tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25861032981148749612024-03-12T18:37:28.298-07:00PB&J FamilyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08509093220829492107noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586103298114874961.post-183302771801495622014-10-29T20:33:00.001-07:002014-10-30T01:40:03.596-07:00A journey in China through food.So, I have taken photos of most of our meals...cause I'm kinda a huge nerd. So here is what we have been eating while in China.<br />
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We got into Guangzhou kinda late on Saturday night so our first meal was the breakfast buffet at the hotel. </div>
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Pretty much watermelon, dragon fruit, coddled egg, cheese, pork dumpling, pineapple wrapped in ham.</div>
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Then for lunch we found what we later found out was a Cantonese restaurant, where the menu is basically fish tanks.</div>
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The food was good though. Kung pow chicken, and something else.</div>
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Breakfast again. This time with a steamed bun stuffed with pork!</div>
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Pineapple Fried Rice! I had this for lunch several times because they served it at the restaurant next to our hotel.</div>
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Seafood Udon, featuring octopus. Octopus is really hard to chew, and kinda not worth it. Also, beef fried rice with pickled veggies, kinda awesome.</div>
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Hey look, breakfast, now with more buns, and baked potatoes slices.</div>
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We found a bakery, they had crazy good things there. It was called BreadTalk.</div>
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99c noodle house. Everyone talked about this place, so we were excited when we found it, and quickly disappointed. Lamb dumplings, chicken noodles, and a steamed egg for Micah. All with leek tea to drink.</div>
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Pizza Freaking Hut! This was a good find. It is not the pizza hut that sits next to the car lot in your hometown, this joker sells steak, and roe stuffed fish balls. The important thing is that they served Pepsi, and the Hawaiian pizza was good.</div>
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For lunch one day we decided to hit and 711 and just do cup o noodles at the hotel. It was pretty good.</div>
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Lucy's. The american restaurant, featuring super cheesy american wall "art" We ate here a few times. Good burgers, great fries. The grilled cheese is really good, and the American Fried Chicken is made with fish batter. Jenn said the beef stroganoff was the best she had ever eaten</div>
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This was at Easy Bake. It was incredible! Jenn had a steak with noodles and veggies. I had eel kamameshi.</div>
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This is the meat department at the grocery store.</div>
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This is the ramen aisle! </div>
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Tai Hing! BBQ pork belly and rice! Jenn had chicken noodles.</div>
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Tai Hing again! A feast of 7 taste; basically parts of duck, pig, chicken cooked different ways.</div>
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Jenn and Micah had chicken noodles again.</div>
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Well...thats most of what we have been eating.</div>
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....and because I know why you came.....</div>
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a photo of Micah wearing his Mama's glasses.</div>
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Offbrandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13085168317144906383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586103298114874961.post-19653126625684437692014-10-21T22:22:00.000-07:002014-10-21T22:38:22.390-07:00Gotcha Day / Finalized!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So Monday was gotcha day. </div>
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We started the day packing a diaper bag, and getting things ready for having a child!</div>
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We then met our guide Elsie at our hotel rode to Adoption Registry Center in Guangzhou China. We were sitting in the main room while Elsie took my camera and played photographer while we met Micah.</div>
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The lady in the red skirt is Ms Pan the orphanage director. </div>
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This is Ms Yin, Micahs nany. You will notice in these pictures that he LOVES her. We can tell that Micah was very well cared for and even slightly spoiled by this woman. </div>
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We will be forever grateful for her!</div>
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Once all of our paperwork was done they brought Micah out to where we were waiting.</div>
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Once we took possession of Micah we had several minutes to spend with Ms Yin and Ms Pan to ask questions about Micah; where he was found, what he likes, his schedule, etc.</div>
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After we were done at ARC we explored Guangzhou a bit and found 4 story mall that had a large kids play area (we haven't ventured in yet) and a fountain out front that Micah likes to watch.</div>
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~~~Finalization DAY~~~</div>
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Yesterday we Finalized Micahs adoption.</div>
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We had to take a family photo to be included in our paperwork.</div>
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This is the room where they asked us if we planned to abandon Micah. Just straight up. "Do you plan to abandon him?" I have never said a more emphatic no in my life.</div>
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While we waited for the notary Micah had a chance to play.</div>
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And I had a chance to shoot some photos of China! Where we are staying on Shamian Island is very European, so I get very excited to see China more as I expected it.</div>
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#bringMicahhome </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrTGpXUIV8IlkF0zXHoAUu3zejkgFcLK3y7qmw-Q_tbDrwXSXljq_ZKYnpzpQBae7JV2QSern21H__TtWYEbtG9DmaCpLgivqb9n3WfEmRQSDpNWr4jAIBsGr5j42D-ohKZ4PcAgoJoQ/s1600/China--8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrTGpXUIV8IlkF0zXHoAUu3zejkgFcLK3y7qmw-Q_tbDrwXSXljq_ZKYnpzpQBae7JV2QSern21H__TtWYEbtG9DmaCpLgivqb9n3WfEmRQSDpNWr4jAIBsGr5j42D-ohKZ4PcAgoJoQ/s1600/China--8.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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Offbrandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13085168317144906383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586103298114874961.post-1550930425376160742014-10-19T20:38:00.001-07:002014-10-21T22:39:33.050-07:00In China 1For those who don't know we left at 7am EST on Friday October 17th for the Journey of a Liftime. The Journey to Bring Micah Home. A journey that truly began almost a year ago when we saw this photo online. <br />
