Happy New Year!!

I just wanted to say thanks to all my faithful blog readers! You all are what keeps me going! Without you these Girls grants would not be where they are today! I hope your 2012 is as blessed as 2011 was for me! Happy 2012!!! God bless you all! Looking forward to what the new year will bring including hopefully families for both girls!
Celine & Cora Lynne wish you a happy new year too from afar!!!

Dear Celine,

Their is a reason for everything,
I believe God lead me to you to help find your forever family.
Another reason is my sister God blessed with that extra chromosome like you have! I love your cute little grin not cause you were blessed with that gift but its what makes you who you are! Today was not quite was expected but you know what I believe their was a reason I found another person who loves you so much & is so kindly wanting to help fundraise for your adoption. God lead me to this person so I can have another member of Celines Team. This has been a somewhat crazy but in a good way week for you. Your grant grew $36 more thanks to another warriors dad! Several have messaged me with donations for the next Giveaway for you. Lately I have written several good messages to you & Cora Lynne on my Facebook page. This is just a few of them:
My heart yearns to tell you, I will love you for you, to treasure you both, & tell you that your families are coming for you. It aches to my very soul that adoption has to be so expensive, I mean why put a price tag on your life? I wish in my every being I had enough to support both your adoptions but I don't. I wish 1 or both of you could join my family but you can't. Why do we have to put a cost on LOVE? I am praying their might be a way to do some bigger fundraisers for you girls but right now I also keep praying your families might come.
& another-I long to see your smiling face, everyday I look at that page I long to see it there. When I don't see it on that page it makes me hurt for you knowing you don't have the love a family like mine can bring. Love you baby girl & I will keep praying for the day I see you on the My Family Found me page! when that day comes I will shout it for all the world to hear!
A few days ago Reece's Rainbow got a lot of hits on their website from a reccent news broadcast which I hope will bring more to know about you & all your friends!
Oh & finally I started another change drive all for you! So thats whats happening this week baby girl I love you & hope you are safe & warm! I am fighting til the ends of the earth on fundraising & finding your forever family! Leah
ps please stay tuned for the Giveaway Jan 18th! Donations still appreciated for prizes! leave a comment here

Giveaway postponed!

I have decided to postpone the Giveaway to January 18th to give people time to recouperate from giving to the Angel Tree & to allow more time for me to finish sending off delayed prizes from the christmas auction & even 1 prize from the last Giveaway (sorry to prize winners its been crazy with moving!) & gather some more prizes for this one on top of trying to plan some more fundraisers for Celine. Please forgive me, this has just been one weird December! I want this Giveaway to be as Big as possible! Their is a family who is interested in Celine & would scoop her up quick if the funds were there! So please be patient & stay tuned for Shoot for the Stars Giveaway pt 2! If interested in donating a prize please leave a comment. Thanks!

A Gift

Today I picked up this gift for a sweet girl who waits for her family, Cora Lynne. As we just celebrated Christmas I am sure most of you recieved and/or gave a gift from someone you know. I am sure you appreciated it alot even if it was not something you asked for. God Gave her a gift, that in her country is not appreciated for who she is. I am sure she did not spend christmas opening up gifts cause she is in a orphanage. My gift to her is to fill this scrapbook with ALL THE GIFTS HER FRIENDS FROM AROUND THE USA HAVE GIVEN HER FOR WHOEVER THAT FAMILY WHO CHOOSES HER MIGHT BE! PLEASE HELP ME GIVE HER ANOTHER GIFT BY SPREADING THE WORD ABOUT CORA LYNNE AS HER GREATEST GIFT SHOULD BE A FAMILY NOT A ORPHANAGE!!! SEE THAT "FAMILY" IN THE COVER? LET'S MAKE SURE CORA LYNNE CAN HAVE THAT BY THE END OF 2012 OR MAYBE THE END OF 2011? YOU NEVER KNOW, WE SERVE A MIGHTY GOD WHO CAN DO ANYTHING! I will be including pictures of people & fundraising events, & anything else that is part of her journey to her forever family!
CAUSE THE BEST GIFT OF ALL IS JESUS & NEXT TO THAT IS A FAMILY! ARE YOU MY FAMILY?? CONTACT ANDREA ROBERTS AT REECE'S RAINBOW FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ME & THE ADOPTION PROCESS!!!

Great news for Reece's Rainbow!

