More ways to help ...

We are getting closer to our goal but since we are still a little under $13,000 short we have a few more fundraisers coming your way!

1. The one and only Amy Horton of Amy Horton Photography took this photo in California last month and is taking orders for the print on wood!

Size: 8x10

Cost: $100.00

*$25.00 of every order will go to the Waiting for Dallas adoption fund!

Please email me if you are interested and I can give you Amy's contact info.

blopez519@gmail.com

2. Mrs. Lacey Vaughn is an Certified Consultant for Scentsy and she is donating all of her commission from the month of March to our Waiting for Dallas adoption fund.

Go to: www.lurooisheavenscent.scentsy.us/Scentsy/Buy

*When checking out be sure to select Waiting for Dallas!

Chris and I owe both these ladies a HUGE thank you for giving their time, talents and resources to be a blessing to us and our future little family! 

Dallas is one LOVED baby! :)

Adoption Update

When Chris and I first set out to adopt our plan was to go through an agency and in my post that covered the FAQ about our adoption I had mentioned that we planned on going through a local agency called Chosen Child. We had been in contact with them for months and planned on beginning everything in January but in January we were informed (after waiting, preparing, and planning) that they were not accepting new prospective parents at that time and it could be a while until they would be. After dealing with that let down and frustration we began the search for a new agency. We found a few others that we were interested in and after contacting them we discovered that we are going to be on a waiting list (minimum 2-3 years) almost anywhere we go. 

Needless to say we were hit with that overwhelming question that usually come up at times like these, "WHY God? Why?" and "What are we supposed to do next?"  

We know that God would not have put such a strong calling on our hearts for adoption if that wasn't what we were supposed to do but we seemed to be at a standstill. We didn't know where to turn next. 

So we stepped back and handed it over to God!

> You may or may not have noticed the changes we made to our You Caring Fundraising page and the baby bottle on the side of the blog . . . 

* We had originally planned on ending our fundraising in December of this year but that date has been moved up a little to August.

*We also originally aimed to raise $30,000.00 which is the cost of adopting through most agencies but we have lowered the amount to $20,000 (we are hoping to lower this again when we get more details)

>You may have also seen our recent post on the Waiting for Dallas facebook page that we have begun the home study process, which is something you usually don't do until a little later on in the adoption process ...

Are you wondering why?!?!?

Well, we can not give many details now but we have been given the opportunity of an independent/private infant adoption later on this year!!

We would GREATLY appreciate your continued prayers as we have some big decisions to make and a few more hoops to jump through before everything is said and done!

New Total:

We've raised: $7,117.00

Only $12,883.00 to go!

Reason to Run

I wouldn't call myself a super girlie-girl . . . I like being outside (as long as I don't have to sleep out there and there is electricity and plumbing near by), I can step on my own bugs (as long as it's a little one and NOT a spider or grasshopper or cricket), I don't have to get my nails and toes done monthly (just kidding, yes I do!), I can live without a blow dryer and curling iron (as long as I have a ponytail holder and don't have to go anywhere important), a little sweat isn't that big of a deal (as long as it is really only a LITTLE and running is not the cause of the sweat)!

Well, never mind, I take that back, I am more of a girlie-girl than I thought! :)

But, I have found that even a girlie-girl like me can deal with a little sweat when you find your reason to run! Yes, I have actually begun running (more like a slow jog, for now) 3-4 times a week and here's why . . .

A good friend of ours, Rebecca, is a runner and when she found out about our decision to begin the adoption process and saw how much it was going to cost and she felt God calling her to do something to help. She found a 12 week Bible study called Run for God and it goes along with a 12 week couch to 5K training and in January we began the study and training at our church!  

Here is a few snapshots of the group that meets on Sunday nights for the bible study and training ...

The original plan in this bible study is that once you have completed your training the class signs up to run in a local 5K but Rebecca had the idea that we would plan, organize and have our very own Waiting for Dallas 5K and all the money raised would go towards the expenses of Dallas' adoption. 

Talk about motivation!

First, I have to say, I have been AMAZED at how God has been working to help us get all of this together. Planning a 5K is a bigger deal than I ever expected but things have truly been falling into place!
God is Good!!

Second, I owe a HUGE thank you to the 5K committee that is working behind the scenes to get everything ready! ThAnK yOu Anna(my sister), Amy, Yaritza, Adrienne, Ashley, and of course Rebecca! Y'all Rock!!

Third, I am amazed at the progress I have made. I've gone from DyInG (I wish that was an understatement) after 1 min of running to being able to complete 5 mins of running while talking at the same time! 

**Side note: Run for God has a 12 week couch to 5K app that goes along with the bible study but you can only get it if you have an iPhone since I have an android I was out of luck. Instead I found an 8 week app that I have been using and I have successfully completed weeks 1-4**

I still have not experienced the "runners high" I've heard so much about but I am proud of myself for making it this far! :)

Here I am  .... no make-up, SwEaTy, red faced, crazy hair but all that matters is that I have found my reason to run, my reason to get over the fact that sweating sucks!

I am running for Dallas!

