A Boy named Nikolajs

I know I usually post about Sasha but today I'm sharing this boys face.

Meet Nikolajs http://reecesrainbow.org/47972/nikolajs-l15

Nikolajs is an older boy with Down Syndrome, his chances of being adopted in his own country are slim.

He deserves to be loved like any other child.

He is still far from his Angel Tree goal but I sure hope he will get there. Angel tree ends in 2 days!

If you have a few $ to spare click his link above to donate. 

Halfway there!

The final countdown is on, just 5 days left in the Angel Tree campaign! 5 days & $487.71 to go! It's been much slower this year then years past for my angel tree child reaching their goal but I trust she will make it. I was very excited to see her grant jump by almost $150 last night. 

I wish I had all the funds in the world to give to this sweet girl, if I could be her mom I would but since I can't I send sweet prayers & share her photo hoping someone will find it in their heart to call her daughter. 

Her beautiful ornament has been admired everytime I walk in my room. 

To me, everytime I think of the potential she has, what she could be doing in a family. I think of how blessed I am to have my beautiful sister.

Yes, my sister has that extra chromosome but she is a person first of all. Sasha deserves Love like Pink Princess & to be the daughter she was meant to be.

Not only is Angel Tree a chance to help raise these kids grants but it's main focus is to raise awareness. 
I shared most of these on Facebook but today I share them here to share the reality of what Love can do for a child & that FAMILY is better than even the "best" orphanage. 

And of course I will never forget my first Angel Tree boy that I met this past summer.

Love wins & this girl is gonna push til she has nothing left to give, when Sasha is in her new family. I might not have any fancy prizes to do a Giveaway, no extra american girl doll to sell, but I do have love & that's more than enough. This is what I wrote yesterday on my fb & that was before the donation.
It's been a nice quiet Christmas, but for me their will be no Quiet til after New Years Eve cause Sasha still has not reached her angel tree goal & I'm gonna try my best to shout for her til she reaches that goal. Two years ago at this point I got an early Christmas miracle of my other angel tree girl reaching her goal before Christmas & though that has not happened for Sasha I'm trusting she will reach her goal by the end of Angel Tree. I have one donation present from my Mom & I'm gonna add my spare change to that. I wish I had all the funds needed for her to reach her goal and/or be completely funded for her adoption but I don't, so I pray, donate what I can, & trust God will provide. I know I have "begged", sent out my plea on fb almost every single day since November 1st but this year I'm yet again reminded how precious my family is to me & I WANT To share that gift for another child. If I was old enough to adopt/other circumstances I would but til that day when I can call a child son or daughter I do what I can do cause GOD WANTS ME TO. It might only be a share one day or $5 donation but I know every little bit helps & it makes a difference to this one. Today, all I ask is that you say prayer for Sasha & all the orphans & share her sweet face.http://reecesrainbow.org/78127/sasha
$634.41 looks overwhelming, far from the $1,000 & to some might seem Impossible to reach but I know with God anything is possible! http://reecesrainbow.org/78127/sasha

Trusting God for the Impossible to be possible! While your at it could you pray for this little cutie to find a family too?

I have fallen in love with precious Clover & gah I so badly wish I could be her mama too. 
http://reecesrainbow.org/84595/clover

Lord, Please bring these girls families in this coming year? Amen.

Faith, Hope, & Sweet girl named Sasha!

Lately my thoughts have been just easier, somewhat faster to process, whatever you want to call it to just post to my Facebook page. Thing is I tend to forget that their are certain friends who are not on fb land & their are those who have yet to discover the plight of these kids. I know I probably have lost my readers of this blog & if you still read thank you for still reading my somewhat absent blog. It takes lots of energy & sometimes my thoughts don't quite come words like I wish they would. My girls grant has grown this week & this makes me a very happy warrior! 

All this girl wants is a family to call her own. 

It seems this time of year gets me into a mushball of tears. Every time I'm listening to Klove online a song that relates to Sasha & the other orphans comes on right as I'm sharing a post or doing something orphan related. December is always a hard time remembering two girls I love who are stuck in another country & spending another Christmas without families. Every year their stockings still hang with Hope that someday they will find a home.

Most of my decorations are taken down eventually but these stockings remain all year round. I still have faith & hope they will come home to families whether that's in their country or ours.

I have taken many leaps of faith & Hope in my advocating in the past & I still plan to trust God whatever the outcome. My words may not come easily but this Christmas I have faith Sasha will reach her goal. 

