Happy First Birthday, Jack!
I can't believe that tomorrow you are already one year old!
You are getting so big. I wonder what you are doing now? Walking? Cutting your new teeth?
I hope you get to do some fun things for your birthday! Maybe your foster family will sing you a song and feed you some good food like cake and ice cream!
I cannot tell you how much I miss you. And, I can't tell you how sad I am that I will miss your first birthday. We have already missed your first steps and your first tooth. Please save me some firsts, okay?
We are going to have a party in your honor tomorrow. We will sing happy birthday and maybe eat an ice cream. Luckily I am really busy tomorrow... I am subbing for Blake's class tomorrow and we have football practice. (Don't worry, next fall you will learn all about that.) So, hopefully I will be so busy that I won't have time to think. But, when I lay my head on my pillow at night, my mind already goes to you and where you are. Are you warm and well fed? Did you laugh today? I surely hope so.
So, I will be happy for your life, and hopeful you will be home soon. But, honestly I will cry some heavy tears b/c I wish so bad you were here.
I love you. And I pray special blessings over you and the people taking care of you right now. I can't wait to hold you in my arms, and thank them for taking care of you.
You are so special. God has so much in store for you. I hope your day is awesome.
Love you,
Mommy
Here I Am Orphan Ministries is leaving on a
mission trip El Salvador on the 22nd of this month and a need came up last night
for one of the special needs orphanages that we visit. They are in need
of 50 mattresses. The
mattresses are $85 each. If you would like to donate money for these mattresses
you can do one of the following:
1.) Go to the HIAOM web site and on the front
page there is a pay pal donate button. Click the button and in the message box,
you can put that you would like the money to go toward the mattresses in El
Salvador.
2.) If you are in Brenham, you can drop it by the HIAOM office is located
on the 3rd floor of the JH Faske Building: 114 E. Alamo
Street, Suite 32
3.) Mail a
check to 114 E. Alamo
Street, Suite 32, Brenham, Texas 77833
Make your check out to Here I Am Orphan Ministries.
4.) Lastly email me if you
can not do any of the following and I (or someone in the area) will come get the
money from you. moosefeathers@sbcglobal.net.
You can donate as little or
as much as you feel led.
And the King will say, 'I
tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and
sisters, you were doing it to me!' Matthew 25:40
These children truly are
the least of these. Let's get these babies some
beds!!
The pictures below show the mission team bringing mattresses during a trip in 2009. What a difference a clean bed can make in the life of these sweet children!!
April wedding and a happy Mama!
The Verner Family was precious... so sweet and so easy to work with. They were flexible and enjoyed being "surprised" by their wedding flowers.
Here is what Mrs. Verner had to say about MooseFeathers:
I couldn't begin to say how happy we were
with the flowers Missy arranged
for our daughter's wedding! The bride had a few ideas and Missy made her dream
bouquets come true! All of the flowers were gorgeous! They were perfect for the
outdoor wedding our daughter had planned. The magnolia trees we used to mark the
ceremony spot are in planters on our deck waiting for the newlyweds' new
home!
Besides the flowers, Missy was SO helpful in referring others to us. The
result was a picture perfect affair, exactly what the couple wanted. Thank you
so much Missy! We couldn't have asked for anything more!
Valerie Verner
Hopefully by the end of the week I will get these pictures up on the website.
Happy July 4th!
Hugs,
This is a beautiful wedding...romantic flowers, a beautiful bride, and a lovely venue.
Wedding and reception at Antique Rose Emporium.
All Images by Katie Lamb Photography.
The bride took great joy and time collecting many different items to line the tables of the church with. The couple chose to get married at the gazebo, and follow with dinner at the chapel. Three long, family-style tables sat their150 guests.
The flowers were the icing on the cake to a beautiful outdoor Texas wedding!
Congrats Kristin and Oliver!!
Katie Lamb Photography |
Katie Lamb Photography |
Katie Lamb Photography |
Katie Lamb Photography |
Katie Lamb Photography |
Let me just catch you up...
Hey guys!
Sorry it has been so long since my last blog post... it has been pretty busy around here.
