Showing posts with label 2013. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2013. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Gifts of Purpose
We wanted to point out some of our gifts this year that are BRAND NEW to our Gifts of Purpose Catalog...
Provide Post-Adoption ResourcesRaising children from hard places isn't easy. Because Lifesong believes in supporting adoptive families in all stages, post-adoption training scholarships are available to equip adoptive & foster parents with the tools to help heal hurting children. $200 | $450
Fund a Foster Care Mentorship TrainingMany children & vulnerable adults affected by the foster care system want to know that they matter. The Forgotten Initiative Mentoring provides the opportunity for the Body of Christ to show children that they are loved & valued. $500
Sponsor a Family at Village of Hope-GuatemalaChildren were made to be in families. By providing Guatemalan house parents, vulnerable children can feel belonging & that there is someone investing in their life & future. Our children are provided food, home & a mother and father figure to pray with them, help them with their homework & mentor them as they grow. $42 | $500
Give Opportunity to Zambia's High School StudentsKnown as one of the best in the city, the Lifesong Zambia School strives for academic achievement. With the recently built high school, our students now have the unique opportunity to join the 5% of kids in their country that receive a high school education, giving them hope of a future free from the cycle of poverty. $48 | $782
Join Lifesong for Orphans in giving a Gift of Purpose. Until December 31st, a generous donor will MATCH each donation with a gift to Lifesong, up to $300,000. $75,857 remaining to reach the goal! Give a Gift. Bring Joy & Purpose to a Child in Need.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Mother Son Kickball Tournament - Oct 2013
Greetings Friends ~
We are so blessed at our elementary school every year they host a Father/Daughter Dance as well as a Mother/Son kickball tournament. Though usually in the Spring we were fortunate this year that it happened at the most BEAUTIFUL time of the year FALL!! So after school the moms scoop up their boys and we head to the back of the school for a pizza party and some rockin good music to get us warmed up! And than it is time to hit the fields!!! Boys against the mama's and a few awesome DUGOUT DAD's to be our rollers! It is truly a time I cherish with both my boys. Watching them with their friends and catching up with some of mine all while playing a spirited game of kickball! Without further adieu the photos from KICKBALL 2013!!
Huge congratulations to both the boys classes for once again beating their mamas! And way to go Tariku on your AWESOME homerun!!
Thank you PTO for putting your heart and soul into our school each and every day so we can continue creating these most amazing memories with our boys!
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Once you have seen you cannot stay quiet ~
Greetings ~
In just a few days I am headed to Louisville KY for the Together for Adoption conference. 4 years ago my eyes were opened to the ORPHAN crisis around the world - 3 years ago I saw the crisis with my own eyes in a way I will never forget - this summer I learned I was to speak for those who have no voice and so I will go this weekend and learn. I will pray that the direction I am meant to act in becomes that much more understood.
Earlier this week I received an email from one of the founders of this conference with some prayer requests and so I am sharing them here in the hopes that you will add them to your prayer list
In just a few days I am headed to Louisville KY for the Together for Adoption conference. 4 years ago my eyes were opened to the ORPHAN crisis around the world - 3 years ago I saw the crisis with my own eyes in a way I will never forget - this summer I learned I was to speak for those who have no voice and so I will go this weekend and learn. I will pray that the direction I am meant to act in becomes that much more understood.
Earlier this week I received an email from one of the founders of this conference with some prayer requests and so I am sharing them here in the hopes that you will add them to your prayer list
- That our Father would grant safe travels to everyone joining us in Louisville.
- That He would provide much grace so that each person will both receive and give timely encouragement.
- That the ripple effect of this year's conference will be to the rich benefit of orphaned and vulnerable children all over the globe.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
We tested OUT OF INTERVENTION
Greetings ~
Since coming home with Teddy 2.5 years ago one of the hardest things I have struggled with was how to educate him. I have scoured and read EVERYTHING I can get my hands on. I have joined every facebook group I can find and I have badgered the 3 friends with deaf experience (I am probably lucky they are still talking to me!!) But I made a promise to Teddy's birth mom that I was going to do everything I could to help him succeed in school. At the end of last year we made the decision to remain in 1st grade for an additional year - truth be told I had made that decision at the start of last school year but alas it would not be until the end of the year when everyone would agree.