It might not be wrapped in a bow under the tree, but is a gift of love! Give her that Love! http://reecesrainbow.org/78127/sasha

Even if your not meant to be her family, share her face & story as you just never know who might be her family! Or if you can go donate to her grant. Most importantly PRAY! This girl, has prayed for you each & every night even if I don't think I have the energy left to do so. I blow kisses to my girls stockings & whisper I love yous to them even if they never know it then I have started the same routine with this picture I placed on cardboard hanging on my bulletin board.

Sasha, to be honest I was afraid like each year since that dreadful adoption ban to allow my heart to open to another for fear that something else would happen. A certain little boy found a warrior so what was I to do? I could have just said no altogether to you or to the Boy I was a warrior to last year but I did not. When I picked 3 girls for my picks I knew without a doubt the criteria of each girl I had chosen. My heart melted for each of them but none of them could truly relate to how I would feel starting with a girl about the age of my girls when I advocated for them. As each day has past since signing up to be your warrior I have fallen more in love with you. You have made this Angel Tree one to remember, you have helped me love again like never before, you have taught me to take leaps of faith once again, & lastly you have helped somewhat heal more broken pieces of my heart. I might still ache with every breath that my girls did not find families, the hurt will still be their at times, & though you will never replace that special spot/them I Love you dear Sasha & I'm ready to find a family for you!

Thankful

During Thanksgiving about half the time I was thinking of my Angel Tree Girl Sasha, fretting about fundraising, disappointed over a fundraiser that did not work out, & being truly thankful for what I have. I was a emotional wreck between that among other things, & honestly kept doubting myself saying in my mind "I'm failing her" and I was falling down on my job as her warrior. I know I tend to doubt so much when I should keep my trust in Gods provision but it's easy to fall back or think these thoughts when things don't always go according to planned. I was tired & worn out from the constant pleading which seemed to be heading no where. At some point after I changed my direction I was heading I feel at peace. As I traveled home from Thanksgiving, I saw her grant move little by little & it's still growing! An online auction ended which will bring her about $100 closer towards her goal.

I'm thankful for the life & family I have but yet I never can forget their faces & what they don't have.
3 yrs ago I met a mama who was hoping to adopt a sweet girl named Natasha. I quickly fell in love with this sweet girl & became friends with this mom.

2 yrs ago, my heart broke along with this sweet families as a adoption ban went into effect. Though I was not in the process to adopt from that country my heart was never the same & still holds many kids close to my heart.
My friend is still fighting for her girl & the others which I'm thankful that someone still cares for them. I want to share her plea here today in hopes that maybe somehow, someway it might help.

In honor of Natasha's 9th birthday and the 2 year anniversary of the adoption ban please join together with us to get 10,000 likes on the Parents United for Russian Orphans FB page by the end of the year.

https://www.facebook.com/parentsunitedforrussianorphans

Our goal is for people around the world to come together to help the children stuck in Russian orphanages by providing information and supporting groups that help the children have better lives. We are begging the Russian government to bring about change for the better and continue to ask them to work with our government to allow the remaining pipeline children to come home. If this is not possible, we pray the children will speedily find loving homes in Russia and that the government will provide the necessary support system for them.

Natasha was only 6 years old when a loving family met her and agreed to adopt her. She has spent an extra 2 1/2 years in an orphanage because of the adoption ban and most likely will spend the rest of her life without ever knowing the love of a family if changes are not made.

And the link to our blog and this beautifully written article by Russian journalist and volunteer for Downside Up Julia Kolesnickenko that has links to our documentary that will be shown in Russia on December 13th.

http://parentsunitedforrussianorphans.blogspot.com/

And the link to the documentary FB page.
https://www.facebook.com/childrenofthestate

I think of these girls every night still & their stockings still hung up

Today, I'm thankful that Sasha still has a chance for finding a family & I hope you join me in helping to reach her goal, http://reecesrainbow.org/78127/sasha

Thankful for Family & Don't Give up

November 17th my Mom & sister celebrated a Birthday.

Every year it seems I write the same thing of how much they mean to me but it's true. They are both kind & have hearts like Gold. My Mom has done so much advocating & helping with fundraisers from Gift wrapping, to yard sales, to helping at the Down Syndrome walks, to explaining it to people & handing out brochures, to helping to organize my 21st Birthday fundraiser, & the MANY SHARES & POSTS ON FACEBOOK. I'm truly THANKFUL to have such a SUPPORTIVE mom like her.

