At the very core of who we are...

This time last week, James and I were recuperating from the craziness of getting two teenage girls ready for prom.  I took Caitlin and Lauren to get their hair done by someone else.  You would think being the mom of three girly~girls, I'd have the hang of the up-do.  I don't!  Can't even french braid. 

So we went to the Paul Mitchell school and were quite impressed with the finished product and as mom, I was SO VERY THANKFUL there would be less stress in our house later that afternoon.  Being the mom of three girly~ girls I can say we have had quite the drama over the years,  when it comes time for everyone trying to primp and do their thing in front of the mirror.  

It was actually a pleasant day.  The girls amazed me at how they helped each other; Lauren even hiked her dress up, sat in the floor and put on Caitlin's shoes.  I loved it!  Caitlin was great sharing her sweet day with her little sister.  Make NO MISTAKE it was Caitlin's special day.... her 1st prom, her SENIOR prom and she was beautiful.  Lauren too, was stunning.  She was on a date though, someone else's Senior prom. 

James was awesome!  He helped the girls with the details of their dresses, corsages, moving furniture, having fans to cool them off... I couldn't help but to think of what he'd be like on their wedding days.... He loves his girls and wants the their special life events to be the best he can provide.  He is always taking care of us; we are truly blessed!

The girls had a great time.  Obviously Lauren had to be home by 12:00 (pretty late for her) and Caitlin went to the after prom party and breakfast.  Funny thing, our girls have curfews and I thought I'd be a nervous wreck... we have instilled the best of us,  in our girls.  Have we made mistakes? you better believe it!  Do we have it all together?  No way!   Do they know they are treasured and loved?  With out a doubt  (at least on a good day, haha). 

Our roles in their lives will always be mom and dad.  By no means have we stopped parenting Caitlin; the roles have shifted some.  She is 18, an adult.  I believe she has a wise head on her shoulders, she knows the difference between right and wrong and most importantly she has a relationship with her Savior.  At the very core of who Caitlin is, she knows WHOSE she is.  That my friend, brings this mommy's heart peace!

Caitlin brought home her cap & gown yesterday, we've been addressing invitations and believe me she knows the exact days and hours she has left at Seigel High School.  I can't believe my baby girl is grown up!  where does the time go?  It honestly feels like I just graduated... and my 20th class reunion is coming up.  She is her mamma's daughter and I know she will make her own choices.  I pray she will choose wise, I pray she will seek, pray and listen to the One who created her and loves her more than life itself. 

Okay, I need to shift gears, this momma is a little emotional these days.  Emily wasn't here for the prom festivities... we missed her, she would have been a great assistant to the girls.  She does have a giving heart. She was putting that giving spirit to great use at a weekend event called "Arms Around Smyrna".  It's a weekend where our middle school youth come together and serve our community.   Emily planted flowers, helped throw a carnival/bbq for some great kiddos in a neighborhood, she went to the local nursing home and painted fingernails... and she loved it!  

My girls all loved being apart of this weekend at one point in time.  I love we attend a church that does lead by example and invest in our youth.  I  pray my girls will ALWAYS put the needs of others before their own.  I pray our family will always be the hands and feet of Jesus to someone in our path.  That it will be as natural as breathing & blinking... just what we do because it's who we are ~ at the very core of who we  are~

On the adoption front, it's going to be awhile.  We are waiting on approval from Immigration at this point and were told that whole process could take a couple of months and then we'd move to the next process.  It's my understanding the courts will shut down for a few months around September, for the rainy season.  So we are just taking it step by step, and are good with it.  God puts little things on our path each day that remind us He is in control and He is on this journey with us... His timing will be perfect! 

Thank you for the prayers!  Thank you for the support!  We are still selling necklaces, they will make great Easter gifts, Mother's Day gifts and just the "I am helping bring a boy to his forever family" it's for me gift.  One thing I'm learning is that with each new process, you write and send a sweet little check.  "Thank you God for always providing".  We have complete trust He will continue to do so!  James is on call, as I type.

Enjoy the pics!

 

Backwards or Forwards.... movement is good

I really wish I could start this post with some wonderfully amazing piece of information... such as we have a face, we have a son, we have court dates.  I simply can't.  I can tell you that after weeks of gathering paperwork for our dossier, signing and notarizing around 50 papers (seriously!), James and I decided that we in fact weren't comfortable with the agency we had originally chosen.

