Thirty One Party

My friend Page is closing her Thirty One party today!  Remember, she is donating all the proceeds to our adoption fund!  Click here if you want to order!!!

A Farewell...

I have waited a while to post this.  Mostly because it was an emotional subject for me, so I wanted to wait until I could work through the emotion of it.  While I am still sad, I feel like I am on the other side of it (which is funny because by the time I finished writing this, I was crying again!).

Remember this girl?

That is my friend Katelyn.  You can find her over on her blog, On Repeat.  I met Katelyn about 3 years ago when she started in my department fresh out of college.  I'd like to say we were immediate friends, but that's not the way the story goes.  I was also entering a new position at work and we were both focused on finding our way around our new jobs.

But somewhere along the way, we hit it off.  A lunch here and a text there and before I knew it, we were eating lunch together nearly every day.  I've said to her before how it amazes me how we became friends because let's be honest, what does a young, single (but spoken for), non-mom college graduate have in common with a not-so-young, married, mom-with-kids?  Yeah, I'm not sure either.  But the friendship which has developed over the past 3 years proves that opposites definitely attract.

About a month ago, Katelyn stepped into my office and actually made me GUESS the news she had to tell me.  The news that she was leaving the company, packing her bags and moving across the country to Denver, CO.  I am pretty sure she thought I was going to lose my mind and I think she was closer to being right than she realized.  Lucky for her, the shock created an entirely different response.  Normally, I would have been the voice of reason in the situation (which came later, for those of you who worried I lost my edge!), but all I could summon up that day was support. 

Katelyn and I have always called each other "WBFF", work best friends forever.  And for a week or so after the news, I would think, "Oh well, life goes on."  Or so I thought.  But then I found myself crying at night when I'd think about life at work without my "WBFF".  Finally, one day, standing at the copier I realized somewhere along the way, Katelyn had become more than my tongue-in-cheek WBFF.  She was my FRIEND.  My in-real-life FRIEND. 

And she was leaving.

Looking back, I wondered how it was this deep friendship happened without me realizing it.  But in thinking about it, it was there all along.  Katelyn was the first person I told about us adopting.  She came to Jenna's baptism all the way across town early on a Sunday morning.  She attended church with me when we were at the main campus of our church.  She has attended a number of funerals and visitations since she's known me. Katelyn knows just about as much about special needs adoption in China as I do.  She was the first person (besides Steve) I told when we got our LOA. 

She is more than just a work best friend. 

She is a true friend to me. 

One of the closest I have.

And now she's leaving to pursue a dream which just happens to be clear across the country.  I won't have her to eat lunch with anymore.  When I receive travel approval, she won't be here for me to tell.  When I step off that airplane, in Nashville, with Kylie as a new family of 4...she won't be there.

Don't misunderstand, I am supportive of this leap of faith she is taking.  But in a purely selfish way, I sure wish she'd stay.  There's so much more life for us to "do" together. 

But she's leaving. 

Tomorrow is her last day at work and then she is off to Denver.  And I'll be here.  I'm pretty sure I've said to her all that I need to say.  But just in case she needs to hear it again and because I KNOW there is no way I will be able to say it on Friday...

My friend, Katelyn-

My, how I'm going to miss you!  I don't think I text anyone more than you and I know my Instant Messenger will never be the same!  I wish you all the best in Denver and I hope your dreams come true wherever you end up!   

I can't believe you are really going and I just can't imagine work without you here.  You are truly one of my best friends so let's not call this "goodbye"... just "see you later".

If there is one thing you need to know is that my life is better because you were a part of it. 

Good luck friend!  You will forever be in my prayers.

Friends Always,

Sandra

Something to Look Forward To!

I am so excited to tell you that 4 of the best friends a girl could have are throwing me a shower on Saturday!  I actually went and registered at ToysRUs and Target, although it was not nearly the same as when I did it 10 years ago when I was pregnant and walking around with that little price gun!

Now, you can add and delete stuff online and it is great fun.  I'm just so excited.  There is so much we need desperately.  And I have been reading lately about how hard it is to do showers after she gets home, so I'm thrilled they had the foresight to do it before we left!  It will be such a blessing to us, I'm sure!  Pictures to come, for sure!

Thank you Rachel VG, Leigh Ann M, Elizabeth Y. and Jill P.!!!!  Can't wait for Saturday!!

My friend Darlene

Several months ago, I introduced you to my friend Darlene.  This summer, at the young age of 40, she was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer.  Since this, she has fought valiantly against this awful disease.  Late this fall, I was honored to do the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and participate on Team Darlene.

I have had several of you ask me how Darlene is doing.  So I wanted to give you an update.  Several weeks ago, she rang the bell signaling her last chemo treatment!  This past week, she had the surgery that generally follows breast cancer.  She is now at home recovering.

I am pleased to report the tumor and surrounding infected tissue was completely removed!  Praise God!  And Darlene is doing very well in her recovery at this stage in the game.  However, they did find one tiny spot of cancer in the first lymph node they removed.  This news was pretty difficult to swallow because we know this means there is the potential for more chemo treatments ahead.

However, we are thrilled that the cancer is now no longer in her body.  And her friends are ready to walk with her for the remainder of this journey no matter how long that is.  So, please continue your prayers for my sweet Darlene.  She has remained so joyful during this awful journey.  Pray for her family as they help her recover.

