My kids make me smile!

As a part of our family "bedtime" routine, we allow each of the kids to say their prayer, they give everyone in the family hugs and kisses and we tuck the kids into bed....

We do this every night. My oldest daughter needs a routine, and this one works. Kaitlyn likes to do things in order, by a pattern or have a way of "tracking" things. She does this with everything. So with hugs and kisses each night, she starts with the youngest and goes to the oldest. 

When we hung our stockings for Christmas this year she insisted they be hung from youngest to oldest.

As you saw earlier, we bought a stocking for our son even though we know he will not be home until next year.

A few days ago, she gave the youngest a hug, then turns around and silently through some hugs and kisses into the air. She turned around and resumed her normal order. I didn't think much of it at the time.

Later, she told me she throws hugs out to her brother because even though he is not here, he needs to know he is loved!

Tonight Brittany (5) went to give everyone kisses..... After Alyssa, she stopped and looked at me. She then asked in her sweetest voice "If I send some hugs up to God, do you think he will make sure my brother gets them?" With tears in my eyes, I could only reply "yes."

My kids love their brother already. They ask about him each day. They send him love. They buy him toys and they donate all the money they get to him.

My girls are working hard to bring their brother home. They have asked to "make something" to help their brother..... Stay tuned for some homemade jewelry for brother.....

I am the luckiest mom in the world!!

As far as updates go..... We found out that our son's Special Need will most likely not be appearing on their "list" of adoptable children any time soon. That being said, We will still be able to adopt him. We just have to wait until he is 5 which is less than a year away..... We will be starting all of our paperwork in the beginning of the year.... This process takes from 7-9 months.

Thank You for all that have donated, helped and shared!!!

I am so thankful and my girls and thankful (yes my husband is too). We all love you all for what you have done for us.... We still need help though so please do not forget about our Giveaway!!!

There is an Ipad2 up for grabs and all of your donations are doubled!!!

http://adoptutah.blogspot.com/2011/11/double-your-donation.html

If you donate $10 you get an entry.... After you have donated, you will get an entry for sharing on your blog and/or FB. Please comment below to let me know if you have shared, so I can enter you into our giveaway!!

From the Heart of his Auntie

This guest post is being posted anonymously, because if I say who I am, it will be obvious who Jaclyn's newest baby is! So until they can announce who he is, I will remain his anonymous auntie! :)

Several years ago, I began a journey which will last me a lifetime. A journey of heartbreak and hope, of sadness and joy, but most important - love. And intertwined in that journey is the amazing story of one very special little boy.


It all started with a dream. A dream of something great which combined several things I love. That dream led to more dreaming and lots of planning. Which led to an amazing day and contact with new friends. Friends who asked a question that when answered yes brought me to the other side of the world where it really all started.

Through a series of events that no man could have orchestrated, God placed me in a third world country with poverty and  and hopelessness like I had never seen before. It opened up my eyes to a whole new world. One morning while visiting the baby orphanage I met the love of my life. I didn't know it then, but he was to change my life forever.

Though it sounds romantic, this was no cute teenage boy I fell in love with. Nope, far from it! He was just a a baby, almost 3 years old. And thanks to the ridiculous clothes he was wearing, I thought he was a she and didn't find out until afterwards the I was wrong!

That sweet little boy took my hand and led the way. I followed because he had already captured my heart and I'm pretty sure he had mesmerized me by that point! :) I led him over to some play equipment and didn't have kids swarming all over it. I could tell he needed some one on one attention and I was happy to give it! We played on the slide for quite awhile, both of us loving every second.

Unfortunately, he had me too far under his spell to think to take more than 4 pictures! My memory is clouded now, but I do remember that he wasn't happy to leave me when he had to go nor was I happy to leave him! I knew he needed (and still needs!!) his mommy to come get him ASAP! He was broken and aching from being alone, and yes, despite the fact he was two, I could tell his heart was ripped apart. I could hardly bear to see him go back to the life we both hated.

I lost it on the way out of the orphanage and was in almost a trance the rest of the day. I'm fairly certain I horrible dreams about him and the others that night. Either way, I slept horribly. He needed someone, and since there was no one else, he needed me! And I had sent him back to his grouppa, alone.

Despite my hopes, we didn't get to go back to the orphanage on during the rest of the trip. Weeks passed and one day I stumbled upon a blog of a missionary who was over in my baby's city!! She took lots of pictures and was able to get him listed on an orphan awareness site as available for adoption.

Because my heart was opened up the the plight the orphan, I had started a blog advocating for other orphans and families bringing them home. I advocated for that sweet boy a lot on there and one evening I got a comment from the beautiful Jaclyn, author of this blog. You've probably already guessed what the comment said! She told me that they were pursuing the adoption of  a certain little boy featured on my blog! Through daily emails, skype calls, and blog posts, Jaclyn is now a very close friend and I can't wait until I get to meet her in person!

