Joining forces for our boys~Over 30 prizes,A matching GRANT & really cool story

I couldn't make this story up if I tried.

Over 5 years ago Lindy House and I met at a homeschool get-together. We talked briefly and saw each other maybe a couple more times that year. 

We never kept in touch, Facebook wasn't the big thing yet;)

Two years ago while Lindy  was living in TN we found each other online. I was in the process of adopting Benji and Tayia. Lindy then moved back to FL and  began the process
 to adopt Gabe and Levi. 

After committing to her boys we found out that my Taiya and her Gabe were actually
 in the same crib together. 

We also learned that her  Levi took Benji's place in his group after Benji went home with the us! 
How crazy is that!

While in Ukraine we saw a little boy that caught our eye. 

He was Benji's best buddy. 

He was sweet and kind, and wanted nothing more than to have a mommy and daddy.
We ached to find him a family. All along not realizing God's amazing plan. 
We were THAT family.

Long story short, the Falvo's are returning to adopt Phillip! 

The House's also met an adorable, blue eyed little boy while they were adopting last year. 

He was in their Levi's group.

 

 Kole.  They fell in love at first sight.   

By God's amazing grace and goodness, we are going back to rescue our sweet boy! 

*This just in! Someone has generously offered to give $1,300 

IF we can get 30 people to each get FIVE of their friends in the next 5 days to enter. 

For each of you that gets 5 friends to enter, we will give YOU FIVE entries for yourself!

The deal gets even sweeter.....

All local (Hernando County, FL) people who take the challenge and sign 10 of their friends up will get half a dozen cake pops made by "Little Big Cakes" 

 

hand delivered to you! 

How sweet is that! 

 

So spread the word on FB, at your office, church, etc. Get 5 or 10 friends each to commit and let us know by leaving a comment with the list of names.

Once we hit 30 taking the challenge, we will automatically receive $1,300!!!!!!

Challenge starts NOW! 

(Deadline is Monday, June 11th) 

Two families.

Adopted 2 children each, from the same orphanage.

 

Two families

Neighbors 

we live only minutes from each other

Returning for our sons buddies

Who will soon be BROTHERS

I couldn't make this stuff up! We did.not.plan.this. Only God


Connecting the dots gives me goose bumps every time I share our stories.

Our two families are now only awaiting our travel date to adopt Kole and Phillip, which we expect to have within 4 weeks!


God has been so amazing in writing every chapter of our stories. He has provided every single step of the way. Many of you have already been a part of that provision, and we are incredibly thankful.


With only $3,000 dollars each that we have to raise, we are confidant that God will once again provide.


Lindy and I together decided to do one last big fundraiser and we are so excited! 
Many of you have donated some amazing items!!!


If you would like to be a part of reuniting 2 little boys and bringing them HOME to be sons and brothers, here is your opportunity:)

This whole month of June we will have an online auction. Both of our blogs will have the exact same items and the chip-in will go directly to the same account to be split between both families. 
Our hope and prayer is to raise the remaining $6,000 we both need to travel and rescue our boys. 

Here is how it will work:


*For every $10 donation you will get your name entered once.


*Entries can be made the whole month of June.


*The last day to enter will be June 30, 2012.


*We will draw names on July 1st and contact you so that you may pick your prize. 
1st name gets first choice, 2nd name drawn gets to choose from the remaining, and so on.


We have so many great items for many of you to enjoy!


Of course the more entries you make, the higher chance you get to have the gift of your choice.


We will keep drawing names until the last gift is claimed.

Are you ready for this?!?! Here is the list of all the great prizes you can win!

iPad 2

  

Donated by Jana Knox $400 Value 

Kindle Fire

Donated by Gretchen Thibault $200 Value

Adult large navy 147 Million T-Shirt

Donated by www.147millionorphans.com $20 Value

 Ladies small pink 147 Million T- Shirt

Donated by www.147millionorphans.com $20 Value

Child's green 147 Million T-Shirt

 Donated by www.147millionorphans.com $20 Value

147 Million Burlap Bag Zippered 11" across pretty pink interior.

 Donated by www.147millionorphans.com $30 Value

~ Raggedy Quilt
~ Measures 34" x 39"
~ three patterns - lavender w/ small white polka dots; green w/ white paisley; green background w/ blue, lavender & yellow flowers.
~ Back and front layers are made from 100% cotton. Middle layer is soft and cuddly 100% cotton flannel.
~ I've pre-washed it in Dreft detergent to begin the ragging & softening process. Each time it's washed it will get more cuddly soft.
~ This particular quilt would sell for $57.00. 

