Another step done

    Kyle and I got our finger prints done today for our adoption journey!    I keep rejoicing in these small steps!    This journey is the complete opposite of Judah's story.    We both felt going into this adoption that it really was going to be different, but at the same time I would like it to go just the same because then we know what to expect.     But we know that it just doesn't work that way.     
        
 Please be in prayer and consider sharing our story with your friends and family.   Growing your family through adoption is costly, there's no way around it, but I will tell you that it is completely worth it!    It is worth not just watching a family come together, but it is worth showing the love Christ to the birth family.
We just were able to talk to Judah's birth mom on her birthday last week.   Words cannot express the love we have for her.    We are still in awe of how blessed we are to have her choose us to parent her son.   She is more than Judah's birth mom, she is our friend even though she is far far away.

We are needing to send a large payment to our agency here within a few weeks so if you could share our story and pray.   Please pray for our journey and watch as God does his work!
We will be doing either a raffle or highest bidder on a little something Kyle is putting together so stay tuned for that, all my gun sport loving friends.   
Also our growth charts will be for sale as well.   Still getting the price of those.     They will be as pictured or a slight variation.   Stain will be the same, or no stain at all, your choice.   :)


Looking forward to see God work, and donations roll in!
Love you guys!

Garage Sale time again!

     Oh the joys of putting another sale together!    We are 2.5 weeks away from our fundraising garage sale.  If you have anything you'd like to donate we can start receiving items now.       We are looking for larger items as we do not need an over abundance of clothing.       Furniture you may not be using anymore, shabby chic items, etc...those are some things we may be looking for.     
     I tell myself don't forget the reason "why", because that is what drives us.   I have a dream board/vision board in my kitchen that I see everyday.     I use it for my Rodan + Fields business, but you better believe the adoption is on there.     Let your "Why" drive you.

Even though we are moving slower I am thankful that God has His hand in it and I give up the control, that I feel I need, to Him.    His timing truly always prevails.      Our social worker had to remind me of this this week as we talked this adoption journey again.       

We have hurdles and fees due.     I will be really real with you now.     $3000 due  now and an even larger amount due after that.        Would love all the help we can get from our friends and family.     
If you would like us to send one of our letters out to you let us know by commenting below or messaging us on Facebook.        

We are excited as to what this 2016 holds for us.     It's going to be good because the hills and hurdles have been real.

Here we are

        We have been sitting and took a break for about a month and we are back at the adoption ball.       It has been a much slower process then our journey with Judah.      I do believe that it is all worth it.       Kyle and I have some huge goals financially that we are trying to meet and we really need your help to do it.     2016 is going to an awesome year.   The word Jubilee means a great deal to us from our family, to business, to friends.     This little girl is amazing, joyful, and full of life.

May is a very busy month for so many and with summer there are weddings and vacations and so much more.     So in June we will be starting to take donations for another adoption garage sale!     I put off this garage sale for a long time because if you don't remember 3 years ago when we did our last sale it was a tiny walking path to the front of our garage to the back, with everything stacked up above our heads almost.    It was nuts, but it turned out amazing!        Now I don't want that again, but what we ask is if you are in the area and have any furniture, or somewhat larger items, to let us us know.    We want to limit our clothes this year unless they are baby clothes, or baby items,  and in really good shape.      

Another idea we are trying to put together for maybe late July is an outside movie night and cookout.    Still working on the details for this as well.

I ask that friends would share this on their Facebook page, instagram...etc....   Get the word out and any amount helps and adds up like crazy.    The Donation link is on the right hand side of this page, it says "Donate".    If you choose to do this, you can choose the option to donate to friend or family so we do not get charged a fee.     It is all run through paypal which is how we did it last go around.

Thanks so those who have donated already,  love you guys and I am excited to see God move some mountains!!!    Please join with us our crazy adoption journey again.

