Life's a Journey.... here's a glimpse of ours.

this with our babies. Friday I turned off the computer with all my adoption business, left the dirty laundry and house behind for three hours while Keegan and I headed to the park. We walked, played, sat and talked for hours.  We talked about the day we would bring the babies home. Keegan shared his excitement of the things he would do with them. He talked about all the things he would teach them and the things a big brother would have to do. These are the things our little ones will see once they are home. We have a beautiful little park nestled in our city. The natural surroundings are just gorgeous. Here are some snap shots of our day I thought it might be fun to share some other parts of my life besides our adoption. 

Berries with lunch, our favorite! Keegan and I wondered if the babies will like them.

I loved slides when i was little and still do:)

Something you may not know about me. I love the outdoors and nature.I love any kind of animals. Including this frog. He was just hanging outin the sun for hours. We saw him when we arrived and when we left.

Finding Poly wogs. Brought two home but only on is living still.

It funny these rocks are not that high, but I know some day when Keegan is bigger he will come back and remember them so much higher:)

New life was everywhere. We saw four turtles but usually we see five to seven all lined up on these logs.

Posted in: on Sunday, June 5, 2011 at at 10:59 PM 2 comments    

 My little ones have missed more than they should have.  They missed the comfort of their mommy coming as they cried in their crib. They were left to cry countless hours with no one to come rescue them. My babies here at home were never left to cry. Never did I want them to feel the loneliness of an unanswered cry. They have missed the joy of a daddy proudly saying "that's my baby", and a mommy saying "I love you" with every once of happiness.

Never have they felt the strength and safely of their daddy's arms.  Like little Harper here in her daddy's arms.

First Birthday Party like little one here? Nope not that either. They missed that one tiny candle glowing on top of their cake and that first bite of sweet frosting.

Never an empty box to play in, then have your mommy take a snap shot because you are all too cute. This is Varia she was an orphan but not no more.

Never been pushed so high on a swing that it takes their breath away, with giggles! This is Halie. I could go on and on with sweet photos of the babies I have came to love, via blog ;) but I must detach myself from this computer for today I have one seven year old just waiting to go to the park.  The fact is that another week has gone by that we are not with our babies, another week with no hugs from mommy and daddy. We will be leaving by the end of June and we need to raise less than $10,000 before our second trip, which should be around the end of June or beginning of  August. Please help us. I don't want to let Matthew go. I don't want him to live his life out in an orphanage. That is his reality. There are not many who will step into a region that cost over $40,000 to pay the ransom of a child.  But we did and we did this through Christ the only one who could give us $43,000 in less then ten months.   I want him to live up to his potential in our home. If you can spare just $5 this week we would be so blessed. I know I have asked a lot of all of you and I know you have been so generous but we are almost at the end of this journey. We are so close that I can feel them in my arms. Please help us so I don't have to let go. Way too many "I love You"s have been missed! Many Blessings Ann donation buttons on the right hand side. one is tax deductible and on is not.

Posted in: on Friday, June 3, 2011 at at 4:52 PM 1 comments    

If you want in on the camera its been moved to this blog to help this family http://www.thekramerfamilysite.blogspot.com/

Posted in: on Thursday, June 2, 2011 at at 9:48 AM 1 comments    

We heard from our POA (power of attorney) and found out Varvara is all cleared to be adopted. But here is what he says about our little Matthew:

Just today we’ve received the following official information from Tver ED.
About Plummer. Barbara is completely ready for adoption, and parents may come to meet her and submit application to the court. For Matthew, the agreement of biological parents is signed up. It is necessary to receive agreement for adoption from the grandparents now. The Department has rather a hard time with the grandparents, the biological parents have no influence to them and there is a chance for troubles with the agreements. Thus, Plummers might come now to meet Barbara and apply to the court for her adoption, and wait for the agreement of grandparents for Matthew. There is some chance the grandparents may agree by that time for adoption of Matthew. Otherwise, the family may consider other boys ready for adoption in the region. Please let us know what they decide.
 With best regards,
Boris

