Christmas as a Family of Five

We have had the best Christmas! It gets kinda crazy for us because of Chris having his birthday on Christmas eve. Yesterday we had to clean house, bake a birthday cake, bake cookies for Santa, go to Chris' birthday party at his dad's and then come home and get ready for Santa's visit.

When we got home from the party the kids were so very excited and they put their special cookies on our special celebrating Jesus' birthday plate and milk in the cup for Santa. The kids also put oatmeal in sandwich bags because they thought the reindeer would be hungry too.
We have a tradition of getting the kids "special" Christmas pajamas that they open up before they go to bed on Christmas Eve so they will be all ready for opening gifts in the morning. The kids were so excited about their PJ's that I actually got a picture of all 3 of them with their faces all showing and smiles on all 3. This type of picture never happens so this is priceless.

The kids started playing around and dancing in their new pajamas and it was so cute. Jaxson was so excited and he didn't even have any idea what was going to happen Christmas morning.It did not take Jaxson long at all to figure out that he loved this opening gifts and having new toys inside thing. Jaxson would have opened presents all day if he could have. He also now has toys that are meant for BOYS and not girls.

I got a very special gift this year. I never, ever buy anything for myself unless I just have to. I have wanted a new microwave for years now but I just wouldn't spend the money on myself. I got a microwave for Christmas!!! I no longer have to use the dorm size one I bought when I was 18 that I bought with a winning scratch off lottery ticket.

OK, last but not least here is a picture of my darling Chris as H*nnah M*ntana.

Happy Birthday Chris!

Today is my incredible husbands birthday. Chris is now one year older but still younger than me. It is so nice to have him home today on his birthday because a lot of times he has to work.

I am getting really used to Chris being home with me since he has been off work. I don't think there are many couples who don't get tired of each other being together 24 hours a day but we miss each other if we are apart for just a few hours. I wish there was just some way he could get paid to stay at home and cuddle with me.

I hope everyone has a wonderful, wonderful Christmas! I can't wait to see Jaxson enjoy his first Christmas with his forever family.

OK, gotta go get ready for Santa's visit tonight.

Thankful Thursday!

Ok, this isn't going to be very long today because I am exhausted. Chris and Paige were up all night very sick with the flu so that means momma was up too.

1: I am so thankful that if Chris had to lose his job that it happened right before Christmas so we could have a few weeks together.

2: I'm thankful that Chris is off work this week since we have the flu in the house.

3: I am thankful I have the BEST husband in the whole wide world!!! The poor thing is so very sick and he is worried about me not having any sleep.

This thankful Thursday thing is really a good thing because even when your day totally stinks like last Thursday and today it really makes you look for the positive things of the day or week.

PS 4: I am SUPER DUPER thankful it is now nap time. Goodnight!

Please Pray for Linny and Dw

It is 12:45 in the morning and God has me up praying for this amazing couple. I honestly felt I could not go back to bed without asking on here for prayer for them. Linny is the one I have posted about that is in Uganda picking up their new children. They ran into some roadblocks on their very last step they needed to get home. Within like 24 hours of the problem God had Dw on his way to Uganda. Their story is AMAZING and I honestly believe God has Dw in Uganda for more than just the paperwork because his heart longed to be there.

Please if you are reading this take a moment right now and pray for them. Pray that God not only clears the path for them to come home but that he also shows Dw and Linny clearly why he wanted Dw in Uganda. God is using this couple to find homes for many children I believe. They have taken the hard road to make it smoother for others that follow and to find homes for some precious children.

If you click right here you can go to their blog and read their AMAZING God story.

Thank you!

Visit with Santa

OK, I have to say I was super excited because Santa came to visit a little shop a block away from us so we didn't have to go to the mall to see him.

Amaya was so very excited to see Santa and told him she wanted a doll. Amaya has been asking me everyday when we could go to the mall to see Santa. Amaya couldn't believe we were able to walk to where Santa was.

Paigie walked right up to Santa but then got scared as soon as she sat on his lap and wouldn't say a word.

Then Little Jaxson who I was sure wouldn't even get close to Santa wanted to go right up and sit on Santa's lap.






Santa gave them all a bag of goodies and they loved it.

Our Crappy News

Our crappy news is that 2 weeks before Christmas my dear wonderful husband lost his job. Thank goodness God worked it out that we had all our Christmas shopping done for the kids. So here are some prayer requests.

1:Pray he gets a good job soon. Chris has the highest level of training a GM tech can have so hopefully it won't be to hard for him.

2. Pray for all the other employees that also lost their jobs 2 weeks before Christmas.

3. Pray that God will provide the money we need until he gets a job.

It's pretty crappy but at the same time we feel God has a plan for us and there is a reason this happened. On a good note I get some extra time with my hubby that is my best friend and I love every minute I have with him. OK, maybe not every minute because I really can't stand the History channel or cartoons and he loves both.

Another good thing is I'm going to get a lot of things done around the house. He's gonna want to get back to work soon. Oh, and I get help with the kids during the day. I can go to the grocery by MYSELF!!!

So there it is our crappy news.

Thankful Thursday!!!

Well, I started this post earlier and while I was writing I got a phone call with some pretty crappy news. After some time to take it in I decided I'm not going to let Satan steal the show today so I am posting my thankful Thursday anyway.

