Our Dossier is Complete!!

I have so much to tell about! First and foremost though, OUR IMMIGRATION APPROVAL FINALLY CAME! This was our last big document we were waiting on to be able to turn our dossier (our big stack of papers) in to get them to Poland. We have been waiting 2 months on this piece a paper and if you heard a squeal on Wednesday afternoon then you know when I found it in our PO Box. J

So I had lots to get done on Friday… I took all of those documents that we had been collecting and for the past 7-8 months (41 to be exact) to have a notary seal placed on them. Well, let me back up for one second! First, all of these documents had to be notarized… Do y’all know Brandy Knox?? Well let me tell you that without her, this adoption would not be taking place. She so generously notarized ALL of our documents! And not just 41 of them… because I made several mistakes throughout this process, I bet she notarized 100 papers with several having to be re-done. (so sorry, Brandy). And the best part about it, she did all of it with a HUGE smile on her face and covered our documents with prayer. I owe her BIG TIME and I don’t know how saying thank you will ever be enough!

So, I took all of these documents that Brandy notarized to the county… the county put a seal on it to say that Brandy is legit. (which of course she is!) THEN, I went to Secretary of State to have yet another seal placed on these papers to make them “state official.” After that, I headed to FedEx to send them off with a hefty check to Saint Mary’s International Agency (our international agency) who received them yesterday! They are double checking everything 1 more time and then they will send it on to Poland. Once it gets to Poland, it must be translated. Once this is complete, Will and I will then be placed on a list to find our match!

 

[Yes, I made the poor guy at FedEx take a picture... after threatening him to protect that box with his life! He was really nice! I was just glad to get out of FedEx without crying! haha!]

I’m just soooo excited! I finally feel like we will be able to make progress. It has been so difficult for me the past 2 months to just wait… to just be still. The Lord knows that patience is NOT my virtue yet it is tested… EVERY. SINGLE. DAY! Many tears have fallen on my pillow as I try to let God’s peace wrap around me during this waiting process.

So as things start to move along, we still have lots of money to raise! I will be posting another reading on the price of adoption to explain more on the financial burden of adoption because I feel this will be beneficial to people who may not understand the costs. We are looking at over $50,000 for this adoption when it’s all said and done. YIKES! That’s a big number… But how awesome is it that God is WAAAYYY bigger than $50,000? In just the past 8 months we have been able to raise, save, and fundraise over $25,000. This on top of our monthly bills, grocery, gas, car repairs, etc. This is crazy! If you told me in February that we would have ½ our adoption paid this soon, I would have secretly thought you were nuts. In fact, I’m pretty sure that some people have told me that the money would come and I actually told them they were nuts. I’m a budget FREAK (just ask Will) and let me tell you, the numbers DON’T ADD UP! We can’t afford this no matter what way you look at it and yet, the money has shown up! Please don’t read over this with a little shake of your head because YOU played a huge role. I mean we just had a yard sale this past Saturday with another adopting couple that brought in over $1000.00!! That’s over $500 a piece to help bring home TWO orphans!  I hope you realize how God has used you! But we still need help! So below are fundraisers that are still going on… please tell everyone you know about them!

 

Fundraiser #1: Kimberly Brickles has been so generous to put together an online Initials Inc party. Check out her site and click shop now under our event (Casey Davis):

http://www.myinitials-inc.com/shop/eventhome.aspx?eventId=E93313&from=DIRECTLINK

She is giving back 25% of the sales to our adoption. And better yet if you buy a “Your Best Life” case for $20, $5 will be donated to Bethany’s NOW campaign plus $5 will be donated to our adoption. Bethany is an adoption agency that is using this campaign to raise money to help other families cover the cost of adoption too! So you are helping not only our adoption but another family’s adoption! How awesome!

Fundraiser #2: We still have LOTS of puzzle pieces. We are asking for $5 donation per a piece. Your name will then be placed on the back and when the puzzle is complete we will be able to show our child all the pieces (people) of the puzzle that helped bring him/her home.

Fundraiser #3: There will be a dessert auction held on September 28^th at our church (Bethel Free Will Baptist) and this will be for our family and the Lytle’s who are adopting from the Congo. Come out and get you a GREAT dessert. Or if you are interested in making something scrumptious for the auction then just shoot me an email! (caseydavis20 @ hotmail .com)

Thanks for all the prayers, encouragement, and support you’ve given us! It really means a lot. Keep the prayers coming… we still have a long haul in front of us!!

