Monday, April 30, 2012

This is BIGGER Than 'Us'

I honestly don't even know where to begin.  This has been the most amazing, humbling, eye-opening, exhausting, miraculous month!  I can't wait to tell you about it.  

Three things stand out to me about this month of fundraising fury:


(1) God WILL see His plans through.  He is *faithful*.  In fact, He "...is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think..." -Ephesians 3:20.  And that He did.  (*You'll see!)


(2) People are generous beyond belief.  People are good.  People are selfless.  People see outside of themselves, their families, their lives.  People have good intentions.  People act on those intentions.  People pray for others.  People are encouraging.  People are thoughtful and kind.  People help their friends.  People make sacrifices so that they can give to others.  People care about orphans around the world & want to have a hand in helping to give them a home and a family.


(3) This is bigger than us.


To sit back (okay, so we didn't really do much 'sitting,' but still..) and watch this month unfold has been life-changing.  I find myself shaking my head often in disbelief of what has happened.  Of what is happening.  


Please be patient w/ me as I try to explain all the goodness of this month.  I tend to be a stream of consciousness type writer, so no guarantees that I won't be jumping all over the place here!

One of the reasons I want to do this blog is because you guys deserve it.  
You deserve to know what your generosity has done.  

So, here's our month of April, friends:

As you probably know, the cost to adopt the sibling pair from Honduras will cost over an estimated $35,000.  I've had several people who have adopted tell me to plan for more than that.  That there will be unforeseen costs.  After a month like this, I have no doubt that God will provide whatever we need.  Whatever that number ends up being.  

We made our decision to adopt 'public' at the very end of January.  So, in the months of February & March together, we raised $2,545!  Awesome, right?

We've already paid some fees & costs, leaving around $1,000 left over from the first of the year.  We needed much more. Fast.  Upcoming costs include $3,500 once our App #2 gets finished & approved.  (*Yes, we're STILL working on it! Ugh.)  Then another $900 to finish our Home Study.  Once the Home Study is submitted & complete, we'll owe another $3,500.  So, yes we're at almost $8,000 right there, not counting costs of copies, processing, stamps, shipping, Cuban Daddy's new passport, etc.  Then, after that, we have to complete something called a Dossier.  I'm not sure what this will cost us, but I'm planning on around $2,000.  We'll see as we get closer.  Only after our Dossier is submitted & approved, can it be mailed to Honduras to be approved.  And only then can we be put on that much-anticipated, desperately-desired WAITING LIST.  And...that's when the 2-4 year wait clock starts.  Gosh, that seems so long.  :(   So, all that being said, it is looking like we'll need around $10,000 minimum to get us to the waiting list.  $10,000?!  And we're hoping to be on the waiting list by this fall.  So, that means we need $10,000+ in a just a few months?  I don't know about you guys, but for us to do that alone would be impossible.  Overwhelming to think about.  Lord, how is this going to happen?  

And then the offer occurred.  In March, a couple approached us and offered to MATCH whatever we could raise in one calender month.  And...we got to pick the month.  Unbelievable, right???  Well, as you can see, we jumped on that one!  We put a lot of thought into it, and realized that April was the month it needed to happen.  And, so, our fundraising frenzy began. We planned out everything we thought we could do to raise as many of the needed funds as possible in the shortest amount of time.  


This is what we came up with:
* Continuing "Sippys 4 Siblings" (where you fill a sippy cup with your spare change)
* Designing & selling our "ADOPT Words With Him" T-shirts (See our "God Plays Words With Friends" post)
* Otter's Fundraising Night
* Yard Sale


As I'm posting this, I'm realizing that if I were a little more organized, I'd be able to tell you how much was raised at each event, but I don't know the Sippys or T-shirt totals.  That's gonna bother me.  I'm going to have to figure that one out...
I do have every donation of every kind documented with who, how much, method, and date.  We wanted to make sure we kept an accurate account, especially in this month!


Okay, so onto the good stuff.