Hand Made and Donated by Debbie Gableman 

This necklace is made out of recycled magazines! It was made in Uganda where the average yearly income is $300 and parents have to pay for their children to attend school. A single mom made this necklace so that her children can attend school.

Donated by Tisha Alexander value $30

Seinna Richie  Lacey Shopper large handbag $89 Value
Donated by Maria Falvo

 

 Handmade Bracelets

Donated by Sarah at 

 www.forhisgloryhandiwork.blogspot.com

 

 Custom owl hat Donated by Sarah

The winner of the owl hat can choose the size and color they would like, and I will make it and get it out to them. More info on the owl hats here  http://handiworkforelijah.blogspot.com/2011/11/owl-hats-custom-orders.html

 

 Choice of designer look wallets value$20

Donated by Gaby Broderick

Coach Change Purse. 

Comes with bag and box $78 Value

Donated by Emily Nolan

 

Knot Dress $35 Value

Donated by  http://www.etsy.com/shop/kandykissesboutique?view_type=gallery

 

 Lori Harris has donated either a custom boys outfit or a custom girls dress. Winner will chose. $35 Value

 http://www.etsy.com/listing/99028889/boys-custom-outfit-t-shirt-and-shorts?ref=cat_gallery_6

 

Hand Made and Donated by Becky Hilfer. Proceeds help the poor in Guatemala.

Created using Rosaline Swarovski Pearls, Rose Swarovski Cubes, Silver Plated Swarovski Rondelles, Silver Plated tube, Beads, Spacers and clasp.
$24.95 Value

https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Connection-of-Hope/285019914857014








 

 

 $50 Amazon Gift Card 

Donated by Gaby Broderick

 

Custom cloth doll you choose features $29 Value

http://www.etsy.com/listing/72451857/custom-cloth-doll-you-choose-features?ref=cat_gallery_12

Donated by Becky Wangerin 

Who is going back for a little girl!

 

Coach Wrislet 

Comes with bag and coach box $48 Value

Donated by Emily Nolan 

Pampered Chef Leak proof glass container 1.5cup

Donated by Maria Falvo 

 

$25 Gift Certificate to use online at

 http://www.toobusymoms.com/

Donated by Jennifer Griffith & Tiffany Grumbley

(2 available)






 
 
Handmade Dress and Matching Bow $30 Value
Donated by Jessica Chinni  







iTunes Gift Card $15 Value
Donated by Jessica Chinni






 
 
 
 
Set of 10 handmade Cards Assorted
Donated by Mel DeLlanos



 
Thirty-One Retro Metro Bag $55 Value
Donated by Rachel Golden

Scentsy Warmer & 3 Scents $50 Value Donated by Bianca Olivier

To donate simply click on the ChipIn! button below. 

For every $10 we will enter your name once.

After you enter in your amount and log in to Paypal, please leave your email address in the "note to seller" section so we can contact you for your prize

Your transaction will show up as "Lindy House Photography"

 

Hugs!
xoxo

Mud babies, Piggie babies and an Ipad!

SO proud of my little Ethiopian Princess had her first dentist appointment this week! At only 3 1/2 years old she was a CHAMP! Cute little teeth and no cavities. Very brave girl :)

We are still waiting to hear if we can submit our Dossier. You have to submit a paper asking to "skip the line" if you have a special needs child you adopting. Then the government will  give you permission to submit your Dossier. That's where we are now. Waiting...




We spend almost everyday outside most of the day around here. I have some serious nature lovers ;)  With the Florida heat comes LOTS of water play. And dirt.  I am quite sure the nannies at the orphanage would be freaking out if they saw my little mud babies :)

They are so darn happy when they are playing I just wince and look away ;) as long as they aren't sticky -I am HAPPY!

