Summer's Here

Just a quick hello! I hope you're enjoying your summer--- swimming, movies, late nights, later mornings. Or are you super busy running from one fun activity to another? Either way, I hope you're having fun with your friends and family.
Be sure to come by next week-- we're happy to have a family of the week on our blog.

--Tonya:)

A picture from our recent trip to the zoo. I knew you would love it!

Waiting Stinks

Hey friends.....I hope all is well! No family on our page this week, but definitely check out the rest of the Give1Save1 pages.  And, if you haven't signed up on Pure Charity, do it! To fundraise or give, you'll need a page.

We've been matched with our daughter for over and year.  Someone asked me today if the waiting was getting the best of me.  Honestly, yes.  Some days, it's rough.  It will happen, we will travel and she will come home.  But, man, the wait is tough!  If you have friends or family in that long wait, take it from me.....they may be going a little crazy. And take it from me again, they know it! So, I'll apologize for all of us.  Sorry we're losing our minds! We want our babies home! To all of you waiting mamas, (and daddies) I hear ya! To all of our supporters, friends and family, thanks for the love:)

Thank you for reading--we'll have a family of the week very soon!

                                            

Time To Sign Up With Pure Charity/Dismukes' Week!

Happy Friday! I hope you've had a great week.
We have families lined up for the next couple of weeks. Let me know if you want to be on our blog! We're partnering with Pure Charity and we're excited about it!  CLICK HERE to sign up with Pure Charity! You can create a giving account, too, which you should do since most or our families will be on there.....and you can shop from there, too.

Now I want you to tell your friends about us! We want more likes on our Facebook page and we want to have as many supporters as we can! Our Asia family is growing and it's great! Let's keep putting the word out there.

You still have time to support our family of the week, the Dismukes.  They are adopting 2 children from China and could use your support! The Dismuke family appreciates your prayers, as well, as their adoption journey has had some bumps along the way.  They changed countries after Russia was closed to international adoption.  Let's show them some love!
Here's their blog link.  They have a MATCHING GIFT that will be a huge help with upcoming fees!
Follow these easy steps to donate to that grant and have your gift doubled!
1. Go to www.lifesongfororphans.org/give/donate
2. Select Give to an Adoptive Family
3. Complete online form and fill in Family Account Number & Family Name Fields with "Preference Dismuke # 3342 adoption"


It takes about 2 minutes:)
You're a rock star. Happy weekend.

                                                

F.U.N.

Are you waiting for your approval? 

Are you knee deep in paperwork? 

Are you checking your email every 10 minutes?

Wait,was that the phone ringing?

Oh, sister, I have been there! Someone once said adoption is, "hurry up and wait." 

Truth. They spoke truth. The naked, ugly truth.

If one more person told me that God's timing was perfect I thought I'd punch them in the nose.

Truth. That is truth. I am not perfect.

I restrained.

Waiting is hard.

Life gets so stressful while you are waiting for someone else to give you permission to hold your own child.

We need to remember to have some fun!

Here are a few things to help you pass the time. 

1. Have a marshmallow fight.

2. Break out the squirt guns or the nerf guns or paintball guns.

3. Play a good natured prank on your significant other.

4. Make a hula hoop. Seriously. 

(I just did this to add some fun into the "after the wait" part of this journey. Best.Decision.Ever.)

Laugh. Giggle. Cry. Laugh some more.

Today is so long and I get it. I really do. I won't minimize your struggle.

But put down the phone, tuck the computer away,

 and go do something fun!

Summer's Coming!

School's almost out! My kids are so excited--so am I, actually.  Any big summer plans?? Hitting up all of the VBS' in your area?? Beach? Lake? Daycamp? Sleeping late?

CLICK HERE to sign up with Pure Charity.   You can be a family of the week and you can have a giving account.  Nice!!

Want to know us better? Check out our blogs!

                                  Tonya (that's me!) blogs at Peaceloveandcaffeine 

                 

Can't wait to hold this sweetie again! (Temper, and all!)

                                          

                                                        Paula is at Super Sloans!

The Crafty, Homeschooling, Adoption Lovin' Paula

                                            You can find Katie at Rivers and Miles.

Recently home with the handsome Simon, mother to 4 cuties!

Have you given to the Dismuke family yet? Here's how to donate to their matching grant--it will take about 2 minutes!

1. Go to www.lifesongfororphans.org/give/donate
2. Select Give to an Adoptive Family
3. Complete online form and fill in Family Account Number & Family Name Fields with "Preference Dismuke # 3342 adoption"

                                                                       

                                                                 Thanks for stopping by!

                                               

                                                       

New Week--Meet The Dismukes!

I love having a new family to feature on Mother's Day! How was yours, by the way? I hope it was fun and filled with gifts or nice and quiet, with plenty of relaxation.....whatever you like best!  I know for some, it can be difficult, so to all of you mamas, soon to be moms, moms that have lost their sweet babies, birthmothers who love their children from afar, those whose mothers are already with Jesus and those of you who struggle with motherhood, happy Mother's Day. And to all of the women who have loved our children along the way, this day's for you, too.

