Lots of emotions today. The yard sale is over and I am feeling it this morning, so much that I am skipping church. (bad momma!). I have been working on this yard sale for 2 months now, gathering, sorting, tagging, etc. So many donations and I'm so, so, SO thankful for each and every one!! I planned on taking pictures and documenting each step, but I was literally so busy, I didn't. Lots of running around picking up donations, lots of people dropping them off, and trying to fit my family and home life in between all that. Was not an easy task and I have to say I failed at the "trying to fit my family and home life in between". I didn't even put Halloween decorations up! It was a temporary in my mind so I justified it with that. How do we justify situations like that in our minds? It is justifiable? Chalk it up to another failed attempt at having balance. Ah well, moving on....

Today is Orphan Sunday. Lots of emotions tied to this day, Aiden, Tanya.

I think I'll just leave it at that, it's Orphan Sunday, what a day to remember!

Time to "fall back" too.  Totally forgot about the time change, although Mike did not. Good for him, bad for me. He went to church, I did not (bad momma, again).  I was so, so, SO incredible tired last night and this morning.

We got to the site to start setting up for our fundraiser yard sale at around 6ish. Ehem, close, but not exactly at 6. =) We pulled in, Rhonda and her daughter Ashton pulled in right behind us, next was Mike's dad, then Krissy, a friends daughter, and then Tracey right after that, and then the other Tracy!  Everyone was such a big help to us! And I have to say, I am like a drill sergeant when it comes to organization and setting up for one of these. I have it set up in my mind and I'm a stickler for it following through and seeing it all the way through! Bless these people's heart for helping us and letting me have my way! My friends know how how hard I work to get things organized and I get crazy when those things get out of whack! OCD person, yeah that's me!

After the awesome set up, things were off to a quick start. Krissy took reins over the cash drawer, which was a huge help! I was being asked, "how much for this?" and "how much for that?" "Does this work?" and "will you take this much?" Hagglers.... enough said! LOL Shelley soon showed up when things were on fast track! She jumped right in and was a huge help! Thanks Shelley!! It seemed non stop till after lunch! We kept going through quick downpours of rain, then sun, then another quick downpour.  The people kept coming! By 4:00, our drawer was full, at least half if not more items were gone, and we were tired, so we started packing up. Mike, myself, Mike's dad and my dad were the shut down crew.  It took us at least 2 1/2 hours to pack up the remainder of items, get the canopy down, tables up (we had 22 tables up!) and get everything loaded. I.was.dead.tired. I think we left the lot at around 7 pm maybe?

We were there from before the sun came up till after the sun went down!  It was a 16 hour day, but, so worth it. I was so tired, my body hurt, all my joints ached. I didn't even count the money last night after we got home and unloaded the trucks. I took a warm shower, got Aiden ready for bed. Laid down with him at around 9:30 and was out. I woke sometime in the night, went to my bed and slept until 9:30 the next morning. I felt pretty rough and skipped church, bad momma I know, but I wasn't just tired, I was mentally and physically worn out.

Two months of preparation and planning  for this big event and I have to say, it went very, very well! I could not have expected better! I think that was the reason I didn't really want to count the cash drawer. What if we didn't get close to what I was hoping for? Will it be enough? Did we actually make a lot or just some? All I knew was that I was dead tired and was in no mood for a let down. So, sleep and rest trumped money! I let myself over sleep and rest, I needed it!

All in all, it was a good sale. But I'm glad it's over. Yard sales are hard work, don't let anyone tell you different! As far as the money drawer. Mike counted it, I have yet to touch it and it's now 7:15pm on Sunday night. And as far as the total, Mike said it came to a little over $1800! So yes, the hard work paid off. This will be such a major help to our adoption fund, which was the sole purpose in the fundraiser.

So, thanks to our friends and family for the help! Thanks to all those awesome people that donated items! And, thanks to all those awesome people who came to our sale! We could not have done any of it without you!!

The missing piece ...

Puzzles!

Who likes puzzles? Who wants to be a part of putting together a puzzle? Who wants to fill a missing piece of a puzzle? Who wants to take part in something wonderful? Who wants to help make something wonderful happen? All it takes is just a click!   Interested???   Then read on.....


See this beautiful girl?

Her name is Tetiana, or Tanya rather. She is a 16 year old orphaned girl we hosted this past summer through an organization called New Horizons For Children  (NHFC).  After bringing her here and her living with us for 5 weeks, we felt our hearts being tugged on real hard by the end of that 5 weeks. Sending her back to Ukraine was the hardest to witness.

