Missing all of YOU!

Where oh where have I been?!?! Let's just say busy but I'll save that for another post. July 9th we celebrated our 2nd Gotcha Day with baby "C". There's a link to her video on the right hand side...scroll down a bit.

I thought it would be fun to share some video of the day my precious baby finally came home. 2 YEARS AGO TODAY OUR BABY CAME HOME TO STAY!!!! I will NEVER forget how AMAZING it felt when those plane wheels touch the ground...it was all I could to not to sob like a baby. Finally, the long wait, the HUGE trials were over and we were all united as a family. I could not get off that plane quick enough...I needed my other babies so bad. Those poor people in the baggage claim never saw what hit them.....crazy mama who had professional crowd training in China was determined to get to her babies that were waiting on the other side of the wall.

(pause site music at the bottom)

The WINNERS are....

Because of all of you we raised $840...can you believe that?? God is so good!!!

Okay, here are the pictures that go with the drawing...I was having technical difficulties with my video camera. My kids had a BLAST pulling tickets out. They kept their eyes shut the whole time...it was hilarious!! As stated in my first post, I will notify the winners by email. The first winner will choose the item they want, then the 2nd winner will choose from what's left, and so one.....

Here are all the tickets...some families wanted the amount they donated to be anonymous so that's why these are flipped upside down & some families didn't want their donation to be included in the raffle but I promise they are all there :)

Winner 1: Erika R.

Winner 2: Laura T.

Winner 3: Christine L.

Winner 4: Dianne C.

Winner 5: Scott F.

Winner 6: Christine L.

Winner 7: Lisa N.

Winner 8: Elise G.

Winner 9: Chandra L.

Winner 10: Tammy M.

Winner 11: Chandra L.

Winner 12: Steffany B.

GIVEAWAY WINNER: Erica Shubin

What you've all been waiting for...the winners, in order drawn randomly by my FABULOUS children are:

1. Erika Richards

2. Laura Taylor

3. Christine Leffler

4. Dianne Cooper (I need your email girl!!)

5. Scott Fambrough

6. Christine Leffler

7. Lisa Nunns

8. Elise Groot

9. Chandra LaRose

10. Tammy Millage

11. Chandra LaRose

12. Steffany Boster

Giveway: Erica Shubin

Grrrr....

The Chip-In counter stopped too early!!! If you still want to donate, leave me a comment and I'll give you the email address.

Today is the day!!!

We are ONE hour away from the drawing...Yahoo...IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO CHIP-IN!!!!

HURRY, HURRY, HURRY!!!

Baby Rodriguez is HERE!!!

I am in tears as I write this...sweet baby Rodriguez is here!!! Go congratulate his precious family here. And PLEASE continue to pray for his "big" brother...he is still one sick little man!!!

ONLY 2 MORE DAYS LEFT TO HELP THIS SWEET FAMILY by ChippingIn for the below raffle. I am in awe of how God is providing for this family!!!

3 MORE raffle prizes

CHECK IT OUT! I just received these 3 beautiful pieces!!! ONLY 4 DAYS left...Please spread the news one more time for this precious family.

WE NOW HAVE 12, YES...12 PRIZES and only 4 days left to bless sweet Josiah and his family.

*Prizes 1-7 & giveaway are here

*Prizes 8-9 are here

All 3 pieces were donated by Stella Cipres an Indep. Rep. for Silpada. Eventhough she doesn't personally know the Rodriguez family, her very generous heart led her to help by donating these fabulous pieces. Thank you so much, Stella! ALL PIECES ARE STERLING SILVER!

Prize Ten:

This adorable child/pre-teen bracelet has the cutest little charm box that actually opens. Talk about sweet!!!Prize Eleven:

The adorable heart earring speak for themselves...so simple and sweet!
Prize Twelve:

Pictures do not do these earrings justice. They are absolutely goregous...can I enter the raffle, too? :)

Josiah Update

Click here for an update on Josiah...He still desperately needs our prayers...PLEASE keep praying and spreading the word!!!

