tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50698224369450076472023-11-16T11:05:18.876-05:00Urban Mommy *Kx5*Kimora, Kariah, and Kajanae's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751845649682256594noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5069822436945007647.post-13391986256272778522009-05-26T18:27:00.009-04:002009-05-26T19:33:34.748-04:00Update on Coping with the Loss of CorinneI feel like I'm not healing as quickly from the loss of my sister as I should be. My focus has been on helping others who are grieving, and I can only really let my hair down and focus on my own pain when I'm speaking with my husband. Even then, though, I feel guilty and selfish for wallowing in despair and my mind quickly turns to others who NEED me: my mother, my daddy, Acaijah, Ciahnna, and Corinne's boyfriend of two-and-a-half years. My other brothers and sisters have been an immense support. I don't know what I'd do without them...we're going to get through this. We're a strong family and our ties are too strong to break because what binds us is stronger than blood: we're bound by love. <br /><br />Yesterday Jamal took me out while Jaslene watched the kids. We had a late dinner, so when we took a walk in the park afterwards it was close to midnight. My shoulders started to tremble, which he felt under his arm. He prompted me to let it all out...say what I needed to say, etc. I ended up yelling into the night, "I'M SOOO ANGRY!!! I'M SOOO SAD!!" <br /><br />"WHY? TELL US WHY!," Jamal prompted. <br /><br />"BECAUSE SHE WAS TOO YOUNG...TOO TOO YOUNG! I NEED HER! I MISS HER! OUR FAMILY ISN'T THE SAME!!" <br /><br />"WHY ISN'T OUR FAMILY THE SAME? SCREAM IT, BABY. LET IT OUT!" <br /><br />"BECAUSE THERE'S A SPOT THAT'S MISSING AT THE TABLE; THERE'S A SPOT THAT'S MISSING IN OUR HEARTS. SHE SHOULD STILL BE WITH US!!! SHE DIDN'T DESERVE THIS!!! SHE'S GONE! WHY COULDN'T SOMEONE HORRID AND MENACING BE REMOVED FROM THE WORLD, NOT MY CORINNE!! NOT OUR SISTER WITH A JEWEL OF A HEART!!!"<br /><br />I collapsed into my husband crying. He held me so close and so tight and we cried together for a long, long time. Afterwards I felt so exhausted, but I also felt another feeling that's hard to describe: cleansed, purged perhaps. A weight had been lifted. When it was just me and Jamal together, I could crumble. I didn't have to keep up the facade of being ok. I didn't have to be the strong one. I'm so blessed to have that man of great strenghth backing me up and supporting me in every facet of my life. Before meeting Jamal, I never realized it was possible to love another human being so much.<br /><br />I don't want to push the issue with the children too much considering they're so young. However, I have implemented several things to help them cope. These ideas are sort of adapted Supernanny ideas. I've put up a Feelings Chart and made many different faces with all different expressions on them. Karmello, Kimora, and Kariah each have a row on the chart with a column for each day of the week. They can change the face as what they're feeling changes. I know they sense the sadness and stress of family members even though they don't fully understand. I want them to have an outlet and be allowed to express their emotions without feeling like they have to submerge what they're feeling. This has worked so well and has prevented several tantrums. When my little ones don't know how to express what they feel inside, they understandably become very frustrated. Instead of having a meltdown, they can go over to the chart and stick up whatever face represents their current mood. <br /><br />I've also given each of them a box that I let them decorate and label, for example, "Karmello's Thought Box." All three of them have their own thought box. Since they're too young to put sentences together in writing, most of what they've placed in their Thought Boxes have been pictures. At the end of each day, Jamal or I sit with them individually and they show and tell us what they drew. Pictures of Aunt Corinne have made it onto more than a few Thought Box pictures.<br /><br />I hope that the chart and boxes give Karmello, Kimora, and Kariah media through which to express their feelings and be heard in the midst of the emotional upheaval.Kimora, Kariah, and Kajanae's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751845649682256594noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5069822436945007647.post-27881092838188477912009-05-14T19:36:00.007-04:002009-05-14T19:57:22.955-04:00Kaydence<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br />According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">:</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cadence</span>-</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />1 a: a rhythmic sequence or flow of sounds in language b: <span style="font-weight: bold;">the beat, time, or measure of rhythmical motion or activity </span>2 a: a falling inflection of the voice b: a concluding and usually falling strain; <span style="font-style: italic;">specifically</span> : <span style="font-weight: bold;">a musical chord sequence moving to a harmonic close or point of rest and giving the sense of harmonic completion</span> 3: the modulated and rhythmic recurrence of a sound especially in nature</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;">This little baby.....</span><br /><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2Jgy1T4iqSqE9YYh1eT7uD5ClAv2B6S2KV_tIRAqj-KdL_-4NsCxY9IOMJg7A1sVuDIX9H79utaycnNt2DlwrSgPw2unp_3r0Oz9oYkz-kb3MJj2gAJ-TfTeUFrbBOE8EdVyAUYbnow/s1600-h/Kay7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 140px; height: 171px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2Jgy1T4iqSqE9YYh1eT7uD5ClAv2B6S2KV_tIRAqj-KdL_-4NsCxY9IOMJg7A1sVuDIX9H79utaycnNt2DlwrSgPw2unp_3r0Oz9oYkz-kb3MJj2gAJ-TfTeUFrbBOE8EdVyAUYbnow/s320/Kay7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335830467059352658" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;">lives up....</span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPvl-VqNr_RQ8la3dceB7AV1W-3dyj5iTGeQS-kLM3WEJz5bWqBV3tStyAKh8IgxgdOF1Ptcb-gefN9Wti4H2oevgPRqorNpE3L8-pzRk4h9cHliGx6FLgGipYtc0gE1BkQMo7z4QX_E/s1600-h/Kay8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 155px; height: 50px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPvl-VqNr_RQ8la3dceB7AV1W-3dyj5iTGeQS-kLM3WEJz5bWqBV3tStyAKh8IgxgdOF1Ptcb-gefN9Wti4H2oevgPRqorNpE3L8-pzRk4h9cHliGx6FLgGipYtc0gE1BkQMo7z4QX_E/s320/Kay8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335830599335881058" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;">to her name.</span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGUBzI0ASWDrB6FowL5BmhPxt-c1AIE9Kz00h5I9EAjhL6X3yXgeIaiadmifXHN9_NrROg5O8Fb0EjBuOQ-7pjnX33jDI3xMSQpJ5iYwujF8GZ9spU6C762C8WSskjT1dTueXqaZP-Jo/s1600-h/Kay9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 123px; height: 97px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGUBzI0ASWDrB6FowL5BmhPxt-c1AIE9Kz00h5I9EAjhL6X3yXgeIaiadmifXHN9_NrROg5O8Fb0EjBuOQ-7pjnX33jDI3xMSQpJ5iYwujF8GZ9spU6C762C8WSskjT1dTueXqaZP-Jo/s320/Kay9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335830698193396450" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Kaydence.</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br />She takes Psalm 98:4 quite seriously: "Let all the earth send out a glad cry to the Lord; sounding with a loud voice, and praising him with songs of joy."<br /><br />Kaydence is never quiet. She is <span style="font-style: italic;">always</span> making a joyful noise; a sweet melody is always coming from her little mouth. One of the greatest blessings of my day is being able to hear the cadence of her sweet little voice. Whether singing, "Jesus Loves Me" or rapping a hip hop lyric, Kaydence has proved herself to be quite the little musician in the making. ;-) She can literally spend 45 minutes straight sitting at our piano and pressing down the keys, singing along with her piano compositions ;-). She even makes up lullabies for Kajanae which, of course, is absolutely necessary considering Kajanae is Kaydence's "baybay". (As a side note, I think it's <span style="font-style: italic;">hysterical</span> that when I ask Kaydence if she's a baby she shakes her head "no" very adamantly but considers Kaji very much a baby, what with always trying to hold her, kiss her, and saying "MY baybay Ka-ah-nay." ) :-D<br /><br />So, if Kaydence is ever a famous singer or ivory-tickler, buy her CDs and tickets to her concerts! *kidding* ;-). Whether or not she's the next Alicia Keys, Kaydence's passion and joy in music is evident, and her bursting forth in song brings joy to those around her. Sing on little girl, sing on.<br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>Kimora, Kariah, and Kajanae's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751845649682256594noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5069822436945007647.post-48476569366506468062009-05-11T03:29:00.007-04:002009-05-11T03:57:37.843-04:00Sometimes the Night Haunts MeNot because of fear..not because of regret. But when all the world is quiet (and even in the big city, way up here in our high rise can get pretty quiet, especially with the AC running which blocks out a lot of noise), I begin thinking. The darkness doesn't scare, it placates. The solitude isn't lonely, it's peaceful. But the night haunts me <span style="font-style: italic;">because </span>of the deep thinking that it facilitates for me. I begin to think about my family and my goals. I think about Corinne, and how she <span style="font-style: italic;">lived </span>more in her short 18 years than most people do in a lifetime. I think about my mother, who barely got through Mother's Day today after just having lost a child. I think about each of my five babies, ways I can be a better mommy to them, and how I'm so very thankful for the privilege of being their mommy (I know I say this ALL the time, but I truly am so blessed!). I stare at my husband sleeping, not in a creepy way, but in a manner of admiration. (The funny thing is, even if I'm quiet as a mouse, he senses when I'm awake and will then wake up, too. I'm actually surprised he hasn't come into the library looking for me yet.) At any rate, while in college I found it difficult to stay awake at all hours to study, nighttime is now a time of deep thinking and reflection for me now that I'm in my late twenties. It's a time that I enjoy mulling over ideas and contemplating "the big questions", so we'll see if anything comes of it. I'll be sure to record any flashes of brilliance I may have (ha!).