Rubber duckie, you're my very best friend, it's true
Every day when I make my way to the tubby
I find a little fella who's cute and yellow and chubby
Rubber duckie, you're so fine
And I'm lucky that you're mine
Rubber Duckie, I'm awfully fond of you.
Quack! Quack!
By the way... I must disclose out of pure embarassment that our tub is stained, not dirty. I promise you that it is stained and I have done everything in my power to get it clean to no avail. This ugliness is one of the main reasons I'd love to redo our bathroom! Just in case you were wondering why I'd put up pictures of such a dirty tub, there ya go!
Thanks to the fabulous donations of our friends and families time and stuff, wonderful weather and of course through the grace of God our garage sale was a smashing success! We were hoping to cover our application fee for the agency but after all the stress the days before I would've been happy with $100. I'm astonished and blessed to say that after 12 hours of sales (and a few presales Thursday night) we raised $749.83 for our adoption fund! 17 cents shy of $750, more than we could have ever imagined! We are so blessed... and so excited to be on our way.
Now the day(s) in pictures:
Our house with all of the merchandise and a few early shoppers!
My lovely lemonade girls: Alexis and Adrian. Not only are they two of the sweetest little ladies I've ever met, they happen to live right across the street. I love them to pieces!
Matt modeled some of the merchandise. Some how this lovely dog sweater didn't sell. Although one woman tried it on. Aren't you glad she didn't buy it Sarah?
My lovelies that came to help out: Sondra, Nicole, Sarah and Megan
And Gabe after a day of garage sale-ing. And yes, someone did ask if he was for sale... I replied, only for a bagillion dollars. I'm not sure how much a bagillion dollars is, but I'm pretty sure it's more than all of the money in the world!
Luke 12:33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
Most of the stuff is out, a lot of it is priced and we are ready for our garage sale! Here's to good weather, lots of sales and earning enough for the application fee!!
If you live in the area stop on by; browse our merchandise, eat some baked goodies and sip some lemonade!
If you don't live in the area... well, sending prayers for good weather and getting rid of our stuff would be terrific!!!
Have you ever seen the commercial with Sarah McLachlan song as the background to pictures of abused dogs asking to be rescued?
You have? Well of course you have because as long as you have public access television and your TV is on during a Saturday afternoon you are going to see it. And while I'd be lying if I said it didn't stir any emotion for those poor animals, it really does. While, I may not be a big pet person, I'm also not heartless.
However, whenever I see this commercial, I start to wonder, what would happen if instead of showing orphaned and abused animals there were pictures of abused or orphaned children?
And then I found this:
Sarah McLachlan's song "Angel" to the story of a 12 year old boy and his plight to finding a real family. And while there is only one picture; it's the words on the screen that break my heart. It is the loneliness and longing you feel in this little boy as you read his story. Heartbreaking, gut wrenching... the good news is this little boy found a family. The bad news is there is more than 147 million orphans still waiting for one.
Can you imagine how the world would change if we did show this video on television, or a video with this message showing more pictures of abused and orphaned children? I can. But what I'm envisioning is that the outrage people will feel about seeing these pictures will be from not wanting to see this rather than wanting to change the lives of these children.
When did we become a society that cares more for animals than children? When did we become a society that turns their back on the hurting for the comfort of their own ignorance?
As God continues to open my heart as we work towards our next adoption, I feel that we need to step up. As Christ followers, as people living in one of the richest countries in the world, as human beings; we need to make the sufferings of others our greatest concern.
While saving the earth is fabulous (if you know me, you know how green and crunchy I am) and advocating against cruelty for animals is wonderful... standing by and letting children live piled in orphanages not knowing a mothers loving touch or a fathers leading hand is unfathomable.
Alone, no one can save all the orphans, but together... we can make a difference (okay, I know that sounds cliche).
After our garage sale, we're teaming up with a wonderful organization to help us continue to raise money for our adoption and raise money for orphans all over the world! How cool is that? To say that I'm excited would be too downplay my feelings but until all the details are ironed out, I'll just leave you wondering!
And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me - Matthew 18:5
Matt's first Father's Day was memorable. We met my family at the Fish Festival in Vermilion to partake in fried food consuming fun!
Gabe was pretty excited:
He was mostly excited to see his cousins Caleb, Ethan, Jake and Sam.
And I'm pretty sure they were happy to see him too!
A hug between Ethan and Matt
A little water play in the fountain... the water was a fairly disgusting looking brown, but little boys don't care about that :)
Gabe and Daddy
Father's Day Fun... new tradition maybe?
