Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Orphan Sunday & National Adoption Month

So, we're still kind of 'new' at this whole *adoption* thing. ;)

It appears that this coming Sunday, Nov. 4th is 
"Orphan Sunday," 
all across this nation. 



Read more about it at the official site:
http://orphansunday.org/

More here:
http://www.bethany.org/main/orphan-sunday

And here:
http://www.christianpost.com/news/orphan-sunday-what-the-lord-wants-us-to-do-60586/

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*** Do any of your churches do anything special to bring awareness about our world's (150 MILLION) orphans 
on this day?  If so, what do you do?  ***


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This upcoming month- November- is National Adoption Month!


I've selected a few links, articles, and sites for you to use as resources to find out more.  Please take a minute to become better informed about what is going on in our own country, as well as all around the world.  Let's not turn a blind eye.  We are seriously in an Orphan Crisis.  The numbers are staggering.  They are not statistics...they are children.  We are fortunate that it isn't our child in that situation.  But what if it was?  Wouldn't you hope and pray with every last breath that someone would care for them?  
It is a desperate, horrible situation, but it is not hopeless.  
We can all do something.  


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..."A small sample of celebrity adoptees includes Steve Jobs, Sarah McLachlan, Darryl McDaniels (aka DMC, of the rap group RUN-DMC), Faith Hill, James Michener, Jesse Jackson, John Lennon, Malcolm X, John Hancock, Edgar Allen Poe and Langston Hughes. Even two presidents have shared this experience: Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton..."  ~ Huffington Post

Imagine if those above were never adopted 
into a family.  
How would their life differ?  
Where would they be now?

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150 million children are waiting.  What can we do?


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Thanks for taking a minute to better inform yourself & 
making sure to spread awareness to others.
We're in this together, friends!  

Forever a student, 
~ 6 in Love ~


Monday, October 29, 2012

Fingerprinted...Once Again.

Progress.

This past Friday, Cuban Daddy & I had our fingerprinting appointments downtown...at 8:00 a.m. 3 words:  Work. Hour. Traffic.

Due to us both having appointments at the same time, my parents being out of town, school schedule, etc., we needed to take G & K with us. 

Being that they're typically awake before 6:00 a.m. anyway, getting out the door at 6:45 wasn't too bad.  

I turned around 1/2 way there & saw this.  
They were rubbing each other's fingers, too...it was the sweetest!  

 ~ We couldn't take purses, diaper bags, cell phones, etc. into the building.  We found that out at the door...after waiting in line outside in the cold...with the items above.  That was fun.   I wanted to take pics to document (Seriously, right? But, alas, no cell phone.) ~


On the ride home...after fingerprints for I-600 A form:


We were in such a rush to make it in time to the appt., the kids had only had fruit in the car for breakfast. So, we got them biscuits on the way back.  And...CD & I might have had one too...

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So, I checked the mail today to find an envelope from The Department of Homeland Security (Whom we're waiting to get I 1600 A approval from).  I knew it was too early to get results, seeing as we just had fingerprints on Friday, so I had a feeling something was up.  

Sure enough, they said we were missing 2 'proofs of evidence'/ pieces of documentation (which we have, so it's no problem).  That we had 45 days to get the required documents to them, plus a copy of the mailed letter, etc.   We will need about 4 days, not 45!  The thing is, I didn't read anywhere in the instructions that those documents were needed.  They have to do with Cuban Daddy's citizenship, etc. since he wasn't born in the U.S. This could delay us a little bit, but I don't imagine much.  Plus, it's a sign that they are in the midst of reviewing our application and file, which is exciting!  

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I'm still having a hard time getting the Dossier done.  Oh, the time!

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I'm still in shock that the strike is over!!!


~ 6 in Love ~

Saturday, October 27, 2012

The STRIKE is Over!!!


I got an email from our agency yesterday.  I'll admit that although I'm usually an optimist, I was concerned about the Strike.  However, prayers work, people!  (Thank you!)  I am absolutely thrilled about the following great news:
The Honduran Adoption Authority, Instituto Hondureño de la Niñez y la Familia (IHNFA), has Resumed Normal Operations
This alert updates the alert published on October 17, 2012 regarding the temporary closure of the Instituto Hondureño de la Niñez y la Familia (IHNFA), due to a labor strike.  U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa confirmed that as of Friday, October 19, 2012, the strike ended and IHNFA is operating normally.  Prospective adoptive parents with cases currently pending with IHNFA are encouraged to seek updates on their cases from their adoption service provider.



