RUMMAGE SALE THIS WEEKEND!

Even though it looks like I'm shouting that header, I'm actually just SHOUT/SINGING it!  Yippee!

Finally, we have made it to the week of the sale and I am so relieved that we are finally going to get this fundraiser on the road!

I'm PROUD to say that we had over 21 families donate to the Rummage Sale - and actually, I've received e-mails even today that we have four more families waiting in the wings to donate before Saturday.  Can you say "God is good!"  I CAN!

If you or someone you know might be interested in donating - it's not too late!  We are still accepting items and will be working at the Rummage Sale location on Friday afternoon to sort/price/setup, etc.  We have several people dropping things off on Friday - and that works perfectly!  If you need details, feel free to e-mail me at scrapbooksweetie1@yahoo.com.  If you're able to come and help out on Friday or Saturday, let me know ASAP - I'd love to have you!

If you decide to come just to check us out and maybe pick up a fun item or two...(or three), make sure to find me and say Hi!

 Remember when my garage looked like this at the beginning of collection?

Well, now it looks like this!

The picture doesn't do it justice:  this is half way up (notice you can see the ceiling) and there are TONS of items out of view of the camera.  Quite frankly, I could hardly find a good spot to take the picture, because it's just crammed - there is no more room!  We can no longer walk through it to get inside the house.  And that, my friends, is a GREAT problem to have.

This is one of two garages we have that are filled to the brim with items.  (Special thanks to our friends Eric and Laura for the extended use of their garage) We also have a friend donating furniture that she's holding for us.  No idea how much, but it makes we weepy with the outpouring of love and generosity.  We're so grateful!

We also continue to receive donations here and there to the 100 for $100 fund.  We're a little bit over half way there.  What a blessing!  If you care to spread the word - there is a donate button at the top right of this blog, in the sidebar.  It's easy and safe and we're going to keep plugging away trying to reach our goal.  We are so very appreciative of the care and support we have received through this blog.  We are HUMBLED!

So that's the latest and I'll be back with pics from the Rummage Sale.  Pray for a big success!

Let's get our little girl home!

**Referral Update:  We have no news to share at this point.  Obviously, we are delayed and we don't really know why.  We were expecting a referral this week, but that won't be happening after all.  We're still holding out hope for next week - but we'll keep the blog posted as we learn more. Trust me, pictures will be posted when we have them!!  Yippee!

Can't believe it, but...

RUMMAGE SALE REVISED

Ok - the Rummage Sale date has changed to NOVEMBER 21.  If you would like the location, feel free to e-mail me at scrapbooksweetie1@yahoo.com.

 

Reason for the change of date was that once I (and my diligent team of helpers) recognized how unpredictable the weather in November can be, we thought we might want to find an indoor location and save ourselves the hassle of any weather related issues.  We now have secured a FABULOUS location, on a HIGH TRAFFIC street, in a great part of town.  We've been given use of a local Church's indoor gymnasium (so PERFECT!) and their stock of tables for displaying items.  They have been so wonderful and kind to us - and have essentially donated their space for free.  Whahoo!

Meanwhile, Rummage Sale donations continue to come in - we currently have EIGHT families waiting for their items to be picked up by our little crew.  Many of whom are donating furniture items!  I can't tell you what a tremendous blessing it has been to see so many people come together to help us out.  It has been such an encouragement on the recent tougher days.

It's no surprise that we're not always surrounded by the most supportive of people.  There are some who don't agree with adoption fund-raising, and others who think it's in poor taste to ask for help in raising the thousands of dollars it takes to adopt.

I'm pretty sure there are no good reasons not to try and save a child's life and give them a hope and a future.  Wait, let me think.... NOPE.  Not any.  And last time I checked - being adopted into a family who lives as a middle and one income family on a thrifty budget, certainly seems more palatable than living out your days in an over-crowded foster home or orphanage with no one to love you.  Yep.  Pretty sure that's a better option.

FORTUNATELY - we have been primarily surrounded by those who wish to support and love on us and help as they can - as evidenced by the massively growing "Thank you" list to the right.  The burden it has lifted in our hour of need is hard to even put into words.  To say it humbles and blesses us, does not do the kindness justice.

