Wrap Her Up in Love

So because adoption means endless fundraising...

I'm trying to get creative...

Because how many hoagies or spaghetti dinners can one eat.
(Hopefully a lot because we are going to be doing those at some point)

I'm trying to offer things for your generosity - selling thirty one, dedicating photo session fees, raffles... Delicious coffee (Just love coffee has an ongoing fundraiser for us )

Not just ask for donations
(although they are greatly appreciated !!! By far!)
In the line of creativity I've decided to do a very meaningful fundraiser.

I'm going to make a quilt for our little girl in Haiti.

I've seen other adopting families do this and how they make it a successful fundraiser is they have people "sponsor" the squares.

You aren't just sponsoring a square.

This quilt will be a visual reminder that she is an orphan no more. It will be a physical representation that she has Been placed by God into a family and a community who loves her and has been thinking about her.

You will be represented by not just the square but also your name/names will be printed on the fabric!

If you want to customize it further and represent more of yourself on her quilt you can pick your square color or pattern.

Known for your love of a sports team? Ask for black and gold.

Wild for zebra? Get zebra print!

Pinkalicious like Ella?




Go hot pink!

To pick certain fabrics add $1 to your total, because ill have to buy fabrics instead of using what I have .
Squares are
$5 for 4"
$10 for 8"
$15 for 12"

Also the first 12 people will be given an additional square that will be used in a lovey sized quilt I'm going to make to take and give her while she is still in Haiti during our first visit.

There's no telling if it will make it back to the states with her so I'm keeping the full sized quilt for here and only leaving the lovey sized one in Haiti, to give her hope of her family and friends who are waiting for her!

Also I'd love to make her a memory book of all the people (2 actually one for here and one for Haiti) who have been praying for her and supporting the adoption along the way, so if you purchase a square please send me a picture of your family and a message or special verse for her if you'd like.

I hope the low price with price point choices and the deep meaning behind it all will be something many can get behind so we can make her a big quilt and literally wrap her up in all the love and support!

This will be something she can keep forever and look back on and remind her of her worth and the love that surrounds her.

I'm hoping to get good at this quilt thing ;) and want to make baby clothes quilts. I know all the Pinterest ladies have seen these- where you take your favorite outfits that your babies have grown out of and make them into a memory quilt.

So don't throw or give away all your baby stuff !

I've been saving my favorite outfits for a few years and I'm glad I couldn't part with some of lacis stuff so that I still have some to work with.

If its something you're Interested in - keep me in mind!

Thanks so much to those who have supported us in various ways. It means a lot.

Being called to adopt was completely unexpected on our part and it can be overwhelming- not so much the addition of a child just all that is required to get there.

We greatly appreciate the thoughts, prayers and participation in fundraisers/photo shoots so far.

You're all playing a part in her journey home.

Thank you.
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Another Disney Day- Disney on a budget. (It can be done!)

How can we afford to go to Disney?




Lets face it - the economy sucks and gas prices (auto or air) are insane and surely will soon begin the summer spike.

So many of us are wringing our hands wondering how to stretch dollars for normal everyday things let alone being able to give our family amazing vacations.

Or heck, at this rate - even mediocre ones.

So what's a fun loving, Disney obsessed parent to do?

Our financial situation is burdened with the sudden " hey we are going to adopt from Haiti" - monumental cost with plenty of unknowns (a d according to Murphy's law- if I plan a vacation it's going to turn out I need to be in Haiti that week)

I'm not sure what's in the cards for the Carey vacation this year.

We definitely are sidelining all discretionary spending, saving to put money into this adoption. ( my most repeated phrase lately - "adoption is expensive y'all" and it so is...)

I definitely know we nixed our Myrtle Beach annual beach trip, as my husband groaned in disappointment.

I'm still holding out hope that my feet will grace the threshold of Cinderella's castle and even better - Belle and Beasts for the first time!


How can we (and you ) make this a possibility?

Here are my budget planning tips:

Go during value season.

I don't want you to because that is when I go and I love the low crowds.

But if you're pinching pennies- this is a no brainer.

Google value season, it's going to be at Inopportune times for most people but that is why they're value - not many people can make it .

- watch for specials and jump on them because they're available to only a limited number of rooms. They may still have rooms open, even in the hotel you're looking at

- but the specially priced rooms may book up.

* right now they're booking for April 15- mid August at 30% off rooms. Probably select rooms... Also the % may be less in certain resorts - often the 30 is for deluxe resorts.

In the fall there has been free dining for the last eleven years. It falls mid August through September. It requires an in resort stay and a ticket package to qualify.

The last few years this has been extended during November and December- but with limited days.

-

She is really 3 but Mickey says she's 2 for one more week !!

If you have a child on the precipice of a Disney age milestone get there before their birthday!
2 and under eat play and stay free (eat free on meal plan that is

- in table service restaurants) so you don't have to buy tickets or count them toward your room occupancy limit.

10 years old is an adult.

Really ? I know I I know, but being a Disney apologist I get it .

At ten average sizes kids can ride all the rides and so enjoy the park fully.

And have you seen a ten year old eat ? They can wipe out the buffet at Chef Mickeys ! So it behooves Disney to charge adult for the meal plan as well... I guess :/

With that base knowledge I can explain this tip.

If you check in at Disney the day before your child's birthday - Mickey turns a blind eye at the rolling over to a new age.

So say Suzy is 3 on April 13. Check in on April 12 and little

Suzy gets a free pass to lie about her age for the duration of your Disney stay.

She will be considered, for all intents and purposes 2.
This means she doesn't count toward your room occupancy.


Why is that a major boon?

Value and moderate only go to a four person occupancy.

This really is a let down because the next level of hotels, whether they be deluxe or the new Magic of Animation Suites - are a huge price jump. (Even though the new suites are considered "value" ahem.)

So if you are a family of five you can save yourself a nice chunk right in the hotel by coming when Suzy doesn't count.

* a few rooms in Port Orleans Riverside fit 5 using a Murphy bed. Mmhmm lotsa comfort right there....

