We have our official total...
Total amount raised at our Silent Auction Fundraiser was $1439.00!!!
Wow.
So, needless to say it was a HUGE success! A BIG "Thank You" to all who donated, all who helped with the set-up, and all who participated! We couldn't have asked for a nicer day. It was a lot of fun! Enjoy your goodies winners!!
Monday, December 10, 2012
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
An overflowing heart
I've received a couple of emails today that filled my heart, and I felt the need to blog about it.
I find it CRAZY that throughout this journey the Lord has meticulously placed certain people in our lives. Absolutely crazy. They come to us at just the right time, the times we are desperately praying for peace in our hearts that the money WILL show up, that our paperwork WILL come to an end, that He DOES have our little girl already chosen for us.
When we first decided (after a whole lot of praying!!) this was what God wanted us to do, we made an appointment to talk with an agency here in Des Moines. After that appointment I couldn't help but be discouraged in our decision to adopt. It would have been easy to walk away and choose not to adopt after talking with this agency...however, we are adopting because it was what God called us to do. He wrote it in our family's story long ago and we were NOT willing to "choose" what we had planned for our lives. So, we continued to pray. Pray. Pray. And more praying!
Then one day God put one of those people in our lives...She told us not to be discouraged and not to give up. You just haven't found the right agency yet. So, we began interviewing agencies all around the United States. It took some time, but was worth it in the end as we found a great agency full of great people to guide us along our adoption! Thank you Lord for Susan.
Today he put another one of those people in our lives...He listened last night as my husband told him all about our adventure, it was just the thing his small group at church was looking for! He was up praying for us early this morning....praying for us. Wow. His heart and ears were open to God and this morning he sent out a touching email to a TON of people asking them to help us bring this little girl home! It just so happened one of the people he sent it to knows us very well and forwarded it on to us. I was brought to tears by the raw thoughtfulness of this man. His heart is on fire for Jesus! It is awesome! Thank you Lord for Shawn.
We have had so many people blessing us already! Everything from donating baskets for our silent auction to "awesome endeavor!" in the memo line on a check to the one's who may not be able to give finacially but are our pray warriors.
God is alive today. I am certain of it! I have seen Him in so many people along the way!
I find it CRAZY that throughout this journey the Lord has meticulously placed certain people in our lives. Absolutely crazy. They come to us at just the right time, the times we are desperately praying for peace in our hearts that the money WILL show up, that our paperwork WILL come to an end, that He DOES have our little girl already chosen for us.
When we first decided (after a whole lot of praying!!) this was what God wanted us to do, we made an appointment to talk with an agency here in Des Moines. After that appointment I couldn't help but be discouraged in our decision to adopt. It would have been easy to walk away and choose not to adopt after talking with this agency...however, we are adopting because it was what God called us to do. He wrote it in our family's story long ago and we were NOT willing to "choose" what we had planned for our lives. So, we continued to pray. Pray. Pray. And more praying!
Then one day God put one of those people in our lives...She told us not to be discouraged and not to give up. You just haven't found the right agency yet. So, we began interviewing agencies all around the United States. It took some time, but was worth it in the end as we found a great agency full of great people to guide us along our adoption! Thank you Lord for Susan.
Today he put another one of those people in our lives...He listened last night as my husband told him all about our adventure, it was just the thing his small group at church was looking for! He was up praying for us early this morning....praying for us. Wow. His heart and ears were open to God and this morning he sent out a touching email to a TON of people asking them to help us bring this little girl home! It just so happened one of the people he sent it to knows us very well and forwarded it on to us. I was brought to tears by the raw thoughtfulness of this man. His heart is on fire for Jesus! It is awesome! Thank you Lord for Shawn.
We have had so many people blessing us already! Everything from donating baskets for our silent auction to "awesome endeavor!" in the memo line on a check to the one's who may not be able to give finacially but are our pray warriors.