Right where He wants us

     Waiting, Waiting, Waiting.   That's often times how adoption works.     There has been a lull, a down time in our journey.     You know, when it feels like you are not even moving ahead at all, we are, but majorly slow, and this is just hard thinking about that today.    
Each adoption is different obviously, but round 2 is not going anywhere like our Judah's adoption did.          
     I want to be at the point of saying yes to getting matched with a child and having the financial means to be able to write that check and get this thing going!        We are finishing up our homestudy still.     We have had a few connections if we were ready financially to move ahead on with a couple agencies, but we know it's not the right time.        
   We need obstacles to be moved and funds to roll in, if you are wanting me to be real honest with you...

I am using these feelings though as a drive to push me in the right direction.       Push in my business, push on raising funds, etc...      
I am dreaming big and leaning on God to give us clear direction.      
He knows it all, He knows the next step, He knows how much we're leaning on him.    But that's the way He wants it right?      Yes, yes it is.           
He has us right where he wants us.

Reminiscing & memories of a strong woman

       We have been chugging away on our stack of papers and "to do's."      As I was working on our profile book this evening, the book that birth mom's are able to view and see who we are, what we stand for, our family etc...,  I was going through pictures of Judah's birth and his amazing mama.  

  I was brought to tears just remembering those moments with her and remembering her face, her expressions, her love for Judah, as well as her sadness, yet being strong in the midst of it all.   I remember the day she left the hospital and we said goodbye.    It felt like I was saying goodbye to a best friend that I would not see for a very long time.   My heart ached that day a lot as I held Judah and cried.   As I prayed for his mom as she was wheeled out of the room that day.       I love her, I always will.    It is an honor to be able to raise her child as our very own, and to be able to call him our son.   There is just so much good in that right there.     She chose the best for him.     Her love is great.

Each story is different in adoption, I don't now how this next story will go, but I pray nothing but good of course.      God is good.

    

Make more copies!

     We just finished up our Trades of Hope fundraiser and I'd like to thank everyone who was able to purchase and attend that virtual event!  We raised funds and helped women around the globe!      

    

     This beginning stages of paperwork has come in the mail this week and I've been working on it in between naps and what not.    What was nice is I didn't have to search and search for our taxes!    And I even made a folder labeled "Extra everything", which means I copied 2 of each item and stuck it in there.  Because you know what?  You WILL need it again for something else.     

    So all you people in the adoption process, just start making extra copies of items that you need for that 1 stack of papers you are filling out.  You will more than likely need it for a different stack/form again.               

  

     I had a wonderful friend, whom we haven't talked to in quite awhile, call us yesterday.      She is in Texas and we stayed with her when we went their to adopt Judah.      If you have not heard that story about God putting things together for us in Texas for lodging then by all means I should recap that on another post.     But let me tell you God was in the fine details.    We didn't pay a dime for lodging and we gained a friend who we did not event know in the beginning.    Not just her, but her children, her grandchildren, her sisters family, and even more.   I could just go on and on about that.     It still blesses me knowing we have "family" down in Texas :)         Who knows maybe this next little one will be born there too.

      Thank-you so much for the donations we have gotten on our blog through the "donate"  tab on the right hand side.  You guys are awesome and thanks for being a piece and a hand to help along our journey.       

     We still have a ways to go for a goal financially, but God is in the details.   We just keep moving ahead as planned.       

     We love you guys and continue to pray and share our posts with your friends and family.    Spread the good news of adoption!      

    

So our Facebook event starts on Sunday and we are already getting orders in!   Make sure you check out facebook event here through this link.
Facebook Trades of Hope Fundraiser

Thanks so much for the orders that have already come in!!    
Thank-you Thank you Thank you!!

Trades of Hope Fundraiser

       Just within the last few days we have been asked many questions regarding adoption and even Judah's story of how he came into our lives. I love sharing our story and I love sharing the love we have for Judah's birth mom and the joy that he brings into our lives! 
We are so excited about this precious little girl out there that God has chosen to come into our lives. We are excited for her birth family and we pray for them and for her. We don't even know if she's born yet! We just know that God has her ready for us when that time comes. 
Our homestudy should be complete by end of April or very beginning of May. We ask that you'd join us by sharing our story. We have a goal we would like to hit by then, as we could have a sweet face by June or later. Please help us along the way.

