How are we?

I feel like when we got the call about Z back in October, I had NO IDEA how we would make this work, how we could possibly afford to adopt when the cost was greater than my typical yearly paycheck? I have worked part time for years (on the days Aaron is home) to offset our living expenses, but how in the world would we double that AND have someone to take care of our kids? I should have known then, but I really didn't have to figure out anything. God has completely, undoubtedly taken care of these details and we are so beside ourselves.  We have both been able to pick up extra hours at work, our sweet Abby has helped out so much with her brother and sister when she needs to, our friends and family have picked up my kids from school. People have texted me on days when I needed it the most just to ask how we are doing and if we need anything. We have received random, unexpected donations in the mail, change jars that people from church and friends have filled and given to us, and paypal donations from friends around the country and even Canada! We have friends and family helping with our adoption auction and dinner this Saturday. Our boy has been loved by others since the day we first made all of this public. So, here we are again, so humbled and thankful.

There have no doubt been tears (lots), and long day of paperwork, and unexpected delays. There have been days I just didn't know if I could fill out another grant application. But, those long days are always tempered with the love our family and friends show us again and again.

So, thank you all. Thank you for showering us with love and joy. Thank you for supporting us when we are feeling the pressure, thank you for helping us see that it will all be worth it once our boy is home. Thank you for talking about him and knowing that he is a real boy, a helpless little three year old boy who does not have a family yet.

So, the next opportunity is our adoption fundraiser. Please consider coming if you live in Boise and let me know if possible how many in your party (so I can cook enough food!!).
For those who have asked about a way they can donate AND have it be tax deductible-we have chosen a new option (long story-the first option we chose had higher fees and a minimum donation amount and time frame). We have decided to use purecharity. This fundraiser is set up to go to our adoption agency, so we only wrote in the amount that would be paid directly to our agency. We will still have travel expenses and orphanage fees, etc but this would be another HUGE step into funding our adoption. https://www.purecharity.com/aaron-and-sarah-johnsons-adoption We have already had a very generous donation to this account and we are grateful beyond words

Here are a few pics of what is to come at the auction! We have had so many wonderful donations-it is going to be so much fun!

In other exciting news, we got an update last night and Z looks like he is being well taken care of until we can get him. We are so grateful for this. We will update more on this next time with new pictures of him as well!! Thank you all again so much.
Aaron and Sarah