tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66424535540650528392024-03-12T23:55:10.627-07:00LeeFamAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12920274329924319138noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642453554065052839.post-17558877937372529282016-08-06T14:24:00.002-07:002018-01-11T21:08:13.255-08:00First Big Surgery and Summer Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsiBpC5Fm25WiBbu6K4teu4kl9WSJNGxYSGCAIYgb0Oq_D5rp3UCoA0pzbpP_gYSFVgMpXaZbfe7YydKkaUkpKshMuLtDCQ0qbWhI6rroVT_K61tN3m3Kkp8IGLQfhKhCyzl7JprQEPAJ/s1600/Kingstonsurgery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsiBpC5Fm25WiBbu6K4teu4kl9WSJNGxYSGCAIYgb0Oq_D5rp3UCoA0pzbpP_gYSFVgMpXaZbfe7YydKkaUkpKshMuLtDCQ0qbWhI6rroVT_K61tN3m3Kkp8IGLQfhKhCyzl7JprQEPAJ/s320/Kingstonsurgery.jpg" width="320" height="320" /></a></div><br />
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We knew this day would come and feel blessed that we got to wait a year and a half since arriving home with our children to have to experience our first big surgery. Now do not get me wrong we have been to so many drs appointments I can not even count nor to I even care to try. They were all necessary and great things have been accomplished. We have had time to grow as a family mentally and physically so we decided after all our big vacation plans were done we would start our first of many more to come surgeries. I figured this may be a good time to sit and open up my blog that I neglect so very badly. Since sitting is hard to come by these days. I will recap our summer first. <br />
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We have been having an amazing summer and our big family trip went so well! The two big kids competed in Taekwondo Nationals in Richmond, VA and did amazing. They worked so hard to prepare for the tournament and we enjoyed watching and cheering them on. Kopelan faught his hardest during his sparring match and though he lost it was a great learning experience. Kendall participated in board breaking and brought home a bronze medal! Their entire team just did amazing and it was just a wonderful experience. <br />
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While we were in VA we visited with family on KC's side that we had not seen for many years. Many cousins meeting for the first time or reacquainting after many years.It was so fun to see how our family has grown over the years and to have all the kids together to play was just so neat! A grandparents dream I am sure! We spent a couple days at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA, even watched the firework display at Colonial Williamsburg. It was beautiful. Meals spent with family around the table and just a slower, go with the flow, vacation attitude. It was so hot and muggy though. One thing about the East we are not really missing living on the west coast haha. <br />
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We returned home and the kids headed right into VBS where we had a little bit of an unexpected event as on Wednesday at the camp Kingston broke his right leg. We had planned on doing surgery on both legs to get it all over with, but that put a stop to that plan. He was very lucky and they were just able to cast it up and let the healing begin. <br />
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So fast forward to Aug. 5th surgery day! Shriner's bright and early! He got pushed back on the schedule some, but he truly has the best attitude about life and that carried over onto surgery day as well. We had already answered many many questions and informed him the best we could so I think that helped. He showed up at the hospital smiling and excited too.... wait for it... WATCH HIS OWN TV!! Yep that is the only questions, concerns, words that really he had. When do I get to my room with the TV? Is there a TV in my room? Yep there ya have it, no worries on the cut open leg as long as there is a tv we are A-okay! They quickly won his heart by handing him an ipad once we were checked in and I did not see his eye balls again until they came in to ask questions and I made a rule if a dr or nurse walked in to talk he needed to lay it face down so he could answer questions with out them repeating it 100 times to a zombie face, lol! So he did good with that rule. Once it was go time, they gave him the loopy juice, silly juice, relaxation meds, whatever the name you get the idea. At that point we enjoyed the breath taking view out his window of downtown portland and the river as his head got heavy and eyes started to roll, lol. It did not take long. The anesthiologist came in and handed him another phone with movie playing on it and with in minutes we said our see ya laters and I love you's and he was rolled off to surgery. Not one bit of anxiety. Brave Boy he is! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12920274329924319138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642453554065052839.post-60718602798579925322016-01-29T22:20:00.000-08:002016-01-29T22:20:13.079-08:00Life of a Mom with 5Life of a mom with 5. So I never took into consideration that with 5 kids there is 5 times more the chance that someone is going to be sick, hurt or need a dr appt, lol. Not sure what my brain was thinking (well I guess about all the 5x the love, and hugs etc). But this week I got a taste of it and today I was spent and done and after spending Tuesday unexpectedly up at Shriners, then Wednesday PT, then Thursday back up at Shriners, you can only imagine how excited I was when I saw that on Friday, my schedule was clear. Yes you heard that right blank! So my plan was to get them all to school and come home and go back to bed. I like a good girl worked out Thursday night so I could get that out of the way and then went to bed so excited for my plan to unroll in the morning. I should have known it was all going to go wrong when at 3:30am I heard a cry and then scream for me, as a child was hysterical cause they had an accident in the bed. Now I could have said, change the sheets yourself, you are old enough. 3 is old enough right? But I rolled my groggy self out of the bed and got my child all cleaned up and nice clean sheets, while also waking her roommate to use the restroom as well. I mean we were all up with the lights on anyway, might as make it a group bathroom event! So by 4am we were all pottied and back to bed! I layed back down and boom oh no, that tension feeling, the light dull I know oh so well. A migraine is brewing, I can feel it, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Yes it was definetly there. I was just so tired I could not get up to get my medicine. So I just layed there and attempted to fall back asleep. It was a in and out, very unrestful state until the hubby got up and I requested meds and a heating pack. He knows my routine with my head and brought them to me except I was so tired my hands would not work, lol. Seriously folks I could not open the little medicine cover. So of course I just layed there, because you know that made the headache better. When hubby passed back through I asked him to open the medicine and I quickly put back under my tongue knowing my hours to sleep are now like none. I close my eyes for what felt like 5 minutes if that and yep, there goes the alarm. Now I have to be mommy, nice, loving mommy, who has not slept and who's head is pounding. Oh but my plan!!! I get to drop them all off and come back to bed! Yep that was the plan until I woke up the little girls and out of the mouth of one, "mommy I can't walk, my leg hurts, I can't walk". "What do you mean you can't walk, I just saw you walk at 3:30am". Sure enough she was barely putting weight on her right leg now. I asked her where it hurt she pointed to her knee. Now normally I would have made her push through and technically I had on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, when she had complained also. She would mention it hurt in the morning but by after school she was fine. Today was different and I knew there was no more pushing and we needed to go get it looked at and that was the moment I knew that I was not going to get to come home and crawl back in bed. This is also the moment I realised KIDS-5, MOM-0. #OUTNUMBERED #BLESSEDTOLOVESOMANY Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12920274329924319138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642453554065052839.post-90558675026343700482015-04-08T19:29:00.001-07:002015-04-08T19:29:25.858-07:00This JUST HAPPENED today! FIRSTS! Today Kingston started school!!! He started Kindergarten. <br />
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He was so excited to be going to school and even more the same school as his big brother and sister. He has been counting down the days and asking at every school meeting if he is going to school. We have been working at home on things like spelling his name and counting, abc's etc. He is so smart and I knew once we could get his medical stuff situated her would be ready to go. Well he has had his braces now for 1 week and he was ready to get this show on the road. There will be no stopping this smarty pants. He picks stuff up so fast. <br />
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Karis, Kya and I dropped Kingston off, walking him to his class. He walked at the front of the line holding his teachers hand. I could hear some of the kids talking. "That's Kingston", "He is new, he is from China". I am sure the teacher gave them a heads up on a new student joining their class. Kingston walked in and the teacher showed him his hook for his backpack and his desk with his name on it. He sat down quietly and started right to work on a math paper. Proudly writing his name at the top! I gave him a kiss and told him I would see him after school and that he would do great. We walked out as he worked on his paper and I could hear the teacher introducing all the kids at his table group. I really like his teacher and I am so excited for him. I know he is going to love school and making new friends. He was so ready for this new adventure.<br />
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After school I made sure to be there early, lol. No mommy fails of being late on the first day. I wanted him to see my face as soon as school was done. He came down with the rest of his class and saw me and was smiling a big Kingston smile. He came right into my arms once his teacher excused him and gave me a big hug. I asked him how the day went and like any kid I got the one word answer. "Good". I talked to the teacher who said he did great and was interacting with the kids and they all wanted to help him do everything and teach him the ropes. That as a mama is the best thing to hear, he was being accepted right away. I am just so excited for him! As we walked out he asked, " School tomorrow"? I said yes, which was followed by his cheering YAY! I knew then he had a GREAT day! So on to tomorrow and many more days of school and firsts for my brave boy!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12920274329924319138noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642453554065052839.post-64606191619763841462015-04-06T21:17:00.001-07:002015-04-06T21:17:50.416-07:00Hoppy Easter! HE IS RISEN INDEED! I hope everybody had a wonderful Easter! We were so excited to celebrate such an important holiday to our family with our newest children. <br />
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I love decorating pretty much for every holiday and season of the year. I have a plastic bin or two designated for the holiday depending on what I have picked up on clearance here and there at the after holiday sales (yes that is how I shop) over the years. I am not sure why I enjoy it, but it just brings so much excitment and festivity to the house. We have a book basket that is always full of books for the different holidays, window clings, and love my table clothes, lol! So this year the 3 kids that are home with me got to help me decorate and they loved it. It got them excited for this holiday first they would enjoy in our family. <br />
