Baby Dino

At 11 pm. I Caleb and I parted ways after he gave me a hug goodnight. He saw this bag in my hand. "You going to finish that tonight?" He asked in disbelief. "That's my plan. It's hard to work on it during the day." But I was wasn't sure, I would actually make my goal.

But I did!

A Little Boy Dino Bag!

Perfect for carrying books on a trip to the library.  An excellent tote for sand toys for a trip to the park!   A cute way to carry snacks for a field trip!

Stitched with love-- this tote bag is one of a kind!

If you would like to bid on it, please leave a comment.

Bidding will end Wednesday, April 4th at noon PST.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Be A Piece of the Puzzle

Doyle and Fischer will be coming home soon. With at least $16,000 of their ransom left to pay towards their adoption costs, we are inviting you to be a piece of the puzzle.

Let me introduce you to our next fundraiser.

We have painted up two picture frames-- one for each of the boys.  They have 18 puzzle pieces each.

Doyle's (8X10) Picture Frame

Fischer's (8X10) Picture Frame

With a $10 donation we will mail you a piece of either Doyle or Fishcer's puzzle to decorate however you want. You choose unless we run out of one of the boys' pieces.  Maybe you'll decide to do one for each!  Write your name so that we will have a permanent reminder that you were a piece of their puzzle.  Then you mail it back and we will glue the puzzle pieces on and add their picture once they are home.  If you would like us to decorate your piece for you-- we can do that too!  Once the frames are finished, I will of course take pictures and post them here.

(Here is an example of a decorated puzzle piece.)

Here are the girls painting the puzzle pieces.

They had fun. . .  and made a bit of a mess.

Please consider being a piece of the puzzle!  It would be awesome if every piece was spoken for!

A perfect opportunity to get your children directly involved in helping orphans.

If you choose to be a piece of the puzzle, please email me at thereed8@yahoo.com and use the Chip In labeled Puzzle Piece Fundraiser.  All donations for this fundraiser are tax deductible. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you so much!

Submitted!

Hallelujah!

Our dossier was submitted!

In the next week we should learn whether all of our documents are acceptable.

Hopefully we won't have to redo any of them.

If the SDA doesn't need us to redo anything, we will wait for a travel date-- usually a few weeks.

Usually families only get two weeks notice before traveling-- but we'll see.

John, Rachel, and I will travel and then John will come back after court.

We are incredibly thankful for all of you.
It is evident that your hearts have been stirred, and in turn you have been such an encouragement to us.
I mean that.   I didn't blog about all the ups and downs so far, but trust me there has been plenty.
The adoption process is full of them.  Delays, documents done wrong, circumstances out of my control, unexpected additional costs, fundraising flops-- the list can go on.
Yet-- for every down there has been an up-- times two.
Incredible.  Often I wondered-- "Did God just whisper to them?"
"He must have because their timing couldn't be more perfect."
Thank you for embracing these two little boys.  Thank you for making their ransom a big deal.  Thank you for acting on God's prompting. 
Adoption is such a big deal-- and you are all a part of it.
Two little boys' lives are about to be turned upside down in a most amazing way.
And our lives are about to be blessed by two little boys.
Not from anything we have done, but because we trust that the Lord is all about redemption.  Healing.  New life.  Grace.  He cares for orphans more than we do.

When we travel, I plan to bring you all along with us.
I will share every detail big and small.
Hope you don't mind. :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 After talking with a few of the kids, we thought up a couple more fundraising ideas.
The one that sounds the funnest to the kids is this:

Pie Voting Fundraiser!
The way it works is people can buy votes for $3 each or $5 for 2 votes and they can vote for one of our family members that they want to see get pied in the face (can you say big mess?)  We would videotape the whole event and share it here.

Honestly, I am going out on a limb doubting that this could actually be a good fundraiser, but I told a friend I would throw the idea out there.  The money raised would go towards plane tickets for traveling-- which will be in about a month.
Please leave a comment if you would like to participate in this fundraiser.

If not-- we still have plenty of window decal stickers left and 5 cookbooks. :)
Also, I will be posting a new tote bag!

Soon!

