Friday, December 31, 2010

I don't want my children to be happy...

Every once in a while I find a blog post that I just have to share. Missy of "It's almost naptime" wrote THIS

And it so worth the read...

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Why would God become Man?

There was once a man who didn't believe in God, and he didn't hesitate to let others know how he felt about religion and religious holidays, like Christmas.

His wife, however, did believe, and she raised their children to also have faith in God and Jesus, despite his disparaging comments. One snowy Christmas Eve, his wife was taking their children to a Christmas Eve service in the farm community in which they lived. She asked him to come, but he refused. "That story is nonsense!", he said. "Why would God lower Himself to come to Earth as a man? That's ridiculous!" So she and the children left, and he stayed home..
A while later, the winds grew stronger and the snow turned into a blizzard. As the man looked out the window, all he saw was a blinding snowstorm. He sat down to relax before the fire for the evening. Then he heard a loud thump. Something had hit the window. Then another thump. He looked out, but couldn't see more than a few feet. When the snow let up a little, he ventured outside to see what could have been beating on his window. In the field near his house he saw a flock of wild geese. Apparently they had been flying south for the winter when they got caught in the snowstorm and could not go on. They were lost and stranded on his farm, with no food or shelter. They just flapped their wings and flew around the field in low circles, blindly and aimlessly. A couple of them had flown into his window, it seemed.
The man felt sorry for the geese and wanted to help them. The barn would be a great place for them to stay, he thought. It is warm and safe; surely they could spend the night and wait out the storm. So he walked over to the barn and opened the doors wide, then watched and waited, hoping they would notice the open barn and go inside. But the geese just fluttered around aimlessly and did not seem to notice the barn or realize what it could mean for them. The man tried to get their attention, but that just seemed to scare them and they moved further away. He went into the house and came back out with some bread, broke it up, and made a bread crumb trail leading to the barn. They still didn't catch on. Now he was getting frustrated. He got behind them and tried to shoo them toward the barn, but they only got more scared and scattered in every direction except toward the barn. Nothing he did could get them to go into the barn where they would be warm and safe. "Why don't they follow me?!", he exclaimed. "Can't they see this is the only place where they can survive the storm?" He thought for a moment and realized that they just wouldn't follow a human. "If only I were a goose, then I could save them", he said out loud.

Then he had an idea. He went into barn, got one of his own geese, and carried it in his arms as he circled around behind the flock of wild geese. He then released it. His goose flew through the flock and straight into the barn-and one by one the other geese followed it to safety. He stood silently for a moment as the words he had spoken a few minutes earlier replayed in his mind: "If only I were a goose, then I could save them! Then he thought about what he had said to his wife earlier. "Why would God want to be like us? That's ridiculous!" Suddenly it all made sense. That is what God had done. We were like the geese - blind, lost, perishing. God had His Son become like us so He could show us the way and save us. That was the meaning of Christmas, he realized. As the winds and blinding snow died down, his soul became quiet and pondered this wonderful thought. Suddenly he understood what Christmas was all about, why Christ had come. Years of doubt and disbelief vanished like the passing storm. He fell to his knees in the snow, and prayed his first prayer: "Thank You, God, for coming in human form to get me out of the storm!"

Author Unknown

Friday, December 10, 2010

Just for fun

The cheerleading banquet was last night. The girls had a great time! It was a terrific season!


Sunday, December 05, 2010

Happy Birthday Jon Paul







My dream, my wish and my goal was to be with you today. Either in China or here, at home, to celebrate your 3rd Birthday with you. But it seems God had other plans and we cannot be together. Perhaps He wanted to give Mike and Deena one more birthday, one more Christmas, with you. We know that you are celebrating and, with heavy hearts because we miss you so much, we are celebrating too. We hope you received the very special gift we sent to you for your birthday. Happy 3rd Birthday, son... we love you.


Wednesday, November 17, 2010

School Photo

I think it looks a lot like last years. :/

Sunday, November 07, 2010

Help Bring Jon Paul Home

We've had a wonderful outpouring of support. Here's information on how you can help bring Jon Paul home. He is blind and resides in foster care in China. We are currently working to bring him home. Here's how you can help!
Here's how YOU can help bring home Jon Paul!