We have been busy w/family, work, and plenty of weddings.
On a personal note... everyone asks how Baby Jack is doing in Korea. As far as we know, he is good... just waiting for us to come get him! We have raised enough money for both our adoption fees, and home study, and also our visas... Now we will be saving for our trip. We are hoping to go to Korea sometime this winter. Wouldn't that be an awesome Christmas present??
We have had two garage sales, both were really successful and we are so fortunate that we have a community that is so supportive of our family, and adoption in general.Our poor neighbors are ready for the garage sales to be over... and I think for now (fingers crossed) they are...
As far as MooseFeathers Florist is going... well, we have been super busy. We have had a really busy spring wedding season. We have had two weddings featured on Style Me Pretty Texas. go see here and here. (if you are friends with me on FB you have already seen this.)
We have been trying to get organized... booking up for fall and spring of next year... and summer is always a great time to plan a wedding. Meeting with brides, etc...
The boys are enjoying thier summer. We try to do a few fun things each week... This week I think we will go see the new dino exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science this week.
I will have some more pictures as I get them...
Hope you are enjoying your summer and staying cool!
Hugs,
A beautiful bouquet for a beautiful bride
It was a pleasure working with this bride's mom! Thanks Mrs. Gillespie for being so sweet and patient while I worked on this bouquet!
Best wishes!
And baby makes 6
For anyone not on facebook (which I wasn't either until about 2 months ago) here is the new little Robinson. He is 7 months old and living with a foster family in South Korea. He is perfect.
Our fundraiser BBQ dinner is tomorrow night, so if you don't have tickets yet, please see me about this!! You can call or email. 979.836.6008. moosefeathers@sbcglobal.net
Our boys are already so excited.
Dear Jack (not sure this is the name, but this is the one I am pushing for!)
What a handsome baby you are! I can tell they are taking such good care of you in S. Korea! Your foster family has kids too, and I know that you will love the sounds, and action, at your new house when you get here.
We already love you so much! We have been praying and planning for you for quite some time now. You will have three big brothers... they were so happy to find out you were a boy! And so were me and your dad. You will fit in so well here.
I can't wait to squeeze your little chubby body. To get your neck sugar. To tickle you and make you laugh so hard you can't breathe. There will be alot of that in this house.
We have you a bedroom all ready to go! But, in this house, usually those are just for sleeping. And maybe little reading... Mostly we are together; in the living room, in the kitchen, outside in the yard. One thing is for sure, you will never be lonely. You will always have a hand to hold, someone to talk to, a person to reach that toy that is just too high.
I will pray for you everyday, just as I always have. For the next 8-12 month until we get to come get you... and for the rest of my life after that...
I love you and miss you already,
Mommy
Adoption Q&A
Recently the people at Show Hope asked me to answer some questions about what I would share w/adoptive parents currently in the middle of the wait.
I felt like it would be neat to share this with you, because there might be someone out there who needs this:
Dear Future Adoptive parent,
Well, congratulations on this journey! I hope this information helps you!
For fundraising well… this is our biggest challenge and I would say an area of expertise! For our first adoption, we applied to a few organizations and we were able to receive two different grants. One was a matching grant, and one was from Show hope! If you can get a matching grant, they are awesome! It is a great way to let people know about what you are doing, and it lets people feel like they are really getting to contribute. We were able to secure all the money we needed by word of mouth (anonymous donors) and grants. For our second adoption which we are currently fundraising for, we are doing several different things. Our expenses this time are greater, and so we are trying to really hit the fundraising hard, in order to not acquire more debt. We are doing a large garage sale this summer, which we are taking donations for… this is actually going really well because people are so happy to see their things get put to good use. We are also doing a drive thru fundraiser dinner. We are selling tickets right now, and the Dinner will be April 12. We are excited about this because we are doing it in conjunction with another family in process at our church. In addition, we have also applied to literally a dozen grants in order to hopefully get some funding that way. We have been so fortunate because we have actually received a matching grant!
The major points to remember when fundraising are:
1. Lots of people want to help, but they have to know about it to be able to help! Be loud and tell your story to everyone… you never know who God has placed close by who has a heart for orphans.