I am so very thankful for this precious miracle child of ours that thinks adoption is a miracle and a gift from God at 5 years old. A child that just ask me this morning when we were going to go get her another brother. This may be the only child in her class when she goes to school that thinks babies come from airplanes and not mommies tummies.

I am thankful for this precious boy that wakes up very early every morning with lots of hugs and kisses for his mommy. For this child that holds his mommies hand and gently touches my face. For this child that is so full of joy he makes everyone around him smile.

I am thankful for this beautiful little smile in this precious gift from God. God has given her the gift of stubbornness but I pray that she will use that someday to fight for things that need fought for. I am so thankful for her giggles, her hugs and kisses and for when she says "I love you mommy".


I am thankful that I have 3 healthy children that act like monkeys on their bed. Let's not tell daddy that mommy was letting them jump on the bed.

I am thankful for the piles of laundry we have every day because that means we have clothes to wear and keep us warm.

I'm thankful because today we have a pantry full of food and my kids have tummies that are full.



Last but definitely not least, I am so very thankful that my blogger friend Linny got the papers she needed to bring home her beautiful babies from Uganda.

Martha

Friends, I need you to get on your knees and pray with me for a little girl named Martha. I cannot stop crying thinking about this child in Uganda. I cannot post a picture of her on my site but please go to this blog under the post Martha and plead to our Heavenly Father for this childs life and for someone to come into her life that will love her and care for her. Please, please take time to pray for this child!!!

Plan A

I opened my mail yesterday and had a package about orphans in Africa (I didn't send for it). In big bold letters it had this scripture:

"God sets the lonely in families!" Psalm 68:6

Think about that for a minute. Adoption is God's plan A not plan B. God provided families to place the lonely in. Has God ever placed adoption on your heart but you just blew it off because it was not the "normal" way to build a family? Maybe it is scary because of the unknowns or the cost involved? Could you ever love an adopted child the same as your biological children? ( by the way the answer to the last question is yes, yes, oh yes)

Maybe it's time you take a leap of faith? Maybe it's time to let God bless your socks off with one of those lonely children? Maybe it's time Christian's step up to the plate and take care of the lonely in the world. What if it was Jesus sitting in that orphanage or sitting alone on a street crying? If we were made in God's image then it is him sitting in that orphanage or sitting alone on the street. Not everyone is called to adopt but everyone is called to care for orphans and widows. If you have ever considered adoption though then you should be praying about whether you are to provide a family for a lonely orphan. I know I'm being bold here but if you read the scripture God is very bold about it.

James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Dinner Party Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Dinner Party Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Click on the link above for a chance to win a very cute dress.

Our Tree and More

I have been trying to post this for a week now but we are still in the dial-up world so sometimes it's hard to get pictures up. Last weekend we got to go pick our tree from the tree farm. We have not done this since having babies (we had a fake tree) but I am so thankful that all the lights dies on our other tree last year so that meant a fresh tree this year. The kids loved going out and picking a tree. I had told them that morning what we were doing and the whole day Jaxson kept asking to go get the tree even though he didn't know what we were talking about. As soon as Jaxson woke up from his nap he asked if we could go get the tree.

After we got the tree and came home I wish more than anything I could have taped the look on Jaxson's face when we brought the tree inside. The kids had so much fun decorating and helping daddy water the tree.


The picture above is a boy named Grady. I posted about Grady a couple months ago that he needed a family fast because he turns 14 in June and then he is no longer available for adoption. Grady has some medical issues that he needs help for and without a family he more than likely will not get the help he needs.

Grady has a family that wants him BAD. The problem is that God has to move some very, very big mountains to make this possible. These mountains also need to be moved very quickly to get Grady a family before his birthday. Please, please pray for Grady and this family that God would move those mountains and let Grady spend the rest of his life having a very special family that loves him very much.

One more thing, we have reason to CELEBRATE. The family I had posted about in the last post just got to see God move mountains for them. They have been granted favor by the court to bring home and adopt 2 amazing, beautiful children that God had waiting for them in Africa. You really should go check out their blog and see these children and read their amazing story. Oh, don't forget to leave them a comment and congratulate them.

Thankful Wednesday

Well, my blogger friends out there have been doing something called Thankful Thursday. I have been wanting to do this but I couldn't wait until tomorrow because I have been blessed today.

1: I am thankful that I have a Heavenly Father that loves me even when I fail, that protects me from evil and that loves me more than I could ever begin to imagine.

2: I am thankful for a very dear friend of mine that is a HUGE supporter of mine and that God used her to open my eyes about something this morning.

3: I am thankful that God entrusted me to a ministry that is so dear to his heart that it is painful. A ministry that brings you to tears everyday to see hurting children but a ministry that makes you celebrate when a family finds their child.

4: I am thankful for this blogger world that gives people an oppurtunity to share the blessings God has given them and to stretch people in their faith.

5: I am thankful for my wonderful friends that are kind enough to leave me wonderful, encouraging comments and understand that what God has called Chris and I to is something not a lot of people understand. I am also thankful for those that haven't commented yet (please do it makes my day) but reads our blog and shares in our blessings.

6: I am thankful that God blesses us with 2 beautiful little girls and our beautiful hidden treasure we found in China.

