Monday, December 14, 2009
2009 CAF Christmas Party
What a great night! The party was fantastic. Greg and Kathy have a beautiful home and they were generous enough to open their home to us and host a great Christmas Gathering! Santa even knew where to come! He brought something for every little one! We had face painting, tons of great food, and just a great time socializing with one another. I couldn't have imagined a better night! Merry Christmas to you all!!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Our One Year Anniversary is almost here!
Happy Anniversary!!
As I look back over the past year I have many emotions to share. I’ve been excited and overwhelmed, I’ve been sad and I’ve been happy. I’ve even been frustrated. But, I have also at times been in total disbelief that this is happening.
This month marks the one year anniversary of COVE ADOPTIVE FAMILIES!!! It’s hard for me to put into words how much emotion comes with even just typing this! It all started with an idea I had for some of us adoptive families to get together… and now look. Just in one year we have grown from an idea to a corporation that is waiting for non-profit status approval. We have 25 members. Some of which who just enjoy the emails and informational updates and some who have been so vital in the growth of CAF that I would never have been able to make it the success it is without them. But whatever your role, whatever your involvement with Cove Adoptive Families, it is special and it is appreciated.
We've also had a lot of family and friends support. I can't talk about the success of CAF without mentioning the support of my husband and my friends. So thank you all for your support. And also the outpouring of support we have and still are receiving from our community agencies. I have truly been blessed this year by so many people. It's just been amazing!
We’ve gone from just a few of us socializing with one another to making a stand in our community advocating and educating about adoption. We’re embarking on new fundraising projects, we’ve added several new children this past year and I am hoping we add even more next year!!!
This group has become something that warms my heart and brings a smile to my face. It has grown into something that I never expected. It has become a mission and a vision for our family and hopefully for yours too. We have made some great friends and awesome connections for our families. I am excited to continue our relationships and to grow with all of you.
I just wanted to thank each and every one of you for your awesome contribution to making COVE ADOPTIVE FAMILIES a true success. I can only imagine if we did this much in just one year what will our second year bring!!
So please join me as we embark on a brand new journey towards 2010!!! Thanks to all of you!! And Happy Anniversary!!
Holly
As I look back over the past year I have many emotions to share. I’ve been excited and overwhelmed, I’ve been sad and I’ve been happy. I’ve even been frustrated. But, I have also at times been in total disbelief that this is happening.
This month marks the one year anniversary of COVE ADOPTIVE FAMILIES!!! It’s hard for me to put into words how much emotion comes with even just typing this! It all started with an idea I had for some of us adoptive families to get together… and now look. Just in one year we have grown from an idea to a corporation that is waiting for non-profit status approval. We have 25 members. Some of which who just enjoy the emails and informational updates and some who have been so vital in the growth of CAF that I would never have been able to make it the success it is without them. But whatever your role, whatever your involvement with Cove Adoptive Families, it is special and it is appreciated.
We've also had a lot of family and friends support. I can't talk about the success of CAF without mentioning the support of my husband and my friends. So thank you all for your support. And also the outpouring of support we have and still are receiving from our community agencies. I have truly been blessed this year by so many people. It's just been amazing!
We’ve gone from just a few of us socializing with one another to making a stand in our community advocating and educating about adoption. We’re embarking on new fundraising projects, we’ve added several new children this past year and I am hoping we add even more next year!!!
This group has become something that warms my heart and brings a smile to my face. It has grown into something that I never expected. It has become a mission and a vision for our family and hopefully for yours too. We have made some great friends and awesome connections for our families. I am excited to continue our relationships and to grow with all of you.
I just wanted to thank each and every one of you for your awesome contribution to making COVE ADOPTIVE FAMILIES a true success. I can only imagine if we did this much in just one year what will our second year bring!!
So please join me as we embark on a brand new journey towards 2010!!! Thanks to all of you!! And Happy Anniversary!!
Holly
Sunday, October 25, 2009
CAF goes down on the Farm. J.B. Tree Farm that is...
J.B Tree Farm was an awesome time! We enjoyed a cook-out together then we took a hay ride around the Farm. Then we got lost in the corn maze! The kids also enjoyed playing on the pile of hay bails! It was a beautiful day shared among friends and family.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
CAF Visits the Southern Cove Volunteer Fire and EMS Station
We all had a great time touring the Fire Station. The fire fighters and EMT's were awesome. They let the kids climb all through their the trucks and the ambulance. They taught them fire safety. They could not have been more great to us. And of course there were hats and coloring books for them all! What a great day.
Friday, August 28, 2009
My Thoughts on Family
A family is defined in many ways.
The dictionary defines a family as a group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head of the household or a group of persons of common ancestry.
I define family as this. Family is not about genetics. It is about loving each other through the great times and also through the tough times. Through the pain and sorrows and through the joys and laughs. Through the births and through the deaths. Through the struggles and the triumphs of each other. Family is about not judging one another but about accepting one another. Family is about hugs and cuddles, kisses and smiles. Family is about fights and tears. Families don’t always agree but they always love. Through it all a family is the place where you will find safety, security, and peace.
