Special for JOLENE

We adopted Jesse when he was almost 7 years old, a little cutie pie from South Dakota. He was a little fireball of energy and delight even though he had/has pretty severe cerebral palsy. Our pediatrician once told us that she thought cerebral palsy came with a happy gene because most kids with CP that she knew were so happy. Well anyway, at that time, Jesse's birth sister Jolene, who was 6 years older than he, was going through some rough times, residential placements and a disrupted adoption, so Mama Louise found out and said to send her on to us. So Jolene came to be my daughter at 13 years old, angry and disillusioned and determined she was'nt going to love anyone. I would like to think over the six years she spent with us that we changed her mind, because we sure did come to love her! She's a grown woman now, living in Alaska (!) and she just discovered Mom's blog. She emailed me yesterday and asked me to post some more pictures of her Jesse...Here you go Jolene, your goofy baby brother! I still love you a bunch!

Estuardo had to have a "cheese" turn too!!!

Ramblings...

I've been sick with a bad cold all week, probably heading for my annual sinus infection, ugh. I did work an overtime shift last night, which was great for the adoption fund but probably not the best idea for my health. So I crossed myself off as unavailable tonight.
I am in a funny space, this waiting space, after all the rushing around of the past couple of months. I am anxious for news, bummed out when I don't get any, and worried about the rest of our fundraising.
I started advertising yesterday for our pancake breakfast and silent auction benefit that we are having on October 11th here in Edgewood. Smith's grocery store has already donated the pancake mix, enough for about 150 or 200 people! Wouldn't that be awesome if we have that kind of turnout?! And some of the local businesses are donating items for the auction too. I will go out again on Monday to hang some more posters and see how many more donations I can find. Serena and my Mom are also donating some handmade items. The whole thing still seems a little overwhelming, but it is coming together a little at a time. The local papers are going to advertise it for us, and now all I need is a few people to help out on that Saturday and we should be good to go.
I am hoping for news from our agency on where everything is at...
On the homefront, Onnolee is now walking all over the house. She is too cute about it too. I ordered a cord for my camcorder the other day, so one of my new "to do's" is to learn how to put video on my blog so you can see how cute she is.
Estuardo is busy busy busy all the time. He is talking up a blue streak, learning many new words every day. It's nice to have a real conversation with him. He has discovered candy...my fault...and thinks it's a dietary staple now, and gets very mad when I say no. He does a wonderful frog imitation hopping on all 4's, and coffee tables were meant to jump off of.
Marisol is adjusting well to school, despite the fact that she as a new teacher and a new aide to get used to. It will be hard to top the ones she had last year, but so far she seems to be doing well. Kory and Jesse are doing well in school too. Jesse brought home his first "paycheck" from his job training at school and he was very proud.
Stew and I are both back at school, online University of Phoenix, working on our Master's Degrees. It is challenging to find the time and energy to write papers each weekend but I enjoy the brain exercise.

AND THE WINNER OF MATTEA'S HEART QUILT IS...

Marisol is the official name drawer. We figured that since she is blind, she wouldn't be able to peek...

She picked a winner...
And the winner is...

She's cute and she knows it

Onnolee showing off...

Stay tuned...

We will be doing the drawing for our quilt raffle today, now that the last few donations have cleared. I am also hoping to post some new pics of the kids and if I can figure out how, maybe even a short video. No new updates on the adoption front, but hoping for some news soon.

LAST DAY FOR MATTEA'S HEART QUILT!

I messed up with the Chip In and the initial widget closed at 4:30 this morning, grrr. So I opened a new widget just for today and maybe tomorrow, whenever it decides to shut down ... Anyone who tried to contribute earlier today, hopefully you will check back in cause I think I fixed it... THANKS EVERYONE SO FAR!!! We are halfway to our goal and that's super!!! You all are awesome!!!
UPDATE---The original ChipIn got to $295, so add that amount to what the current widget shows for our total so far. Goal is $600...
2ND UPDATE--- I will just leave it open until it closes itself ...should be some time tomorrow, I think...mind of its own...

A few thank-you's are in order...

Thank-you to Christine for all your fundraising ideas and help yesterday. Thank-you to Meredith for your advice and help with computer stuff. Thank-you to all those who have donated to Mattea's grant fund---we don't always find out who you are--- and thanks to all those who are donating to Mattea's Heart Quilt raffle!! And thanks to everyone who is supporting us in any way, we are very, very grateful!

