Love Makes Families

Love Makes Families
A family of 8 due to the blessing of adoption!

Friday, May 31, 2013

Helping a friend


American Girl Doll Dream Giveaway

Good news! We've raised our upfront costs and should have a completed homestudy in the next two weeks!! Thank you to everyone that has come alongside us in prayer and support! We truly can't say THANK YOU enough!

Now we are working on our Dossier costs, 2nd set of agency fees and travel expenses for first trip. We are hoping that our first trip dates will be sometime in August or September. Altogether we estimate that we need around $10,000 before our 1st trip. Of course any thing we raise above what we need wold just go towards paying our last set of agency fees and pickup trip!

We have a golf tournament coming up in mid June (more details to come on that) and have a few other things in the works for later in the Summer but for now we've decided to do a giveaway! And, we think that if you have a little girl it's a prize that she's been dreaming of (or maybe you have as a way to surprise her!).

Here is what we're offering:


$250 American Girl Giftcard!


You can use the giftcard however you would like but we've put a few options together
for you so that you'll have an idea of every thing you could get!

1. Create a 'My American Girl' Custom Doll

Pick a doll ($114-$124 depending on whether you want pierced ear)
Many different hair color and style, eye color and skin tone combinations available!



Get a Matching Outfit/Pajamas and Tshirt for your girl and her doll!
(Many Options to choose from in sizes 3-20!)


Get some accessories! If you've picked a doll and one matching outfit you'd have about
$80 leftover for accessories such as a pet and school backpack set
or a desk and lemonade stand! Tons of
options available on the website. 




See all the options for dolls, clothes, accessories, furniture, etc. on the American Girl website!


2. If you have a younger girl not quite ready for an American Girl Doll, they offer an adorable line
called Bitty Babies
And with $250 you could get your little one a Bitty Baby AND every thing she 
would need to care for her!

This set is an example of every thing you could get, but, there are of course many more options
available on the website! The larger picture is the Doll+Starter Collection which sells for $125!

There are 7 different Bitty Baby Doll Options



If you've read all that and thought, "That's great but I don't know any little girls." Don't worry! We have some alternate prizes you can pick from!

Alternate Prize Option 1

$250 Amazon Giftcard

Stock up on Christmas presents, treat yourself, or give as an 
awesome Wedding or Graduation gift!

(You can even pick the design for the front if you want the card mailed to you,
or we can do an e-gift card).


Second Alternate Prize Choice

$250 donated to the adopting family of your choice!

*The family does not have to have an FSP but
must have proof that they are officially committed to their child
and have a tax deductible way to receive donations (AdoptTogether, ShowHope etc)



WINNER CHOOSES ONE OF THE ABOVE PRIZES!

How to Enter:

1. You can gift your donation to us via Paypal, for this option we don't lose fees and have instant access to your donations. To donate via Paypal send your donation as a gift to kirk_brooke81@yahoo.com and forward the receipt to the same email.

2. If you're able to claim charitable donations come tax time, you can make a tax deductible donation via our AdoptTogether grant here: Kirk Family Adoption then forward your receipt to kirk_brooke81@yahoo.com


Entries

$5  =  2 entries
$10 =  5 entries
$20 = 15 entries
$50 = 50 entries
$100 = 150 entries

*You can earn additional, FREE entries by committing to pray for our family 
AND for sharing!

Leave me a comment on this blog to let us know that you're committing to pray for us = 5 entries

Share via facebook (personal or business pages) or twitter = 1 entry per method per day
Example: Share on fb and twitter daily for one week you'll have 14 free entries!
Just comment on the blog with what you do or tag me on facebook.

Share on your blog and leave and link back to this post = 10 entries 

Finally, you can 'Follow' my blog over in the right  hand side, just leave me a comment with your Google or blogger name so I can verify! = 5 entries


Giveaway ENDS 10 PM EST JUNE 3rd
Winner will be drawn & announced on June 4th

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Lots of prizes!!!!

We have a LOT of giveaways going on!!
We need 10 more people to donate just $5 each and I will draw for the 5 prizes pictured below....
You have a 1 in 5 chance of winning because there are only 25 entries!!!




Jennifer Rush is doing a giveaway to benefit our family.
GIVE-A-WAY!!! Trying to think of something that hasn't been done yet! I saw Jaclyn Mitchell's post that they need over $5,000! So lets try to get her a lot closer today!!! I am going to start this now by giving away SPARK!!! It is so yummy and gives a lot of energy! So for every $250 in donations made to Jaclyn today (up to $1000) I will give away a box of Spark! That's a $22.95 value per box! And you can choose the flavor! ♥ Just comment here and forward your receipt to me, jennyh_97236@yahoo.com. For each $5 donated you will get one entry! Just donate to Jaclyn's FSP!http://reecesrainbow.org/48978/sponsormitchellhttps://www.advocare.com/120926288/Store/ItemDetail.aspx?itemCode=A4912&id=E&flavor=l&size=P
FSP started at $13284.00

Plus My mom has donated this beautiful necklace 
I will draw for a winner when we have 25 entries
Retails for over $100
$5 per entry

Plus we have the BIG giveaway going from my previous blog post!!
If you check out the right side of our blog, I have detailed all of our expenses, what we still owe, and how much we have raised.

