First Day of Kindergarten! My Girl is Growing Up!!!

 

My girls...Caroline, starting kindergarten, and Claudia, who is entering the 3's/4's class at preschool.  I am truly blessed.

I Hate Fundraising! Just Keepin' it Real.

I hate adoption fundraising....but I LOVE the end result.  It is also a necessary thing for those of us that are not independently wealthy.  And, most of us that adopt are NOT in that situation. :)   These days, as I am fundraising for my 3rd adoption (been fundraising pretty much nonstop since 2006), I almost feel like friends/acquaintances/family want to run the opposite direction when they see me coming because they fear that I will be asking them to help with a fundraiser or asking them for money (with the exception of adoptive families...they GET IT).   Well, that might be the case.  Just keeping it real here.....if I ask you to help it is because I value you or what you can contribute.  If I ask you to participate in a fundraiser I usually think you will have a positive reaction.   If I ask you to participate it's because I truly need the help....truly,  I'm not one to ask for help if I can take care of it myself.   I would like to summarize this post by thanking God for the wonderful people that have never wavered in their assistance with my adoption fundraising process.  You are truly Jesus 'with hands and feet.'  I will never forget your willingness to help....and you know who you are.

 

  I will end this post by thanking God for my daughters...two that are at home, and one that is waiting in China.  I love you more than you could possibly know.  You are my light and my joy.  You are my everything.  I love you 'to infinity and beyond,' as Caroline says.  :)

I Need Three of Me!

Every day I think of Cameron, the 12-year-old sweetheart that I am adopting from China....everyday I think of the paperwork that needs to be completed so that my dossier can be on its way to China.  And everyday I am overwhelmed with all of the other things that have a deadline and must be done.  And, I have two beautiful daughters that I like to give my attention to......and while spring semester concluded at the end of April, I am now teaching a May term course....and will be presenting a session at a national conference next week.  *sigh*    I am not complaining....just wish that there were three of me to get things done.  I know that there are many parents out there that have the same issue, I don't 'corner the market' on this issue.  So, right now I feel like I'm barely treading water.  Ultimately I am very blessed and just need to get over it and get things done!

Just Received Pre-Approval to Adopt Cameron!

I just received word today from my adoption agency that I have pre-approval to adopt my next daughter, Fu Wei Hu....she will be named Cameron Alexis Wei Hu.    I am so excited.  Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow.

Bring home Cameron from China!

I am beginning the process to adopt my 3rd daughter!  God has called me to adopt a beautiful 12-year-old girl from China.  She is in Yancheng, Jiangsu Province.   I will travel in 10 to 12 months.   I plan to take my 5-year-old daughter Caroline with me as well as my sweet friend Anne.    I would greatly appreciate it if you are so called to help me with expenses.   I will need to raise approximately $22,000.   Thank you so much in advance!

Updated Pictures of My Girls!

 

 

These are the most recent family pictures that have been taken.  As you can see, my girls have fun together and love to be together.  They are the joys of my life.  So much so that I am starting the process to adopt another daughter, this time from China....a 12-year-old girl who will age out of the system before too long.  I can't wait to bring her home so that her two little sisters can love on her.  God is good.