today I love a new year.

First month of the year. There is always such a blank slate feel to the new year that gives me such hope, such excitement, such desire for all an entire new year can possibly contain. 

The Papa lit off some fireworks for us all on the last eve of the old year.

A quick video clip of more fireworks. 

Olliebollen. Deep fried balls of deliciousness, dusted with sugar. A Dutch New Year's tradition.

And my lovely man has been busy, late into the night each night, recording the songs of his heart and uploading to YouTube to share with the world. I love the songs he sings. Check him out here.

Today I loved the idea of posting a list of things I loved today that I saw here. I have no shame in borrowing such a lovely idea, even if all the things I love and loved technically didn't happen today.

One day when I get more caught up to snuff I will post the things I actually loved that actual day.

For now? I will say today I loved...

Morning sunshine in my bedroom, this sweet boy scampering up into bed and snuggling his little self in between us, patiently waiting for us to wake up, and then launching a pillow fight once we were awake. Sunshine shining onto my bedding and sweet faces and downstairs? Spilling onto the kitchen floor.

Today I loved the littlest fingers in the house peeking beneath the bathroom door. 

Today I loved being witness to the strength in this boy's persistence. Smiling all the while he learns to master standing at that bottom stair.

Today I loved this face, this boy, this cherub. He blesses me so. 

Today I loved a drive with my loves, and enjoying the scenery inside the car even more than the scenery outside the car.

Today I loved the view from the back seat.

Today I loved watching this little man play peek-a-boo. 

Today I loved wearing the hand-painted-by-yours-truly-red-Toms-shoes on this beautiful drive.

Today I loved snapping pictures of a picturesque city from the passenger's seat.

Today I loved seeing both ends of the rainbow that followed the rain - and realizing a few moments later that one end of the rainbow was attached to our car. We were the pot of gold. I like them apples.

This day I loved my children, even more than I did the day before.

Jacob is really into licking everyone and everything right now. Any advice on how to curb this? My Egan did the same thing when she was but a wee thing but I forget if I played any part in her growing out of this... sigh. This too shall pass. The little guy doesn't look like he minds too much.

Today I loved seeing the pictures my sweet girl took of Amos practising standing using my leg as support. 

Today I loved and yet ached browsing photos of sweet, beautiful, precious orphans blessed with an extra chromosome that their birth parents weren't able to see past. And today I loved basking in the joy that fills my heart knowing that my sweet Man and I are beginning the process of bringing one of these little ones home. Forever. (please pray for us). More on this later.

Today I loved learning a family has committed to adopting sweet Katelyn, the little girl with the brown eyes who jumped out of the computer and into my heart nearly a year ago. She had already been transferred to an adult mental institution that without being adopted she would have spent the rest of her achingly short life. So many of these precious children die far too young, barely living in conditions that are heartbreaking, to say the least. God has placed a calling on my heart, and it is louder than anything I have ever heard before.  

I want to shout 

Mama's coming, little one! Mama & Daddy are coming to get you, whoever and wherever you are.

All in God's time. 

These are just a sample of the sweet faces you see when you browse Reece's Rainbow. There are so, so very many beautiful little children waiting for families.

Until then? What strength the Scriptures give me.

"I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3

Today I love announcing (finally!) another giveaway! Because today, I love knitting. I only recently re-learned how to do the basic knit stitch and I have a growing collection of knitted things. I have been knitting nearly every evening after the little ones are all tucked in... 

Sporting my bicolour hand knitted infinity scarf on our little jaunt. Not my most flattering picture, by any means.

One commenter will receive one of my handmade infinity scarves. In a color of their choice (from my available colours). 

Now, go check out Reece's Rainbow. Donate if you can. Pray for these children, this ministry. 

And be sure to leave a comment and follow my blog so you can stay updated on our continuing story... and you can win a lovely scarf.

Stay cosy, until next time.