Thank God for a quick end to the strike!!

~ 6 in Love ~

Friday, October 26, 2012

Two Year Old Talk

I thought we could use some comic relief.  =)  
Our two year old, K, provides that 
on a daily basis. 


Here are some highlights from 
the past couple of days:
(Note: Sarge is a pug we are dog-sitting for a couple of weeks.)



* K: "Watch me!  I'm gonna jump over Sarge!"

* As he and I are doing a puzzle together, I act as if I don't know where a piece goes.  K: "No.  Right here, Sweetie."  

* He calls everyone "Jingleheimer Schmidt" now.  i.e.- "Thank you, Jingleheimer Schmidt."  "Okay, Jingleheimer Schmidt."  "Watch me, Jingleheimer Schmidt."  "Yes ma'am, Jingleheimer Schmidt."  Cue sly grin & dimples.

* G pretends to be his Mommy all the time, and he loves it. I commented, "She's like your little Mommy."  To which he perked up, "And you are my BIG mommy!"  Awesome.

* G: "My tummy hurts."  Me: "You're just excited."  G: "Oh yeah, I have butterflies in my tummy."  K, immediately, in a growling voice, "I have sharks in my tummy!"

* As I'm getting onto the dog for barking...for no reason, K says, "Sarge is just 'ruffing,' Mommy. Just let him 'ruff' for a second, oh tay?" Goes about his play.

* Again, I'm telling Sarge to do something, when K pipes in, "But Mommy he doesn't talk!" (like, 'how'd I get an idiot for a mom?')

* K from the backseat of the car, at a drive thru window: "That lady has chocolate hands!" (Duck and pull forward.)  Me: "K, that lady has brown hands.  Yes, they are the same color as chocolate, but they are not chocolate.  They are brown."  K: "No, they are chocolate!"  (** Let me assure you, we've had this conversation more than once...and it's equally embarrassing every time.)

* Riding in the car, G says her tummy hurts (again).  I ask, "Well what will make it feel better, baby?"  K inserts, "God!"  Me, proud of his newly found spirituality, "Oh, yes, K, God can make her tummy better!  Good thinking."  K: "God is right here.  He's with G, sitting beside us right now."  Me: (Thinking, oh wow, this may be one of those moments where the kids are able to see things in the Spiritual world that I'm unaware of.  Oh this is a big deal...)  K: "See, I'm stepping on God right now! Stomp, stomp!"  Doh.

Sorry, God.  



Keeping me humble & making me laugh, 

~ 6 in Love ~ 

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Adoption Update: ON STRIKE



I was recently preparing to update you on our 'Adoption status.'  I am so disappointed that I'm having such difficulty even beginning the Dossier.  Ugh.  Life has thrown us some curveballs lately, including the passing of my Father-in-law (see previous post), our babies being sick (but just now on the mend), an overworked husband, a crazy eventful month, and all that being a 'stay at home mom' entails.  I'm having a hard time balancing it all. *Maybe you've heard me say that before?!* Most of it is 'good' stuff that I really want to do (okay, scrubbing excessively around the toilet now that I have a potty trained 2 year old boy doesn't make the 'good stuff' list...), but just can't find the time to do.  I know I need to prioritize, but that too is a challenge, seeing as so much needs to be done, like, now.  I know that the Dossier is definitely a high priority, but so is having clean clothes, groceries in the fridge, school lunches packed, meals cooked (er, microwaved?), floors swept, baths given, babies tucked in (did I mention that they don't seem to need much sleep?!?!)...you get the picture.  Even in doing just the 'basics,' a mom has very little extra time, right?  But b/c my kids have *this* mom, they also go on lots of fall adventures (we may be approaching our 4th pumpkin patch & have a peck of apples on the counter...), play with their friends (we have 3 birthday parties to *happily!* attend on Saturday), have their lives documented in a zillion photographs (cue Aerosmith's, "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing"), and that toilet? Yeah, it HAS been scrubbed. (Don't look anywhere else though!).  Oh, and a blog, and fundraising, and adoption paperwork.  So, that's that.  I'm having a hard time getting it done, but I'm very eager to do so!  So, as I'm stressing tonight about this self-delayed adoption paperwork timeline, I open my email tonight.  

