Christmas Campaign for Bailey!

Reece's Rainbow's Christmas Campaign is back.  Andre and AJ are home and thriving.  Now it's time to find a family for Bailey!

So, meet Bailey.  There isn't very much information given about her.  He's 6 or 7 and in Latin America.  Bailey is a beautiful little girl! She attends kindergarten. Bailey is potty trained and is beginning to learn other self care skills, but she relies heavily on her caretakers for her daily needs. Bailey also has a congenital heart defect, which was repaired in 2017. 

There is a video of her.  I can tell you that she is amazing and so deserving.  

Check back often for fund raisers as we get into November and December.  The goal is $1,000 and I'll need lots of help and support to get there!

Just a note---I start fund raising in October but only donations made during November and December will count toward the $1,000 goal.  I'll start fund raising now and holding on to the money until November 1st.  If you would like to make a straight up donation, please wait until November 1st!

Current Fund Raisers:
*Map Ornaments.  Customizable.  $3 each plus shipping.

*Scarves and Skirts for Sara.  Hand knit items.  50% of each purchase from now until January 1st will go to Bailey's grant.

*Plexus.  All of my new commission earned from September through December will go to Bailey's grant.  I love my Plexus products and the benefits I get from them.  Feel free to ask questions!

*Ornament Sale.  Make a donation to Bailey's account of $20 or more and Reece's Rainbow will send you a Christmas ornament with his picture on it.  November 1 - December 31.

*Color Street.  All commissions from this link will go to Bailey during October, November, and December.  If you're new to Color Street, join my facebook group to learn more.

Upcoming Fund Raisers:
*Online Auction.  October 20-November 1st.  

*Dress Down Day at Batavia High School - November 22nd. 

Past Fund Raisers:


If you are looking to purchase any gifts this Christmas season, I encourage you to join the Miracle of Adoption Christmas Campaign Virtual Vendor/Craft Fair.  You will find all of your usual sellers (Tupperware, Avon, LuLaRoe, etc) while also finding crafters with one of a kind gifts and many who will take special orders just for you!  Let's help more kids find families instead of supporting corporations and big box stores!

Miracle of Adoption Christmas Campaign is Coming!

For the last several years, I've participated in Reece's Rainbow's Christmas Campaign.  The goal of the campaign is to raise $1,000 for a chosen child's grant and to do everything you can to get their face out there and hopefully find them a family.

In 2013 and 2014, I advocated and fund raised for Kimberley.  Sadly, her country has closed to US adoptions.

In 2015, I decided not to participate because we had just moved and I was beyond stressed with my new job.  I was really missed it and wished I had made the effort.

In 2016, I picked Andre.  He was just a little chunk of a baby waiting for a family in Colombia.

Now he's home, thriving, going to school, getting the medical care he desperately needed and being loved every day.

In 2017, I picked Lianne but then found out she was being adopted to Italy so I changed to AJ.  He now has a family who loves him dearly and are working to bring him home as soon as possible.

So, now I'm gearing up for 2018.  I was informed today that any child 5 and under can be a part of the campaign.  So, I'm rethinking my choice and planning and plotting my fundraisers.  I'll let you know who I picked as soon as it's official.  (Although the choices for kids 5 and under in Latin America are pretty limited.)  

But, I also want you to consider participating.  I know $1,000 sounds like a lot but it's doable.  And, if you don't get there, that's ok too!!  The most important thing is getting kids faces out there!  You never know who might see them and decide they should be part of their family.  I certainly never thought my childhood friend would end up adopting Andre and that her teaching friend would adopt AJ.  You just never know!  

*If you think you might adopt someday, this is a great way to get your feet wet with fund raising and find out what works and doesn't.

*If you think it might be fun but aren't sure if you can do it, there is a facebook group that provides support for everyone participating.  There is also a group just to promote fund raisers.  And, I'll gladly help you with ideas and marketing.  You don't have to be super crafty or creative.  You just have to find a niche item that will sell.  Pinterest has a million ideas.

*You can always grab a friend or two or a group to help.  Last year, I did a dress down day at work with a raffle and made more than half of the goal that way.  People want to help kids.  People want to support you and your efforts.  You just have to ask!  

*If you don't want to choose your own child but you want to help me share fund raisers or host fund raisers (maybe you have a great idea or your own business), just let me know!!  I'll always take some extra help.

Check out all the kids on Reece's Rainbow that are five and under and see if one of them tugs at your heart strings.  Sign Ups will be at the end of the month.  

