One door closes and another door opens....

Merry Christmas!!! I hope all of you had an amazing time celebrating the birth of our Saviour! We are still recovering from all of our travels (trust me you should see my house). We had such a great time spending time with our family especially my sweet little nephew Ben all the way from South Carolina! Carrson was so much fun this year and it didn't take him long at all to figure out the present situation! I'm so anxious for 2012! God has GREAT things in store for the Ward Circus this next year and I can't wait!!

I have been pretty quiet the last couple of months regarding our adoption process. Many of you know that we had been referred a baby that was due actually tomorrow. For circumstances beyond our control we will not be able to be parents to that little baby. I ask that you please pray for her and her birthmom Joy. I have no idea if she has even been born yet, but I know that she is in God's hands and He will hold her, even though I cannot. With all of that being said, I know that God closes doors that He doesn't want you to walk through and when we are obedient to Him, He leads us in ways that are beyond what we could ever dream! That is where we are now. I am so excited about what is ahead of us, adoption wise. My last post talked about some people that I had met that are doing such an amazing work in Haiti. Well through them, we were able to come in contact with Giving Hope Haiti which is a creche (orphanage) in Haiti. All of the children are legally free for adoption. Kelly and I have filled out the application for them and been approved. We will have the amazing opportunity to travel to Haiti to meet a little girl that will hopefully join our family as the next "Ward". We have requested a 3-4 year old but we are open to whatever God has for us. I have learned in this process that it is not about what I think will "fit" in our family but its who God knows will fit.  Please pray for us in this process. I appreciate all of the support that you have given us throughout this entire road trip! I know that God has great things in store for all of us in 2012! If you are a fan of Hope Happens Adoption on Facebook you can watch for ways you can help this orphanage in Haiti. We have lots of ideas of getting them supplies that they need for these children!!

We hope all of you have a wonderful New Year and pray God's blessings on you for 2012!!

A new project...

Hope everyones Thanksgiving was wonderful and if you went shopping for Black Friday you got all that you wanted!! We were able to spend Thanksgiving with my parents in Little Rock and Kelly's mom in Cabot. We had a great time and did a little bit of shopping Thursday night at Walmart. I had Conner with me and he has sworn off ever going shopping for Black Friday again!! LOL!

I have had the amazing opportunity to meet someone that is literally working to change communities in Haiti. All of us watched the devastation after the earthquake in Haiti and Americans gave whole heartedly to that country in an effort to help them with basic needs. This family, Jason and Ginger Lovan have actually MOVED their family to Haiti and started a school. It is an AMAZING work and I know that God orchestrated our meeting several weeks ago. They are not only educating 90 students but also giving them uniforms and two meals a day. This is likely the only meals some of these children get.

Kelly and I know from experience how difficult it is to start a new ministry. You see such great need and have so many God given ideas on how to help them but lack all the necessary funding to put it all in action. It would be great if the money just "appeared" from Heaven and you didn't have to ask for help but then, the giver would miss out on a huge blessing and the opportunity to have ownership in giving hope to a community that most of the world has deemed hopeless. We all know that where there is life there is hope and I am asking you to step out and help this ministry.  They have very recently broken ground on an orphange and those of you that know me, KNOW that this is very close to my heart. I realize that this is the Christmas season but how about sowing a seed into www.kingscrossministries.com ? They have an immediate need of about $3000 so that they can get their crate out of port that has much needed supplies for their family and their school. That would just be 30 people to give $100 or 60 people to give $50. I know my family spends that on dinner in a restaurant so I will be the first to say that I will give to this ministry because I believe in what they are doing. Will you please consider giving to this ministry and reposting on your blogs, facebooks, and twitter accounts? I would love to have a small part in helping change the country of Haiti!!

Thank you all so much for always supporting us and in advance for helping this amazing family!! God Bless!!

Tracie

PS Stay tuned for a pretty big adoption update coming soon!! ;) This is like the cliff hanger of a tv series for the season!! HA!

Three years....

October 16 was three years. Sometimes it seems like yesterday and other times i wonder if it really happened. Like it was some horrible dream. But my heart reminds me every october 16 that it was not a dream. And I'm reminded every single time I see a set of twins that my baby girls didn't make it.

