The pancake breakfast was a smashing success! 

ALL the fundraisers that were going on last Saturday were a smashing success! 

Praise God. 

Heath IS FULLY FUNDED!! 

Once all checks are sent in & go through and that amazing matching grant of 5,000 comes in his account will read fully funded. 

Believe me, we have ALL done the math, 

not only will he be fully funded but there will be extra left over, 

no doubt his future family will need to use it!!! 

I am so very thankful for all my friends and family that came and took part on Saturday! It meant the world to me to see your faces that day. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Enjoy the pics! Brought to you by my awesome friend Cathy!

Ok, now off to mail the checks!!!

Hey All! (Or the 3 of you who read this). ; )

I was asked if I would hold a fundraiser for Heath on Sept. 15th. 

A group of Moms in different parts of the country have come up with the idea to do this fundraiser in the hopes to raise enough money to have Heath's adoption 

FULLY FUNDED!

Susanna, a friend, who is an inspiration to many adopting Moms, 

keeps and excellent blog which has changed my life. 

I had the privilege of meeting her and told her of my heart toward Heath. 

She has past my name to one of the Mothers railing the troops to fund raise for him, 

and so that is how I got involved.

Ekkk

It scares me. I don't do things like this. 

But I think I have come up with a pretty good idea.

Pancake breakfast! 

The idea being, you show up have free breakfast in the company of people you may 

(or may not) know, in the hopes you'll make a donation to Heath.

Seems way easier then a bake sale or car wash to me.

I sent an evite to many people and I'm reaching out here too.

Please add yourself to the evite if interested.

I need you people, please come. Please help.

Thank you!!!

I am sad about what happened in Colorado. Its very sad, very wrong. Seems a big deal in the news and on facebook, about gun control and your opinions about it. I know it is important, I know. 

But with all my heart, I wish we would get angry about "the least of these" before all else. About little orphans with special needs laying their life away in cribs in mental institutions in far away parts of the world like caged animals. I wish our world demanded a fight for them, I wish we would fight for them. I wish I were farther along spiritually, mentally and emotionally to give all the talents God has blessed me with back in exchange for just one of these babies to care for. But I am weak, praying for the day I am not. I wish this was the center of all things in this world, the care for the least of these. Am I my brother's keeper? Am I? This mother is, and she blows me away.

I get countless comments or "likes" on facebook when I post a picture of Floyd, or write a comment about something trivial but I rarely get a comment or a "like" when I blog about these kids.
Why is that? Does it make you feel uncomfortable? Do you not know what to say?
Or maybe its just that no one is reading this, I don't know.

Every time you think about Colorado this week, every time you who pray pray for the victims and their families, will you also pray for the children who need homes? Who are so neglected and forgotten?
Despised in their country to the point of death?
Will you please pray for them too?

This has been a truly wonderful last few days. We celebrated Floyd's 1st birthday with a huge party this past Sunday up at my Uncle and Aunts. They were gracious to offer their home/yard for the party. It was a beautiful day and I was truly blessed to have had so many wonderful people come. Old friends, new friends and many family members. We were also able to have Rod's Mom, step Father Walter and step sister Kelly in town. Rod's Mom is the type of woman who does not rest ; ) She was busy helping out from the moment their plane landed until they flew home yesterday. They were gracious with gifts for Floyd and a huge help with the party!

Floyd's two Grandmoms!

My sisters and I, with Floyd and Lulu!

I was surprised at myself during this one year old bash, normally I am the type of person that gets awfully anxious for parties, particularly if I am hosting. Maybe it was all the help I had, but I am pleased to say I enjoyed every minute of the party and did not feel an ounce of anxiety. I was able to talk, meaningfully, with many of my friends. I didn't feel rushed to get the party going or to get it over with,  I just enjoyed the day and watched my little Floyd take it all in.

SUGAR!

I think this may be due to the fact that this past year any type of "stress" I used to experience got pushed  aside to let in the real and new "stress" that comes with being a Mother. Motherhood, is a gift from God. I think being faced with situations that at one point challenged me I am now more easily relaxed and content. 

(Unless it has to do with me going to the theatre, in which case I don't think I will ever not be nervous entering this building! Ha!) 

Joking joking joking! 

