It's amazing how a week has flown by. Sophia and I are almost on our home time instead of China time. I don't remember it being this hard to get back on schedule but I'm sure it must be like labor, you forget about it until you are doing it again.
Sophia has really started to bloom into herself and we are seeing her funny and dramatic personality. She can fake cry, really, really well. It was just the two of us at home sitting on the couch relaxing and she started crying or so I thought until she flashed me a big ole grin. She was rubbing her eyes and hiding her eyes, the whole bit and totally seemed real. Once we caught on to it we realized she was faking crying alot as she ran around the house and didn't want to be bothered by one of her siblings or her daddy. She is warming up to daddy, he got three kisses today. Maybe she will voluntarily go to him soon. I have forgotten how much fun it is to have a baby around the house. It hasn't been that long since M and E were babies but my how quickly we forget things.
Sophia is a hard girl to get a picture of, she is very quick and loves to avoid the camera. I managed to get a few pictures tonight of her playing with kitchen stuff. She had gone into the girl's room and played by herself for a half hour then came out with a tea cup and a serving spoon. She sat on the floor and played with me for a while. She is so much more secure about her environment and herself this week. The entire time we were in China up until today she cries and gets hysterical if I am not in her site. Tonight she disappeared off by herself and played and played. It amazes me how happy and social she can be.
I am moving my posts to my main blog A Cup Quite Full. I would love it if you would follow our journey as a family of five. I also hope to start sewing with the new year and will have some items up on A Cup Quite Full Creations, that is as long as I can get a little mommy alone time with the machine! We have a wonderful family outing planned for tomorrow, it has been a holiday tradition for us since M came home. Check in with us at A Cup Quite Full, maybe we will be lucky and be able to snap a family picture of us on our outing!
Thanks for following our journey and helping us bring Sophia home!
Bringing Sophia Home
We have been blessed with another precious treasure from China, we are raising the needed funds to bring her home. Thank you for helping us bring Sophia home.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
We Are Home
We are home safe and sound. Our travels home were very uneventful for the most part. I did loose my retainer again and this time it is staying lost. I believe I left it on our flight from Beijing but keep hoping it will show up in the mess.
Sophia is having to make another adjustment. She is doing ok but in some ways she has regressed back a bit. She is still extremely clingy to me so that breaks her daddy's heart. Every time he gets to close she screams for me. Praying that she warms up to daddy really soon. She is doing ok with the kiddos as long as they don't get in her face or try to hug her too much. The kids love her and have a hard time not squeezing her every few seconds. She is also terrified of the dog and cat. When we were in GZ there was a pet market right outside our hotel room. We visited it and when she saw the dogs and cats she screamed and cried, poor Tri and Pal get the same reaction at home.
Sorry we haven't taken any pictures since we have been home. Sophia and I have also been having a hard time with the time change. Sleeping is hard and I am absolutely exhausted. I don't remember it being this hard last time but I'm sure it is like labor, you forget the hard parts.
Keep us in your prayers!
Sophia is having to make another adjustment. She is doing ok but in some ways she has regressed back a bit. She is still extremely clingy to me so that breaks her daddy's heart. Every time he gets to close she screams for me. Praying that she warms up to daddy really soon. She is doing ok with the kiddos as long as they don't get in her face or try to hug her too much. The kids love her and have a hard time not squeezing her every few seconds. She is also terrified of the dog and cat. When we were in GZ there was a pet market right outside our hotel room. We visited it and when she saw the dogs and cats she screamed and cried, poor Tri and Pal get the same reaction at home.
Sorry we haven't taken any pictures since we have been home. Sophia and I have also been having a hard time with the time change. Sleeping is hard and I am absolutely exhausted. I don't remember it being this hard last time but I'm sure it is like labor, you forget the hard parts.
Keep us in your prayers!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Tomorrow, Homeward Bound!
It is hard to believe that tomorrow we leave bright and early at 6:20 am for home. Prayerfully, after 28 hours of travel we will be home! Please pray for us that the snow will slow down so we can get home.
Sophia started talking tonight, not sure what she is saying but she is talking. She opens up more to us every day. I can't wait to see her with her daddy, big sister and big brother. So much will change for her again tomorrow but I know that she will do well with it. She is such an amazing little girl. She has let Nana hold her a couple of times now, lets Nana feed her and most important of all lets her kiss her! She has started to run, play and become more confident. Soon she will have three more people to get to know on a day to day basis and to share her beautiful personality with.
Our bags are packed for the most part. Please pray for our travels and that Sophia and I feel better. My cold is coming back and I think Sophia is now moving from having allergies to getting a cold too. Soon we will be home and able to rest and adjust again. Ending off with a couple of pictures of our sweet cutie pie!
Sophia started talking tonight, not sure what she is saying but she is talking. She opens up more to us every day. I can't wait to see her with her daddy, big sister and big brother. So much will change for her again tomorrow but I know that she will do well with it. She is such an amazing little girl. She has let Nana hold her a couple of times now, lets Nana feed her and most important of all lets her kiss her! She has started to run, play and become more confident. Soon she will have three more people to get to know on a day to day basis and to share her beautiful personality with.
