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.

An Understanding of True Friendship

So I have several things to talk about tonight.  The teacher in me is fighting the desire to post a Title 'Page' & outline right now.  Geek.  I'll resist.


So, first up, super sad news.  If you read a couple of posts ago, I asked for prayer for our 'eldest' doggy, Sky.  Cuban Daddy was contacted by the doctor this week, after she spoke to a specialist. Turns out, that our 7 year old Lab mix has a very rare tumor in his Thyroid.  Already, we knew it wasn't good.  He hasn't been himself for weeks now.  He is barely eating at all.  He's lost weight.  He barely wags his tail.  He struggles to get up sometimes.  Stairs are really difficult.  He almost never wants to go outside.  I'm so so sad to see him this way.  He was my first 'baby.' We rescued him- beautiful him- from a shelter adoption day outside a Petsmart soon after he was born. We were initially rejected b/c we didn't have a fenced in backyard at the time. I wanted him so bad as we walked back to our car, that I cried.  Big boo-hoos.  And I'm NOT a crier.  Without a word, Cuban Daddy got out of the car, leaving me there, was gone about 10 minutes, and then brought me the pup.  What?!  Yeah, he fought for him.  He fought for me.  He wanted to see me happy. That's just the kind of guy he is.  I'll never forget that.  I was SO excited!  He has been such a great dog.  So smart!  So, back to today.  The doctor said that he will soon have liver failure.  She doesn't know exactly how long...a couple months?  She said we just have to watch and see how bad he gets, and that we'll just know.  I just can't imagine that right now. :(  What to tell the babies?  How to comfort his 5 year old 'sister,' Roxy, who has only known life with him?  What will it be like with him gone?  And, gosh, I just don't want him to suffer!  There's a lot to process right now.  Thanks for the continued prayers about this.


Next up, on a different note- exciting news!  My Uncle & his sweet new wife (my new aunt!), has offered their home/"yard" to host our big Yard Sale!!!  You won't believe how perfect this is.  Remember how I mentioned that the Yard Sale was the overwhelming 'thing' for me right now?  I felt like maybe I had bit off more than I could chew.  And I still think that's possible.  But, I feel SO much better now b/c we have a great location!  And to top it all off, guess who doesn't have to advertise the Yard Sale?!  Me!!!!!!  That's right, what's so perfect is that my Aunt & Uncle's neighborhood is having a huge neighborhood-wide Yard Sale on the exact dates that we had planned to do ours!  There should be lots of traffic...yay!!!  *Sidenote, please let me know if you have something you would like to get off your hands that we could sell in the yard sale!  I'll be happy to come pick it up or meet you early.  Just let me know when!  (*Can we add a second sidenote? Same awesome aunt and uncle are also racing in a big road race this summer....and what did they decide to raise money for?  Yep, you guessed it...4xfaithful!  Talk about being overwhelmed.  I was!  So, so sweet.)  Okay, so address for 
4xFaithful's Adoption Yard Sale:

5409 Amity Drive, Powder Springs 30127

Reminder note. (1) Please spread the word about our upcoming (first fundraiser opp of this DOUBLING funds month!!!) Fundraiser Night at Otter's Chicken on Dallas Hwy (in Avenues).  www.otterschicken.com Delicious, affordable food, fun hang out times-we'll be there much of the night(!), and you are giving 15% of profits to our Adoption funds!  But, let me remind you: You are really giving 30% because in April, our funds are being DOUBLED!  (2) Also we should have our custom made Adoption T-shirts by next weekend...yes, in time for Otter's night!  We are selling the T-shirts for $20 each.  All profits (~$13/shirt) will, of course, go towards our Adoption fees.  I will post pics as soon as I see them!  If you want to order one (or two, or ten? haha!), just contact me some way & I'll get them to you!  You can pay cash, check, or PayPal  link on the blog.  I've come up with the design...I can't wait for you to see them!  :)  **Yes, teacher again.  Remember, if you buy an Adoption shirt during April, you are not donating $20...you are really giving us $40!!! (Doubled, right?!)


Another note.  This one both super exciting and super stressful all at once.  You know that big fat stack of paperwork I've mentioned once or twice? ;)  Well, the one we had sent in recently has been received by our home study agency.  The lady emailed me a couple of days ago, letting me know that they got it, and that she has assigned us a social worker.  And that the social worker would be contacting us soon.  Yeah, like 4 hours later?!  Unprepared.  But okay.  So, yes(!), let's get this show on the road!  Hold up.  She wants to come to our house to do our initial meeting/interview and home study tour on....Tuesday!!!  Yes, in 5 days.  And if you have seen my house lately... Wait, you haven't.  And there's a reason.  It's crazy!  Haha. :)  I know you moms of little ones know it's hard enough just to keep one room 'de-cluttered' w/o toys, crayons, little people, cheerios, shoes, sippy cups...everywhere!  So, we've got some straightening up to do! ;)

