While flipping through the Creative Irish Gifts Christmas 2006 catalog, I happened upon the above plaque. Here is the catalog description:

Never, Never, Never Give Up !

Lift the heart of someone special. This inspiring wooden plaque is hand-stenciled and signed by the artist. USA. 3 x 26 1/2 x 1".

www.shopirish.com

The price is $ 29.99 + shipping and handling.

While I was trying to get pregnant, and also before we had decided to formally go through with Bec's adoption, I would leave myself little notes of encouragement on my mirror. I would also put them up in the bulletin board in my office. My self esteem was at such a low, that I needed all of the uplifting that I could get. When I saw this plaque in the catalog, I automatically thought about how this would have been a wonderful reminder for me to keep going and to keep my eye on the goal of being a mom. And, I think that it would have been a good visual reminder for anyone else who may have been visiting our home. They may have been able to use it as encouragement in their own lives, or maybe it could have been a subliminal statement to our guests that we were still dedicated to being parents. I think that Chris could have used the reminder as well.

The color scheme of green and white on the plaque also really isn't our style, but the sentiment was right on! Compared to other items in the catalog, it isn't as "Irish" looking as the more over the top things that have shamrocks and leprechauns all over them. In the print catalog, they credit the quote to Winston Churchill, although I haven't ever heard it before.

The item number is PL012 and their phone number is
1-800-843-4538