BLOG NAME CHANGE?

Hopefully YES we will be changing the name of our blog to

Journey To Reunite Two Angels & Give Them a Big Sister   (or at least something similar to the meaning of this)  :)

Many of you have ask me who the child we have in mind to commit to is! I understand you all wanting to know because I am just dying to be able to commit to HER now and show that precious older, already institutionalized face to the world and say, Mama is coming sweet ****** ! But I can't :( Why?

As you probably already know we are far from being funded for Ava's adoption. Have we come a LONG way? YES! But we also have a long way to go. That being the case, committing to an additional child right now would be so scary and risky because that adds an extra $2,000 for facilitation, an extra visa fee, an extra medical fee, extra plane ticket, extra food, extra train ticket...so probably an extra $5,000 in total.

Having said that, we are currently doing a fundraiser/giveaway that is a HUGE opportunity for us! If we meet our goal of $2,500 with this fundraiser, an extremely generous donor (Sue) has offered to match $1,000 of it meaning we would get an additional $1,000 for meeting our goal and for commiting to an older, already institutionalized child.  If we meet our goal I will immidiately commit to the additional child even though their expenses wouldn't be paid for, a large portion would be considering we would be getting the additional $1,000!

Soooo, PLEASE take the time to learn about this fundraiser/giveaway by clicking the link below
or by clicking the tab at the top of my blog! With this giveaway, you have the option of choosing your 1st place winning prize as either an ipad or $500 cash!  There are also second and third place winners and also free gifts with donations of $35 or more! I do not want and definitely do not need to miss out on this opportunity for such a help in funding.  The life of a child who has been waiting far too long is depending on this so please act now! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH! We could never ever show our appreciation enough and we will hopefully have two smiling girls to thank you for bringing them home to their sister and family!!!! :)

http://journeytoreunitetwoangels.blogspot.com/p/ipad-or-your-choice-giveawaywith-free.html

AMAZING OPPORTUNITY FOR FUNDING!

PLEASE READ about this incredible and extremely generous opportunity that has been presented to us today!!!

Now more than ever, is the time to donate!  If we meet our goal of $2,500 for our ipad or cash giveaway she is going to donate an additional $1,000! But only if we meet our goal by July 31!

You can read about the opportunity, including an excerpt from Sue's email to me as well as the giveaway, where you can win an ipad or cash here!!!!

http://journeytoreunitetwoangels.blogspot.com/p/ipad-or-your-choice-giveawaywith-free.html

You can also view it in my tabs at the top of my blog!

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE help us meet our goal so we can save these TWO children's lives, Ava and an older, already institutionalized child!!!!!

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!

~WE ARE TRYING TO SAVE TWO LIVES~

PLEASE click this link http://journeytoreunitetwoangels.blogspot.com/p/ipad-or-your-choice-giveawaywith-free.html

or the tab beside of my "home" tab above!

WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW MORE THAN EVER!

TWO LIVES DEPEND ON IT!!!!

Thank you all so much!

AND THE WINNER IS..................

# 196 STEFANIE ERDMAN!!!!

Congrats!!!!!!!!!

To Stefanie: Thank you so much! I will email you at the email address listed on the PayPal donation you sent me initially. I'm so happy for you! please contact me if the email on your PayPal is different than your preferred or usable email. Also, I will need to know if the shipping address on your account is the best place to have the iPad shipped to.

To Everyone Else: Thank you so
much for your donations from the largest to the smallest. Thank you for sharing on Facebook, Twitter, your blogs, etc!!!!

When taking into account that we had a donor that donated enough to nearly pay for the iPad, we met our iPad giveaway goal!!!

Please keep following our blog for future giveaways and fundraisers!

We are far from being funded but thankfully we are more than $2,000 closer to Ava than before the giveaway!!!

I'm asking if you will please keep us in your prayers and continue to support our efforts of rescuing Ava and reuniting her with Gabby! The sooner we can get funded for Ava the better because we can then commit to another child!!!!

Thank you all so much and again, CONGRATS STEFANIE!!!!