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<a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Hugh-263x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://reecesrainbow.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Hugh-263x300.jpg" height="320" width="280" /></a></div>
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At the time we were beginning the process of adoption for 2 boys. Hugh and Phineas. While searching for agencies that could help us find these children we learned that Phineas had already been chosen by another family. While we were excited to learn that Phineas was getting a forever family, I would be lying if I didn't say we were a bit destroyed. There is something inside you that changes when you find a child and started chasing after them with all you have, so even though we had never met Phineas, it felt like we had lost him, lost something of ourselves. So we stopped. We stepped back. Life caught up and we moved on.</div>
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It was about 2 months before we started looking again. We started looking through the waiting child list at WACAPs website and found that picture again. It was Hugh, named Parker at WACAP, but the same kid. We knew it was time. So on Jan 24, 2014 we were pre-approved to go get Micah/Parker/Hugh. </div>
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Now almost 8 months later we are sitting in a hotel in China waiting to meet our Guide and go to Civil Affairs in Guangzhou China to get Micah. In just a few hours we will be parents.</div>
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I could write for hours about our trip so far, but instead here are some photos.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyR743ujjYmad1QPhV1Vcm1JlWS4nJcWpHCBOcc2Qlcd1dOuolt3vPh8mLQ2zl09KnsrmfKBZapUV5ndkV1_MbttAELlW3O4vklw3i_i5gd-59BnpnnCE1batitXKhCC8XdJWG8EeEoI/s1600/IMG_20141018_014357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyR743ujjYmad1QPhV1Vcm1JlWS4nJcWpHCBOcc2Qlcd1dOuolt3vPh8mLQ2zl09KnsrmfKBZapUV5ndkV1_MbttAELlW3O4vklw3i_i5gd-59BnpnnCE1batitXKhCC8XdJWG8EeEoI/s1600/IMG_20141018_014357.jpg" height="226" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Flight Path</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWITM8VyM77ZiHCN1NAm3Svx6xun4-D_1nWteusbouSz3H5eTyexZylZmczPqH-zqRR5Xc5I4tkYEHdDiVNU3mWTgnKN9gqXBw0J1Y_TMyqUZCq7RUlhFTaQHxyx-yqkRdyg_XU5X2BY/s1600/IMG_20141018_200248.jpg" height="226" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast Day 1</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mJiAwTNGczR2x59TkLM2a0vpshWcTRRKMHn92kOkeqzkb15VKNpj6w-9F_oABA9t0rAfgwW5-bwFymNPJk5MvOBxmfkSytNV0Q7xgCbUaqCyTaeQ_sp3NNKZSXsoYRUZCiD4Aby8mcU/s1600/IMAG0144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mJiAwTNGczR2x59TkLM2a0vpshWcTRRKMHn92kOkeqzkb15VKNpj6w-9F_oABA9t0rAfgwW5-bwFymNPJk5MvOBxmfkSytNV0Q7xgCbUaqCyTaeQ_sp3NNKZSXsoYRUZCiD4Aby8mcU/s1600/IMAG0144.jpg" height="400" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phil at Breakfast</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFy1AhsbWiuIaYw6yusekSoTTqiigXawkpt48uu5GGj4Vtjx6XMxDi1qI3ur36KSo2X0VGjNmegXrR3SDjmMCDXgArgWmglFrmJz95UI5hvrAi2doXmH6mSzFAk3r14t9Ptf6hLQJcyO0/s1600/IMAG0149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFy1AhsbWiuIaYw6yusekSoTTqiigXawkpt48uu5GGj4Vtjx6XMxDi1qI3ur36KSo2X0VGjNmegXrR3SDjmMCDXgArgWmglFrmJz95UI5hvrAi2doXmH6mSzFAk3r14t9Ptf6hLQJcyO0/s1600/IMAG0149.jpg" height="226" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pearl River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tsEJGHP5vE7p699r34DUkYGsp0tKgxBdH_LOII4yN4Q5a9KVsLrA6KC7iHcLNwGtKmF4Tm2VxbQ3bszK5CX08O35nCYYEsrCBVtAlAp8JE2r0LMTDGN_kgQuos7tqu7lkMof3T02eM0/s1600/IMG_20141018_210547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tsEJGHP5vE7p699r34DUkYGsp0tKgxBdH_LOII4yN4Q5a9KVsLrA6KC7iHcLNwGtKmF4Tm2VxbQ3bszK5CX08O35nCYYEsrCBVtAlAp8JE2r0LMTDGN_kgQuos7tqu7lkMof3T02eM0/s1600/IMG_20141018_210547.jpg" height="226" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shamain Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWITM8VyM77ZiHCN1NAm3Svx6xun4-D_1nWteusbouSz3H5eTyexZylZmczPqH-zqRR5Xc5I4tkYEHdDiVNU3mWTgnKN9gqXBw0J1Y_TMyqUZCq7RUlhFTaQHxyx-yqkRdyg_XU5X2BY/s1600/IMG_20141018_200248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tsEJGHP5vE7p699r34DUkYGsp0tKgxBdH_LOII4yN4Q5a9KVsLrA6KC7iHcLNwGtKmF4Tm2VxbQ3bszK5CX08O35nCYYEsrCBVtAlAp8JE2r0LMTDGN_kgQuos7tqu7lkMof3T02eM0/s1600/IMG_20141018_210547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tsEJGHP5vE7p699r34DUkYGsp0tKgxBdH_LOII4yN4Q5a9KVsLrA6KC7iHcLNwGtKmF4Tm2VxbQ3bszK5CX08O35nCYYEsrCBVtAlAp8JE2r0LMTDGN_kgQuos7tqu7lkMof3T02eM0/s1600/IMG_20141018_210547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tsEJGHP5vE7p699r34DUkYGsp0tKgxBdH_LOII4yN4Q5a9KVsLrA6KC7iHcLNwGtKmF4Tm2VxbQ3bszK5CX08O35nCYYEsrCBVtAlAp8JE2r0LMTDGN_kgQuos7tqu7lkMof3T02eM0/s1600/IMG_20141018_210547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOb147TCe6Ol-DnoH87Are_3g0Mikz6B8MZctOicAjkl0fmt1NZdJR7c49XWqr3QjHJ7yk5Lm3ioRfDJzik1TY6Ve_S0bga-l_tdQB-s4RYxAvpibYe_ljUS5oLldtMW3FxcjLULpoxA/s1600/IMG_20141019_003259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOb147TCe6Ol-DnoH87Are_3g0Mikz6B8MZctOicAjkl0fmt1NZdJR7c49XWqr3QjHJ7yk5Lm3ioRfDJzik1TY6Ve_S0bga-l_tdQB-s4RYxAvpibYe_ljUS5oLldtMW3FxcjLULpoxA/s1600/IMG_20141019_003259.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Street Vendor, notice the picture of a scorpion.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAz36aUlzRwcTuZ56zIFNSOuZdAkL2lERI6Upkudp_wpjLUiWdXDCGiJm0Yk3w5OPFmM0vTfHcBGOy6z-JR6DpDlfZYH6EWQ81kCVrqGSBQoWjfmjNcV5x4CpH8DsD7czjgDz4rqqKPrI/s1600/IMG_20141019_012835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAz36aUlzRwcTuZ56zIFNSOuZdAkL2lERI6Upkudp_wpjLUiWdXDCGiJm0Yk3w5OPFmM0vTfHcBGOy6z-JR6DpDlfZYH6EWQ81kCVrqGSBQoWjfmjNcV5x4CpH8DsD7czjgDz4rqqKPrI/s1600/IMG_20141019_012835.jpg" height="400" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch Day 1. Before</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrHwUVS3vcXphdMUu8kwQXP5PJPCNNbImCOIk85xDqb4qg8Dsl-JryYKZbV1RIyACnD67MXL42egpst5iIF1-672WF9gwPOr872sv8zSJiJpLd5kw3Etg730Y6V3TB2ywwMUKdimKB2g/s1600/IMAG0151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrHwUVS3vcXphdMUu8kwQXP5PJPCNNbImCOIk85xDqb4qg8Dsl-JryYKZbV1RIyACnD67MXL42egpst5iIF1-672WF9gwPOr872sv8zSJiJpLd5kw3Etg730Y6V3TB2ywwMUKdimKB2g/s1600/IMAG0151.jpg" height="226" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch Day 1. After</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWSAsk-QhonrKYhEGzeZuj4T2A3nRo7FKwFOtqeg2tarBOT1TGZPEU-PDEdhVGOJnnXkvN9I5tkffziSJzXARvzPx6hj_OUA0dKpFyrF_tKTCNbPMeApyrWKSQiXfTcMo8pBdQPTj1j8/s1600/IMG_20141019_220243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWSAsk-QhonrKYhEGzeZuj4T2A3nRo7FKwFOtqeg2tarBOT1TGZPEU-PDEdhVGOJnnXkvN9I5tkffziSJzXARvzPx6hj_OUA0dKpFyrF_tKTCNbPMeApyrWKSQiXfTcMo8pBdQPTj1j8/s1600/IMG_20141019_220243.jpg" height="400" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found a grocery store. This is the Ramen Aisle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6xJotJitjoPGtsKyW5ir_oUt6IL_RmxEmtC_PLZ-ELo4zVwzSYog7iY5FbcOC6L2JZhJZqS7OTGT_LQAr7ZHRfYeVFMqadGulyHUDnRhHTXp0wtZdfP75SJxoNV3314_WA2SIzvqi_8/s1600/IMG_20141019_193518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6xJotJitjoPGtsKyW5ir_oUt6IL_RmxEmtC_PLZ-ELo4zVwzSYog7iY5FbcOC6L2JZhJZqS7OTGT_LQAr7ZHRfYeVFMqadGulyHUDnRhHTXp0wtZdfP75SJxoNV3314_WA2SIzvqi_8/s1600/IMG_20141019_193518.jpg" height="226" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast Day 2. Getting more adventurous.