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Monday, August 27, 2012
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Part 2 of Jonny's Story, plans to prosper
Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
I will not get into Jonny's birthfamily story. That story is his to tell someday, if he wants to. I will say that it was so clear to me that God has big plans for this little boy. From our journey with "An Ocean Sized Love", the support from strangers, family, and loved ones, to the nurses in the hospital who cared for him when I could not.
We got a call just a few weeks before Jonny was born from my friend Kelli. I call Kelli my angel. She is that person in my life (maybe you have a Kelli too) that is always uplifting, inspiring, and giving of her heart, life, gifts, and time. She is an amazing person who has such a heart for adoption and adoptive families. I could go on and on but mostly, I owe her a debt of gratitude that I will most likely never be able to repay because without her in my life we would never have met our daughter.
Kelli asked me where we are with our fundraising because at that point we had (what we thought was) a month to come up with $20,000 which was the rest of our $26,000 fee towards our adoption. I told her "I don't know how we are going to do it, but I know God will provide". We had applied for grants, loans, we had done tons of fundraising. We honestly didn't know how we were going to be able to pay our fee when the baby was born.
Kelli asked me to sit down and told me that a family had approached her at church. They wanted to help a family to pay their adoption expenses. They ended up choosing our family to help. They made a donation through No More to our family in the amount of $15,000.
You have no idea how big this was. Not only did God provide for us in our time of need...He gave us peace, rest, hope, faith, and so so much more. This family inspired us. I know in the future that inspiration will spread to many more. In addition to knocking our socks off with provision, it came just in time.
Jonny was born three weeks early. We literally picked up the check from No More the day after he was born. If you have been following our story you have heard me say that I know God provides "just enough in just enough time". He has done just that.
In addition to giving us that time to be with our son without worrying about what we were going to do about the funds, only God could know what the week following Jonny's arrival could have brought for us. Only He could have known that this provision was such a gift to us during such a difficult time.
Tony's father passed away just a week after Jonny's birth. He never got to meet him. He saw him on Facetime once, left messages on our phone telling us he loves him already and can't wait to meet him...
This was a very bitter sweet time for us. We had the gift of a beautiful baby boy and Tony lost his father.
I said to Tony after the memorial of his dad that I knew God providing that way was like a sweet gift of love and care for him. Only God could know how much Tony needed that peace. Only God could know how to make a stranger reach out and touch our lives forever.
Because of God's provision, the verse Jeremiah 29:11 has been on my mind for my family, but specifically for Jonny. From the womb God worked out His plan to provide in a miraculous way for Jonny. I cannot wait to see the plans that God will continue to work out in his life as I get to watch him grow up.
I will not get into Jonny's birthfamily story. That story is his to tell someday, if he wants to. I will say that it was so clear to me that God has big plans for this little boy. From our journey with "An Ocean Sized Love", the support from strangers, family, and loved ones, to the nurses in the hospital who cared for him when I could not.
We got a call just a few weeks before Jonny was born from my friend Kelli. I call Kelli my angel. She is that person in my life (maybe you have a Kelli too) that is always uplifting, inspiring, and giving of her heart, life, gifts, and time. She is an amazing person who has such a heart for adoption and adoptive families. I could go on and on but mostly, I owe her a debt of gratitude that I will most likely never be able to repay because without her in my life we would never have met our daughter.
Kelli asked me where we are with our fundraising because at that point we had (what we thought was) a month to come up with $20,000 which was the rest of our $26,000 fee towards our adoption. I told her "I don't know how we are going to do it, but I know God will provide". We had applied for grants, loans, we had done tons of fundraising. We honestly didn't know how we were going to be able to pay our fee when the baby was born.
Kelli asked me to sit down and told me that a family had approached her at church. They wanted to help a family to pay their adoption expenses. They ended up choosing our family to help. They made a donation through No More to our family in the amount of $15,000.
You have no idea how big this was. Not only did God provide for us in our time of need...He gave us peace, rest, hope, faith, and so so much more. This family inspired us. I know in the future that inspiration will spread to many more. In addition to knocking our socks off with provision, it came just in time.
Jonny was born three weeks early. We literally picked up the check from No More the day after he was born. If you have been following our story you have heard me say that I know God provides "just enough in just enough time". He has done just that.
In addition to giving us that time to be with our son without worrying about what we were going to do about the funds, only God could know what the week following Jonny's arrival could have brought for us. Only He could have known that this provision was such a gift to us during such a difficult time.
Tony's father passed away just a week after Jonny's birth. He never got to meet him. He saw him on Facetime once, left messages on our phone telling us he loves him already and can't wait to meet him...
This was a very bitter sweet time for us. We had the gift of a beautiful baby boy and Tony lost his father.