Apparently, it's not just me at a standstill.  Following is an excerpt from the email/e-newsletter that I received from our agency.  We are so disappointed & frustrated to learn:

"As of October 2, 2012, employees of the Instituto Hondureño de la Niñez y la Familia (IHNFA) are on strike and IHNFA is closed. The IHNFA is Honduras’ Child Welfare Authority and as such, it oversees adoptions. IHNFA provides referrals to prospective adoptive parents and approves adoption applications. At this time, due to the strike, the IHNFA is not performing these functions. It is unclear how long the strike might last."

And so that's all we know.  The Honduran government agency in charge of international adoptions is ON STRIKE...for who knows how long.  Days?  Months?  Longer?!  

I really don't know what to feel about this.  I'm, of course, frustrated, disappointed, worried.  But, I also have hope.  I have faith.  I know that the God that called us to adopt is still God, and that He is not surprised by any of this.  By me.  By IHNFA.  By the strike.  He knows the future.  He already knows our babies, #3 & #4.  So I will fight feelings of frustration and anxiety about the situation, & hope to replace them with God's peace & understanding.   


I will still bust my tail to get the Dossier completed.

But, will you pray for us?  Will you pray for our babies & all of the orphans that are delayed in receiving a mom, a dad, siblings, a home, plenty to eat, love and care that they so desire & deserve?  My own little disappointments- no big deal.  The disappointment of these babies eager for parents and a home- devastating, heartbreaking.  




Lord, please work quickly.

~ 6 in Love ~ 

Gracias Por Todo, Papi

At 12:30 a.m., Monday, October 1, 2012, my husband (Cuban Daddy)'s father, Manuel, went to be with the Lord.  (Pulmonary Fibrosis)  I have no doubt that Heaven was partying upon Papi's arrival, for he was indeed 'a good and faithful servant.' But, as for his family- my family- we are mourning the loss of one of the greatest men we've ever known.  
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In May 2002, Cuban Daddy graduated from the university that we attended.  It was a month or two before that, I had arrived back to campus after studying abroad for the semester.  Within those couple of months leading up to his graduation, CD and my friendship began to turn into something more.  I met his family for the first time when they came in town for his graduation.  I wasn't sure where our relationship would go at the time, but I loved his family instantly.  Especially Papi. Two years later we were married.  I believe that my husband has inherited many wonderful traits from his father.  Easy-going, calm, and level-headed- ALL the time.  (It's incredible, really.)  A love for fishing.  Sense of humor. Love & pursuit of the Lord & desire to lead a Godly household. Compassion towards others.  MacGyver inventiveness.  Mr. Fix-Its.  "I'm not sure how to do this, but I'm going to do it anyway."- and do it right, they do.  Ambition & confidence.  Excellent Husbands & Daddies.  Passion.  A friend to all that they meet; loved by all.  And it's this last one that has been so meaningful to me.  For, technically, I have been Papi's 'daughter' for 8 1/2 years, but he has treated me as though I've been his daughter for life.  Instantly loved; instantly part of the family.  And for that, I'm forever grateful.  

Manuel (affectionately called 'Manolo' by many) was born in Cuba in 1933. He came to know the Lord &  after that, he dedicated his life to serving Him.  He studied God's word like no one I've ever met before.  He had a heart and passion for bring others to the Lord- for showing them God's love and goodness.  He began his ministry there, and continued it for the rest of his life, all around the world.  He began &/or pastored Spanish churches in Cuba, Costa Rica, Canada, Peru, New York, and Florida.  His heart for the Lord and his neighbor were evident to all that he met.  He was a very special, sweet, humble, loving man who has changed countless lives for the good.  His life story is actually INCREDIBLE...it's a story that needs to be shared. And the remarkable journey from Communist Cuba to freedom- one of a kind.  
(maybe later?)

Besides being a Pastor, he was also a wonderful husband, father, grandfather (Abuelo), and friend.  He will be greatly missed.  I loved him so much.   I am honored to have been a part of his family- to be his daughter.  And I am confident I will see him again.  

I can't help but think that his incredible life journey, and all of his travels in pursuit of the Lord's work-  that it was God's amazing, perfect plan.  I know that it was.  Despite all, his youngest son ended up at the same university as me, at the same time.  10 years later, a happy marriage, 2 beautiful children here & 2 more 'on the way,' we are living the "American Dream."  How amazing to think that if one step were taken in a different direction, Cuban Daddy & I wouldn't have met & we wouldn't be here, with this life, with these babies.

Gracias por todo, Papi.  

How I remember him:

On his wedding day & with his beautiful young family 
(Cuban Daddy is the little guy)

On my first ever trip 'home' to Florida with Cuban Daddy, the boys took me fishing.  It was such a fun night, a beautiful sunset, getting to know each other, and...I caught more fish than the boys!! ;)  I think it might have been that night that Papi was happy to let me into the family...
he LOVED fishing. 

