Beautiful Poem

This poem was written by Amy over at LOTS O' KIDZ . It is just beautiful and I asked her if I could share it here!! Enjoy!

Twas the Night Before Christmas--for the Parentless.....

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the land
there are parentless children, with no toys in hand

No stockings to be hung by the chimny with care
no hopes for a family soon to be there

Their beds are not snug--but cold and quite bare
there are no goodnight kisses--no one to care

While we in our homes, laughing in delight
all settle down for a Merry Chistmas Eve night

When in someone's heart--there arises a clatter
there are children in need--who's lives really DO matter!

Away to the computer please go in a flash
to see the sweet face with whom YOU could be matched!

While a child you see--their beautiful face all aglow
could this be MY child--could I already know??

When in the dreams of the orphan--what always appears
is a family to love them, to care and hold dear

As you stare at that child--your heart beats real quick--
for you know in your heart that sweet face will stick

More dreams sweet children have--to call parents by name-
come mama! come daddy! come family to claim!

To the ends of the earth--your heart seems to call
now child--I'm coming--I wish for you ALL!

So on a plane to your child--over rooftops you flew
to hold this dear soul--a wish did come true

And then in a twinkling-I saw through the door
this child of my heart-that was waiting no more

As I got my camera and was turning around-
into my arms did he come with a bound!

He was dressed in many layers from his head to his foot
and into my heart his life was just put

there was no round face--no plump little belly
just sad little eyes, and legs shaking like jelly

In a swirl of a pen, and a stamp and a seal
my world became brighter--like I could suddenly feel!

We spoke not a word--they weren't needed at all
and I knew in this moment where I got this call

God layed his hands on my heart--and to the occasion I rose
and He could do it for you--this question He'll pose.....

It won't be a shout--no not even a whistle
it won't be real clear--but faint like a whisper

Can you make room in your heart--if you try with your might?
And make a difference for one--help them see the light?

I can see you exclaim as you hold your child tight--
Thank you Lord for this gift--you got it EXACTLY right!

Pass the kleenex please!!!

Sad Commentary

Found this in our small community newspaper today.



I blocked out their phone number and web address because I didn't want to give them any more publicity!! Very sad statement about our society, don't you think?? Sigh!!

Every little bit helps, right??? And some random Friday fun stuff!!

I have to start with a question and a very small contest of sorts. Can you guess what this is????





My eldest son came to me the other day and asked me if I could loan him a dollar because there was something that he wanted to purchase that was $3 and he had $2 in change. When he told me what it was, I HAD to give him the dollar because I was VERY curious to see what it would look like and how it was made!! Can you guess?? I will donate $20 (I know it's not much, but all I can do right now) to the charity of choice (no political party charities, please) to person who can guess what it is!! If no one gets it right, I will post some hints!!! So guess away!!

Next is the fun stuff...

The other morning, the kids woke up and decided to let Mom and Dad sleep (angel children)!!! I overlooked the fact that they were watching cartoons (Saturday morning) that are not approved and that my kitchen was a MESS, because, well, they let us SLEEP!! As I was surveying the damages and turning off the tv, Caleb very sweetly came to me and told me about how he had made Em some very special chocolate milk. "Okay, that's nice sweetheart but where is this 'special' chocolate milk?" I inquired, my heart sinking a bit!! "Right here," he said proudly!!!



Oh my!!! I guess the Nesquick will have to go on a higher shelf and yes, Em drank and apparently enjoyed her "special" chocolate milk!!!



You're a stronger woman than I baby girl!!! Hehe!!!

I have to finish with a pic that I took at the park and just love!! Lizzie feels most comfortable when she is touching me. There are times where I feel like she just needs that to feel secure and to make sure that Mommie is with her and will stay with her!! Sometimes it is so hard but other times it is so nice!! Like this time!!

This week's wonderful waiting kids!

