Faithful Friday - The Spitz Family

Wow! It's been awhile since I've done a Faithful Friday post! Friday's are busy days for me for some reason! Anywho.... (Gosh, I love that word!)

You know who this is right?? You better if you read this blog!

It's miss Lyla. She has an amazing story! Here it is....

She has had a family fall in love with her and work to get her only to find out she was too sick to be adopted, and might not survive. Still praying for Lyla constantly, that family moved forward to adopt another little girl - Bellie.

While in country adopting Bellie, they tried to see Lyla, but were denied that request. After Bellie was home awhile they felt the call to go back and adopt again, and committed to a little girl who they were going to name Charlie.

Shortly after committing to her, they found out she was adopted by a family in her country. So the mama of that family let the daddy pick out another child. He chose a boy, who they were to name Gavin.

Unbeknownst to him, Gavin was in the same orphanage as Lyla! They worked through the process quickly, and shortly before they were to travel to get Gavin, they found out that Lyla had survied and was available to be adopted again!! They were heartbroken over what to do. They still felt in their hearts that Lyla was their daughter, but they knew Gavin was their son. Adopting both was not an option. Heartbroke, they decided to let Lyla find another family and continue with the adoption of Gavin.

I and several others yelled and yelled and prayed for a family for her, and finally one stepped forward! They started the process to bring her home. Then on Gavin's gotcha day, Gavin's mama, also Lyla's first mama, got to meet her princess and hold her. Whisper in her ear a family was coming for her. She took these two pictures which still make me cry every time I look at them!

Then awhile after they got home with Gavin, we learned Lyla's family was no longer able to continue with her adoption. Everyone, including the family that was going to adopt Lyla was heartbroken. So we all started yelling again, and this time had even more people yelling with us. Soon there 4 families that were serious about committing to adopting her. And one of them did. Guess what family that was! Lyla's original family! The same one that is now Bellie and Gavin's family!

And that family with such an amazing adoption story (did I mention that have also adopted two children through foster care?), is none other than the Spitz's!!

Spitz family minus Dave

I've blogged about them many times here, and I've blogged about them being Lyla's family, but I realized the other day I haven't posted about them for Faithful Friday with this adoption!

The Spitz's are USCIS approved already (they got expedited!!! :D), and just about to send off their dossier to Lyla's country. With this being a back-to-back(-to-back-to-back-to-back!) adoption, finances were the main issue. So the wonderful Colleen has been doing many fundraisers for them! She has two going right now.

The first is this awesome tshirt fundraiser! You can get one that says 'I love Lyla' or one with the Spitz's blog button when they first tried to bring her home that says 'Love will bring her home'. And they are only $15 each!

Click the pictures above to get yours (through Paypal only)! I have mine (I love Lyla) already ordered, and I CAN NOT wait to wear it! :)

The second fundraiser Colleen has going on is a scrapbook fundraiser where you can "buy" a page of a digital scrapbook Colleen is making and write whatever you want on it. Then the book will get printed and Lyla will be able to read it and look at it with her family when she gets home to see all the people who LOVE her! What an awesome idea! Click the image below to go to that fundraiser!

Lyla's family already loves her SOO very much, and her daddy (Dave) was willing to cut his hair into a mohawk and let his little ones put make-up all over his face when they reached a certain amount in their funding.

And Lyla's big brothers were willing to dress up like girls and walk the streets of their town when they hit another amount in their fundraising! Here's the proof!

**Warning... you might not be able to to breathe because you are laughing soo hard after watching this video!


But they need your help to bring her home where she belongs. She is not in good health at all, and needs medical treatment ASAP!

Here is a video that I found the other day that was made the first time they tried to adopt Lyla. I have to admit it made me cry, and not much should be changed if they remade it for now, besides adding 2 kids to their family picture! :)



I hope their story touched your heart like it continues to touch mine. And I pray you will do something to help this beautiful family out!