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As much talk of Easter Bunny, Chocolate, Eggs etc started going around our house I wanted to make sure my newest children understood the real reason we celebrate Easter. I had just taken Kingston to his first church service on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday would be Kya's first Sunday in church so I knew that alone would not do the teaching. We have books that I would read and that was great, but then my Mother-in-Love asked me what she could send and I asked her about sending a video that was age appropriate in explaining the Easter Story. We received this special video, along with some coloring books that explained perfectly the death and resurrection of Jesus and boy did it spark questions. Now right now we are still in the midst of a language barrier, but every day is about learning. Learning new words, meaning and phrases. Kingston caught on that the cross was a symbol of Jesus and then he kept saying, big man flying! I loved this! Yes we have a big Daddy up in the sky. Then he started asking, what about Daddy here? We talked about our heavenly Daddy and our Earthly Daddy, and he's a boy so we talked about who is stronger, lol. I just loved the questions that were coming. We do not watch a ton of tv in our home, but I have used videos as teaching tools a lot with the kids. They can see it visually and also hear it. They are learning.<br />
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We went to church Easter morning and I have to say my church has been amazing at accomodating our newest children and their needs. I feel blessed to be a part of a church family that is willing to make the children comfortable so I can go worship and refill my spirit too. The kids loved Sunday School Easter morning! Were excited that they made cross necklaces and left class with a chocolate egg. HE is the reason we have these children in our home and I feel so blessed that we get to teach them all about their Big Daddy in the sky who loves them!<br />
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I do not want to leave out all the fun details of the kids first Dying of Easter Eggs or waking to hunt for their baskets or their first Easter egg hunt outside. They enjoyed it all. We heard, "I Love Easter" many, many times. The smile and joy on all the kids faces never gets old and it is why we do all the fun decorating and hiding of these plastic eggs. <br />
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We had a special treat this year. Our 2nd to oldest daughter Kendall thought all on her own that she wanted to make skirts for the girls for Easter. She went with GiGi and bought the material and then had a special sewing party with a dear friend Rebecca (as her mommy is not talented like that), who helped her create and sew 3 beautiful matching skirts. She was so proud and we were so proud of her. Her sisters were so excited to be able to match as they both look up to her. Not only has Kendall started sewing, but she has really got into baking so she also made a special cake for our family to enjoy on Easter. She is a true blessing to our family.<br />
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Okay I will not hold out any longer, we took some adorable photos of course! Yes I would love, love to share, because my kids are just to cute to keep secret, lol! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGrEFREqhwoDE5xjwOBun_BCf2bcUaoZINdH-3dJA0MhgSB7sKz58s5MELXsrn1IfFubHL-IVvPX6jg554bdddc9clODIB0UCaxHkhl8obP83W5qwGtbdrlqK4UBO6JWX-oYBUYuc6W6ii/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGrEFREqhwoDE5xjwOBun_BCf2bcUaoZINdH-3dJA0MhgSB7sKz58s5MELXsrn1IfFubHL-IVvPX6jg554bdddc9clODIB0UCaxHkhl8obP83W5qwGtbdrlqK4UBO6JWX-oYBUYuc6W6ii/s320/001.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCtgJ-h5DNAUCbJdzcNKr-hht1Vz9Kq353aMX9X2tu-M3eC68jfhIlQ3IOQhmdlLr6Uia7YqgfR-m8eA6g6pyDbJY0uNoSVA9Orc55HQRn1i2lIlCgNEF-EWLC5H4Y8BfofJsAXbTzLhH/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCtgJ-h5DNAUCbJdzcNKr-hht1Vz9Kq353aMX9X2tu-M3eC68jfhIlQ3IOQhmdlLr6Uia7YqgfR-m8eA6g6pyDbJY0uNoSVA9Orc55HQRn1i2lIlCgNEF-EWLC5H4Y8BfofJsAXbTzLhH/s320/009.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwmXiNHYKBeVNYm9a69Dy5-zHtkxA344pYZHrIJv8SA65J2PuFU2ESmuA_bl4QwllvB3ZCtFG_76FLMPLwRykarMMssYfPR8YkHZD0A9_QeWeqqZ_m-ZZQskUkXOhfqv0ungNWk9eQ5as/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwmXiNHYKBeVNYm9a69Dy5-zHtkxA344pYZHrIJv8SA65J2PuFU2ESmuA_bl4QwllvB3ZCtFG_76FLMPLwRykarMMssYfPR8YkHZD0A9_QeWeqqZ_m-ZZQskUkXOhfqv0ungNWk9eQ5as/s320/026.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RgRDnUhaHn1fvATPmvs9NGUagjwvLc0sQmGW6JD-QX1sbOWQ8hZh9H2k9V3dbGWysrPKNQbw0NXPkTnlTsbh1GsbIqy3GdNKpQ4prgph-642toEtCxcA0tcGznmX1oDeZueN3MbGo33W/s1600/038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12920274329924319138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642453554065052839.post-30878629788925579722015-04-02T13:32:00.000-07:002015-04-02T13:32:50.400-07:0010 Years Old Today and Home at Last!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvyI8tuHV8qgB8zOXYYxUDeyU0e9EdnwN6BI4d2F6hIknalFHC8mqAH7SeCTeaxXop347l8m0qI_21yvsBqlDdfkVDMCfs8NvGhcwdWUxZNDeKDGKqoCkJ7ONn6rNsqKvSkDI0LUEjyYr/s1600/IMG_20150402_114408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvyI8tuHV8qgB8zOXYYxUDeyU0e9EdnwN6BI4d2F6hIknalFHC8mqAH7SeCTeaxXop347l8m0qI_21yvsBqlDdfkVDMCfs8NvGhcwdWUxZNDeKDGKqoCkJ7ONn6rNsqKvSkDI0LUEjyYr/s320/IMG_20150402_114408.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Today is our now oldest daughters 10th birthday! Her first Birthday surrounded by her forever family. We do not know if she was ever celebrated on this special day, but I like to hold out hope that she was or that her birthmother thinks about her on this day. I can not imagine my child not being with me and we will never understand her families decisions, but we will always pray for them. Pray for peace that they know she is now loved and cherished. She is celebrating birthdays like other children. Blowing out candles and being sung too! <br />
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In the 2 monthes sincer we have been home we have seen so much growth in Kya. She is a happy, joyous child, who shows it usually loudly, lol! She is developing an opinion, likes and dislikes, she is learning new things everyday. We know God placed her in our lives for a special reason, and we can not wait to see her story unfold.<br />
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Shine your light sweet girl, share your infectious laugh and smile with all around you. Spread your wings and fly! We are right behind you every step of the way!<br />
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We are attending evaluations and specific clinics to each childs needs. This is a huge learning experience. We have been very please with all the wonderful care the kids have recieved up on the hill at OHSU, Doernbecher and Shriner's. <br />
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To date we have had a eye dr appts,MRI, Dental surgery, OT evals, x-rays, molds made for leg braces, shots, and blood work. We took this week off due to spring break and all 5 kids being home from school, but will get back at it starting Tuesday! I have tried to remember to take photos along the way to document our time. Hard when I am also trying to be there for each child and take in all the new information given to me. Some things we already knew and recently we have hit some new territory that we will be exploring medically.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12920274329924319138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642453554065052839.post-34669942036908423642015-03-19T12:39:00.000-07:002015-03-19T12:39:06.140-07:00Blog Slacker - We are home! We have been home since January 31st now. So about 3 1/2 weeks now. Crazy to think that we have had custody of our children for over a month already. I feel so bad that I was not able to keep the blog going, but when people say that the internet is sketchy in China they are not joking (that and you go into survival mode). Then upon returning home we found our main computer had died. So my blog info which was saved was gone. My already fried brain could not figure out what the user name or password was and honestly I did not have the energy to give it much thought.<br />
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Our time in China was nice, we got to see Beijing and visit the Great Wall, an amazing wonder for sure! We went to Zhengzhou where we received our children and then flew to Guangzhou where we finished everything up before coming home. If I said our trip was smooth I would be lying. Adoption trips I believe test you in everything. Patience, Flexibility, Adaptability, Strength, Endurance, and Faith. We relied on prayer a lot. From the start, right up until we landed back at home. <br />
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On January 19th we took a bus with many other families to meet our children. At this point we had already spent a day with our son and were excited to be reunited with him. We have yet to meet our daughter. She was still just a picture to us. The night before we received a piece of paper about each child to help us adjust as their parents and make them feel more welcome. There was some info on our daughters paper that to us was unknown and a little alarming. Our son's paper was pretty much what we knew and since we had spent the day with him were feeling pretty okay with it. After arriving to the room where we would receive our children it was full of ready parents, nerves and anticipation was high as children started being brought one by one and sometimes two by two. They would bring the child in and call the child's name and then the parents name. The child would be handed over. The younger ones cried unsure of why they were being handed over to these strangers who looked strange and smelled strange and new to them. Watching the scene over and over, you cry right along with the joyful parent. I found myself tearing yes out of joy for the making of a family, but out of sadness for the child who had no idea what was going on, who was experiencing such extreme loss right at that moment.<br />
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And a second attempt at getting this blog post written, lol. I started it as written above and then life and appointments took over. Oh my, lol!<br />
