365

No, I am not partaking in 365, like I need one more project! $365! That's it, that's all we need to be all we need to be able to send in our I800A! You all are awesome! Because of you, we are once again embarking on a journey. A journey that will unite us with one more child God has hand picked for us. Like every other adoption journey we have been on, we have completely, wholeheartedly, 100% trusted in Him. We have given up complete control (which is not something I like to do), and have had faith with every step that if this is the path we are supposed to be on, He will show us the way.

Last week, when we were doubting whether we were doing the right thing, He showed us that with prayer and faith, anything is possible. We started out with needing $890 and now only need $365! We went from doubting to believing.



Someone asked us the other day how our fundraiser was going. We told them that it was doing well, but that we still needed to raise a little more money. They then asked how much we needed total and Matt and I both kind of chuckled and said "oh, we don't even think about that, we have to take this one step at a time, or it will just get too overwhelming.

My hope was to be able to mail our I-800A today, but it doesn't look like that is going to happen so I am hoping and praying that everything will work out and we will be able to mail it by mid week, or by Friday at the latest. As much as I want to jump on a plane right now and bring Keliah home, I have to remind myself that it is not about my wants and needs at all and that when He is ready for us to be united with our daughter, He will move heaven and earth to get us there. His timing, as always will be perfect.

We have had several people e-mail us to say they can't donate right now but that we are in their prayers and that they are praying we raise the money needed. I just want to say that any and all prayers are just as important if not more. He will hear those prayers and He will answer them, He already is.

WOW!

Wow! I wish I could say I'm surprised, but honestly, I'm not. I'm blown away, but not surprised. Matt and I have decided to let go and just let God be in control and as soon as we made that decision, He showed us once again, it is all about faith and trusting in Him.

Within minutes of posting our need, we had already raised over $200. I have to tell you, I was completely surprised to see that a significant amount of money was donated by another family fundraising to bring their daughter home. I immediately contacted her to let her know I didn't feel right accepting the donation knowing they too were struggling to raise money for their own adoption. Her response, "God told me to give you the money." With tears welling up in my eyes, I didn't know what else to say but thank you.

That wasn't all, other exciting things are happening as well. I was contacted by another adoptive momma, Mandie, yesterday who has just signed up to be a Thirty-One Consultant and is doing her launch party starting today. Here is what she had to say in her e-mail to me;

I just signed up to be a thirty-one consultant for the purpose of helping fundraising families fundraiser. I'm doing my launch party on the 18th and do not have a family that I am fundraising for for this party. Do you mind if I fund raise for your family?

All of my commission (25% of sales) will be given to your family and you also can have the hostess credits. This could give you items to put in a future fundraiser. I would like to post about your family and daughter on my blog and put a picture of your daughter up at the party. The party would start tomorrow and end on the 23rd.



I'll be honest, I had never heard of Thirty-One before, but I quickly went to their website and they have some really cute things. They have everything from stationary to storage containers to super cute purses and bags. Mandie has set up a blog about the fundraiser she is doing for Keliah. You can go here for more details. She also has a direct link to her Thirty-One party that has been set up specifically for Keliah. Please take a minute to check it out here, and remember she is donating her entire 25% commission to help bring Keliah home.

Oh, and there's more, to go along with the Matilda Jane gift card giveaway, ABCDinc had offered to donate one of her handmade headbands. This is a super cute headband is very stylish right now. This headband goes perfectly with Matilda Jane's newest line, House of Clouds.



I think I am going to have the headband be a separate event. The same rules apply for this one as for the Matilda Jane gift card giveaway.

Here's what you need to do for a chance to win...

1. For every $5.00 donated you will receive one entry or 3 entries for $10.00.
2. Post about the fundraiser on your blog then come back and post telling me you posted about it.
3. Post about the fundraiser on facebook.
4. Become a follower

Please use the Chip In button on our sidebar.

Okay, I know this is alot of information so I am going to do a quick re-cap.

Matilda Jane gift card giveaway: We are giving away 2 $200 gift cards to Matilda Jane Clothing.

1. For every $10.00 donated you will receive one entry or 3 entries for $25.00.
2. Post about the fundraiser on your blog then come back and post telling me you posted about it.
3. Post about the fundraiser on facebook.
4. Become a follower

The headband donated by ABCDinc

1. For every $5.00 donated you will receive one entry or 3 entries for $10.00.
2. Post about the fundraiser on your blog then come back and post telling me you posted about it.
3. Post about the fundraiser on facebook.
4. Become a follower

And last, but certainly not least the fundraiser Mandie has set up for us through her Thirty-One site.

