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Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Post Office joy!

I am happy to say that since we moved our fundraising to the new site, we have been making regular trips to the post office. I don't mind doing it-each package is a reminder of the love and support we have received during this adoption process.

Several weeks ago there was a special package among the others to mail.
This one: destination South Korea.

A small box containing more love and prayers than any other.
I can only pray that it was felt when it arrived.
I hope our child's foster family can understand our letter of gratitude for their love and care.
I hope that our little one's feet are snug and warm in his new slippers. But mostly, as he looks at pictures of his forever family, I hope that some how through God's miraculous plan, his heart just knows we are coming.

Fundraising flash: We are placing the hoodie order on Wednesday. The bundle for my bundle matching donations is still in full swing. The generous total thus far is $105...but remember, there is a $200 match offer. See THIS POST for all the details!

Friday, January 27, 2012

What's in your junk drawer?


Since last summer's yard sale we have had the cutest pair of brown Converse in our kitchen junk drawer. I'm not sure who put them there or why I let them stay there for 9ish months. As I would shuffle through looking for a notepad or pen, not an easy task, I would take a minute to notice the shoes and sometimes pray for the little feet that would wear them.

Now, I have a certain set of feet to picture wearing them. (Although, I haven't actually seen Carson's bare feet, I can only assume they are as cute and pudgy as the rest of him!)
(Please, don't pass judgement on my junk drawer. Just keeping it real. :)

We should receive some news next week about approximate travel time.

Our "Bundle for my bundle" donations are still being received. See Monday's post--we have graciously received $95, but have a matching donation of $200. If you have ever considered a donation toward our adoption fund, now would be a great time!

Our last hoodie order (until fall) will be next week. Shop www.gotloveadopt.com.

Have a great weekend. I think I'll be nesting.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

The Perfect Shepherd

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep." John 10:11

I have always loved the verses in the Bible that referred to the Lord as the shepherd. I enjoy the picture of Him gathering and caring for his people, his herd, his sheep.

"Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture." Psalm 100:3

Before Jesus, there was not a leader that completely, unselfishly cared for the people. They did try, but being of human nature, their sin nature, they would at some point put themselves in front those they were called to protect.

"I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord." Ezekiel 34:15

The only one who can truly tend to the sheep is the only one who can lay down his life--only to take it up again. If a shepherd wholeheartedly cared for his flock, he would be willing to die to protect it--but then his flock would be completely vulnerable, left with no protection at all. That is unless he beats death and returns to shepherding his herd. Jesus.

"He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young." Isaiah 40:11

God's perfect shepherd was and is His son.
We are valuable and vulnerable.
We are not a number. He knows us.

All sheep are valuable and vulnerable.
This includes the unborn and the fatherless.
How will they ever know the love of an earthly and, more importantly, heavenly Shepherd if they are snuffed out or left to navigate this world on their own.
They are valuable and extremely vulnerable.
They are not a number. He knows them.
Will you consider "shepherding" a lost sheep?


I am longing to hold my baby sheep.



Monday, January 23, 2012

A bundle for my bundle!

Here is a chance to receive a "got love? adopt." bundle
to help me get to hold
my bundle.

Your bundle = 3 Minus 1 Project items of your choice

My bundle = our sweet son and brother

As many of you already know, we received and accepted a referral from South Korea at the end of November.

We are extremely hopeful that we will be traveling to bring him home within the next 3 months.

To help aid us in our funds, we are offering 3 items from our fundraising site,


Your choice of items (jewelry and hoodies are exempt, sorry. We don't "stock" those.)

The possibilities are endless:








For every $5 donation, we will "thank you" with one entry.

You can design the perfect bundle of adoption gear for you.

Only one person will get to pick their prize bundle but EVERY entry takes us one step closer to holding and bringing home the perfectly created bundle for us.

I just now (Mon. 10:30 am) received an email offering to double every donate up to $200. If you have ever felt led to donate to our adoption fund..now is the time! I am in tears...so thankful.

Thank you!
Bundle winner revealed Friday, Feb. 4.