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Our children arrived on gotcha day 1 at a time. Our daughter Kya arrived first along with quite a few other children from her orphanage that were being adopted as well. She was the oldest out of them and was helped up the steps by one of the orphanage workers. She came in and acted liked she recognized us, but I am not clear on that for sure. She was very excited to show us a princess purse that she had and its contents. I am asssuming it was given to her as a gift when she left that morning. I was also handed a backpack and a photo book. We all crowded around her as she proudly showed her belongings to her and then we guided her over to a couch. It became very apparent that her walking and balance were more of an issue than we had understood. She was pretty wobbly. She sat on the couch and I handed her the photo album, she looked through it naming all her foster siblings she had been living with for the past year. I was quickly called away to start signing paperwork. While I was signing paperwork Kingston was brought in buy a nanny from his home. He was quickly set in a stroller and had a big smile on his face when he saw us! We got all the needed paperwork done and then moved to a corner of the room to start the bonding and getting to know our children process. We had also brought our 9 yr old daughter and 7 yr old son so the kids were very interested in them as well. Lots of hugs and giggles were given. I learned the mandarin word for potty real quick that day also. When all families had received there children and filled out their paperwork we were allowed to leave. All the families we traveled with who entered that room with empty arms, were leaving with full ones. Some for the very first time of parenting. It was a very special surreal moment and there were a lot of emotions getting back on the bus.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hdouIw9oQD9wMdLPZfeNRZda4Ji_AeJL9dU9BFZZdKNBGbjK7uOfUp4Rwo7RvOtaoRzFMFZ5Yqo6zNGx53kHpt0ckYedudT3y10CM29vqNsTDfTU4ni7106CjSkgFdnByBJeuzZz251M/s1600/1798519_10204848319421518_7217574548702804378_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hdouIw9oQD9wMdLPZfeNRZda4Ji_AeJL9dU9BFZZdKNBGbjK7uOfUp4Rwo7RvOtaoRzFMFZ5Yqo6zNGx53kHpt0ckYedudT3y10CM29vqNsTDfTU4ni7106CjSkgFdnByBJeuzZz251M/s320/1798519_10204848319421518_7217574548702804378_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhjZx-UvRv2NjgtW-8P-f_AF9fOgtJxLRg7L2dOrffHT_yWtNDGHQ2BLSGQ7eWgtZDkYzcgTZ7qyx1dh099HWy0D9xt7TK1ISUTs3bJJdkjSCVYDHSgFHmIYdkNY_AbP-68ThfoU-Jrqa/s1600/10904458_10205382698194158_2921780250706332253_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhjZx-UvRv2NjgtW-8P-f_AF9fOgtJxLRg7L2dOrffHT_yWtNDGHQ2BLSGQ7eWgtZDkYzcgTZ7qyx1dh099HWy0D9xt7TK1ISUTs3bJJdkjSCVYDHSgFHmIYdkNY_AbP-68ThfoU-Jrqa/s320/10904458_10205382698194158_2921780250706332253_o.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQNP6Cz2RhODrTPlrRfrnMhWcv9r6ZT0iy6vLJrOBMM9LOqroIpgwtFRPOGGBWvSYcEqCizuxOU-ba1jGYNWzIZF8zJbStejUkEtBIIDVYa0JIaQlf3Io_vejlAv1IvLMm9gy204GvWnS/s1600/10999316_10205382698154157_3324370333809627068_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQNP6Cz2RhODrTPlrRfrnMhWcv9r6ZT0iy6vLJrOBMM9LOqroIpgwtFRPOGGBWvSYcEqCizuxOU-ba1jGYNWzIZF8zJbStejUkEtBIIDVYa0JIaQlf3Io_vejlAv1IvLMm9gy204GvWnS/s320/10999316_10205382698154157_3324370333809627068_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EnGAept-4Hqc1L_XcbTBbTz9CatFl8SrojBqKoVQ9Xqs1kk9Vo-EA11Otd_XMnM4HkM_3sGj-7On-96970TWtSvSyT4HHhIR_H77tAVPUjQ32F496ZWIIwALAxLN_gqKHhcS_USrs12G/s1600/11002622_10205382697634144_7772856179528669551_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EnGAept-4Hqc1L_XcbTBbTz9CatFl8SrojBqKoVQ9Xqs1kk9Vo-EA11Otd_XMnM4HkM_3sGj-7On-96970TWtSvSyT4HHhIR_H77tAVPUjQ32F496ZWIIwALAxLN_gqKHhcS_USrs12G/s320/11002622_10205382697634144_7772856179528669551_n.jpg" /></a></div>To speed things up some while in China we had our ups and downs with the kids. Our sons bonding seemed to be going fairly smoothly. He is easy going, silly, curious and very social. Loving to everybody in the family, constantly offering a hug or kiss. I think he would get frustrated that we could not speak Mandarin, but he was very patient with us using hand gestures and repeating every english word he heard. The minute he could find someone to speak mandarin with though he chatted their ears off, our guides, taxi drivers, hotel staff, who ever would listen. We hoped it was all good, lol. Our daughter bonded instantly with my husband. She would allow me to be close and show her affection, but would not really give it to me on her own and when something did not go her way Mama was the one who was lashed out at. I know I am not the only mother this has happened to and this is the hard side of adoption. Rejection from a child you have prayed for and loved for so long is very hard to take. I knew this could happen with either kid going into it and knew my job was to keep loving her no matter her reactions towards me. While in China you feel so out of your element also that is so hard for day to day things. So we sort of allowed KC to be the main person to avoid meltdowns if we could, but certain things like hitting or safety issues had to be addressed on the spot and did not always go over to well. The word "NO" was not said to her much I do not think nor was teaching her to control that emotion or behavior. I will report she has not hit me since the San Francisco airport on the way home (pretty sure people thought we forced her to come home as I literaly had to drag her on the plane)! This is huge progress!<br />
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Being home for so long now requires its own post. We have been to so many drs appts now with each kiddo and are wading through learning their ins and outs, likes and dislikes. I will try and do another post sooner then later. I will add a bunch of photos, because pictures are fun!<br />
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Tomorrow we leave for China. People keep asking me how I am feeling. I can not even put into words the emotions that have gone through me this past week. Ups, downs and all arounds, lol. Happy, Excited, Scared, Tired, Elated, Fear, Uncertainty, Joy, Anxiety, I have felt it all. Even sadness as I prepare to leave our youngest home. Please keep her in your prayers as this could be hard on her, she knows something is changing, and we talk and talk about the plan and the kids, but we do not really know how much she really understands. We wrapped 17 small gifts with notes for her to open everyday so she knows that she is loved and thought about even while we are gone. I know she will be loved on and safe while we are gone and it is for the best, but still this mama heart hurts to leave her behind.<br />
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All our bags are packed, I never thought I would get them packed, but tonight made it final, there was no choice, I had to zip them shut. So now it all is what it is, and we will survive with what we have in the bags. We are carrying over some donations. Medical supplies to the healing home where our son is living and also some gifts to children who's parents are working so hard to bring them home. One such family had sent a gift on short notice in hopes we could deliver it to their son. Today at 3pm I sent them a message saying I was freaking out as their package had not got here and the mail already came for that day. I had a couple errands to run and told them to check the tracking and see if they could find out where the box was at. They were trying to locate the packing slip and I was done running errands and had just pulled into the driveway when I get a text stating that the package had tried to have been delivered but there was no safe place to leave it? Unsure of what that meant as we have a porch and I actually have a sign on my porch telling postal men to leave packages between my screen door and front door. Also it did not require a signature. So I get this text at 4:30pm, the family tried to tell me I did not have to worry about it, but I could not leave knowing this package could be sitting at the post office. So Kids, house sitter and I hauled our way (we drove the speed limit) to the post office. I got there at 4:50pm, they close at 5pm. At the desk he says he will look but it is possible it is at a different post office. Quick prayer in my head, please be there, he looks one place, not there, I tell him it is a Priority Express and he says oh well that makes a difference and goes to another area in back, comes around the corner, box in hand! I could have cried happy tears. I thanked him and told him this box contained a package headed to China for a special little boy tomorrow!! I literally hugged the box, yes I am serious! I felt so responsible for this gift getting to China. I feel like I am paying it forward for the families that carried my children's gifts over before we were traveling. So I have the gift packed safe and sound!<br />
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Tomorrow please pray for safe travels and that all our flights are on time with no issues, and that all our bags make it to where they need to go. Thank to our House Helper Amanda, who helped me get my blogger password etc. I am hoping to be able to keep this updated. Every now and then, lol! See you on the other side of the world!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12920274329924319138noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642453554065052839.post-82508740476637506522015-01-02T22:26:00.000-08:002015-01-02T22:26:04.507-08:00TA and Travel Plans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_YVSDppRIPOVQJwbGcbSGqfL2yrGAdD49Fx3qBdAtrK45YeRvd_6qOzeDZF9IP-I1viRxDZ7dxbLCNO5FOKuEbzc3THu0Yo3Jc3E1OzEIVf7-PksVKoqXcByBSWeyJZQgV5gDERrAf87/s1600/picmonkey_image+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_YVSDppRIPOVQJwbGcbSGqfL2yrGAdD49Fx3qBdAtrK45YeRvd_6qOzeDZF9IP-I1viRxDZ7dxbLCNO5FOKuEbzc3THu0Yo3Jc3E1OzEIVf7-PksVKoqXcByBSWeyJZQgV5gDERrAf87/s320/picmonkey_image+(4).jpg" /></a></div><br />
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We received our TA and are full swing into making our travel plans. We have a CA (Consulate Appointment) for 1/29. That means that we need to be there 2 weeks prior to meet our children and do all the paperwork needed prior to this appointment. So the official day we will meet our children will be 1/19. To say this is all coming fast is an understatement. When you work on something for over a year, praying, filling out tons of paperwork etc and then finally you get the all clear to go get your children. Let me tell you, the night we booked our tickets and it was really, really real, this mama's anxiety got a little out of control. I have since calmed down a little enough to be able to breathe. HAHA. <br />
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We have booked our flights to and from, we have got our hotels booked and we have started the packing process. We have 13 days, well technically 12 days as today is almost over. So lots to do. I have lists and lists. Trying to figure out how to pack for 6 people, but not over pack is sort of difficult for me. Layer, Layers. Two of the Cities we will be in will be in the 40'-50's and then our final City will be 60's-70's, let me tell you as an Oregonian in the middle of the winter I can not wait to get to that last stop!<br />
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I am doing all I can to try and be successful with internet etc in country and so hope I will be able to post whether on blogger or on our facebook page <a href="http://">https://www.facebook.com/CrazyLeeFarm2</a> I have heard communication can be iffy in some places, but we will try our hardest so make sure to like our page and check often. Last if you all can be praying. Pray that our children's hearts are ready to receive us and the love we have for them, that they may be able to let us comfort them when they grieve and feel afraid. Pray protection for us and our health while we are in a foreign country. We so love all our supporters! We could not have done this without you. We have a fundraiser going on right now that has been started by our friends. Please go check it out it looks like a fun one! <a href="http://">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lee-Family-Envelope-Fundraiser/752439268184486</a><br />
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We are still trying to reach $4000 in our FSP to announce our daughters Forever Name also. We are less than $200 away. If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to our FSP here is that link <a href="http://">http://reecesrainbow.org/71271/sponsorlee</a><br />