Now over 2 months later, we are in the process to adopt her! She is the sweetest, kindest, and most nurturing girl. It's a long process to adopt her, but we are kind of on a time schedule. We sent off our I-600A three days before her 16th birthday, so we literally have six months to complete her adoption and get her home!  This is where you come in!

Six months doesn't give us long to fundraise for her adoption, not to mention we're hosting her again this winter. And let me tell you, she is so excited to come here for Christmas! So we need your help! That's where the puzzle pieces and YOU come in! I have in my possession a 252 piece puzzle that is very unique, just like that girl you see in the picture above. I can't show you the picture of the puzzle until it's completed. So this is where you come in. To complete our puzzle, I will sell a piece of this puzzle for $5 each. Each time a piece is purchased, I will write the name of the person that purchased it, on the back of that puzzle piece. Each time a puzzle piece is purchased, we are one step closer to getting our puzzle put together and getting our girl home.

So, if you'd like to purchase one or more puzzle pieces. Go to this web site.  Here, you can "buy" a piece of the puzzle, while donating to our cause, getting our girl home! Just select the Donate Now button, enter your amount you're donating and how many pieces of the puzzle you'd like to buy and for whom. I will then write the name(s) on the back of the puzzle pieces. Once the puzzle is done, I will have it set between glass and framed. That way, we can always look at our memorable puzzle and what it represents and turn it over to see all the wonderful people that helped make it possible!

So, don't be the missing piece!  Get to clicking people, we don't have much time!! And, I'd like to say, thanks in advance for all the support and prayers along the way! We could not do this without YOU!

Thanks, I needed that!

Okay, so life has been somewhat .... uh .... well .... um okay .... really, it's been a whirlwind lately!! Like, totally cray cray!  So I won't bore you with all the chaotic details. Seriously, I'd like you to stick around for a while and at least get through this blog post with me, maybe want to read future posts. Yeah? Maybe? Yeah, I know, get on with it!  =)

Life as I know it, is totally crazy right now. I had no idea how much everything was weighing on me till I went on a "girls" trip this past weekend with my two life long besties! We had planned this trip for a while, like, months ago. So far back, in fact, I had kind of forgotten about it. So the day before we were supposed to fly out, I called my friend and touched base with her. Normally, I'm not a "last minute" kind of gal, I usually plan things out pretty well, but not this time. Too much going on upstairs to even think about our trip. With every thing going on, I almost didn't go. But, I knew I needed a break so I just threw some things in a bag and went with it. If there was something I would need while there, I'd buy it. <---(This is major for me, the OCD queen, plan everything, don't mess with my plan, kind of mama!) Yeah, I was patting myself on the back for that one, totally out of character for me.

My best buds, picked me up at 6 am Saturday morning and we were off. I didn't get much sleep the night before, so I was tired to say the least! Got to the airport, got on the plane, exhausted. Got to our destination, got to the room with this view.

 It was really beautiful to see, hardly anyone there. Really, it was a perfect time to go. Ninety degrees, perfect weather, etc!  We got settled in and went down to the beach. I was so tired, but could not take a nap. Hardly any people on the beach, waves crashing, quiet, breeze blowing, and I couldn't relax.  I didn't realize it at that time, but I was overloaded, bogged down, overwhelmed and couldn't relax and enjoy myself. Just had too much on my mind. I had my book with me so I read some on my book.

I'm not one for reading books. I don't really like to read books, <gasp>  but, this one has not left me alone in over a year. It's been following me and nagging at me that long. So, okay, I'm reading it,  now back to the blog! Oh yeah, so I'm reading on the beach while my two best buds take a nap, lucky! Took a break from reading and put the book down. Was snapped out of my "zone" when one of my friends asked me "what cha thinking about?" Huh? My first thought was "nothing", but that wasn't true. I had all the happenings in the last year or so, plus thoughts of the future running circles in my head. You know the look, the blank stare, in the zone. The "duh" moment when you catch yourself staring at something for an infinite amount of time? Like you need someone to snap their fingers in your face to snap you out of it?!?  I had zoned out completely and I have no idea how long I had "checked out".  

That evening my friends and I fixed ourselves dinner in the room, ate, sat and talked for a long while. I have to say, I love my friends. They are awesome! Supportive, the.best.listeners, you name it!  Bless their hearts, they both have a lot on their plates, A LOT I tell you. But they took the time to talk with me, listen to me go on and on about things going on around me, how I'm feeling somewhat helpless in it all, and giving me some insight too. The.Best.Therapy ever! They never once asked me why I wanted to adopt Tanya. Never, ever gave me anything negative at all, only support, help and let me bend their ears, a lot! 

The next morning, I didn't want to get out of bed. I just wanted to lay in bed, and not move, feeling overwhelmed again, but my back was telling me different! So I rolled out of bed, went out on the balcony to view this again.

