Update

We have been approved for CCAI and had our orientation last night. Next comes lots of paper work and our homestudy. We really need to raise some additional funds in order to get the ball rolling quickly. To do that, we are having an online fundraiser beginning August 1st and it will run through September 1st. We would love your support in getting the word out. There will be lots of wonderful vendors. Some are local, some are far away friends:-)

If you have a good or service that you would like to donate we are still collecting! Thank you so much to all of you who have already. I have been so touched by the sweet and thoughtful way even strangers have supported us. Show these sweet folks some love by visiting their shops and let them know that Sarah from anoceansizedlove sent you. You can find their shops on our sidebar or by visiting the Friends page.

We have also been prayerfully considering a file on a baby boy through CCAI. I won't give out details at this time because it is very uncertain and frankly, we don't know what is going to happen. It is such a hard choice.

 I have bonded to a picture! In many ways international adoption is so different from domestic. There is really no way to bond to more than the idea of a baby when you adopt domestically. With international adoption, your first glimpse or idea of your little person is a picture. A picture can mean the world.

I know that if this particular little boy is not meant for us, our prayers are meant for him. And our journey will continue!

Love to all,
Sarah

Source

Coffee Giveaway Winner and Update

And the winner is.... #4:


Kristin said...


I posted on FB.




Just let me know what flavor you want Kristin and I'll get you your coffee! Or Espresso!
 
Thanks for all who entered. You can all try Fresh Cup of Hope and support a great company and our adoption. Just click on the button under "Fundraising" to shop.
 
Now on to the announcement...
We just got a letter today from CCAI that our application has been approved! This is wonderful news and I am excited to dive into the mountain of paper work we have to finish. With this step comes a fee due within a month. The fee is $3350. We have raised about $1300 through the garage sales and we are working on some additional fundraisers.
 If you follow along on www.iwanttobakeyouabirthdaycake.blogspot.com you have seen some announcements about donations for a raffle. The raffle will begin August 1st and you don't want to miss it! If you would like to be a part of the raffle, please comment and let me know!
 

Photo credit: yourmomdesigns

 
I am reminded today of the intricacies of God's plans. He knits us together in our mother's womb. He also knits our hearts desires and our journey toward adoption. I remember as a young girl being introduced to adoption in many beautiful and wonderful ways. From my favorite Red Head BFF as a little girl to the baby girl that my Aunt's friend adopted from China. To a husband who's heart was always for the orphan, to unexpected circumstances that changed us, molded us, and allowed us to take the journey to our forever family. I am so thankful that even in spite of our best laid plans, God has a plan for us and He lovingly takes our hand to direct us along the way.
 
-Sarah

The best coffee ever- Giveaway!

I do not know many people who do not enjoy a good cup of coffee. I know I LOVE a good cup of coffee. I depend on it now-a-days with my late night studying and surely with each of my children I have  needed enjoyed  drinking good coffee.

I recently stumbled upon a local company (out of Sarasota) that makes some of the best coffee I have ever tasted. The best part? It's a company that believes strongly in fairtrade and building a better life for those who harvest their coffees. 

Here is a bit about Fresh Cup of Hope-

 Fresh Cup of Hope coffee pays their farmers more than twice what they would typically make in a year. The increased revenue has allowed the farmers to provide better housing, health care, tutors for the children and full time pastors to minister to the two hundred plus people living and working on the farm. 

Another great thing about Fresh Cup of Hope- with every purchase you make directly from the link that we provide on this blog, a percent of each sale will help to fund our adoption! Great coffee, great cause, great company! It's a win win!

So, to help get the word out, I am doing a coffee giveaway! I know you will love this coffee, and so will your friends and family. So, for every person who follows our blog, and "likes" I Want To Bake You A Birthday Cake on Facebook you will be entered to win one 12 oz. package of your choice from Fresh Cup of Hope.

For additional chances to win, post the giveaway on Facebook or your blog, tweet the giveaway, and comment below to let me know that you did so. 

For one more entry, comment with the flavor you'd pick if you won! I highly recommend the Snickerdoodle and the Jamaican Me Crazy!

Recap:

• Required to enter: Follow the blog and "like" us on Facebook. Leave a comment below letting me know that you did so.
• For additional chances- post about the giveaway on your blog, facebook or twitter, and let me know by commenting below.
• For one more chance, leave a comment letting me know which flavor you would choose if you win the giveaway.

Good luck! Winner will be chosen at random Monday at midnight.

Rained out Garage Sale

We are so blessed to have such amazingly giving and loving friends and family! So many people donated, shopped and helped us with our garage sale last Saturday. It was a lot of work and everyone pitched in!

We had a 6 a.m. shopper (the sale started at 8). It always cracks me up when people show up so early!
The sale went well. We sold a few lemonades and cookies, and lots of clothing and household items. All in all we made just shy of $600 dollars in 3 hours before the rain came down.

Check out those beautiful cupcakes that our friend E made! So sweet!

Then we laughed while we ran to save our goods!

And now...well...let's just say, we will be having another garage sale in about 2 weeks! I will be posting a new flyer shortly. Thanks so much to everyone who gave, helped and spread the word! We love you all!

Thirty One Fundraiser!

I was so happy when my mom contacted me and asked if I would be interested in her friend Vickie doing a Thirty One Fundraiser for us. What a sweet heart to offer! I am just discovering Thirty One and I sort of love every bit of it.

The "party" will go for a week and all profits will go towards our adoption fund. There is a range of prices from $5.00 on up  so there is something in everyone's price range. If you want to order with a buddy to save on shipping you are welcome to do so. Otherwise, shipping will be added to your order total.

Here is a link to the online party: Road To China Adoption Fundraiser with Thirty One

Here are some items I am drooling over:


$48



$19.00

$5.00


Even if you can't shop, I would love it if you would pass this link along so that the party can be a success! Thanks so much for your support! -Sarah