TEEN!! Its official

He started out so cute a little.  This boy changed our world and I am so grateful he did.  

His first birthday cake was a snowman cake and he LOVED it! 

THIRTEEN!! 

My boy still loves Harry Potter and started Karate about 4 months ago and is working towards his blue belt.  He knows how to be a punk to his siblings but just the same knows how to love well.  

 I LOVE you my awesome best thirteen your old boy!  

Giving Tuesday!!! Please Donate!

The VAN CAMPAIGN

I had the privilege of visiting an orphanage in Yunnan, China in May 2016.  You may remember this blog post from my trip with Agape Adoptions.   This orphanage desperately needs a van.   They need a way to get the kids to the doctors, the hospital for surgery and hopefully even out and about for some field trips to the market and park.

I am asking you to please donate to this very worthy cause.

Getting these kids out and about makes a huge difference in their lives.   Most of the kids only know the walls of the orphanage and to get them out is such an awesome experience.

The need is big but with your help we make this $10,000 van a reality!  Yep!  We need $10,000.   Any amount from $5-$5000 can make a huge difference for these kids.  Every dollar donated to the Zoe fund in the month of December will go towards the purchase of this much needed van.

Your donations are tax deductible, you will receive a receipt.  Don't forget to ask your employer if they will match your donation.

Donate Here!!!

or

Mail a check to:

Agape Adoptions

1410 Main Street

Sumner, WA 98391

And just to tug at your heart I will leave you with a few of the sweet faces this van will help.

Halloween

Apple Picking - I needed it!

So Many Photos

because these people make me happy

It makes my heart melt when this big brother loves on his siblings.

First time ever apple picking 

I needed this time outside with me littles,

My heart is a wee bit broken.  I made the very big mistake of falling in LOVE with a beautiful little girl.  Many of you know the story - we advocate every day.  We may even get to visit these precious orphans in their own country, I think I am one of the lucky few who got to do this.

Most we love and work hard to find families for.

But

Occasionally we start dreaming of a special one, one that just grabs our hearts a little harder than most.  We start  making plans for them, imagining how they will blossom and grow and flourish in our homes with the children that are all ready ours.   We fall in LOVE.  Sometimes our dreams get the best of us.

This is were I sit.  Broken.  She wan't meant to be ours.

First Day of School 2016

Nathaniel is in 7th grade. 12 years old

Evelyn is in 5th grade. 12 years old

My little Na is in 3rd grade.  9 years old

I adore these beautiful girls

I may of shed a tear this morning when this punk DROVE off to his Junior year. 

Zach 16

Love my Peeps.

Her birthday

 I ran out this morning to grab her favorite doughnuts while her daddy was making her favorite eggs.

This probably happens in most of my friends homes on a very special birthday.  

See these cute little hands reaching for her sparkly pink flowers.  The beautiful little fingers with chipped nail polish.  Can you imagine what her birth mom would give to witness all of what our girl has become and all of what she will become.

I can only imagine.  I would give so much to tell her just how much this daughter of ours is LOVED and to Thank her for our girl.  

NINE

This sweet girl went and turned NINE years old.  

She is really such a sweet kid, who loves big and wants to do good just about all of the time.  

Check out these cute shoes she got

from her cousin

Grandpa busted out the guitar.  This girl deserves a proper round of "Happy Birthday"

 Happy Birthday my precious love!

THANK YOU!!

Oh My Gosh!! Ya'll donated big!!  

I was waiting for this post because I needed this picture.  Ha!  I know it is probably the least exciting photo of all time.  Honestly it is BIG!!

First let me fill you in on what it is.  Drum roll please . . . A/C Unit.  FOR THE KIDS!!  Let me tell you it was HOT on that second floor orphanage.  

And just so you can see some of the precious faces it will help comfort this summer and in years to come.  

Not only are we keeping these sweet kids cool.  This gift opened the door to a new agreement with Agape Adoptions and the orphanage.  This  means they can place these kids with forever families.    This is GOOD GOOD news!!

We were also able to bring these treats to the kids at a different orphanage.   The first thing they went for was the Milk!

Then there was all of this . . . I schlepped  3 50lb suitcases along with my carry-ons.  No Joke!!  Myriam did the same.  We got quite the stares.  

We were able to give to all 5 orphanages!  Thank you!

Myriam and I both THANK YOU so very much!

On a personal note it meant a lot to me to have all of your love and support.  Thank you just isn't enough!