Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Almost ready to go!


The countdown is on! Departure date is November 2nd. I am trying to get last minute details taken care of, but so far we have been so blessed. We have found a children's minister at a local Church of Christ who has offered us a place to stay, and has also offered us the use of his second car.!! I am overwhelmed by the love that people have inside. That takes so much of a load off of us, and makes our financial goal much more attainable. We are very grateful to this family. It finally feels a bit more real. I always knew this day would come, but now its in sight, and tickets are bought, lodging is secure, and now all we are doing is waiting. I have plenty to do between now and then though. I have booked some work for each week, and I have two birthdays to take care of before we go. Karessa turns 7 on October 24th and Makinna turns 3 the day we leave. I am deciding how and when to have their combined birthdays. I wanted to have a little get together "thank you/birthday" right before we leave, but I'm not sure I can do it so close to the date. Maybe keeping busy will keep my mind from the long airplane ride. It will be the longest I have ever flown. I am quite claustrophobic, and the idea of being stuck in something that could spontaneously combust for no good reason, in midair, at 25,000 ft, makes me a bit nervous. I think I will need a large sedative.

Anyway, everyone has been doing well, and just getting ready for fall to hurry its self up and relieve us from this heat! I hope everything is great for all our friends and family out there. Please keep the approaching date in your prayers. I will need all I can get to make it through the "getting there" part! The rest sounds easy after that. But you can pray for it all! :)

Makinna saw Karessa posing for a photo and decided she wanted in on the action. She kept shifting back and forth like a little model, she even gave us her serious face!.. They were too cute not to share!

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Sweet Sounds for Makinna

Makinna's Benefit Dinner and Concert was incredible. We had a great time listening to great music and eating wonderful food. There were over 300 guests at one time. Thank you to everyone who made food, or helped out in some way. We are very moved by the love and care we have been shown by our friends, family, and community. The Lakeland Ledger wrote an article about Makinna in last Saturday's paper. It was very nicely written and helped bring awareness to our Lakeland area. Below are a few pictures from Saturday's event. Thank you all again, you will never know how much your support and prayers have meant to our family. I know that one day when Makinna is older, she will feel the same way.



A big thanks to Kayla and my mom for making Makinna's board.


The Plunger's did an amazing job and many thanks to them for donating their time and talents.


All the guests in line for dinner.


It really looked great and sounded even better!


CMD performing. Everyone wanted more! The kids really got into it.


Mommy and Makinna



Thank again for all the prayers and support. We had a great time and we are very close to our goal. The surgeries feel real now, and we are less then 2 months from our departure date. Now all I have to do is get past my extreme aversion to flying. :)