Boys 0-2 with Down Syndrome Here

Boys 3-5 with Down Syndrome Here

Girls 0-2 with Down Syndrome Here

Girls 3-5 with Down Syndrome Here

Boys 0-5 with Other Special Needs Here

Girls 0-5 with Other Special Needs Here

Miracle of Adoption Christmas Campaign for Lianne

Once again, I said I wasn't going to do Reece's Rainbow's Miracle of Adoption Christmas Campaign.  I have work and grad school and Sara and too much to do.  But last year worked out so well, I just couldn't help myself!!  (Andre is now home!)

So, meet Lianne.  There isn't much information given about her.  She's 3 and in Latin America.  She's clearly beautiful but her picture breaks my heart.  She needs love and comfort.  She needs a family!

Check back often for fund raisers as we get into November and December.  The goal is $1,000 and I'll need lots of help and support to get there there!

Just a note---Only donations made during November and December will count toward the $1,000 goal.

Current Fund Raisers:
*Scarves and Skirts for Sara.  50% of each purchase from now until January 1st will go to Lianne's grant.

*Plexus.  All of my commission earned from September through December will go to Lianne's grant.  I'll be writing a post about Plexus and the benefits off it soon.  In the mean time, feel free to ask questions!

*C&E Baby Blankets.  $10 of each blanket purchased will go to Lianne's grant.  Just mention Lianne when you place your order.

*Homemade Lip Balm, Sugar Scrub, Bath Salts, and Bath Melts.  50% of each purchase goes to Lianne's grant.  Custom scents and flavors available.

*Ornament Sale.  Make a donation to Lianne's account of $35 or more and get a Christmas ornament with her picture on it.  November 1 - December 31.

*Teacher Tired Shirts and Hoodies. Through November 24th.

Upcoming Fund Raisers:

*Dress Down Day at Batavia High School - December 8th

*Genesee Country Christian School's Christmas Bazaar - December 2nd - 4120 Long Point Rd, Geneseo, NY - 10AM-3PM


Past Fund Raisers:
*LuLaRoe Pop-Up.  Online.  November 6-10.  Any sales made this week benefit Lianne.  And LLR matches the donation of the consultants!

If you are looking to purchase any gifts this Christmas season, I encourage you to join the Miracle of Adoption Christmas Campaign Virtual Vendor/Craft Fair.  You will find all of your usual sellers (Tupperware, Avon, LuLaRoe, etc) while also finding crafters with one of a kind gifts and many who will take special orders just for you!  Let's help more kids find families instead of supporting corporations and big box stores!

Fairy Godmother

Over the 5 years that I've known about Reece's Rainbow, I've done some advocating and fund raising for some of the kids from Latin America.  I haven't done nearly as much as some people but I've been pulled towards certain kids sometimes.  I sell Avon and hand knit items year round to help waiting children and adopting families.

Some of the kids I've advocated for are home---Mark.  Some are still waiting ---James, Phillip, Vaughn.  Some are stuck in a country that isn't processing US families right now --- Kimberley, Lene.  One passed away before she got the chance to know the love of a family --- Monet.  One I will get to meet this summer --- Josie/Seraphina!

And then, there is the one who is being adopted by a childhood/high school friend of mine.  The one who will live less than an hour from me  The one I will be able to greet at the airport.  And spoil on his first birthday with a family.  The one I will get to watch grow and thrive.  Then there is  --- TJ/Andre.

And, guess, what?  I have the right to do all of those things because I am officially his Godmother.  Because every former orphan deserves one more person to spoil him and love him and pour into his little life.

His new family crashed Sara's dance class yesterday to officially ask us to forever be in his life.  I'm so honored and touched.  (Although I was very confused at the time.)  You can watch the video here:

If you want to help this amazing family financially, you can purchase Avon, buy some hand knit items, make a tax-deductible donation through Reece's Rainbow or make a donation directly to the family to help with upfront costs.  You can also order 31 or buy some great World Down Syndrome Day Shirts.  (Or this style shirt.)

Angel Tree - Kimberley - Year 2

I'm not going to lie, I'm sad to be advocating and fund raising for Kimberley again this year.  I wasn't going to do the Angel Tree project again this year (I'm pretty busy with my own little munchkin, Avon sales, knitting, and 5/5/5 for families) but I just can't let this little girl down.  She needs someone to gush over her progress and take before and after pictures.  She needs a Christmas stocking and gifts.  She needs LOVE!  She NEEDS and DESERVES a family.  

I'll be working hard this Christmas season to raise money for her grant.  I hope that people will help by ordering items and sharing fund raisers.  More importantly, though, I'd love for my friends, family, and followers to SHARE HER!   She needs to be seen.  She needs to be loved and cherished.  

