A Birthday Wish

I have dreamt of this day. I have had visions in my head of how we would celebrate. My visions are no where near reality. I have thought of the memories that would have been made today. The smiles. The laughter. This is not how it was supposed to be (or at least in my dreams)...

Ten years ago today a beautiful baby girl was born.

I wish I knew the circumstances of her birth. Where was she born? How much did she weigh? Did she cry right away? Did she have hair, or a shiny bald head? These are all questions that I will never have the answer to.

For nine years and eight months she lived without a forever family. Does she even know today is her birthday? Has she ever celebreated, been given a gift, or even a cake?



Kalia turned 10 today. Last year at this time we were all thinking and looking forward to spending her bithday with her this year. It is hard to believe she isn't here. It's hard to think that she has spent another birhtday alone. The good thing is that we are 100% sure she will not turn 11 without us with her to celebrate.

I want nothing more than to wrap my arms around my beautiulf daughter and know that will no longer spend another birhday alone. She will no longer go to bed without hearing "I love you."

We are beyond the point of being excited to get her home. Just today I had three people ask me if we had her yet, or we knew when we were going. I am staying hopful that we WILL travel by the end of the year.

We got our Visas today, and tomorrow our Article 5 will picked up and sent to Beijing. From there, we are just waiting for our TA (travel approval from China). Once we have that it is just a matter of booking a CA (Consulate Appt.). Our agency still thinks there is hope. It looks like TA's are coming in pretty quickly right now.

What does all that mean? Basically, if all goes according to MY plan, we will be on a plane to China on December 23rd. That is only three weeks away, folks. THREE WEEKS! EEEK! Just thinking about it gets me all excited.

Then reality sets in. If China were to give us the go ahead to travel and our agency is able to work it out for us to leave on December 23rd, we would have to say no. Why you ask? Well, to be 100% honest, we just don't have the money. It is not something we are proud of. Never in a million years did I think we would be this close to traveling and yet be so far from traveling.

Travel expenses have gone way up, and even more so during the holidays. We have been through the ringer or as some may put it he*@ and back to get Kalia home. I cannot imagine being given permission to travel only to turn it down.

We are still waiting to hear back about a couple of grants, but other than that, we got nothin. And to top it off, the insurance company is talking about totaling out our van which is just another nightmare to add to the list.

So, in honor of our daughter turning 10 today, everyone who donates at least $25 will not only be entered to win one of the awesome prizes listed below, but you will also receive a bracelet handmade by Emma. She has been making these bracelets as a fundraiser for Kalia since last year. Originally she got to keep 1/3 of the money to use while she was in China, but since there is no way (the cost is astronomical) she is going, she has been putting 100% of what she makes into the Kalia jar.

We had planned to send a cake to Kalia's orphanage, but decided not to because of the cost. This has been really hard for me because it has made me feel even further away from her. I have been longing to see pictures of her with her cake ever since we knew there was no way we were going to travel by her birthday. So, since she didn't get to blow out her candles and make a wish, I am going to do it for her. My wish for her (and for our family) is that we will ring in the New Year together as a family of 9.



These bracelets are awesome and last forever. Matt wears one every day and has for almost a year now. These can be made in just about any color. If you would like to order a bracelet, please contact me at mmyag@comcast.net. These would make GREAT stocking stuffers. Blake has been selling them at school in their school colors and we have also had some teacher buy them as gifts for their students.

Here are the details about the fundraiser...

FIRST PRIZE: Apple i-Pad 2, cover in your choice, and a $50.00 i-tunes gift card. This would make an incredible gift for someone or yourself for the holidays. Plus, just think, every time you got on it you would think of Kalia and how you helped her to be united with her family.







SECOND PRIZE: $100 gift card to Thirty One



THIRD PRIZE: This gorgeous necklace and bracelet set from Premier Designs



Close up of bracelet


Fourth Place: Another beautiful necklace and bracelet set from Premier Designs (I love this set. It is to antique and vintage looking).



Close up of bracelet


Fifth and Sixth Place will be a custom dress or outfit of your choice from my Cloud Nine Design Label. I will work with you to choose a style and fabric of your liking. These will be one of a kind outfits.




Here's how it's gonna work...

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

Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

A Whirlwind of a Week

Before I get started, I wanted to let you all know that something was going on with the last Chip In button so I have made a new one. I was getting e-mails from people saying it wasn't working or wasn't always showing up on the sidebar, so I just made a new one. If you used the last one, your names have been recorded and will go in on the drawing for the i-Pad, jewelry, and gift cards. If you have no idea what I am talking about, you can check it out here


Because of the holiday last week, it was a short week for everyone. The kids only went to school on Monday and Tuesday and that is all I worked. We were all looking forward to the relaxation and break. In fact, we (Emma, my mother-in-law and I) had planned a trip to Chicago on Wednesday for Emma's birthday (December 11th).

