August already...

Man... we have had one heck of a summer.

It was everything summer is supposed to be. Just FUN. So many little moments that could have passed us by, that could have gone unrecognized. I've always tried to make a point not to take these days for granted, but this year (I'm guessing in large part due to our little love muffin and everything it took to get her here), every day... well, almost every day, seemed worthy.

My niece, Cheyenne, is about six weeks younger than Anna Gray. To see her walking around, saying words, communicating, playing toys, drinking from a cup....  She's a pretty fantastic little toddler. And look at our AG coming up right behind her! She got red-shirted for a year, but she's a little fighter and she's going to do all those things too! She works hard, we work hard, and she's doing it.

Last summer, I didn't know it was a big deal when someone learns to put a slice of avocado in their mouth by themselves.

It is.

Last summer I didn't know that, after months of work, grasping "cause and effect" was a skill worth celebrating.

It is.


You know what that means for this summer?
Layla read a whole book in three hours and perfected her cartwheel. That's worth celebrating.
Brynn can climb to the top of the tree and put on a talent show with nothing but a hosepipe and pair of plastic high heels. That's worth celebrating.
Cale made a friend at the beach and hit the ball in coach-pitch. That's worth celebrating.

So, we celebrate.

Big or small child, big or small task- we celebrate.


A couple of weeks ago, some family friends met Anna Gray for the first time. Most people have questions (that's okay!). We are often asked: So, when will she talk? Will she speak Russian? Do you have to do therapy? Will she walk? Can she understand? 

But this friend walked right up and the first words out of his mouth were: "What sport do you think she will compete in for the Special Olympics?"

Our Anna Gray...

(Learning to put weight on her legs AND push up.)

She's doing it. She's growing and changing and learning and thriving.
She gets the chance. She gets a life.


Know who else gets a life?
Maxwell, Charlie, and Rebecca.

They're getting a life too. Their Mama and Daddy (and big sister who came home earlier this year!) are there right now to start it!
They will also be the family benefitting from BabyCakes' July sales :) $100 was sent to them this morning to help them get HOME!!



August is shaping up to be a nice month too! Several orders in place already... those orders will be helping the Wiehl family bring home their daughter, Lulu.

I first "met" Kathy when we were both in process for Ukraine. During all the drama last fall, the Wiehl family made the choice to change programs... now they are quite close to bringing home the daughter God had picked for them all along!
Can you help? Can you force yourself to eat a cupcake or two or twelve to help this beautiful girl get HOME?!

Update:
Together, we were able to raise $1,000 to give to the Hogelands to get V home!!
I'll be taking pictures until my hands rot off, but she gets to come home!!
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
I know for a fact that Kate and her family are forever grateful.

As long as your in the helping mood... please consider Deacon.

He's turning three this month!
I mean really,  what's a little hearing loss?
We happen to think he would make an ADORABLE West, but that's a Nathan-Amber plan from our own heads... not something God whispered in our ear. So, for now, we pray. We pray his Momma and Daddy find him. We pray his grant fills to the top! We pray this is the last birthday he spends in an orphanage.


Happy August, ya'll. It's gonna be a good one!