I took a deep breath, I felt somewhat refreshed. It wasn't till around lunch time that I started to feel somewhat normal again, whatever normal is for me these days. The cloud over and in my head had cleared some and I felt like I could function and actually laugh again. You can't be around Lee Ann and Tracy and not laugh! It's just impossible! We hung out on the beach, hung out at the pool, which we had mostly all to ourselves, check it!

Talked about old memories, fun times in our pasts, everything, laughed, it was so nice! Lee Ann, I don't know how you can remember so much from the past, just amazes me! Love that about you! We stayed out there till dinner time. It was so so SO nice being able to not have a schedule, not have to be somewhere at a certain time, do what we wanted when we wanted, ate when we wanted, went to bed when we wanted, even got up when we wanted ..... ahhhhhhhh. 

We finally went to the room that evening, showered, ordered pizza, fixed salads, and just had good old fashioned "girl" time, i.e. eating, talking, laughing, reminiscing. By then, I was getting back to my normalcy, whatever that is, and enjoying it.  

Thanks Lee Ann and Tracy - you ladies are a God send to me! I don't think I could ever repay you for our "Girl's weekend getaway"! I didn't realize it at the time, but God had a hand in it for sure. You two were brought back into my life for a reason and at a  time when I really needed it. I thank Him every day for the blessings in my life, most of all you two! So thanks to you .... I can move on, with a determination that I can tackle anything, with an open mind that I can handle anything, and with an open heart that will guide me to where I need to be. Love you girls! 

Orders of Business ...

I've come to love this lady and her precious family! What an amazing mama and person she is! See her precious little girl with the gorgeous blonde hair?



She's from Ukraine, like our girl we're adopting. I'll indulge about this awesome lady at a later time. Yeah, she said it best! Here's her blog post. Read it! :)

I'm Listening ....

The hubs and I met with our Social Worker yesterday for the second time. I have to say, I am loving our Social Worker. She is the director of our Home Study agency, has A LOT of experience, and really is investing her time with us and our plan to adopt Tanya, our Ukrainian beauty.

Seriously, she has really impressed me in our two meetings we've had with her. She wants what is best for Tanya, and us, which is not going to be an easy task. She's really talking in depth with us about what we should expect through this whole process AND what we should expect in the future with Tanya as a member of our family. Our meetings seem to go longer each time. And that's easy for me to see. I love to talk about adoption, our kids Taylor and Aiden, and Tanya. 

But it's not always the fairy tale. Sure, on the outside everything looks great. I mean really, as far as adoptions go, most are trying to bond with a picture of a child at first. It's easy for some mothers to connect with a child they've never met, some not so easy. But we as mothers often "create" that bond through the long waiting process, which as all adoptive mamas know, is excruciating! It's so hard to look at a picture of your child, read about their progress from time to time and wait on the next little tidbit of info your strung along with as it's made available to you. It's tough! I've been there. In waiting for Aiden to come home, it seemed like an eternity. To be so excited when the next Well Baby Check comes, stalking email. Yeah, you know you're an adoptive mama when the sight of a new email about your baby is in your inbox! 

So how is it when you're adopting an older child? How about even a teenager you've met, even lived with you and your family for 5 weeks? This kind of process is different from the "wanting to adopt, waiting on a referral (a child), going through the motions, then bringing them home" kind of adoption. Plus, you don't know anything about the child, not getting the full background of what they've been subjected to, endured, and how they've lived for the past 15 years. 

There are a lot of uncertainties when adopting an older child. What kind of influence has she had in her last 15 years? Being from a different country as us, different culture, different everything, how does that play a role? Our Social Worker has the experience and knowledge to lead us to where we need to be before we bring Tanya home. We need to be prepared for her and all possibilities and expectations concerning her. This will not be easy. She's not had parental influence in a very very long time. Flipping a switch and expecting her to be "okay" with all the changes at once will not be easy for any of us. Think about it. She's lived in an orphanage for a long period of time. Sure when we hosted her this summer, it was rough for the first two weeks. She had complete culture shock, totally terrified of e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. Then, around the third week, something happened. She started to change, open up more, maybe even trusting just a little. It was amazing to see. But, hosting is over, we are adopting her. She will have a brother, a sister, a mother and a father, new home, new culture, all will change for her. The mere thought can be overwhelming in itself. 

