I know that it has been over a month since I posted but we wanted to prayerfully consider all our options before we updated everyone! A month ago Ethiopia made the decision to cut their review of adoptions by 90% on a daily basis. So instead of processing 50 adoptions a day they would only process 5. We were shocked by the decision but we knew God was in control.We started hearing rumors that Ethiopia might close their adoptions completely! After hearing about these decisions and everything so "up in the air" we didn't feel like it would be good stewardship of God's money to send in a large contract check with a county that may be on the brink of closing adoptions. So we joined the adoption community in prayer for the children in the country waiting to be adopted and what all these decisions meant for them. It will effect them more than anyone else. After we found this out we decided God may be leading us to another country. We had prayed since we made the announcement that if our child was somewhere else he would lead us to it. We wanted God to be able to work so we called agencies about other countries, sent a lot of emails, and PRAYED. Basically in the agency that we love and had planned to contract with Taiwan was the only other counrty that we qualified for and at this time they are not contracting any more families due to their birthmother program. So we started looking for agencies that worked with Taiwan and in some form or another every door closed for us. We felt defeated but at the same time we had a lot of peace because we knew we wanted this to be God's plan and not ours. In so many countries you have to be 30 years old. While Ronnie is, I am not so we do not qualify. And then in other countries you have stay there with the child for 4-6 weeks while the adoption is processed. This is not an option for us when we look at our children in our home, finances and our jobs. Domestic adoption was our next option but as we researched agencies and programs, we just didn't feel God leading us that way. Orphans live all over the world, they all need a home but their is a lot of red tape involved. We are completely confident that in God's timing he will lift that red tape and lead us to our child if we are obedient to him. So for now we are not saying we are not going to adopt. We have felt called to do this for a long time so we are going to rest in his ultimate plan. Maybe our child is in a country where we both have to be 30, maybe not. Either way we know if we stay in his word and prayerfully consider our options he will open the doors. The child may come to us in 2 years, or in 10. We know he has a plan and we are excited to be a small part of it. Thank you for all your prayers and support, we so appreciate them.

As far as our fundraising goes, we are still prayerfully asking God for his leading. We saved up quite a bit and we are considering keeping it in our adoption fund for the future of our adoption or giving it to a couple who is adopting that needs financial assistance. Thank you to all of you who have supported us this way it has meant so much. Its God's money and we want to use it to glorify him ONLY!

As far as tshirts, I had already ordered them before all this came up. I am still waiting on the order to be completed. Once they are in you will have the option to buy the shirt like before or I will donate the unsold ones for a couple to use for fundraising in their adoption.

Love and Prayers to you and yours,
The Pruitt Family

News...

Earlier in the week we heard news of a possible change in Ethiopian adoptions and tonight we recieved an email from the agency we plan to contract with. We are sad for many reasons, but ultimately its not about us its about GOD! I am attaching an article to help explain the decision that is currently being discussed regarding Ethiopian adoptions. As you read please join us in prayer for the children in Ethiopia, there are so many orphans waiting on their family to come.

http://blog.beliefnet.com/redletters/2011/03/ethiopia-to-cut-international-adoptions-by-90.html

At this time we don't really know what this means for our adoption or the path God has for us. We are trusting in his guidance.

Leaving you with a video, my daughter's very favorite song! Please help us pray for the children of God!

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My gifts!

Our tshirts came in this big box and my kids are having to much fun playing in it! As they were playing Katy Reid says to me : "Momma, close the lid and pretend that me and Max are your present!"

Precious. But I don't have to pretend! God promised us this many years ago, and regardless of what our world trys to feed us about children, it is a lie straight from the enemy! They are our GIFT, to love, teach, train, discipline, and hug!

Love your gifts today, right where they are. God has a plan for them and for it to unfold he needs to love them through you.



Lo, children are a heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
Psalm 127:3

T- shirt orders!

So I have had several people request tshirts and I want to get them their orders as soon as possible! With that said I am going to close out this order on Monday March 7th! Please let me know by then if you would like a tshirt so I can get it for you! Thanks to all of you for your support, it means so much!

Adoption Tshirts are here!!!

