Thankful Sunday... OMG Did I just Say That!

Ok I haven't written a Thankful Sunday Post in about 100 years. I know right!

Anyway I am thankful for many things. So here are just a few.

SUMMER!! 
Our pool
 My friends
AC
Flowers in my garden
Baby crickets!!! Tons of them, also in my garden! They will be singing me a symphony soon!
Bloggy friends making a comeback! Carol I missed you more than words could ever say!
Mike's hard lemonade
The smell of the ocean
 

I have a friend on FB who ends every post , no matter what she posts about , and sometimes they are about very difficult days, with the words ALWAYS BLESSED. I have learned from this friend that even in the midst of hard times , sad times , even grief and misery, there are things to be thankful for and blessings to be counted.

Another friend of mine has taught me (although she has no idea) how to find joy even when you are not feeling joyful. How's that?   Well this amazing woman, who shall  not remain nameless, Linny Saunders.. goes through many difficult and stressful situations. BUT, she finds joy in things. She doesn't stop laughing. She has found a way to not lose happiness because of anything happening in  her life.

I always thought if you were going through a bad time, then that's it. No room for any good times. Bad is bad and good is good and never the twain shall meet.

Having a good time or enjoying something in the middle of a crisis does not make you irresponsible or careless, or ignorant to the seriousness around you. God wants us to be happy all the time. More trust and more faith in God that He is in control in all situations is what enables us to breath and find the joy He wants us to have every day, not just on the days when everything is going the way we feel it should be.

Ok and what's a post without a picture of Em. The little spreader of Joy herself!

A Birthday Letter

My Sweet Sophia!! You are 14 years old today! Can you believe it? My spunky, strong willed, most determined firecracker. You should have been born on the fourth! I was having major contractions on the fourth of July, 1999! But you decided you wanted your own day, and made me wait another 48 hours to meet you.

All your life you have done things your way. Sometimes they worked and sometimes they didn't. But as the saying goes.. There's no flies on you"!!!

 You've got it all girl! Your beautiful and smart, and funny. But most of all you SPARKLE!

When you laugh, you light up the room. Your smile makes my heart swell. And when you are excited and tell a story, you talk so fast no one knows what you are saying. But I love it!  In those moments when you are just you, I find perfect happiness in just watching you... sparkle

All I wish for you Sophie is Happiness, Peace  and Love.

I wish you days that are perfect and filled with laughter.

I wish you success in whatever you choose.

I wish you a chance to finish the dance...  ;)

I wish you friends that never judge you .

I wish you faith to carry you through the tough times.

And I wish that you will always know, how much we all love you. 

You are a most amazing young woman. 

Never lose that SPARKLE !!!!  

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl... I love you more,

Mama

AN URGENT AND TIME SENSITIVE REQUEST:IN DESPERATION WE MIUST COME TOGEHTER FOR THE SAKE OF THE CHILDREN.

THIS POST HAS BEEN COPIED IN IT ENTIRETY FROM JULIA NALLE'S BLOG. 

NO ONE SAYS IT QUITE LIKE HER.

Glimmer of Hope for 300

 

 

We thought he was in the car.  We thought he was in the backseat quietly playing with his DS.  We pulled out of the church parking lot believing that we had all of our family inside.  We were oblivious.  We were carefree.  We didn't realize we had left eight year old Elijah behind.

 

It wasn't until we opened the doors at the store that we realized our mistake.

 

At the same time our cell phone rang.  Where are you?

 

I will never forget the shock and shame and terror I felt at the reality that I had left my son behind.

 

He was only 5 miles away.  He was safe with members of the church.  He was not hurt.  I knew exactly where he was.  Yet I was devastated.  I left my child behind.  He has never let me forget it.  I will never forget it.

 

They crossed the ocean.

 

They met their children.  They came home without them because that's how adoption worked in R. 

 

You meet your child.  You spend a week playing with them.  You spend a week breaking through to their hearts.  You spend a week giving them their first taste of what love feels like.  You spend a week teaching them what kisses and hugs feel like.  You spend a week whispering promises in their ear.  You spend a week holding and kissing them until that the very last second when you have to drag yourself away.  Many of them screaming and crying and reaching out.  Begging you not to leave. 