I think I remember their birth more vividly than the other five births. I remember the shock of finding out we were having twins. I remember the sheer bliss of discovering they were identical twin girls. I envisioned matching outfits and hair bows and Kelly worried about not knowing who was who!

When the girls were 17 weeks we went to our dr and heard the dreaded words " guys there's a problem". Baby"A", my sweet Ava Joy had passed away. It's a feeling of literally having your heart ripped out. The next few weeks were filled with lots of anxiety, trying to make it to 24 weeks so that baby b would be viable.

I knew that it was happening. I was at work and my side hurt. It felt like I had ran a marathon. I had a dr appointment for that day and I just prayed that my fears weren't confirmed. Unfortunately they were. I didn't cry there. I just laid their numb. Emma Elizabeth had decided to join her sister.

So on October 16 I always remember that I held both of my baby girls. Sweet and tiny and fulfilling their mission way before I was ready for them too.

See you soon precious ones.

Back on the saddle

Let me entice you with some cuteness so that you will forgive me for my lack of blogging!! This is my beautiful Mayah Grace!! She was born September 6 at 2:48 PM. She weighed 6lbs 11 oz and was 19.75 inches long. She is AMAZING!! We are absolutely INLOVE with this precious gift that God has given us!! Carrson has adjusted well. It was a rough start and we still have our days but he really does love her. He wants to hold her or kiss her all the time. Kelcie is enjoying having a baby sister and Greyson and Conner are equally as smitten with her! I have a feeling that Miss Mayah will be the ruler of the Roost!!

I have to say being able to stay home with Carrson and Mayah this year has been so amazing. I'm so thankful for this opportunity. I can't wait to bring home baby #6 and feel "complete".  We have some more fundraising to do that I am going to start working on this week. Kelly just finished up doing an interim pastoral at our church so he will have a little more time at home. We are so thankful to have our new pastor come and know that the church is going to explode!!
Well my princess is calling and I hope to blog more later with more amazing pics!!!
xoxo
Tracie

Baby news!!!!

So I have to say of all the pregnancies I've had (6 to be exact) this one has been the hardest!! Maybe it's because I'm 34 or that I'm chasing a toddler and running three big kids all over the place. Or it could be that it's only been a bazillion degrees every single day this summer. But it has definitely not the wonderful makes my face glow pregnancy! But I will tell you today there is an end in sight!! On September 6,( my grandma elaine's bday) Mayah Grace Ward will be making her debut! I'm so excited I can't stand it!! I will post pics ASAP!!

Soccer season is in the air! We met conners new coach tonight and we really like them. Mel is team has merged with another and we meet them Monday. Grey had practice tonight and they are all ready to go! I love that they have something that they like and are good at. The kids also have completed their first week of school. They all love it and im so glad. I'm enjoying being at home with Carrson. He likes to play and I am his playmate while the kids are at school!

So all is well at the Circus and I hope it is at yours as well!!
Xoxo

Auction starts tomorrow!!!

I'm so excited about our auction that starts tomorrow on the Hope Happens Adoption page on Facebook!! Jenny from jaleigh bean boutique has outdone herself! I owe her big for all of the help she has given me. There are some really cute items and I'm so thankful to all of the vendors and people that have stepped up for this. I have asked God for $10,000 this week to cover most of the remaining expenses of this adoption. I know it's a big request but I know my God is bigger and He has a plan for this baby! There have been many many times that we have thought about just walking away due to the extreme expense of all of this but He comes through every time! I believe this is our baby and that she is supposed to be in our family. I spoke with our birth mom, "J" again on Thursday. Each time she reveals a little more about herself and the extreme pain that she has had in her life. She spoke of the one child that she did parent. She shared custody of him and one day they came to get him for their visit and he was never returned to her. She hasn't seen him in over 4 years. She has dealt with the loss of her parents, rape, being homeless...all of these things I can't even fathom. That is why I can't walk away and I will do whatever I have to do to get the rest of the money to bring this baby home in December. I am so thankful to everyone that has given, shared our blog and prayed for us on this journey. Some of you I have never met yet our hearts are joined together by one cause and that is the plight of the orphan. God truly does set the lonely in families!

