Pearl River...how you can help~

Last September, after reading this book, I was led to Kay Bratt's blog. I had been burdened again about all of the children still left in orphanages in China. I began to wonder if God was calling us to China again when I read a post about Pearl River, an organization who sponsors children in foster care. Ok, I said to God, maybe you just want us to help orphans in another way. Then I saw this face and knew I could do something~



I read this about Pearl River~

The Mission of Pearl River Outreach is to improve the lives of orphaned children in China through basic professional medical training of staff, volunteers, and foster parents who work in, and through, Chinese orphanages. It is our belief that simple, standardized professional training in basic infant and child care is the first step toward the healthy growth and development that every child deserves.

Because I know that children benefit from being in foster care, I contacted a fellow adoptive mom about sharing a sponsorship with me and shortly thereafter sweet Kiley, our little Bamboo Baby, was on her way to being fully sponsored. For $35 a month we have helped Kiley stay in a loving foster home. Just this past week, I was informed that Kiley has been adopted by her forever family...I hope and pray that we have been a small part of her life by providing this support. We look forward to getting another child to sponsor soon!



Kat Bratt wrote this on her blog about the difference foster care can make~

Foster care to a Chinese child means the difference between going to bed hungry or full.
The difference between having someone hold you during a fever or consoling yourself.
The difference between feeling wanted or resigning yourself to being alone.
We can assist institutions with their foster care programs. We can help more children to have a life filled with joy, rather than a life void of human interaction.


Oh, and that fellow adoptive mom? Well, she felt such a burden that she is now the administrator of The Pearl River blog. Go over and say hello and sponsor a little one. There are also some great fundraisers going on as well if you want to help in another way. We can ALL do something!

Orphan's Wish Fundraiser~

Starting tomorrow at 12 Noon, My Adoption Website will be hosting a clothing sale with 100% PERCENT of the money collected going to An Orphan's Wish. Please stop by tomorrow and shop! From the website:

We're just a day away from the myadoptionwebsite fundraiser, benefiting An Orphan's Wish!If I may, a few words of thanks to our Shoppers, and a few thoughts about shopping a fundraiser . . .

We've had an overwhelming response to our plea for donations . . . you are going to be amazed at the variety of beautiful, lovely and fun items available for you to purchase and bid on! But all the donations in the world don't help needy children without YOU, the generous person willing to buy them! In the days ahead we have the potential here to raise a significant amount of money - - every bit of which will turn around and provide children supported by An Orphan's Wish with the warm clothes and clean, cloth diapers they need. So I feel confident in saying Thank You! to you, knowing that many of you plan to step up and make a difference through the purchase of an outfit (outfits!) or other item.

A few thoughts about shopping . . .

- First, if you have a little girl, you are going to find a wealth of outfits - - a lot of dresses! - - in a variety of sizes. If you are in the market for a beautiful holiday dress, you'll have come to the right place!! There are many, many dresses and outfits ideal for Christmas, New Year's, Valentine's Day, a wedding, or just a special photo. There are also plenty of more casual items too!- There are many coats, a few hats, lots of bows, darling backpacks, some shoes, cozy blankets, and more . . . . in other words, it's not just outfits!

- There are some selections for boys!

- As I mentioned earlier, we've had some very generous donations of items such custom bedding, gorgeous jewelry, and a set of amazing, custom photos cards . . . either 50 Christmas cards or 50 adoption announcements. You're going to love them!

- Please think "outside the box" . . . I encourage you to come to the fundraiser with the spirit of giving. Besides shopping for your children at home, or the child you may be waiting for, consider doing a bit of Christmas shopping! Several items would be appropriate to give as gifts. And more importantly, I think all of us personally know families who are struggling financially right now. How lovely it would be to surprise a friend, c0-worker, or even someone you don't know personally, with a beautiful outfit or other item for their child. Are you participating in an Angel Tree or other similar holiday benefit for children? There are many items that still have tags . . . make a purchase from this fundraiser for a needy child in your community . . . now you've helped twice!! Consider your budget ahead of time and what you might be able to give - - then shop away, knowing the lives that will be blessed by your giving heart.