Also, if you feel led...buy a raffle ticket. They are only $10 each and these funds will greatly help this precious with the hospital expenses and cord banking. You can read their story below AND see the NINE...I said...NINE raffle items and giveway item...so, scroll down and then click the chip-in button on the right hand side!

MORE Raffle Items...CHECK IT OUT!!!

I can't believe it, we now have NINE raffle items and we still have a couple more on their way. Now we just need ya to prayerfully consider buying your raffle tickets to help baby Josaih :)

Prize Eight:

Laura, thank you so much for all you donated! Talk about a blessing...you are wonderful girl!!!! What absolutely fabulous goodies!!!!

~Arbonne NutriMin C-Re9 travel kit (10 items)
~Arbonne Sheer Shine lipstick & gloss

~Arbonne Lipstick

Prize Nine:

This fabulous platter was donated by a very generous gal who sells Southern Living at Home. She heard about the Rodriguez family and instantly wanted to donate this gorgeous platter!! My pictures do not do it justice!!

THE OTHER SEVEN PRIZES ARE LOCATED BELOW...SCROLL DOWN!

It's BEGUN...RAFFLE #2...don't miss out!!

*ChipIn button is on right hand side of my blog*

Many of you have been following the journey of 2.5 year old Josiah...the journey that began a little over a week ago. Our sweet friend's son is very ill and the doctor's still aren't sure what is going on. They are still waiting for test results that will for sure rule out cancer or a serious blood disease. In the meantime, Josiah is going back and forth from home and hospital for more tests and blood transfusions. During all of this his parents remain very strong and are trusting the Lord COMPLETELY!

SO WHY THE RAFFLE???

A sweet entry from another friend says it perfectly: In the meantime, Alida, (amazing mother of 4, including twins) is pregnant with their fifth baby, due this Friday. To add fuel to flame, Huatzin (incredibly devoted husband/father to this quiver) has been laid off of a union job as a plumber. As you can imagine, this has (and continues to be) a scary time in their lives. This incredible family has had to face a hard decision to bank their unborn child's cord blood as a "life insurance" policy for their family. If the diagnosis for Jojo is in fact Aplastic Anemia, it is treatable with a cord blood transfusion! (For more information go here)

We want to bless this precious, God loving, God serving family and help them in a practical way...united we can help with the cord banking and hospital expenses.

Okay...now onto the goodies (details of the raffle are at the end of the post ;)

Our First Prize:

I cannot even begin to find the words to describe how much I adore this gal. Tracy, at JunkPosse, has the most incredibly generous heart! She is using her fabulous talent to bless so many families including the Rodriguez family. She is donating this gorgeous necklace for our raffle...a necklace that SHOUTS so much with so few words. Thank you my precious friend...you are AMAZING! Make sure you stop by her store and browse at all of her beautiful items...she's phenomenal with custom pieces, too ;)

A little bit about this piece: The words

"Be the Change" on the small pendant that dangles in front of a Larger pendant that has the word "Adopt" written all over it. Both pieces are made by hand from sterling & fine silver and are paired with a nice 18" inch sterling silver chain.

Our Second Prize:

Eight boutique Hair Bows. All bows are heat sealed to avoid the edges fraying, each have an alligator clip, anti-slip, & are various sizes. My girls LOVE these bows!

Our Third Prize:

The next several prizes were donated by a sweet friend of mine and Alida's. Josie's love for people and willingness to be the first one to help her friends is such a beautiful gift. She is truly a faithful friend!!

One Private Spa Collection Sets (comes in gift box)
Embrace Happiness
~ moisture lotion 7.75 fl oz
~sheer fragrance mist 1.7 fl oz
~sugar scrub 6.2 fl oz

Our Fourth Prize:

One Affection Gift Set (comes in a gift box)

~Affection Body Lotion 4.5 fl oz
~Affection Shower Gel .4.5 fl oz.
~ Affection Fragrance Solid .1 oz

Our Fifth Prize:

One Mary Kay Tribute Set (comes in a gift box)
~Mary Kay Tribute Shimmering Body Creme 4.5 fl oz
~Mary Kay Tribute pink powder puff (comes with powder in the puff)

Our Sixth Prize:

A sweet mama, with a unbelievable heart to help families in need, Shannon, has donated some Tuppeware items. Just look at all those goodies!!