But, she is not a stranger, we are not total strangers to her. Can this work? Yes. Will it be easy? No. What does the future hold? I have no idea. I have no predictions for our future with Tanya in it. But all research shows it will be hard, possibly very hard.  I know that. But will it be worth it? I hope so. I don't know the answer to that either. Hosting was kind of like the fairy tale, for us and her. We had fun, learned to enjoy our time together. When she comes to America to live with us, her family, the fairy tale is over. The real life for her will be a rude awakening. We have got to be prepared for anything that may come our way. It's going to take some work on our parts, not just mine, the hubs AND me! We have got to be present and listening to all our kids, also to each other. The hubs and I  have to have a very strong bond with each other for this to work. We've got homework to do, to study up, read, learn, and listen. And our Social Worker is helping us immensely with that!  

Where am I going with all of this? (Geez Leah make you point!) Listening. Okay, that's my point. What I'm learning is, you have to listen. Not just with your ears. You have to listen with your whole being. You need to observe, be present, and listen. Our family is about to be turned upside down. Tanya's life is about to be turned upside down. We've not been her parental influence for the last 15 years. Making a total change like that isn't going to come easy, but, with the right tools, we can be armed and ready to deal, just by listening. 

A fellow adoptee said it best. Her name is Carissa Woodwyk. I also had the privilege of hearing her speak at the Created For Care retreat last March. Here's a link. Another fellow adoptee had this to say about Carissa. 

"This past April I had the privilege of hearing this sweet woman's words in person. As an adopted person myself, it touched my heart often accompanied by "yes" or "thank you" ... Adoption is a beautiful thing but it involves pain, and loss and a hardness that many don't understand because they see themselves as rescuing a child... And as many hear feel safe to "vent" or "warn" about the children they have in their home or maybe seek to adopt... Please understand that's cutting to those of us who know and feel the other side. Please before you judge the reactions and responses and hardness of these children ... Please please take the time first to step in and "Listen". What the adopted/foster person needs to hear, see, feel is "you are worth it and I want to walk with you wherever that takes us, I want to, I am willing to, walk there with you, beside you... You do not have to walk alone". So, are you willing to walk? To listen? Will it be painful and hurtful, and scary, a roller coaster that seems to take you in twists and turns that just when you think it's about to come to a halt it lerches in another unexpected direction? Yes, over and over again I say yes... But guess what, you think you don't want to go there... These children, your children, they don't have a choice... They are on that roller coaster forever...the only thing that slows it down and at times brings it to a halt is someone willing to say.. "I will ride with you". Please step back from what you see, but take the time to step in and listen."

Agreed! I'm listening.....

Mrs. Lemmons? .....

I wish I would have heard that instead of "Leigh?" when I went for my physical at the doctor's office last week. Instead, I heard my first name pronounced - "Lee?".  About 50% of the time, my first name gets pronounced wrong. It's Leah (Le-uh), not Leigh, or Lee, or Leigha, just Leah (Le-uh). It's even in the bible. How many of you knew that?

It's happened all my life really. When I was in grade school on up into high school, my first name was always, always, pronounced wrong. Then, in college, my last name was pronounced wrong. How would you pronounce, "Bamman"? Seriously? My professors were thinking too hard, how many different ways can  you pronounce the name, "Bamman"? They were very creative and obviously thinking too hard. It's pronounced just like it looks, "Bam-man". Okay.  Moving on....

The first steps have been completed. Both sets of Applications have been submitted to our Home Study agency and our adoption agency. Then, hopefully it's on to the second visit with our social worker. This last week, I had my physical done, and this week Mike's getting his done. Waiting to get the paperwork back from Mike's physical and blood work this week.  It's required for our adoption of Tanya. Yah! We're moving on....

Next, all of this is to be filed with our adoption agency. It's mostly just "agreement" papers, all legal stuff, notarized, blah blah blah blah.  You have no idea how many trees the government kills in filing adoption paperwork! Redundant and excessive to say the least!  So in taking part in the forest killing spree, the first round of paperwork is done.

Next? Money....it's time to start fundraising! And I mean, FUNDRAISING!!! Adoptions are not simple, nor cheap. It seems like anything that has to have the governments involvement is not cheap or short in process. It's usually slow, slower, and even s-l-o-w-e-r than you would expect. Many have asked me how long it will take to get Tanya home. We've been told maybe traveling by March, April of next year? There's really no certain time line for adoptions. It's the waiting game. Any adoptive parent can tell you that. (usually while gritting their teeth!)

Next? Tanya's birthday is in mid September! Our girl turns 16! We gave her an American birthday party with family while she was here.

Right down to blowing out the candles! Aiden wanted his own to "bwow" out so he got a cupcake. I really, really think she enjoyed it. She was a bit overwhelmed with the family being there, but after a while she warmed up to each one individually. It was great to see her smile and be so excited about the presents, cards, etc! Loved seeing her smiling for the next few days! She was so happy!