-And last, as a waiting parent (we are LID June 2006 for our second daughter) I'll be the first to admit that it is hard to enjoy shopping for your future child . . . the wait is endless and discouraging, and sometimes it is difficult to feel joyful about making even the simplest of preparations. I want you to know that I really, really understand that. I thank you just for visiting, for shopping for others, or for spreading the word about this event. And if some lovely little item tugs at your heart and finds a place in your future child's closet, may it bring you a measure of comfort and hope to see it there.

So the countdown is on! Thank you to our GENEROUS donors, and thank you to all the shoppers!! See you here on Wednesday at noon!!!

Glad it's over!

Yesterday I marked something off of my to do list. I ran my first half marathon with our friends Doug and Kate. It was probably the most difficult thing I have ever pushed my body to do (well, except for giving birth with no epidural), but I am so proud that I was able to accomplish it. I ran 13.1 miles in 2 hours and 25 minutes. To put that in perspective, the woman who won the full, 26.2 mile marathon did that in 2 hours and 40 minutes...I just can't even imagine...my time didn't even make the paper!

I have done smaller races with finishing being the goal and this race was no exception. However, in my training I had only worked myself up to 10 miles, because my weekend solo runs were just plain boring, even with my I Pod. (Kate and I run 4 miles 3 mornings a week together) I just figured that if I could do 10, I could probably do 13.1...well, I did do it, but those last 3 miles were pure torture and I hurt the whole way. My smart friends Doug and Kate had done a few 12 mile runs, so they were beside (ahead of) me looking great. I have them to thank for inspiring me to continue because there were a few times that I wanted to stop and walk.

After a long soak in my Mom's hot tub and some Advil I am not hurting as much today, but stairs and getting up and down is very difficult. Let's just say that there will not be any full marathons in my future. I guess my next 10K will seem like a cake walk now.

*I wanted to include this post so my kids can remember what their Mom did...and at the age of 41 no less!

Happy Birthday Garrett...and someone else too~

I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be."

From the book Love You Forever by Robert Munsch

15 years ago on an early November morning this adorable little guy entered the world.




He was our first. We had no idea what we were doing. But we loved him with all of our hearts...and still do!



Happy 15th birthday Garrett!

(I still owe you a post, but I need more time for that)

BTW...Someone else has a birthday today....Happy Birthday Kim...I miss you!

Nate~

Way back last month...or was that 2 months ago... I started to do updates of the kiddos. What a month it has been, with much to still do, but I am determined to get these done!



My sweet Nate...my baby boy. He has had a rough 2 years. Becoming a big brother was something he talked a lot about and he was very excited when Maggie came, but he also struggled with having to share me with her. So he exhibited some behaviors that were not very appropriate....and most of them directed my way. I think that he didn't even realize how much Maggie's arrival upset him and today he would tell you that he loves his sister. But time, and a lot of special attention from me has helped ease him into his big brother role. Here he is loving on his little sister~



These two are just like normal siblings...loving on eachother one minute and picking on eachother the next. I really don't think that Nate's reaction would have been any different if I had given birth to a baby. He has always been more babyish and attached to his mommy more than the other boys. I have just had to make sure that I give him special one on one attention. We love to throw football in the yard together, play Sorry after dinner, but most of all I read to him every night and then I lay with him to talk about his day and we pray together. He also loves for me to tickle his back and write letters and numbers for him to guess. This has become a nightly ritual that he hates to miss. Dad has stood in on occasion, but who he really wants is me...alone. I do think that this has helped tremendously!

Here are some Nate tidbits~

~He loves football and is pretty aggressive. Playing flag football has been new for him, but it has been good for him to have to think about what is going on around him instead of the focus being who he can tackle!





~He is not afraid to explore his feminine side.



~He is just beginning to read everything in sight...we are so proud of him as reading has not come as easily to him as it has to his brothers.

~His teacher says that he is very well behaved and very shy in school. She recently commented that he is slowly warming up to her. Huh? Is this the same child who leaves here every day? May I remind you that our neighbors call him "Blockbuster." And you know that saying about a bull in a China shop...well, we have called him that too!

~His best buddy is still Ethan. We were so happy when we found out they would be together this year.



~He tells me I am beautiful, even when I am not...makes me smell his breath after he brushes his teeth...and still wants to snuggle with me on the couch...what more could a Mom want?

I will have to look and see, but I think that I still have Gabe and Garrett to do. Garrett's birthday is tomorrow so maybe I can write up something short and sweet that he will allow me to post!

2 Word Wednesday~

Popcorn please?

Wordless Wednesday~