If you are paying for the Dining plan it is a bonus because two and under are ineligible so you won't be required to purchase for the toddler when buying your package.

They will get free food in sit downs- but you'll have to provide for snacks and counter service .
We've always gotten by with just buying one or two counter service out of pocket to feed the toddler.

And we always have snacks left over at the end of the week.

Also no park tickets are required for two year olds at the parks and water parks! Obvious huge savings!

On the 10 year old front- same thing applies. Check in the day before their birthday and they stay 9 all week.

10 year olds pay adult tickets and adult meal plan.

You save a huge amount per day this way.

This is my plan for this year.

My 2 year old turns three the week we always go.

So instead of stating our vacation on the normal Saturday we will get there on Thursday because she will turn three on Friday- if we get to go...

-

Ask for Disney funds in lieu of gifts.

If you're like me, your kids have more than they play with and you regret buying stuff after every holiday and birthday.

Instead, consider asking gift givers (at least close family like grandma) for money for your Disney fund instead.

Last year my mother in law offered to pay our gas - we drive from MD to WDW - for us as mine and Tony's Christmas gift .

That was a huge help! We could breathe a little easier and add some $ to the girls souveneir accounts.

This year we are thinking of asking people instead of her buying a ton of gifts if they would give their portion or at least some of it ( grandmas like to wrap some presents you know!) toward our trip.

Since we will possibly be putting large sums of money into this adoption we have decided the only way to go may be using what we would spend (waste) on Christmas toys and put it toward our trip.

The kids will get a couple things from "Santa" and nothing from us . The trip will be their gift .

They're ok with this btw.

-

less days of magic :(

Look I love to be in Walt Disney World.

I have planned our retirement.

I will be a photo pass photographer and part time Main St character and Tony can be a bus driver full of misinformation or whatever he wants.

Retiring in Disney.

I think about Disney World more than any grown adult should and even before I set foot inside I dread the final day.

I dance around as they check us in and giggle at all the characters.
Parting is indeed sweet sorrow and I sing " and now it's time to say goodbye..."

I love it .

My goal this year was to do a double week and really enjoy our resort some.

The was before we found our we would be adopting...

Instead we will be doing less than our normal 7 days.

But hey, a little Disney is worth more than none right?

I think we are doing five full days with the fifth being our departure day and driving as far as we can once we leave that evening.

You just may have to do less days.

Here's the thing.

The more you play the less you pay.

By days 6,7 8 your park tickets are ridiculously cheap.

I messed up and had to add on day 7 one time - for two adults and two kids - I laid a whopping $24.
Total.
Four tickets.
$24.

So on the ticket front you aren't going to save much but you will save on hotel costs.

it's not be the Poly -but it will do

Hotel.

Downgrade.

You love the Polynesian.

Yeah who doesn't ?!
I will stay there one day.

Declared .

(This year was also supposed to be Poly year :( )

There are noticeable differences in all levels of Disney hotels. But let's face it - you're at Disney for the parks and if you're there for less days you definitely aren't hanging out at the hotel much.

All of the hotels are clean, even at value price they have to abide by Disney standards so its not like you're staying at a motel 8 .

If its downgrade to a value or don't go - do the value .

You're so tired when you reach your hotel anyway it doesn't matter where you are.

Put the Mickey ears down

.

I don't want to talk about how many stuffed animals we have acquired on WDW vacations.

And thank you SOOO much to whomever in marketing came up with the baby versions swaddled in blankets....

Disney = nostalgia and even for adults it's hard to say no to an adorable item in the endless gift shops rides dump you into.

What we did this year was we gave the girls a flat sum from us and if they had birthday money or whatever cash we added that to their individual account and got them each a gift card our first night.

Our first night when they already made purchases....

Having "their" own money definitely cut Down on the Gimmies ( I have to admit they're not the type to throw tantrums to buy something anyway ) and they judiciously spent their money .

They each had their eye on an item or two they had to have - items that were found in every park- and they waited til the end to buy them.

If we were at a park that had park specific items - the yeti at Expedition Everest - they bought that item then otherwise they waited and bought maybe one item a day, actually less .

They knew if they wanted - for laci it was the dog from Nightmare Before Christmas- they had to reserve x amount to get it- therefore the thousand items that would have appealed to them lost their luster a bit!

Another thing that helps is buying clearanced items through the year (Disney store does a big sale january and I believe July) and saving them for the trip .

Each day while we are at the park a character stops in and leaves a gift.

Knowing they have something waiting for them really curtails the need for spending on exiting the park.

Usually I end up in the room before them or stick around a minute while dad gets the stroller set up outside - so the kids don't see the gifts put out. Or you can leave a note and work it out so you Mousekeeper does it
If it sounds gratuitous - well it kinda is .

But we started this tradition on our first trip when I scored a ton of dirt cheap items at the Disney outlet near my cousins house and its become a beloved tradition.

You don't have to do this but it's an alternative to in park souvenir buying without feeling like your kid is missing out.

Also if you're going to do this- consider that it's going to become a tradition because you're kids are going to wonder long before you get there what items their favorite characters will leave them.

Another thing I've done on subsequent trips to cut down on the in room gift expense is to leave notes from characters inviting them to the various character meals and occasionally a little trinket.

- A note from Mickey inviting them to Chef Mickeys the next day along with a dollar store Minnie Mouse bracelet from Minnie.

- A wax sealed invitation to Cinderella's Royal Table or the Bibbidi Bobbity Boutique or both together. It's great to get the BBB appointment just before your Cinderella's Royal Table reservation and go right from one part of the castle to another.




- An invitation from Lilo and Stitch for Ohana breakfast with Leis or something Hawaiian themed.

As far as lodging you can stay off
site to save some serious coin- we feel staying onsite makes our vacation but if I had to choose between staying off site and not going I would suck it up and stay off site.

There are surprisingly nice rentals nearby for low prices.

You may want to skip chains to get better prices.