Click on this link for Kingdom Kids

At the top of the page click on Donations then select Family Grant Donations

Fill out the information and in the box that says designation, fill in our names, Mike & Faye Corman. That way you'll be sure you're donation will go to help fund Jon Paul's adoption.

If you would rather send a check, please mail it to:

Kingdom Kids Adoption Ministry
8625 N Whitehouse Drive

Spokane, WA 99208
USA

Please include a note with the check that the donation is for Jon Paul Corman's adoption fund, but DO NOT include our name on the check!

Kingdom Kids Adoption Ministries is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations are tax-deductible in accordance with IRS regulations.

Thank you for your support! Any questions, please feel free to contact Kingdom Kids!

Monday, November 01, 2010

Fundraiser for Jon Paul

We were chosen by Hip Mom Jewelry as a beneficiary for their adoption cause! So what do you have to do? Click on the link below and SHOP! When you place your order, fill out the family code COR1110. You'll receive some fabulous, one-of-a-kind, handmade jewelry and the proceeds will help bring home Jon Paul!
Don't delay, shop today!

Our family code is COR1110!



Sunday, October 31, 2010

Happy Halloween

Super Girl and Super Dog

Monday, October 18, 2010

School Project

Camille has a school project for All Saint's Day which is coming up on November 1st. She has to do a report on a Saint. At the advice of Mike's aunt Liz (who is a Sister herself) Camille chose St. Katharine Drexel. St. Katharine was born in Philadelphia, PA and was the second American born saint to be cannonized (after St. Elizabeth Ann Seton). She is the patron saint of racial justice and spent her entire life and inheritance, $20 million, helping poor Native Americans and African Americans.




Monday, October 04, 2010

Light

Compositionally, not the best photo in the world, but I really like the way the light streams through. God's presence in a photograph.


Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Rah-Rah!

Camille's new passion!
She's cheers for a 60lb football team in our township... the Garnets! Go Garnets!


Thursday, September 23, 2010

Kitchen Remodel

I can't even say that it looks like the same place!











Friday, September 17, 2010

40 Days for Life

If you haven't signed up for 40 Days for Life please do so, HERE

The New Morality
by Mary
You didn't make, Unborn Child.
They wouldn't let you be.
To your bud of life, they took a knife.
It's the "New Morality".
The didn't mean to hurt you, Love!
You have to understand.
Forgive them for what they did.
Their life was so well-planned.
They couldn't take you with them
up the ladder of success.
Money meant more to them
than a child, heaven-blessed.
Tell me, little Unvorn Child,
what did the Creator say?
Did He wrap you in His love,
and wipe your tears away?
You hover on the edge of time.
I see your faceless form.
You laugh whenever children play,
Oh, God for you I mourn!
He sent His only Precious Son
to teach us all "the Way".
Still we kill the unborn ones.
It happens every day!
You didn't make it, Unborn Child.
They wouldn't let you be.
They just expelled a blob of cells.
It's the "New Morality"

Wednesday, September 08, 2010

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Happy 6th Birthday!

Someone turned 6... And we all celebrated!

















Friday, August 13, 2010

A Birthday...

So Camille is turning 6 in a few days. (SIX? Where did the time go? Didn't we just bring home a tiny 11 month old baby last week?)

We're having a small family party for her on Saturday and will probably celebrate her birthday with a "kid" party in September, after her friends are back at school. I have been completely overwhelmed with Mike being away, remodeling the kitchen, starting a new job at work, trying to find a replacement... it's been horrible. I just haven't had time to even think about a birthday party, much less plan one. It's also difficult when your birthday is in the summer. Families are on vacation and you don't have much contact with your friends. School starts September 8th, so I figure by the end of September, the kids will be ready for a little party.

Camille's birthday wish list includes "Sophie" the Liv* doll and a fish tank for her room that her Zayde promised her if it was okay with me. The list is not long because we don't go whole-hog on gifts for birthdays and Camille knows it. In addition, I imagine Camille will get a few things for school; some new school uniform clothing and some school supplies. A definite plus (or minus) to having a birthday just before school starts! :)

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Friday, August 06, 2010

Visit to the Seeing Eye



Yesterday was our long awaited, much anticipated visit to the Seeing Eye. We drove up early and we were greeted by Ray, the Outreach Specialist at the Seeing Eye. He gave us a warm welcome and we met his Seeing Eye dog, a black lab named 'Mojo'. After a tour of the facility that included the history of the Seeing Eye school, we met by Daddy and permitted to have lunch with him in the dining hall. It was quite a special event. After lunch we spent some time with Daddy on the leasure path. He showed us all of the amazing things 'Otis' can do.