All you have to do is hop on over there, pick out some total cuteness, and she is donating 25% (which is her commission) to help us bring Keliah home.

Needs vs Wants

UPDATE:

First of all, THANK YOU to those who have already began helping out. Your donations and prayers are so appreciated. I have had a few people inquire about the cost for the I800A application. It has gone up a little from our last adoption and the current fee is $890.00.

Well, as you can see by the chip in button to the right, our fundraiser isn't going so well. As a matter of fact, we are in the hole by $65.00. The gift cards are NOT being donated, we are paying for those out of our pocket, so, we at least need to raise the $400 to cover those.

Yesterday we FINALLY, after almost 4 months received our updated home study. It is signed, sealed, and ready to be delivered, but is still sitting on our kitchen counter. Things have come up that have required us to use money we had set aside for Keliah's adoption and because of that, we do not have the funds to send off with our I800A application. I wish I could go into more detail, but right now, I am just asking for prayers and He will know what you are praying for.

Our faith is what has gotten us through the last three adoptions, and we are certain it will be our faith that will get us through this one. Keliah's middle name is Faith for that very reason. God has show us time and time again that He is in control and that He will provide.

Our original goal was to have Keliah home by late summer, but with the delay in getting Matt's physical, we are now looking at fall before we may travel. I am really hoping and praying we don't have to wait any longer than that.

We have some videos of Keliah and she desperately wants a family, she want to come to the US, she wants to have many siblings (older and younger). But putting aside her wants, she NEEDS a family, every child needs and deserves a family. She NEEDS to know the love of a mother and father. She NEEDS to know the feeling of bedtime hug and kiss. She NEEDS and family.



Please help us by donating, spreading the word, or by praying that everything will come together and we get to bring this little girl home where she belongs. Please help us by not only providing her with her wants, but her needs as well.

I am working on another fundraiser that I hope you will ALL love. I am really excited to get it launched, but need just a little bit more time to get it together.

Gung Hey Fat Chow! Happy Chinese New Year!

People born in the Year of the Rabbit are articulate, talented, and ambitious. They are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. Rabbit people are admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky. They are fond of gossip but are tactful and generally kind. Rabbit people seldom lose their temper. They are clever at business and being conscientious, never back out of a contract. They would make good gamblers for they have the uncanny gift of choosing the right thing. However, they seldom gamble, as they are conservative and wise. They are most compatible with those born in the years of the Sheep, Pig, and Dog.


So, we are trying to come up with something to do this year for Chinese New Year. With Jaxon part of the family now, we feel like we need to do something a little extra. Our local Chinese group is having a dinner and celebration, but it is a bit expensive for all of us to go. We briefly talked about only a few of us going, but that just wouldn't be fair. We have also talked about going to one of the Chinese restaurants for dinner after Church on Saturday. I don't think we know what we are doing, and probably won't until later. Any ideas?

I am sure Jaxon is really missing China right now with it being Chinese New Year. He hasn't said anything, but I cannot imagine being in another country by myself over Christmas. He is doing pretty well. He is able to talk to his friends back in China since they are out of school for a month. Yep, a whole month! That is crazy. He also said they were given red envelopes with money in them (around $30 US dollars) so they could buy food or whatever. I guess the fireworks are non stop and it is hard to sleep because they are constantly going off. I feel bad because I don't really know what to do to celebrate here with him that will come close to being like what he is used to in China. Again, any ideas???

The kids are out of school again today for the 3rd day in a row. At least the past couple of days they have been able to go outside, the temps here to day are ridiculously cold so I cannot send them outside. For now everyone is content, but we all know that isn't going to last long.

Snow Day

Well, the kids are definitely enjoying all the snow. We were under a blizzard warning up until this morning. It was actually supposed to go until 7pm tonight, but it was downgraded to a winter storm warning. We are currently under a level 1 snow emergency which only essential vehicles are to be on the road. Everything is closed as far as I know. Along with the kids being home, Matt is as well. He's out with the kids. They are playing and he is trying to dig us out.

Honestly, it really isn't that bad. I have always wanted to see a blizzard. I must admit, I am a little disappointed. We didn't get near as much snow as they had anticipated. I wouldn't mind seeing another 5-10 inches. I know, I know, I am crazy, but hey at least I can admit it.

