We Have a Little Problem

Ok, this post I will probably post to both blogs.  It is hysterical, sweet, and I really don't know what to do.

Julianne has decided she wants to sleep in Aleshia's crib.  The crib had been up for a good while already.  Julianne had been going to sleep in her own bed some nights and then we carry her to our bed.  Other nights she just goes to sleep in our bed to begin with.  We don't leave her in her room at night while we are asleep, because if she wakes up she doesn't cry, but instead climbs out of bed and rocks and hits her head on the floor between her legs.  I can't bear to wake up and know she left a place on her head while I was sleeping so I take her to my bed.  Even at that sometimes she bangs before I get to her when she is sleepy or when she wakes up from having fallen asleep and not yet in my bed.

So, I go in her room the other evening and this is what I see:

Do you love the "Poor me, I don't know how I got here" look above,

or the "You know you can't even think of scolding me when I am this cute" look below?

What about this next look?

This is the "You really did figure it out and explain to Daddy how I got here, 

so you really do know me well, so I'm sure you are aware that I am 

WAAAAAAYY CUTE!"

                                                 
Yes, my sweet and very smart daughter took the small chair over and used it to get onto the arm of the rocking chair, which she then used to climb into the crib!

Then the next night while we were getting the kids ready for bed (and after a very long day playing outside that made her tired before 2am evidently!) I go in and find her to have already put herself into Aleshia's bed and gone to sleep!

So the question is, "WHAT ON EARTH DO I DO?"!  She is nearly 6 years old and doesn't need to be in a crib.  She walks and obviously climbs quite well!  She still has the playpen, because she is unwilling to give it up.  

Do I let her continue this and pray that it gets old before Aleshia gets home?

Do I move the crib elsewhere so that she can't get in it?

Do I buy her a small portable crib like this one that I get for Keith and Aleshia?  (These are on wheels and can wheel into my room for those two at night which is why I bought those specific ones.)

Do I leave the crib there and fight with her to stay out of it?

I really don't know.  She wanted in Keith's highchair when I put it up and I explained it is for her little brother Keith.  She will still ask, but it is to get me to tell her that.  When I say it is for her "little brother Keith" she beams and giggles.  She's been interested in the walker, swing, etc that I've put together.  She tried to get into the walker, but when I told her that it was for "the baby", she didn't try to get in it any more.  

I don't know what to do about the bed.  

Opinions Appreciated Please!

A New Week

We have now started a new week.  It is very early morning in Bulgaria.  My paperwork should be on the desk of the MOJ right now.  Please pray very hard that she just can't stand to wait a moment more than absolutely necessary (like to get to the office!) to sign that paperwork.  Please pray that it moves very quickly through the process and gets a court date assigned with a good judge who really cares about the children very soon.  I can't wait to get them all home and let their "FOREVER" begin!!  I really can't wait to hold each one of them.  I can't wait to have a weekend where I don't worry about Keith in that really bad place.  Even at that though, I don't think I'll ever go another day without thinking of the other children in that place and other places like it.

Please pray hard that this week has forward motion and God moves in ways that only He can!

Waiting Children 4-29-12

Well time for more waiting kids.  Please pray over each one.  Ask God to take care of them and help their family to step forward.


Ivan is waiting.  He needs medical care so that his brain can continue to grow properly.  He also needs a cleft palate repair so that he can speak.  He's such a cutie and he has Apert Syndrome.  His grant is over $4,000, so he has a good start to help toward his adoption.  He would do so well in a family!!!


Danila is a beautiful 6 year old little girl with Down Syndrome.  She has close to $13,000 in her grant to help with her adoption.  The orphanage staff must favor her because look at those bows!


Nicky is only 2 years old and has a grant of over $11,000 to help with his adoption.  He is so tiny and needs a family so badly!!


This sweet boy has just turned 3 years old.  His name is Wyatt and he has Down Syndrome, along with other medical needs.  He has a grant of over $3,800 and is in urgent need of a family!!


