Sadly this picture is not first thing in the morning, it was bed time and I still hadn't had a shower that day. But this is the mom my kids see so I guess I might as well keep it real for the rest of the world too!
Stitching my way to China for another daughter.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Keeping it real
Sadly this picture is not first thing in the morning, it was bed time and I still hadn't had a shower that day. But this is the mom my kids see so I guess I might as well keep it real for the rest of the world too!
Monday, September 3, 2012
Living the dream
I hesitate to post this post. We have been home for 10 days now and I STILL feel like I am living a dream. That one day I will wake up and no one will have any clue what I'm talking about when I mention Miss T in China.
Even when things were hard in China, and they were REALLY hard at times, I still could not quite convince myself that it was happening. Things started to settle down with our newest princess by the time we got to GZ to start the USA side of the paperwork. GZ was familure from our first trip so it was almost like coming home in a way. I felt much more relaxed by that time as well as Miss T was not quite as angry at her new world. We were able to get out and walk around a LOT more and I think being outside really helped Miss T feel safe.
We had our medical exam and TB test done so there was lots of time between those and when we had to be sworn in. This gave us a chance to visit the pearl market. That was something we didn't do the first time but I'm really glad we did this time. We bout pearls for both girls to wear at their weddings, They were only 60.00 US per strand and I'm not sure what they will appraise at but I KNOW they will appraise for more because it was a wholesale pearl market. There is no way we could ever pay 60.00 for a hand stranded pearl necklace anywhere in the US so I'm ok.
The flight home was not too bad, LONG but not bad. The girls slept quite a way and by the time we got home they were pretty adjusted to the new time zone in just 24 hours. Mom and dad however are dragging.
Our sweet sweet baby girl is adjusting so very well. Her CP is in the moderate range but she shows such potential in so many areas. I can't wait to see how far she comes!!! She also was shown love and nurtuing in her little life because she cares for her baby so lovingly! It warms my heart to know that someone loved her before I got the privilage of being her mom!!!
I hope to have more update soon. If you are my friend on FB you know I'm pretty much up to the hour updating.
Next task....getting over jet lag once and for all!!! This is really kicking my behind this time around!!!
Saturday, August 25, 2012
HOME
Sweet home!!!
After one misadventure then another and well, another we finally made it home safe and sound last night around dinner time.
Ting and I slept 13 hours last night so while time of day isn't an issue for either of us, confusion and dizziness are a HUGE issue for me right now. Pray this will go away soon because I can't walk without leaning over and sometimes nearly falling.
Ting loves her new brother and sister that stayed home, in fact she will have a VERY hard time when biggest sis goes to the Bahamas in a couple months to begin her mission work again. :( She gives her the BIGGEST smile every time she sees her! She chatters up a storm in Chinese and is taking quite a few steps on her own already! I can't wait to see what she can accomplish with some therapy because she is a very independent spirit and I don't think there will be much she won't be able to do someday!! We have been overblessed with the children in our lives and I must say I don't know why I have been so blessed but am so thankful God chose me to be the mom to the best 4 kids in the world!!!!!!!!!
Thank you all so very much for your prayers and support over the last year while we raised the money we needed to complete our adoption. There are not words that can adequately describe how grateful we are! Ting is worth every grey hair, every sleepless night, and every tear that fell while we waited for her. She is the last piece to our puzzle and our family does indeed feel complete! I hope that one of these days really soon I can get to feeling better and can post more of the pictures from China but until then just know how much I appreciate your prayers!!!
After one misadventure then another and well, another we finally made it home safe and sound last night around dinner time.
Ting and I slept 13 hours last night so while time of day isn't an issue for either of us, confusion and dizziness are a HUGE issue for me right now. Pray this will go away soon because I can't walk without leaning over and sometimes nearly falling.
Ting loves her new brother and sister that stayed home, in fact she will have a VERY hard time when biggest sis goes to the Bahamas in a couple months to begin her mission work again. :( She gives her the BIGGEST smile every time she sees her! She chatters up a storm in Chinese and is taking quite a few steps on her own already! I can't wait to see what she can accomplish with some therapy because she is a very independent spirit and I don't think there will be much she won't be able to do someday!! We have been overblessed with the children in our lives and I must say I don't know why I have been so blessed but am so thankful God chose me to be the mom to the best 4 kids in the world!!!!!!!!!
Thank you all so very much for your prayers and support over the last year while we raised the money we needed to complete our adoption. There are not words that can adequately describe how grateful we are! Ting is worth every grey hair, every sleepless night, and every tear that fell while we waited for her. She is the last piece to our puzzle and our family does indeed feel complete! I hope that one of these days really soon I can get to feeling better and can post more of the pictures from China but until then just know how much I appreciate your prayers!!!
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Fell asleep
Yeah so I fell asleep early again last night.
I did want to leave you with one of my new favorite photos and the photo of our family in front of the Consulate right after we had the swearing in ceremony!
I did want to leave you with one of my new favorite photos and the photo of our family in front of the Consulate right after we had the swearing in ceremony!
Monday, August 20, 2012
Consulate appointment
I wish I had more time to post Maybe tonight I can get a few photos up for you. Ting is adjusting much better every day!!!!!!! She is just amazing and so brave.
We had our consulate appointment this morning and it is all official. When she gets off the plane in Chicago in a few days she will be a US citizen just like her sister!!!
We are going to lunch now and to the pearl market later so if I'm not too tired I will be sure to get pictures of our beautiful girl and her amazing smile!!!!!!!!!!!!
We had our consulate appointment this morning and it is all official. When she gets off the plane in Chicago in a few days she will be a US citizen just like her sister!!!
We are going to lunch now and to the pearl market later so if I'm not too tired I will be sure to get pictures of our beautiful girl and her amazing smile!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Last hal
First let me apologize for not posting more. I wish I could say it was because we were having so much fun but adoption is not always sunshine and rainbows. We have some really great moments but we also have some hard ones.
Ting has really bonded with her daddy and doesn't like it one bit when he leaves the room. She is babbling more and more and hopefully someday that will be real words. She did say BABA BABA BABA and he said she said Momma too but I was in another room and couldn't hear it. I tell her Wo Aye Ni and she smiles so big, someone somewhere told her that before. Our guide swears she said it to Steve today too. I'm sticking with that she did say it! LOL
She is not fond at all of EmmaLi and has moments where she loves to be with me and moments when she would rather drink poison I'm afraid. But every day we see more smiles than the day before and I know we'll get there.
Today was the medical exam and TB test. Tomorrow is a free day and to be honest I really need that. When we arrived in GZ I have felt so out of sorts it isn't funny. I'm not sure if it is the change in altitude or what but my brain doesn't seem to be connected to my body anymore. I can stare at an object for 20 minutes and not know what it is. My friend Beth said she is having a hard time too so whatever it is we are both feeling it. We did the paperwork to prepare for our consulate appointment and we were both just frazzled and then all of a sudden it was done and we were like, oh that was easy. LOL
I pay by the minute for internet so I need to sign off. I don't have pictures to post today. I am just too tired to look through them to find something. I just wanted to let everyone know to pray for our emotional and physical health and for Ting's continued adjustment.
Ting has really bonded with her daddy and doesn't like it one bit when he leaves the room. She is babbling more and more and hopefully someday that will be real words. She did say BABA BABA BABA and he said she said Momma too but I was in another room and couldn't hear it. I tell her Wo Aye Ni and she smiles so big, someone somewhere told her that before. Our guide swears she said it to Steve today too. I'm sticking with that she did say it! LOL
She is not fond at all of EmmaLi and has moments where she loves to be with me and moments when she would rather drink poison I'm afraid. But every day we see more smiles than the day before and I know we'll get there.
Today was the medical exam and TB test. Tomorrow is a free day and to be honest I really need that. When we arrived in GZ I have felt so out of sorts it isn't funny. I'm not sure if it is the change in altitude or what but my brain doesn't seem to be connected to my body anymore. I can stare at an object for 20 minutes and not know what it is. My friend Beth said she is having a hard time too so whatever it is we are both feeling it. We did the paperwork to prepare for our consulate appointment and we were both just frazzled and then all of a sudden it was done and we were like, oh that was easy. LOL
I pay by the minute for internet so I need to sign off. I don't have pictures to post today. I am just too tired to look through them to find something. I just wanted to let everyone know to pray for our emotional and physical health and for Ting's continued adjustment.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Not all sunshine and ladybugs
I don't want to scare anyone but I also don't want to paint a picture that isn't true. Adoption is a beautiful thing...for the PARENTS. The children, however prepared or not prepared for the event, it is anything but beautiful!!!