I said to Tony after the memorial of his dad that I knew God providing that way was like a sweet gift of love and care for him. Only God could know how much Tony needed that peace. Only God could know how to make a stranger reach out and touch our lives forever.
Because of God's provision, the verse Jeremiah 29:11 has been on my mind for my family, but specifically for Jonny. From the womb God worked out His plan to provide in a miraculous way for Jonny. I cannot wait to see the plans that God will continue to work out in his life as I get to watch him grow up.
6 weeks of bliss...time to tell the story.
Six weeks ago this morning I got a call from our adoption director letting me know that our son was on his way into the world. So much has happened since then and in the year leading up to his birth. Here is part one of Jonny's story.
It was my birthday, a year ago on July 13th that we finished our application to adopt from China through CCAI. China you say? Yes, we started off on our journey to China. Many things happened in the following months. We felt God pull our hearts closer to home. We decided on domestic adoption close to the holidays and began our home-study. In March we finished and began waiting for a match but we were told by our agency that it would be a long wait. Of course, me being the most patient person in the world (sense sarcasm) I began to "throw out the adoption net" and expand our search for our son. We spoke with some adoption attorneys, other agencies, and even searched for available children through foster adoption. We were open to age, and ethnicity.
Towards the end of May we got a call from one of the resources that we reached out to. The adoption director told us she had 5 profiles to show a new birthfamily, and would we like to be shown as well? I was sort of in shock that so soon we were waiting on the call to let us know if we had been chosen or not. It was a busy time, I had just finished with my full time semester and the kids were still in school. I told my husband and he sort of just assumed that this would not work out. Much to our surprise we got a call from her that evening letting us know that they had chosen our family! I'll never forget it. We were all outside doing yard work, Tony was raking up leaves, I was pulling weeds and the kids were playing in the sandbox. I got the call and ran to the patio. The director said "they chose you guys" and my mouth dropped open. When I got off the phone and told Tony he was in shock! He just said "help me throw these leaves into garbage bags". Haha. It took a few minutes to sink in.
Shock, disbelief, amazement, excitement, joy, and fear about how it would all work out (financially and otherwise) were the emotions that I felt. The baby was due August 1st and we only had two months to come up with all of the funds that we would need. It was overwhelming but both my husband and I stuck to our belief that God would provide for this adoption. Stepping out in faith in this way was a huge faith step for both of us and it was no easy step. We worked hard to back up our faith with our own efforts and started applying to all sorts of grants and fundraising for adoption.
We met the birth parents two weeks later. We loved them. They were right for us, we were right for them. Then we began the waiting. I registered for baby things. Started planning the nursery. We waited until Father's Day to tell the kids. They were so excited.
There was never really much "drama" with this match. I kept waiting for something to go wrong. For our bubble to pop. We were wondering how we were going to come up with the funds but everything else was just falling into place beautifully and rather easily too. The waiting was peaceful. I could feel the prayers that we asked for. I knew God was working it all out.
to be continued...
It was my birthday, a year ago on July 13th that we finished our application to adopt from China through CCAI. China you say? Yes, we started off on our journey to China. Many things happened in the following months. We felt God pull our hearts closer to home. We decided on domestic adoption close to the holidays and began our home-study. In March we finished and began waiting for a match but we were told by our agency that it would be a long wait. Of course, me being the most patient person in the world (sense sarcasm) I began to "throw out the adoption net" and expand our search for our son. We spoke with some adoption attorneys, other agencies, and even searched for available children through foster adoption. We were open to age, and ethnicity.
Towards the end of May we got a call from one of the resources that we reached out to. The adoption director told us she had 5 profiles to show a new birthfamily, and would we like to be shown as well? I was sort of in shock that so soon we were waiting on the call to let us know if we had been chosen or not. It was a busy time, I had just finished with my full time semester and the kids were still in school. I told my husband and he sort of just assumed that this would not work out. Much to our surprise we got a call from her that evening letting us know that they had chosen our family! I'll never forget it. We were all outside doing yard work, Tony was raking up leaves, I was pulling weeds and the kids were playing in the sandbox. I got the call and ran to the patio. The director said "they chose you guys" and my mouth dropped open. When I got off the phone and told Tony he was in shock! He just said "help me throw these leaves into garbage bags". Haha. It took a few minutes to sink in.
Shock, disbelief, amazement, excitement, joy, and fear about how it would all work out (financially and otherwise) were the emotions that I felt. The baby was due August 1st and we only had two months to come up with all of the funds that we would need. It was overwhelming but both my husband and I stuck to our belief that God would provide for this adoption. Stepping out in faith in this way was a huge faith step for both of us and it was no easy step. We worked hard to back up our faith with our own efforts and started applying to all sorts of grants and fundraising for adoption.