Last chance to win this iPad!!!!

Our iPad giveaway ends Tonight at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time! I was going to do it on our time (Eastern) but I wanted to be fair to all those in the west coast :). The winner will be announced no later than 2:00 a.m. (I need time to get all of the last minute donor's entries in).

Please share (you get one entry for this), you can also get an entry for $5. $20 gets you 5 entries! $35 gets you 8 entries and a free handmade blanket!! $50 gets you 15 entries and of course you still get the blanket. $65 gets you 18 entries and a free handmade personalized with embroidery, ribbon, and any photo(s) you would like sewn into the blanket (washable )!!! Each additional $5 donation gets an additional entry!

If there is anyone out there that appreciates art, or would like an original Ukrainian painting, a donation of $250 will get you the appropriate amount of entries according to the entry schedule as well as a free original Ukrainian painting! You have 9 to choose from.

Our goal before the iPad giveaway ends is to have a minimum of $5,000 in our FSP/Grant (for facilitation and travel).

If you are donating for the blankets I prefer chip in donations but FSP/grant donations are very much appreciated as well. The picture of the blanket is the $65 donation personalized one (sample). They can be done for boy or girl though. The basic ones for $35 donation are done the same but without ribbon, embroidery/personalization, and photo.

Thank you all sooo much! Good Luck!!!!

The final countdown!!!!

Our iPad giveaway ends tomorrow night!!!!! We are in the final countdown now! I was really hoping to have our grant reach $5000 for this because that would put us exactally 1/3 of the way to being fully funded. (we only need $465 to be at todays goal). When we are funded for Ava, we plan to officially commit to a second child. We need this to be as soon as possible so we will then have some time to fundraise the last little bit for the addition of the second child. So you see, two lives depend on your help! You an receive an entry for as little as sharing this post or $5! $20 gets you 5 entries! $35 gets you a free handmade blanket and 8 entries!!! $50 gets you 15 entries and you of course still get the blankt. $65 gets you 18 entries and a free handmade blanket but one that is very detailed (doubled sided, embroidered however you like, an actual photo on it of your choice, ribbon, you think of it and I can probably do it)! Each additional $5 gets you an extra entry! Somebody is going to win this iPad, it could even be somebody who only shared a post or entered for $5! Imagine sitting at your house and the door bell rings and it's your new iPad you got for nearly nothing haha! Everytime an adoptive family has an iPad giveaway if I know of it, I enter! Plus, you definitely can't beat the deal of getting the entries and the blankets! You can have the blankets done for you, a family member, friend, an adoptive family...whoever! I'll ship it directly to them (shipping is ncluded in the price)!!! If you all could please help us reach our goal or if someone could step up and offer a matching grant I would kiss your feet (virtually of course lol). Please help!!! http://journeytoreunitetwoangels.blogspot.com When donating you can donate to the grant or chip in. I prefer the chip in if you are donating for blankets because it helps me to get my material, however, this is not required :) Also, please remember in the note/comment section of the chip in, or email me jsgamiddleton@gmail.com, or comment on here if you are choosing to receive the blanket. Not everyone who donates chooses to receive a blanket. I will not know of you don't let me know and I need to know ASAP to ensure I order materials all together in bulk. Thanks!! :) For the original iPad post, scroll down the right side of my blog and click the picture of the iPad :) Thank you all!!!

~ONLY 3 MORE DAYS~

Our iPad giveaway ends 11:59 p.m ETZ on this Friday, June 15th.

You could actually win this iPad for as little as a share on fb, or $5. Also check out the other perks in addition to gaining more entries and increasing your chances below.

Go to the link below for our iPad giveaway ending in only 3 days!!!

http://journeytoreunitetwoangels.blogspot.com/2012/05/ipad-giveaway_15.html

Remember, if you donate $35 or more you can get a free handmade baby/toddler blanket!!! You must email me at jsgamiddleton@gmail.com to let me know you wish to receive one. Go here for more information:

http://journeytoreunitetwoangels.blogspot.com/2012/05/free-baby-blanket-ipad-giveaway.html

Or if you'd like more information on how you can get an original Eastern European painting and benefit our adoption go here:

http://journeytoreunitetwoangels.blogspot.com/2012/06/original-eastern-european-paintings-and.html

Thank you all so much and God bless!