7: I am thankful that God gave me a husband that loves God, loves me and loves our children that we have now and those we hope to be blessed with in the future.

8: I am thankful that even when times are hard we have a roof over our heads, food to eat, gas in our car and a family for us to love.

9: I'm thankful that God gave Chris and I the hearts to love those unique children in the world that are the hidden treasures others are missing.

10: Last thing for today I'm thankful I am finally figuring out Facebook.

I also have a prayer request. A blogger friend of mine is in Africa right now picking up her 2 amazing gifts from God. Can you pray that everything goes well for them and that they have a safe trip home? If you have time check out their blog here.

I Would Rather Gather Children

OK, so I have been letting a couple people in our dream to add to our family, possibly from Africa unless God has other plans. No we are not starting now because well with the economy things are very, very tight right now. Our house is for sale (anyone want a house?) and well God hasn't said it's time yet.

For some reason people think we are crazy and that would only make 4 maybe 5 kids if we took a sibling group (don't tell Chris I said that). I know after our families have read these last 2 posts they are really going to think we are nuts but we are really only nuts for God and kiddos, oh and each other (I love my hubby like crazy) so I think that's OK. Anyway this is what I have to say to anyone who thinks we are crazy:

I Would Rather Gather Children......
Along the path of life,
Some would gather roses,
And rest from wordly strife;
But, I would gather children
From among the thorns of sin,
I would seek a gorgeous curl,
And a freckled, toothless grin.
For money cannot enter
In that land of endless day,
And roses that are gathered
Soon will wilt away.
But, Oh, the laughing children,
As I cross the sunset sea,
And the gates swing wide to heaven
I can take them in with me.
-unknown

And if you don't understand why we are thinking about an African baby well it's OK if you don't understand. I think of a rainbow family as a little taste of what heaven will be someday. So here it is, it is not a secret anymore we are hoping God blesses us with another precious gift someday. Now does anyone know where we can get a money tree to grow in our backyard?

Laying Out the Fleece

I think I have touched on this in the past but I was discussing it with a friend this morning and I believe God wanted me to come post about it.

I am going to get real in this post so some family members reading this are probably in for a big shock but I believe God wants me to be real so here it goes.

I have been a Christian my entire life. I have a problem though and my problem is I can read and read the Bible and I have a horrible time comprehending what I read. In August of 2006 God told me one day that He had something BIG planned for me and it was time I got prepared for it. The problem with that was that I knew somehow that being prepared meant that there was stuff in the Bible that I needed to know and I had to admit to someone that even though I had been a Christian for 32 years I had a hard time even remembering basic Bible stories. I was so embarrassed by this how could I ever ask someone for help?

One day I stood in the kitchen crying uncontrollably and God picked up the phone, placed it in my hand and dialed the number of a dear lady in our church. How do I know God picked up the phone? I know because I did not have the strength to do it. I was crying so hard I could hardly talk to her on the phone. I explained to her my situation and told her God needed to prepare me for something big, I had no idea what but I needed help and I needed help now.

This wonderful lady did not make me feel bad at all but she knew there was a reason God had me call her that day and she took me under her wing and started meeting with me and another lady who had felt the same way but had felt too ashamed to tell anyone.

There were 2 very important things I learned from her. The first thing I learned was that God called ordinary people to do extraordinary things. God took people just like me who felt ashamed of not knowing the scripture well enough and he used those people. The second most important thing I learned was this scripture:

36(A) Then Gideon said to God, "If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said, 37behold, I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said." 38And it was so. When he rose early next morning and squeezed the fleece, he wrung enough dew from the fleece to fill a bowl with water. 39Then Gideon said to God,(B) "Let not your anger burn against me; let me speak just once more. Please let me test just once more with the fleece. Please let it be dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground let there be dew." 40And God did so that night; and it was dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground there was dew. Judges 6:36-40

I could not believe this when the lady taught me about laying out the fleece. Was it really that easy to get an answer from God? She told us that next time we had something we needed answered to try it and see what happened. Guess what, it worked!

About a month or so before I learned about this God showed me part of his plan for me. God showed me that he wanted me to help in starting a orphan ministry at church. Through working on that ministry I found (OK family this is where you are about to be shocked) an agency that had these beautiful, beautiful children from Ethiopia waiting for families. We were definitely not planning on adopting at the time. On this listing of children was this group of 4 boys ages 2,4, 8 and 12. Something in these boys eyes just made me wonder if they were ours. I didn't say anything to Chris yet because he would have thought I was mad (so I thought). One day Amaya saw me looking at the boys along with many other children on the page but she pointed right to them and ask me if we were going to bring them home. Finally I showed Chris the boys and told him what Amaya had said. Chris decided we needed to pray about this and we prayed and I had the lady and my friend in my group pray. We decided to call to get a video of the boys. Chris said to me that since we had just talked about this fleece thing that maybe we needed to use it on this. Chris and I both laid out the fleece asking God for different things and God answered no to both of us. At first we had truly felt these were our children but when God clearly answered both of us we felt so at peace.

