Greetings -
Do to some requests we are extending the i-pad giveaway to Halloween! Tariku will draw the lucky winner after trick or treating! Thanks so much to everyone that has given! We would not be where we are without each of you!
Wishing you a magical day~
Courtney
Monday, October 25, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
We are FUNDraising
Greetings -
As you know from the last post we are headed back to Ethiopia! No one and I mean no one (Kenneth and I included) could of ever dreamed this would be the road we were to take! Needless to say we are in need of some serious FUNDraising now! You see we thought that when we accepted the referral we would go to the bottom of the list for those waiting for court dates! But alas why would our second adoption be anything different from our first with all kinds of entertaining news! So what is the news - well it seems that due to T****'s circumstances they are taking our case right to the judge who has been involved in the case for over a year! So when the judge has an opening in court we are OFF! So we need to raise some moolah fast fast fast!!! Are first attempt is going to be raffling off an I-PAD! Tickets are $10 or 3 for $25.00 you can use the donate button on our blog! Please share this with family and friends and help us bring home Tariku's best friend! Oh yes this giveaway will take place Tuesday the 26th in the evening!
Wishing you a magical day!
Courtney
As you know from the last post we are headed back to Ethiopia! No one and I mean no one (Kenneth and I included) could of ever dreamed this would be the road we were to take! Needless to say we are in need of some serious FUNDraising now! You see we thought that when we accepted the referral we would go to the bottom of the list for those waiting for court dates! But alas why would our second adoption be anything different from our first with all kinds of entertaining news! So what is the news - well it seems that due to T****'s circumstances they are taking our case right to the judge who has been involved in the case for over a year! So when the judge has an opening in court we are OFF! So we need to raise some moolah fast fast fast!!! Are first attempt is going to be raffling off an I-PAD! Tickets are $10 or 3 for $25.00 you can use the donate button on our blog! Please share this with family and friends and help us bring home Tariku's best friend! Oh yes this giveaway will take place Tuesday the 26th in the evening!
Wishing you a magical day!
Courtney
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
I Don't Know
Greetings -
I don't know what it is like to go to bed hungry
I don't know what it is like to sleep on the floor
I don't know what it is like to not have water to drink
I don't know what it is like to not have heat in the winter or a/c in the summer
I don't know what it is like to leave my home and all I know to travel half way around the world to live with people I don't know
I don't know another language other than English
I don't know if this decision is the "right"decision
I don't know where the money will come from
I don't know where this decision will lead our family
I DO know he will not go to bed hungry again
I DO know he will have a safe warm bed to call his own
I DO know he will have safe water
I DO know he will feel the heat this winter and a/c next summer
I DO know we will help him travel 1/2 around the world to live with us
I DO know we will learn his language
I DO know this decision has been tugging on my heart and Kenneth's for weeks
I DO know the money will come
I DO know this decision will make us a family of 4 (or a family of 8 w/the dogs)
After months of prayer, and soul searching we have decided as a family that Tariku's best friend is to become his brother! We have signed the papers and are awaiting a court date!
I don't know what it is like to go to bed hungry
I don't know what it is like to sleep on the floor
I don't know what it is like to not have water to drink
I don't know what it is like to not have heat in the winter or a/c in the summer
I don't know what it is like to leave my home and all I know to travel half way around the world to live with people I don't know
I don't know another language other than English
I don't know if this decision is the "right"decision
I don't know where the money will come from
I don't know where this decision will lead our family
I DO know he will not go to bed hungry again
I DO know he will have a safe warm bed to call his own
I DO know he will have safe water
I DO know he will feel the heat this winter and a/c next summer
I DO know we will help him travel 1/2 around the world to live with us
I DO know we will learn his language
I DO know this decision has been tugging on my heart and Kenneth's for weeks
I DO know the money will come
I DO know this decision will make us a family of 4 (or a family of 8 w/the dogs)
After months of prayer, and soul searching we have decided as a family that Tariku's best friend is to become his brother! We have signed the papers and are awaiting a court date!
Friday, October 8, 2010
2 months home!
Greetings -
Tomorrow we will be home with Tariku 2 months! Boy oh boy how the times flies! I really cannot remember life before him! I wanted to give you a quick recap of what he has been up to!!! Soccer (futbol to him!), school, African Reunion hosted at his house, more soccer, feeding the dogs, playing his new WII, working on his language, meeting family from across the country, attending weddings, painting pottery, the zoo, the wilson county fair, helping daddy and pap blue build a deck and a closet, hanging up halloween lights, learning to ride a bike, learning to ride a scooter, visiting Time Square (day 2 in AMERICA!), and most importantly learning how to be a part of a family!!!! I am truly amazed how far this sweet young boy has come in 2 short months! YES we have our moments (he and I particularly) but at the end of the day I remind myself of how his world has changed and I wonder if I would of adapted 1/2 as well as he is doing!!!