OK, this week I have to start out with 2 very special kids who desperately need families and fast!!! They all do but this first one, in particular, will literally die without a family. I saw this email and was given permission to post it here, so please, please help this little one!!

I have been made aware of a little girl with a complex heart defect...much like my Joseph's...
that needs a family urgently. I have talked with Dr. Joel Brenner from Hopkins and he says,
"The next respiratory infection will kill her" I do not mean to be blunt
but I want anyone who chooses to contact me to know the gravity of the situation.
She has oxygen in the 40-50 range right now which is where Joey was when I got him.
(I must say--she is treatable as far as her paperwork states..and my doctor thinks..)

CCAA says they will expedite her adoption
obviously, it is really ideal if you are already logged in to the CCAA...or VERY close.

This little girl is less than two years old....she may not make it through the winter.
my contact is
kelly dot rumbaugh at gmail dot com
When you write to me please put "heart baby" in the subject line...

I do not represent an agency--she is not on the shared list but her file is at the CCAA
You will need to advocate with an agency for them to secure the file.
I do have someone to help with this.

If you are interested or know someone who might be, please contact kelly.rumbaugh@gmail.com.

The next little sweetie is Yu (or Sherman as he is named on the list)!! Sherman's special need is listed as Repaired Congenital Heart Disease and he is as cute as a button!! I found out about him through an email in a yahoo group. The email states that this little one's file is to be sent back very soon. He has been on Asia's WC list for a long time and no one has even asked about him. I really do not understand why. He is just too cute and it sounds like he is doing really well. His info states:

Sherman had his first surgery when he was 3 years 10 months old and recovered well. His physical development is good and has had no serious illnesses. His spirit was much better after the surgery, although he still suffered from some cyanosis. He could sit and scoot around and liked to play with toys. He learned to speak sentences of 2 to 3 words. He crawled a month after his surgery and could stand support from his hands. He giggled when teased and was no longer afraid of strangers. After some training, he learned to walk confidently at the age of 4 years and also became potty trained. He has a ready smile and is fond of games. He has quite a character and is very cute.

Please take a look and forward this on to anyone who might be interested. You can find Sherman here. You can email Marci and ask for a password. Little Daniel, who I advocated for last week is on this list as well and he still waits!!! As is Lin who I advocated for a couple of weeks ago. Please, please go look and help these precious children.

Next is an adorable little boy who is on WACAP's list. He has also been on this list for a long while and I believe he may have been on another list before he ended up on WACAP's list, so his time may be running out as well and he just has the sweetest little face. His birth date is listed as 8/01/03 and he has a $4000 grant!! This is what is written about him...

He is an engaging little prince with one of the cutest faces we’ve ever seen!
He perseveres to run and play despite a heart condition that makes him pause to catch his breath.
He loves to go for rides on his foster-dad’s shoulders.
He is a favorite among all who know him.
He needs a loving family for those times when he feels a little afraid of the dark and just needs a cuddle; to be someone’s son forever would be the best comfort of all!
There is a $4000 promise child grant to apply to the adoption fees for eligible registered families.

Please go take a look at WACAP.

Next is Tessa who is 8 years old and her SN is said to be lower grade dysgnosia. I do not know much about Tessa, other than she has been sitting on Lifeline's WC list for a very, very long time, she is 8 years old and she has the sweetest smile. Lifeline does have video of her. Please go here and take a look! Carter, who was on last week's list is there as well. Please go and email Lifeline for their password. They are an incredible agency.

And of course there is sweet Anna who is still waiting!!! Please go see her again from last week's kids, here. I am very afraid she may disappear from this list very soon!!!

What we have been working on...

