86asqTZ0cbVEKSCsV1Wz40arn0_OQFnONi4dl9lUqSBlZBr-iSfkROtNqhCx3UzNj6dKzVYBXChLo5uLS3sQlt_8HZ7fwOcn4Q/s1600/936427_10201413271318380_1137191303_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnu8QG4P20wT4XIWzeHD8gtM-xPkUjlKyAYSaktksXg86asqTZ0cbVEKSCsV1Wz40arn0_OQFnONi4dl9lUqSBlZBr-iSfkROtNqhCx3UzNj6dKzVYBXChLo5uLS3sQlt_8HZ7fwOcn4Q/s400/936427_10201413271318380_1137191303_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Don and Denise Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13403180532943735498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002433915687415386.post-7298822035935518752013-04-15T10:13:00.002-07:002013-04-17T10:12:17.235-07:00Patience RequiredUPDATE:<br />
Our adoption agency in-country staff has told the US Embassy that our son's finder could not be found. They are requesting that the Embassy either interview the police officer involved or the orphanage where he was first taken to. Please pray that the Embassy accepts their request so we can move forward with this. Thanks!<br />
<br />
**********************************<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-right: 30px; text-indent: 0px !important;">
<div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; text-indent: 0px !important;">Well we just found out we have the adoption glitch we were hoping to avoid. The U.S. Embassy wants to interview the person who found our son (to make sure everything is legit). The problem, is that when we traveled to Dire Dawa, the police officer could not find her. She was no longer at the "house" where he was found. So basically, this means we wait...</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; text-indent: 0px !important;">1. We wait for the Embassy to finish searching for the person who found Misbay.</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; text-indent: 0px !important;">2. If give up searching for her, they may decide to interview the police officer & review the police report</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; text-indent: 0px !important;">3. If they decide that's insufficient, our case will be sent to Nairobi for orphan processing</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; text-indent: 0px !important;">We have no idea how long this will take but we were told it could possibly take anywhere up to 6 months. Praying it doesn't take that long. Our adoption agency said they've never had a case thrown out from the Embassy so we just have to be patient (something I'm not very good at!)</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; text-indent: 0px !important;">Thanks for your prayers!</span></div>
</div>
Don and Denise Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13403180532943735498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002433915687415386.post-74843544000205587692013-03-26T11:19:00.000-07:002013-03-26T11:19:21.041-07:00Ethiopia Adoption Trip #1We just returned from a 2 week trip to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to meet our son! After being approved in Ethiopian court, he is now ours!! We will return to Ethiopia in a few weeks to bring him home for good.<br />
<br />
Addis was quite the culture shock, even though we've been to other countries outside the U.S. Tucson is a city with a small town feel. When we drove into Addis from the airport, we were overwhelmed with culture shock. Our first impression was a mix of broken sidewalks, trash, markets, pollution and grey buildings mingled with nicer restaurants. People poor and well off walking together, sharing the streets with tons of cars, burros and sheep herders. I had seen photos of Addis but nothing prepares you for the sights, smells, and sounds that hit you. We scanned the streets looking for some kind of "normal" that we could relate to but not finding anything. It took a few days for us to begin getting used to our surroundings.<br />
<br />
The people we encountered at our TDS Guesthouse, in the restaurants, shops, and church were very friendly. Ethiopians have a graceful air to them. They are a slender people, stand very straight, walk and talk calmly and gracefully. To me they all looked like models! In fact, I felt under dressed in my casual cargos and capris when we went to the restaurants & cafes.<br />
<br />