   I promised a Trades of Hope Fundraiser and here it is!   This starts on Sunday, but feel free to look and start finding items you love so you can check out on Sunday!    
 The link below  will go directly to our fundraising party.  
Trades of Hope fundraiser!

 Thanks for your donation and your prayer support!    
   

State side

    2016 is looking like we will be growing our family to a family of 4 instead of 3.     Judah will get a sibling state side!       Our hearts are full of love and so we are adopting an infant sometime this year I hope.   And Haiti will be following soon after the little arrives home with us.    
 So what does it look like to adopt from the US and internationally?   Well, we are still uncertain as to if Haiti will allow a dual adoption process.   So the way Kyle and I look at it is 2016 there will be another baby girl in the Hillerud home sometime and then we start 2017 with our Haiti adoption.

Some think we are a little crazy in the head and you know what maybe a little! But when there is a birth mom choosing life and needs to find a loving family for her baby then let me help you.    When there are children being left in orphanages in Haiti, and all countries for that matter, Let us do something.     "Something" equals charities, giving, praying, being a voice, and then some are called to help through adoption.    

   Please continue to share our posts.  We have a long long ways to go and every little bit counts.  
I just shared with somebody about collecting change for us and they are willing!    If you can do that please let me know.  

I am having a trades of hope fundraiser towards the end of February, beginning of March so please stay tuned for that!      
Please remember we have our donate link to the right of our blog - "Donate"  as well as linke to our GoFund Me page.   So 2 different ways to donate.   If you would like to send anything to us directly contact us via facebook private message.  

Thanks so much for helping us!  
    

     I just wanted to share that we got our first sale for our superhero cape!!!      That just makes me so super exited!!     
   Another thing that gets me excited and nervous all at the same time is filling out applications.     We are rolling along on this adoption journey.   1 thing that I have learned is if you keep holding off on the process because you are nervous, you will still be in the same spot months down the road.     You have to take a step and things fall in to place.      

Kyle and I are asking you to take part in our Haiti endeavors by partnering with us in donating what you can to our adoption journey.   As of now we have our cape fundraiser, for boy or girls (see previous post)   We also have Judah's journey jars for you to fill and we can take the change and cash it in.      Every little bit  helps and adds up.      
 Our adoption journey will be longer than Judah's journey, but we are ready to move ahead because the longer we wait, the longer she waits.     We are very excited to open our hearts and home to a beautiful little girl.

   One step at a time and 1 step closer each time we get donations we can move ahead to the next step.    Thanks so much for your prayers as we continue to our next steps in our adoption journey.

 

Super Hero!!

        I have to admit I never know where to start when I start writing about our adoption and our next adoption.      My mind goes in several different directions such as what are we thinking starting adoption #2,  how is this going to work out, international adoption...new to us, as well as- am I ready for all that paperwork again?    And Yes we are ready.
If you do not know, Kyle, Judah and I are setting out our growing family in the direction of Haiti.
Haiti,  why? 
Back in 2009 Kyle was at work and he read an article about Haiti and their food crisis, their government at the time, and how the people are in so much need.  Children working in rock quarries and many children sold as restavek's (basically slaves) as early as the age of 8 and mainly just females.    Parent's hoping that their daughters will have a better life somewhere else.  A life where they get fed and taken care of.  But in reality it's not that way.    You can only think of the hurt that comes upon these girls in these homes.       So Kyle prayed at work that day and he uttered the words "God give me Haiti"     Huge words there, and we didn't even know what that meant.
Fast forward to end of 2009 and beginning 2010 Kyle and I started putting together our trip to Haiti.   Soon after, the earthquake hit Haiti and in turn all our plans were put on hold.....for a long time.    Kyle and I never even talked or mentioned Haiti up until 3 months ago.     Some friends of some friends were returning from Haiti and Kyle came hone and said our next adoption will be from Haiti.
So we are embarking on our new journey.
  We have many unknowns currently and some stuff we do know.     The process will be much much longer then sweet Judah, but that doesn't deter us from this journey.        We were surrounded and supported by so many people when we brought Judah into our family and we are just asking that you would rally around us to help bring home a little girl.       Judah says yes he wants a sister and then he says no, but mainly he is not wanting to share his toys.   Typical.
    I have a fellow mama also adopting from Haiti and she is graciously willing to do a fundraiser for us!     If any of your kids or you know someone who loves superheroes, boys and girls included, purchase a cape and mask from our fundraiser!   It is fun and something they can play with all year long.   Anyone wanting these before Halloween orders needed placed by the 16th of October!       The masks are a super soft felt.    They are fun for an all year dress up fun for your littles.

