Update, Christmas Shopping and more!!!

Below is an update I e-mailed out last night:

Yes, you guessed it... we have another opportunity for you to help us out!!!

Here's the newest fundraiser:
Rada Cutlery Fundraiser
This is an AWESOME brand of knives and various other items VERY reasonably priced. I have catalogs available or YOU CAN SHOP ONLINE... PLACE your order and it will come to you DIRECTLY.. the company will then send us a portion of the proceeds!!! These are GREAT knives, peelers, etc...
(I received the paring knife as a gift about 5 years ago.. it has NEVER been sharpened and it's the BEST knife I own to this day!! I later had the vegetable peeler given to me.. and I will NEVER use anything else.. makes peeling a BREEZE!!!! You will not believe these products, and they are CHEAP!!!! I will PERSONALLY refund your money if you are not satisfied!!!)

There is still plenty of time to place orders and receive them by Christmas... you are guaranteed to receive them in plenty of time as long as your order is placed by Dec. 16th... so hurry, shop and get your orders turned in..
There are some AWESOME gift sets available as well as numerous other products... Let me know if you'd like a catalog... and please shop online!!!!
Here's the online info: www.helpourfundraiser.com
Internet Ordering Number: 502358
Password: adoption

Please log in using the above info... and then SHOP away!!!

____________________________________________

We are also taking orders for Christmas Poinsettias... if you'd like to order one, please let me know! They are $12.00 each and will be delivered to you on Dec. 10th.. you can pay then!

____________________________________________

We are also going to have a Bake Sale/Booth at the Perkins Downtown Christmas on Dec. 10th... we desperately need baked items... if you'd like to help us out by baking some items that would be SO awesome as well... PLEASE let me know if you can help us out...
Please stop by and visit us that night... and get some yummy Christmas goodies!!!

__________________________________________

We also found out from Orphan Impact Int. (the organization that we received the grant from) that they were able to up our grant amount to almost $1800.00... that's $600 more than they'd originally told us!!! VERY exciting news!!! God is providing!!!!

Our dossier has now been registered in the region of Pavlodar for 8 weeks... meaning an LOI (letter of invitation) to travel is getting closer EVERY day... PLEASE join us in completing this journey... Christmas shop through our fundraisers if you can... buy a poinsettia... tell your family and friends... PLEASE help us obey James 1:27... and finally bring these boy(s) home forever!!

Believe me I KNOW it's been a LONG road of fundraising... please hang tight with us.. and remember that this will end!!! God has a plan, we've said ok.. and here we are on this journey!!! Thanks for joining us... thanks for loving us... thanks for caring about our children!
The Lord knew what an incredible group of people we'd have supporting us.. and I have to say that the world has been amazed at what the Lord has done through our little family, our little church, our little school, our little town, and our little group of people... Thank you is not enough...

Praying tonight that the Lord will pour out blessings on all of you as well as wrap our boy(s) up extra tight tonight (today in Kaz) in his HUGE arms...
All my love and blessings,
Lanetta

EXCITING NEWS... and more..

wow... it's been a LONG time since I posted to the blog.. sorry about that... :) I need to try to do better....

ok.. so since I posted we had another yard sale: total donated = over $1700.... and I sent out the following update tonight:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello to everyone today! We hope and pray that everyone had a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving! We had a great time with family and are so thankful and blessed!

I have some EXCITING news to share.. we found out last week that we were selected to receive a grant from Orphan Impact (formally Hadessah's Hope) for our adoption. I don't know if any of you remember, but I filled out for EVERY grant program we could find at the beginning of this process... about 18 months ago.. and our application has been placed on hold with them... they raised some funds and felt God prompted them to select our family to bless... God just continues to provide! Thank you Lord!!!

Just a little update... we will need approximately $45,000 in hand when we travel (if we do indeed adopt 2 children... less if only one!)... The next time we have news it will be that we've received our LOI (letter of invitation) and have have dates to travel.
As you would expect this is very exciting... :) Please continue to pray for this journey, the timing, our children, and the finances!!! The Lord will provide.. this we know.. he spoke to our hearts... we've said, "Yes, Lord.. we are willing... and here we are!" There are so many instances that he's shown us that he is going to see this through... we are so excited and thrilled!! Receiving this grant of $1200 was just another way God reminded us that we are in "his perfect" will!

We also just finished up and closed out the Premier Jewelry Fundraiser. Thanks if you looked at a catalog and/or placed an order. We did very well with this fundraiser, and quite honestly it was one of my favorites yet... I didn't have to do much work!! The jeweler (Jolene Elmore) was EXCELLENT and such a blessing and blessed us with practically ALL her profits... she just donated her time and company to bless our family and this adoption! If you are interested in hosting a party or hearing more about Premier Jewelry, please give her a call... she is so kind, sweet, and has been such a blessing to us!!

The pig raffle also ended up well.... we made around $500.00 profit on the give-a-way... but, more exciting than that was that the pig went to the Bowman's... Cooper Bowman. If you don't know Cooper in the step-son of Malinda Bowman, a dear friend who recently WON her battle and fight with Cancer and is rejoicing in Heaven now... :) Phil and I know that this give-a-way was ordained straight from God and that Malinda is smiling as she is worshiping our Savior!! God takes care of his children!!! :) It was so exciting to get to call Greg and his family and tell them that they had won the pork!!!! Thank you Lord for continuing to wrap your arms of comfort around Greg, Cooper, and Rayanne...

Just one simple "house cleaning" thing that I need to address as well... I have several people who owe money for various items - cookbooks, tickets for the pig raffle, yard sale stuff, jewelry, pansies, etc.. If you could please let me know that you are aware of this, I would appreciate it so much... with so many fundraisers going at one time it's hard to keep up with everything.. and I know lots of time people just forget... so this is a friendly reminder!!!! :)

Thanks so much for hanging in there with us on this LONG journey of fundraising and "waiting"... We appreciate your love and support so much.. and know that we are so humbled by the love and support we've received!!!

It's almost Christmas time again... wow! We are selling Christmas Poinsettias again for a Adoption Fundraiser. If you would like to purchase one, please contact us or e-mail me. I need all orders turned in asap, but you can let me know as late as Dec. 7-8th. As always you may post date any checks until payday if that helps. The details are below... if you have any questions, please ask... PLEASE pass the info. along to all family and friends. Ask your church, your boss, a business you know that decorates with Poinsettia's for the holidays... Thank you so much!!!
Blessings, Lanetta
Poinsettia's
$12.00
All orders must be placed by Dec 8th.
Plants are top quality from Canterbury Gardens in OKC.
Poinsettias will be delivered on Thurs., Dec. 10th
Payment can be made at time of order or when plants are delivered.



We are adopting a Baby Boy or children
from Kazakhstan… Help us be God’s hands and heart extended by reaching out to an orphan around the world…

To hear more of our story and where we are in the process, contact us or visit our blog @ www.gobblefamilyadoption.blogspot.com
(for an invite to the blog... e-mail me)

Order your Poinsettia’s –
While also helping an orphan find their forever family…

God Bless You!
Phillip & Lanetta Gobble & Family
E-mail: lanettagobble@yahoo.com


“And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name, welcomes me!” Matt 18:5

Can anyone say FUNDRAISERS?!?!

Below is a portion of e-mail update I sent out tonight:

Donations for yard sale last weekend totaled WELL over $2,000.00... and we were able to bless a couple of families who we know needed items... we were so humbled as we continue to watch God provide for all his children... :) those who needed items for their family at the yard sale, us, and our child(ren) in Pavlodar, Kazakhstan!!! God is SO good!!!
Thanks to everyone who helped in anyway possible... from items donated to helping us set-up, tear down and clean up... I posted some pics on the blog if anyone is interested...

