You Are My Sunshine Giveaway

Today marks our 8 month waitiversary.  Ughh!!!  I honestly didn't think we would have to wait 8 months to meet Chloe, but the way things are looking we may have to wait 8 more months.  (Let's just pray we don't, shall we?)  The good news is we have a new waiting #:

**I sure wish we were "steaming" along the track to seeing our daughter in Ethiopia.**

So to commemorate our 8 month wait, we would like to do a give away.  And I am going to add some sentimental facts along the way.  March is a big month for Chris & I.  March 26th will mark 13 years of marriage after an almost 8 month engagement.  Now, if you will humor me for a moment, I would like to take you back to that day.  Those of you who know my hubby, knows he can sing.  And it had been a topic of conversation during those 8 months of whether or not he would sing to me on our wedding day.  He had told me several times he would not, b/c he didn't think he would be able to make it through a song without crying and that he would be too nervous.  So there I was in the bridal room/bathroom actually getting my wedding dress on or doing my hair, not sure which, when there was a knock on the door.  Surprisingly, it was Chris and a few singing groomsmen.  Now Chris was being super traditional and did not see me at all that day till I walked down the aisle (not even one pre-ceremony picture), so instead he and his friends sang to me acappella from the hallway.  The selected song you ask?  You Are My Sunshine.  Now, don't get me wrong.  It is a very sweet song and there were a bunch of "Awwwws" coming from the bridal room, but I didn't think it super sentimental.  Then I actually caught my mom crying.  Now, for those of you who know my mom, she's anything but sentimental.  Not lovey, dovey. Does not wear her emotions on her sleeve (or whatever that saying is).  My mom goes on to say how she use to sing that song to me when I was a baby.  I had no idea.  Of course I had heard the song, but I didn't know it was my lullaby. My mom was a teenage mom.  She had me the fall of her senior year, so to imagine this teenage girl singing "You Are My Sunshine" to a little infant: now the song was doubly sentimental.  (Chris also had no idea!) Btw, Chris singing "You are My Sunshine" was just a teaser and he surprised me by singing to me during the wedding ceremony too!

       Back to March.  Another special day in March will be 10 days from today when my now 8 year old, will in fact turn 9.  I cannot believe it!  Our first born child will be 9. We call her our delight, that is what Eden means.  Paradise, Sunshine.  We had several lullabies for Miss Eden, her dad is still musical.  But one of the first was "You Are My Sunshine". (Hoping I will actually post a song in the coming days of Chris singing this along with "Eden's Song"--stay tuned.)  How different to sing it as a mama.  "You are my sunshine.  My only sunshine......You'll never know dear how much I love you."  Those words ring true for every mama in whatever circumstance.

       Fast Forward 2 and half years to the 8th month of 2005.  It is in the heat of summer and I give birth to my first son.  Eli has from the very get go, been able to make us laugh and smile, truly adding a bright factor to our days.  We do in fact call him "our sunshine", because he was born in August.  We did sing the song to him as well, sometimes I jazzed it up (thanks Aunt Christina) with some claps and faster tempo, but the sentiment is just the same.  "You are my sunshine.  My only sunshine.....You make me happy when clouds are gray." We also sing to him, "You are the apple of my eye, You are the sunshine of my life" (Stevie Wonder).  Mom singing it gets some good laughs.

     Fast Forward 2 and half years to the 8th day of February 2008.  We give birth to our Tobiah.  Our Valentine baby (his due date was Valentine's Day, but the dr. let him come early).  At this point in time, we were pretty sure we were done "birthing" children.   He is such a cuddly valentine and although he is my winter baby, and even though we called Eli "sunshine", we couldn't help but sing him the same lullaby.  It was just kind of automatic for us.  "You are my sunshine. My only sunshine.....Please don't take my sunshine away". No matter how many children you have, each of them (first daughter, first son, second son, second daughter, etc.) means the entire world to a mama's heart.