Can't believe she's turning 16 and she won't be here. So, I'm sending her a small care package in the mail. I'm also sending her brother a small care package too. Tanya's  package has things I know she'll love. (not going to spoil the surprise in case our girl finds my blog, they do have internet in Ukraine!) But, I am sending her brother Vanya something too. He is 18 and will remain in Ukraine. It makes me sad that she'll be leaving her brother, but with internet and letters, hopefully they can remain in constant contact.

I sure hope Vanya and Tanya get them. I've already sent Tanya a letter and it seemed to take around 3 weeks to get to her in Ukraine. The small packages are nothing of great value, just small gifts, just in case it does get "intercepted" before Vanya and Tanya get them. But I hope they do get them. Tanya's package has a Happy 16th Birthday card in it.

Life is moving on with or with out my consent. Days pass, one right after another. The hurry up and wait is just beginning, just waiting on the next step....that's all I can do right now....

Moving mountains ....

                     


So what's with all these mountain metaphors?!? Seriously, one can not move a mountain!  I mean, that's almost impossible right? But, when you think of metaphors, anything sounds possible. Like moving a mountain. Yeah, just call me super mom, I can't physically move a mountain, but I can use the metaphor as much as I want to represent what all I have accomplished these days! It's a big deal so I need something BIG to represent it!


         
               

Our official application was submitted to An Open Door Adoption Agency (AODAA) on August 15th. On August 20th, the day after my birthday, we were notified that we were "approved" to proceed with our adoption. Yes, we are trying to adopt Tetiana, our host daughter from this summer. It has not been easy up until this point. Read the title of this blog post again. Go ahead, I'll wait........ Mountain again? Yep, there it is again. We had gotten word that Tanya (which is what I'm trying to remind myself to call Tetiana from now on, it's what she prefers) was wanting to be adopted about a week after she returned to Ukraine, but we did not get word of this till the following week, talk about tense waiting to get word from her!

These last 3 weeks have been really hard. I won't bore you with the magnitude of the mountains but it seemed like one after another appeared in our path. Seriously, it seemed like dynamite couldn't even blast these monstrous things out of our way. (totally using metaphors again, I do not want to be known for blowing people up, I'm an adoptive mama and certainly not the only one who's had that thought!)  Had to wait on this to be okayed, then had to wait on that to be okayed, what was the problem with that, does this work, or do we need to do it that way??? Over and over and over again. Finally, realizing mountains can be moved. When you think there's no way, what will be the outcome, what's going to happen, your life has to be put on hold till an answer can be found. And, any adoptive parent knows, waiting is the hardest part of an adoption process!! There is NO metaphor for that!

So, I have been knee deep with application paperwork! (I'm starting to like these metaphors.) Here's my organized chaos.

I'm a super neat freak, no lie. Ask anyone who knows me! Binder, paper protectors, stapler, high lighter, pens, pens, and more pens, plus the trusty ole "got love? adopt". bag for all of it! Thanks Kelly A! Does this look familiar to anyone?

Aiden's adoption files, all of it! From the beginning, to after we brought him home, right down to the Finalization and COC!!  Worked pretty well, very organized and kept safe! Hey, it works! And works well for me. The second time around, this should be a piece of cake!

                                       

 (Someone stop me! I'm in metaphorictopia<--is that a word? My blog, I say it is!) 

So, what's next you ask? Well, I just shipped off her care package. New Horizons For Children staff are traveling to Ukraine on an interview trip soon and will take some of our kids things in a zip lock bag. Here's the contents of Tanya's bag. =)

The girl loved Zombie's when she was here. We saw a zombie movie which she loved! So I found some Zombie candy and pins, some earrings I know she'll like and gum of course! Anyone who knows anything about hosting kids is, it's all about the GUM factor! They love gum and I know Tanya loves gummy worms. Susie, Tanya's package didn't get here before she left so I'm sending her your gummy bears you sent her! Thanks again! I'm also sending her the last of her pictures. When she was here, I took all kinds of pictures. At the end of her 5 weeks here, I had all the pictures I took printed,  bought an album and she put every one of those pictures in that album. These pictures are the ones from her last day here. I also wrote her a short note. Anytime I wrote her anything or gave her a small surprise while she was napping, was always with a big smiley face. =) Here's a post it note I would always leave on a fruit or something I left outside her door when she would nap. 

It's interesting, she would always keep the post it notes visible, on her calender that hung on her wall in her room. Sweet girl, she kept EVERYTHING!

I've read where some host kids will be the perfect child while visiting you and when you adopt them, it's like a different child has come to live with you. My expectations are not high, actually, I don't really have any at all, only to say, "I expect the worst and hope for the best". This will be a very hard transition for Tanya, and, my whole family. It's not just learning how to adjust, it's changing the whole core of your families world. We are a strong family, we have strong family ties and beliefs. And it doesn't hurt to get help from some books. In the words of our Social Worker, "you can never be too prepared, get all the education you can!" Thanks Julie, I intend to!

