Thursday, November 24, 2016

Happy Turkey Day!

Two turkeys out for a Sunday drive, unlikely! It is probable that these guys know what's coming and are leaving town in their classic automobile. The sender of the vintage postcard is obviously the on
From Our Family to Yours,
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!


Mike & Cana

#FindingOurCrayons

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Break Away

So because of how close to the holidays we are getting to, we are going to take a break with posting every week.  

We will see you after the New Year. 

Cana
#FindingOurCrayons

Monday, November 21, 2016

Music Monday:While I'm Waiting by John Waller

So for those who know me, music is a big part of my life.  So as we have started going through the process of adopting, I have actually created a play list for me to listen to when I'm up or down about the whole journey. 

Today is While I'm Waiting by John Waller




Hope you enjoy!

Cana
#FindingOurCrayons

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Will Crochet For Adoption... And the People You meet.



While buying yarn for one of the many crocheted cocoon cardigans, I met a woman and her grandson.  We had a nice talk about yarn, and where to find a very specific kind for my cocoon project.  

She then asked me what I was making.  I showed her what it was, and told her that I'm doing it because my husband and I are trying to adopt.  

She then told me just snippets of her life:  That she was adopted, and that one of her children had just adopted through the adoption consultants that we are planning on going.  She advised me that I need to be ready, because when the match happens we might not have time to get things.  

I smilled.  It is amazing the people we meet because of what we journey we are taking to grow our family.

Cana
#FindingOurCrayons

Monday, November 14, 2016

Music Monday: I Won't Give Up by Jason Mraz

So for those who know me, music is a big part of my life.  So as we have started going through the process of adopting, I have actually created a play list for me to listen to when I'm up or down about the whole journey. 
Today is I Won't Give Up by Jason Mraz




 Hope you enjoy!

Cana

#FindingOurCrayons

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

National Adoption Month


November is National Adoption Month. As many of you know, my wife and I want to grow our family. As it turns out, I have some issues which hamper that wish. After considering and praying on a gamut of options, Cana and I feel called to adopting.

The adoption process is neither quick nor inexpensive. Your love, support, and prayers help bolster our patience. We thank you all for helping us carry the emotional strain that comes with waiting.

Financially, we need help as well. Please keep in mind, we are not asking anyone to pay for the entire process, but any little bit helps. Below is a link to our GoFundMe, but that is far from the only way to help. We also have a CafePress store (http://www.cafepress.com/thebrownsadopt) and my lovely and talented wife #willcrochetforadoption (https://www.facebook.com/willcrochetforadoption/).


We appreciate the love, support, caring, compassion, well wishes, prayers, and good vibes more than any of you will ever know. And, should you feel called or compelled to help us financially in our adoption as we are growing our family and #findingourcrayons, we thank you so very much.

Mike
#FindingOurCrayons

Monday, November 7, 2016

Music Monday: Fighter by Jamie Grace

So for those who know me, music is a big part of my life.  So as we have started going through the process of adopting, I have actually created a play list for me to listen to when I'm up or down about the whole journey. 
Today is Fighter by Jamie Grace


Hope you enjoy!

Cana
#FindingOurCrayons

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Welcome to the Marathon

$5.00 Bible Verse Print - Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you, He will neither fail you nor abandon you. Deuteronomy 31:8  That’s our Father for you! What a blessing it is to know that we never have to be afraid because He will go before us and fight our battles. Amen to that! - Different size options available. #bebrave:

Time to be honest.  I have become discouraged the past couple of months.  And it is so early in the pre-game, that it might not make sense.  

I currently following the consultants that we plan to use once we raise the money we need to start the adoption.  And every few days (sometimes twice in one day), I'll see them posting how current clients were matched with a bio mom, or got their baby today.  Every time I see this, I break inside a little.  I mean, it does give me hope, but it feels like it is one less chance that we will have to adopt a child (And yes, I know how ridiculous that sounds...But sometimes the brain doesn't think right).  

Every time I see the post, I do tell Mike.  In some ways, I hope he will feel like I do, as it reminds me that I am not alone.  Yet, my Positive Patty of a husband just says that it is just more affirmation that they will be the help that we need to grow our family.  

And really, I do realize that I have had not enough time to truly complain.  I have friends that have been in this process for YEARS (I'm look at you E family), waiting for the moment that they would get their little boy or girl.  And yet, I feel so discouraged with what I have experienced already within this journey, and we aren't even to the actual process of the adoption (i.e. paperwork filled out, money all together, home study, lawyer, birth mother interviews, etc.).

I mean, we've had several failed fundraisers, while still working on others that we hope won't fail.  Trying to remember that no family is immediate, it still is a struggle to find the hope we need to continue.  

So I have been praying.  Not for patience, and not specifically about our adoption (though I do pray about it), but instead I have been praying for every family I see on the consultants website.  I'm praying because I hope one day, my family will be one of those posts.  I'm praying because each of those families has been where we are now (wondering how we will get the funds together), and, some how, made it to the goal.  And I'm praying that their journey has been worth it, and that they feel the love, encouragement and hope to keep them on their path. And I pray for hope.  

Because there is hope.  There is a chance to grow. And whatever lesson is to be learned through this, I hope I learn it well.  Because through it I hope to give hope, encouragement, and love because of it.

So today, may you feel hope in your life with whatever you are struggling with.  And if you don't have any struggles right now, may you feel the hope of the future.

Cana
#FindingOurCrayons