 

 

You leave them with promises that you will be back.  You will be back.  They watch you leave with those whispered promises.  You will be back.

 

300 have been left behind.

 

The promises whispered lay unfulfilled at their feet.

 

They do not understand.

 

Where did Love Go?  When is it coming back??

 

Trust me my friends....

 

Their Mamas and Papas have NOT given up.

 

They left their babes behind.

 

They will never give up.

 

The families of those 300 are still praying and crying and doing everything in their power to bring their babes home!

 

Their glimmer of hope is HERE.

 

I wish I had time to explain everything but time is short and the need is great. 

 

There is a film that has been made that has the potential to be a POWERFUL VOICE for these families.  The film is finished but marketing it to those who desperately need to see it is costly.  As of right now - the families have less than 5 hours to cover what is needed to keep this project going. 

 

They are NOT taking money right now.  They are only asking for pledges from people.

 

Five hours are left for pledging.  A considerable amount of pledging.

 

Please CLICK HERE for more information and please CLICK HERE to make a pledge.  No amount is too small!! 

 

They left behind their babes. 

 

This is their glimmer of hope.

 

PLEASE GO MAKE A PLEDGE!!

 

 

How About a Little Catch Up?

It's been a busy couple of months at The Kaczmarzyk House!  Let's see, in April Olivia made her Confirmation! I guess I should add it was also by the skin of her teeth and a lotta help from the Holy Spirit! 
You'll just have to imagine how pretty she looked as we forgot the camera that day. Yup...

We also got a new family member in April. Welcome Gus Gus the hairy rat. Yay..  Of course guess who his favorite is? Me, the one who keeps him alive.

 
Moving forward, May brought beautiful weather and our annual trip to the park to steal all their Lilacs. Always a good time and guaranteed good laugh.

June brings us to Sophia's 8th grade Graduation! I now have two girls in high school!!! And two girls who need to be in school before 7:24am.. not humanly possible! September will bring it's challenges for sure.

 Ok I really don't like this photo but what the heck.

And one guess as to which kid is mine.  Counting the girls in white, the fifth from the left.. yes, the rocker with the long brown hair is mine and this is one of my FAVORITE pics of Soph! You go girl! You're your mama's daughter!

Also in June was the Gaspee Day 5k. Running a cool 29.04 was my chickie Bella.

Here she is on the outside headed home!

And Andrew won the award in school for the most Technological of all third graders. 

Now it's July. Starting with the fourth and followed quickly by the sixth which is Sophia's 14th birthday!! This summer is looking busy. July begins ballet Summer Intensive and Gymnastics.  I hope July also brings me to the beach!!  I also hope it stops raining in RI before September.  

And of course there's Miss Em. Doing her thing. Actually doing whatever she wants. She is progressing beautifully! Her speech is coming along. And I promise a video soon, showing off all her new words ;)

 
See you all soon!

It's My Moms Fault!!!

Hi there it's Em! I keep telling my mom to post more often. She keeps promising.. "I'll do it tomorrow"!  Then she gets busy and forgets or is just too tired. I don't know why she's tired at the end of the day.. I'm not! So , anyway, I know there are still a few followers out there who are interested in ME!! hehe   

So now it's summer time and mom says she has more time to relax and do things that she enjoys. Things like blogging about me. 

So hopefully she will get her act together and get back in the loop. 

Until then I've taken the liberty of posting a few pics of myself. Just so you all don't forget what i look like.

Me swimming!

Me dressing myself.. not too bad eh?

Me at breakfast. It's the most important meal of the day!


See you all soon!!!

 

It's Just Weird...

...how much she loves Barney.

 

And yes, the outfit is screaming weird too. 

INTRODUCING....

GRACELYNN

Girl, born December 2002
Down syndrome

Well, doesn’t this little pixie look like a spit fire?   Those deep brown eyes are gorgeous!

Large families welcome, travel required.

$4373.75 is available towards the cost of my adoption! 