The second time we tried this there was some land we were wanting to buy. We had driven past this land for months and months praying asking God if this is what he wanted for us. Chris kept telling me it wasn't time. Chris decided to lay out the fleece to God on this decision too (probably to get me off his back about it). Chris would not tell me what he ask God because he did not want me to try to get that thing to happen, Chris wanted to know for sure it was from God and not his impatient wife. Well weeks and weeks went by and nothing. I drove Chris crazy asking him if God gave him the yes yet. I didn't even ask him if God had told him no because I wanted a yes so bad. I was there when it happened, God told Chris YES it was time. Actually at the time I thought Chris was being extremely rude to our neighbor but the truth is he was in shock because God had clearly said YES it is time. As soon as Chris told me, after I gave him a lecture about being rude, I ran for the phone to call the realtor.

God gave us that land right before we needed it. Without that land we would not have had the net worth we needed to adopt Jaxson. It was in God's timing and not ours, God already knew the plans he had for us.

My point is this that if you have something that is driving you crazy, a question that needs an answer try this. Try letting God give you the answer instead of you trying to make the right answer. God may so no but maybe that's because He's getting ready to say yes to something even bigger and maybe he will say YES it is time.

I truly believe God wanted us to be willing to take those 4 boys (we are different than a lot of people but that's almost insane for 2 people that like a calm lifestyle) for him to get us where we needed to be to accept the beautiful child he had waiting for us. These were the easiest decisions in our lives because we truly let God decided instead of us jumping in and making the decision. It really is that easy, just ask.

PS It doesn't mean God will answer you in a day though, it could take weeks, months or even years.

Six Months Ago Today

I can't believe it has been six months since we first laid eyes on and touched our precious son for the first time. At the same time it's hard to believe that Jaxson has only been with us six months. This first picture was taken within the first few minutes of us seeing Jaxson for the first time. If you want to read my journal entry from that day you can click here.

This next picture was taken I think about a week after we got home. It didn't take long at all for Jaxson to show us that he is full of personality.Yes, he is such a silly, happy, beautiful child.

It only took us a day of having him to know that his favorite things are cars and tractors. This hasn't changed a bit since being home and actually it is really hard to believe he doesn't have the same genes as his daddy. Only God could make such a perfect match.

When we first put Jaxson on the swing he hated it and now he loves it. Jaxson can also swing on a big swing now balancing himself with one amazing arm. Have I said before there is nothing this child can't do that a child with 2 arms can do? Actually Jaxson can do more with one arm than most kids his age can with 2 arms.

Jaxson dressed up as a ninja for Halloween and it is so cute to see him put on the outfit and then practice his kicks.

The kids all love daddy time at night and mommy does too because it gives me a few minutes of quiet time.

God has truly blessed us with a beautiful family. Jaxson has been a PERFECT fit to our family. I wish his birth parents could see him and know how loved this precious child is.

Adopting Boys

Something has really been bothering me so I thought I would just take the time and share. The agency that we used to adopt Jaxson from sent out a newsletter last night saying that right now they have a list of 300 children waiting on a list from China to be adopted. These children waiting are mostly children with special needs or older children. Out of the list of 300 children 200 of them are boys. Do you know that that boys are very hard for agencies to place?

When we started our adoption for Guatemala 6 years ago the wait for a boy was about 4 months and the wait for a girl was 12-15 months. In China it is rare that someone would request a healthy boy. I was told by an agency once that they can place 25-30 girls in the same amount of time it takes to place 1 or 2 boys. It seems to be this way with about every country out there.

Don't get me wrong I know that the girls need homes too and that God calls people to adopt girls but I wish people would notice the boys too. Is it because boys you can't dress them up in dresses and put their hair up in bows?

I am not putting down anyone that has adopted a girl or who is adopting a girl because they need homes too. I just wish people would consider boys more and realize that they also need a good home.

I wouldn't trade my girls for the world but I am also so blessed to have a boy that loves his mama like crazy. A boy that wakes me up by rubbing my arm gently. A boy that kisses me a million times a day and tells me he loves me all the time. A boy that puts his hand on my cheek and looks in my eyes to show me just how much he loves me. Boys aren't all about being dirty and causing trouble. Boys are a blessing from God and I wish more people would give God the oppurtunity to let him bless them with a boy.

If you are thinking about adopting would you please considering letting God bless you with a son?

Amaya is 5!

I cannot believe it but our first miracle baby is 5! I can't believe how emotional this was for me. Before this precious beautiful girl came along I had spent four years crying thinking God would never give us children. Now we have 2 beautiful, amazing girls that were homegrown and a precious little boy that God planted in our hearts from the other side of the world and all in 5 years.

I can't believe that tiny little 7 pound 7 ounce girl I held in my arms 5 short years ago will be going to school in a few months. This will be one sad mama on the day she goes to school as I get sad just being away from this precious girl for a couple of hours.

Amaya is so big this year she even told me she was going to decorate her own cake but it was OK for me to put the words on. Amaya decided back in the spring that she wanted a pumpkin cake and she never forgot about that (she doesn't forget ANYTHING, even from when she was 18 months old) so we had pumpkin cake.Amaya also decided back in the spring that she wanted a pinata for her birthday. Well we don't have much money right now because with the economy Chris hasn't been getting much work. I have to say I was broken hearted thinking we couldn't get this thing for her she has thought about since spring. Let me tell you how much God loves this precious child. We went to W*lmart the other night to get a few things for her party and they had all the Halloween things on sale. They had a Halloween pinata on sale for 25 cents (they are usually $20) so Amaya got her pinata for her birthday.Amaya was big enough this year too that she could get some big girl stuff so we got her a manicure, pedicure, make-up set and oh how she is lovin that.
I am so thankful God entrusted us with this amazing, beautiful, loving child!