One last thing and that is a big congratulations to my dear friend Ashley and Jeremiah at www.smithfamilylowdown.blogspot.com on the recent referral of their little girl that waits for them in Ethiopia! Check out their journey of love fundraiser to help with the airline tickets to Ethiopia. They have waited a long time for her!!

Thanks agin!
Xoxo

WOWZERS its HOT!!!

I saw someone post today that they saw two trees fighting over a dog!! It is seriously THAT HOT!! I believe I heard 118 in Owasso today. HOLY COW!! This year we have gone from 27 inches of snow to this!! I am so thankful for my house that is 73 degrees!! I did feel about 7 raindrops today. It got my hopes for a little bit but then it was over!!

I went to the Dr yesterday to check on Miss Mayah Grace and she is doing wonderful!! We plan on seeing her sweet little face in about 5 weeks! I can't wait! Our little unexpected surprise. I am really anxious to see how Carrson reacts to her. I think that his umbilicle cord grew back this summer because he and I are inseparatable! There are moments when I think "I just need a break" but then when I'm rocking him and he's all relaxed in my arms I realize I am the most blessed woman on earth!

We have been overwhelmed with support for this adoption. People are amazing. A special shout out to Jenny at Jaleigh Bean bowtique!! Check her out on facebook, her stuff is AMAZING!! She and I have never met but are becoming fast friends!! She has basically taken charge of the auction that we are putting together on the Hope Happens Adoption Page! (Make sure and LIKE it if you haven't already) We are planning on starting the auction on the 14th and there are some neat neat things over there!! Tell everyone you know!! We are also still taking partners in Partnership 190!! Anything we make over our goal, we plan on "paying it forward" to a very special family that is adopting as well.  I also have really big plans for Hope Happens! I can't wait until God reveals it all to me and I can let you in on it!!

Well I hope everyone has a great night!! We have a crazy busy weekend ahead but this is the life!!! I wouldn't have it any other way!!

XOXO!!

What a great day!!!

There is a saying here in "Green Country" (which is brown right now BTW!) that once you have been to Happy Hill you will never be the same. Happy Hill is my church. And especially after today I can honestly say I will never be the same. What an incredible group of giving people! Today I was able to witness a miracle. Like a loaves and fishes miracle. I was able to actually see with my eyes the true spirit of adoption! For this I will forever be grateful to Happy Hill!

We have two days left on our Partnership 190! This too has been amazing to see people I don't even know give into our baby's life. Basically this campaign asks for 190 people to give $100 via paypal or by check to our address (see older post); or you can give $20 and ask 4 friends to give $20 which would total $100. Many of you have churches that would want to give. If 30 churches gave $250 that would total $7500! This money helps us provide food, clothing and a place to live for one month after the baby is born. She had been living in a tent before.

Some amazing people in our community have stepped up to help us with an online auction. It will be held on our hope happens adoption page on Facebook. We have some really great items and still collecting more! Please go and like the page and stay tuned for more info!

We still have some tshirts available. The sizes we have left are listed in the Hope Happens Adoption page under the picture!

Thank you all so much for your support and prayers! We are so thankful for God using you to help give this baby a chance of a future!!

T-shirt palooza!!!

The tshirt sales have been great! I've had to re order two times already which is awesome! People from as far away as Iowa have bought them and that is so exciting! I pray that the simple little message causes an avalanche of people wanting to adopt!

Right now I have a hodge Podge of sizes left that I would like to get rid of before ordering again! So if any of the sizes you would like please order quickly and state what size and color in the paypal checkout comments box. You guys are amazing!
Sizes in gray: medium (1 left), large (1left), xlarge (7), 2xl (2), 3am (3)
Sizes in pink: Youth large (2), small (2), large (2) xlarge (2), 2xlarge (2)

Also if you are on Facebook please LIKE the hope happens adoption page! We have a great auction coming up in about a week with some great items!

We still have a few days left in our Partnership 190 campaign and still need 145 partners to give $100, or give $20 and ask 4 friends to give $20. If your church is interested in giving that would be awesome too! I can't wait until we can post pictures of the little baby that you helped save from a life of poverty and homelessness!!

Thank you for living out James 1:27!!!

Some other things...

