Cha Cha Change!

We are making some changes! Nothing too crazy, I promise. First, we have decided to extend the end date of the Vera Bradley Fundraiser. It was supposed to end tomorrow, but givn the fact that we haven't even raised half of what we need, we felt we should keep trying. I have relisted all the details below regarding the fundraiser. ALL the money raised will be going to pay for the orphanage donation.

As of today we are on day 51 of our LOA wait. We truely have no idea how much longer it could take. Originally we were told that once we were DTC, things would mroe than likely be much faster since we were reusing our dossier from Jaxon and Drew, but so far, NOTHING has been any faster.

I will admit as much as I want to see an e-mail letting us know our LOA has arrived, there are days when I am hesitant to check my e-mail for fear that it will be there. Don't get me wrong, we want Keliah home as soon as possible. We cannot wait to get her home and make her a part of our family. But, the reality is that we just don't have the money. To be honest, if we got a call today saying we could leave tomorrow to get her, we would have to say "no." I get so stressed out when I think about it, and am constantly reminding myself that God has shown us more than one time that we are on the right path, and that I just need to let go and let Him remain in control. But it is SOOOOOO hard.

So, if you cant' help out monetarily with the fundraiser, we completely understand. But if you can spread the word, that would be just as awesome! I know this can be done, I have seen time and time again. I know in the end, He will provide, and I just keep telling myself to be patient.

This adoption has been by far the most difficult, the most stressful, and just plain hard. But I also know that at the end, when I am able to wrap my arms around Keliah, all the ups, all the downs, all the roadblocks, the mountains, and even the snags, will be worth it.

"Faith sees the invisible,believes the incredible,and receives the impossible." ~Unknown~


The other change has been with with a name. When Matt and I decided to take yet another huge leap of faith, we knew instantly that the name Faith seemed so appropriate. We knew instantly once we lad our eyes on her that her middle name would be Faith. And surprisingly, her first name was not a hard decision either. We had heard the name Keliah and both fell in love with it. What we didn't know, was that by spelling it the way we did, it would create so much confusion. Unless they have heard it, not many people know how to pronounce her name which is pronounces Ka lee a.

So, in an effort to make it easier on everyone, we are thinking of changing the spelling. Instead of Keliah Faith, we are thinking Kalia Faith. I actually sat and wrote it over an over the other day, both ways and think that the new spelling is so beautiful when written out in cursive.

What do you all think? Any imput would be greatly appreciated.

So, that is it for the changes, for now at least. Please be sure to check out the awesome Vera Bradley sets up for auction and PLEASE spread the word.







#1. This is the Buttercup pattern. This set includes the Honor Roll duffel bag, Tootsie purse, Please Hold wallet and the Make Me Up makeup bag. This would make a great set for a little girl or even a tween.





#2. This is the Purple Punch pattern. You will get the Saddle Up purse, Double Eye eye glass case, and the Compact Wallet.





#3. This is the Puccini pattern. You will get the Double Eye eye glass case, and the Taxi Wallet.





#4. This is the Bali Gold pattern. This set includes the Stephanie purse, Double Eye eye glass case, and the Compact Wallet.





#5. This is the Carnably pattern. This is the Stephanie purse, the Double Eye eye glass case, and the Euro Wallet.





#6. Make Me Blush pattern. This is the Reversible Tote purse, and the matching Taxi Wallet.





#7. This is the Call Me Coral pattern. This is for the Cha Cha Hadbag, and the matching Best Bud wallet.





#8. This is the Patchwork pattern. This is for the Medley Tote.





#9. Palm Beach Gardens Pattern. This is for the Pretty Tote purse.


#10. This is the Day and Night pattern. This is the Comin Up Roses Handbag and the matchin Best Buds Wallet.





#11. This is the Loves Me pattern. This is for the Comin Up Roses Handbag and the matching Best Buds wallet.



I know pretty cool, uh? These are some great bags for both big girls and little girls. Emma has one of the Tootise purse and Best Buds wallet and LOVES them. In fact, she was begging me to let her keep the Buttercup set, but backed off when she realized it was to bring Keliah home.

So, here's the deal. All you have to do is follow the instructions below and you will be entered to win one of these awesome prizes.

1. For every $25.00 donated, you will receive 5 entries!
2. For every $50.00 donated, you will receive 10 entries plus a free bracelet (pictured below) in your choice of color.
3. Post about the fundraiser on your blog, receive 3 entires!
4. Post about it on facebook, receive 3 entries!
5. Become a follower, receive 3 entries!

Please use the Chip In button to the right. I know there are some people who do not like or don't have a paypal account so if you would rather donate another way, please contact me at mmyag@comcast.net

Splish Splash

It has been unbearabley hot here in the midwest the last couple of weeks. We have tried so hard to avoid the heat, but after a couple of days we were getting cabin fever so I took the littles to the new park and splash pad in town (the older three were in Myrtle Beach with G'ma and G'pa).

They had so much fun going from one thing to the next.




















Yes, Gabe was there too, but he asked me not to take any pictures of him. He has been sick off and on and that day happened to be an on day, so he wasn't feeling too well. We are in the middle of trying to rule things out with our doctor, but still haven't ruled anything out. Our of no where he will have major stomach pains, vomitting and diarhea that will last anywhere from a day or two to over a week. It goes away as quickly as it comes and he will be fine for a while and then out of no where, he is sick again. We have ruled out all types of bacterias, celiacs (glutton allergy), etc. So, prayers that we figure out what is going on with him would be greatly appreciated.