TWO WORDS...

2 words… how can 2 words carry the weight of all the love and appreciation we have for YOU? It just doesn’t seem like 2 words can wrap up all these emotions and properly express them…

Nonetheless, I will say them-

THANK YOU!!

THANK YOU for making our online auction a HUGE success. Have you heard?... we raised OVER $4800 because of all your love and support. That’s CRAZY, people!! We have the money, and plus some, to get our dossier to Poland. That means that you helped us climb a mountain and get us a step closer to our future child.

This experience has been so amazingly humbling and there are times (well, many times) that I find myself sitting here with tears streaming down my face asking myself, “Why us, Lord?” Why is God using people like you to bless us through your giving, prayers, and encouragement?  I can’t tell you how many instances I have choked trying to find the words when someone has handed us money or an item to auction off from values of $1 to $1000. And the excitement that I had everyday trying to get to Facebook and see what bids had come through… (which by the way, y’all were hilarious to watch)… was out the roof.

I have had several times that someone has said to me “what a blessing you and Will are and will be to a child” and I just want to grab that person’s face and say, “NO! What a blessing YOU are to our child.” I can’t wait to hold my child and bring him/her home to a community filled with people like you! Quoting one of my favorite people…”It takes a village to raise a child but sometimes it takes a village to BRING HOME A CHILD.” I wish I had the time to personally add all of your names to this blog to personally give you a chance to shine. I’m sure your name is on a puzzle piece! What a story we have to tell our child about. And an even bigger story to tell him/her about how this is all happening because of the LORD and HOW AWESOME HE IS.

I do have to give a few shout outs though for all the people and businesses that donated an item to the auction. Please please please check the list out at the end of this post. If for any reason you are looking for a product that these people can provide then I ask that you contact them! You will not only get great customer service and products, you will be dealing with someone who has a huge heart and is very generous and was willing to sacrifice to make there one less orphan in this world. If you need more info on anything in the list then let me know! I will make sure you get in contact with that person or find the product you want. J

Whew! I’m almost done…With all this said, I have to call out my sister!  I have absolutely no idea where I would be without her.  She has worked harder than me throughout this adoption process… calling and emailing with ideas (usually at the oddest hours in the night) J, helping me with paperwork and questions, riding the emotional roller coaster with me so she can tell me that it’s all going to be alright, and being the biggest prayer warrior I can have on my side.  I can’t wait for her to be “Aunt Lindsey.” I LOVE HER SO MUCH and I know her niece or nephew will too.

Ok, I will wrap this up but I have one more thing you have to read… I stole this off another adopting mom’s blog and it’s just too perfect so I couldn’t pass up sharing this:

I feel so helpless to say "thank you"..it's so measly. So worthless in the light of true sacrifice. But in our weakness we realize that we can't say thank you enough. It would be like trying to say thank you enough for our salvation. Both are going to fall short, with salvation being much much weightier of course. We pray that God would use the generosity of others to transform our hearts to be more like His. These are the moments when we see His hands and feet at their best. These are the moments when others point us to Jesus and we realize in a tangible way what God has done for us.

From: http://jntorphansnomore.blogspot.com/

ONLINE AUCTION DONATIONS and DONATORS

Jessie Binkley- AdvoCare

Pat Head Summitt

Lindsey Carney- Treasure2Farm

Kristen Blankenship- All Tied Up Hair Ties & Headbands

Tammy Walker Massage

Hope Flowers- Candles

Heather Roberson- Hair bow holders/wipe cases/key fobs

Jeanna Newton- Pampered Chef

Ashland City Times

Shelby Blake- Custom Designs

Lindsey and David Shores

Bambi Bandle- Chevron Afghans

Hazel Head- Red Velvet Cake

Joyce Attebery- Sour Cream Bundt Cake

Alison Shores- Custom Made Cakes

Kelsey Forsythe- Cakes by Kelsey Gourmet Package

Amanda Durham

Melissa Lewis Photography

Sycamore Golf Club

Highland Rim Golf Club

Eastland Green Golf Club

Melissa Davis- Christmas Done Bright

Janna Harris- Janna’s Crafty Creations (pic frames and shirts)

Deandra Mitchell- All Things Vinyl (personalized tiles)

