Face Lift

I had grown weary of my blog background and have re-done it's look. I love change, thrive on it actually. Probably because as a child my life was so unpredictable. Growing up in a very unstable environment, moving frequently, and being around different people all the time it is probably just something I naturally crave now.

I love to rearrange furniture, frequently. In our home, I can't do that anymore. Our family room sits one way and one way only. We have a LARGE entertainment center that I cannot move alone and our room, truly, would not "work" any other way.

Our bedroom gets rearranged a couple times a year, the boys' room too. I just need to shake it up a bit every now and again.

Adoption is very much like this---you MUST be willing and able to shake it up a bit every now and again. Like Steve Winwood says, "Roll with it, baby".

Funny thing about this facelift? It is the FIRST blog scene I ever had and I loved it!! Still do---how can I not? I've got 3 little monkey-men at home and one more waiting to come home.

Thank you for praying for us, please keep doing so. Also, check out the adoption blog links just above this post. These boys need our help.


~Christie~

And the Champions ARE.............

45I have decided to end this fundraiser a few days early...I am ready to blog again and I am disconnecting from the computer this weekend for family time. So here goes!!

For the Kindle Bundle:
There were 243 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

Catherine G.
Catherine G.
Michelle Gonzalez
Sandra Hornberger
Sandra Hornberger
Ann Tebbs
Chris McCollum
Kimberley McCollum
Cathy T
Annie @ Jade
Gretchen Thibault
Kimberley McCollum
Patricia C.
Catherine G.
Kimberly
Sandra Hornberger
Annie @ Jade
Michelle Gonzalez
Browning Family
Elissa L
Carrie F
Carrie F
Carrie F
Catherine G.
Patricia C.
Michelle Gonzalez
Michelle Gonzalez
Kimberly
Elissa L
Catherine G.
Browning Family
Chris McCollum
Catherine G.
Ann Tebbs
Browning Family
Catherine G.
Browning Family
Kimberley McCollum
Kimberly
Ann Tebbs
Ann Tebbs
Ann Tebbs
Catherine G.
Sandra Hornberger
Kimberly
Sandra Hornberger
Browning Family
Annie @ Jade
Browning Family
Catherine G.
Ann Tebbs
Carrie F
Catherine G.
Kimberly
Catherine G.
Annie @ Jade
Kimberley McCollum
Catherine G.
Gretchen Thibault
Ann Tebbs
Lisa Comella
Amy P
Michelle Gonzalez
Gretchen Thibault
Amy P
Kimberley McCollum
Carrie F
Ann Tebbs
Catherine G.
Gretchen Thibault
Catherine G.
Michelle Gonzalez
Catherine G.
Carrie F
Ann Tebbs
Gretchen Thibault
Kimberly
Patricia C.
Catherine G.
Catherine G.
Catherine G.
Michelle Gonzalez
Gretchen Thibault
Catherine G.
Catherine G.
Gretchen Thibault
Carrie F
Patricia C.
Gretchen Thibault
Browning Family
Michelle Gonzalez
Catherine G.
Carrie F
Carrie F
Michelle Gonzalez
Gretchen Thibault
Ann Tebbs
Kimberley McCollum
Michelle Gonzalez
Kimberly
Amy P
Kimberley McCollum
Catherine G.
Elissa L
Gretchen Thibault
Gretchen Thibault
Gretchen Thibault
Ann Tebbs
Chris McCollum
Carrie F
Browning Family
Carrie F
Carrie F
Michelle Gonzalez
Kimberly
Carrie F
Chris McCollum
Elissa L
Kimberly
Kimberly
Carrie F
Annie @ Jade
Brenda H
Brenda H
Kimberly
Gretchen Thibault
Sandra Hornberger
Ann Tebbs
Gretchen Thibault
Catherine G.
Catherine G.
Kimberley McCollum
Browning Family
Gretchen Thibault
Catherine G.
Catherine G.
Carrie F
Patricia C.
Michelle Gonzalez
Michelle Gonzalez
Gretchen Thibault
Chris McCollum
Sandra Hornberger
Gretchen Thibault
Michelle Gonzalez
Catherine G.
Kimberley McCollum
Catherine G.
Annie @ Jade
Gretchen Thibault
Carrie F
Sandra Hornberger
1. Kindle
Lisa Comella
Chris McCollum
Carrie F
Catherine G.
Catherine G.
Gretchen Thibault
Patricia C.
Ann Tebbs
Catherine G.
Catherine G.
Kimberly
Catherine G.
Carrie F
Elissa L
Kimberly
Kimberly
Lisa Comella
Patricia C.
Lisa Comella
Catherine G.
Michelle Gonzalez
Elissa L
Catherine G.
Michelle Gonzalez
Browning Family
Elissa L
Brenda H
Kimberly
Chris McCollum
Catherine G.
Catherine G.
Chris McCollum
Kimberly
Gretchen Thibault
Carrie F
Brenda H
Cathy T
Kimberly
Elissa L
Ann Tebbs
Ann Tebbs
Patricia C.
Ann Tebbs
Annie @ Jade
Ann Tebbs
Gretchen Thibault
Cathy T
Kimberly
Amy P
Catherine G.
Michelle Gonzalez
Carrie F
Elissa L
Kimberly
Michelle Gonzalez
Catherine G.
Catherine G.
Ann Tebbs
Michelle Gonzalez
Michelle Gonzalez
Ann Tebbs
Chris McCollum
Lisa Comella
Catherine G.
Catherine G.
Sandra Hornberger
Brenda H
Catherine G.
Patricia C.
Sandra Hornberger
Catherine G.
Gretchen Thibault
Cathy T
Kimberly
Gretchen Thibault
Catherine G.
Patricia C.
Gretchen Thibault
Chris McCollum
Catherine G.
Amy P
Kimberley McCollum
Annie @ Jade
Elissa L
Catherine G.
Gretchen Thibault
Catherine G.
Catherine G.
Ann Tebbs
Catherine G.