And the fun begins....
The artist asked if we wanted her to draw Gabe like he is or with 2 open eyes. Our answer was obvious, because Gabe is perfect just like he is!
my male models!
the almost finished product:
Want to see the finished product? Well, once I find a frame for it and place it in an area of prominence in our house (just kidding, Matt!) I'll share with you the finished product. It is super cute!
Happy Father's Day to my 3 Favorite Fathers; Gabe's Daddy, My Dad and our Abba Father
Gabe's Daddy: When people think of couples longing for a child they always think of the mother; but like me last mother's day, last father's day Matt was just a man wishing he could be a father. Quicker than we could have ever imagined Matt became a daddy. And what a daddy he is; he positively dotes on Gabe and the smiles on their faces when they see each other only remotely display the bond they have. Most people think Gabe is a Mama's boy right now, what they don't see is how Gabe acts when Matt comes home from work! He is beside himself with glee that Daddy is home to play and immediately, no matter what type of day Matt had, Gabe is in his arms. Matt is the absolute best father God could have given Gabe. Matt loves Gabe and expects great things from him. He treats him like he's a normal little boy and that is exactly what Gabe needs; a daddy who is fun, adventurous and always makes him smile. And that's the kind of daddy God gave him.
Matt works hard to give Gabe everything that he needs; he works 40+ hours a week and goes to school anywhere from 2 - 4 nights a week (depending on the semester) all to give Gabe (and whatever future children we have) a better life. But Matt knows life isn't about what you have but about your faith in God. And through the years Matt grows deeper in his faith - he is the perfect man to raise a godly son. In case we don't tell you enough Matt/Daddy, we love you and appreciate everything you do for us and give up for us!
My Dad: Daddy's girl or not, I'm pretty sure since birth I've had my dad wrapped at least loosely around my finger :) After 2 sons my Dad was more than ready for my girliness but maybe a little less ready for emotions... but everything he took in stride; loving me, providing for me and always doing what was best for me. I am so grateful for everything he has done for me; from ballet recitals to picking up batons at parades to late night pick-ups to walking me down the aisle on my wedding day. My dad has always been there for me and I know he always will. How do I know? For one, because he loves me so he has too and for another, because he shows me how much he loves me. Working long hours on vacation days to get my lawn in order is not only a great help to me and Matt but also shows me how much he loves me! Happy Father's Day, Dad. I love you!
And my Abba Father who loves me more than I'll ever deserve with a grace I'll never earn. No matter what I've done, where I've gone, He takes me back. He still calls me daughter.
Happy Father's Day to all the Father's out there and to all those waiting to be a father... my prayers for you are that your heart and arms are full soon.
In honor of your 10 month birthday we have a few Top 10 lists for you!
Our Top 10 Moments with You!
Holding you for the 1st time (8/18 for me and 8/19 for Daddy - I wasn't willing to share you that first day!)
Feeding you your first bottle at home - can you believe that 3 ounces was enough to fill you up back then!
Watching you with your daddy... I didn't think I could love him anymore than I did until I saw him with you. You're daddy loves you more than you can imagine.
Your dedication day at church. Nothing could have made our bond feel more permanent than having you dedicated to the Lord
Watching your 4 cousins meet you for the first time. For so long they waited for your crib to be filled. They love you very much and if your smile is any indication; the feeling is mutual. I pray that you develop deep bonds with all 4 of them.
Waking up to your sweet smile on a daily basis. I never thought we'd co-sleep and had many negative thoughts about the concept... but it works for us and we both get sleep which is something I didn't have for the first 7 months of your life :)
Taking your picture on Thanksgiving next to the turkey... I smile every time I think about it!
Watching you accomplish new things that you work on at therapy like rolling over, holding things with lefty, gaining trunk control, etc.
May 25, 2010 - when Judge Walther officially made you a LaGorga
The look of deep satisfaction on your face the first time you took your eye patch off.
Gabe's Top 10 Favorite Toys
Links, links and more links!
Books, books and more books! Can books be toys... hmm, I think that they can.
You're jungle excersaucer
Mr. Monkey
Leapfrog Caterpillar
Star-shaped stacking link
Hans the Hippo
Fisher Price Puppy
Peek-a-block wagon
Stacking blocks (Mama does the stacking and you do the knocking over :)
Gabe's Top 10 Favorite Activities
Going for walks... around the block, at the zoo, shopping, just about anywhere
Practicing sitting up with lots of toys within reach
Sitting on Daddy's shoulders or head
Reading books
Visiting your family and friends
Going to church; you like the music (when its not too loud) and people watching
Sitting on the porch; reading, playing, listening to VeggieTales
Trips to the baseball or soccer fields to watch your cousins
Swinging at the playground
Cuddling with Mama
Top 10 Reasons We Love You (although we have a million)
Because you are ours. God gave you to us and we'll honor that gift and do our best to raise you up the best way we know how.
