Leah Grace update

Below is an email from our friends that I wanted to share...

Amanda and I wanted to give everyone an update on our Both Hands Project. It took place on November 20, 2010 and one of the many blessings that we received that day was beautiful weather. We are so overwhelmed with the response we have received in this process. God has reminded us over and over again that he is in control.

People have donated their resources:
Everything from Building materials, paint and mulch to food for the workers.
People have donated their time:
Hours of time sending letters, making calls, organizing, Working on project day and most importantly time spent in petition to God on our behalf.
People have donated their money: It has been such a blessing to see how people have responded.

Words do not express how much all of these donations have meant to us. Each one, material, time, and money all have brought us one step closer to being able to bring Leah home. Because of your out pouring we were able to accomplish a lot for Mrs. Dot. We painted the house, repaired a closet floor, repaired damage to the back of the house, completed a tree house, graveled the driveway, landscaped the yard, and painted a bathroom. none of this would have been possible if not for your willingness to help.


The Tuesday after the project Amanda and I received our referral from Holt International. We now have pictures and information about our daughter Leah Grace Gasser. She is 13 months old and as sweet as she can be. Thanks to your help we have currently raised $5,000 of our remaining $20,000. Praise God!! Below is a link to a video from the project and the Life song/Both Hands website. Feel free to forward this on to any one that you have told about the project so they can see what they have helped to accomplish.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqjUlR_CO5M
scroll down to the bottom of this site to see our info http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/bhProj.html
Please continue to be in prayer for us in this process and for Leah Grace.
Thank you so very much,
John and Amanda Gasser
adoption stories

Fall Fun

Playing in the leaves never gets old...



I would lay on the ground with the camera...



and he loved to cover us (baby brother too!) up.  What laughing-sweet fun!



It is so hard to get that "perfect picture" of Owen because he is so active.



I was really impressed that the camera caught this one- he held this pose for half a second :)

Opryland Hotel opened- we went to see the lights. This is a peek at the new lobby



and it's gorgeous new ceiling.
Hope everyone had a fab Thanksgiving!
Thanks to Pop, GiGi, and Uncle Michael for a great visit!



Leah Grace

Our friends John and Amanda Gasser are working to adopt an orphan from China, Leah Grace.
We are helping by participating in a "both hands" project.  We send out letters seeking sponsors to support  us while we work on a widow's home with a group of other volunteers.  All the materials for the widow's house are donated from the community so all the money that is raised goes toward the adoption cost of Leah!    The work day is scheduled for Nov 20th.  If you would like more info check out these websites and or email us your address and we would be happy to send you a support letter.

http://bothhandsfoundation.org/
http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/

Hope you consider helping us help our friends.
Love to you!

Halloween

Little Blue Monster got loads of candy!!!  We laughed so much as Owen enjoyed all the attention.  After walking away from one house he said..."mommy all the ladies are laughing at me."  Toward the end- his bag got so heavy that he asked one lady if she could carry his bag back down to his daddy.  While we were out Nana and Papa stayed at our house to pass out candy- When O would say "trick or treat" the giver gave and, it was not uncommon for Scott and I to hear from the sidewalk..."can I have some for my Nana and Papa too?"  Such a sweet boy.  There was/is plenty to share!! Come on over if you would like some :)

Lucky Ladd Farm

O and good buddy Trevor

 having a good time at the farm.  So nice to get out in the fall weather and enjoy friends!

Trains with Trevor



Trevor and Owen buddies ready to ride a train



A little train

boarding the train

We had a blast on this little track.

Dragon Park

Time for Lake pics

 Lake Pictures from end of June 2010...sorry it took me so long to post-


Owen loved to help bring in the boats- here he is directing GiGi





we stayed in the boathouse this summer and enjoyed the wind and water sounds




Friend Lucy joins us for our first boat ride of the summer



Thanks for the ride Pop!





indoor activities for the kids




Friend Finn and Olivia are sweet playmates like their mommy's were when they were kids




Cousin Olivia enjoying the sand






loves playing in the lake



Just yesterday Owen asked if he could go back to the lake someday.  This came out of the blue- we were not talking about the lake or anything.  I told him "of course Owen."  Sweet O smiled and said,  "Good because I love to play in the Lake with Mr. Tad."  He had such a blast out in that water this year and is getting more and more comfortable.  Thanks for the memories Tad :)





View through boathouse window.  Family enjoying sunshine!





Lake Placid main street

 


View from the top of Whiteface mountian- BEAUTIFUL



Looking forward to next year already!



"Jesus gets to decide"

God has answered our prayers.  Only about a quarter of an inch long right now and a tiny heart that is beating about 80 times a minute- YES, our second child is currently in the making!
Owen wants a sister- this may be because he does not want to share is boy toys with another boy or it could be a way that he can get his hands on some pink dresses, baby dolls, and princess tieras :) We keep telling him that Jesus gets to pick but he tells people that "Jesus is going to pick a girl; I think Jesus wants a girl." 
Hope to see this sweet face by the end of March.

My Garden Grows

I love my garden this year!  We harvested 7 ears of sweet corn on 7/3 and made the best cream corn EVER (thanks Barbara for teaching me how).   The tomatoes have been so amazing - salsa, BLT's, stir fry, and mex style with onions, garlic, green pepper- sauteed and piled high on corn chips!!!  Today I had enough tomatoes to fill up 4 quart size jars for winter soups.  I have planted more corn and there are still plenty of green toms out there.  We have had so much squash we don't know what to do with it anymore.  We still have yet to see cantaloupe, honeydew, or pumpkin- but the plants are doing well and the fruit should be on it's way. I tried strawberries again this year and although I have seen some...the birds and bugs like them more than me.  Don't think we will be planing berries anymore. 

Alllllmmmooost here

Lake time is so close!! We have been looking at pictures...
here are a few...

ready for some HEARTS, blueberry crumb pie, cool lake baths, loon calls, eagle sightings, late night games, good family dinners, relaxing on the doc, Linda's laugh, hot chocolate in the morning, and watching Owen play in the water with such joy- We are so blessed to be able to experience such a beautiful place. 

O says, "wet sand for me, I want to build a sand castle with my bucket and shovel, I want to go swimming, I want to go on Pop's boat"

Four on Four Wheels

It's been a busy summer and it is just flying by so fast. It has been great
being able to see so much family. O and I were in Chicago for a week, then
we all made a trip to Dayton, my mom and dad both came down for a visit
this month, and we saw my Great aunt and uncle in Onieda this week.
We are looking forward to our trip to the Lake in two weeks!
While we have some down time- we found some wheels for O to try...




Not is favorite thing yet- but off to a good start.
love to all
-n

Birthday Boy

Monster truck cake

Nerf gun was a big hit


Cheetos are a big treat

Owen is Four!!

Thanks for all the gifts! Owen is having a blast

with his guns, cars, trucks, books, and legos!

Busy Boy

Rice Bean Box- O loves to feel with his fingers and this helps to satisfy his sensory need- Easy to change out the "toys" which makes it new and exciting each day!

using tools to build his tower

adding the kickstand to his bike

Play Play Play @ Finkhouse