Sunday, October 20, 2013

The Merge!!

Hey, how's it going today? I'm enjoying our Sunday and writing the last post for the ASIA blog! We are MERGING to one big happy blog! Go take a look at GiveOneSaveOne.  



We'll be having giveaways all week, so be sure to visit daily.   
Also, will you subscribe while you're there? We don't want you to miss a thing! We're all going to one Facebook page, too, so be sure to "like" us!
We're super excited about the new blog and hope you love it, too!


Thursday, October 17, 2013

Awesomeness

So far, the Potgeters have raised over $3100!!! Yahooo!  They are extremely grateful for your gift.  It's really been so fun to watch their total grow and grow all week.

If you want to do it again, check back here every week.  We LOVE to bless our families of the week!

Remember, we're merging to one blog......follow us, like us on Facebook and write it on your calendar. $1/week for a year is $52! Totally doable.

                                                                    See you next week!


Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Update AND A Request

**The Potgeters are almost at $2100  {<----old news} close to $2600!!! Yayyyyy for a great week! Thanks to those who've given!**

Will you do me a favor?  (or 4)  In a few days, we'll be merging all of our Give1Save1 pages (domestic, Africa, Europe and Asia) into one big, happy blog.  We think it will really be a huge help in keeping everyone in one place where you can follow along.  And it will be awesome.

Will you subscribe to our blog when we merge?
Will you set a reminder in your phone or on your calendar to give $1 every week to our families?
Will you follow or add us to your blog lovin'? Whatever works for you.
Will you "like" our  Facebook page? I knew you would - that's why you're my best friend.

Oh, and we'll have some giveaways, so you'll want to check in all week.

Happy fall!!

Monday, October 14, 2013

Potgeter Update!

Well, happy Monday to you! Time for an update.  (Already??--Yep!)   Have you seen the Potgeter's total so far? OVER $1200!!! What?? When I went to sleep last night, it was around $250:) Woohoo!! Keep it up, friends! (and family!)  They are using the money raised for plane tickets, so know that every dollar is much appreciated.  Be sure and watch their video if you haven't already.  Want to follow along on their blog? This is the link.

If you didn't watch their video yesterday, click HERE to see it.  Thanks for loving on the Potgeters!


Sunday, October 13, 2013

Meet The Potgeters!

Hey, happy Fall!! We have a family this week for you to support, so get those $1s ready! Since it's been a couple of weeks since our last family, you may have $2 to give! Get crazy!

Meet the Potgeters.  Mark and Jodi (and big brother Camden) are adopting a little girl from China.  The Potgeters felt led to adopt from China and have been matched with their daughter through the Waiting Child Program.  They hope to travel in December!  Read more about the Potgeters on their blog, Double Cranes. Will you give them $1 and help them out today? Go ahead and watch their video first.....



Such a sweet, fun family! Are you ready to donate? Yes?? Okay, you can read more and GIVE to the Potgeters by clicking the "Give Now" button below! Easy and very much appreciated:) Look at that cute little icing covered face!



Thanks for your support! Share this page with a friend and let's watch the little bar climb this week:)

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Travel Tips

Hey there! I've been traveling lately, so I've been away from the blog, but now I'm back.  Only for a while here, though, because we're merging SOON! Very soon!!  First you've heard of this? Read about it here.  We're all super excited!

We'll be bringing our daughter home soon, so I need travel tips.  What are some "must haves" for traveling with a toddler? Internationally.  On a plane.  A very long flight.  With a child who speaks a different language.   What worked for you?  My plan is to bring a few books, our iPad, some snacks for the hotel and plane (let's be real....those are for me, too), and a few toys.  What about you? Strollers vs carriers? Take lots of food or buy in country?  A variety of toys or keep it simple?

Thanks for following along. Our last family of the week, the Groves family, raised $799 during their time here!

If you have a minute, go take the super short survey (anonymous) on our Facebook page. We want to hear from you:)

Have a great week,
Tonya

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Holidays And Birth Families

It’s that time of the year. The beginning of the holiday season where my Pinterest board is showing DIY costumes, Thanksgiving crafts, and new Christmas traditions to start. And as I reflect upon this, I remember that not too long ago the holiday season was a time of great sadness for me. And now I get to fully enjoy the true meaning of the season with my son. Yet, I feel the empathy for a mom out there who is heartbroken and sad during this time of the year. One thing that is hard for others to understand is that adoption, while it is a beautiful and joyous thing, is from sadness. Sadness that can last a lifetime for birthmoms while we are enjoying the blessings.
Let me tell you a little bit about my family. Hudson, my energetic, funny, and loving two year old was adopted domestically as an infant through an open adoption. The relationship with his birthmom has not been easy. In fact, it was one of the hardest relationships I have ever had. But we worked through it and it is a beautiful thing, for all involved. Not many understand why we chose to do an open adoption, or even keep it open with some of the things that happened. But, I fought for this relationship for my son and I am so glad I did. Now we are currently in the process of adopting another son from Africa. He is legally ours, but still lives on the other side of the world. And someday he will be home, but not before this holiday season.
When we started this adoption we were told we would travel 4-6 months after receiving our referral. After months of waiting and grieving 3 lost referrals, we received news that things were changing and it would be closer to a year before we could bring him home. And this holiday season is particularly hard, because this month will mark 6 months since receiving his referral, I thought we would be home. But now I see this change, this experience, has given me empathy for Hudson’s birthmom that I wouldn’t have otherwise. Of course I was compassionate and understanding. But no one can really know what it feels like to have a child that is yours, which you love, and have called your son since you first saw their face and not be with them during the holidays.
I now have a good relationship with our birthmom, but twice a year I have come to expect anger from her: May and December. May is of course Mother’s Day, how could she not hurt?! This past Mother’s Day I felt her pain as I celebrated with one son here to hug and another sick half a world away. And then for our birthmom she relives the pain of the day she gave birth to a son she doesn’t raise. To a son she doesn’t get to rock to sleep when he is sick, or kiss every night before he goes to bed. It’s a hard month. And I get it. And last December, I thought I understood her pain at Christmas. I knew what it was like once to long for a child to watch experience the joy on Christmas morning, but I was wrong. It is not the same hurt. And unfortunately, as I am buying gifts for my son who won’t be here this Christmas, I see her pain is much deeper than mine was when I longed for a child to hold.
So, we celebrate and honor her. We call her on the Saturday before Mother’s Day, which is actually Birthmom’s Day. We make her gifts and Hudson colors on her card. We call her on his birthday and send her pictures. At Christmas we have incorporated some if her Christmas traditions into ours to and call her Christmas morning. This Christmas we are incorporating traditions from our next little one’s country into ours. So as you are experiencing such joy and happiness this time of year, make sure you take the time to remember someone out there is hurting. Someone is trying to push back the tears and enjoy the season. Honor them and the blessing they graciously and selflessly gave you.
What are some things you have done to honor your child’s birthmom, whether or not you know who she is?

Blessings,

Kristie