The Hope Love Valor Fall Festival Was a HUGE Success!

We are overwhelmed with the outcome of the festival! It was an amazing success!  We are excited to say that nearly $9,000 was raised that day, but the true achievement was displayed in far more than dollars and cents.  Many people from all parts of our lives and many we did not even know came together for the common purpose of helping to bring an orphan home. The rich happiness that resounded in everyone's hearts is something that I will not soon forget, and I am so grateful that I was able to see it first hand.

Just before the festival, my mom was hospitalized for a severe case of pneumonia.  My sister and I spent many days before the festival and specifically the entire night before the event, sitting at her bedside in ICU.  We were not even sure if we would be able to make it to the festival.  So many of my friends and neighbors jumped in and filled all the gaps that I had left behind to pull everything together for the big day.  The effort was incredible!

After being by my mom's bedside throughout the night, it was clear that she was stable enough for my sister and I to attend the festival on Saturday.  We jumped in the car and drove two hours southbound to make it back.  I felt like a bride late for her own wedding! When we skidded into the driveway, we had just enough time to shower and get down to the event for some of the last minute set up...and then it was "go" time.  Everyone was in place and it all came together beautifully.

My sister, Jana,  and her husband, Andy -  along with my long time friend, Carrie.  They ran the Auction Table all day. 

Here two of my neighbors, Carrie and Holly  ran the donation booth!  My sweet friend, Amy, from Promise686 helped too!

Notice the awesome HLV tees! Email us at hopelovevalor@hotmail.com to get yours!

Look at how big our raffle table was!! The Auction was impressive, too!

Jenn and Nikki ran kept the hot dogs coming all day!

This is Amanda - the backbone of the whole operation! She and my other friend, Brooke are the two that started this whole thing months, and months ago.  The two of them have worked endless hours to bring this day together.  The fact that they gave up all that time for me means so much!

Don't worry! There was no fire, just some really generous Johns Creek firemen that added to the fun by bringing their trucks out.

Pass the Pumpkin contest!

Brian and I attempting to let everyone know how grateful we were to have their support.

One of my favorite moments during the festival was when a little neighbor came to me with her own money that she wanted to add to the donation box.  She dropped in $9 and some change.  She was so proud and happy to be able to use her money towards a real life result....seeing Valor come home.  Many have shared with me their excitement to participate in a cause in which their effort makes such a difference - and it really does.  Because of the money we raised at the festival, through the blog and with the Promise 686 grant, we are more than half way to our total goal.  


It was a great day... one of those rare occasions where you get to visually see the support that God has provided through the relationships in your life.  I feel like my words fail to explain how grateful Brian and I are for all the hard work that was put into bringing it all together, in addition to all of those that came and participated and gave.  We are richly blessed and deeply humbled.

A Big Bump in the Road...

Our Fall Festival event is less than 24 hours away and it is amazing what an event it is shaping up to be! So many have given of their time, talents and resources to make it all come together. I hope you all can make it!

Hope Love Valor Fall Festival & Silent Auction
Where: Glastonberry Swim & Tennis
When: Saturday, 10/16 3-6 pm


I hope to be with you all celebrating for Valor, but I am currently with my dad and sister caring for my mother. A moment of pause has come into our lives once again. On Tuesday, my mother was brought to the emergency room because of some involuntary shaking she was experiencing.  She was on several medications to heal her body from an invasive back surgery she had undergone several weeks before.  Once she was admitted to the ER, it was quickly realized that she was in much worse shape than she even realized.  Her blood pressure was dramatically low and she had pneumonia.  She has been admitted to the ICU.  My sister, Jana, and I spent all day and into the night with her Tuesday and today...and we will be here all night tonight.

We are praying that her pneumonia infection has not gone into her bloodstream, and as of now, it has not! Praise God!  Her body is tired, however and today we had to make the decision to help her by putting her on a ventilator and sedating her.

My mom is a very strong person.  I would say she is a "fighter", except I know she would not want that credit, she would want Jesus to have the credit for the strength that it has taken to overcome the harsh physical pain and sufferings that she has endured over the years. 

As I sit in the white sterile hallway outside of her ICU room, I wonder what is God doing?

The answer is, I don't know.

I do know that since I have left Atlanta to come to the hospital, a flurry of amazing friends, friends of friends,family and neighbors have swooped in and carried this event on! Even though I left with a lot of empty holes, they have all been filled. People that have never even met before have jumped in together and made this work. I probably will not be there to see it, but God has used so many people to bring Valor home.

Words simply are not enough to describe how that feels. I love that He is using all of you to be a part of this journey. I am struck with awe over the support that God is providing for us, especially during this time.

I know He is doing that.... And it is amazing!

Sickies all around! Yuck!

Many of you have checked in wondering how we are getting along...and I appreciate that! We are doing good except for a phase of physical challenges! :)  About two weeks ago I was diagnosed as having some nerve damage in my right foot.  (This is most likely do to running, etc.)  So,  I have been walking around with a giant black boot on my foot - I've got one more week to go.  This boot is ANNOYING to say the least.  It's heavy and really slows me down...just imagine the ball and chain scenario! 

Its annoying in general and then specifically because I had a lot of plans.. Plans to mount my fitness peak just as Valor was arriving.  I have been increasing my fitness over these last few years and I thought I could maximize my potential of dealing with a new baby by being on the top of my game.  My past three babies have all arrived after 9 months of physical strife, especially nausea.  Well, apparently, my plan was not God's plan for here I am lugging the boot around.  I have to laugh, however, because it has caused me to slow down and move slower - "smelling the flowers", if you will.  Its a little like being pregnant...you eventually surrender to what your limitations are and just enjoy it - so I am!

I still don't like the idea that I have gained a few..hmmm, hmmm, or that it will be weeks, or months before I can begin to exercise like before, but I am choosing to see this as a gift - almost as if I am connected to Valor's arrival in a physical way like I was to with my other babies.  By the time he gets here, I will begin to be feeling better - just like after you have a baby, you begin to feel like yourself again.

The other caveat that has not escaped me is that this baby will come without pregnancy nausea.  I must say I am grateful to not be experiencing the 24 hour green fog! I never minded having it before, because of the amazing gifts I got in return, but it is wonderful not to have to hunker down for it.  However, I am laughing a little bit at the fact that all of my family is currently surviving the stomach flu.  I realize this isn't actually funny, but I am the only one not sick - even the dog lost it this morning! Sorry, TMI, but usually when we are expecting a baby, I am so sick that my friends have to help me fulfill my basic tasks.  So foot in boot - I'll take it! And thank you God for sparing me the nausea!

We are coming along on the Fall Festival! It has really taken off! I think we are going to have some of the best stuff at our Auction and Raffle!! You guys are going to want some of these things!!  Thank you so much to all of the sweet friends and friends of friends that have stepped in to help!