Thursday, March 31, 2011
The Orphan's Song
Joy wrote this song. I wanted to share it and by the suggestion of a friend, to share it with the adoption community on a couple of forums as well. She truly has a heart for the orphan (as do I). I hope you enjoy it!
Here are the words:
The Orphan's Song
(1st verse)
Hello, my name is orphan;
my name is unadopted;
my name is child of God.
Hello, my name is unloved;
my name is cared for...
not nourished.
I fear turning fourteen;
Unavailable to be loved;
I live in an orphanage;
nannies pass me by,too many kids cry.
(Chorus)
Just a little special need,
but there's nothing to be done
until you come.
So why don't you come?
(2nd verse)
I saw you get your little guy;
you were huggin' him;
and I was just standing by.
And my friend was picked today;
they took her away;
and I was left standin' by.
Someday, it will be my turn.
They will come for me;
and I will go home.
(Chorus)
Just a little special need;
but there's nothing to be done
until you come.
So why don't you come?
Come?
(Bridge)
Orphan,
unadopted,
unloved,
child of God.
(Chorus)
Just a little special need;
but there's nothing to be done
until you come.
So why don't you come?
Come?
Come?
When will you come?
Friday, March 18, 2011
A Month of Celebrating.....
As promised a long time ago, I'm finally back with some pictures of our month long celebrating! :)
We started off February with Joy's birthday...her 12th! She had her party at the gymnastics center. (I don't think I've mentioned it, but she's not taking dance this year, but gymnastics instead, as well as guitar). It was absolutely the easiest party we have ever had for her. I brought cupcakes, drinks and a tablecloth and just showed up! The kids had free run of the entire place and had a wonderful time! Not everyone that she invited could make it, so we only had a handful, but the ones that came really enjoyed themselves! Here's a few pics from her party:
Then next up was Luke's (3rd) birthday party. (Well my dad's was in between Joy's and Luke's). We just had a small family party here at home for him and it proved to be the right decision. He was so totally into his Thomas the Tank Engine table and trains, that I could hardly get a picture of him looking at the camera! He loved his Thomas cake too! Just having all the attention on him with the balloons and singing happy birthday made him beam! Here's a few pics from his party:
Then just a week after Luke's party, was Colt's 22nd birthday. We spent most of that weekend at The Great Homeschool Convention (which was fantastic) but we were able to go as a family to a Tim Hawkins concert and then we celebrated with a birthday dinner at Hibachi Grill with family. It was our first time to eat there (recommended by Colt) and it was wonderful! I still can't believe my oldest baby is 22 though!
And between all of that, our homeschool support group held its annual geography fair. I bet you can't guess what country we did? :) Of course, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to share China! I wish we could visit every country we've done in the geography fair because it sure makes the country's culture come alive when you experience it! Joy & Luke both dressed in their Inner Mongolian native costumes. Joy, of course, did most of the presentation , but Luke did come up and say "Ni Hao" (hello). Here are some pics from the geography fair:
Other countries that were presented besides China were Russia, Brazil, Italy, France, Israel, Dominican Republic, Ghana, Madagascar, and Ireland. And they were all wonderful! It is definitely an event that we look forward to every year! We're already brainstorming on next year's!
Oh, and last weekend, we went to Alabama and celebrated my Grandma's 93rd birthday....yes, 93! :) I think she still looks beautiful!
Luke was a little overwhelmed when we walked into the church for the party with all the relatives coming to see him (for alot of them, it was the first time). It's times like this that we see insecurities arise again in him. He stuck to me like glue, hanging on to my shirt. Overall though, he did great!
Now, I'm hoping that life slows down just a bit for us now because frankly.......I'm tired! :) I'm also ready for warm sunny weather so we can spend some time outside.
Thanks for hanging with me and for coming back for visits (even though I've been absent). I appreciate each everyone of you and your time spent here!
Blessings to you! Have a great weekend! :)
~ Tammy ~
We started off February with Joy's birthday...her 12th! She had her party at the gymnastics center. (I don't think I've mentioned it, but she's not taking dance this year, but gymnastics instead, as well as guitar). It was absolutely the easiest party we have ever had for her. I brought cupcakes, drinks and a tablecloth and just showed up! The kids had free run of the entire place and had a wonderful time! Not everyone that she invited could make it, so we only had a handful, but the ones that came really enjoyed themselves! Here's a few pics from her party:
 |
| That's cupcakes in the shape of the #12 (in aqua blue...her favorite color).... |
 |
Then next up was Luke's (3rd) birthday party. (Well my dad's was in between Joy's and Luke's). We just had a small family party here at home for him and it proved to be the right decision. He was so totally into his Thomas the Tank Engine table and trains, that I could hardly get a picture of him looking at the camera! He loved his Thomas cake too! Just having all the attention on him with the balloons and singing happy birthday made him beam! Here's a few pics from his party:
 |
| Pop and Luke playing with the new Thomas table and trains... |
 |
| He was totally into this train table and set! |
 |
| Caught this very excited expression on camera! |
 |
| Colt's dessert of choice was buttermilk pie |
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| Blowing a kiss bye to Aunt Jo & Uncle Wayne |
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| Mama & Daddy |
And between all of that, our homeschool support group held its annual geography fair. I bet you can't guess what country we did? :) Of course, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to share China! I wish we could visit every country we've done in the geography fair because it sure makes the country's culture come alive when you experience it! Joy & Luke both dressed in their Inner Mongolian native costumes. Joy, of course, did most of the presentation , but Luke did come up and say "Ni Hao" (hello). Here are some pics from the geography fair:
Other countries that were presented besides China were Russia, Brazil, Italy, France, Israel, Dominican Republic, Ghana, Madagascar, and Ireland. And they were all wonderful! It is definitely an event that we look forward to every year! We're already brainstorming on next year's!