I love these smiles! 

My spunky 76 year old Father-in-law climbed that tree in seconds...despite our voiced concerns!  A great representative of his personality.  Love this about him! 

** Aren't they both so handsome??**


Abuelo helped K with his first dip ever in the ocean 

My in-laws with all 6 of their grandchildren & their 3 sons.  I think this is what made Papi the happiest- having his family all together.

Running up and down the beach with little G.  This was one of my favorite times with him. 

Seems we spent a lot of time on the beach. :)  K was Abuelo's buddy. 

G had her first ever guitar lesson.  This was the last visit they had together. 

They were both so happy just being together. 

The memorial table we set up at his funeral: Thursday, October 4, 2012.

...including some special photos: 
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Gracias por todo, Papi.

Thank you for giving me your little boy...

...who grew up to be the most amazing man that I know made you so proud in all that he did, 
in all that he is.  Thank you for giving me my husband. 

...and thank you for my babies. You will always be a part of them.  

Gracias por todo, Papi.

Your Daughter
~ 6 in Love ~

*** Some have asked how you can help.  Any donations towards funeral expenses would be greatly appreciated if anyone was looking to help in that way.  You can give donations to us or mail them directly to my mother in law. (If you want, I'll private mssg her address.)  And THANK YOU so much to all that have supported us during this difficult time- phone calls, texts, emails, messages, cards, providing a meal, flowers, visits, and financial donations.  Every single gesture was appreciated, I can promise you that!

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Braids, Buns, & Bows - Oh My!

This is a post about: Hair Styles.

Yep, that's what this is. 
Totally not adoption-related.

My now 4 year old, G, has had long hair since...she was born.  
So she's had a bow in her hair since day one.

As her hair grew, I got bored just doing single ponytails, so I started looking around for ideas.

I've had several people ask me about how I do G's hair.
I get ideas from two places:
1) I totally steal them from all those great "Hair Blogs" out there, Pinterest...
2) I just play & make stuff up.  And this works b/c I'm not the type to care a whole lot about what others think.  So if it looks kinda crazy...oh well! ;)

So, b/c of the questions, I thought I'd just throw a few ideas out there for anyone like me, just looking for something new, some tips or tricks, etc.  
And if your daughter is anything like mine, hair is important.  In fact, we're at the point where about 50% of the time, G tells me in DETAIL how she'd like me to do her hair that day.  
I do my best to fulfill the big ideas she's come up with.  Haha!
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Since we do baths at night & her hair is so long, I usually dry it w/ the hairdryer.  Right after is the only time her hair looks "straight." (the first photo below)

*Note: I don't wash her hair every day, so a lot of the styles you'll see below are great for 
'2nd day hair.'  


And this is 'natural' when I don't blow dry it straight:


Here are a few ideas that work for us...
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Headbands

Probably the easiest.  I use these on 'good hair days,' where she's not planning on being too active. (They don't stay in all that well if she is, & I hate redoing them 100 times.)

I love craft shows.  I picked up the handmade red & yellow flowers below for $1.00 each.  Then, I just slide them on a thin plain band.

I added a twist w/ the left one above by adding a little braid. (see the green band?)

You can also use headbands when doing a ponytail- high or low. 

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The "Basic Bow"  

I'm fortunate enough to have a super crafty mom (Noni), who makes many of these bows for us! It's awesome!

The most basic ways I do her bows are just by pulling about 1/3 of her hair up & putting it in a ponytail.  Either in the center or to one side.  Then clip on a bow.  (Remember if you're doing it on 'the side,' to make it far enough on the side that it doesn't look like you were trying to put it in the center & were off. Trust me.  Haha.)  I tend to like them closer to her face rather than farther back, but that's just my preference.  



The photo of the back of her hair is how her hair looks if I put braids in it the day before.

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Hats & Such

I LOVE hats & hoods on my kids.  I've put them on them since they were super young.  
So, they're pretty used to it & even ask for them sometimes.  

Her hair is down here, but you could do two low ponytails as well.

The one of the left is a bandana type headband.  Love them, but hard to find. 


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Fishtails

This has become one G & I can agree on.  It takes me a little longer than a regular braid (plan for even longer if you are just learning how.).  I just really like the way it looks, in comparison to a traditional braid.  It's really simple.  This isn't a tutorial, but there are plenty out there.  Just Google it or YouTube or something.
* I'm realizing just how unhelpful I am being, haha.  Sorry, it's late & I'm tired.  