Giveaway!!!

Hey, my friend Jeanette is having a giveaway on her blog. All you have to do is go to her blog and leave a comment and you will be entered in the drawing for a Christian CD. Isn't that awesome? So click on her name and go leave a comment.

Powerful Blogs

My friend Rett must be more of an internet junkie than me because she keeps sending me these powerful blogs. After reading these 2 blogs The Journey and A Place Called Simplicity it has really got me thinking about how in a time of so many bad things going on in the world and such negative things in the news we are so many times missing the big God things.

What if we stopped focusing on what is going to happen in the next year or two? Will gas prices go up? Will the stock market completely crash and we are in a depression again? Will we have money to travel or to have cable TV? What if we just said "God, where do you want me now"? What if we said "God my faith is in you and nothing else"? What if we said "God, who cares if everyone else thinks I'm crazy I will do what you ask of me anyway"?

Couldn't we as Christians make a HUGE difference in the world just by doing what God asks us to do? Why do we put so much of our faith in earthly men and materials?

Reading the 2 blogs above just really made me think about if all Christians really stepped out in faith what could happen. Have you listened to what God is telling you? It really makes me pray about what God wants from us.

Anyway if you are reading this would you please leave a comment and tell me your favorite powerful blog? I would rather hear about God's people being faithful than watching the depressing news.

Please don't forget to read through my last post and see how you can help orphans this Christmas season.

Rett, thank you for the blogs!!!

Orphan Tree of Hope

I am so excited to tell you about a very special way you can help orphans this Christmas. I am part of an orphan ministry at our church and we have been given the opportunity to give hope to some orphans this year. The actual tree is up at our church but thanks to the wonderful world of the internet you can take part too. Below is a list of different projects in all different price ranges that you can do to bring hope to a child. For as little as $15 you can bring a big smile to a child that has no place to call home. I will put a code with each project and please use this code when either paying online or mailing in a check.

$35 for Clothing in India (code 107 ID2)

Nearly 26 million children in India are orphans or street children, and they are among the poorest and most vulnerable souls in a country that is overwhelmed with poverty. Your $35 will provide good, durable clothing and a pair of shoes to a needy child in India.

$50 for School Supplies in Columbia (code 107 CO1)

The cost of an education in Columbia is beyond reach for too many families: only 6 of every 10 children in primary school will finish 8th grade, and thousands more never attend school at all. A gift of $50 will support 3 months of school, including fees, books, uniforms, and supplies. You can give a child the tools to build a successful future.

$50 to give Counseling for AIDS Orphans (code 107 CH5)

Over 100,000 orphans in China have lost their parents to AIDS over the past decade. After growing up with a family, they are reaching their teenage years in institutions. Many struggle with depression and others have committed suicide. A $50 gift will support 3 months of counseling to help one of these children begin to heal.

$20 for Nutritious Meals in Vietnam (code 107 VT)

Vietnam government-run orphanages receive only half the money needed each month to feed every child in their care. This means your donation will insure that a child's nutritional needs are met. Your $20 gift will provide and orphaned child in Vietnam with one additional nutritious meal for an entire month.

$50 for Aid to Ethiopia (code 107 ET6)

Ethiopia is home to 4 million orphans and is one of the world's 5 poorest countries, many young lives begin and end with suffering and deprivation. The need is overwhelming, but you can make a difference. Your $50 gift to this fund will support projects that provide food, shelter, medical care, and other critical resources to Ethiopia orphaned and at-risk children.

$15 for Christmas Gifts (code 107 ALL6)

There is no limit to the joy a simple gift can bring to an orphaned child. Your donation of $15 will purchase a gift such as a storybook, stuffed animal, or art supplies to be presented to an orphan at Christmastime.

$150 for Medical Clinic in India (code 107 ID3)

In the rural villages of India, unsafe drinking water, inadequate nutrition, and poor sanitation sicken and kill children every day. Intestinal infections - which are simple and inexpensive to treat - are the second leading cause of death for these children. With your gift of $150, our staff can conduct a one-day medical clinic in a rural village and treat 100 in desperate need of medical care.

$75 for Warm Clothes in Russia (code 107 RU2)

In the cold winter months, many Russian orphans go to sleep shivering because of inadequate heat and clothing, or warm bedding at the orphanage. Help keep a child warm this winter: your gift of $75 will provide a winter coat , hat, socks, shoes and a cozy blanket for an orphan.

$50 for Medical Care in Kazakhstan (Code 107 KZ3)

Multiple cold-war chemical and nuclear test sites are scattered throughout Kazakhstan. Generations of children have suffered a wide range of devastating illnesses and disabilities. Your gift of $50 will support medical care and therapies that can give Kazakhstan's orphans the chance for a better, healthier future.

$40 for Beijing Post Surgical Care Home (code 107 CH4)

The Children's Hope Foster Home in Beijing gives orphans a comfortable, safe, family style home in which to recover from surgery. Your donation of $40 will go to the operation of this wonderful rehabilitation home equipped with trained staff to provide post-operative care.