Tracie Jones- Hair stylist

Liz Wockey

Tiffany Bailey- Avon

Diane Lytle- Mary Kay

Maria Latham Photography

Southern Gymnastics in Pleasant View

Brown Sugar Cake Room in Pleasant View

Jessica Arnold Handmade Jewelry

BTM Fitness FIT Camp with Brian Taylor

El Alteno Mexican Restaurant

Pleasant View Mill

Candice Luna

Dunkin Donuts

Renee Betts- Hair Stylist

Robert Head’s Barbeque

Cindy Hayes- Longaberger

Ms. Judy’s Chocolate Chip Cookies

Sheryl Carney

Sarah Sanford – Scentsy

Wesley Attebery

Janie Dabney- Tupperware

Lesli Oliver & Ashley Armstrong- Blitzy Bands

Todd Ford

Donna Knox

Dziękuję

"Thank You" in Polish

Online Auction

The online auction is UP and BOOMING!! :) Here is a complete list...
If you don't have facebook and would like to see some of the items, just comment or email me and I will get you a description and picture then we can post your bids for you! Don't hesitate to ask about as much as you want! :)

Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourproofadoption/

List:

May 25^th-June 2^nd

Here is a complete list of things to look for… If you can’t find it then just message me and I’ll make sure you find the place to do the bidding.

~AdvoCare Spark Energy Drink- Grape~

~AdvoCare Spark Energy Drink- Fruit Punch~

~Thirty-One Littles Carry-All Caddy- Windsor Argyle~

~Thirty-One Timeless Wristlet- Patchwork Paisley~

~All About Town Blanket- Windsor Bouquet~

~Thirty-One Expand-A-Day Extender Tote-Windsor Argyle

~Thirty-One Wristlet Wallet- Botanical Lace~

~Thirty-One Essentials Crossbody-Black~

~Thirty-One Flat Iron Case- Circle Spirals

~Thirty-One Cosmetic Bag- Free Spirit Floral~

~Thirty-One Mini Organizer- Say It Taupe~

~Thirty-One Mini Utility Bin- Say It Taupe~

~Thirty-One Large Utility Tote- Plum Mod Dot with “Just Believe” Monogram~

~Thirty-One Keep It Caddy-Party Punch

~Thirty-One Cinch Sac- Pink Circle Spirals

~Thirty-One Thermal Tote- Plum Mod Dot with “Just Believe” monogrammed

~Picnic Thermal- Windsor Argyle with “Munchies” monogrammed

~Thirty-One Retro Metro Tote- Black Happy Dot

~Cakes by Kelsey Party Package~

~Sum It Up book autographed by Pat Summitt~

~Autographed Basketball by Pat Summitt~

~Treasure 2 Farm Horseback Riding Lessons

~30 minute massage by Tammy Walker~

~Adoption t-shirt, jewelry, and coffee cup from Shores Adoption!

~Red Velvet Cake by Hazel Head

~Sour Cream Bunt Cake~

~ $25 JoAnn Gift Card

~18 holes of golf for 2 people at Eastland Green Golf Course

~ $20 Gift Certificate to Robert Head's Bar-B-Q

~ $20 Gift Certificate to Robert Head's Bar-B-Q

~ $20 Gift Certificate to Robert Head's Bar-B-Q

~ $20 Gift Certificate to Robert Head's Bar-B-Q

~ $10 Gift Certificate to Robert Head's Bar-B-Q

~ $10 Gift Certificate to Robert Head's Bar-B-Q

~Until We All Come Home: A Harrowing Journey, a Mother's Courage, a Race to Freedom by Kim de Blecourt AUTOGRAPHED copy

~$50 Pleasant View Milling Company Gift Certificate~

~All Tied Up Hair Ties & Headbands

~All Tied Up Hair Ties & Headbands

~12” Covered Skillet from Pampered Chef~

~Ashland City Times~

~Adoption Image jpeg

~Adoption Image jpeg

~Handmade Gray and White Chevron Afghan

~Custom Made Afghan

~Movie Bucket~

~Movie Bucket~

~Photography Session with Melissa Lewis

~Matilda Jane Perfect Day Knot Dress~

~Sycamore Golf Club- 18 holes for 4 people~

~Sycamore Golf Club- 18 holes for 4 people~

~Celebrate Jesus Christmas Décor from Christmas Done Bright~

~Personalize Floating Frame

~Chevron Picture Frame

~T-shirt with Headband

~Personalized Tile from All Things Vinyl~

~Tile Home Décor "with God, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE" from All Things Vinyl~

