quilt give-away deadline extended...

We have decided to extend the deadline until next Saturday night. This will allow one of the little ones from our Down syndrome group to pick a winning name!! (I didn't want to be the one to do it.) So, if anyone is interested and forgot to get a chance, this is the "last chance" call. It's such a beautiful quilt! (I'm really hoping she'll make me one at some later point in time! haha)

And thanks again to all of those who have already supported us by participating. We're getting there... slowly but surely!

Thanks again,
Sheryl

Tomorrow our package will reach the family taking it to Taiwan. Not a big deal to many, but to us it's one step closer to Lilly; A BIG DEAL! :-) I still think it's such a considerate gesture for a family who's going to pick up their own daughter, worried and anxious and excited about meeting her, leaving their own children, etc., to offer to take a package to Lilly for us. Thanks again Kelly and Jamie! We really appreciate it.

We had a hard time thinking of what to send, and we were aware they would have limited room to pack our stuff! So, in the end, we sent a small blanket that I made with 2 pictures of Lilly on it (thought maybe it would feel more personal to her), a picture of our present family without her, and a picture of Joby, myself and Elizabeth (do you know I can't find a picture of just the 2 of us at all recent! Go figure!) So, we sent the blanket, a doll that Elizabeth helped pick out (and we bought an identical one to keep here so that if hers was lost or left behind, at least one toy might seem familiar) and we sent a little cotton dress. I hope she enjoys the toy and the blanket and that the dress is a help of some kind to the orphanage.

So, now more waiting...... and the picture above is Tia holding Elizabeth while I'm packing the box... she was a little bit confused why I was sending a toy AWAY. But a hug from a sis is all it takes to be fine again.

Please continue to pray for Lilly, and for a speedy court decision.

Sheryl

Middle of the Month Time!!!

At our house, as with the Gambles, etc., that means updates with pictures. I've talked about having a "middle of the month" celebration because everyone around here gets so excited! So, here are some updated pics. Happy and sad time for me. I absolutely LOVE getting the updates and the pictures, but at the same time, it looks like she's growing up without me. I so badly want to go get her NOW! But, I could not be able to see her at all, so I'll be happy about that.

And thank you to those who have already purchased a chance to win our beautiful quilt in our "quilt give-away"! We so appreciate it. And don't forget, for those of you who would still like the opportunity, it ends May 30th, which is coming up fast! It's an absolutely beautiful quilt and would look lovely in anyone's home.

Now for the pics of the cutie!!!!

What a busy, but beautiful, weekend!

Wow, what a busy weekend! This was "Prom" weekend at our house! The twins had the Junior Prom on Saturday and it kept us busy all day Saturday. The morning started with nail appointments at 10 am (the girls have been babysitting to pay for these!) and continued through the afternoon for the hair updo's! (Have you seen my daughters hair? They have A LOT of it!) But I have to say... I would change a minute of it. They are beautiful in grubby clothes with ponytails, but they were stunning Saturday night! However, this momma sure felt old when they left IN THEIR DATES CARS for the dance and festivities! Geez, where did the time go?!

It's moments like these that make me stop and realize just how proud I am of how my children are turning out. They are such good kids! And I have to admit, you definately see it more with having a toddler with special needs and watching how responsible they are, how caring and how protective they've become. The friends they choose definately fall in line with their ideals regarding this also. The girls' boyfriends and friends know and act the same way regarding how attentive they are with Elizabeth and about spending time with her and helping her reach her goals; ones that are often harder for her than typical kids. All of the kids that come here know and respect the fact that my kids DO NOT use and DO NOT ALLOW the use of the word retarded in their presence. I can say the same for my son and his fiance. All of the above are just more reasons, on top of the ones more specific and individual to each child, that I'm proud of my kids. I know, of course, that I'm biased. But I really do believe they are turning out to be wonderful, productive human beings that anyone could be proud of! I'll stop now; I've heard tears are bad for electronic equipment!

Anyway, I've gotten off topic (nothing unusual there for me!). But the weekend was wonderful... even the rain stopped for the girls to get the pictures taken and get to and from Prom.

On a down note... The Gamble family, traveling the same road with us and adopting Grace, another young girl living in the same orphanage as Lilly, received a call that they were assigned the judge that would require lots of additional paperwork and the time and costs associated with that. (each judge apparently has their own set of requirements). So... if you all could say a prayer for them, that they are able to get this all accomplished smoothly and nothing holds them up, that would be wonderful. Grace needs her Forever Family just as much as Lilly, and the Gambles want to fly to pick her up just as much as we do to get Lilly. So, we know there is power in numbers.......

Sheryl

Drawing for a beautiful quilt...

Joby's Aunt Gretchen and Aunt Heidi made and donated this beautiful quilt for us to use as a "give-away" to help with the costs of Lilly's adoption. So... we're having a Drawing! For $5.00 a ticket, you can enter the "Quilt Give-Away". This quilt would look wonderful in anybody's home! The drawing will be held on June 1, 2009. You do not need to be present to win. If you click on the "Donate" button on the Right side panel it will take you to the paypal page where you can use your paypal account or your credit card. If you would rather, you can also send us a check directly to our home address. Just post a comment here and I'll send you our address. Either way, make sure you put your name and phone number in the reference section! Thank You in advance and Good Luck!!