Fundraiser Bonus

WOW!! The response from the fundraiser has been great. We have yet to sell any tickets but the hits we've received on the blog have been over 100 in 18 hours! This is why Trevor and I created the blog. To bring awareness to adoption and be support for others going through it!! But other awesome news.. 3 amazing ladies who read the blog asked if they could donate something for the raffle. Instead of making the grand prize even bigger, I've decided to do a 2nd and 3rd place prize.

2nd Place Prize:

A One-Hour Photography session, CD and print rights from Kara Piehl Photography

Kara took our photos for the blog. She is also our great neighbor!! Since she just had a sweet baby, this will be for Dalhart residents only!

3rd Place Prize:

 Any Matilda Jane outfit up to $50!

My friend Nikki (also MJ consultant) has told me about Matilda Jane forever. Her daughter wears MJ in all of their family pictures and looks adorable. Well since I had little K, I finally had a reason and excuse to shop it and love it! Nikki was so kind to donate a cute outfit! Check out the Matilda Jane website!

Just imagine these are 2 dozen holiday cookies donated by amazing baker Bella Cake Creations.

These were her Halloween cookies she made. But since I had to hurry and post this I didn't give her time to send me her holiday cookies :-) Amberly heard our story and immediately contacted me about donating! I truly appreciate her kindness and thoughtfulness. These will be shipped to your home!!

The grand prize is worth over $300 and both the 2nd and 3rd place prizes are well over $100!! You don't want to miss out on your chance to win as well as help bring our baby home :-)

We truly appreciate you...

Our Only Fundraiser (Or So I Think...)

About a month ago, Jessica from Sew Silly and I had an amazing conversation. Amazing because she, without hesitation, donated one of their fabulous purses for me to raffle off to raise money for our adoption! I was in complete shock. You all know how much I LOVE my purse (and know how much you envy it ;-)) so the fact that I had a chance to raffle one off made me super excited! And I would like to say congratulations to them. A few stores around Lubbock and San Angelo have begun selling their items and they are now in talks with a manufacturing company that will produce the purses they design. God has truly blessed them and I am so excited for them!!

We really were not planning on doing fundraisers because we know how much each of you are pulled in so many directionsat is truly amazing is that every time we've had to pay for this fee or that fee, the exact money has been in our adoption account. God is providing and we are completely trusting in Him. But when the Three Mama Birds so generously gave us the bag, I definitely jumped on board to raise a few extra dollars to get our +1 home!

Wellll...to make the raffle even more rad, some other VERY generous people decided to donate more incredible products! In one day, we had four precious women, so willingly, donate to help us out! I love you all dearly and am so thankful for your kindness.

So without further adieu, here are ALL of the products you will receive if you win the raffle (to be held on December 10 at 5:00pm)

 3-in-1 Facial Cleanser

 Age Fighting Moisturizer

Absolute best Ultimate Mascara

Eye Makeup Remover to get mascara off (P.S. this stuff works on EVERYTHING...stains, spills,etc)

Thank you mommy for donating my favorite Mary Kay products. Please visit her facebook page to order your next Mary Kay products!

This gorgeous handmade wreath from Hannah McPhearson. As I pulled out my Christmas stuff this morning I realized my wreath is missing! This is definitely on my to-order list! So beautiful

Mid-Size Scentsy Warmer

Thank you Hannah for donating. I have never met Hannah but know her sister. She heard our story and immediately contacted me wanting to help in some way. Not only did she give 1 item but she donated 2! Thank you, thank you Hannah! 

Pampered Chef jumbo BBQ spatula, Raspberry Habanero sauce and 2 Season Best Cookbooks

There is no surprise that Pampered Chef products are my favorite. I'm so thankful God gave me a best friend as a PC consultant!!! Thank you Rebecca for not only donating but for your continued love and support!

And the grand-prize that we have all been waiting for and so desperately want...

Completely custom and unique Three Mama Birds Purse

Inside fabric

Isn't it gorgeous?!? I may rig the drawing so I can have it. Is that greedy?!?! No..it's just plain wrong :-) I love love love my purse my hubby surprised me with and I have received at least 100 compliments! Thank you Three Mama Birds for the wonderful donation!