LILIANNA for the Spitz family — NY

Dave & Summer are a happy married couple that have been BLESSED with 7 children. Taylor, Conor & Nick are biological, while Owen, Belle, Gavin & Sara were chosen. Owen & Sara were placed as foster children when Owen was 4 months old and Sara was just a tiny newborn. The Spitz family was so grateful that they were able to adopt both of them in 2010. Then in June of 2010 the family committed to adopting Lilianna, the most beautiful girl with the biggest blue eyes. They were devastated when they were told in September that she was in the hospital, she was not expected to live and they were not permitted to bring her home. The news was the end to a dream. The family did not give up on the mission to save; they continued their adoption journey. Isabelle was adopted from Ukraine on December 30, 2010 and what a glorious day that was!! The Spitz family had planned to return to Ukraine in the spring if Lilianna had survived. They inquired about her but she was still not adoptable and still not expected to live. The family came to the realization that Lilianna would not be a part of their forever family. The family was heartbroken. The Spitz’s still answered the call to adopt and they moved forward to adopt Gavin. The Gavinator as he is now known was adopted on December 22, 2011. While in the process of adopting Gavin, the news of a miracle was revealed. Lilianna had SURVIVED and was adoptable. Since Gavin was in the same orphanage as Lilianna, Summer asked permission to see her. Summer explains that visit to be the most overwhelming emotional few minutes of her entire life. She told Lilianna how much she loved her and promised that her Mommy & Daddy would come for her soon. Summer left that room not knowing how long the sweet little girl she just held could honestly survive with a failing heart. It was a wonderful day when a family that loved her dearly committed to her. Finally it was Lilianna’s turn to be SAVED and she could have life saving surgery. Unfortunately, they were not able to continue with the adoption to bring Lilianna home. Little did Summer know that on January 19, 2012 the stunning little girl she held was actually her forever daughter!!! So now, 2 years later the Spitz family is working at lightening speed to finally bring home the little girl that they not only LOVE dearly but the girl that had led them to their newest amazing additions, Belle & Gavin!!! Only GOD!!!!!

5/9/12—DOSSIER EN ROUTE

Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at http://luckytolovelyla.blogspot.com/

$12687.52 is available towards the cost of my adoption!

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One more thing, not related to this post.... can I ask you to PLEASE be on your knees praying for the the Higbie family.. they are adopting a little girl with Ds named Lera, and their bio little girl with Ds was airlifted to the hospital with a life threatening case of pneumonia. She is not in a stable condition. For more info and more updates, please go here. And PLEASE PRAY!!!

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And as always... remember to go get your puzzle piece! :)

Faithful Friday - Josh's Family

Today meet Josh's family!!

Dave and Carla already have two little boys (not pictured), and are working very hard to bring home their little dude, Josh!! They have already had their first trip and have met him (hence the pictures with him!), but they still have to go back for court and then again to get him outta the orphanage FOREVER!

Now Josh is going to have his very own daddy!

And his own mommy!

JOSH for Dave & Carla — WI

Dave had volunteered as a counselor at Special Needs Church Camp for many years when a new counselor arrived in June 2003.  The evening before the campers arrived, Carla found herself eating dinner at the same table as Dave.  It didn’t take long for the two to begin conspiring about a practical joke they would play on the camp director.  After camp, a long distance romance budded before Carla left her home in Pennsylvania to move closer to Dave in Wisconsin.  They were married in 2005 and have since added two biological sons to their family.  Dave and Carla always knew they wanted to adopt and started pursuing Domestic Infant adoption prior to the birth of their second son.  They were still waiting for a placement when Carla became aware of Reece’s Rainbow in September 2011.  It didn’t take long for her to spot a little guy that she couldn’t imagine not bringing home.  Thankfully, Dave agreed. 

Dave continues to work as a Physical Therapist while Carla (also a Physical Therapist) is blessed to be a Stay-at-Home Mom.  Dave and Carla are greatful for your prayers as they work toward bringing their little boy home. 

1/29/12—FIRST TRIP FEBRUARY 3! 