$5,000 To Save the Life of a Child with Heat Surgery (code 107 CH6)

More than half of the children living in China's institutions have special medical needs. Without support they must wait to receive critical medical care. Right now , hundreds are waiting for surgery to repair life-threatening heart-defects. Through this fund, you can help one more child get the care he or she needs to survive.

You can make your donations online at http://www.helpanorphan.org/ or mail a check to: Children's Hope International, 11780 Borman Dr., St, Louis, MO 63146. You can also call them at 1-888-899-2349. Don't forget to put the code either on your check or the comment section with online payment.

Thank you so much for be willing to bring some hope to those so dear to God's heart this Christmas!

Truly the Hands and Feet of Christ

A friend of mine sent me a link to a blog to read. God clearly led my friend to this blog and I am so thankful she shared it with me. As you all know my passion is orphan care and that's what got me reading this blog but God taught me so much in reading this blog.

How many of us are truly being the hands and feet of Christ? How many of us can put fear aside to love anyone and everyone. How many of us truly depend on God to get through the day?

Please , please take the time and read this blog http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/. Start from the beginning in 2007 and read it through. I promise you it is not a waste of time and you will learn so much in reading this.

Children's Museum

Amaya has been begging and begging us to go to the Children's Museum. Yesterday we decided to surprise the kids and they had sooooo much fun.

The Frog

Last winter we bought this little water frog for our aquarium. One morning I looked in the tank and no frog to be found. We looked everywhere for it, under the furniture, in the basement, anywhere we could think of. We even looked for signs of it getting out like marks of it in the dust (yes I have dust) behind where the aquarium sits. Chris said since it was so cold out that even if it got out it couldn't have lived long. We also thought that a fish ate it (we had a fish killing everything in the tank at the time).

This morning I was checking my email and Amaya comes in with a bucket. Amaya is so excited and said "mom, look I found something that looks like a frog with no skin". I jumped out of my chair and couldn't believe my eyes. I told Amaya to take it outside and get rid of it. Amaya wasn't to sure about that after she saw me jump out of the chair. I told her she was the one that loved bugs and creepy crawley stuff and she could take it out. Amaya got excited then and took it out to get rid of it for me.

I'm sure glad God gave me kids that like the things that I just can't handle.

I've Been Tagged!

I have been tagged!


Well, this is my first time of playing "Blogger Tag". I guess we will have to see how I do. I was tagged by http://tonyandrett.blogspot.com/ , and have to list 7 random/weird facts about myself. Oh my, I feel so vulnerable!



1. I am obsessed with special needs orphans and spreading the word about them trying to find them homes (if you read my blog though you know that).



2.I really can't stand cartoons. I'm OK with Disney movies and stuff but I really cannot sit and watch cartoons.



3. I am madly in love with my husband. You would think after 10 years with the same guy it might get old but no, I am still madly in love with him and still wait at the door every night for him to come home from work.



4. I wish I owned a pastry shop.



5. I also have a dream of having a hobby farm someday. Yes, I am scared to death of mice and bugs but I would love to live on a little farm.



6. I have no desire to be rich. I don't want all the stress that people with money have and I love that God has blessed me with other riches instead. I don't mind having enough money to pay my bills though.



7. I dream of bringing home more special needs kiddos someday. I know I have to be crazy because there are days I'm pulling out my hair now but I just know we have more room in our hearts for these precious kids as long as God can provide what we need to bring them home and take care of them.



So now I must tag 7 others..............

http://blessedbybaseballsandbows.blogspot.com/- Blessed by Baseballs and Bows

http://www.purposedrivenfamily.blogspot.com/- A Purpose Driven Life http://goinsgang6.blogspot.com/- Goins Gang Gazette

http://www.fergusonfamilyjournal.blogspot.com/- Ferguson Family

http://fourfowlers.blogspot.com/- Fowler Family

http://www.johnsontribe.blogspot.com/- The Johnson Tribe



OK, my friends...TAG! YOU'RE IT! I sure hope some of you I tagged will update your much needed blogs = ).

Guess What?

The little boy from my post on Sept. 16 now has a mommy and daddy working to bring him home! Praise God this child will not be sent to a horrible place to live. One more child saved!

Please Listen To This

If you are reading this and your a Christian please take time to listen to this message a friend of mine gave. Just go to http://www.zionsvillefellowship.org/teaching/archives.shtml and click on the message from Mark Goins. This is a message EVERY Christian needs to hear.

Thank you!

Fall Fun

Oh, I have to say fall is my favorite time of the year. It has been a little while since I have shared some pictures so here you go.

Chris and I made a tradition the first year we got married that we would plant a tree every year. We have had so much fun the past 10 years watching these little trees we plant grow. Now the kids get to enjoy helping plant the trees, watching them grow and taking care of them. We just planted our tree for this year yesterday and as you can see the kids loved it. We let Amaya pick where she wanted the tree to be planted. Thank goodness God blessed us with enough land that we have plenty of space to plant trees for the next 50-60 years.

Chris got the leaf blower out yesterday and made leaf piles for the kids and they had sooooo much fun. They have been waiting and waiting for there to be enough leaves to make piles.

This is Jaxson happy as can be picking out his very own, first pumpkin. He was so excited when he saw all the pumpkins and even more excited when he found out he was getting one.