                          

Capes Cost are $25.    You can pay through paypal or directly mail to us.

We are wanting to raise some funds before taking the next big steps in this journey.     

Cost will run $30,000 on up.    God can do this and we know God directs the steps of the righteous.     Thanks for joining and teaming up with us on our journey towards Haiti.    

2 years!!!

     I never fully believed people when they 'said how the time fly's when the kids are young and to cherish every minute of it.     It has been almost 2 years ago that Judah was born.   He has been full of joy and laughter the whole time with currently the major breakdowns of a toddler.    Can't figure out his new sippy cup, the sky is falling in!!     Can't get food on his spoon or fork, the sky is falling in!!! Luna, the dog, is in his space, the sky is....well, that's actually a legit annoyance for Judah, Kyle and myself.   NO lie.

   

   So far this summer it has brought time with cousins, water fun, skateboard rides, still trying to figure out his cozy coupe from his first birthday, and trying to get along with the new dog.    
Luna is now 6 months old and Judah has learned that sometimes Luna will take what she wants of his toys just because.   Also will be in his face while he is trying to build blocks, and he now knows that the appropiate response for the dogs bad behavior is pointy your finger and saying/yelling NO NO!


We are expecting some amazing things in 2015.    We have begun saving again for our next adoption journey!   It truly is exciting for us and we are asking again to join us in prayer on this journey.  
 We will be selling coffee again, but with a different company called Coffee for Hope.     I talked with them the beginning of the year and told them we are going to use them and we are super excited about it!  Mainly because we are coffee freaks!   WE LOVE COFFEE!     We will have that set-up soon our website.  Our DONATE link is active as well.  That is all done through paypal or you can send to us directly through paypal too if you don't want to use the link on the website either.
We will be having an Amazon link too, so if you shop on Amazon....use out link!!!!!   A portion of the proceeds will go to us.     I also partnered with the same doctors who created Proactiv, Dr Rodan and Dr. Fields.   They started in the anti-aging market and so I jumped on board!  A portion of the income from my business will be going to this as well!   If you want more info on let me know!
 We will do our Judah Journey jars as well.

 So toss your extra change in your jar and bring it to us or if you live in Iowa, feel free to give to my sister and she can get it to our account!   
 So let the Adoption Journey begin!  Please share with others.    

It's been a long time coming.....and more to come

          I know it has been a year...yes a year....horrible I know!!     These last several months I have been so incredibly thankful for this little man that has changed our lives completely.     Judah has brought us so much joy.       He just turned 15 months old on the 18th of this month and is learning so quickly!          

There are so many moments where I am overwhelmingly grateful for this amazing woman who chose life for her son.    Today is one of those moments.     We are grateful for this woman who saw something in Kyle and I just even through a book she saw from an agency.       Through our phone conversation we laughed and told stories about everything almost and so much more!     This woman has forever changed our lives and we love her so dearly!        We will call her Mo, for public blog purposes, but I wish everyone could meet this incredible lady.     She is full of life, emotion :) laid back, real, genuine, and so much more!
  

          
    Today the gratefulness and love we have for Mo just swept over me while I was laying Judah down for his nap.  
    We will always cherish her and honor her in every way.        
      
        Bless you Mo.      Thank-you for giving us the privilege to care for Judah and to raise him up.     
  We will see you again my friend! 



 Love you dearly!                      

    

      
       

Count down has begun

     Just checking back in with ya'll!    Getting my Texas talk down again before leaving...yes in 2 and a half weeks we fly out.
  
 Since our last post, "Run the race...finish strong,"   we have had a few donations for the marathon.    Kyle and I were able to sell a couple items as well.    So from that $2000 that is needed, we are down to $1600 needed for our trip.     Do me a favor and pray and spread the word.    We need the funds for sure by May 17th.    