<br /><br />But since it <span style="font-style: italic;">is </span>Mother's Day, or I suppose that was technically yesterday, I'll close with an adorable little poem that I came across:<br /><div style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'Trebuchet MS';font-size:13;" ><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>I Like You Best</strong></span></div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" align="center">Elizabeth <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Laing</span> Thompson</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">After dark, I like you best:</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Day fades to gray,</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Moonlit fingers paint stripes across your bed, your face.</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">I tiptoe in and rest a palm across your back</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">to feel you breathe--</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">up and down, the rise and fall;</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">I lean in close to breathe the sweet clean milk of you,</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">to feel the warmth of life</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">flowing in and out, in and out as you dream.</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">You sigh.</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">And I smile--serene, content--</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> This is my sunset.</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">When you're asleep, I like you best.</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">At day's first light, I like you best:</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Dawn brings a gentle scratching,</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">the swish-swish of chubby elbows and knees and button nose</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">scrabbling against the sheets.</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Then one little grunt, and soon another;</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">soft coos and squeals crescendo to a chorus</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">of joyful babbles to salute the day--</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">my alarm clock.</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">I shuffle in,</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">eyes bleary, all-over weary, heart warming--</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">and peek around the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">doorframe</span>.</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Two bright chipmunk eyes, two black buttons</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">peer up at me between the slats.</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Eyes twinkle, cheeks crinkle, nose wrinkles;</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">rosebud lips send fireworks sparkling across the morning--</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> This is my sunrise.</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">When you're awake, I like you best.</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">From my good-morning sunrise to my lullaby sunset</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">and my every hour in between;</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">from your first cry to my last breath,</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">until the echo of us fades, our souls' footprints blow away--</div><div style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </div><div><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">That's when I like you best.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51);">I love you, Kx5!</span></div></span></div><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);"> </span>Kimora, Kariah, and Kajanae's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751845649682256594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5069822436945007647.post-23295268633518928942009-05-01T15:08:00.003-04:002009-05-01T15:11:11.529-04:00New Pics..........of Kx5 on the sidebar. It's hard to tell with just eyeshots, but they've grown up so much! Some of the pics are strange dimensions, but I wanted to be able to capture at least a little bit of their hair. I love how they all resemble each other (biological or not), yet are very unique in appearance as well as personality. I love me some Kx5!Kimora, Kariah, and Kajanae's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751845649682256594noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5069822436945007647.post-37515303556878114932009-04-21T17:00:00.003-04:002009-04-21T17:12:44.501-04:00Thank YouThank you all for your lovely messages of support. I know that many people are thinking and praying for our family during this difficult time. Please think especially about the children as they are being forced to deal with death at such a young age. They don't understand why someone who has always been present in their lives, someone that they saw and gave hugs and smooches to on a daily basis, is no longer around. The three oldest K's will tell people that Corinne is in heaven living with Jesus and that we will see her again when it's time for us to go and live in heaven, but their understanding is still obviously limited. We don't really talk about death because as far as we're concerned, Corinne is still living, just not right here with us. That thought helps a bit, but it doesn't help when I just wish with such a longing that my beautiful sister were right here beside me. I know we'll meet again one day, but for right now there's a hole, an absence....and that's hard.<br /><br />Nevertheless, thank you all for writing to me and letting me feel your love and support. I hope to disclose more as I become capable of writing more specifics without "losing it" emotionally. Love you all.Kimora, Kariah, and Kajanae's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751845649682256594noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5069822436945007647.post-542904257966191312009-04-01T21:25:00.016-04:002009-04-01T21:47:06.109-04:00I Miss....<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVLG0Z0rnBAlSOy1PsxQPWsJx52y5aP87w2pVzzyXNEEVt90YfIGgrKF5ugdVu1PZL82SlAvQt8q3RGoFan3MQLAsBGg-N7ft_vUVrcrC_THamYRAyx8sg2m2QYioodsoJXFkZxhkMBg/s1600-h/Cori48.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 144px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVLG0Z0rnBAlSOy1PsxQPWsJx52y5aP87w2pVzzyXNEEVt90YfIGgrKF5ugdVu1PZL82SlAvQt8q3RGoFan3MQLAsBGg-N7ft_vUVrcrC_THamYRAyx8sg2m2QYioodsoJXFkZxhkMBg/s320/Cori48.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319902889668058226" border="0" /></a>Your doe eyes.....<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznSFfQQjSfW5azDuTWiEoxwr6vYlKbE1mwRgkzdY-6AaCHXsbJ5hHfm-u3VDCtZPfEThvsgkfxd0LUpF7welMRo_xZLH5-XQ-89_sNEKn8m0NQCZMYai4OZhJScoPTqNWt-LuwdiOsPA/s1600-h/hair.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznSFfQQjSfW5azDuTWiEoxwr6vYlKbE1mwRgkzdY-6AaCHXsbJ5hHfm-u3VDCtZPfEThvsgkfxd0LUpF7welMRo_xZLH5-XQ-89_sNEKn8m0NQCZMYai4OZhJScoPTqNWt-LuwdiOsPA/s320/hair.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319902820316499682" border="0" /></a>The texture of your hair......<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><img src="file:///C:/Users/Leah/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-5.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Leah/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-6.jpg" alt="" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufUqCLV982it-HM7VnyywmsbRjirdvzf8lQ_rS_6NfFJH34LnN0afKZOoRzlTYosxeWiDOVt3ELhMcbHTbmhkihTEuHieJZfoLfQa0Ie5rjN3HMvDvBDtn9goRsR3wAyz38PpkPbNgb8/s1600-h/CoriKaj35.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufUqCLV982it-HM7VnyywmsbRjirdvzf8lQ_rS_6NfFJH34LnN0afKZOoRzlTYosxeWiDOVt3ELhMcbHTbmhkihTEuHieJZfoLfQa0Ie5rjN3HMvDvBDtn9goRsR3wAyz38PpkPbNgb8/s320/CoriKaj35.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319901976165837746" border="0" /></a>Your loving auntie hands....<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1M3nHjb86rQ9fiChyphenhyphentQaDHHhU6f4vMCZjojfcWNbXDYUK8Bv-2_fAoyO12WfrB_5ytIo4z8PLWpiwwGaKHl61D_x7VTRw9JNTKS-3cBeI6HYQfgmys39VcsqOE2JfOfxselbBH8b17qQ/s1600-h/Cori54.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 302px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1M3nHjb86rQ9fiChyphenhyphentQaDHHhU6f4vMCZjojfcWNbXDYUK8Bv-2_fAoyO12WfrB_5ytIo4z8PLWpiwwGaKHl61D_x7VTRw9JNTKS-3cBeI6HYQfgmys39VcsqOE2JfOfxselbBH8b17qQ/s320/Cori54.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319901828378688066" border="0" /></a>Your deuces and kissy-face for every pic....<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiS11yY_d8FxFK1-uwxJHQm12_2tTbAVXrNNAAzxGI-Rw-IwKPSAQRFZOr6_6hMCH7Ij5A0Fvl-ORSrITnMeLlWt9LjcBNUU43Nmoida-I77VonyaXJgOM34GqCTHM6YjnoncQR_sgxE/s1600-h/Cori64.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 145px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiS11yY_d8FxFK1-uwxJHQm12_2tTbAVXrNNAAzxGI-Rw-IwKPSAQRFZOr6_6hMCH7Ij5A0Fvl-ORSrITnMeLlWt9LjcBNUU43Nmoida-I77VonyaXJgOM34GqCTHM6YjnoncQR_sgxE/s320/Cori64.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319901577000501506" border="0" /></a>Your spunk.....