Yard Sale Weekend- Some Highlights:  
Well, as you know, the sale was Friday & Saturday, held at my very generous Aunt & Uncle's house.  Cuban Daddy & I (and G & K) set up super early.  Not a problem considering the babies wake around 6:00 am, bouncing & ready to go each morning.  They had their breakfast in their wagon.  They loved it & we didn't have to worry about them wondering off while we were moving things out of the garage...good idea!  So, after CD headed to work, dropping the kiddos at another generous Aunt & Uncle's house (aren't we blessed?), my mom showed up and helped me the whole day! I gladly put her in charge...especially of pricing.  Things like this are NOT my cup of tea.  She thrives in situations like that, so it was perfect. She was the hugest help all weekend!!  
Anyways, so right away she and I realized that we couldn't find/didn't have the huge bag of plastic grocery bags we had been saving for the sale (to give to people to put their purchases in).  We frantically scrounged around and found about 5 bags.  Oh well, what to do at that point, right?  I was kind of worried though.  Friday's turn out blew us away.  We had NO idea what we were in for that day.  We were bombarded with tons of people with no break until lunchtime, where we had a small break, and then it was busy the rest of the day!  As people needed bags, we kept giving them out.  And we kept having more.  And we gave out bags for people's items all day long.  Huh?  As the day progressed, I noticed that it was strange we weren't running out of bags.  By the end of the day, we had about 10 plastic grocery bags left over.  Miracle #1.  That day we raised $800.  On the dot.  Miracle #2!  We lugged everything back into the garage to store for the night.  Saturday, the sale started at 8 am, and we were running pretty late getting it all set up.  CD headed over first, as the kids and I were a little slower to get out the door.  I load them up and we head out, knowing we're so late, look at the gas gauge to see that the line is seriously about 1/2 inch BELOW the E.
Oh my gosh.  I'm thinking, we're going to run out of gas, CD's going to have to come help us, and what's going to happen to the sale?  Only once did the car sputter.  We made it to the gas station!  Miracle #3.  This sale was meant to be successful.  That day, my mom helped me all day again (headache & all), and my little brother & new sis-in-law came over & were a huge help...and lots of fun!  My aunt & uncle (whose house we were at) helped a lot too!  My parents took turns helping at the sale and helping with G & K.  That day we raised $277.
As the day was winding down & I was reflecting on the weekend, the sale, and all that had occurred, it hit me.  There were "ADOPT" T-shirt clad people buzzing all around that yard, smiling, laughing, lifting, boxing, bagging, cleaning up, loading cars.  Tired? Yes.  Hot? For sure.  Generous?  Absolutely.  It hit me hard that they were here donating their time, their energy, their day when they could be doing whatever they wanted, to us.  But not really to us.  Because, in these moments, it also hit me that they were doing this all for the orphans they don't know.  They are busting their tales- with an amazingly positive attitude- to bring those babies home.  This is more than us. This is for them.  Cuban Daddy & I soaked it in and talked about how we wanted to make sure to get it all in pictures so that one day our babies would look back and see all that was done for them. Everyone who already loved them so much.  Everyone that was so excited to meet them.  This family, this community, that wanted them, loved them, and was willing to do what it takes to give them this life.  


Other Yard Sale notes:
- Several people came (shopping) that knew someone-usually related- who had or is adopting. Some of them had adopted themselves.  In fact, one brave14 year old girl who came shopping alone told us her own adoption story.  
- Some donated a $1, $5, etc. just for the adoption.
- Saturday, I went over 12 hours without going to the bathroom.   TMI?
- After the sale Saturday, we were asked to stop by my cousin's house.  You won't believe this.  This weekend, during the same time as our sale, my cousins & great aunt held their own Yard Sale...Benefiting OUR ADOPTION!  They gave us the $160 they earned (which of course doubles to $320!!!).  Not only that, but we loaded up the back of our SUV with stuff to store until our next Yard Sale!  We know the time, energy, and hard work that goes into putting a yard sale together.  And they did it not for them, but for our babies.  WOW.