You see ASL (American Sign Language) and English are 2 VERY DIFFERENT languages and I just couldn't wrap my mind around how he was going to learn both while knowing his brain still thinks some in Amharic. At school he works with his teacher, his interpreter, his deaf educator, and his OT. We also work with an outside speech language pathologist and countless other professionals. But in my mind we are ALWAYS way behind. His expressive language skills are that of about a 3 year old while I know he knows so much more the language just is not there YET to see him share it. So as I prepared for our IEP meeting last week I wondered what this year was gonna hold. How would we proceed to get him where he needs to be. And as is ALWAYS the case I should not have worried - you see GOD had it taken care of. He had placed all of these amazing professionals in our lives and they were working to get him caught up. And his teacher was so excited to tell us that on the state standard test that he had just taken for reading and comprehension - HE TESTED OUT OF INTERVENTION and at entry level 1st grade!!
So this post is to thank every single person that has helped us get to this 1st milestone! I know each and everyone of you were placed on this path with us for a very special reason and please know not a day goes by that I don't pray and thank God that he has placed you on this journey with us. And to use the words of Meredith (his deaf educator) as she reminded me today - STOP looking at the big picture and ENJOY where he is today - because this my friends is a huge accomplishment.
Since coming home with Teddy 2.5 years ago one of the hardest things I have struggled with was how to educate him. I have scoured and read EVERYTHING I can get my hands on. I have joined every facebook group I can find and I have badgered the 3 friends with deaf experience (I am probably lucky they are still talking to me!!) But I made a promise to Teddy's birth mom that I was going to do everything I could to help him succeed in school. At the end of last year we made the decision to remain in 1st grade for an additional year - truth be told I had made that decision at the start of last school year but alas it would not be until the end of the year when everyone would agree.
You see ASL (American Sign Language) and English are 2 VERY DIFFERENT languages and I just couldn't wrap my mind around how he was going to learn both while knowing his brain still thinks some in Amharic. At school he works with his teacher, his interpreter, his deaf educator, and his OT. We also work with an outside speech language pathologist and countless other professionals. But in my mind we are ALWAYS way behind. His expressive language skills are that of about a 3 year old while I know he knows so much more the language just is not there YET to see him share it. So as I prepared for our IEP meeting last week I wondered what this year was gonna hold. How would we proceed to get him where he needs to be. And as is ALWAYS the case I should not have worried - you see GOD had it taken care of. He had placed all of these amazing professionals in our lives and they were working to get him caught up. And his teacher was so excited to tell us that on the state standard test that he had just taken for reading and comprehension - HE TESTED OUT OF INTERVENTION and at entry level 1st grade!!
So this post is to thank every single person that has helped us get to this 1st milestone! I know each and everyone of you were placed on this path with us for a very special reason and please know not a day goes by that I don't pray and thank God that he has placed you on this journey with us. And to use the words of Meredith (his deaf educator) as she reminded me today - STOP looking at the big picture and ENJOY where he is today - because this my friends is a huge accomplishment.
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| Way to go sweet boy! Keep on reading |
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
The CHAT with Priscilla ~
Greetings ~
On Monday night I had the very blessed opportunity to travel to the North Star studios here in Nashville with great friend and fellow adoptive mama Rebecca to see a taping of The CHAT with Priscilla. Now I will admit I was not familiar with Priscilla Shirer prior to a facebook post from Gwen Oatsvall (co-founder of 147 Million Orphans) but you see her post well it had me at adoption. And I didn't really had no idea what I was getting myself into but if Gwen and Kelly Putty (founder of Ordinary Hero) were to be the guests I KNEW it was gonna be an AMAZING not to be missed event.
And all I can say is that it did not disappoint! Not one bit!!!
Both Gwen and Kelly shared their journey to and through adoption and were also joined by the most adorable Emily Chapman Richards (aka daughter of Steven Curtis Chapman) ~
I wanted to share a few photos from the evening but I really want to encourage you to watch the episode when it airs. You see I know not everyone is called to adopt BUT everyone is called to care for the widows and orphans and these 3 ladies not only share their heart they shared concrete, viable ways you could make a difference. And afterall is that not what we are ALL called to do!! If you want more info on any of these ladies and their organizations I am gonna include the links after the photos so be sure to check them out!
Oh Yeah I almost forgot - the details on the show - Mothering the Motherless - A Discussion on Adoption - Airs Nov 5th Tuesdays and Thursdays 7pm ET | 6pm CT | Replay: 7pm MT | 6pm PT
On Monday night I had the very blessed opportunity to travel to the North Star studios here in Nashville with great friend and fellow adoptive mama Rebecca to see a taping of The CHAT with Priscilla. Now I will admit I was not familiar with Priscilla Shirer prior to a facebook post from Gwen Oatsvall (co-founder of 147 Million Orphans) but you see her post well it had me at adoption. And I didn't really had no idea what I was getting myself into but if Gwen and Kelly Putty (founder of Ordinary Hero) were to be the guests I KNEW it was gonna be an AMAZING not to be missed event.
