I’m on a hot streak.

And, for me, a hot streak is enough to make me feel like I just drank a pot of coffee–which is good right now since I fell asleep at the computer the other night and didn’t wake up until morning (big editing job on my plate right now)

Tuesday morning, I got an email from one of the ladies at One Mango Tree. They had hosted a giveaway for the month of November that was for $100 at their store for the winner and $100 for the winner’s friend. Entry? Write a 250 word little dealie telling them why my friend deserves a gift.

So, a few days before the giveaway ended, when I was waiting up at night for the Cyber Monday American Girl doll sale to start, I wrote about my kindred spirit, Stephanie, and emailed this in —

Christmas just got a bit more fun for my friend Stephanie.

After struggling to become pregnant, miracle baby number #1 arrived 3 ½ years ago and turned this couple into a family. Wanting to grow their family again, they were called to adoption and traveled across the world to China in June 2010 to bring home a little girl born with cleft lip/cleft palate. Lots of adjustments and some surgeries too. But, confirmation all along that they were right where they were supposed to be.

Then, something happened. They learned of a baby girl in a remote city in a country many people have never even heard of who was also born with cleft lip/cleft palate. And, she needed a family.

Unsure and a bit anxious, they took steps forward to discern if this little girl was their little girl. And, every step led to an open door; every open door to the next step.

On Black Friday, while most mothers were running around the mall, this mama was on a plane with her husband and her new baby girl. While we were eating turkey dinner leftovers, they were uniting 3 sisters for the first time.

Christmas is going to be interesting for them this year. Two international adoptions in less than 18 months = a lot of money spent. But, I have a feeling they won’t be worrying about how many or how few gifts are wrapped under their tree this year. They’ve got 3 precious gifts to celebrate.

So, the email I got from them Tuesday? We won. Super fun to call Stephanie and tell her she can have a mini-shopping spree for Christmas gifts or to get her self some goodies from One Mango Tree as a pick-me-up as she settles into their new normal as a mommy to 3.

I was still pumped about that when I got another call which put me a bit over the top (some screaming, some jumping up and down, lots of laughing–for those of you who want to know what Kelly “a bit over the top” looks like).

A store at the mall called. I had thrown my name into a box to enter a drawing for one of two American Girl dolls.

And, yup, my name was drawn.

Just like a pot of coffee, people.

I took my girls over to the mall last night and surprised them as we were handed Cecile WHO we learned is their character who lives in New Orleans in the 1850s and volunteers in an orphanage.

Can it get any better than that?

I have never bought a lottery ticket in my life. But, this might be the week for a first.

I’m feeling very thankful despite the dark circles under my eyes for the sweet blessings to me, my family, and my friends. During a week of high stress and late nights, these blessings that I did not deserve are sweet encouragements from Him to keep plugging away.

“Wow, you’ve got your hands full.” (eye roll or sympathetic grin)

That’s the typical response when someone hears I have 4 kids. For some reason, 3 is considered totally normal. But, one more than that, and you are a glutton for punishment or something.

“How do you keep up?” usually follows.

I’m busy — no, not busy — purposeful. And, yes, somedays I feel like I’m just keeping my head about water. But, it’s not always that way.

I’ve been sluggish lately. I am fine in the mornings, lots of energy. But, after lunch,…not so much energy. I start moving a little slower and have been indulging lately in a cup of coffee that is about 1/4 caffeinated (totally living on the wild side, I know) to keep me going.

Lydia is a marathon napper (thank you, thank you). So, afternoons are just Drew and me. And, when I’m tired like I have been lately, those afternoons may not be so smile inducing. Playing the board game Guess Who for the 10th time when I’m really wanting to take a nap doesn’t make me want to smile.

But, yesterday, Drew was inspired.

What makes this even more smileable is that we don’t even do Santa (which may make you wonder why Drew so readily could put his hands on this Santa suit…my grandfather did Santa…and I inherited his suit when no one else wanted and I couldn’t bare to see it go).