Indeed, we are so moved by your support!  So let's talk about the reason for all of it:  Keira Joy!  As you know, we did not make the cutoff in China to receive our referral in October, as we had planned.  So, we will now wait until what appears to be sometime in November.  That's when we'll FINALLY, after so long waiting, be able to see her face for the first time.  And believe me - we'll be sharing not just the pictures, but the joy, with all of you!!  And no worries this time - there are no more dates ahead of us, no more delays that we can foresee, no more getting pushed to the next month - we're next.  Pray for a smooth process, referral, and continued fund-raising!

Speaking of fund-raising - if you're stopping by for the first time, here's what we're doing:

1.  Rummage Sale November 21st.  If you're local and can donate items (any items! - even just a small box of stuff will make a difference!) just send me a quick e-mail and I'll work out a pickup with you.  If you can help with pricing/organizing/selling/loading and unloading, etc. let me know!!

2.  100 Families for $100 - asking 100 families to donate $100 (or any amount).  We've reached the half way point - we've received 50 pledges!!   WHAHHOOOOO!  We just need 50 more to reach the goal of 100!  You can click the "Donate" button in the top right sidebar of this page for a safe transaction into Keira's Account.

A HUGE THANK YOU for all your kindness and support!!  More to come!

Not this time...

Friends and Family,

As many of you already know, we expected to receive our referral for Keira Joy this week.  I wanted to let you know that we were not selected to receive a referral match this time around.  It's a long explanation to tell you why - but essentially, they did not make it to our Log In Date of 3-29-06.  They made it to 3-28-06.  So yes, we missed it by one day.

We had a brief moment of sadness and disappointment - but I must tell you - God's timing is perfect and He does not make mistakes.  So we are not wallowing in missing our girl, but instead are comforted in the knowledge that He can take far better care of her and loves her far more than we ever could.  She is safe in His care - and until we can get to her, we are confident God's hand is covering her with protection and love.

If you are visiting because you received our letter or e-mail, then first thank you for coming by!  We so appreciate you taking the time to visit us.  Second, we see this delay as a reprieve of more time to raise the funds needed to get our girl home.

We expect (loosely) to receive our referral for Keira in November. Barring any unforeseen delays, a skipped referral month, or other oddity - we are literally next.  Even if they only matched one day next time around, it would be our day of 3-29-06.  So without any real hesitation, I will say "we are next"!

We continue to receive donations, support, and Rummage Sale offerings - and I have grown accustomed to being weepy on a daily basis at the generosity of others.

If you wonder how you can help - we are in need of two things:

1.  Our 100 for $100 Drive is still in full swing and we need 50 more families willing to donate at least $100.  With that, we will meet HALF our goal of funds needed to get Keira home.  Do you know anyone with a soft spot for adoption?  Or a generous spirit?  I humbly ask for your referral to our site and for our cause...  There is a "Donate" button at the top right for those willing and interested.

2.  Donations from local Dallas Families - we still need LOTS of donations for the Rummage Sale.  We have secured an indoor facility (to protect from any unruly weather) and that has opened up lots of possibilities for us that we hadn't counted on.  Staying dry, for one!  But just knowing that the environment will be comfortable and large - woot woot - I'm so happy!   Please e-mail me if you have anything at all that you would consider donating to the sale.  scrapbooksweetie1@yahoo.com

Waiting expectantly for God to work a miracle like only He can do!

BLESSED!

We're blessed!  Blessed I tell you!

Today I got a special treat: my friend Eloise stopped by and brought her daughters Vivian and Dots.  They also brought their new puppy (ok, and quite possibly the cutest little guy ever!) Tucker.  Come on, how cute is he?

At any rate, the back end of her suburban was PACKED full of donations for the Rummage Sale.  Everything from clothes, toys, books, CD's, games, lamps...dishes...goodness!  I was overwhelmed with her generosity and let me tell you, she does not live around the corner.  She made quite a trek to our neck of the woods today to bring us these goodies.

Eloise, thank you!  I so appreciate your kind and giving heart.  We are blessed to know you!

In other news, though I failed to bring my camera (darn!) we made two large pickups last weekend as well that we had to store in a donated garage space.  Thank you to the Coopers and the Greys!!  You are so appreciated and your donations were awesome!

Actually, I could go on and on about the kindness of others -  and it's amazing to see our community of friends come together for us.  Quite humbling, actually. We've had people dropping things off, sending things, donating funds, time, and energy - all for Keira.  Check out the Thank You list to the right there in the sidebar - that's amazing!  It makes me cry sometimes.  Because having been through this with Quint, I can't tell you enough how important it is that money not be what stands in the way of parents and children finding each other.  And I'm truly amazed and humbled by the way people are taking care of us through these last stages of adopting Keira. 