Timestamp: 2011-05-28 02:57:55 UTC


For the Pendant:
There were 13 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

Cathy T.

3. Pendant
Jessica T.
Jessica T.
Sandra Hornberger
Jessica T.
Cathy T.
Sandra Hornberger
Jessica T.
Sandra Hornberger
Sandra Hornberger
Jessica T.
Sandra Hornberger

Timestamp: 2011-05-28 02:59:34 UTC



For the Chili's GC:
There were 66 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

Jessica T.

Amy L
Amy P
Amy L
Catherine G
Amy L
Amy L
Carrie F
Amy P
Catherine G
Catherine G
Carrie F
Amy L
Amy L
Carrie F
Catherine G
Amy L
Carrie F
Catherine G
Carrie F
Amy L
Jessica T.
Amy L
Carrie F
Catherine G
Jessica T.
Cara
Elissa Lindsey
Catherine G
Catherine G
Catherine G
Amy L
Jessica T.
4. Chili's
Amy L
Elissa Lindsey
Catherine G
Amy P
Amy P
Catherine G
Carrie F
Carrie F
Amy L
Catherine G
Carrie F
Amy L
Elissa Lindsey
Catherine G
Elissa Lindsey
Catherine G
Amy L
Amy L
Catherine G
Catherine G
Carrie F
Catherine G
Sandra Hornberger
Catherine G
Catherine G
Amy P
Amy L
Catherine G
Cara
Jessica T.
Elissa Lindsey

Timestamp: 2011-05-28 03:00:45 UTC



For the Therapy Mirror:
There were 51 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

Amy L

Jennifer Graham
Jennifer Graham
Jennifer Graham
Jennifer Graham
Jennifer Graham
Amy L
Jennifer Graham
Jennifer Graham
Amy L
Jennifer Graham
Amy L
6. Mirror
Jennifer Graham
Amy L
Cara
Jennifer Graham
Amy L
Amy L
Jennifer Graham
Cara
Jennifer Graham
Cara
Jennifer Graham
Jennifer Graham
Cara
Cara
Jennifer Graham
Jennifer Graham
Cara
Cara
Jennifer Graham
Amy L
Jennifer Graham
Jennifer Graham
Jennifer Graham
Amy L
Amy L
Cara
Amy L
Amy L
Jennifer Graham
Cara
Jennifer Graham
Amy L
Jennifer Graham
Jennifer Graham
Jennifer Graham
Amy L
Amy L