Today Reece's Rainbow was featured on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer with the story of Mia Cox & her familys journey to get her. The best news to hear is the WEBSITE IS BEING CRAMMED WITH NEW TRAFFIC!! Andrea posted this to her facebook:
I may need a Mountain Dew so I can stay up late tonight and respond to new inquiries. Anxiously waiting for the aired segment to show up on YouTube (or the ABC website). For our current advocates: please help us by NOT visiting the RR website, we are being overloaded by new hits from the news program, so stay off for a while! lol
I think this day will go down in record history for Reece's Rainbow!!! Praying this brings exposure to the girls & that maybe their families might find them!
Incase you missed it go to the link
Oh & if you try to donate to the box to the right thats also down due to all the traffic to their website but still go to the angel tree page or RR website directly to donate!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all my wonderful readers!!! I Just wanted to publicly thank you all for your help to Celine & Cora Lynne over the past year & half I have been advocating for them! I first started this blog Oct 5,2010 advocating for Celine at the time then later when the angel tree started I added Cora Lynne to my advocating efforts in December 2010 when she got added late into the angel tree campaign then I stuck with her as a New Year warrior, now I am an all around warrior to both these girls! In 2010, from fundraising for the girls & Quinton $319.42 was raised!! In 2011 from all the fundraising for Quinton, Cora Lynne, & Celine $2,714.04 has been raised!!! Quinton is happy & thriving with his family now lets pray Celine & Cora Lynne will soon be the same! WITHOUT ALL MY FRIENDS & FAMILIES SUPPORT I NEVER COULD HAVE IMAGINED RAISING THAT MUCH THIS YEAR FOR CHILDREN IN NEED OF FAMILIES, 2 OF WHICH IS NOW HOME! Note-I could not figure out the amounts if it was seperate or not in the total for Mackenzie but none the less you ALL HELPED 2 ORPHANS COME HOME TO LOVING FAMILIES & 2 ORPHANS STILL IN NEED OF FAMILIES!!! Heres some of the amazing fundraisers that happened in 2011:
Heartful of Love Change drive/birthday gifts-$220+
Yard Sales June 2011 (2 days for the Mickschl family & Miller family with snack proceeds going to the girls & 2 days going to the Girls) Just 1 date alone if I rememeber right raised $200 for the girls!
Various JBF consignment sales-4 total in spring & fall 2011 estimating at least $600+ total for all sales
Celines Shoot for the Stars Giveaway-$1,000
Cora Lynnes Last Chance Christmas Auction-$111
Angel Tree donations just from family/friends (this is counted in total 2011)-$75
Babysitting money earned for Cora Lynne during angel tree-$38+
Friends & Family who absoulutely ROCK-PRICELESS!!! Now heres a few of the girls &/or Quintons supporters who made that all possible!
Mischel Z
Christy, Margaret, & Kayla H.
Gates family
Gorski family
Hardwick family-Thanks Mom & Dad! From taking on the stress of stuff in the house for the yard sales & JBF to collecting change, to donating towards the chipin you both rock!
Rebekah & Ben M-Thanks sis & Ben love you both lots! Thanks to you Celine made it 1 step closer to a family!
Ladies small group at my Church-You all did the unthinkable when I brought a change jar back in february for Mischel & you all passed it around dropping spare change & dollar bills all for the love of Quinton
Hardwick small group at my church
Beth H. & family-In the midst of her own adoption she came out to support the Mickschls at the yard sale & bought some yummy goodies that supported the girls!
All who donated items to the yard sale including the Mickschls who allowed to split the proceeds with the Millers & brought most of the stuff that was at the sale! Bessie B. donated some bags of stuff for the yard sale!
Rochelle, Jenn, Samantha, & Mr. W.-you all were so kind to host the yard sale & the items in your home for the 2nd weekend of sales! Rochelle, Jenn, & Samantha you kindly have helped with all the sales doing whats needed & getting sunburnt putting all those clothes away lol. But without you some of that total would not be.
Debi, Martin, & David K.-First of all a Huge thank you goes to precious David for collecting change for Quinton! Although you may never remember what you did I will always treasure that gift he was given by a child. Debi-Thank you so much for supporting the change drive & by wrapping presents to support Cora Lynne & Colton! I wish you the best journey in your adoption story & I hope to share that support you have given me. Martin-I so appreciate you driving Debi to wrapping & support of all these charity stuff. Thank you both for shopping at the Yard Sale!
Heather M.-Thanks for coming to the Yard Sale back in June, she not only came once but came back again LOL.
Shante H.-collected change, donated to Cora Lynne & has spread the word to her school!
Their is so MANY MORE I COULD NAME BUT MY HANDS ARE TIRED FROM ALL THE WRITING LOL! YOU ALL KNOW WHO YOU ARE & HOW YOU PLAYED PART IN ANY OF THESE KIDS LIFES!!! THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH FROM CELINE, CORA LYNNE, QUINTON, & MACKENZIE!!! OH & ME TOO!
MY WISH BY THE END OF 2012 IS THAT THESE 2 GIRLS WILL BE ORPHANS NO MORE & THAT WE WILL HAVE RAISED SO MUCH MORE THAN 2011 & THAT MAYBE I WILL HAVE 2 MORE ORPHANS FEATURED ON THIS BLOG ONCE THE GIRLS ARE HOME!!! AGAIN MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE GIRLS & THEIR WARRIOR!!

All I really want for christmas

All I really want for Christmas is someone to tuck me in
A shoulder to cry on if I lose, shoulders to ride on if I win
There's so much I could ask for, but there's just one thing I need
All I really want for Christmas is a family



All I really want for Christmas is someone to tuck me in
A shoulder to cry on if I lose, shoulders to ride on if I win
There's so much I could ask for, but there's just one thing I need
All I really want for Christmas is a family



All I really want for Christmas is someone to tuck me in
A shoulder to cry on if I lose, shoulders to ride on if I win
There's so much I could ask for, but there's just one thing I need
All I really want for Christmas is a family



All I really want for Christmas is someone to tuck me in
A shoulder to cry on if I lose, shoulders to ride on if I win
There's so much I could ask for, but there's just one thing I need
All I really want for Christmas is a family



All I really want for Christmas is someone to tuck me in
A shoulder to cry on if I lose, shoulders to ride on if I win
There's so much I could ask for, but there's just one thing I need
All I really want for Christmas is a family


All I really want for Christmas is someone to tuck me in
A shoulder to cry on if I lose, shoulders to ride on if I win
There's so much I could ask for, but there's just one thing I need
All I really want for Christmas is a family



All I really want for Christmas is someone to tuck me in
A shoulder to cry on if I lose, shoulders to ride on if I win
There's so much I could ask for, but there's just one thing I need
All I really want for Christmas is a family


All these girls need is a FAMILY! HELP MY CHRISTMAS WISH COME TRUE BY SPREADING THE WORD ABOUT CELINE & CORA LYNNE!!! CAUSE ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS FOR THEM TO FIND FAMILIES!!! SO SPREAD THE WORD ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER, AND BLOG ABOUT THEM!! ESPECIALLY CELINE SINCE SHE HAS BEEN TRANSFERED!!

TRANSFERED

yep you heard me, I hate to say this but looks like Celine has been transfered to an institution. From what I hear she might not be in a bad place & the director would love to see these kids find families! The good news is she can also be adopted with another kid from her region based on approval. Hint hint Preston or Alden!
But then again no institution or orphanage is perfect hince the desperate plea! Please share her profile or this blog so we can get the word out about Celine! I was going to wait for fundraising but I am so wanting her to find a family so starting New Years day, I will be doing Crusading for Celine & Cora Lynne Giveaway Featuring a Brand New Emily American Girl doll with accessories! So I know I have asked so much of you all already with the Giveaway in August & the Auction just reccently but if you or someone you know would like to donate a prize please email me at singergirl15@yahoo.com thanks so much!

HUGE THANK YOU!

