Supporting Elli's Class Through Search Engine...

This is new to me...maybe not to some of you, but I wanted to pass along. There is a fairly new search engine that is owned by Yahoo. When you use the search engine they will donate to a verified charity. If you shop through one of their sponsors, they will donate a percentage of the total purchase!!!

This is an awesome opportunity to support Elli's classroom at her orphanage. I have mentioned Half the Sky numerous times before and the work that they do in China orphanages - including Elli's. They are one of the charities that you can select your "donation" to be given to. As well, Love Without Boundaries is also one of the charities. LWB is the charity that got Elli's palate surgery done. In addition, there is Shaohannah's Hope which gave us a grant for Anna's adoption and we are in process of seeking a grant for Elli's adoption. Shaohannah's Hope not only give grants to adoptive families, but funds foster care and is currently building a 6-story home in China in Luoyang. As well, they educate churches, families, communities on adoption and the need for orphan care across the globe. Autism Speaks is another worthy cause. I have friends whose children have autism and this is a great non-profit that educates, informs and active in research. All are great organizations that could use the financial help. The main thing is - get involved!

So, my request...make Good Search your search engine/home page today! If you are going to be shopping online at one of the sponsor's sites, go through Good Search. There are hundred's of sites, Wal-Mart, iTunes, Target, Children's Place, Chadwicks, Staples, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, eBay, Sephora, JCPenney, Snapfish, Vera Bradley, Netflix, GameStop, Ballard Designs, BestBuy, Nike, elf, Fossil, Gap, GNC, ToysRUs....seriously must I go on?

Sending love and hugs to Elli,
Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker & Anna Mei

Anna's Gotcha Anniversary

A little late, but "better late than never" and at the rate I was going, I was beginning to think it might be the latter ;-) I have put a video on Anna's blog documenting her amazing progress over the last year.

Happy 1 Year Anniversary Anna - we love you!

Blessed to have Anna home & sending love to one I hope is here soon,

Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker & Anna Mei

Updates...

So far this summer...well actually it isn't summer yet, but we have had 2 yard sales. I have changed up locations - you know, different customers ;-) Once was at our house and last weekend was at my in-laws' house. It was pretty successful. We did Friday and Saturday at my house and raised $640, last week I did Thursday, Friday and Saturday and raised $470 = Grand total thus far $1010!!! Not bad, not bad at all. Next, my brother's. Yes, believe it or not, we still have LOTS of stuff. I am planning on the first weekend in July....I guess I am a professional "yard sales lady"...at least for summer 2008!!!

I am still selling Avon, but with the kids, I just can't do too much. It is helping some though. I am getting our personal hygiene items from there, which saves me trips to Wal-Mart and Target, which in turn saves quite a bit of money...you'd be surprised how much money you can save if you never walk in the doors of Wal-Mart or Target. Yes, I did experience some bargain hunting withdrawals from Target, but I lived! For those who know me and know how I LOVED to shop at Target, you might be surprised to find out that I have only been to Target 4 times since Christmas!!!! Wal-Mart, maybe 3 times. That is quite a change and has helped out a lot.

Unfortunately I don't have any good news about our immigration approval. I really hope to get approval in the next two weeks - surely! Waiting for the mail to run, to only discover no approval is not fun....it can actually be torture! Just one of the many pains of adoption.

Hoping for good news soon & sending love to Elli,

Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker & Anna Mei

Pay It Forward....

I am sure many of you have heard of this, maybe even done it. It is pretty fun, if you like to get and give surprises anyway. One of the blogs that I faithfully stalk ;-), had a little Pay It Forward "game". I just got mine in the mail so now it is my turn to...yes, Pay It Forward.

Here's the rules...the first three people to leave a comment at the end of this post saying that they want to play AND agree to then do the same on their blog, will get a little present from me. After you get your gift, then you basically do what I am doing. It doesn't have to be expensive, just fun. The adoptive mom (you don't have to be adopting by the way) who sent me the gift knew that I had a slew of kids and sent us a board game we could play together...of course since she and I had and are adopting from China, she went with a ladybug themed game.

If you are one of the first three, I will post the names and you can e-mail me your mailing address. So who's in??