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!

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:)

Meet the Roepnack Family!

It's Sunday night and you know what that means on our blog......time to introduce you to our family of the week!                                        

                                                        

The Roepnack Family!

You may remember Missy from the Africa page, where she's been a contributor. We're thrilled to welcome her back, along with her family!  

 Paul and Missy Roepnack are adopting a BEAUTIFUL daughter from China, named Haven.
                                       

 This sweet girl will join her brother and 3 sisters at home.  This will also be the Roepnack's 3rd adoption and we are thrilled to be able to share in their journey.  I think you will love their video--it shows the Roepnack family's heart in a very real way.

After you watch their video, visit their blog  to see how you can be a part of the Roepnack story.
                                   




Are you ready to give your dollar? You can donate on their blog (using the "donate" button) and while you're there, you can read more about their puzzle piece fundraiser, their family, and their adoption story.  Thank you for your generosity!
Enjoy your Labor Day and have a wonderful week!

DONATE HERE

Meet the Thompson Family!

Hi there! I'm happy to introduce the Thompson family to you today! They will be on the blog this week  so let's give them a warm welcome!:)
Matt and Ashleigh Thompson have 3 handsome sons, Jacob, Aidan and Tru, and have been matched with a beautiful daughter in China.  Her name is Ellie Kay, she's 8 months and they hope to travel this fall! Go visit their blog to get to know them even better:)
Can you give them $1 AND ask your friends to do the same? Just share this page on your own Facebook, Twitter, blogs, emails, however you choose! All of our dollars add up and make a huge difference.
Watch their video....

And since you LOVE them already, give your dollars!  They have a grant through Lifesong.
This is the info needed to donate-it will take about 2 minutes:) LIFESONG For Orphans Link Please specify Thompson family (#3637).
Thanks so much-have a great week!

                                    

Hudson Family

Hey there! Misty, our family of the week mom, shared on her blog today.  Go read and learn more about them!
Beautiful Possibility is their blog link.  And before you go, donate $1 to them, too!

Welcome the Hovdas! New Family of the Week!

Hey! I'm so glad you stopped by today! I'm happy to introduce you to Jon and Angela Hovda, our family of the week! Jon and Angela are adopting 2 handsome boys from China.  They should travel very soon to bring them home.  

A little more info about their boys....

Jensen, the oldest, has Cerebral Palsy.  He has been worried that he will become too old for adoption and be without a family.  Pray for his heart as he's waiting and being told soon that he does, in fact, have a family coming.  Jack, the younger of these 2, was born with Xeroderma Pigmentosum, a rare genetic condition. Some of the risks include cancer and a premature death.  These boys NEED to come HOME where their family can provide for their needs.  Their adoptions are being expedited due to Jensen's age and Jack's health needs being so severe. 

Jack and Jensen will be welcomed by their family, including 2 big brothers and a little sister! They're all excited about their new brothers coming home.

Watch their video and get your Paypals ready! You will be giving through Reece's Rainbow (via Paypal).  Remember, Reece's Rainbow is an advocacy site that allows families to raise funds for their adoption. And your gift is tax deductible.   Very quick, very simple, very awesome. 

Remember, adoption is expensive and while Jon and Angela can provide for their 2 newest sons after they come home, funding the trip to China--the airfare, hotels, etc-- is very expensive.  That's where you come in!

Can you commit to praying for this family and giving them a dollar or 2?  ($2 for 2 boys!?!) Your support means so much.  All of our small gifts add up to such a large blessing!  Read more about the Hovda family at their blog, Our Family Escapades  (where they also have a puzzle piece fundraiser happening now!) and on their Reece's Rainbow page.  DONATE HERE:) You're the best.

Thanks for your support!! 

                                                          

Sanders, Giveaway

Hey friends! Thanks for supporting the Sanders family this week! They are eager to bring their son, Mason, home as soon as possible! Don't forget their giveaway!!