Our Seventh Prize:

Shannon has also donated another item...bless her heart!!! She is donating a candle from Gold Canyon Candles. This candle is extra special because it's part of their Candles For Kids product. You can go here to learn more about this special product and how they help families with sn's situations. Fragrance: Cinnamon Raisin AND another sweet, sweet friend, Laura, donated these super yummy Gold Canyon Cinnamon Vanilla tealights.

Frog Lantern GIVEAWAY:

This little guy is NOT part of the raffle but is a GIVEAWAY...did you hear what I said...G-I-V-E-A-W-A-Y!! Here's how it works: You make a blog entry on YOUR blog about Josiah & the raffle and leave it as the top entry for at least 3 days, then you will be entered in the FREE giveaway for this adorable, Better Homes & Gardens mosaic frog lantern. Once you've posted on your blog, leave a comment in the comment section of this post along with your blog address and you are officially entered!!

Since we will be drawing for SEVEN winners, you could win more than one prize, if you have more than one number. And with one entry, you will be entered for all seven drawings. You will not be disqualified if you win one drawing, the winning number will be set aside and then we'll continue 'picking' from the remaining numbers... so enter more than once to improve your chances!

If you would like to enter without making a donation, please leave a comment on this blog post with your name, address and email address so I can contact you. Please remember to include all your information or you will not be entered.

So there it is! I am so excited to get started! Let's see what God is gonna do!

The drawing will take place on June 20th at 8:00pm (pst) and the suggested donation is $10 per entry, but you can donate any amount you choose and feel free to enter as many times as you wish :) You can donate through ChipIn on the sidebar. We will email you with your number as soon possible, within 24 hours for sure. No entries will be accepted after 11:59PM on June 20th and the winner will be notified via email on the 22nd. We will be doing a videotaping of the drawings! The first number chosen will win the prize of their choice, and from there we will to offer the remaining prizes to the next winner, and so on.

P.S. We will reply with your number(s) to the email address listed on your paypal account. If you'd like us to send an email to a different account, please leave a comment with that address on the ChipIn page. If you have not heard from myself or my sister in 48 hours, please email me at the address in the sidebar. We want to make sure everyone gets their numbers!

Reminder: ChipIn button is back at the top of my blog on the right hand side...thank you guys so much!!

Raffle #1..hehe...there is more than one!

2 Raffles...did I say TWO raffles...hehehe, yes I did!! Later tonight I will be posting my blog raffle (with 5 prizes, so far). But a sweet bloggy friend is doing a raffle right NOW for baby Josiah. CHECK IT OUT!! You know what is so amazing...this precious mama has never met Alida and her family but the second she heard about Josiah, she was in tears and begun to pray about how she could help. I am so blown away with her heart....she is amazing!! Go to her blog...check out the beatiful purse she is raffling!!!

Raffle News for Josiah

STAY TUNED this afternoon as I will be starting a raffle to help the Rodriguez family with their hospital expenses for sweet baby Josiah....check back this afternoon for details!!!

For those of you who want to help this precious family financially, you can use the Chip-In bar on the right. All money will go directly to the Rodriguez family to help with their medical costs (specifically the cord banking expenses).

How to help baby Josiah...

Many of you have asked how you can help sweet, baby Josiah. First, please go and read Alida's blog as many things are unfolding and Josiah still has a long road to go!!!

How to help:

~First and foremost...pray, pray, pray for this precious family

~Donate funds to help with the cost of cord blood preservation with Viacord. Any little bit will help greatly! You can go to their family page to donate: http://www.viacord.com/1-27YAR2/MyHomePage.htm

Blessings!!!

WB movie "Orphan"

I urge you, PLEASE take 2 seconds and sign the below petition regarding the upcoming release of the horror film "Orphan"!!! As an adoptive parent (AP), I am so deeply saddened that this movie even exists. For many years AP's have tried to shatter the stereotypes that come with adopting and the children that are being adopted. Please help protect our children and the children waiting so desperately to be adopted into their forever families!!!