Friday, January 20, 2012

New t-shirt logo

After the many comments we have been receiving and much pondering we have decided on a new shirt logo.

It goes like this:
Front of shirt
"Yes, thank you, we are well aware of the cost of college tuition and we are adopting another child anyway."

Back of shirt
"Have a great day!"

What do you think? ;)

Tune back in on Monday for a fun way to help us finish out Carson's adoption!

Have a great weekend. Adopt on!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Josh Kelley - Naleigh Moon




I came across this video this morning and had to share. Finally, a music video that is worth watching. Take a minute to watch. I have read that Katherine Heigl is very close to her sister that was adopted from Korea.

I love the adoption ripple effect!


Wednesday, January 18, 2012

(-1) Hoodie anyone?

I've received several emails asking about our Minus 1 hoodies. They are back on our fundraising site.

Every adoption = minus 1 orphan.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Miscellaneous Monday

I haven't written one of these random posts in a while. I am finding it fitting as our life is very random right now. So here is a glimpse into our days this month.

1. The word on the street is that the Korean Ministry will not be issuing any EPs this month. EP=exit permission AND the last thing we need before we can arrange our travel to bring Carson home. For us, this is a bit frustrating, but for many families that have been waiting much, much longer it is undoubtably heartbreaking. Please pray for the Korean ministry to move forward with the best interest of the children that are waiting.

2. After looking over past posts, I realized I didn't post anything from Christmas. We, did indeed, celebrate and here are some pictures to prove it!

Lucy's Gingerbread Mermaid..no idea.
3. Ben came down the other day to let me know that his math lesson had a very strange question. He was convinced his word problem read Sarah left the house and returned at particular times. But it asked "What is the length of the manatee?" I think we need to get out more often...the word was matinee. (At least he knew what a manatee was!)

4. I am a bit disappointed that we have reached mid-January without a decent snowfall. If you have some...please send it our way! I'm convinced that this is because for the first year, I think, we had to buy boots for both boys. You know they are remaining in the bag with the tags and receipt in case we don't get to use them...thank you, Walmart!

5. If you have ever considered a small pet, the guinea pig is the one to try. This thing is so cute! (I did an early post on Smokey.) He seriously has such a happy personality. His cage sits in Ben's room at the end of the hallway. Whenever anyone comes up the steps he jumps up on his house that Ben made him for Christmas and just squeals. So funny during the day, not so much late at night or early in the morning. He does the same thing when he hears a bag crinkle, assuming it is a treat for him.
6. I am amazed at what my four can accomplish during a 15-20 minute school break. Last week this is where I found them.
Amazing, as well, how quickly it is constructed but how long it takes to clean up! I'm not even sure that all the cushions have been returned.

7. We are working at adding some amazing jewelry to our store. Here is a sneak peek--remember we only have one of each. Another great idea for Valentine's day. Pass our fundraising site, www.gotloveadopt.com, on to the one who loves you!
8. And I leave you with a picture that colors a thousand words:

Have a wonderful Monday!

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Jumpin' on the Seoul Train...


I found these shirts from a fundraising South Korean adoptive family. I bought one for myself and when it arrived, I wished I had bought them for my boys, too. (I am hoping to give the shirts to them for Valentine's day.) I contacted the family and they weren't selling them any more but gave me the name of the company, Fund the Nations, that had the design.
I'm trying to put together just one order--25 shirts. Please email me, takva73@gmail.com, if you would like to order one. You can donate through paypal or mail a check.
All three colors are available in sizes youth XS (4/5) through adult XXL.
$15 includes shipping

Thursday, January 12, 2012

I600 Approval!

Wow!
That is all I can say.
Tim walked in the door with our approval yesterday.
I was shocked.
As many of you know, the adoption process usually doesn't move very quickly.
Our I600 moved quickly....22 days quickly!!

That is the last piece of paperwork we were waiting on.
Now, we wait on the Korean government to issue an "exit permission".
EPs have been all over the board since last spring.
So, we are back to a wait and see.