And all I can say is that it did not disappoint! Not one bit!!!
Both Gwen and Kelly shared their journey to and through adoption and were also joined by the most adorable Emily Chapman Richards (aka daughter of Steven Curtis Chapman) ~
I wanted to share a few photos from the evening but I really want to encourage you to watch the episode when it airs. You see I know not everyone is called to adopt BUT everyone is called to care for the widows and orphans and these 3 ladies not only share their heart they shared concrete, viable ways you could make a difference. And afterall is that not what we are ALL called to do!! If you want more info on any of these ladies and their organizations I am gonna include the links after the photos so be sure to check them out!
Oh Yeah I almost forgot - the details on the show - Mothering the Motherless - A Discussion on Adoption - Airs Nov 5th Tuesdays and Thursdays 7pm ET | 6pm CT | Replay: 7pm MT | 6pm PT
Neck Tie Tuesday
Well Hello Again ~
We have now successfully completed day 2 of Spirit Week @ Lipscomb Elementary. And I must say these photos really say it all! The boys version of how mama wanted the photo taken followed by mama's version of the photo!
So there you have it another day in the books and now we move on to Wednesday! Which means the week is halfway complete!!
We have now successfully completed day 2 of Spirit Week @ Lipscomb Elementary. And I must say these photos really say it all! The boys version of how mama wanted the photo taken followed by mama's version of the photo!
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| Boys will be boys! |
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| Mama's compliant photo |
So there you have it another day in the books and now we move on to Wednesday! Which means the week is halfway complete!!
Monday, September 23, 2013
Marvelous Mustache Monday ~
Greetings Friends ~
I hope that you had a super awesome weekend! We here at the Hammons house were busy bees with soccer, and mama working and our ever fabulous Marilyn home for a visit from UT.
This week is spirit week at the boys school. And of course our fabulous PTO has put together a different dress code for each day. Now with my limited knowledge I know that my 2 Ethiopian boys are very black and white not sure how spirit week goes in other homes but - get out of the norm and it get's questionable so I was thrilled to see that this week we really will only have 2 days that will require ALOT of explaining behind these crazy American traditions. Fortunately today was NOT one of them. The boys went out with their dad last night while I was at bible study to pick out their mustaches for today. Who knew mustaches came in blue and yellow! So from Tariku and Teddy they wish you a Marvelous Mustache Monday!
I hope that you had a super awesome weekend! We here at the Hammons house were busy bees with soccer, and mama working and our ever fabulous Marilyn home for a visit from UT.
This week is spirit week at the boys school. And of course our fabulous PTO has put together a different dress code for each day. Now with my limited knowledge I know that my 2 Ethiopian boys are very black and white not sure how spirit week goes in other homes but - get out of the norm and it get's questionable so I was thrilled to see that this week we really will only have 2 days that will require ALOT of explaining behind these crazy American traditions. Fortunately today was NOT one of them. The boys went out with their dad last night while I was at bible study to pick out their mustaches for today. Who knew mustaches came in blue and yellow! So from Tariku and Teddy they wish you a Marvelous Mustache Monday!
Tomorrow is Tie Tuesday!
Friday, September 13, 2013
Hammons House - Oct 26th - PLEASE JOIN US
Greetings ~
I promised a friend a year ago I would write this post when this day came and so here I am honoring that promise. Over the last 365 days I have heard so often - WOW you look different, you look great, have you lost weight, your hair it looks so long. And with every comment I smiled and thanked you and went on about my day.
But the truth is I didn't tell you something, I was scared to tell you why - I look different and why I did loose weight because last summer I found a tumor in my right breast. And last fall after I put the boys on the bus and waved them off I went on my way to the Sarah Canon Cancer Center for breast cancer treatment. And every afternoon I was home to greet the bus and meet my boys.
You see I am the mom of newly adopted international children - children who have seen great loss and trauma and the LAST thing I could do to them was add the fear of more loss or trauma to their world.
Today 365 days later I can tell you I am a survivor and cancer free. But I am different and I look at the world different and you have seen my posts change and my view of the world and my role in it change.
And so I'm coming to you today and asking you to join me and my boys on Oct 26th in Brentwood TN for the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure. While I am blessed to be a survivor I lost 2 very dear friends to this disease. Sally (an amazing adoptive mama) and Taira (a fabulous wedding professional and client) so this year I cannot stay silent. This year I need to be a voice for those that have lost the battle, those that are still fighting and those that do not even know it is coming yet. I have set a modest goal of $2,500 and 10 people to join me and the boys on this journey. I'm hoping you will be one?!?!?