She cries often for her nanny but tonight we got a smile. We take it one minute at a time and adjust often.
She cries often for her nanny but tonight we got a smile. We take it one minute at a time and adjust often.
table for 6
It is official, we have one more branch on our family tree. Miss T is now Aliyah (although we still call her TingTing and probably will forever if she wants us to)
We were worried about today and how she would react going back to the place where her world was torn apart but our guide called ahead and asked that the nannies not be in the room when she got there. I think this helped her little heart.
She does not want to be out of daddy's view and when he and Em tried to go for a walk she screamed the entire hour they were gone. As soon as they walked in she was able to calm down and fall asleep. I should have joined her though because I am exhausted right now.
We caused quite the commotion trying to buy strollers today. The other family and ours both need strollers since neither girl is able to walk on their own (well Ting is said to be able to, but she refuses to let her feet touch the ground) It's hard to carry a child who is not used to being held. The shopkeeper was running up and down the street from store to store to find us a stroller like the one she had in stock. In the end we got a great deal and a really sturdy stroller so it was worth all the fuss!!! I'm hoping she'll wear her new shoes tomorrow too because hers are falling apart and I want to be able to save them for her.
I think that about does it, my brain is still only firing on 1 cylinder so I know I'm forgetting something!
We were worried about today and how she would react going back to the place where her world was torn apart but our guide called ahead and asked that the nannies not be in the room when she got there. I think this helped her little heart.
She does not want to be out of daddy's view and when he and Em tried to go for a walk she screamed the entire hour they were gone. As soon as they walked in she was able to calm down and fall asleep. I should have joined her though because I am exhausted right now.
We caused quite the commotion trying to buy strollers today. The other family and ours both need strollers since neither girl is able to walk on their own (well Ting is said to be able to, but she refuses to let her feet touch the ground) It's hard to carry a child who is not used to being held. The shopkeeper was running up and down the street from store to store to find us a stroller like the one she had in stock. In the end we got a great deal and a really sturdy stroller so it was worth all the fuss!!! I'm hoping she'll wear her new shoes tomorrow too because hers are falling apart and I want to be able to save them for her.
I think that about does it, my brain is still only firing on 1 cylinder so I know I'm forgetting something!
Monday, August 13, 2012
Forever begins now
Sunday, August 12, 2012
IN CHINA
YAHOOOOOO. We are FINALLY here! Our 15 hour flight?...well it was actually 17 hours sitting on the plane. It was BRUTAL, I'm not going to lie. About 8 hours in I lost feeling in all extremities and was eating the seat in front of me. The worst part I think we paid for PE Plus but they had to move Em and I because they had us in the same row but not next to each other and Steve was in a total different row. If I had known that getting that fixed at the counter was going to move us back to the "cheap" seats I would have just begged people on the plane to switch. :( That 5 inches of room doesn't sound like much but let me tell you it is worth it's weight in GOLD if you can get it. I am praying that we can upgrade for the ride home. I don't think I can make it that long in the sardine seats again, especially not with 2 littles!!!
Ok I need to get to bed, it's after midnight and tomorrow is the big day!
till then!
Ok I need to get to bed, it's after midnight and tomorrow is the big day!
till then!
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Hello Everyone! My name is Peggy, and Dawn and her family are friends...well, kind of like family without the formal adoption. LOL
One year ago today we had no idea the next day we would get Travel Approval for our precious daughter, Rachel, from China. We hit a few snags with scheduling due to our daughter's province officials being unavailable, but we eventually made it and we met our daughter on September 19, 2011. It was the most beautiful, exciting, frightening, heartbreaking time of our lives! It's amazing what changes take place in such a short time! We love this little devilish angel and can't imagine life with her!
We are excited to be adding another child to "our family"...Miss T! We can't wait to meet her, but first she must meet her forever family. We'll all be watching and praying for them, and if for some reason Dawn cannot post updates in China, I'll do that for her because if you are anything like me....YOU CAN'T WAIT until they get home! LOL
~~~~ Peggy ~~~~
One year ago today we had no idea the next day we would get Travel Approval for our precious daughter, Rachel, from China. We hit a few snags with scheduling due to our daughter's province officials being unavailable, but we eventually made it and we met our daughter on September 19, 2011. It was the most beautiful, exciting, frightening, heartbreaking time of our lives! It's amazing what changes take place in such a short time! We love this little devilish angel and can't imagine life with her!
 | |
| Rachel ~ September 19, 2011 |
~~~~ Peggy ~~~~
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Leaving soon
Oh my, we are so close now. I really should be packed though, but sadly I'm not even close..Well I lied I am CLOSE but still too far away to be ready to leave.
God worked His miracles again and we were able to get the deposit back into our account after it somehow went into someone else's account. We were also able to get the overdraft fees credited back to us.
WHEW it has been a CRAZY few days. In the end though God prevailed and we were able to buy our tickets, book hotels, and start feeling the excitement that should have been ours from the beginning.
We continue to need your prayers for continued safety, health and travel mercies. Please pray for Miss T as well. She is about to have her world torn away from her and no matter how happy and excited we are, she at only 4 can't really understand what is happening to her. Please remember us often as you find yourself up at odd hours of the night (since it will be day time there).
I do plan to post a few times while in China. I know it will be hard to find time but it is the LEAST I can do to show the world that miracles DO still happen!!
Thank you again, whether you helped financially, or shared our blog with someone, or prayed for us, or just thought "wow, glad it's not me" All of you helped us get where we are, the thoughts, the prayers, they are all just as important as the money is so THANK YOU!!!
Next post....probably from China so stayed tuned!!!
God worked His miracles again and we were able to get the deposit back into our account after it somehow went into someone else's account. We were also able to get the overdraft fees credited back to us.
WHEW it has been a CRAZY few days. In the end though God prevailed and we were able to buy our tickets, book hotels, and start feeling the excitement that should have been ours from the beginning.
We continue to need your prayers for continued safety, health and travel mercies. Please pray for Miss T as well. She is about to have her world torn away from her and no matter how happy and excited we are, she at only 4 can't really understand what is happening to her. Please remember us often as you find yourself up at odd hours of the night (since it will be day time there).
I do plan to post a few times while in China. I know it will be hard to find time but it is the LEAST I can do to show the world that miracles DO still happen!!
Thank you again, whether you helped financially, or shared our blog with someone, or prayed for us, or just thought "wow, glad it's not me" All of you helped us get where we are, the thoughts, the prayers, they are all just as important as the money is so THANK YOU!!!
Next post....probably from China so stayed tuned!!!
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Seriously Satan???
Oh my gosh, seriously??? I do not know what plans the Lord has for Miss T but they must be HUGE. I mean the miracles that the Lord performed to even get us to the point of adopting her have been huge but Satan is not done messing with us. When will he realize that God is going to continue to get all the glory for this adoption and HE WILL WIN YET AGAIN?
This morning I was sitting down to pay regular household bills and needed to see when my husband was last paid so I could know how much I had in the bank and which bills to pay before we go and which to hold until we come home.
I log onto my online banking to see what the last date was and what do I see? A NEGATIVE balance of close to 4 thousand dollars! WHAT????? Yesterday seemed like a miracle because I needed to have a check redeposited as cash instead of the paper check it was originially done as. The paper check wasn't going to clear until Saturday and I needed it by Friday to buy the tickets. The girl did a reversal of the deposit and then registered it as a cash deposit. All was good, my computer showed the update and I was happy. I purchased my tickets for the flight and again I checked online and was a happy girl.
Who knew I should have made a screen copy of those transactions because today there is NO RECORD OF ANY OF IT, not the original deposit, not the reversal, not the cash deposit....NONE OF IT. What it does show however is the charges for the tickets which of coarse we do not have enough money to clear without that deposit.
I called the 800 number because I couldn't find this out at 11:50.....nooooo I find it out at 12:10 when the bank closes at 12:00. The girl at the end of the phone heard me bawling and probably didn't understand half of what I was telling her, but said I have until 4pm to get it straighten out on Monday before that charge goes through so you know I will be on the bank door step at 9am Monday without fail!!!!!!!!!