We have new baby Pot belly pigs!!!! 

 Our mama pig Clara-Bell had 9 babies! Gasp! Yes that's a lot of babies. Sadly we lost a few to pneumonia, and several more to natural causes. We are left now with 3 :) one little one is being hand fed by my dear friend because, well she is awesome at it and I truly dont have the time to care for the wee one . Its has been both amazing and sad caring for these cuties. Hate to see them pass away. 

 What is more amazing then new born baby animals? My littles are so in love with these teeny babies!

These 2 little one are thriving now. They were out  for a walk with mama :) 




We will be starting our fundraiser VERY SOON! Do you wish you had an Ipad? A kindle Fire? Maybe a boutique dress for your little ones? OR maybe COACH is your thing? We will have EACH of these items plus many more!! SO MANY generous donors have stepped up to help THE HOUSE family and our family raise the last of our ransoms to bring home our beautiful boys :):)


Stay tuned :)




hugs!
xoxo

Great news! OUR BOY!!

After I posted , I received several new pictures of our son! Folks who have traveled or are traveling now. What a blessing. 
It does hurt a bit to see how thin he is and in some pictures he looks so sad :( but in a few we can see his smile! AND a family who is there now, has been a HUGE blessing to him. They are showing him pictures of HIS family and bringing him yummy fruit. Just loving on him. SO. AWESOME. (Thank you Bonnie!)
Our dossier is over there. So we wait to hear. In the meantime we are planning a BIG blog fundraiser !  We are joining forces with the HOUSE family who is also going back with us to adopt a little one Kory on RR, who they met last year while adopting 2 little ones with Down syndrome like us :) There sweet Gabe was Taiya's crib mate! AND their Levi moved into Benji's room when we brought him home! Another connection? 
~WE ARE NEIGHBORS! Our kids will all grow up together! 
~We will have 6 little Ukrainian beauties all from the SAME orphanage , living 5 minutes apart :)
~ GOD is good!!
 So this  fundraiser will help 2 boys come home!
2 families pay the final ransom to their children.
 Both our families have worked so hard and sacrificed so much to save every penny for our boys. We are so close!
      
This is our childs RR page click here for Phillip (his Reeces Rainbow name)
This is Lindy and Guy House's little one Kole , Kory on RR click here.
The amazing way God has woven our families 2 stories is truly amazing. I still get goose bumps when I share :)


http://reecesrainbow.org/31178/sponsorfalvo

This picture was taken around November of 2011

This picture was taken in January 2012 He is in the middle front.

These 2 photos were taken this week. He has a boo-boo

on his head with blue medicine. 

He is SO thin. 

Benji says 
'Hang in there buddy! Mama and Papa and Gigi are coming :)'






Hugs!
xoxo

Where to start?

Well hello :) Anyone still out there?  I hate that I have  been away for so long.I missed blogging.But It was important for me to step away, curl up and heal a bit.   So much I would like to share with you and so much I cant. I hope sharing some , helps you to understand my silence. Maybe it will help someone who feels like they are all alone and hurting to know that, in fact you are NOT alone. And it WILL get better.Bad things do happen to good people. It really isn't your fault.It is meant to grow you. It is for God's glory.   Slowly the healing will begin. God's plan is not for us to understand (and I really really didnt) but to trust in. Have faith in. And follow HIM. Lesson learned. The hard way ;)