Check out Dwellable

I found this site because they liked one of my blogs on The Villages and asked to use it.

I was surprised at the beautiful lodgings - houses, condos and amazing amenities that cost less than a moderate at Disney.

When my kids are a little older and easier to get to the parks I think we will go this route. You can rent entire houses for the amount you'd pay for moderates - with your own pool!

One option is renting points off Disney Vacation Club members.
I've never done this but considered it last year.

You need to do your own research on it because I don't know enough to recommend a seller.

Disboards has a board on point buying.

People buy and sell on there and you can get a crash course on what it all entails. They also out poor sellers and recommend good ones.

This isn't a bargain dollar budget idea but more a way to stay at the deluxe resorts and time share properties for less than you'd pay out of pocket.

Also, compare sellers- they set their own points so you'll find a wide range . Don't just go with the first person you find.

- Pack your own food .

Garden Grocer will allow you to set up an order in advance and schedule it to be delivered for your arrival.

We usually now just stop at target or SAMs in Orlando or The Villages, but when we flew we had orders shipped to our room.
We had things like diapers and baby food, beverages, bottled water and snacks in our order.

Peanut butter and jelly and some bread isn't a bad idea.

All rooms now have mini fridges so you can feed yourself in your room if you must.

The park allows you to take your own food in, so don't hesitate !

The suites have kitchens - even the new value Art of Animation suites.

At a lower price point than the rest of the suites you'll find in Disney the extra price of paying for a suite would like be off set by you food savings.

- Bring your own strollers.
In park stroer rentals are about $40/ day.
Insane.

If you don't have room to haul one pick a cheap one on your way to the park and leave it at the front desk for them to offer to another family coming as check out .

Disney on a budget- it can be done!

Really we don't spend more on Disney than we do on a beach trip.

You can cut extras out during the year to pay it off a little at a time. It's all about what you want more.

For me this:






Is worth more than eating out every week.

If I can do both - I will.

But if not- steakhouses lose out big time to my kids smiling up at

Mickey Mouse!

Happy planning!
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Considering an off site stay? Check out Dwellable for beautiful, affordable accommodations to kick your feet up in after a long day hanging with The Mouse!

Disney / Orlando on Dwellable

Of Sumos and Sacrifice

Adoption is a big task.

It is.

And I find myself , even though my heart bleeds for children without families, sometimes wanting to go back to the days when I lived oblivious to Gods calling for us.

See, when God wrecks you like he went ahead and did to us this January- you can't go back. I mean I suppose you can but things aren't the same. You can't unknow what he's revealed to you. You can ignore it for sure, God doesn't force anyone , but you can't ignore with blind ignorance now that God has shown you the truth, now that he's revealed his heart.

You could go on living your life in your own little world, providing for you and yours and making going to church the main spiritual accomplishment of your life- but always in the quiet recesses of your mind, your soul- you know.

You know that God has called you (as he's called all his children) to so much more. That sitting in a church was never his design for his followers.

You know that your hands weren't meant just to be folded in prayer but to heal hurt and sickness. To touch the untouchable.

Your eyes weren't meant just to take in the beauty of the world around you that God has created but to see need, sickness, pain. To look into the eyes of dying, the lost, the hurting.

Your feet not made to walk you to a pew to sit and be comfortable as you are affirmed by the pastor and fed spiritually but instead to walk among the people, to go where the whitewashed church won't go. You see the bible never says the lost will come to you - instead we are told continually to go. Go.

Your heart wasnt just made to love those around you it was meant to be broken for the things that break Gods heart. To beat with the passion for things that matter to Him- the fatherless, the widow, the outcast- the lost.

And no, your money wasnt meant just for mindless spending either.

But in America we are told going to church is enough. Doing Sunday school, or serving on a committee makes you an over acheiver in the church today. Only special Christians are called to more.

Are they?

Or is it just that we've all shirked our responsibilities onto those with titles- pastor, missionary....

When we are all called to be these things. There's no special or ordained in Gods kingdom. While he calls some to that as an official job - we are all called to do the same in whatever life he has for us.

But we don't.

And why?

I guess because its so easy to skate by just on salvation.

We accepted Jesus so we will get to heaven anyway right? Why not live out these days enjoying the fruits of "our" labor, providing for our own kids and making life as comfortable or in excess as much as we can.

I'm not going to lie. I often want to go back to that. It's my nature. I want the comfortable life we had made full of Disney trips and shopping trips and whatever we wanted.

When I look at this adoption this is what I see:


That's me the tiny guy pushing the sumo of this adoption.

The financial requirements alone could be represented by that guy. In my own mind it makes me shudder and want to turn on Real Housewives of whatever new city bravo tv has invaded to silence the magnitude of what alone that financial burden entails.

Then there's the government hurdles in two countries.

The visiting of an unstable country just ranked the poorest in the ENTIRE WORLD for two weeks on our first trip.

Two weeks of leaving our children to meet another or the prospect of Injecting them with numerous vaccines with toxins to take them along.

Two weeks of living with a child we don't know but is ours, getting to know her and love her and then being ripped away from her without being able to say anything to soothe her little soul and reassure her that we are not leaving her like everyone else has always left her - we will back when the governments finish the rest of their job.

And then waiting indefinitely to return to a little girl who isn't just a face in a picture anymore - but a child in our heart, a missing part of our family. indefinite stretch lf time worrying, praying, missing.

I don't want to do it all the time. I don't.

I'm not special, I'm not extraordinary.

I'm just Mandy who likes to sit at home with her kids in flannel Santa pj pants making chicken nuggets and snuggling on the couch with fuzzy headed little loud creatures.

I don't feel like pondering the hunger of tiny bellies and imagining tear stained cheeks of children longing for a family.
It hurts.
Daily.

But I don't really have a choice because for some reason God chose us to be softened to the most defenseless in our world - the orphan.

He wrecked us and our plans, made our hearts beat for what makes his beat and so I can't just ignore it.

Even though at times I want to.

Because let's face it: Reality IS ugly.