You're dimpled smile!
How you're such a Mama's boy
The way you turn into a total Daddy's boy the second he comes home from work
Because with all of the challenges you've faced you are still such a smiley, laid back boy
You're perseverance - no matter how many tries it takes to learn something, you keep trying.
Sweet giggles and belly laughs
Your wet, open mouthed kisses that convey your love and trust
The excitement and joy you show for life; even doctors appointments are met with a smile
Because you taught us how to love a little deeper and a little stronger; that life is all about the people you spend it with.
We love you, Gabe! 2 months to go until we party down at the beach!
Phillippians 2:4 "Let each of you look not only to his own
interests, but also to the interests of others."
I hate, HATE, hate ants! Well, let me revise that; ants outside where they belong our fine and dandy. But the little bitty black ants that have invaded the area behind my sink, well I absolutely hate them... A LOT! You truly have no idea how much I hate those little critters in my house.
So tonight Gabe and I came home from Caleb's baseball game when I looked over the sink and what did I see... ANTS! But they weren't just skittering about this time, they were working together to carry a piece of oatmeal up the wall. 7 ants were working together to move this piece of oatmeal much bigger than they were to take food to their colony.
Galatians 6:2 "Bear one another's burdens.."
By the way, where is that colony? I want to find it and destroy it!!!
Anyways, before I killed said ants I marveled at the idea that these ants were working together for a wonderful cause (hunger). And I was struck by the thought that if we people worked as hard as the ants in my kitchen and worked together too boot. We could do amazing things if we only worked together.
Then God kind of smacked me upside the head (not really!) with the fact that this is going on in my life right now! Right now people are buying coffee, donating items to our garage sale and offering their time to help at the garage sale. Right now people are coming together for a wonderful cause; something so much bigger than themselves... bringing an orphan home to their forever family, giving the gift of life to a child (or children) who otherwise would have so little.
And I was blown away! That there are so many wonderful people in my life (or in the life of people I know) that would give of their time and money to support our mission. Because not only are we creating a family for ourselves we are following God's heart and helping the orphans.
Now I'm not saying (writing) this to pat myself on the back but to recognize all of the wonderful people that are equipping us on our journey to Africa and back!
I can not say thank you enough, but know we are grateful and you are loved!
Proverbs 19:17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends
I was on YouTube a little bit ago looking for something a friend recommended; she said it would make me laugh but I found this video instead: All I Really Want for Christmas by Steven Curtis Chapman. And I thought, oh I'll save this and post it at Christmas... and then deep in my heart I felt God say "why wait" And while I am one of the first people you will ever meet to start playing Christmas music, generally before Halloween :) I thought, nah, it's way too early for Christmas music.
But this isn't just Christmas music; it's a song that resonates deep in my soul and brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. Imagine growing up being one of many, never having anyone wipe your tears, bandage your knees or tell you they love you. I can't even fathom that and it breaks my heart that over 147 million children go to bed without knowing a mother's gentle touch or a father's guiding hand.
I'm not sure why God instilled in me such a passion for adoption and orphans. I feel like I need to be doing something bigger than just trying to bring a family home for myself (yes, adopting for me is also a selfish reason because I long for a home filled with love, laughter and a little chaos) but God hasn't shown me what that is yet. So for now, until I know what my 'mission' in life is besides being a wife to Matt and Mama to Gabe, I will just share my passions with this little platform God has given me through my blog. And maybe one day, I'll know what to do with my passions... what to do when I grow up!
Summer has begun and Gabe is loving every minute of it! Gabe loves being outside and having 4 older cousins who play soccer and baseball provide us with many opprotunities to spend time outside, while watching Caleb, Ethan, Jake and Sam play ball. We actually haven't watched Jake and Sam yet because their season just started!
But anyways, if you can't tell by the pictures, Gabe loves being outside... he loves sunshine (although he rips his hat off all the time now), grass, breezes and being silly!
Isn't he just the cutest? Yeah, I think so too!
And don't forget to click here for some coffee! Yes, I'm going to continue to shamelessly plug our Just Love Coffee store! Sorry :)