So much of this blog has been devoted to raising money for our adoption. Thank you all so much!! Many of you I have never even met and you have sowed into this! I will be forever grateful for that!! We are full speed with our 10 day challenge and still believe that "God Funds what He Favors!" So we know our miracle is in the making!!

But for this post I wanted to talk about my other little sweeties! Well most days they are sweeties!! One that we haven't talked about much at all is Miss Mayah Grace. She is set to arrive in about 5-6 weeks. We had a 4D ultrasound of her today and she is simply precious! I can't wait to get her here! The kids are excited and I can't wait to see how Carrson reacts to her! I think they will be best buddies!

Kelcie is our "tween". The oldest and only girl and she plays her part well! She knows what she wants and when. She is a compassionate soul and would never want to hurt anyone's feelings. She loves her friends and loves soccer. I know she is going to do great great things in her life!

Greyson, Oh my. The oldest boy. He is as wild as wild can be!! He loves soccer and to play and laugh. He goes from the time he wakes up until the time he crashes in bed. He's a great kid though. He loves Jesus and he is an awesome big brother. He takes great care of Carrson and I know he is going to love Mayah and the new one as well!

Conner is so funny! He has been a comedian from the get go! At school, he is smart and quiet but at home its a whole new story!! He and Greyson are best friends most of the time but as all brothers do they have their moments.

Carrson  our little man! This little boy has done more for us in his short little life than he will ever know!! Just him being born helped heal a huge whole in our hearts. He is a momma's boy, no doubt! He loves his brothers and sister and loves popsicles and "outside". He has gorgeous blue eyes and a smile that will light the moon! He is truly a gift from God!

Ava and Emma were my sweet baby twins that fulfilled their mission on earth long before I was ready for them to! Ava passed away at 17 weeks gestation and Emma followed at 23 weeks. They would be 3 years old on October 16. I can't wait for the day that we get to see them again!

So thats just a snippet of the little loves in my life! It truly is a circus on most days but I wouldn't have it any other way! I can't wait to get our two little ones home and see how the rest of the story unfolds!!

"Partnership 190 Team" 10 Day Challenge

An incredible friend of ours is launching a campaign to help bring our baby home and I can't wait to tell you about it! I pray that you will continue to see our vision that this is more to us than just "adopting a baby" but an opportunity for us to live out our pro-life views and to fulfill a God given dream!!

"Many people say they are pro-life because they take a stand against abortion. But what do we do with the babies whose lives are saved once they are born? If we will dare but partner with God to save the lives of the pre-born, then let's take it to the next level and help give that child a home! If an impoverished homeless woman who many would counsel to have an abortion will refuse to abort and out of love give that child a chance at a life better than she had by offering it for adoption, how can we as God's people not lock arms and partner together and find that child a family and a home. Now that's what I call...Pro-Life!!"


                                         "Save a Life! Give a Home!"
The Kelly Ward family has already been approved to be an adoptive family. Kelly, a minister and Tracie, a school teacher, and their children are excited to add to their family and give this child a home. The total cost of the adoption (legal fees housing, medical for birthmother until birth, prenatal medical care) is $38,000. Good News!! A party has provided matching funds for 1/2 the cost ($19,000) if the Ward's can come up with the other half ($19,000) in the next 10 days. 


Here are ways you can partner with others on FaceBook and across AMerica to save a life and give this child a home.  Here is how to join and start a "Partnership 190 Team":


Partnership 190 Team-10 Day Challenge
*If 190 people would partner in the next 10 days and give $100, the cost would be covered!
*If someone did not have $100 they could challenge 4 friends to match their $20, collect the money and forward the combined amount. 
*Media Blast!! 
    *Re-post this to your Facebook and personally challenge 10 Facebook friends to re-post this story to their Facebook.
     *Challenge 5 friends to start a "Partnership 190 Team" by individually giving $100 or finding 4 friends to join them. Set a target date to meet back for celebration and donation!!
      *Challenge your Pastor by asking him if he is pro-life, then tell him the "Save a Life! Give a Home" story. Ask if either the pastor or yourself could share the story and receive a $250  minimum offering to be given.  IF 30 pastors and congregation would partner together, that would be a combined $7,500!
      *Print the "Save a Life! Give a Home! story and challenge. If 20 children's pastors or church nursery directors each became a "Partnership 190 Team", each raising only $100, $2,000 would be raised by target date! Double dog dare the kids!!