Our bags are packed for the most part. Please pray for our travels and that Sophia and I feel better. My cold is coming back and I think Sophia is now moving from having allergies to getting a cold too. Soon we will be home and able to rest and adjust again. Ending off with a couple of pictures of our sweet cutie pie!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Purposeful Christmas Shopping!
My dear friend Connie is having a Thirty-One Party to raise funds to bring her baby girl home from Ethiopia. Please take a peak at what Thirty-One has that could fill your shopping list, they have wonderful items that fit everyones needs. My dear friend Anne has opened up her Thirty-One business to help families in the process of adopting and Connie's family is one of her first families that she is fundraising for.
With your purchase Connie will also put your name in for her giveaway of a beautiful Scentsy warmer and 3 bars of wax. Another one of my favorite indulgences!
If we all do a little we can help bring so many children home to their forever families.
With your purchase Connie will also put your name in for her giveaway of a beautiful Scentsy warmer and 3 bars of wax. Another one of my favorite indulgences!
If we all do a little we can help bring so many children home to their forever families.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Yesterday was our Consulate Appointment, the very last step of the journey. It use to be that your appointment was one morning and then the swearing ceremony was the next day. They have now changed it things so your appointment is in the morning and the swearing ceremony is that afternoon. It is so nice to know that the only thing we are waiting for now is the actual visa in her passport which will be ready tomorrow afternoon. It is so hard to believe that we only have two full days in China and then we start the very long journey home.
Sophia has bloomed so much over the last week. She hardly resembles the scared little girl placed in my arms on Nov. 22nd. She is so much more adventurous, sometimes more than mom is comfortable with. As we layed down for a nap today she started beating me up and laughing, really laughing. That isn't something we had heard before and never even a small chuckle unless we had put forth a lot of effort to get it. She is in to everything, just like she should be at her age. Last week so was afraid of everything and now she wants to check things out. She recognizes her American name and seems to understand most of what we tell her. She still doesn't babble or baby talk and I haven't heard the word mama but I know one day she will just start flowing with so much to tell us.
I feel so blessed to be her mama.
Sophia has bloomed so much over the last week. She hardly resembles the scared little girl placed in my arms on Nov. 22nd. She is so much more adventurous, sometimes more than mom is comfortable with. As we layed down for a nap today she started beating me up and laughing, really laughing. That isn't something we had heard before and never even a small chuckle unless we had put forth a lot of effort to get it. She is in to everything, just like she should be at her age. Last week so was afraid of everything and now she wants to check things out. She recognizes her American name and seems to understand most of what we tell her. She still doesn't babble or baby talk and I haven't heard the word mama but I know one day she will just start flowing with so much to tell us.
I feel so blessed to be her mama.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
All is well with the three of us in GZ and with the family at home. So glad that we were able to leave home before all the snow came. It has delayed the delivery of the tshirts and hoodies so I only imagine it would have delayed our departure.
A brief run down of what we have been up to the last few days. On Wednesday we visited the police station to apply for Sophia's passport and it was ready on Thursday afternoon just as Grace had hoped! On Thursday we visited the Liu Hua Lake Park, it was beautiful, so many flowers and all perfectly groomed. On Friday we visited the Yue Xiu Park, it's absolutely huge and is on a mountain. Sophia decided to start walking when we are in public at the park. She is one strong little girl, I couldn't believe she could walk up the hills the way she did.
Saturday was Sophia's visa medical appointment. All went fairly well until the shot part, she had to get six shots, two of which are elective at home. It was torcherous and I was very upset with the manner that it is done but I am so thankfull that the children being adopted won't have to go through this much longer. The only thing that went through my head was thank you so much Mr. President that you didn't see fit to get your signature on that bill immediately upon passing. If only those of power in our government had to endure what we then maybe it wouldn't not have happened.Sophia has ran a little bit of a fever but is really doing very well after the shots. I feel so lucky that she hasn't had an adverse reaction, all our prayers are being answered.
Sophia and mommy are hanging out in the room this morning while Nani is going with our new travel group to the zoo. Sophia has had some sneezes and a runny nose the last two days so we are having a quiet morning. We will have to take another trip to Shamian this afternoon for laundry so a little down time is good. Tomorrow morning our visa paperwork is turned in and the swearing ceremony is tomorrow afternoon. We are now on the down hill of the trip.
A brief run down of what we have been up to the last few days. On Wednesday we visited the police station to apply for Sophia's passport and it was ready on Thursday afternoon just as Grace had hoped! On Thursday we visited the Liu Hua Lake Park, it was beautiful, so many flowers and all perfectly groomed. On Friday we visited the Yue Xiu Park, it's absolutely huge and is on a mountain. Sophia decided to start walking when we are in public at the park. She is one strong little girl, I couldn't believe she could walk up the hills the way she did.
Saturday was Sophia's visa medical appointment. All went fairly well until the shot part, she had to get six shots, two of which are elective at home. It was torcherous and I was very upset with the manner that it is done but I am so thankfull that the children being adopted won't have to go through this much longer. The only thing that went through my head was thank you so much Mr. President that you didn't see fit to get your signature on that bill immediately upon passing. If only those of power in our government had to endure what we then maybe it wouldn't not have happened.Sophia has ran a little bit of a fever but is really doing very well after the shots. I feel so lucky that she hasn't had an adverse reaction, all our prayers are being answered.