As you probably know, I found my daughter through an organization called Reece's Rainbow.  Each year at Christmas time, they have a huge Angel Tree project with a goal of raising $1,000 for hundreds of children on their site.  This money is held in a grant and then used to help pay for that child's adoption when a family is found.  (Sara had $0 in her grant when I committed to her.  $1,000 would have been a huge blessing!)  

Again this year, I have signed up to raise money and awareness for Kimberley.

She is an adorable 7-year-old in a country that I love in Latin America.  The country has a very small international adoption program.  For a long time, the country leaders felt that kids with Down syndrome were unadoptable.  Some brave families have worked very hard to change that perception.  Wouldn't it be great if Kimberley was the next one to show them that kids with Down syndrome are wanted by families?

I'm working on a virtual craft/vendor fair that will raise money for Kimberley, for my friend Emily's AT child, and for the school where I work.  This fund raiser has the potential to be huge.

I'm also thinking about ways to raise the rest of the money.  Just in case the local fund raiser isn't as epic as I'm planning.  

*All orders from my Scarves and Skirts for Sara page will benefit Kimberley during the months of October, November, and December.  It's not too early to think about special orders for Christmas!  I've found some great Christmas ruffle fabrics for really fun scarves.  

*10% of all AVON orders from my Avon site will benefit Kimberley during the months of October and November 20% of all sales from AVON will go to Kimberley during December.  (I am part of the Virtual Craft Fair that benefits the IDSC during October and November so they get 10% of all orders as well.)

*I will have some items in a large group auction that will benefit multiple children in November.  (I'll post the link as soon as I have it.)  

If you would like to help in any way, please let me know!  If you are interested in helping your own child this Christmas season, you can check out the Angel Tree page on Reece's Rainbow.

*Anyone who makes a donation of $35 or more to any child on the Angel Tree will receive an adorable ornament with the child's picture.  What a great gift for those people on your list who have everything!

Angel Tree Success!!!

As I'm sure you all know, I found my daughter through an organization called Reece's Rainbow.  They have a huge event every year at Christmas called Angel Tree.  I was VERY hesitant to participate.  I've always been more for supporting adopting families than waiting children.  It just makes more sense to me to pour the resources into children that have families coming than ones that are still waiting.  (That could be a whole blog post in and of itself but it's just my opinion.) 

I decided I would only participate if I could have Lene as my child.  By the time I got around to signing up, Lene was no longer available.  So, I picked Kimberley.  She's about the same age and in the same country.  I didn't feel as passionately about her but I had already come up with some good ideas for fundraising so I decided to try it.

While working to raise funds and awareness for her, I have now fallen in love with her.  I want nothing more than for her to find a family and to grow and thrive the way Sara has.  My students also worked hard to raise money for her.  At least one of them asks me almost daily if she has found her family yet.  (Someone is going to have to adopt her before they drive me crazy or their little hearts break!)  

How could I not be in love with her?  

I've decided that I will continue to raise money for her until her grant reaches $5,000!  That will put her on a different page on the Reece's Rainbow site and get her some more visibility.  Hopefully, that money will also get her a family of her very own!  I will most likely not be holding any more big fundraisers for her but I will continue to donate 50% of each item purchased from my knitting page to her grant.

With the help of a lot of different people, I was able to raise $2,084.43 for Kimberley during the months of November and December!!!  That's insane.  I was worried I wouldn't be able to get all the way to the $1,000 goal but my friends, family, and students came through in a big way.

Please don't check my math.  It won't be perfect but here are the fundraisers I had and the approximate amounts they raised:  

*Scarves and Skirts for Sara raised almost $300 for Kimberley.  Because she was over her goal, I was able to give some of the money to other children and families.

*I had a Cards for a Cause fundraiser through Usborne Books that raised over $200.

*The students in my program raised over $1,300 in a coin drive competition.

*The auction for Kimberley raised over $400.  Because she was over her AT goal at that point, some of her money was donated to Lene and Chance.

*I hosted a Paparazzi Jewelry party with my friend Emily.  We were each able to raise $50 for our girls from the actual party and about $20 went to her girl Lanie from the online party.

*The rest of the money came from online donations and ornament purchases.

I love the idea of giving back at Christmas time instead of just focusing on shopping and parties and food.  I'm glad I chose to participate and am once again blessed by the generosity of those around me.

Now, who wants a to adopt this darling little girl?  Don't you all want a "Sara" of your very own?  