<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LvAMqIJtpOHKz51Zk-jKSi0D82Q7vubyeYw9saKvqwRvOrOY62b0-egtm9bHxAxgXJ_W7ENd4wWvQ51chE8gn36o0tD5a0QiE9dthIAJycRsVHyIdLvET0Cv006un961uos4bvcmg_c/s1600-h/Cori67.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 121px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LvAMqIJtpOHKz51Zk-jKSi0D82Q7vubyeYw9saKvqwRvOrOY62b0-egtm9bHxAxgXJ_W7ENd4wWvQ51chE8gn36o0tD5a0QiE9dthIAJycRsVHyIdLvET0Cv006un961uos4bvcmg_c/s320/Cori67.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319901271402060578" border="0" /></a>Your diva-tudes.....<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGFRyJuQjJuaY1P9TvJdzWVGxbeheB5YvCvY0HYFiQxvCXHl9DYUvJhy8ppcuGWJgMHyJp8IpUzpukB_49_LFizOe62ICrodhKEMSQo76kfxXRBW53Ahri83Hx5ng6ol9JbaqnKvRpf0/s1600-h/Cori90.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 208px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGFRyJuQjJuaY1P9TvJdzWVGxbeheB5YvCvY0HYFiQxvCXHl9DYUvJhy8ppcuGWJgMHyJp8IpUzpukB_49_LFizOe62ICrodhKEMSQo76kfxXRBW53Ahri83Hx5ng6ol9JbaqnKvRpf0/s320/Cori90.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319901030063960722" border="0" /></a>Your free spirit.....<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9oaIEYPAdiMKgiKT0OEt2roZSVQ1mI8OKiV9CBkt2lRumL0-BBMgc2IWNmiGhXeiJETgvOQD8NB-ltw_gTvSicY0uLqWLHa_BYhDCCrMxKhwjHGYWzKAXVIaIHysJ378W86DltO7xUo/s1600-h/Cori49.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 98px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9oaIEYPAdiMKgiKT0OEt2roZSVQ1mI8OKiV9CBkt2lRumL0-BBMgc2IWNmiGhXeiJETgvOQD8NB-ltw_gTvSicY0uLqWLHa_BYhDCCrMxKhwjHGYWzKAXVIaIHysJ378W86DltO7xUo/s320/Cori49.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319900874755992866" border="0" /></a>Your beautiful soul.<br /></div>Kimora, Kariah, and Kajanae's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751845649682256594noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5069822436945007647.post-62739603294848389952009-03-20T18:03:00.003-04:002009-03-20T18:10:01.198-04:00I Knew You For A Moment<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">~Corinne Zar’ya _______~</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">April 23, 1990 – January 7, 2009</span><br /><br />Beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, aunt, niece, cousin, girlfriend, and friend<br /><blockquote><br />“If tears could build a stairway<br />and thoughts a memory lane,<br />I'd walk right up to heaven<br />and bring you home again.<br />No farewell words were spoken,<br />No time to say good-bye,<br />You were gone before I knew it<br />And only God knows why.<br /><br />My heart's still active in sadness<br />And secret tears still flow,<br />What it meant to lose you<br />No one can ever know.<br />But now I know you want us<br />To mourn for you no more,<br />To remember all the happy times.<br />Life still has much in store.<br /><br />Since you'll never be forgotten<br />I pledge to you today,<br />A hallowed place within my heart<br />Is where you'll always stay.<br /><br />God knows why, with chilling touch,<br />Death gathers those we love so much,<br />And what now seems so strange and dim,<br />Will all be clear, when we meet Him.<br /><br />I Knew you for a Moment.”<br /><br />~Author Unknown</blockquote></div>Kimora, Kariah, and Kajanae's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751845649682256594noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5069822436945007647.post-87502843354245889522008-12-24T14:28:00.004-05:002008-12-24T14:50:43.389-05:00I am the Lord's servant; be it unto me as you have said.........says the young virgin Mary after receiving news that she would become pregnant and bear the Son of the Most High. Here she was...a young, engaged teenager who had been virtuous and remained chaste...and she was told that she would become pregnant outside of wedlock, a crime punishable by death in her time and culture. Nevertheless, Mary believed in the fulfillment of the things spoken to her by the Lord through the angel Gabriel. Mary was blessed for taking God at His word, for believing Him in the midst of a seemingly impossible situation and for believing His seemingly impossible promise.<br /><br />This Christmas season has made my youngest sister Ciahnna especially attentive to the Christmas story from Mary's point of view as Ciahnna is 15, the same age that Mary was believed to have been when she gave birth to Jesus. Cici and I have spent considerable time discussing Mary's complete humanity, complete faith in God, and complete blessedness. Ciahnna and I both would like to be more like Mary and proclaim that we are servants of the Lord and desire to have everything befall us as the Lord wills.<br /><br />Luke 1<br /><br />46 And Mary said, My soul does magnify the Lord,<br /><br />47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.<br /><br />48 For he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from now on all generations shall call me blessed.<br /><br />49 For he that is mighty has done to me great things; and holy is his name.<br /><br />50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.<br /><br />51 He has showed strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.<br /><br />52 He has put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.<br /><br />53 He has filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he has sent empty away.<br /><br />54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;<br /><br />55 As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Y2egKS4d1oI&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Y2egKS4d1oI&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Kimora, Kariah, and Kajanae's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751845649682256594noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5069822436945007647.post-21766243073452215462008-12-21T21:54:00.001-05:002008-12-21T21:58:49.180-05:00The Spirit of Adoption<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CLeah%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CLeah%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CLeah%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> <w:word11kerningpairs/> <w:cachedcolbalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont val="Cambria Math"> <m:brkbin val="before"> <m:brkbinsub val="--"> <m:smallfrac val="off"> <m:dispdef/> <m:lmargin val="0"> <m:rmargin val="0"> <m:defjc val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent val="1440"> <m:intlim val="subSup"> <m:narylim val="undOvr"> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" defunhidewhenused="true" defsemihidden="true" defqformat="false" defpriority="99" latentstylecount="267"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="0" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Normal"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="heading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="35" qformat="true" name="caption"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="10" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" name="Default Paragraph Font"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="11" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtitle"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="22" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Strong"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="20" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="59" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Table Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Placeholder Text"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="No Spacing"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Revision"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="34" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="List Paragraph"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="29" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="30" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="19" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="21" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="31" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="32" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; margin-bottom:10.0pt; line-height:115%;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CLeah%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CLeah%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CLeah%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> <w:word11kerningpairs/> <w:cachedcolbalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont val="Cambria Math"> <m:brkbin val="before"> <m:brkbinsub val="--"> <m:smallfrac val="off"> <m:dispdef/> <m:lmargin val="0"> <m:rmargin val="0"> <m:defjc val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent val="1440"> <m:intlim val="subSup"> <m:narylim val="undOvr"> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" defunhidewhenused="true" defsemihidden="true" defqformat="false" defpriority="99" latentstylecount="267"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="0" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Normal"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="heading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="35" qformat="true" name="caption"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="10" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" name="Default Paragraph Font"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="11" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtitle"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="22" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Strong"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="20" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="59" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Table Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Placeholder Text"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="No Spacing"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Revision"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="34" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="List Paragraph"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="29" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="30" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="19" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="21" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="31" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="32" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; margin-bottom:10.0pt; line-height:115%;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >“Ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry ‘Abba, Father.’”