Now that some people know we are adopting and talk to us about it they always things like:

"That is so wonderful of you to do"

"I'm proud of you"

"You guys are incredible"

And.that.is So. Nice.

But it's not true.

I'm not , any of those things.

I'm flawed, I'm human I'm selfish.

I'm much more comfortable living life on my couch with my kids in my Santa pjs planning out our next vacation

The thought of doing all this
freaks. Me . Out.

It's not me at all.

It's God in me.

It's Jesus living through me.

It's his heart beating, him using my hands, my legs.

It's. All. Him.

Now don't get me wrong.

I want nothing more than to bring a family-less child into our home and give her family, to love her.

I want to find homes for all orphans.

I'd take 20 in myself.

If it were that easy.

It isn't the end result I'm afraid of or not desiring - even with all the uncertainties bringing an orphan into your home can bring.

It's the process, it's the money, the time, the pain, the sacrifice.

All that puts me into the frame of mind of breathlessly staring at the big sweaty stinky sumo of the adoption process- in a pilot program no less.

And I falter.

I back pedal.

I second guess.

But then I'm reminded, especially this week of someone facing their call.

Alone in the garden.
Sweating blood.
Spirit willing
Flesh weak.
Praying.
Pleading.

God if there's some way...

Let this cup pass from me..

But in the end.

Not my will but yours...

Jesus looking down time span of the next few hours in his earthly hours knowing full well what he was facing

Jeering hateful taunts

Accusations

Lies

Desertion by devout followers

Spit in the face

Whipping - flesh ripped ; bone exposed gleaming white against the red of torn skin and muscle. The very humanity being torn from God incarnate.

Carrying the instrument of his own torture and death

Crown of thorns piercing his brow blood running down his face the metallic sting of his own life source trickling between parched lips

Crude nails tearing through muscle and ligament joining flesh to wood

Struggling for breath as an exhausted brutalized body struggles to support itself as iron rips flesh with every inhale.

His Father turning His back as the darkness of sin envelops the sinless.

The sting of death.

Jesus in that garden faced much more than you or I could ever be asked.

He questioned- if this cup could pass from me...

He could have said no.

Left earth and the constraints of man and returned to heaven and its glory.

But he continued on.

Because he was the kinsman redeemer.

His death paid the ransom to bring us- the fatherless into the family of God.

No price was too great for him to pay for our redemption.

I think like me when he asked if the cup could pass- it wasn't for lack of desire for the end result - our redemption, bringing us into His family - it was for the process that redemption cost.

----------------------------------------------------------

How then could I - who has been given so so much deny this call?

A call that costs me , yes- money, inconvenience, patience, many various sacrifices on our family- but yet so little.

How can I ignore God asking me to pay the ransom of one of HIS children .
To give a home to a lost child.
To allow him to place the lonely in a family- our family.

I can't.

So, even though I struggle at times looking ahead at what is required of us, what it will cost - the time and the money, when discouraged I do what I believe Jesus did.

I'm looking past the process, what it costs and looking at a face. In our case A beautiful Haitian child looking for love and a home.

In Jesus case-
I believe he saw you.
And me.
He saw our faces.
He saw us lost and alone in our sin.
He saw us and knew the cost was not too great.
He endured it all to give us a home.
A Father.
Love.

I just want to encourage everyone to go after what God id calling you to do. He has SO much more for us than warming a pew in a church .

Church was never meant to be the totality of our Christian experience.

It was meant to be a place where we came back to for refreshment and encouragement after pouring ourselves into His work.

I encourage you all to take a step and look past the cost of what Hes calling you to and forward to the end result, the goal, the good you will accomplish by allowing Him to use you.

It's not us, it's Him in us. Let Him move in you and through you.

It's not easy, it will cost you your comfort in the very least.

Even though its trying emotionally and in every aspect of our lives right now - it's also amazing to have a passion about something- to be given a task by God and working toward it .

If you don't feel direction in your life seek God. Ask him to break your heart for what breaks him. To send you.

Your life will never be the same and though at times you'll feel like that tiny stick of a man against the hulking Sumo as you accomplish your task- nothing compares to actually walking out your faith .

And from this little stick man to all of you-

Any of you who have had a kind or encouraging word, who have shared a status or fundraiser link, have given of your time, prayers, thoughts or money to help us so far-

THANK YOU.

Any support we get is so appreciated. It's hard sometimes- we have close family who we thought would be supportive who have not even spoken a word about it, acting like its not happening.

It's hard.
Walking out what God has called you to is not always popular and sometimes you feel you walk alone.

So any gesture- great or small- is noted and warms our hearts and each one is like another helping hand to help puny us push over that big bad Sumo of this process.

Thank you!




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American Girl Doll fundraiser!

UPDATE: Extended Til April 13 . Drawing will be on the 13. Winner chosen by random number generator and announced on April 14


So not only is adoption a long process- it's a very expensive one.

While we feel called to this by God and its our responsibility, the Bible calls us to share each others burdens.

I hate fundraising. I hate asking for help. But we can't do this alone.


Adoption is a ministry just like any other. We support missionaries to countries without hesitation and adopting is like a mission field you bring into your own home.

^^^ this section is more for me . Reminding myself because otherwise I'd feel even more awkward than I do!


So fundraise we Must.

I am believing for God to provide funds but we have to do our part, and I believe he will bless those endeavors and provide through them.

The Easter photo sessions we just did were our first fundraiser and we raised enough for adoption agency application fee.

It's not a ton just about 1% of what the total adoption will cost but what a blessing to have our first payment in this paid for with our first fundraiser!

Thank you so much!!
And since it was such a hit (we
have a little bit left to put toward our homestudy fee) I'm going to do monthly mini sessions. Each month will have a theme and be offered at a discounted price from my normal (already low $45/one hour location session good deal ;) ) session fee and include at an 8x10. Like my photography page CreatedImage Photography on facebook to keep updated.
In the meantime we are going to do a raffle.


We chose ....

An American Girl Doll raffle.

