Little person lotta personality

Being that it had been about two months since I'd been home to Texas, I was really looking foward to going back and seeing everyone especially Tamia. I had no idea however, that in just two month, Tamia revaamped her vocabulary and boosted her attitude. She is definitely a character and here's the proof....

Run to fight

Today was the day that I amongst the hundreds possibly thousand of others, participated in the run to fight children's cancer. I had been looking foward to the event since registration because in some small way, I felt like I was going to be a part of something big. While preparing for the run, I was so excited and so looking foward to see the children that are actually battling cancer, run the race in a gold cape. To my disappointment, there were no children in gold capes anywhere in site. However, it was nice to see the all the people who represented all walks of life and all different families, come together and unite for a common goal: to raise awareness and provide support for the children and the families who battle cancer on a daily basis.

The run/walk was exciting, the cause was inspiring, the memories are priceless but more than anything else, I was reminded of a very important thing today. The small decisions we make today, can effect a life tomorrow and there was no better reminder than this little object with these 10 words

The hard question with an easy answer

Mostly everyone who I've informed that I will be taking custody of my sister ask the same question... "Why would you take responsibility of someone else's child if you don't have any kids?" So in other words, people are curious as to why I would take on the responsibility of someone else's actions. To that question I simply reply "because I am able to." The situation with Tamia and I, in my opinion, is no different than a single parent or a couple walking into an adoption agency and taking a child or children into their home. They simpy see a need and they meet it. That's exactly what I am doing for my sister only in my situation, it's a little more of a obligation that a decision. Since I am her sister and not some random person, there's a previously formed relationship and knowing the reality of her fate if I don't step in, I am that much more passionate and faithful about the decision that I've made. Some people may not understand or even agree with my decision and I totally respect that however, it makes no difference in the decision that I have made. I've realized and learned that in every aspect of life, some will disagree and to those people, I've learned to hear them out, respect their opinion, take in the information that I deem useful, and keep moving through life. My sister is MY SISTER, my obligation, and my responsibility. No other reason for taking her in is necessary in my sight!

Labour of LOVE

My dear, darling friend Chelsea recently taught me how to crochet and surprisingly, I picked up the method of te single stitch rather quickly. So with my newfound skill, I decided to crochet Tamia a blanket (it's the only thing I know how to create at the moment). I call it my labour of love because I add stitches to it every moment that I'm able to steal away between class, practicum, homework, volunteering, church, socializing, vigirous exercise regimens (including meal tracking), life group, Bible study, regular studying, eating, sleeping, and oh yeah, BREATHING! I still find time to carefully and meticulously wrap the yarn around the needle, pull it through one loop, repeat only this time pulling it through both loops before pushing the needle through the next stitch. This blanket has to be perfect for her but the only way that'll happen is if it's completed before she makes it to Arizona!

 

She remembers!!!

I made it back to Dallas, TX on Friday, December 14, 2011 but was unable to get to Tamia that day due to minor technical difficulties (I read my airline ticket wrong and my dad was waiting for me at the local airport while I arrived at the international airport). However, I was able to see mymia the very next day and to my delight, I was greeted when I walked through the door to a "Khekah" (Tamia's pronunciation of my name) and a huge smile :) She remembers me!

Returing home

Today I'm headed back to Dallas, TX from Phoenix, AZ and this will be the first time that I've seen Tamia in almost 4 months. We speak over the phone at least once a week so that she doesn't forget who I am but today is the moment of truth.....

Mini Minnie

Ok, so this is for sure my last Florida post! I just could not cronicle the experience without highlighting what I thought to be my two most brilliant ideas along the way! On Wednesday, we made our way to Disneyworld but not to go inside, just as a landmark along the way. I decided that we couldn't go to Disney and not dress for the occassion so I pulled the cork, and let the creative juices flow and this is what I came up with....

 

You looked somewhat like a mini Minnie Mouse and for what it's worth, my efforts where not lost because so many people noticed (SCORE!) We had fun that day and we took soo many pictures. That day and every day of that trip, you were just a ball of happiness and excitement and it just blessed my heart to see how the simplest and smallest things made you so ginuinely happy. I'm taking lessons from you Tamia believe me!