Julie also recommended the book, The Connected Child. All my adoptive mamas know that book! Can't wait to get my hands on that one!! 

Just to show you how far I would go for my kids, click here! (read the rest of this post before you click "here" to watch the video or hit the "back" button on your web browser after you view it)  Thanks so much Megan for the wonderful video. I have no more fear left in me! Thanks for the great documentation. 

So.... mountains may be in our way at various times in this process to bring Tanya home, but we'll have to tackle them one at a time. I ran across this verse the other night. I think it says it best. 

Matthew 17:20

English Standard Version (ESV)

20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

I can't explain it ...

Okay, so it's been a while. Trying to continue from the last blog post here might be difficult, so here goes.

So we fundraised our butts off trying to raise the funds to Host Tetiana, a 15 year old orphan,  from Ukraine. Wow, just wow! Everyone donated, chimed in, helped us out tremendously and we THANK YOU!! Hosting Tetiana was so rewarding but trying at times. By the 3rd week she was with us, she had made a total turn around, started talking more, wasn't as scared as the day she arrived in the US (let me just say, this girl was terrified!) By the time the 5th week came around, she did not want to go home. "No Ukraine, NO Ukraine" she said on the way to the airport. We all agreed.

It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do up until this point in my life. Saying goodbye to this girl was horrible!!! In the short time she was with us, I saw such a tremendous change in her. From this scared, terrified girl, who had never been out of her own little country, and was from a very remote area.

To this confident, funny, silly girl whom we'd grown to care about, A LOT!

She was very very brave to come to a country where everything was different; the language, people, foods, smells, time change, you name it! It was all different to her! That can be a very overwhelming experience, and it was for Tetiana. But, by the 4th week she had settled in pretty good and gotten accustomed somewhat to us as a family. We stayed up pretty late, our schedules were crazy, but I loved it! Tetiana loves children and likes to help take care of them. This was so apparent within the first 5 minutes Aiden and Tetiana met! Tetiana was so helpful with Aiden, they clicked instantly.

Tetiana and Taylor have so much in common, right down to their wardrobes! Skinny jeans and high top shoes is their fav! How is it a girl from almost half way around the world could possibly have so much in common with our girl, Taylor?

I could write for days of our little experiences with Tetiana, but, breathe easy I won't. =)  Everyday was a new experience for her. Every hour was a new experience for her. To see all those new experiences first hand, was simply amazing, and fun! She survived, we survived. Just know that our little experience with her for the 5 weeks was well worth it! So much so, that we've decided to adopt her. She turns 16 in mid September.

This will be no easy task. From whatever her life was for the last 15 years will not be overcome in a years time living with us. Times will be hard, times will be tough. Read these words of wisdom by a hosting/adoptive mama: "When you add a new member to the family either through adoption, birth, fostering, etc... It ALWAYS throws life out of orbit for awhile and requires a reinvention of the family and a redefining of normal and daily rhythms. So that is the state we find ourselves in right now."

So yeah, life might be a little difficult in the near future, okay it might be really difficult in the near future! This same hosting/adoptive mama also said this: " Hosting is like an adoption "honeymoon period" on steroids. It is the VERY BEST behavior they can muster. It isn't a reflection of what real life would look like in a permanent situation. If you commit to a child, you have to go into it knowing that parenting hurt children is VERY challenging (rewarding for sure, but it will stretch you to your limit, and then God will grow you some more, so you can stretch further!

So yes, I get it. Our lives will be turned upside down. But, her life will be forever changed by us. And we will be forever changed by her. She is choosing to leave her birth country and all she's ever known to come to America and live with my family and become one of my family. That in itself is MAJOR!

So, no, I can't explain it! It's just something you feel, something you want to do, something so MAJOR to have such an impact on your life, you have to do it, but I just can not explain it. You don't have to understand it, or accept it, period.

Come one, come all!!!

Aaannnnd they did!! We had our Fundraiser Yard Sale on May 25th. We're trying to raise the funds to help with the expenses of getting Tetiana here in the US!! For those of you who don't know, we're "hosting" Tetiana this summer. Here's her precious picture.

She is a 15 year old orphan, living in Ukraine right now. Through New Horizons For Children(NHFC), http://www.newhorizonsforchildren.org/, we are hosting Tetiana in July for about 4 weeks!! So, to help with the fees, expenses, and insurance in getting her here, we decided to have a Fundraiser Yard Sale.