 

I'm sure she has a pair of wings hiding behind her back. Did you ever see such a pixie! 

 

Carina has gifted part of her funds to Gracelynn.  And I've decided the only way to heal is to keep helping so I'm now Gracelynn's Warrior. 

She makes me smile.

 

She is going to be 11 years old this December. And I'm thinking the best Christmas/ Birthday gift would be a family! Gonna try my hardest for Miss Gracelynn!

 

 

 

Goodbye For Now, Sweet Girl..

When Putin signed into law the ban on Russian adoptions, I went into a tailspin. My Girl is in Russia. What the hell was he thinking! 

My plan was simple when I found Carina on Reece's Rainbow. 

1.Raise a lot of money for her.

2.Find her family.

I didn't have a plan B.


I definitely didn't have a plan for the freaking country closing down!

Anger filled every part of my body, including my heart. Which by the way, hurts like hell when it breaks. There is a physical pain involved.
 Some days it was impossible to take a deep breath.

My girl locked away in an institution, for the rest of her life because the leader of her country is a madman. 
There is no logical explanation.  He was pissed and he hit us where he knew it would hurt. He has no heart. And he has the blood of thousands of children on his hands. Because without Americans adopting them they will die!

I was angry, livid,  and blind with rage toward this man. 

Slowly, the anger turned to grief. A, real, strong and emotional grief.  This child that I love so much is locked away in a country that I am locked out of. I cannot save her.

There were small glimpses of hope that maybe the special needs orphans would be allowed to be adopted... but no, that was not to be. Then another small moment when we thought maybe the families already in the process of adopting would be allowed to finish up and bring their children home. Children they had already met and promised to come back for. But again... No!   was the answer.

And today Reece's Rainbow begins the very painful process of reallocating the funds of the Russian children to children waiting for families in other countries . All money I raised, with the help of my communities  for Carina. The giveaways and dress down days the bake sales and craft shows and Auctions and just plain begging. It raised 6,537.00 for her. But I couldn't find her mama in time. 

That was my gift to her. Money in her account. That was her hope. And today even that is gone.

And again, my heart hurts...so much.

Reece's Rainbow is doing what needs to be done. Those girls there have a heart wrenching job of reallocating all this money from all the orphans. And my heart goes out to them. They love all these kids so much.

I can say with some joy that Carina's fund will go to two sisters and one other Sweet Dumpling that caught my eye. It will be their hope now.
 
My Carina, you will always have a piece of my heart. 

A dear friend gave me  much comfort by telling me, ours(Carina and me) was a Spiritual Adoption. God matched us because He knew what was coming and He knew I'd love her with a mama's heart.  

One day, I'll find you.Somehow, I'll find you. Til then Sweet Girl stay strong and safe and know you are loved.  

Just Hangin'

Em: So, what do you want to do?

Andrew: I don't know what do you want to do?

Em: I don't know.

Andrew: You just want to sit here and eat this whole bag of popcorn?

Em: Sure, sounds like a plan.


Sometimes just chillin out with a buddy is the best thing ever...



 * conversation as interpreted by mom.

Looking for a winner

Rachel Whitmire ! You won the adoption decals!! Email me at Stephkac222@gmail.com and I will put you in contact with the sender. 


To everyone who participated and donated to this giveaway thank you!!!!  It was a success! Once again this community pulled together. Love you all!

URGENT: Home Sweet Home Giveaway For"'Brigita"

The smiling Cheshire Cat, as she was dubbed by her warrior Helle, has come home.

She is being loved and cared for and cuddled and she laughs and giggles and plays to her hearts content!

But the story isn't over yet. Dee is still trying to raise money to be fully funded. Meanwhile they both have to fly back to Latvia for their third and final trip. Just like any other adoption, except Miss D is already home.

Dee and Darya leave in just a few days!!! And are in the need of  $2700.00!!! 

With the help of generous friends I've put together a giveaway, which should go down as the easiest , giveaway with the fewest rules. 

