We are waiting for travel approval.  One step closer to a sweet Jacii.  Prayers for patience and God's provision. 

Shower 4/16/12 at Samaritan Homecare

Ok. So we are waiting on our Article 5. Hopefully will know something this week. But I'm sure we are just rushing things. Will prolly be next week or the next...Karla called us on April 5th to discuss travel and things to expect. She asked us how we were feeling. Well, we are ready to bring her home. Karla said she hears that all the time. Lol. Anyway, next is travel approval, schedule appointment with consulate, and schedule flight, and WE GO TO CHINA!!!

I know I'm not pregnant and so should not experience any of the phases of pregnancy. I have been eating like crazy, gaining weight, and nesting. Quite funny. I have put the same clothes in drawers and hung them on hangers in the closet at least two times.

Today a great group of women honored Jacii before starting a busy Monday. I have attached the pics to show what she received. Thank you ladies. We love you! A big hug to all. We are very grateful.

Will add pics later...

Still waiting...

We are blue...was really hoping and praying for an April travel approval.  Adoption agent says--JUNE:(  We just have to keep our eyes and mind on the one and only Savior, Jesus Christ.  Right now all we can do is stay busy, just to pass the time. 

Jay promised me to go "bow" shopping on the 9th.  He told me not to schedule anything for that day because we had a date.  So I rush at work, trying to get home by 6pm.  I received a text from Jay asking if I was ready.  I washed my face and changed into fresh, clean clothing and waited for him to pick me up.  Well, my friend, Liz, came by my house.  She asked what I was doing.  I told her, "Waiting for Jay.  He is taking me bow shopping."  Liz replies, "Jay isn't coming.  You are going to spend the evening with me since we weren't able to celebrate your birthday."  I thought, "This is ok.  BUT Jay lied to me."  LOL  Anyway, Liz takes me to the church to pick up all my VBS supplies.  Then she receives a text.  Jalonda needs her VBS book too.  So we take Jalonda her book.  When we walk into her house a pleasant surprise was waiting for me.  A wonderful group of ladies were there to celebrate my 38th birthday.  Liz kept encouraging me to move on through the house.  I went into the kitchen and there stood another awesome surprise, Misty Hall.  Oh, how we miss her, Shane and the girls.  But that wasn't it...Liz encouraged me to go further into the house.  When I got to the dining room there awaited the most precious picture of our newest addition, Jacii, and a table of pink cupcakes, candy, the yummiest chicken salad and cresent rolls, and gifts for a baby girl.  We had the greatest time catching up with Misty, eating, visiting and opening gifts.  Thank you so much to the sweetest and most loving group of ladies.  We can't wait for Jacii to meet all of you.  Your gifts, love, prayers, and sweet spirit are so greatly appreciated.  Words can't express how much you mean to our family.

Jay has been forgiven.  And I went bow shopping yesterday...giggle giggle:)

One more step closer to our little Jacii:)

 

Visa applications sent to Consulate today!!!



"This is the confidence we have in approaching God:  that if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us.  And if we know that he hears us-whatever we ask- we know that we have what we asked of him."  1 John 5:14-15

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Happy Valentines Day!

I have never experienced a greater love than the love that our heavenly Father gives to us. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world He gave His only Son. And whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." What a love. I have to reflect on my life and I admit that I don't love my husband, children, others as Christ loves me. This is the day. Today is the beginning of a different me. I want to love like Christ loves me. Will you join me?

Happy Valentines Day to all!!!

We send lots of love, hugs & kisses to our baby girl Jacii! XOXOXOX.
Can't wait to hold you in our arms.

Busy week!

We have been delivering auction items to those who purchased stuff.  Thank you to all who helped support this fundraising auction.  It was very successful in our eyes.  We give all the glory to our Lord who guided us in putting everything into place for the big sale.  A very special thank you to all those who donated items for our auction. 

Currently filling out our 800 paperwork.  Boy, don't have a clue what to write in some of the blanks.  Ha Ha!  Many pages of repeating information.  But just filling out another form like we are supposed to do.  One more step closer to our daughter.  So anxious to get her home. 

Please continue to pray while we are in these final stages of our journey.  Pray for PATIENCE and above all God's provision for all in country expenses and all our travel expenses.

Finishing up Jacii's bedroom.  Still needing bedding.  Having a hard time choosing sheets and blankets.  Also, needing window treatments.  Her closet is empty.  No clothing since we don't know what size she will be wearing when we get home.  It has taken much will power to not buy all the cute dresses and shoes I've been seeing on clearance:)  I haven't purchased little girl dresses in almost 20 YEARS!!!  (Meghan will be 21 in June).  Papa Glen painted a keepsake shelf that will be placed over the big south window in the bedroom.  And Papa Glen is going to take on the task of painting our big cedar rocker.  Thank you, daddy.