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Double French Braids

One of my personal favorites!  How I love thee.  Let me count the ways.
I love how tight I can get them (The trick is to dampen a lot w/ a squirt bottle!  This goes for all braids/'dos.), that they stay in place ALL day, that you don't have to keep redoing the hair, it's comfortable, you don't have to add a bow, and you can make some adjustments to make a new look or two.  
G might not like them as much,  b/c to do it 'right,' it takes me longer than most other styles- and you have to pull tight to get it in good.
This is almost ALWAYS how I do her hair when we travel - daytrips in the car or 10 hrs to the grandparents', we double braid.


This one I tried to do a little differently.  I braided closer to the 'outside' (away from her part/close to ears) & then tied them together in some kind of bun thingy. 

I was playing around & came up w/ this one. (As you can see, I only do it to one side.  In fact, I've never even tried it the other way, haha).  Start w/ a part on the side, & then just draw your part (w/ the tip of one of those combs- what are they called?) to resemble something like what you see below.  Tie the smaller section (for G, it's the right) up while you start w/ the longer/wrapping part.  So, I french braid the left side first.  Then put a hair tie on it to keep it in place.  Then do the right side in a french braid.  
From there, you have a couple of options.  You can braid one all the way down to the tip of the hair & stop the other one at the crown of her head. (below right photo).  Or you can take the six strands that you'll end up with, put them together & make 3 strands and just braid them together (below left photo).  Or you can braid one all the way down; then when you get to the crown/neck w/ the other one, make those 3 strands into 2 & use your first braid as the 3rd strand; braid together.  Gosh, that probably doesn't make sense, huh?  And sorry, couldn't find a photo, although I really like the third option looks.   


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Other Braids

There are so many styles you can do with braids.  Here are just a few we've tried & liked.

My beautiful niece, J, was sweet to let me try a style on her & her amazing hair!  Here we did 3 small french braids just on one side.  I think it turned our great!  Great style for older girls, I think; although, I have tried this on G & liked it, too.  

Starting at part, just french braid along hairline in front, pulling only from the front. Just pull a small amount from the side & pin back.  

My first ever inverted/inside out/Dutch braid. Basically, the exact opposite of a french braid.  For some, this comes super easy.  For me, it's SO hard!  I need to practice more b/c I like how it looks.  But, any of the styles you see that I've french braided, you could always do this instead.  

Part in the middle from forehead back about 1/2 way.  French braid to the 1/2 way mark, tie off each w/ small bands.  Pull the rest up w/ all the hair into a ponytail band. (You don't have to do a ponytail.  You could leave the rest down & add 2 bows- one on each hairband.)

A crown braid.  G loves this.  Of course, it's one of the more difficult ones to do.  You would probably need to see a video tutorial of someone doing it to fully get it.  Brief description of how I do it:  Start slightly behind her left ear, french braid towards her face, using maybe a 1 1/2 - 2 inch strip of hair along the hair line.  When you get around to the other side near her right ear, you'll start pulling pieces of hair from the rest of her head.  Continue doing that all around the back.  When you run out of hair to pull (near your starting point), just continue doing a regular braid all the way down, as far as you can braid.  Then just wrap the braided end so that it overlaps the french braid you did in the front.  Tuck the small hairband/end of the braid under & pin w/ bobby pins.



G came up w/ this hair style in detail & begged me until I did it.  Kind of quirky, but cute!

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Double Ponytails

Can be done high, medium, low, on the sides above the ears or towards the back. 

This one was done the day after a 'braid day,' hence the volume of curls!

Low ponytails pulled to the front

Ponytails w/ braids

Ponytails.  Variety added by putting a small braid in front & making the part 'wavy,' not straight.

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Buns

You can do so many different types of buns.  I've experimented w/ a few.  
Again, you can do them high or low, in the center or to the side.  

Sometimes I add a flower clip on the side of a 'side bun.'

A braided bun is probably the type I use the most.  It seems to stay better & has texture.  I just do a ponytail,  Then divide into sections (however many you want, but I usually do 3.)  Braid each section, then wrap them around the ponytail band one at a time.  Pin w/ bobby pins.  Can do with or w/o a bow.