Our girls LOVE these and we have quite a few as they choose these for birthdays and Christmas.

While many would say they are way over priced for a doll- they really are a quality toy. I haven't found one that compares and if you hold an AG doll and any other in your hands you can quickly see the difference.

By far my favorite aspect is the books that come with them. Each girl comes with a book with a series you can also purchase. Not only does this enhance play and imagination bringing the doll to life with story lines and personality traits- the girls learn about character traits through the stories.

My favorite line is the historical dolls, the kids really do learn history through these books. It brings it to life and gives them something to relate to historical time periods.

They're so good I've incorporated them into Lacis homeschool history curriculum and she's loved every minute! Okay maybe not EVERY but she really likes it and so do I.

The dolls are a high price point many aren't willing to pay so this is a great opportunity to not only help us but to possibly win a doll for your special girl!

Here are the details:

Entries are $10 for 1 entry or for a $30 donation you get 4 entries!

Since we are purchasing this- not having it donated I am setting a reserve.

We have to sell 15 tickets.

The dolls are $110 plus a slightly ridiculous shipping fee so we will have to cover that as well as pay pal fees for those donating online.
So at that ticket point $150 we will be breaking even with a few dollars profit.

We have to set a reserve because well we are trying to raise money, not lose it!
And if that happens the people who entered will have their money returned, obviously :)



This is Saige. She's the girl of the year ( they retire these at the end of the year making them highly collectible. You can at least double her value on January first)

We love her! She's beautiful, loves horses and painting and hot air balloon rides!

The winner can choose whichever doll they want. I thought that would be best! Pick your doll here!

You can enter by donating to mandz81@ymail on PayPal.
Be sure to write in the comments section that its for the AG doll fundraiser.

Or you can pay me in person :) no pay pal fees for me that way!!

Also feel free to share this fundraiser! For the top people with referrals I will give a free extra entry! So make sure you have your people write who referred them in the comment section.

You can most easily do this by hitting the share button on facebook. Feel free to copy the info and share in an email, text or your blog as well!

If you're really a go getter and want to help promote the fundraiser and sell chances in the real world- not just online - lmk and I will print you up a sheet!
We are grateful for whatever help we are given!
Thank you so much!
The fundraiser will end on March 31. A name will be drawn and announced on my Facebook and my blog. If you aren't local ill have the doll shipped to your address!

Good luck!

Also, if you win and prefer a doll for a younger age- ill substitute a set of Bitty Twins. They're precious!




^ adoption bitty family?

<3 br="">See all your bitty options!
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Prayer is not only asking, but an attitude of mind which produces the atmosphere in which asking is perfectly natural. ~ Oswald Chambers

Adoption is a long grueling process. I'm one who hates asking for help. I'm like a two year old perpetually yelling "I do it" because I'd rather do it all myself.




(This is Layla In recent "me do it" situation. She is hopelessly just short of reaching the water despite a deep stretch while on a stool. But she refuses to let me lift her. Notice how much water has accumulated in the sink as he tries to make herself just millimeters longer.

Me do it doesn't really get us anywhere.)

Im Not this way because I think I can do everything better than everyone but because I'm quite insecure and find myself undeserving of help. I feel like an enormous bother and rather than impose my needs on others, ill just do it.

And yes, in some cases it's because it's so much easier to just do it myself. Mark an "n" for needs improvement on my report card under "works well with others" .

God is teaching me now to stop that because adoption is a process in which you need support and must be willing to accept it.

The most important way you can help us is in prayer.

I don't know about you but oftentimes when people ask me to pray for them, especially in situations that don't involve a clear cut need like say a physical healing (those are usually self explanatory) I sometimes feel lost and praying generic prayers.

To help you - and myself - I feel led after a long crying prayer session myself, to write down specific areas In which we can use your prayers what specifically you can list in those prayers.

The adoption process in general.

That God will open doors and lead us to people who will best facilitate each aspect of the process.

That we will hear him clearly on decisions.

For all paperwork to be processed correctly and quickly.


For us to find favor in the process with the various people who have to handle each step of the process and sign off on things and that each phase pass quickly without any roadblocks . ( doesnt hurt to ask right!)

Pray we hear clearly when we are given files of children that we know whom he's chosen for us.

Some may say , that its not a needle in a haystack it could be any kid.

But I know differently. I know God called us when he did, to the country he did and pressed upon us a certain adoption agency to sign with all that will lead to a child he has chosen for us.

His word says:

God places the lonely in families.

He doesn't just throw things together and leave things to chance.

Could be you or you or you in that complete other country over there.

No.

He places.

That speaks to a deliberate act.

He is placing this lonely child in our family.

Pray we hear clearly (I'm confident we will) when the time comes for us to review files of kids.

That verse aside , I know he has called us to certain child. I feel it in my bones that's how he works.

If I needed proof I could look no further than my beautiful nephew .

My best friends adopted son is a perfect match to that family. He may not have been born to them but God had him for them. He fits in beautifully.

Gods handiwork is always beautiful.


For all of the Haitian side of this to be done correctly - that our child's paperwork is in order and undeniably declared an orphan from the onset. This often proves to be a major roadblock in adoptions.

Speaking of roadblocks-

That God remove any mountains in our path now, before we even encounter them!

Here's a big mountain:

For God to be in our finances.

We didnt seek this out and don't have some secret adoption nest egg squirlled away. We are a one income family as I stay home and home school the girls.

God reminds me he owns the cattle on a thousand hills and that he's called to us so not to stress on finances.

Still adoption is a big expense. It's hard for my human mind to not dwell on numbers.

Pray for my faith to strengthened and trust Him for the finances! (I say my not our because tony seems cool as a cucumber but pray for his faith too)

Pray for our fundraising endeavors to find favor and be well received and successful. That God will give us creative ideas to help bring in funds.

That he will bring into our lives people willing to help, whether it be donations, people supportive of our fundraising endeavors or willing to donate their time and talents to help.