The Yard Sale
2 Days
12 Hour Sale
7 Donors of 'Yard Sale' items
10 Volunteers to 'work' the sale
Countless Hours of Prep & Clean Up
$800 Raised Friday
$277 Raised Saturday
$1,077 Total Raised at the Yard Sale
x 2 (Matched)
= $2,154 Actually Raised at the Sale!
1 Step Closer

Now it's time for what I think you're all probably most interested in:

The Month of April
30 Days
50 Families/Individuals That Donated $
2 Generous People to Match All Donations
Countless Facebook Posts & Emails Bugging You to Death 
(so sorry about that!)
42 T-Shirts Sold
13 Sippy Cups Filled & Returned
$5,844 Raised this Month
x 2 (Matched)
= $11,688 Raised in April!!!
1 Step Closer

~~~Bringing our total raised for the year to: $14,233!~~~

I am still having to tell this to myself over and over again: 
This amount of money should get us all the way to the Waiting List!!!!!!!!!!
Not having to fund raise for a while is really going to free up time to focus on getting the paperwork done as quickly as possible.  I am SO looking forward to that!

* I don't really know what to say after that.  
I was sitting alone in the car outside the bank this morning.  I was adding up huge piles of cash & several checks to fill out the deposit slip- um, with the door locked, ha.  I kept laughing out loud & shaking my head.  I probably looked crazy.  I just couldn't help it.  
We were blessed this month way beyond what we could have ever imagined.  Blessed financially, yes.  But, also blessed in friendship.  In family.  Blessed with the knowledge that people care enough to do what their hearts (& in many cases, the Lord) tells them to do.  Blessed that our community has rallied together to bring us one step closer to our babies.  Blessed that we realize this is not about us.  This is much bigger than us.  This is for them.

With grateful hearts, 
~ 6 in Love ~

* I was eager to tell you about this, so I didn't have time for pictures.  I'll post them later!

ONE DAY left of DOUBLING!

Okay guys,

As most of you know, we have an anonymous couple who is MATCHING everything we make in the month of April. And...this is the LAST day of the month!  If you have any donations you'd like to make towards our adoption fees & expenses (which will total more than $35,000 to bring our babies home from Honduras), we'll gladly accept the blessing!  No amount is too small!  An easy way to do this is to use the PayPal link at the top right corner of this blog. 

We have had an overwhelmingly awesome weekend (& month actually), and will be blogging all about it later tonight. Thank to everyone who has had a hand in this.  We absolutely couldn't do it without you.  This is so much bigger than us.  

Thank you!!!

~ 6 in Love ~

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Ready to Shop?!

So, the time has come...

Tomorrow & Saturday, we will have our first 
"Adoption Fundraiser Yard Sale"!  

It takes place at: 5409 Amity Drive, Powder Springs 
in Echo Mill neighborhood. 
(They are having a neighborhood wide sale, so come see us & then continue shopping.  
This sale is huge!!)

It will be from 9:00am-2:00pm tomorrow (Friday, April 27th) & 
8:00am-3:00pm Saturday (April 28th)

There will be tons of items at awesome prices:

Some of the things:  An amazing saxophone, a dresser, a double stroller, a jogging stroller, 2 large TVs, a baby swing, a bouncy chair, pots and pans, a DVD player, a printer, a TV stand, decorative items, tons of clothes (baby & adult), a baby bathtub, a bathside stool/seat, toys, and a bunch of odds & ends. 
* Updated: After going through and organizing everything tonight, we got a better idea of what we have to sell.  And, WOW!  In addition to the above mentioned, we also have tons of women's shoes, purses, and clothes.  LOTS of jewelry!  We have so many decorative items, few things for the kitchen, an infant sleep positioner, more electronics, a chandelier, stuffed animals, a child's riding toy, a computer monitor, a suitcase, another dresser, a jumbo box of new diapers...


Seriously, you're going to want to be here! 

We will also have the following:

*1* A few pieces from "The Painted Peach" (that's me)- 
hand-painted, custom items.
*2* Our ADOPT- Words With Him T-shirts 
*3* Lots of snacks & cold drinks

EVERY SINGLE CENT goes towards our Adoption fees & expenses!

And, don't forget: EVERY SINGLE CENT will be DOUBLED by an anonymous donor!!!
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An incredible sax for sale!


Black dresser.  Can you say Pinterest?? 

Part of the baby swing in great condition: 

Double stroller on left, Jogging stroller on right: 

...and SO much more!
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Thank you again for all you have done to make this possible.  We are so excited to load up the truck tonight, get up super early in the morning to set up, and get this thing done! :)  We really hope to see you out there this weekend!  