 It was hard to not just sit down  at the computer and let my fingers fly across the keys and let so many things just spill out. There were times when I really wanted to scream. And cry. And boy was I angry .And so deeply sad.  I wanted to shout to the universe " Really ? Are you frickin kidding me? Again?What else can happen? Why has this gotten so hard? Parenting is hard enough..but special needs brings with it a whole list of unknowns and struggles. Add in huge life changes and struggles.  If this is a test Lord please, I CAN NOT DO IT . SHOW ME what the heck we are doing wrong! Heavenly Father  why have you forsaken me?(dramatic much?)  Yes I was THAT upset that I believed the Lord had turned his back on us :(  I was so very sad that a part of me had shut down. I stopped talking with the Lord. I didn't think he was listening.I stopped being social. It hurt too much when everyone else was happy. Yeah, I was so numb inside. I am embarrassed to share that with anyone. I am a work in progress. I am broken. I am far from perfect. I stumble.And I did fall. Hard.  But I keep going. Trying each day to do better then yesterday. And somehow , it has gotten better. The giant sack of confusion and despair I was carrying around for over a year , slowly ,slowly began to empty. It all began to pour out. And the healing began.A women's bible study that my sweet friend Lindy House, invited me to was .my.undoing. The Holy spirit found me. He spoke. And I listened. LET IT GO. He said.-
 Share with me. Share with this group.
 The heck with anyone WHO JUDGES YOU.
 And I obeyed.
 IT FELT SO GOOD.
 And the healing began.
 I was able to toss the sack of crap and hurt and disappointment  aside ,shake off and finally see the beautiful world again. I have hope. I have joy. I have found my FAITH.Through it all I had to believe that my children were a sign that all is going to be ok. God would not have blessed us with these 6 beautiful gifts if we were not loved. If we were not worthy.
You know the saying 'God will not give you more than you can handle' NOT TRUE!!!!!
Katie Davis said it something like this in her book "Kisses from Katie"  -
God DOES  give you more than you can handle. He wants you  broken and reaching for him! He wants you to depend on him COMPLETELY!
Amen. Yes he does.

God does not forsake us. It is his plan, with all the bumps and twists and turns and pain. And the joy. He does make us stronger. He does know what we NEED verses what we THINK we need. Boy the STUFF we have let go! The "things" we really believed for a long time that we needed! Its shameful now really. I believed that charging up debt to give each of my 4 (at the time) children 10 or so big gifts EACH  at Christmas  was NECESSARY ! It is NOT Christmas without a ton of presents and debt right?? Isnt that what our society teaches us? :(:( Trust me. You .DO.NOT.NEED.IT. The big house? Had it. The extra fancy room just for show w all the decorations that you just look at but dont touch? Had it. The dining room we only sat in once a year for Christmas dinner? Yup. Had that too. 2400 square feet of 'stuff'. But very little room for children. God's real gift. Now? All of it gone. Except the children ;)

Ok back to the story-

Background, I grew up with a single mom, who worked 2-3 jobs at a time to care for my sister and I . She taught me compassion and giving. We had nothing, but she would give a stranger her shirt off her back if they needed it. We rented and had to move a lot. I think by the time I was 23 I had moved 10 times. Not happy moves but forced , hurry up ,grab your stuff moves. I longed for security.
My husband and I bought our first house when I was 22. By the time Isabella came home in 2006 we owned 6 houses. Each one (except for our home, which we built as a "dream"home) was bought as a wreck, and painstakingly renovated by inch by inch by my husband and myself. Occasionally family helped out. Nothing from the floors to the walls to the ceiling was hired out. Blood sweat and tears for our families security.
Then we lost it ALL.
Gone.

Why? Lots of reasons. Kinda a scary snowball.  We were caught up in the lay offs of our renters. The crash of the housing market.Recession.  The desperate lies people tell when they want to take advantage of someone. The damage they do when they have to move and they are angry. On and on and on. Until..
We had to say enough is enough. Our family was sinking fast. The stress was too much. The savings were gone. But thankfully my husband had his job and our kids were healthy. We would survive.

So we moved to the country to heal. We adopted Taiya and Benji. We struggled with the guilt and the stress.
Wow was it a  HARD fall. Everyone wants to tell you what you SHOULD have done. Trust me. We tried everything. EVERYTHING.
God knew the plan. He had it all worked out. We kept moving forward. Believing in following Gods word.

Then we committed to Baby Anna :)
Then God told me she wasn't meant to be my child.  Heart break.Let her go. In less then 24 hours her TRUE family found her :)
Then a domestic situation came up with a BEAUTIFUL little girl from Taiya and Benji's  orphanage. We met the family who was disrupting. The baby girl who was 2 was stunning and had SO much potential. We knew she would fit perfectly. It was between our family and another big family with a heart for children. This other family is AMAZING. She became their daughter . We LOVE their hearts and she is perfect in their family . I knew it was Gods plan  But I was so crushed.I was still very heart broken over baby Anna.  But again it did work out the way it was meant to.  :):)
She is thriving and is SO loved.