Tiny Justin will be a year old in June!!  He needs a family.  What a gift that would be!!!  He has a grant of over $3,000 to help with his adoption.  Please Mama go get him!!



Preston is 6 years old and has Down Syndrome.  He will spend his life in an institution and that part of his life is about ready to start.  Wouldn't you love to show him what love and family are all about???  You could be the one to teach him how wonderfully God made him!!  He has a grant of over $15,000 to help get him home!!!


Poor Stacy is already living in an institution.  This picture shows her entire world.  The bars of that crib are confining her to a life of misery!!!  She is only 5 years old and doesn't deserve such horrid confinement!!  She has a grant of over $4,000 to help get her out.  Will you be the one to pull her out of the depths of despair???  "Please Mama, look at me and take that leap of faith!"


Now you have seen.  You know their names, have seen their faces, and know their plight.  You have a pretty good idea as to how dire their situations and how helpless they are to change them.  What will you do about it?

Waiting Children Post 4-28-12

Well, Miss Sarah that I posted and screamed for has a family going for her.  I am so humbled by watching what God can do.  Many eyes were opened and hearts were stirred by her story.  God used her.  Tiny Sarah, living in a horrible place, all alone, and with no voice besides those of us yelling for her - was used by God!

God wants to use all of us!!

Will you allow Him to use you today?  Will you share, donate, or ADOPT???  Here is your chance!!


Kristopher has very minor special needs and just turned 2 years old recently.  He will be having an eye surgery soon and needs a loving family to cheer him on and probably get him some glasses!  There are videos of him available so ASK!


Edward is 7 years old and has very mild delays.  He is such a cutie and a very small little guy for his age.  Please go check out Edward!!


Marcia was listed as having a family, but she doesn't have one going for her now.  She has been transferred to an institution already and is not doing well.  She just turned 5 years old in February.  She does have a grant to help with her adoption, so go read about her and ask God what He wants you to do.  Please help her!

Sweet Gabby is in desperate need of a family.  She is in the BAD PLACE where one of my children is.  She  is just 3 years old.  She has some needs, but it really is hard to tell what her needs would be if she had a decent chance.  She is a beautiful girl and no matter what her needs are, she was made in God's image and deserves to be loved.  Please help Gabby!!


Alyssa is also in that BAD PLACE!  She is is nearly 9 years old and only weighs 30lbs.  :(  Children in that horrible place are often very small.  Alyssa is doing wonderful though considering where she is.  She just needs a family to step out for her!


Don't forget Brent!  He is 6 years old and has a grant for over $10,000 available to help him out of the mental institution he is in and into a family!!  Such a cutie he is too! Is he your son?


Celine is a beautiful 6 year old little girl who also has a grant of over $10,000 available to get her into a family!  Please consider her!  What a beautiful daughter she would be!!

Please pray, advocate, donate, and ADOPT! If God could use tiny Sarah who sits all alone in that HORRIBLE place then I know He can use each one of us.  Let Him use you today!!!

Waiting to Hold My Babies

Well, I am so anxious to go get the kids that I can barely stand it. I wish I had a date, but of course I don't.  I just want to go get them and bring the home and take care of them myself.  The worry of having my children so far away just eats at me.  There is no way to know if they are sick or well, hungry or fed, been touched today or not, or laying in a wet diaper or just changed.

If you have ever waited like this, then you get it.  If you've never adopted, then imagine that your child was kidnapped and being held hostage.  You'd paid the ransom that you'd been allowed to pay, but you were still waiting to be allowed to make the final huge payment and have the child put in your arms.  You had begged and pleaded.  You were told you just had to wait for that message to come and then once things were decided they'd have a meeting to declare the hostage situation finally over and you could come and pick up your child 3 weeks later.

Put yourself there.  Imagine the despair and the desperation.  Then imagine what your children would be doing, thinking, and living through.  Imagine the wondering if they'd eaten, were they hurt, were they sick?????