So again, Satan.........I don't know why you won't move on to another family THIS BABY GIRL IS COMING HOME, and SHE WILL KNOW ALL ABOUT THE LORD WHO GOT HER HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She will hear about Him from day one and every day for the rest of her life so GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please pray this will all be cleared up and not affect our tickets or travel!!!
This morning I was sitting down to pay regular household bills and needed to see when my husband was last paid so I could know how much I had in the bank and which bills to pay before we go and which to hold until we come home.
I log onto my online banking to see what the last date was and what do I see? A NEGATIVE balance of close to 4 thousand dollars! WHAT????? Yesterday seemed like a miracle because I needed to have a check redeposited as cash instead of the paper check it was originially done as. The paper check wasn't going to clear until Saturday and I needed it by Friday to buy the tickets. The girl did a reversal of the deposit and then registered it as a cash deposit. All was good, my computer showed the update and I was happy. I purchased my tickets for the flight and again I checked online and was a happy girl.
Who knew I should have made a screen copy of those transactions because today there is NO RECORD OF ANY OF IT, not the original deposit, not the reversal, not the cash deposit....NONE OF IT. What it does show however is the charges for the tickets which of coarse we do not have enough money to clear without that deposit.
I called the 800 number because I couldn't find this out at 11:50.....nooooo I find it out at 12:10 when the bank closes at 12:00. The girl at the end of the phone heard me bawling and probably didn't understand half of what I was telling her, but said I have until 4pm to get it straighten out on Monday before that charge goes through so you know I will be on the bank door step at 9am Monday without fail!!!!!!!!!
So again, Satan.........I don't know why you won't move on to another family THIS BABY GIRL IS COMING HOME, and SHE WILL KNOW ALL ABOUT THE LORD WHO GOT HER HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She will hear about Him from day one and every day for the rest of her life so GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please pray this will all be cleared up and not affect our tickets or travel!!!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
I should be documenting this
I should have been documenting things as they have been happening because every day, no every hour things change!
I am so blow away by God's provisions for Miss T's adoption. I don't just mean the financial ones either. I mean the little God winks that she was ours all the way down to getting that loan/grant at the last minute. We are also so glad that we will be able to bring Em with us. Her anxiety levels have been off the charts this past week and I don't think she could have handled not going. Even with going things are going to be rough for her for a while. :(
Looks like we will be buying our plane tickets tomorrow and headed to China very soon. I don't plan to blog the entire trip. My goal will be getting to know my new daughter and surviving the heat in Southern China. I do promise to post a photo though for everyone to see once we have her. I will post when I get home for sure (I'll need something to do when jet lag kicks in and I'm up at 2am)
Now it's time to make my lists and shop for necessities! We are going to China!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!!
I am so blow away by God's provisions for Miss T's adoption. I don't just mean the financial ones either. I mean the little God winks that she was ours all the way down to getting that loan/grant at the last minute. We are also so glad that we will be able to bring Em with us. Her anxiety levels have been off the charts this past week and I don't think she could have handled not going. Even with going things are going to be rough for her for a while. :(
Looks like we will be buying our plane tickets tomorrow and headed to China very soon. I don't plan to blog the entire trip. My goal will be getting to know my new daughter and surviving the heat in Southern China. I do promise to post a photo though for everyone to see once we have her. I will post when I get home for sure (I'll need something to do when jet lag kicks in and I'm up at 2am)
Now it's time to make my lists and shop for necessities! We are going to China!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!!
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
THIIIIISSSSS CLOSE
Ok, we are soooo close I can smell jet fuel!!
We were blessed today with a 1,500.00 grant and a loan for 5,000.00 that with another friend who generously offered us a no interest loan for another 2000.00 means we are only about 500.00 short of what I believe will be the final costs to get to China! I am beyond humbled right now!
I will probably call tomorrow and get tickets put on hold that I can purchase on Thursday. OH MY GOODNESS I'm going to CHINA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We are going to be in debt for a long time but Ting is worth it!!!!!!! Heck I think I just paid off Kaitlyn's Csection a few years ago so what's another 18 years. LOL (KIDDING!!)
Wow, I have to pack!!!!!!
We were blessed today with a 1,500.00 grant and a loan for 5,000.00 that with another friend who generously offered us a no interest loan for another 2000.00 means we are only about 500.00 short of what I believe will be the final costs to get to China! I am beyond humbled right now!
I will probably call tomorrow and get tickets put on hold that I can purchase on Thursday. OH MY GOODNESS I'm going to CHINA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We are going to be in debt for a long time but Ting is worth it!!!!!!! Heck I think I just paid off Kaitlyn's Csection a few years ago so what's another 18 years. LOL (KIDDING!!)
Wow, I have to pack!!!!!!
Breathe in breathe out
I have to remind myself to do that, because honestly I can't remember right now.
All day I was worried about whether or not our TA would come. I started seeing so many others get theirs that I started to panic. So finally the call came and of coarse all the anxiety that comes with it. When will we travel? What will it cost? Will we have the money? You know all the usual stuff....Then at 11pm my phone rings and it is my China coordinator and she says we have your Consulate appointment (CA). This is BIG, this is the appointment that guarantees that Miss T will be a US citizen when we land back on US soil. Everything is backed up from there.
Our CA...........AUGUST 21st...........Great right? Well yes, sorta, you see this means we are in a PANIC of trying to figure out last second things because we need to be on a plane by Aug 10th or 11 and Yes I know tomorrow is AUGUST FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BREATHE in BREATHE out........ I'm having heart palpatations, I'm sweating, and just generally FREAKING OUT right about now.
Please say some prayers for us, specifically that we will have the money to travel. That the money will be there when we need it to purchase tickets with at least a 7 day advance so they are not 4K a piece! Pray for my sanity. I am not good under pressure, I tend to go hide in a quiet place and wait for it to pass and I do not have time to do that!!! Pray for Miss T. Her world will be rocked in less then 2 weeks and she won't know what hit her. She does know she has a family but how much can a just turned 4 year old truly understand what that means.???? I know there will be pain in her heart to gain love and that's hard. Pray for Emma as well. This adoption is bringing out a lot of pain and grief for her. She talks about her birth family constantly and I try to listen and help her through it but I am so disconnected right now stressing over THIS adoption I'm not sure if I'm helping her process her own adoption enough. :(
All day I was worried about whether or not our TA would come. I started seeing so many others get theirs that I started to panic. So finally the call came and of coarse all the anxiety that comes with it. When will we travel? What will it cost? Will we have the money? You know all the usual stuff....Then at 11pm my phone rings and it is my China coordinator and she says we have your Consulate appointment (CA). This is BIG, this is the appointment that guarantees that Miss T will be a US citizen when we land back on US soil. Everything is backed up from there.
Our CA...........AUGUST 21st...........Great right? Well yes, sorta, you see this means we are in a PANIC of trying to figure out last second things because we need to be on a plane by Aug 10th or 11 and Yes I know tomorrow is AUGUST FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BREATHE in BREATHE out........ I'm having heart palpatations, I'm sweating, and just generally FREAKING OUT right about now.
Please say some prayers for us, specifically that we will have the money to travel. That the money will be there when we need it to purchase tickets with at least a 7 day advance so they are not 4K a piece! Pray for my sanity. I am not good under pressure, I tend to go hide in a quiet place and wait for it to pass and I do not have time to do that!!! Pray for Miss T. Her world will be rocked in less then 2 weeks and she won't know what hit her. She does know she has a family but how much can a just turned 4 year old truly understand what that means.???? I know there will be pain in her heart to gain love and that's hard. Pray for Emma as well. This adoption is bringing out a lot of pain and grief for her. She talks about her birth family constantly and I try to listen and help her through it but I am so disconnected right now stressing over THIS adoption I'm not sure if I'm helping her process her own adoption enough. :(
Monday, July 30, 2012
TA
It is official, China has invited us to come to pick up our daughter!!! I'm not sure what day we will be leaving but it's official!!!!!!
We are waiting to hear about a grant/loan this week as well, nothing like waiting until the last minute huh? YIKES I can't believe we are at this point and still short.
Another thank you goes out for everyone who has donated to our Chip In to bring Miss T home, right now we are over 2600.00. Praise the Lord!!! Thank you so much!!!
We are waiting to hear about a grant/loan this week as well, nothing like waiting until the last minute huh? YIKES I can't believe we are at this point and still short.
