Please Open Your Hearts

Miss Katie

This is is an inspiring story about a lovely couple named Gary and Debbie Smith, they have 5 grown sons, 1 grown daughter, and a multitude of grandchildren. They are active in their church and community. Two of their sons are police officers and they are very proud of them! Debbie takes care of her ailing parents and is the matriarch of this bustling family. In August of 2005, their home was heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina. The family suffered an enormous financial set back when they learned that their insurance company wouldn't cover all of the damage to their house. They have enough for daily living and enough to support an additional child, but an expensive adoption was more than they could handle alone. The Smiths sincerely felt God calling them to adopt a special needs child. In June of 2006 they received the referral for Katie. Katie lives at the same orphanage as Max and, as you can see, has the most adorable chubby cheeks and pouty lips! They did not have the money for the adoption at that time but they felt God's calling so strongly that they proceeded anyway, praying that the money would come from somewhere. Debbie and her family have conducted numerous fundraisers, they have sold household items, and received financial help from charitable and community organizations throughout their adoption process. Debbie and Gary are scheduled to depart for China on August 17th, and they still need to raise the last $4500.00 to cover the orphanage donation and the in-China legal fees. They trusted and counted on a few people who committed to help them and those people for some reason at the last minute are not fulfilling their commitment, leaving them jaded, and heartbroken. Because of the situation with their house, it is impossible for this adoption to be paid for by loans or on credit. This family has no other means of obtaining funding for the remainder of their adoption, other than by fundraising. They are in the very real position of being unable to proceed with their adoption. I cannot imagine their pain of having to give up a child that they have prayed for and loved deeply for over a year. Not to mention that if they do not travel to get Katie, there is a very real chance that she will not be adopted again for quite a long time, if at all. Debbie and I are both in a yahoo group with children living in the Datong SWI. She offers to others words of encouragement and will make people laugh when they are down. I cannot imagine being in a situation where I was forced to give up Max. Yet, Debbie is staying positive and believing the power of prayer will lead their little girl home. A yahoo group friend of hers set this up for Debbie, and I wanted to post it on my site in hope that someone would read it and feel led to help the Smiths get Katie home. If you would like to donate, click on the "Chip In" widget at the top of the blog. "Chip In" is run by Paypal and all of the money donated, no matter how small, will go to Katie's adoption fund.

I know many people are needing tax deductions and this would be an ideal way of uniting a family. If you wanted to use your donation as a tax deduction then donate using one of the options below.

Mail: to

Kingdom Kids Adoption Ministries
1417 North Lincoln St.
Spokane, WA 99201

***Important: To satisfy IRS regulations DON'T put the Smiths name on the check make the check payable to "Kingdom Kids Adoption Ministries". Attach a separate note to the check stating the donation is for the "Gary & Deborah Smith family adoption Grant."

Phone: Donations can also be made via the telephone (509) 465-3520. This can be done via credit card. The Kingdom Kids staff is available to you Monday to Friday 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Central Time). Let them know the donation is being made for the Gary & Deborah Smith Family adoption (of Dang Youyuan) Grant.

Internet: Click on the link below. Please be sure to designate your contribution for Gary & Deborah Smith Family Adoption Grant. This grant will go directly toward fees associated with Katie's adoption. http://www.kingdomkidsadoption.org . In every case, Kingdom Kids Adoption Ministries will send each Donor a tax-deductible receipt and notify our family of your donation. Kingdom Kids Adoption Ministries is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

It is my prayer that we see those numbers go up and up and soon I will be posting pictures of Gary and Debbie holding Katie in China. Thank you for opening your heart to this family.

UPDATE: The money was raised and Katie is in the arms of her forever family. Thank you so much for your help in bringing this family together.

New Toy for Max

Saturday, I ran by Toys-R-Us to buy Max this nifty little toy. My good friend Jill , that went to China in June to get her darling Annie, told me how much Annie enjoyed it, so I got one for Max and after playing with it myself I think this may be one of his favorites. Thanks Jill.

Max is 21 mos.

One month closer to holding you in our arms.

Out of Review

I am so excited.....Thanks Jill for the great news....the CCAA(China Center for Adoption Affairs) has posted that June has left the review room.

WOO....HOO

The CCAA has finished the review of the adoption application documents registered with them before June 30, 2006.....That would be US.... We made it through!!!

Come on China bring on our LOA...I am truly thinking any day. Every time my phone rings it takes my breath a bit. I love the anticipation.

