Fundraising for Tiny O'Briens Arrival

Ya'll I wanted to talk a little about fundraising here.  So, first, let me just say that I am all for it!  It is so much fun to watch a family be blessed with funds necessary to afford adoption.  To give even $1 and know that you are forever a part of that baby's story on their journey home is a blessing!  It is amazing to watch a family raise funds for medical bills.  Or for a business start up.  But the problem is, it seems that everybody is asking for something these days.

Everybody has a kickstarter. Or a paypal button.  Everybody has a GoFundMe account.  Everybody is asking for donations, items for an auction, or a shout out for their cause.  Despite the amount of social media outlets bombarding you with requests it is also an amazing way to connect.  Give.  Receive and to love on others.    So, it's a humbling decision for Matthew & I to know that we need to rejoin the fundraisers & ask for help.  But that's what we decided & that's what we are going to do.  So let me share a bit about why and how this is gonna look.

When we started the adoption process for John, it was quick.  From the moment we signed up with the agency to the day we got the call that we were matched with a birth mom in labor, the total wait was just shy of four weeks.  It was an insane roller coaster and it happened so fast!  We were so incredibly blessed by friends & family who gave so much but in the grand scheme of things a dent was barely made in fees owed.  And, like a beautiful friend of mine said, just because you bring a baby home doesn't mean the fees disappear.  Matthew has worked SO hard to provide for our family and we don't want for much....although a cruise would be nice.  I'm thinking Hawaii?  Anyway....we still have so long to go before all adoption fees have been paid off & at times it can be a burden on our finances.  We knew we wanted to adopt again and we know that foster care is right for us this time.  The cost is relatively inexpensive, but some money does need to be put into safe guarding our home to meet Nevada homestudy requirements as well as a few minimal costs for fingerprinting, etc.  We also know that a social worker is going to look at our finances and judge us accordingly.  On top of that, when we do have the incredible privilege of welcoming the newest Tiny O'Brien, the last thing we want to do is crunch numbers and adjust finances.  We want to spend all of our time and energy into learning to be a family of four!!!!

Phew!

With all that said, we need your help.  We don't feel it's necessary to need to pay off all of our adoption debt but we have prayed about it and feel that paying off $8,000 would get us back on our feet, stress free, with a safe guarded home, the entire Florida agency payment paid, & the small costs needed to be foster care approved.  This time around we are going to do things a little differently.  Yes, you may give a straight donation, but we also want to GIVE YOU something in return.  An amazingly talented friend has made a beautiful print in a PDF form that you will be able to buy, we have t-shirts ready to go that are soft & comfy with great colors, and some delicious treats that will be sold by an amazing bakery.  I am so excited to start & like I mentioned above, watch the Lord work & provide.  He is so good & faithful.  We know that He has guided us to this adventure and we know that He will see us through with everything we need!  Stay tuned because the prints & tees sale will be launching VERY SOON!

Fostering Preparedness

So, remember that one time, not too long ago, when I announced that the O'Brien family would be entering into the foster care program here in Las Vegas?  If you've already forgotten then you can read up on that biz right here. 

Anywho, sharing the news has made it so very real.  I pray every day for our newest arrival, knowing that he or she may very well already be born.  Maybe even a preschooler by now.  Is he or she safe?  Happy?  Healthy?  I just have to trust that the Lord has and will protect this little one.  Oh, Lord.  Be with our little person!   But, like I said.  Sharing the news has made it real.  We haven't even gone to orientation yet, but we've been able to start on a few pieces of paperwork that the county tipped us off needed to be ready for a quicker process.  

Other than paperwork, there isn't too much we can do until our background checks & fingerprinting take place.  So, until then, I am left with my own thoughts & let me tell you...they're weird.  Handsome Matthew & I were talking the other day and I told him I feel SO unprepared for a preschooler!  What do they eat?  What size do they wear?  What should a typical day look like?  And, worst of all!  I don't even have a pair of safety scissors for him or her!  How will we do arts & crafts without safety scissors!  He laughed at me when I asked that.  I'm guessing by the look on my face he realized my concern was a real one.  And then he laughed at that!  With all the things I'm sure we'll have to do he was amazed that my biggest issue was the scissors!