So, let me stop, because I'm rambling again.  If you have given - in whatever form - we thank you.  We love and appreciate you.  It's not easy to help others when things are tight for everyone right now.  All the more reason why we recognize the sacrifice and appreciate the spirit in which these things have been done for us. 


We're expecting our referral in the next two weeks - let's get this girl home!

Important update:  Rummage Sale has been moved to November 21st.  We were able to locate an indoor facility in a prime location.  Details to come.  Whoo hoo!  This buys us more time to collect more donations.  If you have any - please e-mail me at scrapbooksweetie1@yahoo.com

In addition, if you or anyone you know would be willing to partner with us financially to meet the large cost of traveling and completing Keira's adoption, you can click the "DONATE" button at the top on the right in the sidebar.

Book Mania!

Hey, this is what I'm talking about!  After several book donations, I spent the greater part of two days logging them in to my Half.com Account.  (see the boxes in the floor back there?  overflowing!)  This wasn't even all of them - the rest are camping in Keira's room until I can get to them.  Love it!

In about 24 hours, I've secured about 14 sales - that's a first for me, for sure!

Speaking of - do you need some good books?  How about CD's?  PC Games?  Wii?  I've got em'.  Save on shipping if you order more than one!  Take a peek at my online store and see if there's anything there you might fancy, eh?!  Can't hurt to browse...go on...you know you want to.  Here's the link:

http://shops.half.ebay.com/cbucher2474_W0QQ

If you've got some goodies for us to pick up (read = stuff you don't want or need anymore), or some books to add to my amazing growing collection - e-mail me at scrapbooksweetie1@yahoo.com so I can arrange to get them asap.  I feel the proverbial walls closing in to our Rummage Sale date of November 7th.  Yikes!  We still need lots of items to make it the success we're hoping for.  Come on friends - clean out those closets for me! 

Meanwhile, we're still shouting from the rooftops (that was a rooftop right there) about the 100 for $100 Drive.  We need 100 families willing to pledge at least $100 so that we can meet half our goal.  Actually, we've had almost 40 pledges - so we're almost half way to goal.  Can I tell you how awesome that is?  It's VERY AWESOME!  We are blessed!

For those not familiar with this process; here's a mini-breakdown for our adoption because we are getting rapidly close to receiving Keira's referral.

We put together a dossier (package of documentation required to apply) and it was sent to China in March of 2006.  We were logged in on 3-29-06, meaning they acknowledged they had received our dossier and it was ready to make its way through the necessary stages it would travel.  For the past, almost four years now, we've been waiting to be matched with a little girl (probably an infant).

Well, our time has finally come.  We've reached the front of the "line", if you will.  So, we anticipate receiving a referral package next week or the week after.  This will have all the information about the baby girl we've been matched with.  Her name, where she is, her pictures, details about her personality, height, age, weight....lots more.

Can I tell you something?

WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HER FACE!

And trust me, when we do - YOU WILL TOO!

Much love,

Still Working Towards the Goal

Hello to all and thanks for continuing to check on our site!  I've been in California for the last week celebrating the marriage of my younger brother.  It was so beautiful and yes, I cried!

However, on the home-front, we're still very busy working towards the goal of raising the funds needed for Keira's adoption.  (Referral pending any day now.....eek!)

The latest and greatest is that we're up to THIRTY SEVEN families who have pledged to our "100 for $100" drive!  How exciting and wonderful is that?!?!

Additionally, we have received many offers of Rummage Sale donations.  It's been amazing to see the wonderful items donated - the hearts behind the items, and the gracious giving we have seen.  We're filling up our garage and a friends garage to capacity!

We are HUMBLED!

We still need to appeal to the hearts of 63 families willing to pledge $100.  We can DO IT!  Help us spread the word!  Link to us on your blog, through e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, or even MySpace.  We need you, really we do!  

If you're local and can clean out a closet or attic - we'd love to come and get your donations.  It's for a great cause (wink!)  Just e-mail me at scrapbooksweetie1@yahoo.com.

Thank you all for your continued enthusiasm, ideas, support, and generousity.  We are amazed at the community we conitnue to find all around us.

Any day now, we'll be seeing Keira's face for the first time - it's just getting surreal!!

Whahoo!

Donate Airline Miles!

One of the most expensive portions of our impending travel to China is the airline tickets.  They could run us upwards of $4000 total for Coach seating.  GULP!

