Care Package

      Last week, we received word that a care package we had sent to Kameron had arrived at his orphanage.

     What an exciting thought! Just as we know his face, he now knows ours! We sent him a 14 picture photo album. Our agency has an agreement with a lady in China who put this together for us. We sent the photos and she translates them for him. We also sent a thumb drive so pictures taken in his foster home and orphanage can be uploaded to the thumb drive and we can make him a memory book when he gets home.

     We have completed our home study and are awaiting minor detail/changes so it can be finalized. The next step is petitioning the United States Government for their approval of our international adoption.

     While we have been visiting family in Washington state, we have got to experience all kinds of Asian foods and cultures: Korean, Filipino, Japanese, Chinese, etc. The boys are flabbergasted there are so many countries near China. They love learning all they can about their new brother, his culture and his homeland. It's so awesome to see their enthusiasm for Kameron! Jesse Jay cannot wait for Kameron to teach him to use chop sticks.

In terms of fundraising:

1. Our direct adoption page at Adopt Together has hit a bit of a plateau. If you are interested in donating directly towards bringing Kameron home, this would be there place to do so here. It is a tax deductible option for those wishing to aid us financially.

2. A dear friend of mine is doing a Thirty-One party fundraiser for us. This will be an online and in town party at our house April 2nd. How does it work? If you like the adorable new jewelry, etc that thirty-one offers and are interested in making a purchase, you can do so online. 25% of the proceeds go directly to Kameron's adoption fund. It doesn't cost you any extra to get whatever Thirty-one product you were interested in. You can access information on this fundraiser here.

3. Another friend of mine has offered to throw us a Jamberry Nail Party (online) April 7-21st. Stay tuned for information on that. 30% of those proceeds will go towards Kameron's adoption fund. So if you are looking to get some cute nails-- stay tuned for links and information on this.

4. Saltzer Medical Groups Cookie Donation Drive raised $224.76 towards bringing Kameron home. Thank you everyone who participated in that. And a HUGE thank you to Kathy for being willing to bake those cookies and bring them to us so we might disperse them.

5. Our Adoption Yard Sale is tentatively planned for the beginning of June. If you are doing any Spring Cleaning soon and are interested in donating your items to this cause (small or large-- anything helps) please let me know. We are also looking for tables, people willing to help run/organize it with us.

     -- So far, between our Adopt Together Webpage and the Saltzer Medical Group cookie drive we have the EXACT amount needed for the next step in our process. I do not find this random-- as it was a very odd (not rounded) amount!

..... God is good and faithful! All of the time.

Upcoming Fundraisers

We are pleased to announce a couple fundraisers to you all!

The first fundraiser is currently underway at Sarah's work at Saltzer Medical Group in Nampa. A very kind person has offered to bake cookies in exchange for donations for bringing Kameron home. Thus far, it has raised $96.72! We so appreciate those who have given and supported us there. Thank you!! If you work at Saltzer (or want to message Sarah to save you a dozen), a second batch of cookies will be available Tuesday, March 17th. Let me know if you are interested in this so I can set aside a batch for you. There are Oatmeal Raisin, Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip available. I still have one batch of chocolate chip available that I can bring any time. How it works is-- you tell us you want a batch of cookies and you pay whatever you feel led to pay.

The SECOND fundraiser is coming up. Our dear friend, Crystle Bittle has offered to throw us a Thirty-one Jewelry Fundraiser Party where 25% of proceeds will go towards Kameron's adoption fund. It will open up online March 20th. For local Idaho people, there will also be a party at our place just prior to the event closing. Stay tuned for invites/updates on the date for this. Long story short, Thirty-one is doing personalized jewelry now. If you are interested in getting some cute bling and want to help Kameron while you do it, this is a neat opportunity to do just that.

Questions I get are: So will I then be paying extra for my purchase? No! You pay the same prices you'd pay at any Thirty-one party to get this cute jewelry. And, when can we take a peak at what's available? The online store will open March 20th. I will be posting a link to the fundraiser once it goes live.  I am planning an in-person party at my house at the beginning of April. I have booklets with me that I can show you, if you are interested and want to take a look. There are so many cute things! Im not much of a jewelry person, but even I like what they have!

We are in the planning stages of a large adoption fundraiser yard sale. Tentatively this will be in the beginning of June. What we are needing are a few things: 1) Your unwanted items. It's getting to be Spring cleaning time. If you have stuff you no longer want/need and are willing for us to sell them to help bring Kameron home, we would appreciate it. Just let us know! 2) Help. I am not the best organizer in the world. People who are willing to help us during the garage sale to organize, sell, and keep us company are needed and would be greatly appreciated!

Lastly, if you are wanting to do a fundraiser or have some skill (sewing, free babysitting we can raffle off, etc) that could help us do additional fundraisers in the future-- please let me know. We are interested in exploring other creative ways to do fundraising.

All support is helpful. Prayers, kind words. We have heard so many stories of others journeys. It has meant more to us than words can express. Ya'll are awesome!

Emotions

We have felt incredibly blessed by those who have supported us in our adoption, thus far. We truly cannot thank you enough. This experience has stretched us so much. It has also brought a lot of joy. We are humbled by your generosity.

A friend of mine told me that it was “totally normal” to feel very emotional. Paper pregnancy seems to carry its own set of wild emotions (albeit no odd cravings, exhaustion and weight gain). I have been so touched. Moved by people’s generosity, support and prayers for our family as we take on this calling.

Many ask us how we came to this decision. Our story starts on Thanksgiving Day while visiting my parents in Washington. Jesse and I were relaxing after Thanksgiving as the grandparents were playing with the grandkids. We were surfing the internet when we came across a dear friend advocating for Kameron.

Normally, we feel moved, but not called to do more than to pray for the children we see. This time, we both stopped. Jesse and I looked at each other and said “we need to do something.” Kameron’s profile matched our family dynamics perfectly. The more we learn about him, the more we know we are the right fit for him. We felt an immediate, inexplicable, instant connection to THIS child. We hadn’t really even been considering adoption.

Our older boys have been a source of affirmation to this calling. We worried how our oldest would feel being displaced as the oldest child in the family. That Thanksgiving Day, as we were pondering all of this, he walks up to us (knowing nothing of our considering adopting) and announces, “Mom. Dad. I’m tired of being the oldest. I want an older brother!” We knew then not to concern ourselves with this any longer.

The older 2 boys both were looking at Waiting Children profiles with me a few days later. Both, without knowing who Kameron was or details—picked out Kameron’s picture and said, “We like him. HE can be our brother.”

We have had some mild speed bumps along the way. We have learned so much about the process of adoption. Friends and even total strangers have opened up to us and shared their own adoption experiences and journey’s.

We overwhelmingly have felt blessed by this. Our community, friends and families have poured love on us. We know lots of people are praying for us all over the country. Lots are sending kind words and encouragement. We have had some even walk alongside us during this journey and have guided us through the complex process.

   

This has truly opened our eyes to how loved we are. And how loved Kameron already is.

Please feel free to forward/post our Adopt Together Page if you feel called to do so. Anything helps. And we hope to bring awareness to this issue we have become passionate about.

“I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you.” John 14:18 (NIV)