Donate here to Dee's paypal account. d_dandeelion@yahoo.com Whatever amount you donate that is the amount of entries you have.Send me the receipt Stephkac222@gmail.com  Pick what you would like and put your entries on it.  And you're done! You can even divide your entries up between different items. 
 To pick your item just leave a comment, and the item number with the amount of entries you want with it. 
Example: you donated $10, that gives you 10 entries. You could leave me a comment like, 10 entries on #4

Or, 5 entries on #4 and   5 on #6

Sharing and reposting always get you an entry too!

 As I've said before , TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!!!  They are leaving in a few days and are short $2700.00.  Giveaway ends on April 10th!!! they are trying to fly by April 13th!!!!!

#1: Thirtyone Wristlet key fob

#2: Girls tights bought in Latvia. They are about girls 5-6. They have not been used. They were $10.

#3: Very gently used Gymboree vest with hood. Super cute. 4T

#4: Coach! Black wristlet. Very gently used by Dee only :)

#5: Handmade in Latvia! Dee had bought these for Darya but they are way too big. They are red & creme with a bit of gray. Child size mittens. Probably 5-8yo

#6: Very gently used. Size 4T. The shirt is a long sleeve onesie.d caption

#7: Consoling the Heart of Jesus by Father Michael Gaitley, a Do-it-yourself retreat, donated by Lauren Masri

#8: The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ by Anne Catherine Emmerich - the book The Passion of the Christ was based on, Donated by Lauren Masri

#9: Newborn (6-12lbs) Sleepsack Swaddle, 2 in 1 wearable blanket, donated by Lauren Masri

#10: Wine charms. Always know which glass is yours! Donated by Malin Hedger

#12:  Adorable!!Shopping bag in heavy cotton canvas. Light blue with flowers in red and green.Donated by Malin Hedger ♥

#13: New Willow Tree Figurine, donated by Kelly Handl

#14: New Willow Tree Figurine, donated by Kelly Handl

#15: Magic Attic Doll with wardrobe! She has been loved but is in great condition and comes with several outfits! She is a little smaller than an American Girl Doll and has a jointed molded body instead of a stuffed one.Donated by Kelly handl

#16: New Willow Tree Figurine, donated by Kelly Handl

#17: Pashmina shawl in warm pink shades. 70%Pashmina and 30%Silk, Donated by Malin Hedger

#18: New Willow Tree Figurine, donated by Kelly Handl

#19: Hot water bottle cover. Handmade and donated by Malin Hedger. This may be one of my favorites!!!!!! Emmie's crib is so cold at night i usually keep her in bed with me until she falls asleep. This would have solved all the cold crib issues! Just adorable too!!

#20: One decade rosary. Beautiful green/blue stone. This fits snug around my first 3 fingers. Just to give you an idea of the size.

#21: One decade rosary from Poland. Bought in Zacopane by me. This is very small and dainty. I use them when I'm walking they fit snug around your first two fingers.

#22: Baby Gap dress with matching panties. Size 3-6 months. Gently worn once by Em.

#23: Marissa- Louise 3 piece set. Includes hat and bloomers. Em wore this once and then grew out of it :( Size 24months

#24: Silpada necklace, Cubic Zirconia, Sterling Silver.adjusts , 18- 20 inches Matching set with earrings, winner gets BOTH! Generously donated by Tanya Robinson. A $100.00 value! Bigger photo here https://mysilpada.com/sites/public/content/jewelry/productList.jsf

#24: Gorgeous! Silpada Earings!Cubic Zirconia, Sterling Silver.Matching set with necklace, winner gets BOTH! Generously donated by Tanya Robinson A $100.00 Value! Bigger photo here https://mysilpada.com/sites/public/content/jewelry/productView.jsfaption

#25: set of 2 Blessed by Adoption" car decals. Measure approx. 7 inches in diameter and text is white. Donated by Brenda Lamay

#26: Beautiful handmade rosary. Our Lady of Fatima. Graciously donated by Becky Arganbright. http://www.etsy.com/shop/barganbright?ref=seller_info

#27: Bright and fun butterfly scarf.

#28: Perfectly spring ruffle scarf !60inches long