It feels like I have not posted here or within our blog for a while.......and that's because we have just been soooo busy!  Hopefully you are also following us within our adoption group on FB.  If so you likely saw the pics and posts about last weekend's Large Yard Sale.  It was a lot of work, but it was worth it.  Thankfully we had some nice pieces of furniture and exercise equipment that helped make for some larger ticket sales.  Your donated belongings that you no longer wanted or needed were definitely a blessing and helped give diversity and more merchandise for our sale.  Thank you!  I am planning on taking the money raised from the yard sale and submitting it to our Brittany's Hope grant.  Remember that is the grant we were given, provided we fundraise $3,000. then they will then grant us $3,000. paid directly to our adoption agency.  I need to start chipping away at that promise, so we can turn our 3,000 into 6,000.  The yard sale made a dent in this promise, but I'm really planning on the puzzle fundraiser to help us wrap that grant promise up.  Here is a picture of where we stand currently with the puzzle fundraiser.  

It's been slow, but sure. What started out as a fun way to reveal our son's name has become much more meaningful now to us. As friends and family sponsor pieces and I write their names and messages on the back of the puzzle pieces, it is so real and sentimental. There must be something so tangible and even promissory to writing their names on the puzzle. As if to say, "We are here for your family, and believe in what you are doing. We want to help!" I want to see ALL my friends and family represented on the back of his puzzle! So if you haven't already, then what are you waiting for? Make a donation here to our site and I would love to add you and your family to the back of his puzzle. Plus, We are getting closer to where his name is revealed on the puzzle! I can't wait until we can all start referring to him by NAME!
Another Exciting thing on the horizon here starting August 1 through the end of October, is the lovely Laura Shankel from Two Little Daisies Photography is booking Mini and Full photo sessions to benefit OUR adoption. Isn't that AWESOME! I can't tell you how many discussions I have had with other Mom's on what photographers they have used, were they affordable, did they do shoots outside, etc. Well Laura is ALL this and then some! <3 She was great with my children, and I warned her ahead of time about them....... She said, "Oh I don't scare easily, I have four of my own! lol lol" I loved her right away! lol lol And look at the top photo of our family - she took this photo. Isn't she talented. You should visit and LIKE her FB page to see some of her stunning work at https://www.facebook.com/twolittledaisieslsp/# Below is the flyer she made with details for this incredible opportunity to both get some amazing family photos and also bless our growing family at the same time!

So see what I mean...... there's a whole lot going on right now! :) But all good!
As for the adoption process, we submitted our I800A a little over a week ago. So we are just waiting to receive our biometrics (fingerprinting) appointment in the mail. I emailed them my request to medically expedite his case, for this step of the process; but did not receive the warmest of replies. So I am waiting likely until we get fingerprinted and then I will reach out to them (USCIS) again and ask AGAIN. That is certainly something with international adoption, you do really need to be persistent and trying to work 1-2 steps ahead of the actual step you are currently on. Being assertive or forceful, if you will, is NOT something I am comfortable with. That is NOT my personality! However, the Mama Bear has been known to come out a couple times when feeling backed against a wall, or if my children's health/safety is in jeopardy.
Let's see what else is going on......Jace and Doug are still in business for their Travelling Carwashes, if you are in need of your vehicle being washed.  Jace also took on a watering job, while a friend is out of town on vacation.  He sold handmade fidgets and some candy at last weekend's Yard Sale.  He is certainly excited and looking forward to taking this trip to China with us in order to meet his baby brother for the 1st time, and help bring him HOME!  It's means so much to see him so invested in this adoption.  Afterall it's not about Doug and me.  It's about these beautiful children that don't have a family to call their own.  These orphans aren't able to get the medical care that they need to thrive or even live.  It's about the seeds that we are trying to sow with our own children.  It's about living out our FAITH through LOVE!