Here is a post of a dear bloggy friend...

Many if not all APs have heard by now of the repulsive film titled “Or**an” and set to be released later this month. It baffles the mind to think H-Wood would stoop this low, to make a film like this, but they have. Our adoption agency has started a petition that you can sign here. While I know not all APs agree with the Christian aspects of adoption, I think the intent of our agency is first and foremost to let WB know that we as APs are offended by this movie and by the statements being aired on TV and in theaters. Please consider signing the petition. Their goal is 10,000 signatures. Also, please help spread the word on any Y*hoo groups you are on as well. This petition is open to anyone who feels this film is offensive, whether you are an AP or not. I know my family and many friends find it appalling as well. Let’s let WB know in a very concerted effort that this is just not acceptable, even for a horror film.

Josiah is HOME!!

Yahoo....they are home for now...more test results will be in on Thursday. Our Lord has been hearing our prayers and is healing this precious baby boy!!

Baby Josiah update

Alida has updated her blog...hop on over and see what our Lord is doing.  Please continue to pray for this precious, precious family!!!

Need your help...

We are working on an Orphan Awareness video for our church and I need your help.  I am in need of pictures.  For example:

~orphanage picture with kiddos

~gotcha moment pictures

We want to represent as many countries, ages, etc. as possible.

Can you share your pictures with us?  If so, leave me a comment with your email address and I'll contact you.  I will moderate the comments so you email address won't be public.

Blessings!!!

PRAYER PLEASE

I am asking you to please lift up sweet, sweet Josiah today.  He is the son of a precious friend. He is 2yrs. old and is very sick.  Check out his mom's blog.... "They did blood tests and are convinced he has either a blood disorder or cancer, ( leukemia)"

Pray for:

~Healing

~Wisdom & guidance for the doctor's

~Peace for Alida & Huatzin

~For their other 3 kiddos at home

~Mama is due any day to deliver their 5th baby.

The moment....

"Don't miss the moment"...I heard this little phrase the other day and it hit me like a ton of bricks. Our babies are little for such a short time and we are so busy taking care of them. But ooohhhhhh........DON'T MISS THE MOMENT!!!!!!! Everytime I feel the pull to do this or that and my little one's are hanging on my legs for attention, I now hear these precious, powerful words DON'T MISS THE MOMENT screaming in my head. Thank you, Lord, for showing me that I was missing too many moments!!

May 15th...what a day!!

I was driving home from the gym this morning when I realized it was May 15th.  May 15th...the day of many emotions!

May 15, 2006 we were DTC for our sweet girl.  Yahoo, mama was finally 30 (may 6) and we could finally send our docs. to China!!

May 15th, 2007...the call that rocked our world to the very core!!!  The MIRACLE  story of our sweet girl....many of you have heard her story...many have not.  Never in our lives have we watched God move so radically while pouring His unexplainable peace on our family.

May 15th, 2009...feeling so overwhelmed and unworthy of all the Lord has blessed me with!!!!!  I honestly STILL can't believe she is home.  It takes my breath away every time I think about her entire journey home! 

Happy Birthday my precious C!!

Baby girl, we love you so much and can't imagine our lives without you.  You are the most amazing gift and precious miracle!  Your excitement and joy for life brings us so much happiness.  We can't wait to see what the Lord has planned for your precious life!  WE LOVE YOU!!!

2 Years ago today....

How can it be?  2 Years ago, today...we first learned about our sweet miracle, C.  I will never, ever forget that call!!

We had just resolved, that once again, our referral did not come.   Month after month we were told it was mostly likely coming but it never did.  I had just hung the phone up with my friend from the agency...she had told me that maybe next month it would come.  I was so bummed but hopeful!  That was all I could do...hang onto the hope that C's referral would eventually come.  A couple hours later the phone rang and caller id showed our agency.  My first thought...how cruel of my friend to call me back on referral day...didn't we already establish that our referral wasn't coming?

All I remember was my friend, K, saying, "Ummmm, I guess we spoke too soon!"  