Thank you all who participated in Cora Lynnes auction, as you can tell she surpassed her goal! You all mean the world to me & our helping me 1-2 children at a time! This does not mean its not too late to donate & if you donate $35or more you get an ornament with her picture on it! Hurry fast if you want it in time for Christmas! I apologize for not be fast with sending peoples prizes & putting them in contact with donors & winners so please be patient as we are in the middle of moving & Christmas but for sure after Christmas all prizes will be on their way! I am taking a break in January off fundraising for Reece's Rainbow to tell you about another charity I love that I have started a campaign called Safely Sleeping for 2012 but no worries I will still blog & talk about Reece's but I want to take a slight break but will return with my Birthday Giveaway in February so stay tuned! PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD AS I WANT THIS TO BE THE BIGGEST GIVEAWAY EVER SO IF YOU KNOW OF ANY BUSINESSES THAT WOULD BE WILLING TO CONTRIBUTE A PRIZE LET ME KNOW. For the locals stay tuned as I am working on possibly doing a yard sale, a spaghetti feed/dance, not to mention Heart full of Love Change Drive Part II! All fundraisers will be for BOTH GIRLS & possibly the Giveaway 1 family as well as the girls. This girl would give you a HUGE HUG & KISS IF SHE KNEW JUST HOW MANY PEOPLE LOVE HER & WHAT YOU ALL DID FOR HER THIS CHRISTMAS!!

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year from Celine, Cora Lynne, & their faithful warrior!!!

Shattered Heart

My heart is shattered, for all that's going on with a certain country right now. My heart not only is breaking for that situation but for this girl. Nothing too harsh has happened but sadly 1 of the requirements to adopt her is a 30 day wait. I really don't want to loose hope that her family is still out there but I don't know if theirs a family who would adopt her with such a long wait. I am NOT GIVING UP, & PRAYING FOR HER FAMILY TO FIND HER!

Celine still waits, dear precious girl I wish I could hold you & share the real reason of the season with you. I wish I could tell you it would be your last christmas in the orphanage & that a family was coming for you but since I can not I am praying this is your last christmas without a family. Your stocking will be hung on my bulletin board waiting for you til you find your family. I pray that someone may give you some extra christmas cheer to you. You have a grant of $7,512.83 & I so wish I could grant you the full grant for your forever family but since I can not, I brainstorming on what I can do to fundraise more for your grant.
I love you baby girl with all my heart! Love, "auntie" Leah

NOTICE!

OKAY SO I WANT TO LET YOU ALL KNOW CORA LYNNE HAS SURPASSED HER GOAL!!!! Thing is she NEEDS THESE 2 BIDDERS TO DONATE THEIR TOTALS FROM THE AUCTION FOR HER GRANT TO REFLECT THAT & FOR HER TO BE ON THE $1000 WALL!
Jane & Tarra, Please donate to Cora Lynnes account & email me at singergirl15@yahoo.com so I put you in contact with the donors of your prizes. Tarra, you won the Handstamped necklace & Jane you won 3 things.

Winners annouced of auction!

Again I want to thank you all for making a life saving difference for a little girl who waits far away! Hopefully this will be her last christmas without a family! Please all who bid contact me so I can put your names/state in my scrapbook I plan to get for Cora Lynne. All winners get a hold of me so I can put you in touch with who/whom has your prize(s).
Sarah-Gorgeous Blue Bracelet & Birds of a feather flock together bracelet set=$12
Tarra-Fearfully & Wonderfully Made Handstamped necklace =$28 *note THANKS LADIES FOR THE FUN BIDDING WAR WHICH WENT $8 PAST VALUE BUT I TRUELY THINK ITS WORTH THAT MUCH!
Michelle Fargen-Handmade Card set=$20
Deb W-Black Necklace=$8
Tanya B-Headband #2=$5
Christina Scott-Unlocked & Firemen Pillowcase=$12
*Jane-American Flag Pillowcase, Dog Print, & Tinker Bell Zipper Pull.
Note this winner is in UK so Christina Schye she will help pay for shipping! The other 2 prizes are from me but I will also contact her.=$13
Katrina Morris-Mickey & Minnie Mouse Christmas bow=$5
Julie-Flower Beanie Hat=$8
Please donate your total by going through her RR link or box at the top right side of this page, then email me at singergirl15@yahoo.com & I will put you in contact with your donor with your prize! THANK YOU ALL FOR BRINGING IN $111 TOWARDS HER GRANT!!!

Auction CLOSED!

No more bids will be accepted tonight will add up totals & send messages to those as soon as I can. I applogize if any of my items don't get their in time for christmas but I will do my best while in the midst of moving! Donors who are shipping I will contact you shortly, some of the bids came from my awesome UK friend who says she will gladly pay for shipping so I will put you in touch & you can figure out details. Thanks for Participating! Even though we did not get to the goal its okay as I have 1 date left to gift wrap & I know God will provide the remaining $26.50! Thanks to you all $111 has been raised towards Cora Lynnes future family! Thanks for being her chance to shine! If you did not win contact me anyway as you all are a part of Cora Lynne's Christmas & I want her forever family to have that memory of you all who love & care for her.

Longing

So far great read-I am almost to the end! Originally we had preordered a copy but I just could not wait til we could get it so my mom got me another copy. So I am going to be offering this up & you benefit a orphan!
Just a fair warning if you have never read this series I encourage you to check out Leaving first, then Learning, & finally Longing.

Value-$14.99
Starting bid-$5
Increments-$1

Unlocked

Another prize that was generously donated back by the winner in Celine's Giveaway! So, this book is so awe inspiring & although its not a true story it makes people fully aware of those with autism. Let's Help potentially effect 2 more orphans besides Celine! If you don't know of Karen Kingsbury books I highly suggest them to you with a box of kleenex as most you will cry! Heres the description of the book:
Before You Take a Stand ... You Got to Take a Chance.
Holden Harris is an eighteen-year-old locked in a prison of autism. Despite his quiet ways and quirky behaviors, Holden is very happy and socially normal---on the inside, in a private world all his own. In reality, he is bullied at school by kids who only see that he is very different.

Ella Reynolds is part of the 'in' crowd. A cheerleader and star of the high school drama production, her life seems perfect. When she catches Holden listening to her rehearse for the school play, she is drawn to him ... the way he is drawn to the music. Then, Ella makes a dramatic discovery---she and Holden were best friends as children.

Frustrated by the way Holden is bullied, and horrified at the indifference of her peers, Ella decides to take a stand against the most privileged and popular kids at school. Including her boyfriend, Jake.



Value-$14.99
Starting bid-$5
Increments-$1

No words

No words can ever compare to the love you have shared for this sweet girl!