We moved on to a different topic.  He went to bed.  John & I went to Target.  And yes.  You guessed it.  I bought some dang safety scissors.  And now, I am much more ready for the little person who will arrive one day.  Seriously...sometimes I surprise myself at the things I think we need.  Like, maybe I should be thinking about that dresser that we are required to have for the child?  No.  Priority #1: Safe scissors.

I also, with a giftcard, bought a tee for John.  Since we don't know if John's new sibling will be older or younger I had to track down a shirt that didn't specify his brotherly status.  He hasn't worn it yet, but it makes my heart happy.  It's a sweet reminder that God has called us into this & whether we have another child in our home for weeks or for forever, John will rock at this brother gig.  God will rock at pouring out his blessings over our family, like He always does.  And the newest member of the fam will rock...just because.

So, I guess that's it.  There isn't much more we can do until we are a bit deeper into the process.  But, until then, you better believe that I am cleaning out closets, purging the junk drawers & watching a lot of The Office to keep myself occupied! Only 10 more days until we OFFICIALLY start & I cannot wait!

It's Time for the Little O'Brien Family to Grow!

Let's cut straight to the chase here, shall we???  I have been ready to start the adoption process for Baby #2 for awhile now.  Matthew was a bit slower to be ready to do this all over again but we're officially on the same page and WE ARE READY!  But, I usually don't talk so openly about our finances on the great internets world but ya'll...Matthew and I checked his wallet & it is NOT READY to start adopting again!

We rent a nice apartment, we never go hungry.  I get to buy the makeup I like, Matthew splurges every now & then at work for a hot coffee & John often finds himself in the dollar section at Target picking out a new hunk of junk toy with every visit.  So yes, we can afford our necessities & even splurge on Panda Express every so often, but we are still paying off adoption fees from John & my goodness it's a never ending pile of bills! To adopt again?  Matthew's wallet cowered in fear as we discussed options, payment plans, loans, credit cards.  So, with that...we dropped the subject.  We want to giver our son & future child(ren) the best, happiest & most stable home, financially, and in every other way possible as well.  Matthew has been working a ton of overtime, I've been trying to budget much better, use less gas, less air conditioner, and oddly, I've been content to wait on the Lord & His timing.  But, God stirred my heart.  In a big way.  I felt called to pray for our next adoption.  God asked me to pray.  I don't know why since we decided to put it on the back burner.

I told Matthew this.  He thought it was crazy but couldn't deny that if God is asking then I should answer & need to continue to pray.  Days go by, more crazy things happen & what we never thought we'd ever do we decided to pursue.  It's something that has not been on our radar.  Matthew has been very clear about wanting to adopt domestically & I've been happy to agree to his final decision.  But, like I said, when God asks you to do something then you should answer.  So, with that said, we answered God's calling & the little O'Brien  family is going  to start the process to fost-adopt!  We will be attending our first orientation meeting with Clark County services here in Nevada in June & will proceed from there!  I know this is from God because I am crazy scared!  I love me a good adventure but this one seems so GOD-sized that I find myself intimidated & a bit unsure!

How will this affect our family?  Matthew's work?  My amazingly awesome average mothering skills?  My little boy, the only child...how will this affect him?  And how in the world will we be able to provide a stable home with our adoption debt?  Wel, ya'll...the answer to that is simple. Matthew is going to continue with overtime, I will continue being vigilant in budgeting & we are going to fund raise!  We'd like to be able to pay off a big chunk of our current adoption fees, have some money ready for very minimal payments that foster care certification requires (finger prints, Nevada drivers licenses & plates), and to be able to provide for our newest member without adding on any stress.  We want to put all of our energy into welcoming a child(ren) into our home without spending time gawking over budgets and finances!

