As we talked about various fundraising ideas over the past six months, Cade repeatedly expressed a desire to do something to help raise money to pay for his airfare to Ethiopia. So, we came up with the idea to have an adoption read-a-thon. As our friend Lynda once said, reading is Cade's sport.
We set the event to take place for the month of June and decided on a goal of 35 books to be read by the older three. We announced the dates before I realized that Cade would be gone for 9 days on a mission trip and then Tatum would be gone to camp for five days. That, coupled with the fact that the first book Cade chose was 600 pages long, left me feeling pretty apprehensive.
Why did I worry? I have amazing kids! Despite all of their time away, they met their 35 book goal on June 23 --- seven days ahead of their deadline. They read 6305 pages. Cade finished that 600 page book in a day and a half. Tatum attempted to read on the drive to camp, but girl gossip was way more fun. Gotta give her props for even trying! Kierstyn read several books to Maci and that has evolved into special sister time, where they sit smooshed together in the recliner, reading and giggling. As for me, I'm really tired of cleaning up the doll house set, making beds, and scrubbing the front bathroom. I did the kids' chores for the entire month so that they'd have more time to sit and read. I'm ready for them to take their responsibilities back so that I can have time to sit down and enjoy a book! I've got Cutting for Stone and I'm Chocolate, You're Vanilla waiting on my nightstand.
So, without further ado, the read-a-thon pledges and donations total $1060!!! Amazing! That's probably about 2/3 of Cade's plane fare. I am so stinkin' proud of my children and what they accomplished! Now we just need a crash course in Spanish. One of my brothers wants book reports in Spanish in exchange for his pledge...... Muchas gracias everyone for your support!!!
28 June 2010
08 June 2010
You've Got Mail
Everything with the adoption has kind of been in a lull since we found out our dossier is approved and headed toward Ethiopia. We've reached the waiting stage of our paper pregnancy.
Then, yesterday was a good mail day - both snail mail and email!
We received the notices for our fingerprint appointments! I was shocked to have them already and glad that they're not *too* far away. I was hoping they'd be a little sooner, but in reality it probably doesn't matter. We're facing the court closure for the rainy season, so unfortunately we probably have until September to get this all done. Still, I don't want to be looking back and thinking "if only I'd gotten ____ done a little quicker, maybe we'd be further along."
There was something else fun in the mail, too. The official welcome packet from our granting organization - Brittany's Hope. We're eager to get all of the paperwork done for them [more notarized forms!!]. We're also very grateful for what they do and represent and for their help in bringing Little E home.
Then, as I was standing in line at Lowe's to buy a bunch of plants that were marked down to fifty cents and one dollar [score!] an email came through on my phone. So, I glanced at it while I was waiting and saw the subject line "Photos of E". My heart dropped and I started frantically trying to get them to come up. Meanwhile, it's my turn in line and the clerk is getting impatient. I was trying to explain that I'd just gotten new pics of the little boy we're adopting, while trying to still work the phone, and put plants up on the counter. She wasn't impressed and neither were the people in line behind me. Eventually, after she sloooowwly rang us up, we literally ran to the truck, threw stuff in the back, and got the phone to pull up the pictures. I had so many thoughts all at once: he's changed, his hair has grown, he looks sad, he's beautiful, he needs his mama, I love him.
I emailed the pictures to Justin immediately and called him so I could be on the phone when he opened them. He printed them out really big and brought them home to me. When we showed them to Maci, who just turned three, she grabbed one and started kissing all over it and talking about how he is going to be her brother. It was precious and made me very happy.
If only we could all see other people through the eyes of a child. Maci does not see his skin color, or his economic situation, or his special needs. She just sees a person who needs a home, a family, and lots of love. What a good example of the type of love that God wants us to show each other. God calls us to love one another, above all else. Can you imagine what the world would be like if everyone took that to heart?
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. - 1 Corinthians 13:13
Then, yesterday was a good mail day - both snail mail and email!
We received the notices for our fingerprint appointments! I was shocked to have them already and glad that they're not *too* far away. I was hoping they'd be a little sooner, but in reality it probably doesn't matter. We're facing the court closure for the rainy season, so unfortunately we probably have until September to get this all done. Still, I don't want to be looking back and thinking "if only I'd gotten ____ done a little quicker, maybe we'd be further along."
There was something else fun in the mail, too. The official welcome packet from our granting organization - Brittany's Hope. We're eager to get all of the paperwork done for them [more notarized forms!!]. We're also very grateful for what they do and represent and for their help in bringing Little E home.
Then, as I was standing in line at Lowe's to buy a bunch of plants that were marked down to fifty cents and one dollar [score!] an email came through on my phone. So, I glanced at it while I was waiting and saw the subject line "Photos of E". My heart dropped and I started frantically trying to get them to come up. Meanwhile, it's my turn in line and the clerk is getting impatient. I was trying to explain that I'd just gotten new pics of the little boy we're adopting, while trying to still work the phone, and put plants up on the counter. She wasn't impressed and neither were the people in line behind me. Eventually, after she sloooowwly rang us up, we literally ran to the truck, threw stuff in the back, and got the phone to pull up the pictures. I had so many thoughts all at once: he's changed, his hair has grown, he looks sad, he's beautiful, he needs his mama, I love him.
I emailed the pictures to Justin immediately and called him so I could be on the phone when he opened them. He printed them out really big and brought them home to me. When we showed them to Maci, who just turned three, she grabbed one and started kissing all over it and talking about how he is going to be her brother. It was precious and made me very happy.
If only we could all see other people through the eyes of a child. Maci does not see his skin color, or his economic situation, or his special needs. She just sees a person who needs a home, a family, and lots of love. What a good example of the type of love that God wants us to show each other. God calls us to love one another, above all else. Can you imagine what the world would be like if everyone took that to heart?
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