But one thing I know....
we are one HUGE step closer to our son in South Korea.
One HUGE step closer to there being
MINUS ONE
orphan in the world.


Wednesday, January 11, 2012

The Frosty 5K

Looking over pictures, I realized that I didn't do much posting around the holidays. I really do much better keeping up when my boys have school. When we are in our regular routine, even with homeschooling, I have more "alone" morning time. I use that term lightly because I am far from alone...but in a little less of in-demand than later in the day.

Our local running group had a 5K and mile race on Christmas Eve morning. Lindsey had been asking about doing a race.
She did a great job!
She waited with my dad while Tim, Ethan and I ran the 5K.
She was so excited about her medal and wore it for several days.
Lucy was quite impressed with the medal.
And I was quite impressed that as she hobbled around the next day, she kept asking about when she could do her next race. She definitely has her grandpop's genes! :)

Monday, January 9, 2012

If you "got love?"...

you need to "give love".

"One gives freely, yet grows all the richer..." ~Proverbs 11:24

"Changing children's lives does not require expensive playthings. Human contact is the most important ingredient." ~Half the Sky foundation

A small change up on our simple logo. If you have got love...then give it away. There are millions who wait to be loved and to know the love of the Lord and a forever family.

These shirts are available in pink and black, long and short sleeve, youth - adult sizes.
The long sleeve pink is a fitted style.

Shop today: www.gotloveadopt.com and help us bring Carson home!

Our first order will be mailed out in time for Valentines Day...just say'n! :)

Amanda--you're the winner of our new shirt. email me your short sleeve color choice/size.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Jan. GiVeAwAy...after I get off my soapbox!

A friend posted on Facebook, that as her adoptive daughter was recovering from surgery, a nurse asked her about her favorite things. She answered, "I have a daddy and 3 brothers." It made her mom (and me) tear up.

I love that her answer wasn't materialistic. She didn't answer college tuition, a Disney vacation, her own room, etc... These things are great, but I have heard all three used as reasons that people weren't adopting. I am not being judgmental here. I am simply stated some reasons that others have given to me. I think of the millions that are waiting...I don't think they are waiting and thinking of how much their college will cost their forever families.

I know as parents we need to be realistic and wise but I don't think that the rising cost of college, vacations, and house sizes should dictate our family sizes.

And now I step down (from my soapbox) and ask the give away question:

If you have love, what should you do with it?
(Besides the obvious...adopt.)

Leave your guess and if you're correct you might just win our new shirt! Design and winner to be revealed on Monday. If this is too hard, we'll add a clue on Sunday.

Monday, January 2, 2012

Be ordinary in 2012

Have you already set out all your resolutions and "hope for"s for the new year?

Here is a challenge for you...be ordinary. In a world where the best looking and most athletic seem to win...be simple. Where the outspoken and persuasive seem to be heard...be insignificant. Where the prestigious and famous seem to get noticed...be weak.
And here is why: "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. (1 Co 1:27)

I want to be chosen by God. I want to be used in anyway that the Lord chooses. God's Word is full of ordinary things that were used in incredible ways. Here's a few: a staff to part the sea, a sling and stone to kill a giant, a bag lunch to feed thousands, a stutterer to deliver His messages, a young virgin to give birth. All these were insignificant until God chose to use them. In God's hands we aren't insignificant. He will use all that we allow Him to.

Bringing it home...as I type this out, in my lap is a small, stuffed lion that is heading to South Korea this week. (We have been passing it around the house and snuggling it so it will smell like us!) It soon, I hope, will be snuggled by one very snuggly boy that has yet to know the love of a daddy and mommy. And shortly after, I hope, we will be traveling to, ourselves, snuggle this little boy and tell him that he is ours and he is loved. That is extraordinary!

In our lives when we are willing to answer "yes" to the Lord's calling...remarkable things happen. They certainly don't occur because we in and of ourselves are anything. We just need to be willing, to be obedient in the big and small, to lay down our lives so that He can use our ordinary, simple, insignificant and weak parts in extraordinary ways.

Happy New Year!