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YAY, YAY, YAY, Here we come kids. It has been a long year, but this year is going to be amazing. What a way to start the year off! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12920274329924319138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642453554065052839.post-24976050973773483732014-12-17T10:38:00.001-08:002014-12-17T11:29:00.442-08:00A Name!We have said for a while if we could reach $3500 in our FSP<a href="http:"> http://reecesrainbow.org/71271/sponsorlee</a> we would share our newest sons forever name. We originally wanted to be able to share it on his Birthday as we as a family celebrated him and put his new name on the cake. We had a mini party for him, celebrating his last birthday without a family by his side. Even though we did not make our goal then we held true to our word and yesterday we finally hit $3500 in our FSP. This is a huge milestone, well any growth in our account is a huge blessing. We are working hard to grow our FSP<a href="http:"> http://reecesrainbow.org/71271/sponsorlee</a> and when it reaches just over $11,000 we will be fully funded for our adoption. I know it sounds like a huge number, but it can happen and I have seen it happen many times over with families adopting. God set us out on this journey and he will provide away. All donations are tax deductible so if you, a friend or your company is looking to make a huge blessing before year end please consider our family.<br />
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Sorry for getting side tracked, lol. Dang money talk. Back to why I started this blog post. The name, I know you all want to know what new "K" name will be entering our family. I say it like that as all 5 of us so far start with K's, we of course would never leave anybody out. I do have to say it is getting harder to think or come up with names. Everybody except my husband has the same initials KML. I have tried to change it, but now it is just sort of our thing. When thinking and praying about names though it can get difficult. Especially when this mama like now just run of the mill names. I love my kids to have names that stand out. That are a little unique. It was funny though Little man's first name came to me pretty quickly after looking at all his photos, seeing his personality through them. We did as a family sit down and do our name choosing game of sorts, just as my husband did with our first two, and the we as a family of 4 did when we add our youngest. We love that the children are as involved in the adoption as we are, they are excited to welcome a brother and sister into the family (that can change as all settle in, lol), but we will take all the excitement and happiness for now!<br />
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So we sat down, we all wrote out our "K" name suggestions, but I was pretty sure I had found the right name and so this mama of course let her opinion known, lol. To my surprise they all liked it and took to it very quickly. All though most of the time when we refer to him in our house, the kids still call him by his Chinese name and we will probably use it as a nickname if he would like us to continue that once home (he has also been talked to about his new name). I also had been looking over middle names beginning with the letter "M" and had found one that I really liked. Loved the meaning and liked how it sounded with the first name. So that was my proposal! It was a winner!<br />
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So no more stalling, I would love to introduce you to our newest little Man, he is so cute and we can not wait to meet him. Just look at that face, the smile, those eyes, lol. Okay, Okay!!!!<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b> Kingston Matthew</b></span><br />
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So excited it is finally out in the open! Matthew - The meaning of the name Matthew is <b>Gift Of God </b> (<a href="http://">babynames.com</a>) and that he is to us. He has waited so long for a family of his own and we are so excited to be chosen as that family.<br />
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Now for our next goal we are trying to reach $4000 in our FSP <a href="http://">http://reecesrainbow.org/71271/sponsorlee</a>. Once we have reached $4000 we will share our daughters forever name. I know you are curious!!! Please help us reach our goal!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12920274329924319138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642453554065052839.post-33806664285967780392014-12-05T06:30:00.002-08:002014-12-05T06:30:34.406-08:00Article 5 Drop Off!!!!!On Monday our article 5 will be dropped off to the US Embassy in China! What is an article 5? This is the NVC letter we received, our children's visa applications, and our LOA- letter of acceptance. The consulate will review the kids visa applications to make sure they meet the qualifications for an immigrant visa. Then they will sign off that everything is in order for the adoption to take place! This is called the article 5 letter. Once our representative in China picks this up (in about two weeks) it will be delivered directly to the CCCWA for our Travel Approval! Yeah!! Let the countdown begin!! We are sooooo close. This seems so unreal that we last December were just starting the process of gathering info and first steps of initial paperwork. I am also in the process of getting all our travel visa paperwork sent off to a courier who will take it to the Consulate here for our Travel Visa's to China. That is paperwork x4 since we are taking our 2 oldest children with us. <br />
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Financially we are still working hard fundraising and asking for support. This is a perfect time to donate as all donations to our FSP<a href="http://"> http://reecesrainbow.org/71271/sponsorlee</a> are tax deductible. So if you, your company or a group are looking for a group or family to support our family would feel so blessed for you to join our village in helping bring our children home. We are still standing by our word as well if we can get our FSP to $3500 we will announce our sons forever name! <br />
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Also check our facebook page for current fundraisers <a href="http://">https://www.facebook.com/CrazyLeeFarm2</a>. We currently have a Usborne book fundraiser and I can not say enough about these amazing books. Can never have too many, and the gift of reading for children is always an amazing one. We also have a Jewelry Fundraiser by Nest Design. She makes personalized Pea Pod style or Bird Nest Style necklaces, to reflect your family, your children, your grandchildren etc. I have met this wonderful adoptive mama herself and she does beautiful work.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12920274329924319138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642453554065052839.post-43861718530809451432014-11-25T23:05:00.000-08:002014-11-25T23:05:02.322-08:00Date " F"Get your minds out of the gutter people. We had such a fun Letter date "F". This was my date to plan and after Date "E" not ending so well. I was determined to have a great time. I have been listening to Love and Respect and just learning so much and loving learning ways to improve my marriage. Marriage is not always easy friends. Love is a choice. We have to choose to love our spouse everyday, even when we do not feel like they are acting lovable. So going in to date F, I put thought into it. Something he would enjoy, something that would have to allow/force me to trust him, something we could do together, I could learn, he could teach. I think I nailed it. Here is some of the equipment needed.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzzAoqsCQg7Y4y26MIcQaF9T0n7p2h4_Yvz311PHTPhhub_zuPCKFYB4YpOOIMBOFAwRT6rsYlbl1nzm1CCAicbKW2_GNwUZKZpxYcoaBYeiolCYJ06wZgJsWtp9VS2lPwBkfLC9AiGCH/s1600/20141122_171304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzzAoqsCQg7Y4y26MIcQaF9T0n7p2h4_Yvz311PHTPhhub_zuPCKFYB4YpOOIMBOFAwRT6rsYlbl1nzm1CCAicbKW2_GNwUZKZpxYcoaBYeiolCYJ06wZgJsWtp9VS2lPwBkfLC9AiGCH/s320/20141122_171304.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I have never been shooting before, but we have a live fire range that has just moved to Sherwood so I thought what the heck, let's give it a try. My husband having the military background enjoys this stuff and I knew would love teaching me. We own a shotgun and I am all about knowledge, so wanted this date to bring me knowledge to something we have in our home for protection. Living out in the country, this is protection from mainly wild animals if they should happen on our property. I will pray we never see them (cougar, coyote) and it never has to be used. Never the less knowledge is power. So here we go. I was a sort of nervous wreck just walking in the building. I filled out my liability forms, said prayers in my head and got all geared up. They lead us back through a few sets of doors onto the firing range. It was silent when we walked in and the gentleman was explaining all the rules etc and then someone shot and I think I leapt a foot in the air. Not joking. Every shot for the next few minutes caught me off guard, and I either jumped or had an obvious flinch. Slowly I started to relax. Then it was my turn to shoot. We of course shot at Zombies, because we had to prepare for the zombie take over you know, lol! There are no pictures of me shooting, but there is a video and maybe someday when I learn to get videos onto my blog it will be on here, but until then it will just get posted to my facebook page. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibpkjftsbxfhvxahDlRHfCNUIwlLOstxmJhCG3GUBc256Ub5Dr8nuQjJ1TD1zxUCuo4LpVCPw5KkLP5GAQ0uWqeAtTyjuk3MTphYD-5ZXQaU3F6nR_MZEfz7v6fmcedxBRANtsHP7mgD8/s1600/20141122_171901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibpkjftsbxfhvxahDlRHfCNUIwlLOstxmJhCG3GUBc256Ub5Dr8nuQjJ1TD1zxUCuo4LpVCPw5KkLP5GAQ0uWqeAtTyjuk3MTphYD-5ZXQaU3F6nR_MZEfz7v6fmcedxBRANtsHP7mgD8/s320/20141122_171901.jpg" /></a></div><br />
In the video you can see how nervous I am, and that is not the first time I had shot that evening it was like the 5th or 6th. The first time I was shaking so bad. I could not even hold the shotgun up. Hubby came along side me and helped and encouraged. It was scary, but I did it. Again and again. Each time though I had to get up the courage to pull the trigger. In the video you can see and tell by my body language as I shift, and hesitate for a long time between shots. My motto this year for myself though is "Love Life, Be Brave" I was being brave for sure. <br />
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After shooting we headed to dinner at Famous Dave's BBQ, we had a delicious dinner, way to big, lol. Wonderful conversation, hubby told me about the first time he ever shot a gun and also some of his experiences in the army. It was so nice to hear him talk and enjoy himself. I love still being able to learn new things about him. We actually sat and talked for a while after we were done eating, enjoying our time together with no children! When we decided that maybe the babysitter had had enough we headed home. My love tank was just full. We snuggled on the couch and watched a movie, and finished our date with the most important "F", FAMILY! Blessed! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUwKSZaAfDWOGUTcprgNc9G6RDbDhC4A6WJzyEdCuUhjLJXB-IONyjWNFD3arOWYSznOu9V2uox7tyU7dcItDI9wBFNvHUFo6JoKy41m-iKGaYPlXR2NDLc6fbS4e7zivWRI_KyJGz8JQ/s1600/20141122_174824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUwKSZaAfDWOGUTcprgNc9G6RDbDhC4A6WJzyEdCuUhjLJXB-IONyjWNFD3arOWYSznOu9V2uox7tyU7dcItDI9wBFNvHUFo6JoKy41m-iKGaYPlXR2NDLc6fbS4e7zivWRI_KyJGz8JQ/s320/20141122_174824.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12920274329924319138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642453554065052839.post-22147431888700395072014-11-24T21:03:00.000-08:002014-11-24T21:03:43.368-08:00Thank you Pie Lovers!Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! To everybody who bought pies, cobblers and frozen fruit. To all who shared my posts and told their family and friends about our fundraiser. To Willamette Pie Company for their amazing support and allowing us to do the fundraiser for a second time. We raised almost $400 dollars towards our adoption. To some that may not seem like a lot, but really when you break all these costs down it truly is such a blessing. Every dollar is going to a fee of some kind. As we move closer to the end their just seems to be more fees! God will Provide. <br />