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWITM8VyM77ZiHCN1NAm3Svx6xun4-D_1nWteusbouSz3H5eTyexZylZmczPqH-zqRR5Xc5I4tkYEHdDiVNU3mWTgnKN9gqXBw0J1Y_TMyqUZCq7RUlhFTaQHxyx-yqkRdyg_XU5X2BY/s1600/IMG_20141018_200248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWITM8VyM77ZiHCN1NAm3Svx6xun4-D_1nWteusbouSz3H5eTyexZylZmczPqH-zqRR5Xc5I4tkYEHdDiVNU3mWTgnKN9gqXBw0J1Y_TMyqUZCq7RUlhFTaQHxyx-yqkRdyg_XU5X2BY/s1600/IMG_20141018_200248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>Offbrandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13085168317144906383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586103298114874961.post-9488468004665384962014-10-09T08:10:00.000-07:002014-10-09T08:10:12.121-07:00This is actually happening!<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our flights are booked. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have our itinerary. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are leaving to go get our son in ONLY 8 DAYS!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have seen God work in amazing ways over the last few weeks! His provision for our family has been astounding and humbling. Within a few days we went from lacking over $7,000, to being fully funded! Throughout this entire process, God’s provision has been just as it was in Exodus. We have been given our “manna from heaven”- exactly what we need, at the exact time that we need it! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We could never fully express how thankful we are to everyone who has supported us throughout this process; whether that be through gifts, with prayer, guidance, or just a shoulder to lean on!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I created a timeline of all the steps we have completed to get to this point. It was amazing to be able to take a look back and see how quickly all of this has actually taken place, even though it has seemed to take an eternity. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">01/24/14 Pre-Approval </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">03/13/14 Home Study Complete</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">04/28/14 I-800A Approval</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">05/23/14 Dossier to China</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">05/30/14 Dossier Logged-In</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">06/10/14 Out of Translation<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">08/04/14 Dossier Reviewed </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">08/05/14 Dossier Reviewed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">08/07/14 Letter Seeking Confirmation</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">08/28/14 I-800 Approval</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">09/02/14 Article 5 Dropped Off</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">09/18/14 Article 5 Pick-Up</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">09/25/14 Article 5 to CCCWA</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">09/29/14 Travel Notice</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10/06/14 Consulate Appointment Confirmed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10/07/14 Plane Tickets Booked</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10/08/14 Travel Itinerary Finalized</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10/20/14 Gotcha Day!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10/29/14 Consulate Appointment</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">11/01/14 HOME!….and the story continues ;)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want our journey to be encouraging to anyone who may consider providing the gift of a family to an orphaned child. If God is telling you to adopt (and you will know if it is happening) I would encourage you not to delay. If it is in His will, He will provide and equip you with what you need to make it happen! If we had delayed pursuing our son through adoption because we did not have the money, the timeline above would look much different, and Micah may still not have a family. Let that settle for a second… because I don’t even want to consider that possibility.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, don’t mistake my words above to say that adopting our son has, or will be easy, because Phil and I know this far from the truth. Regardless of how trying this process has been thus far, our work as parents really begins the moment our son is placed in our arms. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is going to be a roller coaster, but I could not be more excited to jump in that seat!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next time you see a picture of our son, he will be in our arms!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08509093220829492107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586103298114874961.post-2432156069833462372014-09-23T18:31:00.001-07:002014-09-23T18:38:20.478-07:00Getting Closer<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some really exciting things have happened with fundraising over the last few days!
</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Micah’s concert was this past Saturday. Nearly $1000 was raised at this event! Again, thank you so much to Arbor Village, the Cares Team, the artists, donors and attendees for your generosity!</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On Tuesday, we found out that we were selected to receive a generous grant from the Gift of Adoption organization! This was super exciting and an answer to prayer!</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">we have been offered a matching donation up to $1,000</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">!
</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; text-align: center;">So from</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;">Thursday the 25th at 8AM, through Monday the 29th at 8PM</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">any additional donations to our Reece’s Rainbow family sponsorship page will be matched up to $1K</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">*** </span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">So if you were waiting for an opportunity to double your donation value, this is the time to take advantage!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*To donate</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> just go to </span><a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/76440/sponsorbrangers" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://reecesrainbow.org/76440/sponsorbrangers</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and click the PayPal donate button. In this case, online donations will work best to better track progress toward our match goal.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">I cannot express how thrilled and relieved we are that we are getting nearer to being fully funded! If we are able to achieve the complete matching donation, then any additional funds raised will go toward the higher costs associated with October travel/lodging due to the Chinese Trade Fair. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">We are getting so close to the end, but really need this final push to get us over the finish line! Then all we have to do is get our butts to China and get our son!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our Article 5 document was picked up in China last Thursday, so all we are waiting for now is travel approval (TA). If current trends continue it is possible we could receive TA next week! So far everything is progressing right on schedule.</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08509093220829492107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586103298114874961.post-60750148557673331992014-09-06T17:14:00.002-07:002014-09-06T17:51:33.487-07:00It's getting real!<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think it’s time for an adoption update!