So there you have it! A very busy boy in a very busy house!!!! I will post photos soon but until than have a fabulous fall weekend!!
Wishing you a Magical Day!
Courtney
Tomorrow we will be home with Tariku 2 months! Boy oh boy how the times flies! I really cannot remember life before him! I wanted to give you a quick recap of what he has been up to!!! Soccer (futbol to him!), school, African Reunion hosted at his house, more soccer, feeding the dogs, playing his new WII, working on his language, meeting family from across the country, attending weddings, painting pottery, the zoo, the wilson county fair, helping daddy and pap blue build a deck and a closet, hanging up halloween lights, learning to ride a bike, learning to ride a scooter, visiting Time Square (day 2 in AMERICA!), and most importantly learning how to be a part of a family!!!! I am truly amazed how far this sweet young boy has come in 2 short months! YES we have our moments (he and I particularly) but at the end of the day I remind myself of how his world has changed and I wonder if I would of adapted 1/2 as well as he is doing!!!
So there you have it! A very busy boy in a very busy house!!!! I will post photos soon but until than have a fabulous fall weekend!!
Wishing you a Magical Day!
Courtney
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
The Many Faces of Tariku James!
Greetings -
So I just realized that I have not really posted much since we have been home! I am still downloading photos and waiting on some photos from the photographer who went with us! But I do have a few from one of the days we were playing at the transition house and I thought I would share!! Enjoy!!
Wishing you a Magical Day~
Courtney
So I just realized that I have not really posted much since we have been home! I am still downloading photos and waiting on some photos from the photographer who went with us! But I do have a few from one of the days we were playing at the transition house and I thought I would share!! Enjoy!!
Wishing you a Magical Day~
Courtney
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
We are Home!
Praise God!! We are home with Tariku! I cannot wait to share some stories - let us get a bit settled and than the stories I can tell!!!! Thanks to everyone who prayed us along this journey, and many thanks to all that came to the airport it was truly an awe aspiring trip!
Wishing you a Magical Day ~
Courtney
Wishing you a Magical Day ~
Courtney
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Leaving on a Jetplane... Back Aug 9th!!!
Greetings -
Well the time has come!!! In a little over 24 hours Kenneth and I will be on our way to Tariku! It has been a whirlwind of emotion here at the Hammons House! Still so much to do and such little time! But we are beyond excited about this journey and we are taking with us an amazing professional photographer to capture the trip for us!! So for those curious here is our itinerary and for any scary people out there PLEASE NOTE our home will not be vacant as we have numerous friends staying to keep watch of our precious puppies!
Kenneth and Courtney’s Journey to Tariku!
July 29th – Aug 9th 2010
Day 1 – Thursday – June 29
Depart Nashville Airport @ 3:00pm on Delta
Arrive New York (JFK) @ 6:28pm
Depart New York (JFK) @ 11:00pm on Emirates
Day 2 – Friday – June 30
Arrive Dubai @ 7:45pm (remember that is 8 hrs ahead of Nashville)
Day 3 – Saturday – June 31
Depart Dubai @ 8:25am on Emirates
Arrive Ethiopia @ 11:30am
Check into the Yebsabi guest house – www.yebsabi.com
Day 4 – SUNDAY – Aug 1
We believe this is the day we will meet Tariku’s birth family
Day5 – MONDAY – Aug 2
9:30 am Meet in the lobby for paperwork party at the Hilton hotel
Lunch @ Hilton hotel
1:30 – 4:30 pm Visit to Transition Home to meet Tariku!
(Consultation with the Transition Home doctor)
Afternoon Activities:
Ladies – Boston Spa
Men – Guest House
7:15 pm Meet in the lobby for a Traditional
Ethiopian dinner
Day 6 – TUESDAY – Aug 3
9:30 – 11:30 am Meet in the lobby to go shopping
12:30 pm Lunch at Guest House
2:00 – 4:30 pm Visit Transition Home and take Tariku with us!!
