Joe's First Keepsake

I bought Joey his little present before Vera had found a family or Peggy was no longer adoptable.  For some reason as soon as I felt a tug at my heart for Joey I instantly knew the first keepsake present I wanted to get him.   I had saw this adorable little duck and just couldn't resist getting one for my baby sister, Victoria.  

She has chubby cheeks similar to Joe's, I just pictured Joe having as much fun with the little duck as Victoria does.   So naturally, I got the little ducky for "my" little Joey. :) 

                                      Seriously guys, it's almost as cute as Joey is!

How presh, right? :) 

It fits in my hand perfectly, so it isn't a very big ducky. 

I just couldn't resist getting it for both my baby sister and Joey. 

And I promised you a better picture of the keepsake card I got for all the Team Joe members, so here you go :) 

"Maybe I can't stop the downpour..."

"...but I can join you for a walk in the rain.

You can count on me."

Such sweet card!  I already have wrote the names of the lovely Team Joe members that have joined in shouting for Joe the ways they are able to!  

A new post will be coming soon on more information.  

I can't wait to give this to Joe someday, Lord willing. <3

Peggy's Song

Anyone who doesn't advocate for orphan children probably could never understand the pain one goes through when "losing" a child.  And maybe some advocates will call me crazy for still being heartbroken over Peggy being no longer adoptable, but it's a sadness I just can't shake.



When I can't put my feelings into words I listen to music.   With all that's went on in the advocating world recently this song brings me comfort.  It reminds me that Jesus is always here with open arms ready to hear my prayers, cries and praises.  I only wish that "my" precious pretty girl Peggy could hear these lyrics. Though I know she couldn't understand them for two good reasons, she knows Ukrainian and is a baby, but still.

All I can do is run to Jesus with my fears, worries and know that he is always there, ready to listen and free me from the many things that are weighing heavily on my heart.



Thank you Jesus for loving me and being so merciful... <3

Update On the Easter Basket Giveaway | Vera

If you've been keeping a close eye on the Easter Basket Giveaway then you might be curious as to where the donations will be going to since Vera has found a family and Peggy is sadly no longer adoptable.  

As of right now all of the money will be donated to Vera's family's adoption grant.  

It's hard for me to tell you more because I honestly don't know who is adopting her yet and there currently isn't anywhere for the money to go, but since we still have 14 days left in this fundraiser I am hoping that I will know the family adopting her by that time.  

We are currently at an impressive $139 in the Easter Basket Giveaway and I'm praying that it will continue to grow!  I haven't done a very good job at promoting this fundraiser recently, but I'm going step up my game and share it as much as I cam!   

I am so grateful for every single donation (entry) made in the Easter Basket Giveaway!  It's overwhelming how many people love this precious little girl and want to see her home and happy in the arms of her family!  

Now that she's officially on the "My Family Found Me" page on Reece's Rainbow, I feel that it's even more important that we raise as much money as possible to put towards her adoption!   An international adoption costs anywhere from $12,000-$40,000!  That's not exactly what I would call "cheap".if you know what I mean.  We're the hope for little bitty Vera!  This is our chance to help save her life!   

I would appreciate any donations of any amount at this point!  You will still get entered into winning the basket!   

There are lots of goodies in store for you if you win!  Click here to see all the many prizes that are in the basket for the winner. And to also learn more information about this fundraiser and the entry costs. :) 

Thank you for reading and please be sure to share this fundraiser!  It will be a huge help! :)  

Follow and/or subscribe to keep up to date on all the things going on!  

 

Join Team Joe!

I want to do something special for little Joe.  I don't want to do the same old same old, write a post, share it and have a few people read it when I know that I can do so much more!  I've decided to create a team of warriors just for Joe!  Whether we have 2,000 or 10 warriors it will be a huge help in finding his forever family!   He is overlooked right now, but with the help of his warriors he will have a bright spotlight shined on his name!  

I'm not going to take all the credit of being his official Prayer Warrior, so I bought an adorable little card that is just for the warriors/members of Team Joe.  

Q: How can I become a member of Team Joe? 

A: You can become a member by following this blog.  The follow link is located over on the right side of the blog                                                   -------------------------->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.