Sophia and mommy are hanging out in the room this morning while Nani is going with our new travel group to the zoo. Sophia has had some sneezes and a runny nose the last two days so we are having a quiet morning. We will have to take another trip to Shamian this afternoon for laundry so a little down time is good. Tomorrow morning our visa paperwork is turned in and the swearing ceremony is tomorrow afternoon. We are now on the down hill of the trip.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Sorry that we have not been posting regularly. Our internet connection can be quite slow so it is not always working fast enough for VPN or for Skype.
Yesterday was our finalization day and it was another busy day at the CAB office. All 40 families arrived again at the same time and got into line, or at least our guides did. Grace is a dream at all of this stuff. She has us sit down and wait while she does all the worrying and scurrying. With the final day of the Asian Games being friday the passport office is closed so we might not be able to get Sophia's passport before our Consulate Appointment on Monday. Grace was trying to get an urgent urgent passport instead of an urgent passport so it could be ready on Thursday. She also had a backup plan and put a call into the Consulate about turning in the passport at the swearing in ceremony on Monday afternoon. She is confident that either way we will be fine, I had full confidence that she would get it all worked out though. No stressing by me, Grace did enough for both of us. What a fantastic adoption guide!
Today was our passport photo visit at the police station. Again all 40 families were there at the same time and again Grace got us in and out as fast as can be. Sophia has been very tight lipped up until noon today when Nani took a walk to the pool to read for a while. All the sudden she started running and playing and giving a little half smile. I just couldn't believe it and of course the camera was with Nani so I couldn't even document it. She also started taking her bottle again today, she just needs time to digest all of the changes going on.
We took laundry to Shamian Island tonight and ate at Lucy's, it was wonderful to have some of the familiar. As much as I really like being around real China at our hotel in the city sometimes it gets a little overwhelming with it all. It was nice to be able to stroll a bit and have some western type food. We also did a little shopping at my favorite store, Jenny's and then stopped at the WS for some ice cream before catching a taxi back to the hotel. The taxi was a bit of an adventure as the driver took us to the Holiday Inn City Center instead of Shifu. The ride ended up being just as long or longer than if we had walked. Oh well, we saw some new areas and also saw where the Garden Hotel was. No wonder so many love it, it was in a beautiful area.
Once we got back to the hotel we got our jammies on and Sophia started being a total nut! She really let her guard down and was getting wild and crazy. She has a spunky little personality and I can't wait to see more of it unfold.
Tomorrow we are going to a park to stroll for a while and then Grace will be picking up our final provincial documents. We have finished the provincial part of the adoption so now we wait for the US side of things to get wrapped up. Unfortunately, I don't have a good pictures of Sophia as she wouldn't let Nani take any.
Yesterday was our finalization day and it was another busy day at the CAB office. All 40 families arrived again at the same time and got into line, or at least our guides did. Grace is a dream at all of this stuff. She has us sit down and wait while she does all the worrying and scurrying. With the final day of the Asian Games being friday the passport office is closed so we might not be able to get Sophia's passport before our Consulate Appointment on Monday. Grace was trying to get an urgent urgent passport instead of an urgent passport so it could be ready on Thursday. She also had a backup plan and put a call into the Consulate about turning in the passport at the swearing in ceremony on Monday afternoon. She is confident that either way we will be fine, I had full confidence that she would get it all worked out though. No stressing by me, Grace did enough for both of us. What a fantastic adoption guide!
Today was our passport photo visit at the police station. Again all 40 families were there at the same time and again Grace got us in and out as fast as can be. Sophia has been very tight lipped up until noon today when Nani took a walk to the pool to read for a while. All the sudden she started running and playing and giving a little half smile. I just couldn't believe it and of course the camera was with Nani so I couldn't even document it. She also started taking her bottle again today, she just needs time to digest all of the changes going on.
We took laundry to Shamian Island tonight and ate at Lucy's, it was wonderful to have some of the familiar. As much as I really like being around real China at our hotel in the city sometimes it gets a little overwhelming with it all. It was nice to be able to stroll a bit and have some western type food. We also did a little shopping at my favorite store, Jenny's and then stopped at the WS for some ice cream before catching a taxi back to the hotel. The taxi was a bit of an adventure as the driver took us to the Holiday Inn City Center instead of Shifu. The ride ended up being just as long or longer than if we had walked. Oh well, we saw some new areas and also saw where the Garden Hotel was. No wonder so many love it, it was in a beautiful area.
Once we got back to the hotel we got our jammies on and Sophia started being a total nut! She really let her guard down and was getting wild and crazy. She has a spunky little personality and I can't wait to see more of it unfold.
Tomorrow we are going to a park to stroll for a while and then Grace will be picking up our final provincial documents. We have finished the provincial part of the adoption so now we wait for the US side of things to get wrapped up. Unfortunately, I don't have a good pictures of Sophia as she wouldn't let Nani take any.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Sophia!
Started off the post with pictures. The first picture is of our time at the registration office shortly after we met, the second is back in the hotel and the third is M and E at the airport before I took off.