We tried to buy our own home. Fell through.
We fought with the IRS for 10 long months over our adoption tax refund! They issued a letter demanding  we pay a fine of  a large fine!!!!!!!!!!!! 
We did nothing wrong. Just lovely.
Finally our Congressman's office put a Tax advocate on the case. We could not get a Tax advocate to help us alone.


Our landlord tried to put a CLAUSE in our next lease LIMITING THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN WE COULD ADOPT OR GIVE BIRTH TO.
Seriously.
She constantly made rude comments to the leasing company about our family size. It sucked. But boy did she LOVE that we paid early. Every single month.

November 2010 a friend saw Benji best friend from Ukraine on the New horizons website for Christmas hosting! We were thrilled. We signed up! Then someone pulled him from the list, due to his special needs or maybe it would have been too much for him traveling. We were crushed.
Michael asked if we could still adopt him? Yes.
Lets do it !!!

We took the leap of faith and commited to bring home the little boy we loved so much but had left behind.
BENJI AND SASHA WILL FINALLY BE BROTHERS!!!

 Sasha asking Michael if he was Papa?

 Giving my sweet Sasha one of many hugs during our visits! He was always looking for Michael!

 Love those LONG fingers and happy smile!

Benji and Sasha saying a final goodbye with their favorite care giver.
If you would like to see our fundraiser page and read our bio click the link to take you to our Reeces Rainbow page :)
click HERE


we have heard he is very skinny and a bit sad . He was transferred to a school for special need children. 




There are some other things in here that for now I will leave out.


In February 2012 a turn of events ONLY GOD could create.
I had been asking my Leasing agent who was a real estate agent to look for ANYTHING WE COULD RENT OR BUY ON LAND.We wanted away from this landlord.
ANYTHING.
She didnt send me one thing.The places I called didnt take animals or didnt call back after I said we have 6 children.
Landlord wanted us to buy her house for a HIGH PRICE . :(
I called on a house kicking myself for even daring to get my hopes up.
The lady who answered the phone was a put in our lives by God. I believe that connection was meant to happen.
Her daughter WANTS TO ADOPT! I can help with that :)
She knew of a house that needs work but was on 10 ACRES!!!! 
It was OWNER FINANCING.! They didnt care about our past bumps. They loved our family.

I saw the house on Friday. Michael saw it on Sunday. We put an offer in Sunday night. It was accepted Monday!!!!!!!!!!!!
10 days later we were HOME OWNERS AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!
I can not tell you what a  humbling awesome feeling it is. NOTHING like buying any of our previous homes. NOTHING like it :) I cried when we left closing. I was so humbled. Wow.


The house is 1600 sq feet ;) with 3 bedrooms. BUT the garage is 1000 sq . can you say den and 2 more bedrooms ?? My husband has been a VERY.BUSY. MAN. :)


We have mailed our dossier to Ukraine! We are currently waiting a date to submit and travel . We are SO close to getting our sweet boy :)


House is not done yet. We have kiddos together in bedrooms. Flooring is in finally. Painting is done. Yard needs grass.  But no one is complaining. Because it is OUR HOME. And we love it.
A work in progress.
Like me :)

                                                 Kids all thriving at Christmas time 
Hugs!
xoxo


the rest of the story will follow at a later date....

Long time no posts eh?

Wow. I cant believe it has been over 2 months since I have blogged! That is crazy. And , well, our life has been crazy. We have gone thru some really hard, emotionally draining, soul searching, life evaluating things in the first half of this year and I had to process. And find my "new" normal. Emotionally and spiritually.
I have to admit I have struggled. Badly. Still struggling a bit spiritually I am ashamed to admit.
I do think I am about ready to share. I feel I can 'own' our journey now and no longer feel worried or sad over sharing.

So its coming :) Hang in just a bit k?

btw~All kids are doing wonderful. Everyone is healthy , so no worries there :)

HUGS~