Left: A Knot Bun- Ponytail first.  Then pull off little sections, tying each one in a single or double knot.  Do a few then wrap a band around.  Can twist or bobby pin as you like.
Center: First, pull aside a few pieces where you'd like to put braids, along the hairline.  Pull the rest of it into a temp ponytail.  Braid anywhere you want.  Then, take down the ponytail, & pull it all up together.  Then, I just did a standard wrap around bun & pinned.  This one was to the side.
Right: A very basic clean bun.  High ponytail, wrapped around bun & pin.  Hairspray for smoothness.

Double side buns.  I love this style! You can totally do a regular center part, but I just think it's fun to do it 'wavy,' as you can see on the right.  You just use a pointed comb to draw your part first.  Do a temp pony on one side while you work on the other side.  Both of these photos show high braided buns, but regular or messy ones would work too.  The one on the left, I added one large bow; although you could do this without bows (on the left), or with two smaller bows.

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Tiny Ponytails

One look that's fun, but a little time consuming, is lots of little ponytails.  There are tons of ways you can do this.  What we do most is just 5 small ponytails in front, from ear to ear.  Just use the sharp comb again and divide your sections first.  Oh, and be careful when taking them out...you should 'unwrap' them instead of just pulling them out- or you'll break her hair.


Recently, G came up with this idea.  She said she wanted lots of little ponytails all the way around, "like a crown," and a bun.  So, here's my attempt; I actually liked the result!  
Good job, G.

I always did this one when she was younger/her hair was shorter.  I liked coordinating the different bands w/ her outfits, it held her hair back really well, & was a 'last all day' hair do.

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Twists

I watched a video tutorial to learn a twist.  You just take two pieces to start with, and just twist the same direction, pulling hair in from only one side each twist.  Again, there are so many options with this, but here are a few of our ideas.

This one is parted in the center front, and I did a small twist, going back on each side.

I love the look of this one, although I haven't mastered it.  I have to attempt twice sometimes to get it right.  I part on the side.  Then on the 'small' side (her left), I start a twist and go back, picking up hair ONLY from the bottom.  I go all the way around until where you see the bow.  You have to hold this pretty snug as you go.  Then I have G hold it there (It'll fall out if you use a hairband, so your girl may need to be old enough to assist w/ a hand...unless you have a better idea, of course!) while I hurry and do another small twist on the right.  Then I put them together in a ponytail.  Mine have looked messy where they come together, but a bow covers it nicely! ;)  Then, do whatever you want with the ponytail.

The Double Twist  OR Rope Braid (G & I came up w/ the names...I really don't know what it's called.)  Anyways, this is a style that is SUPER easy & quick to do, but I think looks really cute.  From afar, it looks like a regular braid, but up close you can see the dimensions of this 'do. I think it looks like a rope.  We use this one a lot.  Of course, you can do one or two of them.  Basically, you start w/ a ponytail again.  Then, divide into two sections.  Take one of the sections and divide it into two smaller sections.  Twist the smaller two around each other in one direction (let's say, to the right).  Do the same, in the same direction with the other section.  Then take your two twisted sections and twist them around each other in the OPPOSITE direction (say the left).  Hold with band.

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"Other" Ideas

Just for fun: Soccer Star Ponytail for little brother?  Yep!

Abstact French Braid?  IDK. ;)
Just started on the upper left & braided in a slant to the bottom right.

And in the opposite direction:


Two regular ponytails.  Twisted each one, then just tied each end to the other band.

The Deceptive Double Braid (Yes, I'm making up most of these, ha.)
Super easy, again.  Ponytail first.  Divide into two sections.  Braid each section.  Put one ponytail band around the bottom of both together.  Take a few bobby pins and pin them together (up & down) in the back.  Stretch the pieces outward to give it a fuller, looser look.  It looks like one large, 4 stranded braid.  Deceptive, right?
** I'm thinking twice about giving away all my tricks here. I'd really like for you to think I work a little harder.  ;)

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X Braids

Made up the title, but totally saw the idea somewhere else & tried to recreate.  For this one, take your pointy comb & draw a 'cross', dividing hair into 4 fairly even pieces.  Put the bottom two in temp ponys while you work on the top ones first.  French braid as usual but, when you braid, go to towards the center of 'the cross,' braiding until you get to the center.  Then continue a regular braid all the way to the opposite corner.  Take down that ponytail, include the braid & tie together in a ponytail, or as I've done here, a messy bun.  Do the same on the other side.

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** Wondering what kind of hair our two new little ones will have...long, short, curly, straight...?
If we get girls, I better set aside some 
extra time in the mornings! ;)

There you have it.  
All my hair secrets. 

Happy braiding!

~ 6 in Love ~