Faith to Move a Mountain

In November of 2011, I started this blog as a sort of journal to chronicle the events of our son Quinton's adoption. Quinton is a little boy who was born with an extra special something. Quinton has down syndrome and was given up at birth by his parents because he has down syndrome. His birth parents must not have had any idea what a blessing he would be or I am sure they would not have given him up. Unfortunately in Eastern Europe (Quinton is from Ukraine) people with disabilities are not accepted in society and at the age of 4-6, they are sent to adult mental institutions where most of them die :( Although it breaks my heart that his parents have missed out on such a joyful little boy, God has used this unfortunate situation to bless us with a gift greater than I could have ever imagined: the gift of our first child. If you ever considered adoption-do it! Don't let money deter you. God provided over $20,000 for us to adopt Quinton. We were not fully funded until 50 minutes before we boarded our plane to Ukraine. If you have never considered adoption, go back to the beginning of this blog and read. You will see what a blessing adoption really is. Many people tell us that we are angels for rescuing Quinton, but the honest truth is this: Quinton has given me far more that I will ever be able to give him. He is my little miracle, my silly bug, my baby boy, my love. HE IS MY LIFE!

Friday, December 23, 2011

Halloween and Thanksgiving~

I have been wanting to update for some time now, but I really felt like I needed to keep miss Katelyn at the top of my blog while I was fundraising for her. Great news! We exceeded our goal of $1000. So far the angel tree has brought in donations totaling $1188 and there is still a bit more trickling in.

So 2 major holidays have passed since I updated last and another one is just days away. Halloween was fun. When you wait until the day before halloween to buy a costume, you get Winnie the Pooh. I stood in Wal-Mart and had a conversation with myself that went something like this: "Carol, you are not buying you kid a Winnie the Pooh costume." "Why did you wait until the last minute to buy a costume anyway?" "Because I am a professional procrastinator, what else would you expect from me?" I scanned the costumes again and reluctantly decided that Winnie was better than a lady bug LOL. I have to say though, Quinton made quite a cute little Pooh bear, even if the hat made it look like Winnie was eating his head. The pictures are not great the they are definitely indicative of Quinton's opinion of the Pooh costume too. Note to self: DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE DAY BEFORE HALLOWEEN TO BUY YOUR KIDS HALLOWEEN COSTUME!



We did venture out to go trick or treating, but every time we went to a house, we were invited in, so we only made it to about 4 houses before it was time to go home.

I talked Brian into Brian and I were very excited to take Quinton to the local pumpkin farm. It turns out that Quinton was a little too young to enjoy the experience and it was freezing, but we got some cute pictures including one with him sitting on a pumpkin :)






This slide was always my favorite part of the pumpkin farm. I don't think Quinton agrees LOL ;)




Thanksgiving was awesome because what better to be thankful for than little Quinton himself? Last year we officially started our adoption the day after Thanksgiving. It is hard to believe that a year later, he is here with us-safe and loved like crazy. Last year Quinton was an ornament on our Christmas tree. This year we don't need any presents under the tree because we have the greatest gift of all-our little Q-ball :) Back to Thanksgiving. I had the privilege of meeting another Reece's Rainbow family that lives in the area and of course the food and time with family was priceless. I made Quinton a shirt that says my first turkey day, but he didn't care for the pictures (again). He did however LOVE pureed Thanksgiving food. I have never seen him so excited to eat from a spoon! That in itself is a major accomplishment.

 This is the leave me alone and let me go play with my toys look LOL

And because I can't leave you with a picture where my little guy is not smiling, here is a picture taken by my wonderful photographer, Alisa of Pumpkins and Pearls photography!

So, that is 2 holidays down and one to go. Christmas is just 2 days away and I can't wait to celebrate with my sweet baby boy. We hope you all have an incredible Christmas!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Winners, Winners, Winners!

There were 21 bidders in Katelyn's auction. Each person who bid was assigned a number and entered into a drawing for a $20 gift card to Target. The winner was chosen using random.org

Leah-1
Sharon-2
Katy A-3
Melissa-4
Joyce S-5
Debbie-6
Megan-7
Stephanie-8
Andrea-9
Rebecca-10
Lisa-11
Alicia-12
Laurie-13
Christina-14
Elizabeth-15
Carol-16
Beth-17
Michelle-18
Sydney-19
Kihm_mary-20
Katy B-21

The winner was #21 Katy Bastow! I will post the picture from random.org when I get home.

On to the winners of auction items:

DS awareness bracelet-Katy A($25)
Birdhouse-Joyce S ($23)
tutu-Debbie ($20)
Romper-Stephanie ($22)
Rose clip-Joyce ($7)
blue headband-Joyce ($8)
leg warmers-Lisa ($10)
elephant bows ($10)
bibs-Sharon($20)
Baby carrier-Rebecca ($22)
owl hat-Laurie ($15)
Reesee Tree-Rebecca ($15)
corn hole-Laurie ($90)
keychain-Christina ($6)
Necklace-Michelle ($5)
photo Christmas tree-Michelle ($25)
Mother Goose book-Katy B ($8)
scarf-Sharon ($50)

That is a grand total of $368 which means that we have met miss Katelyn's goal!!! Thank you to everyone who participated, prayed, and shared!