We have several fundraisers happening RIGHT now!!! PLEASE consider helping us with one of the following...

Premier Designs Jewelry Party/Fundraiser - - - -
We have catalogs and are currently doing a fundraiser with an awesome company and jeweler... SPECIALS: Buy 3 items at regular price and get 4th item 1/2 off...
She will mail catalogs ANYWHERE... if you would like to receive a catalog, PLEASE let me know your address and we'll send one to you soon!! PLEASE consider looking and maybe even purchasing... what a GREAT Christmas present, while helping there be one (or 2) less orphans in the world!!! If anyone is willing to take a catalog to work and show family and friends, that would be SO great!!! Please just let me know!!!
ALL SALES ARE DUE ON NOV. 6th... We are closing out the party on Nov. 6th.

1/2 Pork/Hog ~ Completely Processed GIVE - A - WAY!!!
We had a wonderful family bless us with 1/2 a hog for a give - a- way drawing. For a $1.00 donation you can enter to win 1/2 a pork... (yummy!)... For a $5.00 donation you can enter 7 times!! What a deal!!
The drawing will be on Nov. 16th... You do not need to be present to win... and if you'd like to make a donation to win... just let me know!! Also, if you are willing to take a book of tickets to help us out.. that would be GREAT as well!! Please let me know if you can help with this!!

COOKBOOKS are here!!

We have 220 MORE cookbooks... Wonderful adoption keepsakes and we will ship these ANYWHERE.... $10.00 each... I've had SO many people tell me how pleased they are with theirs... if you'd like to order more or help us sell these, please let me know... and if you've contacted me stating you are interested this time around... please let me know once again.. and we'll work out details!!! I've had several people tell me they are going to give these as Christmas Presents... I think that is an amazing gift... It is truly a collection of favorites... and a keepsake for years to come!!


Recycling Fundraiser ONGOING...

We are still recycling cartridges, lap tops, and cell phones.

Yard SALE - Date pending....

We are going to have one more yard sale before winter totally hits.. As always if you have items you'd like to donate, please let me know... We can pick them up or arrange a time to get them from you... Thanks so much!
I think that is about it... I know that some of you are probably REALLY tired of hearing about fundraisers and if you are... I am so sorry... I would be happy to stop sending these e-mails to anyone who doesn't want to continue to receive them... please just let me know..

I just want to say thanks for the love and support... we still have a few thousand dollars to go :) however, at this point God has blessed us thousands of dollars... we are so thankful and know that God will and is continuing to Bless... We are standing firm on his word and frantically attempting to get ready to welcome our child(ren) home... Lots of projects we need/want to get completed...
Please continue to pray for us, our children, this process, and the finances!
Many blessings to all of you tonight.. and know you are loved by us!!!

Have a Blessed and Wonderful Day,
Phil, Lanetta, Bay, and Brook
(and our kid(s) waiting on us in Pavlodar, Kazakhstan!!!)

Here are some pictures from the last yard sale last weekend... whew... it sure is tiring, but we'd do about ANYTHING to be obedient to our Lord.. and for our child(ren)!!!

OK.. I tried 3 times to upload those pics... I give up.. they will come later.. maybe!

Today was an AMAZING day... Humbled by our Lord.. once again..

wow! I never know where to start... and I have to admit I AM EXHAUSTED, but I wanted to post a second and share about the awesome day we had today...
It was COLD and misty and cloudy.. so we didn't even begin to get the stuff out and set up for the yard sale until after noon... (we had so much stuff it was ALL over the entire church... fellowship hall, hallway, entryway, and sanctuary!)... it's amazing... God always blesses and there is ALWAYS so much stuff.... Wow!
We started having customers IMMEDIATELY... and they never stopped... we still had customers at dark.... (I am NOT kidding!)...

We made OVER $1300.00 is about 6 hours (or less)... It was an amazing day... the stuff was just thrown out there... some stuff still in boxes, etc.. and we could hardly even get it set-up for the people EVERYWHERE....

I will post some pictures tomorrow.... and share about the awesomeness of Saturday!!!
We just continue to be blessed and blessed and blessed!!!
Headed to bed... or maybe I will dig out more yard sale items... LOL!!
I didn't even get to the church with anything I planned to take... God is so good! We are so blessed and amazed by our community, family, and friends... :)

Dossier submitted to the region of..........

Pavlodar!!!

I am in shock that I am getting to write this post... My head has been spinning all day and my insides rolling.... wow!
Yes, I knew it would happen... cause I had NO doubt that God was/is in control, but after 2 years of waiting, waiting, waiting, heartache, and waiting.... you begin to wonder if it really will.... does that make sense?
I think that due to this waiting, we have just had to go on with life... and attempt to not let the "what ifs" consume our lives... Yes, it has been difficult to not think about this adoption nonstop, everyday and every second of our lives... but, you have to find a happy place of rest and peace in knowing that the Lord does have all things under control and in his perfect timing all things will come to pass... (humm... I think that might be a scripture! :))

It is incredible to know that we are going to be traveling to the region of Pavlodar... and that we are ONE... (ONE) step away from traveling.... wow!!!!
It's very mind boggling to think about... I remember thinking we'd NEVER clear the consulate.... and now we are submitted to a region.
We are only waiting on our LOI... (Letter of Invitation) to travel... I remember on my timeline on the side of the blog that there were always so many steps still ahead of us.... and tonight I can happily put today's date beside ONE more... incredible!!!

As I was putting the girls in bed tonight we talked about the adoption... as they've heard us talking today about our dossier... and Bay KNOWS that this was the last step before traveling.... They were so excited!!! Brook says... can you go get them NOW Mama... please! We are tired of waiting on them!!! aaahhh... so precious! I asked them what they were looking forward to the most.. and Bay immediately says... well the airport... I can't wait for Nana to bring us to the airport and knowing that you and Daddy and Bubbas(that's what we call them... LOL.. yep, okies through and through.. ha ha!)... are on that plane and we will see them... I'm going to make signs and have balloons, etc... She just starts rambling on and on and on.. and before I know it.. I'm bawling... I've shared before how the airport pics always get me... I can not imagine the emotions that I will be feeling KNOWING that we have our family together in the same spot for the first time.... wow! Makes me cry to write it....

LOL... I have such a mental list of things I have to get DONE now.... Poor Phil...
Long list of stuff to do... that we've put off... and off.. and off.. we've delayed moving the girls into the same room, cause I didn't want the boy room decorated and just sitting there.... as a constant reminder of who wasn't home yet... I didn't want to decorate it "to" early... but, I think it's time to get it all done....
SO EXCITING!!!!!

Well... I could ramble on for hours tonight.. but, I will stop for now..

I did want to let everyone know what an outstanding day we had at the Old Settlers day celebration... we made (PROFIT) about $950.00 with our concession / bake sale! God is so good!!!

The cookbooks are here... if you'd like to order one or several.. just send me a e-mail, leave me a comment or call me... I will post more about these soon...

Garage sale upcoming as well... Oct 9-10... Accepting donations NOW... The fellowship hall at the church is already busting at the seams with donations.... WOW!! God is SO good.. it's amazing!!!

Here are some pictures from Sat...

Some of our AWESOME Help.... We are so blessed!! A special thanks to Rob, Lori, Janet, Josh, Adrienne, my Mom (Nana :)), Justin, and many others who baked items and donated them.... Thank you so very much!!

Rob and Phil were doing a GREAT job serving up the BBQ.... Don't you love their gloves!? :) I should have gotten them some hair nets as well.. hee hee hee....

