8 The Hard Way

October15

 

Many of you know my friend Sig. She is a wonderful lady. She has 7 children – including a Guatemalan princess who much of blog world fell in love with before Sig’s blog went private…and if you want access to the private blog, leave a comment and we will get you access. I met Sig on my first visit trip to Guatemala last December but we had been talking via email and message boards for awhile. I kept thinking to myself “This woman is nuts. Seven children?!?” Then I met her and knew I was right – she is nuts. But in a wonderful, fun way. I also had the pleasure of hanging out with Sig and Abby in Antigua when I was fostering. She has a huge heart and loves her family like no one I’ve ever seen. She is passionate about her children.

 

Sig and I talked via email and sometimes phone during our adoptions. She talked me off the ledge once or twice and I returned the favor. When despair would set in, as it is likely to do during this gut wrenching adoption process, Sig would talk about how long she had been trying to bring another child home. She mentioned a little girl in Aberbaijan, Tarana, who had stolen her heart but that she finally had to accept that she couldn’t bring her home. She turned her heart to Guatemala and fell in love with the vivacious Abby. Abby brought so much joy to Sig’s family – I can only imagine this is what prompted Sig’s husband to recently say “Let’s bring Tarana home.”

 

We all know that God/fate/the universe/our hearts don’t give thought to what is rational or financially sound. Sig has found that she can finally bring Tarana home and at this point only finances stand in the way. Tarana is a beautiful 10 year old girl who has been living in orphanages her entire life. She has a medical condition that will improve with treatment in the US. If she isn’t brought home to Sig’s family where she belongs, she will age out of the orphanage system when she turns 16 to live on the streets. (That is the heart string tugging, it costs less than a cup of coffee a day, infomercial portion of my blog post today. But sadly, all true.)

 

That brings me to the point of my post today. We all hate the reality that finances might stop a child from coming home. Sig is determined to bring Tarana home and is humbly asking for our help. With this adoption coming so closely on the heels of Abby’s adoption expenses, Sig is doing some fund raising to make it happen. We all know how expensive adoptions are and many of us are adoption poor so please don’t feel guilty if you can’t help. Send prayers and good thoughts if you can’t help financially.

 

Sig’s first payment to the agency is $2500. We are trying to help her raise that. But, we aren’t asking for something for nothing. Sig is doing the first of several raffles this week. For a donation of $10, you will be entered for a chance to win $180 worth of gift certificates:

$25 Barnes & Nobles
$15 Toys R Us
$15 ITunes
$25 Hodge Cafe Press

$15 Orphan Warmth

$10 Little Clippies

$20 Itty Bitty Burp

$10 Scrap N Tell

$20 Mandy’s Moon

$25 The Family Gems

$10 to help a girl 1/2 way around the world find her forever family AND maybe win some cool stuff – what a bargain! Sig will happily accept donations of any size $1 – $100, but only $10 is required to get your name included in the drawing for this stack of gift cards. Below is a donate button that will take you straight to a secure site (PayPal) which will allow you to make your donation securely with a credit card or through a PayPal account if you have one set up. PayPal is completely safe – I’ve been using it for 8 years without a problem. The donation will be credited directly into Sig’s account.

 

Go ahead. Press the button. You know you want to. This raffle will end next Monday October 22nd.

  

posted under adoption

“8 The Hard Way”

1. On October 15th, 2007 at 10:18 am Ashley Says:

   The donate button does not work.

2. On October 15th, 2007 at 10:51 am admin Says:

   I think I’ve got it working now. Thanks!

3. On October 15th, 2007 at 12:53 pm Julie P Says:

   Works now! Michelle – thanks for pushing me.

4. On October 15th, 2007 at 7:07 pm Jane Says:

   Done deal!

5. On October 15th, 2007 at 7:37 pm Farrah Says:

   WOW how awesome Michelle…..
   Sig is wonderful and she is lucky to have a good friend like you!

6. On October 15th, 2007 at 7:45 pm Sig Says:

   Just a note…I AM lucky to have found Michelle. Not only did I get my precious Abby in the adoption, but I have made some incredible friends along the way.
   Thank you Michelle for all you wrote. I was in tears (literally) when I read it.

7. On October 15th, 2007 at 8:41 pm Rita Says:

   Hi We adopted our daughter from Guatemala 3.5 yrs ago. She is now 5 yrs old and the apple of my eye. We have bio twins 18 yrs old. Giovanna started the adoption bug in our family. WE brought her home 3.5 yrs ago, then one yr later to the day we brought another daughter home from NYC (birthmother here on vacation from India and had her and gave her up) then just this summer we returned from Bogota Colombia with our 2 newest girls. We would love to give a little to help Sig and her family bring this angel home. May God bless you all.

   Rita
   andrewscrew@blogspot.com

8. On October 16th, 2007 at 4:03 pm Ruth Says:

   Happy to help, Sig!! Love seeing the funds accumulate:) Ruth

9. On October 16th, 2007 at 7:32 pm Melissa Says:

   I am happy to help Sig. I wish I could do more, but I know that every dollar will help. Bring Tarana Home!

10. On October 17th, 2007 at 4:35 am Sig Says:

    You are all too kind. Truly, too kind. Our fundraising so far is over $1250. It is everyone who has took the time to donate or drop a line that I know are my true friends and are caring. Thank you, and I wish every one of you good luck on the raffle!!!!

11. On October 17th, 2007 at 9:44 am Ashley Says:

    Gotch ya!

12. On October 17th, 2007 at 7:08 pm Tricia Says:

    D-O-N-E!

    Thanks, michelle

13. On October 18th, 2007 at 6:42 am Corey Says:

    Done 🙂

14. On October 18th, 2007 at 1:20 pm JUlia Says:

    You are the coolest Michelle:)
    DONE!!!

15. On October 18th, 2007 at 3:22 pm Diana Says:

    Done 🙂 Wow!

16. On October 18th, 2007 at 4:34 pm Molly Says:

    I would love to read Sig’s blog, I don’t know her, but I would love to have 6-8 kids also! I also have two little girls from Guatemala too. I stumbled across this from reading Holly’s blog. If you don’t mind, would you email me the password?

17. On October 19th, 2007 at 9:25 am Terry Says:

    Michelle,

    I don’t know you, but thank you so much for helping a fellow adopting mom bring her child home. I so wish that I could give more, but now there’s a little bit more to help reach her goal.

    Terry

18. On October 19th, 2007 at 2:15 pm Paige Says:

    I’m praying they get their newest daughter home, soon, too. We have six children and pray we are able in the near future to adopt more. I’d love to be able to follow their journey on their blog.