Right now, American Airlines is running the following special for those giving the gift of donated miles:

The gift AAmiles^SM program lets you give the gift of travel to your family and friends. And September 8th through September 30th, give miles as a gift and earn up to 15,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles for yourself. Bonus miles are earned on purchases as low as 2,000 miles and increase with the more you give.

So if you're an American Airlines frequent-flyer - or just have racked up quite a few miles through a credit card, etc., consider donating them to our family before September 30th, and get up to 15,000 miles for yourself! 

OR - If you have American Express Miles to donate, that works just as well!  We can use those type of miles for any airline!  Additionally, I've learned from a fellow blogger that Northwest Airlines has a program for Adopting Families - i.e. discount!  Woot woot!  So if you've got NWA miles, send em' on over!  (if you can, that is)

E-mail me if you would be interested in gifting our family with airline miles at scrapbooksweetie1@yahoo.com.

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE DONATED ALREADY!

Keep em' coming - it's working!

We have been so blessed and encouraged by the responses we've received - truly!  Here's a pic of my garage after the weekend:

...and the picture does not do it justice.  There are no less than five different books shelves, two beautiful cabinets, a dining room table, a coffee table, two end tables, some wicker furniture, baskets, laps, decorative pillows, general decor (totally shabby chic stuff), etc.  And even a huge chandelier!  Amazing!  This was a donation from one family - and what a difference this will make - we are beyond grateful!!

We also received three e-mails from families who had stuff to donate - and some of it was too nice for the rummage sale and will be sold on E-bay.  I'll be sure to post the links when they are up, so everyone will have a chance to peek at them.  Translation:  have first crack at them.  But WOW!  

Meanwhile, I've also continued to scour around for book/media donations for my Half.com store - Keira's room is a little bit overrun at the moment - but it's totally worth it!

Seriously - this whole experience has been so hubmling....to have people we know and love come forward and bless us tremendously and to have people we have never even met contact us and offer their help and support.  There are no words...just nothing that would be adequate to express our gratefulness.  

For those praying for us (and let me just say, we can't begin to express how much that means to us) we need a location for the Rummage Sale that is high traffic.  Our first location fell through - so we're quickly trying to locate another option.  High traffic is hugely important because signage is forbidden.  Boo!  I'm not going to get discouraged - there is a perfect location out there for us - and a person with a soft spot for adoption on the other end of it!

If you're local and have time to sort through a closet - I'm willing to come and get what you're ready to get rid of...wink, wink!

With love and thanks,

One hundred for $100

  

That's right, YOU!  (and any one else you can think of who might have a soft spot for adoption)  We're rolling out the "One Hundred for $100" drive - which in short terms is a goal to seek pledges from 100 families to donate $100 to see Keira get home.  

We can do this!  (that's what I'm telling myself when it feels hopeless)

Aside from the Massive Rummage Sale taking place locally, on November 7th, we're also reaching out to those able to help through financial provision.  If just 100 families can pledge $100 - we will have been able to reach over half our goal.  Seems so small in those terms...but it's a huge mountain right now.

We could not have predicted the financial circumstances that would have fallen our way - but I remind myself that God is bigger than all of that!  And I'm not going to let it get me down...I just can't!  It seems like we're getting pummeled from several sides right now - but I can't fall into believing that I have to give up on Keira.  We have not come this far just to give up now that we're in the final steps of such a long journey.

Will you help us?  I know it's a lot to ask, and a sacrifice in these times for any family.  We understand, fully!   

I'm amazed at the generosity of people - those I've met and those I haven't.  It humbles my heart, and makes me so grateful that people are still moved with compassion to make a difference for one little family...for one little girl.  I'm adding a sidebar with the name of those who have contributed in one way or another - be it through financial contribution, Rummage Sale Items, or simply their time!  If you donate and would prefer your name not appear, please leave me a reminder and I will be sure to keep you anonymous.  

Remember we have a "Donate" button for Keira's special paypal account in the top right of the blog.  It's safe and easy - and I promise...you must believe me...these funds will be used DIRECTLY to bring our little gal home.

There are not quite enough "thank you's" I could ever issue to make up for the support of others, no matter what form.  But I hope each of you know how much it means to us to know that people are rallying to help us get Keira out of that orphanage and home where she belongs.  

If you have a blog, would you consider copying this picture and linking it back to this website -  and helping us by spreading the word?  

 

E-mail me at scrapbooksweetie1@yahoo.com for questions or leave a comment below.


Much love and thanks,