    Fast Forward to now.  8 months waiting for our blossom.  Chloe means 'to bloom'.  And of course what do you need to bloom?  Sunshine.  I can't wait to sing her the song.  So of course it is a lovely song if you sing the chorus.  After looking up the verses, it is a little more downcast. (Now if you read all the verses, it is very clear it was written for a lady friend from a guy friend, but none the less this first verse is erie as our wait gets longer.)    "The other night dear, as I lay sleepin', I dreamed I held you in my arms. When I awoke dear I was mistaken, And I hung my head and cried.....You are my sunshine. My only sunshine."

  Now to the "my only sunshine".  You know how Christ came down and died for each and every one of us?  And I believe that just like the parable of the lost sheep, he would have done it for only me or only you?  That is the sentiment I get when I sing "my only sunshine".  I love each of my four kids in such a way, that for each of them I would do anything.  A parent's love is that great, where you at times can feel that "only" kind of love.  The Abba Father has shown that kind of love to all of His children.  I pray and hope that my kids can experience that kind of love multiple times over, from their earthly parents and from their Heavenly Father.  Amen! (Yes, I just agreed with my self).

Now to the 8th month giveaway.  I am giving away this beaded sunshine wind chime. The orange beads are beautiful and makes the chime very unique!

And my dear friend is going to create a similar (but not exactly the same--i.e. there may not be any blue and white stripes, you'll just have to wait and see) custom Happy Sunshine T-shirt for your little "sunshine".  This was actually taken off of someone else's blog who does AMAZING stuff, but who is also taking a little break---so I can't order from her right now.  Faith, also an adoptive mom who is super crafty is the one who is going to make it.  So if you win, you can tell us the desired size and before the sunny days of summer, we will get that off to you!  Fun, right?!

How to win?  You can have up to 3 entries.

1.  Become a follower of Strickland Sentiments and leave a comment saying you did so or that you already are one.  :)

2. Leave a seperate comment about a lullaby you sang to your "sunshines".

3.  Share on Facebook and leave a comment saying you did so.

***The winner will be randomly selected on March 17th.  You have until Midnight on Friday (16th) to make your entries.

And The Winner Is..........

The winner of this gorgeous, beautiful quilt hand made by my best friend in Arizona and her dear friend Beth (who happens to be an adoptive mom) is...........................................................................

BETH IRWIN!!

Beth snuck into the Coffee Ceremony at the very end, bought her chances, and tonight is the lucky owner of this quilt.  There are many, many friends that are jealous of Beth right now.   I wish we could give away tons of them....

I am so overwhelmed by the generosity of many of you.  This Quilt fundraiser alone raised $2030!!!!  Praise God.  So at this point I believe we are $1650 from 100%.  That is amazing!  What I thought would be an impossible job has been completed right at a year.  I have been so overwhelmed by it all..  From our very first fundraiser (March 26, 2011) where Missy ran her 30 miles for us so unselfishly for her 30th bday.....we had children give from their piggy bank and hand me an envelope of change, to an anonymous donor matching Missy's pledges (which w/ the matching donation raised $4000), to Chris' brother running and strangers who do not know us from Adam giving to him just for running and meeting a goal, to the friends that helped put on our 5K, and who had multiple family members running, walking, working in it, and the businesses that sponsored the race, and even my own Eli giving his change away for Chloe, to friends who took their earnings from their home buisness for a year and donated it, to a small Louisiana church (who again did not know us except for the pastor who we knew from OCC) who gave their change and mailed it to us as well, to each and every person who shopped the online auction and to each business/friend who donated their time/talent/or merchandise so the auction could be a success, to SHOW HOPE for giving us a grant, and to other "old" friends from OCC who gave generously as well did their church stating "while God hasn't called us to adopt, He has called us to help pay expenses for others who are adopting", to this culminating fundraiser where people across the country created the quilt and sent it to us and to Chris' elementary school friend who gave us the connection to Coffee for Hope, as well as each person who bought coffee or chances, including a newlywed couple just starting out their lives together giving very generously.....every dollar has not gone in vain.  From the smallest quarter to the huge donation......we are so very humbled and grateful.  For the friends that have given repeatedly in several of the fundraisers, and just been there all along the way....how can I thank you enough?  You do deserve the quilt.  Perhaps you will get an extra jewel in your crown in heaven.  I have repeatedly said this through the whole process, but Christ's church is bringing Chloe home....she may be living in our house....but it is you all that have brought her home!  Thanks will never be enough.