As I sat here tonight writing this my heart was broken yet again for "my" sweet boy. I hope and pray that this post will touch at least one person's heart to donate and help him come home sooner! If it does, all the tears it took to write this post will be worth it.

Love is not what makes the world go round, it's the pursuit of dreams that does. But the thing that makes it possible to pursue those dreams is love.

I dream of the day he will come home, but I know it's gonna take a whole lot of loving to get there. And though we love him to the moon and back, Jaclyn and I can't do it ourselves. Your cue to donate to his adoption! :)

Every dollar will help because all he really wants for Christmas is a family!

Thank you!

A Child's Prayer

In church today we talked a lot about being Thankful.... It made me really think about all of the blessings I have in my life!! I wanted to share a little bit of what I learned today with all of you!!

My spirit was so uplifted today!!!

I love the song above..... God is there and he does answer every child's prayer.

That brings me to our first topic of today.... 

1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his ^awill, he ^bheareth us:

This really got me thinking. I some times pray for what I think is best.... For what I want to happen. Sometimes what the Lord wants for us is far better than what we could hope for ourselves.

Then we talked about loving one another..... I love the things I learned!

1 John 4:16 16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that ^adwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

1 John 4:18 18 There is no ^afear in ^blove; but perfect ^clove casteth out fear: because fear hath ^dtorment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

I love this sooooo much!!! There is no fear in love!! I love my son!! I am going to go and get him!!! There are things that I fear about leaving my comfort zone, but there is no fear in my love!!! My heart feels peace for the first time in a long time!!! 

Hoping this helps one of you the way it has helped me.... I'm also going to leave you the words to a few of the songs we sang today..... He was speaking to me today.... I just know it!

"Because I have been given much, I too must give; Because of thy great bounty, Lord, each day I live. I shall divide my gifts from thee, with every brother that I see who has the need of help from me. Because I have been blessed by thy great love, dear Lord. I'll share thy love again, according to Thy word. I shall give love to those in need; I'll show that love by word and deed: Thus shall my thanks be thanks in deed."

1. When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
   When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
   Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
   And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
   • Refrain:
     Count your blessings, name them one by one,
     Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
     Count your blessings, name them one by one,
     *Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
     [*And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.]
2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
   Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
   Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
   And you will keep singing as the days go by.
3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,
   Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
   Count your many blessings—wealth can never buy
   Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
4. So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
   Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
   Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
   Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

We actually sang the following Children's song in our adult class today..... We teach our children this song when they are little, but it never hurts to go back to the basics.

1. I’m trying to be like Jesus;
I’m following in his ways.
I’m trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say.
At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,
But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers,

2. I’m trying to love my neighbor;
I’m learning to serve my friends.
I watch for the day of gladness when Jesus will come again.
I try to remember the lessons he taught.
Then the Holy Spirit enters into my thoughts, saying:

Chorus 
“Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught.”

I have been thinking a lot lately about my Savior!!! I am thankful he "paid" the price for me!

I want to thank a person that commented on my last blog saying I was "paying" for my son!! 

Nothing in life is "free". I will gladly "pay" whatever it costs to bring my son home!!

Thank You all who have been supporting us in our journey!

Doctrine and Covenants 132:48

48 And again, verily I say unto you, my servant Joseph, that whatsoever you give on earth, and to whomsoever you give any one on earth, by my word and according to my law, it shall be visited withblessings and not cursings, and with my power, saith the Lord, and shall be without condemnation on earth and in heaven.

Your blessings are coming friends!!

Baby Food Jars :)

A baby food jar is not very big right?? 

So it wouldn't take much change to fill it up right?

So, If I asked you to save your change for a few days by putting it into a baby food jar (or something a similar size) Would you??

I am asking.... I am asking you to fill up one.... yep just one baby food jar full of coins and send me a picture. 

Then I am asking if you would donate the contents of the jar to helping us bring our boy home.....

Each day I will post the pictures that come in of full baby food jars or baggies or whatever else people can put the coins into....

If you don't have a baby eating baby food..... chances are you have a friend who does :)

Please help me with this..... My goal..... 1000 baby food jars....

Think we can do it?? I do!!

Please send your pics to Grumpyjax@yahoo.com

Finding a Family for Lyla!

Today I am posting about a sweet little girl who needs a family desperately - Lyla/Lilianna.
A good friend of mine, Sarah (http://matthew18vs14.blogspot.com/), loves sweet Lyla. She has been advocating for her for quite a while.... Let's all spread her story and find her a family <3

The pictures above are recent, and the ones below are a bit older...

Look at these eyes!