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On September 2nd our Article 5 documents were dropped off at the US Consulate in Guangzhou, China. These documents will be picked up by a courier and sent to the CCCWA on the 18th. We have been told that if current trends continue, we should receive our travel notice about 2 weeks later. Or case manager told us that we should be able to travel 2-3 weeks after we are given travel notice. So we are still on track to travel in October!</span></div>
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The only down side of traveling in October is that it coincides with the China Import and Export Trade Fair, and will likely increase the cost of our airfare and hotel stay. Still, as I have told several people, if China tells us we can go get our boy, you better believe we are going, and will not delay if at all possible. Our son needs his family, and the sooner the better!</span></div>
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So now we just need to get this thing fully funded!
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Our next fundraiser is coming up on September 20th at 7pm! </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is a <a href="https://www.concertwindow.com/shows/8590-bring-micah-home" target="_blank">LIVE WEBCAST CONCERT </a>played by local artists. If you would like to tune in to support our adoption, just follow the link to the Concert Window page, then purchase a ticket with the donation of your choice. At the time of the concert you just log in and enjoy some great music for a good cause. We will receive 70% of proceeds as the artists are donating their time and talent to help bring Micah home (the 30% is for web hosting).
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Link: </span><a href="https://www.concertwindow.com/shows/8590-bring-micah-home" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.concertwindow.com/shows/8590-bring-micah-home</a><u><br /></u><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>
</u>This event is courtesy of Josh and Melissa Gale, the amazing Cares Team at </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/arborvillagesummerville" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">Arbor Village Apartments</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">, where Phil works as a leasing specialist. They are throwing the live fundraiser concert event at Arbor Village for all the residents, which will also be webcast on Concert Window so the rest of us can tune-in online! Thank you Josh, Melissa and the staff and residents of Arbor Village for thinking of us!
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Recently I have been asked how people can make donations for Micah in which 100% of the gift will go toward his adoption. We have a couple of ways to make that happen.
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Micah has a family sponsorship page through </span><a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/76440/sponsorbrangers" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">Reece’s Rainbow</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (a special needs adoption advocacy organization) where they accept donations toward a grant that we will receive prior to travel. To make the most of the gift and avoid a 3% processing fee, they ask that you consider sending a check (just send a note along with it to specify it is for Micah/The Brangers Family). Any gift given through Reece’s Rainbow is tax deductible.
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Link: </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/76440/sponsorbrangers" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.15; text-decoration: none;">http://reecesrainbow.org/76440/sponsorbrangers</a><u>
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</u>We are also able to accept donations via Paypal if needed. Please contact us if you need details. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">And, please know that I am providing this information only because I have been asked by several people and want to make it readily available.</span></div>
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I am so thankful for the support we continue to receive on this adoption journey! We could not do this alone, and are so grateful for our friends, family, and even strangers who have supported us with kind words, prayer, and donations. I have been stretched and my faith has been strengthened.
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I can’t tell you how ready I am to get our boy home! I know life will never be the same:)</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08509093220829492107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586103298114874961.post-52644922153863054112014-08-16T14:06:00.001-07:002014-08-16T14:12:50.980-07:00The Fundraising Home Stretch Begins<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to take a moment to again thank everyone who participated in our Thirty-One Fundraiser! We raised enough money to cover the expenses to apply for our Chinese entry visas, which is the next fee we expect. Every bit helps and it continues to come just as we need it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we continue to quickly approach travel time in October, we still have a long way to go on the fundraising front. Our travel expenses will be due in a lump sum at our agency before we go get Micah. So to cover those costs and avoid delays, we need about $9,000 more in 7-9 weeks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our next fundraiser begins TODAY and is yet another fabulous way to shop for a cause! Trisha Flagler, a friend and Mary Kay consultant has offered to donate 40% of her sales from NOW UNTIL AUGUST 31st to our adoption! Any orders placed at <a href="http://www.marykay.com/triciaflagler" target="_blank">Trisha's website</a> with “<i>Micah</i>” or “<i>Brangers Adoption</i>” placed in the comments box will be applied to the fundraiser!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.marykay.com/triciaflagler/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMt4eJANMARNmuncQA1gjBWG6hg6m6dCEPLwf6ozl-mjU-7DS2oRnQgq7HrAp6NPynKJdDMbcVFM8YH8squ_hqPV5njIBXZBe3UtynrRbHdjZMcL4KVoy4pPUc4ujgS3CLbVpUgz4huHE/s1600/MK+Brangers+Adoption+Fundraiser.jpg" height="320" width="264" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I actually attended one of Trisha’s in-person events with my friend Cassie this past Tuesday evening for a little pampering and to learn about Mary Kay’s new products! It had been a very long time since I had tried Mary Kay. I remember tagging along with my mom to a party as a teenager and thinking that these products seemed a little outdated. I saw a clientele of older women wearing a lot of make-up. Well, I can tell you that my experience with Trisha was an enlightening one. I learned that the Mary Kay company has done a lot in recent years to revamp their product line, and has invested in research and technology to make more innovative products. They have a line of skincare products to repair and protect your skin, as well as make-up for every-day wear and date nights out! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My favorite products of the evening were their <a href="http://www.marykay.com/triciaflagler/en-US/Skin-Care/Satin-Lips-Set/180301.partId?eCatId=10026" target="_blank">Satin Lips Lip Mask and Lip Balm</a>. I am not really a lipstick girl. I was given full lips and fair skin and always felt a bit risque when wearing bright lip color. But by not really paying any attention to my lips, now they are constantly dry, hard and cracking or peeling. I think the best example is what my husband calls “crusty morning kisses.” Gross right?! (I try to avoid these crusty kisses but he sweetly insists) But I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. I have tried treating my dry lips with all types of balms and chap-sticks, but still have the same problem. Then, one of the consultants told us that your lips are the only area of skin on your face that doesn’t naturally shed dead skin cells (explains the crusty morning kisses hugh). So Mary Kay has a solution. Their Lip Mask is a lip exfoliant that gets rid of all that dead skin, and then their Lip Balm moisturizes your lips up to 6 hours. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, even if you are skeptical about Mary Kay products, give them a try again! You might be surprised! Trisha is such a sweet person and would love you to bring a friend and meet her to sample some products. It is a win/win situation. Not only do you get a little pampering, but any purchases through the end of August go to help bring Micah home! </span><br />
