on to the next event...

Ok everyone..now we are on to planning a poker tournament WITH CASH PRIZES and an auction/raffle dinner type of event.  More info coming soon, but keep this in mind...

Let everyone know about the poker tournament...will be a GREAT time!

The dinner will also provide childcare with super fun activities for the kiddos...there will be some awesome prizes that you have a chance to win...

Info to follow, once details are finalized!!

oh what a day!

Thank you thank you thank you!!  If I went through individually to thank everyone, you would not have time to finish reading the list!!  But a few thanks you's are necessary!

 All donors~ THANK YOU!

Cornerstone Church & Dwaine C.~THANK YOU!

Scott Severance~THANK YOU for the truck!

Dad/Mom/Sis/Gma/Gpa/Aunt Dorothy~THANK YOU for all of your help setting up, tearing down, and working the sale!

Cliff & Shay~THANK YOU for coming out at 6:30am to help set up, even on your birthday Shay:)

Erin, Caitlin, Barb & Allie~THANK YOU for your help all day...you made the sale run smoothly!! Truly,                                                                                                                                                                  you gave up your entire Saturday to help us...it's amazing!!

Cris Hanover & Uncle Jorge~THANK YOU for helping us pack up!!

Christina Pittman~THANK YOU...you went above and beyond gathering donations from people who don't even know us..all because you have a big heart.

Nicole & Kevin Fitzgerald~THANK YOU! You know why, and your generosity is overwhelming...you taught us SO MUCH...we will continue to PAY IT FORWARD, just as you have.

If I am forgetting anyone, it is certainly not intentional, but because I am sleep deprived:)...you all are so important to us AND to this process!!

Winners of the "drawing for donors" are as follows:)

$25 North Eleven~ Mike & Pati Carnago

$25 North Eleven~Kelly & Brad Smith

 2 all day passes to Surfari Joes~ Deb & Dennis Paquette

 2 all day passes to Surfari Joes~ Jess McCorry

We made just under $2300 today...what a huge blessing to be able to put that into Dasha's account...at a rough estimate, we are right around $14,000 earned so far!!

Thanks again everyone...we cannot express our gratitude.  And with that, I am off to sleep for what I hope will be SO MANY HOURS!:)

here it is...

2:15am and Al  I just finished loading everything into the trailer...well, let's give credit where credit is due...AL just finished loading everything:)...my packing skills aren't so hot, especially when we have SO MUCH stuff...you people, your generosity is humbling...we were not prepared for such an outpouring of support through donations for the sale...thank you doesn't even begin to cover it...you should know that when Dasha arrives in the US, walks into our home, sleeps in her bed (of course after being tucked in, hugged, and smothered with "I love you's") it is because of EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU WHO HAVE SUPPORTED US! Not just monetarily, but also with love and prayers. We are ALL instrumental in saving the life of this beautiful girl.  You know that..when you look in the mirror, and real hero is looking back at you.

Our babysitter will be here at 6:30am...we will head out then...sale is from 9-3...really hoping for an awesome turnout...keep the sale in your prayers, that God would use it to open hearts!!

Thanks to everyone, you know who you are...we truly love you all.

A BIG thank you...

to Cornerstone Church in Portage for allowing us to use not only their parking lot, but also tables and restrooms for our volunteer workers...your generosity is MUCH appreciated!  Thanks also to Mia for sharing our blog!

Come out to the sale everyone, the variety is HUGE, there will be something for everyone:)

Interviews

this is the link to our interview with Kyle Douglass, Executive Director of Orphan Justice Mission

http://vimeo.com/15060294

10 things I would say to Dasha right now...12 if you want to be technical:)

1. That we LOVE her little voice. I can still remember hearing her say "thank you very much"
2. That we look at her pictures SO MANY times a day.
3. That she is beautiful.
4. That she reminds me so much of Gracie.
5. That I walk into her bedroom about 4x a day, thinking of how nice it will be to walk in there in a year, and see clothes scattered everywhere, bed unmade, and pictures of memories made on the walls.
6. That we decided a few nights ago it was a good choice to put the egress window directly under the window where OUR bed is so that we can hear it opening at night...no teenagers will be sneaking IN or OUT of this house!:)
7. That we wonder every single day how no one has snatched up this amazing child, to make her part of their family.
8. That selfishly, we are glad that no one has adopted her thus far..because now we get to.
9. That we feel like she has always been OUR daughter, but she went away on a trip and is having trouble getting home.  That it IS possible to miss someone you have never even hugged.
10. That we just love her. That we cannot wait to see her, and to bring her home to her forever family.

check out the newspaper article:)

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20446499&BRD=2188&PAG=461&dept_id=414962&rfi=6

good weekend at The Wine & Harvest Festival

We had a good few days at the festival..we sold some t-shirts & bracelets, and also accepted some donations.  Thanks SO MUCH to all who supported Dasha!  We have a few special thank-you's to give..

