It takes a Village to Raise a Child....

In 1996 Hilary Clinton made famous the ancient African Proverb "It takes a village to raise a child." The proverb is from Igbo and Yoruba regions of Nigeria and the basic meaning is that raising a child is a communal effort. It is to be taken to mean that the responsibility lies not only with the parents, but also with the extended family and in some cases the community.

I know this to be true in our case especially. If it weren't for the many people in our church who help us with Calloway, I'm not sure how Mark and I would survive without neither sets of our parents here to help us. I have realized lately, the importance that these people have on our life and on Calloway's life. And in return, Calloway has become a blessing to them as well.

It's people like Joanna and Linda who have kept Calloway for us on a regular basis while Mark is in school and I work. Joanna has a heart for children in general despite the fact the she is raising 4 boys already. Linda is a sweet mom, away from her family, raising two small children and helping out with Calloway.

The Olson family has also become very near and dear to hearts. They ARE our family! Calloway has become like the cousin/grandchild and is well loved and taken care of by them. Mark and I would love to raise Calloway around this family forever! They are truly bringing their own girls up in a godly way and a way that Mark and I hope to be.

I have mentioned numerous times, Terry and Barbara. These two have become my grandparents and they have taken Calloway in as one of their own great-grandchildren. From sending her sweet cards at holidays, to keeping her every Tuesday, or when Mark and I need a date night. It is so nice to know that she has a set of adopted grandparents here who spoil her and "love the soup" out of her. I feel so comfortable when she is at their house because I know without a shadow of a doubt that she is loved.

There are also the many people at church whom Calloway adores and runs up to to hug. And the flipside are those who completely adore Calloway and just dote after her. I feel so blessed in many ways that each of these people are a part of her life. And I just hope that I have allowed her to be as much of a blessing to them as they have been to us!

If you have ever kept my child or just shown her love once in the past 4 years that Mark and I have lived in Texas. I don't think words could truly express the gratitude that I have for you. Thank you for being a part of our lives and especially a part of Calloway's life. Thank you for helping us raise her and for the encouragements that you give. Thank you for being spiritual leaders as parents and grandparents. I pray that God will truly bless you as you have blessed us!

In this photo Calloway was singing a song for the camera.

Showing off her new tights and reaching up high to the sky.

She was so proud of her Valentines shirt that Nonna made her and she was trying to show it off!

This is the little outfit that my mom made Calloway for Valentines Day! I love it! But I think it's funny that it looks a little "hippy-ish". She got several comments about this and I just told people that she was our "love child".