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</i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Some details about the fundraiser:</i> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Be sure to enter “Micah” or “Brangers’ Adoption” in the comment line so that it will apply to the fundraiser.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For any orders over $50, Trisha will throw in a free gift!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you live outside the Charleston area, there is a $5.75 shipping fee.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trisha is available on Tuesday evenings and on Saturdays for in-person consultations. Contact her from <a href="http://www.marykay.com/triciaflagler/" target="_blank">her web page</a> by clicking "send me a message" if you would like to set up an appointment with her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you already have a Mary Kay consultant but would still like to support our fundraiser, just let Trisha know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you everyone for your continued support, and keep praying for our fundraising efforts!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08509093220829492107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586103298114874961.post-25355937578526807462014-08-11T17:52:00.000-07:002014-08-11T18:04:38.290-07:00It's Picture Time!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The LOA wait is over! On Thursday the 7th we received our Letter Seeking Confirmation (LSC or LOA) from China. This was such exciting news, because officially (paperwork and all) China has approved Phil and I to adopt Micah!!! The letter is just for us to confirm that we still want to. Well, that letter was signed and sent back to our agency within 30 minutes of receiving it.:) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because China has now approved us to adopt Micah, I can FINALLY publicly show everyone how stinkin’ adorable he is!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can hardly stand it! I just can't wait to hold this little guy in my arms!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know what you are thinking. So what happens next and how long will it take? As I understand it, these are the remaining steps:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>I-800: 3-4 weeks</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Thursday afternoon, our case worker received our signed LSC and sent this along with our previously completed I-800 application, to the U.S. immigration office (USCIS). Two to three weeks after they receive our application, it will be approved and forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC), who will in-turn send the approval to the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou, China. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Article 5: 10 days</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we receive the letter from the NVC stating this has taken place, we will complete Micah’s online “Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application” and send the confirmation form to our agency. At that point the agency will send our NVC letter and visa application confirmation form to the US Consulate. After they review these documents (taking approx.10 days) they will issue our Article 5 Letter and agency letter seeking confirmation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Final Travel Notice: 2-4 weeks</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When the Article 5 and agency LSC documents are ready, a representative from our agency will pick them up and express mail them to the China Center for Children’s Welfare and Adoption (CCCWA) in Beijing. Then the CCCWA will issue our Final Notice of Traveling to China for Adoption!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Travel To China: 2-3 weeks later</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After we get our travel notice it will finally be time to buy plane tickets and receive our travel itinerary.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This all means that we will, barring any unforeseen delays, travel in October TO GO GET OUR SON!!! I don’t think I can express how excited I am! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This also means that we only have 9-12 weeks to raise $9,500 more for travel costs! (Eeek!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>Fundraising: </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our Thirty-One Fundraiser that ENDS TOMORROW. So if you are planning to purchase an item please get those orders in ASAP! See the Facebook event for details or check out </span><span style="color: #0000ee; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><a href="https://www.mythirtyone.com/shop/catalog.aspx">https://www.mythirtyone.com/shop/catalog.aspx</a></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you Amanda Pruitt for generously offering to help us bring Micah home!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have applied for several more grants and are waiting for those to be processed. We are also still planning a live auction event though we have hit some bumps in the road while attempting to find a venue. We may have to scale it down a bit, but it will happen!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Micah’s family sponsorship grant with Reece’s Rainbow will remain open for donations until we travel. These donations are tax deductible.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you feel lead to help fund our adoption we will be forever grateful! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please be praying that our adoption continues to move smoothly. Also pray that our fundraisers are a success, and that God continues to work in those around us to make a way to overcome the financial barriers associated with our adoption!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08509093220829492107noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586103298114874961.post-92081479871677041202014-08-05T16:13:00.000-07:002014-08-05T16:13:03.221-07:00Match Reviewed!<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Quick update: Today we found out that our dossier is MATCH REVIEWED! This is exciting news because it means that China has approved us to adopt Micah and the official document (LOA) is in the mail! Our case manager at our agency said that we are still on target for travel in October to get our son! I am over the moon about this news!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fundraising Update: With all this progress our fundraising situation is becoming a bit more urgent. We still need about $9,500 in order for our adoption to be fully funded. The remaining funds will cover our travel expenses and orphanage "donation." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My friend Amanda Pruitt, physical therapy school classmate, and Thirty-One Consultant is throwing us a week-long online party fundraiser through Tuesday, August 12th. She is generously donating her commission to help fund our adoption! This is a private Facebook event, so if you have not already been invited and would like to be, please leave a comment. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep those prayers coming! We have a lot of funds left to raise and not much time to do it.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08509093220829492107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586103298114874961.post-79768013852542254932014-07-27T14:37:00.002-07:002014-07-27T18:06:35.008-07:00LOA Wait Day 58<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until July rolled around I think I had been pretty chill about this whole adoption process. I was actually becoming a little concerned because I wasn’t responding with the same level of worry and emotion as the other adoptive moms in the plethora of new China adoption Facebook groups I have joined.
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It doesn't particularly help that another waiting mom/online friend (and former financial analyst) has shared an incredibly detailed spreadsheet of everyone’s time lines in an attempt to predict when coveted milestones will occur. For instance, I know that it has been 58 days since our dossier was logged in, and that the shortest wait to have a dossier reviewed is 59 days. I know that on average, 4 days after it is reviewed, the match between child and family is reviewed. Then per current trends, about a week later it’s official! You receive your confirmation that the adoption is actually happening, in the form of a document called the letter of approval (LOA)! FYI: That is when we can share pictures publicly!
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Don’t get me wrong, this is valuable information to have. I’m sure other adoptive families can relate to wanting to somehow determine when the ever anticipated gotcha day will arrive! But it is also MAKING ME CRAZY! Even with all this counting and predicting, there are certainly no hard and fast rules. Anything can happen, and you never know how long it will take.
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Needless to say it been a pretty rough few weeks! I’m starting to become so weary of waiting to meet my son and bring him home. I’ll just say that Jesus is getting a little extra weight on his shoulders lately. It’s on Him that I cast my burdens, knowing that it WILL happen in God’s timing, in His way!
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Fortunately, I was also given a gift a few weeks ago, in the form of a long video of Micah sent with an update from China. I can’t tell you how relieved and happy I was to see a smile on his adorable little face! He seems to enjoy playing with toys very much, and is quite pleased with himself when he completes a goal. I was also incredibly thankful to hear that he receives 40 minutes of rehab each day in the orphanage. I imagine that the nannies wanted to show off his accomplishments, as they were sure to include moments of my boy standing against a wall and taking a couple side steps toward his weak side.
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With all of this good news, also came a bit of concerning information. Micah has a very sensitive stomach, and has some GI distress if he is not fed a very specific diet. Who knows what the cause of this is. Hopefully it is a minor problem, but it will definitely need to be addressed as soon as we get him home. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">The positive in this situation, is that it does shed some light on why Micah is so very small for his age. After converting all his recent measurements I have determined that he is the size of an 18 month old (less than half his actual age).