<span style=""> </span>I’ve had this verse on my sidebar for quite some time now.<span style=""> </span>However, this verse is more pertinent now than ever before.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >For the past three weeks our family has been celebrating and adjusting to the arrival of two new family members.<span style=""> </span>As planned, all finalities were completed for our pending adoption by the day after Thanksgiving.<span style=""> </span>The following Monday, Karmello and Kaydence came home.<span style=""> </span>I honestly feel like I forget what our lives were like before the arrival of these two precious blessings.<span style=""> </span>What a reason to be thankful during that Thanksgiving season!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >Both Karmello and Kaydence have been adjusting very well and are reaching attachment/bonding milestones right on time.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >Kimora and Kariah have also adjusted amazingly well and have shown themselves to be flexible, easy-going little girls.<span style=""> </span>Karmello and Kimora are attached at the hip now; sometimes they include Kariah, and sometimes they choose not to.<span style=""> </span>That proves to be a challenge.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >Before coming to us, Kaydence had not learned to walk.<span style=""> </span>She was simply content to crawl about on all fours.<span style=""> </span>Kimora and Kariah both walked before they were a year old, so I was a little shocked that Kaydence at 15 months had not yet begun.<span style=""> </span>During these past three weeks I’ve worked with her a little bit, walking around the penthouse helping her walk (you know, with me standing behind her and her little hands curled around my pointer fingers).<span style=""> </span>I know she’ll take off on her own when she’s ready, but she’s already shown substantial progress….she just needed a little individual attention, which was something that could be rarely given her at the foster home.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >Kaydence continues to call me “MOOOMeeeeeeee.” Karmello prefers “Lia.”<span style=""> </span>Hmmmm..ok.<span style=""> </span>For now.<span style=""> </span>I don’t blame the poor kid.<span style=""> </span>He’s almost four years old and has never had a mother figure in his life.<span style=""> </span>Why would he be expected to come into our home and instantly dub me “mommy.”<span style=""> </span>How is he to know that’s what my title is in relation to him?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >Some of you may be thinking, “Well, what about the baby?<span style=""> </span>What about Kajanae?”<span style=""> </span>Well….as always, Kajanae has been an amazing source of joy in my life.<span style=""> </span>That little pumpkin is my “ride or die” chick (don’t know what that means?...look it up on urbandictionary.com).<span style=""> </span>Kaji is always with me; she’s my constant companion.<span style=""> </span>If there’s going to be a late walker in our family, it’s probably going to be Kajanae.<span style=""> </span>I NEVER put that baby down!!<span style=""> </span>People have jokingly asked me if she’s cemented to my hip.<span style=""> </span>Yep.<span style=""> </span>I believe she is.<span style=""> </span>Actually we’ve scheduled a surgery to do just that.<span style=""> </span>She won’t ever have to be without me; I won’t ever have to be without her!! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >One other thing that I want to be sure I mention so as to not confuse my readers is that my sister Jaslene comes over every weekday to help out with the kids.<span style=""> </span>She’s not really a nanny because I’m not off on my own jaunts, but of course we pay her generously. It’s been so fun to be able to spend my days with Jaslene.<span style=""> </span>I freakin’ love that woman, and so do her nieces and nephew.<span style=""> </span>Before “employing” her, she would come by and hang out with us just about every evening anyway.<span style=""> </span>We’re tight (crossing middle and pointer fingers).<span style=""> </span>Thank you for being such a blessing Jassi!!<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">So……..Kx5……Karmello, Kimora, Kariah, Kaydence, and Kajanae’s Mommy.<span style=""> </span>Being a mother of five children three and under has already proven to have its challenges, and surely there are more posts to follow on such incidents.<span style=""> </span>But my heart is so FULL of JOY that I simply can’t focus on those challenges.<span style=""> </span>The overwhelming focus is how in love I am with my kids.<span style=""> </span>Normally I apologize if my blog undergoes a hiatus…but this time I just can’t bring myself to feel sorry.<span style=""> </span>No worries, you all know me….I’m documenting every little “jot and tittle” in journals, scrapbooks, and baby books, so nothing is going unrecognized or forgotten.<span style=""> </span>The fact is that I love my life and I’m living it, and if it happens to not show up online for everyone to read about, that’s okay!!<span style=""> </span>I love my five K’s, and I’m so honored that God has chosen me to be their mommy, that He has entrusted them to my care for this short segment of eternity.</span><span style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> Kimora, Kariah, and Kajanae's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751845649682256594noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5069822436945007647.post-16282958766868258102008-11-05T22:50:00.002-05:002008-11-05T22:52:43.159-05:00Wordless Wednesday: Caramel Apples<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TRyEdl0tdoNboV9qfYhzeNTB_yZ1fUyYhNTZyqDkurZVOYTtzYE_2rH7YrPHubCWmx_8yo3GhkniTKuIAKJCErF48zRScqIlPJATHzAqoJ4HGXv5MCud94ypAyFxWDulH62_W_oipuU/s1600-h/042.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TRyEdl0tdoNboV9qfYhzeNTB_yZ1fUyYhNTZyqDkurZVOYTtzYE_2rH7YrPHubCWmx_8yo3GhkniTKuIAKJCErF48zRScqIlPJATHzAqoJ4HGXv5MCud94ypAyFxWDulH62_W_oipuU/s320/042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265387380664916898" border="0" /></a>Kimora, Kariah, and Kajanae's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751845649682256594noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5069822436945007647.post-57797068258569761722008-11-02T19:35:00.004-05:002008-11-02T20:05:19.279-05:00Princess, Pippi, PepperThree P's for our three K's! This year for Halloween, Kimora dressed up as a princess, Kariah as Pippi Longstocking, and Kajanae as a chili pepper. Our evening was filled with pumpkin whoopie pies, caramel apples, gingerbread cake with lemon sauce, apple cider, and pumpkin chocolate chip bread. We all exhibited great self-control and portion moderation, of course! ;) <br /><br />Jamal and I took all three girls trick-or-treating through several neighborhoods Friday evening. Jamal, Princess Kimora, and Pippi Kariah Longstocking ran ahead a bit, and I was left just slightly behind with little Kaji. Hanging back with my baby gave me a bit of peace and some time to think....I thought about our family of five. I thought about last Halloween when we had just two kids- Kimora and Kariah. I thought about next Halloween when we go trick-or-treating, we'll have two additional little ones running/toddling ahead with daddy. How my life has changed in the past few years, and what a blessing that I wouldn't change a single thing! Taking a deep breath of the clear night air, I could smell familiarity mingled with exciting change. Looking around me, dear Atlanta looked to me how it always has, yet there was something new and intangible ready to burst from its fringes. Well, one change since last year was indeed very tangible; I looked down at the baby in my arms and thanked the Lord for Kajanae for probably the millionth time these past 9 months. I was jarred back to reality with the voice of Kariah calling me from ahead; she had become concerned that I would get lost if I didn't keep up with them. LOL! :) I looked up at Jamal, Kimora, and Kariah and said to Kajanae, "C'mon, Baby Girl, let's go get 'em," and cuddled my chili pepper close. :)Kimora, Kariah, and Kajanae's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751845649682256594noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5069822436945007647.post-41612450362544359002008-10-27T15:05:00.006-04:002008-10-27T15:49:02.775-04:00Not Me! Monday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvdhKo8UKk8GuNKbH_FRGAgFAUgPLaJqOtZZwk37YZPUBEBUTRPitzMiODCFVSVCb6RLtdfbgImfeajMbvFxhMq9Oj58HvqwbbcU_6xGdavz7hvwFH2YK17pEIc4OyJtZghLAG_zm8pI/s1600-h/NotMeMonday.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvdhKo8UKk8GuNKbH_FRGAgFAUgPLaJqOtZZwk37YZPUBEBUTRPitzMiODCFVSVCb6RLtdfbgImfeajMbvFxhMq9Oj58HvqwbbcU_6xGdavz7hvwFH2YK17pEIc4OyJtZghLAG_zm8pI/s320/NotMeMonday.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261912574200479890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">A<span style="font-size:85%;">fter reading McMama's Blog for about a month, I've decided to jump on the bandwagon and post a "Not me!" Monday blog post. If you're a regular mycharmingkids.net reader, you may recognize one of my "not me's" as I had a similar experience to McMama. This week:<br /><br />1) I </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >did not</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> cry on Saturday when I realized Kariah is finally done nursing after 26 months of life. Nope, not me. Didn't do it!