Fundraising Idea!!!

When Lexie was raising funds for her mission trip to Uganda, she was able to buy some BEAUTIFUL handmade Ugandan necklaces from a friend who is a missionary in Uganda. These necklaces were all made by women in Uganda who sell these to support their families. 

But also, by buying these necklaces you also help this sweet missionary, and her husband, provide for other needs of the people in their village. 

AND they are offering to sell these necklaces to those who want to help raise funds for their own adoption/mission trips. 

It's a win....win...WIN for everyone!

You can contact Christie on her Ekubo Ministries website.

Another great idea for those that want to help another adopting family,  is that you can buy that family some necklaces to sell as a fundraiser! 

It's an EASY way to double your donation! 

Let me know if you have any questions! 

The necklaces are beautiful and you can get them in the muti-colors (as pictured) or in solid colors. 

Baby #2 Off To College

What a whirlwind of activities we have had! So many changes. My heart is having a hard time keeping up. It's like I'm in "move forward" mode and haven't really had time to process it all. Which I guess is somewhat good. Better than being an emotional wreck. :)

From my observations, we were the only parents unloading our college girl with a baby in tow. Annie was a big help. :)

Lexie's side of the dorm room after everything was unpacked and put away. Looks comfy huh? Katie made the adorable pillows and the sweet throw. 

The sweetest part of the whole going-off-to-college deal, is that Lexie is rooming with one of her longest besties. It was a special sweet treat from the Lord, as this just fell together. Totally the Lord's doing!

Here are some pictures of these crazy, silly, sassy girls from when they first formed that inseparable bond so many years ago. 

I have some pre-teen pics, but I think I would be killed if I posted them. I want to stay on their good side for now. :)

And here are the beautiful {crazy, silly, sassy!} girls today! Both of them love the Lord and are ready to conquer the world! Get ready, World! Here they come!!

First Day of Kindergarten For Karleigh Mei

I feel like I'm so behind on my blogging...I've got so much to  catch up on! We dropped off Lexie {weep!} at college this past weekend, and I need to write a post on that. That's coming up. I promise.

But first, Karleigh Mei started Kindergarten yesterday!

She was BEYOND excited about it! She loves school and friends and socializing. Those go hand in hand....right?!? :) 

My beautiful, confident and sassy girl!

Gannon is being homeschooled this year (as is Garrison), and he has a coop he goes to for a couple of classes on Mondays ('cause, uh, I don't know that much about Chemistry), so I threw him in the picture as well. His first week was last week. 

I asked Gannon to look a bit more excited, and this is what I got. :)

I simply cannot wait to see how the Lord is going to use this darling girl! She is SOOO happy and confident! In fact, she was ready to walk in WITHOUT me! :((( Here she is leading the way!

{Sister Love}

Two Blessings I almost missed. 

Thank you, Jesus, for these girls!

Flashback Friday

I love looking back at pictures that were taken just one year ago. So many things the same, and yet so many changes. 

Karleigh Mei on her last day of "China Camp" last year. She takes my breath away!

And we were ALL falling completely in love with this little beauty!

China Camp-2011

We have been so very blessed to know a rather large group of families who have also adopted from China. 

And blessed even more that so many of the girls that have been adopted, are all the same age. Like all within a month of each other, in the same year. 

And still even further blessed that all of these families love the Lord!

These families were invaluable to me as we waited for the referral of Karleigh Mei, and then the wait until we could travel to China to get her. 

I might have stalked a blog or two of theirs during the wait. :)

I believe this is the 4th year in a row that these mamas have gathered their girls together for 3 fun-filled days of "China Camp". Just a relaxed, fun time to learn a bit about their Chinese heritage. This is the 2nd year Karleigh Mei has been able to attend. 

How fun it is to watch these girls grow!

Thank you, Shawna, for opening up your home, and once again taking the time to be such a blessing to us!

Beautiful Hope joined us this year. She's the new Jie Jie to Lily (bottom left)! Isn't she a doll!?

 I was happy to get a picture with my biggest bitty girl! 

Karleigh Mei with her dragon!

My beautiful girl!

90 Day Wait Is Over!

Last week we hit the 90 days!

Now it's just getting all of the adoption "stuff" done. We've been told that she should be officially ours by the end of September! 

Yippee!!

I can't wait to show off her beautiful little face!!

A Fundraiser For Esther!

Do y'all remember my post that I copied from Lexie's blog about her sweet Esther? 

Well, Esther's mama read Lexie's post, fell in love with her, and now is doing everything she can to get her girl HOME! 

This sweet family had just begun the process to adopt from Ethiopia. But then the Lord showed them Esther. So what they thought was going to be a longer process that would allow them to raise the funds needed, has quickly changed and they need to raise the funds, like yesterday! 

My sweet Katie has decided to make a quilt for Esther AND wants to help raise the funds to get her home. Click on the pic below and it will take you to Katie's blog, where you can donate and help sweet Esther!

According to my calculations...

...we only have one more day. And then no one can claim this darling girl, but us.

Tomorrow, hurry up and be over!