05 December 2007

The greatest gift of all!



We know Paisley wont be home for Christmas this year, more likely we will travel in March. What we really want for Christmas is to know that she is safe and well and cared for with love. We want her to know someplace deep in her heart that a family who adores her is waiting not so patiently back in the United States ready at a moments notice to come to China to bring her safely home.

This is what is happening in our house as the holidays approach...

Our iPod fundraiser is off to a great start, we have sold 48 tickets so far! Every single penny that we raise from this will help bring Paisley home! We couldn't be more grateful to those of you out there who have participated in one way or another. I'd like to give a special shout out to Kimberley who posted a banner on her website to help spread the news about Bringing Paisley Home.

We'd also like to thank one lady who donated, she didn't want the ticket, and expressed no need for an iPod...she just wanted to help. Thank You from the bottom of my heart! Please help us spread the word about the fundraiser; we need to sell 52 more tickets in the next two weeks!

You know, as we traverse our way through this maze called adoption, we are constantly reminded of just how generous people are. It is one great community filled with families that know the trials and joys of parenting, whether biological or adoptive; the passion and goals are the same, to provide a healthy happy loving home for our children and enjoy watching them grow into wonderful loving adults.

While we love to do these fundraisers, we are also burning the midnight oil(or 2am if you count last night)applying for grants for children with 'special needs'. This will help us bring Paisley to the US where she can get the best possible medical care. Wish us luck, it's hard work but EVERY single moment of effort is worth knowing that our little girl will come home. We are applying for 'matching' grants that are only offered to families who have been industrious and made much effort to fundraise! (as most of you know we have been tireless on this front!).

As Paisley's special need/medical condition is not visible from the front, it is in fact quite visible and may involve tissue that should be 'inside' rather than 'outside' it will require extensive and delicate surgery to repair and/or remove. Because her initial SN was mistranslated we have done a myriad of research and found several possibilities ranging from cosmetic to neural tube/genetic syndromes. It is without question that this little girl will spend quite a large amount of time in her first months home at Specialists and Hospitals. She will need a battery of tests so we have worked hard to pinpoint a team of amazing doctors including Surgical Neurologists (think McDreamy), plastic surgeons (think McSteamy) and Geneticists ready and waiting to care for our little P-nut! She will require MRI,CAT scans and other screening tests.

We are also working hard to outfit her nursery to avoid any hard surfaces or corners that might cause her distress should she bump her head on them. With Piper we didn't use bumpers in her crib, but it is necessary to put them in for Paisley, as well as modify her carseat headrest. Up go the child gates again!! If anyone knows of someone who makes carseat covers we are hoping to buy a Minky one for Paisley's Britax Marathon (thanks Angela in Willimstown!) so her head will always be on soft fabric. We are also doing sheepskin in Paisley's crib and stroller.

Another thing that has taken place is the transformation of the aptly nicknamed 'room of doom' ...our office! Last weekend we emptied it out...it took a lot of boxes and the help of some friends, but all that remains is a fold up table on which is perched our computer! Hey, I'm not ready to give that up yet! While I wont post before and after photos of the office in its full glory - sorry Tiffany! I will show you a before and after of the paint job...we are still at the 'before' color... a coffee brown...not at all suitable for a little girls room! Hopefully we'll have it 'Piperized' by Christmas so we can get the nursery ready for sweetP.

On top of that Mike is travelling for part of December, so fitting in trimming the tree, painting walls, moving furniture, writing grant applications, shovelling our driveway (yes we still use manpower...we are the only ones on our street that don't have a snow thrower!), making gingerbread houses, baking Christmas cookies, stocking the freezer with homemade baby food, sending out Christmas cards, applying for new fingerprints from the FBI, getting a Homestudy addendum to approve us for Paisley, spending more of FedEx sending paperwork to all the necessary places that I do on a haircut!! well, let me say it's a balancing act of vast proportions! This month is already flying by!

12 comments:

kitchu said...

You guys are so amazing, and how did I miss that you were doing this again? I want that dang i-pod baby, I'm turnin' FORTY!! :O)
I made my 10 dollar donation today... anything to help you guys bring my 2nd Happy Hoppe neice home (wink).

Unknown said...

Wow...makes me tired just hearing all the things to do. I hope you are able to get a grant for Paisley and I hope the best for her health. You have a great reason to be busy this season!

Holly said...

Wow you guys sound very busy! But before you know it, you will finally have your sweet little girl home! You guys must be so excited. You will be on a plane to China before you know it.

Carrie said...

I can't wait for you to go get that little sweetie! i am so happy for you guys!!!

tiffany said...

If anyone can raise funds and get grants and all that...YOU ALL CAN! All that work you put in on the grant from Mikes work paid off (so to speak...) and I hope this does too. All that takes a lot of energy and effort and I am afraid my bones are too lazy which might explain why we are still paying things off...

Maia said...

You must be on my mind - you were in one of my dreams last night. We went out for drinks and we had a blast. Then I was telling everyone how cool my friend Hayley was. :)

Amy said...

Do you know how I can link this on my blog?

Amy said...

If you tell me how, I'll link your ipod fundraiser to my blog!

Calico Sky said...

You are wonderup wonderful wonderful!
hey kris, hands off she's my niece lol ;)

DiJo said...

I can't remember if I commented on this, but the blog is gorgeous!!!! I remember feeling like you do last Christmas. But, just know that Paisley is covered in protection until you get the green light to bring her home! Blessings to you for the love you have for your gorgeous girls!
-Diana

redmaryjanes said...

You are so wonderfully prepared for Paisley. I can definitely tell that she is going to the perfect family for her. I still have to get my donation in. You are welcome about the post. The wait is so long that it helps me to keep going when I have a project to focus on. I love seeing the babies come home. Your little Paisley is just beautiful.

3 Countries 1 Love said...

Found the link through Kate's blog (a special family). As the mom to two sweethearts from China, one adopted through the WC program, I am glad to help in your efforts to bring Paisley home! I have just bought one chance for the IPOD. Good luck with your fundraiser!!
Shannon