Here is our massive table of baked goods.... I once again felt led to NOT price any of the baked goods and let people make a donation of ANY amount.... God always comes through! People are always SHOCKED and amazed that there are NO set prices... and give so unselfishly!!!


Brooklyn sampling a breakfast biscuit... we had to make sure the items were good... :)

Bailey - our #1 advertiser! I can't tell you how many people came up to the stand and said... OK where is Bay? She told me all about this and asked me to please come.... to help you get her brothers! Awesome!!! :)

Please say a prayer for us, our finances, the entire situation, and our child(ren) in PAVLODAR, Kazakhstan!

Don't forget... this blog is going PRIVATE soon... Oct 1st... if you haven't let me know you want an invite.... time is winding down!! :)

Unofficial News...

I hesitate to share this on the blog, but can't help myself... We received some "unofficial" news last week from our agency... stating that in Oct. they suspect that our dossier will be submitted to the region of _________________. It is SO stinking exciting to think that we might know exactly where our child(ren) are.... WOW!!!
We've done TONS of research and are ready to go... :-) ha ha...

Anyway... Let the FUNDRAISERS begin!!!
If you live locally and are planning to attend Harvest fest on Sat... PLEASE eat lunch with us... and buy some baked goods... :-)
Help us get our children home... :)

Just a reminder and in case you haven't read the last post... I will be making our blog private on or around Oct. 1st... so let me hear from you if you'd like an invite... I have to say that doing this has been cool because lots of you NEVER comment... and knowing people are really reading my blog has been cool! :)
Love and prayers to all of you today...
~Lanetta

OH.. and for those of you who aren't on Facebook... Brooklyn's appointment with the cardiologist last Monday was AWESOME!! NO heart damage at all!!! God is SO good!!! We see the cardiologist again in 6 months.. and will be on antibiotics until age 25 daily.. We are so thankful for no heart damage and KNOW that God has touched her little body... Thanks so much for the sweet comments, thoughts, and prayers..

Update~ Brooklyn, Adoption, Fundraisers, and going private!

Below is an e-mail update I sent out tonight....

Hello to everyone tonight!!
I hope this e-mail finds all of you well and enjoying the first few days of Sept. Wow! Can you believe it's already September?
I have LOTS of stuff to share, so I apologize in advance for this long update/post!!!

First off, an update on Brooklyn... I'd like to thank everyone who has been praying for her/us over the past few weeks... she is doing VERY well for the severity of Rheumatic Fever and we KNOW this is totally due to the Lord answering all the prayers that have been sent up for her... We have felt those prayers and have once again felt so loved and cherished by our family and friends! God is SO good!!!
She has an appointment with the Pediatric Cardiologist tomorrow.. and we KNOW that it will turn out fine as well... just seeing them to establish a baseline and monitor her heart closely.
Please continue to wrap her in prayer hugs.... and give the Lord praise and thanks for healing her little body!! We know it is DONE!!!

I do want to share a small story about the morning I found the HUGE swelling on the posterior right side of her little head... I held it together as best I could while finishing getting her ready (we were already heading to the Dr., due to HUGE swollen knees and not being able to walk at all!)... I made arrangements for Bailey and then got Brook settled as best I could in her car seat in the van... I got her favorite movie in and going and she relaxed some and was watching that... I turned the rear view mirror so she couldn't see me... hunkered down behind my seat (while driving), and lost it!!! I did the normal thing.. "God what is going on here? You know that Phil and I gave these kids to you WAY before you ever gave them to us...God are you forsaking me? God you CAN'T let her be REALLY sick... God I CAN"T lose my BABY!!!! God do you hear me?!!!" I was crying out and you know what... God spoke to my heart in such a profound way....
He said, "HAVE PEACE!!! This is just another chapter in the book, LANETTA, HAVE PEACE!!! It's just another chapter in the book!"
Looking back now I sort of think it's funny that God spoke to me twice.. the 2nd time was MUCH more forceful, as if too say, Lanetta... STRAIGHTEN UP!!!

I have to admit that it was and has been very scary.. even with having the amazing reassurance that God had all things under control and this was just more of "our story" that God was giving us to share... it was still hard to watch your baby in pain and suffering.. Honestly, I have NO idea how anyone would get through such a thing without the reassurance of our Lord.... We have already had numerous opportunities to share about Christ, his love and healing POWER as a result of Brook being sick... God has a plan in all things... and we are just attempting to be willing vessels, living our lives for him!!!

ok.. so now that we're all caught up on Brooklyn... let's talk ADOPTION!!!
Some of you already know due to facebook or reading our blog, but we found out on Sept. 2nd that our dossier had cleared the MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) office in Kazakhstan and is now at the MOE (Ministry of Education)... if you are not aware of the process regarding international adoption and Kazakhstan in particular, I'm sure you have NO idea the significance of this... THIS IS HUGE!! We are one step closer to our boy(s)...
These are the steps we have left: :-)

• Dossier (HUGE packet of adoption paperwork) is currently at MOE.
• Dossier submitted to a region. (Meaning we'll know the exact city our children are in.. and where we will be traveling too! HUGE deal!!!)
  
• Receive LOI (Letter of Invitation) to come to the country and meet available child(ren).
  
• Travel to Kazakhstan (Finally!!) and meet our child(ren)!!!
  

So, as you can see we are WAY closer than we've ever been before.... I think we're still in shock... It's been over 1 year and 10 months since our application was approved with our agency... When it was approved they said completed adoption from that point was 9-12 months! :-) God's timing is different and we've seen his hand in the timing... so we know that this journey will be completed when he says it's time!!!

Speaking of timing and travel... We have taken several weeks off from fundraising due to Brook being sick and a much needed break for us...

Yes, honestly, we are VERY tired of fundraising, but know that God has blessed thus far and we will continue to press through until the very thing he has called us too comes to pass!! (1 Thes 5:14)

My mom, Phil, and I were talking the other day and I shared with them about how that I know God could speak to someone to open their heart to give us the remaining money needed or somehow, someway provide the exact amount needed to complete this adoption, but I don't think it's going to happen that way... (I might be wrong... which is OK!!!!!)... but, it is during the fundraisers where we are truly sharing from our hearts about orphans, and how that God spoke to us in a magnificent way to do this... and when we share how we did not have the means... and he's provided EVERY single step of the way... We were obedient and he's met us there.... it's when we share and people see first hand God moving... that their lives are touched!!! Early on in this adoption, God spoke to us that getting these boy(s) home was the least thing he was doing with this adoption.. :-)

SO, as you can imagine my next paragraph is sharing about fundraisers...

If you are tired of fundraising.. and hearing about our fundraisers... STOP reading here!! and if not, Thanks! :-)

FUNDRAISER UPDATES AND INFO---

• Sept 26th - _________ Harvest Fest. We are going to sell BBQ sandwiches, Chips, and pop.. We are going to also have a bake sale. If you would like to donate baked items, we'd appreciate it SO much... Please contact me and we'll happily take any baked items anyone would like to donate. If you are going to attend Harvest Fest, please find our booth and each lunch with us... I promise the BBQ will be delicious and thanks in advance for all our help, support, and love... :-)
  
  
• Oct 9-10 - YARD SALE @ __________________________ - Accepting donations NOW! If you have donations and would like to get rid of them NOW.. we will take them, however if you can hang on to them until the week of the sale, we'd appreciate that as well!!!! I will send out a reminder in a few weeks!!!
  
  
• We have 200 MORE cookbooks ordered.... If you didn't get one last time, there is another chance... I've had several people tell me they LOVE theirs and wish I had more...so we stepped out in faith once again and ordered 200 more!! What a GREAT and easy Christmas Present!!! A friend was telling me she's going to make a basket with ingredients from one recipe and the cookbook in it... What a Great idea... They are going to be $10.00 each this time... and as always... I am happy to ship books anywhere!! Please help me sell these without much work on my part... please... if you would like some or would like to sell some for us... please let me know.... They are supposed to ship to us on Oct. 16th!!!
  