**Disclaimer:  We know we (I) look rough.  Between all of this & K getting out of his bed 28 (yes, literally 28) times last night, I. am. tired.  That's okay.  We're improving.  He was close to 50 the night before. ;)  

Oh, and if you come and already have a T-shirt, we'd love to see it on you!  Thanks for your support!

Please continue to tell your friends!!!  

Thanks & see you soon, 

~ 6 in Love ~

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Yard Sale Info!

Hi everyone!


Caffinated, sleep-deprived, but feeling good?  Too much to do to slow down!  This is a busy week for us, as we are getting ready for our 
1st Adoption Fundraising Yard Sale! 
 Thanks to our own hording of items & the donations from several sweet friends, we are expecting to have a great yard sale this weekend!  And the weather looks awesome too, which helps!
A few notes:


* If you have any last minute items you wanted to donate to the Yard Sale, we still have time to pick them up!  Everything helps.  Just let me know!


* In addition to all of our Yard Sale items, we will also have our ADOPT- Words With Him T-shirts available for sale & some snacks/drinks!


Details:


The Yard Sale will take place at 
my Uncle & Aunt's house: 
5409 Amity Drive, Powder Springs, GA 
in Echo Mill neighborhood.

It's Friday, April 27th, 9:00am-2:00pm
 & Saturday, April 28th, 8:00am-3:00pm


This is so cool!  I'm totally impressed with how organized & shopper-friendly this is.  And...notice how HUGE this neighborhood yard sale is going to be?  Kind of neat that we are the first address listed!  So, come on out & after you stop to see us, keep on shopping!  I'm not gonna lie...I'm kind of disappointed I'll be working & not shopping...ha!  


Thank you to all who have donated so far...we couldn't do this without you!


Hope to see you all out there this weekend!


And, PLEASE, tell your friends!!!!!!   =)


**Final Yard Sale Reminder:


Every single penny we raise at the Yard Sale will be DOUBLED!  
(This will be our last major chance to take advantage of this awesome opportunity, as April is almost over!)


The growing stash

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** If you have ordered a T-shirt & haven't paid...there's still time to get it in before April to be doubled!  You can do cash, check or the PayPal link on our blog.  THANKS, friends!


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If you haven't turned in your Sippys 4 Siblings, if you get it to us before the end of April, it will be DOUBLED!  If not, it's okay, we'll continue to take them after!



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Just for fun...





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Remembering that although we don't know them 
(we haven't been matched yet), their names, their ages, gender, their life story, or what they look like...
we know it's all for them.  
And we are so sure they are worth every amount of work & every cent raised.
Thanks for helping us to give a home to babies like these:




We're doing all that we can, babies.  We're coming.

Thankful, 

~ 6 in Love ~



Friday, April 20, 2012

Fun Finds Friday- April 20

Here are a few wooden stools that I have hand-painted.  There's only one of each!  
I've listed the prices with the pictures.  I can add a name or phrase for no additional cost!  
Please note that I paid $10-15 for the stool itself, so I have discounted these a lot. 

Comment below to let me know which one you want.  Thanks! =)

If you are local, we can meet up.  If it needs to be shipped, the price listed doesn't include shipping.  




"Purple Flower"  $20



"Turquoise Time Out" $18 



"Green Dinos" $20 



"Red & Black" $18 



"Whimsical Seat"  $25
(*This seat would be an appropriate size for a 1-2 year old child or for dolls!) 




Remember that ALL donations made this month (including the purchase of these stools) 
will be doubled by a donor! 

Thanks for your support!
~ 6 in Love ~

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Hurting Hearts & Stockpiling

My heart was sick seeing Roxy today.  She didn't look great, but I guess not horrible either.  She wasn't running around like usual.  I was really upset when I realized she didn't bark in the yard at all today.  So very strange.  


I still can't believe he's not here.  


When Cuban Daddy got home, I helped him unload a truckload of donations for the Yard Sale     (See below for details).  While I was down there, I noticed that the two of them (yes, man & dog) were practically attached at the hip.  Guess they've rekindled the bond.  Roxy following CD everywhere...to the truck, to the garage...repeat.  She's such a big softy.  You walk towards her and she rolls on her back.  Haha, rotten!  Anyways, I managed to snap a couple of pics of the 'moments' they were having.  Don't look if you can't take it.  It was pretty darn sweet.  





