Seriously, Wyatt? You Asked TWO SISTERS to Be Your Valentine???

charity, their "sister across the sea!"
can you help bring her home???

it is true, wyatt asked 2 sisters, ragen and lucy to be his valentines!   i consider deanna, their mommy, to be a very dear friend, although we have never met in real life!   we "talk" a lot on facebook, as well as by phone and email.   she is my sister in Christ, and i have grown to love her and her family over the past few years!   i "walked" alongside her during their adoption last year of lucy, and we're excited about their adoption of charity this year!    please pray for them, and donate as you can to help them raise the funds they need to bring charity home!   they are currently having a "vacation get-away giveaway!"   every $10 you donate gives you a chance to win a vacation that includes airfare for 4 to anywhere in the continental united states, as well as a hotel stay!   what a great giveaway!   please visit their blog, "the 21st chromosome....a blessing in disguise" to donate and follow their story!   you can also donate by clicking on the charity's "button" in the sidebar!  


enjoy what deanna has to say about her girls! 
"Lucy likes to eat, and Ragen doesn't. Lucy is my chocoholic and Ragen can eat her some strawberry ice cream. Ragen likes to go go go and Lucy likes to sit and cuddle. Ragen is a singer and VERY vocal, and Lucy loves to just smile and watch her big sister. They both LOVE Signing Time and Sesame Street. They both love their bath that daddy gives them every night and then they sit one at a time at mommy's vanity while mommy does their hair. Ragen is learning to be a great big sister...she is beginning to help mommy push her little sister in her stroller or grocery cart when we are out and about. They love to play catch with each other and pretend feed each other and have on occasion, as of recently, gone upstairs into their bedroom, shut the door and played together without me!   I'm sure that Charity will make a wonderful addition to this dynamic duo and they will become a fabulous trio! "

I heard the craziest thing, Lucy...I heard that Wyatt asked BOTH OF US to be his Valentine!!!!    Isn't that the silliest thing you ever heard?

But we are NOT going to let this tear us apart!   We are sisters and best friends.... no boy, not even one as cute as Wyatt, is going to come between us!!!   I PROMISE!!!!

Who am I kidding?    You better believe I'm gonna be Wyatt's Valentine!!!!

Mommy, I don't want to tell Ragen, but I'm saying "YES" to Wyatt too!!!

A California Girl? Meet Wyatt's Lovely Valentine Laura!

laura's newest sister,
autumn!

today's valentine is a CALIFORNIA GIRL, lovely laura!   her mama and sister are my facebook friends, and i just love their family!   they love the Lord and are faithful Christians whose witness is a beautiful testimony!   their family is currently in the process of adopting adodable autumn (aka donna) from eastern europe!    autumn will turn 3 on saturday;  you can follow their adoption journey on their blog, anticipating autumn!   please be in prayer for them during this time, and consider donating to the costs of their adoption!   you can donate by clicking on autumn's picture in the sidebar!

Laura loves dancing, music and musical toys. She also likes to do puzzles and give lots of hugs and kisses. She loves nursery rhymes and likes to sign them, especially "the itsy bitsy spider","the wheels on the bus" and "patty cake"!  Laura loves pushing toys around, especially her stroller with her doll in it and her shopping cart.    She LOVES bathtime!   Funny but true.. Laura loves following us around as we are vacumming and tries to get in front of the vacuum and touch the light on it.

Laura's favorite foods are breads, pastas, rice (all the starchy foods..haha), ice cream (even though she can only have the soy kind), and Rice Krispies cereal. She loves crackers and signs it off and on ALL day long!

What doesn't Laura like? Furry animals, dolls with lots of hair, doctors/nurses, getting her teeth brushed and face washed and peas!

Laura LOVES her siblings; Travis (21), Ashley (19), Cody (10) and Landon (4)!  Before bed, Laura's nighttime routine is that Travis sings "twinkle, twinkle little star" to her as he lifts her up in the air and sways back and forth with her. Just when he is ending the song she crunches her legs up and yells out (her way of singing the very last part of the song)!   {oh.my.word!!!!   completely adorable!}  She also loves to play with her Landon a lot!  He can't give her enough kisses and hugs...wont leave her alone...haha. But she likes it :)

What else does Laura like?   Wyatt, of course!!!  

And she said "YES!"     She will be Wyatt's Valentine!!!

What Can YOU Do to Help? "6 Day Miracle" Guest Blogger Patti Rice

my friend patti (a perfect lily), is at it again! a family desperately needs to raise a lot of money in a little bit of time, and she is doing what she can to help! read their story, as shared by patti, and give what you can!!!!

