THANK YOU!

Bobby and I have been overwhelmed by your outpouring of love and support!  We have some more exciting news to share with you all!

This adoption has been fully funded because of your prayers and generosity!  Thank you for allowing our amazing God to use YOU in amazing ways to bring this sweet baby girl into our family! 

Photo by the awesome Erin DeZago

Check out her site!

She's Here!!!

Our first family picture!



God is so awesome!  He orchestrated all of this so perfectly, it's a wonder why we still like to tell Him how we think He should do things!  We have been completely blown away by His perfect timing and every detail that has fallen in place!  The past 3 years have been trying leading up to bringing a precious baby into our family!  But I would do it all over again without even thinking twice - not only have we been blessed with the most BEAUTIFUL (We're not biased - look at the pics below!) baby girl, but also seen God work in such powerful and amazing ways that will forever have an impact on my faith and trust in Him.  In awe of this almighty God who cares so much about us!

We are humbly asking for your help and support once again -

Please be in prayer for the health of our birthmom - both physically and emotionally.  What a generous, loving, selfless thing she has done for us and our precious baby!

Please be in prayer that the critical bonding and attachment will take place so our baby girl knows she is loved and safe, so that she knows we are her mom and dad, that she is our daughter - handpicked by our amazing God!

Please also be in prayer for the additional money needed for the adoption placement, which is due sometime soon!  God has provided thousands for us through savings, fundraisers and donations.  We know He has a perfect plan and will provide what is left! 

Thank you!  With love, Bobby, Crystal, & Ivy

Ivy Rose - born on March 8 & perfect in every way!

Beautiful eyes!

Daddy's girl

And the Raffle winner is...

First off, a huge thank you to each and everyone of you for being so generous and helping us by buying a ticket(s) for the Night Out Raffle. We were able to raise $350 through this fundraiser and are extremely blessed by all of you and cannot thank you enough!

So, who's the winner you ask? <<<<drumroll please!>>>>

MARIA F.!!

Thanks again, friends!

and don't forget if anyone has stuff they'd like to get rid of, our garage sale is going to be held on March 2nd and 3rd and we'll gladly take it off of your hands! Just get in contact with one of us.

Night Out Raffle!

We are so excited to announce our next fundraiser!  For just $10 a ticket, you will be entered to win this amazing Night Out package - just in time for Valentine's Day so you can have a great time with a friend or that someone special!  Drawing will be held Thursday, February 9!  

Let us know if you would like a ticket (or 2!) ;)  

One Less

We are all called to care for orphans!  Does this mean we are all called to adopt? Nope, but we can certainly help others who are!  Thank you for those of you who have donated and prayed for our adoption!

Tonight I came across this Etsy shop and fell in love with what I saw there! Even more than the items, I loved the reason for this shop!  By shopping with The Adopt Shoppe, customers are able to help this family bring home their child! I love that!  I especially love this item because of the verse that has been on our hearts throughout this journey.

Proverbs 3:5 Necklace

and this too - a great reminder on those hard days!

I encourage you to check out this shop - 208 amazing items to choose from!  All so there is ONE LESS child waiting to experience the love of a family!

No news is...

...well, no news!

Just wanted to let you know we are all still here! ;) and still in need of your continued prayers and support!  We are in the process of looking into more fundraisers (especially ones that don't require upfront costs) and also currently applying for a couple of grants, so please be in prayer for that.  We still don't know how or when, but we do KNOW God will provide and in His perfect timing.  Please also be praying for our future child's health as well as his or her birth family for their strength, health, and safety! 

We have been so blessed in the year 2011. We can't wait to see how God continues to stretch us and provide for us.  We are looking forward to 2012 and seeing what He has in store for the Dean family!

Love you guys! 


P.S. Be on the lookout for info on an upcoming raffle!

infertility

I came across this video tonight, and felt compelled to share.  It really encompasses the emotions felt while struggling with infertility (that still can sneak up on us from time to time - even on the road to adoption!).  I felt compelled to share it  - to help others struggling with infertility know they are not alone & to help others better understand what their friends and loved ones are experiencing as they struggle with infertility.

Empty Arms Video from tearsandhope.com