Today has been a long emotional day. We had trouble sleeping last night so we have pretty much been up since 1am with a little nap in the wee morning. At the CAB or registration office their were 40 families there and it was crazy and emotional. Children crying everywhere. Sophia was on major overload so we got out of there as quickly as possible. She hadn't eaten for 7 hours or so we were told so she was starved and grieving. By the time my mom and Grace ran into the Carrefour and got some formula S and I had begun to get to know each other and she no longer wants anything to do with anyone else.
Her cry is very heart breaking and it took quite a while to get her down tonight. You could tell she was absolutely exhausted but couldn't get to sleep. She is finally down and I am exhausted too. I am so tired I can't really articulate how the day went. I hope to be more coherant tomorrow after our final appointment at the CAB.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
We're here!
We made it in last night without any troubles! We had a nice long layover in Seattle, before the long hop over the pond. Only slept a couple of hours which has helped a lot with us getting set in our new time zone. I have to say if you want a nice inexpensive flight to China, Hainan Air is the way to go. I felt like we were in first class except for the size of our seats. Food was wonderful, service perfect and then when we were getting ready to land they came to let us know that we had a very tight connection in Beijing to GZ and that they had arranged for ground assistance to get us to our next terminal. We had a little over an hour to get through customs, get our bags, change terminals and make our next connection. We got off the plane and had someone meet us, take us to customs and got them to open up special lines for those of us with tight connections, arranged for a van to drive us to our next terminal, had our bags retagged and taken to a special counter to make it to the next plane. Breezed through the security check point to have another agent waiting for us to then help us run through the terminal to our gate. We made it and the flight attendants were nice and not even acting upset with us for making the departure late. It amazed me at how much each person was kind and courteous in their part of the transfer. I really think we could use some lessons on customer service. This has been my best trip to China so far.
Landed in GZ about 15 min late and Grace was waiting for us. We got checked into our hotel, Holiday Inn Shifu. We are on an executive floor and our room is wonderful. Huge bathroom and the bedroom area has tons of room. I think we will be very comfy here for two weeks. It's about double the size of the rooms at the White Swan. We are right in a street market area. We spent a couple hours this morning walking the market to see what we want to buy. Found some of the cutest shoes for the girls. Still looking for stuff for the little guys. E really wants a DS but I think that is something he will have to wait for!
We meet up with Grace in a couple hours to exchange money at the bank and do a little paperwork. She is so on top of things and so nice. Tomorrow is Sophia day!
Landed in GZ about 15 min late and Grace was waiting for us. We got checked into our hotel, Holiday Inn Shifu. We are on an executive floor and our room is wonderful. Huge bathroom and the bedroom area has tons of room. I think we will be very comfy here for two weeks. It's about double the size of the rooms at the White Swan. We are right in a street market area. We spent a couple hours this morning walking the market to see what we want to buy. Found some of the cutest shoes for the girls. Still looking for stuff for the little guys. E really wants a DS but I think that is something he will have to wait for!
We meet up with Grace in a couple hours to exchange money at the bank and do a little paperwork. She is so on top of things and so nice. Tomorrow is Sophia day!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
And we are off!!!!
Leaving first thing in the morning for China. Please keep my husband and kiddos in your prayers. This will be a rough couple of days as they transition to being without mom. I know they will do great but prayer can't hurt.
For those of you waiting for your bringing Sophia home goodies the printer should be shipping them tomorrow so they should be sent on to you by the end of next week. Thank you for all your help to bring our little girl home.
Talk to you again from China!
For those of you waiting for your bringing Sophia home goodies the printer should be shipping them tomorrow so they should be sent on to you by the end of next week. Thank you for all your help to bring our little girl home.
Talk to you again from China!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Today our church prayed for our family to send us off to China with prayer warriors behind us during both services. It feels so wonderful to know that we have so many prayers supporting us through this journey. The next three weeks will be very busy and will have some trial but in the end the seperation and grief (Sophia's grief) will be so worth it as we have Sophia home.
Lots of packing and organizing still in progress. Also praying on the final funds needed for Sophia's adoption. Please keep us in your prayers.
Lots of packing and organizing still in progress. Also praying on the final funds needed for Sophia's adoption. Please keep us in your prayers.
Friday, November 12, 2010
One week!
Can you believe exactly one week from today I will be sitting on a plane on my way to our baby girl!
I am just amazed at how quickly time is flying by, so much to do until I leave.
We are still $3700 away from the funds needed. If you would like to donate to our Sophia fund you can use the Chip In button on the right.
Hoodies, tees and hats have been ordered and will be here before the end of the month. If they come in while I am gone my beautiful sisters are helping out and will get them in the mail to you. Thank you so much for your help, support and prayers to bring Sophia home.
I am just amazed at how quickly time is flying by, so much to do until I leave.
We are still $3700 away from the funds needed. If you would like to donate to our Sophia fund you can use the Chip In button on the right.
Hoodies, tees and hats have been ordered and will be here before the end of the month. If they come in while I am gone my beautiful sisters are helping out and will get them in the mail to you. Thank you so much for your help, support and prayers to bring Sophia home.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Featured Family!