  
• Premier Jewelry Party - We have a Jewelry party in the works and YES this is also an excellent Christmas IDEA as well... and we can do catalog orders anywhere around the world!!!!! More details coming soon!!!
  
  
• Recycling Fundraiser - ONGOING... We are still gathering ink cartridges, cell phones, digital cameras, and laptops... thanks so much for the response we've received.. please keep em' coming... Every little bit adds up!!

Please know that any and all help with any and all of the above fundraisers is SO appreciated... I'm telling you every time I am exhausted beyond belief, someone steps up and volunteers to help me.. Thanks so much!!!

You are all adding jewels to your crowns and know that everyone of you is loved and prayed for by Phil and I... we pray that God will bless all of you beyond your wildest dreams!!!



One last item I am sad to have to address.... Our agency has advised us that we need to make our blog private... this means you will have to log in to have access to our blog... Them advising this is very wise, due to my OPENNESS about lots of subjects (that's all I will say about this)... but, this means that you will need to contact me if you'd like to continue to read our blog... Blog Address: www.gobblefamilyadoption.blogspot.com

I am going to make our blog private on Oct. 1st... so if you'd like to be invited to the end of this journey and follow us while in country (yes, we're really going!)... then let me know!! I will make our blog public again once we are through the court process and home or on our way home!!!



Thanks again and God bless!!!

Have a great day!

Lanetta Gobble

News!!

We heard from our agency today and our dossier has succesfully passed through the MOFA... so it's now at the MOE... Very excited to hear of movement!

I have a LONG update coming soon.. (hopefully over the weekend... )

Have a GREAT weekend!!

Ramblings... BEWARE!!!

ok.. I just want to start out by saying that this is MY blog... my place to share my thoughts, my feelings, my heart... so, I need to vent about this.. and decided this was the place...

Let me give you an update on our little Brooklyn so you'll have more of a clue about why I'm so worked up...

She has been VERY sick the past few weeks.. Started with random joint swelling (and bruising), pain, and low grade fever.. ended with NUMEROUS ER visits, Dr's visits and a trip to OU Children's Hospital..(within that time frame lots of things were thrown at us like leukemia, lupus, juv. rheum. arthritis.. etc.. ) and even suspected a brain tumor at one point due to a HUGE swelling on her head...

Talk about a SCARY and LONG 3 weeks. We ended up with a diagnosis of Rheumatic Fever. They are saying the Rheum. Fever was caused by an untreated strep infection. (She came in contact with strep and her little body never showed any signs or symptoms of it.) Her body then began fighting the infection and began to work against itself. She does not and did not have strep now or when they did the testing, but the Rheum. Fever was the side effects of having had the infection. Due to her YOUNG age and SEVERITY of symptoms (she couldn't even walk part of the time), they are saying that she has a heightened chance of heart conditions later in life and the next infection/virus could/will go straight to her little heart.

They are treating her with LONG term antibiotics and we have an appointment with a pedia. cardiologist in a few weeks. (to follow her heart very closely).. We had a tonsiladnoidectomy last Fri. as a preventive measure to try to keep the infection down.... while all this is going on.. Phil and Bay both get sick, therefore have to stay away from Brook for 48+ hours. I had to take Brook after surgery and stay at my mom's... whew... wow.. what a 3 week stretch... oh.. and school started back and I went back to work... :-)

Ok... so as you can imagine the stress level has been high..
I have been asked numerous ?'s about Brook and about our family lately...
One question that I've been asked more than once that really upsets me is this:
Is the adoption still on? Are you still going through with the adoption?

Now, if you are reading this blog post and you've wondered that same thing... I'm sorry... but, I'm just going to be blunt here! This is the only way I know how to explain how significant this ? is to me...

Asking me that question would be like asking me (if I was 8 months pregnant), if I was going to terminate the pregnancy since Brook is sick. That is what that question feels like to me... I about fell over the first time I was asked... but, as I was asked it several times, I realized that there are so many people that obviously DO NOT GET THIS OR ME!!! That is ok.. but, I had to share my thoughts about this...

Not going through with this adoption would be like suffering the death of one or my children.... I love my future baby(ies) like I do my girls.. Those of you that have been pregnant can relate... you feel the baby move, you know it's there.. you already LOVE it long before holding it for the first time... That is what has happened to Phil and I both... I can hardly talk about my boy(s) without tearing up... My heart is so consumed with love for them, I can hardly stand it... I know that this is hard for some of you to "get"... and if you don't that's ok..

God spoke to my heart on Sept. 24, 2007... and he didn't ask me to do it... I asked him... God WHAT CAN I DO... HOW CAN I MAKE A DIFFERENCE? It was then that I knew.. Phil and I were supposed to adopt... I think the seed of love and adoption for my future babies was birthed that day and has grown into something that is SO hard for me to put into words...
I am crying as I write this post...
yes, Brook could have long term heart problems... do you think God didn't know that when he spoke to me?

There are one or two children in Kazakhstan that God made specifically for Phil and I to love and raise... When those boy(s) were being formed in their Mother's Womb... God had a plan for their little lives.. and he knew at that MOMENT in time that they were my children....

So.. yes, the adoption is still on.. We will fight, wait, cry, and we will pray, praise and wait longer until God sees fit that we complete our family..

who knows.. we might even do this again after Kazakhstan...
You know there are 143 million babies without a family or ANYONE to care for them TONIGHT... right now as you go and snuggle into your warm bed... there are children dying of starvation and neglect.. Children alone...

Lord please use us for your Glory!

Prayer Request

Please know that I have not forgotten you my cute blog and all my wonderful faithful blog readers...

My Brooklyn has been VERY sick.... and it's been very stressful..
Please say a prayer for her... I would appreciate it so much!

Yard Sale Update - Plus Another Yard Sale!!! ;-)

Below is an e-mail I sent out tonight:

Hello to everyone tonight...

I am sending out a quick update... sorry it's taken me so long to let all of you know about the last yard sale, but as always it was amazing! God blessed us with an additional $1500.00 in donations... and the 3 days were full of witnessing to the true power and faith of Jesus!! Thank you Lord!!!

Our dossier (HUGE packet of adoption paperwork) is officially in Kazakhstan which is a HUGE relief and step in this amazing process... We have NO idea about travel times, but do know that we are heading in the right direction. Lots of you have asked so here are the steps that remain:
Dossier at the MFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Dossier at MOE (Ministry of Education)
Dossier assigned and submitted to a region.
Country of Kazakhstan (and region) issue an LOI (Letter of Invitation)... we have travel dates.. and travel... :-)

This could all happen quickly, or it could be months... Our agency has NO idea given the recent changes in the adoption process, however I feel very safe in saying the chances of us traveling by the end of 2009 are slim... It's looking like Spring of next year or early Summer...

The recent movement of our dossier has brought excitement and questions, but we know God will provide!!

We will need to have around $30,000 when we travel to complete this adoption, so as you can imagine we are jumping back into fund-raising FULL FORCE!!!

First on the list: YARD SALE scheduled for next weekend... July 31st and Aug. 1st @ _______________________. It is so much easier to have these yard sales while I'm not working, so we decided to cram one more into the summer.. As you would suspect, we need items and donations... It never fails how we always end up with new stuff every time... God is so Good and always provides TONS of items... I've had several people ask us if we were going to have another yard sale.. and that if we were they would have items to donate... Here's your chance!!!!
Contact us in anyway you would like if you have items and would like for us to pick them up or schedule a drop off time... :-)

Thanks in advance for your love, support, and help! We couldn't make it through this journey without all of you!! Thank you!! Thank you!!! Thank you!!
Phil and I pray that God will pour out his blesses on all of you!!