We couldn't ignore the check in our spirit, or the concerns we had - BELIEVE me I tried every way to rationalize, justify and chalk it up to nerves; thank goodness we choose to follow the One who laid out this path before us.  Thank God! He is in the details and He renews my strength, He guides me along the right paths, bringing honor to His name.  

On Friday Feb. 25th James and I had the appointment to have ALL of our paperwork notarized; we were ready to mail them off that day.... we returned home to find 1 page wasn't ready, we couldn't complete  it because it was for Caitlin, who just turned 18, three days prior.  To recap for those of you who don't know, we waited about 6 weeks to move forward, allowing Caitlin to turn 18.   SO I /WE were so ready to release the paperwork on the 25th and to move forward... we officially started this process in November and just wanted to make some progress.

In the adoption world there are lots of blogs that keep you posted of their stories (a lot cooler than mine, I might add ;o)  truthfully it was hard, to see families that started at the same time as us, already posting they had chosen their child, already had court dates, and we officially weren't even considered a client (family)  yet.

During this time of gathering, fundraising, and waiting on baby girl to turn 18, we had some doubts, some concern, the "check" in our spirit of moving forward.  No matter how much our time frame would get pushed back, we could no longer push forward.

So as of today, after much research, prayer and peace we have chosen another agency to partner up with to help us reach our boy.  We are thrilled to be moving forward.  The only downside is, their requirements of paperwork differ from what we had originally prepared.  We are back to the gathering part, again, but have more knowledge and the legwork is mostly done, the homestudy was already prepared and due to the generosity of others we have several sets of fees ready to pay.

That is where we are at on this adoption journey.  We still take comfort in knowing God's timing is perfect! He loves our boy and is watching over him until we are there and then He will (still) watch over all of us.   So as the Ethiopian adoption program reviews their policies and procedures and rumor has it will cut the numbers of children matched up to their forever families by 90% or something.... we take peace in knowing God called us to this and He ain't surprised by nothing and we are to be obedient in everything.   

So to a sweet friend who reminded me today (not even trying to) I say thanks... this is how I try to sum up my feelings.  Although we wait on meeting our son face to face and living out the dreams we have dreamed for him, first and foremost....

"I wait for the lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope."  http://bible.us/Ps130.5.NIV

Thanks for following along... and for heaven's sake, give a sister some love and leave a comment ;o)

Boldly Believing!

Let me just say, that I have so much to say, that I don't know if I can say anything and make any sort of sense.  See there, did I just prove my point?   Deep cleansing breathe....  The yard sale.  Not only did we have an amazing space that my wonderful boss arranged for me, not only did we have over 20 families donate their goodies, not only did we have people donate heaters, tables, racks, hangers, food, work, break down, clean up.... when it was all said and done we raised $5500.00 AND we had so much stuff left that we were able to pay it forward.   Goodwill, Rescue Mission, Habitat, local community needs and again, I could go on.    B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L.

We had some great pieces of furniture & house decor items that we took to a great store in Nashville off 8th Avenue called Remix Furniture.  He was wonderful and so kind, he will sell the furniture and we still get half of the profits to put toward our adoption.  The great blessing with that scenario... when a person comes to a yard sale they want to pay $2- for the fabulous print and  at his store they will pay $40 and  our adoption will still get 1/2.... Can''t wait to share the outcome on this one.

I am glad the sale is over.  It was a labor of love and I would do it again in a heartbeat but man oh man, it was alot of work.  So i am thankful to say by tomorrow evening the building will be cleaned  up and cleared out.   I however, will be at another building.  A dear family, who holds a special place in our hearts have a huge consignment sale a few times  a year.  It is HUGE!  She not only put a link about our adoption on her website, she requested I come and set up a table to sell our necklaces.  Another Blessing!  She has a lot of

traffic at her sale.  Not only will it bring awareness to the Orphan crisis in the world, with every necklace purchased it brings us one step closer to having our son in our arms.

We have some friends & family walking this journey with us and selling necklaces for us.  Our goal was to have 100 folks buy 1 necklace and sell 9 to their peeps.  That would be 1000 necklaces, that would be $10,000- towards our adoption.   I get a lump in my throat just thinking at the possibility of that.  We have had several friends buy 10 for gifts, several sell 10 and several who say they are going to...  and I have my mother n law who just got her 60th necklace today.  How amazing is that!!!! thank you Kathy from the depths of my heart!!!