Dinner on our own
Day 7 –WEDNESDAY – Aug 4
8:30 am Depart from the Guest House for the Embassy
Lunch- Lucy’s / Blue Tops
Afternoon
Shopping at Piazza (soccer jerseys and jewelry shops)
Dinner on own
Day 8 – THURSDAY – Aug 5
10:00 am Meet in the lobby to depart for Kids Care
12:30 pm Lunch at Metro Pizza/Makush
Afternoon Taking Tariku to the Black Lion Zoo ( our first family outing!!!)
Dinner on our own
Day 9 – FRIDAY – Aug 6
10:30 – 11:00 am Meet in the lobby to pick up visa for your Tariku
Coffee factory tour
12:30 pm Lunch on our own
3:30 pm Meet in the lobby for prayer and group pictures
7:35pm Depart Ethiopia on Emirates Airlines
Day 10 – Saturday – Aug 7
12:45am Arrive in Dubai on Emirates Airlines
2:00am Depart Dubai for NEW YORK CITY!!
7:45am Arrive in New York (JFK)
Day 11 – Sunday – Aug 8
New York City with the family
Day 12 – Monday – Aug 9
Morning with the family in New York City
3:40pm Depart New York (La Guardia) for Nashville on AA
5:15pm Arrive home to NASHVILLE!!
There you have it! We would love to see you at the airport in Nashville!!
Wishing you a magical day~
Courtney
Well the time has come!!! In a little over 24 hours Kenneth and I will be on our way to Tariku! It has been a whirlwind of emotion here at the Hammons House! Still so much to do and such little time! But we are beyond excited about this journey and we are taking with us an amazing professional photographer to capture the trip for us!! So for those curious here is our itinerary and for any scary people out there PLEASE NOTE our home will not be vacant as we have numerous friends staying to keep watch of our precious puppies!
Kenneth and Courtney’s Journey to Tariku!
July 29th – Aug 9th 2010
Day 1 – Thursday – June 29
Depart Nashville Airport @ 3:00pm on Delta
Arrive New York (JFK) @ 6:28pm
Depart New York (JFK) @ 11:00pm on Emirates
Day 2 – Friday – June 30
Arrive Dubai @ 7:45pm (remember that is 8 hrs ahead of Nashville)
Day 3 – Saturday – June 31
Depart Dubai @ 8:25am on Emirates
Arrive Ethiopia @ 11:30am
Check into the Yebsabi guest house – www.yebsabi.com
Day 4 – SUNDAY – Aug 1
We believe this is the day we will meet Tariku’s birth family
Day5 – MONDAY – Aug 2
9:30 am Meet in the lobby for paperwork party at the Hilton hotel
Lunch @ Hilton hotel
1:30 – 4:30 pm Visit to Transition Home to meet Tariku!
(Consultation with the Transition Home doctor)
Afternoon Activities:
Ladies – Boston Spa
Men – Guest House
7:15 pm Meet in the lobby for a Traditional
Ethiopian dinner
Day 6 – TUESDAY – Aug 3
9:30 – 11:30 am Meet in the lobby to go shopping
12:30 pm Lunch at Guest House
2:00 – 4:30 pm Visit Transition Home and take Tariku with us!!
Dinner on our own
Day 7 –WEDNESDAY – Aug 4
8:30 am Depart from the Guest House for the Embassy
Lunch- Lucy’s / Blue Tops
Afternoon
Shopping at Piazza (soccer jerseys and jewelry shops)
Dinner on own
Day 8 – THURSDAY – Aug 5
10:00 am Meet in the lobby to depart for Kids Care
12:30 pm Lunch at Metro Pizza/Makush
Afternoon Taking Tariku to the Black Lion Zoo ( our first family outing!!!)
Dinner on our own
Day 9 – FRIDAY – Aug 6
10:30 – 11:00 am Meet in the lobby to pick up visa for your Tariku
Coffee factory tour
12:30 pm Lunch on our own
3:30 pm Meet in the lobby for prayer and group pictures
7:35pm Depart Ethiopia on Emirates Airlines
Day 10 – Saturday – Aug 7
12:45am Arrive in Dubai on Emirates Airlines
2:00am Depart Dubai for NEW YORK CITY!!
7:45am Arrive in New York (JFK)
Day 11 – Sunday – Aug 8
New York City with the family
Day 12 – Monday – Aug 9
Morning with the family in New York City
3:40pm Depart New York (La Guardia) for Nashville on AA
5:15pm Arrive home to NASHVILLE!!
There you have it! We would love to see you at the airport in Nashville!!
Wishing you a magical day~
Courtney
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