FYI: We have several fundraisers in the works... if you have an idea, or would like to help in ANYWAY.. we'd appreciate it so much...

Check out the blog for additional info: www.gobblefamilyadoption.blogspot.com

Many Blessings,
Phil and Lanetta (and kids ;-) )

NEW MUSIC VIDEO ~ Building 429

A friend of mine posted this video on FB tonight... it moved Phil and I so much... Wow!! God is ALWAYS there and he NEVER fails, even when all hope is gone... God KNOWS our pain and HIS promise remains!!!!!!
(Be sure to pause my play list at the bottom of the page...)

The post I've been waiting to get to post... NEWS!!! BIG NEWS!!!!

I can not even express the emotions when writing this tonight... today has been incredible...

What a day!! We are within hours of another AMAZING yard sale... WOW! Once again we stand in awe of God and how much he shines through our family, community, church, and friends... We are more than blessed!! We've only been home a few minutes... cause the donations just kept rolling in... and in a few short hours we will head back to the church to really get it all set up... (5 AM will come WAY to soon!)...

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who helped out tonight... I could not have made it without you.. (my mom, Adrienne, Julie, Pastor Mike, Justin Ray C. :-), Julie Hall ;-), Derrick, my girls, Phil... the list goes on and on... Christy and Cody helped for hours on Monday night... and then we all worked last night... it's amazing how it all comes together in the end.... God is SO good...
and now I will have NEWS to tell anyone that asks......

DRUM ROLL PLEASE.........

Our dossier will be sent to Kazakhstan tomorrow!!! (This means that our dossier was successfully been approved and processed at the DC consulate!!!) Let me tell you this has been a HUGE step for us!!! We are thrilled and beside ourselves... wondered if this day would EVER come... yes, we really are doing this... and yes, we are coming boy(s)...

This will all happen in God's PERFECT timing... and when it brings our Savior and Lord the MOST glory and honor... and who.. I ask you WHO would dare want it to happen before then?!
Thank you Lord for always encouraging us at the EXACT moment that we need it... Thank you Lord for providing and carrying us through this amazing journey!!!

Thanks to all of you for all your love, support, and prayers...
We are truly blessed... and always remember:
"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name, welcomes me!” Matt 18:5

I will let you know how the yard sale goes.... if you live locally and have donations... we are still taking items.. it's NEVER to late...
Please pray that God will bless, and touch hearts and lives... and while all that is going on (touching hearts and lives and witnessing to others for the kingdom of God)... he WILL take care of the finances of this adoption... it's done.. he called us to it... He will see it through!!!! "The one who calls you is faithful and HE WILL DO IT!" Thes. 5:24

Yard Sale - Fundraiser - This weekend!

Just a quick post to let everyone know that we are having another yard sale this weekend....
Whew... I think I'm still tired from the last one... (: Remember all the stuff we had left... and we stored it in my mom's garage?! Well, we started pulling it all out tonight.. and hauling it to the church fellowship hall... wow!

Please pray once again that God will not only bless us financially through this sale, but that our story will continue to touch people as they see Jesus work through us.... that's our hearts cry.

I have been struggling a little... as I shared in the last post, but every time that I get to my low points and begin to feel sorry for myself.... God brings someone across my path and I once again see and KNOW God is moving on behalf of our family. Last Thursday I once again was moved and saw our story/adoption touch 3 men's hearts... I was very bold and shared a little about the story with them... after they inquired regarding the upcoming sale... God used that opening and it wasn't long until they were teary eyed.. and I was bawling!!! God is so good, and always shows us and encourages us at the right moment... It's always amazing how I open my mouth and he fills it!! Thank you Lord!!!

If anyone reading this lives close and would like to donate items for the yard sale, we are still taking donations.... (:

I will try to post pictures.. and let you know how the sale turns out... please remember us in your prayers....
Many blessings...

Thanks so much!

Ok... so if you've not figured it out... I had to pull away from the blogs for a while.. There are times that it all just becomes to much for me to handle...
Yes, we know that we are on the path God designed for us, Yes, we know that in this WAIT of YEARS, God is preparing our children for us, and most likely us for our children... and yes, I know that God does have a plan and desire to see this thing he spoke to the core of our hearts to do come to pass.... Yes, I know... and yes, I can not imagine walking this road without all those reassurances, but even in all of this and the KNOWING and SEEING God firsthand.... there are times when it's so frustrating and discouraging...
Just look at the timeline on the right side to see the long road we've been on....

Anyway, so I've taken a few weeks off from looking at the blogs and only visiting families who were traveling... and I guess as a result of that, I've also neglected my blog... I had lots of plans of posting pictures of various things, but have never taken the time to do it... humm......

so, I logged onto my blog this morning to mainly just listen to the music.. and the tears started to roll.. and then I looked at and reread the 15 comments that some of you left for us a couple of posts ago... and to say that I was encouraged would be putting it lightly! Thank you so much for reading my blog and caring about our family. Thanks for encouraging me this morning!
:-)
BTW: fundraisers are in the works... :-)

Happy Birthday Phil!

I love you babe so much! Thanks so much for just being you... I am honored to be your wife. Thanks for putting up with me.... and loving us! ;-)
I can't wait to celebrate 50+ more birthdays with you!!!

I just have to share this picture of my sexy husband with you... I was taking pictures of Bailey's ballgame... and before I knew it my camera was zooming in on this SEXY coach!! This is the man I fell in love with....

Happy Birthday to my Phillip!

I love you babe and hope you had the best birthday ever!!!!

Dossier is back at the consulate!

OK... so where to really start.. humm...

Good news is that all the redos and updates were completed, overnighted to the agency, re translated and the new and hopefully "perfect" dossier was hand delivered back to the official at the consulate on Friday.

I have to say that this is awesome news... it really is.. but, in the midst of this awesome news... I can't help tcompare our wait and time at the consulate to others... I mean honestly.. who can't?! LOTS of families dossiers have been submitted to the consulate, approved, and sent on to Kaz. all since we've been waiting.... is this frustrating? YES!!! Sometimes to the point to exhaustion, and honestly I have to make myself not compare time lines... am I the only one out there who struggles with this?

ok... having shared all of that.. I have to also share that we've seen God move and touch lives in about 2 or 3 situations all totally linked to our dossier still being at the consulate... and the steps involved in the past few weeks... so, we KNOW that it is still part of God's plan.. We know that God's timing is indeed perfect and that our child(ren) will come home in that perfect plan/time.

Does that make this easy? NO! Does that make it feel fair? NO... does it sometimes make me want to SCREAM... YES!!! Regardless of all the delays, set backs and redos we've endured... we KNOW that God has a plan.. and we cling to that promise!

We are hoping and praying that we will hear that our dossier has been approved and is on it's way to Kaz. (or already there) soon!

I have LOTS of pics to share of happenings with the girls... I will try to get some of those posted soon...
Have a great week..
Lanetta

Finally some NEWS!!!!!

Finally heard from the consulate and we have some updated to do... imagine that?! ha ha.. it's been sitting there so long that things are old... who would have thought?!! so, it's off to the races for me tomorrow... I am thinking I can get it all done, notarized, fly (really drive fast!) to the capitol, get it all done and overnighted by 5 PM tomorrow.. that's my goal..

Wish me luck... cause I'm off EARLY in the morning!!!!

The official at the consulate said we should be good to go once they get these updates!!! ya hoo....
no way.. we're finally getting past the consulate hurdle... NO WAY!!!!!