God is alive today. I am certain of it! I have seen Him in so many people along the way!
Monday, November 26, 2012
Silent Auction Fundraiser
We have our first official fundraiser this Sunday. We will have a silent auction set up at house #3 on Beta Sigma Phi's Holiday Home Tour in Dallas Center. We've collected a bunch of great items donated by some AMAZING people and businesses in the area! Perfect for this gift giving season!! Please come out and support us!
You can still get discount tickets for $10 each at the Dallas Center Library or pick them up Sunday for $12 each. The tour and auction are from 11:30-4:00. My mom and I do this every year, and it's always a fun time!
Here are a few of my favorites...
You can still get discount tickets for $10 each at the Dallas Center Library or pick them up Sunday for $12 each. The tour and auction are from 11:30-4:00. My mom and I do this every year, and it's always a fun time!
Here are a few of my favorites...
These are yummy Oreos disguised as adorable snowmen!!
This is a "just add ice cream" kit! My little guys would LOVE this one!!
And this is an ADORABLE advent calendar. A fun surprise for every day in December!
Friday, November 23, 2012
Meals From the Heartland
This Thanksgiving was full of delicious food and family, as always. However, Lately I can't help but have an empty spot in my heart for our little girl a half a world away. I long for the day when our family will be whole.
We had an opportunity to package meals for Meals From the Heartland this Thanksgiving. We didn't think twice...we were there! We felt this was a great opportunity to honor our daughter and the country she was born in, as the need for these meals there is huge. We've done this before but this time it was different...much different. It's hard to think there are people and children in this world struggling to survive because they have no food. I feel extremely thankful. God has given me so much! A warm and cozy home, food to fill our tummies, supportive friends and family, a great community, an amazing church, a devoted and hard-working husband, 4 amazing and healthy boys, and one sweet little girl. He is so good!!
We had an opportunity to package meals for Meals From the Heartland this Thanksgiving. We didn't think twice...we were there! We felt this was a great opportunity to honor our daughter and the country she was born in, as the need for these meals there is huge. We've done this before but this time it was different...much different. It's hard to think there are people and children in this world struggling to survive because they have no food. I feel extremely thankful. God has given me so much! A warm and cozy home, food to fill our tummies, supportive friends and family, a great community, an amazing church, a devoted and hard-working husband, 4 amazing and healthy boys, and one sweet little girl. He is so good!!
Here we are in our lovely hairnets.
We had to watch this guy because he liked "tasting" the rice. At one point we noticed a grain coming out of his nose...
Tucker and Jace were hard workers the entire time!
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Check, Check, and Check!
This has been a very good couple weeks! We have been busy checking more "to do's" off our lists!
Last Wednesday we completed our adoption physicals/paperwork for our home study and our dossier with our doctor. We also began our long list of immunizations for travel to Africa. This was a daunting task for one of us as HE is not a fan of needles. I won't say which of us it was! ;) Needless to say, we made it out alive and even enjoyed a good laugh over it! Not sure when would be a good time to mention that that was only round one...
We also applied for our passports Wednesday. As the lady pulled up her camera to take the picture I realized how much I had to smile about and let out a big cheesey grin. Should take about 4 to 6 weeks to get them in the mail. Amazing...we're going to Africa...to get our daughter.
Then, last night, we had our final home study visit. I was most nervous for this step in the process. We had a great case worker that made us feel super comfortable and it went great! Now we just wait for her to type it all up! She says a couple weeks! That was a huge step checked off the list!
Meanwhile, we are gathering all the documents needed for our dossier, which is the enormous stack of papers that we will send to the Ugandain government. Also, filing our I600A forms. When both of these are complete we will wait...wait for the call that will forever change our lives.
Last Wednesday we completed our adoption physicals/paperwork for our home study and our dossier with our doctor. We also began our long list of immunizations for travel to Africa. This was a daunting task for one of us as HE is not a fan of needles. I won't say which of us it was! ;) Needless to say, we made it out alive and even enjoyed a good laugh over it! Not sure when would be a good time to mention that that was only round one...