Oh, and last weekend, we went to Alabama and celebrated my Grandma's 93rd birthday....yes, 93! :) I think she still looks beautiful!
Luke was a little overwhelmed when we walked into the church for the party with all the relatives coming to see him (for alot of them, it was the first time). It's times like this that we see insecurities arise again in him. He stuck to me like glue, hanging on to my shirt. Overall though, he did great!
 |
| I love the look he's giving baby Grayson (that I'm holding).... |
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| As you can see, he warmed up to everyone after awhile and even let go of me for a few minutes! :) |
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| Joy, cousin Laci, and Luke |
Thanks for hanging with me and for coming back for visits (even though I've been absent). I appreciate each everyone of you and your time spent here!
Blessings to you! Have a great weekend! :)
~ Tammy ~
Monday, March 7, 2011
Happy 22nd Birthday, Colt!
Although, today is not actually Colt's birthday, I wanted a special post dedicated to his 22nd birthday, which was this past Friday, March 4th. Since it seems as someone has pushed the fast forward button on my life lately, today is the first breather I've gotten to make it to my blog to honor his birthday.
It really doesn't seem possible that he could be 22! Where did all those years go? Why did that clever little guy have to go and grow up so quickly? He's the guy that we cut our teeth on in parenting experience. We've learned alot along the way. And we're far from perfect! The one thing I've desired for all my children is that they come to know Him at an early age and that they desire to serve and live for Him with their talents and time. And he did, and he does. (Thank you Lord).
We are honored and proud to be Colt's parents. When he was first placed in my arms, on August 24th, 1989, by the escort at the airport, my life changed forever, for the good. Being a mom (and wife) is the highest calling and I take that calling very seriously. The hardest part, at this point, is stepping back and letting him become the man, and not the boy. Finding that place isn't and hasn't always been easy. I've learned to turn that part over to God and trust his guidance and protection and plan for Colt's life. It really is hard to cut those apron strings, isn't it? Especially so, since I've been home with him everyday of his life, as a homeschooling family from birth to graduation! And I've never regretted it for a moment. It's only by God's grace, that I have been able to do what I have and to trust God and also to step back and let Colt be Colt, the young man.
We did go celebrate this past Friday night at a Tim Hawkins concert and out to a late dinner at Ihop. (If you've never seen Tim Hawkins, the comedian, you've got to see him! Look him up on youtube.) As a homeschooling family, we could so identify with his humor! And everyone knows laughter is medicine to the bones! :) Since Thursday through Saturday was also filled with workshops at the Great Homeschool Convention, and Amber was out of town, we waited until Sunday to celebrate with the rest of the family at the Hibachi Grill (which was excellent by the way). It looks like I'll be back to share highlights from all three kids' birthdays....maybe all in one post! :)
But today I just wanted to say Happy Birthday Colt! We love you more than you'll ever realize (until you have children of your own) and we're so glad God chose you to be our son! You have always been a blessing to us! I know God is still writing your story and I can't wait to read the rest of it!
Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and he will direct your paths."
Love you!
Mom (& Dad, Joy & Luke)
It really doesn't seem possible that he could be 22! Where did all those years go? Why did that clever little guy have to go and grow up so quickly? He's the guy that we cut our teeth on in parenting experience. We've learned alot along the way. And we're far from perfect! The one thing I've desired for all my children is that they come to know Him at an early age and that they desire to serve and live for Him with their talents and time. And he did, and he does. (Thank you Lord).
We are honored and proud to be Colt's parents. When he was first placed in my arms, on August 24th, 1989, by the escort at the airport, my life changed forever, for the good. Being a mom (and wife) is the highest calling and I take that calling very seriously. The hardest part, at this point, is stepping back and letting him become the man, and not the boy. Finding that place isn't and hasn't always been easy. I've learned to turn that part over to God and trust his guidance and protection and plan for Colt's life. It really is hard to cut those apron strings, isn't it? Especially so, since I've been home with him everyday of his life, as a homeschooling family from birth to graduation! And I've never regretted it for a moment. It's only by God's grace, that I have been able to do what I have and to trust God and also to step back and let Colt be Colt, the young man.
 |
| He was full of personality from the first moment we met him - August 24, 1989! |
We did go celebrate this past Friday night at a Tim Hawkins concert and out to a late dinner at Ihop. (If you've never seen Tim Hawkins, the comedian, you've got to see him! Look him up on youtube.) As a homeschooling family, we could so identify with his humor! And everyone knows laughter is medicine to the bones! :) Since Thursday through Saturday was also filled with workshops at the Great Homeschool Convention, and Amber was out of town, we waited until Sunday to celebrate with the rest of the family at the Hibachi Grill (which was excellent by the way). It looks like I'll be back to share highlights from all three kids' birthdays....maybe all in one post! :)
But today I just wanted to say Happy Birthday Colt! We love you more than you'll ever realize (until you have children of your own) and we're so glad God chose you to be our son! You have always been a blessing to us! I know God is still writing your story and I can't wait to read the rest of it!
Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and he will direct your paths."
Love you!
Mom (& Dad, Joy & Luke)