New Pictures of Wren

We received these new pictures just this morning from a friend who just got home from China!  She was there adopting the little girl behind Wren.  We were sad not to get any new ones of Iley, but we expected that, as she is in foster care.  I must say, it's nice to see her smiling, and well fed, and dressed in nice clean clothes.  My heart goes out to the parents that are waiting.....not knowing if their children are fed, or clothed, or cared for!  So as we go into this Thanksgiving season, I will say....I am THANKFUL that ALL of my children are fed and clothed, and have at least basic care.  It amazes me at how happy she always seems....in spite of the fact that she is deaf, and probably most of the kids, and nannies can't communicate with her.  Hopefully this is a sign of a sunny disposition:) 

I Love this smile:)

 Makes you wonder...does it smell bad......taste bad....or does her nose just itch?

I pray that these two will meet again here in the USA!

I Don't Want My Children To Be Happy

Go here and read this:) 
http://itsalmostnaptime.blogspot.com/2010/02/i-dont-want-my-children-to-be-happy.html

Sorry for all of you who don't like hopping around...but sometimes other people just say it so much better than i can!  While you may not like or agree with all of it.....but this lady makes a very valid point!  What are we teaching our children about what is the most important things in life.  They learn by watching us...Does our walk talk louder than our talk talks?  Forgive me Lord for the times in my past that I have not walked the walk........and only talked the talk.  I pray...that with Your grace and Your wisdom, and Your strength.....my TODAY and tomorrows will be a better reflection of Your Love than my yesterdays have been.

And then...... I hate to admit that I was where this person writing the next story is!  I even had a conversation somewhat like this with God.....but you know when it's all written out like this it seems even more pathetic than it did in my head and in my prayers!  So when people say, this is such a wonderful thing you are doing for these little girls....I am ashamed that I almost didn't do it, and for such lame, selfish reasons. Add to the ones listed below....no time to spend with husband alone....raised 4 boys...want to travel........ And I know how many fears I still have, and I don't feel very wonderful at all, and pray daily that I will not fail my Father in Heaven or any of  these little ones he's entrusted to my care.

dear orphan

I read this post on One More Ladybug and it made me think of how our actions (and inaction) speak so much louder than our words...

Dear Orphan~




I saw your photo today. You are so adorable!
Your eyes are so deep and full of hope.




I love your little smile.
I know it must be hard some days to find
the strength to smile.
I have heard how little food you have,
but you are still willing to share
with your friends.
What a sweet little person you are!



But, I am writing this letter to tell you that I will
not be able to help you.
You see, my family is happy with the life we
are living.
I know that we could get bunk beds and you could
share a room with one of our bio kids,
but really,
that is no life for either of you.
We have so much going on around here and
life would just be too chaotic.

Our neighbors just got a new TV and game system,
we really think we need to have one too.
I have a 'ladies night out' next week and
I have nothing to wear.
I really need to purchase a new outfit.
I guess I could sponsor you...
but,
it will have to wait til next month,
I really need that new outfit
and my kids are dying for some fast food tonight.

Good luck to you!

 

Calico pie Fundraiser

Whats up:  A big fundraiser….well a fundraiser with big hopesJ  Calico Pie http://www.etsy.com/shop/calicopie,  a tiny shop on Etsy with a big heart is donating 50% of it’s sales to help with an adoption journey.  Calico Pie makes hand sewn soft cloth dolls that are baby safe and mama friendly (being 100% washable

When:    Monday, November, 28th!   Shauna at Calico Pie will donate half of any sales Placed on Monday the 28th to our adoption!!!  This is called cyber Monday.  This is the equivalent of Black Friday to the retail shops.

Who:  That would be us:) Troy and Judy Deaton from Kansas are adopting 2 girls from China,  4 year old Wren Da Yu, who is Deaf, and 4 year old Iley XiaoKui, who has a heart condition and needs surgery.

Why:  There are 147 million Orphans in the world that need families.  The biggest obstacle between the orphan  and their forever family is expense.  It costs between $20,000 and $40,000 for each adoption.  Please help us raise the ransom for these two little girls to come home.

What you can do:  Order a doll, or  Spread the word to all your friends to help us bring business to Calico Pie.  Or  Donate directly, and tax deductable through: Brethren Charity Fund
                                                                       (BCF)     
                                                                  PO Box  365
                                                            Brookville, OH  45309

Please note: ** "Troy & Judy-adoption"  on check memo line**

http://www.etsy.com/shop/calicopie This is the link! Check out more of her cute dolls!  There are many more options.