Another thank you goes out for everyone who has donated to our Chip In to bring Miss T home, right now we are over 2600.00. Praise the Lord!!! Thank you so much!!!
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Thank you
Check the bottom of this post often for new skirts as I list them
I want to say thank you to everyone who is helping us to bring home Miss T. I can not even begin to tell you how much each and every dollar has meant to us!!! It looks like our travel approval can come as soon as next week. (there were several travel approvals issued today that were only in process for 7 or 8 days) I do not know what we will do if ours does come that quick. The one thing I do know is that GOD knows how this will end. I have had a hard time the last 24 hours, I will not lie. I have spent a lot of time in just tears!! I have however felt your prayers and have been able to focus on what is important and that is Miss T. We HAVE to do what we can to bring her home and that now includes being "THAT" family, and I am ok with it. I am not proud, I am not happy but I understand that God wants us to be where we are.
That said I have been BUSY today sewing some skirts. I will be offering premade skirts for little girls for 12.00 each with 2.00 shipping for 1 and if you order more than 1 skirt shipping will be 1.00 additional for each skirt.
I have several fabrics that I am using up so once they are gone they are gone and I will not be able to get them back. I need to shout out to Robin Magana of Red Thread Stitches Boutique for the fabric as well as the pattern that I use to make them. Robin sells her pattern here if you are interested in making some of your own skirts.
The first skirt I have is available in a size 4T
The ONLY dress I have left out of this photo is the ice cream/cupcake dress on the end. I will be making more dresses this week and posting photos very soon. Thank you very much for your interest!!
I will be listing skirts as I make them Thank you very much!!!
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Not IF but When
I have finally allowed myself to believe that we WILL be going to China next month. I actually have said WHEN we go to China in a conversation, not IF. I must say that is HUGE for me. I have been so apprehensive to say that, guarding my heart if you will. I have seen though that God has planned this entire adoption from day 1 and I need to just keep trusting HIM and not relying on my own understanding.
Last week we were the featured family in a Making a difference 1.00 at a time campaign. In just one week, we made $1928.00 I am BLOWN AWAY by the generosity of others in helping us bring our daughter home. We also have an application into a private foundation for the opportunity for a grant or loan or both. This would be the answer to so many prayers. Hopefully we will hear from them some time next week. Our Travel Approval should be here this coming week as well (maybe Monday) so we should know our travel days very soon! WOW
PLEASE remember my generous friend has donated some items that she is willing to give away if you donate to our Chip In and leave a comment here. We are so grateful for her generosity!!!!!!!!
Last week we were the featured family in a Making a difference 1.00 at a time campaign. In just one week, we made $1928.00 I am BLOWN AWAY by the generosity of others in helping us bring our daughter home. We also have an application into a private foundation for the opportunity for a grant or loan or both. This would be the answer to so many prayers. Hopefully we will hear from them some time next week. Our Travel Approval should be here this coming week as well (maybe Monday) so we should know our travel days very soon! WOW
PLEASE remember my generous friend has donated some items that she is willing to give away if you donate to our Chip In and leave a comment here. We are so grateful for her generosity!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Angels among us!
I have been so blessed by all the people stepping up to help us bring Miss T home. It truly proves that there ARE angels among us!!!
My friend Sindy nonimated our family for a fundraising campaign called Making a difference 1.00 at a time. It litterally is make a HUGE difference 1.00 at a time. She nominated us just hours before we got the call that we did not get the money we had so hoped for from ABBA fund.
I also have another dear friend who has graciously offered some items for us.
Because I am not the one offering these items please do not put any information in the Chip-in instructions. The Chip-in is designated as for donations only, and if they think I am selling things it will mess up my ability to transfer funds until it gets straighten out. THANK YOU!
The first is a window cling for your car that simply says "Blessed by the miracle of adoption" She has 5 of these and the first 5 people to donate at least 10.00 via our chip in button here on the blog and then leave a message (it won't be published) with your email address will receive one.
Next is an adorable Gymboree-small panda hair clip (never worn) that can be yours for a 10.00 donation (there is only 1 of these so when it's gone it's gone). Please make a donation and then leave a comment here with your email address (again, it will NOT be published)
Next is a beautiful hand made (never worn) multi-loop Tolee hair clip. It can be yours for a donation of 15.00 to our adoption fund (again, only 1 of these)
My friend Sindy nonimated our family for a fundraising campaign called Making a difference 1.00 at a time. It litterally is make a HUGE difference 1.00 at a time. She nominated us just hours before we got the call that we did not get the money we had so hoped for from ABBA fund.
I also have another dear friend who has graciously offered some items for us.
Because I am not the one offering these items please do not put any information in the Chip-in instructions. The Chip-in is designated as for donations only, and if they think I am selling things it will mess up my ability to transfer funds until it gets straighten out. THANK YOU!
The first is a window cling for your car that simply says "Blessed by the miracle of adoption" She has 5 of these and the first 5 people to donate at least 10.00 via our chip in button here on the blog and then leave a message (it won't be published) with your email address will receive one.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Now what?
I have been asking myself that question over and over and over again since last night. We had a plan to pay for the last of our expenses for the adoption. That plan was not to be. I decided we needed to try plan B. I've been stressing for a month now as we waited for the decision of a Christian foundation that does 0% interest loans to families who are also Christian and who are adopting. We found out last night we were denied. The letter says they have more applicants than money to share so they wished us luck, and with that our dreams came crashing down.
Here we are about 4-5 weeks away from when we are supposed to be IN China and we are short the entire amount of money it takes to get there. I never wanted to be one of "those" families. You know the ones who just blindly go into an adoption without a plan. The ones who blast all over the internet because they need thousands of dollars or they can't get their kid. I know ALL the criticizm of those families, I've been there, and I've probably said some of the same things. I then saw my own close friends in situations very similar. I hurt for them, I donated and prayed. Then we started our own adoption without a plan. I stepped out in faith and watched in awe as God provided at each turn. We never had more than enough, we always had just enough exactly when we needed it. When we started this journey my prayers were that if we were not her family that God would shut the door. I prayed and prayed that we would not be one of those families that needed thousands of dollars right before travel but yet here we are.
So what now? Honestly I don't know the answer to that. So many people are trying hard to pick me up and get me to fight the fight. I'm tired though, I'm soo tired, I have fought so hard at each and every step of this and feel like I'm out of fight. I don't think I've given up, I mean we are "this" close to having her home. I do admit though to feeling like this is impossible. We are figuring we need about 10K for us to travel. We do not intend to do any touring, no Beijing first. We originally wanted to take EmmaLi because she has such an anxious attachment, as well as we thought it would help "T" with her adjustment. I would still love to take her, I just don't know how we are going to get there ourselves at this point. I am trying in my head to figure out the least expensive way to do this. One way is obviously to postpone travel until mid to late September. If we have at least a 21 day advance purchase for the tickets that will save us several hundred dollars each ticket. We are still not doing any touring, will pack a suitcase full of Top Ramen and protein bars for meals if that will help. I hope it will. Another thing we are doing is begging. Yup turning into "THAT" family, we are at the mercy of everyone else to do what we started. We are on our knees praying that the Lord can move someone's heart to the point of donating.
Before we knew we were denied for the loan a sweet friend in the adoption community nominated our family for a fundraiser called Making a difference 1 dollar at a time. The idea is to literally ask for 1.00 from as many people as you can. It is run by an adoptive mom who is also weeks away from travel at this point. You can read our story on her blog The total looks great, and it is but that is also starting from where our American Girl doll give away ended. We HAVE however raised close to 400.00 in less than 12 hours. If we can keep up that pace we will be able to start breathing again. Our family will only be featured for 1 week so PLEASE share our blog as well as Angela's blog with as many people as you can. If you can not give a dollar to our family, please become a follower of her blog and maybe you can help another family at another time. We truly will be getting to China on the generosity of others and the grace of our Lord!!!!
Lastly THIS is who we are fighting for. This is the latest photo we have of Miss T. We would love nothing more than to have her be the youngest of our clan!!!