Walking around Addis is an experience. We stuck out like sore thumbs and were always approached by the many peddlers or beggars. Pickpockets are frequent on the streets (and our area was considered a safe area for walking). Trying to take photos out on the streets invites more people to hassle you or beggars so the majority of my photos were taken from our van or taxi.<br />
<br />
One thing we quickly discovered is that the coffee in Ethiopia is EXCELLENT. In fact, I haven't found anything as good in our neck of the woods back home. That's one thing I'll miss for sure!<br />
<br />
Meeting our child and spending several days with him was a mix of emotions. He is nearly 2 and understands perfect Amharic...but no English. Imagine this... he has had a structured schedule for the last several months in the transition home. Every day he does the same thing, goes to the same areas...except for one particular day. He wakes up from his nap, but instead of going to the playroom like he has every day, he's taken to a strange room where he's given to strange people who are saying things he can't understand. Then he turns around and sees the nanny leaving the room. Now it hits him that he's alone with these strangers and he's immediately frightened.<br />
<br />
It was impossible to do any kind of bonding with our son while he was at the transition home. They take excellent care of him and the other kids and he's very attached to his nannies. He cried every time we came to visit but would calm down and play with us...until a nanny came in the room and then the cycle would start again. The people at the transition home were very friendly and the kids there were so much fun. They taught me a few Amharic words and phrases and loved playing with us.<br />
<br />
On the day we went to court to be approved for adoption, we had just crossed the street when a truck snagged the power lines in front of the courthouse, and snapped the power pole. Sparks zapping and people scattering everywhere! It was quite the excitement. We waited in the court room with people from Canada & Germany who had been waiting 5-6 years for their kids. One of the family's at our guesthouse were from Ireland and just got their daughter. It was awesome to be united with other countries for the same purpose.<br />
<br />
We also took a side trip to Dire Dawa, Ethiopia to visit our son's hometown and his finding place. That was one of the highlights of our trip and we loved the tropical, small town feel of Dire Dawa. It also helped give us some closure on his past...something we didn't have with our first son's adoption from China.<br />
<br />
It was a great adventure and we're looking forward to bringing our son home in the next few weeks!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIyUSYRvpTCSzpliKBZf7iYHB3gQbzn2XNFcvo4nhIYNw2wzMh8XbmQXRxLfuGQwPsMA5AKA3CdYO3Ipre_FxbAwb6kDZ5iC6D4mPZJRAJxtGhqFbYeI-wE_5VXYpydpbTli-gOu0vyE/s1600/SAM_0086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIyUSYRvpTCSzpliKBZf7iYHB3gQbzn2XNFcvo4nhIYNw2wzMh8XbmQXRxLfuGQwPsMA5AKA3CdYO3Ipre_FxbAwb6kDZ5iC6D4mPZJRAJxtGhqFbYeI-wE_5VXYpydpbTli-gOu0vyE/s320/SAM_0086.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Don and Denise Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13403180532943735498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002433915687415386.post-49435935601806529502013-03-07T10:16:00.001-08:002013-03-07T10:16:58.578-08:00STUCK Documentary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1sHqKZqSkztHIONxHpS8yUThiZDMHemXwIKhNUP5AoUrebaesYOwfT4f6sAJWOhSUTP-KIr1Vqv_PSPHr_6N0GH-iUNfS9op8j_2CYOofVA9Skn5HeGctKHJhvl84yLSkspxsqdajvs/s1600/485459_272323852899483_1896330147_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1sHqKZqSkztHIONxHpS8yUThiZDMHemXwIKhNUP5AoUrebaesYOwfT4f6sAJWOhSUTP-KIr1Vqv_PSPHr_6N0GH-iUNfS9op8j_2CYOofVA9Skn5HeGctKHJhvl84yLSkspxsqdajvs/s1600/485459_272323852899483_1896330147_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
WOW! I watched the "Stuck" documentary this week. Very eye-opening film about what we personally experienced with both of our international adoptions, red-tape hurdles with intl adoption, & several highlights of Ethiopia. People often ask us why the process takes so long. Most people have no idea what is required of families when they adopt. It is difficult to explain because there's so much to the process. However, this movie explains it better and goes beyond with footage from orphanages and interviews with families.<br />
<br />