We also applied for our passports Wednesday. As the lady pulled up her camera to take the picture I realized how much I had to smile about and let out a big cheesey grin. Should take about 4 to 6 weeks to get them in the mail. Amazing...we're going to Africa...to get our daughter.
Then, last night, we had our final home study visit. I was most nervous for this step in the process. We had a great case worker that made us feel super comfortable and it went great! Now we just wait for her to type it all up! She says a couple weeks! That was a huge step checked off the list!
Meanwhile, we are gathering all the documents needed for our dossier, which is the enormous stack of papers that we will send to the Ugandain government. Also, filing our I600A forms. When both of these are complete we will wait...wait for the call that will forever change our lives.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Our Girls
As many of you already know, our good friends Lindsey and Nathan are adopting a little girl from Uganda as well! It has been great going through this journey with them. They are such an amazing family. Lindsey had these dolls made from Etsy. She gave me the one on the left! Aren't they sweet?! I love them, mostly because when I look at them it's like I'm looking at our girls. Follow Lindsey and Nathan's blog at Myloveinuganda.blogspot.com.
Our families are working together to raise money to bring our girls home with many different types of fundraisers. The first being a silent auction on December 2nd during the annual Dallas Center Holiday Home Tour (11:30-4:00).This is always a lot of fun! We can get you tickets if you'd like to come. They are $10 each.
Orphan Sunday
Today is Orphan Sunday. Did you know...
*Every 15 SECONDS another child becomes an AIDS orphan in Africa
*Every DAY 5,760 children become orphans
*Every YEAR 2,102,400 more children become orphans (in Africa alone)
This breaks my heart. These are real children, just like yours and mine.. Real little boys and girls without a mommy and a daddy. Without a place to call home. Without someone to tuck them in at night. Without hugs and kisses. Without someone to pick them up when they fall. Without a lot of things that we take for granted.
I feel very fortunate that Nick and I were called to adopt one of His orphans. God loves these children the same as He loves us. They are just as valuable to Him as we are.
We can't wait to give our little girl a mommy and daddy, a place to call home and 4 brothers that (already) love her to pieces! We can't wait to tuck her in at night, hug and kiss her, pick her up when she falls, show her everyday how much we love her and most of all to teach her about the one who created her perfect in His image.
Please pray for the children around the world who have no mommys or daddys.
*Every 15 SECONDS another child becomes an AIDS orphan in Africa
*Every DAY 5,760 children become orphans
*Every YEAR 2,102,400 more children become orphans (in Africa alone)
This breaks my heart. These are real children, just like yours and mine.. Real little boys and girls without a mommy and a daddy. Without a place to call home. Without someone to tuck them in at night. Without hugs and kisses. Without someone to pick them up when they fall. Without a lot of things that we take for granted.
I feel very fortunate that Nick and I were called to adopt one of His orphans. God loves these children the same as He loves us. They are just as valuable to Him as we are.
We can't wait to give our little girl a mommy and daddy, a place to call home and 4 brothers that (already) love her to pieces! We can't wait to tuck her in at night, hug and kiss her, pick her up when she falls, show her everyday how much we love her and most of all to teach her about the one who created her perfect in His image.
Please pray for the children around the world who have no mommys or daddys.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Moving forward
We have our first of two home study visits scheduled for Monday, November 5th!! Very excited to get to know our case worker. She seems like a fun and pretty down to earth kind of lady, which is good for us -you never know what's going to come out of the Kiley boys' mouths!!
We also made our appointments for our FBI fingerprinting (and hopefully apply for our passports) next week. These things may not seem like a big deal, but being able to check these off our ever growing lists of things to do and paperwork to fill out feels great!
