We Are Blessed

I first saw Kellin's picture and profile on Reece's Rainbow on April 14th.  Three days later we were able to view his file, and by the end of April, we had committed to adopting Kellin and had started our home study.  And we started thinking about the unbelievable amount of money we had to somehow come up with.  So we jumped in.  We cut down on our own expenses.  We sold T-shirts.  Our daughter started Koins 4 Kellin.  We had garage sales, benefits, and received many, many donations.  In just SIX MONTHS, we have raised the $35,000 we estimate we need to complete this adoption.  Now, more than half of this was from our own savings, but that still means something like $16,000 came from fundraisers and donations.  All I can say is WOW!  We are SO, SO blessed to be surrounded by the supportive family, friends, and community that we have.  We know that there are still people out there who have asked about helping us.  We will certainly let you all know if we end up in financial need again (sometimes there are unexpected expenses), but for now, please consider helping one of these other fantastic families and waiting children!

The Hansen Family
This family lives locally and is in the process of an adoption from South Africa.  They are fundraising just like us, but even as they save for their own adoption, they came to our church benefit, our garage sale, and our Pizza Ranch fundraiser!  I am overwhelmed by their generosity in helping us even as they need the money for their own adoption.  Please check out their blog for ways to help them with their adoption expenses and to follow their family's story.  http://truthsofablessedlife.wordpress.com/

Olen's Family
Olen was our family's Angel Tree child last year.  We spent the months of November and December advocating and fundraising for him.  We have prayed for him every day for nearly a year.  We rejoiced when a family committed to adopting him last spring, and then were so sad for him when that adoption did not work out.  But now he has another family working hard to bring him home.  Please check out this family's sponsorship page and blog, and consider donating to this awesome family!

http://reecesrainbow.org/79929/sponsorstewart-2

Everett's Family
I had the opportunity to meet Everett's soon-to-be mommy a few months ago, just as they were committing to adopting Everett.  This family has been working so hard, selling baked goods every week and putting on a big benefit at their church.  Consider helping them out with your donation this holiday season!

http://reecesrainbow.org/80165/sponsorjohnson-5

Jesse
This little boy has been in my heart for a very long time, since months before we committed to adopting Kellin.  He is blind, just like Kellin, and he is nearly five years old.  He needs a family desperately, but unfortunately many families are hesitant to adopt a child who is blind.  He has been listed with Reece's Rainbow for (I think) around two years and has just $600 in his account.  PLEASE consider donating to his account or even consider adopting him?

http://reecesrainbow.org/59002/jesse

Kristoff
This little boy is SO CUTE!  He is just turning three now, and he has mild cerebral palsy.  From the perspective of an early childhood special education teacher, I notice that he is sitting up nice and straight, supporting himself, and his left hand is hanging on to the toy.  His right hand is fisted and his toes are curled up so I suspect that his right side is more affected by the CP, but I would guess with therapy, there will no limits to what he can achieve!  His account has just $27 in it.  Help him out, please?

http://reecesrainbow.org/?s=kristoff

We have been blessed to reach our fundraising goal!  Now we want to help other families reach their goals, and we want to help other waiting children find their families.