Unlike the U.S., many countries do not have a foster system. Although the foster system here has its pros & cons, at the very least, children have the opportunity to be in a family unit. In many countries, because there is no foster system, children...many orphaned or abandoned, live in crowded orphanages where they have little to no physical contact/touch, affection from their caregiver. This greatly affects their physical and emotional development as a person. And because of bureaucratic red tape, these children are stuck for years in these conditions rather than being placed with a family.<br />
<br />
I HIGHLY encourage everyone to go to this movie!! Well worth your time. It's playing all over the nation on different dates.<br />
<br />
<b>TUCSON friends:</b> Mar 21, 5:30pm at Tower Theaters.<br />
<b>PHOENIX friends: </b>Mar 22 at Harkins Shea, Scottsdale.<br />
Or you can purchase a download of the film online at: <a href="http://buy.stuckdocumentary.com/">http://buy.stuckdocumentary.com/</a><br />
<br />
<br />Don and Denise Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13403180532943735498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002433915687415386.post-21359275798843902032013-02-20T12:46:00.005-08:002013-02-20T12:48:05.302-08:00Snowy Awesomeness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYVvTXcNrmdjkm2A-BZdtqGwOoZwAAiAzbGpOcBCzg84btgt6G4ZxZ9VRsh97i7cRo1mOne5ve5Nuym9SDC-aXD1bW-idrUOTzKW6-1dLq0hkKZoiTZXjHP3zGvqPgwWltKEbrerEmFk/s1600/mesnow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYVvTXcNrmdjkm2A-BZdtqGwOoZwAAiAzbGpOcBCzg84btgt6G4ZxZ9VRsh97i7cRo1mOne5ve5Nuym9SDC-aXD1bW-idrUOTzKW6-1dLq0hkKZoiTZXjHP3zGvqPgwWltKEbrerEmFk/s320/mesnow.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i>Snowflake on my nose</i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I looked out the window today to watch the rain (yes, those of us in the desert do that), and had to do a double take. I couldn't believe what I was seeing....it was SNOWING!! In my 44 years of mostly living in the desert, I have never seen it snow. We've always lived in the lower elevations...you know, the ones who get the 110+ degree weather in summer. Not only was it was snowing but they were big white flakes coming down heavily and blanketing our grass. For us out here, that made it a GREAT day!!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQ6uRb9xWZnOjuUvoP41LNkIfJgCtN3itFDZqvI406vr-PqBPlwv39sVt6O-Fuf-MuLtnVW6r9Mn8G8ja1XbTXIrj_UDzJHoq6mOYY09HefCaKVnu_T5jBUb1-gB4-Ay337LhyphenhyphenR-O6CY/s1600/P2200039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQ6uRb9xWZnOjuUvoP41LNkIfJgCtN3itFDZqvI406vr-PqBPlwv39sVt6O-Fuf-MuLtnVW6r9Mn8G8ja1XbTXIrj_UDzJHoq6mOYY09HefCaKVnu_T5jBUb1-gB4-Ay337LhyphenhyphenR-O6CY/s400/P2200039.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i>View from our street</i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFFXiDPi7E9EofvVFKmdp3MtIDLwOWK0XryUjHmhiw3pF0sOWZnaawCtjkT-WzVSTlK1vN7zQPmO4P0GenSRD4Qff7rYHqhwTSH8F840vnuvgBiiobLlCXIDWde1Cxb86qQ6TzTGMB3o/s1600/P2200058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFFXiDPi7E9EofvVFKmdp3MtIDLwOWK0XryUjHmhiw3pF0sOWZnaawCtjkT-WzVSTlK1vN7zQPmO4P0GenSRD4Qff7rYHqhwTSH8F840vnuvgBiiobLlCXIDWde1Cxb86qQ6TzTGMB3o/s640/P2200058.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i>It's sticking!</i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nap8Hf00L7kBnFMpzfxaZkor027FrH1u0e5aaUytAWGJJxHo0n0J2G6ekLPuhrSFJkkXIhjsDrGcjl2l_ESQsTK-oLixaZ75E9GQ8KgMoT-cRIzPTsHb6iaLrDia6uKyzWC19_b6OvA/s1600/P2200062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nap8Hf00L7kBnFMpzfxaZkor027FrH1u0e5aaUytAWGJJxHo0n0J2G6ekLPuhrSFJkkXIhjsDrGcjl2l_ESQsTK-oLixaZ75E9GQ8KgMoT-cRIzPTsHb6iaLrDia6uKyzWC19_b6OvA/s400/P2200062.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i>Grass is turning white!</i></b></div>
<br />Don and Denise Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13403180532943735498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002433915687415386.post-46165348637004416682013-02-19T15:18:00.003-08:002013-02-19T15:19:05.620-08:00Ethiopia in 2-1/2 weeks!!!Today we got our long awaited court date for Ethiopia!!!! March 18 we go before the Ethiopian judge to be approved to adopt our boy. And better yet, we will finally meet him a few days prior!<br />
<br />
I'm glad we have a little time to get things ready before we leave. I've been working like mad on a bunch of art for clients (who always need it "now!") and trying to get as much done as I can before we take off. Internet service is similar to the '90s over there and no WIFI. It will be strange to go backward when I depend on the internet so much for my job and communicating with family!<br />