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So on November 19th My mom, Baby and I took a field trip to Willamette Pie Company to pick up all the pies, cobblers and fruit! We did not really know what to expect, but had an appointment for 10am. It was a cold, but sunny, dry day! So we drove the back country roads and it was just beautiful! The drive was only about 40mins and we arrived on time! We found the office and the potty since we were traveling with a potty training toddler it is a must find at every stop, lol! I let them know I was there to pick up my order and then we got to watch them make the pies! If you know anything about Willamette Valley Pies they hand make their crust, and the pies and it is amazing as they have big windows so you can watch the yumminess happen. Baby enjoyed this part only for a few minutes, I could have watched much longer! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwThP7NgpEMmVevFuybpNklGni2pxTbNFOS7TGtwuRIWf29xzBtTzzNzAAGI4xjU2_iy_L81ogQcOz3jHF5nWsvei7OX3E080FUi50F-5dRBzHtLDRP86D0f9qittrHYnPNDhPWiXsGMf/s1600/20141119_101242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwThP7NgpEMmVevFuybpNklGni2pxTbNFOS7TGtwuRIWf29xzBtTzzNzAAGI4xjU2_iy_L81ogQcOz3jHF5nWsvei7OX3E080FUi50F-5dRBzHtLDRP86D0f9qittrHYnPNDhPWiXsGMf/s320/20141119_101242.jpg" /></a></div><br />
They have a fun little farm store that has all kinds of cute things to look at, but the best part is if you go between 9am and 11am it is their "Happy Hour"!! $1 or $1.50 pie slices, and they warm them and put a scoop of vanilla ice cream on. So of course since we were there we had to take part in this yummy special. I chose Boysenberry, baby had Pumpkin Pie (mommy figured it would be the least messiest), and I am completely drawing a blank on what my mom had. She can chime in on the comments! It was so tasty! What a yummy breakfast, lol! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFd8TocYYRH5AYknqJirpacEjJLKGP-ZovHpn1zppAHTTfZl2M8K1cnv-r4O1sGkqpUyZoMd8ov16oLVk7UyC93NJwu6FqAI2dQArkoMzJ8zHmPAGe_IMkyc4ydisQp7jLYj9pv92r5TZ/s1600/20141119_102440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFd8TocYYRH5AYknqJirpacEjJLKGP-ZovHpn1zppAHTTfZl2M8K1cnv-r4O1sGkqpUyZoMd8ov16oLVk7UyC93NJwu6FqAI2dQArkoMzJ8zHmPAGe_IMkyc4ydisQp7jLYj9pv92r5TZ/s320/20141119_102440.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XGtnDXSDRHlPr_o2SzkX-OvEhXNk90cJ0ADHm8awSlOxJh60eS5z46lZvP7z6g1cnOU8BNMf97cOBdq773oRtoNahxKS8AYo9gH-Rsh_VAm6A0C1hHDFaEEloevYNs7uXRQTaCJpdGo2/s1600/20141119_102447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XGtnDXSDRHlPr_o2SzkX-OvEhXNk90cJ0ADHm8awSlOxJh60eS5z46lZvP7z6g1cnOU8BNMf97cOBdq773oRtoNahxKS8AYo9gH-Rsh_VAm6A0C1hHDFaEEloevYNs7uXRQTaCJpdGo2/s320/20141119_102447.jpg" /></a></div><br />
We got the pies all loaded up, there was so much they filled the back of my minivan with the seat laid down! The man that loaded them asked me all about our adoption and shared with me that his wife and him hope that one day that they also would like to adopt! We let baby play on their little playgroup out front. Yes they even have a little playground so on nice, warm summer days, "Happy Hour" would be even more amazing outside! Then we started our trip home to get all the pies, cobblers and fruit back to the two pick up spots. I am just filled with so much happiness, and love at all the support. I hope these pies and cobblers are eaten and enjoyed with family and friends! Thank you again for being apart of our village to bring our children home. Here is the address to Willamette Valley Pie Company, so if you are ever in the area you can look it up! <br />
Willamette Valley Pie Company, LLC<br />
2994 82nd Avenue NE<br />
Salem, OR 97305<br />
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website: <a href="http://">http://www.wvpie.com/</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12920274329924319138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642453554065052839.post-1946876764790672872014-11-19T21:05:00.000-08:002014-11-19T21:05:27.076-08:00Date "E"Just because I am blogging about these I thought if I skipped one it would be strange to everybody. I do not really want to write about this date. Everything started great. My poor husband having worked in NY all week and flown across the United States to get home that day and still went out on a date with me. I appreciated that. We had a nice dinner, good conversation and we probably should have ended it there. As I believe fatigue and miscommunication turned our great evening into a not so fun evening that ended. This is real life people. Not everything is all rosy and perfect all the time. These not so good times give us a time for self reflection, a time to think and a time to apologize and work it out. I do all this with a lot of prayer. Prayer for my husband, myself, my heart and our marriage. " Prayer is the least and the most we can do. We did learn that dating on a day where you are exhausted is probably not a great thing. Lesson learned. On to date "F"<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPAHjtlFjsujOJ-aNEDGxBHaycN0IsgTd3JjG19f_cdmWgv1w0MvGJzGsNd0ziU7fJzJZ11OPr1D2IU6wsO2-v5vir-rCLWL-ZoSQyLS3wzk-qMRgx10ix7ISCVyoWgBbJDIfIG9mtyHf/s1600/WSCL1_E_FIRE-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPAHjtlFjsujOJ-aNEDGxBHaycN0IsgTd3JjG19f_cdmWgv1w0MvGJzGsNd0ziU7fJzJZ11OPr1D2IU6wsO2-v5vir-rCLWL-ZoSQyLS3wzk-qMRgx10ix7ISCVyoWgBbJDIfIG9mtyHf/s400/WSCL1_E_FIRE-01.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12920274329924319138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642453554065052839.post-67992377603564113542014-11-19T20:50:00.000-08:002014-11-19T20:50:04.430-08:00Date "C" and "D" did Happen!I am so behind. Caught up in the whirlwind of life with 3 kids and fundraising for our adoption. We are getting so much closer to the end and want to make sure all the funds are in place. Anyways we are still dating, Letters C and D dates did happen. I have thought about sitting and writing about them, but then never actually do it. <br />
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So Letter "C" was my date choice and being the money savvy person that I am wanted something different, but of course with a deal! So I kept my eyes open for something. Then one day in my email I saw it. The words COMEDY CLUB! In an email titled Groupon! Win, Win!! How fun would that "C" date be, laughing together is always a good thing in a marriage. We Our night started more stressful and rushed, as sometimes it does, getting kids settled with the sitter, us living way out in the sticks and then knowing I had made reservations for a specific show time of course there would be lots of traffic, oh yes and the gaslight just has to come on now right. Ugh, all this just gives me time to practice my grace and patience. Knowing that we will get there at some point and it will be okay, it will be okay! We arrived with a few minutes to spare, whew (in my head)! Walked in, even had to wait in a line, lol. Guess we were on time by everybody else's standards. We were escorted to a table right up front. Front and center. I knew this could be a bad thing and so did the hubby. Haha. We got our food ordered and settled in for the show. So at Comedy Clubs there is the Host, the Opener and the Main Act. They were all pretty good. I am not a big fan of dirty comedy, but it seems to be the thing to do these days. At one point, being in the front row the comedians talk to you, interact, make fun, etc. The comedian was asking people their favorite kind of music and yes, yes he looked straight at me and said and what is yours. Well being a mom I could have took the easy way out and said I ride with kids, all I get is kids songs. Honestly I did stop and think and stumble on my words, but then I said it. Christian Music. That is what I listen too. I love my Christian music. Well honestly, he was semi shocked I think, and did not truly know where to go from there, so moved on to someone else, but then would come back when it fit into his joke. Saying something about all my music speaks to the soul etc. Even though I stumbled and almost denied my favorite tunes, and even though it caused me to be the brunt of some of the jokes I am proud I did say it. It truly is my favorite, it makes me feel good, and is a way that I worship. Plus guess what he kept bringing it up, so people kept hearing the words Christian music, maybe they will go check it out! The night ended on good notes with lots of laughs and an all around good date!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxPpSFvvj-ySsc6o5KHbP__dF9lEdJVb7gTayfS0ziHJXST-DL5CEEJTKWLPNEkczPDHvcK9ouAnMJItRuUvH9xYanWFX321TsqxoEodWjfGKeEIst0zJBHtkvTx5HQ6GZGx_rKb-5d2r/s1600/20140913_211122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxPpSFvvj-ySsc6o5KHbP__dF9lEdJVb7gTayfS0ziHJXST-DL5CEEJTKWLPNEkczPDHvcK9ouAnMJItRuUvH9xYanWFX321TsqxoEodWjfGKeEIst0zJBHtkvTx5HQ6GZGx_rKb-5d2r/s320/20140913_211122.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Date "D" we were trying to cram in some alone time as hubby had been traveling a lot for work and we just wanted to get out of the house together without kids. Date "D" was really his date to plan, but I let him off and suggested a low key date at the Drive-In! Yes we have a drive-in still in the next town over. One of the few left. Just so happens they had only adult movies playing so we really scored because hubby is not a fan of kiddie movies, lol. I grabbed us a pizza, packed snacks, and blankets and pillows and set up the sitter, it was all ago! Now I am not even really a movie person, but hubby loves movies and our last outing at the drive-in was not very fun with 3 small kids who complained they could not see or were hungry or cold the whole time. We were excited it was going to be just us all cozy, no complaints! <br />
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We got there early to get a good spot, which ended up not being needed since it was not very full, because guess what? It started raining right before the movie started. Who wants to go to the drive-in in the rain. We do! So we get all set up and comfortable and start eating our dinner, rain stops! Movie starts and it was pretty good. Now at the drive-in you can watch two movies for the price of one. So we had talked about possibly staying for second movie as it was something hubby had heard was good. We get settled in for the second moving, i snuggle into my blankets get comfortable and next thing I know I wake up and the movie ends 5 mins later. OOPS. I knew I was tired, but I guess I was very tired, lol. Hubby had watch the whole movie and said it was good. I enjoyed a 2 hour nap. You know when you have been married 11 years those things are allowed, lol. On to date "E".Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12920274329924319138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642453554065052839.post-34432050798914676162014-11-19T20:21:00.001-08:002014-11-19T20:21:08.449-08:00We have our LOA and now i800 wait begins!I totally forgot to announce on our blog that we have our LOA!!!! This is the biggest approval for China families(besides our Travel Approval). LOA (Letter of Approval) is the longest waiting period really. We waited 76 long days for this approval. Actually it went rather fast until we got to day 60. I have had such a peace about this adoption and when I am in a time of waiting have learned to put my focus on my family that is present and prayer. It truly worked yall. Prayer is just something amazing. It just helps you Let it all go, lets you live your life without stress or worry of the future. I am a firm believer in Prayer. At day 60 the wait did get a little harder, but it was more I think the excitement and anticipation as I knew were getting closer. In the end we waited 76 days. We got to check the box saying we accept the named child (our child) and sign as the adoptive parents! What a feeling that was, praise to God! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0eF5UJPPiWCpd_7OG072xvj79pWwCe_zNdPahCrb03l8GRUa3msc3dmu5ad-jLCVFlNkje5uCOmwj5H5G20J-O39Z3A2z7U-nEmYPKVNUxxx5Rt9Ct5q_0Qx6SdMbUlHgORZ4uzdT1H1/s1600/LOA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0eF5UJPPiWCpd_7OG072xvj79pWwCe_zNdPahCrb03l8GRUa3msc3dmu5ad-jLCVFlNkje5uCOmwj5H5G20J-O39Z3A2z7U-nEmYPKVNUxxx5Rt9Ct5q_0Qx6SdMbUlHgORZ4uzdT1H1/s320/LOA.jpg" /></a></div><br />