On that note, if you have any good ideas please feel free to let us know! We are receptive to suggestions! And if you have a talent or skill, that you'd like to use to help us, that's awesome too!

That we could qualify for grants and low interest loans provided by various Christian adoption charities.

We need work in our own hearts and minds as we prepare for this. We are far from perfect, just like Everyone else.

Pray that God uses the time of the process to prepare us and make us better people.

To prepare our hearts and minds to be in the right place

Tend to our hearts like a garden and weed out anything that will hinder us ministering to our child, anything that will keep us from adapting to being adoptive parents or keep us from helping our own kids prepare for and through the transition.

That God will plant in us now the seeds of traits we need to posses to weather the trials in the process and be ready in our hearts and minds to give this child, our child, a secure home where her needs can be met and her wounds healed.

That we are ready to minister to a wounded child.

Can you imagine the pain a small child endures as an orphan? The thoughts that haunt their mind? The pain In their heart?

Neither can I.

Pray that God gives us the ability to speak healing to her brokenness. That we can understand her needs and fulfill them.

For our marriage

That the various trials and stresses that come with adoption would not strain our marriage but instead strengthen it and bring us closer to each other.

That we would pray for and with each other and speak openly about our concerns and needs. Help us to act with grace and love with each other in both the everyday doldrums and the trials and stresses we may encounter.

For us as parents

That we are able to effectively prepare our kids hearts and minds for adoption. They already are compassionate but that they can understand the strains and sacrifices involved not just in the process of getting through the process but the ongoing issues once the child is home.

That we can prepare them for a different scenario than the idyllic pink tinted, frilly dresses, hugs all around, instant sisters riding unicorns through a ticker tape parade dream they envision of our child coming into our home.

Pray against fear and feelings of displacement or jealousy and insecurity in Ella, Laci, and Layla - but that they would have expectations based in reality and prepared for the possible difficulties associated with bringing an unknown child into our family and teaching her what family is.

Pray for me,- and probably Tony he doesn't mention it but I'm sure he experiences this too, as God continually breaks our hearts for fatherless. It's a heavy burden he's placed on us and I find it hard to even pray many times because it seems he breaks my heart even more during prayer .

It spurs me on to continue the long process and while I feel weak I know he's strengthening me because the passion it inspires in my heart chases off all feelings of wanting to turn back and forget and to instead continue in our self centered life of ease and excess.

I know I need this continual painful reminder of the ugly reality of 153 million orphans in the world but it hurts.

Pray that we stay inspired and uplifted at the same time.

Pray that we know how to pray for the lonely, the broken hearted , the fatherless effectively.

Pray that we hear clearly from God on how he wants us to use what he's placed on our hearts to further his work other than just this adoption.

Pray that God be glorified through every part of this process.

This was his plan not ours.
We are not amazing- we are ordinary.

We are not exceptionally compassionate- we are greedy.

We did not seek this out.
He placed it mightily upon our hearts.

The only way he could have been more forceful and clear on what we were to do, from my experience with how I was led to this, would be if He came to me in physical form and shook me.

As it was he spiritually shook me. He wrecked me. There was no quiet leading, no still small voice. It took grand acts of convincing on His part to lead me here.

And even still I convinced myself we didn't have to.

Until he campaigned the entire next day to prove otherwise.

This is not us. It is him.

It's not our love.

It's His living in us, working through us.

We are merely vessels.

God is Father to the fatherless.
He places the lonely in families.

Nowhere in there does it mention the action of man.

This is him.
His love.

Pray for our child's mother.

If she's already given her up, pray peace and comfort upon her. Pray for confidence she did what was best for her child. Pray that she knows a loving family is waiting now to take her daughter in. praying now for her child.

Pray restoration upon her life. Let her rise from this stronger and that people be placed in her life to better her future. That one day she can have a family and not be forced to relinquish children for them to have a life because she will be able to provide that life for them.

Pray for the emptiness in her heart to be filled.
I don't know how you get over the pain of giving up a child but I pray she can go on.

I'm assuming a lot in this. That she gave the child up for virtuous reasons, but she's her mother and should be respected for giving her life. Life in Haiti is painfully difficult, and I can't cast aspersions on the decisions anyone makes there because I am blessed to not live in the poorest country in the world where i would be forced with the same situations making the same decisions.

For whatever the reason she relinquished the child we take into our family, I pray she find emotional and spiritually healing. She may be sick in body, and physically unable to care for her child or herself- pray for her physical healing.

Pray that she find Gods grace and his salvation above all else.


In the event she's passed away, pray that all the relevant family have been found and have properly and willingly with full understanding signed all paperwork before we are matched with our child. (This often holds up adoptions)

And mostly

Pray for our child.

Adoption begins in loss.

She has lost her family, whether she was old enough to know them or not.

She will be losing her crèche (orphanage) relationships with her nunu (what the kids call the caretaker in the crèche we are adopting from) her friends and the people she considers family in the crèche.

She will be leaving her country and everything she has ever known to live with people she's barely met, who look nothing like her and don't speak her language except for the poorly pronounced phrases I will have learned in kreyol by then. ;)

She will move to a strange country of abundance the likes of which she probably couldn't have imagined and a way of life she's never seen.

She will meet girls who consider her a sister even though she's never seen them.

She will move into a home with a family while she has
no concept of family.

She will be without anyone she's known among parents and children they've raised and loved since birth.

Pray that she has peace. Pray that God prepares her even now for the whirlwind of change she will experience in the coming months (18-24+) .

Pray for her as she resides in the crèche that she finds favor and is shown love and care. That her belly not feel the pangs of hunger nor her tears roll down her cheeks unnoticed.

Pray that even if she feels no arms around her that she feels held, by our love.

By Gods.

Pray against sickness and pain.

Cholera rips through crèches claiming countless victims. Pray for her protection and health.

Pray for her emotional scars and wounds, that they be ministered to even now through loving caring words. Let her caretakers understand her needs and that we would as well so we can continue her process of healing from abandonment.

Pray for her to know hope.