Cuban Daddy actually had a night off from showing houses (what?!).  So, he borrowed my brother's truck & went to some of our best friends' house to pick up a TRUCK BED FULL of donated stuff for the yard sale!!!  I mean, they seriously *doubled* our Yard Sale stash.  Yay!!!  Um, how do you say thanks for that?   We also picked up a couple of bags of clothes from another sweet friend this morning, and my mom called to tell me the bags of stuff she has are so big she can't get them down the stairs.  I know this may sound funny, but up until very recently, I was worried that our Yard Sale may turn out to be a big flop.  After today, I feel confident in saying it's going to be a GREAT one!!!  We've got lots of goodies!  Here are some of the highlights so far:  a double stroller, a jogging stroller, a nice large dresser, a couple of TVs, a printer, DVD player, a baby swing, a bouncy chair, lots of clothes- especially baby & womens, and much more!


Our Adoption Fundraiser Yard Sale will take place a week from tomorrow (& Sat!), Apr. 27-28 in Echo Mill neighborhood: 5409 Amity Drive, Powder Springs.  


If you come across something you want to donate, we'll make plans to pick it up!  Thank you so much to everyone who has already helped!

If you are able to come out & you have one of our T-shirts, we'd love to see you wear it! :)  We'll be in ours of course!



We have several in both colors still available.  Let me know if you want one! :)


Thanks for continuing to send the sweet messages that you are praying for us, thinking about us, checking in, offering to help...  We really do appreciate it so much.  
You've made us feel so loved!

~ 6 in Love ~


*** We are still hoping to find a forever home for Roxy.  We're looking for a loving home for her...a single person, a couple, a family, with OR without other pets!  She is an easy, sweet, loving dog!  Low maintenance, healthy.  Please contact us if you or someone you know may be interested.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Beginnings, Endings, & Pauses In Between

Hi.


So, I don't feel quite as chipper as I usually do.  We've got a lot going on right now.  Some of it good, some of it- not so much.  Some things are beginning, some are ending, and others just seem frozen in time.


I'll begin with the thing that's currently weighing heaviest on my heart: yesterday, we lost our beloved dog, Sky, whom I wrote about before.  After lots of testing a few weeks back, he was diagnosed with a very rare tumor in his thyroid.  The Vet said it was hard to predict, but that he maybe had a few months.  Turns out, we weren't so fortunate.  Sky hadn't eaten in several days (again).  He was very weak, having a hard time getting up, lying down, getting through the doggy door.  He had no energy, tail between his legs, and didn't want to play.  His muscles were deteriorating.  Essentially, he was beginning to starve.  The light was gone from his usually-lively bright blue eyes. (He's the most beautiful dog I have ever seen.)  A typically hyper-active dog, it was really hard to see him this way.  We knew he was beginning to suffer.  What an incredibly hard decision we had to make.  But, upon waking and seeing him, Cuban Daddy & I both thought that today was the day.  This was actually unexpected.   I'm sick writing this right now.  I didn't know how I'd feel, but we spent the morning with him, trying to play a little, just petting, hugging, and talking to him.  Telling him what a good dog he was.  What a sweet boy.  He was soaking it in, it seemed.  We actually had a really sweet, special time together.  But I (not a crier), cried the whole entire time.  Probably wore Cuban Daddy out.  Although it felt kind of strange, we took lots of pictures of him & of us with him.  What a weird, awful feeling.  We had never really had to do that before, so we didn't know what to expect.  I wept as CD drove him to the Vet the last time.  I didn't realize how hard it was on him...until he got home.  What a horrible day.  Since the dogs have spent most of their time outdoors lately, the kids don't see them much.    So, we haven't told them yet.  Not really sure what we're going to do there.  Just giving it a few days until we figure that one out.  






All pictures above were taken on the final day with our friend, our first 'baby', Sky.



