I hope everyone . . .

had a Very Merry Christmas!!!  It's been so nice having the kids home and not having to run here and there with school activities.   We received our NVC letter last Tuesday and now just wait to be cabled (I think?).  This new process keeps me guessing.  But I think that's right.  Anyway, as we wait for the next step, I've thought about Faith, waiting for us in China, and how our family is changing and growing.  Never would I have dreamed that we would have four children.  God has certainly blessed us through adoption.   It's hard to believe that I first saw Faith (aka Tammy, Camp Ox 1) last Feb., 2010.  She certainly caught not only my eye, but my heart.  Just something about this sweet little girl tugged at my heart.  For 7 months I prayed and thought about Faith morning, noon, and night.  It wasn't that I was reluctant to add another child to our family, it was all about the finances or lack there of.   After three back to back adoptions, we seriously needed to turn our attention to our house as it needed some much needed maintenance.   I soon realized that the maintenance could wait, but Faith couldn't.  How in the world could we pass over this sweet child?  We couldn't.  So here we are almost to the homestretch!!  Thankfully, so many of you have supported our fundraisers (and we've had several) as well as just plain donating and sharing our fundraisers on your blogs and FB.  Thank you so very, very much!!!! 

As we move forward, we now need to focus on our travel expenses.  For those who have btdt, you know how expensive this can be.  Not only do we need to pay to get to China and back, but we also need the funds for the inter-country travel, hotels, food, etc.  So we are starting the new year with another
Goat Milk Soap fundraiser.   This will be our third GMS fundraiser.  We've actually done really well with these.  The first GMS fundraiser goal was 100 soaps and you came through for us.  The second GMS fundrasier was 200 soaps, and again you supported us and we met our goal.  So with the third GMS fundraiser, our goal is 300 soaps.  I know that's big, but I also know that it can be done.  We will be offering the same soaps, however, we will be adding a special scent just for Valentine's day, CHOCOLATE!!!  When I told my 12 yo daughter, Emmi, that Chocolate was the scent for Valentine's day, her eyes lit up.  She's my chocolate lover.  So as she hates to take a shower, maybe this sweet smelling soap will make it a little easier.  We will also offer the same rates for shipping this time as well as an added surprise that I will
announce when I post our GMS fundraiser.  It will be a free gift with the purchase of 20 or more soaps.  I think this will work, we'll see!!!  

Thank you so much again for your support!!  Please start spreading the word about our GMS fundrasier.  If you've purchased and used the soap, tell your family and friends.  These will make great gifts for Valentines day!!!  I ordered just a few extra soaps with the last fundraiser, so each one of the kids chose one of those soaps.  They love 'em too . . kid approved!!!

Happy New Year!!!!

A Christmas present for Faith!

An art set for our artist!

  As I pondered on what to send our sweet Faith, I just couldn't decide.  We sent a bracelet through
http://www.ladybugsnlove.com/ for her birthday last month.  Btw, Angela and Kelly are wonderful to work with and I highly recommend them.  So it came to me out of nowhere, an artist set.  We received a sweet letter from Faith a few weeks ago, previous post, and with it she sent two pieces of artwork.  I'm hoping that she really does love to draw and paint.   So an art set it is.  The picture above shows what Angela picked out and mailed to Faith.  She should receive it in China on Friday, which is actually today in China with the time change.    She's in foster care so I'm really hoping she will get it by Christmas.  We sent a Christmas card with a sweet message in it too. 
  Now as for next Christmas, how awesome that Faith will know the real reason for the season, the birth of Jesus Christ our savior.  

Congratulations to . . .

     I'll keep you in suspense just a little longer.  First I'd like to thank each and every one of you
for supporting our fundraiser.  I really do appreciate it.  And to those who spread the word, not once, nor twice, but multiple times, I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate you helping us spread the word.
We are so grateful for the donations and it will certainly make a dent in our agency fees that are due.  After the purchase of the Kindle package, we still were blessed with right at $500. 

    O.K.  Drum roll please:     

    Congratulations to Mary Farmer . . . .  

    Our thermometer almost made it to the top (our goal).  And it's all because of sweet friends sharing our journey and to those of you who supported our efforts.   Many blessings to you all.   Again, thank you
so very much!!!!

Kindle Fire fundraiser giveaway

 Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire cover giveaway!

    We are giving away this Kindle Fire and cover as well as a 2-year replacement plan.

  

   

     The drawing will be ***** December 20th.  We will draw the winner and the Kindle Fire and cover will go out December 20th in the afternoon priority mail.


     We are getting so close to bringing our daughter Faith home.   Praying that she will  be prepared for meeting us as well as for a smooth transition there and when we get home.   We are so excited that we are getting so close to travel.

Faith's birthday pictures!!!

Today on my lunch break I found these sweet pictures of our daughter Faith celebrating her
12th birthday!!!!!  I just love 'em!!!  She's just precious!!  It's so sad that we've missed celebrating her
previous birthdays, but oh how we'll be celebrating next year and making lots of memories!!!  Happy
Birthday sweet daughter!!!   Here she is:

Faith's birthday

Peace!

I have a few more of the party but it was taking way toooooo long to download.  I'll try to add more later.
These are my favorite!!!!  It won't be long now!!!

Goat Milk Soap pt 2 (we made our goal)!!!

Thanks to all those who shared our fundraiser, purchased the soap, and rallied for us.  You all are
AMAZING!!!!  I'm so blessed to have so many people come forward and support this fundraiser.  The
official result was 210 soaps!!!!  I'm not sure how much we will actually receive since I offered discounted
and free shipping as we'll have quite a bit of fees to get the packages mailed.  However, that's o.k.  I am
so grateful and happy for the result.  That means we made $630 minus those shipping charges!!!!  Now
that's AWESOME!!!  Thank you so so much!!!!  I just can't say it enough!!!  For those that purchased
from this fundraiser, I received an e-mail that the soap has been shipped from GMS to me.   I will turn
it around as soon as I receive the soap. 

Another important announcement!!!  We received our I-800 approval today!!!!   I was expecting an
e-mail letting us know that it was being mailed.  However, I checked the mail when I got home from work and there it was.  Needless to say, I was SURPRISED!!!!  So now to figure out what's next. 

Oh, and it gets even better!!!!!   (remember, this all happened today)  We received pictures from Angela
today of Faith's birthday party!!!   I have several pictures and will post those in a little while!!!!  WOW!!!
It's been an exciting day!!!!   Rejoicing and praising God for all His many blessings!!!