And it was a BIG SUCCESS!! And, I can't help but think my major organizing skills had a lot to do with it!! (Yes, I'm tooting my own horn here!! So Beep Beep!!) I'm a major nutcase when it comes to organizing. From what my friends say, I'm good at it. To me, it's an OCD thing, which works out good for my house sometimes! haha

There were so many people to thank that made all this possible!! First off, my dear, dear friends, Lee Ann and Tracy (friends from high school) came out early and helped us set all this stuff out! They are a God send, what dear dear friends I have! Thank you Lee Ann and Tracy for all your help and donations!! Love you gals dearly!! Also need to thank Tracey and Lane for letting us use their lot! It's in the most perfect location for a yard sale, right next to a busy 2 lane highway in White House! Thanks guys! Thanks to all our friends, family, and yet strangers for your donations!! Especially, my dad and my father in law!! They stayed all.day.long with Mike and I. Was so thankful for them and all their help!!

We had TONS and TONS of donations! I wish I could list all who donated, but I don't have that kind of time. Aiden will attest to that! We are so, so, SO, thankful for all the donations given to us! Like I said, it was a huge success. We had baked items for sell, some donated, canned soft drinks, bottled water, etc! Had a great idea from a fellow blogger to sell clothes $3 a plastic bag full. It worked great!  Sold lots of clothes that way. And, it was a great deal, seriously, the clothes that were donated, were in great shape, some still new with tags on them!!

It turned into an 18 hour day for all of us. My dad and father in law were there all.day.long with us. They both helped pack up all the remainders too. We got to the lot at around 5:30 am that morning, we left that same lot  sometime around 6:30 or 7:00 pm. I quit looking at the clock after 5pm!! We were exhausted!!! I didn't care if I saw another yard.sale.sticker.ever!

But, you know what??? We're having, yet, another Fundraiser Yard Sale this Saturday, June 8th! Yes, I have lost my mind. I think it's still waiting on me at Tracey and Lane's lot! We had quite a bit left from the sale, and I just couldn't let it go.  My cousin's had more donations, along with friends, and I have to say, I'm up for it again!

Although, after this fundraiser yard sale, I think I'm done with yard sales for a long time. Really! Oh, and the final total for our first fundraiser yard sale was - $1333.25!!! I know we won't clear that much at our second one, but anything will be appreciated!! Thanks so much friends!!! :)

Coming to a town near you....

Oh.my.goodness! Where have I been?!?!  Can you tell me, because I'm having a heck-a-va hard time trying to figure out where the last 6 months have gone! I almost feel like I've been in a coma and just now coming to my senses (or have I woken up yet?). Some days I really don't know. Okay, trying so hard to live in the here and now and it's pretty much gotten up and went! I can't keep up these days, there seems to be so much going on. It's just a blur. I almost feel like an alcoholic that remembers bits and pieces of things that happened along the way, but it's all jumbled up. This is starting to sound depressing, so I'll end this paragraph on a more happy note. Follow along.... :)

Where do I start? Well, her name is Tetiana, she's 15 and living in an orphanage in Ukraine,

and we'll be "Hosting"  her this summer for almost 5 weeks!! I know, I know, how on earth did I come to a decision to want to do this? Host an orphan from another country? Are you insane? I'd like to think I'm not, but in looking back at the last 6 months, who knows. I first learned about this hosting thing from a fellow adoptive mama, Paula. I had the pleasure of meeting this awesome lady this past March when I attended the Created 4 Care Retreat for adoptive, foster, and hosting mamas near Atlanta, Georgia. She had posted on Facebook about this organization called New Horizons For Children and that they will be hosting a boy from Latvia.  Here's her post on her blog. I thought it was interesting, but didn't give it much thought at that moment. (who knows where my brain was at the time) But a day or two later, it was still in my mind. So I checked out the web site, read a little. The more I read, the more I became intrigued. 

In all reality, the hubs and I aren't spring chickens. He will be 46 this August and I will be 43. Yikes!! Nah, it's all good. I'm liking my 40's, but let me confess, chasing this little guy around all day 

tends to wear this 42 year old out! So my point is, the thought of adopting another child is out of the question. So when I read about this hosting thing, it stuck! Stuck to my brain like peanut butter and jelly! I emailed them and asked a few questions, filled out the pre-application, got all my ducks in a row, talked to Taylor about it, looked at the web site some more, Tay and I stirred over the photolisting of all the kids that were in the "hosting" program, then went to the hubs about the idea. I'm sure it floored him the same way it floored him when I asked him if we could adopt 6 years ago! LOL Yeah, it did! My hubby knows me, I don't do anything half way, it's all the way or a no go!