May God so richly bless each and every one of you, just as he has used each of you to bless us. 

(p.s. I am aware that above may be the Guiness World Record for the longest run on sentences in a row and fragments---but all you Grammar freaks are just going to have to deal with it.)  :)

7 Month Waitaversary!

7 Months since being on our wait list.  We sit at #41.  No referrals in the last 2 months.  Actually minus one wonderful month (ok--5 1/2 weeks) from Oct. 31st-Dec 8th there have been no referrals while we have been on the wait list.  So all that to say we may have a long line ahead of us......

Well here is the deal....I have just copied and pasted 3 paragraphs from another friend's post.  Why reinvent the wheel?  :)

"When we signed on last January things were moving smoothly and relatively quickly with adoptions in Ethiopia. In the past year things have changed in nearly every part of the process. Things are not moving smoothly or quickly at this point and we are uncertain what the future holds (aren't we alway though?) There are MANY children and babies in Ethiopia who need loving homes. I believe there are many people at work both here in the United States and there in Ethiopia who want to see that happen and happen the right way. But being in the middle of the process while changes are made and bugs attempted to be worked out just isn't pleasant.

We know God was in our decision to choose this country and even this agency. So, we will wait... and trust.

I am thankful for the reminder that our trust is not in a timeframe, an agency, a process, a government, or even our own plans. Our trust can only reside in God, who is both loving and all-powerful to work His purposes."

Amen!  Thanks Stephanie.  The truth of the matter was that when we started in January we were seeing 6-7 month waits....meaning I could have/should have already had "the call" by now, especially for a toddler.    But coulda's, shoulda's, and woulda's don't work in here in adoption land.  My dear friend who got her referral in November waited 10 months and "shoulda" had a court date by now....here she sits waiting another 3 months before even getting to meet her little guy (and at least 3 other adoptive moms). 

I think I am doing pretty good with the wait.  People from church continue to ask how things are going and my response is "slowly".  But ask me in 3 more months and it might be a different story.  There are some sweet families that have been waiting (in Ethiopia program) for 15-16 months for a single girl.  I actually appreciate the questions, because that means they haven't forgotten this journey we are in.....Lord knows there is not a day (or hour?) that goes by that we don't think about it.

Even this morning, Eden ran in to ask Tobe, "Do you know what tomorrow is?"  His reply?  "Chloe's coming home?"  Awww.  Eden chuckled and then said, "No it's your birthday!" He was thinking of her coming home over his own 4 year old birthday.  Man do I love my kids.  I sure do hope she comes home while he is 4.  It may just break his 4 year old heart. 

Stay tuned....because tonight a winner to the coffee quilt raffle will be drawn!

Oh.My.Word. God is so good!

I would never in a million years dreamed we would raise almost 100% of our funds needed to bring Chloe home in less than a year.  Today was a great day.  The coffee ceremony went really well.  I was overwhelmed with the friendships represented there, the kindness to our family, and the hospitality of the Rudd's.  We officially started raising money w/ Missy's 30 Mile Run on Chris & my's wedding anniversary on March 26th.  And less than a year later, we are $2500 away from being fully funded.  This does include grants and very generous donations from long time friend/minister of a different church that went to OCC w/ Chris and I.  It has been humbling to say the least and we haven't even hit February. The drawing for the quilt will take place the evening of Feb. 7th so get in your chances while you still can---but we can actually continue to sell the coffee for a bit longer.  But as I have said before, Chris and I are not bringing her home.  The CHURCH is and it is beautiful.