Check back tomorrow to learn more about adopting a child with HIV.  These children are often overlooked.  Do you think that treating HIV is the same as it was way back when we first heard about it?  You need to read the blog post tomorrow.

Take care, friends!

Sanders and a Giveaway!!

The Sanders have a $100 gift card from restaurant.com up for grabs!  Leave a comment on the blog if you gave or shared their story and we'll draw a name Saturday!  Stay tuned!! I hope you win!
Thank you for being so generous! The Sanders have received $407 this week already through checks and paypal.   This is a huge help to them-they are ready to bring Mason home. Any way you want to give is greatly appreciated:):)
Have a great week.....check back to see who won!

The Sanders have raised $987!!

New Family! Sanders Family on Pure Charity!

Thank you for embracing Pure Charity and donating to our families! You're my BFFs.

Let me introduce you to the Sanders family! {Click HERE to read their blog!} Richard and Stacey Sanders are adopting Mason from China.  They are hoping to travel this month!! His adoption process is being expedited because he needs heart surgery.  Can you help them out?  You can donate and watch a super cute video right over there under their picture -- I love watching the thermometer climb during the week!
The Sanders have adopted before (2 boys last year!) and have a large family that is ready for Mason to come home! I love big families--don't you? They just seem like a lot of fun.
This is a picture of little Mason learning that he has a family:) I do believe I see a former G1S1Asia mama (Randi Lanz) in the background! They sent a photo album and letter for him to learn about their family.  Isn't he the cutest little guy?

Okay, go donate to the Sanders'  Pure Charity account  and let's have another great week! 

First Pure Charity Family! Meet the Shepard Fam!

Hey, hey, hey! I'm so excited to welcome our first Pure Charity family to our blog.  Daniel and Jenna Shepard are adopting a sweet little girl from China.  The Shepards have a son and daughter and are excited to welcome another little girl into their family! Go meet them and leave them a dollar or 2 as  congratulations!
You will need to create a Pure Charity account, and it will take you about 2 minutes. "Back this fundraiser" means donate to it! You are awesome and we're looking forward to a great week for the Shepards.

This is such a sweet family....don't you love their video?
Thanks for giving, sharing this page and praying for this family--they are super grateful!
And yeh, don't you love seeing our family on the side of the blog? So cool! I would say "so rad", but that would give away my age....
Have a great week, friends!

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.

                                                

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!

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....

New Week, New Family! Welcome the Bernards!

Thanks for stopping by today.  Time to introduce our family of the week!

Welcome the Bernard family to our blog! They are Paul and Shecki and they are adopting 2 beautiful children from China, Luke and Katie.   These 2 newest members will be children numbers 9 and 10! I LOVE big families! Don't you??  The Bernards should travel this summer.

Let's watch their video and get to know the Bernard family..... 

Are you ready to DONATE?? Go to their blog and click the big donate button.  Your gift will go to their Reece's Rainbow fund which is tax deductible. 

Quick note about Reece's Rainbow. They are an adoption advocacy site that allows families who are adopting special needs' children to fundraise through them. They hold those funds until you receive a travel call, so this money will be a huge help with travel, plane tickets, etc.  Yes, I love Reece's Rainbow.


The Bernards also have a coupon fundraiser going on! Check it out. You can buy restaurant gift cards for cheap. A win-win!

Here's  one last look at Katie and Luke.   Aren't they the sweetest?

Enjoy your week and thanks for giving!!

Supporting Jennifer and Rainbow Kids Stuff

Hey, you! I hope you're having a great week!
Have you donated to Jennifer Cameron yet?? Jennifer got an update this week that said her daughter's favorite color is purple and her favorite animal is a horse.  Too Cute! So is Olivia.  Check out her pic on our FB page.     Like us while you're there!


Questions about adopting?  Just don't know where to start? Rainbow Kids is a great site to have your questions answered. You can see country guidelines, articles about financing your adoption, what to expect once you're home, and much more. You should take a look! They also have waiting children on their site. They can put you in touch with the agency.   Some of the pages require you to have an account, but don't worry, it's free. And quick.

