One Amazing Day

I can not believe I have been blogging for six months! I have many things to share as today has been full of nice surprises. First off, here is an update of our fundraising efforts. This past weekend we held our yard sale on Cameron Days. We made a little over $800 on Saturday and Sunday. I am so appreciative of our family and friends whom donated items to our cause. We had so many items to price and place onto tables neatly and I think it really paid off. Amanda and Chad Maleug came by Saturday morning and helped set up. Jessica met me early Saturday to get things rolling; her Goodwill experience was a big asset in helping me price unusual items. Jaimey and my mom also came by to help set things up. Jaimey hung out with Chad and I most of the day on the 4th at our sale. Although we sold a LOT of items, we still have many items left. Chad and I decided we would take some of the more desirable items to a friends' house in Galesburg for a yard sale there to see if we can sell more items. Once we do that we will probably donate the items to our different charities locally. We were so tired at the end of the day! We spent the 5th lounging around in the morning and then went to Chad's parents in Little York to swim in the afternoon. Today I returned to work at WIU feeling exhausted. I became reenergized upon receipt of an email from Susan our social worker. She had received an email from DCFS asking her to add additional information to our homestudy. She completed the requested information and faxed it back. Susan felt this was a sure sign our homestudy will be approved by DCFS very soon! I am excited to be able to submit our homestudy with our grant applications. This afternoon we were blessed to receive a wonderful donation from a family. I am overwhelmed with gratitude to this family as they saw our need and felt strongly enough to support our adoption to make such a contribution. I do believe that God is leading us on this journey and it has been difficult for me to not question the direction we are following. Giving it up to God can be such a challenge for a Type A personality! We received a much anticipated phone call this evening as I prepared dinner. Dr. Ladage from Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis called me to provide us with a consultation on the medical records we have received for the boys. I had been nervous to hear her opinion, as I knew it could include negativity about the medical history. Fortunately, Dr. Ladage stated that she did not see any diagnoses that caused her to become alarmed. She gave me specific ideas to use when we visit with the boys to acquire further information for her. When we are visiting the boys in the orphanage she will consult with us again as we will receive their full medical history. Once we return with the boys she can complete a full evaluation of their development as she is an international adoption pediatrician. It is nice to know that we are linked with professionals whom can provide us with support when we are in Russia. We hope everyone is enjoying their summer! Thanks again for all of the prayers and support!