I read the words of a friend last night, and as is typical of posts written by mamas rescuing their babies from orphanages across the world, it cut me to the heart. I read it with my girl tucked safely in the crook of my arm, her golden head laying softly against my neck, and I gulped back hot tears trying to read the words out loud to Sam.

"You read it," I said, because I knew it was pointless to go on. There is something beautiful and powerful about mamas and daddies sacrificing finances, time, and energy to rescue a child who is going to require extraordinary amounts of care and effort once they are home. There is something amazing and rare about families who will put everything on the line, including and especially their hearts, for a child who by the world's standards is broken. There is something pure and noble and absolutely right about that kind of love- the love that says it doesn't matter what it takes, I am going to rescue this child, and nothing is going to stand in my way. The love that faces seemingly insurmountable costs and mountains of paperwork and risks what family and friends will think about traveling across the ocean to save a child you've never met before, one that many people might say wasn't really "fit for life" in the first place. So when I read this mama's account of the very first time she met her little girl- it didn't matter that I've read several dozen similar stories- they get me every time. I want you to read this account, that of a mama rescuing her daughter. I want you to listen to the words spoken by a five year old little girl... ...and if you're a parent, imagine your child saying them... About 5 minutes in, the door opened and someone pushed our girl in the door and shut it.

She was stunned. It seemed she had not been made aware of what was happening or why, and she regarded us quizzically at first. We were stunned.  The picture had turned in to a person! My mind was literally swimming, I could not remember a.single.word. of Russian. I couldn’t remember how to greet her, or how to tell her she was absolutely gorgeous, or how to say I am your Mama.  Nothing. Just complete shock.

Then I remembered I had a Disney princess doll in my bag to give her. I pulled it out, and she smiled.  I asked if she wanted to sit on my lap, and she did.  The director and doctor began talking again, but all I could do was stare at the sweet, brown pigtails swishing in front of me. Her little hands turning the doll over, as she began to speak a little bit.  She began to realize what was happening.

We were there FOR. HER.

Our sweet little Vi.

She looked up and asked me “What is your name?” in Russian.  I told her “Lora. Mama.”  She looked straight to Dean, “What is your name?”  He told her “Dean. Papa.” She looked to the director and smiled “Mama! Papa!”

Everyone was absolutely beaming, and perhaps had just a glint of tears in their eyes.

“I kept asking for you!! Mama? Mama? Mama? When will you come??” she said, according to our translator. 

Five years is a long time to wait for this. Or this...

Or this...

I can't imagine Lily never knowing the security of having a mama to tuck her in every night, to hold her when she's hurting or comfort her when she's sad, never knowing how it feels to be desired and loved. I can't imagine what goes through a little girl's mind for five years, wondering when her mama will come take her home, waiting for the day she will walk through the doors of her orphanage, dreaming about that elusive, imaginary angel.... Mama? Mama? Mama? When will you come??

Yesterday I received an email from a friend...another amazing mama who traveled last year to rescue not one, but two children. Patti, I wanted to see if you could help me out by posting on your blog about the Dirkes family. You see she contacted me today just heart broken and at her wits end. Her faith is shaken and my heart has gathered her burden. She leaves in one week. Yes, 7 days and she still needs at least 7k for this trip. Grand total is still about 17k. I am asking for your help because I was in her shoes not long ago and it is heart wrenching. It takes all you got to get through a day. The tears seem to never end. You pray there will just be one person who hears your cry. You pray until you have no words left just hoping someone will help. Patti, financially I cannot help her, I have made donations but not nearly enough to help. I have heard her cries and I cannot just sit back and hope she gets her funds. Her daughter Charlotte holds a special place in my heart; she was the one I would of chosen if we didn't choose Varvara. So, this leaves me to contact people who I know can help. Please go to her blog and see if you can help. Post a story, anything you can think of.... Ann Plummer I went to Ann's friend's blog, and recognized a sweet little face I donated to a few months ago...and again a few days ago, in honor of another friend's birthday wish. Little Charlotte met her mama and daddy last November. They are traveling in six days to see her again, and go to court to make her theirs. Six Days.

 Six days to make a miracle happen. Do you think we can do it? With God's help, I believe we can. Charlotte's mama, Kelly, emailed me yesterday, after I said I would do everything I could to help. There are no words to thank you and the others who have stepped up and spoken out for us and for my girl. I knew this journey would give me the opportunity to learn a great deal about being a momma and about Down Syndrome...but I didn't know just how strong this community is. Well, Kelly- you're about to find out. I say that not because I have confidence in Lily's blog, or in my own words, but because I serve a BIG God. And I'm part of a faithful and generous community, one who rallies around its own. Charlotte is our own, friends.