2. Take it one chunk at a time. Do one fundraiser, if it’s not enough, do another… and keep going until you have it covered… you will get there!!
3. Have faith! God provides for those doing His will. He wants that child in your home worse than you do! He will provide!
What I know now that I wish I knew then:
1. Some people will get it, and some people won’t. It’s okay. Explain your heart, your story, whatever you feel comfortable with sharing in your adoption journey. There will be people touched by your story and end up adopting, sponsoring children, going on mission trips, etc… But, no matter how hard you try, some people cannot get over the fact that your child doesn’t look like you, speak your language, etc… its okay. Adoption is not for everyone. But it is for you, and your family, and you can rejoice in that!
2. It is the best and worst thing for your marriage. The waiting, the rushing, the crying, the confusion, the lost paperwork, the fundraising… it is one of the hardest things you will ever do as a couple! But, oh, is it worth it!! We have been through things that other people will never understand and we are proud of that! Take time to talk every day, about things other than the kids, and remember you are on the same team!
3. it’s so easy to love them. I thought it would be so hard. I prayed that God would make me love this little Korean baby as much as my biological children. I worried it wouldn’t be the same. And it was. Just like magic. God has a way of making magic when you ask him to. Let Him.
In the waiting time…
While you are waiting…
1. Read a lot!! Read about the child’s country, food, culture. Read about their facility or possible foster care situation. Read about adoption and attachment. Read about stigma and educate yourself and prepare yourself on how you will handle the other people, especially the ones who don’t get it (see above).
Oh, and save your money, because when they get here you are going to want to spoil them rotten!
2. Prepare the room and clothing. This is so much fun! Pick out things you think they will like. Let people give you showers! Have your current children and other family help do the room, the shopping etc… they will feel so much more involved this way.
3. Spend time with the kids you already have. This sounds like a no brainer. But, we had an awesome summer with our two bio kids the summer before our little Korean came home. We spent time together and planned how we would take care of this new person. Love them and reassure them that your love for them won’t change even though there will be more kids… and teach them how to love that baby like you already do. This worked for us, and our boys love each other fiercely.
4. Don’t be impatient or in a hurry. I know, yeah right. It’s so hard… but God will put it all together in His time and it will be just what you and that child needed. Trust me.
Pre & post adoption resources:
Get yourself into a support group ASAP! If you are not already in a group of other adoptive parents… find the closest one you can and join now! This is invaluable. You need to hear the good and the bad. We did this before we even applied. It was great for our bio boys, and it was great for us as parents, and it has been wonderful for our adopted son. They can see that there are other families that look different like them and it has been great! Also, you get to visit with parents and hear what they are doing as well… it’s great therapy. Also, don’t be afraid to use your social workers, adoption agency, and whoever else is involved in your adoption… they are experts and do it all the time… and it’s their job to help you! Utilize their services and call and email as many times as you need to, until you find the answers you are looking for.
God bless and may your family be richly blessed by adoption!
Missy Robinson
I felt like it would be neat to share this with you, because there might be someone out there who needs this:
Dear Future Adoptive parent,
Well, congratulations on this journey! I hope this information helps you!
For fundraising well… this is our biggest challenge and I would say an area of expertise! For our first adoption, we applied to a few organizations and we were able to receive two different grants. One was a matching grant, and one was from Show hope! If you can get a matching grant, they are awesome! It is a great way to let people know about what you are doing, and it lets people feel like they are really getting to contribute. We were able to secure all the money we needed by word of mouth (anonymous donors) and grants. For our second adoption which we are currently fundraising for, we are doing several different things. Our expenses this time are greater, and so we are trying to really hit the fundraising hard, in order to not acquire more debt. We are doing a large garage sale this summer, which we are taking donations for… this is actually going really well because people are so happy to see their things get put to good use. We are also doing a drive thru fundraiser dinner. We are selling tickets right now, and the Dinner will be April 12. We are excited about this because we are doing it in conjunction with another family in process at our church. In addition, we have also applied to literally a dozen grants in order to hopefully get some funding that way. We have been so fortunate because we have actually received a matching grant!
