Garage Sale Final Total....

What a whirlwind weekend! I'm a little exhausted and sunburned, but I am in great spirits! The only word to sum up this weekend is 'phenomenal.'

Here are a few pictures to document this epic garage sale....

My sister and mom by my side. Notice the t-shirts??!!


The garage sale wrapped from the front yard, through the garage, to the backyard.











And some signs my sister helped me make....




When we headed into this weekend we were already amazed at the $6300 that had been donated and fundraised for our family in a short couple months. Our friends, coworkers, church family, and friends of friends have been incredibly generous and supportive in this endeavour.

We knew when God called us to adopt we didn't know how we could make it happen on our own. We have trusted that God would provide what He calls, and since we announced our plans to adopt money has trickled in. People have been so supportive and given to our adoption as they felt lead. Nate and I have been in awe by this experience and the amazing generosity of others.

And this weekend is a true testament to how only God can provide. Through His grace and the generosity of so many we were able to reach a grand total of $3100 this weekend. That leaves us with a total of $9400 raised for the adoption in just a few short months!! Our fundraising goals was $10,000 but in reviewing the adoption paperwork we will only need to write a first check for $8790. Which leaves some carry-over room for the next goal of approximately $5800 to submit our dossier.

I wish I could express our thanks to everyone. I have said this over and over, but we couldn't fulfill our dream of expanding our family without your help.

A sincere thank-you from the bottom of our hearts.

Garage Sale Day #2

Well, today wasn't nearly as busy as yesterday but we still had a steady beat of traffic. We made out with another huge profit for our adoption fund! It was nice talking with people who have adopted, know someone who has adopted, or plan to adopt one day.

It was fun to see familiar faces and co-workers who stopped by to check out the sale
and pay a visit.

Also, a humongous thank you to the friends and family who helped out today and yesterday. Things wouldn't have gone as smoothly as they did without you all.

Now onto today's tally..............

$1000

I am utterly amazed at this weekend . This feels nothing short of a blessing in our lives. I am so excited to get started with this adoption process, and am so grateful for this weekend and those willing to donate and purchase from the sale!

It is hard to believe, but we still have tons of stuff left for tomorrow's sale. More friends and family have donated and we are hopeful to have more people find some treasures.

Thanks everyone for all your encouragement and support. We couldn't do this without it.

Garage Sale Day #1

I have to say that at the beginning of the week I was a little nervous about whether or not we would have enough stuff to make the garage sale a worthwhile hit. And then, a bunch of people stopped by the night before the yard sale kick-off and donated some more great stuff.

I had more stuff than I knew what to do with.

I had set today's (Friday) start time at 9am and by 8am I counted 20 people on my driveway! There was never a lull moment today, and I had lots of helping hands, thankfully!

I have set the goal of raising $1000 this weekend to benefit our adoption. Guess how much we made ON THE FIRST DAY??!!!

$1360

Yowza! Amazing! Fantastic! Unbelievable!

And we still have loads more of great stuff to sell that I didn't even get to sort through and put out. If anyone is up for some great garage selling, swing on by!

Gods Heart: Adoption

Many of you may have noticed that this adoption journey has been somewhat of a spiritual upheaval in my heart. I have grown by leaps and bounds, my mind has journeyed places I never expected, my marriage has become more solid than ever, my thoughts are centered on something much bigger than my own selfishness.

My eyes have been opened.

My heart has been wrecked.

I have found something to live passionately for.

A few months ago I was moving into our new home. My biggest worry was what color to paint my dining room, or how to arrange the furniture in my living room. There is nothing wrong with enjoying those things……but how my heart has changed in just a few short months……

Today I am sifting through all of the garage sale items so graciously donated to our sale this weekend. I know it is just stuff, but it brings tears to my eyes. I am so touched that people are willing to help our family. I am humbled by how God is using each person who has selflessly given to our family to help bring our girl home.

And I wholeheartedly believe that God is unfolding this adoption story.

From the anonymous $100 bill sent to us in the mail, to the graciousness of our church offering tax-deductable donations God has shown us His plan.

We are humbled, we are blessed, and we see God's work so clearly here. God's plan and His work will win every time. He is in control.

