Random

A couple weeks ago I took the older girls to see a

Cinderella play in the city. 

They were beyond excited. 

They got to go back stage before the play and get autographs.

I don't even think the girls were breathing in some of these

pictures they were so nervous. 

 We made memories that I will never forget.

Next week we are taking the kids to Florida for the week. 

I am so excited because it will be our first time going to

Disney World as parents.  We are driving to save money and it

will be about a 16 hour drive {yeah I know you are jealous}. 

It will be just Eli and I and our 5 treasures. 

I know it will be really hot and alot of work but this will be our

first trip with just us as a family. 

I think Eli and I are as excited as the kids if not more. 

I am also excited that I am going to meet one of my bloggy

friends face to face when we go down there. 

I love all of you guys.  You have given us so much prayer and

support in our adoption journey.  I can't wait to give her a hug

to thank her for all the encouragement and prayer and to

meet her beautiful family.

Also on Friday before I leave I will be depositing Anika's

money into her fund.  So if any of you would like to donate

and help her family bring her home you can click on the

Chipin button on top.

Ok and one more thing; I would love if you would pray for us

tomorrow.  As you know we are anxiously waiting

to hear whether or not the kids will qualify for an adoption

subsidy so we can move forward and finalize.  Once this

paperwork is submitted it could take up to 8-10 weeks to hear

back on this matter.  The state is way behind on paperwork.

A sweet lady at our adoption agency is going above and

beyond and made an appointment to meet face to face with

the state tomorrow.  We are praying that they at least give a

yes or no answer to her tomorrow so that we will know how

soon we can finalize. 

As you all know we can't move out of state until we finalize.

Just thinking about finalizing gives me butterflies. 

 We Can't wait!!

So please if you remember say a quick prayer for this

paperwork to get done quickly and favorably so we can

finalize!!

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Guess what!

Guess what!

ANIKA HAS A FAMILY!

Praise God and his perfect timing!

You can read all about it here.  I love the story!

I will be depositing all the money raised into her account next

Friday so let's continue to bless her family with the funds

needed to bring Anika home. 

 I can't wait to see what the grand total is!

Have a beautiful day everyone!

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Spoiled

Ever feel like you are barely hanging on?

I had one of those days earlier this week.

I actually sat down all ready to write about my

"horrible" day and how frustrated I was.

 I found out we were further behind on our adoptions

finalizing then I thought.  It really overwhelmed me and

made me sad.  We can't move out of state until our adoption

is finalized.  I mean technically we could but it would cost a

whole lot more in legal fees and time to get a new home study

and ICPC etc...  We have just been playing the waiting game

in our lives in so many areas regarding selling our house,

building a house, which land to build it on, finalizing our

adoptions, hearing about whether

or not the kids qualify for adoption subsidies the list goes on.

On this particular bad day I felt

so overwhelmed with all these unsolved questions and with

house work and laundry and all the

errands I was behind on.  I was also as always just feeling a

little too plump.  I have been trying to loose a few pounds

before we go to Florida at the end of the month so I don't

traumatize the locals when they see me in a swimsuit.

Ok so back to the point

I sat down to write this whiny post and as I was editing the

pictures to put in the post my mood changed. 

While I began

to type sweet Zoe snuggled in my lap and laid her head on

my shoulder.  The mood was gone.  I felt as if God was

shouting at me from the heavens saying "Rachel get over it!" 

I mean I know God cares for me and wants to bless all of us

and truly cares for our burdens. 

On this day I was just acting like a spoiled child. 

I had forgotten in those moments of frustration that

his timing is perfect. 

I would hate to rush anything and ruin his perfect

plan.  I am beyond blessed.  While I wait for the adoption to

finalize I am still their Mommy.  I still get to hold and love

them unlike so many parents around the world desperately

waiting for their children to be in their arms.  I get to live in

a beautiful house while I wait for someone to buy it and

then I will get to move to another beautiful house.  And

unlike some dear friends who are suffering through cancer

and health uncertainties my family is healthy. 