Just needed a reminder how our two little cuties looked.  I can't get over how much Doyle reminds me of Dennis.  He looks so sad in this picture-- I think he needs a great big hug!

Oh and how I wish we had an updated picture of Fischer.

This picture was taken when he was just a few months old-- soon he will be one!  Still he looks absolutely squeezable!

We are coming for you boys!  Soon. . .  we will be together.  

Sorry, but Dennis says you aren't old enough to sleep on the top bunk yet-- so don't even ask. ;)

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you to Debbie for the winning bid of $40 on the Mushroom and Caterpillar Tote Bag.  

And another huge blessing-- 5 pairs of earrings have been ordered!

I stand in awe of our Lord and Savior.  

He is so amazing the way he works through all of you.

After learning that we would have another $100 cost to Fed Ex a document (my mistake), four people emailed me about ordering earrings.

BTW, I already mailed off the document and our facilitator is shooting for this Thursday to submit our dossier.  Praise God!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Feeling incredibly blessed.

So excited that you are all on this journey with us.

Blessings! 

Ugh-- My Bad

So. . . our dossier made it to our facilitator yesterday.

Great.  Phew. . .  I can rest.

Not.

He emailed me this morning that I forgot one document.

Sure enough I am holding it in my hand.

So, I am off to Fed Ex again.

Lovely.  Fed Ex is not cheap.

At least I can swing by the store to pickup unsweetened chocolate to make Mississippi Mud pie since I will be out.   This week we are learning all about the 

Mississippi River and the book has a recipe for the pie.  

Go chocolate!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Finally-- an order for Spring earrings!

Praise the Lord!

Thank you so much Sue for being an encouragement today.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Just a reminder--