I have had some people ask where to donate.    Directly on our blog, at the top of the article you are reading, to the right is a link that reads "Donate".    All you need to do is click on that and it will take you step by step through that process.   It is secure and set-up through paypal and funds go directly into our adoption fund.   You can also private message us through FB if you are wanting to mail a check as well.   

All my Spencer peeps, get in contact with my sister and she will get the money put directly in to Judah's adoption account as well.   

I had someone turn in their Judah Jar again and thankyou thankyou thankyou!!  If anyone out there still has a Judah's Journey jar and it's full  contact me and I can get the change from you!  Every little bit helps.    

Kyle and I are blessed to have the support from friends and family to help us finalize Judah's adoption.      
It was 1 year ago today that we received an e-mail about a little boy that would be due in the summer of 2013.   He stole a portion of our hearts at that point in time and God has unfolded the rest.
Thanks for being a piece of our puzzle.    We love you all!

Run the race...Finish Strong

      Judah's Journey will never end, but our adoption side of things will....can I get an AMEN!!  
                             This post is about Adoption, community, and family.
      Kyle and I are currently trying to raise the last $2000 to finalize Judah's adoption.   We thought we had enough money raised  until we had an unexpected trip back to Texas thrown into the mix.   So with that comes travel expenses with flights and rental cars and legal fees.
We are also blessed, because talking on community and family, we have gained family in Texas and really a community of people came together back in July to find us a place to stay while in Texas, we paid for 0 hotel rooms and we were there for about 5 weeks.  We stayed with the same amazing hostess the whole time!   Martha and her family are a huge blessing and now a large part of our lives today.   We were going to stay at another place back in July, but if fell through because Judah's due date got changed, but God worked it out and we were able to spend time with the first family as well!   
    
     Kyle and I are partnering with a friend we met at an adoption group a couple months ago.   When you attend these groups many people don't know each other too well, or at all, and they become close by just sharing their stories and being real with each other.     I posted something on an adoption facebook group I belong to regarding the remaining expenses needed to finalize our adoption.  Within an hour I was talking with Bob regarding my post.  
    The last few years Bob has ran to raise support for children with life threatening health conditions and for their families through Make A Wish Foundation of ND .   It wasn't until recently that Bob started re-directing his efforts.   He still runs to help children and families in need, but with orphans in mind.     He just happened to come across my post on the adoption facebook page and we started chatting.   If you ask me it was certainly a God thing, and God timing.
    
      Bob will be running in the Fargo marathon in a couple weeks, on May 10th  and will be running to raise support for Judah!    We are asking if you would consider donating $1 per mile.   So that would be $26. 20.      We have a donate link on our blog on the right hand side, "Donate".   It is secure and through paypal, you do not have to have a paypal account to donate.    If you are in the area and want to donate directly to Kyle and I please private message us on facebook or texts.     

God truly put this together for just this point in our adoption journey.  Please consider donating and pray that the rest of our funds roll in.
Share on your facebook page to have people check out the blog and possibly donate if they can.

              
            God Bless,
               Kyle, Micale, & Judah


  

It's Adoption Auction Time!!!!!!

So many people keep asking me why are you fundraising again?  Aren't you done?   The answer to these questions are: Yes, we are fundraising again, so no we are not done :)     
     We will be having to make an unexpected trip to Texas in 4 weeks and this fundraising process has been slow since everybody has thought we were done with the process.   We are at THEE FINAL STEP!  This is the very very last thing we are needing to get done for him to become Judah William HILLERUD.   Please help us make this happen and share our blog post and share again and again till we get our funds raised.    We will be needing  close to $2500 to finish. In that dollar amount it will vary depending on the price of plane tickets and car rental.   
  With adoption there are so many reason's as to why the process is not complete.  Kyle and I don't feel the need to go into any details on it all, just know that we have been anticipating and waiting for this day for a very long time now and it is finally going to be here!!  We have had to be patient and know that God is in control of it all no matter what the reasoning is behind the wait.   God Knows.     He knows the expenses as well, but let me tell you this little boy who stole a portion of our heart 1 year ago on May 1st when we heard about him, then took our breath away when we met face to face on July 18th is completely worth every penny we need to raise, every background/fingerprints we had to do, and every paperwork that came along with it!!  
     