Near and Dear

I don't often write posts about waiting children but, just in case you've been reading the blog and feel a tug at your heart, let me introduce you to some of the kids that are near and dear to my heart.  (All of them happen to be available to single mothers.)  

Vaughn

Boy, born January 2007

Down syndrome, otherwise reported to be healthy

What a handsome young fella!  I adore how he’s standing with his hands in his pockets.  Vaughn is already 6, and at a great age to join his forever family.  This is a great program with a wonderful agency partner.  Hope you will consider Vaughn as your son!

Seriously.  How cute is this little kid with his hands in his pockets?  He's making eye contact with the camera and standing still.  I think those are both really good signs of his development.  There isn't much info on his RR profile but I'm sure the agency has more.  I'd love to see this little guy find a family before he gets any older!  

And, the kicker?  He has $16,360 in his grant!!!  That's more than half of his adoption covered!  (Sara had $0 in her grant when I committed.)  That kind of grant is a huge blessing to his future family!  

Kimberley

Girl, born Feb 2007

Down syndrome, congenital heart disease and hypothyroidism. Mental delays.

Report dated 2010

Kimberley is predominantly cheerful.  In the orphanage the girl is described as a sociable, smiling, loving, quiet girls, who enjoys being with other persons. Her sleep is normal. She enjoys eating pretty food, so the orphanage gives her vegetables, eggs, iron, etc.. However, they still give her vitamins and avoid foods with lactose.

Her communication is usually through gestures, cries and guttural sounds.  General gross motor and fine motor delays, common for a child with Down syndrome.

She participates in group activities and plays in partnership with other children.  She is cautious with strangers but she adjusts quickly to their presence.

This is the little girl that I've been advocating and fund raising for this Christmas season.   I've worked hard to build up her grant.  I plan to continue to do so until her grant has at least $5,000 in it.  Right now, she has $4636.93!  That would be a great start for her future family.  

During the last two months, I've really come to care about this little girl.  My students raised over $1,300 and ask me regularly if she has a family yet.   (I have to find her a family or they are going to drive me crazy!)  

Lene

Lene (pronounced like Renee)

Girl, born August 2010
Down syndrome, congenital heart disease, language delay

What a doll baby!  Love her little pigtails!

Lene responds to expressions of affection from other persons. She can adapt to any social environment.

As of February 2012, her report said that the she attends therapy 3 times a week.

This is the little girl that I would go for in a heartbeat if I was in a position to adopt again.  I love this little girl so much!  She's only 3.  She be 4 or 4 1/2 when she came home if a family started right now---the same age as Sara.  I really think she'd grow and thrive in a family the way Sara has done.   I will cry lots of tears of joy when this little girl finds a family.  I just hope it isn't years from now!  

Her grant currently has $5968.75!  

Mark

Boy, Born August 2006

Down syndrome

UPDATE Nov 2013:  Mark is doing well, andd his overall health is good!!   
We did not receive any information on the treatment he received for leukemia — but GOOD HEALTH is GREAT news!!

UPDATE December 2012:   It has been determined that sweet Mark is also battling leukemia.  We are waiting for additional medical testing and details, but PLEASE pray for him and help us find his forever family!  THANK GOD for a new photo, he has grown so much!   Trying to get his new photo in a larger size, but SO glad to finally have one!   Mark is up and walking and doing SO well!   Updated info coming soon!

 This gentle boy has smooth, baby soft skin. He has dark skin and dark hair, potentially from an African/black parent. He is just darling, with a round chubby face. He was born on 8/2006. He enjoys playing with toys and with other children. His legs are rather weak so he scoots around quickly to reach his destination. He smiles brightly when he is spoken to. He waits for his loving family because he has Down syndrome. His family will be so lucky to be able to help this angel reach his fullest potential!

This poor little guy has Leukemia.  It will take a very special family to commit to him but he needs a momma so badly!  Can you imagine a poor child battling Leukemia without a mother to hold him?  It's unthinkable.  

Mark currently has a grant of 10,773.40!  A third of his adoption is already paid for.  

James

Boy, Born May 2011

Sweet baby James!   Healthy besides his Down syndrome, and waiting for his forever family.  Full medical and social history available.

This little guy was in an orphanage that I visited briefly last year.  I didn't get to meet him but just knowing he was there as drawn me to him.  He's so young!  He needs to be getting Early Intervention services to help him reach his potential!  There isn't much information on his profile but I know that his former orphanage would have provided a lot of information about him. 

James currently has $5,398.13 in his grant!  That's a lot of money to get a family started.  