When it was time to leave, Camille shed some tears. We're so glad Daddy will be home in a week!




Thursday, August 05, 2010

Another day

WHEN MY HEART IS OVERWHEMED LEAD ME TO THE ROCK THAT IS HIGHER THAN I. -Psalm 61:2

There is a lot going on. Mike will be home in a week and I'm trying to get things prepared for his arrival. The house needs a good cleaning. Although the contractors have been fairly good at keeping tidy, there is a film of debris everywhere. There is also a lot of 'stuff' that needs to be either put away, donated or thown out.

I received a promotion at work. While it's a good thing, it's not great timing. I am now trying to manage two jobs, my old one until a replacement is found and my new one. I want to make a good impression on my new boss and new team, but the workload is overwhelming to say the very least.

Camille is continuing to have frequent nosebleeds. I am taking her to the Children's hospital to see a specialist on Friday. Poor kid.

The adoption process is at minor standstill. We need to get our paperwork authenticated. I need Mike home to help. I am overwhelmed at this point.

Monday, July 26, 2010

4 years

My old friend... has it really been 4 years already? I feel like you were just here with us yesterday.



Rockie was a "challenging" dog. From the very beginning she had a lot of faults. She was terribly headstrong. She was going to do what she wanted to do, right or wrong. She was extremely smart... the obdience trainer called her "crafty." And yet, she was, at one time, the greatest love of my life. I still get a little pang of heartache when I think about her, but I know we'll meet again... someday.



Rockie
March 17, 1992 - July 26, 2006
"Bad dog, good friend"

Saturday, July 24, 2010

My Adopted Child

Once there were two women, neither knew the other
One you do not remember, the other you call mother.
One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name
One gave you the seed of talent, the other gave you an aim.
Two very different lives shaped yours into one
One became your guiding star, the other was your sun.
One gave you emotions, and one calmed your fears
One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried your tears.
The first gave you life, the second taught you to live it.
The first gave you a need for love, the second was there to give it.
One gave you up—it was all that she could do,
The other prayed for a child—God led her straight to you.
And now you ask me through your tears,
The age-old question of all the years,
Heredity or Environment, which are you a product of?
Neither darling, neither ... just two different kinds of Love.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

A poignant post on a blog written by a 17 year old girl. I was touched... I hope you are too.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

I love family reunions

I love a family reunion. We had ours at the Outer Banks this year and EVERYONE was able to attend. My family is not particularly large, so it was amazing to see everyone!


Single-parenthood

Single-parenthood, even the temporary kind I am experiencing right now, is rough. It's so nice to have someone to help out, even with the very simple things early in the morning. It's only day 2 of the new routine, and I feel completely overwhelmed. To make matters worse, I was up past midnight, trying to get the kitchen ready for the contractors, who arrived at 8AM to start demolition on my kitchen. I failed that too. The contractors will have ended up packing up some boxes this morning. I just could not get it all done, not by myself.

I hope things go better tomorrow. Tonight I am dropping Camille off at her school for the summer reading program. I need to go to the store and purchase the appliances for our new kitchen. Wish me luck!

Monday, July 19, 2010

Matching Day

Today is matching day at the Seeing Eye. Mike will meet his new guide dog today. He seemed in a very good humor when I spoke to him on the phone this morning. The excitement and anticipation must be killing him! (I know it's killing me!) He'll meet his dog a little after 1:00 this afternoon. What an exciting day!
UPDATE:
So we think Mike's new dog might look something like this...

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Happy 5th "Forever" Day, Sweet baby girl!

These are the days you were not supposed to have...

When we brought this fragile little home, 5 years ago, she weighed 13 pounds at 11 months of age. She had rickets and MRSA infection that could have killed her...

2005

2010Today she is a happy, healthy kid. She'll be 6 years old next month. She is the light of our lives... we could not be more grateful to God for this gift. Amen.

Thursday, July 08, 2010

You've got to be kidding me!

The annual school uniform sale is next week? Yep! It's no joke. School uniforms, gym uniforms and polos will be sold next week! Yikes! School doesn't even start up again until September 8th! I think I'm just going to wait it out...