So here is what's up!      Kyle and I are doing an auction for a couple items that we will have listed on our blog.  Here is what you need to do.   If you see an item you want to bid on, you comment on our blog at the bottom of the article.  You list your name, what item you are bidding on and the dollar amount of your bid.    These items will be listed with a minimum bid that it has to be started out at.   If you are NOT in the Bismarck/Mandan area or get to town for the pick-up there will be mailing charges.    Each item will have a deadline for bids and will be listed next to that item.     Hope this makes sense!!!     
The other thing I would like you to do is share share share this on your FB and e-mail it to people because even if there is nothing they want to bid on and would like to make a donation to us via paypal it would be greatly appreciated!!  Every single $1 counts!!  The "Donate" link is at the top of our blog on the right hand side.       

All this is time sensitive and time is ticking so I will start listing the items!!!!

$50 GIFT CARD TO FABYOULOUS SALONG & SPA!

FabYouLous Salon & Spa in Bismarck is THEE best place you can go! (my personal opinion)  They do everything from hair, to pedicures/manicures, facial's, massages, etc...  Not to mention, it is stock full of all the amazing Aveda products that you love!    The service in there is incredible and top of the line!!    MOTHER DAY IS VERY VERY SOON!!  SPOIL HER WITH THIS!

 
MINIMUM BID OF:  $40 
[ bidding will end Sunday April 27th @ 11:00 PM ]



NEXT ITEM UP IS A GIFT BASKET WITH ALL YOUR SUMMER ESSENTIALS!

 Included in this basket is Rodan & Fields sunless tanner (the best sunless tanner on the market right now!)  Nail Polish, nail polish remover, hair ties, foot scrubber, and toe nail kit!     If interested in more of Rodan & Fields check out this website:  www.nicolehuson.myrandf.biz        Seriously the best stuff out their and I just started using it.  The before and after's are proof in itself.

   OPENING BID OF $40
  (bidding will end Sunday April 27th at 11:00 PM)
   
Get your bidding on!!   Remember sun and fun and mother's day :)    Happy bidding!
The other items for sale OBO will be listed on bismanonline.com        We have 2 overstuffed chairs, super comfy!    Will also have a circle side table with a small drawer, beautiful wood color.  Check them out!     

Remember bids start today and don't forget to check back in case you get outbid you can bid higher!!   

thanks for the support as we embark on getting the last step of our adoption journey finished :)     
                                Happy Easter Everyone!!!

 
 
     
     

Light at the end of this tunnel

So many of you may be saying,  "it's been so long since we've gotten an update on Judah's Journey!"   Well, yes, it has been a long time.   As many of you may know Judah has now been with us for 8 months.     It is crazy how extremely fast time goes now!    Our little man Judah turned 8 months old last week.   He is nothing short of a blessing and Kyle and I are thankful daily for his laugh, his smiles, his hugs, his kisses, his excitement he always brings to all these simple things we don't even think about.    

                 What has happened during the last 8 months?  

With Judah: He is growing like crazy of course, he is healthy, and he is tall.   He does smile and laugh believe it or not.  If you are around him he is super serious, but give him a minute and you might get a smile.    We are so excited to  see what amazing awesome things God has in store for him.    He loves doing patty cake, and loves when mom and daddy sing Jesus loves me.    He bounces like a crazy man in his bouncy chair, he loves it:)    He now gets to sit inside the carts now at the store, he really thinks he's hot stuff when that happens.


With mom and dad:  Kyle and I have both gotten back into the schedule of church, and work.    I am part time so I enjoy those days off I get to spend with our little man.     Kyle and his business, Valor Insulation Company, are doing well.   Spring, I think, is somewhat here and business is starting to pick up yet again.  

   
With the Adoption:    Judah's adoption, even though he's been home for 8 months, is still not final.     In adoption, you have to follow all the steps, and  it's easy to be upset when something just doesn't get done right away or is not yet complete yet.      In our case we have had some interruptions since bringing him home.      God though has given us a peace in all of it.      We have been waiting for some news on when we can possibly look at finalizing our adoption,  And as of last week Monday, the 17th,  we saw a glimpse of light at the end of the adoption tunnel.    

