"When you did it not..."

Yes, I am WAY behind on my blogging. But, here I am! The dawning of a new era - I'm trying to make a new commitment to keep inquiring minds in the know! I am so blessed and I want to shout it from the rooftops! Okay, since my last post, I have new daughter! Okay, quick recap...I adopted my Max from Russia in 2011. I was planning on adopting from Russia again, but Putin banned all international adoption with the USA. I spent about 9 months grieving and waiting, hoping that I would be able to get the precious little boy and girl that I had met there. But, it wasn't to be. So, after viewing several profiles and thinking "there is no way I can choose," I decided that I was to simply "be still." It was then that it became clear. A friend of mine had introduced me to the profile of a precious little boy. She thought that God was leading her to adopt him, but he led their family in a different direction. It wasn't until I was "still" that I realized that God was leading him to me! I contacted the proper people who promptly told me "oh, you don't want him - he's not as smart as the others." Well, that confirmed it - he is to be a STICKLEY! IQ has never even crossed my mind as a criteria when it comes to adoption! So, after some extreme violence, blood shed, and foul language... okay, not really... it was more like unsuccessful negotiations, change of agencies, and begging God to lead me in the right direction, I committed to 4 year old Moses (aka Maddox on Reece's Rainbow). They basically told me that it would take about 4 years to complete his adoption. That's okay, 8 year old boys deserve families, too. Then I got the BIG question... "we need someone paper ready who can adopt this little girl FAST - she ages out in 5 months." FIVE MONTHS! Adoptions take 12-18 months! FIVE MONTHS! A TEENAGER???!!!! F I V E M O N T H E S !!! I read her medical file and all I really read was a bunch of words because the message that I kept hearing was "when you did it not to the least of these...". So, after a race against the clock, I traveled to China and signed adoption papers THREE DAYS before my Ava Monet Stickley aged out! And guess what... just before I left I got a call that Moses' paperwork was ready! TWO?! TWO adoptions in a year?! "When you did it not to the least of these...." Then, while in China, we visited Ava's orphanage. She introduced us to her nannies and some of her friends. They brought me two little boys, one of whom walked up and took my hand. He looked deep in my eyes and we both burst into tears. It was a magical/spiritual moment that words can't begin to describe. I knew, right then, that he was my son. Annie looked at me and said "Mom, we have to come back for him!" Then, while still looking deep in my eyes, he said the unthinkable..."Mumma?" And all I could think was "when you did it not to the least of these...." So, that is how Amos' adoption began. THREE ADOPTIONS IN ONE YEAR?!!! I will post more later about the red tape part of things. The important thing is that I am blessed beyond belief!

Behind The Eight (e-hem)...Make That, Behind the Christmas Ball!

So, I was trying to do a new blogpost at least every Saturday. I was off to a good start, and then....life is just interesting! A process that usually takes 90-120 days during adoption was expedited because of Ava's (Jada's) deadline. Well, expedited it was to take 30 days. Nope - God answered in a BIG way! 8 DAYS!!!! Did you hear that? E I G H T DAYS!!!! That threw me into a paperwork shuffle like you wouldn't believe! Compiling my dossier and getting all of the necessary seals and approvals. Then as I pulled into my driveway from the courthouse with my paperwork, I noticed three scarecrows, five pumpkins, two hay bails, and lots of pots of dead mums to great me! I realized that I hadn't even had a chance to take down my fall decorations. Which means, I also haven't had a chance to begin to decorate for Christmas! AS I was in the snow and ice taking down the fall decorations, I have to admit that I had thoughts of simply stringing lights around them and hanging mistletoe over their heads. So, now I wait in this ice to go to Annapolis for one final step of authentication. Planning on leaving in just a couple of hours. Also, tomorrow night is the end of the Auction For Ava (Jada)! If you haven't visited the Facebook page, please do so. Many items without bids. Also, the puzzle fundraiser is still going, albeit slowly. Please consider helping! Behind the 8 ball and behind the Christmas ball. Buried in paperwork and buried in ice. Yep, it's beginning to look a lot like adoption!

LESSONS FROM A CORNUCOPIA!