We met the birth parents two weeks later. We loved them. They were right for us, we were right for them. Then we began the waiting. I registered for baby things. Started planning the nursery. We waited until Father's Day to tell the kids. They were so excited.
There was never really much "drama" with this match. I kept waiting for something to go wrong. For our bubble to pop. We were wondering how we were going to come up with the funds but everything else was just falling into place beautifully and rather easily too. The waiting was peaceful. I could feel the prayers that we asked for. I knew God was working it all out.
to be continued...
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
ipad Winner
I just wanted to say thank you so much to
Because of you we have raised $1247.63, $550 of which is purchasing an ipad for....
Kim
Natasha
Jonathan
Chris
Kristin
Roxane
Elizabeth
Mika
Dawn
Vicki
Rachel
Christy
Duane
Carmen
Brittany
Rebekah
Jennifer
Franny
Because of you we have raised $1247.63, $550 of which is purchasing an ipad for....
ELIZABETH!
We have been blown away by your generosity and kindness, each and everyone of you that shared, donated, and supported us through prayer! We have $697 of our $1000 fee due July 1st covered and that is a huge blessing! Thanks so much!
Monday, June 11, 2012
The wait and the work
These past few weeks have seemed like such a blur. Here I was afraid I would have too much time on my hands (who was I kidding!). Summer is officially here and our waiting time is full. Full of fundraising, applying for grants, visits with the birthfamily (they live an hour and a half away), and preparations for baby Jonathan.
Many people have asked how we've managed to fundraise so far and because it seems we are always working on a fundraiser I'm sure people imagine that we have raised huge amounts. The truth is, in total we have raised less than $5000. That it with garage sales, online auctions, i-pad giveaways, jewelry sales, coffee sales, Thirty-One fundraisers and more. $5000 is a huge amount- nothing to sneeze at for sure! But it is a small chunk of $26,000 (the total cost of our adoption).
Adoption is expensive. I can honestly say though that I have seen God glorified more through folks walking along this journey and He's provided "just enough in just enough time" (source unknown). We have seen this in our own adoption journey. We have raised just enough or received just enough over our budget to make every single payment on time so far. I am not going to lie and say that I'm not nervous or stressed out about the huge chunk due at the birth of our son, but I know that our God is bigger.
We could not do this alone, and so we are humbly thankful for those of you with big hearts and open minds who have given so selflessly. We thank you and ask for your prayers. Prayers for a healthy baby. Prayers for our birthfamily as they walk through this terribly difficult time. Prayers for our fundraising efforts. Thank you so much for supporting our family through this process!
Many people have asked how we've managed to fundraise so far and because it seems we are always working on a fundraiser I'm sure people imagine that we have raised huge amounts. The truth is, in total we have raised less than $5000. That it with garage sales, online auctions, i-pad giveaways, jewelry sales, coffee sales, Thirty-One fundraisers and more. $5000 is a huge amount- nothing to sneeze at for sure! But it is a small chunk of $26,000 (the total cost of our adoption).
Adoption is expensive. I can honestly say though that I have seen God glorified more through folks walking along this journey and He's provided "just enough in just enough time" (source unknown). We have seen this in our own adoption journey. We have raised just enough or received just enough over our budget to make every single payment on time so far. I am not going to lie and say that I'm not nervous or stressed out about the huge chunk due at the birth of our son, but I know that our God is bigger.
We could not do this alone, and so we are humbly thankful for those of you with big hearts and open minds who have given so selflessly. We thank you and ask for your prayers. Prayers for a healthy baby. Prayers for our birthfamily as they walk through this terribly difficult time. Prayers for our fundraising efforts. Thank you so much for supporting our family through this process!
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
News AND another FUNdraiser giveaway of an Ipad3
Boy do I have news! Exciting, fun, and oh so good news!
On Monday last week I got a phone call. It's the kind of call that a waiting family like ours dreams about. Our adoption Coordinator wanted to know if we would like our profile shown to a new birthfamily. I had little information other than that it was a boy, due August 1st. I of course said YES! But I figured that the chances were pretty good that we wouldn't be chosen. She was showing the family 5 profiles (or 5 families).
I got a call later that evening while Tony and I were outside doing yard work. I answered the call expecting to hear bad news but that is not what happened. The Coordinator told me they looked at all of the profiles and they picked us!! They didn't even need time to think about it. They were sure that we were the family.
What exactly does that mean? It means that we are expecting to become parents to a baby boy due August 1st. It means we are excited, working hard to get ready and busting our patooties to raise a large amount of money in just two months time.
So...we are applying to Lifesong Both Hands, various grants and adoption loans, and working on some FUNdraising ideas. We had fun with our last Ipad giveaway so we are doing another one!
This time there is a twist!