It seems lately things do not always work out the way we want. Tuesday morning Emma woke up sick and didn't go to school. She was cold, sweaty, and she couldn't keep anything down. At first I thought (was hoping) it was just something she ate the night before. I didn't want her to miss out on her Chicago trip. She has been saving her money for China but since we can't afford to take her, she was going to go to American Girl. As the day went on it was pretty evident that it was some sort of nasty bug because by noon that same day Matt was home in bed with the same thing.

To kick off the Thanksgiving holiday, Mylee's Kindergarten class had a Thanksgiving Program. For weeks we have had to listen to the songs that the kids sang so I felt like I was a at a concert singing along. She had such a great time. She LOVES performing. A few parents even came up to me afterwards and told me how much they enjoyed watching her and all her enthusiasm. She really gets into it.







I know I'm biased, but she was the cutest little Pilgrim there.


Because the program was towards the end of the day, I picked up Gabe and Mylee from school. Usually if it is nice out they just walk home (we live about a block from the school). Just as I was turning into our neighborhood I felt a bump, and heard a screeching sound, they screaming and crying from all four kids (I had Mylee, Gabe, Drew, and Isaac, the little boy I watch with me). I looked over and there was a SUV literally in the side of my van. Luckily everyone was fine. The kids were scared, but no one was hurt. Apparently the lady of the SUV thought I was turning left even though she said she knew I was turning right. She went to pass me and instead t-boned me and drove me off the side of the road. I felt so bad for her, she was so nice and overly concerned about making sure everyone was okay. She kept saying over and over "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry." I just kept telling her it was okay and that no one was hurt. Apparently Gabe got tired of hearing this because he chimed in with "she said it's okay, geez."

Anyway, she has taken full responsibility, but we were without my van all week and were put into a four day sedan which is obviously not big enough for our family. Luckily our Thanksgiving plans were in town this year.

My van...




Her car...




We heard back from the body shop today, and unfortunately it isn't great news. They may have to total our van. Her insurance is going to do their own appraisal so we are hoping they will just work it out so it can be fixed. It took us forever to find a van big enough for our family that we could actually afford. The good news is that her insurance is paying for our car to be upgraded to a mini van so even though we still won't all fit, we can make it work a little better.

We did have a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with family. My sister, her husband, and their daughter, Riley came up. We all ate until we were stuffed, then ate some more. And yes, my sister and I were one of the millions of people standing in line and shopping all night. The funny thing is neither one of us really got anything, we just had more fun watching and talking with other people who were as crazy as us.

We finished off the long weekend by putting up our Christmas tree. This was bittersweet for me this year, and I think for the kids as well. Last year we talked about how we would have Kalia home to help us this year, and instead, we were hanging her ornament on the tree again.















So, all in all, we had a great week despite the wreck. Please pray though that this gets resolved quickly and that we will have OUR van back sooner than later.

Tis the Season

Rather than waiting until I have several new desings from Cloud Nine, I thought I would go ahead and post them as I get them done. Especially those that are seasonal.

I just whipped this up today, and let me tell you, the pictures do not do it justice. This is absolutely adorable and Mylee cannot wait to wear it (I told her she had to wait until after Thanksgiving).

This is the Holly Jolly and is available in any size.
Shirts are $35
Dresses are $45


Close Up



This is another design I finished this week. This one is perfect for ALL winter long, not just through the holidays.

This is the Snowflake Princess
Shirts are $35
Dresses are $45


Please e-mail me at mmyag@comcast.net if you are interested

WHEW!

WOW! Things are really starting to move for us, finally. After having to wait for what seemed like forever (142 days) for our LOA, we are finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. I found out yesterday that our Visa Petition for Kalia has been forwarded on to Guangzhou and will be delivered to the Consulate either Friday, or Tuesday at the latest (they do not take accept any on Mondays). Once it is dropped off, our agency's contact will pick it up exactly two week to the day of having dropped it off. So, that means that either on December 2nd or December 6th, our Article 5 will be picked up and send to CCCWA so they can issue our TA (travel approval).

It looks like TA's are taking about 2 weeks, sooooo, it all continues to go as planned (for me), we will be on a plane December 23rd or 24th and will meet Kalia on December 26th!