~Happy Birthday Week Ava~

Today we are celebrating our little Ava's birthday because this week our princess gained an extra candle on her cake!

We baked a small cake, wrote a message on it, had some balloons, and just took time to think of her today (as we do everyday) to ensure that she wasn't totally forgotten today! Lord willing and with the help of family and friends this will be the last birthday she has to spend uncelebrated with her and in an orphanage without family and friends to love on her and show her full attention on her birthday.

Well, one thing is for sure she was forgotten here today! We love you so much sweet girl and we will do whatever it takes to make sure your never alone again on another birthday. Happy birthday! Daddy, mommy, and Gabby loves you very much!

If you would like to give Ava a birthday donation which will also give you entries into our iPad giveaway, we would greatly appreciate it! She can't come home unless we have help and we can't commit to saving another child like we hope to do until she is fully funded!

Go to the link below for our iPad giveaway ending in only 5 days!!!

http://journeytoreunitetwoangels.blogspot.com/2012/05/ipad-giveaway_15.html

Remember, if you donate $35 or more you can get a free handmade baby/toddler blanket!!! You must email me at jsgamiddleton@gmail.com to let me know you wish to receive one. Go here for more information:

http://journeytoreunitetwoangels.blogspot.com/2012/05/free-baby-blanket-ipad-giveaway.html

Or if you'd like more information on how you can get an original Eastern European painting and benefit our adoption go here:

http://journeytoreunitetwoangels.blogspot.com/2012/06/original-eastern-european-paintings-and.html

Thank you all do much and God Bless!

~ORIGINAL EASTERN EUROPEAN PAINTINGS~ and the i-pad giveaway

A MUST SEE!

Below are nine Original Eastern European Paintings donated by our facilitator for us to sale for our adoption costs. Any person donating $250 (this includes shipping costs) to our chip in (preferred) or grant (tax deductible) will receive their choice of one of these paintings! These paintings would make a lovely addition to any home (regardless of Eastern European connections).  Obviously, to anyone who has adopted from Eastern Europe, these paintings would be a treasured gift to have hanging in your home and to be able to pass along to your children in respect to their heritage!  They would make a wonderful gift to a friend or famiy who is adopting or has adopted from Eastern Europe.

Please see the paintings below. If you are interested in a particular painting, please email me at jsgamiddleton@gmail.com and I can give you information on the size or anything else you would like to know.  A couple of them are unframed at this time but can and will be framed prior to receiving the painting if you choose and for no additional costs.

GORGEOUS RIGHT?  One of these (of your choice) will be yours for your donation of $250 (including shipping)!!!!

Also, buying one of these paintings will gain you 5 entries into our ipad giveaway! (This is an additional $20 value)! The ipad giveaway ends on June 15th so there isn't much time left! Please click here for more information on the ipad giveaway http://journeytoreunitetwoangels.blogspot.com/2012/05/ipad-giveaway_15.html

Please help us to bring our girls back together and hopefully save an additional child as well!

Thank you!!!!

~Sylvia~

~GABBY...before and after~

I decided to make this post about our sweet girl that we already have at home, GABBY! As most of you know we adopted Gabby in 2010 from the same orphanage we are adopting Ava from. As a matter of fact, they were in the same room together and therefore likely shared a crib being there were only two cribs in a room for 13 or 14 children (in their group)! Obviously, we are working extremely hard to reunite these two and now save Ava's life.  Now...I'd like to share with you a little about Gabby. I want to do this to show you the difference that adoption can make. I want to show you why we are fighting so hard to bring Ava home!

Lets Begin....  :)

The first day we met Gabby in the orphanage.... She was so small, so "colorless", so limp,

and I will admit...I was scared to death! I was shocked to be holding a 16 lb 20 month

old baby girl! I was worried that she was "too sick" for us to be able to care for....gosh, little did I know

this child would be the easiest child to care and love for that myself or anyone in my family

had ever cared for!  Yes, it was love at first sight! Scared love..but nonetheless LOVE!