So... as we are grieving the loss of our buddy, Sky, we are also grieving for his sister, Roxy.  I feel soooo bad for her right now. I'm sick about it.  Last night was her first night alone.  Ever.  He's always been by her side.  I want so desperately (and quickly!!) to find her a home where someone has a dog that would like a companion.  I want her to have another dog buddy.  No one will replace Sky, I'm sure, but I think she will be much, much happier.  I can't even imagine.  I know she's a dog, but I also know that she misses him.  I hurt so much for her.


Okay, that being said, do you or someone you know, have a dog(s) and want a super sweet, loving, calm addition to your doggy family?  Please, please?  This is my desperate doggy-mama plea I don't want her to be lonely. We cannot, in our life's situation right now, take on another dog to be with her.  With as much as Cuban Daddy works, with me being so busy w/ such little ones, and doing all that we are to scrape enough money & time to get this adoption completed, with the layout of our home, etc, we just can't.  She needs a new, loving home.  And quick for her heart's sake (and mine). :(
She was rescued by us at about 8 wks old.  She's a lab mix.  Brown/brindle.  Around 90 lbs I think.  5 years old.  Used to being indoors or out, so she would be fine with either.  Great running buddy, but would be content just lying at your feet.   
Here is the sweet girl:
Brother & Sister saying a sad goodbye...

Roxy's in the red


Every time she barks, my heart breaks again.

Thank you so much, everyone, for your kind words, prayers, and thoughts for us at this time.  I can tell that many of you know what it's like to lose a dog, and how difficult it is.  You really helped me get through the day yesterday.



So, some endings.  And hopefully, for Roxy, a new beginning soon...
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You may think that talking about our dogs doesn't have anything to do with adoption, but seeing as they were both 'adopted' and rescued by us, I guess it does. ;)  Yes, the main reason for this blog is to keep you all informed (& for us to document) about our adoption journey.  But, we also want to share our lives with you as we complete this process.  We want for others to see what it's like to go through an international adoption, b/c I'm thinking there may be some out there that were like us- that really don't know what to expect, what all it involves, etc.  We are learning along the way!  Along the lines of that, as we mentioned before, we also want our blog to help raise awareness about the orphan crisis going on in our world & adoption in general.  
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On that lost note, in my spare time (insert hearty belly laugh), I skimmed an adoption blog of another couple (no, we don't know them) who are adopting from Honduras as well.  I came across some of their links & checked out some information regarding adoption and orphans.  Thought I'd share a bit of what I found today.  

What I found particularly interesting- and sad- was the "Adoptions by Year" tab at the top.  You might think that people are becoming more aware of the need for adoption...and that it is more 'accepted' than it might have been in the past...and that we, as a population, might be more financially able to care for orphans in this way.  Well, sadly, contrary to what I thought, the number of adoptions has gone down significantly in the past several years.  Thoughts?




Secondly, many of you may have heard of this remarkable young woman, Katie, who before the age of 20, has adopted several (13 I think) African children, and lives there, caring for the people.  Her heart, her words, her actions are amazing.  Read more about her here & be touched.  You will need tissues.  Period.



   http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/  She has a book, Kisses from Katie, and in it she writes the following:

“There are 143 million orphaned children (throughout the world), 11 million children who starve or die from preventable diseases, 8.5 million that work as child slaves or prostitutes, and 2.3 million that live with HIV. This all adds up to 164.8 million needy children. At first glance that looks like a big number, but 2.1 BILLION people on this earth proclaim to be Christians.
The truth is that if only 8% of the Christians would care for one more child, there would not be any statistics left.”  
I had heard of statistics like this before.  And yes, I do think it's easier said than done, but it makes you think, right?  More endings.  And more beginnings.
**This is in NO way a guilt trip for those who are not adopting.  We certainly don't think everyone is called to adopt.  Just sharing information.  We have absolutely no judgment towards those who choose to have-or not to have- children, either biologically or adoptive.  Just wanted to put that out there in case you don't know us personally & don't know our hearts.
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Time for some pauses.  