I am really, really, getting excited. Last night I was able to SKYPE with a family that is in China getting their daughter who is Kalia's best friend. They have been in the orphanage together for a very long time. We had hoped that we would have been able to travel together to get the girls at the same time, but it didn't work out that way. Anyway, it was awesome talking with them last night. We showed Yiera Kalia's picture and asked if they were friends and she got the biggest smile on her face and said yes. We of course also let her know that we were Kalia's family and that we would be bringing her home very soon.

Talking to them last night really made it all seem real. For so long we have dreamed about getting Kalia and bringing her home. We have been staring at her picture for almost a year and a half. This has been a heck of a ride, and last night was a little overwhelming knowing that in possibly a month, we will be meeting our girl for the first time. I cannot wait!

So, with all of that being said, we are kicking off our final fundraiser. With the possibility of traveling in about six weeks, the reality is also setting in that we are still short quite a bit of money. At this time we are still planning on only me going unless a miracle were to take place and the money is also there for Jaxon. Matt's dad is also going so I won't be completely alone.

With the holidays coming up, these would be some excellent gifts...

FIRST PRIZE: Apple i-Pad 2, cover in your choice, and a $50.00 i-tunes gift card. This would make an incredible gift for someone or yourself for the holidays. Plus, just think, every time you got on it you would think of Kalia and how you helped her to be united with her family.







SECOND PRIZE: $100 gift card to Thirty One



THIRD PRIZE: This gorgeous necklace and bracelet set from Premier Designs



Close up of bracelet


Fourth Place: Another beautiful necklace and bracelet set from Premier Designs (I love this set. It is to antique and vintage looking).



Close up of bracelet


Fifth and Sixth Place will be a custom dress or outfit of your choice from my Cloud Nine Design Label. I will work with you to choose a style and fabric of your liking. These will be one of a kind outfits.




Here's how it's gonna work...

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

~ FRIENDS ~

The dictionary describes a friend as the following...

friend-noun

1. a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.
2. a person who gives assistance; patron; supporter: friends of the Boston Symphony.
3. a person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile
4. a member of the same nation, party, etc.
5. a member of the Religious Society of Friends; a Quaker.

I think I have friends who fall in each category of their definition. I have very few "close" friends. Not that I am not a likable person, I just have always had only a few very close people I turn to.

I have many people I would consider friends in every other send of the word. People from the kids' school, Church, etc. I have friends that I see or talk to everyday.

Then there are those people whom I have never met, but would consider them a friend as well. Most of those people have blessed my life through adoption. These are people who know what it truly means to adopt, and have total faith that He will make it happen. These are people I e-mail, text, or call for prayers or whom do the same for me. I have never "met" them, but sure hope someday I will get the chance.

Yesterday I was going through the mail. Emma always gets it after school and was pretty excited because there was a new American Girl catalog in it. As I was sifting through the bills, junk mail, bills, magazines, and more bills I came across a small yellow envelope that looked like a card of some sort. I looked at the return address which was "Friends, our city, and zip code." To be honest, I thought it was some sort of advertisement or coupon from a local business so I sat it aside for a minute. Once I was through with everything else I went back to it, opened it and was surprised to see a money order for $500 with a note attached.



We have know clue who or where this came from. We have never had anything like this happen before with any of the other three adoptions, so we were quite surprised. More than anything, I think Matt and I are both in awe of the generosity of people. Those we know ad those we don't. This money will help immensely with bring Kalia home. Every little bit helps, it all adds up.

So, to our "friend," Thank You. We appreciate this more than you know. You have once again helped us to see that we are on His path, and that He will make it happen. You have helped us get one step closer to bring our daughter home.

I know I have talked a little about Matt and I continually asking God of we are on the right path with Kalia's adoption. Right out the door, things have not gone as planned or taken two and three times longer than average. Just this past weekend we talked about how the doors seem to close, but they NEVER fully slam shut. There has always been glimmers of light from cracks int he doors and then for whatever reason, they swing back open and we are once again walking through doing our best to get our girl home.

We truly believe everything happens for a reason even if it is not clear to us now what that reason is.

Throughout the adoption we have planned on taking Emma and Jaxon knowing that there was a really good chance only one or neither would actually get to go. They both desperately want to go, for completely different reasons. Unfortunately, we did have to let Emma know that there is just know way she is going to be able to go this time. She is upset, but does understand. With the costs of everything going up, it just isn't possible.