The not so fine print disclaimer: In order for this FUNdraiser to happen we must raise at least $550 for it to be ON! If we do not we'll refund everyone and there will be no giveaway. We will announce when we hit that point and once we do the giveaway will end 7 days later. This is NOT a r-a-f-f-l-e, please do not mention that it is. This IS helping to bring a child into his forever family!
The winner will be selected through a drawing and posted to the blog. This giveaway is on through June 25th.
On Monday last week I got a phone call. It's the kind of call that a waiting family like ours dreams about. Our adoption Coordinator wanted to know if we would like our profile shown to a new birthfamily. I had little information other than that it was a boy, due August 1st. I of course said YES! But I figured that the chances were pretty good that we wouldn't be chosen. She was showing the family 5 profiles (or 5 families).
I got a call later that evening while Tony and I were outside doing yard work. I answered the call expecting to hear bad news but that is not what happened. The Coordinator told me they looked at all of the profiles and they picked us!! They didn't even need time to think about it. They were sure that we were the family.
What exactly does that mean? It means that we are expecting to become parents to a baby boy due August 1st. It means we are excited, working hard to get ready and busting our patooties to raise a large amount of money in just two months time.
So...we are applying to Lifesong Both Hands, various grants and adoption loans, and working on some FUNdraising ideas. We had fun with our last Ipad giveaway so we are doing another one!
This time there is a twist!
- For any piece of jewelry purchased you will receive 1 entry.
- Each purchase of 4 or more bags of coffee from Fresh Cup of Hope will get you 1 entry.
- Each donation of $15 will get you one entry.
- Each donation of $30 will get you 3 entries.
- Each donation of $50 with get you 6 entries.
- For anyone that has donated, each friend that you refer to the FUNdraiser with get an extra entry and you will get 1 extra entry as well. Simply comment to let me know if you were referred and by whom, or if you purchased jewelry or coffee.
The not so fine print disclaimer: In order for this FUNdraiser to happen we must raise at least $550 for it to be ON! If we do not we'll refund everyone and there will be no giveaway. We will announce when we hit that point and once we do the giveaway will end 7 days later. This is NOT a r-a-f-f-l-e, please do not mention that it is. This IS helping to bring a child into his forever family!
To make a donation, please click the donate button
located at the top of right side bar ------>
The winner will be selected through a drawing and posted to the blog. This giveaway is on through June 25th.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Adoption Quilt
We have done everything we can from our end to find our son. Homestudy, check. Profile, check. Networking, check. Stash of diapers and formula, check.
I am two days away from finishing finals. I have 6 weeks until the kids are home for the summer. I am feeling the need to occupy my anxious heart with a project that will help me feel connected to our future son and will also help us to raise some additional funds (need all of these projects we can think of! Drops in the bucket!).
So, I thought what better way to keep me busy than making a community quilt for our little man. This is a project that will allow friends, family, and the adoption community to love on our baby boy and also keep my hands busy! Win, win!
Photo Credit: The Knottygnome Knits
What is an adoption quilt?
It is a quilt that is put together one piece (donation) at a time. It is a twist on the "adoption puzzle" that you may have seen. Each square will help us get a little bit closer to our goal of raising $15,000.
Here is how this is going to work:
Each donation of $10 will provide a square for the quilt which will be sewn together by me- mommy in waiting!
You may choose to:
1. Donate $10 per square via the "donate" button on the top right side bar of our blog, or mail a check with your square, and provide a 5 1/2 X 5 1/2 square of any pre-washed, 100 % cotton fabric of your choice. Upcycled fabric (old tee, blanket, ect...), scraps, or quilt squares are great choices. Feel free to embroider, decorate, or initial somewhere in the center of the square (make sure it is a permanent addition that will not wash away!). Mail your fabric to 15905 Countrybrook St. Tampa, Fl. 33624.
or...
2. Donate $10 and just comment letting me know you want me to choose from my stash of fabrics (or you are welcome to let me know a color, theme, or style of fabric that you would like me to use).
***For both options, we would love for you to write a note and attach a small piece of the fabric you chose (so that we can match your square to your note) for us to put into a scrap book for our little man.
Feel free to share this blog post so we get enough squares to complete our quilt!
I will be posting pictures as the quilt begins and keeping you updated on the process.
I am two days away from finishing finals. I have 6 weeks until the kids are home for the summer. I am feeling the need to occupy my anxious heart with a project that will help me feel connected to our future son and will also help us to raise some additional funds (need all of these projects we can think of! Drops in the bucket!).
So, I thought what better way to keep me busy than making a community quilt for our little man. This is a project that will allow friends, family, and the adoption community to love on our baby boy and also keep my hands busy! Win, win!
Photo Credit: The Knottygnome Knits
What is an adoption quilt?