All of these kids deserve and need a family!  All of these kids would make great additions to the right family.  All of these kids have lots of money committed to their adoptions already.  All of these kids have a piece of my heart.  

As we quickly fly into the Christmas season, take some time to sit and think about your family and what it looks like.  Do you have room for one more?  

Meet Phillip

How precious is this little boy!  I've always been attracted to his angelic nature.  He doesn't have Down syndrome and he's in Latin America so he doesn't really get much attention on the Reece's Rainbow page or forum.  He just looks so sweet and precious.  

Here is the description of him on his Reece's Rainbow page:

Birth Date: 04/12/09
Gender: Male

Dysgenesis of the corpus callosum, congenital cervical scoliosis, and hypoplasia of the first finger of the right hand

Phillip was given up for adoption shortly after birth.  He is constantly smiling.  He is very social and frequently seeks to have company.  His weight and height are lower than the normal range for his age, but with a high-calorie diet and a dietary supplement he is expected to reach a normal weight and height.  He suffers from a speech delay for which he has been receiving therapy. He is responsive when adults play with him and has been making great progress with the therapy he receives. Phillip is an easygoing little boy who is earnestly waiting to be united with a family that will provide him with the care and love he deserves.

Phillip has a significant language delay, but his vocabulary and verbal productions are increasing.  He communicates using single words, gestures, and signs.  He recognizes and points out his body parts, imitates animal sounds, follows rhythms, dances and sings songs.   He understands and performs routine and simple tasks.

Phillip enjoys to interacting with adults and peers. He looks for help in adults when he has needs.

Video available through the agency for inquiring families.

Some of those words are pretty scary looking but not so bad if you google them.  His description sounds like he is doing well and making progress.

If you've followed the blog and thought, I could do that or I want to do that or I'd like to help someone else do that, now is your chance.  

*Phillip only has $18.00 in his grant currently!  The Latin American kids tend to be overlooked.  The kids that have issues other than Down syndrome also tend to be overlooked.  Maybe, if we could get a good grant going for him, his family will be less intimidated by the cost and the process.  If you'd like to help his future family and  make a tax-deductible donation, you can do so here.

*If you order something during the month of September from my Scarves and Skirts for Sara page, you can choose for 50% of the sale price to go to Phillip's grant.   (More detailed information about the Scarves and Skirts can be found on the blog.)

*If you are interested in adopting Phillip, or another child with special needs, you can find out more at Reece's Rainbow New Family Info page.    The specific requirements to adopt Vaughn's country are:  (He is also in Latin America.) 

• Single heterosexual parents may adopt
• No family size restrictions
• Both parents must travel to the country and stay until completion of adoption — approx 5-7 weeks (one parent may leave after a week or two)
• Estimated total cost $21,000-24,500

Join me in praying that Phillip will find a loving family that can help him reach his full potential!

The Nelms Family

Meet the Nelms family.  The Nelms family looks a lot like the Keller family.  Right now it's Tiffany.  Soon it will be Tiffany and "Pepe."  I "met" Tiffany in an online adoption group.  We've had lots of chats about adopting and parenting as a single mother.   Tiffany is still working on getting her profile set up with Reece's Rainbow.  However she has a profile on Give Forward to help raise upfront costs.  

Here is what her Give Forward Profile  has to say about Pepe:

Pepe is a very sweet 6 year old boy with special needs. The adoptive family needs help to raise the money to get him home!!

Pepe is a 6 year old from South America with special needs. He has an adoptive family identified, but they need help raising the $24,000 it will cost to complete his adoption. Due to his special needs his adoption needs to be completed as soon as possible.

If you would like additional information about Pepe, you can read about him on Reeces Rainbow orphan ministry website.

Due to restrictions of the country, his photo and real name cannot be made public.

Here is what Pepe's Profile says on Reece's Rainbow:

Boy, born 2006

Mental delays, coming from an indigenous community.

 As of this little boy’s report evaluation when he was five years and nine months old, he was thriving in his foster home with a foster mom and other children in that home unrelated to him. Pepe has been in this foster home since December of 2011 when he had lesions characterized as a form of erythema. Pepe belonged to an indigenous community but was removed because of his physical condition so that he could be available for adoption. Because of his indigenous background, this little boy will likely not be adopted within his country and for this reason is available for adoption internationally.

Pepe had 7 biological siblings but has not had any contact or relationship with them. This child was diagnosed with moderate mental delays and his report describes that his facial features resemble that of Down Syndrome. He was placed in adoption because he was being severely neglected and was in a poor physical state regarding his lack of good nutrition.