So yeah, we're hosting a young girl from Ukraine this summer. If all goes well, she'll be here in late June till the first of August. We don't know much about her, but this info was under her sweet picture on the photo listing.

 4/7 kj Tetiana (Tanya) is a sweet, sometimes giggly girl who would dearly love to visit America and learn some English. This is her last year of “regular” school and in the future she hopes to receive training in massage therapy. She’s crafty AND athletic- likes drawing, painting, cross stitch, basketball, track and field, volleyball—you name it, she’s probably tried it. Tetyana’s favorite colors are red and white and she loves teddy bears. She says she would like to improve on her singing and dancing and admitted that though she may dance around in her room, she NEVER dances in public. Tetyana said she’d like a big host family with younger kids.

I went online, filled out the full application, payed the application fee, wrote her the welcome letter she will get right before she boards a plane to travel to the US, yadda yadda, blah blah, and bam! Now we're a hosting family!! BUT....

This hosting thing costs. Compared to an international adoption, it's just a toss of a penny. But, that's the thing when you "host". You're required to pay for everything.  

Child's Travel Expenses (airfare, transport)	$1700
Documentation	$300
Medical insurance	$100
Administration	$300
Portion of Chaperone Expenses (Insurance, airfare, stipend)	$400
Interview Trip	$50
Safety Visit	$100
Total	$2,950 per child *

Here's the breakdown of the actual fees. Which, if you have any clue what adoptions cost these days, this is just a blink of that reality. But, (I seem to be saying that a lot lately) if we want to give this girl a once in a lifetime chance to come to America, the big ole land of the free, where dreams come true, we have to pay. And pay we shall! Which brings me to this little tid bit. Do you see Tetyana's picture below Taylor and Aiden's to the right of this blog post above? Right below her picture is a Donate button. I'll get to that later. I have to pull on your heart strings some more! ;)

I've been putting my brain to work on how we can raise this money to get her here. Fundraising, fundraising, fundraising....how can I get the word out about this awesome organization, these awesome kids that deserve a chance to come to America, experience it, that may never get another chance and how everyone else can help make this a reality for this precious girl? Check these statistics out and see what your heart says to you:

The Sad Facts…

Without intervention, upon leaving the orphanage, 60% of girls will end up in prostitution, 70% of boys will be on the streets or in jail, and 15% will commit suicide within the first two years on their own.

YOU can revolutionize the life of an abandoned child.

You really don't know what goes on in other countries till you open your heart up and listen. These children were abandoned, and with those terrifying statistics above being a harsh reality, how can some not want to help. These kids are adoptable. Everyone deserves a fighting chance, but if you're doomed from the start, what's left to fight? They deserve a chance at a life worth living, to strive to be better, to know how a family actually lives as one, works together, worships together....

These kids come to the US with literally the clothes on their backs, that's it! We are to provide everything for her, e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g, down to the soap and toothbrush she'll use. We will also get her teeth checked and fixed if need be and have her eyes checked. I've heard if these children have to see a dentist in their own country, they don't use the numbing medicine, yes you read that right! No numbing juice can be very traumatic for children. 

Clothes, hair brush, shoes, underwear, think of all the things you need every morning to get ready to go to work, or begin your day, drop the kids off at school, go to the store, etc. I've read some stories on our closed group on FB about some children that come to the US without any underwear on, or didn't get to shower the day before with a bar of soap. And, that some kids don't get to shower every day. Can you imagine? Can you see it happening? 

The whole point of this is not to spoil these kids rotten when they get here, buy them all they need and send them back to their orphanage or foster home with all their things, back to their harsh reality. These kids are adoptable. Their ages range from 6 to 16 years of age. And they deserve to know what life is like in a real family. I think this paragraph says it best:  

 In their 4-5 week visit, host families teach these children English, life skills, and about the love of God our Heavenly Father. By the end of the child’s visit, most host families are eternally grateful for the blessings they have received in ministering to these precious lives. It brings the mission field right to your own home, neighborhood, and church.  We are a Christian based, international hosting program, which brings over orphaned children from Eastern Europe twice each year to share with them the love of God and the love of a family.

So, back to the Donate button. If you feel led by this post to donate, great! If you're not, that's okay too. Adopting, fostering, and hosting aren't for everyone. But, (here I go again) if you'd like to help Tetyana get to America, hit the Donate button to help. Sure, we could sit back, save up the money and host any child, but knowing that we're working towards a common goal, working together to show a Ukranian girl that she can have dreams, she can be inspired, that she will be okay, have faith, and that we all worked together to get her here, it makes it all worth every penny! And who knows, maybe she'll meet a great American family. They'll fall in love with her and want to adopt her! Maybe even come to live in a town near you.....it could happen..... because we have our faith! :)