Seriously, I could do nothing in that moment but repent to

God tell him I trust him and his perfect plan and thank him

for this beautiful life he has given me.

Don't we all get a little spoiled at times.  Caught up in the

very small details of the day and forget the big picture and

purpose of our lives.

Late this week I was catching up on some other blogs and I

found this. 

Read it and you will immediatley realize how blessed you are.

And speaking of blessing lets continue to give to Anika and

bless her adoptive family with the funds to bring her home. 

You can read about her here.  Seriously even a $5 or $10

donation will make and difference and you won't even miss

it.



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Making my Giveaway even better!

Ok so I was all ready to do a giveaway but I learned about this

sweet little treasure. 

So I have a way for you to help and get something in return.

           Look at this little sweetie.  She is just precious. 

She is 2 1/2 just like my Max.

except she doesn't have a family. 

She doesn't have cuddles, love and security that every child

deserves.  Her name is Anika.  I was introduced to her by

Lovelyn she is a friend who also happens to write one of my

favorite blogs.  Lovelyn decided to start fundraising so that

the cost of adoption wouldn't be the reason that she isn't

adopted.  She is a waiting child in Russia.  As many of you

know Russia is not a good place to be a waiting child. 

Children who are considered unadoptable usually end up

growing up in institutions.

You may be wondering why doesn't this treasure have a

home yet?  Well there are a few barriers that may scare most

families away.

The first is that Anika is HIV positive

if you haven't heard the truth about HIV, you have to visit

Project Hopeful.

the truth is that there is ZERO risk of transmitting HIV to

someone else through casual contact.

this includes: hugging, kissing, biting, sharing food,

taking a bath, sharing a toilet seat.

HIV is very manageable and with proper care,

people with HIV have a normal life expectancy. 

Children with HIV need to take medication twice a day 

and see their pediatric infectious disease

doctor every few months.

that's it.

The other hurdle for Anika is that her adoption is going to

cost $33,000.  Lovelyn decided to start fundraising so that

the cost of adoption wouldn't be the reason that Anika isn't

adopted. She proposed to have 150 people sign up to have a

party where they invite 9 people.  Everyone has a great time

and gives $20 each to Anika's fund.  This will quickly add up

to $30,000.  Anika's adoptive family won't have the financial

hurdle in the way of bringing their daughter home.

Those of you who have adopted know how hard it can be to

raise the funds needed for adoption.  This may sound like a

crazy amount to expect to raise.  But trust me we serve a

mountain moving God and I know from my own personal

adoption journey that God provides even when their seems to

be no way.  Our adoption was expected to cost around

$39,000 but through financial aid, adoption grants and

selling fundraising items we ended up only paying $11,300.

Seriously all these things happened out of nowhere after we

committed to adopting our children.  With trust and faith

God will provide. 

So I had been selling my fundraising items to

pay off our adoption loan but my children are home, safe and

loved.  The loan will get paid off.  

On the other side of the world Anika waits.

So here is my party give away.  I have added a chip in button

on the side of the page to raise money for Anika.  %100 of

that money will go to Anika.  If you donate an amount of $20

or more you can pick any of my fundraising items and I will

mail it to you free of charge.  I will even pay shipping as long

as it is to the US or Canada.  Mother's day is coming and the

necklaces are beautiful.  For just a $20 donation to Anika you

can get a $36 necklace for your mother with a great story

behind it.  After you make the donation email me which item

you would like and your address.  The items may go fast.  I

will update my page as often as I can but remember there is

only one of each item left so please contact me right away to

hold an item for you.  Also the t-shirt sizes vary so email me

with what size and color and I will let you know what I have

in stock.

Let's work together and show God's love for sweet Anika. 

Let's show her we care about her and that there is a Father in

heaven who loves her even more.

Remember no donation is to small.  Even a dollar will help. 

You will be amazed with how quickly it will add up.

Can't wait to watch this unfold.

My email is growingwithjoy@yahoo.com

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