It is a quilt that is put together one piece (donation) at a time. It is a twist on the "adoption puzzle" that you may have seen. Each square will help us get a little bit closer to our goal of raising $15,000.
Here is how this is going to work:
Each donation of $10 will provide a square for the quilt which will be sewn together by me- mommy in waiting!
You may choose to:
1. Donate $10 per square via the "donate" button on the top right side bar of our blog, or mail a check with your square, and provide a 5 1/2 X 5 1/2 square of any pre-washed, 100 % cotton fabric of your choice. Upcycled fabric (old tee, blanket, ect...), scraps, or quilt squares are great choices. Feel free to embroider, decorate, or initial somewhere in the center of the square (make sure it is a permanent addition that will not wash away!). Mail your fabric to 15905 Countrybrook St. Tampa, Fl. 33624.
or...
2. Donate $10 and just comment letting me know you want me to choose from my stash of fabrics (or you are welcome to let me know a color, theme, or style of fabric that you would like me to use).
***For both options, we would love for you to write a note and attach a small piece of the fabric you chose (so that we can match your square to your note) for us to put into a scrap book for our little man.
Feel free to share this blog post so we get enough squares to complete our quilt!
I will be posting pictures as the quilt begins and keeping you updated on the process.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Who Won the iPad?!
Congratulations to our winner! Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts for all of your donations, sweet thoughts and prayers!
Who Wants The Bling?!
Congrats to our two Silpada $100 gift certificate winners! Your gift certificates will be in the mail!
Saturday, March 17, 2012
New Ipad 3 FUNdraiser! Great Chances to win.
Would you like to get your hands on a brand new Ipad 3 16GB?
As if that isn't enough, your donations will help us raise funds for our adoption! Win, win!
*******It's on folks! It's on! Thank you so much, we have just 110 entries left! Share the word and don't forget to comment letting me know you did!*******
*******It's on folks! It's on! Thank you so much, we have just 110 entries left! Share the word and don't forget to comment letting me know you did!*******
Each donation of $15 will give you 1 chance at the Ipad. A maximum of 150 chances to win will be available, so each person has a great chance of winning. At the end of the FUNdraiser we will have a random drawing to choose our Ipad winner. Ipad winner may choose from a white or black model.
How do you get a chance to win one of the two $100 Silpada gift certificates? Each time you share this FUNdraiser, comment and let us know and you will be entered to win one of two Silpada gift certificate of $100! You can share by posting to Facebook, blogging, tweeting, or Pinning! Just make sure to comment below for a chance at the gift certificates.
How do you get a chance to win one of the two $100 Silpada gift certificates? Each time you share this FUNdraiser, comment and let us know and you will be entered to win one of two Silpada gift certificate of $100! You can share by posting to Facebook, blogging, tweeting, or Pinning! Just make sure to comment below for a chance at the gift certificates.
To make a donation, please click the donate button located at the top of right side bar --------->
When we have reached the maximum, we will post the winners.
The fine print disclaimer. In order for this FUNdraiser to happen we must raise at least $550 for it to be ON! If we do not we'll refund everyone and there will be no giveaway. We will announce when we hit that point and once we do the giveaway will end 7 days later. This is NOT a r-a-f-f-l-e, please do not mention that it is. This IS helping to bring a child into his forever family!
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Stop and Shop Raffle
We have a beautiful home full of beautiful things made by and for very beautiful people:-) Please come by and shop our Stop and Shop! 4202 West Watrous Ave. Tampa 33629 (minutes from Westshore Mall). We are here from 1-5 today.
Can't come? Want to contribute to the 6 adoptive families and 2 missions families?
You can!
We have a raffle with so many wonderful items. You are able to buy tickets online- $1 per ticket.
All of these lovely items can be yours! Plus, all proceeds go to help us fundraising families to adopt or finance missions.
Items include:
- Love tee size S
- Bow holder
- Sparrow ornament
- Premier Jewelry bracelet
- Premier Jewelry jewelry roll up
- At Home America- candle and pillar
- Stained glass ornament
- Banana bread
- Cheese board, knife and cocktail napkins
- Tote with note cards, recipe cards, pencils and clip board
- Leather belt with beaded buckle
- Uganda beaded necklace
Simply click the link to donate, $1 per ticket.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Quick Update
We are now on the waiting list for HoA. We have almost all of our documents in for our homestudy (waiting on a few referrence letters and our fingerprinting) to complete our homestudy.
Because we have no idea when our match will be, we are pushing forward to make some of the funds that we will need to pay once we have a match. Please join us for our Stop and Shop, December 10th. I have some awesome items to sell. If you would like more information comment with your e-mail and I will send you the information. You can also support us by giving a holiday gift of coffee, just click the button on the sidebar to go right to the shop. This coffee is amazing and it makes a great, quick, easy gift that everyone appreciates! We also have a Thirty-One party going now.