We are one of the featured families this week at We Are Grafted In. I love this site, we can freely share information with fellow believers. There are some adoption support forums out there that really limit our sharing of faith. I am so appreciative of Kelly for starting this site. Not only does she allow us to share our faith but we also get to post our fundraisers and she has guest bloggers. Hop on over and take a look at my fellow featured families and get to know the site.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Less than two weeks...
until Sophia is in my arms and part of her forever family. Praise Jesus!
Thank you to everyone who has donated, prayed, advertised, prayed, encouraged, prayed. You get the theme here! Prayer is so very powerful and we appreciate every prayer that is said. As our family prepares to be seperated for two weeks we know that we need your prayers more than ever. This is going to be so hard on our two little ones who are missing their mom and our normal routine and then of course very hard on daddy who works long days and is doing all he can to help our kids cope while I am away. Out of all of us I think my end of it will be easier, even with a grieving child and jet lag thrown in. I could be wrong but I know how attached to our daily life our kids are. Please keep on praying for us!
Fundraising, WOW! We are so very close. Every time I start to get discouraged the Lord sends someone my way to encourage. As we wrap up our final fundraiser the hoodie, tee and military cap pre-sale I know that the Lord will provide. This who journey has been a journey of learning to trust the Lord to show us that nothing is impossible. If He gives you the vision he will provide the provision. Being a human that is so hard to let go but I have learned so much in this journey. Thank you to everyone who has been here with me.
Thank you to everyone who has donated, prayed, advertised, prayed, encouraged, prayed. You get the theme here! Prayer is so very powerful and we appreciate every prayer that is said. As our family prepares to be seperated for two weeks we know that we need your prayers more than ever. This is going to be so hard on our two little ones who are missing their mom and our normal routine and then of course very hard on daddy who works long days and is doing all he can to help our kids cope while I am away. Out of all of us I think my end of it will be easier, even with a grieving child and jet lag thrown in. I could be wrong but I know how attached to our daily life our kids are. Please keep on praying for us!
Fundraising, WOW! We are so very close. Every time I start to get discouraged the Lord sends someone my way to encourage. As we wrap up our final fundraiser the hoodie, tee and military cap pre-sale I know that the Lord will provide. This who journey has been a journey of learning to trust the Lord to show us that nothing is impossible. If He gives you the vision he will provide the provision. Being a human that is so hard to let go but I have learned so much in this journey. Thank you to everyone who has been here with me.
WINNERS!!!
The drawing took place this morning by three lovely children! I will post pictures of them tonight, my camera is at gymnastics this morning. The first person drawn won the grand prize of the netbook. From there you will get to pick the prize you would like in the order you were drawn. I will notify you when it is time for you to pick your prize. Hopefully, we will have all winners notified in the next couple of days. Without further delay here is the list:
1st Bonnie B
2nd Granny
3rd Sharon B
4th Anne L
5th Anni N
6th Peyton
7th Carol W
8th Beverly A
9th Samantha H
10th Mona A
11th Leslie H
12th Addie T
13th Shannon S
14th Shelly R
15th Uncle Bernie & Aunt Les
Congratulations to all our winners!!!
We appreciate all of your support, prayers and encouragement.
1st Bonnie B
2nd Granny
3rd Sharon B
4th Anne L
5th Anni N
6th Peyton
7th Carol W
8th Beverly A
9th Samantha H
10th Mona A
11th Leslie H
12th Addie T
13th Shannon S
14th Shelly R
15th Uncle Bernie & Aunt Les
Congratulations to all our winners!!!
We appreciate all of your support, prayers and encouragement.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
We have our Consulate Appointment too!
I didn't think it would take 48 to 72 hours to find out and sure enough I got word first thing this morning that our CA is Nov. 29th. Sophia will be in my arms on Nov. 22nd and we will be home around Dec. 2nd.
As long as the wait seems now things are speeding by. So many things that need to get done. I just happened to call the bank today to make sure that they ordered our money and I am so glad I did. The message didn't get passed on to the person that orders money but thank the Lord she was a wonderful nice person and said she would order it today to have next week. She was such a sweet person and was so excited to be helping us.
Now to get our house organized, the girls room reorganized, bags packed, house cleaned, etc. I am going to sleep the entire flight to China after all this!
As long as the wait seems now things are speeding by. So many things that need to get done. I just happened to call the bank today to make sure that they ordered our money and I am so glad I did. The message didn't get passed on to the person that orders money but thank the Lord she was a wonderful nice person and said she would order it today to have next week. She was such a sweet person and was so excited to be helping us.
Now to get our house organized, the girls room reorganized, bags packed, house cleaned, etc. I am going to sleep the entire flight to China after all this!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
WE HAVE TA!!!!!
Our agency received our Travel Authority letter today and sent in our request for our Consulate Appointment, in the China adoption world this is known as our TA and CA. We are expecting that I will be leaving around November 18th and would meet Sophia on November 22nd. This is all tentative at this point as our travel and meeting day are all centered around our CA. We will find out in the next couple of days our exact CA and will begin to make our travel arrangements and get our bags packed.
Roughly we are about $4000 away from the funds needed for travel. We really appreciate all who have donated, purchased and are praying for us. Please help us continue to spread the word about our hoodies, tees, caps and of course the puzzle fundraiser.