Yes, that is my life right now.  I just want to hold my babies.  I want them set free!  I want them in my arms.  I want to make sure they are well, bellies full, clothes clean, baths given, hair combed, and lots of hugs every day.  I can't do any of that until the process moves through its many twists and turns.

Please pray for my children.  I know that Keith is in a horrible place.  I know that Nicholas's institution is very undesirable as well.  Ahnja, Anita, and Aleshia are probably "ok", but they need out and into a family as well.  They are not taken care of by any means like a child in a real family.  Ahnja is at a boarding school all week and at a group home on the weekends.  Anita is in an orphanage and doesn't like to be close to the other children.  Aleshia is in an institution where they do their best, but she needs a good bath and to learn what love and family is!

Please pray for God to hurry our process through for us.  All of the children need to come home quickly, but Keith's situation is urgent!

If you'd like to be able to make really great digital scrapbooking items like this, 

then go to THIS  post and read how to do it!

The lady who did that guest post made many of the things you see on the blog, 

then another wonderful lady fixed the look of the blog for me.

There is awesome scrapbooking tips and "how to" in that post 

as well as a free photobook that you can get!

I didn't know until she wrote that post that she was donating money from the kits to

Keith's adoption, so go check that out as well.  :)

A Busy Mom's take on Digiscrapping.....

First off I need to declare that I am an imposter, sorry, that should read a guest blogger.

I've hijacked Amanda's blog to give you a busy Mom's take on digital scrapbooking.

My name is Catherine and some of you will know me maybe from the Reece's Rainbow FB page or perhaps from Amanda's own FB page.  My alter ego is CatDesignz which is my digital baby - the Child of My Heart if you will.  That's the name of the kit that Celeste Lombas and I used to give Amanda's blog a new look ready for the children coming home - a little digital nesting if you will!

Amanda asked if I would make some layouts of the children which I was delighted to do - you can see them in the left hand side bar.  You can even pretty your own adoption blog up in the same way.

Who, me?  I hear you ask?

Yes, You - you too can digiscrap.

And here's the gorgeous proof

This is Amanda's very first digital layout - and I promise it won't be your last Amanda.  Before you know what's happening you will be teaching the children to make their own layouts!

 ' But I'm too busy to figure it out......'

If you want something done give it to a busy person!!

Before I met Amanda I thought that I was a busy Mum (thats British for Mom BTW!).  I work full time managing a Shopping Mall, volounteer as a School Governor, care for my hubby who is disabled by PTSD, raise our 11 year old son and work a second job as CatDesignz, mainly selling my product at My Memories. Oh, and then I blog, tweet, have a Facebook page, an Etsy store and generally try and stay digitally active

Yes, I seriously thought I was busy until I met this amazing lady and her equally amazing hubby Brent who parent their rainbow family of 13 and are making room for another 5.  Now I really understand what a busy Mom is!!  You are fantabulous Amanda and I am so blessed that our paths have crossed.

When you said you had no time to figure out how to digiscrap I knew that I had already thrown down the gauntlet without saying a word.......and, yes, I am right and you are wrong on this one - he he!   'Cos you figured it all out yourself!!

And if time challenged Amanda can produce a stunning layout so can you and I'm here to show you how  to get started - mainly in response to comments on FB and in emails to Amanda about how you wish you could do it too.

As I mentioned, in my spare time I work for this amazing company called MyMemories - thats where I sell my digital creations.  And though I declare an interest they really are a great starting point for would be digi scrappers and particulary busy Moms.This is not a hard sell because you can actually get started for free

As well as selling digital kits for folks to use they also have THE most popular and easiest to use software.  Its called My Memories Suite V3 and there is even a free trial version available. 

You do need some kind of graphics software to be able to use graphics files - thats your pictures, backgrounds and cliparts

Oh, and heck, I am bursting to tell you this, My Memories giving away a free photobook at the moment and you could use the offer without even having to buy the software - just use the free download version!!!