As I've said before, we know we can't change the world for every orphan, but we can change the world for one.  Our son.  If your sitting there thinking "how can I possibly help their fundraising efforts?", I say you might not be able to give us $30,000- but with every necklace sold... every t-shirt bought, (every yard sale item)  the amount we have to raise gets smaller and smaller...

The PROOF... we started our fundraising kick off night on Jan. 17th... only 51 days ago.  as of today we have $10,000.00.   Thank you God!  Thank you for stirring the hearts of others to our cause, thank you to everyone who answered the call.  THANK YOU! Thank You! thank you. 

My hope.... we will sell the 1000 necklaces in the next .... I know this is BOLD... 15 days.  Why 15?  147 has so graciously given us more money for each necklace purchased in the next 2 weeks... so that $10,000 will be $15,000------  so PLEASE tell your friends about the necklace, share this site, be so BOLD you buy the 10 knowing you friends will buy them, if your a teacher-buy 1 and put it in your break room and take orders (that applies to any work site), if you attend a church share it with your ladies, daycare, if you know someone who owns a store... you get the idea. (share it on your facebook)

$25 Ugandan Magazine Necklace... one of a kind... change the life of a women in Uganda by providing an income, feed a child, and help bring our son home  AND get a beautiful piece of jewelry.... Win! Win!

I pray tomorrow night between 4:00 - 7:00 I see you... I pray you buy 10, or send 10... check out the link for the location...

SUGAR BABIES LOCATION:
250 Country Village Dr., Smyrna, TN 37167
Corner of Hazelwood & Country Village Dr.- Behind Napa Auto Care

Blessings!

http://www.sugarbabiesconsignment.com/

One man's junk is another man's treasure

Sorry it's been awhile since my last post; it has been crazy busy for us for the last several weeks.  As I am sure you know we had our Adoption Kickoff night and our Adoption Yardsale.  Whew, to even type that I am exhausted ;o)

We spent several weekends going around town picking up donations, a few setting up the stuff, a few having the sale.  So much to tell, I don't know where to start.  Well, first I had set a goal to hopefully raise $2500- for 2 weekends of yardsales.  Man did God show up and show out.  I know better than to put limitations on anything because with God all things are possible.  It is with overwhelming joy and thankfulness I tell you that we raised $3,575.00 through the yardsale.  Received $840.00 in donations from friends in the mail ~ talk about feeling the love .

I don't have the exact total of money raised from t-shirts and necklaces but I feel  comfortable saying $1500.00.  So if your keeping tally, that total comes to (d.r.u.m.-r.o.l.l. please) $ 5915.00
That's right!!!! through the sacrificial giving & generosity of others we have  raised almost $6000.00 in a month.   I am fighting the tears and the huge lump in my throat (no need for the ugly cry),  my heart is so full, I am not amazed at the goodness of people.  I know it exist, I am amazed that friends, family and complete strangers would stand up and take action to help us, reach our son.

My words could never express my gratitude.  Thank you's aren't adequate enough, hugs are Great!  but still can't convey the emotions of my heart.  So many  individuals are walking this journey with us, through us, before us  and it is a beautiful blessing!  From the tables, hangers & racks being loaned, to people helping us price and set up, helping us work the sale, posting links on their facebooks, giving donations, coming to buy goodies (funny, several almost bought their own goodies ;o)   Letting us borrow trucks, heaters and bringing more donations,  for spending a $1 and giving $60.... I could go on and on

I can't wait to tell my son how he was wanted by his birth mom, his mom, dad, sisters  and all the people who made it possible to get him to his forever family.  This is one special little man!

For those of you who have asked (I will share in another post the breakdown) our adoption cost will be in the ballpark cost of $30,000.  This includes homestudies, agency fees, Ethiopian fees, travel exp.  and much more.  That is a lot of money!!!! but so worth every penny.  I have a feeling that our lives are not the only ones being blessed by the sacrifice/giving of so much.   For the rest of my days, I will never forget the actions, the emotions, the E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G.

Just so you know, we have SO many goodies (just received a lot today), we will be having the sale again next weekend...  so if your kicking yourself that you didn't make it out you still have a chance :o)  tell your friends, post it at your work.... Our first set of fees we are sending in are in the range of $8,000... I feel certain we (us) can  DO IT.