Here we are about 4-5 weeks away from when we are supposed to be IN China and we are short the entire amount of money it takes to get there. I never wanted to be one of "those" families. You know the ones who just blindly go into an adoption without a plan. The ones who blast all over the internet because they need thousands of dollars or they can't get their kid. I know ALL the criticizm of those families, I've been there, and I've probably said some of the same things. I then saw my own close friends in situations very similar. I hurt for them, I donated and prayed. Then we started our own adoption without a plan. I stepped out in faith and watched in awe as God provided at each turn. We never had more than enough, we always had just enough exactly when we needed it. When we started this journey my prayers were that if we were not her family that God would shut the door. I prayed and prayed that we would not be one of those families that needed thousands of dollars right before travel but yet here we are.
So what now? Honestly I don't know the answer to that. So many people are trying hard to pick me up and get me to fight the fight. I'm tired though, I'm soo tired, I have fought so hard at each and every step of this and feel like I'm out of fight. I don't think I've given up, I mean we are "this" close to having her home. I do admit though to feeling like this is impossible. We are figuring we need about 10K for us to travel. We do not intend to do any touring, no Beijing first. We originally wanted to take EmmaLi because she has such an anxious attachment, as well as we thought it would help "T" with her adjustment. I would still love to take her, I just don't know how we are going to get there ourselves at this point. I am trying in my head to figure out the least expensive way to do this. One way is obviously to postpone travel until mid to late September. If we have at least a 21 day advance purchase for the tickets that will save us several hundred dollars each ticket. We are still not doing any touring, will pack a suitcase full of Top Ramen and protein bars for meals if that will help. I hope it will. Another thing we are doing is begging. Yup turning into "THAT" family, we are at the mercy of everyone else to do what we started. We are on our knees praying that the Lord can move someone's heart to the point of donating.
Before we knew we were denied for the loan a sweet friend in the adoption community nominated our family for a fundraiser called Making a difference 1 dollar at a time. The idea is to literally ask for 1.00 from as many people as you can. It is run by an adoptive mom who is also weeks away from travel at this point. You can read our story on her blog The total looks great, and it is but that is also starting from where our American Girl doll give away ended. We HAVE however raised close to 400.00 in less than 12 hours. If we can keep up that pace we will be able to start breathing again. Our family will only be featured for 1 week so PLEASE share our blog as well as Angela's blog with as many people as you can. If you can not give a dollar to our family, please become a follower of her blog and maybe you can help another family at another time. We truly will be getting to China on the generosity of others and the grace of our Lord!!!!
Lastly THIS is who we are fighting for. This is the latest photo we have of Miss T. We would love nothing more than to have her be the youngest of our clan!!!
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
New day, new hope
I want to thank everyone for the kind words and prayers! Please keep them coming. I am really struggling with all of the unknowns right now. It seems we are so close but yet so far in so many ways.
Just to update everyone, I decided to re-plead my case to our pastor about the reference letter. It seems he didn't really go through my first note very clearly and without having seen the questionnaire himself he didn't feel like it was something the church could or should do. When he got the paper and read it and read that I do NOT want him to agree to take on the debt if we default but that he would encourage us to repay it by holding us accountable...not for them to be responsible.....he agreed to sign the letter.
Sooooo, we are applying to them tomorrow, (it took longer than I thought to fill out so I won't make the mail today) and pray that they have funds to loan us. It is just nice to have an option right now. Just days before things were looking like we'd hit a brick wall and now things are starting to settle and feel right again.
Our I800 application is all safe and sound at the TX lock-box and should be forwarded on to our immigration officer within the next few days. Once we have that approval we will go on to request a VISA for her to come into the US on and once we get that we'll be invited by China to come pick her up. That invitation is what our agency will use to contact the Consulate in China and set up the swearing in ceremony and we can pick up her Chinese passport with her visa sticker in it. So there are still a few more steps involved but these all have more predictable timelines. Looks like a few weeks between each step so I have a little time to breath and find something new to sew and earn some more money!!!!
I am working on a 100 good wishes quilt and for my first quilt I must say I'm pleased with how it's looking so far. I need a lot more squares though but here is what I've gotten together so far.
hmmm ok, not sure where the green lines are coming from but I'm not going to worry about it today. You get the idea of what the pattern I'm going for is. I want to make another block just like this one and then use rectangles along the edges of the rest of the fabrics I will use. It should be very close to twin sized at that point. I don't know how to do the backing and quilting yet but I'll figure that out when I get there I guess!
Again, thanks for the prayers and please keep them coming. We are not out of the woods yet financially and we are closing in on a deadline!!!
Just to update everyone, I decided to re-plead my case to our pastor about the reference letter. It seems he didn't really go through my first note very clearly and without having seen the questionnaire himself he didn't feel like it was something the church could or should do. When he got the paper and read it and read that I do NOT want him to agree to take on the debt if we default but that he would encourage us to repay it by holding us accountable...not for them to be responsible.....he agreed to sign the letter.
Sooooo, we are applying to them tomorrow, (it took longer than I thought to fill out so I won't make the mail today) and pray that they have funds to loan us. It is just nice to have an option right now. Just days before things were looking like we'd hit a brick wall and now things are starting to settle and feel right again.
Our I800 application is all safe and sound at the TX lock-box and should be forwarded on to our immigration officer within the next few days. Once we have that approval we will go on to request a VISA for her to come into the US on and once we get that we'll be invited by China to come pick her up. That invitation is what our agency will use to contact the Consulate in China and set up the swearing in ceremony and we can pick up her Chinese passport with her visa sticker in it. So there are still a few more steps involved but these all have more predictable timelines. Looks like a few weeks between each step so I have a little time to breath and find something new to sew and earn some more money!!!!
I am working on a 100 good wishes quilt and for my first quilt I must say I'm pleased with how it's looking so far. I need a lot more squares though but here is what I've gotten together so far.
Again, thanks for the prayers and please keep them coming. We are not out of the woods yet financially and we are closing in on a deadline!!!
Sunday, June 10, 2012
My mind is spinning
I don't even know where to start. I guess I'll start with the news that our letter seeking confirmation, or letter of acceptance, or what ever you want to call it has arrived! We have been officially approved by China to adopt little T! I am still in a state of shock, I mean with so many things going wrong at so many of the steps along the way I was never really sure we'd get this far.
Our LOA/LSC arrived at our agency on 6/5 and arrived at our house on 6/6 In the Fed Ex envelope was all the important papers we needed to formally accept T's file and get started on the immigration portion of the adoption.....Or were they?
Of coarse I went over everything with a fine tooth comb and realized very quickly that the very same mistake that probably kept T from finding a family sooner was never fixed. That is that the English translation of her file was for another child. A child with a VERY serious possibly fatal disease. I was able to get a copy of the true translation for Ts file in March of last year so I knew it was available "somewhere". When I talked to our agency in August of last year to see if they would ask for the waivers we needed they went ahead and sent me her file so I could make sure I wanted to adopt her. (LOL) Well the file they sent me was wrong....still, which meant anyone else seeing her file was going to be getting that wrong information from them too. I ended up sending the agency the correct file. Now here we are 10 months after that and when I needed them to send me the file to send to USCIS it was STILL WRONG! This could have caused a ton of issues for our I800 approval but thankfully I still have the original file here and printed out a new one to send.
Then came the money part. I was thinking I had more money in the bank then I did (don't we always) and the letter from my agency said we owed 5900 that day. YIKES I don't have that! I went back and forth with them figuring out how to get that paid and found out we didn't owe 5900 that day we owed SIX THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED....yup another thousand more. (they require a deposit of 1000.00 if you do not prepay all your post placement visits before you receive your child...we prepay them but only when the first one happens 2 weeks after we come home, so we have to pay another 1500.00 then and won't see the other 1000.00 for 5 years when post placement visits are done) Thank the Lord that we had 1000.00 left from our JSC grant, they requested the 4000.00 from Show Hope and I managed to scrape together the 1900.00 that was left. (not sure if I'll be eating anything for the next month or so but I got it out)
I should be excited right? I should be planning what to take to China, what to wear, all those fun things right? Instead I'm sitting here near panic again over the 10-12,000 we still need to be able to travel and the only 8 weeks or so to come up with it. Our original plan to borrow from his 401K was shot flat (they do not do loans from them) The second was to ask for an adoption loan from The ABBA fund which is no interest. Our pastor will not sign the letter without seeking permission from the entire congregation. I don't have time for that, it takes them (ABBA fund) up to 6 weeks to decide and who knows how long it will take this to come before the congregation, I need to pay for travel in 8 weeks if I expect to leave in about 10. I am only seeing the impossible right now. I mean, yeah God is in the impossible business but what does that look like? Where do we go from here? How does 10-12,000.00 just show up? I mean it's not like a stranger is just going to walk up to me and say, hey you look like you can use 12K so here you go. We don't have great credit so I'm not sure if we qualify for a "regular" adoption loan. We don't own a home so we can't get a line of credit that way. I don't know what we are going to do. Our last 2 fund raisers made less then 1000.00 total for 2 of them. I need a better idea AND FAST.