So yesterday I was feeling not really discouraged but I don't know what about something falling through & disheartened at the work my sister put into it & thinking how thoughtful she is to giving her stuffed animals to others. Each Christmas & Birthday she puts great effort into selecting gifts for each member of our family, even going the extra mile for me helping to donate to some Angel Tree kids. On Sunday, my sister had a party to help her celebrate her Birthday with those she loves. Seeing the love, support, & friendships those friends have made for Sarah made me think how thousands of kids like her should have what she has. 
I wanted to try to help another on a special day for two people I love cause they have done so much for me. I wrote a note saying it was my sisters Birthday & if anyone wanted to donate to our Angel Tree child in her honor.

I sent it out into cyber land not expecting anything from it & well, someone felt lead to donate to this special gal http://reecesrainbow.org/78127/sasha in my sisters honor & I'm very thankful.
Their are days when I feel like giving up, I feel tired & worn out from posting feeling like she will never get there but then I'm reminded yet again to Trust God. 
While I'm sharing not to Give up, if you wish to make a donation to my Angel Tree girl whom we have made it our family project for this year we would love to see it grow. 
If you make a donation to Sasha or any other Angel Tree child make sure to check out the Giveaway going on http://forallourangels.blogspot.com/2014/11/all-angels-giveaway-day-2.html
I'M NOT GIVING UP & PRAYING FOR SASHA! 

Do you see what I see?

I see a little boy in the waiting room of a Doctors office that to you looks different but to me is just like any other child laughing & smiling running around even if the adult with him is not wishing him to do so. They might not realize that he made my day & again appreciate the Joy filled life those like him get to live here. But to others they might not know & see what I see.

Do you see what I see?

I see a pretty princess who deserves to play dress up, to sing along to those well known tunes from Frozen.

Do you see what I see?

I see a 12 yr old who likes to laugh & make jokes who needs to know love before it's too late.

Do you see what I see?

I see a 8 yr old boy, who you might not see his picture but who loves to get messy. 

Do you see what I see?

I see an adorable toddler who loves to build blocks & play with toy trucks.

Do you see what I see?

I see a beautiful girl who loves anything crafty.

Do you see what I see?

I see a cute little girl who would love some cuddles.

Do you see what I see?

An adventurous little boy just waiting to explore the world. 

All these kids are part of this years Angel Tree, http://static.reecesrainbow.org/angeltree2014/ & all are waiting for a family to call their own. I encourage you all to check it out & if you can spare $5 to find one of these kids to make a donation to. 

A Ripple Effect

A Ripple Effect:
A ripple effect is a situation where an effect from an initial state can be followed outwards incrementally

This is truly the Perfect illustration of what I wanted to share. 
Sometimes you just wonder if anyone cares or listens to what you say, then that person you never thought was listening cares, then starts the Ripple Effect. I have had several of those happen this year & it always makes my day to hear another of my friends supporting this passion I love.
Here's my Ripple I shared who now has a Christmas warrior who just so happens to be my friend!

Haisten,http://reecesrainbow.org/68534/haisten has no photo that can be shared publicly which makes sharing sometimes difficult but he still needs someone to shout for him so I knew without a doubt he came first for me to find a warrior for. I had him last year, I knew how hard it was but for some reason now I know was God I chose not to be his warrior. 
See if I had not decided to be a warrior, or for another reason this ripple would not have happened. Will you be someones ripple effect today?

I'm sharing Emmaline, now who still needs a warrior too! What ripple effect will start next? Signup to be a warrior today! http://reecesrainbow.org/christmaswarriorprogram

Another ripple you can be a part of, Julia who was part of the reason I started blogging/advocating is adding some pink into her family! I met Julia & her son Aaron this past July at the Reece's Rainbow Reunion.

She truly is as sweet as she is online & Aaron is simply inspiring! Help this mama who has helped so many others while she waited to adopt again who is getting to add their first girl in the family! Meet Harper,

Let's get a ripple going for this sweet soul who needs a reason to smile!
Their blog is http://covenantbuilders.blogspot.com/ & you can donate here for tax deductible donation http://reecesrainbow.org/82663/sponsornalle

A Little bit of everything update

I have not been really into blogging much or when I have something to say I have posted it on facebook since most rarely have time to read blogs & it's just easier to do so there. So not much is new, I still have some unfinished posts waiting in my draft folder but still need to edit the photos for those posts. Anyway as you well know October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month & I know I have been slacking on stuff but here is a photo of my sister who just happens to have that extra chromosome.

She is pretty awesome & it is a rare thing for her to be willing to take a picture with me.

Advocating continues on, first I'm happy to share that "Maria" now Allie is home with her family!