Paige decided she could carry her own pumkin without any help and she did a good job.

We having a praying manits living in our front bushes and Amaya has had so much fun watching it. Amaya wanted to make sure I got a picture of her watching her praying mantis. Amaya is bug crazy. Amaya even takes bugs on walks with us whenever she can find a cool bug.

10 Years Ago Today

10 years ago today my prayer was answered. For as long as I can remember from the time I was a very little girl I prayed that God would give me a wonderful husband.

When I was in my early 20's I didn't think God would ever answer my prayer. Funny how when your in your early 20's you feel so old if you don't have the man of your dreams yet. Finally I just started praying that God would start preparing me for my future husband and start preparing my future husband for me. I prayed that God would just send me my husband and not make me date around and be hurt like most people. I prayed that God would just show me right away when I found the right man that he would be my husband and that's what God did.

Chris and I only dated about a week or so before we got engaged (If my kids did this I would probably hurt someone). I remember the first night Chris kissed me I called mom at like 3 in the morning to tell her that I was going to marry Chris. Mom ask me how I knew and I told her that he said that he adored me. Mom said that is what she had prayed for my whole life and she also knew at that moment that Chris would be my husband. I can't even explain what happened that week but we both just knew it was right and then in a mall in Indy Chris got down on his knees and ask me to marry him.

Neither of us are your average person who wanted the normal formal church wedding. To me God is always most present when I am out in nature and see the beautiful things God has given us. We planned on a beautiful fall wedding at a friend's house that is in the country with a beautiful setting. We were going to get married with the nice fall temperature, by a pond under trees that were changing colors. We were going to have a fun hot dog roast and just give people a fun day to celebrate what God had given us. So many people worked very hard to make this amazing day happen. My dear friend and old youth pastor was the one that was going to marry us and he kept telling me to have a plan B in case it rained. I kept telling him no plan B was needed because we were in a drout, it hadn't rained in weeks and God knew this was our special day.

Well, the day finally came. I was very sick, it was very cold out (I think about 40) and it was pouring down rain, pouring down rain. I was sitting in the hair salon and mom came in and said that we had to come up with a plan B. I told her I didn't care what happened I just couldn't wait to marry Chris. In a very short time (very short time) a lot of people worked very hard to decorate the car port of my friends house, get their barn ready for the reception because we couldn't have it outside anymore and to just make sure that the wedding was still beautiful for us.

Finally the time came and we had a beautiful wedding with a couple hundred people standing around in umbrellas getting soaking wet. It is a day that not one person that was there will ever forget. It is also the day that God answered my prayer.

God blessed me with the most incredible man I could have ever ask for. God gave me a Christian husband who treats me like a princess. God gave me a husband that in 10 years never walks out the door, hangs up the phone on me or goes to bed without telling me he loves me. God gave me a man that works very, very hard to provide for his family and let's me stay at home with the kids. God gave me a man that is open to the children that God may have planned for us in the future even children with special needs that most people wouldn't even consider. God gave me a man that is a wonderful father to his children. God has truly blessed me!!!

He Needs A Home

A dear friend of mine ask me to post about this boy that really needs a home fast. Below I just copied what she wrote on her blog about him. Please spread the word about this child because he only has a few months for a chance at a family. In China once you turn 14 you no longer qualify to be adopted. He turns 14 in June.

HE NEEDS A FAMILY
This is Grady.He turned 13 years old on June 3rd of this year. On June 3rd of next year, he will age out of China's adoption program and will no longer be eligible for adoption. Sadly, his SWI just submitted his paperwork 2 months ago -which doesn't give him much time to find a family.
You can't see it in this picture, but Grady has scoliosis. It is so severe that is has caused him to be much shorter than he would have been. Apparently he has to place all of his weight on only one of his legs -and we've been told that he cannot feel that side of his body. He walks with crutch like canes....but LONGS to be able to run and play just like other boys his age.
He is living at The Philip Hayden Foundation right now. The people I've emailed with about Grady tell me he is an absolute sweetheart and a great kid. He is desperate to have a family of his own.
I know there are thousands of kids just like Grady, but something about this boy has tugged on all of our hearts here in our home. :) The kids (Andrew and Becca) pray for Grady before every meal and every bed time..without fail. They pray for God to heal his back and for Grady to have a family.
John and I feel the least we can do for this sweet boy is to diligently pray for him and advocate for him. Will you help us do this? Will you join us in praying for Grady? for his back -which will take several surgeries to "fix"? and for the Lord to quickly raise up a family for him?
I'm going to be a bit bold here..would you help us advocate for him too? If you have a blog, would you do a little post about him? or maybe email everyone in your email address list and just let them know that Grady needs prayer and a family? You never know who may see your blog post or read your email and then see Grady's picture and say "oh my! that's my boy!!!"
If you, or anyone you know of, are interested in Grady, please email me at jethalt (@) yahoo (dot) com -take out the parentheses of course! and I can put you in contact with the folks who are in charge at The Philip Hayden Foundation

Check Out This Blog

I have been following a blog of a family that just traveled to China to get their daughter. When they got to China they found their daughter on her death bed in a hospital. God kept this child alive for them and got her home and today she is having MAJOR heart surgery. These people adopted this precious child not knowing how long they would have their daughter. Anyway I was reading a post that she wrote this morning and I wanted to share part of it with you.