Help an adoptive mom help other adoptive parents...

This button below links to a very special blog set up by a new friend of mine. Two of her children are adopted from China, and she has now set up a fundraising site to raise money to help other adoptive families. She says she is "paying it forward." Please visit her blog and see what she has going on, and please feel free to copy her button to your blogs if you would like. The html code in the box will add the button as you see it below.
<a href="http://www.holidayadoptionfundraiser.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa152/chakwaina/goodfortuneornament10any3for25-1.jpg" alt="Fundraiser" width="160" height="160" /></a><br/> <a href="http://puderbaughfamily.blogspot.com/2008/09/help-adoptive-mom-help-other-adoptive.html">Grab This Button</a>
The code will produce this on your website:

Just bumping this cutie pie to the top of my blog...

ONE WEEK LEFT!!!

ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT TO TAKE A CHANCE ON "MATTEA'S HEART QUILT..." (CLICK ON PHOTO IN RIGHT-HAND CORNER OF BLOG FOR DETAILS...) Our dossier should be submitted this week, which means a possibility of travel within 6 to 8 weeks! Thank-you so much to everyone who has supported us on our mission to bring this little angel home to our family!

She did it!!!

I was cleaning in the kitchen today when all of a sudden, Estuardo shouted "Gook, gook!!!" (Look,look!) Onnolee was walking across the living room! Of course, as soon as he pointed it out, she dropped to the floor, but she walked! I saw her! Yay!!!

MY VOTE

Turkey Day Diapers!

A good online friend of mine is hosting a raffle for Mattea! Anyone who uses cloth diapers should check it out at http://hyenacart.com/onestore.php?vid=1761&category=6 . These are beautiful bamboo handmade cloth diapers in a "Thanksgiving" theme, and chances are only $1! Check it out! And THANKS Melissa!!!

Fedex says...

Sep 10, 2008
8:42 AM
Int'l shipment release
####,## (Eastern Europe!)
We made it to the destination!

Mattea's Heart Quilt

Okay, I am not the best photographer...Here is a full-length photo of Mattea's Heart Quilt. Hiding behind it is my 6 foot 2 inch husband, so it's about that long, I think about 52X72 inches, substantial enough for a nice warm snuggle in your recliner, or perfect for a toddler bed.
Here is the back of the quilt, baby blue "minkee." If you have never felt "minkee" you are in for a treat. It is one of the softest, cuddliest fabrics known to man, kind of a cross between velvet and satin and a cloud.
Here is a close-up of the fabrics I chose. They are a Debbie Mumm print with hearts and flowers, perfect for the theme of "Mattea's Heart Quilt," and a perfect gift for someone you love. I chose the theme of hearts because of the tremendous love we have for this little girl who waits so far away, and also for Mattea's heart that is needing care as soon as we can get her home.
Here is a photo of Mattea's Heart Quilt on my son Estuardo's toddler bed. It is plenty big and also lined with cotton batting, so it is extra warm!
The "chip-in" widget for this quilt is on the right side of the blog. It will be there for two weeks. I am hoping to raise enough money to fund the translation of her dossier. For each $5 donation, your name will be entered into a drawing and one name will be randomly chosen to receive this special quilt of my heart, "Mattea's Heart Quilt."

Stay tuned...Mattea's Heart Quilt

I am putting the finishing touches on a pretty blue and yellow Irish chain lap quilt and should have photos up today or tomorrow, with hopes to raise some funds for Mattea's dossier translation and other adoption costs. Details to come...it's really turning out nice!

PARIS!!!!!!

We may not be in Paris right now, but Mattea's dossier is!!! Yay!!!

Tennessee

Our dossier is en route to --Eastern Europe--, last check in Tennessee...

YIKES

DOSSIER SHOULD BE HEADING TO EASTERN EUROPE TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ON IT'S WAY

Our dossier is officially en route to the adoption agency. It will soon be on its way to Eastern Europe for translation and submission. One very big step closer to Mattea Olena!

APOSTILLE!!!

Yay, the dossier is in Santa Fe getting apostilled this morning!!! It will Fedex overnight to our adoption agency and be there tomorrow morning! Wahoo! Mattea Olena, baby girl we are one step closer to you! Hang in there and know we love you!
Many thanks also to the mystery donor...we are very grateful for the donation we received into our Reece's Rainbow grant fund. (The button on the top right of the blog with beautiful Mattea's picture on it.)