Follow the family's adoption journey on their blog bringinghomealittledude.blogspot.com

$2127.00 is available towards the cost of my adoption!

I've had the honor of getting to know Carla a little bit through email, after all, she lives less than two hours away from me! :) I was able to design a prayer card for them and also one for their friends who just adopted from China. She and her family are so sweet and a really looking forward to getting Josh home!

They have some awesome fundraisers going on right now! You can get some coffee or some really cool t-shirts, like this one!

Rach and I both have this one, and we love it! My dad also has the One Orphan at a Time in black.

And by either donating to their FSP, sharing their fundraisers, or sharing to any waiting child, you can be entered to win this BEAUTIFUL shawl that Carla made!

Yup, like me, she's a crafter! :) She knits though, not crochets like I do. There is a difference! ;)

You can go HERE to see how you can enter, but sure to email them saying you entered and how you entered, and be SURE to do it TODAY, because they are drawing the winner on Sunday!

Please consider taking the time to help this awesome family bring home their little dude forever!! :) Thanks!

Faithful Friday - The Nachtmann Family

Several posts coming later this weekend about what Rach and I have been up to lately, but right now I want to tell you about a special family who is working to bring home a treasure of their own!

Chet and Amanda are working very hard to bring home beautiful miss Victoria!

VICTORIA for the Nachtmann family — Hardin, MO

Chet and Amanda met 3 years ago via the internet. When they met they instantly clicked and have been together every moment since. They enjoy going to see all that Missouri has to offer and they also have a menagerie of pets to keep them entertained.  Amanda is a braillist for a living at the local elementary school while Chet works with HUD to provide a housing program for families on disability. Even before they met Chet and Amanda had a heart for missions and adoption.  In 1993, and 1994 Amanda went to Hong Kong/China and Jamaica while Chet has been to Peru and Uganda.  That said, after becoming foster parents recently, Amanda realized she has a real heart for the orphans of Eastern Europe. So when she came across Reece’s rainbow she was hooked!

Since God hasn’t blessed Amanda and Chet with Children yet they decided to pursue adoption.  After the Braille Challenge 2010 (A spelling type bee for blind kids) Chet also felt that it would be ok to adopt children who were blind or with other special needs. Though both Chet and Amanda work in service jobs and they are not sure how they are going to  they have decided to take a leap of faith and trust that God will help with the rest. Please consider giving financially to help with the many adoption expenses as they are civil servants to their community and church.  Blind kids are often the last to be adopted and since Amanda is fluent in Braille and knows all the ins and outs, they feel this beautiful little girl is for them!

1/12/12—HOMESTUDY in PROGRESS

Follow the family's adoption journey on their blog at theresoneless.blogspot.com

$440.00 is available towards the cost of my adoption!

Victoria was one of the very first children I posted about for waiting Wednesday, and now she has a family! Amanda works as a professional braillist, and since Victoria is blind, how perfect is that?!? Both Amanda and Chet have had a heart for missions and adoption, and knew they needed to adopt. As the title of their blog says, soon tehre will be one less!!

Right now the Nachtmann's are having a fundraiser to help raise some of the money for Victoria's ransom. They are giving away a new Nook Tablet and some other great items! 

If you already have a Nook or don't want one, it would make a great birthday gift, or you could donate it to another giveaway! Please go check it out on their blog!!! This is such a worthy cause and Victoria really needs to come home!!

Thank you!!!

Faithful Friday - The Prevost Family - HOME!

Last night, I got to go to the airport. And welcome a very special little boy home from China!

Mr. Caleb!!! He is soo cute and soo tiny!!! :)

Home... in daddy's arms! It was Caleb's nap time when they got home, poor thing!

Checking out the signs!

Umm! Wait a minute!! How did that get in there?? And who took that pic???
Oh yes... I suppose that was when big Rachel was playing with my camera on the way there and almost suceeded in blinding me. I was umm a little bit excited to get there, and yes, I was working on an eye for an owl hat in the dark. Practicing for when Rachel does make me blind! :P

AHEM... ANYWAYS.