I know many of our friends and family are praying as I had asked you to consider how God might be speaking to your heart about adoption. Oh how my heart swells when I think about just ONE MORE child knowing that LOVE of not only a Mommy and a Daddy but the LOVE of our Heavenly Father through the hands and feet of His people. Imagine with me: we often think of hands and feet in terms of mission work both local and abroad, doing a kind deed for an elderly neighbor, working with youth who may be neglected at home, delivering food to those in need. These are all wonderful acts of service and we should all be a part of these opportunities that surround us everyday. What if you had the opportunity to be God's hands and feet to a child not just for one night a week or during a special holiday time? What if God called you to the be His hands and feet AND HEART to a child forever? What if I told you the GIFT you would receive would be unlike any other? Pray on and pray hard! He will guide you in this mission. And if He is calling, HE WILL PROVIDE.

God is using this family in BIG ways to show his love for orphans even with them going through one of the toughest days of their lives. Please go read more of their blog and pray for this child and the family http://www.roomforatleastonemore.blogspot.com/.

Did You Know?

More than one-third of Americans have seriously considered adopting, but no more than 2% have actually adopted.



Only 4 percent of families with children (1.7 million households) contain adopted children.



Find out more statistics at : http://www.voiceoftheorphan.com/display.asp?page=Learn .

THIS CHILD NEEDS A HOME NOW!!!!!!!

I am coming to you with an emergency request. This child needs a home now or will soon be put in a HORRIBLE place.

This beautiful little boy is in Eastern Europe and here is more information on him.

Born April 13, 2005
SIGNIFICANT RISK, PLEASE ADOPT ME SOON!!
Ruslan is a beautiful little boy, with olive skin, dark hair and dark eyes. He is up and walking. His medical records do not show a heart condition. At this young age, he would still be eligible for in-home early intervention services. Ruslan's mother was a GYPSY (of mixed European and Asian descent). She abandoned him when he was born. He is facing a horrible institution, and we need to get him out before that happens. Please save Ruslan!
Married couples only may apply
No more than 45 years between parent and child
No stated family size restrictions
Total with travel approx $22k
Both parents for 2 1/2 weeks to attend court
Both parents return home for 3 weeks, and only one must return to complete the adoption for approx 4-5 days

Here is how you can help:

Pray and pray hard that this child finds a family FAST.

Adoption is very, very costly and a lot of families would love to bring children in their home if they only had the money to bring these children home. It is sad that children like this can face a horrible future because a family that would take and love them can't afford to bring them home. You can help by donating money to bring this child home, even a little bit helps.

Spread the word about this precious child.

ADOPT THIS CHILD and give him a loving home where he is taken care of.

For more information on this precious child, to donate money to help a family bring him home or to just say "I want to bring this child home" contact Andrea at bamaroberts@comcast.net


Andrea Roberts, Executive DirectorReece's Rainbow Down Syndrome Adoption Ministrywww.reecesrainbow.org

Dance Class Started Today

Amaya and Paige were very excited today because dance class started back up. This is Amaya's 2nd year of tap and Paige's 1st year.

Paige had so much fun and did so good and she even has another little girl in her class named Amaya.

Amaya's class blew me away. Last year her class was just a bunch of little girls running around that none of them were very good at listening including Amaya. This year in her class everyone was paying attention and they really were doing a good job.

I have a picture of Paige but I didn't get a good one of Amaya because the battery on my camera was going bad and Jaxson kept bumping me. Oh, speaking of Jaxson he was on the side lines dancing.

What Hope Can You Give an Orphan?

The numbers are staggering...More than 143 million orphans worldwide...every 14 seconds an AIDS death leaves another child orphaned...more than 800,000 children pass through America foster care system each year.

The Scriptures are clear that the Lord gives the family of God the responsibility to care for the orphan's needs — to love and protect them. In fact, God's concern for orphans is so central to his plan for us here on earth that he inspired James to write: "Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world," (James 1:27)

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
James 2:15-16

All over the world, children with no one to care for them are suffering in ways most of us cannot imagine. However, there is hope.
There is an army of Christians representing numerous organizations and churches who are laboring to meet the monumental physical and spiritual needs of millions of orphans all across the globe. As a result, tomorrow will look different for many of these children.
But what about the millions who will still be suffering? God has a plan for them too. His plan for them is you. How might He want to use you?


For more information on adoption, orphan care or God's call for us to take care of the orphans you can visit www.voiceoftheorphan.com .

Well, I just realized today that it has been 3 months ago today that God placed our precious son in our arms. That day was the longest day of our lives waiting for them to bring Jaxson to us.

As you can tell he was one little, sad, scared and beat up (he got in a fight over toys that morning) little, tiny, beautiful boy. He looks so lost in these pictures doesn't he?

Now 3 months later we have the happiest little boy I have ever seen. Jaxson is so full of joy not to mention full of energy to. Jaxson has 2 sisters that are madly in love with him and a mommy and daddy that are crazy about him too. Jaxson has his own bed to sleep in now, plenty of food to eat and way more toys than he would ever need. The best part is that Jaxson is soooooo very loved by so many people now. We are so thankful for this incredible blessing God has given us!!!!!