Because you care for a little girl very far away she only has left to raise
$111.50 towards her angel tree goal!
I want to share all who have been a part of Cora Lynnes Christmas to whoever her future family might be! All who have bidded on Cora Lynnes auction will be included in paper presents for Cora Lynne for a Scrapbook I plan to make for her because whether or not you win on the items you bid on you have made the world to 1 sweet girl! So when I announce the winners Wednesday if you did not win please get a hold of me as I want to include your name/state in Cora Lynnes book.
Hang on sweet girl! We love you & all want to see you in a loving family! As I said No words can describe the love that a family can bring for her & the love you have showered her with! FROM THE DEPTHS OF MY HEART I THANK YOU!!! I want this to be her last christmas without a family & if I had all the money in the world I would fund her adoption but I don't so right now I can pray she gets the funds. My best gifts I could ask for is #1 she has a family & #2 she is fully funded! That would mean so much more than all the gifts I could ever get!

Gorgeous Blue Bracelet!

This lovely bracelet is made with love to help Cora Lynne. Please keep this mom in your prayers as she wants to adopt so bad!

Donated by Krista Schumann-Keim
Starting bid-$1
Increments-$1

Interviews about Being a sibling to someone with Down Syndrome

I know that this may be a bit odd mixed in with the auction posts but really wanted to share this with my blogger friends & followers! So I was trying to enter the plus15 campaign my sib contest & like usual procrastinated til the last day when it was due but Tim, (my unofficial "adopted" brother) pressed on & made a great video so I thought hey now its there for the world to see on youtube! But to make it bigger I want to share it with you as I want New Parents who find out their child has down syndrome to know the siblings views. If you are a new parent & happen to see this video or my blogposts about Sarah, know that the child will enrich your life as she has done for our family! Our sibling Sarah

Handmade bracelet & Necklace set

Somewhere along the way these were made & auctioned at our family reunion in which my grandma won but she never used them so here they are for another cause!

Starting bid-$1
Increments-$1

Dog Print

This was a prize in the Giveaway but I never heard back from the winner so to the Auction it goes! If she happens to realize it before auction is over I will take it down but i doubt it.

Starting bid-$2
Increments-$1

Red & Green hat

Again with the lighting this is much darker red than it shows. I won this in a Giveaway last christmas & have not worn it so up for another cause it goes! Will fit adult

Starting bid-$5
Increments-$1

Tinker Bell Zipper Pull

This is a very cute creative accessory to backpacks or jackets! Picture on left ONLY

Donated by Laurie Poppe
Starting bid-$1
Increments-$1

Flower Beanie hat

This will fit size 1-3 year olds. Will be similar to one pictured.

Donated by Tanya's Crochet
Starting bid-$5
Increments-$1

Mickey & Minnie Mouse Christmas Hairbow

I did the best I can with the new items taking pictures, my lighting was bad so please forgive me. Is this bow adorable or what? Perfect for Christmas! No guarantees though about it arriving in time but heck you can always use it next year!

Donated by Laurie Poppe
Starting bid-$2
Increments-$1

Auction extended!

I have decided to extend the Auction to December 14th! So check out the items & bid! Some still have no bids & I have 2-3 more items to add today! Bid on that christmas gift & benefit an orphan in need of a family!

3 days left!

3 days left to bid! I might extend it an extra day as its been a tad slow so please spread the word!!!
Thanks for loving Cora Lynne!

American Patriotic Pillowcase

Donated by Christina Schye
Value-$15
Starting bid-$5
Increments-$1

Firemen puppy pillowcase

Donated by Christina Schye
Value-$15
Starting bid-$5
Increments-$1

Updated Linky of Items up for Bid!

Before bidding Please visit here for rules & info
Here are all the item links:
Headband #2
Headband #1
Black Necklace
$1 Gift Pledge
Handmade card set
Handmade Bracelets
Fearfully & Wonderfully Made Necklace
American Patriotic pillowcase
Firemen puppy pillowcase
Mickey & Minnie Mouse Bow
Flower Beanie Hat
Tinker Bell Zipper Pull
Red & Green Hat
Dog Print
Handmade Bracelet & Necklace set
Blue bracelet
Unlocked
Longing
Check them out & bid! Ends Wednesday December 14th midnight pt.

Precious Soul

See this precious soul?

For certain people you might be surprised this girl will be 9 in about a week. Heres a bit more about her:
DOB: 2002
Diagnosis: Down syndrome
We have very little information on this little one. We do have several photos. We also know that she's in an orphanage where most of the children are malnourished and receive only the most basic care and minimal therapy. As a result, she's significantly delayed.
$417.00 is available towards the cost of my adoption!
That DOB is not lying this girl is almost 9 YEARS OLD! she is in the same orphanage as Katie was in who is home with her forever family.
Oh dear sweet Kolina, it breaks my heart that no one cares for you or loving on you. I am Praying God will bring a family soon! Keep fighting sweet girl so that your forever family can hold you in their arms & cherish you for who you are! I wish I could snuggle you to tell you how much God loves you but since I can't I will be praying for whoever your future family might be & you to stay healthy & well. I am going to do all thats possible to spread the word to help fund your adoption & find your future family!
Such a precious soul she is. If interested in her go to her Reece's Rainbow page

Headband #2

Handknitted headband Only the darker pink flower one! will fit about 0-3mo Donated by Diana & Leah

Starting bid-$5
Increments-$1

Headband #1

Knitted headband will fit about 0-3mo

Donated by Leah H.
Starting bid-$5
Increments-$1

Black Necklace

Donated by Elaina Lawrence
Value-$94
starting bid-$8
Increments-$1

$1 pledge

K, This is part of the auction but a bit different. If you make a $1 pledge or more, it will get your name & stata on a paper contruction present. Let's fill santas sack with gifts & give Cora Lynne the best gift we can give towards a family getting her!
Best of all, all paper gifts will be saved for her future family so they know who all helped bring her home!

Handmade Cards set

10 Assorted HANDMADE Cards donated by Katy Bastow
In this collection is a birthday, congratulations, thank you, baby girl, baby boy, welcome, missing you, and three friendship/thinking of you cards.


