Walt Disney World through the EYES of Teddy!

Greetings -

WHEW!  We did it - 5 days at Walt Disney World!  The boys had an amazing time and of course there are 2 million photos I could share with you (and probably will) but today is about something bigger.  It is about how GOD is with us even in the little moments, even when you wouldn't be thinking GOD - he is there!  As some of you know Kenneth and I both worked for the Walt Disney company for numerous years - and in that time neither Kenneth or I were ever approached or asked about sign language assistance. And believe me we both received numerous requests every day.  So imagine my surprise when we were walking through Liberty Square a little after 3 headed to Splash Mountain (read family on a mission for a ride) and out of the corner of my eye I caught the parade - and as I turned to look what did I see but 2 interpreters signing the parade.  Right there right in front of my family, right in front of my DEAF son on his first trip to Disney.  The tears were flowing from my eyes and my mother's you see we were not stopping for the parade we were on a plan and yet someone bigger then us thought we should stop and enjoy the moment!  A moment the WHOLE family would understand.  Teddy loved the parade and watched the interpreters with great intent! And as the parade came to an end they were gone - I looked up and they were no where to be seen.  There was no opportunity to thank them for what they had given our family, no opportunity to see who they worked for (Kenneth noticed they did not have Disney name tags on), so to those 2 amazing interpreters the Hammons Family says thank you!  Thank you for allowing our family a moment to be inclusive!

Wishing you a MAGICAL Day ~

Courtney

Gotcha Day!

So last year at this time Kenneth and Tariku were chillin in Tennessee and I was taking custody of Teddy in Ethiopia!!! Hard to believe it is a year since he has been in our care!!! And what a year it has been!! From referral to today!! We love you Tewdros Joshua Hammons and we are blessed and honored that GOD chose us to be your family!!

And it is OVER!

Greetings-
As the write this tonight - I can successfully say The Hammons House survived the holidays!!! The boys return to school tomorrow morning. There were so many incredible blessings that took place this 1st holiday season but I have to say I am ready for it to come to an end. The boys need their routine back and January is gearing up to be a busy month for us! So off to do some paperwork before hitting the bed! The alarm goes off quite early tomorrow!

Wishing you a MAGICAL Day-
Courtney

New Year - New Goal

Greetings -
Often times I find myself thinking - Gosh that would be so good to blog about, or wow I need to share the photos (which there are currently 900+ on my camera)  and somehow the time gets away and the moment passes and than I think well - I will just put a quick snip it on facebook and that will be good!  But the truth is that is not good enough!  I need and want to express this journey of life that Kenneth and I were chosen to experience.  So my goal for the year is one blog post a day - whether it is one thought, one photo, or a long drawn out story.  I want to chronicle all that 2012 is to our family!  I hope along the way I will find some revelations about me but mostly I hope that one day I will be able to look back and re-live 2012 like it was yesterday because I feel this is the year the Hammons Family was created for!

Wishing you a Magical Day~
Courtney

Thanks for the reminder

Greetings -
I spent the better time of today running around trying to find the "PERFECT" outfits for the boys to meet Santa in for the first time!  And as any mother of boys apparently knows and I learned today - boys clothes at ages 5 and 6 are just not all that perfect!  If I looked at one more plaid shirt and jeans I thought I would scream!!!  So I came home from the mall empty handed and a little sad.  You see I want that perfect photo. You know the one you see in Martha Stewart and Parents Magazine. I want to make up for all they have missed in their short lives, I want them to have the awe and wonder that is this holiday season.  And I thought that would all come with this "PERFECT" outfit.  Than I logged into facebook to distract myself from the fact that the boys may be going naked this weekend to brunch (okay not really but you know what I mean) and there it was - a shared video from a dear dear friend. I watched this video for the first time (which amazes me since I am a HUGE SCC fan) and there right in front of me was the answer I had been searching for all day.  The boys don't need a "PERFECT" outfit they needed a family and this Christmas that is what we are.  So I still have no idea what they will wear but I do know I am not going to loose sleep because I know there are 2 less orphans in this world and GOD will answer there Christmas list!

Happy Thanksgiving

From the Hammons House to your house we wish you A very Happy Thanksgiving 2011!  May the holiday season be off to all things MAGICAL

Kenneth, Courtney, Tariku, Teddy, 

Oliver, Annie, Touchet and Pepsi

Last year at this time -

Greetings -
WOW O WOW!  What a difference a year makes!  As I sit in my brothers New York condo writing this today - I am thinking back to where I was last year at this time.  While friends and family were busy preparing for Thanksgiving Kenneth and I were once again in Ethiopia.  This trip a little more unexpected than all the rest!  We were there for court for Tewdros "Teddy" Joshua Hammons.  Little did we know the journey that God was about to send us on.  So today I sit in the condo and watch my dad play basketball with his two little Ethiopian princes and  I pray for all our friends still on this journey.  May they know the love that comes with these children.

Wishing you a Magical Day ~
Courtney