If you click on this link it will take you to the My Memories home page where you will find the link to the free photobook - there is also a little snippet of footage from the Lifestyle programme which shows you how fast you could fill an album.  This is where it gets really interesting for busy peeps because you can use a pretty pre designed template and just plop your pictures in - simples!

Have a look at these gorgeous photobook  templates - literally one for every occasion.

There are also album templates that you can use if you don't want a full photobook - wherever the grey spaces are you can add your pictures by dragging and dropping them in

Like I said you can use the free version of the software to order your free photobook - there are even free templates with the trial version too so you don't have to spend a cent except for postage.  (look for the free trial button on the right hand side of the page)

 Here is a short video which explains a little about how to get your free photobook  - its the first of 3 video clips but Lisa, the presenter is a great tutor who is really easy to follow



Once you download the software you will want to use it for all your pictures, I promise you!  The programme opens up on your computer - you don't have to be on line to use it - you can use it any time.

To help you with using the software there are a bunch of video tutorials and written tutorial  files that you can download and print out.  I found these priceless for teaching me how to use the software one easy step at a time.  Have a look at this one and you'll see what I mean


There is also an amazing and supportive community on Facebook where you can show off your creations, look at other peoples for inspiration and even ask for digi help and advice

I do need to warn you though.......

IT'S ADDICTIVE!!!!!!

and just to prove how quickly you can become proficient with this software here is Amanda's second layout

Of course the layout is not quite perfect - there are not enough children in the picture - I should say another 5 would just about do the trick! And Amanda will soon fix that please God!

And should you like what you see and decide you want to buy the My Memories software please, please  don't pay full price.  I have a discount coupon for $10 that you can use.  I also have a little surprise for Amanda who doesn't know about this......if any of you buy a copy of the My Memories version 3 software before the end of April using my code  I will donate $20 to the Littlest Unroe fund for each copy of the software sold.  The code to use is STMMMS26788.  Just type it into the coupon space ( or better still copy and paste) before you pay.  This will discount the software down to $29.97 for you.  I will get an email telling me you bought a copy and then I'll donate $20 to little Keith's funds.  Does that sound like a good deal? Oh, and you also get a coupon code for $10 worth of free kits too!

Of course there are lots of other programmes that you could use, like Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro and Photoshop Elements most of which also have free trial versions but they all have a mighty steep learning curve too.  My Memories V3 is far and away the most user friendly that I have found.

Feel free to pop over to my CatDesignz Facebook page and say hello - thats where I showcase all my kits and templates - you never know - you might just catch the bug!!

Happy Scrapping & don't forget to leave Amanda some love for her lovely layouts

Catherine x

ps, be kind to me, this is my first ever guest blog spot - thanks Amanda

PRAY       ADVOCATE       DONATE       ADOPT

Another Little Update

Well, we got another little update on Keith today.  The clothes that I sent with the other Mama visiting there did fit him.  That is good news.  They were the smaller of the 6 to 9 months clothes and were footed.  For things not one piece I will likely still need the 3 to 6 months in order for them to not fall off of my tiny little guy, but the other stuff in 6 to 9 months should fit wonderfully for summer.  I have 12 months here in clothes already as well.  I will probably need those in footed things soon, except for in some of the brands that are made bigger than those I sent.  lol 

They have done something new to blogger and I'm not sure how this post will go or how to add photos, links, or text changes yet, so bear with me while I figure it out.  :) 

Keep praying for our little tiny guy, as well as for Aleshia, Anita, Nicholas, and Ahnja!!  Pray for a fast court date and a judge who is adoption/large family friendly!

Got a Nice Little Update

Another mother is visiting her little one where Keith is this week.  She got to see him today, because he was out being pushed through the halls with his Baba!  I'm so happy that she got to see him.  Any "Keith sighting" is a big deal for me, plus knowing that he was out of that isolation room for a little while today was great too!

No pictures because she wasn't allowed to take pictures of other kids, but just glad to have had him get out and know he is ok at the moment.  Praying hard that I get to be there very soon and hold him!