Value: $24
Starting Bid: $10
Increments of:$1

I am Fearfully & Wonderfully made handstamped necklace

This is a 1" sterling disc, a small metal disc, handstamped and set on an 18" sterling silver chain. This is a one of a kind :D And for good reason!
I personally asked her to make it this way As WE ARE FEARFULLY & WONDERFULLY MADE BY GOD! Its one of my favorite bible verses & its so true. Donated by Sarah Frantz

Value-$20
Starting bid-$10
Increments of-$1

Birds of a Feather Flock Together

There are whimsical little jewel colored birds and flowers in the yellow fabric. The teal blue fabric has darker blue swirls with a hint of silver. The bracelets are made from fabric tubes, rings, and beads. This size fits approximately 2-7 year olds. donated by Deb Wielhouwer

Value-$13
Starting bid-$5
Increments-$1

Cora Lynnes Last Chance Christmas Auction-Rules & Info

Cora Lynne has been on the angel tree since last year, sadly she still waits. This is her last year on the angel tree as she will turn 6 years old in May. She will sit in her crib, not enjoying christmas opening presents or more importantally listening to the story of Jesus birth & not knowing the love of a family. Since this is her last year on the angel tree lets make this her last without a family! Adoption is expensive lets face it, she currently has over $3,000. The cost of her "ransom" is anywhere between $20,000-40,000. Thats heartbreaking, if every child had a full grant their would be no more orphans. She is only $211.50 from her goal, but you know what I think she will surpass that. I have seen miracles happen before, lets make sure money is not in the way for a family for Cora Lynne!
Heres how this is going to work:
I will post each item on individual posts with the description & starting bid. Please leave comment with opening bid on the item your bidding on.
Each item will have increments of $1.
Shipping will be provided by donors. BEFORE YOU BID PLEASE EMAIL ME AT singergirl15@yahoo.com with your first name & last initial
if you still want to donate please send me an email with photo, description of item, & retail value of it to the same address mentioned above. Auction will end December 14th at midnight pt.
Because her life matters!

Cora Lynne's Last Chance Christmas Auction-donations needed!

As I mentioned on the last post, I have been offered some items to do a auction for Cora Lynne. This is her last year on the angel tree whether she finds a family or not which makes this her "Last Chance" as she will be 6 years old in May. My goal is to see if I can surpass that $266 left to reach her goal. God provided with the Giveaway reaching over $1,000 in 3 months let's see what he can do for Cora Lynne! So if you would like to donate a item for the auction let me know! It can be anything, handmade or non-handmade, gift certificates, & more! Let's Make this the Last Christmas she has without a family! So if you or someone you may know might be interested in donating contact me at singergirl15@yahoo.com.
If you have or know of a company that would donate something let them know! Please spread the word! Spreading the word helped so far with her grant rising so I want to get this out to as many people as I can!

Blessed & A Plea

I am truely blessed of the $721, $656 has come not by fundraising but by putting the word out there. I am so greatful, to those that have donated. I have only heard from 2 people who I "know" have donated but have never met in person. I really was worried how I would be able to do my part but God did provide! As soon as I insert the remaining $12.50 she will be $266.50 away from the Angel Tree goal! I am sending out support letters but to bump up the speed & to better surpass that goal, I have at least 1 prize offer for an auction which I originally was planning to do in January/February but I am sending out a plea as Cora Lynne needs to find her family! She has waited far too long & this is one warrior who does not want funds to stand in the way of her finding her family! will you help Cora Lynne please? I want to do this pretty fast so that people can get gifts for christmas. So if you would like to donate something to be auctioned off please leave a comment & I will get a hold of you. Please don't feel pushed or forced to give as I know I finished the Giveaway not too long ago. Let's make a reason for this girl to have hope & be her last year without a family!

Heart is filled with JOY

I did not mean my post to sound, so sad. Truely I am fine, after I hit publish the first time I was so excited to see $100 donated all within 1-2hrs time but now my heart is filled with JOY as I saw Andrea Roberts who posted on her facebook page without me asking shared Cora Lynne needed $112 (which I was not really paying attention to) to get her over the hump to the $500 mark, well that surely got response as you can see she is now at $583! So that $112 ended up being $195 over the hump! PRAISE GOD!!! I know I just had to let it all out of frustrations, then Gods timing was perfect! Now just $356.50 to go to reach the goal!

Lost

Today I am blogging my heart out yet again. The sad truth is this is Cora Lynnes last year on the angel tree. Why is it sad? Because if she has no family by next christmas, she would have gone 2 years without a family & will not be included on the Angel Tree as she will be 6 years old in May. 6 years of her life, lost from a life a family can bring. I know every little bit helps, but still its hard knowing these girls could have already been transfered or are about to be transfered to institutions. She justs sits there lost, wondering when her day might come? It hurts my heart that she has already waited a year & still no family. I know lots of people are fundraising right now & I am not complaining as God has done mighty things already for both girls but still. I am completely lost for words to describe my feelings. Lost, just like these girls. I wonder where the light at the end of the tunnel is? I can't really do a Giveaway again as I want to give my small amount of readers a rest & their is just SO MANY going on right now it would be too hard to do one. I am very thankful my friend Christina Scott managed to get us some dates to wrap gifts at Barnes and Noble, which has already brought $42.50 for Cora Lynne so far & I am sure as Christmas gets closer it will get busier but still I wonder what else more I can do but try? I made $18 in half of my babysitting profits for her too. She is still $356.50 away from her goal, & I am happy for the other kids that have surpassed their goal but I wonder when it will be Cora Lynnes turn? why does it have to be so hard? I trust in Gods timing, but I wonder why I can't do more? I don't want this precious girl to be lost. Lost, in a world that does not treasure her with her extra gift. when will she be the lost get found in this world? Lost in a orphanage in another country. Lost from a loving family. who will love her? Lost from not knowing Jesus Loves her for who she is. who will rescue her?

Her eyes look so haunting to me, lost from happiness. I don't know if she was just not in a good mood while her picture was taken or what but don't let the picture of her scare you. She is just a lost treasure waiting to be found for who she truely is!
Right as I hit publish, I look at the donation box to the right to see $100 has been added in the past hour or so! Thank you whoever you are! Gods timing for sure!