Please, PLEASE be in prayer for us. I always questioned how someone could go into an adoption so unprepared. I always wondered what happened if people didn't get the money they need. I certainly never imagined I would BE one of those people. I feel so horrible right now, what if we can't do this? What happens to little T if that last amount of money doesn't come in? I can't even let my brain go there because it's too scary but I have to. I have used up plan A, B, C and I don't yet have a plan D. If anyone has any ideas for BIG fundraisers, (I do appreciate offers for a sales party here or there but 40-50 after getting my friends on the hook to buy something they don't need isn't going to work at this late in the game.) I need them. If anyone knows of someone with an extra 10-12K just laying around who would love to donate it to our agency in our name (so they get the tax write off) let me know and I'll get our agency's name out to them. :D Other than that, just pray for a miracle, because that is exactly what it is going to take at this point.
Of coarse I went over everything with a fine tooth comb and realized very quickly that the very same mistake that probably kept T from finding a family sooner was never fixed. That is that the English translation of her file was for another child. A child with a VERY serious possibly fatal disease. I was able to get a copy of the true translation for Ts file in March of last year so I knew it was available "somewhere". When I talked to our agency in August of last year to see if they would ask for the waivers we needed they went ahead and sent me her file so I could make sure I wanted to adopt her. (LOL) Well the file they sent me was wrong....still, which meant anyone else seeing her file was going to be getting that wrong information from them too. I ended up sending the agency the correct file. Now here we are 10 months after that and when I needed them to send me the file to send to USCIS it was STILL WRONG! This could have caused a ton of issues for our I800 approval but thankfully I still have the original file here and printed out a new one to send.
Then came the money part. I was thinking I had more money in the bank then I did (don't we always) and the letter from my agency said we owed 5900 that day. YIKES I don't have that! I went back and forth with them figuring out how to get that paid and found out we didn't owe 5900 that day we owed SIX THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED....yup another thousand more. (they require a deposit of 1000.00 if you do not prepay all your post placement visits before you receive your child...we prepay them but only when the first one happens 2 weeks after we come home, so we have to pay another 1500.00 then and won't see the other 1000.00 for 5 years when post placement visits are done) Thank the Lord that we had 1000.00 left from our JSC grant, they requested the 4000.00 from Show Hope and I managed to scrape together the 1900.00 that was left. (not sure if I'll be eating anything for the next month or so but I got it out)
I should be excited right? I should be planning what to take to China, what to wear, all those fun things right? Instead I'm sitting here near panic again over the 10-12,000 we still need to be able to travel and the only 8 weeks or so to come up with it. Our original plan to borrow from his 401K was shot flat (they do not do loans from them) The second was to ask for an adoption loan from The ABBA fund which is no interest. Our pastor will not sign the letter without seeking permission from the entire congregation. I don't have time for that, it takes them (ABBA fund) up to 6 weeks to decide and who knows how long it will take this to come before the congregation, I need to pay for travel in 8 weeks if I expect to leave in about 10. I am only seeing the impossible right now. I mean, yeah God is in the impossible business but what does that look like? Where do we go from here? How does 10-12,000.00 just show up? I mean it's not like a stranger is just going to walk up to me and say, hey you look like you can use 12K so here you go. We don't have great credit so I'm not sure if we qualify for a "regular" adoption loan. We don't own a home so we can't get a line of credit that way. I don't know what we are going to do. Our last 2 fund raisers made less then 1000.00 total for 2 of them. I need a better idea AND FAST.
Please, PLEASE be in prayer for us. I always questioned how someone could go into an adoption so unprepared. I always wondered what happened if people didn't get the money they need. I certainly never imagined I would BE one of those people. I feel so horrible right now, what if we can't do this? What happens to little T if that last amount of money doesn't come in? I can't even let my brain go there because it's too scary but I have to. I have used up plan A, B, C and I don't yet have a plan D. If anyone has any ideas for BIG fundraisers, (I do appreciate offers for a sales party here or there but 40-50 after getting my friends on the hook to buy something they don't need isn't going to work at this late in the game.) I need them. If anyone knows of someone with an extra 10-12K just laying around who would love to donate it to our agency in our name (so they get the tax write off) let me know and I'll get our agency's name out to them. :D Other than that, just pray for a miracle, because that is exactly what it is going to take at this point.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
God is good
God is good ALL THE TIME....even when I am not trusting in Him like I should.
First let me start by saying even though no one specifically posted here, THANK YOU for your prayers. I know you are praying because I can feel it! My heart is not gripped with fear but with excitement and that can only come from the Lord.
Secondly, as I have said before God has provided for our journey only when we have needed it and only as much as we have needed. Never early, never late, never not enough and never too much (although I would love to try out that early and too much part some day) Just as He has done up until this point, He showed me again, that He is in charge of this journey to little T. We received a letter yesterday saying that we were awarded a FOUR THOUSAND dollar grant from Show Hope. My heart is beyond overflowing with gratitude. You see, again, that is the exact amount we needed to pay the next fee when our LOA arrives. My guess is that our LOA must not be too far away if He sent the money for it. Saturday is our car wash which will now officially be the beginning of our travel fee funds. It is all we will be needing to complete this adoption and after the LOA comes we will only have about 3 months to raise it. I know I will again go to that dark place, I know there will be times of stress and worry that money will not be there.....but that is where I need you! I need you to be in constant prayer for my heart to hear what the Lord is saying...and that is "Don't worry, I've got this" Sadly though being a human means I tend to listen to evil saying "you better worry, you are not good enough for this" SIGH
So this post was to give credit where credit is due, THANK YOU LORD for yet again providing the funds and especially the love for me and for little T that it takes to bring her home!!! THANK YOU friends for praying me through this! I am getting very excited and definitely plugging back into this adoption!!!
First let me start by saying even though no one specifically posted here, THANK YOU for your prayers. I know you are praying because I can feel it! My heart is not gripped with fear but with excitement and that can only come from the Lord.
Secondly, as I have said before God has provided for our journey only when we have needed it and only as much as we have needed. Never early, never late, never not enough and never too much (although I would love to try out that early and too much part some day) Just as He has done up until this point, He showed me again, that He is in charge of this journey to little T. We received a letter yesterday saying that we were awarded a FOUR THOUSAND dollar grant from Show Hope. My heart is beyond overflowing with gratitude. You see, again, that is the exact amount we needed to pay the next fee when our LOA arrives. My guess is that our LOA must not be too far away if He sent the money for it. Saturday is our car wash which will now officially be the beginning of our travel fee funds. It is all we will be needing to complete this adoption and after the LOA comes we will only have about 3 months to raise it. I know I will again go to that dark place, I know there will be times of stress and worry that money will not be there.....but that is where I need you! I need you to be in constant prayer for my heart to hear what the Lord is saying...and that is "Don't worry, I've got this" Sadly though being a human means I tend to listen to evil saying "you better worry, you are not good enough for this" SIGH
So this post was to give credit where credit is due, THANK YOU LORD for yet again providing the funds and especially the love for me and for little T that it takes to bring her home!!! THANK YOU friends for praying me through this! I am getting very excited and definitely plugging back into this adoption!!!
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Fear
I know that fear is not from the Lord. I know that He placed little T on my heart last February for a reason. I know that He has shown up time and time again to confirm that we are to bring her home. I must admit though I am SCARED, soooo scared!
First I am scared that China might still say no. I have only heard of 1 other family not getting their "letter seeking confirmation" from China granting final approval for a family to adopt a specific child. That family had a mom with MS...yeah scary stuff. China however did not see any mention of it in the LOI (letter requesting permission to adopt the child). The family did go back and fight for the right to adopt this child and was able to bring him home. It is still scary though since I have MS.
Second I'm scared that this wait to find out will go on for several more months and if it does we will be looking at the October Trade fair throwing MAJOR increases in airfare and hotels. If that happens we will have to postpone our trip until November. I can't imagine having to wait that long to bring her home.