Wednesday, July 07, 2010

Down to the wire

Well, Mike leaves for the Seeing Eye in 10 days and I now I must admit that I am beginning to feel a bit anxious and nervous about it. I want him to go. I've been excited for him as I know this will be a terrific opportunity and adventure for him. But now that the time is just about here, it's really getting real. I guess before it was some sort of romantic fantasy... now it's actually going to happen. He's going to have a life changing experience and I'm going to be thrust into single parenthood for a month! Yuck! But we'll both do what we've got to do because I know the ultimate outcome will be well worth it. In the mean time, we've got a vacation just prior. We're leaving for the beach on Sunday. Mike's time at the beach will be cut a bit short due to the fact that he must report to the guide dog school.

Sunday, July 04, 2010

Thursday, July 01, 2010

Thinking of Jon Paul

We're thinking of you today Jon Paul. Missing you, sadly...

1 Samuel 1:27
"For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition that I made to him."

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

The Price of Children

The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 and came up with $160,140.00 for a middle income family. Talk about price shock! That doesn't even touch college tuition.

But $160,140.00 isn't so bad if you break it down. It translates into:

* $8,896.66 a year,
* $741.38 a month,
* $171.08 a week.
* A mere $24.24 a day!
* Just over a dollar an hour.

Still, you might think the best financial advice is, 'don't have children if you want to be 'rich'. Actually, it is just the opposite.

What do you get for your $160,140.00?

* Naming rights . First, middle, and last!
* Glimpses of God every day.
* Giggles under the covers every night.
* More love than your heart can hold.
* Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs.
* Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies.
* A hand to hold usually covered with jelly or chocolate.
* A partner for blowing bubbles and flying kites.
* Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day.

For $160,140.00, you never have to grow up. You get to:

* finger-paint,
* carve pumpkins,
* play hide-and-seek,
* catch lightning bugs,
* never stop believing in Santa Claus.

You have an excuse to:

* keep reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh,
* watch Saturday morning cartoons,
* go to Disney movies, and
* wish on stars.

You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator magnets and collect spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas, hand prints set in clay for Mother's Day, and cards with backward letters for Father's Day.

For a mere $24.24 a day, there is no greater bang for your buck. You get to be a hero just for:

* retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof,
* taking the training wheels off a bike,
* removing a splinter,
* filling a wading pool,
* coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs, and
* coaching a baseball team that never wins, but always gets treated to ice cream regardless.

You get a front row seat in history to witness the:

* First step,
* First word,
* First date,
* First time behind the wheel.

You get to be immortal. You get another branch added to your family tree, and if you're lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary called children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, and communications that no college can match.

In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there under God. You have all the power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever, and love them without limits, so one day they will, like you, love without counting the cost. That is quite a deal for the price!!!!!!!

Love & enjoy your children & grandchildren & great-grandchildren...

It's the best investment you'll ever make!
· Psalms 127:3
Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Kindergarten Graduation

Camille and Mommy
Camille & Father Joe

Camille & her teacher, Mrs. Love


Camille receives her diploma from Fr. Joe.
Camille & Ian give their speaking parts durinf the ceremony.
The graduation march... so proud!

Camille's friend Hannah also graduated from Kindergarten (at another school) this year. We took these photos for fun... we thought they would be fun to have when the girls graduate from High School in 2022! :)




Wednesday, June 23, 2010

This is our new son, Jon Paul. He is blind and resides in foster care in China. We are currently working to bring him home. Here's how you can help!
Here's how YOU can help bring home Jon Paul!

Click on this link for Kingdom Kids

At the top of the page click on Donations then select Family Grant Donations

Fill out the information and in the box that says designation, fill in our names, Mike & Faye Corman. That way you'll be sure you're donation will go to help fund Jon Paul's adoption.

If you would rather send a check, please mail it to:

Kingdom Kids Adoption Ministry
8625 N Whitehouse Drive

Spokane, WA 99208
USA

Please include a note with the check that the donation is for Jon Paul Corman's adoption fund, but DO NOT include our name on the check!

Kingdom Kids Adoption Ministries is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations are tax-deductible in accordance with IRS regulations.

Thank you for your support! Any questions, please feel free to contact Kingdom Kids!