And we also got a video of them coming in. The "MAMA!" at the end is when sweet Ana realizes her mama just came home. :)



I'm sure Juli will be posting more pictures and more updates on her blog soon - Adding Branches to Our Tree.

I'm so very blessed I got to witness Caleb coming home forever, thank you for letting me be a small part of your journey Prevost Family!!!

Faithful Friday - The Jobes Family

Hey look at this cutie!

He has been transferred to an institution, where no child should ever be, but he has a family coming to get him! :) They are the same family that brought this cutie (below) home in March/April of 2011. Think they're are crazy to be going back so soon? Check out the time between our adoptions! LOL

JOSIAH for the Jobes family — Urbancrest, OH

Evan and Faith met and married young after knowing each other only 4 months. Against all odds, they have been happily married for 10 years. they have a 7 year old son named Morgan. In 2006, they were blessed with a beautiful daughter, Nora, who was born with a variety of genetic abnormalities including 5P-, also known as Cri Du Chat (Cat’s Cry Syndrome). Nora blessed their lives for a little over 3 years. She passed away in Jan. 2010 from chronic lung disease. Evan and Faith know she is with God now, where she can dance and sing and waits for them to join her some day. 

After much thought and prayer, they decided that they simply have too much love as a family and need to share that with another child who has special needs. They adopted Etta who has Down Syndrome from Serbia in March 2010. She is such a incredible blessing.

After more thought and prayer, they feel led to bring an older child who has less of a chance of being adopted, Josiah, home to be part of their family. Their family, just like yours, does not have the $25,000 ransom required to adopt Josiah just sitting in a bank account, but if everyone gives just a little, whatever you can, it will add up to exactly what we need. Please carefully consider donating AND spreading the word about Josiah and his new family desperately trying to bring him home from the institution quickly!

10/2/11—HOME STUDY IN PROGRESS

$7455.00 is available towards the cost of my adoption!

And there is an awesome way you can help this family bring him home and save him from his terrible fate at the institution... through Ten 4 Orphans!

They are relatively new organization, and their mission is awesome! As you've probably figured out from their logo, they are collecting $10, and all the proceeds will go to orphans! Their current child they are helping to fund is Josiah and help his family bring him home. Please visit their webpage here - 

www.tenfororphans.org

For just $10 you can make a difference in Josiah's life, not only make a difference, but help SAVE his life!

Faithful Friday: The Mars Family

I can not tell you how many times I've longed to write this post, and now that I'm actually doing it, it seems so surreal! So without further adieu... Let me introduce to a very special family - the Mars Family.

And you'll never guess who they are adopting!! My sweet baby... Lyla! ♥

LILIANNA for the Mars family — Bayfield, CO

Adam and Rebecca met in 2004 after knowing each other from childhood but not reconnecting until they were adults. In 2005 they were married. Rebecca brought a son into their marriage named Royce, and soon after, they were blessed with another little boy who they named Hunter.  In 2008 they welcomed their third little boy who they named Cameron. Rebecca loves all of her little boys, but it was really on her heart to add a fourth child (a girl!) through adoption. They first found Lilianna through Reece’s Rainbow in 2010. By the time they inquired, she already had a committed family and later was not able to be adopted due to health issues.  Rebecca and Adam have been praying for Lilianna since then. When she became available the following year, they knew they were meant to be this little girl’s parents.  Adam was given the verse Jeremiah 23:3 "I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number,” and knew it was time to go and get his little girl! Rebecca couldn’t have agreed  more!

Lilianna will be welcomed home by 3 big brothers who are now 8, 5 and3 as well as a dog named Marley, 10 chickens..all named “Dinner” except for one hen named “Henrietta”, and 2 horses named Bombay and Sherman. You can find this family having fun at church, enjoying the beautiful outdoors the Colorado Mountains offer, playing at the lake, or just hanging out around the house and watching movies, visiting with friends, or doing a DIY project. When they are not busy with the adoption journey and painting a room in their house pink for this little princess, they’d love for you to join in this experience  by following their blog.