The Story Of the Doll

I ordered a doll for Wren Dayu from Calico Pie  way back at the end of March of this year.  When placing the order on line, there was a place to leave a comment, or special request.  I wrote and asked the owner, Shauna, if she could make the dolls eyes look more Chinese...like Wren's.  She wrote back and said sure.....send me a picture.  I sent her a picture, and told her we were adopting Wren from China, she then shared with me that she worked in an orphanage when she was younger.  These emails went on for several months.......we chit chatted, and got to know each other.......and then we  kind of tapered off... and i hadn't heard from her for a while, but she had said to be sure and send her my blog information when I got it up and going.   So I sent her an invitation, and she emailed me and said she had gotten it.  Then I didn't hear anything for a while......and I really didn't expect to, cause after all....she lives in California, and I had no reason to hear from her....she sold me a doll...went above and beyond to make it special.....sent extra outfits....just because she has a heart for orphans.......so her part was certainly done!  Then out of the blue....This lovely lady sent me an email....saying that she had been thinking about us, and wanted to help with a fundraiser!!!  This totally caught me off gaurd!  Remember.....I have never met this Girl!  She is giving up income, and MUCH time.....to help a family she has never met!  I cried......(not that that is unusual these days)  But seriously!!!  ONLY GOD could open a way to raise money through "buying" a doll!  So Please everyone that has a brother, sister, neice, nephew, child, grandchild, or friend......that would like a nice little doll......for Christmas...or a birthday maybe.......order one on November 28th!

Thank you one and all for your help in bringing two more orphans HOME:)

I hope to do a post soon about the expenses.....where it all goes.....how much is paid up......and how much is left to pay.

Mr. Mess in Disguise

When Harrison disappears to his room.....



Sherman gets bored.  When Sherman gets bored....we know a mess will soon be forthcoming....in one form or another.  If water options are unavailable....he will look for another source. 

He disappeared for a bit, and reappered announcing....Look mom, I'm Ross. (Ross is our oldest son's boss and lives nearby)  In Ross' defense...He is not quite as chunky as Shermans shirt suggests. 

My Bear in his Cave

Some of my readers have commented on the fact that I don't post about Harrison very often.  It's not because he is less loved! Or even less present.  He is just quieter, and less "busy", much more.."behind the scenes" than Mr. Mess is.

This is Harrison's idea of a well decorated room.....every poster that you own, and any magazine page of interest.......all find a spot on the wall.....(We should have bought stock in the sticky tac company)......along with every piece of junk treasure you own on display......He has not read the decorating manual that refers to editing your displays...or the less is more articles........nope.  It's ALL good stuff in his book.

                           

We Love this book devouring, PSP playing,  information sponge.... with a wealth of knowledge stored in that  top knot of his.  He loves collecting information......for what???  if nothing else, to keep his friends well entertained.  He is a delight.

Waiting Stinks

"Waiting on God requires the willingness to bear uncertainty, to carry within myself the unanswered question, lifting my heart to God about it whenever it intrudes upon my thoughts."
~Elisabeth Elliot

I'm trying to learn this....but as my mother and husband can attest to.....I'm much more of a NOW person, than one who likes to wait:(  My little girls are in CHINA for Pete's sake!  And they NEED their mama! And yes their mama NEEDS them:)  We just received this update from a friend who is in China now getting her little girl from the same orphanage our girls are in, she is  also getting an older girl that is almost 14, and will age out of the system on her birthday later this month.  They got her just in time.  Praise the Lord!  One less child surviving on the streets.  She says about our little girls........

So now the good stuff!  I saw your baby Wren today!  Oh Judy, when we got in the van to leave I broke down and cried. How i hated leaving her there.  I truly felt connected with her.  When I first saw her she was eating and pulled away when I tried to touch her.  So I took pictures and videos and moved on to the other children.  Then I made my way back to her and let her look through the camera with me.  She loved this and let me get close to her and laugh and look through the camera.  I put my arm around her and snuck a couple kisses on her cheek!  Judy, she is beautiful!  Really really beautiful and so sweet.  She has such a bright smile!  I saw her again in the crib room and she was all smiles this time.  She made great eye contact and I kept looking at her and waving as we left.  She smiled, looked me in the eyes and kept waving back.  Words cannot explain.  It was truly like leaving a child I knew.  You need to go now!  

My guide asked about Xiao Kui and Ms. Zhong said she is doing really well in foster care.  She said she is with a really nice family and is much healthier since she has been there.  I wish I could have seen her too. 

                                                   Wren is the one in the pink turtleneck with the pig tails:)

I'm SO ready to go:(  I remind myself that God's timing is perfect.....and most days it works.....but today....my Heart is in China, and i just want to bring my babies HOME.

When I grow up...

How is it that I can honestly say that I want to be like some one 18 years younger than me.....when I grow up?  I feel like in terms of faith.....this girl is light years ahead of me.  I want this kind of  faith, I want this kind of love for humanity, I want this kind of  relationship with My God and Jesus.  Please God, draw me to you, use me to your glory. Amen.
http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/   Inspiring, humbling, Amazing.......READ!