Please continue to pray for Matthew and his family. I can't not imagine the pain of the decision they must make. They can hold on to him in hopes someone in their country will adopt him (very unlikely) so they can continue to see him but risk the chance of him being institutionalized at age 5 and maybe just maybe be taken care of somewhat. Or they can agree to him being adopted and let him go to a loving family where they will never see him again.  It seems as though either way someone looses but please pray they will choose us. Please pray that no matter how hard it is to let him go, that they will think of his future and not their own. 
We will proceed to travel as soon as we receive our I-171h (USCIS clearance) and let God work his miracles. We will follow what God has asked us to do and set out to rescue this little boy who we call Matthew. I have no doubt that what ever Gods will is that it will be done.  Until God says stop we will move forward and we will not choose another boy.

Posted in: on Friday, May 27, 2011 at at 7:22 PM 2 comments    

I love this devotional. I just think is shows a glimpse of what we have witnessed in our journey over the past nine months. I can barely believe it has been that long and looking back I am so humbled by the love we have been shown by all of you. Thank you will never be enough but please know we are so so "Thankful"
We are just $10,000 way from our goal ad I am so excited to see how this all unfolds.  If you want to be part of the ending please use the Reece's Rainbow link on the right hand side to donate.
Enjoy!
 
Faith is Something We Do

by Rick Warren
“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?” James 2:15-16 (NIV)  Jesus showed us that faith is practical. When we see a need, we do something about it. Faith is more than something you just feel. Many people confuse emotions and feelings with faith. They come to church and they’re moved emotionally, they're inspired, and they're stimulated. But that doesn’t mean they’re walking in faith. The Bible says faith is something we do, not just what we feel. In other words, faith is not mere sentimentality. Let’s say I go out on the street and I see someone who is homeless and destitute. I see that person is hungry, cold, in need of clothing and shelter. Would I be showing great faith if I walked up and said, “Cheer up! Don't worry, be happy! Feel good! Put on a happy face?”
It doesn’t take much faith to do that. Faith carries compassion. Faith says, “I’ll do anything I can to stop your hurt.” Throughout the New Testament, the witnesses say Jesus was moved with compassion for people. Jesus showed us that faith is practical. When we see a need, we do something about it. We don't just toss out a quick - “Well, I'll pray for you.” The Bible says we show our faith by what we do.

Posted in: on Thursday, May 26, 2011 at at 4:24 PM 4 comments    

It's such a blessing to know that there are so many of you who love our little Matthew. So many of you praying, donating, loving and even hula hooping him home.  Trevor is one of those people who is doing everything in his power to help. He is one of those people who said I will do what it takes. Last weekend he set up a jar with his hula hoop in tow and a photo of Matthew and started to hula hoop. He did this at his grandparent garage sale. He did it for three hours strait! Amazing what love can do. Trevor raised $15 to help bring Matthew home.  Thank you Trevor for being the hands and feet of Jesus. Thank you for showing us how to love. Many blessings to you Little Man! And Trevor would like to know if you would like to match him? Me? No, I am not so good at hula hoooping. ;)

Posted in: on at at 1:42 PM 1 comments    

This is the list of winners for "Jars of Hope" give aways. We will be turning in all the money for Matthew on May 31 next Tuesday. On Tuesday please let me know how much you collected so I can keep track. Also on Wednesday we will be collecting for a new family so please if you feel compelled to save your change for orphans LMK.

Posted in: on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at at 9:42 AM 0 comments    

It says "IF"..... But if I did this is who I would love to help rescue.  I would give them every inch of my goldmine. Don't worry I don't mean bring them home I mean to help there Mommy and Daddy's bring them home. I don't so, I thought I would share with all of you who I pray for. These are the little ones I have grown to love and not just them but some of their families too. Who knows maybe you will feel compelled to help them. Maybe just one of these little beauties will capture your heart or their families story. Click on their name and it will direct you to their blog.

Posted in: on Sunday, May 15, 2011 at at 6:48 PM 1 comments