<br /><br />2) I absolutely </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >did not</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> make a mess of my new, magazine-ready kitchen making caramel apples with Kimora and Kariah...complete with sprinkles...and lots of stickiness. I </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >did not</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> attempt this without the help of another adult, as that would be foolish. No, not me.<br /><br />3) I </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >did not</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> blow a gasket when a stranger commented on Kimora and Kariah's "good hair" and about how it doesn't look like Kajanae is going to have "good hair." I </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >did not</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> feel like spewing poison from between my teeth or shrieking in her face, "Leave my baby the heck alone!" I </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >did not</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> feel like using more severe language than "heck." Nope, certainly not me. Huh-uh!!<br /><br />4) I </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >did not</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> feel like fainting when I saw FIVE carseats in the back of my vehicle after installing Karmello and Kaydence's carseats. I </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >didn't</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> pause for a moment to contemplate how I managed to accumulate five children over the course of 3.5 years.<br /><br />5) I </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >did not</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> finally relent to Jamal's request to keep the pole in our bedroom that came with the highrise, and I</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" > was not</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> amused by his joke that couple pole dancing lessons would be fun. A wholesome prude like me, I should think not!<br /><br />6) I </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >have not</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> recently felt the strong, insatiable desire to be pregnant again. Nope. Not me!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span>Kimora, Kariah, and Kajanae's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751845649682256594noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5069822436945007647.post-18781160737496719182008-10-10T19:45:00.004-04:002008-10-10T20:52:03.030-04:00With My Frappuccino in Hand....<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CLeah%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CLeah%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CLeah%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> <w:word11kerningpairs/> <w:cachedcolbalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont val="Cambria Math"> <m:brkbin val="before"> <m:brkbinsub val="--"> <m:smallfrac val="off"> <m:dispdef/> <m:lmargin val="0"> <m:rmargin val="0"> <m:defjc val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent val="1440"> <m:intlim val="subSup"> <m:narylim val="undOvr"> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" defunhidewhenused="true" defsemihidden="true" defqformat="false" defpriority="99" latentstylecount="267"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="0" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Normal"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="heading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="35" qformat="true" name="caption"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="10" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" name="Default Paragraph Font"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="11" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtitle"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="22" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Strong"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="20" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="59" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Table Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Placeholder Text"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="No Spacing"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Revision"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="34" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="List Paragraph"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="29" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="30" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="19" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="21" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="31" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="32" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:1; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; margin-bottom:10.0pt; line-height:115%;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >Would you believe that I’m actually out at Starbucks, BY MYSELF with my computer, drinking a Frappuccino, finally updating this poor neglected blog?<span style=""> </span>I can’t believe it either.<span style=""> </span>Jamal pushed me out the front door (more like into the elevator), insisting I take a "me time" evening. How amazing is he? ;) </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >Before I begin, I’d like to issue an official apology to my regular readers!<span style=""> </span>Those of you who I see on a weekly, if not daily, basis have naturally remained updated on the goings-on in our family.<span style=""> </span>However, if we rely on this online venue to keep connected, then I’m sorry I’ve been gone so long.<span style=""> </span>I have, however, been regularly checking my personal and online emails in case someone was REALLY trying to contact me.<span style=""> </span>Some of you have asked for my email, but I get my email through my husband’s practice; for this reason, I don’t give out my personal email as it would be too exposing.<span style=""> </span>However, if you make an account on hellorazzi.com I can email you through that site, or if you have a blog of your own, just leave the address in a comment to me (I won’t post it if you’d rather I not).<span style=""> </span>I’ll be sure to come by and visit!<span style="">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Here goes:
<br /></span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >I would put high on the list an adoption update, but there’s not really an update to give.<span style=""> </span>Everything is still going as planned as far as that goes, and we plan to welcome Karmello and Kaydence by Thanksgiving.<span style=""> </span>I suppose I may have a few stories to share from our visits, though. I'm also in the process of planning a homecoming party for them, which I suppose could be thought of as the parallel to a baby shower. However, I'd like them to be here for the celebration, of course, since they are the reason we'd be celebrating anyway! Kimora and Kariah are already so tight with Karmello; it's very exciting to see their relationships develop. Little baby Kaydence already calls me mommy....except it's more like "MO..meeeeeee" with the first syllable very loud and high-pitched and the second syllable lower and strung out. She shrieks and claps when she sees our family coming to visit her and her brother. Unbelievably cute!!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">The item next on the list for updating is Kimora's preschool experience.</span>
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">September</p><p class="MsoNormal">2- This day was described in my first post about Kimora and her preschool. Blah...'nuf said.
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">4- This day was described as a "Tuesday repeat"
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">9- This was the first day that Kimora went to school armed with the "Mommy Comes Back" song and photo of our family. These things seemed to increase her security...she seemed less anxious. Before leaving this day, I stayed a little bit again to help her get accustomed. Another tearful goodbye, but the teachers report was promising: she calmed down after about 45 minutes. I saw that Kimora had been kissing the family photo I gave her because it had a bunch of little lip prints on it.
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">11- It was suggested that I spray some of my perfume on Kimora's wrist so that she could smell it and feel close to me during her school day. On this day I tried that; I could tell she felt very special wearing mommy's special Baby Phat perfume.
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">16- Kimora continued to take the photo with her to school and wear some of my perfume. I never asked her if she sang the song I taught her, but her teachers said that they indeed heard her singing a song about Mommy, whether or not it was the exact one I intended :). Today she cried for about 45 minutes to an hour after I left (not ideal, but hey, we have to take the small victories).
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">18- This day we were swarmed at the door by a bunch of preschoolers, all anxious to get Kimora's attention and play with her. "Wow, my baby's popular," I couldn't help but think. Kimora seemed happy to see her little buddies, but that didn't quite override her desire to cling tightly to my leg. The teachers said that today she cried about a half our after I left.
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">23- I don't remember much distinct about this day....much the same as the last day, I think.