We are on day 48 of our LOA wait. We are hoping and praying we hear something soon. Supposedly since we are reusing our dossier from the boys things are supposed to be faster, but I haven't heard from amny people that they are. So for now, we just sit and not so patiently wait.

I think we are going to extend the Vera Bradley fundraiser. As you can see, it is not doing so well. Please help us by spreading the word about it.

WOW, That was fast!

I was completey not expecting for the things I made to sell so quickly, but am so glad they did. I have even taken some custom orders already. Thank you to everyone who purchased and who sent people my way.












I still have this available in a size 2T $25.00



This is still available in a size 3/4. $35.00


This is the newest addition and is availble as a set in a size 4 for $25.00. These are capri length ruffles and are SO cute. Mylee has this set and is constantly complimented on it. I can do the ruffles without the tank top for $18.00 in any size.



Please e-mail at mmyag@comcast.net Remember, all sales go directly into our adoption fund for Keliah Faith.

Just the Beginning...

One of the things I said I would NEVER do was sew. I had enough if it in Jr. High Home Ec. I rmember we had to make a sweatshirt and wear it for a grade. I'm not sure, but I am pretty sure mine was lopsided. It was pathetic. Really, really pathetic.

And then came Emma. I loved seeing and buying all the creations people were selling on line, but it was getting kind of expensive. My mother in law sews, she has even made me custom window coverings. She used to do upholstery, and still does it now and then. So, I approached her about helping me applique some things for Emma. Instead, she said she would help me, and went out and bought me a sewing maching for my birthday.

I will admit, at first I was a bit freaked out about the whole thing. I didn't want to sew, I wanted to design it and have her make it. But she insisted on me doing it. So, I started with appliqueing things on big overalls, jean skirts. Then moved on to appliqueing on shirts. From there I started making skirts (which when I look at now, I chuckle because they were so badly made).

Anyway, I kept at it here and there. Mostly making things around the holidays, but Emma never really liked wearing anything I made, esecially as she got older. Enter Mylee. Mylee will wear anything as long as it's not going to slow her down. She has become my very own walking manaquin.

So, I started makeing more and more things for Mylee and more and more people would cmment on her outfits. I was constantly getting requests to make things to sell and finally a few monts ago decided to go with it. I have been so busy making things for others by word of mouth that I haven't even had to advertise until now.

So, here's the deal. Below are a few things I have made up and ready to go. Each picture has the size and price ( just add $4.95 for shipping). 100% of the money will go to Keliah's adoption fund. I will also be posting some of the custom sets I can do and fabric choices later this week. This is just the beginning...

I mentioned earlier that we are on day 43 of our LOA wait. As much as I would love to see it come any day now, I am also reluctant to get it knowing how much money we still need to come up with in such a short amount of time. I keep reminding myself that God is in control and His timing is perfect, so when He is ready, we will be too.

Please e-mail me at mmyag@comcast.net if you are interested and I will send you an invoice through paypal.


This is a 2 piece set and the ruffles are capri length. This is available in a size 2T and 3T. $25.00



This is a size 3/4 and is $35.00



This is a size 4/5 and is $35.00


This is a size 3/4 and is $35.00

Update

It has been a while since my last post, but things have been crazy busy here, plus my laptop hasn't been working right and that has put a damper on my computer usage. Our desk top was up on our bedroom which made it really hard to get on during the day so we moved it downstairs into the playroom which is nice. The kids don't really use the playroom anymore so it is getting converted into a home office/craft room which I am estatic about.

This summer has been crazy busy and is already almost over for the kids. Blake and Jaxon have football conditioning and practice everyday from 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. but starting next week until noon. Blake has played football since he was about 9 and really has a passion for it. This will be Jaxon's first year, but I am certain he will do just fine.

After three years of being in casts, undergoing surgeries and being in physical therapy, Mylee is finally able to enjoy her summers in the water and at the lake. This is the first year she has been cast free in the summer and she is really making up for lost time. She spends every weekend at the lake in the water from the time she gets up until she goes to bed at night.





Another thing she is doing and has waited three years to do is ballet. She has wanted to dance ever since she saw Emma in one of her dance recitals, but because of her legs she hasn't been able to. The dance studio Emma goes to offers a 5 week class in the summer and Mylee is so excited to be taking her very first ballet class. She practices daily and is more than willing to show anyone who will watch.

Speaking of dance, it seems to be quite the trend in our house because not only is Emma (she takes the summers off) and Mylee taking, but Drew is taking a Hip Hop class and is loving it. It is right up his alley. He and the neighbor boy who is also 5 are taking it together. And if that wasn't enough, Blake and Jaxon will start a teenage Hip Hop class next week. Jaxon has been asking to take for some time but the dance studio didn't have an all boys class. Blake has wanted to take because he thinks it will help with football. So, after months of trying to put together a class, they will finally start next week. I know Jaxon is so excited about it. As a matter of fact, we have been hearing this thumping sound for quite a while from upstairs and could not figure out what it was. I finally figured it out the other day. He is watching dance shows on You Tube and teaching himself to dance at night. He doesn't know we know and I have no plans of telling him.

Gabe and Emma are just chilling this summer. Emma is working really hard to save her money for China. She has a "job" tutoring the little boy next door once or twice a week. He is 5 and she just thinks it is so cool that she is tutoring him. She has put together a notebook and even lesson plans for him. She would make a great teacher someday.

Gabe trying to make a fire with a toy magnifying glass. I think he sat there for at least 20 minutes before walking away. He did not give up because later that day he was at it again.


As of today we are on day 43 of our LOA wait. I was really hoping to have had it by now, but I just keep telling myself everything is in His time

As for me, remember this picture from a few months ago...



Well, I will be sharing all about it later this afternoon.