A while back I wrote a very vague post about change coming in 2012. So vague in fact it actually caused one of my dear friends who had disappeared off the face of the earth call me to see what on earth I was talking about. Apparently that is the only way to get her to call me is bizarre vagueness. So there will be much more of that in 2012 as well.

Anyway back to the change. To tell you about the change coming in 2012, I have to take you back to 2001. It was the year I got married and the first time Ryan and I first discussed adoption. I don’t know why we started talking about it exactly. But I remember that we both were enthusiastic about the fact that one day we would adopt. And a little seed was planted.

Obviously as the years went on, we began to have our own kids. But every few years we would discuss it again and see if it was the right fit for our family. I would, from time to time, poke around on various websites, ask friends who had adopted and look into agencies. But it never seemed to be the right time.

Last year we began to begin the paperwork for foreign adoption. But the whole time we were doing it, nothing about it felt right. Finally one day we admitted to each other this just didn’t seem like what we were supposed to be doing. So we stopped. And started down a different path.

This past weekend we just completed our 6th training session to become foster parents. It is probably the scariest thing I have ever done. And although I wrestle with the fear, I also know in my heart that it is what we are supposed to be doing. But I’ve been afraid to “say it out loud” on the blog because that makes it all too real.

Life is so very good. Life is so very comfortable. Life is so very safe. Life is INCREDIBLY blessed. And out of that blessing we hope to bless some children for whom life is anything but good, comfortable or safe. To take some liberties with a quote from one of my favorite books, it isn’t safe, but it is good. To be continued….

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Do you have traditions in your head that you want to implement as a family but then life just gets busy and they never quite happen. Well family movie/game night is that for me. As the kids get older and busier I really wanted to find one night that is sacred and protected where we spent great time together. Games and/or movies seem to be the perfect way to do that.

We are really picky about the movies we let our kids watch. Actually, really picky is probably an understatement. I am totally fine being a freak about it. Too much of what is billed as “family friendly” is just not cutting it in my book.

So when I was asked by Collective Bias as part of their #couchcritics to have a family movie night watching Dolphin Tale, I was super excited. I had heard nothing but amazing things about the movie and how family friendly it was. My kids had heard great things too and loved the idea of family movie night.

In our house, pretty much the only way we rent movies is through Redbox. It is super easy, crazy cheap and you can find them just about everywhere I normally shop. Imagine my delight when I went to check out their website from my phone and discovered they also have an app. Hallelujah, even easier!!

While I was at Walmart I had to pick up a movie watching essential!! Forget the microwavable stuff, we like our popcorn old school, on the stove.

I figure a movie these days at the theater will set our family back about $50. When you rent a Redbox movie online (or through your phone), it costs $1 (and free tip: sign up for text alerts and you will often get them for free, you can also find them on Facebook and Twitter). That huge container of popcorn that should last me through a whole lotta movie nights was under $5. I’d say that beats the theater any day.

Plus I would say snuggling is MUCH easier on the couch. Although I really wish I had someone else to pick up all the stray popcorn kernels. The movie did NOT disappoint. It was so touching and inspiring. Even the young ones cried. And it is rare when I watch a movie and don’t find a single thing objectionable. Our whole family gave it two big thumbs up.

Want to see details of my whole shop? This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. #CBias As always, all opinions are my own.