Timestamp: 2011-05-28 03:01:43 UTC



For the Tutu Dress:
There were 22 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

Traci W.
Anna Theurer
Anna Theurer
Anna Theurer
Traci W.
Anna Theurer
Anna Theurer
Donna J.
Anna Theurer
Donna J.
Donna J.
Anna Theurer
Traci W.
Traci W.
Donna J.
Donna J.
Traci W.
2. Tutu Dress
Anna Theurer
Anna Theurer
Anna Theurer

Timestamp: 2011-05-28 03:02:54 UTC



For the T21 Awareness Necklace:
There were 6 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

Cathy T

Cathy T
Sandra Hornberger
10. Ds Necklace
Cathy T
Cathy T

Timestamp: 2011-05-28 03:03:59 UTC


For the Turbo Jam DVD:
There were 9 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

Sandra Hornberger

9. Turbo
Annie @ Jade
Annie @ Jade
Amy P
Amy P
Amy P
Amy P
Amy P


For the Starbucks GC:
There were 42 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

sigrunc

Gretchen T.
Gretchen T.
Catherine G
Anna Theurer
Brenda H
Anna Theurer
Catherine G
Catherine G
Catherine G
sigrunc
Browning Family
sigrunc
Catherine G
Anna Theurer
sigrunc
Brenda H
sigrunc
Catherine G
5. Starbucks
Brenda H
Amy P
Catherine G
Anna Theurer
sigrunc
sigrunc
sigrunc
Brenda H
Gretchen T.
Catherine G
sigrunc
Amy P
Gretchen T.
Amy P
Catherine G
Amy P
Gretchen T.
Brenda H
Anna Theurer
Amy P
Catherine G
sigrunc

Timestamp: 2011-05-28 03:05:36 UTC


For the "ROCKIN" t-shirt:
There were 23 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

Amy L

Anna Theurer
Lisa Comella
Lisa Comella
13. Rockin' Tshirt
Donna J
Amy L
Donna J
Anna Theurer
Cara
Donna J
Amy L
Cara
Amy L
Lisa Comella
Donna J
Lisa Comella
Anna Theurer
Amy L
Donna J
Anna Theurer
Lisa Comella
Anna Theurer

Timestamp: 2011-05-28 03:06:28 UTC


For the 47>46 t-shirt:
There were 21 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

Gretchen T

Catherine G
Gretchen T
Catherine G
Cathy T.
Cathy T.
Catherine G
Cathy T.
11. 47>46
Cathy T.
Catherine G
Cathy T.
Catherine G
Catherine G
Gretchen T
Gretchen T
Catherine G
Gretchen T
Catherine G
Catherine G
Catherine G

Timestamp: 2011-05-28 03:07:18 UTC


For the Ollie the Elephant:
There were 13 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

Anna Theurer

Amy P
14. Ollie from Scentsy
Amy P
Anna Theurer
Browning Family
Anna Theurer
Amy P
Browning Family
Amy P
Anna Theurer
Amy P
Anna Theurer

Timestamp: 2011-05-28 03:07:56 UTC


For the Versace sunglasses:
There were 114 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