 She's been waiting for her mama all of her life, waiting and hoping for someone to come and take her home. “I kept asking for you!! Mama? Mama? Mama? When will you come??”

 Lily's readers have responded so many times to the needs of orphans. You've given so much to help these families find and rescue their children. Will you help me again?

Will you help us make a six day miracle happen? Will you help save a little girl? Because Charlotte is our own.

I know Lily's readers, and I know it doesn't even take a giveaway to move you beyond compassion, and into action. I know the face of one beautiful little girl who desperately needs her mama is enough to move you to give. But a giveaway full of amazing prizes is always nice too:)   (and thank you, Kelly, for letting me hijack your giveaway!)

Here's how it works....

1 chance=$10 donation

5 chances=$25 donation

20 chances=$50 donation

All donations are tax-deductible and go directly to the Dirkes's grant fund through Reece’s Rainbow.  They can be made using the Chip-In at the top of my sidebar on the right.

Kindle Fire

Canon Rebel DSLR camera (with lens)

Petal Knot Dress from Willow Bean Creations

Custom made t-shirt from If You Say Sew

Starfish necklace from The Vintage Pearl

Pearl, bracelet, and earring set from Kay Jewelers

Insulated Tote from 31

Autographed copy of Alton Brown’s book “I’m Just Here for the Food”

Autographed “Hopkins” from Rachel Coleman of Signing Time

$150 gift card for Kimberly Wilson's TranquiliT (an amazing line of clothing for anyone who loves yoga...or comfort)

$50 gift card for Planet Jill

$50 gift card for Scentsy

$50 gift card for Hanna Andersson

$50 gift card for Target

$25 gift card for The Adopt Shoppe

 

$25 gift card for Wal-Mart

$25 gift card for Starbucks

$25 gift card for Olive Garden

A jar of Renee Tam’s famous toffee

A batch of oReshki, traditional cookies from Charlotte’s country

Kelly sees who donated on her chip-in, so you do not need to leave a comment to be entered to win. She will announce winners on her blog on February 6th, the day they leave to see Charlotte.... We need that chip-in to be at $13,300 for the Dirkes family to travel on February 6th. I believe in miracles. Do you????

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Change Ahead....

change (definition):  to make radically different; to give a different position, course or direction to; to make a shift from one to another; to undergo transformation, transition or substitution. 

I DO NOT LIKE CHANGE!!!!   do you?   do most people?  i don't believe that most people like change, but i could be wrong!   

CHANGE is what my life has been about for the past few months!   ethan graduated from high school, one of my very best friends moved, ethan has gone to college, i no longer hold a leadership position at church that i held for 10+ years, we changed one of wyatt's therapists.....the list goes on and on and on....

these changes have been exhausting....physically, emotionally, mentally.....whew!!  i am ready for this whirlwind of change to STOP!!!   

but some change is HAPPY change!!!  my friend christie and her family are about to undergo a tremendous change in their lives as they adopt andriy (jadon) from an eastern european country!!!   you can catch up with their adoption over here, and read more about how God has been at work in their lives to bring them to this place!!   please, please, please donate what you can to help bring their sweet boy home!   they are very close to traveling, and just need a little extra (last minute change) funding!!!   give what you can, and pray for them as God guides them on this new and exciting journey!!! 

Happy 4th of July Lucy!!!!!

as we celebrate the 4th of july this year, a little girl half way around the world has gained a freedom that she never knew she was missing!   little lucy marie sader (melanie in my sidebar) was granted her adoption to rob and deanna sader today in a court in the ukraine!    we are praising God for this answer to our prayers!   her parents, who she only met a little over a week ago, have been on the journey to adopt her for the past 10 months, and are so excited that the judge said "YES!" today! 

"kind of loud, mama!"

their adoption and the other adoptions that i have followed and supported reminds me of how blessed we are in the united states.  especially on this day that we celebrate our freedoms, freedoms that we often take for granted!   i am particularly thankful that our wyatt was born in a country that accepts him, where we can give him every advantage.   there are so many little ones born in other countries who are not accepted because of their disability.  and that is heartbreaking.....

so how did we celebrat the 4th today?  we attended our local parade and then enjoyed a steak dinner at home as a family!  a relaxing, low-key day.....

forrest and caleb

"those sirens are too loud!"

"hi kate!"

"finally, some music!"

me and my dad!