Let me introduce you to the Dismuke family. Heather and Michael had originally planned on adopting a sweet little girl from Russia.  But, as you know, that is not possible right now.  So, the Dismukes have allowed themselves to fall in love again with a beautiful little girl from China.  They are matched with Johanna and are being matched with a second child, as well.  Right now, the Dismuke family has a matching grant with Lifesong.  Can you help them meet their grant? Your dollar turns to $2.....$5 turns to $10.  The Dismukes have been on their adoption journey for a while and it's taken some twists and turns.  Let's show them lots of love and support this week!
Here's a picture of the beautiful Miss Johanna...

Aren't I sooo cute????

READY TO DONATE????? 

Here's how YOU can give to their grant.....it's super easy, don't worry!


1. Go to www.lifesongfororphans.org/give/donate
2. Select Give to an Adoptive Family
3. Complete online form and fill in Family Account Number & Family Name Fields with "Preference Dismuke # 3342 adoption"

Take a few minutes to visit their blog.....we don't have to have a video, right?? Visit Heather and Michael's blog ....Living According To His Glory.    (I happen to know Heather sells Pampered Chef, by the way!)

Enjoy your week! Thanks for being awesome!

Raven and Lily

Raven and Lily

Um, does anyone else feel like that is just about the most awesome name ever?

The products are even more awesome.

I feel cool just looking at it, as if it can by osmosis make me much cooler than I am.

And I just used the word osmosis, which knocked me out of the "cool league" is one fell swoop.

Did you know "one fell swoop" came from Shakespeare? Macbeth, read it.

 But I digress.

But seriously, look at this stuff...

What's even cooler is there mission.

"Raven + Lily is a socially responsible lifestyle brand dedicated to empowering women through design partnerships and sustainable economic opportunities."

AND...they specifically have programs in India and Cambodia.

Which happen to be in Asia.

Don't worry if you didn't know that tidbit of information. I googled it. 

Cuz, I'm cool.

Go, check them out. They are awesome. 

Come back and share your favorite item!

Raven and Lily.

Gotbeters on Pure Charity

Support the Gotbeters!

Our family of the week is on Pure Charity! Woohoo! Go take a look at their page and drop them a few bucks. Thanks, friends! You're awesome.



If you want to be a family on our blog, go to Pure Charity and set up a fundraiser and apply through them.  We would love to have you!











Need some cool stuff for Mother's Day? Or yourself? Shop my She Does Justice link and support our adoption!

The Unsung Heroes

There are many out there that have a huge heart for adoption, but for a variety of reasons never find themselves on the path of adoption.
You know who you are, and so do those close to you.
You give and you sacrifice for an orphan to land in the arms of someone else.
You ache for them and your heart is heavy with the burden.
You feel like you never do enough.
You feel less.

God bless you.
You carry us.
You lift us up when we say we can't go on.
You remind us that God is Jehovah Jireh, Our Provider.
You remind us to tell mountains to move.
You bake cookies for our sales.
You show up to our garage sales.
You give your last $1 every single week.

God bless you.
We get called heroes.
We get to be in the spotlight.
We get to fill our arms.

Can I just say thank you?
You are the unsung heroes.
You are not less.
You are a huge part of orphan care.
You are just as important.
You amaze me.

Someday in heaven when you stand before Christ I have a feeling you will hear the laughter of a thousand children and you will feel their arms surround you. You will hear those precious words, "Well done. You have been faithful."

And you have. Thank you from an adoptive mommy who has watched a village save one boy. You have not gone unnoticed. Your dollar meant the world to me.

You are my heroes. Be blessed, my friends.

New Week-Meet the Gotbeters!

It's time to meet our family of the week! Tommy and Brittan Gotbeter and their family are adopting a beautiful little girl from China. She is 2 years old and will join the other 3 cuties waiting for her at home.
                           

                                          Ahhh! Don't you want to kiss those cheeks??

Their video is below.....watch it and be sure to donate on their blog! They have a DONATE button and a "ticker" so you can keep up with their progress. The Gotbeters have been having a $10 challenge and are still in need of a big chunk of money.  You can help, right? Here ya go! Time to learn more about Molly's needs and how you can help.

                                                        
                                     

Watch their video...

                                                     

 Isn't she precious? All of their children are! They are so ready to have her home and part of their family.   Thank you for being a part!

                                                           

West Meets East

I'm back! I'm also slowly starting to feel a little more like I might survive. We were in China in March getting our incredible son, Simon. We are so very blessed and he is slowly adjusting to life in a family setting.

Here's the thing. I learned a few things while on the other side of the world and in my generosity I have decided to impart my wisdom to you. You can thank me at any time.

Warning...this is meant to be funny!! I loved China and its people, its always an adventure when cultures clash!

#1 Learn to laugh at yourself, at others, at life. 

#2 Practice your hackey sack skills.

#3 Ask your friends to all spit randomly within your presence in preparation for this trip

#4 Don't ask what is being served for dinner.

#5 Practice your swimming skills or crash diet quickly and severely. 

#6  Practice your squats before heading east. Trust me on this one. 

#7 Repeat with me, "Rain is beautiful, rain is cleansing. We love rain."

#8 Learn how to slip carefully. I need to work on this one.

#9 Realize that this is such an incredible journey and be thankful for every single second.

 #10 Remember these moments and hold them close to your heart.

Seeing his smile reminds me that every single moment of heartache in this journey couldn't compare to the joy  we receive from having him in our lives. 

Isn't he just amazing?

Glad to be back....