The chairs

Several weeks ago we participated in the first of two [so far] community yard sales to raise money for our adoption.  It was held at a church, St. Stephens Lutheran Church, down the road from where we used to live.  There were a lot of people selling and shopping.  At the end of the day we made $191.  All from items people donated to us!  What a blessing.  Well, the blessings kept coming--we made friends with the pastor of the church.  He said we could take any of the left overs donated to the church at the end of the day.  That's when I found these beauties.  Okay, maybe not beautiful YET; but I saw the potential.

Dated.  Worn.  A little broken.  Screaming for a make-over.

I used material I already had [thank you Sarah] and bought some trim and upholstery tack, a little wood glue and VOILA:

Special thanks to Jesse for cutting the wood for the back cushions too!  It takes a village!!!

So, free beat up chairs turned into $65.  One dollar at a time folks.  That's how we're paying for our adoption.  One dollar at a time.

Thanks as always for your support.
Kristen

Memorial Day

There is no air.
I can not breath.
Slow motion, snap shots.
I fall.

It's panic and terror.
My head is spinning.
I cry out.
Justin is dead.

Plans are made.
We rush to her.
My widow sister.
She is a porcelain sculpture.

We wait.
Soldiers are sent
To tell his mother.
We wait.

Endless food.
No appetite.
I read Slaughter House 5.
Clueless plays in the background on repeat.
What is happening?

Letters keep coming.
From Justin.
Because they wrote everyday.
Letters for days.
Heartbreaking.

Then we're home.
His body is here.
The wake.
Soldiers guard his body.
They are so still.
A sacred responsibility.
So many people.
Katie is so strong.
Angie is so strong.
Kristin is so strong.
They just keep going.
Comforting others.
I am in awe.
I am broken.

We go to the church.
Every seat is filled.
I read Ecclesiastes.
Slow and steady.
I am strong for Katie.
I am strong for Justin.

The cemetery.
Katie borrows my sun glasses.
I would give her anything.
Role call.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Silence.
The guns fire.
It's too much.
The flag is folded.
Handed to my sister.
Rest in peace.

We remember.
Every day.
Today the nation joins us.
Sgt. Justin Garvey.
Son.
Husband.
Brother.
Friend.
Soldier.
Hero.

We will never forget.

It's been a while.

Hello there, remember me?  That girl trying to adopt a baby... it's a pretty busy thing to do.  Not much time for the blogging as of late.  I hope to get back on the ball here.  I have a lot to say.  Bullet points anyone?

Since last we spoke:

• We passed our home health and fire inspections!
• Completed 5 [3+ hour long] interviews. 
• Finished, published and hand delivered our: ADOPTION PROFILE 
• This is the book that expectant parents will see when choosing a family for a little one.
• It took me a LONG time to make this...
• The sum of who we are, what we stand for, our hopes and dreams--no big deal.
• Actually, a HUGE deal... talk about a hard, soul searching, wonderful, terrible, complicated thing!  I'm glad so it's done.
•  FINISHED OUR HOME STUDY!!!  
• Had 2 big yard sales/bake sale
• Made about $800!!!
•  Consigned clothes [what's up $75 more dollars!]
•  Had a wonderful array of house guests for over a month straight, with a few over laps.
• Made a trip home to Vermont.
• Applied for 2 grants.
• Potty trained John.
• Started exclusively making our own bread to save a little $$$.
• Prayed and prayed and prayed some more.  

Oh life, you are precious.  I am grateful for a bit of a slow down.  I love you May!
I'll try to go into more specifics on these points at some point.  I will be more faithful.  We need your love and support now more than ever.

Here's how you can pray [a few more bullets :O)]:

• For us to rest in God perfect timing to grow our family through adoption.
• That the expectant parents, who will identify us as their child's family, will be in communication with one another and support the adoption decision.
• For fundraising efforts to be blessed.  We're about 1/6 of the way funded.
•  One dollar at a time...

Thank you for reading, praying, and caring for us.