Lilianna

Girl, born November 2009

Lilianna survived!!   She had an adoptive family previously, but they were not permitted to adopt her at the time because she was in the hospital and not expected to live.  But she DID!  We are thrilled she is healthy enough to be relisted!   

Sweet little Lilianna has a congenital heart defect (ASD and VSD) and possible pulmonary issues.  She is also missing her left forearm entirely.   Lilianna has bright blue eyes and needs a family right away.  We have many pictures of her!

$22.50 is available towards the cost of my adoption!

Today I am Thankful for....

Today I am Thankful for.......

God, and my ability to worship him freely. The ability to have faith in him which allows me to know virtues like Faith, Love, Charity and many more.... Most of which I see in people all around me <3

My family. Each member of my family brings me joy and teaches me new things each and every day. I am blessed beyond measure.

Laughter. Especially when I hear a child laugh. It brings me such joy and peace.

Adoption. I am not thankful that there is a need for adoption, but I am thankful to be a part of a community of amazing people. These fellow adoptive parents are more than just friends.... They are family.... When they have joy, I have joy. When they are sad, I am sad...... The bond that I have developed with many of these amazing women has been such a blessing in my life.

Friends. Those people around you that know when you need them even when they are far away. Their hearts break with you and are overjoyed with you.... Those that truly care where life leads you.

Food to eat. I never thought I would be so thankful for this, but my eyes have been opened.... Why many go without my stomach is always full.... I will always be thankful for each day that my kids do NOT know what it is like to go to bed hungry.

Internet. I know this seems like a silly thing to be thankful for, but without it I wouldn't have met some people that are truly a blessing in my life!!!

You. Yes you!!! For those who took the time to read to the end. For those who encourage me and support me on a regular basis. For just being you! God loves you for being you..... so do I!!

What are you thankful for??

The first clothes for our boy

We were at a school function the other day (I was volunteering), and the school was offering some clothes to the parents...... Since I was there early (the benefit of being at the school volunteering every school day), we got first dibs on some clothes..... I took this opportunity to pick up some clothes for our boy.

It may be a year before he is home, but you can never be too prepared....... We got a few different sizes :)

 Some of our favorites.... BYU Cougar pants.... My hubby LOVES BYU!

 A super cute Spider Man swim suit!

 And a nice reversible jacket :)

 I took this opportunity to get his dresser ready :)

I know it sounds silly, but having clothes in his dresser makes me smile..... 

They are all washed and ready to go.... Now All we need is a little boy to put in them.. Not any little boy.... MY son!!!!

Please visit our fundraisers tab and help us out if you can.... If you can't please share my blog with others <3

Break the Silence!!!

I have 36 followers on this blog!!!! AWESOME!!! I love that there are at least 36 people that are helping us bring our boy home..... I wanted to thank all of you for following our journey.

One thing I never anticipated was how alone this journey makes me feel..... It is a feeling I cannot explain..... I have 36 people reading my story, I have 6 others under my roof that love this little man, I have quite a few people (strangers included) who have donated to help bring my son home, but somehow.... I feel alone.

Am I the only one?? Do others feel this way too??

I get some great comments from people I tell (in person), but mostly I get doubt, reservations, and confusion.

People just do not understand why I want to bring this child into my life......

I try to explain it..... Sometimes I succeed and other times I do not......

Please break the silence..... I am feeling lost and discouraged (not in anyway giving up, but needing someone to help me through)..... Please leave me a comment.... anything just so I know that you guys are out there!!!

Also please visit my new fundraisers tab at the top.... we have a ton of ways to help us out while getting some of your Christmas shopping out of the way, but we also have an awesome giveaway going on.....

Please help this Momma get a little encouragement.... I miss my boy tons this time of year!!

Someone is missing :(

See that family on the right?? 5 people right?? Someone is missing!!!!

We are missing our sweet little 4 year old boy (who is wearing size 9-12 months.... Can you imagine?).

He may not be here in person, but we are thinking of him this time of year.... My husband had to go and buy his boy a stocking.... She his Tow-Mater stocking.... Care to help fill it?

I know what our boy wants for Christmas this year.... A family!!!

You can make donations to our chip in on the right hand side of this blog.

 Please also visit my previous post to see how you can buy some Christmas presents and help bring children home where they belong!! Thank You for your support!!

Christmas Frenzy

Ok guys, this is Awesome!!!!

Everyone likes to give around Christmas, but I know money can be tight around the Holidays.

With so many families trying to bring their kids home, you cannot help them all and buy Christmas too...

Well now you can.... Visit this blog....

http://mycupoverfloweth.blogspot.com/2011/11/christmas-frenzy-is-for-everyone-you.html

There are links at the bottom where you can find awesome things to buy for your family and friends for Christmas this year.... Here is the bonus... All or some of the profits from each item sold will go straight to helping bring a child home to their forever family!! 