God is good.  All is falling into place as it should.  Praying for the fruits of the spirit to flow from our family.  The kids are learning that we work together as a family at all times.  And that no job "is not mine", but ours as a family.  We have alot to learn and come to understand.  We are a work in progress.  The Lord is molding, making, using, and filling us each day with His love and is teaching us to love.  Matt 22:37-39 says, "And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.  And a second is like it:  You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 

Name Badge Lanyards...

For those of you who have to wear a name badge hanging around your neck...I make necklaces with a hook to hang your name badge on. The cost is $20-35 depending on the beads used to make your name badge holder. I can customize any color, style, or theme. Just message me and let me know what you are needing. Thank you for all your help.

Auction results

We would like to say "thank you" to all who placed a bid in our Facebook Auction.  We raised over $1500.  Words can not express just how thankful, excited, happy we are!!!  We are that much closer to China :)

Puzzle pieces for sale!

We have purchased a 550 piece puzzle of a panda and pink flowers.  Each piece is $10 each.  Your name will be written on the back of each piece purchased.  As more pieces are purchased we will begin putting the puzzle together and posting pictures on facebook and our blog.  Once the puzzle is completely put together, we will hang it in Jacii's room ("JaySee", this is our daughter's name, in case you didn't know).  This puzzle will be a great reminder of all the people who have supported us and helped us bring our daughter home.  Thank you so much to all who have prayed for us and are following us through our journey.  Love to all!!!

Facebook Auction TODAY!!!!

Please help bring our baby home from China!  The following items have been donated by family and friends.  Click on comments below each item you are interested in bidding on.  Type your bid in.  The highest bidder will have the item as their very own:)  For any questions, call or text us at 580-821-2793 or 580-445-4197.  Our family thanks you from the bottom of our hearts.  Good luck!!!

Pink camoflage bow

Pink camo bow.  Click comments to place your bid.  Thank you.

Ladybug bow

Ladybug bow.  Red, white, and black.  Click on comments to place your bid.  Thank you.

Brown bow w/turquoise

Brown ribbon bow w/turquoise blue.  Click comments to place your bid.  Thank you.

Pink bow

Pink bow with black crosses. Click comments to place your bid.  Thank you.

Clinton bow

Homemade bow with Clinton colors. Super cute!  Click comments to place your bid.  Thank you.

Pioneer car stereo

Red Dirt Wireless donated a Pioneer car stereo.  Click on comments to place your bid.  Thank you.

Avon products

Avon products up for bid.  $60.00 value.  Click on comments to bid.  Thank you.

Entertainment Center

Entertainment center with glass door.  Click on comments to place your bid.  Thank you:)

Cupcakes up for bid

1 dozen banana cupcakes with cinnamon honey frosting.  HOMEMADE!  Click on comments to place your bid.  Thank you:)

Cinnamon Rolls

2 dozen homemade cinnamon rolls.  Yummy!  Click on comments to place your bid.  Thank you:)

Homemade pie up for bid

Homemade Chocolate Meringue pie made just for you.  Click on comments to place your bid.  Thank you:)

Tutu

Tutu with matching hairbow. (Lime green, yellow, & black)  Click on comments to place your bid.  Thank you:)

Computer speakers

"Used" computer speakers.  Nothing wrong with them.  Click on comments to place your bid.  Thank you:)

Scentsy warmer

"Flutterby" Scentsy warmer w/ 3 different fragrances.  Click comments to place your bid.  Thank you:)

Pie

Homemade pie of your choice.  Will make chocolate, coconut, lemon, apple, cherry, or pumpkin.  You choose.  Click on comments to place your bid.  Thank you:)

$100 Olson photo gift card

Gift certificate for photo session at Olson Photo in Elk City, OK.  Click on comments  to place a bid.  Thank you:)



Massage mat

Massage mat with soothing heat to place in your EZ-chair.  Click on comments to place your bid.  Thank you:)

Leather Jacket

XL leather jacket.  Looks like new. 

Antique lamp

Big antique hanging lamp.  Donor paid $80 for it, but was told is worth much more than that.  Click on comments to place your bid.  Thank you:)

Kindlefire

Kindlefire!!!  Brand new.  Box never opened.  Click on comments to place your bid.  Thank you:)

Computer keyboard

Brand new computer keyboard.  Never been used.  Click on comments to place your bid.  Thank you:)

Japanese handpainted piggy bank

Japanese handpainted piggy bank.  Brand new. Still in box.  Click on comments to place your bid.  Thank you:)

Need some clothing ironed???