We need your prayers most importantly during the next 4-6 weeks, as that is the waiting time frame for if we know if we can terminate & finalize our adoption at that time.  We will know the answer to this on April 18th, soon!!      We were not planning on having to go back to Texas to finalize and we were told last week that we could take care of termination and finalization all in one sitting.   It would save us money in court fees and filing fees as well as another attorney fee.     So if all goes smoothly up to April 18th, we would be looking at a trip back to Houston, which was not expected at all. 

Since this has been drawn out more than we fully anticipated, we are needing to do more fundraising.      We are needing the funds by April 18th, which is not far away at all.    We are needing funds to purchase 2 plane tickets, car rental & gas while we are there and to finish paying attorney fees as this has been going on 8 months.    We currenlty do not have an exact dollar amount that is needed.    If you are able to join with us in pray please do and if able through your finances that would be great!    
If you still have our Judah's Journey jars, please save your change for us!      We will also be making Cedar planters for sale!!    You would be able to place a pot directly into the planter or you can buy the landscape tarp to fill your planter with soil.   It is spring and everybody is wanting to see some flowers or pants coming up.   It has been a long winter!!

Kyle and I are selling these cedar planters for $60.    On the inside of each planter will be Judah's handprint because you had a hand in finalizing his adoption.    










If you live in the Bismarck, Mandan area or come to Bismarck often enough please consider purchasing one of Judah's planter's.    Please give us time to get yours made once your order has been placed.    Payment due upon order of your Cedar planter.

If  you don't need a planter, but are able to donate in some way at all, contact Kyle and I via a comment on this blog or facebook.   We also have our donate tab located at the top of this blog at the right hand side.    The donation is done through paypal or credit/debit card.
Please share our blog with all your friends as well.  The more people praying the better. If they are able to financially help we are forever grateful!

It is funny as it has come down to the wire for raising funds and God came through always in the beginning of our whole adoption journey.  He is in this!  Judah's birth mom chose life for him, and God chose Kyle and I.  God presented Kyle and I to Judah's birth mom and it was a perfect match.    We love her so very much and want the best God has for her.   She is an amazing woman and did an amazing thing for her son.   God Bless her greatly!

 

LARGER HURDLES-BIG GOD

     Where do we even begin......the past few weeks have been a whirl wind with work, training, and getting closer to Judah arriving.    The last week has been very stressful and really hasn't let up yet.     We are so close to Judah arriving, which also means what has been pretty smooth sailing from the get go minus a few minor hurdles we have come this far pretty good! (that last sentence was super long and probably not punctuated properly-yes I look at those things :D )  Anyways, last week we got another hurdle.   This hurdle is higher than our previous ones.  It has thrown stress levels a bit higher as well with everything combined coming closer to his due date.   
       We have unexpected attorney fees we did not really know about for this specific part of our adoption journey.     Kyle and I thought the rest of this would be pretty smooth sailing, and this hurdle has us shuffling things around financially.    
   It is hard writing some of these posts about fundraising and financing when all I want to discuss is how crazy excited we are to tell people the story of Judah and this wonderful woman that will be bringing him into this world.    We have gotten to know her some; she is very open and honest, friendly, super funny, laughing often, pretty sure she is smiling often too.   Even though we have not yet met face to face we know she is beautiful inside and out and we are blessed to even know her.
     Please pray for Kyle and I over this next week as we try and tackle getting over this hurdle.    Pray for peace and for funds to roll in, this week is very vital for finances.  Please pray with us, and if you know people who are willing and able to give, discuss our situation with them and see if they would be willing to help us out financially and prayerfully!  

Love you all!  
 -Donations can be mailed to our address or donated through our "donate" link directly at the top of this blog on the right hand side.
     

Just when you think it's done...