Start your shopping here... http://adoptutah.blogspot.com/2011/11/awesome-handbags.html

Only $10 plus shipping

Or Visit here... http://adoptutah.blogspot.com/2011/11/necklaces-of-love.html

Only $10 each including shipping within the U.S. Hurry they are going fast.

Or you can go here for hair bows and tutus.... http://hairbowsbyjax.blogspot.com/

Hair bows are only $3 each or 2for $5 ($2 for shipping regardless of how many you order)

Tutus are $10 and $5 for shipping

Tutus are custom made... Please contact me via email Grumpyjax@yahoo.com with the size of waistband and 2 or 3 colors. 

Thank You for supporting us in our adoption  journey. Also remember that all amount donated will be doubled with our matching grant.... Even money made from these purchases :)
(Check out how your money is being doubled...http://adoptutah.blogspot.com/2011/11/double-your-donation.html)

Awesome handbags

Haven't you always wanted a Capri Sun Handbag..... These babies are awesome!! 

A friend is making them and 100% of the profits will go you bringing our boy home.

They will be $10 plus shipping 

(I'm thinking around $5 in the U.S.... this may be adjusted after I send the first one out)

These are the first ones she has made, and I LOVE them.

Some have pockets inside while others don't.

Please place your order now :)

A Big THANK YOU to Tiffany for your generous donation!

Once she has a few done I will add them with numbers so you can order some that are premade... until then please contact me at Grumpyjax@yahoo.com to place your special order :)

A Sneak Peak!

I'm sure many have wondered.... Who is this child they are adopting? Does he exist? Where is his picture? What does he look like? I am going to give you a little sneak peak.....

He is 4 years old.

He owns my heart.

He has brown hair..... it becomes a mini fro when it isn't cut short (Just like my husband's)

He has brown eyes that will draw you in and make you love him.

His smile can light up any room.... It is also very contagious!!

He is a sweet little boy with expressions that let you know how he is feeling..... even without words.

Most importantly he is a Child of God!!

Second to that he is MY son!!

There is your sneak peak..... See what I mean about they eyes.... they speak to you!!

These eyes wanna be home with his family. He has a mom, dad and 3 sisters who are waiting impatiently to bring him home forever. We want him home right now.... He needs us!!

More importantly he needs you!!!

Remember our matching grant?? $5000.00 if we can raise another $5000.00 by the end of the year... Will you please help us?? 

Can't donate?? Please share our blog.... If you can do both, I will give you an extra entry for our giveaway for each time you share our story... just comment below :)

Can't remember what the prizes are?? Let  me remind you...

$10 gets you 1 Chance

$25 gets you 5 Chances

$50 gets you 15 Chances

$100 gets you 50 Chances

An IPad2

 We will be giving out an IPad2 if we reach our goal of $5000.00 otherwise it will be a $100 gift card of your choice for each $1000.00 raised ($1000.00 raised = $100 gift card $2000.00 raise = $200 gift card...) for the winner :)

This very cute plaque. I made this myself :)

Another awesome home decor plaque :)

 A $5 gift certificate to Socks R Fun... Feel free to visit her site and look around 

http://www.socksrfun.com/ Thank You Jennifer for this donation :)

10 different people will win a hair bow of their choice available at http://hairbowsbyjax.blogspot.com/

You may also visit there and place an order.... that money will also count toward our $5000.00 goal.

 A cute tutu for your daughter, grand daughter, neighbor or friend :) Just in time for Christmas.

Also available at http://hairbowsbyjax.blogspot.com/

Each Day I will choose 2 people to get a bracelet......

You can also help by buying necklaces from the previous post (hurry they are going fast)!

Or hairbows and tutus here (http://hairbowsbyjax.blogspot.com/)

Thank You for donating, sharing and praying for our son!!

Necklaces of Love!

A super Amazing Friend of mine offered to make some necklaces for me to sale to raise money for Logan.

I had no idea just how gorgeous they would be!!

These beautiful necklaces are $10 a piece and that includes shipping anywhere in the U.S.

These make a great Christmas present for any age :)

There are 2 pictures of each necklace... one of the whole thing and a close up of the charms.

All of the charms also have a cute little design on the back :)

 1

 2

 3

 4

 5-SOLD

 6

 7

 8

 9

 10

 11

 12

 13-SOLD

 14-SOLD

 15-SOLD

All money made from purchases also goes toward our $5000.00 matching grant, but will not earn you any entries into the drawing. Please also check out our giveaway here (http://adoptutah.blogspot.com/2011/11/double-your-donation.html)

Thank You for getting us one step closer to our son!!