I will faint when we get the official word that our dossier is really in Kaz.... I just know I will faint.. never fainted before in my life.. but, after 1 year 6 months and 3 weeks.... I think it will be my first time!!! ha ha.....

I will let you know if my day tomorrow was as successful as I hope... we will see! Wish me luck and say a prayer..

Garage Sale Grand totals, Brook's 4th B-day, Mother's Day, New nephew, and friends are going to Kaz..

Whew!!
Am I the only one out there tonight exhausted? Between field trips, Special Olympics, a new (adorable) nephew, Brook turning 4, and the normal end of the year things... I am way tired!! :-

Let me start by giving an update on the part 2 of our Garage sale.... Last Sat. was once again amazing... absolutely amazing.. we had people dropping items off and donating more things pretty much all day... we made another $1100.00, making the grand total for our garage sale to a little over $3200.00.... WOW!!! We had 3-4 truck and trailer loads of stuff left... and we packed it up and are storing it in my mom's garage... (Thanks Nana!) We are going to have another sale in a few months... It is so much work, but not only VERY profitable financially, but as an outreach as well... It's an amazing event and everyone is just as incredible as the last!! AMAZING!!!! God is SO good!!!

Brooklyn turned 4 on May 9th.. the part 2 of our sale... We made the day special for her and had cake and candles... etc... and celebrated her birthday party TODAY!!! We had a great time... pictures to come soon... (promise!)
We can not believe our baby is 4... man o man time if flying by!!!

Another Mother's day came and went... I vividly remember Mother's day last year.. thinking that it would be the LAST one without my boy(s).... well, here we sit again... and we don't feel we are really that much closer to getting there now than then.... Don't get me wrong the day was great... Phil and the girls were wonderful.. I had plenty of wonderfully sweet homemade gifts and Bay woke me up with kisses and handmade presents... it was wonderful and I'm so blessed... However none of it could shake the deep thoughts and feelings of my child(ren) in Kaz.... It's a feeling that I can't really describe, but I suspect some of you totally understand...

Phil's brother and his wife had a baby last Wed... so we have an adorable sweet new nephew... named Tristan Matthew.... (pictures coming soon.. I promise!!)
We are so thrilled.. and man o man is he a doll! He's so precious and we are over the moon excited!

I also wanted to share how thrilled and excited we are for our dear friends the Crutchfield's... they are headed to Kazakhstan next week... please say a prayer for them... We are so thrilled they are finally about to get to their kiddos... :-)

Last I wanted to share about what God has been doing in us.... No, we've not heard anything about our dossier... Our agency met with officials at the DC consulate last week... and the meeting was positive, but we've not heard anything specific about our dossier... :(
Just when Phil or I begin to get discouraged.... someone sends something like this to us...
Wow... God is so awesome and RIGHT on time!!! We'll wait God... we'll wait on you.. and your perfect timing... cause we want your will for our lives!!!
Hope this poem encourages some of you (that are waiting) like it did us.... Many blessings.. and know that we are praying for you!!

"WAIT"

Author Unknown

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried:

Quietly, patiently, lovingly God replied.

I plead and I wept for a clue to my fate,

And the Master so gently said, "Child, you must wait."

"Wait? You say, wait!" my indignant reply.

"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!

Is Your hand shortened? Or have You not heard?

By faith, I have asked, and am claiming Your Word.

My future and all to which I can relate hangs in the balance,

and You tell me to wait?

I'm needing a "Yes", a go-ahead sign,

or even a "No" to which I can resign.

And Lord, You promised that if we believe we need but to ask,

and we shall receive.

And Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry:

"I'm weary of asking! I need a reply!

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate as my Master replied

once again "You must wait."

So, I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut

and grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting...for what?"

He seemed, then, to kneel and His eyes wept with mine,

and He tenderly said "I could give you a sign.

I could shake the heavens, and darken the sun.

I could raise the dead, and cause mountains to run.

All you seek, I could vie, and pleased you would be.

You would have what you want - but, you wouldn't know Me.

You'd not know the depth of My love for each saint;

You'd not know the power I give to the faint.

You'd not learn to see through the clouds of despair;

You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there;

You'd not know the joy of resting in Me;

When the darkness and silence were all you could see.
You'd never experience the fullness of love

as the peace of My Spirit descends like a dove;

You'd know that I live and I Save, for a start,

but you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.

The flow of my comfort late into the night,

the faith that I give when you walk without sight,

the depth that's beyond getting just what you asked

of an infinite God,

who makes what you have last.

You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,

what it means that "My grace is sufficient for thee."

Yes, your dreams for your loved one overnight would come true,

But, Oh, the Loss! If I lost what I'm doing in you!

So, be silent, My child,

and in time you will see that the greatest of gifts is to get to know Me.

And though oft' may My answers seem terribly late,

My most precious answer of all is still, "Wait."

Sophie, Garage Sale Update, and Pictures...

First off I want to say thanks for all the wonderful e-mails and comments I've received about Brownie and Sophie.... Sophie passed away this afternoon as well. We are all doing good though! Phil and I encouraged the girls in the fact that we have Sophie's best thing.. her baby puppies!! We are going to let them keep 2 now.... are we softies or what? :-)

I finally found the time and energy to type out my update about the garage sale....

Below is what I sent out tonight...

Wow! I don't know how to start this e-mail except to say: "The one who calls you is FAITHFUL and HE will do it!" Phil and I laughed Saturday night and said... you know.. it's really sad that we are once again amazed at God's hand at work with this adoption... I mean seriously... How long does it take us to realize that God does indeed have all things under control... and HE will see this very thing come to pass!! Wow!!

We are very happy to report that God blessed us with over $2000.00 in donations. If you live in or around our area, you will understand the significance of this... This past weekend was MISERABLE... it was rainy and misty and absolutely NOT garage sale weather!! We just prayed and continued on with the sale... you know what? God performed miracles!

We are so thankful for the _______ AG who allowed us to have the sale at their church!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, and a special thanks to all our help throughout the week and weekend... (Josh, Adrienne, My Mom, Robin, Kim... the list goes on and on.) Just when I thought I was to tired to pull this off... someone else stepped up and helped me... Thanks does not seem like enough!!!

ACCEPTING DONATIONS NOW!!!
Due to the weather and the fact that we have so much stuff left... We are going to continue the sale this coming Saturday.... so if you are local and meant to get things together to donate... or if you have some things you want to get rid of.... I know a great place!!! We are more than happy to pick up items this week or meet you at the church to leave them there. Call me @ ____________ or e-mail to figure out a time.. etc..

It's really amazing when you walk into the fellowship hall and see all the items left... and know that we made over $2000.00 in profit... wow!!!

I know that all of you don't know this.. so I'll share.. but, back in Nov. 07.. just a couple of months after God spoke to our hearts and lives about adopting an orphan...
God spoke to my heart about the Nov. 07 sale.. and that we weren't supposed to price items... we just tell a little about our story to each person.. that God spoke to our hearts in Sept. 07 to reach out to an orphan.. and we're adopting internationally from Kaz.. et.c....
and that if they see anything they want or need.. PLEASE take it... and if they have the resources and can or would like to... donate any amount to our adoption fund.....
Some don't pay anything and take items... others take nothing and donate $5.00, $20.00.. or sometimes $100.00...
I have flyer's that we give EVERY person who walks in the door..

People donate items ALL weekend.... they come and shop and go home and come back and donate more or more items... saying they can feel the holy spirit and KNOW God is involved.... it's truly amazing!! God is so Good!!!