Cornucopia! Can't think of it without thinking of 1) thankfulness, and 2) fruit! So, how big is your cornucopia? Is it bigger than your complaint department? What kind of fruit is being produced from your life? What are you thankful for? What is in your cornucopia? I am so thankful for this life that God has chosen for me to walk. I have a gorgeous 22 year old daughter who amazes me with her strength, and has given me the most precious grandson! I have a sensitive 14 year old daughter who WOW's me with her creativity, and challenges me just by the way she walks out her faith. And I have the cutest little blonde haired blue eyed son who was born on the other side of the world, but was brought into our lives in a way that only God could orchestrate! Now, we are blessed to be adding Ava (Jada) to our family! Thank you to all who have donated to our puzzle fundraiser! This week's winner is Cheryl B-Ann! CONGRATULATIONS!!! She won a jigsaw puzzle, but generously donated the puzzle and shipping back to the fundraiser! THANK YOU!!! For every $10 donated to her fsp or directly to paypal (tinalynn3@gmail.com), you can have a name added to the back of a puzzle piece. Every week until all pieces are sold, I will do a drawing from the puzzle pieces bought and the winner will receive a jigsaw puzzle! Or, make a donation in memory or on behalf of someone, and I will e-mail you a picture of the puzzle piece with the name on it so that you can print it out. We, also, have an online auction happening! YAY!!! Just go to https://www.facebook.com/ChristmasAuctionForAva?ref=hl to see what's available and maybe do some Christmas shopping. While participating in fundraisers and donating to causes, you are not only expanding your cornucopia, you are storing up treasures in Heaven! As we enter Thanksgiving week, please examine the size and contents of our cornucopia - since they will have eternal results!

Here we go again! YAY!!! I have been ready to adopt again for quite some time, but God had not opened the doors for that to happen - not until now! I was sent a video about a little girl who is turning 14 in February. Annie and I watched the video and Annie said "that is my sister...". So, why not?! Right? At the piont in which she turns 14, she would be moved to an institution and would no longer adoptable. Can you imagine? Think about it... it's your 14th birthday, a day that others celebrate with cake, ice-cream, friends, games/activiites, but not for you...it's the day when you get moved to a place you've never been, left with people you've never met, and you are told that this is where you'll be until you die...that you will never have a mom or dad?! I can't bear the thought! These are words that I am praying that my precious Jada (whom I'm plannin on naming Ava Monet) will never hear! The race is on! Homestudy update is complete and I am applying for USCIS approval on Monday! Please pray that they expedite the process! It typically takes 90 days to get approval...I need approval in 30! After I send in the USCIS application, I will contact senators and local reps. to put them on stand-by, in case I need their help with USCIS. And, I'll be working on my dossier. As you can see, this doesn't leave much time for fundraising. But, I need to fundraise. So, I have 2 fundraisers that I will be doing very soon! I am excited about them! They are fun family projects that I think others will greatly enjoy! So, that is it! I'm looking forward to you meeting my girl!

Wed., Oct. 27th - WOW, What a year!

Well, it was exactly a year ago that I met my son! Mighty Max is so amazing! I love him so much, and I love how my Annie is so wonderful with him! They have a great relationship! Max has been overstimulated today - big halloween party and parade of costumes at his school, trip to Walmart, and birthday dinner for my mom! He smiled when he got home and saw his bed. I had the same reaction when I saw mine! Overall, we are all doing well! I am hoping that things will continue and I will be able to commit to adopting another little boy early next year!

I will try to do a better job updating this blog. I have found it difficult to maintain the e-mail connections for work that I need to, keep fb updated, and update this blog. Now that we are all healthy and settled into the new school year, I will try much harder to post here. THANK YOU to eveyone who have followed on here and have supported my family!!! May God richly bless you in return!!!

July 26, 2011

Holy cow! Just when I thought everything was better, I caught pneumonia - AGAIN! I have spent the summer resting as much as possible and using what energy I have with my kiddos! We went to the beach for week - Max LOVED it!!! Pix are posted on fb. Since we've been home, Max had his vision exam and he needs glasses. We go tomorrow to pick them out. I'm looking forward to it - it'll be fun. Today he had his orthopedic eval. and the Dr. said that braces won't help him. He said to just buy shoes witha good arch support. It has been four months since we got home with Max. In just four short months, it is hard to rememeber life without him. And Annie is such a wonderful big sister - a true role model for her little brother!

Sun., May 29th - Dedication Sunday!

Max was dedicated in church today! HOORAY! Annie went forward with us since she is a member of the church and such an active part in his life. Max immediately took a dive for Pastor Ron - he absolutely loves him! Ron tried to handle Max, a mic, his Bible, his glasses,... it was kinda commical. I was able to relieve P.Ron for a little while, but Max wanted to go back to him. Next thing - Max reached up and planted a big wet one right on Ron! It was really sweet. Pastor even said, "if you hanen't gotten to meet Max or haven't had one of his kisses...". This was followed by a wonderful service. It was great!

The afternoon just kinda flew by - lunch, dishes, laundry, nap,... then got Annie back to church for youth group. Now, time for bed. Bunches to do tomorrow!