Family is not only the physical place of a house it is the place in your heart where you feel that warm feeling, The place where you can smell those familiar smells and hear those familiar humms. The place where you can close your eyes and remember. Remember the scrapes of your first bike accident. Remember the fears of the dark, remember the laughs of the birthday parties. The place where you can smell the turkey cooking, where you can taste the potato salad and feel the sun on your face from the porch, the place where you can hear the trees rustle or the horns blow. Whatever your place… where ever that is and whoever it is with… when you find this place you will know that you have found your home and found your family.
The dictionary defines a family as a group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head of the household or a group of persons of common ancestry.
I define family as this. Family is not about genetics. It is about loving each other through the great times and also through the tough times. Through the pain and sorrows and through the joys and laughs. Through the births and through the deaths. Through the struggles and the triumphs of each other. Family is about not judging one another but about accepting one another. Family is about hugs and cuddles, kisses and smiles. Family is about fights and tears. Families don’t always agree but they always love. Through it all a family is the place where you will find safety, security, and peace.
Family is not only the physical place of a house it is the place in your heart where you feel that warm feeling, The place where you can smell those familiar smells and hear those familiar humms. The place where you can close your eyes and remember. Remember the scrapes of your first bike accident. Remember the fears of the dark, remember the laughs of the birthday parties. The place where you can smell the turkey cooking, where you can taste the potato salad and feel the sun on your face from the porch, the place where you can hear the trees rustle or the horns blow. Whatever your place… where ever that is and whoever it is with… when you find this place you will know that you have found your home and found your family.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Mom's Night Out
Mom's Night proved again to be a great time!! We enjoyed some great stories and made some new friends. I am looking forward to next months gathering! We will be taking a road trip to the Southern Cove Volunteer Fire and EMS Comp nay in New Enterprise!! I think the kids will really enjoy this!! Date to be announced soon!
Also, the forms to become a Non-Profit Organization have been filed so please pray that everything goes through and is approved!!
Also, the forms to become a Non-Profit Organization have been filed so please pray that everything goes through and is approved!!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
CAF Pool Party
It's hard to describe in words how awesome yesterday was. We got to meet some new families and get to know some more even better. Stories and advice were shared. Lots of laughs and great food were also shared. Missy the cookies were awesome! and I know you all enjoyed the burnt marshmallows (Josh), but none us could get over the brochette from Tammy! She is one special lady. The kids always amaze me and just to hear every ones stories always touches my heart. This experience is so rewarding. Thank you all for coming and for making it such a great day. I look forward to the next event!! I hope you all had as great of time as we did!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
ADOPTION EXPO A GREAT SUCCESS
We were extremely pleased with the success of the Adoption Expo. We had a nice crowd of families very interested in adoption and foster care. We got the chance to meet a bunch of great people and listen to some very interesting stories. I look forward seeing many of you again.
Thank you so much to Kids Peace, Arrow, SWAN, Blair CYS, and Blair Family Solutions for their support. Also Pastor Evie and the Jaggard United Methodist Church. What a great location for our event. It could not have been a better day. But it couldn't have been done without the help of all of you donating door prizes, supplies, and your time and hearts, especially Chris Binduga. Thank you Chris for all your help. Something like this can't be done without the help of others. We really made a difference today and I thank you all for that!! Happy Mother's Day!
Thank you so much to Kids Peace, Arrow, SWAN, Blair CYS, and Blair Family Solutions for their support. Also Pastor Evie and the Jaggard United Methodist Church. What a great location for our event. It could not have been a better day. But it couldn't have been done without the help of all of you donating door prizes, supplies, and your time and hearts, especially Chris Binduga. Thank you Chris for all your help. Something like this can't be done without the help of others. We really made a difference today and I thank you all for that!! Happy Mother's Day!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
My Thoughts on Mother's Day
The Definition of a Mother:
As we head towards Mother’s Day, I decided to look up the definition of Mother in the dictionary and I have to say I was pretty irritated by what it said. It reads that a Mother is “anyone who has bore a child”. Sure that’s one way to become a mother, but to me there is so much more that makes a woman a mother. My definition of a Mother would be the one who raises, loves, cares for, teaches, comforts, and guides a child through their life. Mother to me is the one who provides the safety and security in their child’s heart that makes them know that no matter what they are loved and they will always have a place to call home, a shoulder to cry on, and arms to be held in. Mother’s provide love. We provide a safe place for our children. To me, that’s what makes a person a mother.
So with Mother’s Day right around the corner I was thinking tonight about the many emotions this day brings with it. Among others, there is joy, sorrow, and sometimes even anger and frustration.
Joy to me is of course the overwhelming happiness and joy you feel when you become a mother. Whether it is when the pregnancy test reads positive, when you hold your child or baby in your arms for the first time, when they first say mom or dad, or when they look at you and you can just see in their eyes that they feel safe. The joys of being a mom are endless.