We lack $4937 to be fully funded.... here is the breakdown of what our pickup trip expenses will look like..
Airfare for the boys $2000.00 WE HAVE THIS!!

$5 per entry .... When we have this goal met I will draw for a $25 gift cards or donation to a family of your choice..... GOAL MET WINNER REBECCA ADAMS

The boys' medicals will be $200 WE HAVE THIS

$5 per entry ...... When we have met this goal, I will draw for 2 more $25 gift cards or a donation to the family of your choice.... GOAL MET WINNERS ARE REBECCA ADAMS AND SABRINA CHIMIENTI

Food will be about $500 WE HAVE THIS!!

$5 per entry ...... When we have met this goal, I will draw for 2 more $25 gift cards or donation to the family of your choice. WINNERS ARE KATY COLBRY AND MICHELLE JOHNSON

Transportation will be about $500 (FSP needs to read $14,415) $401 NEEDED

$5 per entry... When we meet this goal, I will draw for 2 $50 gift cards or donation to the family of your choice.

Hotels will be about $1000 (FSP needs to read $15,415)

$5 per entry ...... When we reach this goal, I will draw for $100 gift card or donation to family of your choice.

Airfare for me is going to be about $1700 (FSP needs to read $17,115)

$5 per entry ...... When we reach this goal, I will draw for an ipad mini or $300 donation to a family of your choice!!

Airfare for my hubby is going to be about $1700 (FSP needs to read $18,815)

$5 per entry ..... When we reach this goal, I will draw for an ipad mini or $300 donation to a family of your choice!!

That is $950 worth of prizes!!!
If anyone wants to help buy prizes, or donate additional prizes, please message me Grumpyjax@yahoo.com

Donations can be made via paypal to Grumpyjax@yahoo.com or through RR with the donate button above or at http://reecesrainbow.org/48978/sponsormitchell

We only need $4937 to be FULLY FUNDED YAY!!!!

As an added bonus, I will do a drawing for a $25 gift card or donation to a family of your choice.
You can earn entries just by sharing. 1 entry per person per day.
Please comment below for an entry :)

NOTE: MAKE SURE YOU EMAIL YOUR RECEIPT TO GRUMPYJAX@YAHOO.COM TO GET CREDIT FOR YOUR DONATION :)


Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Breaking down our needs!!

If you check out the right side of our blog, I have detailed all of our expenses, what we still owe, nd how much we have raised.

We lack $5780 to be fully funded.... here is the breakdown of what our pickup trip expenses will look like..
Airfare for the boys $2000.00 We have $1820 so far so we need $180 (FSP needs to read $13,300)

$5 per entry 18 entries.... When we have this goal met I will draw for a $25 gift cards or donation to a family of your choice..... GOAL MET WINNER REBECCA ADAMS

The boys' medicals will be $200 (FSP needs to read $13,500)

$5 per entry 25 entries...... (including the original 18) When we have met this goal, I will draw for 2 more $25 gift cards or a donation to the family of your choice.... GOAL MET WINNERS ARE REBECCA ADAMS AND SABRINA CHIMIENTI

Food will be about $500 (FSP needs to read $14,000) ($239 to go!!!)

$5 per entry 100 entries...... When we have met this goal, I will draw for 2 more $25 gift cards or donation to the family of your choice.

Transportation will be about $500 (FSP needs to read $14,500)

$5 per entry at 100 entries.... When we meet this goal, I will draw for 2 $50 gift cards or donation to the family of your choice.

Hotels will be about $1000 (FSP needs to read $15,500)

$5 per entry 200 entries...... When we reach this goal, I will draw for $100 gift card or donation to family of your choice.

Airfare for me is going to be about $1700 (FSP needs to read $17,200)

$5 per entry 340 entries...... When we reach this goal, I will draw for an ipad mini or $300 donation to a family of your choice!!

Airfare for my hubby is going to be about $1700 (FSP needs to read $18,900)

$5 per entry 340 entries..... When we reach this goal, I will draw for an ipad mini or $300 donation to a family of your choice!!

That is $950 worth of prizes!!!
If anyone wants to help buy prizes, or donate additional prizes, please message me Grumpyjax@yahoo.com

Donations can be made via paypal to Grumpyjax@yahoo.com or through RR with the donate button above or at http://reecesrainbow.org/48978/sponsormitchell

We only need $5139 to be FULLY FUNDED YAY!!!!