30 pieces of ironing.  $60.00 value.  Click on comments to place a bid.  Thank you:) 

Homemade Bread

2 loaves of fresh homemade bread.  Yum!  Click comments to place your bid.  Thank you:)

Cinderella Barbie

Cinderella Barbie.  New.  Still in box.  Click comments to place your bid.  Thank you:)

Gymboree outfit

Gymboree outfit  is 5T shirt & 4T pants.  Click on comments to bid.  Thank you:)

Fender Electric guitar w/amp

Fender electric guitar with amp.  Click on comments to bid.  Thank you:)

DJ

DJ Tiger007

DJ for your next event, with video or photos of the event placed on CD, with digital rights of photos...(the event must be within 30 miles of Sayre, OK.  It must also take place on an appropriate time in advance and we must have the date available.  Call, Kimberly Holley, for your booking @ 580-928-0026.  Valued at $600.00.  Click on comments to bid.  Thank you:)

Dartboard

Dartboard for sale.  Darts and dartboard are in a heavy wooden cabinet. Click on comments to bid.  Thank you:)

Cookbooks

3 microwave cookbooks.  Click on comments to place you bid.  Thank you:)

Wake Boarding

Four hour wake boarding session for two people at Foss Lake.  Just show up in your bathing suit.  Click on comments to place your bid.  Thank you:)

Spring Blossom Barbie

Spring Blossom Barbie.  Brand new.  Doll still in the box.  Click on comments to place your bid.  Thank you:)

Winter Velvet Barbie

Winter Velvet Barbie.  Brand new.  Click on comments to place your bid.  Thank you:)

Badminton & Volleyball set

Badminton and volleyball set, brand new, in a bag with handle.  Easy for carrying.  Click on comments and place your bid.  Thank you:)

Hunting

Howard Ranch Enterprises, Woodward, OK donated a 2 day 1 night hunt with lodging. Hunt deer, turkey, quail, duck, dove, etc.  You can go to www.HowardRanchEnterprises.com and take a look.
Click comment to place your bid.  Thank you:)

LOA is here!!!

Yippy!!!  Letter of Acceptance has been received.  Karla called us Monday with the wonderful news.  We received the letter from FedEx yesterday.  Jay and I signed, checked the box that states we accept the adoptee mentioned above (Mao Zhong Qing), and took the letter to post office to overnight it back to Karla.  A good ballpark figure as to when we will travel is sometime at the end of April.  Soooo excited!!!  We are selling puzzle pieces and t-shirts, and collecting items for a Facebook auction scheduled for February 4 & 5.  We have some really good things that have been donated for the auction...A hunting trip for 2,  4 hour wake boarding, dart board in cabinet, Scentsy warmer w/3 various scented bars, KINDLE FIRE, full body massage mat for a chair, cookbooks, tabletop fountain, clothing, 30 pieces of ironing done by someone other than YOU (lol), and more.  We are very excited about how God is working in our community and church.  Please join us in prayer for provision, patience, and God's will for these remaining months before traveling to bring home our precious little one.

Getting closer:)

Had a telephone call from adoption agent. We talked about our in country expenses and travel expenses. Well, let's just say $15,000+. So we are in fundraising overdrive. Facebook auction scheduled for first weekend in February. We are collecting donated items for the auction. And we have purchased a 500 piece puzzle that we felt best represents our adoption journey. The puzzle pieces are $10 each. Your name will be written on the back of each piece you purchase. Pictures will be posted here and on Facebook. Updates will be posted as more pieces are purchased. We plan to display the completed puzzle so that the front and back can be seen. It will serve as a reminder to our family and Jacii of all of those who contributed to bringing her home.

I'm (Michelle)still filling jewelry orders. That has really been a great means to raise money. Thank you, April. T-shirts are also available.

We are very blessed to remember all that the Lord has done for each of us. As you reflect, remember His blessings in your life. Won't you consider sharing God's blessings? Let us ALL make 2012 a great year and share the love of Christ with the orphans in this world. There are so many orphans who need our help. Let's start with one at a time.

Please continue to pray for Jacii. Pray for her health and safety while in China without her mommy and daddy. Our agent said today that we will not be traveling in March as we have not yet recieved our letter of acceptance. As soon as we recieve our letter, it should be a month or two before we recieve our travel approval. Once we recieve travel approval, it could be another month until we are flying to China. Pray for patience. Pray for provision. Pray for peace. Pray that God prepare us for the journey ahead once Jacii is home.

We love each and everyone of you. Thank you for all your prayers and support.