In just a few hours, the bidding for the caterpillar tote bag will be over.

~~~~~~~~~~~

I know of some parents really struggling with their children today.

Parenting is the most important job out there-- and often times the hardest.

Please keep them in your prayers.

Don't Miss Out!

Flowery Spring Earrings! So cute!

Here are all the colors.

Julia has already invested her time and effort in making these four sets-- so it is my hope that we can sell at least four pairs.  But we need your help!

Just look at our friend Makayla wearing the pair that Julia made for her.

They are so cute!  Plus the money raised goes to help two very special little boys. :)

And check out this Mushroom and Caterpillar Tote Bag!

Inspired by Dennis-- perfect for a little boy!

Please leave a comment if you would like to bid on it.

Bidding will end Tuesday. March 27 at noon PST.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Again, thank you so much.

Two little boys are closer than ever to coming home!

Wowsers!

Our dossier is already in Paris!

Praise the Lord!

Boys-- we are getting close!

The Lord continues to amaze me everyday!

Our childcare dilemma while we are over getting the boys now that John is going with me- has been solved.  My amazing Mom is going to stay with the kids!

And a box of baby clothes came all the way from Australia-- thank you so much!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The highest bidder on the Spring Tote bag was from anonymous.  That person hasn't gotten back to me yet.  Please email me if you would still like the bag.  If not I will let the next bidder have it, if they still want it.

I just finished an adorable mushroom and caterpillar tote bag for a little boy-- I'll post it as soon as there is home for the Spring Tote Bag.

Thank you!

Spring Earrings

Spring earrings are here! Just in time for Easter-- and perfect for year round!

Four pastel colors to choose from-- pink (pictured below), purple, yellow, or green.

Julia crocheted three different patterns before we both agreed on this flower.

Just $8 a pair.  Please email me at thereed8@yahoo.com if you would like to order a pair, or two.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The bidding is over for the bibs!  All 5 were bid on so that I can hand them out to 5 orphans.  What a blessing!

Carol G, Christine R, and Emily-- thank you so much!

Also, thank you for whoever bid $40 on the Spring Flower Tote bag.  Please email me so I can get that mailed out to you.

A very sweet letter with a check enclosed came in the mail from a daughter of a blog reader.  Money she had raised was donated to help bring home Doyle and Fischer.  What a beautiful and thoughtful thing to do.

Thank you for thinking of us.

Also, a donation from Germany came!  A big thank you from California!

Hallelujah for the Lord's faithfulness.  

You are his hands and feet!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If our dossier gets to Ukraine by early next week, it may be submitted before March is over.  I can hardly believe how quickly this is all happening.

Praising the Lord that the boys may very well be home in early Summer!

It's Out Of My Hands

$150 in notaries in the last week.

$416 in apostille fees.

$35 for a courier to ensure our dossier is delivered by next week to begin translation.

$200 in shipping.

Around $800 in total, tons of running around, and a bunch of craziness to finish up this last half of our dossier.

But when I think of two precious little boys languishing in an orphanage half way around the world-- it is so worth it.  And I smile.

And though I now have to patiently wait to see when our dossier is safely in the hands of our facilitator, a huge burden has been lifted now that our paperwork is 100% out of my hands. 

Now it is in the hands of others.

I can stress over that or I can be joyful that the Lord has his hand around our dossier.

I am choosing joy.  And I'm smiling to done with the part of the process.

Since posting about sponsoring one of the five bibs so that I can give them to a child in Doyle and Fischer's orphanage, four of them have been sold for $10 each.  Praise the Lord!

Just one more needs a sponsor-- might you be that person?

After meeting with my friend Pam yesterday and getting the bibs, I must say they are so much cuter in real life.  Absolutely adorable!

They are sure to bring a smile to which ever child receives one.  

Thank you for the bids on the tote bag so far.  

Bidding ends tomorrow!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

With all the craziness of John's work schedule, June was really the only month he could travel.

However, our facilitator said it looked like we would be traveling in May.

Now. . . it looks as if May might work better for John.

Bottom line is we are praying for God's perfect timing.

Please pray with us.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I wanted to share with you an update on our finances for this adoption.

The Lord has been so faithful bringing unexpected blessings through all of you who have chosen to be a part of the boys' adoption.  Even when I mess up big time like cashing a check and then overlooking it and never sending the items until you remind me-- you have been graceful and understanding.  Thank you so much Sandy for giving me the chance to make things right.

So. . . how much of the boys' ransom has been raised so far?

When we add up the boys' grant fund when we first committed to them, the grant that has been raised through our family sponsorship page on Reece's Rainbow, the donations made to God's Waiting Children on our behalf and the money for the cook books, earrings, decals, and silent auction items the ransom raised to rescue Doyle and Fischer from a life growing up in an institution so far is over 

$13,000!

Can you believe that?

Hallelujah!

Thank you for each and every one of you who made this possible!

We would not be here today without each and every one of you.

Your partnership this far has been such an incredible blessing.

You guys rock!

~~~~~~

But.

 Remember the ransom to rescue our two boys is over twice that amount.

After redoing some paperwork, adding John's plane ticket to travel, another orphan petition fee for a 2nd child, and a few other things, the cost will be around $30,000.

Please pray that the Lord will continue to multiply all of our love offerings for this adoption.-- ours and yours included.

I still have a few cookbooks and lots of sticker decals for sale.

Julia is working on Spring earrings just in time for Easter.

You can even still order the heart and shamrock earrings if you would like.

I have a few more handmade items that people have given to auction off and I hope to complete 2 or 3 more tote bags before we travel.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Blessings to all of you!

Hope you are having a great week!

Happy World Down Syndrome Awareness Day!!!!

Spring Tote Bag

Isn't Spring here yet?

Looking at this tote bag sure makes it feel like Spring is in the air!  The thought of warm, sunny weather, and flowers in bloom were my inspiration for this handmade tote bag I just finished up.  My girls especially like the little dragon fly buttons that I sewed on.

If you would like this one of a kind tote bag perfect for books, snacks packed for the park, or yarn please leave a comment with your name and how much you are bidding.  Bidding will end Thursday, March 22 at noon.  

Every dollar raised is going to help us bring home our two sons.  

Thank you for partnering with us!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And please remember to take a look at the darling bibs available.

Thanks!

It Came!

Hallelujah!

Our I-600A came in the mail today!

This is the last thing we have been waiting for.  Now everything can be sent off Wednesday morning to be apostilled.  We will use a courier so that the documents can be walked in to the Secretary's office the same day they arrive.  She will then mail the apostilled documents straight to the hands of our facilitator.