I am happy to report that on that garage sale back in 07... we were blessed with $8700.00... we had another one in May of 08 and made over $2500.00... and now this one..
It's amazing to see peoples faces when we tell them that NO donation is to small... and we're happy with .25! People are amazed... and it truly touches their hearts! You know you can't out give God... YOU can't!!! It's also very encouraging to see families who you know need items.. find things that they need for survival.. and you can bless them with those things!! It is truly what Christ would do...
Let me just remind you tonight that if God has spoken to your heart about something, step out in FAITH! God will be there every step of the way... He desires to see the very thing he called you to come to pass...so he will be there with you!
Phil and I are in such shock at the awesome ways God multiplies items that people don't want or need... and turns it around to help one of his precious children! Wow!! If you have donated items... or are donating... Please know that you have and are playing a vital role in this journey! When God called us to this... he also knew the awesome support we'd have and receive!!

Did you know that there are over 143 million orphans in the world??? If 7% of all professing Christians would DO SOMETHING... there would be NONE! Did you know that this week alone... 200,000 children will DIE of starvation (world wide)?? and 200,000 next week, and 200, 000 the next week... etc. etc. etc...

Thank you for doing something... and helping us reach our child(ren) in Kazakhstan! Our heart cries to do more...

Phil and I pray that you will be blessed beyond anything you have ever dreamed or imagined.. and that all of you would have the courage to step out in FAITH and do what God has called you to do!!! You will be amazed at what happens when you take that first step!!! :-)

Many blessings... and I can't wait to report the great success from the upcoming sale!!!

There is going to be pictures and an article in our local newspaper this week... so check that out if interested!!


Thanks for loving our family!!
All our Love and Prayers,
Lanetta (and family)


Here are some pictures from the sale (I forgot to take any pictures until on Sat... and we'd sold TONS of items... but, you can get the general idea.. when I took these pictures, we'd made over $1800.00:

More sadness.... oh my!

I can't believe it.. I'm still in shock! After church as we were turning into our driveway, Phil accidently let his foot slip off the brake and it hit the gas... gunning us forward and into and over our dog, Sophie... We hit her twice and it's been awful since then... As you can imagine the girls have been so upset. Phil wrapped her in a sheet and we brought her in the kitchen to try to warm her up and acess her injuries. She seems to be resting now... we don't know if she is hurt internally or not... but, you talk about stresful! We're still trying to decide about taking her to the vet or not... urg!!
The girls have calmed down and after many prayers for Sophie to make have decided that it would be pretty cool if she went to heaven to keep Brownie company.... Oh my goodness... How much of this can 2 baby girls take?
Bay, did say at one point with tears streaming down her face.... what is this Mama, death week around here? so sad... and as you can imagine the 4 puppies have been going crazy hearing their Mom cry out in pain.. whew!!
Things are calm for the moment..and hopefully things will continue to be calmer.... and maybe Sophie will pull through this.. we sure hope so!

Check back... I still plan to get that yard sale update posted soon.... It's so amazing!!!

If you don't mind.. say a little prayer for my girls today... thanks! (and Phil and I... Phil feels SO bad!)

Sad Day for my girls....

Well, I had planned to come home tonight and post this amazing post about the success of the yard sale.... but, we had a family tragedy. Brownie died today. (Brownie is Bailey's goat... Click here and here to see pics.) As you can imagine the girls are SO sad.... they are very upset. :( We have no idea what happened... He was perfectly healthy and fine last night. We assume he was sick or ate something in our yard that made him sick. Phil and I talked a few days ago how small he was... The other 2 have grown a LOT and he had stayed so small... and we wondered then if maybe he was sick. He never acted like he was sick... He ran and played and was SO rotten!! It's so frustrating that their favorite one had to die, but it's one of those life lessons.... The girls called my Dad bawling their eyes out.. so I suspect he'll be finding a replacement soon... crying baby girls pull at those Grandpa heart strings every time! :-)

The Yard Sale was more than awesome.. and let me just say that I have a POST brewing for tomorrow after church.... so please plan to check back... you will be amazed at what you read!! God is so faithful, awesome, and HUGE!!!! WOW!!!

Nothing like a cliffhanger... huh?!

Garage Sales and Home Runs!!!

The following is an adoption update I sent to all our local contacts (about 325 people - WOW) last night. I wanted to post it here so all my online readers and friends would know about the sale and join us in prayer!

Hello to everyone tonight...
I just wanted to let some of you know and remind others that we have a wonderful yard sale (as an adoption fundraiser) planned for this Friday and Sat... May 1st and 2nd!

We have had quite a bit of stuff donated, but are still taking donations if any of you have items you'd like to donate.
The sale is going to be in at the . The Pastor and congregation have been so generous in allowing us to have our sale there... We are so blessed and thankful!

If you'd like to donate items you may drop them off at the church anytime after 4 on Thursday or call me ( and we'll come pick them up!!
Please pray for the upcoming sale that not only will finances be met, but that God will continue to use our story, our adoption, our lives to minister to others for him! The entire purpose of our lives is to give Glory and Honor to him!!
We have struggled a little lately in the "waiting." It's been 1 1/2 years since God spoke to our hearts... but, God is using this time to grow us and lots of others... and we know that HIS timing is ALWAYS perfect!!

Thank you for loving our family and supporting us as we obey God and fulfill what he's called us to do!

Please stop and say hi on Friday or Saturday. Just seeing faces who we know support and love us sometimes is such a blessing!!!

Clinging to his word and promises:
"And the Lord answered me: "Write the vision...For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end - it will NOT lie. If it seems slow, WAIT FOR IT; it will surely come; it will not delay." - Habakkuk 2:2-3

Many blessings!
Lanetta (and family)


I just also want to share how overwhelmed and amazed Phil and I have been already at the generous amount of donations we've received. The church is busting at the seams, and lots of people are dropping off more donations tomorrow... wow!! God is SO good!!!
I will take pictures and let you know how great the next few days are!!! We are exhausted, but excited at the same time to watch our story touch hearts and lives!!!

ok.. the Home run part of the title...
Bailey hit a home run in her game last night!! It was awesome, and she was SO excited!! Wow... I had to fight back the tears.... man o man I cry so easily when it's anything involving my kids!
and these days... just thinking about my Kaz. boy(s)... well.... emotional.. yeah, I'd say!

and if you are wondering.... yes, I'd be screaming out with happiness and telling all of you if we'd heard anything about our dossier.... Please pray that is moves soon..... please!
I sure would like to be able to share at the yard sale that our paperwork is in Kaz.... some sort of progress would be so nice.... God's timing is perfect.. right?!?

Land Run... The Smith Family found Land!!!

Here's a little Oklahoma history for ya' all!!! (:-))

April 22, 1889 was our state land run... Oklahoma territory was given away... it was quite a day for Oklahoma!

The 2nd graders re-enact the land run every year at high noon on April 22nd... It's a tradition in our little elementary school and the kids all look forward to it!

Bailey has been stressing for days about what she's going to wear... about what a pioneer woman did, etc... Bay has LOVED it.. and I had to share some pictures from the day.. It was SO hot, but the kids had a GREAT time!!!

Enjoy.....

Here's Mrs. Smith! Bay was so thrilled that she got to be the Mama of her group. The teachers divided the classes into familes.... and then they decided who played what role in their pioneer family.. Mama Smith was VERY proud of her baby (Hannah - she named it that cause it was a pioneer name :-)) and she was GREAT as the "mother" of their family!

Of course Brook had to sneak into a picture as well... She was fairly upset when she found out that the Pre-K kids DON'T have land runs... she knows she wants to get to dressed up for big school like Bay does next year... so sweet!

Here is Bay waitin' for high noon.... The Sooners had already gone ahead at this point.. and they had picked out a great spot under a shade tree!!! Mama Smith had the step - brother (sooner) all lined out already!!

