Last Easter with one basket?

Hello friends and family!

Hope you all had a blessed Easter weekend. We had a great time traveling down to Iowa and spending time with my extended family. It was quite relaxing, especially during our time at my Godmother's house. The weather was fantastic, so we spent most of our time with her outside. Part of me had wanted to stay home so we could get some to-do's done over the long weekend, but I was so happy that we not only got to see family, but also got some much needed down time.

Great Grandma Longhurst

So, will this be the last Easter only one basket is delivered to our house by the easter bunny? I sure hope so. We have heard nothing from ICAB (the gov. agency that will work with our adoption files in the Philippines). We had hoped to at least hear that they had received our files, but I don't think they have even acknowledged the files yet. But! We have a friend that just arrived in the Philippines for some adoption advocacy work. She has worked with ICAB for several years and has friends in the country. She said she would check in on our files and see how everything is coming along - what a blessing! I'm anxiously awaiting to see what she learns from ICAB and hoping maybe her mention of us will get the ball rolling sooner than later. I'm praying, praying, praying. I so want to see Little C's face THIS summer!!!!

In the meantime, waiting to hear how everything is in the Philippines, I plan to follow her blog. She, along with a group of other advocates, are going to spend two weeks in the Philippines with 9 older children that hope to be adopted soon. The advocates will get to know the children and will bring their stories back to America, where they will look for forever families for the kids. If you would like to learn more, here is the blog she will be keeping for the next couple weeks - check it out!!! -  http://hakalatravel.blogspot.com/

Thanks so much to those who ordered a Thirty-One bag! The fundraiser went really well and I had many
friends excited to have "an excuse" to give their husbands when ordering! lol! I totally understand, as I too am always looking for a good excuse to buy things! If you didn't order, no hard feelings here. We are just so happy to have you all sharing this journey with us and praying for us!

We will be holding another fundraiser in May. This will be an auction. All the goods on the auction will be donated by family and friends. We already have a couple quilts, blankets, bags, and baby gifts that have been donated! Look for more details to come! If you are one of my crafty friends and would like to donate something, let me know. I would be thrilled to add something else to the list! Thanks soooo much for those who are participating as "donaters" and as "bidders" in this fundraising event!

Speaking of fundraising - why are we fundraising? Well, as many of you know, this is not a "cheap" ordeal. The cost as a whole to bring Little C home will probably be somewhere around $30,000. I know. Ouch. But well worth it in the end! I don't feel like this number is too private, as you can go on any adoption website and learn quite quickly how much it costs. Most of our expenses so far we have taken care of, but now we have the final expense which will be travel to and from the Philippines and then lodging while we are there. The cost of this will probably be around $10,000. We have no way of knowing of course since we won't know what airline tickets cost until it is time to buy. But no-matter how one looks at it, it is a big chunk of money, thus the fundraising. We feel very awkward asking for money, and hope it does not offend you.

And one last hurrah for the night - there was only about 3 inches of snow left in our front yard this afternoon! Woot! Woot! Spring is Finally here. LOVE the smell. LOVE the temps. LOVE seeing hints of green. Such a great reminder that God is Good!  :)

Alright - off to bed with you and me!!!

In Christ,

Mara