I know I have talked about how smart my Lizzie is. She knows her colors and can sing her ABC's and she is just 3 and just began learning English a little over a year ago!! WOW! It is incredible to me that this three year old who had hardly been spoken to for 2 years and could say only mamamama when we met her a year and a half ago, can now name all her colors and say her ABC's! She is amazing (I know I have mentioned that before)!!! The other day, Lizzie came up to me and told me that she wanted to color. As she was coloring, she told me that she wanted to write the first 2 letters in her name, "all by myself" (her fav phrase, along with "me do it"). I didn't pay much attention as this usually means a bunch of squiggly lines, very cute but still just squiggly lines. However, on this day, I looked and to my delight and utter shock, I saw an "L" and an "i"!! OK, back up the bus here!! When did you learn to do this?? The "i" even had a tiny circle above it for the dot!!! Wow! She, however, was not done with me!! Oh no, she (my little 3 year old) began to spell her name for me! It was the sweetest sound, "L-I-Z-Z-I-E, that spells ME!!!" How cute is that???? She was so very proud of herself and I was once again blown away by my littlest daughter's strength and courageousness and perseverance and just plain old smarts!!! Love ya lots my little L-I-Z-Z-I-E!!!



Of course Em had to keep up with baby sister so I thought up a little song to help her learn how to spell her name, which ain't easy for some adults much less a 3 year old! After a couple of trys, she got it!! I swear, between these 2, hubby and I are wwaayy outgunned!! Hehe!!

Sunday Snapshot

I have decided to participate in Stefanie's Sunday Snapshots over at Ni Hao Y'all. I am hoping that I can keep up every week and might need some encouragement. Hint Hint!! So join in, cause I would love to hear about your kids too!!



I thought I would simply go from oldest to youngest because with age come privilege, right??

Twelve years ago this October, our sweet Christian was born. Little did we know how his little soul would change us forever and drastically alter the plans we had for our future. Before Christian, we knew we wanted kids but thought we would be good with 2 maybe 3 (at the most and that was only if we had 2 boys and wanted to try for a girl)! I remember the moment I looked into his beautiful eyes for the first time and thought, WOW this is so cool!!



When can I get pregnant again??? From day one, he captured our hearts and introduced us to the wonderful world of parenting! He threw up constantly (and still does - doesn't bode well for his college years) and cried a lot but from that first gassy smile on that first night in that hospital, he was our sweet baby boy and we were officially hooked!! As he grew, we noticed a definite streak of hardheadedness (a trait that was to be handed down to his siblings) which would later turn into more of a tendency toward perfectionism in certain areas of his life. He can be very hard on himself and DOES NOT like to fail. This, however, does not stop him from trying things and taking reasonable risks. He is a natural born athlete and is good at just about every sport that he has tried. His love right now is soccer and is he ever a soccer player!!



He takes a leadership role with his team and was team captain this year. He really enjoys playing and it shows.

Christian is also the best big brother. He is wonderful with his younger brothers and adores his sisters. He will often help without being asked and I can always count on him to just know when I need an extra hand. His sisters will often seek him out for comfort or help and his brothers have learned so much from just being around him.



He was so excited about Lizzie's adoption and has been her guardian and teacher and protective big brother from the start. There are times that Christian will come to me all excited about Lizzie's latest accomplishment, just beaming with joy for his littlest sister!!



Christian is kind hearted and compassionate with a huge heart.



He is my responsible child and we have often joked that he is going to have his hands full with his bother, Charlie!! Hehe!! He is my rule follower and the family "cop!" He is pretty handsome too (If I do say so myself)!!



He has a good sense of humour but is too reserved to show it too often. When he does, it is so great!!



Oh, and did I mention that he has a ton of hair!!! Why do the boys always get the good hair and long eyelashes???? Hehe!!



So, this is my sweet son, Christian.



Next week, the one and only, Charlie!!!

How do you know you've had a good day?

After yesterday's turkey and collards and sweet potatoes and dressing and lots of pie, today was full of Christmas tree shopping and dodge ball and red rover and monkey in the middle!! And people ask me how I stay so skinny!!! LOL!!







Everybody had their fav, but this one was the one!



Can't forget the wreath!







Now the answer to the question - how do you know you've had a good day??











Even the dogs were tired!! It was a good day!!