Roughly we are about $4000 away from the funds needed for travel. We really appreciate all who have donated, purchased and are praying for us. Please help us continue to spread the word about our hoodies, tees, caps and of course the puzzle fundraiser.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Hoodies, Military Caps, Tees, OH MY!
A Place Called Simplicity is putting on Shoppin' With A Purpose. Check out all the families that are fundraising to bring their children home. Wouldn't it be fantastic if we could all fill our shopping lists while helping orphans!
We are waiting for our TA from China to travel to pick up our darling girl Sophia. We hope to receive our TA anyday and plan to leave right around Thanksgiving to bring her home. We still need to raise about $4500 to bring her home. Take a look at all we have!
The final design is here! We are so excited about the hoodie and hope you are too. Let the pre-sale begin!!!
We are waiting for our TA from China to travel to pick up our darling girl Sophia. We hope to receive our TA anyday and plan to leave right around Thanksgiving to bring her home. We still need to raise about $4500 to bring her home. Take a look at all we have!
The final design is here! We are so excited about the hoodie and hope you are too. Let the pre-sale begin!!!
They are Unixes and are available in Black, Heather and Charcoal in adult sizes S through 3XL. $30 includes shipping (additional $2.00 for 2XL and 3XL)
Pure Religion tees are $24 includes shipping ($2 additional for 2XL and 3XL) and are available in a womens cut, mens or children.
Place your order on the side bar through paypal. Pre-sale will run through November 10th.
One Day Sale November 1st at Sarah's Treasure Box. Sarah is donating $5 per pendant sold (excludes special orders). You need to make note at check out that you are shopping for the Metier Adoption or Sophia's Adoption. She has some beautiful things at very reasonable prices. Fill your shopping list, great for co-wokers, friends, teachers, coaches, the possibilities are endless!
Final days of being a Hip Mom Family. We are a Hip Mom Family through October 31st. Hip Mom is graciously giving our family 30% of all items purchased with our family code Metier010 from the adoption page. Take a look and see if you can find something for someone special.
Thanks for Shoppin' With A Purpose!
Place your order on the side bar through paypal. Pre-sale will run through November 10th.
One Day Sale November 1st at Sarah's Treasure Box. Sarah is donating $5 per pendant sold (excludes special orders). You need to make note at check out that you are shopping for the Metier Adoption or Sophia's Adoption. She has some beautiful things at very reasonable prices. Fill your shopping list, great for co-wokers, friends, teachers, coaches, the possibilities are endless!
Final days of being a Hip Mom Family. We are a Hip Mom Family through October 31st. Hip Mom is graciously giving our family 30% of all items purchased with our family code Metier010 from the adoption page. Take a look and see if you can find something for someone special.
Thanks for Shoppin' With A Purpose!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Christmas Frenzy
My dear friend Stacy is putting on Christmas Frenzy at My Cup Overfloweth to help families who are fundraising and help those that are in need of some wonderful purpose driven Christmas gifts. Please check out her blog and the links to some wonderful gifts.
We have been selling some great things over the last six months to bring our baby girl home and I would like to reintroduce you to them. We hope that they will make a wonderful present for someone on your list.
We are a Hip Mom Family for the month of October. Purchase any item on the Adoption page and list our family code of Metier010 and we will receive 30% of the sale price. Hip Mom has some absolutely beautiful pieces that would make a fabulous gift.
We are selling Just Love Coffee, roasted to order coffee that is absolutely delicious. Not only do we sell Just Love Coffee but it is the only coffee brewed in our house. Our family receives $5/bag of coffee and we also receive a portion for the accessories you purchase. Please use the link above to direct you to our coffee store.
One day sale only at Sarah's Treasure Box on November 1st. Sarah is having a sale day for our family on November 1st. She has the most unique and beautiful pendants that are priced extremely reasonable $7.99 to $12. Our family will receive $5/pendant ordered but only on November 1st. When you check out be sure and leave a comment it is for the Metier adoption fundraiser in order for our family to receive credit for your order.
I have a few items listed at A Cup Quite Full Creations. Check out the sipper slippers and book marks, watch for new items to be added.
Pure Religion t-shirts and hats. The tees are $24 and the hats are $20 shipping included.
Presale runs through November 3rd and will be shipped to you as soon as possible but no later than the end of November. Estimated to arrive three weeks after printing order is submitted. We have a small selection of tees on hand that are ready to ship today. Check out our selection here.
These shirts are high quality and everyone who has ordered one from our last sale loves them.
The hat is by Alternative Apparel and is available in Woodland and Stone. The Stone has the same color print, image available soon.
The tees and the hat can be purchased on the right side bar and payments made through paypal. Please select the color and size.
We have been selling some great things over the last six months to bring our baby girl home and I would like to reintroduce you to them. We hope that they will make a wonderful present for someone on your list.
We are a Hip Mom Family for the month of October. Purchase any item on the Adoption page and list our family code of Metier010 and we will receive 30% of the sale price. Hip Mom has some absolutely beautiful pieces that would make a fabulous gift.