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Over the last few weeks I have been fighting the hard fight to distract myself. I have painted Micah’s room and have been hitting up yard sales for toy storage options. Now that we know Micah’s size we have also been able to get a car seat. Thank you so much Laura and Brandon Priest for this gift; and to Cassie Sartin for giving me the safe car-seat thumbs up! We also got a crib, which Phil so expertly put together (Babies R Us- yay for sales!). I am probably most excited about the crib quilt I made for Micah, and actually finished just this afternoon. I was so happy with how well the fabric matches his room! What do you think?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67iol6PSmFIPGuHqqDhBu3_MHI_KdA3FFWNUuqYqvjizlU-1ZWLSvR7i1D1yPkVa6y4SV3ix8WDQxi_KmI2x9Um-5AjpTkKsr4ksl-yQQo89uHhkK8-nADo-rBm0oHwwEkJ50huMcxTs/s1600/Quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67iol6PSmFIPGuHqqDhBu3_MHI_KdA3FFWNUuqYqvjizlU-1ZWLSvR7i1D1yPkVa6y4SV3ix8WDQxi_KmI2x9Um-5AjpTkKsr4ksl-yQQo89uHhkK8-nADo-rBm0oHwwEkJ50huMcxTs/s1600/Quilt.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">On the fundraising front, we just got a much needed boost from a yard sale that my family in Kentucky had. Again, thank you again to all who donated and made it possible! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even with their generous gifts, we are very far from being fully funded. We still need just over $10,000 to pay for all of our travel costs and mandatory orphanage donation. A live auction fundraiser event is still in the planning stages. So please pray for sponsors and donors, because it won’t happen without them!
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As we get closer and closer to the finish line (3 months), that dollar amount makes me pretty nervous (as my husband can attest). Again, I know in my heart that it will happen. To this point we have been provided with funds as we need them, and not a minute sooner. I have to expect that this will continue to happen, regardless of what my planner’s brain may tell me. My God is continually challenging me to not box Him in. He’s got this! While we wait, we ask that you continue to pray us and our boy.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08509093220829492107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586103298114874961.post-37127550795407151982014-06-10T18:52:00.001-07:002014-07-27T14:43:15.468-07:00Things are happening y'all!<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, this stickler for grammar, finally gave in to South Carolina ways and said “y’all.” Things are definitely happening, and happening quickly with our adoption! It is getting real, and we are having trouble containing our excitement!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our dossier was sent to China (DTC) on 5/23! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our dossier was received and “logged in” (LID) a week later on 5/30!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were told it could be 2 weeks to 3 months to have our dossier translated but…</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our dossier is out of translation (OOT) TODAY!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ashley, our poor case manager at WACAP, must be done trying to predict time frames for us, because things are consistently processing faster than her shortest projections:) </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m pretty sure what your next question is. When do we travel to China to get Micah?</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That is the million dollar question. Ashley’s CONSERVATIVE estimate is 4 months!!! You can guess what that could mean. Our hope is that, Lord willing, we will travel in late September or early October!!! Is that not just crazy?! We started the adoption process this January! I can’t tell you how ridiculously excited we are!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With all this excitement however, there is also some trepidation. As you might expect, this pertains to fundraising. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let me stress that thus far God has completely provided for us financially each step of the way as we need it. We have seen Him move and been astounded by His faithfulness! We know in our hearts that God will continue to provide! But for this to happen, He will be moving in the lives of those around us! We need help from His body and our village to make this happen! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We need an additional estimated</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">$14,000 to bring our son home</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">! Because things have been happening SO FAST we hope to have that “in the bank”</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in 3 months</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">! So this is crunch time guys!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m not going to lie, but our initial reaction to this information was a bit of panic. After it set in a little, we know that of course this can and will happen.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If 14 people make donations of $1,000, we are fully funded! Just fourteen!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If 140 people gift or donate just $100 for Micah, we are fully funded!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We don’t expect that all of this will have to come from individual donations. We have been blessed by Phil’s new job, and the sales skills he has been gifted with, that make him a rock star leasing specialist! One of our good friends, the amazing and generous Anna Johnson, is donating a portion of her photography sales from a series of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Photography-by-Anna-Bowick/210205919003038" target="_blank">mini-sessions</a> to bring Micah home! Also, one of Phil’s co-workers is working on throwing us a fancy art auction. More on that to come:)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Believe me when I say, we IN NO WAY think we are entitled to ask others for financial support. At the same time very respectfully, </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">we do need help</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">! And the time to help is upon us!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The best place we can direct people to make donations is via our Reece’s Rainbow family sponsorship page: </span><a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/76440/sponsorbrangers" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://reecesrainbow.org/76440/sponsorbrangers</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These funds will be made available to us at the time of travel.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I cannot express how thankful I am for our friends and family who have already helped support us with your time and finances! It brings tears when I think about what a blessing your sacrifice has been to us! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the mean time, if anyone has some 2T to 4T size hand-me downs, talk to me. :) </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cause this is getting real y’all (insert little girl squeal here)!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P.S. I apologize for the excessive use of exclamation points. :)</span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08509093220829492107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586103298114874961.post-74568389694369829082014-04-30T17:02:00.003-07:002015-09-21T11:09:36.656-07:00Moving Along<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our adoption process seems to be progressing well with only a few minor hiccups. Our agency currently has all of the documents necessary for our dossier authenticated, and our immigration application is processing. We have several new fundraising opportunities under way and in planning (more on that below).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Phil is starting his new full time job as a leasing specialist next Monday! While this is a blessing because it will be beneficial financially, and allow Phil a regular schedule and more time with Micah when he arrives, it will require us to update some our home study/dossier paperwork. This should just require a couple of simple documents, but please pray that the authentication process goes quickly so that we will have them ready when our immigration application is accepted. This would prevent delays and allow us to send our dossier </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">when we anticipated.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A very generous co-worker of mine recently gave us a big box of clothes, puzzles and toys for Micah. It may sound strange, but this was really exciting for me! Though we feel emotionally prepared for Micah’s arrival and all it entails, holding those little shirts in my hands just made things very real and tangible. With adoption there is no baby bump; no kicks from the inside to feel. Though I’m sure I have many of the emotions of an expectant mother, my boy is on the other side of the globe. All of this to say that I sometimes feel very disconnected from it all, and question, “Is this really happening?” So I really cherish the moments when I feel that connection with him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our current fundraiser is being sponsored by </span><a href="http://owlsfororphans.com/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Owls for Orphans</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and the amazing Amy Moss! Thanks to her generosity, we will be receiving 25% of every sale of her adorable handmade gifts and collectibles through </span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MAY 10th</b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! She has some absolutely adorable handmade stuffed animals for kiddos! She has ready to ship items or can custom make them. But, if you don’t have small children, or are just trying to have less stuff, you can purchase a stuffed animal owl to send with us to when we travel to bless another orphaned child! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See <a href="http://owlsfororphans.com/blog/" target="_blank">Amy’s blog</a> and the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/owlsfororphans" target="_blank">Owls for Orphans Boutique</a>, and please TELL YOUR FRIENDS! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More exciting news! Today we officially became a part of the <a href="http://reecesrainbow.com/" target="_blank">Reece’s Rainbow</a> family, and our <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/76440/sponsorbrangers" target="_blank">family sponsorship page</a> is live! As a bonus it includes a baby pic of Micah! </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just in case anyone is confused, Micah's name was listed as "Hugh" on Reece's Rainbow when we found him. But as you know from a <a href="http://pbj-family.blogspot.com/2014/02/whats-in-name.html" target="_blank">previous post</a>, Hugh is not his Chinese name.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have had several friends tell us that they would like to contribute to our adoption but don’t want to purchase anything. Well, Reece’s Rainbow is the perfect way to do that! This organization is amazing and serve to advocate for orphans with special needs, and raise funds for adoption grants.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Link: <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/76440/sponsorbrangers">http://reecesrainbow.org/76440/sponsorbrangers</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Please note that paypal contributions are charged a 0.3% processing fee. However, if you send a check to RR, 100% of that donation will go to Micah.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Up next will be our joint yard sale with the </span><a href="http://www.bendingbeneathmercy.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Sharp family</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> who are also fundraising for their adoption. Please pencil it in for </span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday</b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, </span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">May 31st</b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! We will need donations of clothes, furniture, housewares, toys, etc., etc., and of course SHOPPERS! Please be in prayer for this and consider donating or purchasing items to bring Micah and Everly home from China. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> And again, SPREAD THE WORD!</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08509093220829492107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586103298114874961.post-63320407103435716572014-03-18T18:18:00.000-07:002014-03-18T18:18:25.379-07:00Hurry up and...<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So when it comes to the adoption process, it is definitely a game of hurry up and wait. There are many short periods of filling out and gathering paperwork, separated by longer lulls in activity; waiting for processing time, agencies, and governments. These “breaks” do allow some time for fundraising, but sometimes I can’t push away thoughts of missing time with Micah. Every day he is in that orphanage is a day that I will never get back. These are days when milestones could be happening. They are days that he goes without the love and nurturing only parents can provide. Sometimes the feeling of loss is so extremely overwhelming. Other times there is guilt and thinking “why did we wait so long?” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Prayer, scripture and friends are what help me wade through all of this. It is such a blessing to have others who have been, or are going through this process to support us! Their perspective helps me remember that, yes, families really do make it through this process, which is truly only the beginning of some beautiful stories. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now that our home study was just finalized, we are entering the next phase of scrambling to gather all of the paperwork for our dossier to China. (Oh, how very sick I am of having documents notarized!) A completed home study also means we can begin applying for grants!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So with all this paperwork, more upcoming fundraisers, and a crazy busy schedule at work, at least I may be distracted too much to dwell on negative things. And as a bonus I’ll probably drop a couple pounds of winter weight, because I tend to forget to eat when I’m really busy. Hey thats better for the budget anyway right?! ;) (But really, no worries everyone, the Brangers intend to remain well nourished. We have more than just ourselves to think about now you know!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Upcoming fundraisers to participate in/ be in prayer for:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Noonday Party (Thank you Erin Brangers and Kat Deal!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Joint Spring Yard Sale with the Sharps (teaming together for Micah and Everly)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am still selling items at my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/PBJFamilyCrafts?ref=search_shop_redirect" target="_blank">Etsy Shop: PB&J Family Crafts</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please let me know if you have a particular request. I can always fulfill orders in person as well!</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08509093220829492107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586103298114874961.post-625101281231654092014-02-16T18:28:00.003-08:002014-02-16T18:35:16.902-08:00He's a fighter!<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A couple of weeks ago we requested an update on Micah, and were able to ask some of our burning questions! Our case manager at WACAP called me on Monday with some news. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our update says Micah is growing well but only weighs 19 lbs. (I can’t tell you how bad that makes me want to get him home and feed him until his eyes pop out!) He has a good daily routine, and his favorite toys are balls and action figures. Boys will be boys. But the most exciting news is that Micah can stand! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That’s right I said OUR BOY CAN STAND!!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Not only that, but he can stay standing for 5 minutes as long he is holding onto something stable! His medical record no longer lists “left leg paralysis,” but says his left leg is very weak while his right leg is strong!<br /><br />As you can imagine Phil and I are super excited about this news! This has very positive implications for his mobility. Regardless of his mobility status when we bring him home, we will love the stuffing out of him, but I can’t tell you how proud I am of my boy for learning to stand! He is a little fighter and I know he is going to accomplish some great things!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In other news, our last home study visit is scheduled for Saturday. Now while this good news, it also means that payments for more fees are due very soon. I would be lying if I said that Phil and I aren’t stressed about this, because frankly those funds just aren’t there yet. While we know that God will provide a way I have mixed emotions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Many times now I have had the thought, “From the outside, we must look like completely irresponsible, unprepared, idiots,” because we have started this process knowing we absolutely cannot pay all of these adoption fees on our own.<br /><br />But, then I remind myself that God has set us on this path, at this particular time, for a specific reason, and that he is bigger than my reality. My God is so much bigger than the tiny box I so often put Him in. And in the moment when I was at the lowest point that I have been so far on this journey I was directed toward some amazing scripture and Godly encouragement:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10</i><br /><br />And if that wasn't enough:<br /><br /><i>“I call you today to stop defining and limiting your future in terms of your past and start defining it in terms of your God.” -John Piper</i><br /><br />I have no doubt that this process will be more challenging to my faith than anything I have ever experienced. But I also know God is going to use this opportunity to bring me in close and lay my burdens on Him. <br /><br />Now don’t think for a second that this means we think we can sit back while God does all the work. We know we have to bust our butts to help make this happen. There hasn’t been a day in the last 2 weeks that I have not touched my sewing machine, and Phil is continuously working on new fundraisers. But we also can’t do it on our own and need so much help to bring our boy home.