Unwanted-but-just-can't-help-it pauses.  
Like I've said before, Cuban Daddy is a busy, HARD working man!  A wonderful provider!  Diligent, determined, and great at what he does.  In real estate, you know (especially in this economy, this market) that busy is GOOD.  So, he has little time for 'extra' things.  Work has to be done.  He does a great job of balancing things.  I honestly don't know how he does it all.  Because he's an excellent husband & a very loving, FUN Daddy too!  Oh, and taxes.  Whew, barely got those suckers done! ;)  So, all that being said, there hasn't been much time...on his end especially...to get the necessary INSANE amount of adoption paperwork done.  It's been looming over our heads, always on the to-do list.  We've just been scratching at this part.  Not b/c we don't desperately want to get it done, but we just CAN'T. Not at this exact moment.  Don't get me wrong, the stack sits beside me every evening.  I go through emails and organize papers for it almost daily.  Frustratingly, it seems it's kind of paused at the moment.  But, some things are past us, so I'm ready to attack once again!  And I'm bring CD w/ me!
Due to paused App#2, we've had to *pause* our HomeStudy.  Oh, how this eats at me.  Buckner says we can't move on w/ HomeStudy until our App#2 is finalized & approved.  So, we're ready to move forward w/ HomeStudy appointments, but can't til we finish this other part up. Our HomeStudy agency doesn't know exactly why.  Our social said she hasn't heard of this, but that we should, of course, follow the rules.  I'm a rule follower, so I get that.  But, oh my gosh, it's like I hear the hands of the clock ticking.  I need to not rush & just trust in His timing, but always-trying-to-be-efficient-me is dying here.  We'll trudge on, knowing that a pause here or there is bound to occur in such a process.  
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Okay, so back to the same ole:  We are still fundraising hard during this month of April!  Only 13 more days left in this month.  We see this as great possibility because 
ANY financial donations (PayPal, check, cash, Sippys 4 Siblings change, T-shirt purchases, money made from the Yard Sale...) 
made in the next 13 days will be MATCHED- DOUBLED by an anonymous donor!!!  This is huge!  We want to take full advantage, of course.  We're doing great w/ funds raised this month, but really have a LONG way to go.  Every. Single. Cent. Helps!!!
* Feel free to send in your Sippys when they get full.

* This is what we have left for T-shirts.  Please let me know if you want one/some: 
What’s left?
Purple: 1 XXL, 4 XL, 4 L, 2 Child L, 2 CM, 3 CS, 2 CXS
Green: 1 XXL, 4 XL, 4 L, 4 M, 2 S, 2 Child L, 2 CM, 3 CS, 2 CXS






* If you or some of your friends or family members have some stuff you are looking to give away or donate, we'd gladly accept anything for our Yard Sale!  Clothes (Adult, kids, baby), furniture, electronics, workout equipment, tools, toys, baby gear, decor, cookware or kitchen items, etc.  I'll happily meet up with you sometime soon to get it from you!  We've cleaned out our garage, so we have room to stock things until time!  Remember that it will be held Fri, April 27- Sat, April 28 in Echo Mill subdivision (they're having their neighborhood sale) in Powder Springs.  Also, anyone willing to help label, price, or organize items, let me know. :)  We may need help the morning of, unloading, setting up, organizing...as well as the end of the day Saturday.  Something else I thought of, if you come to help or come to shop &  have one of our T-shirts, please wear it if you think of it! :)  I'd love to see them on you!   
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Ahh.  I need a massage.
 I'd ask Cuban Daddy for one, but it seems that he's fallen asleep- pure exhaustion. Ha!  No, not for the night.  That's not how we work around here.  He'll be up soon to work a few more hours. ;)

And, what would be a good post without some pics of #1 & #2?  
I don't know about you, but they ALWAYS brighten my day.  =)  
Love these two!!


~ 6 in Love ~









How does she always WIN at the arcade crane type games?
No one wins those things.  She LOVES her new friend that she told me she "adopted."

A whole lotta sass.  Yeah, we got that.



You're not mistaken.  K is on the left.  But Sissy dressed him as her twin.
Ha! (Sorry baby boy)

My little buddy proudly walking thru the store to cash in a sippy.

Got 2 of these, so G & I went on a date to see "The Lorax."
Total cost: $2.

 The one thing she asked for: popcorn!  And boy, she ate the whole thing! Okay, so I helped a little.
She talked more about this popcorn than she did the movie. Ha!

She sat on my lap the WHOLE movie...and I loved every single minute.
And...we got the whole theater to ourselves!

My girl