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">25- This day the teachers gave me a report saying that they are very impressed with Kimora's knowledge of numbers and the alphabet. Apparently they had no idea of Kimora's capabilities because she hadn't said much to them until today. They were also teaching the class numbers 1-10 in Spanish, and Kimora corrected them on their pronounciation. LOL! I can just see her doing that. "No, not 'trace'...it's 'tres!'" You know, with the tongue-rolling "r" and no dipthong on the vowel ;).
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">30- Kimora's teacher's rave reviews on her academic abilities seemed to coincide with Kimora's excitement about learning at school. Today she took me by her desk to show me (once again!) her nametag where she "sits and does her homeworks." How adorable is that??!!
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">October</p><p class="MsoNormal">2- Today was the day that Kimora hit the only-crying-for-fifteen-minutes-after-mommy-leaves benchmark. She also came home from school excited about their upcoming fieldtrip to the pumpkin patch. She also begins talking to me about specific friends by name: Amani, Kaneisha, and Isaiah.
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">7- Kimora continues to spend a lot of time at the art station. It never fails, there's always at least one picture of she and I together...everyday. Her teachers say that Kimora is always saying "My Mommy...." this and "My Mommy...." that. "My Mommy is coming to get me after snack." "My Mommy's favorite color is pink." They ask her, "What's YOUR favorite color, Kimora?" She says, "I like ALL the colors, but my Mommy....."
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">9- And...this was yesterday. It was another typically tearful goodbye, but she calmed down very shortly after I left. I'm so proud of her! Her teachers continue to be floored by her literary abilities. She did her little, "Cap. C-A-P spells Cap" thing today while writing the letters as she spells. Yes, my little 3.5 year-old...that floors us all!
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">So there you go! Kimora preschool update! She's come leaps and bounds if you ask me. It still is difficult to leave her as she's tearful, but I find relief in the fact that she's no longer sad the whole morning. This coming Tuesday is the field trip to the pumpkin patch, and I'm going with! :)
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" > <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" ><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> Kimora, Kariah, and Kajanae's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751845649682256594noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5069822436945007647.post-30693333420195661672008-10-09T17:35:00.004-04:002008-10-09T17:47:23.273-04:00Octopus Woman<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span>I'm so sorry for the lack of updates! I promise a decent post within the next few days, but until then, this is me:<br /><br /><br /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Leah/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-3.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Leah/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-4.jpg" alt="" /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ww1.prweb.com/prfiles/2006/09/19/0000439964/mmlogoprweb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://ww1.prweb.com/prfiles/2006/09/19/0000439964/mmlogoprweb.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Some update topics coming up:<br /><br />-Adoption update<br />-Kimora's Preschool Progress<br />-Out of the mouth of Kariah<br />-Kajanae- What's new with the baby!<br />-The Move<br />-Our new homeKimora, Kariah, and Kajanae's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751845649682256594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5069822436945007647.post-31109937083573502362008-09-23T15:38:00.004-04:002008-09-23T15:44:49.150-04:00Mi Querida Familia :-)<span id="pyzam-familysticker-start" style="display: none;"></span><br /><span id="pyzam-familysticker-start" style="display: none;"></span>I thought this was immensely cute and decided to make one of what our family will look like come November. I haven't been on my computer other than to occasionally check emails and inbox messages, and I'm sorry for my regular readers who are probably feeling neglected. My blog hiatus should be over soon (possibly even today if I can carve out some time later after Kimora, Kariah, and Kajanae are asleep). I have so much to share!<br /><p><a href="http://www.pyzam.com/toys"><img style="width: 420px; height: 174px;" src="http://www.pyzamstuff.com/family_images/1/1e/a28063a6896bb9ee391a6a37858380.png" alt="Pyzam Family Sticker Toy" border="0" /><br />Create your own family sticker graphic at pYzam.com</a></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="http://www.pyzam.com/toys"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><br /></a></p><img style="visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="http://stuff.pyzam.com/misc/1.gif?CXNID=1000015.10NXC" width="0" border="0" height="0" /><br /><span id="pyzam-familysticker-end" style="display: none;"></span><br /><img style="visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="http://stuff.pyzam.com/misc/1.gif?CXNID=1000015.10NXC" width="0" border="0" height="0" /><br /><span id="pyzam-familysticker-end" style="display: none;"></span><br /><img style="visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.2NXC/bHQ9MTIyMjE5ODYwOTczNiZwdD*xMjIyMTk4NjkwMzc3JnA9MzkwMSZkPWZsYXNodG95cyZuPWJsb2dnZXImZz*xJnQ9Jm89M2UxZmFiOWQ5YjI5NDFkMjkyMDg5MWFjZmVlZWY5MDc=.gif" width="0" border="0" height="0" />Kimora, Kariah, and Kajanae's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751845649682256594noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5069822436945007647.post-15336848093818926562008-09-08T19:55:00.005-04:002008-09-08T22:05:13.795-04:00"Mommyyyyyyyy! NO NO NO NO! Mommyyyyyy!!!" *tears, and tears, and tears*.........yep. That was the scene of my departure...first official separation between baby girl #1 and mommy. It was Kimora's first day at preschool, and she was going to have nothing to do with it, if she had any say about it!! Being the child, poor thing, she didn't have anything to say about it. I had to leave her there in her mess of tears to fend for herself amidst unfamiliar faces and strange surroundings. I had never seen Kimora act this way; she's always been such a go-getter, the life of the party, the ringleader. But not last Tuesday. Last Tuesday she was a little 3-year-old who wanted to spend the day with her mommy, just as she was used to. I could barely hold myself together until I got to the car. Then I, too, bawled like a 3-year-old.<br /><br />I was puzzled. Kimora had been SOOO excited to attend preschool in the months leading up to her first day. We talked excitedly together about the friends she would make and the fascinating stuff that she would learn! We talked about how Mommy would drop her off at school and come back home, and then come back to pick her up later. She mused about taking Karmello with her to preschool when he comes to live with us. We even went by to visit the school and have orientation; her little face lit up when she saw her classroom and was so happy to see "Kimora" on one of the nametags on the table. However, last Tuesday, the tables turned. When it came time for me to leave, she WOULD NOT let me put her down!! I stayed for a little while, talking quietly to her and pointing out the other children playing around the room. I reminded her that I'd be back before lunch to pick her up. Kimora still not convinced, I went over to the dress-up station with her and helped her put on a fairy costume I knew she'd like. I put on one of the hats and got a giggle out of her. One of her teachers came over, and I could tell she was hinting that it was high time for me to leave. <span style="font-style: italic;">Oh great</span>, I thought. <span style="font-style: italic;">I guess I'm the proverbial overbearingly protective mother</span>. I introduced Kimora to one of the other little girls playing dress-up, and told Kimora that she can play with (little girl's name) because Mommy has to leave, will be back, blah blah blah, I love you, *kisses*....and then began the waterworks. The teachers swooped in to try and distract her, but I know my Kimora....she won't have the wool pulled over HER eyes!!<br /><br />I came to pick her up, then, before lunch. The teachers gave me a report saying that she didn't really say anything all morning, cried aloud for about an hour after I left, and then cried silently in the corner for another hour and a half. :-( I suppose some of the time she was crying was also spent at the table when they were doing their academic activities. They said that after she finished crying, she walked over to the art station and drew pictures until snack. Hearing this was unimaginably difficult. I felt so bad for my poor, poor little Kimora Pie. I felt bad that I couldn't make the transition smoother for her.<br /><br />When she saw me, she was almost done with her snack and came running, barreling actually, toward me, knocking her chair over in the process. I was so happy to be reunited with Kimora; I had missed her so much that day, but I was really sad for her that she had such a rough time. :-( Before driving home I admired the pictures that she had drawn. I asked her if she played dress-up a lot, and she said she hadn't. I didn't bother asking her if she liked school; I knew the answer to that one.