Third, and this one is HUGE. I'm scared we won't have the money we need to bring her home! I stepped out in faith with this adoption, I swore that I would not fundraise to bring a child home, and it was for just this reason. What if, what happens if we don't raise the money we need? I can't even go there! We are getting ready to look at loan options but I don't know that we will qualify for much and that is scary. I have always looked at others and thought, how can you just "step out" and expect the money to be there? So far, every single penny we've needed HAS been there...the only problem is we are running out of options and time. We still need all of our travel money and I know I am under estimating when I say that is 10K...it might be more like 17K How in the world does money like that just show up? I am still sewing, but things aren't selling. We had a garage sale, worked like crazy and made 250.00. That's not bad and it was more then we had when we woke up but let's face it, that won't pay for much. :( We are holding a car wash next weekend so maybe that can bring in some much needed funds. There is still one more grant application that we have out and 1 more I want to apply to.
Fourth, I am scared that since I am trying to detach myself the process so I don't go into a deep dark depression over all of these things, I am scared that I am detaching from little T herself.
All this is to say, please pray for us. Pray that we will get our final permission to adopt little T, please pray it comes soon. Please pray that the money will be there for us to travel and complete her adoption and pray that I can be plugged back in so that I can attach to her as well as her attaching to me. Thank you so much!
First I am scared that China might still say no. I have only heard of 1 other family not getting their "letter seeking confirmation" from China granting final approval for a family to adopt a specific child. That family had a mom with MS...yeah scary stuff. China however did not see any mention of it in the LOI (letter requesting permission to adopt the child). The family did go back and fight for the right to adopt this child and was able to bring him home. It is still scary though since I have MS.
Second I'm scared that this wait to find out will go on for several more months and if it does we will be looking at the October Trade fair throwing MAJOR increases in airfare and hotels. If that happens we will have to postpone our trip until November. I can't imagine having to wait that long to bring her home.
Third, and this one is HUGE. I'm scared we won't have the money we need to bring her home! I stepped out in faith with this adoption, I swore that I would not fundraise to bring a child home, and it was for just this reason. What if, what happens if we don't raise the money we need? I can't even go there! We are getting ready to look at loan options but I don't know that we will qualify for much and that is scary. I have always looked at others and thought, how can you just "step out" and expect the money to be there? So far, every single penny we've needed HAS been there...the only problem is we are running out of options and time. We still need all of our travel money and I know I am under estimating when I say that is 10K...it might be more like 17K How in the world does money like that just show up? I am still sewing, but things aren't selling. We had a garage sale, worked like crazy and made 250.00. That's not bad and it was more then we had when we woke up but let's face it, that won't pay for much. :( We are holding a car wash next weekend so maybe that can bring in some much needed funds. There is still one more grant application that we have out and 1 more I want to apply to.
Fourth, I am scared that since I am trying to detach myself the process so I don't go into a deep dark depression over all of these things, I am scared that I am detaching from little T herself.
All this is to say, please pray for us. Pray that we will get our final permission to adopt little T, please pray it comes soon. Please pray that the money will be there for us to travel and complete her adoption and pray that I can be plugged back in so that I can attach to her as well as her attaching to me. Thank you so much!
Saturday, April 7, 2012
The coolest cookies EVER
So we were invited to a friend's house for an Easter/birthday party for her little one who is going to turn 5. The theme is M&Ms and I found these cookies and offered to make some for the party. Well I just HAVE to share because they are sooooo cute!!!
I did not come up with this idea, I saw it on Pinterest...well what haven't I seen on Pinterest. LOL The difference was we (well KAITLYN) took mini M&Ms and separated them by color and mixed them into the dough.
You can use your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe and after you have it all mixed up, separate into as many batches as you want, add drops of food coloring gel (more intense color) then mix it in by hand (gloves are a good idea here) then hand mix in the M&Ms
You can see the original blog here She also swirled them together without chips for an awesome rainbow effect.
I did not come up with this idea, I saw it on Pinterest...well what haven't I seen on Pinterest. LOL The difference was we (well KAITLYN) took mini M&Ms and separated them by color and mixed them into the dough.
You can use your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe and after you have it all mixed up, separate into as many batches as you want, add drops of food coloring gel (more intense color) then mix it in by hand (gloves are a good idea here) then hand mix in the M&Ms
You can see the original blog here She also swirled them together without chips for an awesome rainbow effect.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Who I am sewing for
Our agency does not allow us to share the photos of our children online in public forums and such. This makes me so sad because I am sooo in love with her little face and want to share it with the world. It also makes it hard for strangers who just stumble across our blog to trust that there is a little one waiting for us and that we are not just some scam artists looking to make a buck. :( I have a photo that I was using in places that is not her entire face but I think it is enough to get the idea of what she might look like. :) I can tell you this, she is in Southern China and is 3 years old but will turn 4 before we travel. She was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and entered the SWI at approximately 8 months old unable to sit, crawl or even hold her head up. In the time she has been there though she has made great strides. We do not expect a perfect child when we travel, nope, far from it. In fact, I was expecting a child with more disabilities then I think she may have, if our update from last November is correct. I was looking at wheelchair or a walker at the very least, and now it is said she is walking on her own. I think our 7, almost 8 year, old will be in for a surprise at how much her little sister can get into too. No matter what her level of ABILITY is we are in LOVE and are prepared to help her be the best little person she can be. If all she amounts to is a lump on the couch she will be the best, cutest little lump there ever was...I have a feeling though she will be a lot more than that!!!!!
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Spring skirt sets
Please excuse the dust.....new fabric arriving soon
In the mean time please check out our newest fundraiser and win a doll for that special little lady in your life!
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Some new to me things
I was so blessed last week to receive some great items to sell to help us bring our precious little one home from China!
If you would like to purchase any of these items please leave me a comment after this post and let me know the email address you'd like for me to send the paypal invoice to.
Thank you very much for all your help in making our dream of adopting this precious baby girl come true!!!!
This next set is just STUNNING in person. It is a black background with Asian combs all over it. It has a bright and cheery accent trim and has a matching doll dress as well as an adjustable headband and matching doll and girl bracelets. This outfit has NEVER been worn and is outstanding in it's craftsmanship!!! The person who donated it won it in an auction and paid 65.00 for the set. I am going to ask for offers on this one Please be generous because as with all the items for sale the profits are to bring home our little one. This outfit was made by Robin at http://www.redthreadstitches.com/
I also have some crafts for sale that were donated to me as well. The purse has sold thank you!
This is a set of a photo album and frame that fit 4x6 photos and is decoupaged with the same red (almost burgundy) fabric with the gold Chinese symbols on it. They are trimmed with a matching ribbon that says Family on it! I am asking 10.00 for the set with 4.00 shipping. This was made by Diana at http://freestylemama.blogspot.com/
This decoupaged photo album has 3-D flower accents on the front and is so cute with the little lady bugs. It holds 4x6 photos and I am asking 8.00 plus 3.00 shipping for this one. This was made by Diana at http://freestylemama.blogspot.com/
This is a simple pink canvas covered photo album that holds 4x6 photos but has room for some journalling along side the photos. I am asking 7.00 plus 3.00 shipping for this one.
I really wish I had a better camera to photograph these because I can not begin to tell you how beautiful they are in person!!!!!! They are tiny glass beads that are accented with sweet charms. Each necklace measures approximately 15.00 in length so they are designed for a child's neck! I am asking 15.00 each with 2.50 shipping. These necklaces were made and donated by my dear friend Jan!
Again these are just STUNNING in person. They are a coral color, not red, not orange but a true coral color and I LOVE them! This one measures approximately 16" in length so it is designed for an adult but could also be used for a child. The detail on the chain is so amazing!
Thank you again so much for considering purchasing one or more items to help us bring our princess home! I will happily combine shipping if someone wants to purchase multiple items.
I do have the coffee cozies available still and wanted to mention that they work just as well on frozen coffee and Dairy Queen type cups to keep your hands from freezing while you enjoy those summer beverages!!!
If you would like to purchase any of these items please leave me a comment after this post and let me know the email address you'd like for me to send the paypal invoice to.
Thank you very much for all your help in making our dream of adopting this precious baby girl come true!!!!
I really wish I had a better camera to photograph these because I can not begin to tell you how beautiful they are in person!!!!!! They are tiny glass beads that are accented with sweet charms. Each necklace measures approximately 15.00 in length so they are designed for a child's neck! I am asking 15.00 each with 2.50 shipping. These necklaces were made and donated by my dear friend Jan!