We thank you for your prayers, positive thoughts and encouragements as we enter the waiting phase.
Many blessings this holiday week! May you and yours find many new things to be thankful for!
Love,
Sarah
Because we have no idea when our match will be, we are pushing forward to make some of the funds that we will need to pay once we have a match. Please join us for our Stop and Shop, December 10th. I have some awesome items to sell. If you would like more information comment with your e-mail and I will send you the information. You can also support us by giving a holiday gift of coffee, just click the button on the sidebar to go right to the shop. This coffee is amazing and it makes a great, quick, easy gift that everyone appreciates! We also have a Thirty-One party going now.
We thank you for your prayers, positive thoughts and encouragements as we enter the waiting phase.
Many blessings this holiday week! May you and yours find many new things to be thankful for!
Love,
Sarah
Friday, November 11, 2011
Holiday Stop and Shop
You are invited to "Stop and Shop" at our Holiday Market. This event is helping at least 6 families to raise funds for adoption and missions.
Where: 4202 West Watrous Ave. Tampa, 33629
When: Saturday, December 10th. 1-5 p.m.
Items that will be available for your shopping pleasure:
Jewelry
Ethiopian Framed Photo Art
... Tee Shirts
Unique Items from Africa
Hair Flowers
Ornaments
Boutique Clothing
Tutu's
Bow Holders
Hairbows
Key Fobs
Camara Strap Covers
Edibles
Sugar Scrubs
Doll Diapers
Appliqued items
Stockings
-WithCherriesOnTop
-A Little Bit Of Pink
-Mary Kay
-At Home America
-Thirty One
And more!
Come, shop, eat some yummy cookies, sip some cidar and support adoption and missions this holiday season. Get your christmas list completed in one stop!
Hope to see you there!
Families that you will be supporting:
The Shubin Family ( with Lifebridge Church Missions )- http://www.blogger.com/goog_224053179
The Sobkowiak Family- http://zzpetals.blogspot.com/
The Carlson Family: http://alittlebitofpink.wordpress.com/
The Viera Family: http://anoceansizedlove.blogspot.com/
The Mills Family: http://learningtorejoice.blogspot.com/
The Shreeve FamilySee More
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Wild Olive Tee's +Thirty One= Fundraising for our adoption
I love companies that have a heart for adoption! Wild Olive Tee's is supporting adoption by helping fundraising families through the sale of their beautiful tee's. Here are a few of my favorites:
A percent of every tee purchased will go towards our adoption fund. To make a purchase please enter our family code: VIERA0805 at checkout in the coupon code box. If you don't enter the code you will still be supporting a great company but it won't contribute towards our adoption fund:-)
You can also support our adoption by shopping Thirty One! My favorite blogger Erica is helping us out with this one. Get your teacher gift (they LOVE the lunch bags), your family gifts, a gift or two for you (wink) and support adoption too! I will try to close this out about November 15th to get every one's orders in plenty of time for Christmas gifts. Feel free to pass along the link to friends that love Thirty One!
Our homestudy paperwork is going in by Friday and our application is going with it. We will be preparing our adoption profile for the agency and getting ready to wait for a match. We have raised almost $1900 with the help of friends and family. We thank you all so much for your support. We truly need it! Adoption is a costly endeavor. Worth every struggle, penny and moment of work though.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Still an ocean sized love, just not an ocean sized distance.
If you ask any adoptive parent if their adoption journey was easy I am sure that their answer would be some variation of "no". Adoption is not easy. Adoption is not even close to easy.
We knew this going in this time around, of course. We knew that adopting internationally would prove to be an even bigger challenge than domestic adoption.
If you have followed my blog for a while you would know that coming to the decision to adopt from China was a very difficult choice. We started out wanting to adopt through the Foster/Adopt system. Then we considered China. Then we considered domestic African/Bi-racial adoption. There is a need for parents for all of those types of situations. We ended up deciding on China for a number of reasons, one of them being that a friend of ours started working for CCAI and I share her passion for orphans. I felt good about working with her to find our son.
We applied, were approved and started the process. We filled out some paper work. Fundraised. Waited. School began and what started out as an exciting adventure became a heart struggle. There were circumstances that made us re-think our plan to adopt from China.
I will not get into the intimate details of our choice to switch back to domestic. There were new challenges that we faced shortly after our journey to China began. Challenges that cleared our path, helped us to see what the right choice was with more clarity than before.
Many families are called to adopt in many different ways and I truly believe that no child is more deserving than the next. A journey to China would have been amazing, I'm sure. Perhaps someday we will make the journey. Right now though, we know that our son is a bit closer to home.
