Moolala

Deals that pay you!

http://radioflyertt.moolala.com/?pid=6WURPF8%26cid=VND5J9J

Sam is 6!

Sam, home one year now, celebrated his 6th birthday!  Sam loves planes, so we decided to spend his birthday at the NAS Naval Museum.  Sam has big dreams of becoming a pilot, but not just any pilot, he wants to be a Blue Angel pilot! So, Pat took Sam on the Blue Angel simulator ride!  All smiles!

Object to Adopt?

http://youtu.be/d5fQyYlE_KE


Sooo worth watching.  It may even speak to You!

The Best of Brothers!

I have been asked by many to share this story of Samuel & Josiah. 
In 2008 I traveled to Ethiopia to adopt Josiah "Jo Jo" also known as Getnet while living at the Kidane Mihret orphanage.  Kidane is run by nuns from Malta.  Two awesome ladies with an abundance of energy, joy and love.  The sisters walked me around the orphange so the children could say good bye to baby Getnet (16 mos at the time).  We walked from classroom to classroom and were met with lots of hugs and kisses from the other children, happy to see baby Getnet had a family, yet you could see the sadness behind their smiles, knowing they are thinking, "will I someday have a family?"   Emotional - oh yes!  Then one little boy ran up and hugged Getnet so tight and said "good bye Getnet, I love you Getnet", oh my heart just broke!  Tears spilling over my cheeks, my heart pounding, then I heard that voice, "This is Getnets brother."    Wow!  The little boy was Samuel, age 4, a recent addition to the orphanage.  I knew that Samuel was not Getnet's biological brother, but what I heard shook me.  I contacted my adoption agency immediately and asked if I could petition for Samuel's adoption.  They "gently reminded" me that the policy was to wait six months to one year between adoptions.  I knew this of course but felt I must press on.  I then began my plea "Ethiopia is talking about shutting down singles adopting! Samuel is a special needs child and will be harder to place! The boys have a relationship! We have already met, making the visa an R3 (easier, faster)! Did I mention that Ethiopia may be shutting down for singles?!  Twenty minutes later I received an email and an application to adopt attached!  Praise God!  The doors swung open and I began paperchasing for Samuel. 
Josiah came home Thanksgiving day 2008, Samuel's adoption was completed Christmas day 2009, and traveled home April 2010.  Naturally Josiah did not remember Samuel, but Samuel sure did remember Josiah. 
Samuel has been a wonderful big brother to Josiah!  and Jo Jo just adores him, following close behind his every step, and hanging on to evey word, they are the best of brothers!  God is awesome!  and so is my agency! (Adoption Advocates International)

Blueberries!!!

We joined our friends from our homeschool group and went blueberry picking!  Not enough to fill our freezer but we have a good start :)

Avery & Min Mn

Yum!

Surfs up!

There is an awesome surf shop here called "Inner Light", a christian organization that promotes exercise, healthy eating, and Love God!  They offer weekly surf camps throughout the summer.  Avery invited her friend Liz to spend the week and learn how to surf.  Avery and Liz were best friends before Hurricane Katrina (we all relocted since).  What a fun way to spend time together!



Avery on the board.

This is what I am talkin about! Giving an orphan a chance. Kleenex required!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BewknNW2b8Y&feature=player_embedded

Ready to Launch!

Today is Launch day for our blog! With the help of friends and family, we begin Blogging for Joy!
We heard from our agency this week and were told we are in the final stages of our paperwork (dossier) for Joy! Thank you God!
After three adoptions, this will be the first where we needed to fundraise. We are soooo close but still need the funds for the I-800, fingerprinting, and the rest of the agency fees. Please join us on our journey. We will be selling items, raffles, hosting auctions, etc. in an effort to bring home Joy. Most of all, we ask for your prayers!