And the collecting begins...

For those that have offered to donate for our garage sale next weekend, we will begin picking up tomorrow. I will be in Madison tomorrow (Saturday) and Brandon on Sunday. I will be picking up in the Castlewoods/Reservoir area one night next week.

Please let me know when and where I can pick up from you.

Thank you!!

Moment in the Sun

I realized at work today that I have stopped checking my phone incessantly throughout the day waiting and watching for the e-mail that will change it all. I am not sure if I should be sad or glad about that.
I am still very hopeful that the right situation will come up soon, and that in no time, we will have our baby. However, I guess it is sinking in that I cannot will that happen on my time. I am basically going on with life daily as I always have. I am reviewing our budget daily. I am planning fundraisers, counting donations, filling shirt orders and responding to well wishes from strangers and friends. So my day is a little different than it was before adoption became my world. But it is much more normal than I could have imagined 2 months ago. At that time, I optimistically said we would be fine, and life goes on, and when the time comes this will be a distant memory. I did not mean any of it. I was hurt, and I was angry. And I did not want to not be hurt and angry. I wanted to feel that loss.
God placed a protective veil over me so that I could have my grief but look to the future. I am thankful for His blessings in scripture and sunny days and friends that send me a text on a random day and let me know I am loved. I am thankful to have choices and to be able to speak to Him when it is time to make those choices.
We have had to turn away two seemingly perfect situations in the last month because we simply do not have the money to cover the costs. Those stung really badly. I think about the baby boy that is with another woman now instead of me and pray for him, and for her, every day. And every once in a while when I am walking down the sidewalk or watching a movie the pain of our loss washes over me. But usually as quickly as it comes, it is gone. I still truly believe that was not meant to be our baby. God needed us to live that situation for a greater purpose that I hope to see.
I am not sure this post is any more or less than rambling on as I do sometimes. The message I want to give and receive is hope. Our hope is alive in our Lord. Tomorrow could change everything. When the time comes, sigh, it will be... beyond words.

Moment in the Sun by Clem Snide

Thank You!

To all the wonderful people who read this blog and who have reposted and participated in our fundraisers, THANK YOU!! We got a great boost to our baby fund thanks to you. But don't forget about us!! We've still got t-shirts to sell, bottles to fill, and we are getting some great items for our garage sale on Sat. Feb. 2. So far, we've got books, clothes, lamps and accessories, furniture, appliances and nearly new 4-wheeler tires!! Please call on us to pick up your junk.. err... treasures! And don't forget to shop it!!

Thank you so much support in the form of prayers, purchases, donations, encouraging messages and more. We are very blessed!


Thank You by Dido

New Fundraiser - Garage Sale

It's time for some early spring cleaning. My sweet friends, the Colemans, have offered to host a garage sale for us on Saturday, February 2. I know you all have things in your house/yard/garage that are taking up space - we want that stuff! We will pick up your donations locally the week before the sale. Set aside your tools, sports equipment, books, furniture and appliances in good condition, toys and children's gently used clothing. And remember to come to the sale! More information on location will be posted closer to time.

Thanks!

Saturday Morning

Over the last three weekends, the planets have aligned perfectly so that Andrew and I could have Saturday breakfast dates. It's such a treat because our lives do not allow for time together in the morning very often. I've enjoyed it so much that I've been hoping its a new tradition for us. And I am imagining Saturday morning breakfasts with our child(ren). All of us around the table with big stacks of pancakes and sticky fingers and lots of laughter!
I am so excited to start a new year with this man and see where our dreams lead us. I know 2013 is going to bring wonderful changes for us! Happy New Year!!!


Saturday Morning by Lanie Lane

Don't Give Up

I am continuously reminded that God has us in his hands, and that he is performing miracles every day. My sweet, smart friend Bonnie has created a fundraiser for us and has already raised so much money for us in less than a week! She bought a ton of baby bottles and tagged them with our blog address. The idea is to get them out to anyone who will take them and fill em up with loose change.

Please let me know if you would like to have a few bottles. I was very surprised to see how much one of these little bottles will hold. And everyone has a change jar, car cupholder full of loose change, or a wallet that is weighed down with coins.

We are blessed more and more every day. And even when something discouraging happens, I realize that there is no need to worry. God will find a way to fill our needs.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." 

Philippians 4:6-9

Don't forget that our t-shirt fundraiser is on-going. We have had an incredible response to it and are working to fill the orders as soon as possible. THANK YOU!!

And we are very grateful for the donations that have been coming from friends, family and even those we do not know. We hope that we are able to give back in the ways we have been blessed.

Don't Give Up by Calling Glory

Heaven Help

We have had several people ask questions about how they can donate or how they can help. We appreciate your interest in supporting our adoption. Here are several ways:

> Tell our story: Tell people we are fundraising, tell them about our shirts. Post about it on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Send e-mails! You don't have to purchase a shirt or make a donation to help.

> Make a donation using Paypal: Click the "Donate" button on the left side of the page and enter the amount you wish to donate. It will go directly into our adoption fund account.

> Make a donation without a Paypal account: Send us an e-mail, and we will give you our mailing address.

> If you are crafty or have your own business: Let us know if you would be willing to donate goods or services for an auction or raffle. I am working on gathering items now, and in exchange you will receive free advertising via word of mouth and social media.

> If you have other ideas for us: PLEASE TELL US!!! Other than taking it's toll on us emotionally, the failed adoption depleted more than 2/3 of our budget. We are having to turn down situations daily when all we want to do is bring home our baby. It is a shame that money is keeping us from having our family.

> Never stop Praying!: As we've stated several times, we know that our prayers and those of others are carrying us through the ups and downs of this journey and will eventually see us through to having our baby in our arms. Thank you for your faithfulness and keep it up!

Heaven Help by Lenny Kravitz