Both Hands video - A MUST SEE !!!!

We are getting close here, so you know how we are!!! We are - once again, exactly on year later - crazy excited!!!! Anthony is equally excited (& we hope that lasts). He placed his prized superman cape on the table with toys I am bringing Gabriel. I asked him what that was for. He said "my brother". I said that is for Gabriel and he said "we share." When I was packing today he took his bathroom stool to me and said Gabriel needs this. He wanted me to pack it for him. Toooooo cute!!!! He is going to make a great big brother!

This past weekend, instead of packing, we worked on the widows home and wanted to share the video with you. Please share it with anyone you would like to......it was really a great project!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1-lq6ZGkeA&feature=youtu.be

Be well and we can't wait to introduce you to our new addition!

Kim, Eric & Anthony

UNBELIEVABLE NEWS!!!!!!!

Did you see our thermometer?????? Did ya? Did ya? 

<-------- GO LOOK!!! <------------

Crazy!!!!! Yes, it's true!!! We have had an amazing week!!! It started when a friend showed up at our door with not only a huge overflowing bag of clothes for Anthony (& later for Gabriel) & a really cool learning robot BUT a very large donation check!!!! This amazing family had already donated to our Brittany's Hope Matching grant (& our biggest donation then) but they added more and even more than they first offered!!! They have the biggest hearts and I still cry over it. We will never ever be able to thank this generous family enough. 

Then we got a call late one night to hear that we were approved for a $4000 grant from the kind, generous people at A Child Waits Foundation! More amazing news there! More reasons to be thankful!!! And that makes $8500 in grants (plus a bit more on Holt Grant and Catholic Charities grant). 

We have been crazy busy preparing for our Both Hands project where some awesome friends are helping us do work on a widows home. They and more awesome friends sent out letters to get sponsors. That sponsor money (like a walkathon) goes directly to our adoption. So you say - but we reached our goal already. We are hoping that this project covers the expenses while in China - food, transportation, etc. We weren't expecting much from the Both Hands project - although it's a fantastic project - we just didn't have enough time to find the ideal project once we were approved (one that is more labor intensive than supply and skill intensive). We have spent much more time finding donations for the supplies for the widows home than people to donate to the orphan part (letter mailers). We knew this going in and it's been hard work but will be well worth it when the widow is more comfortable and safe. I have to send a HUGE thank you to the friends who basically got volunteered by me to do the work and send out letters. This handful of people didn't even think twice about helping and it is just as valuable to me as those checks that were written. Everyone helps in the ways they can and this amazing group of friends are doing just that (and also wrote checks too by the way).

Thank you to so many people who are making this adoption possible. We almost didn't move forward with it because of the money - but we got down on our knees (you will see a short post about asking for prayers, it was then) and prayed for peace in either decision to back out or move forward - we got that peace and at this time next week, the plane will be taking off with me & another awesome friend and bringing us to China to meet our little angel Gabriel. Thank you Lord!!!

12 Days until travel!!!

I can't believe it's almost time to go to China and get our boy!!!! We have been sooooo crazy busy between wrapping the summer up (meaning the summer chores), getting the Both Hands project going (still need help) and yes, packing for China!!!!!

We are still fundraising to help out with the cost of the trip so consider donating to the current project Both Hands on the right of this page and here is a very current picture of who you are helping to bring to his forever family:

They titled this one: Hello Mom!

Blessings to you and yours...

Less than one month to travel!!!!

WOW, wow, wow!!!! We are all set for travel from August 30 to September 12th - a shorter trip thanks to a lucky break on the consulate appointment being earlier in the week. My friend and neighbor is joining me while Dadda stays home with Anthony.

And get this......Anthony and Gabriel will forever share the same exact Gotcha day of September 2nd!!!  Usually the "pass off" date (gotcha day) is on a Monday but Anthony's was on a Sunday - Gabriels on a Monday - so it works exactly one year later!!!! We are so blessed!

Thank you everyone who has helped us get to this point one way or another.....there is still lots to do and lots of way to help. Please consider offering assistance and of course prayers! Thank you!!!!

For Him....

BOTH HANDS - One for the widow, One for the orphan

Hi everyone......we are in desperate need of help with this project! Both Hands - one for the widow, one for the orphan....we have a widows home that needs some work that will just make it more comfort able but safe as well. Most Both Hands projects are more labor intensive than supply & skilled labor intensive but we feel drawn to helping this widow of 26 years. It's a crazy project to take on especially so close to travel and we really need help. 

PART I: We have our widow Betty (who is so sweet) and we have a huge list of supplies. If anyone knows any company that would be willing to sponsor this project (or part of it) by offering supplies or money (501c3 non-profit write off) for supplies.....PLEASE LEAD THEM TO US!!!! So far we only have $100 for the supplies from Home Depot in Eldersburg. This is a great write off for any company - please ask around.

PART II: We need help in sending the below letters to 600-800 people .... get your Christmas card lists out....the more people we have the more chances of success! The worse that could happen is the receiver just tosses it away - the best scenario is that they donate money towards the sponsorship of the volunteers - JUST LIKE A TYPICAL WALKATHON! This money goes straight to the adoption costs! Volunteers can be letter mailers and/or workers. We are still in need of some labor with construction experience as well!! Even a plumber who can volunteer their labor and / or supplies too We need an appliance repair person also (her oven hasn't worked in years!!!). We have a long list. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU CAN HELP IN ANY OF THESE WAYS!!!!

This is an incredible program....but not without YOU!!!! Please consider helping in some way!!