You Are My Sunshine

What a beautiful day to be indoors... man oh man, how I have missed the beautiful sunshine and warmth of its glow shining down on me.  Actually, I missed it today too as James and I were indoors all day getting prepared for our Adoption Yardsale.  Even though we were indoors and we worked hard, it was a labor of love.

I couldn't help but to look around at all the "goodies" and feel the warmth of God's love.  So many friends, family and strangers have given us things to sell.  For us to keep the money we receive to use towards our adoption fees.  They don't get a receipt to write off on their taxes....it is a gift.  The VERY BEST GIFT!

So believe me when I say, today was truly the best day ever of not getting to go outside and bask in the sunshine... I was beaming from the Son's love that has been graciously poured out all over us.

Do me a favor.  TELL YOUR FRIENDS.TELL YOUR FAMILY.TELL YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE. TELL EVERYONE YOU SEE  about our upcoming Adoption INDOORS Yardsale:

WHEN:  Friday Feb. 4th & Saturday Feb. 5th  & Friday Feb. 11th & Saturday Feb. 12th
Time:  7:00 am - 4:00pm
Where:  6610 New Nashville Hwy., Smryna  
(off M'bor Rd. between  Bell Furniture & Hooptown.  In the Parker Square Complex, behind Jumper's Playhouse)
Come Rain or Shine!

Also, we are still taking donations if you have some stuff you'd like to get rid of.  Every little bit helps!  Here are a few pics to show off some of the great gifts... HOPE I SEE YOU THERE ;o)

Great Girls. A Good Life.

I have been sitting here tonight reading a book Emily brought home from school for us.  It is titled "Cultures of the World~Ethiopia".  How cool is it that my 12 year old daughter is wanting to learn more about her little brother.   She is so excited to be a big sister... that is 1 title we never thought she would claim. 

The girls are pretty excited about us adopting and are the first to answer anyones questions.  They are the ones that helped James and myself to make up our minds.  They never doubted we should bring a little one into our family and they have been more than willing to make sacrifices to help us come up with the funds.

This past Christmas, I couldn't even get them to give me a list... up until the week of Christmas I still hadn't bought any presents, they were being so thoughtful and selfless.  They helped me make an ornament for our tree that represented their brother.  They gave me a sweet little picture frame with the shape of Africa with a heart over Ethiopia in it ~ love it!  All 3 of my girls will be wonderful sisters to their little brother....I can't wait to see each of them hold him in their arms. 

Caitlin talked with a teacher at her school and they are allowing  her & Lauren to sit up a table to sell T-shirts and stuff during lunches.  Isn't that exciting!  She has lined up friends who are willing to work the table all 3 hours.  I love it!  The girls have sold necklaces and T's to their teachers and friends.   They are doing their part and we didn't even have to ask.... Did I say "I love it!"

We will be having our Adoption Yard sale on 2 weekends.  Fri 4 & Sat. 5 / Fri. 11 & Sat. 12  starting at 7:00 - 4:00... It is INDOORS  and we have had 15 families contribute to our cause (many, many thanks!).   The address is 6610 New Nashville Highway in the Parker Square Complex.  This is off Murfreesboro Road, between Bell Furniture & Hooptown (behind Jumper's Playhouse).

PLEASE COME!  PLEASE tell everyone!  PLEASE check those closets...we could always use more stuff..
every penny sold will go towards our adoption...that is such a blessing!  We have some cool items, beds, futons, desks, lots of house hold decor, clothes, playstation, guitar hero & all the instruments, a performing stage for little ones,barbies never opened, skates, amp & pink electric guitar...and lots of stuff I haven't even looked at.  So excited!  Also, have some friends baking stuff, yummy!

It's a Process!  We knew our journey would have delays, it is just part of the adoption process.  Well, ours came pretty early on.  Our social worker suggested we put our home study "on hold" til Caitlin turns 18 on Feb. 22nd.   If we had submitted last week, it more than likely would sit on a desk and by the time it got to the right location, would no longer be correct.

So the day Caitlin turns 18, we will submit the appropriate paperwork for having another adult under our roof.  Basically, we will be requesting her criminal history.... we got ours in 2 days so we will move forward pretty quickly.  Was bummed at first, it added six weeks to the process.  Then I realized it is 6 weeks to step back and focus on Caitlin Elizabeth Griffith, my firstborn, my sweet precious baby who has grown up to be a caring, compassionate, giving, gorgeous young woman.... Where has the time gone?  She will always have our hearts, she will always be our princess.  She will always be the one we learned from and we admit we made several mistakes along the way... thank you Caitlin for not holding it against us and for always being willing to grow with us. 