<br /><br /><i>Current Fundraisers:</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Etsy Shop: </span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/PBJFamilyCrafts" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PB&J Family Crafts</a><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our New T-shirt Fundraiser at </span><a href="http://www.booster.com/brangersadoption" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Booster.com</a><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08509093220829492107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586103298114874961.post-88957625664270743142014-02-05T18:34:00.000-08:002014-02-05T18:36:45.139-08:00A Piece of His Story<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“I promise that for every disability that you have, you are blessed with more than enough abilities to overcome your challenges.”</i> -Nick Vujicic, <i>Life Without Limits</i><br /><br />When Phil and I made the decision to adopt we felt led to pursue a child with physical special needs. I, as physical therapist, want to use the skills and gifts I have been given to care for a child who might not otherwise be adopted. At the same time, God had also touched Phil’s heart, and he knew that orphans with special needs were just as deserving of parents as any child.<br /><br />This led us to <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/">Reece’s Rainbow</a> (RR), an organization that advocates and finds families for orphans with special needs from all over the world. The great people there helped Phil’s sister and brother-in-law adopt our amazing nephew Artem from Ukraine. <br /><br />When we found Micah and decided to pursue him, Stacia at RR tracked down the adoption agency who had his file and facilitated our first contact with them. Soon RR will be setting up a sponsorship page for us, to allow us to accept donations toward Micah’s adoption fees (more on that later). We are so very grateful for what RR is doing for Micah, our family and for orphaned children around the world. <br /><br />Considering how to approach publicly discussing Micah’s special needs has been so difficult. In all reality this has nothing to do with anyone else and everything to do with him. First and foremost I want him to know that he was created in the image of God! He has been beautifully and wonderfully made by his heavenly Father who loves him so very much. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that our God has amazing things planned for him! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also want Micah to know that I will love him, just the way he is, always, and no matter what! I want to tell everyone all about him, but at the same time I want to protect him. This is where I am hesitant, because it is his story after all, and he has the right to keep it his. So you can see how this kind of thing could be agonizing for his momma to be.<br /><br />Still, our son’s differences will be very visible, they will be public, and affect the way he lives daily. But if we have anything to do with it, he will know that these differences do not have to be limitations. He will be able to achieve whatever purposes that God has planned for him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">According to the information we have received, Micah has spinal abnormalities and paralysis of his left leg. He is crawling, and getting around quite nicely in his unique way. We are unsure what his mobility will look like as he grows and develops, but we are prepared for the possibility that he may never walk. He may be able to take some steps and there may eventually be technologies that allow his left leg to move, but it is likely that he will need to use a wheelchair for mobility for some period of time. <br /><br />Regardless of the challenges he may face, we love him the same, and are so very excited at the prospect of being his parents!<br /><br /><i>Fundraising:</i> We are currently completing requirements to set up Micah’s RR sponsorship page, and waiting for the completion of our home study in order to apply for grants. In the mean time, I hope you will visit my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/PBJFamilyCrafts" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a> and consider purchasing an item to help with Micah’s current adoption expenses. I will be adding more items as fast as I can make them! Also, stay tuned for other opportunities to help bring Micah home. We will be starting a new fundraiser later this week!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08509093220829492107noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586103298114874961.post-43411524689484235342014-02-01T18:30:00.001-08:002014-02-01T19:08:12.294-08:00What's in a name?<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8</i></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When considering names for our boy, Phil and I wanted to be sure to honor his beautiful heritage. We feel his name is the first way we can celebrate who he is and where his life began.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <br />He was given his Chinese name when he entered the orphanage. We don’t know who chose his name, or what led this person to choose it. But we do know that it is his. It is one of the few things he has been able to call his own. It is the name he finds his identity in, recognizes, and answers to. We felt we should honor this by keeping at least a part of his Chinese name.<br /><br /> While we want to celebrate our boy’s Chinese heritage, he is also part of another legacy; one of redemption! It began when God allowed the adoption of man through Christ. It has continued with our grandparents, our parents, and then us. Our deepest desire is that this legacy will continue with our son. I pray daily for his salvation; that he will love God and love people, and walk with Him daily.<br /> <br />Our son’s name, <i>Micah Ting He Brangers</i>, reflects his origin, and the continuation of a legacy that began with Christ.<br /><br /><i>Adoption Update:</i> Home study visits 1-3 are in the bag! Now on to more paperwork that requires A LOT of notarizing:)<br /> <br /><i>Fundraising:</i> My Etsy shop OPENS TODAY!!! So pop on over and take a look at my handmade accessories. I will be adding items as they are made, so keep checking back in.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Link:</span> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/PBJFamilyCrafts" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">PBJ Family Crafts</a><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><i>Up Next:</i> In a recent Offbrand Media blog post Phil mentioned that most children adopted from China have special needs. In my next post I will discuss that part of Micah’s story.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08509093220829492107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586103298114874961.post-76058594089596445132014-01-29T17:08:00.000-08:002014-02-01T18:46:21.498-08:00New Territory<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blogging. Wow, it’s been a long time. And by that I mean, back in college, when Xanga was the place to be. About a year ago I popped over to see if that old blog was still there, and of course it was. Because nothing on the internet ever truly disappears. I was really amazed at how entertaining it was. Some posts were funny, others thought provoking, and most were generally pretty interesting. I took an enjoyable glimpse at the past, including a chronicle of the beginning of my relationship with the amazing guy who is now my husband. Then life got busy and things seemed to speed up. I went to grad school, married that guy, got a job and moved from my childhood home of Kentucky to sunny Summerville, SC. We have been here just over 4 years now, in two different apartments and now in our first home. Until very recently our little family has included just the two of us and our two super cute pups. And this brings us to the reason for my return to blogging…<br /><br />The Brangers (the SC Brangers that is) are adopting!! Last Friday we received pre-approval, and my husband Phil had the privilege of announcing that he is going to be a dad over at <a href="http://www.offbrandmedia.com/">http://www.offbrandmedia.com/</a>. So yes, this is happening! We are adopting our own adorable, perfect son, who just happens to have been born in China. To be a bit more specific, he currently lives in an orphanage in Southeastern China, and to our knowledge, has been there for the majority of his short life. Our boy just had his third birthday, half a world away. I pray that a caregiver told him, and maybe had a brief celebration, but we don’t know. I want to know that he is warm, well fed, and that someone will give him a bit of nurturing attention today. And that’s the thing. For the few bits of information we do know, there are so many more unknowns. Of course I have questions, SO many questions, many of which will never be answered. Still, I have to remember I will have a lifetime to get to know him; to love and nurture him. We will celebrate. There will be joy and tears. I look forward to all the new things we will experience together. There will be growth and milestones, as well as many tough days and challenges. <br /><br />We are just thrilled! We are happy that the process seems to be moving along quickly so far. We begin our home study in 2 days (eek!), and the frenzy to gather paperwork will continue. Then we need to begin fundraising. This rare (a.k.a first ever) snow day from work has been a blessing as it has allowed me to get busy on my sewing machine and create some items for our Etsy shop (Coming soon!).<br /><br />Keep us in your prayers. If this all seems overwhelming, well, that’s because it is a little. Stay tuned for my next post: “What’s in a Name?”</span><b id="docs-internal-guid-52b8e2b4-e0ac-ed84-88c3-8734e264dc5c" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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