Start Date: NOW!! (Approach your Pastor, Children's Pastor, Nursery Director, ASAP!)
Target Date: August 3, 2011 Midnight, Online PayPal, or Postmarked by Post Office
Donate How: Pay Pal account on www.wardfamilycircus.blogspot.com or Mail a check to: 8820 North 127 East Ave; Owasso, OK 74055 (checks payable to Tracie Ward, they will then be sent to matching funds party)
Updates: Update will be provided during the 10-Day Challenge via Ward family blog.
"Together let's build 190 "Partnership 190 Teams", save a life, and give this child a home!
James 1:27-Let's Do it!!

Matching Grant

I don't have much time because we are on our way out to a soccer game but found out today that we are going to be able to get a matching grant!! I'm so excited! This means we should only have to raise half the money we originally thought we were going to have to raise! Thank you so much for all  of your support! Please continue to spread the word!! I have more tshirts waiting to be sold!!!!
xoxo

Thank You!!

The response to our tshirt fundraiser has been amazing!! Since Wednesday we have raised close to $2000! I am humbled that people that have never even met us have bought tshirts or even just donated money!! I love when God moves on the hearts of His people!! We are still in desperate need of funds by next week to be able to go forward with this match. I am asking you to please share this blog with anyone and everyone you may know! If we can get the word out, I know that God will continue to move! I can promise all of you that if you will help with this inital part, Kelly and I will make sure that this child is loved, protected and cared for her entire life. She will know the love of Jesus from the time she gets into our home and we will pour everything we have into her, just like we have our biological children. I have ordered some more shirts because we sold out of certain sizes and all orders so far will be mailed out on Monday. Thank you again!
God Bless!!

Praying for a Miracle...

So today, we are praying for a miracle. And I am going to humbly ask all of you to be a part of it. Yesterday I got a phone call that we have been matched with a birthmom. We have waited for so long to hear this so you can imagine the excitement in our house yesterday!! The baby is due in December to a mom with a really sad story. One I have seen so many times from the years that we spent working in the inner city. She is 24 years old and was adopted as a child. When she was 10 her adoptive parents died. After that she was passed around to family members. Feeling, I'm sure, rejected again. She has dealt with issues because of that, but is absolutely amazing to talk to. When she contacted the attorney about placing her baby, they found her living in a tent. Homeless. Pregnant.

When I got the info from the lawyer and it told me how much we needed to send to them by NEXT WEEK my heart sank. Fear and doubt. The expenses are a lot higher than we had prepared for because of her situation. They are helping her get a place to live until the baby is born and help in other areas. This is where I am asking God for a miracle. One I have seen before. This is also where I am asking for your help. We started selling tshirts last week for a fundraiser. We need to sell an outrageous amount of tshirts in the next couple of days. One that to some people will look impossible, but to me it looks like a way to bring my baby home. The baby that we have prayed for. They baby that could have been aborted but instead has a chance at LIFE with a family that will share the love of Jesus with them. They will have the chance to grow up in a home where we live out ministry everyday.  We need to sell 1784 shirts this week. 1784. Do I have that many shirts here? no. Will I order that many shirts? yes. Do I believe it will happen? YES. God has a heart for orphans. It is all through His Word.

There is a paypal button on the sidebar of this blog. I am begging you to consider buying a shirt. You know people that I do not know so I also ask you to share this with them so they can buy a shirt. Some people may not want a shirt but may just want to sow into this child's life. That is perfectly acceptable as well.

I can't thank you enough for your help. I can promise that if you help us just get this child home, we will invest the rest of our lives into this child. We will pour everything that we possibly have into them.
Thank you! And I can't wait for this miracle to unfold right before your eyes!

God is Great!

Soccer in the HEAT!!

Today the big boys played in the local Haley Palmer Soccer Tournament! It is to raise money for cystic fibrosis in honor of Haley Palmer, a 7th grader that was taken way too early but has left an incredible mark on our community!! It was seriously HOT out there!! Not to mention, I am hugely preggo! The kids had a great time and even got a visit from nana and papa to watch them play!! Conner's team got first place in their bracket!! He was very excited but was ready to be done!! We love our coaches and the time they spend with the kids! Its been so good for all of the big kids!