Our tshirts are here!!! I ordered a few to start with and will be placing another order soon! Let me know if you would like one! You can order at momofkrpandmax(at)gmail(dot)com!

Sweatshirt front:


Sweatshirt back:


I am also ordering tshirts, women's fitted t's, long sleeve shirts, and youth shirts. Also avalible in different colors!

Prices:
Youth- $20.00
Tshirts- $25.00
Long Sleeve- $30.00
Sweatshirts- $35.00



Thanks to everyone who has bought a tshirt! We are so thankful for you!


PS...Kids sale was a great success, very thankful for God's blessings on our sale and our friends who came and bought! Thank YOU!!!!

Katy Reid has had my camera :)

Well I got on the computer to upload pics of my upcoming sale this weekend and just found pics of BELLA (Katy Reid's very important baby doll, who travels with us everywhere...its getting deep because she is taking photos of her!!!) I just think its to sweet not to share these with you! So here are the eyes of my daughter, the things that are important to her...Yes this makes me laugh and makes my heart melt at the same time!

Miss Bella (all my lifelong friends tell me this is her "Furches" trait, to carry a baby doll with her at all times)
















Yes I think she loves her brother!

















Not sure about this one??? Bella's diaper bag?
















And the front porch shot :)



















Not really sure where I was at this point because I DON'T REMEMBER seeing her do this (that doesn't mean I didn't see her do it! haha) but I'm sure I was probably keeping her brother out of T.R.O.U.B.L.E. because that is where he is staying lately!

Now I am leaving you with pictures of OUR KIDS CLOTHES SALE! We are all set up and ready! Don't forget it starts friday at 4pm and Saturday 9am-1pm! Email me for directions!









So excited!

PS...Yes I do have boys clothes just not as much. Didn't have those set up when I took the pics! And I am selling maternity clothes, at a great price! So pass this on :)

Shopping for a CAUSE!

So yesterday my sweet sister kept my kids so that I could work a day in the birthing center! I am sure the kids gave her a day full of adventure! Max had attacked himself with different colored markers and its probably gonna take the 2nd bath to get it off! haha! So I tried to pay my sister and she wouldn't take any money so I decided to go "adoption fundraising shopping". I've decided its probably the only way I will ever shop again! I feel like its double blessing, because you bless someone with the gift plus you bless the person who is adopting! I found this sweet necklace for her but can't post a picture because apparently I bought the last one! :) It read TEACH on it and had a cute apple on it! I wanted her to have something for jumping in and taking care of my kids for me!

So here is the website where I bought the sweet necklace! http://www.etsy.com/people/SweetTeaShoppe?ref=ls_profile

Here is another great site that has some cool custom made shirts and art!
http://pitterpatterart.wordpress.com/

Just had to share these sweet ways to help a child waiting on a family!
May you have a blessed day!

A beautiful song!

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I just keep asking myself: what I can give up so I can GIVE more?

My little helper!

"Momma, how did you know that I love to cook?"

Special friendships!

Soooooo...I have been wanting to post on our very special friends Brian and Heather for a while now but wanted to wait until they got a little package we sent them. Heather and I used to talk about all the different countries we wanted to adopt from while we were in college...who would have thought that we would go to the same country first! As I look back on our friendship I marvel at all the ways God has blessed it. For me its always been a special friendship and I know its because we both loved our Lord very much. It started in 3rd grade and its just been to much fun ever since! It doesn't matter if we have not talked in a year, we can always pick up right where we left off! So you can imagine that when God started tugging on our hearts BIG TIME about adoption we turned to them for "wise counsel". Read their story here www.createdtocare.blogspot.com ! I'm attaching their sweet Gotcha Day video for you to watch:




Heather and her husband have been such an encouragement to us and in more ways than they will ever know! We are very grateful for their example in love and sacrifice for the orphans in the world! Read their story, and be blessed! We love you guys!




PS...I had a total of 34 orders of Cinnamon Rolls...WHOA! So we had a cinnamon roll making party Friday night and my sweet prego sister came to help me! I made her favorite chocolate chip cookies and made her take breaks! haha! Katy Reid loves being in the kitchen, so she helped too! My hubby made all the icing for me. Hopefully finishing up orders tomorrow and making deliveries the rest of the week! Thanks to all of you for orders! Hope they are yummy and that the devotion blesses your Valentine's morning!
The next few weeks I will be organizing for the kids clothes sale.
Presale starts on Friday Feb 25th at 4 pm and open Sat Feb 26th at 9am!