I can't forget my best friend calling me after her first trip to Uganda to meet her son. She had taken with her bracelets that said hope that we all wore In support of her sons endlessly difficult adoption and to remind us to pray


Having to leave him until their return for their next court date when they'd take him home, she gave him a hope bracelet. She also gave one to another little boy. She told him what it said "hope" .

Not only did he not have any, he didnt even know what hope was.

I remember getting off the phone sitting on a couch looking out a balcony to the beautiful beach and listening to waves roar (we were on vacation. How blessed are we in this country?) and crying and crying over the dark picture of little children who have no hope to the point of the concept being as foreign to them as the white lady standing before them handing out the bracelets.

It . Broke. Me.

And it should you too.

Jesus came to give hope to the hopeless.

We need to be actively sharing it.

Wow. That's a lot!

If you've read all of that thank you :) you're awesome.

That could be a long prayer session in itself let alone all your needs and thanksgiving!

Maybe, if you're willing to partner with us in prayer, you could dedicate each individual point to one day of the week, if you don't feel up to the lump sum of it daily.

One day, finances, one day, process, one day our child Etc.

If nothing else- just pray for our child. She needs the prayers and to feel Gods presence and love more than us.

If you remember nothing else, remember her.

God did.

He saw her abandoned and raised up a family for her.

Pray for her as we fight to get to her.

Thank you so much <3



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What?! You're adopting?! And other questions people have

When someone announces they're adopting- inevitably people have lots of questions.

It's understandable, sadly adoption is not as commonplace as it should be- especially within the Christian community as we are commanded to care for the fatherless numerous times. (Another sermon for another time...)

In any case being an unfamiliar experience for the majority of people, questions ensue.

I've decided to put together our own FAQ for the curious.

- Why are you adopting?

Well in a general sense, adoption is something more should look into. 153 million orphans are in this world . People need to be opening their hearts and homes to help these children.

Of course keeping kids with bio families would be best but not always possible. Sadly though many families who love their children are forced due to poverty to give up their sons and daughters for survivial itself.

If you aren't adopting look into sponsoring a child. Help prevent children from becoming orphans in the first place.

- Yeah, but I meant you specifically.

We feel God has called us to adopt.

We can have more children of our own, we didnt plan on having four kids in anyway- but the last few months have clearly felt God leading us to this.

It's nothing we sought and I for one (apparently tony had felt God speaking this to him for a while) was taken Quite by surprise by it all.

We both always had a heart for adoption and I thought God bringing two such people together in marriage was a sure fire guarantee to adopt.

I even researched international adoption shortly after we were married. We were far too young for any country program at the time.

Laci always had Asian baby dolls because we had wanted to adopt from china. I thought the baby dolls would help prepare her.

After we had Ella it was more doubtful we would adopt and when I got pregnant with Layla Iiterally said good bye to our Chinese baby we had talked of for years as I read positive on the test.

We didnt plan on four children, tony really didnt want 3 so adopting was not going to happen.

And that was the last I thought of it. We no longer had intentions to adopt until God started speaking to us.

Also I walked through a very difficult international adoption with my best friend recently and declared we would never do this.

When will I learn God hears me say "never " and responds with "challenge accepted"

I'm quite sure that is how it goes.

- Why not adopt domestically. Why Haiti?

Well the foster care system in the US Has many positives and negatives.

Private adoption as well.

I looked into both as I felt God pulling on my heart to adopt even before I discussed it with Tony.

After we first talked about adoption , very limited discussion, we did talk about domestic adoption.

It's not for us.

I could detail all the ways and if you must know, ask me personally but the short answer is

God has called us to Haiti not domestic

If you are asking this good naturedly that's ok. But don't ask this question to any adoptive family derisively.

Be warned if you feel the need to chastise us for not adopting domestically you better be in the process of fostering or adopting domestically yourself! It doesn't seem to me fair for people opening their hearts and homes to an orphaned child to be judged for not adopting domestically by someone who is doing nothing for children in foster care themselves... And I will more than likely answer you with links to adoptuskids and your local social services for info for how you can sign up.

if you feel so strongly on domestic adoption, by all means look into it yourself, please do. If one family in one out of four churches in America adopted domestically- there would be no orphans in the USA. That's not many people. I personally know three five families in my area who have or are adopting. Not including myself.

Through the foster care system it is free or nearly free in all cases. And at least until recently (I think still) the child's health and dental and mental bills are covered by the state Til 18. They used to even give an $800/ month stipend to families Til 18. I'm not sure if that's the case now in these economic dark times.

- why Haiti?

God called us to Haiti.

I know I know all my answers sound like a cop out to God but he has called us to this, we didnt seek it so yes that is the main answer.

As for why I think we were called to haiti,

- it was just named the poorest country in the world. The world! And it's just off our shores!

Haiti needs our help!

Haiti was far from ok before the 2010 earthquake but has continued to suffer and obviously as evidenced by the world bank ranking it this year as the poorest in the world, continues to decline.

People can't even afford rice now and have taken to eating mud cakes.

There are over 500,000 orphans in the tiny island nation. The orphanages are over burdened and the citizens lack hope with no economy and few opportunities.

They can't take care of their families let alone to adopt in more kids.

- human trafficking, always a problem in Haiti, has become prolific since the earthquake decimated jails and released the criminals back into the streets . This puts many orphans at risk too as some orphanages only go to 12 years old. The kids then are on the street and prone to being sold as salves and prostitutes usually smuggled into the Dominican Republic.

Adoption prevents this for at least one child and opens a slot for another.

We wouldn't have chosen haiti , like I said we always talked about a little Chinese girl, but we cannot deny God has called us to Haiti and now I wouldn't think of anywhere else.

When people are called to adopt from a specific nation asking them why are you adopting from there instead of here is like asking an evangelist why he doesn't lead worship.

Gods calling is specific to each indivdual. Adopting is a missional act and if a person is called to a specific nation telling them they should adopt elsewhere is the same as telling anyone else called by God to go do something else.