Yes, I will be holding him soon and I will make sure that he is never alone again!  Pray that things move quickly!!  Praising God today that He allowed us a small update to know he is ok and waiting. 

Coming for you soon sweet boy!



Waiting Children 4-22-12

This is Keegan.  He is only a year old and will be tranferred to an institution soon because his baby house is closing He needs a family badly!!!!  Please help this tiny boy!!!

Once again here is Sarah.  This little girl is in dire need.  She lives in a horrible place.  When her file goes back, we as Christians have failed.  We will have agreed witht them that she isn't worth what she should be.  I am sick waiting for someone to step forward.  :(  This beautiful little girl is made in the image of God!!!  She is PRECIOUS to HIM!!!  Jesus tells us in the Bible that what we do unto the least of these we do unto HIM, so I guess our "Christian" brothers and sisters in Christ are just leaving Sarah and Him in that terrible place.     :(

Remember who made these babies and read a bit in the Bible about what we are told to do. 

Waiting Children 4-21-12

Please don't leave her this way!!!!  I just know that God is speaking to someone's heart right now.  God does NOT want this little girl left in the "VERY BAD PLACE"!!! 

Why not adopt her?????

Money, God has plenty of it and He will make it work.

Time, God made time and He makes that work too - I know!

What will others think - WHO CARES!  All that matters is what God thinks!

What if - God's got that too!

Too hard, long, and exhausting . . . .

JESUS DIED TO PAY THE PRICE FOR YOUR ADOPTION!!  How can we make any excuses???  He paid with His life.  This little girl just needs the chance at a life and the power is in your hands.  Will you be God's hands and feet???  Will you choose to take a giant leap of faith and watch God catch you on behalf of Sarah??? 

Some day we will all stand before God and give account for our actions.  We will be rewarded for our obedience to God and we will stand ashamed for our disobedience.  Don't let yourself go stand before God some day and give account for leaving her there!!!  If God is calling you to adopt her, donate to her grant, or re-post her picture, then get to it.  Pray and re-post please!!!

To whoever is suppose to go get this little girl, GET A MOVE ON!!!! Your little girl is in a place too horrible for you to imagine.  She is crying.  The tears are flowing from her eyes.  Does that bring tears to your eyes?  It should.  Don't be ashamed for having your heart broken by what breaks the heart of God!  That sweet little girl all alone in that horrible place is breaking His heart.  Christians not caring is breaking His heart too. 

Don't let her file go back and those in her country have their belief that no one wants these children confirmed.  Don't desert her.  Don't forget her.  Don't look away.  Please act now because she has less than 2 weeks to find a family!!!  CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO!


Do not let this be the end of her story!  HELP HER!

Small Update

Our paperwork from the meeting that went well on Tuesday has been translated and is at authentication.  It will be submitted to the MOJ next week. 

Please pray that the paperwork continies to fly through and that our babies are in our arms soon.

We are continuing to prepare for their arrival here at home.  :)  Nesting times 5 is hard work!!  lol  I've not had a baby swing in our home since Dayton outgrew his in 2002, but I do now!  Pictures will come soon!

Thanks for your prayers and keep them coming!  God is so good!

Happy 6th Birthday

My sweet Aleshia is 6 years old today!  This is the day each year that ends our 17 days of having four 5 year olds.  Oh how I wish she wasn't missing another birthday at home.  I just got finished putting her rocker/bouncer together.  That way it felt like a birthday present a little. 

I was able to send her a birthday card in a package that we were able to send to her.  The director at her institution is very nice and helpful and gave us an address to send stuff to her at.  So we sent her a book that I recorded, another book with buttons to push,  and then a singing card.

I put this together for her tonight:

This works  like a bouncer and has the vibration feature,

but is meant to be a toddler rocker too. 

I'm hoping that she finds it soothing

and that she begins to try to rock it.  :)

Happy Birthday My Sweet Princess!! 

Mama is coming for you soon!