Happy Weekend :)

Covered in Flour!!!

So due to high demand of cinnamon roll orders, I won't be taking any orders after this Friday Feburary 4th! After Valentine's Day and my kids sale is over with I may start taking orders for Mother's Day ( it will also include a devotional...one to share with your mom)! Stay tuned for that!

No time to blog, I have cinnamon rolls to make! Thanks everyone who helped me get orders and to everyone who has placed an order!

A different approach to Valentine's Day!

While trying to rack my brain for fundraising ideas I started thinking about my sister's yummo homemade cinnamon rolls that she makes! I also started thinking about Valentine's Day coming up and wanted to join the two!

So here is what I came up with. Aren't we all trying to think of way to make it a special day but also untraditional with a card and candy! Well I am always trying to think of ways to celebrate with my children in a way that helps them learn about God but also enjoy the season. So I have decided to make pans of "Kayla's homemade cinnamon rolls". I made a pan last night for my family to sample...I don't want to sell anything but yummy!




Ready for the freezer...


So what do cinnamon rolls and valentine's day have to do with each other? Well, I make the rolls and freeze them. I have also created a family devotional about our love from God and using it to love others. You buy the rolls and viola you have a great breakfast devotional to share with your family on Valentine's Day. Now for those of you that have school aged children this will probably require an earlier start. The devotional will take at least 15 minutes depending how in depth you go with it. I think it is age appropriate for preschoolers on up to highschoolers. Also if there are no children in the house its a great way to spend that morning with your spouse. I really believe that God can use a special time like this to effect your children's day and even their life. These rolls are not easy to make but once God gave me the idea I was passionate about it! I made two pans today, along with chasing my little monkeys, preparing their meals, and laundry and I'm on EMPTY for energy.

So I am charging $15.oo for the rolls with the devotional and they come packaged like this:



Yes the evenlope says "The Furches Family" because my dad was over last night helping test the "sample" and he claimed the first batch. I think its pretty sweet he jumped right on board to help me get started. And he's going to share them with my mom (I hope)on Valentine's Day! Yes they have been married for 32 years...woot woot!

So I am starting off with 12 pans, until I see how much interest there is. I will deliver the rolls on the friday to workplaces in the "town" area. Just make sure you have a freezer handy until you can get them home.

I'll attach directions on the package for thawing and baking!

email me at momofkrpandmax(at)gmail(dot)com to purchase a pan.

A BIG blessing...

I recieved this email today from a very sweet girl and she gave me permission to share with my Blog readers! She was adopted as an infant and she is sharing with others how blessed she feels for what God has given her through the miracle of adoption! This email just BLESSED my day and it made my heart swell, I just had to pass it on!
Please join in praying for Morgan, I think God is doing a mighty work in her life.

Tarren,

I saw your blog today all the way in Costa Rica...it definitely made my cry. (I think you know the story of my adoption, or something like it?) This week in Costa Rica the daughter of my host mother adopted a little girl and brought her home for the first time (9 months) and I was invited to the welcome home party. I was the only person who wasn't a member of their family and the only person who was crying. All I could think about was the day my parents brought me home. There was so much love in that house, so many family members...it was like nothing I've ever seen before. The mother (Marta) couldn't have kids...so for her, her new baby girl is a miracle in every form. And for the baby girl, Jimena, her new family is a miracle as well. She was taken from her mom by DSS as soon as she was born and sent to an orphanage. I'm not sure exactly what God is trying to tell me, but I know he's sending me some kind of message with all of this news of adoption in just one week. Your new child is definitely a blessing sent to you from Heaven and without a doubt, your family will be the best blessing that this child could ever receive. Good luck to you and Ronnie, I wish you the best of luck. I can't wait to read more of your blog and shed some more (happy) tears!! What you are doing is so amazing and coming from someone who was saved by adoption...thank you so much for devoting your life to giving an innocent child a second chance at the life he/she deserves. It's the most beautiful gift I've ever been given.