Sales on the adoption t-shirts are going great and I ask that you would share this with everyone you know!! Some people don't understand why a family our size would want to bring another child into our lives and some have vocalized that to us, but we know without a doubt that this is the path God has set us on. Not only are we able to walk out James 1:27 but we are able to show our children what Pro-Life really means and why we should care for orphans! I have seen several people use the analogy of paying a ransom for your child when speaking of adoption. Unfortunately, adoption does cost more than the average person has sitting around, but who wouldn't do whatever they had to do to bring their child home? Thats why we have utilized Scentsy and t-shirts and anything else we can think of that is going to bring our baby home to us! We know that God will bless each one of you for sowing a seed into this as well!!

I hope all of you are enjoying your summer and staying as cool as possible!! I am convinced that Oklahoma has two temperatures: freezing cold or Burning hot!!! This whole week looks like its going to be HOT!!!

Adoption T-Shirts Are HERE!!!

I was so excited to pick up our adoption T-shirts today!! We are praying that this is our biggest fundraiser and that God uses this to put us over the top to bringing our baby home!! We thank you in advance for all of your support through this!! If you would like to order a t-shirt (or two, or ten!!) you have a couple of options. We have a paypal button on the side that you can use. All you need to do is put your shipping address and what color an sizes you want in the comments or you can contact me via email or facebook and can mail us a check!  If you live close by I will be happy to deliver the shirts to you!!

I am also still selling Scentsy to help with this as well!! You can check out http://www.tracieward.scentsy.us/ and look at all of the products!! We love you guys and thank you so much for everything!! Please feel free to share this blog with EVERYONE you know!! We know without a doubt that we are following what God has asked us to do by adopting this baby. We pray that people's eyes will be open to the need in adoptions!

Good Night All!!

Here we Go Take 2

Ok, I'll do better, I promise!! Summer hit and WOW! We have been crazy busy with Church Camp!! My kids would LIVE there but I don't think I could hang!! We went down for Kids Camp the first week and Greyson and Conner were campers. I had to come home a little early because I started having contractions. I seriously thought Miss Mayah was trying to make her entrance! After LOTS of water and a couple days of bedrest (which is close to impossible with 4 kids) things settled down and I feel tons better. I went down for one day of Senior Camp but the boys weren't feeling well and this week Kelcie is a big "Junior Camper" so Greyson, Carrson and I will be joining Daddy, Conner and Kelcie on Wednesday. Thursday Daddy turns the big 39 and on Friday we are going to spend the day at Silver Dollar City with some great friends. I can't wait to go back after Mayah is born so that I can actually ride something other than the train!!

Everything on the adoption front is SLOW!! I am getting ready to kickstart some serious fundraising. I believe God has called us to do this and as a very wise person said "God funds what He favors" so I am trusting that He is going to provide every penny we need to bring Ella home to us.

The kids are getting so big and Carrson at 20 months is definitely the ruler of the house! He is quite hilarious and all the big kids do whatever he wants them to do! He's not going to know what has hit him when Mayah comes. Which by the way is in 11 more weeks!! AHHH!!
Hope everyone's summer is off to a fantastic start!!!
Be blessed!

Nothing is wrong with Kelcie, she's a "tween" so she always looks like that! :)

Here We Go!

Im finally making a go of my blog! Hopefully I can get the hang of it and add some pictures tomorrow! The next couple of weeks will be so busy around our circus. We have three more weeks of school and then church camp in June! We are hoping to get a referral soon for our baby girl that we want to bring into our family. We are trusting God for the perfect situation and all the finances needed to finalize this adoption.

Tomorrow we Also have Our 5 month check up for the baby. Im still trusting that 90% girl verdict that Dr W gave us last month! So, yes, this all means if the adoption comes through this summer we will have babies very close in age! We are so excited and can't wait to see how Carrson reacts to all of this! It will be interesting having 6 kids. I never thought we would be the family with all of the kids but God has had other plans!

Lastly, I hope all my mommy friends had a wonderful mothers day and to all my waiting mommies I pray it's the last one you spend waiting. And a very special happy mothers day to my momma! She's the best!

Here We Go!