We are selling Just Love Coffee, roasted to order coffee that is absolutely delicious. Not only do we sell Just Love Coffee but it is the only coffee brewed in our house. Our family receives $5/bag of coffee and we also receive a portion for the accessories you purchase. Please use the link above to direct you to our coffee store.
One day sale only at Sarah's Treasure Box on November 1st. Sarah is having a sale day for our family on November 1st. She has the most unique and beautiful pendants that are priced extremely reasonable $7.99 to $12. Our family will receive $5/pendant ordered but only on November 1st. When you check out be sure and leave a comment it is for the Metier adoption fundraiser in order for our family to receive credit for your order.
I have a few items listed at A Cup Quite Full Creations. Check out the sipper slippers and book marks, watch for new items to be added.
Pure Religion t-shirts and hats. The tees are $24 and the hats are $20 shipping included.
Presale runs through November 3rd and will be shipped to you as soon as possible but no later than the end of November. Estimated to arrive three weeks after printing order is submitted. We have a small selection of tees on hand that are ready to ship today. Check out our selection here.
These shirts are high quality and everyone who has ordered one from our last sale loves them.
The hat is by Alternative Apparel and is available in Woodland and Stone. The Stone has the same color print, image available soon.
The tees and the hat can be purchased on the right side bar and payments made through paypal. Please select the color and size.
For the person who has everything you can sponsor a piece of Sophia's puzzle in their name for $15/piece or $40 for three pieces. To read more about it check out the post here.
We thank you so very much for supporting the Christmas Frenzy and we hope that you are able to do some purpose driven shopping to complete your list. Blessings!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Puzzle Fundraiser - 110 pieces sponsored YAHOO!!!
Sponsored pieces of the Sophia puzzle
01 Eileen M 02 Joanne R
03 Samantha H 04 Samantha H
05 Samantha H 06 Vicki M
07 Eunice B 08 Leslie H
09 Leslie H 10 Leslie H
11 Leslie H 12 Leslie H
13 Leslie H 14 Leslie H
15 Leslie H 16 Leslie H
17 Bonnie B 18 Samantha H
19 Bonnie B 20 Sharon B
21 Sharon B 22 Bonnie B
23 Bonnie B 24 Beverly A
25 Beverly A 26 Beverly A
27 Beverly A 28 Beverly A
29 Addie T 30 Mona A
31 Mona A 32 Mona A
33 Mona A 34 Anni N
35 Anni N 36 Anni N
37 Uncle Bernie & Aunt Les 38 Uncle Bernie & Aunt Les
39 Uncle Bernie & Aunt Les 40 Uncle Bernie & Aunt Les
41 Uncle Bernie & Aunt Les 42 Uncle Bernie & Aunt Les
43 Uncle Bernie & Aunt Les 44 Uncle Bernie & Aunt Les
45 Janie N 46 Karen R
47 Karen R 48 Carol W
49 Carol W 50 Carol W
51 Carol W 52 Carol W
53 Carol W 54 Carol W
55 Carol W 56 Anni N
57 Robin M 58 Robin M
59 Sharon B 60 Sharon B
61 Sharon B 62 Shawna O
63 Shawna O 64 Anne L
65 Anne L 66 Ciara S
67 Debbie W 68 Aunt CeCe
69 Aunt CeCe 70 Michele & Andy
71 Shannon S 72 Granny
73 Granny 74 Granny
75 Granny 76 Granny
77 Granny 78 Granny
79 Granny 80 Granny
81 Granny 82 Granny
83 Granny 84 Granny
85 Granny 86 Granny
87 Granny 88 Granny
89 Granny 90 Granny
91 Granny 92 Granny
93 Granny 94 Granny
95 Granny 96 Granny
97 Granny 98 Granny
99 Granny 100 Peyton
101 Peyton 102 Peyton
103 Cathy W 104 Tim S
105 Tim S 106 Tim S
107 Shelly R 108 Shelly R
109 Mona A 110 Mona A
We are in our final stages of fundraising as we have about a month left until I leave to pick up our precious Sophia. We still need to raise $5000 to cover the rest of the fees to complete Sophia's adoption. This is really a huge chunk, I know. It is a little less than half of the in country expenses and it has taken us many months to raise the first portion. We could really use your help to pay the ransom to bring God's treasure home. So without further ado here it is:
Winner!!!!! Bonnie B!!!!
Next we have two beautiful tutu and shasta daisy sets from Sophia Jane Boutique. The winners will be able to pick their favorite colors from the Sophia Jane inventory.
Beautiful earrings from overflowingpsalm235. Check out her etsy shop and see the talent of her family. There is such a beautiful story behind this jewelry you can find it here. Winner!!! Anni NA blog make over from Forever Family Designs Winner!Anne L Large "feed 1" t-shirt from 147 Million Orphans Winner!!! Peyton
Winners choice of Mary Kay's Red Tea and Fig or Lotus and Bamboo Complete Body set consisting of: Body Lotion, Bath and Shower Gel, Loofah Body Cleanser and Deo Body Sprintzer. From Mona Allen.