<br />
We will also have the chance to see the city our son was born in (about 7 hours from Addis Ababa) and tour the orphanage there. Currently, he's in a transition home in Addis Ababa. I'm very excited to experience the culture there, not to mention get some great coffee. haha!<br />
<br />
So until then, we are crazy busy until we leave! Yay!!!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUMqofHPaZXeg-xrHXX8a4Irmi08T7uSFTwsSWZ35-D7EHAVNYhYk06xAgsJ4ZGJwR5oTBzpuYnawybB4otIsFEvmzEcpreF2mvbrEr-MlPu1_l-fc-65ADBAAMAFgCpZ_WFWqQt4H1Q/s1600/Ethiopia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUMqofHPaZXeg-xrHXX8a4Irmi08T7uSFTwsSWZ35-D7EHAVNYhYk06xAgsJ4ZGJwR5oTBzpuYnawybB4otIsFEvmzEcpreF2mvbrEr-MlPu1_l-fc-65ADBAAMAFgCpZ_WFWqQt4H1Q/s400/Ethiopia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Don and Denise Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13403180532943735498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002433915687415386.post-84180359514594496452013-02-09T20:23:00.000-08:002013-02-10T13:30:04.771-08:00Gung Hay Fat Choy! Happy Chinese New Year!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbl1k5p_35x16iWazArVozp1odjxU_oxCkHDEKdYPxQ8K_9BRiwfYXpYY2nEcYTpe4mBc-40iVqyIUl_Qxte6yCbEep30ItmKcl0snd5GKTmdKx4U5flohKNFV80kBgHr9O4Za963lJZM/s1600/149951_10200654521670113_1302011919_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbl1k5p_35x16iWazArVozp1odjxU_oxCkHDEKdYPxQ8K_9BRiwfYXpYY2nEcYTpe4mBc-40iVqyIUl_Qxte6yCbEep30ItmKcl0snd5GKTmdKx4U5flohKNFV80kBgHr9O4Za963lJZM/s400/149951_10200654521670113_1302011919_n.jpg" width="233" /></a><br />
<br />
I'm so glad we're fortunate to have a chinese cultural center here in Tucson. Every year we go the center to celebrate the Lunar Festival - Chinese New Year. Every year the crowds seem to get bigger and more than the center knows what to do with. ha! Last year we made the mistake of playing all the kiddie games first (which was like being pushed around in a super crowded Fantasyland at Disneyland). By the time we decided to eat lunch, the lines were crazy long, we missed nearly all the cool entertainment and they ran out of most of the food!<br />
<br />
This year, we got wise and headed straight for the food booths, saw a lot of the performances and totally skipped the kiddie games. The weather this year was freezing...ok, maybe not to the rest of the nation but definitely to us! Compared to last year when we were sweating in the food line and getting sunburned. We had a fun time and had some awesome chinese food. Here's a few pix for you.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2riWr1f85d3zq3KJsHNpNGJrAyW6omdlgjZTCRl2C72-dPTGb90VvD0A3RGKboXsodbkpG5FrNoMsnBLYitfzoINrLbz4FWN3Au6e8zs-RhUNR9GuEFHsCrIfpTxzzLtkf9eSPfzBI5U/s1600/547694_10200654515509959_2048952923_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2riWr1f85d3zq3KJsHNpNGJrAyW6omdlgjZTCRl2C72-dPTGb90VvD0A3RGKboXsodbkpG5FrNoMsnBLYitfzoINrLbz4FWN3Au6e8zs-RhUNR9GuEFHsCrIfpTxzzLtkf9eSPfzBI5U/s400/547694_10200654515509959_2048952923_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLKIGJCUIW-MYJ1zXNDT9eeUBKobN3I6MJHHeQb32cMahYFFSaToQ9z4u_4t18y60rbaju7Jx0nG03plbgwOSZ9pDGvqiCNnxvH1jdXNibY2CZq95TyTlxzSjkCUpEfAw3A62gTr8t-E/s1600/251547_10200654518070023_1722117639_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLKIGJCUIW-MYJ1zXNDT9eeUBKobN3I6MJHHeQb32cMahYFFSaToQ9z4u_4t18y60rbaju7Jx0nG03plbgwOSZ9pDGvqiCNnxvH1jdXNibY2CZq95TyTlxzSjkCUpEfAw3A62gTr8t-E/s400/251547_10200654518070023_1722117639_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dYRzEQRhsUxZOU5rgUblXy2L7Lk0Zf7RWsRRz6m7oaZI-EBJhb61gamP-HvkVpEKi2nXJGo2aoR98zj1ZhSpS8pPr-0i7VWYH8fH0ks_CZpWQrXKreXTB8VjE6CJF04izSikdZY03Z0/s1600/426003_10200654512709889_14737729_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dYRzEQRhsUxZOU5rgUblXy2L7Lk0Zf7RWsRRz6m7oaZI-EBJhb61gamP-HvkVpEKi2nXJGo2aoR98zj1ZhSpS8pPr-0i7VWYH8fH0ks_CZpWQrXKreXTB8VjE6CJF04izSikdZY03Z0/s400/426003_10200654512709889_14737729_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjpgYdXC6ifxbsoxDlaepCxZr0jNPaAjfEApcWjZnoMev1yd69jnFQxW8s-f8qlMhJgTImRxpevn35v4j4qlw8H6AmBDzyPLjAExMAujHC0e6nH0knDoa1k8jyC0vFH1mGdBtcLuJnfw/s1600/539822_10200654519470058_1553108097_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjpgYdXC6ifxbsoxDlaepCxZr0jNPaAjfEApcWjZnoMev1yd69jnFQxW8s-f8qlMhJgTImRxpevn35v4j4qlw8H6AmBDzyPLjAExMAujHC0e6nH0knDoa1k8jyC0vFH1mGdBtcLuJnfw/s400/539822_10200654519470058_1553108097_n.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>