Thankful heart

This Thanksgiving, I wanted to say how thankful I am for YOU! YOU & THE GIRLS ARE WHAT KEEPS ME BLOGGING! I could never have all the words to describe how thankful I am for YOU. When I want to give up, all I have to do is read my comments from my reader friends to remind me this FIGHT WILL BE WORTH IT! As celebrate with my family, I want to say how much all my followers & readers mean to me! Even if you never leave a comment but come here to read my posts even if they are short or not as interesting as others, or if I don't do as good as a job putting things into words. So THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING ME IN MY EFFORTS FOR THE GIRLS! THANK YOU FOR LOVING THESE GIRLS ENOUGH TO HELP ME IN FUNDRAISING FOR THEM! MOST OF ALL THANK YOU FOR BEING MY FRIEND!!
Please keep these girls in your prayers & if you happen to want to donate an extra $5to Cora Lynne in honor of Thanksgiving I surely Thank you!
Remember the fundraising tab & the Thankful Hands fundraiser going on!

New fundraising tab!

To keep up with all the fundraising for the girls I have added the new fundraising tab. Right now with the angel tree campaign going my main focus is Cora Lynne, but keep an eye out for an auction for both the girls coming Jan/Feb 2012! Please spread the word & share our facebook page, the girls Reece's Rainbow profiles, blog about them, share this blog, share the new fundraising page,etc as you never know who might be their forever family!

Cora Lynne's christmas video

A Reece's Rainbow warrior offered to do a video so I took her up on that offer! Since the video, 7 kids have found their family & 12 have surpassed their angel tree goal! Due to fb regulations, please pass on the link to my blogpost with the video so that more will know about her or you might be able to post the youtube link on fb who knows but I would not risk it. Thanks!

Precious Meeting

Okay so I am finally getting around to post about Meeting Mackenzie for the 1st time! Julia Nalle's post inspired me to get around to posting this one so here it goes. So most of you know I helped fundraise for Mackenzie known as "Lydiah" on Reece's Rainbow back in June by doing a Yard Sale for her family, the Mickschls as well as the Millers. I first found out about their family when I followed their journey as they adopted her brother, John David known as "Liam" on Reece's Rainbow. A few months or weeks after they got home with him, I get an email from Hansina asking for fundraising advice since she had seen my posts on my blog & saying they were thinking about commiting to her. I was so excited when she told me they had commited & I was so anxious to finally meet a RR family! (I think I might have met Sofia before) So as you recall I got to meet Hansina, John David, & Morgan back in May at the Chickfila fundraiser for Mackenzie. We spent much time as she shared about their 1st adoption, their adoption of JD, about how they saw Mackenzie while they were in JDs orphanage,etc. I felt so connected after we met that I knew I had to help in some way. So, I had a Yard Sale & it was a success! I was so thankful that God helped me to be able to help in a small way. Well I would have been at the airport when she came home in July but I was out of town so I waited. The day I awaited was finally here, it was a little crazy as I was leading the table for Reece's Rainbow at our Step up for Down Syndrome walk but I still was so excited to finally get to meet the 1st of the kids I had helped. I managed not to get emotional but I have no clue if I can keep myself from crying when I get to meet Quinton. The moment came, Hansina pushing the stroller by the table then I saw her. It gave me shivers as I thought is this real? Am I finally meeting this little girl I helped in a small way? I did not want to rush this as she had not been out much since getting home so she can adjust so I stood back a slight bit from the stroller. While my Mom, Hansina, & Christina kept snapping pictures I just reflected at this marvelous girl. She kept staring at me in awe like she knew who I was even before we had met.



Do you see the connection in our eyes? Mackenzie is probably thinking who is this person staring at me? Not, in a rude way but a loving in awe stare of is this really real?


Holding her was even more sureal, I felt I was on top of the world knowing how long I waited & that had she not been adopted she surely could have ended up in a institution. How in the world could her country not appreciate her for who she is?

Meeting Mackenzie makes this fight worth it. Cora Lynne & Celine both deserve what Mackenzie has, a family in a country that do not frown upon people with special needs & treat them with respect.



As in Julia's words, I will keep hollering just like I did for Quinton & meeting these kids you rethink that what you do DOES MAKES A DIFFERENCE BIG OR SMALL!! I will keep the fight for these girls until they have families then I will choose another child & another til THEIR IS NO MORE ORPHANS IN THIS WORLD!!! So whether you are a orphan warrior, prayer warrior, christmas warrior, or in the middle of adopting DON'T GIVE UP!!! Be encouraged, even when fundraising is slow, even if the paperwork is a hassle, even when you want to just give it up, cause God will help you through!

Thankful for Sarah

Today I am thankful for my sister Sarah.
Since her 24th birthday is this Thursday heres 24 Reasons I am thankful for her/what I like about her:
1.That she was born. Over 20 years ago people with Down Syndrome & other special needs were institutionalized right here in the USA & not accepted into society. Thankfully that has improved here but sadly other countries still feel the same way. I also am glad she was born because now sadly nearly 90% of babies with the prenatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome are aborted.
2.I love her dancing! That girl sure loves to Dance, if you met her or saw the videos you would know she was born to dance!
3.Her passion of disney, she loves playing disney trivia & knows everything their is to know about disney movies! I Love how she loves to sing along & knows all the words to most disney songs. If you play her at Disney Trivia know you will be beat!
4.Loves hats! Man I think she has a hat to wear for every single day of the year!
5.That she looks forward to her Birthday every year! don't we all do? She still says oh my birthday is 6 months away (etc) & tells lots of people that.
6.Her funny Jokes & things she says in her notes to communicate with us.
7.I love how she likes to sing loudly when we are away & come home to her singing.
8.That she is herself & does not care what others think
9.She has accomplished so much in her life, & very proud of her! Through dancing, "acting"/participating in plays, & much more! I will never forget her dancing to I can only Imagine at church. She also did it at the Step up for Down Syndrome walk.
10.Thankful that she lead me to be a part of such great organizations, Camp Barnabas & Reeces Rainbow.
11.That nothing stops her from living her dreams.
12.The dances she & stephanie (my younger sister) come up with are amazing!
13.She was blessed to be born without any health issues that usually come with Down Syndrome such as heart deffects.
14.She adores kids/babies as much as I do! She makes them laugh or giggle unlike anyone else. Her smile keeps babies happy.
15.Her fashion, can be pretty interesting somedays (in a good way!) when she is coming up with her own outfit.
16.Very independent! She has come so far in the past 6 years we have lived here.
17.She shines for Jesus every sunday morning dancing & everytime she dances!
18.Our sisterhood, even though we mostly got along when we were younger & had a closer relationship I am thankful to have an extra special sister. I love you Sarah, & so glad God made us sisters!
19.That she knows how much God loves her & has accepted him as her Lord & savior!
20.No matter, she continues to watch all her and/or stephanies play dvds over & over.
21.Even if she is an adult, she always says she is still has a kid like heart (or something to that likes, I can't remember all what she has said)
22.She loves watching ice skating & reccently enjoyed watching Disney on Ice show which is her annual birthday gift from grandma. This time, all my siblings & Mom had a conflict so it was her idea that she invited me. She thinks I should go back with her & I agree as its been awhile since my sister & I did something together she enjoys.
23.Absoulutely likes to play scrabble! Thats about the only game besides disney trivia that you can get her to play.
24.She matters & makes a difference!!! What else is their to say about that? God gave her an extra chromosome & built her the way he created her to be! We may have our struggles but I would not change her for anything in the world! Is it hard? yes at times but we all are people & all make challenges so she really is about normal as we are.
Happy Birthday Princess Sarah!! Know I love you very much & I am so glad we are sisters! Keep dancing like no ones watching! Love, Leah