As an added bonus, I will do a drawing for a $25 gift card or donation to a family of your choice.
You can earn entries just by sharing. 1 entry per person per day.
Please comment below for an entry :)

NOTE: MAKE SURE YOU EMAIL YOUR RECEIPT TO GRUMPYJAX@YAHOO.COM TO GET CREDIT FOR YOUR DONATION :)

Monday, May 13, 2013

A busy Mother's Day weekend

4 years ago, I had a Mother's day that would top any other. I held my tiny huge (9 lbs 3 oz) 2 day old baby in my arms still in the hospital. My hubby brought the girls up to hang out with us, my mom and dad came up, and my sister and her family came in town to visit. It was kinda like a birthday party for my girl right there in the hospital. She even got to have her first sleep over. My sister was given permission to spend the night with her son who was just 4 weeks old. They were due just 1 day apart, but her son got impatient and came 5 weeks early and for the first time, my child came 1 week early on her scheduled C- section date.
That night in the hospital with my sister and our 2 babies was one of the best nights of my life. We talked and laughed (which hurt my stomach, but was so worth it). She is truly my best friend. I am so thankful we are as close as we are.

God knew what he was doing when I had Alyssa though..... My first 2 kids were 5.5 and 4.5 weeks early.... Waiting until 39 weeks with a huge 9 lb baby who was breech felt like torture. We arrived at the hospital for my scheduled C-section, but a few emergencies came in and bumped ahead of us. Finally, we went back to the OR.
Can I just tell you that it is NEVER a good thing when a doctor cuts open your stomach and gasps..... Well it turns out that my uterus was literally torn to shreds.... The only thing keeping Alyssa and I alive was the sac of water that should have broken (it did with my other 2). The doctor told my husband and I that if my water had broken, Alyssa would have been exposed to air and then suffocated and the amount of water I had would have flooded my organs.... So thankful God was in control.
Before we knew any of this, just seconds after my child had been taken from the room, the doctor looked over the sheet and asked if he could please tie my tubes. My response was no, I want more kids!
It took 2 doctors over an hour to stitch my uterus back together.... I kept hearing things like, "it is not holding" "it keeps tearing" "should we just remove it" "have you ever seen anything like this before"
I was starting to get concerned because at this point the whole thing had not yet been explained to me.
As I was being wheeled from the OR (once they finally got me all sewed and stapled back together), they were wheeling my baby towards me. Her blood sugar was low and she needed to eat right away. They wheeled me into some nurses break room or some tiny room... not sure exactly what it was, so I could feed her. She ate like a champ and her blood sugar went up. I was so relieved. Then when I arrived in my room, the doctor came in and explained that I should not have anymore kids, but if I decided to have more children I needed to wait a minimum of 4-5 years to allow my uterus to fully heal.

Well, my Angel just turned 4 this past week, and guess what?? I am expecting.. Twins.... They are definitely not identical, but they are both 6 years old. See and that doctor said I would never have any more kids.
We celebrated Alyssa's birthday this weekend and had a lot of fun.
A very awesome friend of mine brought a card for Adam and Matthias too.
One of them has a birthday the day after Alyssa's :)
My bro and sis in law brought a balloon and gift for Alyssa on her actually birthday and surprised me the next day by bringing cupcakes and a balloon so we could celebrate my son's birthday too.
For someone who has not gone through the process, she got what I needed that day.
Just to know that other people love and care about him too. I cannot wait until he is home so he can see and feel that love.

Alyssa's birthday was fun and quite a bit of family and friends came out to support her. Some good friends even came in from Nevada and my sister and her family came in from Idaho.
Picture overload coming!!



















 She there on the left?? That is my nephew and my cousin's girl. They were cracking me up. They were holding hands....
 Then he took his shirt off and they went on a ride together lol.

 Kevin was blaming the older boys for using a bucket to get the patio soaked.... He took the bucket away, so Alyssa went and grabbed the one that holds our bath toys.... I took the following pictures to show her daddy later LOL



 Cake time!!!




 See how the front of the cake is all messed up? I may have walked away and her Poppy may have taken videos of her using the stick from the candle to eat some of the cake.... Bad Poppy.
 Presents!!! She was spoiled rotten!!!!





 She was just flinging things everywhere :)

 Uncle Troy calls her Turtle and she gets so mad LOL So, we all buy her turtles.


 See that little baby?? He stayed at my house..... It reminded me of how badly I miss when my kids were little. His older brothers made me want my boys home right now!!
 Time for the big kids (men) to pick on the younger kids...

 Kait loving on her Uncle (he is one of our closest friends) Craig





 Billy took a break from picking on the kids to play some catch with some of the littles.


 All in all it was a great day that wore out birthday girl out...... she fell asleep on the kitchen floor :)

Today was a great day too. Hubby brought me some breakfast in bed (toast and milk, but hey better than nothing lol). We went to church. Then we went to Lagoon with my family. Not something we would normally do on a Sunday, but my sister was here from out of town..... you make sacrifices some times.
We left Lagoon and went to Kev's parents for dinner. They moved in Saturday :) We ate dinner then stayed until after 10pm helping them put their living room together.

We also had my cousin's wedding reception on Saturday and on Friday we went to dinner with my sister and mom. The best thing happened while we were at Dennys. A lady wished us Happy Mother's Day which got us talking. They were talking about how many kids they all had (3 each). I couldn't help it. I said "I have 5 kids ages 8,6,6,6 and 4." Her mouth dropped open and she slowly said WOW. I loved it. Made my entire day :)

I miss my boys like crazy, but I have to remember that just like Alyssa's birth, God knows what he is doing and they will be home soon :)