We are now waiting on our i800 approval from the USCIS. This was mailed out a week ago monday and actually just today I received my text message and email stating our case was received. So it could be now a couple weeks before we receive this approval. From the USCIS website; "USCIS will provisionally approve the Form I-800 if the child qualifies for classification as a Convention adoptee and the proposed adoption or grant of custody will meet Convention requirements." In case you did not know what it was for, I am learning as I go as there are so many steps and approvals that have to be done. It is a brain overload really. We are excited to be at this point because it means that we could be about 8 weeks from traveling to meet our children. After almost a year of working on this process that is just about the most exciting and motivating news ever.<br />
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So we ask that you continue to pray as the paperwork is processed and approvals are issued that all will go smoothly. We appreciate everybody's support through kind words, participation in our fundraisers and prayers. It is such a blessing to have such a large village surrounding us.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12920274329924319138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642453554065052839.post-26885931821330767932014-10-29T08:20:00.002-07:002014-10-29T08:20:58.629-07:00Happy Birthday to Our Son"Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday You are Loved, Happy Birthday to You". We will sing this song to our son tonight, but are son will not be here to hear it. We will buy a small cake, take pictures and allow our other children to blow out the candles. All 6 birthday candles. Each candle represents a year our boy has celebrated a birthday without a family. This year all though he does not know it, he is celebrated. his birthday is known and acknowledged. He will also be receiving a special gift at his orphanage on the 30th, a special friend who is currently traveling will be hand delivering a birthday gift to our son from his family. He will not know it is from us, but we are okay with that. He will feel celebrated we hope!We take joy in today knowing that this will be his last Birthday without a family to celebrate with him. We are getting closer and closer to travel and look forward to the many firsts our son will get to experience in our home with a family! For now we will sing the song and blow out the candles, making the wish that our son is safe, loved, praying his heart is being prepared for our love. Happy Birthday Sweet Boy! We can not wait to meet you, to give you love everyday, to teach you and to learn from you. With all our Love, Your Forever Family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaO9HaG-nViOJP4AJPPCdLqVTQ79hkFcrmi2yxPImUUhHpQqRBU46Ee2ktvuz4Y1Qh3GXh78j1T0KSQ_2RdWviZorqWl_jG4_4111bFa0xKnTPa1vTumkQ9kiBmgDNqc92HQBZiOmyfBl/s1600/125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaO9HaG-nViOJP4AJPPCdLqVTQ79hkFcrmi2yxPImUUhHpQqRBU46Ee2ktvuz4Y1Qh3GXh78j1T0KSQ_2RdWviZorqWl_jG4_4111bFa0xKnTPa1vTumkQ9kiBmgDNqc92HQBZiOmyfBl/s320/125.JPG" /></a></div>If you would like to send our little man a Birthday Gift you can make a tax deductible donation to our FSP, All grant funds are used to bring our children Home! <a href="http://">http://reecesrainbow.org/71271/sponsorlee#</a> When our FSP reaches $3500 we will be announcing his Forever Name!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12920274329924319138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642453554065052839.post-39833081968095957462014-09-29T21:42:00.001-07:002014-10-21T07:32:02.424-07:00Leave the Baking to the Professionals!! Pies and Cobblers to bring our kiddos HOME!<br />
We have started our next fundraiser!!! We have teamed up with Willamette Valley Pie Company and are selling pies, cobblers, bags of frozen fruit! This is a for locals only fundraiser as these pies are handmade right here in Salem, OR! This is a perfect time to stock up for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years or just an evening in with friends! Wow, yummy, yummy in my tummy. I am not just saying that either. All who bought Pies or Cobblers during our last fundraiser raved at them. We were sad when we ate the last one from our freezer.<br />
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These Pies are All Natural, The two crust fruit pies are trans-fat and dairy free, 9" and a full 40ounces! The Fruit pie flavors available are American Apple, Cherry Crunch, Raspberry/Rhubarb and Marionberry. There is a special Pie of the month also Available Pumpkin Chiffon (The finest pumpkin is used to create a whipped pumpkin mousse (chiffon.) The mousse is then layered with a lightly spiced whipping cream to create a pie for pumpkin lovers and the holiday season! Sounds delicious! Pies will be selling for $13.<br />
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Fruit Cobblers available are Forrest Berry - A combination of Boysenberries, marionberries and blueberries. Peach and also Marionberry. The cobblers are 26 ounces and serve 4-5 people. $9<br />
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For people who like things in smaller portions or have a small family. Single, Retired couple etc. We have Mini Pies. They come in a case of 6 and are 10 ounces each. Flavors available are American Apple, Cherry, Marionberry, Peach, Raspberry/Rhubarb or a Variety Pack! $27 for the case! That is $4.50 a pie! <br />
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2-pound bags of fruit are available in 3 varieties. Pure, Ripe, Frozen fruit perfect for cooking, baking, SNACKING on or smoothies. Loaded with antioxidants and packaged in a re-sealable bag! Available flavors - Blueberry, Red Raspberry, and Strawberry. $8<br />
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This is a great buy, from a local company, just in time for all the holidays when pie is a must. The pies are flash frozen for delivery and are good frozen for 6mo. Money is due upfront when ordering and checks are made out to me. I will be sending one very large(I hope) payment to Willamette Valley Pies Company! Last day to order is November 5th. I will be picking pies up on November 19th and driving back to my home in Sherwood for pick up and there will be a Gresham pick up spot also. You will need to make arrangements for pick up as I do not have the freezer space to store. I suggest talking with groups of friends, Bunco groups, Moms groups, play groups, Bible study groups, people at the office take a big order and send a representative for pick up. This could be a big fundraiser for us bringing in the money we need for our Travel Fees!!! Please pray, and share with all you know. If you have any questions please ask or to send me your order. Fostermummy1@yahoo.com<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12920274329924319138noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642453554065052839.post-31025037169570950102014-09-25T07:15:00.001-07:002014-09-25T07:15:38.429-07:00Blessed by Other PeopleOur family currently has or is involved in 3 fundraisers right now. We are blessed to be surrounded by people who enjoy helping adoptive families raise the funds they need to pay all the different fees involved with international adoption. We currently have a Jamberry Nails Fundraiser going on and if you have never given these a try you should! They are fun and sassy, and so easy!Something for every season and occasion! <a href="http://">https://www.facebook.com/groups/573488296088787/</a> We also have our $25 Cabela's gift card Giveaway going on. For every $5 donated to our FSP your name is entered into a drawing. We have only 11spots left to fill before we can draw a name!Local friends and family Cabela's just opened in Tualatin so what an amazing chance to win a Christmas or Birthday Gift for the son or hubby! <a href="http://">http://reecesrainbow.org/71271/sponsorlee</a> and then last, but definetly not least we are 1 of 5 families that has been chosen this month for 5/5/5 for Families. They ask you donate $5 and it is divided between the 5 families! This is such a neat idea. Giving a little to go a long way! <a href="http://">https://www.facebook.com/5for5for5</a><br />
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Once these fundraisers are done we will be again selling locally only Willamette Valley Pie Company Hand Made Pies and cobblers. To be delivered right before Thanksgiving!! So if you missed out on this fundraiser before you are not going to want to this time around! Then on December 5th in my home I will be hosting a Noonday party. You will also be able to purchase online as well. These items are beautiful and made by impoverished woman around the world. These will be delivered before Christmas so think Christmas shopping!! <a href="http://">https://www.facebook.com/events/573401222787016/</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12920274329924319138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642453554065052839.post-46953427049763621992014-08-16T12:34:00.000-07:002014-08-16T12:34:25.124-07:00Big News!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFW_UEVWMLtwA4mN7mL-9Rg_d_UoRafYsik3mng57-RY1g76Jqtq6toX923Y0FBEjUmlUdjEojWCCBZ_jxvE-zpb7BibnTpNS4lSj-XueYQFj0HN3GCBClugwa9qRn034MFdiMejsGf54g/s1600/10171733_10203670318572233_4629551184079280742_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFW_UEVWMLtwA4mN7mL-9Rg_d_UoRafYsik3mng57-RY1g76Jqtq6toX923Y0FBEjUmlUdjEojWCCBZ_jxvE-zpb7BibnTpNS4lSj-XueYQFj0HN3GCBClugwa9qRn034MFdiMejsGf54g/s320/10171733_10203670318572233_4629551184079280742_n.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12920274329924319138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642453554065052839.post-32364551263024535572014-08-16T12:24:00.000-07:002014-08-16T12:24:20.137-07:00Worth the Wait (long post)We have been staring and praying over a little girls picture since last October. This little girl made such an impression on my heart back in October I wanted to share our soon to be daughters (yes you heard that right, we are adding a new daughter also to our family)story or how we fell for this sweet face with dimples! <br />
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In October 2013, my hubby and I decided that we would host a child in our home for Christmas. They child would be an orphan, and would come stay in our home for 4-5 weeks. We also decided that we would like to host a child from China. We had had friends host children and it seemed to have been such a blessing so we thought we would also like to give a child that opportunity. When the Christmas hosting photo list came out we looked through read the descriptions of the children available and decided to inquire on two different little boys. Both were 4 yrs old. We chose a younger boy, because we knew that the high possibility of us moving forward with adoption after hosting was pretty high. Since we had just added a little girl to our family we felt called to a little boy and also the need for boy adoptions is very high. About 75% of kids available for adoption in China are boys. When I called and spoke with the coordinator she shared the childrens needs and we felt more equipt to handle one of the childrens needs over the other so we placed a hold on him for our family. I did look through the other children, but was so excited about our little guy and getting to work fundraising for the cost to bring him to the US to spend the holidays with our family.<br />