Adoption story: Mcmillin Family

This is story thats near & dear to my heart as Jan is a sweet friend from church & her daughter is in my class at church. Their story began back in 2005, when God told them to adopt:
After a long week at work, we have tickets for a Christmas concert with Mercy Me and Steven Curtis Chapman...While waiting at the stoplight, we debate about going...should we go home or go to the concert? We decide we should go to the concert and little did we know at that concert our lives would be CHANGED FOREVER! We heard a great concert and in addition, we learned of the many orphans waiting for a family to love them. I clearly heard the voice of God calling us to care for one of his children halfway around the world in China. And so began the reason for our journey. Little did they know the long journey they were to embark upon & that God knew he planned who their daughter would be. They thought the process would be about a year but little did they know God had a purpose for their 4 year wait. November 2006:
A year ago we announced to family and friends that we were going to adopt from China. Now, a year later, we expected to have a photo of our daughter to share this Christmas, but we are still in line. I know God has the child chosen for us, I am at peace about the wait. I know Leilani is waiting too. Here's looking forward to 2007 and the year that will change our lives forever.
& yet more waiting continued as they went through the process of adopting their daughter who would be named Leilani.
March 2007:
Well, this is our one year LID-iversary. Did we think we would be here a year later without our little Leilani? Not on your life! How much longer before we meet Leilani? That is the question. The answer: while no one really knows, the estimate is about another 10 months or so….that puts us about January 2008 for our referral. The good news: we are past the halfway point on our journey. Referrals for April are almost here; we will hope for a speed-up and prepare for the rest of the journey. Next year on our LID-iversary, I believe we will be celebrating with our Leilani! In the meantime, we are one day closer to our babies!
Several months still went by. December 2007:
I began to think about this adoption as a journey a long time ago, but I remembered one of our vacations that is an analogy of this journey to our daughter. We wanted to see the green sand beach in Hawaii, but the only way to get there, according to the travel book, was a short 20 minute walk along the ocean to the beach. We brought my parents with us and they decided to stay by the car rather than take the walk. We began the walk with great excitement and anticipation, after all, green sand is very unique, only on this one beach in all of Hawaii. After about 10 minutes of walking against the gale force winds that buffet the shore, we were less excited and getting a little impatient. We really wanted to see the beach, so on we went. After about 30 minutes of walking, we still could not see the beach, we thought, it is just over that next hill and we kept walking. After about 45 minutes of walking, we got really mad at the travel book, how could it lie to us about the actual walking time???? Still no beach. About an hour into the walk, we saw the beach in the distance. We hurried toward the beautiful green beach. It was beyond our expectations, totally green sand and the lovely blue water. As we walked back, the wind against our backs, we made much better time and before we knew it, we were back to where we started, my parents waiting for us. Like this adoption journey, we are blown back by the wind, we struggle with our expectations and yet, in the end, our magnificent children wait for us, like little gems sparkling in the sun.
Yet they still ever so paitentally waited, March 2008:
We have officially been logged in for 2 years. We probably have another 8-12 months to wait. Will the wait be worth it? ABSOLUTELY and without hesitation! I have learned a lot about myself during this journey. I have not always been the most patient person when it comes to waiting for gratification. I do like instant gratification, but who doesn’t? But anything worth having is worth waiting for…and Leilani is worth every second we have to wait. I keep thinking it must be close t the time she will be born, when we get our referral, we will see. Until then, we live our lives and we anticipate the arrival of our gift from God.
Finally the moment they had been waiting for to recieve their refferal of their daughter!
October 2009:
We got the call at 952 AM, We have a daughter, born on 6/16/08, currently in Fengxin SWI. Her name is Feng Xin Zhu which means strong pervasive fragrance and bamboo. We will get updated pictures and information tomorrow. We are very excited.

Then heres her at 14 months:

November 22,2009 they met Leilani for the 1st time

As you can see she was scared of the unknown, who were these strangers anyway?
This was what they wrote:
Well. this is the first time I have had a chance to update with new information. We are officially Leilani's parents! We received her last night at about 5 pm. Let me tell you, everything we imagined came true. She screamed and cried loudly for about a half hour, then we made her a bottle and she grabbed the remote for the TV and it has been peaceful since. She does LOVE the TV (Daddy's girl) and seemed to really enjoy the blow-up beach ball, she even knew how to kick a ball. She found the stacking cups all by herself and made music (sort-of) with them. She is throwing left handed at the moment, we will have to wait and see if that keep up. We ordered pizza in, so she had to join in and have some crust.
She slept like a log last night except for an occasional single cry and immediately back to sleep. This girl does not complain about a wet diaper! No poop yet, but they say that's to be expected. She giggles wildly and loves the fruit puffs, but she wants to feed herself. This morning, we had to wake her up to get ready for the morning-long paperwork. For breakfast, she had watermelon, dumplings, rice and scrambled egg. She wasn't fond of yogurt or congee.
She ran around the waiting room entertaining all in the room. She has quite the spicy personality, but we believe the worst is behind us. I carried her in the carrier most of the morning without much complaint from her. We are trying to equally share the caretaking and sometimes like putting on shoes, it takes both of us. We are tired (of course), but she is doing very well (for less than 24 hours with us) and we are grateful for that. We have a very nice travel group and everyone is helpful and willing to share.
She is a precious little thing and we are grateful to God for his wonderful gift!
Family of 3!