To pay for the items you won, please use the donation box at the top right hand side of my blog. Email me at millerdec804 at yahoo dot com (or I will email you if I have your email address) with a mailing address so I can ship out your prizes. Some prizes will be shipped directly from the donator and I can put you in touch with them. I am sure I have forgotten something, so if you have any questions, either email me or leave them in the comment box here. Thanks again. You guys are awesome!!!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Online Auction to Benefit Katelyn-How it works

Our goal as Christmas warriors is to raise the grant of our Reece's Rainbow Christmas angel by $1000. I can hardly believe it, but Katelyn's grant is at $667 plus another $110 that has not been added yet. That means we are only need to raise $223 with this auction. Please take a look at it and place a bid if you see something you like. Every bidder, whether you win or not will be entered for a chance to win a $20 gift card to Target :)

Here's how it works:
  • Every item is listed as a separate post so that you can place your bid by typing it into the comment box
  • Make sure you either leave me your name and email so that I can contact you if you win :)
  • Winning bidders can pay for their items by making a donation to Katelyn's grant. The link to her account is in the top right-hand side of my blog. It is a box that says Katelyn's Adoption Grant
  • Make sure to check out the older posts as there are several items up for bid that will not all show up on one page.
  • Auction ends Monday 12/19 at 10 pm EST!
Raising Katelyn's grant will greatly improve her chances of having a forever family step forward to adopt her, as financial constraints are the number one reason that children are not adoption. She looks so frightened in this picture, but beneath that look of fright is a beautiful little girl who would be a priceless addition to someone's family. Please keep Katelyn in your prayers and thank you for helping make a difference in her precious little life!

Down Syndrome Awareness Bracelet

This bracelet was made and donated by my mom. It is adorned with blue and yellow beads in honor of all of our special kiddos with down syndrome and her first grandchild Quinton.
starting bid: $5

hand painted decorative birdhouse

This birdhouse was hand painted and donated by my aunt :)


Custom Sewn Tutu in your choice of color :)

Erika has donated a beautiful custom tutu for girls size NB to 6T and you get to choose the color. Choose from shocking pink, lavender, white, dark purple, light blue, black, very it yellow, it pink, mint, and orange. 



Retail Value: $25-$50 depending on the size
This Item is custom so needs to be made from measurements! :) 
Starting bid: $15

Hot pink romper with flower brooch

Hot pink Romper With Silk flower brooch and headband! NB-4t....... NB can be strapless or have a lace strap. 6-1yr can be strapless or have a lace strap. Larger sizes strapless or ribbon strap! retail $28.99 (other stores selling similar less valued item sell them for way more) Generously donated by Erika! Check out her etsy store at www.http://izzysgma.etsy.com 


Retail Value: $28.99
Starting bid: $15

Vintage Inspired Rose Silk Flower with feather hair clip

This vintage inspired rose silk flower with feather hair clip (on alligator clip, medium in size) would be so cute for a little girl :) It was generously donated by Erika as well as several other items in this auction!


Retail Value: $15
Starting bid: $5

Cinderella inspired Silk flower headband

How cute! This headband will fit a baby girl age NB-6 months.

Retail Value: $12
Starting bid: $4

2 pair of Argyle Leg Warmers (12 inches long)

Aren't these cute? They were donated by Erika. Check out her Etsy shop at


www.etsy.com/shop/izzysgma


Retail Value: $8/pair
Starting bid: $5

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

pink elephant hair clips

These adorable hair clips are also donated by Andrea Greene. Thank you Andrea!

starting bid: $4

set of 5 baby bibs with animal appliques

This is another beautiful donation by Andrea Greene. Aren't they cute?

Starting bid: $10

handmade ring sling baby carrier

I am so excited about this one! Andrea Kellie Greene has a fantastic etsy shop (which I will post as soon as I get the link) full of adorable baby items and she has graciously offered to donated a ring sling baby carrier in the winners choice of fabric!




retail value: $30


starting bid: $20

Monday, December 12, 2011

adorable child's owl hat

This hat was generously donated by Handiwork for Lily. Isn't it adorable? The winner of this item contacts Sarah for details on how to get yours. Hats can be made in an infant or child's size of your choice. Note-this item is made to order and will not be guaranteed to be delivered by Christmas, but it is beautiful and work the wait!


Starting bid $7

Reesee Cup Christmas tree

This yummy Christmas tree is made of Reesee cups and would make a fantastic centerpiece on your table.


Value-$25 (takes 4 bags of Reecee Cups!)
starting bid-$10

Set of cornhole boards (local only-Charlotte, NC or surrounding area)

These cornhole boards are made by my brother and include a set of 6 beanbags. Winner can choose a sports logo to have added if they would like. Sorry-due to shipping costs, this item is only available to locals in Charlotte and the surrounding area.


Value $125
Starting bid $50

custom photo keychain

The winner of this item sends me a digital image of their choice to insert into the keychain. Keychain pictures can be made in color or black and white. They make great stocking stuffers!


Value-$8
Starting bid-$5

custom photo nceklace

Winner of this item sends me a digital image of their choice to be inserted into this bottle cap necklace. I can make the photos color or black and white. They make fantastic stocking stuffers!


Value-$12
Starting bid-$5

Sparkling Christmas tree with photos

This Christmas tree is absolutely beautiful! It is sparkly and silver and holds 7 dual sided photos. The winner may choose to send me images of pictures they would like inserted in the frames, or just receive it as is and insert your own photos. I have re-sizing software that I can use to shrink photos that would normally not fit in the 2.25 inch frames. I have on that I am filling with pictures of the Reece's Rainbow babies that I am praying for. I can't wait to pull it out next year and see how many of them have found families.


Value: $20 w/o pictures
Starting bid: $15

hand sewn mother goose nursery rhyme book

My grandmother made this beautiful nursery rhyme book. It is perfect for babies and toddlers-colorful and soft.




Starting bid: $5

Handwoven purple scarf

The picture of this scarf does not do it justice. It is handwoven chenille and rayon, soft, and warm, with multiple shades of purple. I would love to keep this one for myself. This scarf retails at $40



Starting bid: $10