Archive for 2014

Big News!!!

Thursday, July 24, 2014


Big news is up on my new blog! 
My blog is permanently moving over to www.leahbraly.com

Let's Connect: Email/Facebook/Bloglovin'/Instagram/Pinterest

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Closure - the documentary

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Awesome opportunity to watch the documentary, Closure now for free until 7/25.  Such a unique and beautiful documentary following an adoptees journey to finding her birth family.  Cant recommend it enough!

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Lifesong Advocate Blogger - 5 Fundraising Ideas that Work!

Monday, July 21, 2014

Here's the Latest Lifesong for Orphans Advocate Blogger Post... 


This post is part of Lifesong's Adoption Journey Series. See previous post, "Adoption: 3 Ways to Prepare for the Journey" here.

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While nearly two in five practicing Christians have considered adoption, only 5% have actually done it.* What keeps people from growing their families through adoption?

One of the biggest barriers to adoption is the cost. Depending on the circumstances, adoption can cost up to $50,000! It makes sense why many families who have a heart for vulnerable children, look at adoption as something they desire, but is just too hard to grasp because of the high costs.

There are families who have seen God perform miracles as they have stepped out in faithfulness to follow His call for their family...if it's His will, it's His bill. He will make a way to show Himself as THE Provider of all things. Don't let money stand in the way, when He has provided many avenues for families to bridge that financial gap.

Here are few tips and resources for funding an adoption...
  1. Save & sacrifice. It's never too early to start saving for adoption. Try to cut back your budget to set a portion of money aside each month to pay for some of the initial adoption costs, like home study and application fees. Make sacrifices as God moves you, maybe that's postponing a big purchase or selling some of your possessions.
  2. Learn from others. In her must-read book, Adopting Without Debt, Julie Gumm shares how to find extra money in your household budget, apply for grants, and fundraise in order to build your family without saddling it with debt. 
  3. Apply for Adoption Grants & Loans. Research and apply for national, state, and local adoption grants. A few favorites we direct families to are our friends at Show Hope & Abba Fund. See Resource Report for more grants & loans available and don't forget to check out our adoption grant & loan page.
  4. Think outside the box. The fundraising creativity of adoptive families continues to grow. Check out organizations like Both Hands, who help families fundraise for adoption while doing a service project for a widow. Other groups like 147 Million Orphans & MudLOVE provide jewelry, t-shirts, and other products you can use towards fundraising. 
  5. Don't be afraid to ask. Maybe the word "fundraise" and the thought of asking people for money makes you nervous. WATCH the video below to see how God moved in this couple's heart to show them adoption was so much bigger than their family.

I want to hear from you? What ways did your family raise money for adoption?


*from Becoming Home by Frames Barna Group & Jedd Medefind

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Big News Coming Soon!

Thursday, July 17, 2014




Ever have a God sized dream?
The kind that you think, if this really happens it’s only because of Him.
Well, I’ve had one for a couple years now.
A seed was planted in my heart a few years ago and although I wasn’t sure of how the details would unfold, I prayed He would guide and direct me.

I didn’t verbalize it to many, because what if it doesn’t come true?
Then you have to deal with the embarrassment of telling people it didn’t work out.
I wish I would have been bolder and vocalized it to others.
Because hiding it only reveals my lack of faith.
And because what a testament to Him when others watch him faithfully give us the desires of our hearts.  

But, like always, God showers His grace upon me, even when my faith falls short.

Over the last couple weeks, I have been amazed as I have watched the Lord orchestrate all the details in only ways He can to make one of my dreams come true.
It’s been amazing and I couldn’t be more excited!

I can’t wait to share the details next week on my new redesigned blog!
Until then I will keep you guessing ;) 

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5 Months

Monday, June 30, 2014


Haven,
     Today you turn 5 months old!  Your sweet and happy personality shines through more and more everyday!  You have become very inquisitive and are always watching people and studying faces.  This month you started eating rice cereal and LOVE it!  It makes a huge mess and you usually end up covered from head to toe in it!  This month you gave us several nights of sleep through the night, but still occasionally wake for a middle of the night snack.  That cute little tongue is still your favorite accessory and you are always sticking it out for pictures!  You are rolling over and even sitting up for short periods of time.  You've discovered your toes and are quite fascinated by them.  You love to stand and when we say "stand up for daddy/mommy" you bobble around with a silly grin like you are so proud of yourself!  This month we celebrated Father's Day in the Outer Banks and you had fun laying and napping in your beach cabana.  We also had a short visit from Mimi and Uncle Colin!  You keep getting more beautiful by the day and have Daddy and I wrapped around your cute cubby fingers! 