Many people want to adopt but feel the cost is too great. If you feel you can't adopt just because of finances, please hold onto God as your anchor. I know everyone's experience will be different. But God will not change. He will lead. He will guide. He will provide.

After all….He first adopted us.

The Sale is Fast Approaching AND Photo-mini's are back!!

Ok, it just hit me that our first goal deadline is fast approaching! Please pray that our garage sale next weekend will be a huge success! Thank you to those who donated towards our sale, we are so grateful. And yes, I am still accepting any donations towards the sale you need to take off of your hands :)

What I need are bodies for the garage sale! Someone who can handle the Italian ice venue, BBQ venue, t-shirt sale table. Anyone who is willing to bake some goodies for the sale, or donate their craft talents (ie: jewelry makers, Etsy shop owners). I know it is short notice! If we all pitch in we can make this sale a hit and be one giant step closer to moving forward with the adoption! I am so excited thinking about it and I know all of this hard work will pay off. Each of you are helping to bring this child to our family!

Email me privately if you need directions/details.

kerrikuykendall@hotmail.com

Now, onto the latest. We had huge success with our Photography Mini-Session, and we are planning another one for

Saturday JULY 10.

photography mini-sessions.

Session Details:

-All sessions will take place at Gladstone Park (located on the seventh-day Adventist campus).
-Mini-sessions will take approximately 15-20 minutes.
-Up to 5 people (see me if you have any questions about this)
-Disc of approximately 25 edited-high resolution digital files.


Investment: $100


To book a session- please email me at kerrikuykendall@hotmail.com
I will send you a tentative time for your family’s session based on first come, first serve.

Pass it Forward

I have found a lot of encouragement through reading other families blog about their adoptive experiences. Even though I have never met these people, I feel a deep understanding and connection to what they are going through. I was especially touched by this post from Amy at Building The Blocks.

Amy's family has started a "pass it forward" adoption fundraiser. When an anonymous donor paid in full to cover the entire expense of their adoption, they were deeply touched. Amy's family felt compelled to "pass it forward" to others. They did so by fundraising for other families. They were able to give $10,000 to a family in the process of trying to adopt.

It is amazing to me how one person can change the life of so many people.

I think it would be easy for them to say, "We are blessed to have our adoption paid for. Good luck to the rest of you!" Instead, they have chosen to pass this amazing gift forward to other adoptive families. Amy has some profound words in saying:

"God blesses us so that we can bless others."

Father's Day and more.....

Have you thought about father's day? Here are some gift ideas....

Tom's Shoes offers stylish, hip shoes and for every pair you purchase, a new pair will be given to a child in need.

Unicef offers some inspired gifts for Dad. Instead of giving the typical gift card to Home Depot give the gift of clean water to a family.

World Vision offers a great chance to sponsor one of 71 fatherless children in a small village in Zimbabwe.

Just Love Coffee offers delicious coffee with every purchase from this site will directly benefit our adoption. I recommend the Peruvian blend!

Now, on to the newest Fundraising options........

We now have "To Ethiopia With Love" silicone bracelets. They are made in the same quality as the "Livestrong" ones, only ours our half the price. By purchasing one, you will directly benefit our adoption. Cost $5 each.


Adoption T-shirts are here! These are made from 100% cotton and will benefit our adoption specifically. My loving friend Luke designed them for us. They read:

He Who Can Reach a Child's Heart Can Reach The Worlds Heart.
Support Love
Support Children
Support Adoption


We have unisex Olive color in sizes small, medium, large, x-large and
ladies chocolate brown in sizes small, medium, large, x-large. Cost $20 each.


We are still gathering any items you are willing to donate to our upcoming garage sale. It is scheduled for the weekend of June 25-27 at our home. We would love if you are available to stop by and shop, help make signs/posters, spread the word to your family and friends, or help out the weekend of the sale. I'm still hoping to find some pitch tents we could put out in case it rains or is overly sunny. Does anyone have any we could borrow?


Again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for those of you who are praying for us, sharing our story with others, and financially giving to bring our baby home. I am so inspired by you all. There is no way we would be able to bring a child into our home without your selfless giving, love and encouragement.

Garage Sale

Our mega garage sale is this month. I am collecting any old stuff
you are willing to donate to the sale. We are hoping to make it quite the event.

Thank you!