Keep sharing the love!

THIS IS YOUR DONATE BUTTON:)

Thanks for your support!! You rock.

Because Every Child Matters

Two things you should do today.....

Go donate to the Lanz family and help them bring their daughters home AND

check out Sevenly's shirt and cause.  Shirts purchased this week help girls in India at risk of being abandoned or killed. 

Gendercide is defined as the systematic elimination of a gender, typically tied to cultural reasons, such as a social preference for males, financial strain, or superstition. In India, approximately 5 million female fetuses are aborted each year. Additionally, 1.5 million baby girls die before their 1st birthday, many of them are killed at birth, thrown into rivers, strangled or left in garbage dumps.

Sevenly's cause this week is Invisible Girl Project.  Buy a shirt. Make a difference.

Say Hi To The Lanz Family!

Give1Save1 is busy this week! Take a look at our MAP to check out all of our families.

Haven't given to the Lanz family yet? Go ahead and do it! They have a matching grant, so let's get to doubling! Your $1 turns into $2, just like that.   You can give on their BLOG.   Go ahead so you don't forget. And come back next week, too! 

Adopting? Email me at tonyagarrick5 at gmail.com and I'll send you an app to be on our blog!  LIKE us on Facebook and spread the love.

Have a great week, folks!

                                         

Meet the Sharp Family!

Hey there! It's a rainy day at my house.  What about yours? How's your day going? Are you ready to meet this week's family??
The Sharp family is in the last stages of their adoption of 2 beautiful children from China.  Rowyn, age 3 and Zekiel, age 1!    Tracey, the Mom,  and her friend will travel THIS THURSDAY to meet their 2 newest family members! George, the Dad, will be home with the rest of the family. They don't have a video, but I do have a few pictures to show you.  That's ok, right?  And, you really must take a look at their blog.  The Sharps have adopted before and have a huge heart for adoption and children with special needs.  Rowyn and Zekiel both have dwarfism, as does another son the Sharpes adopted from Ukraine.
So, let's go ahead and get ready to give our dollars to this family as they are making their travel arrangements as we speak.   You can DONATE HERE.  It takes you to their blog page where they are able to fundraise through Reece's Rainbow. There's a big DONATE button on the right side of their blog.  The funds from all of their donations will pay for all of their expenses needed, including airfare and hotels.
Take a look at these cuties and show the Sharp family some love!!
               
             Meet Rowyn....

 And here's Zekiel!

Thanks for giving to this sweet family!! 

Missed the donate button? CLICK HERE to give!

New Week--Meet the Smith Family!

  

Thanks for joining us! We are so happy to welcome the Smith family to our blog this week! They are a fellow mid south family and we're excited to be part of their journey.  Phil and Niki Smith are adopting a beautiful daughter from China.  This is their 2nd adoption in a under a year!!  They are traveling to China next week to bring home their sweet 13 year old daughter.  She will be welcomed by her 2 sisters and brother.    Read more about this sweet family on their BLOG.  (<<check it out!)  Get your paypals ready and be prepared to love this family.....here's their video.

Meet the Smiths!                                                                                  

                                         LOVE THEM!

                                            

From Niki...

We have been called to adopt and completed our first adoption July 2012. Within a few weeks of being home from China we were called to adopt another daughter that is deaf-mute. We were tapped out on finances from our first adoption and to make things more interesting, our second daughter is 13 years old and will age out 3/9/2013 (just a few weeks & she will no longer be able to be adopted because she will be 14 years old). We are in a race with time to try and raise the funds within the next few weeks!  We have faith in our Maker and  for our journey and financial need to be met. 



I told you! I knew you would love them.  Let's bless them this week as they prepare to bring Guan Ya HOME to her family!  Go ahead and DONATE to them now. And will you also share their story on your own Facebook/Twitter/blog, etc? I knew you would.
Thank you for sharing with the Smith family. Have a wonderful week!