There's more to it than just following, to meet and share stories of how you are shouting for Joe you can request to join this group on Facebook for Team Joe members only! :) 

CLICK HERE  to visit the Facebook group!   Remember that it's a closed group and the way you can become a member is to 1. Follow this blog  2. Request to join the Facebook group

There won't be anything required for you to do, but just simply shout for Joe by sharing him on your social media, and praying for him.  And if you want to make a donation to his adoption grant, go right ahead, but understand I'm not trying to "force" anyone to do so. :)  

On top of shouting for sweet Joe, you will automatically get your name wrote in this special card for him that will be put inside his keepsake box.   One day his forever family will see all the people that loved and cared for him.  

I will have MUCH better photos of the card soon, but for now...

I consider this to be a miracle card, ha ha!  I looked all over the cards searching for "the one" but realizing that there probably wouldn't be a perfect card out there for the occasion I was looking for, then I found this and LOVED what it said, on top of it having a ducky on it.  SO CUTE. :)  

I appreciate you taking the time to reach this and I really do hope that you will become a member of Team Joe and join me in shouting for him! 

If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them!  Just comment below or email me @ 

KaitlynCTB@hotmail.com 

 

A New Ray of Sunshine

It has been a very overwhelming week for me, advocating wise.  Vera found her forever family (YAY, Praise the Lord :) ) and then I got the heartbreaking news that Peggy is no longer adoptable as of now.   Right before everything happened I had a precious little guy that was on my heart.  I told my two closest advocating friends that I couldn't resist being his warrior, but I never announced it on my blog.  And the two main reasons were the ones listed above.  

Suddenly I realize why God placed this special boy on my heart.  When I felt so empty and heartbroken I turned to Joe's photograph and remember that I chose to begin advocating for him for a reason and now he should be my main focus. 

I've given you a name and a gender, so by now you're probably wanting to see a picture of the little one, right?   Okay!  Be prepared for OVER LOAD OF CUTENESS! 

SO much adorableness!  I don't even know what to do with myself!  

I have a not so great update on him however. 

Information on RR:

 Boy, born Feb 2011

PRC
1.postoperative meningocele on lumbosacral area; 2. postoperative prolapse of rectum; 3. strephenopodia of both feet.

Joe has a ready smile, he watches what his caregivers are doing and gets their attention by shaking his head and wiggle his upper body. Perhaps because of his body, he prefers to have motion of upper body, shake head, wiggle body and roll over to one side etc. Now he is 10 months old, can sit alone, can say ba and ma, likes colorful toys; he likes to be close to others. He always communicates with others with his eyes and has sweet smiles.

New Information:

bv

               mental development very delayed, physical health not good. He is at a one year old level.

The new information about his health breaks my heart.   Once I heard that he wasn't doing well at all I instantly knew what I should do to increase his chances of being adopted.
I signed up to become his official Guardian Angel.

And I am thrilled to announce that I am officially Joe's Guardian Angel! :)

screenshot of the email :) 

I am so excited to help him find his forever family and bring him home where he can get all the love he's never known and medical attention he desperately needs.

There are so many children listed from Asia on Reece's Rainbow, a lot of them are overlooked and forgotten because there are so many and they tend to look a lot alike if you aren't very familiar with them.
I'm well aware that advocating for an Asian child will be a tad bigger challenge than advocating for a child elsewhere, but I am fully prepared for this "challenge"!  I feel that God has put Joe in my life for a special reason and I see all the potential his is.    He is going to be such a big blessing to any family that chooses him to be their son.      

I need you, yes you to help me help Joe! You ask how?  It's simple!  Just follow this blog right over on the right sidebar ------->>>>>
It would be SUCH a blessing to get more followers that will help me shout for Joe!   He deserves a family, and you have the chance to help him find his!   I will answer any questions you have and I will be doing some special things for the people who specially shout for little Joe boy in the future!


Another thing, Joe has been listed on Reece's Rainbow for about three weeks and has ZERO in his adoption account!  :(    That's so sad!   If you happen to have some extra money, could you please make a donation for any amount to his adoption grant?  I would be SO grateful!   It would look so much better than that sad zero sitting there.      