(sort of)

What really causes me anxiety now... is far greater and more important than the silly stuff of the past. I am anxious with a Mother's heart for the children that lay in wait across the sea, the orphans with special needs who are never celebrated at the turning of a new age, who never experience presents or their first taste of sugar and for some, never even know the concept of aging. These children are malnourished, unloved and are desperately seeking families. This is a BLOG from a woman who advocates for these kids like crazy, she has a huge heart. These are only a few of the faces laying waiting for their families. Reeces Rainbow (which I have talked about before) works very hard at getting these children SEEN so they don't become forgotten and shipped to adult mental institutions. Reeces Rainbow has been able to unite many Mothers and Fathers with their children who live far away, and its been my pleasure to watch (through blogs) some of these journeys... then and now.

I am "to be anxious for nothing" for I know my heavenly Father has a plan, that is good. And I know His heart breaks for these children. And I know it's when we do for "the least of these" that heaven rejoices. So, please... pray, give, adopt. Remember these children. 

And please look again, or for the first time, to the one that causes me restless nights, Heath. Give to his adoption fund, if you can.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 

Matthew 19:14

Little Heath, little Heath, how your numbers grow!!! I have been watching closely to his adoption fund and its growing, praise God. Here are the stats:

4.6-    $6,165.94

          $6,395.94

5.8-    $6,755.94

5.15-  $8,755.94

5.18-  $8,980.94

This is AWESOME. And can you believe only back in December it was at a measly $240. There are many Mamas out there in the blog world who rally for Heath (and TONS of other special kids who need families). I don't know where the money is coming from but I am so thankful to see it being given. If any of you reading this blog or my facebook page and have given money, I thank you!!! 

God is answering my prayers.

I love this story. 

I love this little boy.

I would LOVE to see his adoption fund grow.
Please give. Pray. Tell others.


Happy Mother's day.

My husband, the Gardner... 

Rod has been studying and learning quite a bit about gardening these past few months. He regularly volunteers at a farm to gain first hand experience and tends to his very own beautiful little garden that is thriving (except the carrots, but seems like many people are having a hard time with them this season)! Last night we had a salad made of spinach and other tender greens from our very own garden. 

I do not believe if Rod were told a year ago he would be pursuing market gardening he would have believed you. He's following God's leading and its been my pleasure to watch as he grows.

Our pea trellis....

 Do you see the hoops? 

 Mmmm

Little bugs took a bite of our spinach,

Rod's figuring out what to do about them, 

without using chemicals, of course. : )

Cant not WAIT for the quinoa!

So cool

Using this black plastic to 

heat up the soil to plant watermelon!

A Gardner and his boy.

I am thankful for the 93 years of life God has given to my Mom-mom, 31 of which I have had the pleasure of knowing. Though I will say, these last few months, spending a little time here and there with her have been the most powerful and precious yet.

When I talk to her, it's like talking to my son... slow and soft and with humor. When I whispered to her the other day, "it's me, Saige, Mom-mom" she said "I know, I can tell from your touch". When I gave her bites of coffee ice cream, I could tell she thoroughly enjoyed the sugar. And when Rod talks about his garden, she always asks lots of questions.

The other night I touched her soft hair and came close to her forehead, I whispered that she smelled good, she asked "like what?" I said "like Mom-mom". She smiled.

Truly precious.

Some times she can be a pill & it makes us laugh... like when Claire was talking to her at the same time as her brother Harry was and she barked at Claire to "get outta my ear!" She hangs on Harry's every word. Her baby brother, they share memories from long ago and its always fun to hear them talk.

The other night a few of us were able to read the Bible with she and Harry, pray with them and sing.
It was very special. Mom-mom's prayer was sweet and Harry sang for us the song Mom-mom has asked him to sing at her funeral... Thee old Rugged Cross.

"To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;

                                                     Its shame and reproach gladly bear....

...then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share."

I am also thankful to learn sweet Heath's adoption fund has gone up by $360!
Praise the Lord!

Ok, a lot of information to get across...

There is an orphanage in Bulgaria called Pleven. Its horrible. And has been for years.

But there is hope.

If you are moved to give, do so here:

Or here:


Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!

Pray...

 for...

 Heath

please.