And the Giveaway Results .....

First of all...thank you so much for the donations, sharing of the giveaway and prayers!  We really appreciate everything.  We cannot wait to hug on our little girl and introduce you all to her. 
The results of the Giveaway are in....


And now for the fun stuff:

Kindle Fire

WINNER:  Sandy Ishaq

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$40 Target Gift Card

WINNER: Karen Prewitt

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$25 Chili's gift card
WINNER:  Angie Bellinger-Brock

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$25 Amazon gift card
WINNER:  Nancy Harms

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$50 Tea and Twine gift certificate
WINNER:  Erin Purdy

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Scentsy Warmer and 3-pack of Honey Pear Cider bars

WINNER: Lisa Sytsma

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Yellow Blanket
46"x40"
WINNER:  Cathy Thompson

Blue Carriage Blanket
41"x36"
WINNER:  Christie Taylor

Heartache...

These last few weeks have been crazy busy getting ready for the holidays...we always have out of town guests and enjoy lots of cheer.  However, the last month has also included the loss of a precious little boy named Henry who was adopted last year from the Ukraine...and currently includes a gravely ill little guy named Ethan who steals my heart with his smile...he also happens to be adopted (domestically).  

All too often children with special needs are left in foster care or orphanages because of the fear of what the disability may involve and what medical issues may come up.   We are so fortunate that Ian is generally very healthy...I don't EVER take that for granted.  I won't lie - I am very anxious about Yasmine's health.  The initial report looks to be that she is quite healthy...but I have also been told those reports can't always be relied upon.   With all of the heartache I have been witnessing others going through due to devastating challenges...it would be easy enough to just walk away from the adoption and avoid the potential pain...however - that will never happen because I know that Yasmine needs us - and we need her...no matter whether she is healthy or not.  I pray she is, but also know that we will face anything we need to for her.   

There are so many children like Yasmine that need families...whether you are able to adopt, donate, pray, or share their stories - I beg you tell others about the plight of these children.  They deserve to have a mom and dad hug them and care for them when they are sick.   I also ask you to pray deeply about the idea of adoption...a year ago it was just a - "would like to do that"...not thinking it would ever be possible.  Now - having received a lot of guidance, we know that this is our what our journey is intended to be.  

Please continue to pray for my friends who have lost their children and are facing the holidays without them and for my friends with sick little ones....I still believe in miracles!

http://wecanmakeadifferencetoone.blohttp://wecanmakeadifferencetoone.blogspot.com/2012/12/bringing-home-yasmine.htmlgspot.com/


Our Giveaway is still going on but you MUST POST! if you share or donate!!


THANKS!!
Cathie

It is never easy ....

As a parent, it is NEVER easy to hand your child over to be put under for surgery.   As a member of an extended DS family that has lost far too many little ones recently (some post-surgery), the task is made all that harder.

This morning, Ian had his ear tubes checked and some dental rehab...I hope this is the only rehab I ever have to deal with with my kids.   He had a number of issues and he was unwilling to let the dentist deal with them while awake.   I am happy to report that all went well...it took about 3.5 hours.   He is such a trooper and only complained for a bit post-op.

Not knowing Yasmine's health history in great detail, and not knowing if what we know is reliable, I am anxious to get her home and have her examined by a doctor here in the U.S.   As most children with Down syndrome are prone to a number of medical issues, I will feel much better when that exam is over.   I just pray all is well with her and surgery, no matter how minor, can be avoided.


http://reecesrainbow.org/47636/sponsorthomson

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As you may have noticed, I will be "reminding" you on a regular basis of our Give-Away on this blog.   It is so important for us to get to her as quickly as possible and while the paper chase may hold things up along the way - I pray money is never the roadblock.  PLEASE don't forget to comment on the blog so you will be in the give-away.  We so appreciate any donation, no matter how small.  We are also very appreciate of your prayers.

Thank you and God bless...
Cathie

Humility...

A friend recently asked how to respond when people make comments such as....'it's really irresponsible and rude to ask people for money to adopt. If you can't pay for it all upfront then you shouldn't be adopting.'   This statement would be fine if the child was a piece of merchandise...but, alas, the child is NOT.  I fully agree that I would not go out and seek donations so I could by a new car, because that helps no one other than myself.  The adoption of an orphan helps save a life - not to mention be a potential inspiration for others to adopt.  