Tickets are $10.00 each or 4 for $30.00

If you sell tickets from your blog or facebook page, I will enter your name twice into the drawing (just let me know by emailing me a link of your post or have them to tell me you sent them).

To order you can pay through paypal on the right hand side of our blog (make sure to include your address so I can send your portion of the raffle ticket) or contact me at 06tt08kk@gmail.com and I'll give you my address to send a check. As soon as I receive it I will mail you your portion of the ticket.

PLEASE OH PLEASE spread the word. Our goal is to sell 50 tickets. That $500 will be used to pay half our dossier fees!! Congo has to have these documents in order to match us up with our +1!

Thank you so very much for your support. You have no idea how much we appreciate it!

Now get busy selling and buying the tickets. This is something you do not want to miss out on! Drawing will be held Saturday, December 10 at 5:00p.m. and I will of course document the action!!

Giving Thanks

Image Source

I should be having a VERY exciting post coming today or tomorrow so I wanted to make sure to get this posted.

Trevor, Big K, Little K, Our +1 and I would like to say how thankful we are for each and every one of you. Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, prayers, prayers, and donations. Thank you for keeping up with our crazy life by reading our blog. Thank you for caring! I really didn't think I would get emotional right now writing this but the tears are flowing. We are just truly amazed by the support we have received. I can't tell you how much easier it makes this journey!

God, thank You for putting people in our life who are truly concerned about taking care of Your orphans. Thank You for the words You give them to encourage us. They always seem to be just the right words on just the right day. Thank You for our +1. Thank You for taking care of him by giving him the nourishment, love and energy he needs until we come and get him. Thank You for the MANY blessings You have given us.

Please know that this is truly our prayer for each and every one of you! We love you dearly...

^"3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. ⁴ Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, ⁵ for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. ⁶ And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

 ⁷ So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. ⁸ God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.
 ⁹ I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. ¹⁰ For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. ¹¹ May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ^[a]—for this will bring much glory and praise to God." Phil. 1:3-11



Why Wednesday #2

Whew, I was afraid I was going to miss my deadline for Why Wednesday. It almost became Why Friday or Saturday!! Luckily Little K is sleeping and Big K is watching Calliou so I have about 10 minutes, give or take, to try and write this before we head out to Mimi's house :-)

Why International Adoption?

Many people have asked us why we decided to adopt overseas rather than here in the United States. They bring up the fact that there are thousands of kids in the U.S. who need homes just as much as those elsewhere.

We have prayed very hard about where God wanted us to adopt from. He gave us a vision (coming in another post on Why Wednesday) so we knew our child was in another country. But after putting the natural (research on the Internet) with the supernatural (prayer and the way God lined things up) we had our pros and cons list:

Pros:
-Usually goes much faster due to the number of children available and being ready in orphanages
-Most of the time, costs less due to not having to take care of birth mother's medical and living expenses
-Can specify gender of child
-Giving a child opportunities that they may never have
-Since we have children of our own, getting a child under the age of 2 is almost impossible in the U.S.
-We don't have to wait to be selected by a birth mom
-There aren't any chances of a birth mom backing out or fighting for custody 3-6-9 months down the road
-Showing a child God's love and impacting him for eternity. Unfortunately most countries are not Christians and therefore he/she may never hear the gospel
-We are doing our small part in "going into all the nations and preaching the good news." (Mark 16:15)
-Some countries, the statistics for child and baby deaths are 3 or 4 out of every 5 due to malnourishment and living conditions
-We will not only gain a child but also an entire culture

Cons:
-Most infants are at least 9 months to 1 year of age. Almost impossible to get an infant baby
-Lots and lots of paperwork that has to be authenticated by your state and United States then the country you're adopting from
-Have to deal with the other countries laws and court system and sometimes corruption
-Travel (can go either way depending on where you're going. Since we're going to Congo, it's a very dangerous place to travel, so no sight-seeing or witnessing or mission work for us).
-Obtaining visas, immigration fingerprints, etc.

Overall, FOR US, we felt as if the children who are in the United States waiting to be adopted will have opportunities. Our little +1 is just trying to make it to it's only meal of the day or wondering when it might get it nexts' bath of cold, dirty water. Our little +1 is just trying to beat the statistics and live past it's 5th birthday. Please know that in no way are we putting down domestic adoptions. If the opportunity ever arose for us to adopt domestically we would do it in a heartbeat. But for our family circumstances and what God has called US to do, we have peace about "not leaving our orphan but going to him."