What's up!!
           We are getting ready for the big day which is approaching fast!   We are trying to get all our ducks in a row and about the only ducks I don't have lined up are for my work.   Finding a temp person can be hard for only 9 weeks at my job.
   Kyle and I had the privilege to talk to Judah's birth mom today.   We have been able to talk to her as often as we like and have been getting to know her over the last 6 days; everything from false labor pains to just shooting the breeze.  She is very sweet, easy going, and very funny.    We are praying for open doors to pray for her.    How amazing it would be to see Judah's birth mom ask Jesus to be Lord of her life!  

  Hadley, Kyle's niece, asked me this past Sunday "When will Judah's tummy mommy have him?" And I was able to say it's only a few weeks away!!    Needless to say the whole family is thrilled.
My mom came up to see us 2 weeks ago and is leaving the end of June.   She said she wanted to get "Micale time" before the baby came.  So now after our little man arrives home she will end up coming back  sometime in August.       Our home is looking like a baby is coming that's for sure.   Bottles, bassinets, pack n play, and swing.  But I have a feeling this little boy of ours will be in our arms way more often, which makes me so happy and will help us bond since we are the new voices he hasn't heard for the past 8-9 months.  

Just when you think fees and paperwork is at completion in an adoption it seems there is always more :) But you just gotta roll with it.   We are needing more funds to cover the extra expenses that will incur for post placement fees and attorney fees.   We are at crunch time yet again and I think God works pretty awesome in those moments.    We are looking for people that are able and willing to donate money that will go towards this.    These fees have to be paid in order to bring Judah home and finalize our adoption.    We are so close to getting these funds, but we are still short.     If you can give please contact us via phone or facebook or even comment on this post.   We would be so grateful for whatever amount you are able to give.     These funds will need to be raised by July 1st.  Which is only 2 weeks away folks!     Please pray and allow the Holy Spirit to direct you on what you feel led to give.   The money that comes in will go to our puzzle pieces.  Will post a pic later, but Kyle and I will be beginning to put the puzzle together.  Remember we can't finish the puzzle till all the pieces have been bought.   ($10 a piece-and we have enough for you!)  

Please continue to pray as we raise these funds in such a short time.   God has been good and we know He is in this whole Journey.   We have been blessed by many.     We look forward to being able to show you our Judah man soon!  

We love you guys and thank you so much for your love and support through this journey and for helping us finish the journey of bringing Judah back home.  We appreciate you and all that you've done and all that is still to come.

Blessings to you

We've come thus far...& more to come!

Hello Everybody! 

    Where to begin?   Our garage sale was a success!  Did we sell everything, no, but the majority of it  we did.  We have been accumulating baby items:)

 Judah has a place to sleep on each floor now!  We got our stroller travel system the other day too! This is happening man! 

  We have been blessed by so many people, too many to name here.  We are so grateful for you guys!   

 Our Judah is gonna be here soon and we are thrilled- excited-terrified-ready-not ready-but more ready.  

  Judah has been a thought and passion in our minds for years now.  We began to really   start praying for him in 2012.  And praying  for his mom for protection and to keep her safe and to keep Judah safe from harm.   January of 2013 we thought we'd look at starting into the adoption journey.   Our first ever application was post marked to Gods Children Adoption Agency. (Which mind you, they are amazing) and 4 days later Lindsey called to set up our first home study! She was in our home 7 days after mailing our application out.   Right then and there Kyle and I knew that this just might go fast and not a year long process thing that we had in mind.  Our home study was completed April 25th.  And we prayed that the baby emails we received, we would both be at peace about moving forward on.  We received 5 e-mails and nothing clicked to move ahead on, which we then turned those e-mails into prayers for those moms and babies. 

  And then..... May1st.   Kyle and I received an email about a mom pregnant with a boy and something inside Kyle and I got a little excited.  Needless to say our year long adoption process, which we thought would happen, was blown out of the water. 

  God truly had something good in store. 

I will stop for now and give you more details  when I can.  

 Please consider purchasing one ofJudah's  puzzle pieces for his room. 

We still have $300 pieces left.  

 Maybe you know of other's that may want to help.   The puzzle pieces are $10 a piece and we would love for friends and family and extended friends and family to share in a small piece of Judah's life.  

 

Heres Kyle's stroller project