Pepe’s report from just before he turned 6 shows that he was at a low height and weight for his age and had poor communication skills. He is reported to have difficulty learning as characterized by his low concentration/attention abilities, low language ability, low expressive and comprehensive communication skills and delays in kinesthetic movement. He is reported to be easily confused by questions and does not answer questions at the level of other children his age.

Nevertheless, Pepe’s picture shows a very happy and engaging face. He reportedly loves animals and plays well with children who are younger than him. He also enjoys watching TV and playing ball, along with other fun activities that require movement. While frustration and inability to communicate can influence him to become aggressive at times, in general, Pepe is reported to be a very affectionate, caring, warm and good-natured little boy.

It absolutely breaks my heart that coming from an indigenous community is listed as a special need.  Unfortunately, that is enough to prevent him from being chosen by a national family.  

Can we encourage this great young woman?  It takes a lot of courage to adopt and even more to adopt as a single mother.  Tiffany has taken an extra job to pay as much as she possibly can on her own.  Like most of us, she's not used to asking for help.  So, I'll ask for her!  Even if you can't make a donation, head over to her blog and leave an ENCOURAGING comment.  Adoption is hard.  It's exhausting.  Encouragement and support are crucial---even when they come from complete strangers.

If you love adoption blogs like I do, you can follow her journey  here.  (I'll post the link as soon as she gets it going!)  

If you feel led to donate to this amazing family, you can make a donation here.   

If you want to purchase a hand-knit item to help with adoption costs, you can do that on my Scarves and Skirts for Sara page.  (50% of the price of the item will go to the Nelms family.)

Can you find a way to support this mom who is working so hard to get her son home?  

Meet Vaughn

How precious is this little boy with his hands in his pockets.  I'm impressed they got a boy that age to stand still to take a picture!  

Here is the description of him on his Reece's Rainbow page:

Boy, born January 2007

Down syndrome, otherwise reported to be healthy

What a handsome young fella!  I adore how he’s standing with his hands in his pockets.  Vaughn is already 6, and at a great age to join his forever family.  This is a great program with a wonderful agency partner.  Hope you will consider Vaughn as your son!

Not really a whole lot there.  It's one of the shorter descriptions that I've seen.  I'm sure the agency has more information on him.  He's such a cutie.  I can't believe he's still waiting.

If you've followed the blog and thought, I could do that or I want to do that or I'd like to help someone else do that, now is your chance.  

*Vaughn has $11,553.00in his grant currently.  This is a great start!  This will cover about a third of the final cost of his adoption.  (Vaughn has a great group of people working to increase his grant right now.)  If you'd like to help their effort and  make a tax-deductible donation to help his future family, you can do so here.

*If you order something during the month of August from my Scarves and Skirts for Sara page, you can choose for 50% of the sale price to go to Vaughn's grant.   (More detailed information about the Scarves and Skirts can be found on the blog.)

*If you are interested in adopting Vaughn, or another child with special needs, you can find out more at Reece's Rainbow New Family Info page.    The specific requirements to adopt Vaughn's country are:  (He is also in Latin America.) 

• Single heterosexual parents may adopt
• No family size restrictions
• Both parents must travel to the country and stay until completion of adoption — approx 5-7 weeks (one parent may leave after a week or two)
• Estimated total cost $21,000-24,500

Join me in praying that Vaughn will experience the love of a family while he is still young!

Meet Mark

Mark's picture breaks my heart every time.  He looks so sad in that first picture.  His updated picture makes him look older but not any happier.  

Here is the description of him on his Reece's Rainbow page:

Boy, Born August 2006

UPDATE December 2012:   It has been determined that sweet Mark is also battling leukemia.  We are waiting for additional medical testing and details, but PLEASE pray for him and help us find his forever family!  THANK GOD for a new photo, he has grown so much!   Trying to get his new photo in a larger size, but SO glad to finally have one!   Mark is up and walking and doing SO well!   Updated info coming soon!

609-02 This gentle boy has smooth, baby soft skin. He has dark skin and dark hair, potentially from an African/black parent. He is just darling, with a round chubby face. He was born on 8/2006. He enjoys playing with toys and with other children. His legs are rather weak so he scoots around quickly to reach his destination. He smiles brightly when he is spoken to. He waits for his loving family because he has Down syndrome. His family will be so lucky to be able to help this angel reach his fullest potential!

Yes.  You read that right.  He has Leukemia.  He is battling Leukemia without the love of a mom.   No one should go through that without a mom to hold their hand.  This poor little guy needs a family to help him fight for his life.  