Wow!  I can hardly believe that the paper chase is over, or will be this week.

There is still so much that has to happen before we can travel.

The documents have to arrive safely to their country of destination.

We will pay translation fees to have our dossier translated.

 All the documents have to be done correctly.

Next, or dossier has to be submitted.

Then we will be invited to travel.

John and I hope we get to travel in May.

Thank you for all your prayers.

Thank you for your support.

Thank you for every way you have helped to get us where we are in the process.

Thank you for helping two precious little boys half way around the world.

Blessings to all of you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please check out the baby bibs in the previous post.  They were all made with love by a sweet friend.  So far no one has bid on them. :(

As we get closer to traveling, we need to have all of the adoption costs sooner rather than later.  

They would make wonderful baby gifts, if you don't have little ones in the house..

I was also thinking that if you don't have a baby in mind that you can give one of the bibs too, you can still donate $10 for one of the bibs, and I will hand deliver the one you choose to one of the children at Doyle and Fischer's orphanage.  And if I am allowed, I will take a picture.

Just an idea.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Also, I just finished another tote bag.  Now that we have our immigration approval, I am inspired to work on the bags again.  I will post it later tonight!

Thank you and many blessings to all of you!

Just in case you were wondering, Doyle is 3 years and five months old and Fischer is 9 months old right now.   A part of me is so excited at the though of having two little ones running around the house.  The other part of me wonders if I am too old.

Then I think of Sarah and Abraham.  I'm not too old after all. :)

Baby Bibs

My good friend Pam called me yesterday to say that she made these adorable bibs to help raise the ransom for Doyle and Fischer.  Aren't they adorable?  I am so thankful for her and her willingness to take the time to make these by hand.

I am auctioning them off with all proceeds going towards the cost of our two boys' adoption.

If you would like to make a bid, please leave a comment with your name, the bib you are bidding on, and your bid amount.  

The auction will end on Wednesday, March 21 at noon PST.

Thank you so much!

#1  What an adorable yellow bug bib!

#2  Look a this cute green bib!

#3  Your child will look like the apple of your eye wearing this bib!

#4  Sweet as a strawberry!

#5  What a cute little pumpkin!

He Has Never Failed Us

Earlier in the week I received an email from our immigration officer that said our I-600A approval would be going out at the end of the week.  I assume that was today!  Hopefully we will receive it in the next few days!  That would so awesome!

Thank you for everything.  Each of you have been so supportive in your own little way.  It means so much.  The emails saying that you are praying for us-- thank you!  The offers to send baby clothes-- some all the way from Australia-- wow-- thank you!  An encouraging note in the mail with a Starbucks card-- so unexpected!  A $10 donation-- totally noticed!

Each day brings us closer to our boys, and though new challenges arise, we are keeping our eyes fixed on Him and Doyle and Fischer.  Traveling is going to be hard for John depending on when it is and most likely he will be taking some unpaid time off-- but we are trusting that the Lord will work out these small details.  If I look at the challenges and nothing else they seem like such a large mountain in front of us, but if I look at the bigger picture and count our blessings this far, I can see that God has never failed us yet.  He already has this figured out and I can't wait to share with you as it unfolds.

His plans include teaching us to rest in Him, not to worry, but to trust that He can do the impossible.  Everyday I am learning of this peace-- and trust me, it is not easy.  I think I am a worrier by nature, and I constantly have to give things to the Lord.  Of course I take them back a few times, but when I finally realize that I am not equipped to figure everything out, I finally give them to God once and for all.  His timing is not my timing.  His ways surpass understanding.  He multiplies our love, our offerings, and our fruits.

His love for Doyle and Fischer is greater than I can imagine.

I am so thankful for all of you who He has placed in our lives to help these two precious boys come home.

P.S.  I am still selling cookbooks.  You can check them out here.   You can still order window decals too!