~Hair Cut and Products by Traci Cole-Jones

~Avon Gift Basket

~Cake by Alison Shores

~Cake by Alison Shores

~Highland Rim Golf Course

~3 Dozen Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies

~Christian movie and book set for young children

~Christian movie and book set for young children

~Christian movie and book set for young children

~CD Set

~The Jesus Storybook Bible for Children

~My Favorite Bible for Children

~New Testament Adventure Bible Storybook

~Windsor Argyle Bible Cover

~Photography Session with Maria Latham

~1 dozen cupcakes from Brown Sugar Cake Room

~El Alteno Gift Card in Springfield, TN

~T-Shirt and Cold Beverage Cup from Dunkin’ Donuts

~Longaberger Woven Traditions Travel Mug

~Longaberger Woven Traditions Travel Mug

~Tupperware 4 piece Classic Bowl Set

~Green Thumb Full Size Scentsy Warmer and  Scent Bar

~Lakin McKey Trading Co Men’s Fleece Lined Jacket

~Vera Bradley Lisa B Loves Me Purse

~Vera Bradley Purse in Watercolor

~Coach Purse

~Blitzy Bands By Elmer and Stitch

~Matrix Hair Products

~MaryKay Products

~Gift Card to AMC Theatres

~Hooded Girl’s Bath Towel with Towel

~Wipe holder with zipper with Huggies wipe included

~Wipe holder with zipper with Huggies wipe included

~Wipe holder with zipper with Huggies wipe included

~Hair bow/Accessory Holders- Regular

~Hair bow/Accessory Holders- Regular

~Hair bow/Accessory Holders-Small

~Wall Decor

~Wall Decor

~Candles and Scent Blocks

~Chalk-a-Doo

~1 month gymnastics from Southern Gymnastics

~Handmade Jewelry

~Wristlet Key Chain/Fob

~Wristlet Key Chain/Fob

~Wristlet Key Chain/Fob

~Wristlet Key Chain/Fob

~Wristlet Key Chain/Fob

~Handmade Baby Blanket

~Pistol Ammunition

Online Auction Sneak Peak

Here is a copy and paste from my sister's blog for our online auction...you have to check it out!!

It starts Sunday and here is the final list...it's long, but you can do it...

2 containers of Advocare Spark Energy Drink
Pat Summitt signed book and basketball
4 horseback riding lessons from me :)
30 min. massage from Tammy Walker
Headbands for girls big and small
Candle and Scarf set
12" Stainless Steel Pampered Chef Skillet (I'm drooling over this one)
1 year Ashland City Times Subscription
Adoption Picture custom made
T-shirt, jewelry, coffee cup
Gray/White Chevron blanket (this one just excites me!)
Custom made with your color of choice and white chevron blanket
Red Velevet Cake by Hazel Head
Pound Cake by Joyce Attebery
2 Cakes by Allison Shored (birthday, for a shower, etc.)
2 Movie Buckets
JoAnn's Gift Card
Matilda Jane sz. 6 girls dress
Melissa Lewis Photography Session
Sycamore Golf
Highland Rim Golf
Eastland Green Golf course
Several different cool crafts
Specialty Package by Kelsey's Cakes
AMC Theater gift card
Chalkadoodle
Avon Gift Basket
Mary Kay Gift Basket
Maria Latham Photography Session
Tracie Jones hair cut, wash, style, and biolage products
1 month southern gymnastics
Dozen cupcakes from Brown Sugar Cake Room
Several Book sets for kids and adults
Gift Certificates to Robert Head's BBQ
Gift certificate to El Alteno
FIT Bootcamp
Bioloage Hair Product basket
Longaberger Products
LOTS of brand new 31 Items
2 Brand New Vera Bradley purses and 1 coach purse
Bitsy Bands
Scentsy pot and scent
3 dozen choc. chip cookies
Tupperware bowl set
brand new jacket from co-op
PV Mill gift certificate $50
Handmade Jewelry

Whew, you did it! Each item will have a picture, description, retail value, and link (if applicable). See a product you are interested in but you are not on fb? Just e-mail me lindsey@treasure2farm.com and I will tell you how to get your bid in. Please go to fb and join... https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourproofadoption/
And please pray with us that this fundraiser is a HUGE success and pushes Will and Casey through this big hurdle! I have learned that once there paperwork is in the wait for a referral is between 1-6 months!!! That's not long people!! We (yes, I said we) could have a referral this year! THIS YEAR!!