As an adopting parent of an orphan - I can tell you that this is most certainly a lesson in humility for me.   I am NOT comfortable with asking for donations.   Albeit, I never ever think twice about donating to other adoption funds.   

The adoption of a child from an overseas orphanage is not a "purchase" that you save up for...it is a "calling" to save a child.   If it were only a matter of money I think that many people would adopt...however, it is not the money that is needed but the strong desire to help and raise a hopeless child.  These children do not have time for every family that hears that calling to save.  With costs exceeding $20,000 and up to $40,000 at times, who can just pull that out of their wallet on a whim??  

In the Bible, God calls us to help the orphans...being that not everyone has the ability or calling to actually adopt an orphan, it is through advocating for these children, praying for the adopting families and donating to adoption funds that EVERYONE who wants to can do something to help the orphans.  

Thank you to everyone that is doing something for the lesser children of this world...

Don't forget - we have a GiveAWAY going on right now!!  See prior post!

http://reecesrainbow.org/47636/sponsorthomson

God bless!

Cathie

Lots of Thanks...and Giving!

This year Thanksgiving has taken on a new meaning for me.   I have always given thanks for everything God has given me, but this year I am also so thankful to Him for opening my eyes to those who do not have everything.  This encompasses a large part of the population..the homeless guys I see within a mile of my home, the people out East who suffered through hurricane Sandy, those who do not have the best of health, and of course - the orphans.

It is so easy to be "blind" to those less fortunate...but I ask everyone who reads this to try to make a conscience effort to pray to God to help you open your eyes and look to those that may be in need.   It could be as simple as donating that old bedspread or comforter to a local shelter or giving food to the local food pantry.  For those that are ill...reach out and let them know you are thinking of them and praying for their health.  If possible, offer to help with holiday stuff.

As the holidays approach and the kids are making lists of their wants...I think what would Yasmine's list look like:
1.  A family
2.  A cozy bed
3.  A "home" to call her own
4.  Medical care - if needed

I am SO HAPPY to say that Yasmine's list will be fulfilled sometime this next year and her list will look a lot different next year:)  However, there are hundreds of others like her that will have the same list again next year.  Whether you find yourself called to adopt into your family or to help the orphans in some way (advocating, donating, etc), please do what you can.  www.reecesrainbow.org.

Finally - thanks again to those who have made a donation on behalf of Yasmine...we really appreciate it.

http://reecesrainbow.org/47636/sponsorthomson

Happy Thanksgiving to each and everyone of you.

Cathie

To my precious little one....

While we have never met, or seen more than one picture of you, I have fallen hard for you.

I so look forward to the day we meet and you can finally know that we are welcoming you into our family.  You may be little, but I pray you are able to understand and find it comforting that God has helped us find each other.

Until that day - that cannot come soon enough - we keep you in our thoughts and prayers at all times.

Love to you my little one....

Mommy

 http://reecesrainbow.org/47636/sponsorthomson 

Yippee!!

We found out that the country Yasmine lives in has put a "hold" on her for us.  This is very exciting for us.  It seems to be making what seems like a bit of a dream more of a reality.  Without this hold, another agency could have placed her for adoption without us even knowing.  Sorry to keep showing the same picture but this is the only one we have!!

It seems to me that everyone who is adopting knows what they are doing; whereas, I feel like we are flying by the seat of our pants!   I need to focus on raising some of the money we will need for our journey to bring our daughter home.  I would LOVE and appreciate ideas...

We have been considering names and everyone seems to have some ideas or inputs and so far few of them are coming together...we still have some time but I would love to have her name.  Some of you may wonder - why does she need a name?  Doesn't she have one?  The name Yasmine is an alias...and we do not plan to keep her birth name as her first name.

In other news....we are all healthy, Jim is working crazy hours it seems all day every day, the kids teachers look like they are going to strike, Gabi was selected to be in the talent show at school, the dog is just as wild as ever and Dot just keeps on swimming....

Praying you all have a wonderful weekend.

Cathie

P.S.  Someday I hope to have a "Button" link but for now here is a link:
http://reecesrainbow.org/47636/sponsorthomson