Outtakes from our 5 month shoot:













Monthly review: 






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Life as of Lately

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Our lives lately in picture form...


Impromptu Father's Day beach trip to the Outer Banks...









Snuggling with her daddy before bed...

Tummy time... 




Waiting on the front porch for daddy to get home...
Silly with mommy... 
 Bath time is still her favorite time...
 Kisses from the big sis...
 Mommy's little helper in the kitchen...


Trying to bottle up all these sweet moments with our little love!! 



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Partnering with Lifesong - 3 Ways to Prepare for the Adoption Journey

Friday, June 13, 2014

We were so blessed to be able to work with the organization Lifesong for Orphans during Haven's adoption.  They are an orphan care organization who not only supports adoptive families, but orphans around the world by providing child sponsorship and in-country programs to provide food, shelter, education, and Christian discipleship and training.  Through their grant matching program, we were able to raise over $4000 toward our adoption expenses.  It was a huge blessing and the staff was wonderful to work with!  When they emailed and asked if I would be interested in becoming a Lifesong Blogger, I, of course said yes and was excited to help promote their wonderful organization.

For the last couple months I have received dozens of emails from people who have questions about the adoption process and fundraising.  I love helping others through the process and have been planning to do a series of posts about adoption, fundraisers, agencies, waiting, ect.  So, when Lifesong emailed and said their new series of posts would be about helping to equip and encourage prospective adoptive families I thought, YES - they're doing the work for me ;)

3 Ways to Prepare for the Adoption Journey 


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Adoption is a journey. 

Like any journey, it's appropriate to think ahead, to plan and to prepare for what is come. Along the way we'll realize that it isn't all what we may have thought or expected. There are unplanned events and struggles, along with unexpected joys and surprises.

Join us as we walk down a few different paths of the adoption journey and discuss some key resources as you look ahead in preparation of bringing a child into your forever family.

Many of you may have already walked this journey. Some of seen friends or close family struggle through the path. Maybe you are just starting to "pack your bag" for your first adoption. No matter the traveler or the progress, here are a few helpful tidbits for anyone who is considering adoption (for the first, second or third time!).

3 Ways to Prepare for the Journey...
  1. Pray. Fast. Read. Most importantly, seek God's direction and plan for your family. Spend significant time praying, fasting and reading His Word together for guidance, wisdom and peace. God does not call everyone to adopt, but He may be calling your family to be involved in caring for the orphan in some way. Sit and listen to the Father, He will prepare your feet for the path He has for you (Psalm 18:33).
  2. Educate Yourself (With Trusted Materials). With some of the best Christian material on adoption, Empowered to Connect provides books, videos, trainings and other resources to help foster and adoptive families parent children from hard places. Prepare and receive realistic expectations ahead of time by reading books like The Connected Child or attending an Empowered to Connect Conference.  See resources & upcoming Empowered to Connect Conferences >>
  3. Take a Pre-Adoption Assessment. Striving to make the adoption process less complicated and overwhelming, our friends at Loving Shepherd Ministries have helped guide over 6,000 couples in their early stages of adoption. Through their Adoption Assessment Form, their staff gives your family adoption options you are eligible to pursue, along with lists of agencies, home study providers in your area and more! Best yet, they offer this as a free service to prospective adoptive families. Learn more & fill out their Adoption Assessment Form today >>
There is wisdom in preparation, but don't forget to keep in mind that we have a Father who knows the beginning and the end. An Almighty God who is writing and arranging your family's story behind the scenes. When things don't make sense, wait on Him. His way is always best!

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4 Months Old

Tuesday, June 3, 2014


Havey Gravy Girl, 

Happy 4 month birthday baby girl!  You continue to be such an easy going baby and are generally happy unless you are hungry or tired.  You are full of smiles for whoever is willing to smile back.  This month you started giggling and laughing when tickled.  You are grabbing toys with your hands and bringing objects to your mouth.  You love gnawing on your hands and are drooling all over everything.  In the mornings you lay in your bed and talk and screech happily - daddy and I jokingly call you pterodactyl baby.  This month you moved into your nursery and are now sleeping in your crib.  Speaking of sleep... you sleep through the night a couple times a week, but are still waking routinely around 3:30 to get a middle of the night snack.  You took your first trip to the pool and beach and LOVED every minute of it!  You kicked and splashed and munched on your hands.  You would last about 20-30 minutes in the pool until you were utterly exhausted and needed to nap in the shade.  Mommy still loves taking afternoon naps with you and Daddy loves dancing and playing guitar to you.  Everywhere we go you steal peoples hearts and they are always commented on what an easy going and smiley girl you are!  Little girl, you bring us so much joy! 

Outtakes from photo shoot: 
 








Months in review:






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