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Over the next week or two I would every now and then get on the photolisting to see our little man with our name below his picture and also see what other children were being hosted and where. There was a little girls face that I always kept going back too, it just drew me in. Her sweet closed mouth smile, peace sign held high, and those dimples. OOOOh how I loved those dimples. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_stO5-GaWqFCcPPWRGLGMVtvDMmdfnls0YS5IZuHqjh5pnnpSaNz_9KvexakEd1cZAumEQ-fAc-86fv4oGKOMXrCNHH-Nd_kFyb7IfCvb_tWOlUr4gP3isey6DskTHkJR9Zx-Ib38h1i/s1600/C107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_stO5-GaWqFCcPPWRGLGMVtvDMmdfnls0YS5IZuHqjh5pnnpSaNz_9KvexakEd1cZAumEQ-fAc-86fv4oGKOMXrCNHH-Nd_kFyb7IfCvb_tWOlUr4gP3isey6DskTHkJR9Zx-Ib38h1i/s320/C107.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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I prayed she would have a family step up to host her. But as I prayed I heard clearly, "bring her too". WHAT? Oh my. I prayed a few more days and the weight on my heart was heavy. I knew I needed to approach my husband and tell him. Tell him that I heard clearly God telling us to bring her too. Tell him it would be another $3000 we would need to raise, bringing us to a $6000 total to host both kids. I prayed for the courage. I was nervous for sure of his reaction. So one night at bedtime (when there is no escaping) I told him my heart. He stared at me and said, " if you think that is what we are suppose to do then okay". I truly did not know how to respond. I am sure he asked some questions also, but those do not matter, lol. He said yes. Not just to me, but to Gods asking of me. He trusted what I heard and stood by me. So the next day I made the phone call to the agency p143.org (check them out friends) telling them we also wanted to bring C107 (that was the number she was listed with)to our home for hosting also. Well since China was a new hosting program for them, they were unsure of how hosting two would go and if it would be okay. They asked a lot of questions about our experience with children and many children and said they would need approval from higher up. I said okay. I told her I understood and respected whatever decision they came too, but God told me I was to bring her to the US also so I had to at least try. The agency told me they would get back to me with a response. <br />
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I waited a day or so and finally received and email stating they were going to allow us to host both children! Now not only was I excited, but our daughter was so excited! Over the next couple months we fundraised and saved and prepared to have two special house guests over the Christmas holiday. As we got closer to the arrival, we started getting emails from the agency saying there was some government changes going on in China and they may have to push the dates back. Okay, we were slightly saddened by the news the kids would not get to spend Christmas with us, but as long as they were coming we would still make it a wonderful. Then on December 2nd we were celebrating the adoption of our youngest daughter. Had a wonderful court ceremony in her town of birth and then a yummy dinner after! We got home late in the evening and I received an email stating that the hosting program from China would not be happening at all. We were very saddened. Not only for us, but for the kids. We did not know what we would do next. Over the next few days the agency told us what our options were: we could leave the money we had raised and wait until Summer hosting to see if China would reopen, we could donate to another charity, or they could roll it over into an adoption grant if we chose to start the adoption process. Hubby and I had some more talking to do. Much to my surprise when we talked he again took my breath away. "Well why don't we just adopt them then. You know if we brought them into our home for hosting and had to let them go, that we would fall in love and start the process anyways. There was no way you were bringing those kids here to let them return and not go get them". Boy does my hubby know my heart. I was slightly fearing the having to let them go back part. Even with all our foster parent experience of loving and letting go, it still hurts. So at this point I had had something weighing on my heart, but was praying daily about it that it would all just work out. Now with the husband saying this I had to share. I told him that if we were going to be adopting without hosting first I did not feel like the little boy we were to host was suppose to be our son. I do not know how to explain how I was feeling, but I was praying that during hosting I would develope that instant feeling. Without hosting I knew it would not be right and he was not meant to be our son. I did flip it a little on the husband, by saying, "but there is this other little boy that I do believe is our son. You have seen his photo many times and I think we should pray about bringing him home also". Well I had been a Advocate for a little guy for about 6mo about. I had shared him with hubby and told him all about him. I had talked late into the night with interested families, researched his special need and made contact with anybody you had met or knew him. I wanted this little man to find his family. He had a spark. Something special! Months went by though and families would sound so interested and then pass him by. My heart broke, but I continued to advocate and pray. I knew the province of this little boy and as soon as I found out our future daughters province and they were the same, I knew I could not leave him behind. So the next day I made the call to the agency and said we would like to adopt C107 (as we still knew her) and this other sweet boy known as "Phineas" on Reecesrainbow.org. <br />
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So the process started. They quickly located "Phineas" file and we were able to get it locked for our family, but then we got the call we did not expect. Your future daughter does not have a file. It is not ready yet. WHAT? How long will that take? The answer, we do not know could be 4mo, could be 6mo. The orphanage is saying they will do it by February. Okay, she is our daughter, we will wait for it. While we waited we did our homestudy and mounds, of paperwork and made the drive to Salem for our State Seal. We knew the past ladies by name and they had lots of questions about our journey. February came and I called asking about the file. The orphanage says maybe March, but probably April. UGH. More waiting. Praying that they were really doing it and seeing the urgency. See we already had our pre-approval to now adopt our son. We have been doing paperwork. It all has expiration dates on it. We could only wait so long as far as the paperwork goes. Our hearts longed for that file. April 2014 finally came to an end and I got word the orphanage had sent her file off the to next place to be reviewed. Her Province. From there we prayed it would take the shortest amount of time, a month to then head to its next stop the CCCWA. Towards the end of June we got word that it was at the CCCWA, they could see it logged into the computer. Now again we wait. Last stop our agency. It needed to get to our agency and then it could get to our hands. I have to say I was not very patient and towards the end of July I started calling once a week asking if they had received the file. Each time the answer was no and we will call you when we do, we promise. I struggles, I got obsessed. Then one night after Bible study I gave it all to HIM. I prayed that I would trust HIM and HIS timing. I was letting the burden go. Was going to live in the here and now and enjoy my days with my kids that were here. That was on a Wed. The next monday the kids and I, and our ukrainian house guest (another time,another post, lol) went for a drive down the gorge. We took her to see Multnomah Falls, the fish hatchery and then bonneville dam. It was hot and by the end of the day people were getting cranky and tired. We started loading the van back up to head home and my phone rang. I recognized that number right away. Upon answering my first words were, " tell me you have amazing news for me". I heard back, " we have the file, it came, we are emailing it to you now"! I seriously could have cried, I was chilled all over with excitement. Oh the joy. Now to make the long drive home Sigh.<br />
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We are so excited to now announce after reviewing her file, which we almost did not need to see as she is our daughter. We finally got PA (pre-approval) from China. We are now so ready for our son and daughter to be home. We are working so hard to raise the last bit of funds that we need. We have been blessed with photos of our daughter from a camp that she attended this summer and will treasure them always. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQ1X6EASppkam4VGMc6ezyCjHCNfukaWnOY6iwuVGokEIqeDx96mBz6vlXLZvTGUNZt1IzxJFxgOEXUjpTBSOAdJM5kpnslhyphenhyphenScaGBw65KdIl5J9BeKVQk12bGS_ztEJBgzAFr9kJuNSJ/s1600/1454952_10203639164073390_6294814457732122467_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQ1X6EASppkam4VGMc6ezyCjHCNfukaWnOY6iwuVGokEIqeDx96mBz6vlXLZvTGUNZt1IzxJFxgOEXUjpTBSOAdJM5kpnslhyphenhyphenScaGBw65KdIl5J9BeKVQk12bGS_ztEJBgzAFr9kJuNSJ/s320/1454952_10203639164073390_6294814457732122467_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfdZglYFkEEY0zpG7AQhcaSs4jnMBrSu8a273ZvrlnUjT6OA03MeUPvaYdD6cVDse53fak94XS_9svBh21nLVNygH1sqXHYfTTH_pVIYNK9q_coDDdgZ0GqBhPbySR6IbPgqHjMDHN0PK/s1600/10444724_10203639167313471_9149758408373614534_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfdZglYFkEEY0zpG7AQhcaSs4jnMBrSu8a273ZvrlnUjT6OA03MeUPvaYdD6cVDse53fak94XS_9svBh21nLVNygH1sqXHYfTTH_pVIYNK9q_coDDdgZ0GqBhPbySR6IbPgqHjMDHN0PK/s320/10444724_10203639167313471_9149758408373614534_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXj4jm9ym-yEQBjW3GHCDQlXnnOxxK8TSKvpHITLGiE_00F6rCgYqcTeRoq_xmq3CO7C2LbC135v9dWUVMung9377OB0vEwKY1632GrBNucfzO6D4K2BzgSw7UF7bSio3zapcJPxSmagQo/s1600/10561704_772862099430858_6508930660870790946_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXj4jm9ym-yEQBjW3GHCDQlXnnOxxK8TSKvpHITLGiE_00F6rCgYqcTeRoq_xmq3CO7C2LbC135v9dWUVMung9377OB0vEwKY1632GrBNucfzO6D4K2BzgSw7UF7bSio3zapcJPxSmagQo/s320/10561704_772862099430858_6508930660870790946_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0IGJpBtLWXsVKtz8pV2hxlg_vKcTc_fzr_nzgUMYxNuB2Nnv-WWCTU9CSs5ssb1dwDXwuEjVPZWhFtU-6qJOcRZW3gXa9L23R6_dt94ZKBT2bj0_jcAAQx7Z-Kaaw26mesSP_6Qs8e9R/s1600/10613058_10203639166513451_8722032703235285972_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0IGJpBtLWXsVKtz8pV2hxlg_vKcTc_fzr_nzgUMYxNuB2Nnv-WWCTU9CSs5ssb1dwDXwuEjVPZWhFtU-6qJOcRZW3gXa9L23R6_dt94ZKBT2bj0_jcAAQx7Z-Kaaw26mesSP_6Qs8e9R/s320/10613058_10203639166513451_8722032703235285972_n.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12920274329924319138noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642453554065052839.post-64043974965856807222014-06-23T23:04:00.001-07:002014-06-23T23:04:53.824-07:00Bountiful "B"So proud of my man who Bit the Bullet and went all out with our letter "B" date! Our date was Blessed Bountifully with B's!!! I am apologizing now as although I did take pictures, I pulled my camera out to use and oops I forgot to change the Battery. So it was my camera phone that had to document our night. It has Blurry issues, so I am sorry. <br />