CLICK HERE to view Joe's Reece's Rainbow profile or make a donation to his adoption grant 


Thank you so much for reading and please follow or subscribe and share with all of your friends!  Together we can be team Joe!  Or as I call him, Joey. ;)

Vera & Peggy | Happy Beginning & Heartbreaking Ending

I feel so overwhelmed at the thought of writing this post.  Where do I begin...?   Well first off, I was in the process of writing an announcement about Vera.    I am so excited to tell you that "my" pretty little Vera has found her forever family!  I don't know who is adopting her yet, but soon as I do I will post if I'm able too.

Just a couple days later I discover heartbreaking news that my precious Peggy is no longer adoptable.  
I cried for what seemed like forever about it, and just writing it out now I could easily bawl.  I never imagined that it would "end" this way.  Please join me in doing all that we can do, pray.   I am aware that I can no longer physically help Peggy, but prayer is powerful and God loves Peggy.  More than even I love her (which is near impossible.) I have to trust that God will take care of her, and comfort her when she is sad, sick and lonely.  God hears my cries and He will provide.  And He may answer in ways I don't want Him to, but it's all part of his grander plan.  I may never understand why, but I know I have to trust and put my faith in Him and know that my tomorrow is God's yesterday.  

I will be writing a letter to "my" pretty girl Vera soon.   Please keep both pretty little girls in your prayers.


My heart is broken and overwhelmed with joy all at the same time.  I have been praying about the next step in my advocating and I will be posting soon.

Thank you for the prayers.

Peggy | A Letter to Peggy

Dear Peggy,

Hello "my" little chickadee.  I hope that you are doing well and feeling as comfortable as possible.  

I don't really know how to write out this letter..I mean, you and Vera and both on my mind all the time.  But you have a piece of me that puts me in constant worry.  Alyssa (my best friend and advocating partner) and I looked up all your diagnosis and I discovered that you are in a lot of physical pain.   I just want to go rescue you and give you everything you need and deserve.  It isn't fair that someone as small and precious as you has to go through so much suffering.   I just want you safe and sound.  I pray for you and Vera constantly, knowing that God can comfort and hold you both in His never failing arms.  But there is always a part of me that want to do so much more.  I feel SO helpless.  

You need so much and have so little.  I know that you have a forever family out there in the world somewhere..the hardest part is finding them and reaching them for you.  

I won't ever give up on you, EVER.  Whether it takes my whole life, I will find someone who will love you, care for you, kiss you, hug you, rock you to sleep and treat you like the little princess you are.   

And goodness girl, I can never write a post or letter to you without tears filling my eyes..you have a special way of always doing that to me. ;) 

If someone offered me a ticket to your country and permission to your orphanage, honey I would have been GONE a LONG time ago!   I'd do anything to help you and Vera.  

Though you are young, frail, tiny and weak, I know that you can get through this...I'm here for you until the day you are with your forever family, safe and sound.    

Sorry this letter is a little bit of a rambling mess.....okay maybe a big rambling mess, but my mind is all over the place when I try to write anything about you I end up shouting for help.   If only you could know how much I love you baby girl....keep your head up.  God's got this and he will carry you and Vera both!  <3 

Vera & Peggy | First Keepsake Present

While I was shopping for things for the Easter Basket Giveaway, I came across two things that I absolutely had to have for "my" girls.   

And maybe your wondering how exactly give my gifts to them, so I'll take a moment to briefly explain.  Since I can't send them the presents, I made up a way that I can give them presents and save them until they're home in the arms of their forever families.  Typically mothers collect their babies things as they grow and store them in a keepsake box as little treasures.  Since neither Vera or Peggy future adoptive mother opportunity to do that, I am going to make a keepsake box for each girl to give them once they are safely home. :) 

I know that some people (especially "normal" people my age) think that it's silly, but I don't think that at all.  These kids have a piece of my heart.  And as a Christian we are called to help the fatherless and the broken.  All I want to do is answer the call and bless those less fortunate than me.  :)  

                      With that being said, I want to show you Vera and Peggy's presents!