So we are well on our way! We cannot wait to wrap our arms around our precious little girl and kiss her sweet little face. Until then, we'll stay busy checking things off our lists and filling out paperwork. This will all be MORE than worth it in the end!!
We also made our appointments for our FBI fingerprinting (and hopefully apply for our passports) next week. These things may not seem like a big deal, but being able to check these off our ever growing lists of things to do and paperwork to fill out feels great!
So we are well on our way! We cannot wait to wrap our arms around our precious little girl and kiss her sweet little face. Until then, we'll stay busy checking things off our lists and filling out paperwork. This will all be MORE than worth it in the end!!
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Love and Support
Nick and I are overwhelmed (in an awesome way) with the recent outpouring of love and support from so many of you!! The texts, the phone calls, the blog comments, the gifts and of course, the donations...they all mean so much! We are extremely blessed to have such a great group of family, friends and community. All the encouragement is just what we need to get through this crazy process.
My best friend gave me this ADORABLE bunny the other day. So cute! She will travel with us to Uganda when we go pick up our sweet baby girl. She's sure to love it! Thank you, Emilie. I love you and your family so much!
My best friend gave me this ADORABLE bunny the other day. So cute! She will travel with us to Uganda when we go pick up our sweet baby girl. She's sure to love it! Thank you, Emilie. I love you and your family so much!
Sunday, October 21, 2012
PINK!
I've been a mom for almost 12 years, and yesterday I had a first. I bought something pink...for MY little girl!!! It was super exciting for me -the lady that checked me out at Buy Buy Baby...not so much. Either way, it's these little things that bring me joy during this process.
I can't wait to sing songs, paint toenails and have tea parties. This little pink blanket is the beginning of what is in store for a relationship with my daughter that she and I have both longed for. God is good!
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:18
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Welcome to our journey
We designed this blog to keep our community, friends and family up to date on the the latest news as we begin our adoption process. We realize this journey wouldn't be possible without the support and prayers from all of you! So, thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.
For about a year now we've felt God breaking our hearts for orphans. We began looking into the process of adoption in August. We found out it is quite the process and very expensive -this scared us.
Meanwhile, at our church, we were focusing on God's story for our lives. It has changed our outlook on adopting- knowing full well that this is something God wrote in our story long ago. We decided to live out His will for our family and said YES to adopting one of his children...a LITTLE GIRL from Uganda, Africa!! We couldn't be more excited.
With careful consideration we found an agency that we wanted to go through. On Monday, October 8th we were accepted into IAN's (International Adoption Net) adoption program. Things have been moving quite fast since then! They estimate the entire process to take anywhere from 7 months to 1 year.
Somedays I wonder how we'll ever come up with enough money. We are taking this leap of faith, knowing our God will show up. He will walk us through this process.
We feel so thankful to have 4 amazing healthy boys and are thrilled that He would entrust us with one more! We are so blessed to have a house full of so much love!
Please keep our growing family in your thoughts and prayers.
And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. Matthew 18:5
For about a year now we've felt God breaking our hearts for orphans. We began looking into the process of adoption in August. We found out it is quite the process and very expensive -this scared us.
Meanwhile, at our church, we were focusing on God's story for our lives. It has changed our outlook on adopting- knowing full well that this is something God wrote in our story long ago. We decided to live out His will for our family and said YES to adopting one of his children...a LITTLE GIRL from Uganda, Africa!! We couldn't be more excited.
With careful consideration we found an agency that we wanted to go through. On Monday, October 8th we were accepted into IAN's (International Adoption Net) adoption program. Things have been moving quite fast since then! They estimate the entire process to take anywhere from 7 months to 1 year.
Somedays I wonder how we'll ever come up with enough money. We are taking this leap of faith, knowing our God will show up. He will walk us through this process.
We feel so thankful to have 4 amazing healthy boys and are thrilled that He would entrust us with one more! We are so blessed to have a house full of so much love!
Please keep our growing family in your thoughts and prayers.
And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. Matthew 18:5
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