I started to panic and my heart dropped to my toes and I said, "What...what are you saying...(as I began to ball)...are you saying it came...did our referral come?"  

K... "It's here...I can't believe it but it's here!!"

Needless to say I was literally speechless and the rest was history :)

Here's a video of when we showed the kids and grandma's Cana's picture for the first time (pause site music)  I lost it when "I" said, "She's happy."  It was so precious!!

Just think....

America has more than 300,000 churches. Just imagine what would happen if each congregation empowered even ONE of its families, through a variety of support (and even financial assistance), to adopt a child. We'd have more than enough homes for 127,000 boys and girls nationwide (US) who are waiting right now for someone to love them. (Focus on the family statement)

What about the OVER 147 MILLION orphans of this world?!?!? How can we put a DENT in that statistic as Christians? I struggle with trying to wrap my brain around that statistic...I am only one mama!

When I start thinking of the statistics, it blows my mind! We are called, by God, to care for these precious ones! Who will stand in the gap and help the orphan? God's direct command is to CARE for the orphan (PURE and LASTING religion in the sight of God our Father means that we MUST care for orphans and widows in their distress. James 1:27). Do you see that? As Christians we MUST care for these precious babies...How will you care for the orphan?

~Becoming a child's FOREVER & EVER family (my personal favorite...LOL)
~Foster a child (provide a safe, loving home during a time when a child needs this most)
~Financially (supporting a family adopting, an orphanage, an adoption agency)
~Prayer (specifically carving time out of your day to pray for these sweet orphans...for their protection, their needs to be met, for a family, for their salvation)
~Help raise awareness about waiting children and the need to care for the orphans
~Mission trips...GO and visit these kiddos...love on them and teach them about Jesus

I could easily turn this into a very long post :) You all know me(us) well enough to know how deeply passionate we are are about the orphan situation. I have many tear-filled nights as I ask the Lord for direction on how He wants to use me for the orphans. Use me, Father, I am here...use me!! I want to be Your hands and feet!

HOW IS GOD CALLING YOU to care for the orphans...it's not IF He is, it's HOW is He? Be praying for these sweet ones!!!

I won, I won, I won...

I am soooo excited....My sweet friend, Tracy, who creates all my adoption jewelry (& is an adoptive mama & adoptive grandma) was having a giveaway on her website and I entered and I won...I can't believe it!

HURRY over to her Etsy shop and shop for Mother's Day...your Mother's Day, of course!! She is phenomenal with custom pieces, too. She creates all kinds of goodies from family pieces...adoption pieces to everyday beautiful pieces.... HURRY, HURRY!!

This is what I won "Be the Change: Adopt":

This is what she has custom-created for me:

Waiting on the Lord...

Why is it so hard to wait? This season of waiting has been a peaceful one but there are times when I wonder how much longer will we have to wait? And questions of "Am I waiting the way you want me to Lord?" "Lord, help me to wait faithfully...completely trusting!!'

~How long until P has a new job....
~How long until we can bring our next peanut home...this is the hardest one for me to wait on :) I feel like our little guy is waiting for us and that thought rocks me to my very core!! I am confident that my Jesus is loving on him and protecting him until it's our time to come.

My God is faithful and His plans are perfect and if He is calling us to wait, then we will wait...I will say that I can't wait till He says, "GO...GO...GO"....hehehe...

So, I started looking up bible verses on waiting. WOW, there are a TON of them...think God is trying to tell us something :) I am waiting on You my precious Master, my precious Daddy!!