MAJOR PRAYER NEED:  Pray for my friend who has waited over 11 weeks to hear of her court date when she was told 5-8 weeks she should hear something.  She is trying to wait patiently but it is getting hard.  We are so grateful for those on the journey with us.

6 MONTHS Wait-iversary & New ( & Not Improved) Number

መልካም ገና (Melkam Gena) - Merry Christmas
- celebrated on 7th of January  (THAT IS TODAY!)

Apparently there is more than one way to say Merry Christmas in Ahmaric.  I have seen it above and a dear friend gave me an African shaped ornament that says "Melkin Yelidet Beall" which is another way to say it.  Thank you Faith.  How ironic that you gave it to me on Ethiopia's Christmas Day!

We have been waiting for 6 months....Half a year.  We could have another half a year ahead of us before a referral is made.  We had quite a lull when we first got on the wait list.  Let's pray for referrals to roll on in. 

Then again.....sometimes referrals roll on in and then unfortunately don't work out.  Which is why we are #41.  We had gotten down to 39 before Christmas.  (Janurary 3rd also marks the date where we sent off our application and started this process officially---ONE year!)  OK, first off we are told not to focus on our number.  (Much easier said than done)...Like telling a pregnant woman not to look at her growing belly.  Or not to notice any movement when those flutters start.  Anyways, I try to listen to that advice, to no avail.  I want to know our number.  But then when we climb in the opposite direction, it gets kind of discouraging. 

Here is the reality:  Although Ethiopia is open for adoption, it isn't necessarily easy.  Even in March, before we got on the wait list they (the Ministry of Women's Affairs or as we like to call MOWA) decided to limit the number of cases they will approve each day.  Also staff changes at both the Children's Hope International Ethiopian site and the US Embassy has caused a slow down, and then there are orphange closures in the south.  Now apparently the closures are all in an effort to make sure ethical adoptions are going on, as well as community-driven, charitable aid efforts are being made.In other words, they want to be more self-sufficient, taking care of their own, if possible.  At this time, the number of orphans don't make that possible....but it doesn't mean strides can't be made to building wells, work opportunities, and educational opportunities for those remaining in Ethiopia.  But I have gone off on a tagent.....In the summer 3 CHI families recieved their referral and due to those orphanage closures their cases are in limbo....not exactly sure what is happening to their referred children and if they are now even adoptable (which is crazy to me---they are orphans...shouldn't they be adoptable?) But without knowing for sure, 2 of the 3 were put back on our waiting list, hence our number moving the wrong way.  :)  The 3rd family could go back on the list if they wish as well.  So here are prayer needs:

1.  Pray for these "lost" referrals.  Could you imagine seeing your child's face that God has put in front of you, say yes and accept that referral, tell all your loved ones "we have a baby", and then lose that referral?  I cannot.  I hope I don't have too.  It doesn't happen a whole lot, but it does happen.  Pray for the children in Ethiopa and pray for the families who recieved these referrals.  (I don't want to hit a touchy subject; obviously some have experienced miscarriage and I won't pretend to know what that feels like.  I never have experienced this.---but I could imagine the losing of a referral would be somewhat similar---our hearts attach to the possibility of what might be very quickly).

2.  Continue to pray for Chloe along with us.  We believe she has already been born, so pray for her birthmother/birthfamily and for her current caretakers.  Pray for patience and God's perfect timing.

3.  Pray for what should be our final fundraiser.  We are selling raffle tickets for a gorgeous handmade quilt.  You can buy some delicious & smooth coffee and recieve a chance, OR just buy chances for the "coffee" quilt.  To see more details of this fundraiser go HERE.    You have one month.  February 7th, we will draw a ticket to see who the lucky person is.  (If I don't try to keep the quilt for myself.)