::outcome of our adoption auction::

We want to share with you all about the outcome of our adoption online auction via Facebook. We figured the auction would bring in about $900, but in our little dream world, we secretly hoped it would bring in closer to $1,500. :)

The grand total of the online auction was $1,697 including a few surprise donations! Far exceeding our expectation and our wildest dreams. We want to sincerely thank the bidders & winners for participating and supporting! The auction was fun and intense, especially in the final hour! We are fortunate to have incredibly generous people in our lives! It was an amazingly successful auction!

Of  course, we want to give SPECIAL THANKS for the donors' generous support and their willingness to be a part of our journey! 

Here is a list of awesome items that were auctioned off:

• Pop Chart Lab: The Very, Very Many Varieties of Beer poster
• Freshly Picked: a pair of moccasins 
• Puj: Puj Flyte compact infant tub 
• Sprinkles Cupcakes: A gift certificate for a dozen freshly baked Sprinkles cupcakes
  
• Heather Ruiz from Jamberry Nails: a stylebox
• The Sprouted Arrow: a toddler black sparkle infinity scarf
• The Posh Pea Boutique: a bib & burp cloth set
• Karina Pedersen from Stella & Dot: two necklaces and a pair of earrings
• A Beautiful Mess: a signed copy of their book, "Happy Handmade Home"
• Julie Hochgesang: Thousand Origami Cranes
• Fiksu Design: Custom Stenciled Art
• TrendyBubs: A custom pair of leggings
• Rantz & Danon Teeters: Distressed/Shabby Chic Wooden Candle Lantern
• Kerri Clark Designs, LLC.: A 25-photo session with Kerri Clark Designs
• Sora Designs: large hexagon hoop earrings
• Kassapanola Handmade: handmade pillow cover
• Hello Apparel: a tee shirt
• With Love Accessories1: aztec earrings set
• Haven Paperie: set of 5 beautiful cards
• Bumblesoaps: a gift basket
• OhSugarButtons: a necklace
• Rochella Jones: two jars of homemade strawberry jam
• CrochetGallery: chunky crochet slouchy beanie hat
• bink & boo: a pair of baby booties
• Megan Burgess (donated by Rachella Shepard): "Guard Your Heart" artwork
• HandmadeByJennn: a crocheted chunky wrap
• mimosa by m.e.: ASL sign language custom name bar necklace
• Housebroken: a tee shirt
• CakePop Envie: a dozen of cake pops
• The Fickle Felt Tree: a 5ft garland
• Dyan Sue Kovacs from Premier Designs: "It's a wrap" bracelet
• Lucy Darling Shop: a "Every Little Thing" art print
• Kelvin & Marlene Etkie: 8 lbs. of organic venison & pork meat
• Brooke's Bits and Pieces: a southwest burnout scarf & a clutch purse   
• Jessica Schmidt: three homemade bath salts with dōTERRA essential oils

Since this was a huge success, we are seriously considering about possibly hosting some kind of an auction dinner in the spring. Meanwhile, we still have our on-going fundraiser via Brooke's Etsy shop which will continue to fund our adoption process. Last week, we received a letter from USCIS with their approval for us to adopt in Colombia! However, we still have to go through some changes if we are still interested in switching countries.  So. Much. Red. Tape!

We will blog again soon to show you the breakdown of the prices and funds that we have raised so far... and where we are right now with all of our expenses. 

Again, thank you for your generosity! We are humbled. :)

Much love, 
Brooke & Brian

::World Adoption Day!::

Today is World Adoption Day.... the first ever worldwide celebration for adoption!

You can check it out at http://www.worldadoptionday.org/ for further information. 

Where? 

All over social media and anywhere else you choose to celebrate! Facebook, Twitter, Google +, Instagram, Pinteres, while shopping at the mall, or lounging on a lazy Sunday afternoon– anywhere you connect with people near or far. 

What can you do? 

Draw a smiley face on the palm of your hand, and share your love for adoption on Facebook, Twitter, Google +, or Instagram. Tell the world why you think adoption is awesome! When you post, invite people to join us in celebrating #WorldAdoptionDay by: 

1. Tagging someone who has adopted, is adopted, or is adopting in the photo or link 

2. Posting an open hand smiley face selfie on exactly 11/09/14 using the hashtag #WorldAdoptionDay 

3. Make a #WorldAdoptionDay donation to a family who is in the adoption process 

(find us via Instagram at BrookeATX)

oxox,

Brooke & Brian