Amber Taylor

Catherine G
Amber Taylor
Catherine G
Ann Tebbs
Gretchen Thibault
Lisa Comella
Catherine G
Amber Taylor
Gretchen Thibault
Catherine G
Ann Tebbs
Catherine G
Catherine G
Elissa Lindsey
Catherine G
Gretchen Thibault
Catherine G
Gretchen Thibault
Lisa Comella
Elissa Lindsey
Catherine G
Catherine G
Gretchen Thibault
Catherine G
Ann Tebbs
Catherine G
Gretchen Thibault
Catherine G
Catherine G
Lisa Comella
Catherine G
Catherine G
Amber Taylor
Catherine G
Amber Taylor
Gretchen Thibault
Catherine G
Elissa Lindsey
Ann Tebbs
Catherine G
Catherine G
Cathy T
Catherine G
Catherine G
Catherine G
Gretchen Thibault
Amber Taylor
Amber Taylor
Gretchen Thibault
Catherine G
Catherine G
Amber Taylor
Gretchen Thibault
Elissa Lindsey
Gretchen Thibault
Amber Taylor
Cathy T
Amber Taylor
Gretchen Thibault
Catherine G
Ann Tebbs
Catherine G
Lisa Comella
Catherine G
Catherine G
Catherine G
Amber Taylor
Amber Taylor
Elissa Lindsey
Catherine G
Ann Tebbs
Catherine G
Catherine G
Gretchen Thibault
Catherine G
Amber Taylor
Catherine G
Amber Taylor
Amber Taylor
Elissa Lindsey
Elissa Lindsey
7. Versace
Amber Taylor
Ann Tebbs
Catherine G
Catherine G
Ann Tebbs
Catherine G
Catherine G
Ann Tebbs
Gretchen Thibault
Catherine G
Amber Taylor
Catherine G
Elissa Lindsey
Lisa Comella
Amber Taylor
Catherine G
Catherine G
Catherine G
Catherine G
Elissa Lindsey
Amber Taylor
Amber Taylor
Elissa Lindsey
Gretchen Thibault
Catherine G
Ann Tebbs
Catherine G
Catherine G
Catherine G
Catherine G

Timestamp: 2011-05-28 03:08:48 UTC


For the Columbia sunglasses:
There were 15 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

Browning Family

Lisa Comella
Browning Family
Amy P
Sandra Hornberger
Lisa Comella
Amy P
Lisa Comella
Amy P
Amy P
Amy P
Lisa Comella
Sandra Hornberger
Lisa Comella
8. Columbia

Timestamp: 2011-05-28 03:09:45 UTC


For the iTunes GC:
There were 23 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

Sandra Hornberger

Donna J.
Cathy T
Donna J.
Carrie F
Sandra Hornberger
Donna J.
Carrie F
16. iTunes
Sandra Hornberger
Cathy T
Donna J.
Carrie F
Cathy T
Carrie F
Sandra Hornberger
Carrie F
Carrie F
Carrie F
Carrie F
Donna J.
Carrie F
Carrie F

Timestamp: 2011-05-28 03:10:34 UTC


For the wooden bowl:
There were 16 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

Carrie

Amy P
Carrie
Amy P
Carrie
Carrie
Amy P
Carrie
12. Wooden Bowl
Amy P
Carrie
Carrie
Carrie
Carrie
Amy P
Carrie

Timestamp: 2011-05-28 03:11:13 UTC



For the cosmetics collection:
There were 33 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

Donna J.

Ann T.
Sandra Hornberger
Ann T.
Ann T.
Donna J.
Ann T.
Donna J.
Donna J.
Donna J.
Ann T.
Ann T.
Donna J.
Ann T.
Ann T.
Ann T.
Ann T.
Donna J.
Ann T.
Donna J.
Ann T.
Sandra Hornberger
Ann T.
Ann T.
Ann T.
17. Cosmetics
Donna J.
Ann T.
Ann T.
Donna J.
Ann T.
Ann T.
Ann T.

Timestamp: 2011-05-28 03:12:03 UTC




Thank you to all those who donated and prayed us this far!! We have raised an additional $743 with this fundraiser. As I have stated before, we are done with online fundraisers for our family. Our FSP will stay open and active, people can still learn of our story and donate if they wish--but I will not be doing anymore giveaways.

As of right now, we have $20,215 in Alexander's grant and our grant combined. Don't worry, we will ransom this child. God has made sure of that. We are being as frugal as possible to ensure we can cover costs when we are out of the country. Recently, my husband made a very significant change in his life---this is affording us with a little extra money we would not have had otherwise as well. Keep praying. I will update information on our progress as soon as something new arises. I am still praying we can travel and bring Alexander home before the kids all start school in August. PLEASE join me in that prayer :)

Where to begin?