Here is the link come on and join the Hammons House and we step out on Oct 26th and get one step closer to finding a CURE - http://nashville.info-komen.org/site/TR/RacefortheCure/NAS_GreaterNashvilleAffiliate?px=14768674&pg=personal&fr_id=2925
I promised a friend a year ago I would write this post when this day came and so here I am honoring that promise. Over the last 365 days I have heard so often - WOW you look different, you look great, have you lost weight, your hair it looks so long. And with every comment I smiled and thanked you and went on about my day.
But the truth is I didn't tell you something, I was scared to tell you why - I look different and why I did loose weight because last summer I found a tumor in my right breast. And last fall after I put the boys on the bus and waved them off I went on my way to the Sarah Canon Cancer Center for breast cancer treatment. And every afternoon I was home to greet the bus and meet my boys.
You see I am the mom of newly adopted international children - children who have seen great loss and trauma and the LAST thing I could do to them was add the fear of more loss or trauma to their world.
Today 365 days later I can tell you I am a survivor and cancer free. But I am different and I look at the world different and you have seen my posts change and my view of the world and my role in it change.
And so I'm coming to you today and asking you to join me and my boys on Oct 26th in Brentwood TN for the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure. While I am blessed to be a survivor I lost 2 very dear friends to this disease. Sally (an amazing adoptive mama) and Taira (a fabulous wedding professional and client) so this year I cannot stay silent. This year I need to be a voice for those that have lost the battle, those that are still fighting and those that do not even know it is coming yet. I have set a modest goal of $2,500 and 10 people to join me and the boys on this journey. I'm hoping you will be one?!?!?
Here is the link come on and join the Hammons House and we step out on Oct 26th and get one step closer to finding a CURE - http://nashville.info-komen.org/site/TR/RacefortheCure/NAS_GreaterNashvilleAffiliate?px=14768674&pg=personal&fr_id=2925
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| Sweet Sallee and her family - Photo courtesy of Evin Photography |
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| My dear friend Taira and her husband Rob @ their vow renewal a few months before she passed away |
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| My boys and I sporting our pink for a purpose |
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Packing Up and Preparing to Head HOME ~
Greetings from Addis Ababa ~
The last time I will write that for awhile! Hard to believe that my month here is coming to a close - and yet GOD has done some most amazing things with my time here. Anyone who knows me knows I plan (I mean HELLO it's what I do for a living!!) so I entered this month with a plan and you know HE laughed and threw it right out the window!! And so I became okay with that because HIS plan was soooo much better.
I visited friends (who are way more like family)
I played with sweet little ones who are waiting on their moms and dads to arrive (SOON I pray)
I watched FOREVER FAMILIES be born
I witnessed heartbreak and loss as friends lost loved ones
I survived a midnight journey to Awassa - and anyone who has ridden those roads in the dead of night can understand
I produced an event that was 6 months in the making and it was PRETTY AWESOME
I spent time in the word - time like I had never spent before
I worked on a manuscript (that was suppose to be done LONG ago!)
I continued to run my business full time from half way around the world - that my friends is a whole blog post in itself
I tried foods I had vowed in years past would never pass my lips
I secured Tariku's injera plate and the boys traditional clothing that they put on a list for me to bring home
I watched and studied in awe the people of Addis - the joy, the contentment, the family values that exist in this country and vow to bring it home to my family
I stood at the edge of waterfalls and looked in AWE at ALL that HE has created
I laughed I laughed in ways I have not laughed in I cannot tell you how long
I loved
I missed my boys and my family - but knew they were safe and doing what they were suppose to be doing in this time -
I trusted HIM with every day and night
And now I return to the states - a different person - for this time a piece of me remains in Addis - I pray that I will continue to be as faithful to him at home as I have been here - that I will remember the lessons and that I will continue this journey - for a much bigger project was born on this trip - a project that will take HIS faithfulness and guidance to bring to life but I now know it's what I was called to do and so it will be done. (I will share more on this one as it moves forward)
So the duffles are packed and I am headed out to spend my last full day here in my second home. To soak in the incense and coffee smells, to hear the honking horns a few more times!
Ciao for now from Addis ~
Courtney
The last time I will write that for awhile! Hard to believe that my month here is coming to a close - and yet GOD has done some most amazing things with my time here. Anyone who knows me knows I plan (I mean HELLO it's what I do for a living!!) so I entered this month with a plan and you know HE laughed and threw it right out the window!! And so I became okay with that because HIS plan was soooo much better.