We are now trying to determine what agency/attorney to work with. We have our home-study update packet and plan on beginning the process right away. We will continue to fundraise and will continue to covet the prayers and support of our friends, old and new.
Our hope is to provide a loving home to a child who needs one, and gain a son, a child that we (our whole family) want so badly. If you know of any agencies/attorneys or resources for domestic adoption we would love for you to pass the information along.
Thanks-Sarah
We knew this going in this time around, of course. We knew that adopting internationally would prove to be an even bigger challenge than domestic adoption.
If you have followed my blog for a while you would know that coming to the decision to adopt from China was a very difficult choice. We started out wanting to adopt through the Foster/Adopt system. Then we considered China. Then we considered domestic African/Bi-racial adoption. There is a need for parents for all of those types of situations. We ended up deciding on China for a number of reasons, one of them being that a friend of ours started working for CCAI and I share her passion for orphans. I felt good about working with her to find our son.
We applied, were approved and started the process. We filled out some paper work. Fundraised. Waited. School began and what started out as an exciting adventure became a heart struggle. There were circumstances that made us re-think our plan to adopt from China.
I will not get into the intimate details of our choice to switch back to domestic. There were new challenges that we faced shortly after our journey to China began. Challenges that cleared our path, helped us to see what the right choice was with more clarity than before.
Many families are called to adopt in many different ways and I truly believe that no child is more deserving than the next. A journey to China would have been amazing, I'm sure. Perhaps someday we will make the journey. Right now though, we know that our son is a bit closer to home.
We are now trying to determine what agency/attorney to work with. We have our home-study update packet and plan on beginning the process right away. We will continue to fundraise and will continue to covet the prayers and support of our friends, old and new.
Our hope is to provide a loving home to a child who needs one, and gain a son, a child that we (our whole family) want so badly. If you know of any agencies/attorneys or resources for domestic adoption we would love for you to pass the information along.
Thanks-Sarah
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Just a bit busy
People have been so sweet and encouraging in regards to our fundraising and our adoption in general! I wish I had more updates for you all! I have been in over my head as usual with back to school. I am working on getting all of the auction winners their items and trying to figure out how much more we need to get to our goal for our first agency fee : $3500.
As soon as I have some time I will be working more on our paper work and setting up the next fundraiser. My lovely sister has made some amazing jewelry for us to sell and it should all be up soon!
I will give a better update soon!
Thanks so much for all of your support and care!
-Sarah
As soon as I have some time I will be working more on our paper work and setting up the next fundraiser. My lovely sister has made some amazing jewelry for us to sell and it should all be up soon!
I will give a better update soon!
Thanks so much for all of your support and care!
-Sarah
Monday, September 5, 2011
Giveaway Winner!
Congratulations Jennifer Chase! You are our winner. I will contact you later today with details on how to claim your prizes!
Thanks to everyone who donated and helped to spread the word!
- Sarah
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Thank you and all of the winners!
Thank you so much to all of you who participated in our auction and giveaway! We could not have done this without the many wonderful donations and our awesome friends who bid and helped to spread the word.
Below is a list of all of the auction items and the winning bidder. If you would like to make a check payment please comment and let me know so I can get you our address. Otherwise you can just click on the donate Paypal button and donate the winning bid. For custom items I will be e-mailing you with details and contact information to help you get your item(s).
Uganda Necklace-Kristin Lemus. Winning bid: $10.