I'm not naive.  I know that it would take a very special family to pursue the adoption of a child with Leukemia.   I also know that there are parents out there that would take on this challenge.   Mark has been listed for so long.  I pray daily that he finds a family before it's too late.  

If you've followed the blog and thought, I could do that or I want to do that or I'd like to help someone else do that, now is your chance.  

*Mark has $10,523.40 in her grant currently.  This is almost half of the cost of his adoption!!!  If you'd like to make a tax-deductible donation, you can do so here.  

*If you order something during the month of June from my Scarves and Skirts for Sara page, you can choose for 50% of the sale price to go to Mark's grant.  

*If you are interested in adopting Mark, or another child with special needs, you can find out more at Reece's Rainbow New Family Info page.    The specific requirements to adopt Mark's country are:  (He is also in Latin America.) 

• Single heterosexual parents may adopt
• No family size restrictions
• Both parents must travel to the country and stay until completion of adoption — approx 5-7 weeks (one parent may leave after a week or two)
• Estimated total cost $21,000-24,500

Join me in praying that Mark will experience the love of a family before it's too late!

I'm Not Done

Last week, I started packing up Sara's 2T clothes for a friend who is adopting two little girls.   I even sold a couple of things that Sara doesn't need/use in an online yard sale.  Then, I panicked.  I found myself staring at a little girl over and over and realized I'm not done.

I want nothing  more than to pick her up and hold her forever.  

There are a lot of parallels between pregnancy/childbirth and adoption.  One of them is that, when it's all over, you think:  That wasn't so bad.  I could do that again.  That's where I was this week.  I was researching her country (a different one than Sara was in) and it's requirements.  I tried to research different agencies that work in her country.  (I could only find one.)  I tried to figure out how to time things so I could travel next summer since I don't have any sick time.  I watched her grant grow and tried to figure out how I could pay for another adoption.  I tried to figure out how much harder two would be than one.  I contacted another RR family who is adopting from her country.  

After all, who wouldn't want to wake up to that little face every day.

Then, reality hit.  While Sara is doing VERY well and has transitioned better than I ever thought possible, it would not be fair to her to start another adoption right now.  We've been home for less than 2 months.  She still needs to bond with her mom and learn what a family is.  She has come so far and has so far to go.  While I want to be Lene's mom, Sara has to be my top priority right now.  While I'm not ruling out another adoption in the future, I can't pursue Lene right now.  

I pray daily that she won't still be waiting for a family when the time is right for me to pursue another child.  She'll be 3 this summer.  Her country seems to have a rather long process but, if a family committed right now, they could probably have her home for her 4th birthday.  Help me make her 3rd birthday the last one she celebrates without a mom.  Consider adopting her; donate to her growing grant; post her picture and info on your facebook; write a blog post.  Help this little girl find her forever family!  Don't make her wait for me.  

My little family--for now. 

So, how's the adoption going?

In all honesty, this is starting to be my least favorite question ever. It's kind of like when you are a senior and everyone wants to know what you are going to do after graduation. I really don't know how the adoption is going. I've never done one before. I have nothing to compare this to.

I can tell you this: It's long. It's hard. I'm emotionally exhausted.

(I don't think that's what people really want to hear.)

On the other hand: It's amazing. I feel so supported and blessed. I can see God's hand in it.

I feel like I should have a daily update for everyone but really, most days, I just fill out, copy, and notarize more paperwork. I send it off to someone....somewhere....who doesn't seem to be in nearly as much of a hurry as I am.


Regardless, here's where I am in the process right now:

I have completed all the things I need to do for the home study. I've been waiting for a draft from my social worker. She emailed today to say that she will submit it to the state by Friday! FINALLY!!! It then has to be approved by the one person that reads home studies for the entire state. Please pray that she has a slow week next week and gets to it immediately.

I have completed my paperwork for Homeland Security and Immigration. As soon as the homestudy is approved, that paperwork will be sent to a lockbox. I have no idea why they call it that but it doesn't sound promising, does it? Again, please pray that the right person will get my paperwork and that it will be processed quickly!

While I am waiting for that paperwork to be processed, I will compile the rest of the documents for the dossier to go to Latin America. This is a lot of the same paperwork for the homestudy but now has to all be notarized. (This means another visit with my doctor to get a letter she didn't give me last time. Oh, boy!) Thankfully, we have a notary at work who has been very gracious to me and is great to work with! That saves me lots of time!

When that's all approved, I get a date to travel. I will then have to be in country in 3 weeks or less. Yikes! Can't wait and am scared to death to spend so much time in a country, with a child I've just met, but alone. Definitely going to be a life experience I will not soon forget!