His Timing

Even though we are so close to having all of our paperwork completed, it seems so far away.  We are waiting on one little piece of paper-- that last one-- the most important one-- and I have no idea when it will come.  It is hard to be patient thinking that our file can just be sitting on someone's desk waiting to be approved.  This part of the adoption process is so not fun.  Waiting in anticipation, knowing that it will come any day can drive a person insane! :)

Dennis asks about Doyle and Fischer all the time.  It is so sweet.  Too bad we are going to confuse him when we start calling them by their real names.  Anyone have any guesses?   Julia remarked how crazy bath time will be with four boys in the tub!  Yes, it will be double the trouble!

I went out and bought a huge box of diapers the other day-- size three.  How little!  It has been two years since Dennis wore that size.  I wonder if they will even fit Fischer.  Both the boys look very healthy compared to Dennis when we first got him, if they end up being smaller we'll have the diapers for them to grow into.

20 cookbooks have been ordered in all so far!  At $25 each after printing, binding, and shipping costs, that makes $400 raised towards Doyle and Fischer's ransom!  I am so thankful for everyone who continues to join us in this journey.  It is such a blessing that you have chosen to help bring them home.  Since we are doing this together, I promise to share as much of the journey as I can with you-- especially when we travel.

Blessings to all of you.  Hope you have a great week!  Stay well-- because I know that the flu is going around and it is no fun!

You Guys Rock!

Praising the Lord!

12 cookbooks have been ordered!

4 more window sticker decals have been ordered too!

Thank you so much!

I think I have emailed all of you-- just waiting to her back from you.  If I didn't email you, please email me again.  thereed8@yahoo.com

I have been sick the last few days so I didn't get a chance to work on the cookbooks, but now that I am feeling better my goal is to get them out on Monday.
As for all the silent auction items-- I am working on those too.
If you ordered a cookbook in addition to winning silent auction items, I will be mailing those out together.

As for the adoption-- I emailed immigration after we were fingerprinted and they got back to me earlier this week.  It was actually our officer that got back to me which obviously means we have been assigned one!  This is normally a step that takes a few weeks so I am pleased with our progress.  She said she is processing our application as quickly as she can.  Let's pray for next week!

I am slowly gathering and buying clothes and baby items.  As Dennis got bigger we got rid of everything baby so we have nothing. Starting from scratch... again.  Oh my.  But I am not worried.  We had nothing when we committed to adopting Dennis and yet somehow we had everything we needed for him.
I am so in awe of the Lord's provision for this adoption.
Your desire to partner with us continues to humble and amaze me.
Thank you so much! 

Reed Family Cookbook Fundraiser

25 for 25!

Please check this out! Here is a cookbook I put together with 25 of our favorite family recipes that we make over and over.  From compote to cinnamon rolls to meatballs to apple crumb dessert this book has a little of everything.  

For $25 you will get a color printed, binded, 8 1/2 X 11 recipe book that is filled with our favorite recipes! Shipping included!

Please consider buying a cookbook.  All donations will go towards Doyle and Fischer's adoption.

Since I will be making these books as orders come in please allow seven days from the time you order.

Thank you!

Silent Auction Winners

The Silent Auction Has Ended!  The winners are posted below.  Thank you so much for bringing us closer to meeting the financial needs for this adoption.  You may be the winners of this silent auction, but the real winners are Doyle and Fischer.  Soon they will be home with us. . .  orphans no more!  Please email me at thereed8@yahoo.com if you bid and won one of the items below.

#1Bib -- $5 LizD

#2 Soft baby Book-- $10 Kristen

#3 Flannel Mickey Blanket -- $15 Nicole N

#4 necklace--$20 Catherine

#5 pink necklace-- $5 Emily

#6 necklace-- $5 Emily

#7 necklace and earrings-- $15 Sarah

#8 necklace and earring set $15 Maribeth

#9 necklace -- $10 Shari

#10 necklace-- $10 Robin's Nest

#11 green cuddlebug--  $20 Vivian Bowles

#12 red cuddlebug--  $25 Tanya B

#13 tote bag--  $10 GarolG

#14 Middle School Book-- $15 Maribeth

#15 (Just for Me Bible)--  $10 Maria G

#16 (Just for Me Friends) -- $10.00 Maria G

#18 redemption book--  $20 AllisonD

#20 collage-- $20 Votemom

Blessings!