Something Fun

I am a Snapdragon What Flower Are You?

Mischief is your middle name, but friend is your first. You are quite the prankster that loves to make other people laugh."

I am a Marble Cake

Eclectic, inventive, and peaceful. You are never willing to accept what's "normal." You live to push the envelope. You find it hard to make up your mind. You prefer to have everything you want, right away!

What Kind of Cake Are You?

very interesting!

A Message to Max

Memories

(click on photos to enlarge)

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Tonight brought back many good memories. My dear friend Patti and I decided we would get creative and make an accordion scrapbook. I took a class that taught me how to make them a few Saturdays ago. We had so much fun, as we made our scrapbooks we watch an old movie we both love, The Mirror Has Two Faces. Patti and I have been friends for over 20 years. There have been many nights, years ago, that we would get together in our pajamas and make hair bows for our girls. We made all kinds of bows, some were very elaborate, there was only one criteria, they had to be nearly as big as their head. I look back and think I can't believe I did that, but then I think....it was the 80's, huge hair and huge bows, so I guess it's okay. Anyway Patti and I had a GREAT time tonight. The picture of the finished scrapbook is Patti's, will soon be a grandma and made it for her daughter. I didn't finish my book because I ran out of adhesive. I'll get more and finish it tomorrow. Patti, we need to get creative again real soon!!

Reverting Back to Our Childhood?

Paul and I have not reverted back to our childhood, sleeping with blankies and teddy bears. We are sleeping with them but only to get our scent on them. We are sending Max a care package, two of the items will be a blanket and a teddy bear. I have read that if our scent is the same as the scent on the items we send, it makes the transition easier for him. Whether this is true or not I don't know but if it will in any way make it easier on Max we are game. I first washed them with the detergent we always use, we have been sleeping with them every night and then I make the bed up with them in the bed. We are going to bring a matching blanket and bear with us to China. Whether the orphanage sends these items with him or not we will have them for him and we are hoping that they will be familiar and will also help him with transition. He will be stripped from everything he has ever known. He doesn't know at his age that his life isn't wonderful and perfect. He will experience a new language, new faces, new sounds, new smells, new foods, travel alone will be a major adjustment. Please began praying for Max that his adjustment and transition will be as smooth and easy for him as possible. We know he will grieve and he needs to, pray that he will bond with us, feel secure, and fall madly in love with us.

Year of the Rooster

Max was born in the year of the Rooster

CPR Class

Yesterday evening, Paul and I took the infant/toddler CPR class that we needed for our adoption. I have to say I was dreading it. I was afraid I might get nervous and not pass the test. I felt like I was in Jr. High all over again. Well, I have to tell you, we had a ball! Our instructor Stephanie was so much fun. It was so interesting and I learned so much. I can't believe we raised three kids without knowing CPR. A man didn't show up that was supposed to take the class with us, so Paul and I had a private lesson. We enjoyed Stephanie so much that we ask her if she wanted to meet us at Marble Slab for ice cream. We sat and enjoyed our ice cream and visited for a while. Not only did we leave Texarkana with a CPR certification we also left with a new friend. By the way Paul and I both scored 100%.....YEA!!!

I'm At It Again

I just couldn't resist, I saw the sign and I couldn't help myself. I know it is for pregnant mothers, but it says expectant mothers, and I am that!! This is only the second time that I have I parked in this reserved parking space. The first time, while I was in the store shopping I kept giggling and couldn't wipe the grin off of my face. I have been an expectant mom for a LONG time and I think I deserve to park there occasionally. Expectant mothers that the sign is referring to, have a big belly but this expectant mother has age so I think that makes it okay.

God Bless America

WE LOVE YOU!!!

Not flesh of my flesh
Nor bone of my bone,
But still miraculously
My own.
Never forget
For a single minute:
You didn't grow under my heart
But in it.

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I love this poem. I remember back when I was expecting Britney, Mark, and Hayden. I had so much love for them that it was indescribable. During my pregnancy, I became more and more excited anticipating their birth. As I carry Max in my heart, I have exactly the same love, excitement, and anticipation waiting for him. God has given me a passion for being a mom. He has ordained all four to be my children long before they were born. He placed Britney, Mark and Hayden in my arms through the miracle of child birth, and will place Max in my arms through the miracle of adoption, either way they are all my children, and it is all God's plan. I love them so deeply, and I praise God that He has blessed me with my four children.

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Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day.

Psalm 139:16 (The Message)