- Doesnt it cost an awful lot. It's like you're buying a baby.

It does cost A LOT.

Why?

Because lawyers and governments are greedy.

Okay maybe not but you are paying legal fees and government paper work.

That is where the money goes.

No one is getting paid for a baby (except maybe the ridiculous governments)

No ones pockets are being padded .

Babies aren't being sold.

In our program anyway.

It's always important to research agency/ orphanage / Country and seek out ethical adoptions in which the children are verified orphans and haven't been taken or "bough t" or put in orphanages by families who think they're just leaving them temporarily.

Haiti has instituted new regulations that provides safeguards against the type of thing now and also our agency/ orphanage (in haiti they're called crèches) are vigilant on this.

Some countries are different and you have to be sure you aren't paying for a baby.

Africa and china I'm looking at you .

That doesn't mean parents there are buying babies, but those countries are well known for baby trafficking. Private adoptions are more likely to be on the end of receiving trafficked children though agencies are not exempt and private adoptions aren't all bad.

Research, people.

As for our agency even they aren't getting paid for us "buying " a baby. They get $7000 which sounds like a lot but when you consider the few families they work with , employee salaries, business expenses, building and all the costs entailed with office buildings, travel to countries.... I'm not sure how they continue to operate other than by the grace of God.

That $7000 isn't just a blanket check to them, it includes costs outside of them that they just pay for us so they don't even bank that full amount.

No one is getting rich off adopting babies in this case.

Strangely, what turned me off from domestic private adoption was that most places required not only for us to pay the mothers hospital fees and other medical but also rent , car payments, utilities , food, store gift cards and more! Domestic private can be more than twice as much than international and it's due to all the money being paid to the mothers.

I'm sorry to me paying for many things for the mother over her medical costs seemed  more like  buying a child and I wasn't comfortable with that.

I'm not saying its wrong but it wasnt for us. Also not ALL domestic adoptions go that way. I do question the agencies that run it that way. 

I honor moms who are choosing adoption instead of abortion and the families who take these little ones in.

Domestic adoption is a wonderful option especially for families who cannot have babies on their own. I think every couple who wants to should get to experience the beauty of a warm fuzzy newborn head, the soft skin, tiny toes- one of the greatest joys on this planet.

International adoption doesn't usually provide that so domestic is the way to go! 

God has called us elsewhere and we've been blessed with three beautiful newborn experiences, so domestic this time just isn't for us! 

For other families it may be fine and I appreciate the mothers not aborting and choosing life but it seemed like paying all those bills were a legal loophole to paying for a child.

*Just my feelings on the fee structures of most domestic agencies , not all and not declaring that as fast.

- what are you doing to your kids - it's not fair to them?

First, it's our family and so this isn't a fair question from the outset.

Of course we've considered our kids in this.

Again the bottom line is God called us to this and while we can always say no, we are not going to disobey God, not even for our kids.

We have peace in that he promises to work all things for the good of those who love him.

While there are significant adjustments when bringing in an adopted child and many unknowns, everything I've read says Haitian kids adapt well to adoption.

That is no guarantee but I take solace in it.

Also, we are not harming our kids by adding to the family. I don't often hear people asking that of people having children of their own and it doesn't apply in adoptive case either.

While considerable adjustments will have to be made, just like whenever a biological sibling comes, our kids have embraced the idea. They are very compassionate and understand .

We can't guarantee an easy transition period and can almost guarantee a bumpy one but I know that in he end this will make them better people.

They will be living compassion, acceptance, grace, sacrifice, love, obedience to Gods will - all early in their lives and I believe this will make them better people all around. They are learning about selfishness and greed and to live for more than their own desires. The lessons they will learn from this cannot be learned in school or church as well as they will by living it.

- don't you have to be rich like Angelina Jolie to adopt.

Um no. I wish. Human terms- I have no idea how to pay for this but I know God will provide.

And he's going to have to.

Some people have lots of friends and many with deep pockets or friends of friends dying to help.

Mine and Tonys social circle is VERY small. I stay at home and his job allows no time for friends.

I have faith that God will provide but it will be a lot of work on our part as well.

So if anyone has great fundraising ideas - I'm open to hear them!

And keep us in prayer As we seek God to provide.

There are grants and loans by charities for adopting couples once you get to certain parts of the process so if you're considering adoption dont let cost deter you.

I did - until God summarily dismantled all my arguments and reminded me he owns the cattle on a thousand hills and many verses pertaining to finances.

So right now we just trust and brainstorm!

I hate fundraising its really outside my comfort zone, but we will do nearly Anything to bring this child home.

- it seems like adoption is a trend. Is that why you're doing it?

Really?? 153 million orphans says no to the trend- and we aren't trendy anyway. We annoy family with our outside of the box everything and the last thing you do for a trend is bring a child you've never met into your life.

I couldn't pick a shelter pet because I was worried about the baggage a DOG had, so taking on a child is no small undertaking and not something to be taken so lightly.

I'm not saying there aren't a few strange people out there who have done this for that reason, we just happen to not be them.

I actually fought the idea. God broke me down. We didnt seek this. And like I said my BFF and her adoption- was a deterrent not an inspiring factor. She actually apologizes now that we are doing this because she knows me being the one person other than her husband that she shared all the ups and downs with sends me into this with a very unique perspective.

We are doing this despite our friend having adopted not because!

And on the celebrity front- how do they get those kids so easily! ? I mean if it were that simple it would perhaps be a trend - and one I would jump on.

If just 8% of Christians in the world would adopt- no more orphans.

Lets make it trendy.

I do think this is a move of God for this time. It seems he is calling more of his people to adopt-probably because we aren't doing it willingly despite what his word tells us concerning it.

I can't think of any more questions you may have at this time :) if you have any feel free to ask us. Adopting is a great way to educate people about a duty God calls Christians to but the church has long neglected and we hope our doing it helps other couples open up to the idea and normalizes.

We are only helping one child. Millions more need homes. Hopefully our story will inspire others to bring one more home.

One less orphan...

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