The other question I dread: How much money do you still need?
Honestly, I really have no idea. I know that I am about $1,000 short of my program fee. I know that I will need another big chunk when I submit my dossier and some more to travel. I haven't sat down and figured out what I've spent so far or what I still need. I'm a little afraid the number would cause a numbing fear.

I know that God will provide. I've seen it happy so far for me and I've seen it with tons of other RR families in the last month. I appreciate every gift and everyone who has donated.

As soon as I have the official home study, I can start applying for grants. After that, we'll see what happens. I have seen God work so much in this situation that I have to believe he will provide!


The question I hate to answer in person but have lots of answers for: What can I do to help?

1. Pray. I have seen God working and answering prayers. I know it's because there are so many people praying for my little girl to get home quickly. It's the only answer! Please continue to pray for both of us through this process. Pray for those who are caring for her now and for those people who will process our paper work.

2. Repost my blog on your blog. Post it on your facebook. Tweet about it. Spread the word about Sara and about Reeces Rainbow. Long after Sara is home, there will be more little children around the world needing homes.

3. If you are a coffee drinker, both Just Love Coffee and Furnace Hills Coffee are giving a portion of their sales to Sara. FHC even made Sara's blend---specially created to support Sara's adoption.

4. If you feel led to donate, you can donate on the ChipIn on the right or on my FSP on Reece's Rainbow.

5. It's not too late to donate an item to my Give Away that will continue for the rest of the month of April.

6. A few of the women in my small group are planning to host a Yard Sale in early June and donate the profits to Sara. This is still in the beginning planning stages but I wanted to put the idea out there. If you have items that you would like to donate to be sold, please let me know. I will let you know more info as it is available but wanted to let you know that this is coming up. Start cleaning out those closets and the garage!

Above all, just continue to be the amazing, supportive, encouraing people that you have been to me for the last 2 months!

Full Financial Disclosure

I have gotten some well-meaning and good-intentioned questions about the financial ins and outs of international adoption. In the interest of full disclosure, I want to list out some of the costs and explain how this all works. I want people to understand what they are donating to and what I am contributing personally.


Costs and Fees:
1. On Reece's Rainbow, the entire cost of adoptions in this area of Latin America is listed as $21,000-$24,5000.

2. I did a lot of research before committing to a home study agency. The one that I found was by far the cheapest--$2,500. This has been paid out of my previous savings.

3. Immigration Fees - $795

4. Adoption Agency Fees - $16,350 - This includes Program Fee, Paper Work Fees, Foreign Service Fees, lots of legal work.

5. Country Fees - $4,800 - This includes Attorney Fees, Translation Fees, Document Fees.

6. Travel Fees are separate from this. This includes my round-trip ticket, Sara's one-way ticket, lodging and meals for both of us for 4-6 weeks. Estimates are around $7,000.


My Plan:
1. I have some savings that I am using for the upfront costs and will apply as much as I can towards the travel costs.

2. I am applying for every grant I can find. I can't complete these applications until my home study is complete and approved. This should happen around April 1.

3. I am planning a few fundraisers. I will promote these on my facebook, blog, and within the Reeces Rainbow community.

4. When I get a travel date, I will take out a loan for whatever funds I still need.


What you can do to help:
1. Pray! This is, by far, the most important contribution.

2. I am available for babysitting, tutoring, odd jobs, whatever I can do to earn a little extra money.

3. The coffee fundraiser will continue until August 1. These funds come directly to me to help cover the travel costs. You can purchase coffee here.

4. I am hosting a Give Away in the month of April. If you have any items you would like to donate, send me an email or leave a comment here. Check back April 1st for the first Give Away item.

5. Consider making a tax-deductible donation to Sara's Reeces Rainbow Fund. This money goes directly to pay the Immigration Fees, Adoption Agency Fees and Country Fees. You can do that here.

6. Please feel free to repost this blog, these links, Sara's RR page, anything that will get her story out there.


I have been truly amazed and blessed by all the support I've received from my friends and family, as well as strangers in the Reece's Rainbow community. I appreciate all the well wishes, contributions, advice, gifts, and love that Sara and I have received. I am brought to tears almost daily by this process and the response of the amazing people in my life.

And, just in case you are wondering, I am going on vacation to Mexico in June. Anna and I purchased this trip as a groupon back in October--long before I started this process. I wish now that I had that money back but the entire trip has already been paid for. So, I will go and thoroughly enjoy my last trip as a single, childless woman.