As you may have noticed, I have ended our giveaway early. Thank you to everyone that donated. I know some people are a wee bit disappointed that I called an end to the giveaway. I have my reasons. One reason is fundraising online is time consuming and leaves me little ability to blog and share my thoughts with everyone. Another reason is EVERYONE is struggling with fundraising now--so, yes, I stopped our fundraiser in essence to give other families (closer to traveling) a better shot a filling their funds. I am not telling any of you this for accolades; this is not about me. Never has been, never will be. I fully believe God will provide us with all that we need whether or not we are giving stuff away. I believe we must be proactive and obedient to His call and obedient to Him; we keep praying and plugging along.

Our own adoption is still in limbo if you will. We are still waiting for our homestudy report. We are still praying it comes in soon with the recommendation of (1) we are favorably recommended for adoption and (2) that we are also recommended for a male child, born with Down syndrome aged 0-7 years. Those two things MUST be in the report for us to get Alexander.

NOW, onto families in GREAT need right now. I have blogged about Lisa Warner's family and their journey to bring Joshua (Cliff on RR) home. They have completed their homestudy, they have gotten immigration clearance, they have SUBMITTED their full dossier. They are waiting (and will likely know next week) when they travel. Their travel date will very likely be within the next 6 weeks time frame. They are roughly $5,000 short right now (not including money they will lose while they are both in country and her husband cannot earn wages). Without this money, they may not be able to travel. It is heartbreaking to know money stands between them and Joshua. PLEASE, if you can give ANY AMOUNT to Cliff for the Warner family on Reece's Rainbow--I would be ever so grateful. I know Lisa and Dave would appreciate it too. Fundraising is hard and the old saying goes "it takes a village to raise a child". Well, it takes a windfall of funds to ransom a child.

Click here to SPONSOR THE WARNER FAMILY

3

We have 3 more days left in the fundraiser. We will continue to run this fundraiser thru May 30th and I will draw selected champions via random.org that evening after 9:00 p.m. EST and will list the Giveaway Champions the next day, May 31st. All items will shipped promptly following Champion selection.

There has been so much happening these past few days, be sure to give prayers of gratitude to God for His faithfulness to the families adopting and following His call right now.

So how does this fundraiser/giveaway work? Well, here's the deal: One buck gets you one option at the gift of your choice. If you donate 10 bucks you can split those choices up OR leave them for one item--you choose. Once you make your donation (either by using the box on our sidebar or by mailing a check to Reece's Rainbow specifying the funds are for our family or by using our chip-in button--this is NOT tax deductible) come back here just click on the description BELOW the picture of the item you wish to comment on and you will be redirected to that items page, then YOU MUST comment on the item stating your NAME and how many options you have for the item you are commenting on. Make sense? *you cannot leave comments on this blog post, they are disabled*


Also, all donations made through Reece's Rainbow are 100% tax deductible. Let the FUN BEGIN!!!!

Kindle bundle with leather case & $25 gift card for Amazon.com

Lab created diamond & sapphire pendant retail value of $295

$25 giftcard for Chili's

wonderful floor model mirror great for therapy

gorgeous tutu dress--you pick colors up to size 4T

Down syndrome Awareness necklace retail value of $65

Beachbody Turbo Jam DVD retail value $35

$25 giftcard for Starbucks

Toddler shirt size 2/4 or X-small

47 is greater than 46 toddler shirt, kids shirt or onesie

Ollie the Elephant Scentsy Buddy with Scent Pak in Mochadoodle

Women's Versace Sunglasses retail value $250

Men's Columbia Sunglasses retail value $140

Official Met's Pet Jacket included in a basket of pet goodies for your fur-baby!!

$25 giftcard for iTunes

PICTURE COMING SOON FOR HANDMADE WOODEN BOWL CRAFTED FROM WALNUT

Cosmetics Collection retail value $200

Handmade Pillowcase

2nd handmade Pillowcase