 

Aren't they the cutest things you've ever seen!? Well, except for Vera and Peggy! ;)  

Now...take a guess at which one gets which...

Sweet baby girl, Vera get little soft pink lamb.  This reminds me SO much of her!  I know instantly that I was going to have to get her this little lamb or else I would regret not getting it.  I can see her holding it in the palm of her tiny little hand now. (They're mega mini beanies) 

And of course bitty baby, Peggy gets the little chick! Both girls have always reminded me of birdies and kitties so this chubby chick just had to be chubby baby Peggy's.   

I want so badly to see her hold this little child in her fragile little arms.  

"My' girls have never had a gift of their own before, and now they do.  

One day they'll see that I loved so much when they thought no one did. 

I love you baby girls, more than you could ever understand and I will hold these gifts for you until the day you are safely home in the arms of your forever family.  I will never give up on you.  I will pray daily for your safety, your future family and your comfort.  I pray that God wraps a blanket of peace and comfort around you every single day until you can feel physical love finally. 

 

Vera & Peggy | Easter Basket Giveaway

Hello!  I am so excited to announce that I will be doing the very first fundraiser ever for "my" gorgeous little girls, Vera and Peggy!  I haven't done anything for the two of them so I thought this would be a wonderful way to kickoff me becoming their official Orphan Warrior/Prayer Warrior!  This will also make up for me being such a lousy advocate recently.

First of all I want to give a HUGE thank you to my two amazing sisters, Kristen and Madison, for helping me purchase and plan everything!  This is something I will never forget for as long as I live!  I appreciate all the help you've given me!  Without you guys, I couldn't have done anything so wonderful as this. :)  I love you!   I also want to thank my mom for thinking of this fundraiser!  And for purchasing some of the things also!  I love you! 

With the help of my lovely family I was able to pull together a big fundraiser for "my" girls.   

                                                  Welcome to the Easter Basket Giveaway!   

This fabulous little basket is worth $120!  

It's stuffed full with lots of carefully thought out goodies!  

Like I said, I simply couldn't have done this without my sisters and mom. Not only financially did they help, but also sentimentally.  They helped me pick out each present in this basket.  

Here's some up close looks at what's in the basket...

Chocolate Scented Bunny

This bunny smells SO good!  And the smell will last for ages!  My mom has one she bought about three years ago, the kids have taken it and played with it everywhere imaginable and it still smells like a lovely chocolate scent.  

Three Gift Cards 

My sisters and I thought this one out for a long time, trying to decide on which card would be wanted most, so we're hoping we did well!  

Old Navy: $25, Target $15, Ruby Tuesday $25

 Easter Egg Salt & Pepper Shakers

These little Easter egg salt and pepper shakers are my absolute favorite!  They're so unique!  

Pretty pastel colors, pink and blue. (SO cute!)

Yankee Candle Tea Melts

These have a wonderful spring like smell to me.  And what girl doesn't want a Yankee candle?  

You'll get two of these. 

Pastel Notes & Notebook

The purple one is notes that have a magnet on the back.  That comes in handy. :)

The blue is a petite notebook.   

Yankee Candle Anywhere Jar

This can literally go anywhere!  You can use the suction cups to stick it to your car window or simply lay it on your desk.  And it smells as marvelous as the real candle.  

Here's how the giveaway will work..

To enter your chance to win the Easter Basket you donate into the YouCaring box on the top right or CLICK HERE

Here's how many entries you'll get when you donate a certain amount.  

$3 = 1 entry |  $5 = 3 entries | $10 = 8 entries | $15 = 10 entries| $20 = 15 entries 

(Note: Don't leave yourself anonymous or I can't enter you in the giveaway)

                                                 The giveaway will end on April 12 2014


Thank you so much for donating, sharing and for the prayers. ALL the money donated will be divided equally between Vera and Peggy.  I'm hoping to raise $500 total in this giveaway, and $1,000 is on the YouCaring because you never know what God can do. ;)


I appreciate every single donation, prayer and share.  You're doing more than just entering to win some goodies you are literally helping save a life.


If you have any questions what so ever please feel free to comment or contact me through the contact forum on the side bar.