BINGO

That is the title of the email that I just received!!  Our attorney said that everything at the interview this morning went great.  They had thoroughly read our file before the meeting.  They said everything was straight forward and honest.  They said they believed we were totally prepared and ready to raise all 5 children (I knew that!). 

The paper that is needed should be ready in the next couple days for our attorney to pick up!

Another little "God Thing" along the way too!  We will have $870 back, because the cost of the Visa's has went down from $404 each to $230 each!  That money will come in very handy!  This trip #2 will be very expensive and as of yet we don't even know exactly how much things will cost and how housing will work.

Praise God for all the good news today!!!  Thank you so much for your prayers!!! 
One step closer to bringing all 5 of my babies home!!!

GOD IS AMAZING!!!!



HUGE PRAYER REQUEST!

Tomorrow morning at 8am my time is a very important interview that our attorney over there will be going to on our behalf at the US Embassy.  Please pray that the meeting ends with us moving on to the next step and not a delay.  All of our children, but especially Keith, need to get home quickly.  Please pray for everyone involved to be reasonable, soft hearted, compassionate for the kids, and not want to delay us.  Pray for our attorney to have the words to answer all questions and the peace about the meeting that only God can give. 

God gave us this meeting and we are depending on Him to make it go well. 

I'll update you as soon as I know how it goes! 

Help For the "Bad Place" - BEGGING

Many of you know that one of our children is in the very "Bad Place".  That place is the place where children go hungry and don't grow.  That place is where children are left in their beds nearly their entire lives.  That place is where 9 year olds come home from their weighing TEN POUNDS!  That place is where teenagers still look like infants.  That place is where my child sat all day today probably alone the entire time and likely without a diaper change or maybe even a bottle all day.  That place is full of children just like my child.  All of them in serious need of HELP. 

We have a way to help and so do you right now!! 

The link I am about to give you takes you to the blog of a lady who found a way to send in nurses.  The goal is to send in 10 nurses and have the money to fund them being there for 6 months.  These nurses will make sure that the children are being fed and that medications are being given. 

THEY WILL CHANGE THE LIVES OF THESE CHILDREN!!!!

Please help.  I've been trying to think of some way to encourage it, but I'm drawing a blank.  So I've decided to resort to begging until something better comes to mind.  

Ready?  PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PRETTY PLEASE GO TO THIS LINK AND DONATE ON THE CHIP IN FOR NURSES FOR THAT BAD PLACE!!!!!

Click the underlined area above and go help all those kids.  I can't bring them all home and we have to help them.

Waiting Children Post 4-15-12

There are so many waiting children that it is hard to even decide who to post.  So here are just a few of the waiting children who came to mind tonight.



Sarah, because I am going to keep posting her until she has a family!!!  She can't be left behind in that horrible place!


Yana is just gorgeous and is only 11 months old!!  She has Down Syndrome and is very healthy!


Quentin is only 3 years old and just adorable!!!  He also has Down Syndrome and is healthy!


Rose is just gorgeous and 4 years old.  She has Down Syndrome and has had her heart corrected, so she is now healthy!


Gage has Down Syndrome and is only 3 months old!!!  What a sweet baby!!


Rachel is just 5 years old and has delays.  A family who recently met her said she was very affectionate and had good things to say about her.  :)


Libby is 10 years old.  She has Down Syndrome, is beautiful, and needs a family!


Basil is a cute little 4 year old boy who has Down Syndrome.  He is walking and loves music!

Last, but not least is:















Brent is an adorable little boy with Down Syndrome. He is healthy, but has already been transferred to the institution.  He's only 6 years old and his grant is over $10,000!!!!  Someone go get him!

Please remember that we have an Article 5 interview that our attorney will attend Tuesday morning at 2pm their time and 8am our time!!!  Please request prayer from everyone that you know that it goes well and doesn't delay us.  Pray that it is quick and the Article 5 will be given to our attorney at that time for our adoption.  Pray for every set of hands that our paperwork touches and that our children are home quickly, where we can get Keith the medical attention that he needs and all of them can start learning how wonderfully loved they are.  <3