Top Ten Baby!!!

I am now #10 on the Congo list!!! My caseworker said not to expect any movement until after the first of the year with the courts being closed for Christmas.  Slowly but surely I'm inching my way up to the number 1 spot!

There have been some incredible things going on with Sofia's adoption but I can't say anything yet.  It amazes me how BIG and AWESOME our God is.  I was getting really discouraged and felt like my faith was on eggshells.  At just the right time, the Lord provided me with the EXACT encouragement I needed.  I can't wait to be able to share the entire story but that won't be for a little while.  I promise that when I do share, you will be amazed at how much God cares for us and orchestrates things perfectly!

And on a side note, I found a lump on Rollie's abdomen about 3-4 weeks ago.  Rollie is my sweetie boy, the one who follows me room to room, the one who if someone else ever takes them on a walk looks back for me, the one who sleeps with me, so I was not processing this well.  My mind was trying to get me to think of the worst case scenario while at the same time I was somewhat in denial.  If I didn't KNOW what it was, then I didn't have to DEAL with it.  Childish I know, but it was one more thing I couldn't handle.  I finally took him to the vet to get a biopsy and deal with whatever the outcome would be.  I went in knowing that I would do whatever was in Rollie's best interest, not mine.  As long as he's not suffering, that's what's important to me.  I learned this from my experience with my childhood dog who had cancer.  It was a very painful lesson to learn.  So, it seemed like F-O-R-E-V-E-R for the doctor to come back with the lab results and in the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger, "It's not a tumor!!"  Apparently, Rollie's affinity for food trolling has given him a fatty pocket.  I just have to keep monitoring it.  Completely dodged a bullet on that one!!!  I am SO relieved.  I love my Rollie Poly boy and he's only seven so I'm glad he's o.k.

10 days until Christmas and I haven't even started my Christmas shopping!  Things have been so hectic I am picturing another Christmas Eve in the mall up until the shops close.  It seems like no matter how hard I try and plan, I find myself in this predicament!  And then there's the Most Exquisitely Wrapped Gift competition that I win every year.  I can't surrender my title so time to get my game face on!!

I Am George Bailey

I WON THE GRANT!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't believe it!!!  I was 2nd place so the $500 grant + 40% of my sales = over $1200 going to Joaquin's adoption expenses!!!  WAHOO!!!!!!
There are no words for the amount of love I have felt over the last week!!!!  Fundraising is hard because it stretches you and humbles you in the best way.  This journey has had so many highs and lows and this grant contest ranks near the top (behind getting the final news that I can FINALLY go get my babies!) so much so that it really reminded me of one of my all time favorite movies.  I watch It's A Wonderful Life every Christmas.  And every time I watch it, I cry.  Every. Time.  There's something about human compassion that just gets me.

Every day I checked my balance with Ordinary Hero only to find it moving up, up and away!  More and more people would msg me and let me know they bought something.  And then there were the silent givers :)  Every single one of you has blessed me and Baby Joaquin immeasurably!  I can't wait until he's old enough to understand all of the miracles that happened in order to bring him home.  I also got in on the action and scored some cute gear for them.   The next time you see these, there will be two sweet faces wearing them HOME!!!

I can't express enough how thankful I am for all of the support I've received.  THANK YOU!!!

"...For God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." - 2 Corinthians 9:7-8

In it to WIN it!!

I'm feelin' the love!!!  My sales so far are at $867 and there's still 6 days left of the contest!!  Woo HOO!!!!  I'm in serious running to win this grant!!  Here's my product blast of the day:

http://www.ordinaryherostore.org/On-The-GO/Stainless-Travel-Tumbler-p152.html


This is for all you java lovers out there!  How cool is it that everywhere you go, you will be showing people that you changed the world for one?  And, it is on sale for just $13.95!!!  Your $13.95 purchase could really help me win the $500 grant!  Go on and get your java on!!!

Orphan Sunday 2011

Today is Orphan Sunday 2011.  There are 163 million orphans in the world.  YOU can help change the world for one by purchasing something through the Ordinary Hero store.  40% of the sale goes directly towards my Congo adoption!  AND I am in the running to win a $500 grant!  The top 3 sellers each get a $500 grant that goes towards my adoption expenses!!  Here are some really cool necklaces that are handmade by ladies in Ethiopia.  They would make some great stocking stuffers!  Make sure you select my name from the affiliate pull down menu during checkout or else I don't get credit for the sale!  And remember, you are changing the world for one - Baby Joaquin!!  
http://www.ordinaryherostore.org/Accessories/Necklaces-Handmade-from-Ethiopia/Brown-7-Bead-Design-p188.html

Fundraising Grant!!!

Hello All!!

Well,  Ordinary Hero is doing another $500 Grant give-away and guess what?  I am in the top 15 sellers!!! They've added a bunch of really cool stuff to their store!  Your $20 or $30 purchase could really, really help me win this grant!  Plus, 40% of all sales go to my adoption fund- it's a win-win situation!  You get a bunch of really cool gear and I get help with my adoption expenses!  There are 7 days left for me to win this Grant- PLEASE help me win!!

I just purchased this cool t-shirt:
http://www.ordinaryherostore.org/Women-s-Apparel/Aqua-Change-The-World-For-One-Tee-p147.html

and this awesome hoodie:
http://www.ordinaryherostore.org/Mens-Women-s-Unisex-Apparel/Eco-Fleece-Zip-Hoodie-p27.html

And they have a bunch of cool jewelry too.  Do you need ideas for Christmas presents?  Well, go to the Ordinary Hero store and check it out!  I'm sure you will find something awesome!

When you are checking out, you need to make sure that from the affiliate pull down menu, you select my name, Kristen Williams or else I won't get credit for the sale.

We can do this!!!

Why didn't I think of that?

I saw this little number, laughed out loud and thought, "Dude- I'm with you on that!"  If only I could've been that clever ;)

I am an Elephant

Elephants are pregnant for 22 months.  My "paper pregnancy" is hitting that mark.  At least I can take comfort that I'm not going to deliver a 230lb baby!  I'm still #12 in the Congo line, although my caseworker said she hopes that I will be moving up soon.  This waiting thing is not all it's cracked up to be.  I'll be honest, I've been frustrated.  I *know* that God is working behind the scenes and in other areas of my life to help me become the best mom I can be for these kiddos.  There are good days when I'm completely fine with this and trust that things are going to happen at the perfect time.  And then there are the bad days.....

I am really struggling with Sofia's case.  It's driving me crazy that she is just sitting over there in an orphanage and has no idea that there's a mom WAITING TO LOVE HER!!!   I was praying about this, confessing my frustrations and asking for some patience.  Then God gave me this verse:

"The Lord says, 'I will give you back the years you lost....and you will praise the Lord your God who does these miracles for you.'"  Joel 2:25-26

I have been clinging to this verse because it physically hurts my heart that I have already missed out on her first 5 years.  I don't want to miss out on any more time with her!

So if I come across your mind, please pray that I will have patience and more importantly, comfort while I wait and trust that she will indeed come home at the perfect time.