New Online Donation

We changed our online donation to "YouCaring.com." This is a free site whereas PayPal took a percentage of donations!! Here you can buy puzzle pieces as well! Let me know if you have questions or difficulty. :)

Yard Sale...

Quick post-

We are having a yard sale May 25th. All the money made will go to... you guessed it! Our adoption. lol
If you have some stuff laying around your house that you want to get rid of and just haven't had the time to do it then PLEASE let me know! I'll be glad to come take it off your hands for our yard sale. Whatever doesn't sell at the yard sell will be donated. Thanks!
Oh, you can contact me through comments here, facebook, or email (caseydavis20@hotmail.com).

No Morning Sickness...Just Paper Cuts

Ha! I love this title but I totally stole it from another girl’s blog. But IT’S SO TRUE! Luckily, the majority of the paper work is behind us for a bit. I’ve gathered paper work, printed paper work, signed paper work, gathered more paperwork… it’s crazy! And thankfully I have an awesome friend at Bethel who is willing to sacrifice her time to notarize EVERYTHING! Thanks, Brandy. J

We’ve completed our 3 home study meetings but we do have a problem that we could use major prayers for… we had to be fingerprinted for FBI clearance, including my dad since we lived with him. We all did this and sent it the beginning of March. Will and I received our clearance a little over a week ago and we found out then that they want Dad’s redone because his prints were too “low of characteristic” and quality. I called and spoke to a guy who said if people have callused hands they usually don’t accept them if they aren’t printed well. Plus, my dad had a skill saw accident many years ago that affected 3 fingers on his right hand.  My dad went immediately and was re-printed however his is a 6 week process after it is received AND our home study can’t be completed without this document. So it’s our 1^st set back… and it’s 6 weeks IF they take this 2^nd set. Ugh!! My co-worker was very encouraging the other day and reminded me that every set back will be worth it because it will lead us exactly to our child. I’m trying to remember this.

So while we wait, my awesome sister has been working extra hard to get us started on another fund raiser. It’s an online auction. This is how it goes—

“I'm enthusiastically waiting on my niece/nephew from Poland! Will and Casey need $4,000 to complete their dossier (big set of papers), they are just waiting on USCIS and then the dossier will be complete & ready for Poland. I am wanting to do an online auction for them to help raise these funds and you popped into my head as someone who might could help. If you have a service or items that you make or sell, would you consider donating something for the online auction? I am going to really push this to be a big event so my hopes is that it helps Will & Casey out as well as get business for those donating, we can definitely link your site/product into the online auction if you'd like. 
I'm going to say thank you in advance, I know God will use this to provide in a huge way and I cannot wait to watch Him work! I know you guys are prayer warriors, too, so please pray for them and this journey.”

-Lindsey 

It was much easier to just copy and paste her request. If you want to get involved PLEASE let us know. We’ve already had many people commit to this including jewelry, Signed copy of “Sum It Up” by Pat Summitt, hair accessories, candles, cakes, gift cards, custom canvas prints, etc. We will take anything… any crafts or services including haircuts, manicure/pedicures,  massage, photography session, avon, pampered chef, scentsy, MaryKay, gift cards to restaurants, personal trainer or exercise classes. This will also give you a chance to promote your business or hobby as well.

We also still have our puzzle piece fundraiser still going.  So far we’ve sold 81 pieces and raised over $840!! Guess what… we still have 432 pieces left to sell! Don’t you want your name on one of those pieces. J

We have added a PayPal button to the right of our blog so now you can donate online.  Just click the “donate” button. You can pay using PayPal or if you don’t have an account you can donate with your bank account or credit card. This was one of the best options we found. It is free to have an account however 3% of each donation is taken out for the process fee.

Coming soon is another fundraiser… mini picture sessions with you and your family. I will post soon on times, days, prices, etc. Let me know if you are interested in this. It would be a great time to get some good pictures at a great deal while also supporting adoption.

Thanks for wading through this journey with us. I can’t even begin to tell you all how encouraged Will and I are because of people like you!