1/16/12—HOMESTUDY in PROGRESS

Follow the family's adoption journey on their blog at www.LilysLight.blogspot.com

$0.00 is available towards the cost of my adoption!

This sweet family has decided that after 3 boys, it was time to add a little GIRL to the mix! And I couldn't be more happier about who God called them to go get! 

About her name... I have referred to her the most as Lyla, because that is what Summer was going to name her when the Spitz's first committed to adopting her. When she was relisted on Reece's Rainbow, she was relisted as Lilianna. And now, she has a new name! The Mars family is going to name her Lily!

We also received a very special surprise the other day! Sweet Summer, who is adopting Gavin, GOT TO HOLD LILY on Gavin's Gotcha Day! You can read all about what Summer said about meeting her HERE! Summer also took a few pictures of her.

The one above is like the rest I have received of Lily, she just melts my heart even if she isn't look at the camera. But the one below... oh my word. I don't know what it is about that picture, but it makes me cry so hard every time I look at it!

Maybe it's her beautiful eyes, they are just so penetrating! I don't know what it is, but she is just soo PERFECT!!! She's perfect just the way she is!

I ask that you PLEASE PRAY for this wonderful family, and let them know you are praying! Visit their blog and leave them an encouraging comment! And if you are able, they would really appreciate any financial gifts you are able to give towards the ransom of bringing this beautiful girl home! Right now they have ZERO, ZILCH, NADA, in their account to help bring her home. I do not like that big fat 0, will you help to change that?

Thank you so much for being apart of bringing "my" beautiful baby girl home FOREVER!

How can you resist those pleading eyes???

Faithful Friday - The Grove Family

Two days late, but better now than never! :) Today I want you to meat Alice's family!

Aren't they beautiful?? So is Alice...

...and the other little girl they are adopting - baby Mara!!

ALICE and MARA for the Grove family — UT

Kevin and Kelly Grove have felt strongly since they were teenagers that they would adopt a child with Down Syndrome. God placed the love for people with Down Syndrome in their hearts from an early age. When they met and began dating, they shared their desire to adopt special needs children and were thrilled that they were on the same page! They have had many opportunities to volunteer and be involved in the Down Syndrome community. They have enjoyed donating to many families' adoption funds via Reeces Rainbow. Kelly also runs a domestic adoption ministry to find homes for newborns with significant special needs. Kevin and Kelly are blessed to be parents of several children with special needs, but for years they have longed for a little girl with Down Syndrome to join their family, yet it never felt quite right. That all changed when they saw Alice and Mara's photos on Reeces Rainbow. The bond was strong and instant. Kevin and Kelly knew that they had found not only one daughter but two that were meant for their family! The girls' region has given the Grove family special permission to bring the girls home together despite being unrelated.  Kevin, Kelly and their children are beyond excited to welcome these sweet angels to their forever family. They need financial help to make this dream come true and little time to raise it. Alice is overdue to be transferred to an institution and so needs to come home ASAP. 

1/4/12—HOME STUDY UPDATE IN PROGRESS

Follow the Grove family's adoption journey on their blog at www.extra-chromosomes.blogspot.com

$10.00 is available towards the cost of my adoption!

Alice's new name is going to be Alyssa, and Mara's new name is going to be Mary! Because Alyssa needs to come home before soon before she is transferred to the institution, and we all know what can happen there! And Mary needs to get out of the orphanage as soon as possible so she doesn't have any institutional behaviors. This sweet family would really appreciate any financial help, but more important they need your prayers!!!

And I just have to share this too for any of you who think that adopting affects a families other children in a bad way. It affects them, but not in a bad way! Check out this adorable video of Alyssa and Mary's new parents telling their siblings! :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI5aSvzJRw&feature=youtu.be

Please consider helping this awesome family bring home their girls!

This post is part of Jane's weekly Sharing Sunday!