The princess by Leah

It is precious to me to see how adoption is affecting our whole family. 

Leah is 6 and wrote this at school.....

On the home strech

Between donations and grants, we have now raised over 18k towards our adoption!!

Can I get an AMEN!!!!!!

We are getting very close to our goal. To say that we are shocked, amazed, humbled and overwhelmed would be a complete understatement. 

We are about 6k away from being completely ready to travel. I can't even believe we are saying that. 

One way that we are working towards the rest of that goal, is by selling beautiful Uganda beaded jewelry. We have gotten a new shipment and have lots of different items to choose from. Multi-colored, solid-colored, short lengths, long lengths, and even a few pairs of earrings. 

Please share this post with anyone you think would be interested. 

THANK YOU!!!

Long, multi-colored, thin beads (13 necklaces pictured)
$20 each (Includes US Shipping)

12 necklaces pictured
Solid colored, large beads, medium length
$20 each

#1 on the left- Long length (could be wrapped 2 or 3x)
#2 on the right- Double stranded, long length
$20 each

4 necklaces pictured
Long length (could be wrapped 2 or 3x)
$20 each

2 necklaces pictured
3 strands each, short length
$20 each

2 necklaces pictured
$20 each

3 necklaces pictured
solid colored, short length
$20 each

5 pairs of earrings
$10 each

To purchase just click on the button below and put your choice and your address in the note section. Please email me @ thebrownbrigade @ gmail.com (no spaces) if you have any questions.

Thank you!!!!

Panic

I am just going to put this out there because I could really use some prayer. 

I have an irrational panic about getting the twins' room ready or buying them anything or packing, etc. 

Basically anything related to actually bringing them to our home makes me panic. 

Literally. 

I have this physical feeling that comes over me and I feel almost paralyzed. 

I know it's ridiculous. 

But it's the truth. 

Here I sit, 18 months into the adoption process and I am not packed. The room is not ready. Their clothes are not bought/washed/put away. None of it. 

We could get the call any day!

What am I doing? What's the problem? 

The only thing I can pinpoint is the fact that I have buried my child. I know the heartache that parents should not know. My only son. I have taken the crib down after not bringing the baby home from the hospital. 

And I guess this is scary in a similar way. 

What if? 

It's miserable really to think about them never coming "home."

So my friends, I need your prayers.  

I have got to get things in order in my house and get ready for the call to come.

I have got to put the "what ifs" out of my head and press on. 

I have got to put the joy in front of the fear and really enjoy this time of preparing. 

Thank you for your support and your prayers!

Thankful for..........

Today I am thankful for.......

Fall colors

Friends who love the "real" me

For our church

&

COFFEE!!!!

Y'all have a great weekend. :)

Thankful for the tough stuff

Having children that live in another part of the world and not being able to get to them is one of the hardest things I have ever experienced. 

I can't sugar coat it. 

I vividly remember a few years ago when I was talking to adoptive mom and just not understanding how she could love kids that she hadn't met. 

She missed them and included them in her everyday conversations. 

God had already stirred my heart for adoption, but I didn't "get" it. 

Now I do. 

This is tough, tough stuff. And there are days when I don't feel so thankful for the trials. There are days when I want to run away from what God has called me to do. There are days when I think, I can't walk another step in this. 

It's too hard. 

And those are the days that God shows me once again, that He is faithful through it all. 

Last week I was having a particularly ugly day. And a friend from our adoption board shared a message with me. Please take about 8 min and watch this. It was just the push I needed to keep going and remember that God is in this. These are HIS children. 

A huge Christmas Anncouncement

I have mentioned here before how much we love the work that Sixty Feet does in Uganda. They are regular ole people just like us whose eyes have been opened to the imprisoned children there.

Imprisoned Children.

Two words that should not be in the same sentence.

God has done some awesome things in the last two years in the lives of these children.

And this is the biggest thing yet!!!

So please go over my crazy friend's blog and check the HUGE announcement tonight.

 Redirecting Christmas

Thankful

Today I am thankful for my husband.

I know I drive him crazy sometimes!

But he is patient, kind, loving, helpful, and crazy enough to love me and join me on this crazy ride that is our life.