This time around, fundraising is going to be very different!  We will be doing a few BIG things, rather than a ton of small things.  If you'd like to partner with us & help us raise funds, you can email me at AshleyOBrien129@yahoo.com.  If you'd like to donate you can click the Donate button below & if you'd like to pray, we ask that you pray for the process to be a smooth one, that our home would be ready, our hearts be ready, John & our dog Mo, be ready.  And most of all, our future son and/or daughter to be safe, healthy & loved in spite of their status as wards of the state.  We pray that God keep their little love tanks filled with His love and peace.

Oh, and if you are asking yourself "why are you sharing so soon?"  Well, the answer is this.  We did the same with John's adoption.  The moment we knew we were ready & that was what we were going to pursue, we shared because we were excited but more importantly because we recognize the importance of community & prayer!  We cannot do this without you on our side! Your love, prayers & encouragement are what will bring our newest little one home!

So, here's to new adventures!!!

 

WeeStructed Giveaway

Today is the big day! Sarah is giving you a chance to win a $25 shop credit to WeeStructed!  Check out my Instagram for rules & how to enter!!!

Choose Joy

It's hitting me like a ton of bricks.  I am leaving behind my sweet darling son & handsome as can be hubby for So-Cal.  My home.  Tomorrow morning.  I'm not just leaving for the heck of it.  I am going to a conference.  I'm not just going to the conference.  I am SPEAKING at it.  I am sharing information I have never shared before.  I am going to spill my guts &....What if people hate my guts?  What if the attendees see my guts and think "Ew.  Those are gross.  Most unholy guts I've ever seen"

On the other hand.  There is no way that people will hate my guts.  They will see Jesus in my journey.  I have made sure I have given Him all the glory.  I am so excited.  So overwhelmed.  SO TOTALLY READY to share my story.  To let people in on the nitty gritty.  I've never done it before but this is the chance I have been waiting for.  I know that my story has needed to be told but how?  When?  Why?  This conference was a God-given gift to share all that He has done in me & point people to Him.  The ultimate healer.  The friend, Lord & counselor I needed.  So, bring it on, Choose Joy!  I may faint at your podium mid-story sharing but I am ready for you!!!!!

This trip is also about a time of relaxation & rest.  A time of recharging.  I haven't been away from John since last summer.  I went to Africa for two weeks.  But it wasn't a time of relaxation.  It was a time of BUSY, a time of WORK & LABOR and LOVING on EVERYBODY.  I have never had such an amazing privilege and I've never returned from an adventure so TIRED!  But this time?  I leave tomorrow morning.  I'll grab a Starbucks on my way to the freeway.  I'll get to the freeway and have to choose between Taylor Swift & the Frozen soundtrack (I have incredibly sophisticated taste in music) .  I'll turn that CD off midway through and talk to Jesus for awhile.  After four hours of alone time in the car.  I'll arrive at my destination.  The beach.  Gonna lay my towel down on the beautiful sands of Oceanside & I'm gonna read.  Take a nap.  Catch a tan.  Practice my story telling.  Then, I'll go attend the Queen Bee market where beautiful things are born & afterwards, attend the Speaker's Dinner where I will finally meet the women I have talked to for so long over the internets.  Saturday morning will be much the same.  I'll wake up at my parents house, hang out with my sister, maybe even do this after I've SLEPT IN.  I haven't done that but for one day since John was born.  I'll have lunch with my best friend at my favorite restaurant and then we'll head over to the conference where I will spill my guts. 

Ya'll, these next two days are going to be amazing.  I am so excited for what the Lord is going to do through all this time that I get to spend with Him.  I cannot wait to recharge myself with time of peace & quiet & I am anticipating amazing things from Choose Joy.  I can hardly wait until I get to write my next post and share with you all that amazingness!

(Giveaway from WeeStructed starts tomorrow! Make sure you're following my Instagram & enter for your chance to win!!!)