<br />Don and Denise Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13403180532943735498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002433915687415386.post-82581834795512441542013-02-07T16:15:00.001-08:002013-02-07T16:15:10.810-08:00Our Adoption UpdateIt's been awhile since I've posted about our pending adoption. The orphanage director had a court date on Jan 21, basically to say that "J" is available for adoption and was referred to us. Now we are waiting for MOWCYA (Ministry of Women, Childrens Affairs) in Ethiopia to submit an approval letter to the Ethiopian court & get <i>our</i> court date to travel. Originally, that was supposed to happen <i>now</i>, however, we just found out that MOWCYA is backed up in paperwork and trying to get ahead. So no court dates for the adoptive parents are being issued until they can do that.<br />
<br />
That means we are basically in limbo until MOWCYA gets to our case. We have no idea when that will be or how long it will take. Please keep us in prayer for this process to move quickly!<br />
<br />
In the meantime, we received 2 new photos of our J! He is looking happy and healthy and is 20 months old now. We are trying to learn Amharic (or really, "I" am trying to learn since Don has pretty much given up!) as he does not speak a word of English. Neither do the nannies in the transition home so we will definitely have a language barrier. Nate is picking up a few words too but so far he only seems to remember, "Wait!", "Stop!", "Bird", "Night Night", & "I love you". haha.<br />
<br />
We are not allowed to post photos until we go to Ethiopia & the judge says "He's yours", but here's a few glimpses of our little guy. Until then,<br />
<br />
~Ciao!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC36C4o8HRwdS9MXj83oXKvO4sYF3j0w1WpZKdcRshuo7n0ccodEbvEu-vGb3B7nUnBRQeAJ9KQZze4cZSVp7oQlECqtPliOwessgeoEqa00HwoOUI_JWbmxypBG65ahmBhqk6xSMcFUI/s1600/hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC36C4o8HRwdS9MXj83oXKvO4sYF3j0w1WpZKdcRshuo7n0ccodEbvEu-vGb3B7nUnBRQeAJ9KQZze4cZSVp7oQlECqtPliOwessgeoEqa00HwoOUI_JWbmxypBG65ahmBhqk6xSMcFUI/s320/hands.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Don and Denise Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13403180532943735498noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002433915687415386.post-31795140064582213332012-12-25T11:07:00.001-08:002012-12-25T11:07:06.111-08:00Merry Christmas to All!<div style="text-align: center;">
Wishing all our friends and family a very Merry Christmas and a blessed 2013!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUf6Ux-uybeR0zBdCV6l36fvL_5tzt8pR3nV5A7c9vnSXTbCotV5ci-hWDnUr92lC24bD42LNjtmuQqtJ3p0r_L7Pdxj65UJRr33qhYnf5P9777LXmQCuP-Sj-s2vdbxzsfLAxTue6wI/s1600/sullivanxmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUf6Ux-uybeR0zBdCV6l36fvL_5tzt8pR3nV5A7c9vnSXTbCotV5ci-hWDnUr92lC24bD42LNjtmuQqtJ3p0r_L7Pdxj65UJRr33qhYnf5P9777LXmQCuP-Sj-s2vdbxzsfLAxTue6wI/s400/sullivanxmas.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Don and Denise Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13403180532943735498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002433915687415386.post-74995644643539160762012-11-13T16:44:00.002-08:002012-11-13T16:44:53.808-08:00BIG NEWS!!!!!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"Hello Denise? This is Angie from CHI. I have your husband on the line and great news for you!"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Heart racing. Sweaty palms. This is THE phone call adoptive parents wait for. And then the BIG NEWS....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">WE'RE GETTING AN 18mo LITTLE BOY!!!!!!!! What an adrenaline rush! Its so hard to be calm and listen to the details the agency is giving you over the phone. Then a mad rush to check your email and there they are... pictures of a beautiful little boy with enormous dark eyes and big smile staring back at you. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We are over the top excited! In about 6 months, Nate will have a little brother!!!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I would LOVE to post pix but we cannot do that until the adoption is approved in Ethiopian court (about 4 months from now).