I am running so that one day I will be able to point back and say to my baby, "Look how hard we worked to bring you home, look at how much we wanted you to be in our family, look how much we loved you before we even met you!" 

 

Saturday, April 26th

Oak Point Park
2801 E. Spring Creek Pkwy
Plano, Tx 75074
Race begins at 8am

P.S.
Even a girlie-girl can give up her manis and pedis too if it means she's saving a little money that gets her one step closer to holding her baby. :)
Over the past few months I've gotten better at painting my own nails ...

A Letter of Love

Dear Birth Mom,

     I want to start out by letting you know that from the moment Chris and I made the decision to be adoptive parents you & your baby have been in my thoughts and prayers daily.
     I have had the desire to be a mom for as long as I can remember. I've thought about what it's going to be like to hold my baby for the first time and I have prayed, cried, hoped, and even begged God to let me experience that feeling but for reasons that I may never fully understand that day has not come, yet. You allowing us to adopt your baby is the amazing answer to years of prayers and you need to know that I will never take the decision you are making for granted. When your baby is placed in my arms for the first time and it becomes my baby, all the years of tears and asking why will all fade away and all the waiting will have been worth it.

     As much as I want to be a mother that is not our only reason for choosing to adopt. Adoption has always been on my heart. It is a desire to be there for a birth mom and dad to let them know that no matter the reasons that led them to adoption they are loved and have been prayed for and their baby will be loved so much more than they could possibly imagine. I believe that by choosing to give your baby up for adoption you are demonstrating one of the biggest acts of selflessness and love.

     My heart and prayer is that you will know God's direction for your life and that He will grant you the peace you need as you make this life changing decision.

Dallas' Mom

Homemade Cookin'

Who doesn't love some good ol' country BBQ with all the fixin's and some homemade banana pudding? Is your mouth watering yet??

If so, you're in luck!

This coming Saturday, January 25th

6:30-9:00pm

at Collin Creek Church (1905 E. Parker Rd Plano, Tx)

the Austin family (an awesome family from our church) is hosting a BBQ and Silent Auction to help us get one step closer to bringing Dallas home.

Cost:  

Adults: $18

Children (6-10): $8

5 and under: Free

*cash, check or card accepted

Meal includes:
*Pork, brisket, and fried chicken with all the fixings
* Banana pudding
*Tea, water and coffee
~ soft drinks available for purchase~

Silent Auction Items & Companies represented:
Custom made book cases
Autographed football by Daryl Johnston
Granite cutting board
Custom artwork
Edible Arrangements gift card
Thirty-One product
Premier Jewelry
Shear Beauty - $100 Hair Makeover Gift card
burlap heart product
Advocare Products
Nerium Products
Mini Session with Amy Horton Photography
Starbuck goodie basket
Raising Cane's goodie basket
Scentsy Warmer and 2 scent bars
$30 Nothing Bundt Cake gift card

Free Oil Change from Christian Brothers
& much more

We hope to see you all there! Spread the word and be sure to check out and "like" our Waiting for Dallas facebook page!

Raising Funds with Raising Cane's

Date: Tuesday, Jan 14th

Time: 10 am - 10 pm

Where: Raising Cane's in Mckinney

75 and 380

**Be sure to mention you are there for the WAITING for DALLAS Fundraiser!**

~If you stop by be sure the check-in on Facebook!~

Updated Totals:

We've raised: $4,168.00

Now we only need: $25,832.00

Sponsorship Opportunity

Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 8 AM

Oak Point Park

2801 E Spring Creek Parkway
Plano, TX 75074

Waiting for Dallas 5K is a fundraising event to bring baby Dallas home.  My name is Bethany Lopez and I attend Collin Creek Church in Plano, TX with my husband, Chris. We have decided to adopt our first baby after battling with different fertility issues for past few years. We have had our baby’s name picked out for over 8 years now and are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to hold him or her in our arms. With that being said, we need to raise $30,000 in order to start the process and cover the expenses. The Waiting for Dallas 5K is a race to bring Dallas home!

This is where you and your company come in to make a life changing impact. We are currently looking for several sponsors in order to make the race profitable. There are several costs that go into holding a 5K that entry fees will most likely cover but will not allow for a profit. We are looking for donations to cover the cost of timing, food, city permits, race location, security, etc. As you can imagine, the list goes on and on. The more sponsors we have, the more money that can go towards starting the process of bringing Dallas home. Your support and donations will help Chris and myself get a step closer to holding Dallas in our arms.

Below are the sponsorship opportunities:

$250 – your company name will be displayed on all race t-shirts

$500 – your company name, address and telephone number will displayed on all race t-shirts

$700 – your full company logo will be displayed on all race t-shirts

$1,000 – your full company logo will be displayed on all race t-shirts and you can set up your own sponsor tent on race day

We are also accepting business cards, flyers, coupons and other advertising items that are beneficial to you and your company to place in the race packets. This is your opportunity to advertise at a much lower price than usual while helping a great cause.

Thank you in advance for your consideration. I look forwards to hearing from you.

Dallas’ Mommy aka Bethany Lopez

Email: blopez519@gmail.com

Cell: 469-258-1182