January 2010:
Last New Years, we had 25 days ahead of us before we would get a referral. We thought we would have a summer referral and even that seemed like a long time, but it tuned out to be a fall referral. Everything really worked out beautifully in His time. Leilani was worth the wait and she's the perfect child for us. It is hard to believe we have been home a month already! Leilani has settled in and she has claimed it as her home! She has learned to climb up and down the stairs and close doors. She knows the schedule for the day, running to the bathtub for her evening soak. She likes to dip her face in the bubbles and make a bubble goatee. She loves to climb in the laundry basket and watch the Wiggles. She is so fun, a real little character and we are blessed to have her in our lives.
Leilani's baby dedication January 17,2010:

Now here she is almost 2 years later & striving!

What if they had given up even with the long wait of the refferal? Well, I know for sure I would have missed out on getting to know the sweetest girl whos huge grin & hugs I look forward to every sunday! Jan, I am so glad I followed along with your adoption & that I am blessed to have Leilani in my class! Most of all, I am glad to call you my friend.

Exciting News!

First of all the best news is after a comment left by our matching donor I realized I forgot to include that in the total amount made through Celines Giveaway plus $20 cash from a friend so you know what that means??
WE NOT ONLY REACHED THE GOAL BUT SURPASSED IT SO THE TOTAL RAISED WAS $1,020.00 & THAT ALL HAPPENED IN 3 MONTHS!!! Wow, THANKS EVERYONE AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT THROUGH THE GIVEAWAY!!
2nd of all as you can see from the donation box someone has donated $100 more (I know where the $30 came from-thanks again! & the $13 came from donations from the step up for Down Syndrome walk that I put in) to Cora Lynne. If you read my blog, & were lead by the $5 challenge THANKS SO MUCH! I wish I had all the money in the world but I don't so it encouraged me to see more was added to her grant. I love her so much I would give anything to see her have enough funds & a family. If you do read this blog & are the person or persons who donated the $100 please message me (on my blogger profile) as I personally want to Thank you.
OVERALL TOTAL OF FUNDS RAISED FOR CELINE THROUGH CHANGE DRIVE, 2 JBF KIDS CONSIGNMENT SALES, & THE GIVEAWAY IS...$1,642.20! I could never have done this alone without my friends & family!! Even if I never get to meet all those who helped in real life know that your a blessing & I thank you ever so much for helping Celine and/or Cora Lynne! That was all done from August-November, only 4 months! Just imagine what that might do for her future family!
I have many ideas in mind to do locally for Cora Lynne, including baked goodies, & possibly wrap presents with proceeds split between her & Colton as my friend Christina is his warrior. I also have decided to babysit & 50% goes towards her grant so far $13 has been raised for her grant with more soon to come. I am planning on sending fundraising support letters to family & asking for donations for christmas gifts so we will see how well that goes. Stay tuned as I have more exciting posts about my experience with the Down Syndrome Walk & meeting Mackenzie, Oliviafest, & later today my 1st of the adoption story posts in Honor of National Adoption Month. I might try to sneak some posts in about some older kids on Reeces Rainbow who still need families but we will see if I can squeeze it in with all the fun stuff I have to write about LOL! Did you miss me posting or what cause now I am posting like crazy this month?

$5 challenge!

I am challenging you if you can just donate $5 to Cora Lynnes grant through the donation box that would be great! If just 20 people each donated $5, she would have another $100! Remember donations $35 or more will recieve an ornament! Please don't feel like you have to but if you want feel free.

Angel Tree 2011

Hey Look who now has $30 more to the start of the angel tree! The goal as Cora Lynnes christmas warrior is to raise $1,000. So we have $970 left to go! You can donate to her via the donation box that says Cora Lynne on the top right of this blog or via check. Any donation of $35 or more gets a ornament of her so please make sure you mention you want one. I am issuing a $5 challenge on Facebook here to help raise some funds for her so feel free to join us if on facebook. Even $5 makes a difference! Local friends-I will have a christmas wrapping day (or week if someone wants me to wrap a gift but can't make it)& a Crazy for Christmas Cookie & food kitchen as well to raise funds for Cora Lynne. I have no online fundraising planned as I want to give those who donated to the Giveaway a break plus I have nothing in mind, so a auction/giveaway will be possibly in the near future. I might change up & do another change drive for Cora Lynne or I might try to make some handmade crafts to sell on etsy so look for that coming soon!

The Inspiration

The Inspiration who lead me to advocate & now 5-6 kids have come home or about to come home because of this Precious Little girl named Sofia!

Her adoption has inspired many & for that I am greatful to the Sanchez family!
For you see one day when I was on my moms facebook & one of her friends, Amy M. kept posting about Sofia & I kept getting on cause I wanted to follow their journey to her, after following their blog I knew I had to help the kids on Reeces Rainbow. Sofia keep inspiring as if it not been for you I might not have gotten so involved with fundraising for these girls! Is she not adorable or what? Everytime I have met her she has been so sweet.

1 year ago

1 year ago today, I found out the best news any warrior will hear. I never imagined to hear these words just a few days after signing up as his christmas warrior & the day the angel tree started I saw these words:
MY FAMILY FOUND ME!
Today a year ago I had found out that Quinton had a family. I never could have imagined the friendship Carol & I would have sending her emails.
This is what started it all,
Hi. My name is Carol Miller and my husband and I have recently begun paperwork to pursue Quinton's adoption. I was so excited and overwhelmed to the point of tears when I read your post. We are head over heels in love with this little guy and feel called to make him a part of our family. We cannot express our gratitude enough. We have seen God work in ways this past week that we have never experienced before. Please please pass on our sincere thanks to everyone involved in your fundraisers. If there is an address I could send a card to, I would love that. If you'd rather stay anonymous, that's fine too. You will always mean more to us than you know because your efforts helped us bring our baby home!

God bless you,
Carol and Brian

Before, the boy I loved who could not be mine, orphan waiting for a family to love him & care for him


After has been home since July! Loveable little boy, happy with his parents!




I am so happy that he is home & I hope this year the girls might be too! Please keep praying for them to find families!