Pure Religion Military Cap in the winners choice of color Woodland or Stone. Winner! Shelly R
Huge bundle of clippies from Yogi & Cecil. M wishes these were coming to our house! Winner!!! Granny
Beautiful Rocky Mountain serving bowl from Sylvia Howes. Winner! Beverly A
$25 iTunes gift card Winner!!!! Sharon B
01 Eileen M 02 Joanne R
03 Samantha H 04 Samantha H
05 Samantha H 06 Vicki M
07 Eunice B 08 Leslie H
09 Leslie H 10 Leslie H
11 Leslie H 12 Leslie H
13 Leslie H 14 Leslie H
15 Leslie H 16 Leslie H
17 Bonnie B 18 Samantha H
19 Bonnie B 20 Sharon B
21 Sharon B 22 Bonnie B
23 Bonnie B 24 Beverly A
25 Beverly A 26 Beverly A
27 Beverly A 28 Beverly A
29 Addie T 30 Mona A
31 Mona A 32 Mona A
33 Mona A 34 Anni N
35 Anni N 36 Anni N
37 Uncle Bernie & Aunt Les 38 Uncle Bernie & Aunt Les
39 Uncle Bernie & Aunt Les 40 Uncle Bernie & Aunt Les
41 Uncle Bernie & Aunt Les 42 Uncle Bernie & Aunt Les
43 Uncle Bernie & Aunt Les 44 Uncle Bernie & Aunt Les
45 Janie N 46 Karen R
47 Karen R 48 Carol W
49 Carol W 50 Carol W
51 Carol W 52 Carol W
53 Carol W 54 Carol W
55 Carol W 56 Anni N
57 Robin M 58 Robin M
59 Sharon B 60 Sharon B
61 Sharon B 62 Shawna O
63 Shawna O 64 Anne L
65 Anne L 66 Ciara S
67 Debbie W 68 Aunt CeCe
69 Aunt CeCe 70 Michele & Andy
71 Shannon S 72 Granny
73 Granny 74 Granny
75 Granny 76 Granny
77 Granny 78 Granny
79 Granny 80 Granny
81 Granny 82 Granny
83 Granny 84 Granny
85 Granny 86 Granny
87 Granny 88 Granny
89 Granny 90 Granny
91 Granny 92 Granny
93 Granny 94 Granny
95 Granny 96 Granny
97 Granny 98 Granny
99 Granny 100 Peyton
101 Peyton 102 Peyton
103 Cathy W 104 Tim S
105 Tim S 106 Tim S
107 Shelly R 108 Shelly R
109 Mona A 110 Mona A
We are in our final stages of fundraising as we have about a month left until I leave to pick up our precious Sophia. We still need to raise $5000 to cover the rest of the fees to complete Sophia's adoption. This is really a huge chunk, I know. It is a little less than half of the in country expenses and it has taken us many months to raise the first portion. We could really use your help to pay the ransom to bring God's treasure home. So without further ado here it is:
This sweet photo that we received last weekend is being turned into a puzzle. You can purchase a piece of the puzzle and be a lasting memory of all the people that stepped up to help bring this precious girl home. I can not wait until we begin discussing her adoption story and I can tell her how each one of you helped bring her home. With the purchase of a puzzle piece your name or message will be placed on the back of the puzzle piece and your name will be entered into our netbook giveaway. Not only are we giving away a netbook but there are a bunch of other lovely items. Take a look!
Winner!!!!! Bonnie B!!!!
Next we have two beautiful tutu and shasta daisy sets from Sophia Jane Boutique. The winners will be able to pick their favorite colors from the Sophia Jane inventory.
A beautiful bracelet from overflowingpsalm325. Winner! Shannon S.
Pure Religion Military Cap in the winners choice of color Woodland or Stone. Winner! Shelly R
$10 Starbucks gift card and a sipper slipper from A Cup Quite Full Creations.
Watch for additional prizes to be added. If you would like to contribute an item to the giveaway please contact me at acupquitefull@cableone.net.
You can purchase a puzzle piece to go toward Sophia's adoption fees through the "chip in" button on the side bar or contact me at acupquitefull@cableone.net, here is how it works:
Puzzle pieces are $15 each or three for $40, for each puzzle piece you purchase/sponsor you will receive one entry into the giveaway.
With the purchase of a puzzle piece you will receive additional entries for each blog post or link up in facebook. You must leave a comment letting me know for additional entries.
The drawing will take place on November 8th. As soon as the puzzle arrives I will start posting the progress on the completion of the sponsored pieces. I can't wait to see your name on a piece.
While $5000 is a lot of money to you and I, it is nothing in God's economy. We have a sweet little girl waiting for us in China and travel is just around the corner, please help us spread the word.
Blessings!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Sophia Meilin
Introducing our daughter Sophia Meilin. She is 15 months old and is from the Guangdong Province.
We received her referral call at 9:45 pm on June 21st. We knew immediately that she was our daughter. We submitted our Letter of Intent to our agency that very night and it was submitted to CCAA by our agency on June 23rd. We are very excited to receive our Preapproval on June 24th and anxiously await travel to bring her home.
This blog is dedicated to our fundraising to bring her home. All purchased made from this blog go directly to our fund to pay the remaining fees in country to Bring Sophia Home. If you would like to make a donation to our auction please contact me. We greatly appreciate your support.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)