So, the kids are home again today and will probably at least have a delay tomorrow. This is a huge deal to Jaxon. He has never seen so much snow. He said it snowed in Wuxi, but I think it was more like a dusting. He is having alot of fun playing in it, and throwing snow at the little kids.

Matt just came in and said that the snow drifts in the back yard are so deep he was throwing the kids over the fence and they were swallowed up by the snow. Of course the LOVE it!

Gabe and Jaxon working on a snow fort


Mylee not being able to identify the street from the sidewalk because of all the snow


It just wouldn't seem right without one of the kids eating the snow!


Still digging that fort.


Not sure what he is doing here, but if he thinks this is our idea of sledding, he has no idea what is in store for him later.


Our little snow angel


The lower half of his body is buried in the drifts.


These are not the best pictures, but I LOVE this one. If you look closely, you can see a snowflake on Mylee's nose. So cute.

And of course, Emma has to have a little lick too. She would be mortified if she knew I took this picture.



I'm sure as the day goes on I will have more pictures to post, but for now, I am going to take advantage of them all being outside and get some much needed housework done.

Oh, and don't forget about our gift card fundraiser going on right now. We have decided to go ahead and let it run it's course. These card were NOT donated so it would be kind of silly to end the fundraiser in the hole. This is a great way to have a chance at some really cute clothes. Please go here to see the newest line that just came out.

Fundraiser Update

Well, as you can see from our Chin In button our Matilda Jane fundraiser is not going so well. So, I have two options. 1. I can extend it until we at least reach the $400 mark (to at least pay for the gift cards). They gift cards are NOT being donated so if we end it now, we will be out money which is kind of silly since we are trying to earn money to bring Keliah home. Or 2. I can end it now and refund the money that was donated back to everyone who donated.

THoughts? Comments? Any imput is welcome.

Matilda Jane Fundraiser

It is finally time to start our fundraising efforts to being Keliah Faith home. The pictures we got the other day have really gotten me excite to bring her home. Not that I wasn't excited before, but now that things are started to move forward, I just cannot wait. This whole process this time around has created a few roadblocks, and is all in all, completely different from our last experiences. But, one thing remains the same, and that is that with God, all things are possible therefore, we will continue to have faith that we are on His path, and He will show us the light at the end of the tunnel.


Today I am launching our very first fundraiser. I am SO excited about it, and cannot wait to see who the lucky winners are. So, what exactly could you be winning? Well, I have been noticing lately that alot of the blogs I follow like to dress their little girls in Matilda Jane Clothing. MJC is a clothing company that makes and sells beautiful boutique style clothing. They do not sell in stores or malls, in fact there are only a couple of ways you can buy the clothes. One is to have a Trunkshow which is the same concept as other home parties. Your trunk keeper will come to your house, set up, and your guests will get to look through the clothes first hand. The second way is to buy from Platinum Label. The Platinum Label is all made right here in the US (actually right here in our little ol'town), and is incredibly unique. The Platinum is an sporadic upload and you never know when it is going to be or what is going to be up for sale.

Mylee has a few Matilda Jane outfits, and I can tell you first hand, they are absolutely adorable. These outfits are definitely head turners. Oh, and they also make outfits for moms so they can look just as cute as their daughters. MJ also has a boys line called Mighty Acorns so the little guys in your life are just as cute too.



So, if have never bought any Matilda Jane, now is your chance. And, if you have already started your collection, now is your chance to build on it. Or, if you are a Grandma, or an Aunt, or even a really good friend, here is your chance to show that special little person in your life how special they are. Matilda Jane is releasing their spring line, House of Clouds, February 1. This is HUGE. With every new line, you can expect something new and different than before. The collection will not be up on their website until Feb. 1 as well, but if you go to their blog, they have posted a few sneak peeks. All I can say is WOW! This is the most beautiful line yet.

So, we are giving away two $200.00 gift cards to two very lucky people. Just think, not only will you get some beautiful clothes, but you will also have your hand in helping to bring a beautiful little girl home to her family.

Here's what you need to do for a chance to win...

1. For every $10.00 donated you will receive one entry or 3 entries for $25.00.
2. Post about the fundraiser on your blog then come back and post telling me you posted about it.
3. Post about the fundraiser on facebook.
4. Become a follower

Please use the Chip In button on our sidebar.