The race is on... Mama Smith and baby Hannah running to catch the family that went on ahead of them....

Here's Mrs. Smith and baby Hannah looking for the family.. the Mama and baby were a little slowed down due to difficulties with their covered wagon!! Mama Smith quickly located the family... husband and kids... and found out that the step-son (sooner) had been arrested and did not get to the land they had picked out! She also quickly found Dad Smith and discovered that he had yet to find them ANY land.. (small piece of wood with a number, indicated available land!) Needless to say Mrs. Smith was NOT happy... but, she came through for her family and found land herself (SHE FOUND THE BLOCK!) It was hilarous... you'd have thought they staged or rehearsed the entire thing! :-)

Here is the Smith family. They are setting up camp for their lunch on their new land... Mrs. Smith is getting her cast iron and wash board out as well as their lunch of beef jerky, fried chicken, and biscuits!

After much hard work and family difficulties, the Smith's are now the proud owners of Land ~ Section 2 of Oklahoma Territory!

Bailey is singing.. they gathered round the wagon and sang LOTS of fun songs.... of course.. OKLAHOMA was top of the list!!!

The above 2 pictures are of Bay and her counsin Haden. Haden's Dad and I are first cousins... and his Mom and I are great friends! We have so many pictures like this of them together from birth through the last 8 years... fun, fun, fun!! They have a good time together!!

Hope you enjoyed our land run!!! Oklahoma is a great state and we're PROUD to call it out home!!!

Will we ever hear any news?

"And the Lord answered me: "Write the vision...For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end - it will NOT lie. If it seems slow, WAIT FOR IT; it will surely come; it will not delay." - Habakkuk 2:2-3

Speech Therapy and International Adoption

This is a blog post that I've been going to post for several months, but just hadn't found the time, or done it yet. I've had several parents ask me questions regarding adoption/international adoption/ speech-language therapy lately.
I am a SLP (Speech-Language Pathologist) and work in the public school setting. I have to admit that this area (as you would suspect) is a HUGE interest to me...

Let me give you a little background... I graduated with my Master's in Speech-Language Pathology in 2002, and have been employed with the public school systems ever since! This is my 7th year as a SLP in the public school setting. Yes, not a lot of experience, but some at the same time. I remember NOTHING in undergraduate or graduate school about speech-language in internationally adopted kids. (This DOES NOT mean they didn't cover it... I've forgotten so much...) Yes, we did learn some about English as a second language, but mainly I remember that we can't/don't serve a child for speech-language delays/disorders, unless we know that this child has a delay that is not a direct result of lack of instruction in English.
Of course you have to be able to show on standardized testing that the child has a delay/disorder... and if the child isn't fluent or does not understand English.. well, you'd have to test him/her in the language they know and have been taught.... and if they don't have a delay in that area.. then NO, they wouldn't qualify for speech therapy.

As the months have passed and I've watched and read numerous families coming home with their babies/children from all over the world. My heart has argued with my brain. I have wondered how this is so... Isn't the job of a SLP to help the children COMMUNICATE?!?! I know that's my goal... to help the kids I serve communicate in their world around them... and if their speech/language skills are interfering with their academics/ communication with teachers and peers.... well, then yes, they need to be seen! :-)

I have been very interested to read things on this subject and have done a little research myself... trying to educate myself to what other SLP's are saying and thinking!

Basically, I want to help my friends and other adoptive families get the therapy they need for their children!

ASHA (American Speech-Hearing Association) is the association all SLP's must belong to in order to practice as an SLP and maintain their ccc's. There was an article over this exact subject in the ASHA journal a few months ago... and I wanted to share it with all of you.
Click HERE to read. (It's fairly long, so instead of posting it.. I'll let you go there and read it for yourself!)

It is a very well written article and gives some great answers to common MYTHS regarding speech-language and international adoption. The author is also an SLP and a fellow adopted mom.


I will be the first to admit that I AM NOT an expert in this area, but I want to see any and all children be able to communicate to their fullest potential! I would love to answer any questions anyone has about this issue.. and try to help if you have any questions.

Many Blessings,
Lanetta

Happy Easter...

First off I'd like to thank everyone for the awesome and overwhelming response we received about the day of prayer on Friday... We are so thrilled and know that our prayers were heard! I have been praying about asking you to join me in prayer every Friday... what do you guys think? I think there are so many things we should all be praying for regarding families, orphans, international adoption, etc... that if we as a body of believers agree to dedicate some serious time to prayer on Fridays (and all do that!)... God would be very pleased!! Let me know what you think... :-)

OK... so on to Easter!! Easter was incredible for us! It was raining and yucky weather, but we improvised and hid eggs all over Nana's den (my mom's house). I can confide here (with my network of adopted families who "get it" that I thought alot about my boy(s) in Kazakhstan... it just can't be helped. :-) At dinner... my nephew said he wanted to pray and Brook said she wanted to pray, and Bay said she wanted to pray.. so we decided to go around the table.. and all pray.. it was so special! Bailey prayed so perfectly for the day... about what the day (Easter) was and meant. She thanked God for what he did for us on the cross and then proceeded to pray for her brother(s) in Kazakhstan... (as you can imagine... I almost lost it here!) It always amazes me how the girls include them already... Those bubbas (or bubba) are already so loved! Surely this will be our last Easter without them... right? I thought that last year as well.. but, God has a plan!! :-)

OK... so I had my camera up and going.. and am going to share lots of pics from the day!!
Enjoy!! I hope and pray that all of you had a wonderful Easter!!

Here is the Easter Bunny spread! I started leaving "Easter Bunny" stuff on the table like this when Bay was a baby, and the tradition has continued! Mainly small things they needed... and Bailey asked for HSM 3 and Brook wanted a Nerf Gun.. (yeah, a nerf gun, just like her boy cousins!! She was THRILLED when she walked in and saw it... :-)!!! Easter Bunny gifts were a little more than normal, but oh well... why not spoil em'?

Here is a family picture of us that my mom took at her house.. I won't tell you how long it took us to get this.... oh my.. Brook wouldn't sit still.. and Phil and Bay were silly.. and well.... I seemed to be the only one who cared about getting a "good" picture!! (:-))

Our girls... Don't they look precious? Oh my.. if you only knew!? Some cute dresses, hair bows, and jewelry... we could fool anyone!!! ha ha

I still can't believe this is my baby girl ~ Wow! She's growing up so fast!! Phil hates pictures of her like this...

This is Bailey with my Mom (Nana)! They are really close. They always have a great time... you know Nana rocks!!

This is Brook with Nana! They are really close too... As you can see, they have lots of fun as well!

Nana with her Girls!

This is Brook with my nephew Cody... Any idea what they were doing? It's a wagon train/covered wagon... Notice the gun in Brooks lap! It's the Easter Bunny nerf gun... They went on a wagon ride and were protected from the dangerous animals!! Sometimes their conversations are so funny!! They live in the Brook and Cody land quite a bit!!!

Remember when I mentioned it was raining outside... well, we had our egg hunt indoors.. and hid the eggs anywhere we could... ha ha.. Phil was relaxing while we were hiding them... (instead of helping us :( ) and so we hid them all around him... in his pants legs, etc... The kids thought it was tons of fun.. and honestly, I never heard Phil complain.. cause he got to continue the position while the "hunt" was going on!! (Lucky dog!) :-)





Brook finding the "PRIZE" egg! (She had a HUGE tip from her Uncle Keith!) Keep in mind that this precious little girl in her Easter dress, tights and cute dress shoes... was carrying around a nerf gun all day!!! :-) Priceless!!


Have a Blessed Week!!

Many Blessings!

Lanetta and family