Here's a few:

"And not only so, but let us have joy in our troubles: in the knowledge that trouble gives us the power of waiting. And waiting gives experience; and experience, hope: and hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:4-5

"Be waiting for the Lord, and keep his way; and you will be lifted up, and have the land for your heritage: when the evil-doers are cut off, you will see it." Psalms 37:34

"Do not say, I will give punishment for evil: go on waiting for the Lord, and he will be your Savior." Proverbs 20:22

"Whoever keeps a fig-tree will have its fruit; and the servant waiting on his master will be honored." Proverbs 27:18

"And those who have knowledge of Your Name will put their faith in You; because you, Lord, have ever given Your help to those who were waiting for you." Psalms 9:10

"I am waiting for the Lord, my soul is waiting for Him, and my hope is in His Word." Psalms 130:5

"When I was waiting quietly for the Lord, His heart was turned to me, and He gave ear to my cry." Psalms 40:1

"Love is never tired of waiting."1 Corinthians 13:4

"So that you may not be slow in heart, but may take as your example those to whom God has given their heritage, because of their faith and their long waiting." Hebrews 6:12

"And so, as the result of patient waiting, our forefather obtained what God had promised." Hebrews 6:15

"Go on waiting calmly, my brothers, till the coming of the Lord, like the farmer waiting for the good fruit of the earth till the early and late rains have come."

James 5:7

"Be as calm in your waiting; let your hearts be strong: because the coming of the Lord is near." James 5:8

AWESOME Adoption shirt

This precious family is fundraising to bring their 2 sweeties home from Uganda. You HAVE to see these super-duper cool shirts!!! Click on the flower!

Spring Cleanin' Baby

What is your first plan of attack for spring cleaning?

I'm thinking....clean carpets and some fresh paint BUT I have to weed through each room first. The sad thing is once I'm done weeding out each room, I don't want to clean carpets or paint anymore...maybe I should do that first ;)

Please Pray for Stellan

UPDATE 3/26: Sweet Stellan has not broken out of SVT for over 16 hours now. They are going to have to go to more drastic procedures to basically flip/shock his heart out of SVT. PLEASE, PLEASE be praying...I can't even imagine the fear this family is feeling. They are hanging very tightly to our Lord.

Although I don't know this family personally, I will say that I feel very attached to them. I have followed the miracle of their sweet Stellan since the beginning. Please pray as he fights for his life...his sweet family loves the Lord deeply. Lord, if it's your will, please allow his precious heart to flip out of SVT and to be completely healed...keep this sweetie out of V-Tach...Father, continue to comfort his mama and papa and give them the strength to endure this.

You can click on his picture to follow their blog. For the most current updates, you can read her twitters on the left hand side of their blog.

LOVIN' the Beach!!

I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE going to the beach and have passed that love onto my kiddos ;) We had a beautiful day down here in Southern California a couple of weeks ago and we decided on a whim to go to the beach with both my sisters and their families. Talk about FUN!!!

The boys were ALL over the place...made it impossible to get their pictures...grrrrr :)

Someone want to tell me where is my baby boy?!? He is so grown up!

Our nephew

Almost all of them...
The BOYZ

Sweet, sweet niece baby "B"

Our pretty girl!

Naaa, she doesn't like the water one bit.

This picture shouts "Talkin' to my Jesus"

Daddy's girl

My older sister and family

~Our crazy bunch~

My baby sister and family

Yahoo...I'm back!!!

I have sure missed you guys! Hmmmm...what's new over here....not too much.

Still no job for hubby but God is AMAZING. He is providing in ways I never could have dreamed of!!

Hubby's health is fabulous and all is absolutely CLEAR!! They will do a follow up procedure in 6 months and every year after that. I'm still so blown away with what all the Lord has done with this situation.

Okay...my "big" project I've been working on...This year our agency will be celebrating 50 years of building families. I came up with the idea of creating an album with as many Nightlight families as we could. We ended up with over 130....some even from the early 60's. My friend Courtney and I have worked every waking minute over these last 2 weeks to get the book complete for the big Nightlight Gala on March 28th. We went to print today...YAHOO!!!

I sure wish there was a better way to show you our pages--can't share the whole album for privacy issues :( The red aroud the edges and spine are not in the original.

Off to see what you all have been up to...I have a feeling it's going to take a few days :)

Missing my blog...

I am knee deep in an awesome project for our agency...I'll show ya next week what I've been working on. It has consumed every spare minute :)

I have missed checking on all of your blogs...I love you guys to pieces and I WILL be catching up soon. I pray you are all well!

No new news, either...just keep praying...HUGS!!