Thank you again so much for considering purchasing one or more items to help us bring our princess home! I will happily combine shipping if someone wants to purchase multiple items.
I do have the coffee cozies available still and wanted to mention that they work just as well on frozen coffee and Dairy Queen type cups to keep your hands from freezing while you enjoy those summer beverages!!!
Monday, March 5, 2012
FINALLY
WHEW, thank you for hanging in there with me.
We are finally DTC and should even be logged into China this week! YAHOO I still have to pinch myself to believe this is not just some dream. We REALLY are going to China, we REALLY DO have a daughter who is 3 years old and is waiting for us! Thank you Lord for all the provisions so far!!
Since the title of the blog is "stitching my way to another daughter from China", it's about time I added my latest project! I have been blessed to receive a gift from a good friend that is very similar to what I was making so I have twice the items to sell! Thank you so much Michele!!!
Some Chinese fabrics...Top is red black and blue firecrackers, center is blue with lanterns, the bottom is a pretty black, red and cream Chinese fabric with cranes, and characters.
These are paisley prints
Just plain whimsical fabrics
These are coffee cuffs they are double felt layered non adjustable cuffs to keep you hands warm but not hot when you slide it over your coffee cup.
The cozies are layered with the same insulating material as a pot holder and will keep the chill off of the iced drinks as well as keep you from being scorched with a hot cup of coffee.
Each cozy and cuff are 10.00 each with all shipping charges included. These are all hand made with love for a little girl a half a world away. There will be crooked seams, there will be missed stitches, there might even be extra threads hanging off the sides. If you are looking for perfection you won't find it here but if you want to help us bring home our sweet daughter from China and help the environment as well (because who needs all those little cardboard cozies we throw away all the time in the landfill) They will fit over any mug without a handle. The cuffs do not go as high as the cozies, and the cozies are adjustable with Velcro to fit either high or low on the mug.
I hope you enjoy them, I have plenty of more fabric to make more if needed so please pass around the blog address and if you'd like to order just leave me a message with the fabric you want and the email address I can send your PayPal invoice to in a comment (which will not be published).
Thank you so much!!!!
We are finally DTC and should even be logged into China this week! YAHOO I still have to pinch myself to believe this is not just some dream. We REALLY are going to China, we REALLY DO have a daughter who is 3 years old and is waiting for us! Thank you Lord for all the provisions so far!!
Since the title of the blog is "stitching my way to another daughter from China", it's about time I added my latest project! I have been blessed to receive a gift from a good friend that is very similar to what I was making so I have twice the items to sell! Thank you so much Michele!!!
Each cozy and cuff are 10.00 each with all shipping charges included. These are all hand made with love for a little girl a half a world away. There will be crooked seams, there will be missed stitches, there might even be extra threads hanging off the sides. If you are looking for perfection you won't find it here but if you want to help us bring home our sweet daughter from China and help the environment as well (because who needs all those little cardboard cozies we throw away all the time in the landfill) They will fit over any mug without a handle. The cuffs do not go as high as the cozies, and the cozies are adjustable with Velcro to fit either high or low on the mug.
I hope you enjoy them, I have plenty of more fabric to make more if needed so please pass around the blog address and if you'd like to order just leave me a message with the fabric you want and the email address I can send your PayPal invoice to in a comment (which will not be published).
Thank you so much!!!!
Saturday, February 25, 2012
I may not be a rockstar
Well I didn't get the things posted on here that I wanted BUT I did post some amazing earrings that were donated to me to sell on Facebook and they sold out within 24 hours. That helped push our seedling grant total to nearly the last dollar we needed to qualify for it. WHOOO HOOO. I think we have enough now, I need to double check with them on Monday but wow, that is just so amazing to me!!!!!!!!!!!
I WILL be posting the new, fun, and exciting, things next week. now that I will be home to make sure I keep track of who is buying what and shipping them out in a timely maner. But for now I leave you with this...............the picture I took Thursday night....our completed dossier just before I put it in an envelope to mail off to our agency. They need to triple check it and make sure everything is right and off to China it goes. WOW!!!
I WILL be posting the new, fun, and exciting, things next week. now that I will be home to make sure I keep track of who is buying what and shipping them out in a timely maner. But for now I leave you with this...............the picture I took Thursday night....our completed dossier just before I put it in an envelope to mail off to our agency. They need to triple check it and make sure everything is right and off to China it goes. WOW!!!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
And so we wait
Wow, by the time we travel to China for our little one I will be an expert at waiting!!! We seem to hit a snag at every step and have to wait for this, that, or another thing before we can move on to the next step. SIGH
At this point we are finished with our home study. We made it through our state review, and submitted our I800a application. We received a RFE (request for evidence) from USCIS/NBC and have been fingerprinted. We are now just waiting to see if our home study addendum has arrived on our assigned officer's desk and that our prints are in the system so we can get that all important approval and be able to be DTC (dossier to China) before the end of the month. I am seeing days being ticked off the calendar though and starting to think that might not be possible. So I guess I will just wait some more and hope for the best.
I have some exciting things to offer for sale but need to find the time to get it all photographed and posted. I have received some AMAZING donations of items as well so keep watching, if I can get to it tomorrow I'll consider myself a rock star. LOL (I have so much going on these past few days that if I get this done by then it will prove I can do it all)
So please hang in there and wait, while I wait. :)
At this point we are finished with our home study. We made it through our state review, and submitted our I800a application. We received a RFE (request for evidence) from USCIS/NBC and have been fingerprinted. We are now just waiting to see if our home study addendum has arrived on our assigned officer's desk and that our prints are in the system so we can get that all important approval and be able to be DTC (dossier to China) before the end of the month. I am seeing days being ticked off the calendar though and starting to think that might not be possible. So I guess I will just wait some more and hope for the best.
I have some exciting things to offer for sale but need to find the time to get it all photographed and posted. I have received some AMAZING donations of items as well so keep watching, if I can get to it tomorrow I'll consider myself a rock star. LOL (I have so much going on these past few days that if I get this done by then it will prove I can do it all)
So please hang in there and wait, while I wait. :)
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Afraid to start again
I am really scared to start this again. I had such a scary encounter the last time I made a blog to help bring our daughter home. Fundraising is not for the faint of heart. I am more than fundraising though. I am asking for help in the costs involved in bringing home a child from China. Raising her, paying for her therapies, food, dance class, all of those things will be fine and covered by my husband's job. Getting 30,000.00 together in less than a year to pay for bringing her home...that takes a village. I am trying to do more than just ask for donations. I appreciate each and every dollar that has been donated to us and will continue to accept them don't worry! ;) I do however feel I need to "work" to earn that money as well.
I started out making doll dresses that fit 18" dolls and WOW the response to that was HUGE. I then moved to matching doll skirts and skirts for the little girls in your life. Again, God has blessed me BIG TIME. I am hoping that this new sewing project is just as successful. We have a LONG way to go and a short time to get there (yeah who else is singing that 70's song now? You're welcome) I will still be offering the doll dresses and skirt sets when I find material that just speaks to me but for now I'm working on something that EVERYONE can use. I'm guessing not many guys will want them but hey you never know, if I find the right fabric I might get lucky right?
You will have to wait just a little bit longer but I wanted to get the blog up and running and get the ones in from a friend who has something similar to donate. But I promise it will be worth the wait!
Now I "stole" this from a friend off Facebook. I think it really speaks to what we are doing trying to bring home another daughter when financially we were not even close to being ready to do so!!!!
I started out making doll dresses that fit 18" dolls and WOW the response to that was HUGE. I then moved to matching doll skirts and skirts for the little girls in your life. Again, God has blessed me BIG TIME. I am hoping that this new sewing project is just as successful. We have a LONG way to go and a short time to get there (yeah who else is singing that 70's song now? You're welcome) I will still be offering the doll dresses and skirt sets when I find material that just speaks to me but for now I'm working on something that EVERYONE can use. I'm guessing not many guys will want them but hey you never know, if I find the right fabric I might get lucky right?
You will have to wait just a little bit longer but I wanted to get the blog up and running and get the ones in from a friend who has something similar to donate. But I promise it will be worth the wait!
Now I "stole" this from a friend off Facebook. I think it really speaks to what we are doing trying to bring home another daughter when financially we were not even close to being ready to do so!!!!
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