Caitlin Elizabeth Griffith ~ you are beautiful inside & out~

So here we are...preparing a yard sale, selling T-shirts & necklaces and celebrating our Caitlin... who will forever be our baby girl.  Life is Good!

Crazy is the new Beautiful

I want to say a big fat THANK YOU to all of our friends & family that came out to our Adoption Kickoff event on Monday night.  We were thrilled at the turn out, the kind words, the warm hugs, the sweet notes of encouragement and the gear that was purchased to help us raise funds. 

For those of you who are wondering, that night was the official kickoff but we will be selling the gear for as long as it takes. So if you didn't make it out, or if you've been seeing the hip and stylish T's around town; it's not too late!  Just give us a shout and we will get 'er done.

Over the last few weeks, I have been asked several times about adoption.  Domestic vs. international, black vs. white, fundraising vs. do it yourself.   I believe all questions are good questions, if it gets people talking about helping others.  I can't speak for all and wouldn't dare try.  I can only speak for myself and for what our family holds as truth.

I was adopted! Both physically and spiritually.  My daddy, Dale, choose to raise my sister and myself as his daughters and my heavenly Father adopted me into His family, cleansed my soul and has taken me into His forever home.  I was sought after, found, and forever claimed by both of my daddies.

I am simple.  Remember the songs we sung in Sunday School,  that will always be etched into your memory, I do.  Although they were just sweet words, when I was young, as an adult I see them as truth. 

 "Jesus loves all the little children of the world, yellow, red, black & white  they're  precious in His sight"
   
     "He's got everybody here in His hands, He's got everybody there in His hands, He's got everybody      
                  everywhere in His hands, He's got the whole world in His hands"

I see the whole world as Jesus', not just America.  I love America, I am proud of my husband who served this country for 14 years.  This is not an "American" issue for us.  This is about being obedient to the call we have felt placed on our lives and in our hearts. 

For me, I have traveled to Africa and seen first hand the poverty, devastation, starvation lack of clean water and BASIC medical care.   I could not turn my eyes as if I weren't aware.  Through my stories and pictures, James & the girls became more aware.  Awareness takes Action on our part!  And yes, I know that all these horrific situations exist in America too; it breaks my heart!  There is no easy answer.  I do see great organizations, and government assistance in line to help assist the children of America.  It is without fault, no way! PRAISE GOD we don't hear about children dying from lack of clean water & basic food, for days on end.

Now, any child going without food or love for 1 day, 1 hour, 1 minute or even 1 second is too long.  and I have to ask you..."WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT IT?"  search your heart, when  you hear God calling you to take action, to be his hands and feet,  I can give you the names of many wonderful ministries who would love to have your support locally, nationally and internationally.  Not everyone is called to adopt but everyone is called to do something.

Cost.  Let's face it Adoption isn't cheap! and we aren't rich. We live like most Americans, we are only one disaster away from landing on difficult times.  We know God will provide.  Whether that is through extra income coming our way, cutting out all unnecessary bills and expenses, asking friends for stuff for a yard sale or selling T-shirts and necklaces.... WHATEVER IT TAKES!  as I have said before I didn't feel so strongly at first; I felt we'd do this on our own.

Well, God doesn't call us to do life on our own and the longer it takes us to come up with the financing the longer our little one sits in orphanage... the longer he suffers.   I think I can swallow my pride and hold out my hand.  Ge sh, over the years we've all bought something at someones function to help them out (Mary Kay, Tupperware, girl scouts...) there is no difference here, except instead of me earning free product, I will inherit a son.  God has a plan, I know He is using our journey to sow some seeds ~ I don't know how many times in the past few weeks I have heard "we had consider"  we have always thought" "tell me more about adoption".

So you better believe it!  I will fund raise to get my little one here in my arms... and IF it brings another little one to someone else's arms because God used the Griffith family.... BRING IT ON!

Hope this shed a little light on where we are.  Please feel free to ask me questions or voice your opinion, we are okay with it.... at the end of the day we are living our lives to Glorify our God and we know that makes us Crazy to some... we can handle it ;o)