<br /><br />Since the 3-year-olds in this program go two days a week, her next school day was Thursday. Tuesday repeat. Enough said. I'll spare you the details.<br /><br />Tomorrow is Tuesday again. I'm dreading it. I hate seeing my baby cry, crying out for me, her mommy. I taught her a song this weekend that has the lyrics, "My mommy comes back, she always comes back, she never will forget me!!" I told Kimora she could sing that to herself if she gets sad at school. I also gave her a miniature family photo of us to put in her pocket so she can find comfort in looking at us. I hope these little "diddies" help ease her separation anxiety. I'll let you know....For now, Kajanae calls; she's hungry.Kimora, Kariah, and Kajanae's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751845649682256594noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5069822436945007647.post-58912781727634879032008-08-30T15:24:00.008-04:002008-08-30T16:23:11.004-04:00The New Additions to the _________ FamilyYep...that's plural! Now you understand why we are in the process of moving into a six bedroom home!<br /><br />Lord willing, this November we will welcome TWO new K's into our family:<br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:18;" >Karmello Jamal</span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ><br /><br />and<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:18;" >Kaydence Amaya</span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:18;" ><br /></span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Karmello and Kaydence are biological half-siblings; they have the same biological mother; their father's identities are unknown. Karmello is 3; his birthday is in February, so he's one month older than Kimora. Kaydence just turned 1 last week. She's just about exactly one year younger than Kariah and five months older than Kajanae. We are BEYOND excited to welcome these little people into our home. I know people roll their eyes when celebrities say they are "over the moon," but I truly feel over the moon right now as the legalities are finalized, there's an end in sight to this whole process, and our family will soon be together. While my own impatience and rousing anticipation are very real to me, viewing this adoption from an outsider's perspective, this has gone amazingly quickly for several reasons:<br /><br />1) We're adopting from foster care<br />2) We're adopting toddlers, not infants<br />3) Karmello and Kaydence are non-white; their mother is Puerto Rican, and by appearances, we believe their fathers to be black (we'll never be sure, though, as appearance aren't reliable in themselves)<br />4) Their social workers wanted to keep them together as a brother-sister pair, which also made them less "desirable" for many families<br />5) Both were substance-exposed prenatally and born prematurely<br /><br />We've met several times already with these amazing little people, and when I first saw them, I felt instantly that they were MINE. Kaydence crawled up to me and reached her little arms up at me, wanting to be picked up...it felt almost as if we had met before. You know, that inexplicable feeling when you instantly connect with someone? I recall a similar feeling when I first met Jamal. Karmello was a little bit more inhibited, but he and Kimora hit it off right away; Kimora says that when she begins preschool next week that she wants to take Karmello with her. I keep telling her that he won't live with us until a few months later, but she insists on taking him to show him off!!<br /><br />This update has been a long time in coming, and I apologize to those of you who had to wait so long to hear the details. This has just been an understandably busy time in our family as we move to a new home, prepare our girls for change, prepare to welcome Karmello and Kaydence, deal with the legalities of the adoption, prepare to send Kimora to preschool for the first time, and sell our old home. To those of you who have known about our decision to adopt Karmello and Kaydence for practically as long as we have and have supported us through it all, thank you so much for your continuous love and support. Karmello and Kaydence will be blessed to have you in their lives as Jamal, Kimora, Kariah, Kajanae and I have been blessed. And thanks babe for being my lover, my best friend, and my partner in crime through this whole adventure.<br /><br />Signing off for now,<br />Karmello, Kimora, Kariah, Kaydence, and Kajanae's Mommy....aka Kx5</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p>Kimora, Kariah, and Kajanae's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751845649682256594noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5069822436945007647.post-21302539122055692312008-08-26T18:04:00.006-04:002008-08-26T18:14:26.647-04:00One Step at a Time....*sigh*I promised an adoption update, but I don't really know how to describe how I feel right now...You all know that I'm rarely speechless, but I think this song does a great job of conveying where I'm at right now in this whole process. "Hurry up and wait" is the name of the game right now, even though there have been some happenings and decisions made recently that will ultimately move the process along. Even though I'm thankful and feel very blessed for the progresses made, my control freak nature is rearing its ugly head...and I find myself wanting our entire family to be together. Complete. RIGHT NOW!! God's timing, not mine...His perfect timing, not mine. As this wise young woman sings, "It's gonna happen when it's supposed to happen." I believe that, even amidst my impatience. :-) Blessings all. <br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/M6XbW6aHFpY&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/M6XbW6aHFpY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Kimora, Kariah, and Kajanae's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751845649682256594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5069822436945007647.post-46528148785907248662008-08-21T19:16:00.003-04:002008-08-21T19:21:06.693-04:00To Bless Your Garden of Friendships:Plant three rows of peas:<br />1) Peace of mind<br />2) Peace of heart<br />3) Peace of soul<br /><br />Plant four rows of squash:<br />1) Squash indifference<br />2) Squash selfishness<br />3) Squash grumbling<br />4) Squash gossip<br /><br />Plant four rows of lettuce:<br />1) Lettuce be faithful<br />2) Lettuce be kind<br />3) Lettuce be patient<br />4) Lettuce really love one another<br /><br />No garden is without turnips:<br />1) Turnip for meetings<br />2) Turnip for service<br />3) Turnip to help one another<br /><br />Maintenance requires thyme:<br />1) Thyme for each other<br />2) Thyme for family<br />3) Thyme for God<br /><br />Water freely with patience and cultivate with love!Kimora, Kariah, and Kajanae's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751845649682256594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5069822436945007647.post-32607594916798951872008-08-20T17:41:00.006-04:002008-08-20T18:21:42.989-04:00Party Central.....Toddler Style!!“What party theme do you want for your birthday this year, punkin boo?” This is the question that I presented to Kariah as her second birthday was approaching. For those of you who have seen and heard Kariah’s passion for “reading” and animated storytelling, it should come as no surprise that she made one of her favorite authors the guest of honor…or rather, gave him the honor of being her party theme! And her answer was...(drum roll please)....<span style="font-style:italic;">screamed at the top of her two year-old lungs</span>...:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />“Dr. Seuss!!!!!!!!!!” <br /><br />None other than the rhyming genius and engineer of a reality of strange shaped objects and obscure characters himself! This was a far cry from the Princess Tea Party that I threw for Kimora’s third birthday last March, but Kariah’s request made me appreciate the unique individuality of each of my precious children for probably the one millionth time this year! Speaking of a rhyming genius, Ciahnna found that she could make Dr. Seuss’ rhymes sound like raps if she read them in just the right way. In her words, they were still a little “dopey sounding” and a bit “wack”, but her performance was quite entertaining to us nonetheless, particularly to the birthday girl and the younger party guests! While Ciahnna was showing off her rapping skills, Acaijah was dressed up as the Cat in the Hat, which was also a party hit, as you can imagine. We had a photo area set up where the kids could get their picture taken with the Cat in front of a Dr. Seussy-looking background (you know, we drew some Whos and a makeshift Whoville with those buildings and stairs that would be impossible to actually construct three-dimensionally!). <br /><br />Everything from the invitations to the food to the games to the craft fell in line with the Dr. Seuss theme. We played a partnered relay that we called “Thing 1 and Thing 2 Relay” and also pin the tail on the elephant (the elephant from <span style="font-style:italic;">Horton Hears a Who</span>). We had a station set up where kids could go fishing for paper fish with paper clips on them that they caught using fishing rods with magnets on the ends (from <span style="font-style:italic;">One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish</span>). Our dining room was decked out with a banner that read, “Kariah I Am” instead of “Sam I Am”. “Kariah I Am” doesn’t rhyme, of course…but we thought it was cute anyway! Kimora and Kariah had their hair fixed like Cindy Loo Who for the party, which was absolutely adorable. For the craft, the children (and some adults ;) ) made crazy hats with party hats, feathers, sequins, etc., reminiscent of <span style="font-style:italic;">The Five Hundred Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins</span>. <br /><br />Of course, the food had to honor the chosen theme, too! We had little sandwiches cut in the shapes of letters for <span style="font-style:italic;">Dr. Seuss' ABCs.