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!