But the sorrows too can be endless. Mother’s Day can be very difficult for many women. For those that are anxiously awaiting their chance to be a mother, for those who are mother’s but their precious gifts are with God, for those birthmother’s who hearts and minds wonder how their sons and daughters are doing, for those Mothers and Grandmother’s who have left this world. It seems there can be as much endless sorrow as joy associated with this day.
Anger and frustration are emotions most probably don’t think of as being associated with Mothers Day but for some children who’s first experience with a mother was painful anger may be there, and for some awaiting moms you too may have some days when you feel anger and frustration. Anger is a natural emotion we all face. It comes easy but it doesn’t always leave so easily. Don’t let that anger be your emotion for too long. Don’t let it have too much of your time or too much of your heart and soul. I believe that those who have the strong desire in their heart to be a mother will be a mother. I believe God would not give you this gift if it wasn’t meant to be fulfilled. And I hope and pray that those innocent children hurt by others will find the safety and security of a family and overcome those hurtful times.
This day is one that you may have a different reaction to based on your own circumstances. But whatever your emotions take a moment to remember your mother, or other mother’s you admire, maybe a birthmother, a grandmother, or maybe even a person who wasn’t your mother but that was a great influence on you. Mother’s Day to me is to honor all those women are devoted to making the lives of our children better. So for that I thank them and I thank you. I hope you all have a wonderful Mother’s Day.
As we head towards Mother’s Day, I decided to look up the definition of Mother in the dictionary and I have to say I was pretty irritated by what it said. It reads that a Mother is “anyone who has bore a child”. Sure that’s one way to become a mother, but to me there is so much more that makes a woman a mother. My definition of a Mother would be the one who raises, loves, cares for, teaches, comforts, and guides a child through their life. Mother to me is the one who provides the safety and security in their child’s heart that makes them know that no matter what they are loved and they will always have a place to call home, a shoulder to cry on, and arms to be held in. Mother’s provide love. We provide a safe place for our children. To me, that’s what makes a person a mother.
So with Mother’s Day right around the corner I was thinking tonight about the many emotions this day brings with it. Among others, there is joy, sorrow, and sometimes even anger and frustration.
Joy to me is of course the overwhelming happiness and joy you feel when you become a mother. Whether it is when the pregnancy test reads positive, when you hold your child or baby in your arms for the first time, when they first say mom or dad, or when they look at you and you can just see in their eyes that they feel safe. The joys of being a mom are endless.
But the sorrows too can be endless. Mother’s Day can be very difficult for many women. For those that are anxiously awaiting their chance to be a mother, for those who are mother’s but their precious gifts are with God, for those birthmother’s who hearts and minds wonder how their sons and daughters are doing, for those Mothers and Grandmother’s who have left this world. It seems there can be as much endless sorrow as joy associated with this day.
Anger and frustration are emotions most probably don’t think of as being associated with Mothers Day but for some children who’s first experience with a mother was painful anger may be there, and for some awaiting moms you too may have some days when you feel anger and frustration. Anger is a natural emotion we all face. It comes easy but it doesn’t always leave so easily. Don’t let that anger be your emotion for too long. Don’t let it have too much of your time or too much of your heart and soul. I believe that those who have the strong desire in their heart to be a mother will be a mother. I believe God would not give you this gift if it wasn’t meant to be fulfilled. And I hope and pray that those innocent children hurt by others will find the safety and security of a family and overcome those hurtful times.
This day is one that you may have a different reaction to based on your own circumstances. But whatever your emotions take a moment to remember your mother, or other mother’s you admire, maybe a birthmother, a grandmother, or maybe even a person who wasn’t your mother but that was a great influence on you. Mother’s Day to me is to honor all those women are devoted to making the lives of our children better. So for that I thank them and I thank you. I hope you all have a wonderful Mother’s Day.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Egg Hunt
We enjoyed an Egg Hunt at Morrison's Cove Memorial Park. A big thank you to all my volunteers for helping with the hunt and hiding all those eggs!! We all had a great time.
Also a HUGE thank you to Wendy from Arrow Child & Family Ministries for helping out and for donating such awesome prizes to our community and the kids. Thank you so much!!
I hope you all have a wonderful Easter holiday.
Also a HUGE thank you to Wendy from Arrow Child & Family Ministries for helping out and for donating such awesome prizes to our community and the kids. Thank you so much!!
I hope you all have a wonderful Easter holiday.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Binduga's House
Thank you so much to Chris and the Binduga family for opening up their home to us and for providing such a great afternoon of fun. The kids enjoyed cookie making, planting their own seeds, and crafts. While the moms and dads got to socialize and plan for future events. A very nice afternoon!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Finalization Day
Here we are on finalization day. A journey that started only a little over a year ago closes today on February 13th, 2007 at the courthouse with Lisa our social worker. Lisa is an angel to our family. Our family is complete. We could not have done it without the help of God, and our friends and families. Thank you to all of our wonderful friends and to our supportive families who made this miracle come true.
