Unexpected Blessing

Today we got a check in the mail.

A check from a person who has asked us to not reveal his identity.

And for $5,000 we are more than willing to accomodate that request.

For reals.  We got a check for $5,000 today.  So, so thankful.  Our gap now to have before travel (again likely May) is $5,000 - he literally cut our gap in half.  That $5,000 seems like such a doable goal now!

We'll have another fundraising garage sale, and we still have all our online fundraisers.  Harry is hoping to get another web design client for February and I continue to make a little extra every month with my website.

Please keep our little fundraisers in mind and also of course please keep our little girl and the entire process in your thoughts and prayers. 

Kate

big week ahead!

This week is gonna be awesome! *God willing*

We live for checking things off the list.

We should have 'packet 1' all freshly apostilled and back in our hands to Fed Ex to a far away land by Tuesday - hopefully in the far away land before the end of the week!  (those who have been thru the process know how much goes into this packet and what a HUGE weight is lifted to have it done!)

Friday we have our LAST homestudy visit - that's right - the last one!!  *homestudy should be complete one week after that as well as packet 2*

We also celebrate our 9 year anniversary on February 2nd! *we would like to thank Groupon for sponsoring our nearly free date night when we really can't be spending any dinero but really think it is important to celebrate*

We'll keep you posted - please pray everything goes as expected (or even a little faster =))

Etsy store - finally!

Quick link - here is our Etsy Store!

Click Here!

thanks for checking it out & I hope you'll share =)

Kate

Web design for Claire? And a couple other fundraisers...

Still not much to report - last week we had quite a bit of running around to do - there is SOOO much you need to do when you are requesting to let a little one join your family. They need everything from notarized doctor's notes, to multiple personal referrals, to a signed letter from the bank saying we are up to date on our mortgage, and of course everyone's birth certs, marriage certs, and on and on....anyway - we pretty much got that all done and our first set (of many) papers are likely on a plane on it's way to a little country in Eastern Europe officially requesting to adopt a specific little lady. *sigh*

So anyway, right now it is just paperwork going back and forth. Details that are likely not that interesting to those reading this.

So right now we are just trying to get travel paid for! Our goal has always been to complete our adoption without debt - we didn't start the process until we had our upfront fees and a little extra - that being said we still have quite a bit left to raise (seriously - a lot - like $10,000)

We have LOTS of little fundraisers in the works -

We hoped our $5 downloadable coloring book media blast would have made a bit more....we only sold 14 so far, which we are thankful for, but we were hoping for more - it will be ongoing and I hope you will check it out! ALL of the $5 goes towards our adoption!

We've also got a BOAT LOAD of little girls hair pretties & crocheted hats with sweet little bows & flower clips for sale - $6 - $12 - if you need a little girl gift please contact me! (see previous post)

Check out our Just Love Coffee Store - $5 of every sale goes towards our adoption!

Check out our Cafe Press and Zazzle Stores - if you need an adoption gift please buy from our store!!

My facebook friend (and fellow adoptive mommy) Kris is donating proceeds from her Discovery Toys sale to our adoption fund.

If you are a local & enjoy Kidsville Playtown - they are offering a $1 off coupon AND for every one redeemed they are donating $1 to our adoption fund too! CLICK HERE

My website makes a little money - San Diego Deals and Steals might save you some money - it won't cost you anything - also several of the ads I make a small amount of $$ if someone signs up! I would really appreciate you checking it out or even subscribing =)

Of course you can always make a 100% tax deductible donation via REECE'S RAINBOW - if you've ever thought 'wow I think adoption is cool and such a good idea but it isn't something I really want to do' - this is a small & maybe easy way you can help bring an orphan home and we would truly appreciate it!

We will also be having another 'adoption fund' garage sale, selling on craigslist, and ebay. (yes we would love donations from locals for our adoption fund garage sales - contact me!)

Harry also (as many of you know) is a web and graphic designer. He pointed out that if he could get one more 'average' client a month between now and when we travel (likely May & then again in June) we would be very close to meeting our fundraising goal! I really hope you will check out his site, if you ever need web or graphic design we'd love for you to consider him and refer him!

My apologies for the constant sales pitch - it is humbling to be in a place where we can't simply write a check for the full amount. We aren't asking for anyone to do/buy/donate anything they aren't comfortable with - but just keep us in mind - many of our items are things many of you might be purchasing in the future anyway - I hope you'll consider!  Please know every time we have recieved money of any kind/amount we are so thankful!

Thanks for reading & considering!

We'll keep ya posted!
Kate

Here is a video of our son's adoption

Hair Pretties for Miss Claire ~ a fundraiser!

So last holiday season we bought and made LOTS of hair accessories (bows and flowers) for little girls - we also have very cute hats and headbands that you can clip the bows and flowers on.  I had a booth at a couple craft fairs and sold quite a few - which was great!

Problem - we still have well over 100 left!! We have to sell these and if you are interested in several we can make a deal!

Here are just a few pictures to give you an idea

headbands with the bow/flower of your choice is $6

crocheted hat with the bow/flower of your choice is $12

Don't see the color you are looking for? NO WORRIES! Email me at sandiegodealsandsteals@gmail.com and tell me what - chances are we have something!

Here are a couple pics....

if you live far away and need them mailed we will charge just $1 for each two items shipped (ie - if you are kind enough to buy 6 it will be only $3 to ship!) - IF YOU BUY 10 items or more we will pay all the shipping costs! (Seriously - we just REALLY need these sold!)

I see very similar items being sold at boutiques and department stores for double the price! I hope you will consider our inventory first!

Thanks!!
Kate

2nd homestudy visit done!

This is all we have to report

Second Homestudy visit done - check!

One more to go!

Kate