Two Peas in a Pod



Peace and Love!!

 Meet one of my pumpkins Ms. Tashiana!! We decided that we wanted to go out and explore the town on a very hot day.  We took a lovely trip to the dollar store and when we left I said "Hey do you want to something that's really cool." She responded, "yeah what is it."  I saw a clothing store close by and I told her to follow me.  I could tell as we were walking that she was wondering what in the world could we possibly do that was fun in a clothing store.  Did we try on clothes...Nope! Jewelry...Nope! What did we do... WE TRIED ON HATS AND PURSES!  We almost tried on every hat that there was in the store.  There was tons of laughter and many smiles. 

One of the things that we like to do is get out and enjoy the weather.  It was a scorcher that day and we did everything possible to stay cool.  We went to tons of stores and had our own mini fashion show.  I was very happy to see her smiling.  She is a very good kid with a beautiful smile.  I have not seen a kid that is so giving.  We went to Kroger and she bought some candy and told me that I am taking home some candy whether I liked it or not.  I always give my kids a certain look whenever they try to tell me what I am going to do.  Of course she laughed at me and said, "don't give me that look young lady."  I couldn't even keep a straight face and I did not fight her.  I simply said ok.  We left the store with all this candy, you would think we just finished trick or treating some where. 



Cowboy Hats!
We were pretending to hide horses
in the store! Too Funny!



This young lady is ready to have a family of her own.  She is craving for someone to love her.  Just by looking at her you can see that her spirits are high and that she is ready to express her love to whomever will receive it.  By the way the girl has a voice on her too! We were singing in the car and I was amazed! I told her look at you with the hidden talent!  Just imagine if she had parents to help bring that out of her.  Her voice could be a way to tell her story.  I love her and all my kids dearly.  I want her to have that family that will push her to her max.  She deserves it...they all do!



I actually like this hat!



A Time to Shine!!

A day has come where the light will shine on me.

There will be no more fear for the light has shined on me.

I am able to be free because I can be me!

When I put a smile on my face I can see that shining light.

Oh so bright it even shines through my darkest nights.

When I look into my future I can see what is in store for me.

My light continues to shine on me showing me where I should be. Who is my light you may ask?  It is the person who has given me a chance to be set free.

My light is my future family! That light that burns so deep and bright. 





Happy Father's Day!!



Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Sigma Upsilon Lansing Graduate Chapter

On Father's Day, I had the great opportunity to be a part of the Omega Psi Phi Father's Day Picnic.  This indeed was a great event.  The food was AWESOME and the men were true gentleman.  This was a day surrounded by FAMILY and friends.  There were children playing in park and men gathered around talking about politics, work, sports, and everything that a man could  possibly talk about.  I sat back and  watched these men embrace each other, their community, and each other's family. 

While I was deciding on having a little snack before the food was blessed, a wonderful moment happen.  One of the Brothers was in the middle of a conversation when he heard a familiar voice coming from a far direction.  A young lady walked up and said "Daddy!" He looked up and saw his daughter.  She ran into his arms and gave him a big hug.  His responds was " I thought you had to work!" and she replied " I lied daddy" with a large smile on her face.  They embraced once again, laughed,and left to talk in private.  A smile came across my face and I started to think of my children that I serve.  THIS IS WHAT MY KIDS WANT!! They want to have the same experience that this young lady had.  A dad to greet them with open arms with a warm smile.  It doesn't get any better than that.  Every young person is looking for that male role model to give them the advice and guidance when it comes to becoming a man or having a conversation with our young ladies on how a man needs to treat you.  Being a Father can be the best rewarding relationship a man can receive.  The greatest joy in any one's life is knowing unconditional love.

Brotherly love with a little miss sunshine!

Another breath taking moment was when the men and the boys starting playing softball.  I sat on the bleachers and was amazed at the cheering, laughter, and sideline coaching from some of the dads.  Seeing  kids running back and forth and playing with their father's were a sight to see. Some of these men do not have children of their own, but they have played a major part in young person's life. The Cardinal Principles of this organization is Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift. If you look closely you will see a little guy located in the back. This maybe a young man walking in the footsteps of a future Que. 

To some of my kids, these are dreams that are waiting to come true.  They cannot wait until tomorrow or next year.  They need someone now.  If you ever thought about adoption, I encourage you to seek out information and learn about our children in care.  We have to remember that our older children cannot control their age or past.  We just know that they need  a special person to make their dream into a reality.  No child should grow up on their own without a parent.  I challenge you today to open up your mind and your heart to seek information on this great cause.  It takes a man with great courage to raise a child and make him/her his own.  So I, leave you with this poem.  I hope that it will touch your heart as it has touched mine.

What Is A Dad?

© Annmarie Campbell

A Dad is patient, helpful and strong
He is there by your side when things go wrong.
He’s someone who guides you to do the right thing
And helps you solve problems that life sometimes brings

A Dad is someone who is loving and kind
And usually knows what's going on in your mind
He is someone who listens and makes time to talk
When things are bad he doesn’t turn around and walk

He is a strong shoulder when times are tough
And still loves you dearly when he’s had enough
He helps you and guides you all that he can
Wanting nothing more than to make you a man

A Dads there when you’re happy and even more when you’re sad
Giving unconditional love whether you’re good or you’re bad
A Dad is someone that you can also call a friend
Who is there no matter what and will be till the end

They say that blood is thicker than water
But I know this isn’t true
Because my son couldn’t ask for a better Dad
Than one he has found in you

I think of all the years gone by and wonder
How different things would’ve been
If his real father put forth the love
That you have shown to him

Happy “Fathers” Day Tommy
Thank you for showing my son what a real father is
And for loving him as much as you do. You will always
Have a special place in my heart and his

Source: Fathers Day Poem For An Adopted Dad, What Is A Dad? http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/fathers-day-poem-for-an-adopted-dad-what-is-a-dad#ixzz1yBWswANR
http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/

This is dedicated to the Sigma Upsilon Chapter for showing me what "Manhood" is all about.  If you would like further information regarding this organization, please visit their facebook page at www.facebook.com/lansing.ques

Graduation Time!!!

Yesterday one of my previous foster kids graduated from High school.  I was so proud of her that it almost brought tears to my eyes. Now...all of my kids know I am never emotional around them, so they get a good kick if they see me cry.  I use to tell her a saying that I made up a long a time ago.

Life will always have its deep and shallow moments, but you have the choice to either sink or swim. 

-Whitney B.

Whenever she was frustrated with school or life itself, I would tell her "Alright! Are you going to sink or swim"?  She would always respond swim.  Even though I knew she wanted to sink to the very bottom, she knew I wasn't going to let her.  She started to believe in herself and she had a taste of success.

I have never seen such a big smile on her face.  She was smiling from ear to ear.  I don't have any children of my own, but I felt like a proud parent.  I was screaming her name and yelling "That's my baby" all over the place.  People were looking at me like I was crazy, but of course I didn't care.  It was her day! This is hard for me to write this without getting emotional.  This girl saw hell and back, but she still  found away to not let her past control her future.  What she needed was some help and for someone not to give up on her when she failed.  All she needed was love, support, and discipline. 

My pumpkin got a scholarship to college and wants to give back to her community. She still has a lot to work on, but her journey to success has just begun.  I love her with all my heart! Good Job Pumpkin! I am proud!

This is for all of the foster kids that graduated! You guys are a true walking testimony! No matter how much negative things you went through you still found sunlight in the darkest hour!