Aric Nesbitt~I met him when I was being interviewed by the local newspaper.  He took time out of his day, which I am willing to bet is always jam-packed, to speak with me about our situation with Dasha. Aric was extremely supportive, and offered advice.  I saw him at the festival, he came up to me, REMEMBERED MY NAME and again, spent time talking with Al & I, and introduced us to a colleague of his.  You want to talk about a stand up guy...here you go.  In two meetings with him, I am beyond convinced that he is an individual who cares about people, and cares about his community.  Democrat or Republican, we ALL appreciate a good human being...see what he is all about! http://www.votenesbitt.com/Nesbitt/Home.html

Susan & Bob Wojcik~An amazingly generous couple, who show so much support for Dasha.  They own a resort in Lawrence, MI..if you are looking for a peaceful time away, check them out..you will NOT be disappointed!  http://www.oakcove.com/

Courtney Buhl~Owner of The Sugar Bear...so generous to let us set up shop on her property all weekend...what a great family..when you come to Paw Paw, make sure to stop in and eat there..delicious food!!  http://sugarbearpawpaw.com/page/8033-Home

Thanks again for all of your support!!  We are unbelievably excited to tell Dasha how many people supported her journey to the USA!

rain rain go away

so that we can get set up at the festival to share Dasha's story!  It is nasty out today!!  Trying to find a tent or canopy so that we can protect the shirts, flyers and bracelets...oh yeah, and so we can stay dry too!

1st portion of the home study

is complete!  Now we just have to finish a few documents, and we will get moving forward!  Loved our social worker!!:)

We had a good first night at the Wine & Harvest Festival...selling some t-shirts and bracelets!!  Also received a few donations...looking forward to a full day out there tomorrow...rain, please save yourself for another time!:)

HOME STUDY

today....keep your fingers crossed!

Egress. Check!

Thanks to Uncles Matt, Scott & Sean!!  You guys rock!!  In one day, Al & these boys got the egress window in!!  Dasha's room should be complete by Friday!!  We really appreciate your hard work guys!!

Laboring, on Labor Day Weekend!

Bedding. Check.
Furniture. Check.
Paint. Check.

Getting started today on painting Dasha's room!!  Couldn't be more excited:) Because Al was sick, the window did not get completed (or even started)...hopefully that will be finished Sunday!  Either way, today I become an artist..time to get my painting cap on!!:)

We ordered awesome bracelets, and OJM http://www.orphanjustice.org/ (seriously, check them out..amazing!) ordered some pretty awesome t-shirts..yellow of course, Dasha's favorite color!  We will have links to both on our websites soon, so that you can order them...to save a young girl, I think you can manage some sweet new gear in the process:)  We will also have them at The Wine & Harvest Festival and "The Big Sale"!!

You know, that Dasha has NO idea we are keeping our promise??  We've had no contact with her since she's been back to Ukraine.  I just pray that God gives her a sense of comfort and assurance..as hard as I sometimes think this is for us (not bringing her into our family, but raising the funds to do so) I cannot even imagine how hard it is for her.  A 15 year old  in an orphanage, STILL...well, she probably doesn't have a  whole lot of faith in people...that will change!

Keep on praying people!

Sale September 25...

Hi everyone:)

Sale details are finalized!!!

When: Saturday September 25     9:00am-3:00pm

Where: Cornerstone Church 1809 Romence Rd Portage, MI 49024

All proceeds go to Dasha's adoption fund.  Please come out and support us, see if you can find your treasures!

ANYONE WHO HAS ITEMS THEY WISH TO DONATE, LET ME KNOW.  WE CAN PICK THEM UP FROM YOU.  PLUS, EVERYONE WHO DONATES WILL BE ENTERED INTO A DRAWING FOR SOME GREAT PRIZES!