So excited!!

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We are so excited about the many people that have taken a step of faith with us and purchased puzzle pieces!!  THANK YOU!!! Your love, prayers and support have added $500.00 to our funding.  

 33 puzzle pieces have been purchased and we have received several commitments from family and friends to sell 10 pieces.  If you would like to make a commitment and help us sell 10 pieces just comment to this post and I will get in contact with you. 

We have our prayers and hearts set on a little one in Russia and would love to have them home for Christmas.  All y'all are helping make that dream a reality.  Our goal is to have all 500 puzzle pieces sold by mid August so we can submit our initial paperwork to Russia.  Can you share our Adoption Journey blog with your family and friends?

THANK YOU for loving an orphan with us!!

ONE LESS ORPHAN!!

The short version of our story...

Several people have asked "why adoption?". Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE children and would have a house full if I could. All through high school everyone joked that I would have atleast five children, probably more. The irony to this is that the Biggest Joker of All (and my bff) now has 5 kids, with 2 sets of twins! I loved hearing all the jokes, praying and dreaming that they would one day go from jokes to reality.

Fast forward 15 years from high school graduation to today. Brian and I have been married for almost 13 years (!!!) and have birthed 4 babies. 2 of our babies are growing older too fast. Zak is going on 11 and Brenna just turned 8. Two of our babies never took a breath, never cried and never knew us on this side of heaven. Noah was stillborn at 25 weeks in January of 2007 and Jack was stillborn at 17 weeks in March of 2009. Not a day goes by that we don't have some conversation, thought or tears about our 2 little boys. Zak and Brenna constantly ask how old they would be or what they might look like. They have even asked if I think Noah and Jack would have liked hanging out with them and playing with them (way to make their momma cry). There is no doubt in my mind that Z and B would have been heros in their little brothers eyes. I never thought we would experience a loss, let alone two losses. It was devistating, confusing and rocked our world.

Adoption has always burned deep within my soul. I have watched several families adopt domestically and internationally and Brian and I thought "one day we will do that...one day". About a month ago, I somehow came across a website with some special orphans in Eastern Europe. To this day I don't remember how I found the site, devine intervention is my only explanation. I did some checking around and texted Brian with some information and he said to email for more information. It was the first time that the fire burning deep within me consumed me and I KNEW it was time to move forward. So, here we are, at the very beginning of this journey. Some days it seems like a walk through the park and other days it's like finding our way through a blizzard in the South Pole!

Thank you for your prayers, encouragement and support. We feel that this adoption is not only adding a child to our little family but to our whole big family, all of you included.

~One less orphan!~

Walking by faith

This adoption journey is such a huge step of faith for our family.  It is a HUGE financial commitment that looks like Mt Everest to us right now.  But, God has called us to adopt so we are taking each step in faith and waiting on Him to open the doors.  Phew!!  What a scary crazy awesome adventure we have just begun!! 

We have gathered the prizes for the Puzzle Fundraiser/ Giveaway and are ready to share the excitement!  So, here they are!

Brand new iPad

Massage Envy 1 Hour Massage

Dinner for 2, Evening Wine Making Experience and a Lifelong Membership to "Make Wine With Us"

located in Northern NJ

Handmade Pillow Case Dress with matching hair bow (pattern will vary)

Polaroid Waterproof Camera (color may vary)

My Momma's Homemade Chocolate Divine Cake (pick up only)

Complimentary Birth Doula Services (Northern NJ)

A few more awesome prizes will be announced soon so keep checking back and be sure to get your pieces and share with your family, friends, co-workers, etc.

One Less Orphan!!! 

Puzzle Piece Fundraiser / Big giveaway

We are trying to raise money to reach our goal of $7,500 to be able to submit our dossier and are excited to announce we are doing a Puzzle Piece Fundraiser/Big Giveaway. 

Here's how it works:  

We have bought a jig saw puzzle that we will be putting together as people buy puzzle pieces.  Once completed it will go in our child's room. 

You can buy a piece of our puzzle for $15.00 

and can buy as many pieces as you would like.  

Just click on the "Donate" icon in the right side of this blog to pay via debit/credit or paypal. 

There are 500 pieces to this puzzle so if we can get 500 people to buy just one piece we will be at our $7,500 goal. 

For each piece you buy, your name will be put into a drawing to win prizes. 

I will be posting pictures of these prizes soon and will have multiple winners so the chances of winning will be good for all!

...The best part for US will be that we get to put your name on the back of each piece you buy so when it is all said and done we can see everyone that helped bring our little boy or girl home and one day he or she will get to see all of your names as well....I love that more than anything!!!

FREE entry:  if you Facebook about this giveaway or post it to your blog. Just make sure you comment below and let me know. 

Here is the puzzle we chose.

One less orphan!