I visited friends (who are way more like family)
I played with sweet little ones who are waiting on their moms and dads to arrive (SOON I pray)
I watched FOREVER FAMILIES be born
I witnessed heartbreak and loss as friends lost loved ones
I survived a midnight journey to Awassa - and anyone who has ridden those roads in the dead of night can understand
I produced an event that was 6 months in the making and it was PRETTY AWESOME
I spent time in the word - time like I had never spent before
I worked on a manuscript (that was suppose to be done LONG ago!)
I continued to run my business full time from half way around the world - that my friends is a whole blog post in itself
I tried foods I had vowed in years past would never pass my lips
I secured Tariku's injera plate and the boys traditional clothing that they put on a list for me to bring home
I watched and studied in awe the people of Addis - the joy, the contentment, the family values that exist in this country and vow to bring it home to my family
I stood at the edge of waterfalls and looked in AWE at ALL that HE has created
I laughed I laughed in ways I have not laughed in I cannot tell you how long
I loved
I missed my boys and my family - but knew they were safe and doing what they were suppose to be doing in this time -
I trusted HIM with every day and night
And now I return to the states - a different person - for this time a piece of me remains in Addis - I pray that I will continue to be as faithful to him at home as I have been here - that I will remember the lessons and that I will continue this journey - for a much bigger project was born on this trip - a project that will take HIS faithfulness and guidance to bring to life but I now know it's what I was called to do and so it will be done. (I will share more on this one as it moves forward)
So the duffles are packed and I am headed out to spend my last full day here in my second home. To soak in the incense and coffee smells, to hear the honking horns a few more times!
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| Sweet sweet boy that I have LOVED watching grow up! He was just born the 1st time I came to Addis and now he is 3 |
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| Boys are boys no matter where they live! |
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| Don't know Ordinary Hero? Check them out - you will be sooo glad you did - www.ordinaryhero.org |
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| Ferengie (white person!) with a camera - means they want their pictures |
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| Just another day another futbol game |
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| No words for the sweetness of this boy |
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| My friend in Awassa |
Ciao for now from Addis ~
Courtney
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
1st day of school
Greetings ~
Well this year the first day of school looked a little different at the Hammons house! There is no cute pinterest worthy photo of the boys. There were no tears shed as the boys headed to the bus to start 1st and 2nd grade. Nope not this year ~ GOD had different plans for this mama and boy did he stretch me this year! You see I am still working in Addis Ababa Ethiopia some 7,300 miles away from the 1st day of school. And yet I wouldn't change a moment of it for anything - not for me or for the boys. So alright the outfits they wore were surely chosen by them, and no I didn't pack their lunch (but I did take them to buy lunch boxes before I left!!!) Instead their dad and their papa had this moment with them and for that I am eternally grateful. The boys ADORE their papa to the ends of the earth and had I not been away he would not have been there for their 1st day of school. And thanks to modern technology I am blessed to follow their day via email, facebook and twitter. Their most amazing nanny (who leaves for college this Friday) posts photos and videos of them after school. Their teachers email me and I facetime with the boys ~ so no the 1st day of school was not a traditional one but it was also not one to soon be forgotten! Hello 2013/2014 we are soooo excited to see you and cannot wait for all that is in store with Ms. Clark and Ms. Gatlin this year!
Well this year the first day of school looked a little different at the Hammons house! There is no cute pinterest worthy photo of the boys. There were no tears shed as the boys headed to the bus to start 1st and 2nd grade. Nope not this year ~ GOD had different plans for this mama and boy did he stretch me this year! You see I am still working in Addis Ababa Ethiopia some 7,300 miles away from the 1st day of school. And yet I wouldn't change a moment of it for anything - not for me or for the boys. So alright the outfits they wore were surely chosen by them, and no I didn't pack their lunch (but I did take them to buy lunch boxes before I left!!!) Instead their dad and their papa had this moment with them and for that I am eternally grateful. The boys ADORE their papa to the ends of the earth and had I not been away he would not have been there for their 1st day of school. And thanks to modern technology I am blessed to follow their day via email, facebook and twitter. Their most amazing nanny (who leaves for college this Friday) posts photos and videos of them after school. Their teachers email me and I facetime with the boys ~ so no the 1st day of school was not a traditional one but it was also not one to soon be forgotten! Hello 2013/2014 we are soooo excited to see you and cannot wait for all that is in store with Ms. Clark and Ms. Gatlin this year!
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