Dinner Done $25 gift certificate- Amber Gonzales. Winning bid: $15
Where You Live Tee-Adoption Mission: Possible. Winning bid $21
King Sheet Set- Darbi. Winning bid: $40
Queen Sheet Set- Elizabeth Sobkowiak. Winning bid $30
Ethiopian Cross Pendent-Jessica Ann. Winning bid $6
Fish Purse- Tara. Winning bid $15
Caiti Belle Dress-Tera Tichy. Winning bid $100
Two Dozen Cupcakes by Amber-Dawn G. Winning bid:$18
Darcy's Botanicals-Kiersten. Winning bid $35
Daisy Girls Doll-Tracy Hanson. Winning bid $25
Chartrouse Hair Flower-Cydnee. Winning bid $5
Red Fabric Flower -Cydnee. Winning bid $4
Pink Hairflower-Kristin Lemus. Winning bid $4
Flower with feather- Jenn Wright. Winning bid $10
"M" pony-0-Cydnee. Winning bid $2
"E" pony-o-Cydnee. Winning bid $1
"L" pony-o- Franny Tough. Winning bid $1
"K" Pony-o-Kiersten. Winning bid $2
"E" Pony-oAdoption Mission: Possible. Winning bid $5
"M" Pony-o-Cydnee. Winning bid $1
African Safari-Jen chase. Winning bid $25
Snowman Pillowcase Dress- Krisin VdB. Winning bid $10
All Tangled Up-RB. Winning bid $10
All Tangled Up Jewelry-Jessica Ann. Winning bid $8
Cherry Blossom Hat- Stacy. Winning bid $10
Cherry Blossom Hat-Lisa. Winning bid $8
Purple Flower Earings- Deborah. Winning bid $7
Ethiopian Art by Canvas Heart-Toni Lee. Winning bid $50
Bieber Necklace-Raquel Blair. Winning bid $4
Mickey Mouse Necklace-Cydnee. Winning bid $4
Red Thread Bracelet-Tera Cox. Winning bid $5
House Rules- Christy. Winning bid $125
Two Prince Bakery Cookies. Franny. Winning bid $8
Mommy's The Lucky One-Adoption Mission: Impossible. Winning bid $30
Dark Cycle Octopus Tee-Jonathan. Winning bid $50
Dark Cycle Dino Tee.Sherry. Winning bid $20
Meeting Momma Print.Adoption Mission: Possible. Winning bid $10
Plush Owl. Amber Gonzales. Winning bid $20
Adoption is the new Pregnant Tee..Tera Cox. Winning bid $10
Adoption is the new Pregnant.Jen Chase. Winning bid $10
Jars of Pie. Franny. Winning bid $12
Update: If there is a line through your name that means I have record of your donation. I am shipping items out today for those of you who bid on items in my possession. I have also contacted the donors for winning bids that are being shipped from donors. If you have any questions about your items, or making a donation please e-mail me at sarahviera@yahoo.com and I will do my best to get back with you within a day. Thank you!-Sarah
Below is a list of all of the auction items and the winning bidder. If you would like to make a check payment please comment and let me know so I can get you our address. Otherwise you can just click on the donate Paypal button and donate the winning bid. For custom items I will be e-mailing you with details and contact information to help you get your item(s).
Uganda Necklace-
Dinner Done $25 gift certificate- Amber Gonzales. Winning bid: $15
Where You Live Tee-
King Sheet Set- Darbi. Winning bid: $40
Queen Sheet Set- Elizabeth Sobkowiak. Winning bid $30
Ethiopian Cross Pendent-
Fish Purse- Tara. Winning bid $15
Caiti Belle Dress-
Two Dozen Cupcakes by Amber-
Darcy's Botanicals-
Daisy Girls Doll-
Chartrouse Hair Flower-
Red Fabric Flower -
Pink Hairflower-
Flower with feather- Jenn Wright. Winning bid $10
"M" pony-0-
"E" pony-o-
"L" pony-o- Franny Tough. Winning bid $1
"K" Pony-o-
"E" Pony-o
"M" Pony-o-
African Safari-
Snowman Pillowcase Dress- Krisin VdB. Winning bid $10
All Tangled Up-
All Tangled Up Jewelry-
Cherry Blossom Hat- Stacy. Winning bid $10
Cherry Blossom Hat-
Purple Flower Earings- Deborah. Winning bid $7
Ethiopian Art by Canvas Heart-
Bieber Necklace-
Mickey Mouse Necklace-
Red Thread Bracelet-
House Rules- Christy. Winning bid $125
Two Prince Bakery Cookies. Franny. Winning bid $8
Mommy's The Lucky One-
Dark Cycle Octopus Tee-
Dark Cycle Dino Tee.
Meeting Momma Print.
Plush Owl. Amber Gonzales. Winning bid $20
Adoption is the new Pregnant Tee..
Adoption is the new Pregnant.
Jars of Pie. Franny. Winning bid $12
Update: If there is a line through your name that means I have record of your donation. I am shipping items out today for those of you who bid on items in my possession. I have also contacted the donors for winning bids that are being shipped from donors. If you have any questions about your items, or making a donation please e-mail me at sarahviera@yahoo.com and I will do my best to get back with you within a day. Thank you!-Sarah
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Paper Beaded Necklace from Uganda {by Erica Shubin of The Road Less Traveled}
Paper Beaded Necklace from Uganda {by Erica Shubin of The Road Less Traveled}
Single long strand paper beaded necklace made by loving hands in Uganda. This necklace is versatile and so pretty! Wear it long, or double it up!
Minimum bid: $10
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Dinner Done $25 gift certificate (Includes pick up meals!!!) Great Gift Idea
$25 Gift Certificate for Dinner Done (Carrollwood, Florida)
This gift certificate includes pick up meals! What a fantastic gift this would make for a new mom, dad, sick family member or friend! Hate to cook? Love to cook but have no time? Bring your gift certificate in to Dinner Done and leave with a fresh, delicious and ready for the oven meal!
Minimum bid: $15
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