May 25, 2012

Paracord Bracelets Now on Etsy

Hey Everyone!

Remember those cool bracelets my fellow service member, Sara Stokking, sold at our yard sale a few weeks back?  Well, they were a hit.  We have had quite a few requests for them since the yard sale.  Not only are the cost of the bracelets supporting our adoption, but they are unique and fun to wear.  There is a great red, white, and blue one that would be great for the 4th of July!

If you are interested in ordering these bracelets, Sara is selling them on Etsy at: http://www.etsy.com/listing/100011168/550-paracord-bracelet?ref=v1_other_1



Final Home Study Visit

C.J., Kristen, Jason, and Nate pictured with our social worker, Trisha during our third home study visit

Hey Friends & Family,

On Tuesday, May 1st, we completed our third home study visit.  Just a few weeks ago, our family went to Savannah, Ga to meet with Trisha for the first two meetings.  For the final meeting however, Trisha drove from Savannah to our home in Evans, Ga.  We expected Trisha to spend most of the day observing how our family interacts, but she actually only stayed for about an hour.  Trisha needed to accomplish two tasks during the visit: inspect the home and expand upon the risks, challenges, and rewards of adoption.

The home inspection was simple and fast.  Trisha walked through the home, paying particular attention to where our children's rooms are located and whether or not our fire alarms were in working order.  They worked...

For the remainder of her short visit, Trisha reviewed the risks associated with adoption.  The most significant risk she mentioned repeatedly was that we can be offered a seemingly healthy child, and upon our return with the child, he may have physical, emotional, or psychological health problems.  Though it seemed Trisha discussed this same risk from every angle, it was obvious she was wanting to emphasize the lifelong commitment to adoption.  In addition to that, she did share some helpful tips about adoption:

- Celebrate everyones differences.  Among the many challenges associated with adoption, we will face three broad ones.  The fact that we are an adopting family.  The fact that we will have an interracial family (although we already are).  The fact that we are adopting from a different country.  Though we are excited about our adoption, our family will be tested occasionally.   The various social interactions and experiences with people who may not understand our story will be challenging at times.  It will be important to celebrate the fact that every member of our family is different.  I particularly enjoyed Trisha's advice that when children ask questions about adoption, that we make it so exciting and special that they wish their own family was as unique and special as ours.

- Parental preference.  Apparently, most adopted children will start their relationship in a family with a preference for one parent.  Trisha mentioned that this is not unusual, but why it happens is not completely understood.  It could be that the child can only emotionally attach himself to only one parent at a time, or that the parent may remind him of a person he knew in his orphanage or foster home.  Time often balances this challenge.  Trisha also recommended that the non-preferred parent get to do ALL the fun things early on in the relationship.

- Educate the family.  Some of the more obvious ways to educate our family on adoption is by reading books or articles.  The more unique ways include finding groups associated with Ghana, participating in Ghana celebrations and holidays, and attending church with a Ghanaian population.  We also intend to keep our family connected to Ghana by travelling to Ghana in the years following our adoption.


You can continue to follow our journey here:

Our videos are here:  www.youtube.com/MakingLifeRICH
We stay connected here:  Facebook “Making Life RICH”


May 9, 2012

C.J. Say's "Thanks Everyone!"

Hey Friends & Family,

C.J. and the rest of the Pon's would like to thank the following individuals for supporting our adoption.  Your continued outpouring of support is amazing.  THANK YOU!

Vicki & Bill Christensen- Renee's God Parents

Greg & Mary Jerrell & Family- Great Friends of the Pon Family

Kevin Smalts- USAF

Adam Lane- Uncle Ad

Shelly & Dan Smith- Renee's Aunt and Uncle

Raven Gibson- Friend

Kat Moore- Friend

Jason & Karen Labonte- Friend

Cathy & Sandy Cantu- Fun Aunt and Uncle in California

Jessica Austin- Friend

Phil & Maria Johnson- Genesis Church Friends and fellow Financial Peace Univ Grads

Lea Ray- Friend

Donations thus far: $6,920.18

"Thanks, everyone.  I love you!"  ~C.J. Pon

May 7, 2012

Genesis Church Yard Sale

Friends & Family,

Our yard sale turned out to be an amazing experience!  Not only did we earn an unbelievable amount of cash for the adoption, but more importantly, we had the opportunity to spend our day with some quality friends.  Kristen and I woke up at 5:00 a.m., loaded the cars and the kids by 5:45, and at 6:05 a.m. we were at Genesis Church setting up and ready by 7.  We had a huge turnout of support in volunteers, donors, and customers.  In spite of the 95 degree temperature, there was a steady stream of customers until  after 2 p.m.  

We would like to thank Pastor Chris Miller for allowing us to use the church parking lot, which drew in a ton of customers.  We would also like to thank everyone that donated their belongings and their time.  Everyone is extremely busy....taking the time to look through your belongings and coordinating to drop off your items are truly appreciated.  Thanks!  Additionally, the crew of 12 people that "hung-out" all day wheeling and dealing deserve a big thanks!  That was some hard work, and all of you smiled and had fun the whole time.  

At the end of the day, we had a truck-bed and Jeep full of unsold clothes that we gave to Goodwill.  After adding up the cash from the yard sale, we made a whopping $1,207.63!!!

Here are some pictures from the day:

Just a small portion of all the donations.

We had some great neighbors give us quality items to sell.

Alyson Kline (R) with her two daughters Mikayla (L) and Ashley (C).
Kristal helping set up as the sun rises on Saturday morning.

John and his daughter Gabrielle with the Pon boys.

Almost finished with the setup.

Brianna Allmon selling the bracelets we mentioned last week. 

The Losekamp Family (USMC) came for a visit and an electric weed eater.
Get your cookies!

Negotiating prices on a sale???

There was a steady stream of customers all day.  Just like you see in this picture.

The set up!


Nate had a great time the entire day....he's looking forward to meeting his newest brother.
The guys just hangin' out for a minute.

Taking a quick break.

Selling cold waters and fresh cookies!

Husband and wife team Tom Mullane & Brianna Allmon.  Thanks for your help!
"Man, it's hot out here!"  -Brian

John organizing all the kids clothes.

Alyson was the money lady!

Kristen and C.J. hard at work

Not sure what is going on.  Definitely not selling yard sale items though!