What did we notice over our next few visits with Gabby? We noticed a very

thirsty and hungry baby! She couldn't get enough to drink! She tried to eat the banana peel

           with the banana! She LOVED spaghetti! She loved anything! We watched her grow in a months

 time from 16 to 21 lbs!

We noticed a baby girl that LOVED to be rocked to sleep but who possibly

had never been rocked to sleep!

We noticed a little girl who just LOVED attention, kisses, hugs but who most likely

never got it. Definitely not from a family of her own!

Did you see her growing as these pictures were taken? I sure did and can!

Its crazy to think that she never knew what it was like to be experience Christmas! To celebrate

the birth of Jesus, see the decorations, receive gifts of her very own!

But she does now!!! This was her first Christmas in 2010 :)

First snow :)

She had never experienced a birthday that was celebrated in honor of her! As a matter of fact, her birthday

was only seen as the day she was abandoned and deemed unworthy of love and parents. She now knows

what it is like to have family and friends celebrate the day of her birth!

This was her first birthday at home although it was the day she actually turned 2! :) In 2011!

First Valentines day :)



She had never experienced even a real bath! She had always been "washed off" and was actually

terrified of water! The first time I tried bathing her, she clinched her nails into my chest and screamed

to the top of her lungs! I had to continue "washing her off" for the next several weeks. Finally, I see that

this couldn't continue and she was going to have to get use to it. After only four times of toughing it out, this is what we got :) Notice the belly :) haha

First Easter :)

Not only a bath..but this too! Swimming... :) This was her first summer home in 2011!

One HUGE and very significant thing she didn't know before was what it was like to have any

small amount of Freedom/Independence! She most definitely had never celebrated Independance Day!

She has now :) This was her first indpendence day in 2011! Does she look adorable wearing red, white, and blue!!!

She never knew what it was like to go out for the evening in the mountains and just have a day

with mommy and daddy :) She knows now!

And some extra love and attention :)

She never knew what it was like to go on a family vacation! She knows now!!!

She never knew what it was like to dress up for halloween and have fun :) She knows now! Her first halloween home! Isn't she the cutest little lady bug ever??? :)

Another Christmas has passed. Her second Christmas home! Christmas 2011!

She never knew what it was like to go to the park for a day, play, and have her picture taken! Fall 2011!

Another birthday passed :) Our baby girl turned 3! Not such a baby anymore :) 2012!

She never knew what it was like to have someone LOVE her and celebrate Valentine's Day with her!

She knows now!

Second Easter :)

She never knew what it was like to have her own room! She knows now! This was this year in the spring!

She never knew what it was like to have her own yard to play in. She knows now! These were taken recently  except for the first one :)

She never knew what it was like to have someone spend time doing her hair! She knows now :) And

look how long it is now!!!!

Now I am going to pretend you are not completely tired of reading and seeing pictures and give you some more to read and look at :) haha.

The reason for showing and telling you all of this is (1.) I wanted to show off our little beauty and how far she has came. (2.) I wanted to show you the potential in that Ava has and what she needs to get home to!

Did you see that little girl in those pictures up there? Did you see how cute she is and how very capable she is? I have seen first hand just how capable Gabby is! 

Now do you see this little girl?

This is Ava! How bad do you want to see a post like I have given about Gabby, for Ava? I know

this would be a dream come true for our family! I also know that Gabby would be thrilled

to have her "meant to be sister" home! You can make this happen! You can help! As a matter of a fact,

this can't happen without you! Not only can you help bring Ava home but you can help save an additional

life as well! YES YOU HEARD CORRECTLY! If we can get funded quickly enough for Ava, we

will commit to and adopt an additional child, bringing home Ava and one more child to add to our family and save. But this all depends on you!

PLEASE HELP BRING OUR GIRLS BACK TOGETHER and save Ava's life and possibly the life of an additional child!

THANK YOU ALL!