This leads me to my final topic of the night: friendship.   In the past few months, I have witnessed something.  People shining.  Unselfish people caring about others.  People wanting to do something good.  People helping others, despite their own circumstances.  People who lead busy, full lives that still take the time to offer a hand.  I am very humbled by the outpouring of love and support we have been shown.  We have had numerous financial donations...we are seriously in awe.  We know it is a lot of money to you...and it certainly is a lot of money to us!  Without you guys, I don't know how we would be able to bring our babies home.  And they deserve a home.  Our friends (**When I say 'friends,' I am definitely including family members as well.  You don't choose to be family, but you do choose to be a friend to your family. At least that's what I think.) have reached out, asking (messaging, emailing, texting, calling) "How can I help?  What can we do?"  First of all, we hate asking for help.  Cuban Daddy and I are both pretty independent little stinkers.  But, we know that this task is way bigger than us.  And we know we cannot do it alone.  Therefore, we did ask for help by posting on this blog.  And you all have more than answered.  I have close friends that have offered to take both G & K (along with their own little ones!) for a few hours so I could work on Adoption stuff.  They will never know how huge this really is!!!  For free.  This blog- created/designed by one of my best (busy) friends.  For free.  Help around the house in prep for the home study Tuesday?  Free.  An offer to help with the yard sale prep.  Free.  Donations for the auction we had?  Free.  I mean I could go on and on.  The point of this is just to recognize those who have gone above and beyond in blessing us.  You all know who you are.  If you have given an encouraging word, spread our story to others, made a financial or material donation, offered your help in any way, this thanks is for you.  Honestly & truly, you have taught me so much these past couple of months.  Lessons I will not forget.  I only hope that opportunities arise that we can return the favor in the future.  I really, really do.  Thank you, friends. 

 Now, let's bring those babies home!  =)

Humbled by your love for us & our growing family, 

~ 6 in Love ~




Trying to beat stress by enjoying a beautiful Spring picnic in our front yard!:

Eating another one of those little oranges!  

And on second looks, Mommy needs to attempt that trim again... 

 

Somebunny had an Easter party at school today!

Slightly out of order: Our picnic fun!

 Enjoying a stroll in their grandparent's yard (P & N)

Fingerprints & #1 Doggy

Mailed both sets of fingerprints into the FBI today!  Yay, one more thing checked off.  Hoping to put one major paperwork packet in the mail tomorrow.  Waiting only on Cuban Daddy to trace the 8-10 addresses he's lived at in the past 18 years of his life.  Oh boy.  

About 2/3 way through with major paperwork packet #2 going to Dillon/Buckner.  Need an autobio each, tons of copies of our documents (birth and marriage certificates, licenses, tax forms, etc.), financial forms, & guardianship.  Feeling an urgency to get it in, and having a hard time (mostly the hubs...not his fault...workaholic.) finding the time to get it all done.  

_________________________________________________________

Last night was baby brother, C's, Wedding!  It was beautiful...as was his bride!  We are so excited to welcome D into our family!:

Beautiful Flower Girl, G: 

Handsome Ring Bearer, K: 

Daddy & Daughter (crazy) Dance: 

G danced the night away...seriously!!:

Happy 1st Day of Spring!: 

Flower theme seems appropriate today.  Or maybe I should have dressed her in POLLEN?! Ugh. 

Finally, asking for prayer for our #1 doggy, Sky. :(  He's been barely eating for about 3 weeks now, shaking, not going outside much, and looking awful.  Here's the short, choppy version of what's going on: Took him into the vet about a week ago.  Said it was bad (super high calcium levels & muscles atrophing), but needed to do bloodwork.  Did that...paid.  Giving pain killers.  Couldn't tell from results, so said we need to do an ultrasound.  Had that done today..Paid (ouch).  Said they worked intensely to find out cause.  Found nothing.  Said it was probably a rare disease or thyroid cancer.  Oh geez.  I can't even begin to think about what it might be or what might happen until we know.  So they did more bloodwork today (you guessed it...paid) and will get results in about a week.  We have postponed looking for him a new home (obviously) & are focused on finding out what's wrong.  But, after spending a fortune to help him & find the solution (He was definitely *suffering* and so, so miserable!), we are tapped out financially on doggy-fund.  So, hoping for a miracle & for him to just get better.  But, if that's not the case, if there's something majorly wrong (I have a feeling there is...), asking for prayers for us and his little sister, Roxy. I can't begin to think about what would happen to her if she lost him.  Literally can't think about it right now.  Thanks.

(Sky is in blue vest):

Thanks, 

~ 6 in Love ~