I applied for my Visa today. We should have it back by next Friday. Jaxon's application was not part of the package. The decision to take or not take Jaxon is still up in the air (sort of). As of now, he isn't going. We simply cannot afford it. Matt and I talked again this morning about it and have decided to go ahead and plan as if he isn't going and if it is God's plan for him to go, then He will let it be known. If we need to we can apply for an expedited visa for him, but didn't want to spend the money now if he may not be able to go.

I really want him to go. I know he really, really wants to go, but the reality must come down to money. I know he will be upset and disappointed. I know he will probably think us not taking him is a personal attack. But, I keep telling myself that Kalia is the reason for the trip. She is the reason we are traveling back to China.

So, for now we are just sitting tight, waiting to see what happens. If it is meant for him to go, then it will all work out.

Getting Closer

So today's my birthday. "Happy Birthday to me!" I wasn't planning on posting that it was my birthday, but then I got the best birthday present. Our USCIS Officer called me first thing this morning to let me know our I-800 has been approved and is on it's way to us!

YEAH!!!!! She said to give it a few days and call the NVC on Tuesday to see if they have received it and when they will be issuing that approval. So, if all goes well, and my prayers are answered, we will be submitting our paperwork to the US Consulate in Guangzhou by the end of the month.

We are continuing to pray that we will travel over Christmas break. Actually, as much as I would hate being away from home for Christmas, I am praying we will leave December 23rd which would put us meeting Kalia on December 26th. I cannot think of a better Christmas gift than meeting my beautiful daughter.

We are still up in the air on who (if anyone) to take. My father in law and I are getting together this weekend to fill out our Visa applications so we will have to make a decision by then.

Progress and a Dilemma

WOW, I cannot believe how busy I have been sewing. I have one more dress to make then I will be caught up with my current orders. I will be starting on new designs this week to debut hopefully by the weekend.

I have had alot of inquiries on how the girls' bedroom is coming along. Well, we are making progress, just not as quickly as planned. Matt has been putting alot of time in at work so he hasn't been home to work on it. We took advantage of not having any plans this weekend and worked at home. I sewed, and Matt worked upstairs.

What started as a simple project to make a bed for the girls has resulted in our entire episode looking like a scene from Hoarders. I'm not kidding. Three of the four bedrooms are now part of our remodel.

We knocked out the wall between the boys' and the girls' rooms to create an extra large walk in closet for all three girls. In doing so, that left the boys with no closet.

This is the girls' new closet and also where Mylee and Emma are sleeping until we get there new beds done. This used to be the closet from Emma's room into her closet. It has now been walled up.


This is the other side of the now walled up closet door from what is now Gabe and Drew's room.


And since the boys were now without a closet, the only thing we could do was create an opening on the backside of a small walk-in closet in our room (we also have a large walk-in closet so it isn't any big deal). We were using it mostly for storage. So, we walled up the door on our side, and rehung the door on the boys' side.



For now the boys' bed is in the room, so at least they have a place to sleep. The first couple of nights Gabe was not thrilled with having to sleep in a "girly" room, but he has gotten over it.



This is the latest picture of the beds. Matt just needs to build and attach another set of steps, and do a little more drywall work and this room will be ready to prime. Our goal it to be putting paint (not primer) on the wall by this weekend.



Now, for the dilemma...

We need to get our visas for China. Our original plan was to take Jaxon and Emma. Matt is not going this time, but his dad is instead. I am still holding out that we will be able to travel by the end of the year. I just got off the phone with USCIS to see what our I-800 status is and luckily, I was able to talk with the Officer that will be working on it and she will be doing it tomorrow and told me to call her back tomorrow afternoon. If all goes well, it will be on it's way to the NVC by the end of the week.

It's no lie money has been tight with this adoption and we are still short quite a bit of money to complete it. So, as of right now we are not sure we will be able to take Jaxon and Emma or even just one of them.

I really wanted them both to go for different reasons. Jaxon because I really wanted to see where he is from and meet his friends. Plus, he has been so excited to go back and visit with his friends. He would also be a BIG help with translating for Keliah which would probably help her with her transition. I wanted Emma to go so she could see where he brothers and sisters are from. I wanted her to experience their culture hands on. And to be completely honest, I wanted her to see the firsthand why we have been called to adopt. I also thought it would be nice for Keliah to have another girl in the mix, one that she could relate to in age.

I guess it didn't dawn on me until today that we needed to make a decision so quickly. It costs $140 for the Visa application plus another $35 for the courier fee. So, it would be $175 for each Visa. Do we just say "NO," they aren't going, or risk the money ($350) to get their Visas?

Any thoughts, or advice would be greatly appreciated. Now I'm off to more sewing...