Teaching Tolerance

Whether McSexy and I are able to conceive naturally or not, we eventually hope to adopt internationally. I have always felt strongly called to adoption (since 4th grade, God has put adoption STRONGLY on my heart), as has my husband. We would love to adopt through my cousin Julie's adoption agency All God's Children International. Julie coordinates adoption with Ethiopia, and we would hope to adopt from there. As it is so important for self-esteem for children to see themselves or those that look like them reflected in art, I have been looking off and on for Black children's art. I also would like nursery decor for ALL of our children to reflect diversity. I found this website (Keisha's Kids) in Oprah's magazine, and fell in love. Here are some of the must haves for our nursery:

Keisha's Kids has cute wall art in retro style. Perfect to go along with Dick and Jane bedding if we go with that!

Tick tick tick! All girls love ballerinas and pink!

LOVE this rug! My daddy was a fireman, so I always have a soft spot for big, red engines in kid's rooms! Plus, the Dalmation driving the truck is TOO cute.

The site also has adorable growth charts. I am hoping that their selection grows even further with bedding, pillows (you know me and fabric!) and other accessories. Integrating multi-cultural images into your home, as well as talking openly and candidly with you child about race, is even more important when you consider this article from Newsweek. I found it through Teaching Tolerance, a group that discusses ways to promote and support diversity in the classroom. This article is worth a read for parents, teachers, grandparents or anyone who has a relationship with young children.

If anyone finds other retailers with multicultural, kid-friendly art, please let me know!

I heart Etsy

Sooo, for those of you women (or men!) who love home decorating, Etsy is THE place to be. Etsy is sort of like an online Saturday Market. All the items are handmade by local (the definition of that word is changing, I guess!) artists. I am absolutely obsessed with their bedding (pillows, baby bedding, blankets, etc.) They also have funky dog art, which I collect. Here are some of today's fav's:

I really love the pillow above. I hope I have a girl just so I can use that shade of purple and have this pillow in her room. Make a wish!

These are essentially our bedroom colors. I will die if I don't get these pillows at some point.

Awesome newspaper pillow I would love to put in our baby room. Hey, whatever supports early literacy!


A Maddie dog to add to my collection. Doesn't quite catch the goofiness of her, but it is close!


I am not picky in terms of dogs or breeds. I love the dogs God has blessed me with and will love whatever dog He sees fit to join me up with next. BUT... if all dogs were loved and there was no need for rescue and I could get whatever dog I wanted, it would be a Blue Nosed Pit Bull puppy. Since this probably won't happen, I'll satisfy myself with this beautiful painting.

Hope this beautiful art brightens your day! Check out Etsy! I love home decorating.