Still not DTC

yet, should be soon. There is also a new post on the private blog. Raffle info coming soon!!

Are You Ready for a Raffle?? and reasons for adopting again...

We have prayed about adopting again, really prayed. Seriously, we have five children and have been so very blessed, now why would we travel the murky waters of adoption again?? It's not easy and it is certainly not cheap.

Well, because God has called us to adopt once more. We have room in our home and of course in our hearts. The reward is in bringing home a child and giving this child the love and family he/she needs. However, the true reward is what this child gives us. Now why wouldn't we follow God's call?? Well, money is one thing....So far things have fallen into place and worked out so that we could get our dossier together and send it to China in the next week or so...

I have been sewing like crazy trying to fund raise to get the rest of the money we will need once our LOA is here. As much as I don't want to ask for help, I am. We will be having a raffle soon.

It's slowly coming together.... There are quite a few handmade items. Like an outfit a month for a year....A beautiful handmade TuTu in your choice of colors from this awesome mom. (thanks so much for your thoughtful donation) Also a portable dvd player, great for your upcoming trip to China.

I am debating on whether to give up the Coming Home Barbies...We have two and my girls have never even opened them. And really, what matters most is bringing our daughter home. It is truly amazing how God's hand is in even the matching phase of the adoption process. Each time we have stepped out on faith and adopted we have been given the opportunity to parent the most precious little girl meant for our family. Like she was hand picked just for us. How amazing is that?

So, anyone else want to donate something in exchange for free advertising??



As soon as I hear those magic words (your dossier has been sent) from our agency the raffle will begin!!

Happy Family Day to Gracie J!!!

Today marks on year that Grace has been a part of our family. What a difference a year makes.Grace was so very quiet when she was placed in Kerry's arms. So non responsive and quiet. I was pretty worried. Looking back I think she was just being still and taking everything in. It's just her way. She sits back and sees everything before deciding what she will do or say.
Now, she is a very active LOUD two and a half year old that is always on the go...
To celebrate, we went to a highly recommended Chinese restaurant downtown. It was locate din an old mill. Kind of an old style building with a Chinese theme. Pretty cool. The food....amazing!!! Gracie ate her weight in dumplings and Hope had a little bit of everything. Jake kind of grazed and Caleb loved his sweet and sour chicken. Kerry had cashew shrimp and I ordered street noodles. Although I ended up eating Hope's chicken on a stick...Yummy!! Sounds a little strange I know but oh man did it bring back memories of Xian and street food!!

We got it!!!

We were fingerprinted on Wednesday and today, Monday we got our approval!!!!



Stay tuned for a huge fundraiser coming soon. I will gladly accept donations to add to the giveaway..

Fingerprinting is...

done!!

We went this morning, our appt. was at 9 we got there around 8:20 and were finished by 8:39 and back on the road. I have to say Arlington USCI+S is on the ball!! One more step out of the way. We have our dossier submitted minus the 797 approval. Who knew that you could do that?? I certainly didn't...

I have gone through a creative streak lately. I am dying to get a pattern published but have no idea how to go about it.. any suggestions???

Here is the finished product.. I am loving it!! My pictures once again do not do this justice. I really need to take a photography class. Anyway, I am in the process of making some brown moleskin trousers and an ecru lace top to go with it. Can not wait to get it finished. I have enough fabric left to make JJ one too!!

Wonderful News!!

Wish I could share but, the blog is not private yet....you still have a couple days before you won't be able to access it anymore... And remember, I need emails not just your names.

I also made up this super cute outfit this past weekend... I am loving it. However, it is a bit to big for Hope. The set runs about size 6. Instead of just setting a price, how about I give it to the highest bidder?? I would honestly just like to get my cost out of it. The pictures don't do this justice. (could be the photographer..LOL)

The jacket can be worn seperate, the capris with anything and the top can be worn as a dress or with t shirt underneath. So many possibilities...

Ok, and because I just can't contain my excitement for those of you on my other private blog some great pics!!

A new Look and a new....

Blessing.

Announcing our newest little one, waiting in China.

We are so thrilled to be adding a little caboose to our family.

Still taking emails for when I go private. Leave me a comment and I will add you to the list...

Still here...

Trying to figure out if I am going private or not....I am collecting emails still and when I decide I will send y'all invites.

Going Private

For good this time, if you want to follow leave your email in the comments section and I will add you to the list. Don't worry, I won't publish them. Ya'll have a week. I will then combine the two blogs and all will be private.

An outfit for sale...

Here is the new fall dress, ready for your little one. I am in the process of making another one for someone. This is super cute and lined. The pumpkins are appliqued and hand embroidered. It is a size 4-5.



First person that emails and wants it, it's yours!! I do have enough fabric left to make one more in a size 2,3 or 4.








I am not the best at ironing, so please ignore the wrinkles, it will be ironed before I send it out...

There is another post on the private blog for those interested. And thanks to a wonderful fellow Baoji mom we have some amazing pictures of Hope's finding spot and the city of Baoji. I am posting those on the private blog also to protect her privacy.

Something that needs said....

I have a couple blogs and one is private. There is a reason for that. Blogger is a public forum, anyone can take what I say or post and use it for whatever they want. Pretty scary. right?

So, that being said I have a private blog, a place where I can talk about adoption related things like attachment, orphanges and other things without the fear that someone will leave a nasty comment or take what I say out of context.

So please do not be offended. It's not a place where I have family reading, it's more a place where other's who have adopted and been through what we have can openly share our experiences. We all should be a little more careful, words can hurt and leave a lifetime of wounds.

Ok, on to some summer fun. The kids love our neighborhood and we ventured into friends backyards yesterday and this is what we found.

"Begin doing what you love now. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand and melting like a snowflake."

Is 35:4

Our News....

Many of you remember two years ago, we had an exchange student from China. While it was a bumby ride for a while, we ended up parting on great terms. Well, she is coming back to the US!! She leaves China in about ten days and will arrive soon and head out to Purdue University. We have been emailing for the past two years and I promised her she could spend the holidays with us. I am very excited to see her again and so are the kids!!!