Books

Whenever I came in from work, I'd empty out the coins in my pockets and put them in a bag in the laundry room - 3 years later, I was looking at close to $400.00 - and I could sacrifice 10% for a counting fee at the local Albertson's - or - take the total in the form of a gift certificate from several online outlets (without counting fee), one of them Amazon.com. I've been using Amazon when they have the best price on an item (many times, they do) and I take advantage of the free shipping for orders over $25.00. Several friends have given us adoption themed books for Joanna Mei and I was looking to expand the collection. I bought the following literary masterpieces and share the Amazon product descriptions here - I've read them all by myself but I REALLY like the pictures!!!

In Ten Little Ladybugs, one by one, ten tactile bugs disappear. Where did they all go? Young ones will love finding this out as they feel their way through the sturdy, colorful pages of this innovative book. The cute critters provide a hands-on learning experience and the rhyming text reinforces the counting concept. Interactive, educational, adorable - this magical countdown book adds up to a whole lot of fun. See why over 800,000 have been sold to date!
WARNING: Choking hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years. (Looks like HOMEDADDY monitors the use of this one....)

Shaoey and Dot help children conquer their fear of the dark.
When the lights go out one stormy night, Shaoey becomes frightened. Dot, her little ladybug friend, humorously explains that there are some things to be scared of-like if there's an elephant in the bunk bed above you or if you're with a bunch of monkeys and only have one banana. But, as Dot tells Shaoey, dark is just a place with the lights off, and God is in the dark just like everywhere else.
A Thunder and Lightning Bug Story, with adorable characters illustrated by Jim Chapman, was written from the experience of Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman and is sure to comfort any little one who is hesitant to turn out the lights.

It's Christmas Eve morning at Shaoey's house, and Dot, the ladybug, is all aflutter. But when the excited little girlbug goes to wake her human friend, she realizes that something is not quite right. Shaoey's cheeks are bright red and her forehead is too hot to set foot on! Shaoey can't be sick! There's too much to do! Never to give up, the determined little bug slips on her red Christmas boots and heads out to pick up all of the required elements to make a happy Christmas for her friend. Yet, when the frustrated Dot returns, a little miracle teaches them all that sprinkled cookies and big presents--however nice--are not what truly makes Christmas special. This endearing story, from Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman, is a wonderful reminder of the miraculous love that makes every Christmas a special one.

Shaoey & Dot: Bug Meets Bundle is an endearing tale told from the point of view of one little ladybug, Dot, who happens upon a mysterious bundle one sunny day. Dot stays with the little bundle as she is carried to the place "where babies come to be found" and promises to stay with the little one throughout her journeys toward getting a family. Written by Christian music artist Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife Mary Beth, this heartwarming tale is inspired by the true story of their adoption of three little girls from China and is a story of hope and faith for all families who have been blessed by a "lost little bundle of love."

The Chapmans were instrumental in our adoption decision through their "Shaohannah's Hope" ministry program.

http://members.shaohannahshope.org/site/PageServer

See our post when we met SCC, ever so briefly after a performance of the Christmas Candlelight at EPCOT, and told him of our decision - this Christmas, it will have been 2 years ........

http://donandbe1.blogspot.com/2005/12/kicker.html