Thursday, October 25, 2012

15 Year Ago Today.....


Today Curtis and I celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary.


As we look back at what these last 15 years have brought, we see the hand of God on our lives and the provisions he has given us.  Three months before our wedding, I was hit by a drunk driver.  Although I wasn't killed, my life completely changed.  My short term memory was affected, my body was in pain, and being overstimulated sent me into a complete meltdown/seizure sort of thing.  We were advised that we may want to put the wedding on hold.  Curtis was living in Southern California while I was living in Oregon.  I had been waiting for almost a year to marry him and I insisted that I didn't want to postpone the wedding.  Curtis was employed with the Disneyland Resort and had just been excepted into their management program.  I remember how excited he was as this was not an easy program to get into.  Visiting me after the accident and seeing what I was going through, he returned home and thought about what our immediate future was going to look like.  He knew that I was going to need to continue seeing my doctors and keep in close contact with my lawyer.  He knew that moving me to California would take me away from all of those that I needed while I recovered.  Curtis called to tell me that he had informed his manager that he would not be able to continue the management program and would be relocating back to Oregon.  I cried when he shared this - I KNEW what this meant to Curtis and what he was sacrificing for me.  I was disappointed that I would not be living in sunny California, but was relieved that I would be staying near everyone that would be aiding in my healing.

Our marriage has been riddled with many challenges.  Some of them almost brought us to our breaking point where I did not think we would stay married.  But, it was because of these times that I believe we are still married.  We both had to change the way we approached our marriage and what we felt the role was for each other.  Curtis had to learn who I was all over again and I had to learn how to "back off".  We have sacrificed and lifted each other up when we couldn't lift ourselves up.  We are each other's biggest fans!

As we set out to embark on yet another journey, we look back at how God has had His hand on our lives.  He has allowed us to experience some really incredible times together.  Things that we have dreamt of, we have done.  Things that seem to crazy to believe in have become a reality.  We know that this journey will be no different.



Want to celebrate our day with us today?  For every $15 donated we will double your entries.  So, instead of receiving just 3 entries for a $15 donation, you will receive 6.


We are $5,793 away from being funded for our adoption.

**Every donation made to our grant fund is TAX DEDUCTIBLE**


We have $750 in Visa gift cards to give away!



First Prize - $500 Visa Gift Card
Second Prize - $200 Visa Gift Card
Third Prize - $50 Visa Gift Card

Fourth Prize - $25 Red Lobster Gift Card
(Can be used at Olive Garden)


Fifth Prize - $15 Jamba Juice Gift Card

Sixth Prize - 2 Regal Cinema's Movie Tickets

Seventh Prize - Autographed Blake Shelton CD

The Challenge
1.  Get 25 people to donate $5
2.  Get those 25 people to each get 15 more people to donate $5
3.  Get those 375 people to each get 5 people to donate $5

If we can meet this challenge - we will be FULLY FUNDED!

Prize Entry
1.  One entry for every $5 donated
(Click here to go to our grant fund)
**Once you have donated, leave me a note on my blog under the comment section.  Don't forget to leave your first name and last initial (ex-Sara E.) so I can keep track of your entries.**

2.  One additional entry for every friend that donates.
**Make sure that your friend leaves me a note letting me know who shared our giveaway with them. (ex-Jason T. shared by Sara E.)**

3.  One entry for sharing on your blog.
**Again, make sure you let me know when you shared.**

For example - If Sara donated $5 and got her friend, Jason to donate $5, Sara would receive 2 entries and Jason would receive 1 entry. If Jason gets his friend, Amy to donate $5, Amy would get 1 entry and Jason would get an additional entry.

**Every donation made to our grant fund is TAX DEDUCTIBLE**


Christmas is quickly approaching.  Enter now for a chance to win $500, $200, or $50.

The more people you share this with, the more chances you have to win!

-Giveaway ends on October 31, 2012-



26 comments:

  1. Happy Anniversary! You must have amazing parents,too! LOL... Donation of $65...thank you Etsy! ndh

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  2. Oh my parents...their alright. ;) Love you!

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  3. Good Luck and Best Wishes with your adoption! -- Erin S.

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  4. donated $15 by Jenna H. Happy Anniversary! I found your blog from Adeye's and believed I should give money to your family! :) Good luck in the rest of fundraising and your journey to Porter!

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    1. Thank you! Our day was incredible on so many levels!!

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  5. Happy Anniversary! I donated $15. I wish you all the best in your journey. <3

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  6. I donated $15 (found you through Adeye).

    ~Kristina T

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  7. Happy Anniversary! Donated $75 to your adoption fund today!
    lgwilliams54@hotmail.com

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    1. Oh my goodness. Thank you so much! Bless you!!

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  8. Just stopping by to say Hi and Happy Anniversary! We had our 6th a couple weeks ago. ;) I wish so badly I could send you some money, but alas... RH syndrome. BUT many prayers!! :)

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    1. Thank you for the prayers sweet friend! Hugs to you!!

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  9. I donated $15, and I know that God will provide all your needs. I can't wait until you bring your son home.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you. Yes, HE IS doing this and with your help. Thank you for sewing into Porter and our family!

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  10. I found you via No Greater Joy Mom. I wanted to say Happy Anniversary and God Bless you as you continue to fight for Porter! I donated $15. Sally c.
    chadandsally@ronan.net

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    1. I am tickled that you chose our family to sew into. Thank you!!

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  11. I am probably going to have 3 comments now, but for some reason can't seem to get it posted. Sigh. Computer illiterate perhaps? Blessings on your adoption.
    sally c.

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  12. TEARS.... HUGS.... Check out that hair :) .... Beautiful couple!!!!

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    Replies
    1. Oh, yes....the hair. It has a mind of it's own! :)

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  13. I can't resist an anniversary fundraiser! $15 to bring home another Oregonian ;)

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  14. I donated $15, here through Adeye.

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  15. I mentioned you on two blogs!
    http://crosshillchristianchristmasbazaar.wordpress.com/2012/10/28/vendor-spotlight-la-mia-bella/
    http://bellajoycreationsetall.blogspot.com/
    ~Megan

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