Angel Tree is fast approaching & thing is 97 kids are still waiting for someone to signup as their warrior! If they don't have a warrior by Oct 28th they won't be included on this years Angel Tree! Sadly no doubling up this time. This girl is praying & refuses to let that happen so first thing is first. My Angel Tree child from last year has no warrior & I'm gonna cry if he won't be on there. I know he has no photo but If I managed to help him last year without one then you can too! I'M BEGGING SOMEONE TO STEP UP AS WARRIOR FOR HAISTEN!!! Just signup http://reecesrainbow.org/christmaswarriorprogram & to learn more information http://reecesrainbow.org/angeltreeinfo

 

Here's the other kids who still need a warrior http://reecesrainbow.org/category/waiting-children/2014atkids

I kinda mentioned above that Haisten was my Angel Tree child last year so why did I not pick him this year? I just felt like I was not meant to be his warrior this time. I still love him & want him to find a family but I just was not feeling lead for some reason. So who did I pick? After the boy I wanted already had a warrior I really had a hard time choosing but I chose Sasha http://reecesrainbow.org/78127/sasha who is about the same age as when I first started advocating for my girls. 

She has captured my heart strings & I'm so stoked to be her Angel Tree Warrior! 

Life in KY, a year later

One year ago, we embarked upon a journey to our new state of KY. I went through many stages of what I would describe as "grieving" & I will be completely honest it's been HARD. I wrote about my experience of how hard it was to say see ya later http://lifesbeautifulbutterflies.blogspot.com/2013/08/when-life-takes-you-to-unexpected.html & http://lifesbeautifulbutterflies.blogspot.com/2013/07/when-saying-see-ya-later-is-hard.html & http://lifesbeautifulbutterflies.blogspot.com/2013/09/girlfriends-how-small-groups-changed-my.html. Going through the emotions was hard for me & though it's much better with less tears than when we moved here a part of me still calls CA home & it's hard when every part of me longs for all that's familiar & when I just want to rush back to my dearest girl pals I can't. It hurts, that I can't give hugs to my friends there or can't cry on their shoulders or laughing together with them, or having a group prayer with them, or be there when they are going through a rough time. My room, is just filled with memories or pictures of my friends from little to big & I look at them every time I stare at my bulletin board, or look at my dresser, or look at my bedside table, or snuggle my handmade hippo my friend made me. 

It took me so long to truly build & form these friendships, that's why I so wish plane tickets did not cost a fortune so my friends could come visit me and I could visit them.

This past year has not been easy for me & I do know it takes time forming & building those friendships. I'm getting there, & very thankful to those that have opened their doors to being my friend.
It's still not sunshine & roses all the time for me but I'm getting adjusted still & enjoying some good parts of living here. Like my fantastic room with a comfy Queen size bed & I truthfully don't know why I did not get one before. I really don't miss my unstable twin iron bed that when it slid off would scare the heck out of me not kidding. Craigslist is not huge here & the only city that has one is about hr away so for the most part we have been having good luck on swap/sale sites, yard sales, & thrift stores. Bottom corner is my room now plus just added a bench by the window.

Then their is also the fact of being so much closer to family.

Experiencing new things such as horseback riding. My boots were $3 from Goodwill, can't beat that!

Then God's unbelievable views he has created,

And wonderful photography spots in our very own backyard or front yard.

As hard as this move has been & still is to me, no matter how much I'm homesick, & my heart aches with every breath missing my friends & church family, no matter how much I long to just be a bit closer to town/city life again, all that's familiar to me I know God's got me in his Hands. I trust & know he has a plan for my life & I look forward to what else he has in store! When I'm weak, HE IS STRONG! 

Quick update

I know most of you likely are my fb friend but for those that are not I wanted to update you on the following:

This girl, had her match met but they are still short on funding so feel free to send them some love here http://reecesrainbow.org/72173/sponsorcox-3

Remember Madeline?

SHE IS HOME WITH HER FOREVER FAMILY!! Guess who has been home for 3 weeks now?

IAN THAT'S WHO!!!

And the great news keeps going, Valera's family is FULLY FUNDED FOR HIS ADOPTION! I'm still their warrior gonna pray this boy home but while I do that I'm gonna make sure they can get funded for their other cutie they are in the process of adopting from another country!

If your on facebook be sure to check out the online auction we have going on here https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1458262417785754.1073741828.1458259977785998&type=1 or if not consider making a donation here http://reecesrainbow.org/78790/sponsorschultz

And I think that's about it for now!