Silent Auction Update

Thank you to all who have bidded so far.  There are only two days left before the auction ends.
Here are the items with the current bids beside them.   Blessings and happy bidding!

 Please check out the Silent Auction of the following items.  As you already now, every dollar raised will go towards Doyle and Fischer's adoption.   If you are interested in bidding on an item, please leave a comment with your name, the item number and the amount you are bidding.  Please start the beginning bid at $5 or more with increments of at least $5. All items were made with love-- and I know that everyone who contributed worked hard!  Thank you for that.
The silent auction will end at noon, March 6, 2012.

1.
Current bid $5 LizD

Crocheted bib by Rachel Reed

2. 
Current bid $10 Kristen

Soft Baby Book (9in X 10in) by Christine Christine Robins

3.

Current bid $15 Nicole N

Flannel Mickey Blanket (approx. 3' X 4') by Christine Robins

4.

Current bid $10 Elizabeth $20 Catherine

Gorgeous Hand beaded necklace by Elaine in Germany  (approx. value $10)

5.

Current bid $5 Emily

Gorgeous Hand beaded necklace by Elaine in Germany  (approx. value $10)

6.

Current bid  $5 Emily

Beautiful Hand beaded necklace by Elaine in Germany (approx. value $10)

7.

Current bid $15 Sarah

Beautiful Hand beaded necklace with matching earrings (set) by Elaine in Germany (approx. value $20)

8.

                                                                 Current bid $10 Sarah  $15 Maribeth

Beautiful Hand beaded necklace and earrings (set) by Elaine in Germany  (approx. value $20)

9.

Current bid $10 Shari
Hand beaded necklace by Elaine in Germany (approx. value $10)

10.

Current Value $10 Robin's Nest
Hand beaded necklace by Elaine in Germany (approx. value $10)

Hand beaded necklace by Elaine in Germany

11.

Current bid $20 Vivian Bowles

Cuddlebug doll  (approx 12 in tall) by Anna Deaton

12.

Current Bid $25 Tanya B

Cuddlebug doll  (approx 12 in tall) by Anna Deaton

13.

Current Bid $10 GarolG
14X12 sewn tote bag by Christine

14. 

Current Bid $10 Robin's Nest  $15 Maribeth
Book donated and written by Kathy Cassel. Check her out on Amazon! 

15.

Current bid $10 Maria G
Book donated and written by Kathy Cassel.  Check out her Just For Christian Girls site!

16.

Current bid $10.00 Maria G
Book donated and written by Kathy Cassel.

17.

Current bid $0
Book donated and written by Kathy Cassel.

18.

Current Bid $20 AllisonD
A wonderful adoption story perfect for bedtime.  Check out their blog here.

 19.

Current Bid $0
Beautiful Cross Pin made by Crystal.  Check out her Etsy shop!

20.

Current Bid $20 Votemom
Beautiful Collage (approx. 10X8 in) by Emily.  Check out her Etsy shop!

Thank you for walking this journey with us.

We Did It!

John and I got our fingerprints taken for immigration!  Praise the Lord!  Our appointment isn't until March 13th, and when I called to ask if we could come in early the person on the phone said no.  Still John and I took a leap of faith and drove to the USCIS office to try and get fingerprinted anyway.  The worst that would happen is they would turn us away and tell us to come back on the 13th.  But that didn't happen.  They accepted us without an appointment and we were in and out in less than 30 minutes!

Immigration approval is usually the longest part of the adoption paperwork and we are one step closer to getting it!  Woo-hoo!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you for everyone who continues to give with their hearts.  Little by little we are getting closer to having all the funds needed to rescue Doyle and Fischer from the baby house!   We feel incredibly blessed  knowing that you are all on this journey with us.

Just in Time for St. Patrick's Day

Shamrock earrings!

Only $8!

Protect yourself.  Don't get pinched this St. Patrick's Day!

Just imagine.  Not only will you be partnering with us by helping with the adoption costs for two precious little boys, but you will also have something cute and green to wear for St. Patrick's Day!

Please email me if you would like a pair.

thereed8@yahoo.com

Order by March 14 to make sure you get them in time!