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I also know we have a huge adjustment coming... attachment/bonding issues, language barriers to overcome, sibling rivalry & jealousy...along with normal crazy 2 yr old behavior. I may have to dye my gray hairs more often! haha. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">For now, I will look at those photos and thank God for a great blessing this Thanksgiving. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">TWO sons!! I'm so excited!!!!!</span>Don and Denise Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13403180532943735498noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002433915687415386.post-72662469538932174812012-10-31T20:29:00.000-07:002012-10-31T20:29:39.091-07:00Happy Halloween!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Our secret agent spy...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6xCTGEPv098-VwcpRQ1-IeCD3ilAPxhoizig5VOuryip9KVE5TicUUTjewlyTraZpI8upECK70VIR5x3L49j3o309QvwXN06yQvLoC00rWcrLP6779YHlDFa7GGImrberwhD7Gn7bZIU/s1600/H6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6xCTGEPv098-VwcpRQ1-IeCD3ilAPxhoizig5VOuryip9KVE5TicUUTjewlyTraZpI8upECK70VIR5x3L49j3o309QvwXN06yQvLoC00rWcrLP6779YHlDFa7GGImrberwhD7Gn7bZIU/s400/H6.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyF57k8UL4rDvQLXlwVkviynF18FhIOR5KZd8tUY3ucwlioz-Kbxza1hgmCmaO36D9sJih_SVPLMOymPaWvpXcq7gYSqbtPX0kj-fIb4OFu1niykw-X79b93Pxl3UxnWTRjiHv0IRRV4/s1600/PA310029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyF57k8UL4rDvQLXlwVkviynF18FhIOR5KZd8tUY3ucwlioz-Kbxza1hgmCmaO36D9sJih_SVPLMOymPaWvpXcq7gYSqbtPX0kj-fIb4OFu1niykw-X79b93Pxl3UxnWTRjiHv0IRRV4/s400/PA310029.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7YJ4S-tEC2RPt_-lU1CN6AcXem5Z21O2y2Hqx1BHBuWGrfpIZGrH4w3_TjhDFlADKUQ03wBTg2ym3inB8Vq4CCvgJnJSa2w6176DpIlndzEkRWco2f_mVCitVDPkJYjtvwwTi9RRSjw/s1600/PA310031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7YJ4S-tEC2RPt_-lU1CN6AcXem5Z21O2y2Hqx1BHBuWGrfpIZGrH4w3_TjhDFlADKUQ03wBTg2ym3inB8Vq4CCvgJnJSa2w6176DpIlndzEkRWco2f_mVCitVDPkJYjtvwwTi9RRSjw/s400/PA310031.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Don and Denise Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13403180532943735498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002433915687415386.post-76562268161195622942012-10-31T11:57:00.000-07:002012-10-31T11:57:02.786-07:00Mums the Word<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2dV2mq-Jg1LFGZNTHSL1ndJR55jlrGNg9k8LmJBJbDoVGGw2KbwAq5IwIjCBXMQZ5ciMT7HXto8qFwxwUD-2Q-O6in2gMldroJ3k3TcKPx78XU0tXpnQJjsLHs6jAZC1w3_yRC3k8U4/s1600/mummy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2dV2mq-Jg1LFGZNTHSL1ndJR55jlrGNg9k8LmJBJbDoVGGw2KbwAq5IwIjCBXMQZ5ciMT7HXto8qFwxwUD-2Q-O6in2gMldroJ3k3TcKPx78XU0tXpnQJjsLHs6jAZC1w3_yRC3k8U4/s1600/mummy.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Don and Denise Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13403180532943735498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002433915687415386.post-33296120050045082632012-10-30T13:28:00.001-07:002012-10-30T13:29:42.931-07:00Lucky Ladybug NecklaceIn the adoption world, ladybugs are a symbol of luck and there's a widespread belief that a ladybug sighting is the sign of an upcoming referral (or match to your child)! I am not a huge jewelry person but I have become a fan of Premier Jewelry lately. They are a Christian based company with integrity and good values. I came across a really cool Lucky Ladybug necklace and earrings in their recent catalog. Perfect gift for a friend or relative waiting to adopt or who have adopted...or for yourself if you're an adoptive parent! Only $29 for the 13" necklace (w/3" extender lobster enclosure) and $21 for the earrings.<br />
<br />
If you're in Tucson, my friend, <a href="mailto:pearlsbeforeswine@live.com">Tamara</a> is a Premier consultant and if you're in Phoenix, my friend <a href="http://www.facebook.com/eileen.walker.395">Eileen</a> is a consultant. Contact them and they can hook you up with a great gift!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsJBOvb9Sc6ZtX4SOJGa-EP4aTkqVDg3eWaBTXs4SqUHdSBKYlY5MpxEMbjMw2mruudcPCk5QcnIjpmFE2BexJWQ6Dl78JFl0ZgCxAHk8InQ2gBXot-fWhnwr4xm_pexy-KLJP0MSYqY/s1600/lbug.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsJBOvb9Sc6ZtX4SOJGa-EP4aTkqVDg3eWaBTXs4SqUHdSBKYlY5MpxEMbjMw2mruudcPCk5QcnIjpmFE2BexJWQ6Dl78JFl0ZgCxAHk8InQ2gBXot-fWhnwr4xm_pexy-KLJP0MSYqY/s640/lbug.jpeg" width="506" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_100710917"></span><span id="goog_100710918"></span><br />Don and Denise Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13403180532943735498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002433915687415386.post-38875762319823812062012-10-29T10:18:00.003-07:002012-10-29T10:18:25.369-07:00Dinner for a Great Cause!