Planting Trees Is Hard Work

A couple of weeks ago Trevor and Big K worked all morning preparing the two holes we were going to need to plant our new trees. It was precious to me watching my boys work really hard together. I appreciate Trevor for letting his little three-year-old son who can either A. get in the way or B. ask a million questions, work with him as if he was his right-hand man!

When I look at this picture it makes me think of our adoption and little Kohen. We are working so diligently preparing our home for him. My hand is now stronger than it ever was filling out thousands of papers. We are spending countless hours reading blogs and textbooks and binders on issues regarding adoption, especially transracial adoptions. Trevor (and Big K) both came in utterly exhausted from digging out the dirt for 5 hours! At this point, I am spent. I'm tired of all of the paperwork, the reading, the thinking, the praying, the wondering, the crying. But just like Trevor knew that he had to do all of the prep work in order to allow the beautiful tree to survive, I too know that this must all be done for our little +1 to have a loving home filled with the love of Jesus and oh how worth it it will be!!

Why Wednesday

Since we began this journey called adoption, we have been asked so many Why?!?! questions. People are curious and I think that's great! I'm used to my three-year-old asking a million why questions. It's the way he learns! To help your curiosity, we are starting "Why Wednesdays". Each Wednesday we will answer a question that people have asked. If you have a question, please comment or email (06tt08kk@gmail.com) us and we'll answer (maybe...)!!

Why Did We Decide To Adopt?

In April 2005, I served Trevor hamburgers at the TTU Equestrian center during the Ranch Horse Competition. From that moment on I was immediately smitten with "the boy in the cowboy hat". God knew it wasn't the right time to bring us together so it was a simple hi! When school resumed in August 2005, we saw each other at the store my mom ran in the Animal Science building and he said, "Hey aren't you that girl from the equestrian center?" All I could get out was, "Yeah!" I ran down to my mom's office, with my heart pounding, and said, "He said hi!!" Mom replied, "And who was that?" "The boy in the cowboy hat!!" My friend Colton knew I had a "crush" on Trevor so when they were selling Ranch Horse t-shirts he made an excuse for me to stop by and buy one on my way to class. Trevor and I ended up being officially introduced and for the next 30 minutes his friend Matt talked to me, not Trevor! It was time to leave "the boy who didn't seem interested in me" and head to class. As I walked away he yelled, "Hey wait, I'll go to class with you!" What?!? I was a Human Development and Family Studies major..There were like 2 boys in our class and about 90 girls! He insisted, so we finally talked while walking to class. Can you guess what the class was about that day? Yep, Sexual Reproduction. How's that for your "first" date?!? We didn't pay much attention. Instead we played the dot game and tic-tac-toe! That night he picked me up for church and a scoop of ice cream. After an hour of talking on his tailgate he ended the night with a, "If you ever want someone to take you for a scoop of ice cream just give me a call." I bet you thought I was going to say a kiss. Nope, he ended it with a "the next time I'm going to see you is if you want ice cream?!?!?!?" I immediately ran in and called my mom and told her I met the man I'm going to marry (so I better build up an appetitie for ice cream if I was going to have the chance to see him again ;-))! On Trevor's way home he called his mom and told her to pray because he thinks he found the woman he's going to marry. By that Friday we were in "love" and 2 months later engaged! 

The day we got engaged at his momma's work

Doesn't he look like just a babe?? He was..we were only 20!!

At our "tool" shower



Believe it or not, we both have always wanted to get married barefoot on the beach. We found, the best and cheapest way was to take a cruise that docked on the beach, get married and sail back home. Bad thing was, the only available time to get all of our family together for four days was the first of March. We set sail, to get married, exactly 5 months after meeting. Why have a long engagement? Too many temptations :-)  We skipped school on a Thursday and came back the next Tuesday MARRIED!! We wouldn't do a thing differently! Our families really got to bond and we got to have 4 days of fun with 20 of our closest friends and family. The only downside, joining the family for breakfast the morning after the wedding...

We love and miss you Uncle Jimmy. Thanks for being a huge part of our special day!