If you are interested, you can go to her Caringbridge site here to read more.

Thirty One Does It Again!!

Remember when I received an offer to do a Thirty-One fundraiser party to help with our adoption?  When my online friend, Anne, donated all the profits of my e-party to help us bring Kylie home by donating all of her profits to our adoption fund?

I got some super cute stuff from Thirty One just for having the party, plus I raised over $100 for our adoption!  It was so easy and I'm super thankful for Anne for doing this for adoptive families.

During the time my e-party was going on, a dear friend of mine wanted to do something more.  So instead of just buying some stuff for herself, she contacted Anne and decided to do a party of her own in January and donate the proceeds to us!  How's that for a creative and generous way to give?!

So, for those of you who missed the opportunity last time, the email Page sent out is below.  All the details are there.  Buy a little something for you, for your family (these make fabulous gifts) and help us in the process!

For those who are wondering, we need about $8000 to travel.  We have about $1000 of that saved and have several grant applications we are waiting to hear back on.  We are likely about 6 weeks away from travel.  That's a tall order in that amount of time, but in the end, we know God is up for it and we are waiting for Him to blow us away!  Read on...
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Good afternoon. I just want to let you know I am having a Thirty-One catalog party from now through January 27^th. This is not ONLY a party, but It’s A CELEBRATION… as the consultant is donating 100% of her commission to Sandra Taylor to go towards their adoption! Sandra works in HR and she and her husband are looking to bring their baby girl home soon to make their family of four complete. Please know that Sandra and their family truly appreciate all everyone is doing in support of their adoption.

Please take a moment to see pictures of their precious baby girl, Kylie Liann Yingbei Taylor.

You can go online to order. To order online, click http://www.mythirtyone.com/AnneLittle/ , scroll down and click “My Events” (found on the right side in pink) and click “Shop Now” (found to the right side of my name). There you will find an online catalog. If you are local (Nashville, TN and surrounding areas) and would like to save $4, please click to have your order shipped to hostess (me) and I will be more than happy to deliver it to you. It’s a great deal!

CUSTOMER SPECIAL FOR JANUARY

The amazing Thermal Tote sale is on for January!! Traditional Thermal Totes are on sale for only $10. The new Cinch Top Thermals are on sale for only $15. There is no minimum purchase required and no limit on the number of totes you can purchase. The Traditional Thermals can be personalized for $7. Personalization is not available on the Cinch Top Thermals.  

Also, please feel free to forward this on to anyone who might be interested in ordering. If they aren’t local, they can click on the link above for online ordering.

Please keep in mind that Thirty-One has wonderful items to treat oneself, they make great Valentine and Mother’s Day gifts and they make a sweet gift for that special loved one who is away at college!! There is something for everyone! Plus, the customer special is AWESOME!

I can’t Thank You enough for your support. HAPPY SHOPPING!

Page Durham

Happy New Year!!! Well, in China at least!

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Tomorrow is Chinese New Year!  This year, is the Year of the Dragon and I so wish I could be in China to see the festivities!  I just think it would be so much fun to go to a Chinese New Year parade.  I've always wanted to see one in real life.  But seems we'll miss it by a few weeks.

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Chinese New Year is a pretty huge holiday in China.  Nearly the entire country shuts down for the celebration.  And not just for the day... for the entire WEEK!  That delays our paperwork for a week even though right now it's with the US consulate.

And at the time of this posting, it is already new year's in China since it's in the wee hours of the morning on Monday already.  This week will be a great celebration in China.  I hope Kylie's caregivers have a wonderful week!!

Welcome Kelly's Korner and Stuff Christians Like Readers!

If you have popped over from Kelly's Korner or Stuff Christians Like, WELCOME!  I'm so glad you stopped in.  You can read a little about our adoption story here. 

In short, we are about 6 weeks from bringing our special needs daughter from China home!  We are so excited, but still need to raise about $5-6000 for our travel expenses!  Please consider helping us!

5 reasons you need one of our adoption t-shirts:

5.  Because let's be honest, you can NEVER have enough t-shirts.
4.  It's a great conversations starter when someone asks you about it.
3.  They are going to make GREAT gifts for teachers, family and friends.
2.  They are a great color which goes with anything and both guys and girls look good in them.

And the top reason you should buy one of our adoption t-shirts?

1. Because you can say you had a part in bringing a beautiful baby girl home to her family.  You can be part of OUR blessing.

Back of shirt

My PayPal button is back!  If you are local, shirts are $20 and you can pay me by cash or check.  I'll of course deliver your shirt to you.  If you are not local, shirts are still $20, but $2.50 will be added for shipping.  I can expedite ship your shirt to you for $5, so $2.50 will offset part of the shipping.  And you too can pay in cash or check.  (If you've recently purchased a shirt online and have not yet received it, you will NOT owe shipping!)  Shirts are available in S, M, L,XL and a few 2XL and 3XL (if you are interested in a size over the XL, email me first...they aren't on PayPal due to limited quantities). 

If you are interested in a t-shirt, email me at sandysignr(AT)charter(DOT)net (removing the words and inserting the proper punctuation), order through PayPal or you can leave a comment below.

For those of you who already have plenty of t-shirts and have no desire to have more, or for those that have already bought (THANKS!), you can still help.  Please send this to everyone you know and ask them to help us bring Kylie home!

For us. 

For Kylie.

Front of t-shirt