</span> The highlight of lunch was the green eggs and ham! However, the ham was actually tofu ham, but the kids didn’t know the difference…they were too enthralled with the green color!! We polished off lunch with a cake that looked like the cake on a rake in <span style="font-style:italic;">The Cat in the Hat.</span> <br /><br />We stated on the invitations that gifts aren’t necessary but that we would appreciate a donation to help buy books for the Atlanta Children's Shelter "Read to Me" program. Many people made donations AND bought Kariah gifts, which wasn’t the idea!!!! But thank you all for coming and for your generosity. Your presence and your children’s presence at Kariah’s birthday party is what made the event a celebration! Special thanks to all of you who helped me pull off this special party for Kariah (*ahem, ahem* mom, Jamal, sissies, and Miss Kimora *wink, wink*). The day was an absolute HIT with the adults, the children, and most importantly, the birthday girl herself.<br /><br />Happy Birthday Kariah Chanel, and many more!!! Perhaps Dr. Seuss said it best with, "Oh, the places you'll go!" Love you big much - MommyKimora, Kariah, and Kajanae's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751845649682256594noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5069822436945007647.post-4118922816380369302008-08-17T20:50:00.005-04:002008-08-17T20:56:23.665-04:00Happy Birthday Kariah Chanel!!!!!!Happy Birthday to you,<br />Happy Birthday to you,<br />Happy Birthday dear Kariah,<br />Happy Birthday to you!<br /><br />That's all for now; I'm off to spend more time with my birthday girl! I know it's been a while since I've posted (like, a seriously long, long, time!), but we've been very busy with recent developments. More to come....about Kariah's birthday and other updates..soon, I promise! :)Kimora, Kariah, and Kajanae's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751845649682256594noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5069822436945007647.post-11911362873802215012008-08-05T17:15:00.003-04:002008-08-05T17:19:06.108-04:00Never NeverlandThe only way that Kajanae will fall asleep now is if I play this song and walk around her nursery with her! While I know I should be working on fostering independence, she's my little baby, and I enjoy putting her to sleep in my arms. I must say, my little girl has great taste in music!! :) Instead of "nobody wants to grow old" I think, "I don't want my baby to grow old"!! So here's a shout-out to my little sweetie pie koala bear..her favorite lullaby. :) <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/liS64TNW-P4&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/liS64TNW-P4&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Kimora, Kariah, and Kajanae's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751845649682256594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5069822436945007647.post-30660919426163873572008-08-03T15:56:00.004-04:002008-08-03T16:00:21.064-04:00Muffin Tin MondayTomorrow is Muffin Tin Monday! What is this sacred holiday, you may ask? Muffin Tin Monday is a weekly holiday designed specifically for little ones bored with eating lunch. Make lunch fun, and serve lunch in a muffin tin! In each compartment, put a different food: cheese, crackers, grapes, goldfish, carrots, pretzels, sliced peaches, cucumbers, etc....each in their own special mini compartment. Easy for mommy...delightful for child(ren)!! Try it today!! (or rather, tomorrow) :)Kimora, Kariah, and Kajanae's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751845649682256594noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5069822436945007647.post-5496133294409459042008-07-27T18:19:00.006-04:002008-07-27T18:30:48.555-04:00In This SeasonIt wasn't too long ago that my life was anything but small. Before having children, I had traveled to nine different countries. I had graduated from a large university, where I met thousands and thousands and thousands of people during my time there. I was constantly on tour up and down the East Coast, performing in musicals, singing, acting, and dancing with our university group. I had performance arts schools admissions personnel and modeling agencies beating down my door.<br /><br />I felt like I had seen the world, and more importantly, impacted it. In my mind, there was nothing I couldn't do. The world was at my fingertips, brimming with unknown possibilities...<br /><br />Yet. What degree was I so diligently pursuing at this great university? A Masters degree in Education. Despite my performance talents, I felt God tugging me in a different direction, a different venue through which to impact the world- teaching children.<br /><br />I had a job offer right away, so I was able to jump into teaching the subsequent year after graduation. I taught for a year and loved it. <span style="font-style:italic;">But</span> God filled my womb with an unexpected miracle: Kimora. So, unable to commit my time and energy to teaching when I needed to dedicate my time energy to my baby, I became a stay at home mommy. <br /><br />Fast forward 17 months.<br /><br />*bam* Kariah enters the picture…this time a planned miracle.<br /><br />Fast forward 17 months.<br /><br />*bam* Kajanae enters the picture…she was also a planned miracle.<br /><br />Fast forward 6 months.<br /><br />*bam*….and we’re beginning the process of adding to our family for the <span style="font-style:italic;">fourth</span> time, this time through adoption.<br /><br />I will raise these children to the best of my ability…love them..cherish them. But, then when they’re all in school, I’ll pick up where I left off. Pursuing my dreams. Because really, this whole stay-at-home mommy thing is just a season. Nothing more, right?<br /><br />Funny how my sphere of influence has drastically shrunk from thousands to four: Jamal. Kimora. Kariah. Kajanae.<br /><br /><br />As my world continues to function on a “smaller” scale, our hearts continue to grow for the "small" things that God has set before us. Because as we now prepare to bring our fourth Little Person into our family, I realize that my dreams have changed.<br /><br />Maybe some would say that it's been a decrease in vision...a waste in talent....But I'd say it's become a more fine-tuned hope that <span style="font-weight:bold;">Yes</span>, there is most definitely something around the corner. Something bigger than I ever thought about before...<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">My children's unfolding destinies.</span> <br /><br />...their knowledge of a Kingdom and Creator yet unseen..their solid confidence that will continue to build them up when the world tears them down...their ability to truly love because they were loved.<br /><br />While I have felt called to be a teacher, I now wonder about my <span style="font-style:italic;">interpretation</span> of that vocation.<br /><br />My interpretation was by the world's standards: A classroom...students...success. God would get the glory. I'd get the paycheck. Perfect. Thanks God.<br /><br />But now I have to wonder as *revelation* hits my heart. I may very well be called in this season of my life to be my children’s teacher.<br /><br />TD Jakes writes this of his sons, "...<span style="font-style:italic;">I know that they are manuscripts yet to be written and songs waiting to be sung. To the world I say get ready for them. They are being printed at this very moment and soon to be published. They will be well worth reading</span>."<br /><br />I know this is the case for my own little ones, as well.<br /><br />I haven’t by any means forfeited the idea of teaching in a classroom again when my kids are older, which is what I still at this point intend to do...I just want to remain always open and ever-discerning of God’s will in my life...during EVERY season. This is the mindset I want to have, considering my life has so far been surprises galore. ;)Kimora, Kariah, and Kajanae's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751845649682256594noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5069822436945007647.post-65913308855406904212008-07-18T20:16:00.006-04:002008-07-18T20:46:28.444-04:00UntitledI don't talk much about my childhood, even to the ones I'm closest to. Unless we're super tight, you probably haven't heard me say anything beyond a few vague, dismissive phrases regarding my experiences before I came to my family at age ten. When I first heard this song, bottled-up tears poured down my face as I heard myself as a little girl (figuratively) singing this. My comfort is knowing that the baby or child that will soon become part of our family will be one less child to experience such pain and isolating solitude...even though I wasn't quite alone, was I? Watch this and you'll understand:<br /><br />This video was compiled by someone else, so the message at the beginning is not mine. "Scream" by Zoegirl: <br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cOY4ykkcc-w&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cOY4ykkcc-w&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Kimora, Kariah, and Kajanae's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751845649682256594noreply@blogger.com0