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hey Tucsonans!!! Click on this image, print it, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">enjoy your dinner tonight!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJxlRRTH1ImYbyQw1K_Cz2Q7rR0rgXq5UhirR9_Tbzy9r5dSpXJlXNHrTyuZib6sOCOLVFRrPS5ZXn5T-jla6XvkjvaxEe04OdLh2PfSQF-wCMRvRqr6ucMBhq0kiTYKJgkcuGb7uSjo/s1600/occ.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJxlRRTH1ImYbyQw1K_Cz2Q7rR0rgXq5UhirR9_Tbzy9r5dSpXJlXNHrTyuZib6sOCOLVFRrPS5ZXn5T-jla6XvkjvaxEe04OdLh2PfSQF-wCMRvRqr6ucMBhq0kiTYKJgkcuGb7uSjo/s640/occ.jpeg" width="532" /></a></div>
<br />Don and Denise Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13403180532943735498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002433915687415386.post-14684265961106268842012-10-23T08:47:00.002-07:002012-10-23T08:48:57.535-07:00GetawayDuring Nate's Fall Break (yes Tucson schools get fall break because they start the first week in Aug), we met up with my family in Orlando for a fun, crazy vacation...Disney World, the beach, Disney's Animal Kingdom and lots of pool time! It was great to see my family again, especially since it had been 3 years since I'd seen my brother's family. Nate had a fun time with the cousins and the grandparents!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTorvmL8vlTTu58aHk5hqjEth-ZM5Iyn-5Zu23F_qNOYeT2QC7ycW95VUDc190WC8NIELe9Hm9la0fOvDwTmaeROyJIur8c3JSMoOGTTNeqClpKAOV3SrQMRZH_ucW0GFgaxbl1za1gM/s1600/427829_4815844598658_664267564_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTorvmL8vlTTu58aHk5hqjEth-ZM5Iyn-5Zu23F_qNOYeT2QC7ycW95VUDc190WC8NIELe9Hm9la0fOvDwTmaeROyJIur8c3JSMoOGTTNeqClpKAOV3SrQMRZH_ucW0GFgaxbl1za1gM/s400/427829_4815844598658_664267564_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnbIF2yvdLLtH2rcoTzivYv4XwmKX5gsReL4FLPO4MJt_UL0_7IlNLsa9w69k2n-gRF2Opa_FzcMbuUub1fCwiOjpigIxIx9AAFAyOe3UjJx1dkb58vvxLx7JySoylY_N47KDoyFvgiY/s1600/46506_4815849238774_1677509844_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnbIF2yvdLLtH2rcoTzivYv4XwmKX5gsReL4FLPO4MJt_UL0_7IlNLsa9w69k2n-gRF2Opa_FzcMbuUub1fCwiOjpigIxIx9AAFAyOe3UjJx1dkb58vvxLx7JySoylY_N47KDoyFvgiY/s640/46506_4815849238774_1677509844_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Clearwater Beach (on the gulf side)</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-TqDytC2Xw0RDWSSMgMd43ylkwdRO2fLD6z96zMTae26B8TjzNKDpecy4O3qMYfJa-_5BW4WzGxHOXdcHSAi9ILwQDe75k04X39bK-e5Sr4VU7azY31byTf9XzWylR2SI9XKh8qeYac/s1600/430030_4815863719136_1570521766_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-TqDytC2Xw0RDWSSMgMd43ylkwdRO2fLD6z96zMTae26B8TjzNKDpecy4O3qMYfJa-_5BW4WzGxHOXdcHSAi9ILwQDe75k04X39bK-e5Sr4VU7azY31byTf9XzWylR2SI9XKh8qeYac/s640/430030_4815863719136_1570521766_n.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
<br />Don and Denise Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13403180532943735498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002433915687415386.post-54987986475391104192012-10-22T08:28:00.005-07:002012-10-22T08:30:29.154-07:00Prayers for a Friend...<br />
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just wanted to share this email I received from my friend and art agent, Karen. Karen has already lost her sister and mom to cancer and now facing another blow with her brother and father. This is her only family and yet I'm amazed and inspired by Karen's faith and her family's faith in Christ and courage through these battles. I honestly don't know how they would get through this without such a strong faith! Please remember them in prayer today. Thanks! -Denise</span></em></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear family and friends,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just wanted to give you an update on Terry since it has been a couple months since his last surgery…</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since his brain surgery at the end of August, Terry has had some complications due to pneumonia. He has been in the hospital for the past two weeks and has been having a very difficult time. After consultations with doctors, Terry and Erika have decided he should go home under Hospice care. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His three wishes right now are:</span></div>