What was this post suppose to be about?! Oh yeah, why we decided to adopt?? In the summer of 2001, Trevor was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia. He received chemotherapy treatments for three years and entered remission in September 2004 (by the way, he isn't in remission, he was completely healed by our amazing Jehovah- Rapha.. Thank you Jesus!!)

After we got engaged, I visited the doctors who had worked with Trevor for so many years. I was given news that could have ruined me. The doctor asked, "Are yall wanting to have kids?" Of course we were. I was made to be a mom! And my mom says the only reason she had kids was to be a grandma!! The doctors just simply said, "Because of the chemo Trevor received, you will have a much harder time to conceive." On the drive back to Lubbock from Amarillo I asked Trevor what he thought of adopting. He replied without hesitation, "Of course. God adopted us, why wouldn't we do the same?"

A week after starting my first teaching job, I found out I was pregnant. On May 1, 2008 Keldon Charles, our amazing blessing from God was born. And not only did God bless us once, but on March 11, 2011 our princess, Karsyn Louise was born! What a joy they have been in our lives. We never fully understood the love God has for us, nor can look at it the same, until we had them both.

With the joy of having biological kids, the thought of adoption can fade.  After praying and seeking God, we realized our family was not complete yet because God still had another child for us... in Congo! He may not look like us, but love knows no boundaries. Yes it's a scary thought and the unknown drives us crazy, but we're completely trusting God. It's easy to say you trust God until you get in a situation that requires crazy faith! Through adoption, our +1 will have a loving home and family.  Most importantly, we will be able to raise him up to love God and change the world for Him!

Lubbock Trip

Raise your hand if you know when I went to Lubbock last. Ok, you that raised your hand. Let's keep it a secret when I went and let's pretend it was just yesterday! Sorry for just now getting the Lubbock trip posted. This last week was one of the busiest weeks I've had so therefore the fun, extra post just had to wait! And sorry for the poor picture quality. Trev keeps saying since I'm an official "blogger" now, I need to get an official camera that actually takes quality pictures ;-)

A couple of weeks ago the kids and I went to Lubbock for the week. I had a women's conference in Amarillo (which was outstanding) so my folks met me there to get my kids and watch them for the night. I then drove down there and stayed a few days since Trevor was on a business trip in Austin! We of course had a great time!

One of Trevor's very best friends opened a pumpkin patch right in the middle of town so went there to pick pumpkins. Little did we know he created an entire experience! 



 Cute little photo op with tractor and all!

I'm assuming farmers have a tough boy look on them because that's the face Big K chose to use for the picture!

 This my friend is called "Big Buddy". Since we are terrible parents and refuse our child the opportunity to grow up with a childhood pet, I'm assuming the pumpkin became his pet because that's how he treated it for the time being!

 On the hay ride! If you will notice in the bottom left of the picture my adorable purse. There is something VERY exciting coming up in the near future regarding this purse (or a purse very similar to it)..stay tuned :-)

The following sequence of pictures just cracks me up. Little K enjoyed the trailer full of pumpkins for about 2 seconds!

 You should be laughing hysterically about now!!!

 This is my little fireman at the Science Spectrum. That is such a cool place to visit in Lubbock!

 Hold on to your seats..I decided to get creative!! I'm guessing the lack of laundry to do, housework to accomplish and work items afforded me the opportunity to let the creative juices explode in my head. I was feeling so creative I even went to Wal-Mart and bought $100 worth of stuff to make these:

Unfortunately though, I got back to Dalhart and they are still sitting in the corner of my room! I really thought I could make some great money selling them because they are so darn cute!!

 We of course made our way to Cup of Yo. Our tradition...

 My lovely momma!! I bet you can't tell she's about to turn the big 5-0?!?!

 Don't be judging me right now. Beginning at the ripe age of 6 months old babies are allowed to have yogurt. It's great for their system (they didn't say what kind of yogurt and if it should have all of the extra added sugar or not)!!

Our last night there we ate at mine and Trevor's favorite place. I sent this picture to Trevor bragging about where I was eating. He replied back, "It's not as good as Pappadeaux."

I guess that's what I get for bragging. I love anything Pappas and was so jealous!!

I always love going to the big city because I feel like my kids get a taste of civilization but am always oh so happy to get back to our little town with some routine!!