The major points to remember when fundraising are:
1. Lots of people want to help, but they have to know about it to be able to help! Be loud and tell your story to everyone… you never know who God has placed close by who has a heart for orphans.
2. Take it one chunk at a time. Do one fundraiser, if it’s not enough, do another… and keep going until you have it covered… you will get there!!
3. Have faith! God provides for those doing His will. He wants that child in your home worse than you do! He will provide!
What I know now that I wish I knew then:
1. Some people will get it, and some people won’t. It’s okay. Explain your heart, your story, whatever you feel comfortable with sharing in your adoption journey. There will be people touched by your story and end up adopting, sponsoring children, going on mission trips, etc… But, no matter how hard you try, some people cannot get over the fact that your child doesn’t look like you, speak your language, etc… its okay. Adoption is not for everyone. But it is for you, and your family, and you can rejoice in that!
2. It is the best and worst thing for your marriage. The waiting, the rushing, the crying, the confusion, the lost paperwork, the fundraising… it is one of the hardest things you will ever do as a couple! But, oh, is it worth it!! We have been through things that other people will never understand and we are proud of that! Take time to talk every day, about things other than the kids, and remember you are on the same team!
3. it’s so easy to love them. I thought it would be so hard. I prayed that God would make me love this little Korean baby as much as my biological children. I worried it wouldn’t be the same. And it was. Just like magic. God has a way of making magic when you ask him to. Let Him.
In the waiting time…
While you are waiting…
1. Read a lot!! Read about the child’s country, food, culture. Read about their facility or possible foster care situation. Read about adoption and attachment. Read about stigma and educate yourself and prepare yourself on how you will handle the other people, especially the ones who don’t get it (see above).
Oh, and save your money, because when they get here you are going to want to spoil them rotten!
2. Prepare the room and clothing. This is so much fun! Pick out things you think they will like. Let people give you showers! Have your current children and other family help do the room, the shopping etc… they will feel so much more involved this way.
3. Spend time with the kids you already have. This sounds like a no brainer. But, we had an awesome summer with our two bio kids the summer before our little Korean came home. We spent time together and planned how we would take care of this new person. Love them and reassure them that your love for them won’t change even though there will be more kids… and teach them how to love that baby like you already do. This worked for us, and our boys love each other fiercely.
4. Don’t be impatient or in a hurry. I know, yeah right. It’s so hard… but God will put it all together in His time and it will be just what you and that child needed. Trust me.
Pre & post adoption resources:
Get yourself into a support group ASAP! If you are not already in a group of other adoptive parents… find the closest one you can and join now! This is invaluable. You need to hear the good and the bad. We did this before we even applied. It was great for our bio boys, and it was great for us as parents, and it has been wonderful for our adopted son. They can see that there are other families that look different like them and it has been great! Also, you get to visit with parents and hear what they are doing as well… it’s great therapy. Also, don’t be afraid to use your social workers, adoption agency, and whoever else is involved in your adoption… they are experts and do it all the time… and it’s their job to help you! Utilize their services and call and email as many times as you need to, until you find the answers you are looking for.
God bless and may your family be richly blessed by adoption!
Missy Robinson
Indian wedding reception
So cute!
My dad does a lot of work internationally for his job at Shell...
Wedding photo from an Indian wedding...
My dad does a lot of work internationally for his job at Shell...
Wedding photo from an Indian wedding...
MooseFeathers Website
MooseFeathers now has a website.
Moosefeathersflorist.com
Please go check it out. We are still under construction but I am so excited!
Now go send missy and email with your Valentine Order!!!
moosefeathers@sbcglobal.net
Moosefeathersflorist.com
Please go check it out. We are still under construction but I am so excited!
Now go send missy and email with your Valentine Order!!!
moosefeathers@sbcglobal.net
Valentine's Day!
Hey!
Whether it's for your wife, your mom, your sister, your girlfriend, your aunt, your teacher, your accountant, your secretary, your boss, WHOEVER...
I guarantee they would love to get flowers this Valentine's Day!
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