<ul style="line-height: 16px; list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 25px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To be in his home with Erika</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To swallow</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To be comfortable</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been in Northern California for the past week and compared to when I arrived, Terry is breathing much more comfortably and the plan is that he will be going home tomorrow afternoon… so at least a couple of his wishes are coming true. The swallowing issue is a big one…there is a large tumor pressing against his esophagus, which is not allowing him to swallow. His cancer has spread throughout his body and at this point there are no more treatment options. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He has fought this battle for two years now…He has been so strong, positive and brave throughout all the surgeries, PT and “come backs”…he has lived up to his title of “miracle man” after beating so many odds…he truly is an inspiration!!! All the things we typically take for granted like eating, walking, breathing, etc. are things he can no longer do or are slowly being taken away. Unfortunately it seems that this horrible disease has the upper hand and he doesn’t have much more “fight” or time left. When he was told he could no longer eat, he told me he felt like this was just one more thing that was slowly being taken away from him. He has been through so much and it just breaks my heart that he has to go through this!! He has fought so very hard and I truly believe he has been hanging on for his beautiful wife, Erika. She is the love of his life and I don’t think he would have hung on nearly as long had it not been for her. Please continue to pray for both of them as they go through these next few weeks together. Beside an incredible miracle of healing, please pray for their peace, comfort, and revelation to faith. It is my hope and prayer that they would look to God for the peace and comfort that only He can provide. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would also ask you to pray for my dad…his health has not been good…he has been in an out of the hospital the past few weeks and now with facing the loss of his son after losing his daughter and wife only a few years ago it is extremely hard on him… I worry about him and how much more he can take. We just celebrated his 83rd birthday today, but I know his heart is heavy with what the next few weeks will hold.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you all for your continued love, support, friendship and prayers for my family. It is hard to believe that I am losing another sibling to cancer…it is almost too much to bare at times, but thanks to faith, love and support from dear family and friends, we will get through this.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am hanging on to the following verses which give me strength and comfort…</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<strong><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.” Philippians 4:13</span></em></strong></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<strong><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“After you have suffered, our God will give you His glory. He will pick you up and set you firmly in place and make you stronger than ever.” 1 Peter 5:10,11</span></em></strong></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<strong><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“He will wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain. All of that has gone forever.” Revelation 21:4</span></em></strong></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<strong><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> “God heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.” Psalms 147:3</span></em></strong></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My hope and prayer to you is that you would keep close to your love ones and appreciate the time you have with them…life is precious and so very short at times…</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love you all,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Karen</span></div>
Don and Denise Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13403180532943735498noreply@blogger.com0