by Kam | Sep 2, 2020 | Adoption
It’s started… The great tomato abundance of 2020. At least something good will come out of the crazy that is this year! So far and besides eating them I have started with canning crushed tomatoes I’m not sure if I have the brain power yet to branch...
by Kam | Aug 31, 2020 | Adoption
This is a picture of my son tanning himself in our backyard. To you it’s only another teenager trying to get a nice summer glow. To me, it’s an acceptance of a skin color…his own. He was raised thinking that the skin he wore was wrong. As if you can...
by Kam | Aug 31, 2020 | Adoption
I know I totally skipped talking about the gardens in July but there are a couple things I have learned. First, as much as I want to be a community builder, the dirt in my back yard is WAY better than the community garden. I still recommend doing it if your city has...
by Kam | Jun 18, 2020 | DIY Food
Even before I had six kids I loved buying food in bulk. Guess I always knew I would be the matron to a large family and mine is small compared to some. Still, I love to buy two 50lb bags of potatoes instead of one, four crates of peaches instead of two or 15...
by Kam | Mar 16, 2020 | Homeschool, Parenting
So today was our first day of being quasi-quarantined. The first Monday back from Spring Break and they should have been going to school to return to normal but it did not happen. Not only did “normal” not return but I am home-schooling again. Honestly, I...
by Kam | Sep 12, 2018 | Adoption
I do not always like you. I will always love you but there are times that I just plain do.not.like.you. I know there are times when you don’t like me either. That’s fine. That’s fair. Neither one of us knew how this was going to play out when it...
by Kam | Mar 9, 2018 | Adoption
As an adoptive mom, I am sickened by a rumor going around that one person in an office somewhere is attempting to stop international adoption. The rumor is in fact true and this person is succeeding. In four years, it will be an unavailable option in the US and no,...
by Kam | Mar 9, 2018 | Parenting
20lbs of strawberries 16 cheeseburgers 20 hotdogs SO many bags of chips!! This was a recent meal at my house. We had three bio’s, adopted three more but there is ALWAYS more at my house than the six that live here. I LOVE THAT!!! When I was growing up,...
by Kam | Feb 18, 2018 | Adoption
Day by day, step by step. That’s what our adoption journey is. Some families have an easier time adapting. Some have a harder. Our journey is our own and it is getting easier. Today, I remembered the “why”. Because they didn’t ask to be...
by Kam | Feb 18, 2018 | Adoption
In the time we’ve been home, I have questioned everything I thought I knew. My faith has been shaken to its core. Stripped to the very raw truth that I am not in control. I have one job…to believe. To believe what He says He will do, who He is, & how...
by Kam | Jan 31, 2018 | Adoption
That’s how long we have been looking. Looking for the “new normal”. It comes with new memories, old memories in young minds, sleep walking, small victories and tested boundaries. A year ago we met. Eight months ago, we took them from their home and...
by Kam | Nov 8, 2017 | Adoption, Parenting
When the battery in the van died, I thought, great! How are we going to pay for that?! We still need to buy coats and gloves! When the dishwasher stopped draining the water, I thought, great! Now I get to do all of the dishes for eight people! When the child got sick,...
by Kam | Nov 8, 2017 | Adoption, Parenting
Trying something new in my ETSY store! Making jewelry with a natural, down-to-Earth feel! Tell me what you think!
by Kam | Nov 7, 2017 | Adoption
When we started down this road of adoption, I spoke to the representatives of about eight different adoption agencies. All of them told me that there would be someone to hold my hand through the mountain of paperwork. None of them told me what to do when I secretly...
by Kam | Oct 2, 2017 | Adoption
Last week marked the three months we have been home with our new kiddos. We are doing better. We see improvements in everybody every day but it’s not where we want it to be or moving as fast. We are still trying to balance all six kids’ needs whether...
by Kam | Aug 28, 2017 | Adoption
Today is two months. Two months does not seem like much but yikes… it sure can be when you are waiting for the next step. I wonder if that will ever go away… the waiting. First we’re waiting for paperwork to get approved. Then money to come in....
by Kam | Jul 12, 2017 | Adoption
I don’t know why I find comfort in the sound of the air conditioner. It breaks up the silence of the house in the morning that I’m afraid of. I lay in my bed not wanting to move in case it wakes the sleeping. Not wanting to get up and do another day of...
by Kam | Apr 4, 2017 | Homeschool, Parenting
Wow…didn’t take long to derail my “every day” plan! Well…Onward & upward!! When you decide to teach your children, it’s important to look ONLY at your own style. NOT at the style of the teachers they may have in public school. ...
by Kam | Apr 2, 2017 | Homeschool, Parenting
So, after taking a bit of a hiatus from my little blog, I now have a goal of posting at least something every day in April. Yes I’m aware that I missed yesterday but we aren’t counting that…it was April Fools. We are getting close to bringing our...
by Kam | Mar 15, 2017 | Adoption
I enjoy following adoption journeys through all of the painful, brokenness, as well as the victories and successes. I think that future adopters need to have a clear view of the process if they go down the same road. I appreciate those who have said “HEY, this is...
by Kam | Mar 5, 2017 | Adoption, Parenting
I’m not normally one to get behind an actor with a cause unless I’ve done some homework on the issue. There also needs to be some sort of credibility to the person, regardless of their status. That stuff just doesn’t impress me. I can get...
by Kam | Mar 3, 2017 | Adoption
Last week sucked. I was told that my Dad has prostate cancer. He is a survivor of bladder cancer so they still check the “area” every few months. Did you know that the prostate is only the size of a walnut? I did NOT know that. So the plan is to remove...
by Kam | Feb 18, 2017 | Adoption, Parenting
(From Jan. 23rd) I met my children for the very first time today. I have seen their pictures, watched the videos, but today, I met them. It is surreal to say the least. I am now a mama torn between her children on two continents. Our bio-kids are in excellent hands...
by Kam | Jan 11, 2017 | Adoption
Getting closer to our departure just adds more to my brain. Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited and really pretty calm. It’s the “grey matter” in my head that seems to nap during the day but then talks incessantly at night! She’s...
by Kam | Jan 3, 2017 | Adoption
I entered this Christmas season with reserved hope that we would hear something before the Bulgarian government closed for the holidays. We had heard from other families that Bulgaria would cease to be active between the 15th & 19th of December. Daily we waited....
by Kam | Aug 13, 2016 | Adoption
Currently, we know of two families who are at the end of their journey. They are hours from bringing their children home to begin a new chapter in their lives. We are so excited for both of these families, one of whom happens to be our Pastor & his wife. It is...
by Kam | Jul 29, 2016 | Adoption
This journey called “adoption” is turning out to be the hardest I have ever been on. More courage has been required of me than anything else I have prayed for. I truly believe that parenting these small people will be easier than the process to get them....
by Kam | Jun 15, 2016 | Adoption
I am learning through the process of this adoption that what I think may be helping, is only filling time. What I should be doing I am not & although God is holding me through all of it, I am not listening to Him. I am a do-er. That’s how I...
by Kam | May 24, 2016 | Adoption, Homeschool, Parenting
Have you ever taken a personality test? I strongly recommend it if you have not. The Myers Briggs at humanmetrics.com is a great one to take & it is pretty detailed. I haven’t taken one for a few years but I just took this one again & YEP! Still an...
by Kam | May 12, 2016 | Adoption, DIY Food, Homeschool, Parenting
Got your coffee?:) Great! I love to drink coffee but I don’t like to taste it. It is warm & comforting but must be covered in sugar & milk. This is something I would like to try to change but not this day! In my defense, it is almond milk. To my harm,...