God bless your family and CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!>Morgan

I am amazed at how God works together for those that love him! God's blessings...

Obedience

Last night I talked to my brother's VERY NEW FIANCE and I was telling her about our decision to adopt. She made the statement that God was going to bless the process because we were being OBEDIENT to him. When I got in bed I started thinking about this word, Obedience. Adoption is not some "flighty" thought we had and then we decided to act upon it. We prayed, read our bible, talked with others who have made this decision, and then prayed some more. We could not deny what God wanted from us, nor could we deny where he wanted us to go. We know that someday our little boy will probably ask us why his skin looks different from ours, and many other hard questions. But we also know that God is going to bless us with the wisdom to handle these questions because we are doing what he asked. I think about the day when my little boys share a bedroom, I don't think they will be laying in bed talking about the different colors of their skin. You see God has created us to love one another, not judge in our indifferences. If we pray to God and ask him he will help us see what he sees. "Man looks at the outside, but God sees the heart." Katy Reid and Max are two of our greatest blessings but we do not own them. They were given to us, for a time, with a responsibility from God. He has a plan for their life, and in order to carry that out, they needed us as parents. They are our gift, but God can call them home at any moment. We have a task at hand. We pray that we are fulfilling the task of preparing them for their eternal home, teaching them to work for the kingdom of God, and to love others as God loved us. Yes they share our DNA but ultimately they are God's. You see there is a little boy across the world that needs us too! God has a plan for him, he wants to give him a HOPE and a FUTURE, and God has called us to be a part of that! We are REJOICING that God is allowing us to be a part of these children's lives! So our decision may seem foreign, but instead of having "judgement glasses" on we pray people will see our almighty God in this process. That you see grace mercy and LOVE! That is what our Emanuel is all about. We know when we set at the dinner table, hold this little boy's hand, and say our thanks to God for all he has blessed us with...this little boy will be the miracle that we praise him for!

Lots of Questions!

So already my husband and I have been getting lots of questions, which I love answering so keep bringing them!!! I wanted to share one of the videos that God used in drawing our heart to Ethiopia!

And the FUNDRAISING begins!!!

Yes I know, the announcement came yesterday and today I am talking about fundraising! Well here's the story, money makes the process a little quicker so TARREN IS MOTIVATED!

So here is my exciting event...KIDS CLOTHES SALE!!!
Since my little girl was born over 4 years ago I haven't thrown anything out, not even a onesie! So starting today I am organizing everything and I am going to host a big sale for all you mama's to come get a great deal on some cute clothes for your little one! I have pajamas, dresses, play clothes, shoes, books, toys, and more! My husband is very excited about this because he has been begging me to pass this stuff to someone but I just couldn't let go until now! I knew God was telling me to hang on for a reason and now its going to help bring home our BABY!!!

My tentative dates for the event are Friday February 25th- Saturday February 26. I will hold the sale on monday too if I haven't sold out of stuff! On Friday the sale will start that evening. This was my husband's great idea...to get a first look on Friday pay a $5.00 fee. Otherwise come for free on Saturday!

My kids have some GREAT grandmas who have bought them some cutie clothes so mark it down to come. Shop and help us bring home our little one! Clothing your kids for a great price, shopping, and for the orphan, it doesn't get better than that!!!

I will probably have the sale at my house since I am organizing everything here...more details to come!!!

Also if your in the mood to clean out your kids closets and you want to donate your clothes to our sale just let me know.

You can email me at momofkrpandmax(at)gmail(dot)com.

A Very Exciting Announcement!

This may come as a big suprise to some of you (for those of you that know me really well, probably not) but after much prayer my husband and I have decided to build our family through adoption. My husband and I actually talked about adoption before we got married but due to age restrictions we never pursued it. For over a year now we have been praying about these orphans and how God would want us to help care for them. My husband and I have BOTH been feeling the calling strongly to open our home to a child. After a big decision making process we feel God is calling us to adopt from Ethopia. We know that we are going to have to rely on our mighty God for lots of strength through this process, please be in prayer with us as we start this journey.

We are sharing an inspiring video that reveals our hearts as we start the adoption process.

href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWHJ6-YhSYQ">