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Sitter arrived and we started our night. I posted on facebook that we were headed on Letter "B" date and the guess's started pouring in. That in itself the hubby and I enjoyed, lol! The obvious Bowling and that was my guess too. I was asked to bring socks along. We drove and kept driving all the way downtown. Not a place hubby and I go often. We parked and arrived at our first destination. Mother's Bistro & Bar. Although Mother's starts with "M" we discounted that and just went with Bistro & Bar! It was a restaurant I had never been to before. It was very bright and trendy. We had reservations(FANCY) and so did not have to wait long. Food was fresh and homemade just like mama would make. It was delicious. I was stuffed by the end of the meal. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0pEtYqR0xBBfd2hDu9qribmdA74xhEASKFeZ8jxnOmDZg3IxFpdtGPwbPkPV5B4LIEYbTyRdIJHLTqurRg8S6Cw_QJQcznhHNWg0QDLFbEK1AjP8DqrJqt4EBkTO3SeLnLrD6m7q2avT/s1600/20140621_195826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0pEtYqR0xBBfd2hDu9qribmdA74xhEASKFeZ8jxnOmDZg3IxFpdtGPwbPkPV5B4LIEYbTyRdIJHLTqurRg8S6Cw_QJQcznhHNWg0QDLFbEK1AjP8DqrJqt4EBkTO3SeLnLrD6m7q2avT/s320/20140621_195826.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1T1WzpWFo7DiVjxYO5DC8oZzkycy4YidtUxITEsUD9k3A11XuoxKVJgwMhMJgu7HppGb73Yu-xIPvkVWGvdXZILbcF0ewGtAurtL1o9pL4Jp5WM_Q9seH2FB9RwbjFmozs71v2Q_lzoa/s1600/10402864_10203294273331337_4621311352579895691_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1T1WzpWFo7DiVjxYO5DC8oZzkycy4YidtUxITEsUD9k3A11XuoxKVJgwMhMJgu7HppGb73Yu-xIPvkVWGvdXZILbcF0ewGtAurtL1o9pL4Jp5WM_Q9seH2FB9RwbjFmozs71v2Q_lzoa/s320/10402864_10203294273331337_4621311352579895691_n.jpg" /></a></div>After dinner we started walking! I could tell hubby had a plan, he had his phone GPS going and hand in hand we walked. We headed towards our next "B" stop the Blue Star Memorial and Battleship Memorial (way to go hubs). <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5k_hH6OYcNQKX7-_HebVfSaPPkjCdGjpxHaCJodl5dqYxAAPw8osTsVYnf85zlX1MmPVuCWCHbI-5EavXMXD2zLHHoamhVTeYxlgeasOwzr95h7h0mOgbyZEqlxYUkobcS8rd62-mUUm4/s1600/20140621_200908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5k_hH6OYcNQKX7-_HebVfSaPPkjCdGjpxHaCJodl5dqYxAAPw8osTsVYnf85zlX1MmPVuCWCHbI-5EavXMXD2zLHHoamhVTeYxlgeasOwzr95h7h0mOgbyZEqlxYUkobcS8rd62-mUUm4/s320/20140621_200908.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftpqJluTW5PV2Ho-7rkTWclWpab1Q0QtWUlwiypvWRZ8RlVVc-0ipgARfpm88elXQ1z7xW05x3GAbyor19bN_Lq4ozAzSEc7s8Rij4kzPDoHOAdTTkAs09_V8dRBilj3xF_XzND6P3Ea7/s1600/20140621_200922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftpqJluTW5PV2Ho-7rkTWclWpab1Q0QtWUlwiypvWRZ8RlVVc-0ipgARfpm88elXQ1z7xW05x3GAbyor19bN_Lq4ozAzSEc7s8Rij4kzPDoHOAdTTkAs09_V8dRBilj3xF_XzND6P3Ea7/s320/20140621_200922.jpg" /></a></div>We kept on with our "B" and took a nice stroll on the Boardwalk! We walked and talked and people watched! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7ybpqrHAE6-wz81REyTbDw9vT5T9hLQECvk97Q_45MVeU3aDdWHPRNdGMxUs6T1jCAHViPaWTHWb-2Ywuw5SYA7ntYIv6qtMqey3fFMcl4Ff8NSQ2cyjhufP6-Gd_SFHG6J0YsJqNuil/s1600/20140621_201253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7ybpqrHAE6-wz81REyTbDw9vT5T9hLQECvk97Q_45MVeU3aDdWHPRNdGMxUs6T1jCAHViPaWTHWb-2Ywuw5SYA7ntYIv6qtMqey3fFMcl4Ff8NSQ2cyjhufP6-Gd_SFHG6J0YsJqNuil/s320/20140621_201253.jpg" /></a></div>If you have ever walked the boardwalk there is always very interesting things going on down there, lol. So it is always a great stroll. We walked until we got to the hmmm can you guess? Burnside Bridge! We stopped and I used this moment for thank you for the wonderful date and smooch time! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqe4frT_ZhgV8IqrsuDt0bD8SLZH_d3O9JMsI4KeuLhYIIp0_2OyB60rP7nsCV8l1xOC8u9IG9YvLFwO-XhFdkttvZIJUUyr7gUd4oMIe5r7_5YW9-Xb4FFUDSQwEjjo2ST6IEyIcI9Dj/s1600/bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqe4frT_ZhgV8IqrsuDt0bD8SLZH_d3O9JMsI4KeuLhYIIp0_2OyB60rP7nsCV8l1xOC8u9IG9YvLFwO-XhFdkttvZIJUUyr7gUd4oMIe5r7_5YW9-Xb4FFUDSQwEjjo2ST6IEyIcI9Dj/s320/bridge.jpg" /></a></div>Our date was still not over. Hubby out did himself on the "B" date. I told you is was Bountiful with "B". It was such a warm lovely night, so the walking around downtown Portland was wonderful. We headed back into the city and walked until we got to Blitz Sports Bar(do you recognize the name from our "A" date, lol). It was sort of a joke for me since if you go back and read our "A" date post you will understand. I messed up the night of our Art class and we ended up at Blitz (in Tigard) for a drink instead. So anyways, hubs found a Blitz downtown and thought it would be funny to go again, on the real "B" date! So we stopped and enjoyed a drink and some Big Buck (I did not win). <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC797RSFza52eina_WGefBquweUun-JIcN5GmnZVcs0rVuj49fVNyfHl6HVejqlSyIlBAFIXk5xmrPC3IeUkdqFXozyfzs7KxQzTFMT997fz-0oJsVnzklBwccXl4ckF_6DQuUgAAcpMmc/s1600/Blitz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC797RSFza52eina_WGefBquweUun-JIcN5GmnZVcs0rVuj49fVNyfHl6HVejqlSyIlBAFIXk5xmrPC3IeUkdqFXozyfzs7KxQzTFMT997fz-0oJsVnzklBwccXl4ckF_6DQuUgAAcpMmc/s320/Blitz.jpg" /></a></div>From there we walked some more to the last stop and one of my favorites. To Powell's Books!! I had honestly never been there. It was AMAZING! It was probably almost 10pm and the place was packed. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHmiojXpu-BmrzhrMaQxCwE5NSbme3Cqc8AOdyhugZMNMKTaEHU4I3icWN2_k0FpVA3V5Y-ESqce4cpauko1mZki5y-8aprLXBDamil5w2ooDLcmV4KUEDVffcXoyAwdP_hP-nl7DQ4yI/s1600/20140621_210403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHmiojXpu-BmrzhrMaQxCwE5NSbme3Cqc8AOdyhugZMNMKTaEHU4I3icWN2_k0FpVA3V5Y-ESqce4cpauko1mZki5y-8aprLXBDamil5w2ooDLcmV4KUEDVffcXoyAwdP_hP-nl7DQ4yI/s320/20140621_210403.jpg" /></a></div>wall to wall books. Floors and Floors of books, Purple room, rose room, orange room. There was just so many it was unbelievable. We have fun and picked something out for everybody. We have a family of book lovers and always enjoy encouraging that love. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QkE08HZctfBA82PcWvzhgfPrupbIvdsfcHQVUY9tJsXosjqFBAHjdpSkaW6RbAMv0Nyu8RxiEKwGu0Wm9OOzDIvoKIviyxLItXdasgMy8SBgtXVS0tRJr02Op7qdBBuT2ZHBJ0Iva8yQ/s1600/books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QkE08HZctfBA82PcWvzhgfPrupbIvdsfcHQVUY9tJsXosjqFBAHjdpSkaW6RbAMv0Nyu8RxiEKwGu0Wm9OOzDIvoKIviyxLItXdasgMy8SBgtXVS0tRJr02Op7qdBBuT2ZHBJ0Iva8yQ/s320/books.jpg" /></a></div>The date was just Beyond wonderful. Hubby did such a great job. It is not about outdoing each other, but like we stated doing things together, trying new things and creating fun memories together. I enjoyed my whole date with hubby and was in the moment and present the whole time! Loved it! <br />
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Has anybody else started this challenge? Would love to hear in the comments, I believe this could be an amazing trend for couples. We need to date our husbands and if it takes the alphabet to get us going again so be it! Here is to the Letter "C"!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12920274329924319138noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642453554065052839.post-51818527943680089152014-06-19T17:35:00.001-07:002014-06-19T17:35:40.809-07:00#TBT #TBT= Throw Back Thursdays for those that have not caught on to the fad yet, lol. It took me a bit and I do not do it every Thursday! But why not I will post a couple pics in honor of #TBT today!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3pSjRjLt0GQegBpk4U9BgzP353o8a5HOPkRxJntCvB0S15Z_f2z8f7-oLSqM0x6hRPJq5-tjH-zdkaUcQzC8fUi6HtQBVgMvK0gDquVBhiYq_qgJsDvORpH_nqclZ7mkzzm_JX6swW18/s1600/m_700c404006c34bc895e0d089abd5684d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3pSjRjLt0GQegBpk4U9BgzP353o8a5HOPkRxJntCvB0S15Z_f2z8f7-oLSqM0x6hRPJq5-tjH-zdkaUcQzC8fUi6HtQBVgMvK0gDquVBhiYq_qgJsDvORpH_nqclZ7mkzzm_JX6swW18/s320/m_700c404006c34bc895e0d089abd5684d.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXjKLZ4DUyCqsBPUOv4h9Gma4NOGGGiZyjmOoBPqByfmPbm9y8JtspuHMUtO6EoKBBHEgyxx4nC95RfTqtgxAtVNIsDP9MbAdqbF-8rOCkXG3s-md80lf8G4DHCQ1SKC7hSV3RF3_kTxV/s1600/m_e1bc9662d0ebfaaba98406e8d31013e6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXjKLZ4DUyCqsBPUOv4h9Gma4NOGGGiZyjmOoBPqByfmPbm9y8JtspuHMUtO6EoKBBHEgyxx4nC95RfTqtgxAtVNIsDP9MbAdqbF-8rOCkXG3s-md80lf8G4DHCQ1SKC7hSV3RF3_kTxV/s320/m_e1bc9662d0ebfaaba98406e8d31013e6.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWlyRyDChQDLhS4EaFdL222mwZPGbIDXSQdDya3Skni93TjkuGeVrJdJsqxqwVGVwVPrdYcCPX7S-3P1m6FJ8HtUAjHkg7CSAeM0jE8TBuRL_tYdiLphRIH-j_6OoOTLU0PzIUZeF082K/s1600/DSCN0673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWlyRyDChQDLhS4EaFdL222mwZPGbIDXSQdDya3Skni93TjkuGeVrJdJsqxqwVGVwVPrdYcCPX7S-3P1m6FJ8HtUAjHkg7CSAeM0jE8TBuRL_tYdiLphRIH-j_6OoOTLU0PzIUZeF082K/s320/DSCN0673.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FD0XP7pTObhJ24bXtwCaLQNyKbmjxqQjLGcqJgWKz6luA3rIrheXWu3B9ZkoYsF6ottcjrB2z4d4d08NAefhpOF96RFUXPOrOQKVJ2r2nFe7pOJBrSqTjH_qesHSKj-IpStMbXF8U9oi/s1600/sleepy+baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FD0XP7pTObhJ24bXtwCaLQNyKbmjxqQjLGcqJgWKz6luA3rIrheXWu3B9ZkoYsF6ottcjrB2z4d4d08NAefhpOF96RFUXPOrOQKVJ2r2nFe7pOJBrSqTjH_qesHSKj-IpStMbXF8U9oi/s320/sleepy+baby.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12920274329924319138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642453554065052839.post-21634736862604229772014-06-16T12:54:00.002-07:002014-06-16T12:54:59.932-07:00Applebee's Pancake Breakfast is Approaching Fast.Our Applebee's Pancake Breakfast is approaching very quickly and we are needing to get tickets sold. Please if you are planning on attending purchase your tickets online via the link on the Event page or from myself or my mom in person or even via mailing a check!! Here is the link to the Event page <a href="http://">https://www.facebook.com/events/731361390235873/?ref=br_tf</a> and I will also post the flier. Print it, share it, pass it along. It takes a Village and we would like you to become a part of ours. Thank you for your support. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCca6wWEEKJHU75XB05ULIYIolFvlYGIetqjVBnb1Cx91pHQQphf15M4ymiIgCkHQWu8mZrWHH5dj360wj3Aj7BP18JI9Gm1_jcBndBqpvi7X0CKyCMcur2aaaKg6a_ps9nIW6zZF5KBtW/s1600/Pancake+flyer+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCca6wWEEKJHU75XB05ULIYIolFvlYGIetqjVBnb1Cx91pHQQphf15M4ymiIgCkHQWu8mZrWHH5dj360wj3Aj7BP18JI9Gm1_jcBndBqpvi7X0CKyCMcur2aaaKg6a_ps9nIW6zZF5KBtW/s400/Pancake+flyer+(1).jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12920274329924319138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642453554065052839.post-50791529986820642372014-06-16T12:45:00.000-07:002014-06-16T12:45:02.021-07:00Dad's Day!Yesterday was Father's Day! I did not write a blog as we were busy loving on, and spending time with the main man in our lives, my husband and my childrens Father. We woke up early and did all the animal chores and then I got right to work making a delicious breakfast, while the kids all started hand making fathers day cards. We let him sleep in until 9am when breakfast was done, cards were done and the kids could not hold back any longer from waking him up! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIivtzQhlAsUs2HE_wuuWs-8xJ88zoBrkEupjZDCddcMAQFw0Rve8Yr03G5O0IxrGX7mHdKnDQiGYedbrIYoG7LOZDFP34qkmKFTof7NN9LVidzUODEaPtyx4ekrvx_ig9Q8C1Jehsp6NT/s1600/10380303_10203242642760605_7493251028185076889_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIivtzQhlAsUs2HE_wuuWs-8xJ88zoBrkEupjZDCddcMAQFw0Rve8Yr03G5O0IxrGX7mHdKnDQiGYedbrIYoG7LOZDFP34qkmKFTof7NN9LVidzUODEaPtyx4ekrvx_ig9Q8C1Jehsp6NT/s320/10380303_10203242642760605_7493251028185076889_n.jpg" /></a></div>After fueling up, we did not give Dad the day off, we got right to work on some inside house projects that needed to get done since the weather was iffy. It was nice to work together on our Family photo wall (did not finish so no pictures yet). The kids love weekends when Dad is home and spends all kinds of time with them, and I love watching them get to make memories together. We can not wait to get our two newest family members home to share the love of a father also. We love you KC. Thank you for being a wonderful Dad, husband and provider. For working hard at your job everyday and for loving all the children that have come through our home no matter the length of time they stayed!<br />
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