I Have a Special Child

I have a special child
Her name is Jessica Faith
She has an extra gene
And a sweet angelic face

Her birthday was ordained
By our Precious Lord above
She arrived a few weeks early
And our hearts were filled with love

The doctor had bad news he said
She’s not a normal child
She has an extra chromosome
Down syndrome. I cried, then smiled.

My first thoughts were “I'm honored”
He hand picked this child for me
But soon I stopped and questioned
Dear Lord, “how can this be?”



Her early years were fragile
As she struggled to survive
There were many days I wondered
If she would ever thrive

She has been to many doctors
Had too many tests to count
Yet always shares her special joy
Beauty from the inside out

I have felt the stares of strangers
As they feel sorry for her plight
Yet Jessica has courage
She perseveres with all her might

This special gift named Jessica
Is teaching me everyday
That patience, faith and kindness
Must always lead the way



She has a warmth and humor
Of greeting young and old
She has never met a stranger
Her greeting never cold

One day she overheard me
Explain the Trinity
Hands high, “Good job, God!” she cried
Such simple purity

Some days I’m overwhelmed
By the weight and complexities
I often pray and wonder
What His purposes could be

My faith tells me that there’s purpose
For each one He does ordain
God has a special plan for us
Though the way be marked with pain

God’s own Son endured more pain
Than we will ever know
Thank you Lord for sacrifice
The greatest love You show

My prayer today is simple
Lord make me more like You
May I embrace my pain with joy
And do it all for you

I pray today for Jessica
That she will come to know
How deep, how high, how wide, how long
The Father’s love to show

Joy Grace Caldwell
Friday, August 15, 2008

Mom, I want this and I need that

I absolutely love and adore all of my girls. Not unlike most other mothers, I too have my moments (especially summer moments...) when I start feeling just a little ... okay ALOT... overwhelmed. I was having some moments today when I picked up my pen during lunch and started to write.

My day thus far had looked like this:

2:00 - 2:30 am - Up with Hannah Mae again - crying & fussy, (teething...) brought her to bed with me... still crying, now screaming, "where's the binky? I just put it in her mouth..." she's thrown it (mad!!!) blurry eyed, we can't find it anywhere - taking the bed apart in the dark - turn the light on. Still can't find it. Light off. Go back to nursery - look for another one. Found one. Nope - doesn't want it - throws that one - still screaming! "Do you want a bottle of milk?" I ask repeatedly as I stumble in the dark, searching for the light switch at the top of the stairs... let's try... off downstairs to the kitchen. Get the bottle, heating it in the microwave... ahh... we're getting quiet.

Next few hours: She's in bed between us - alternates between feet in one of our backs, stomachs, fingers in my nose, mouth, eyes... "Mommy, are you still there?" she seems to say with her hands as she tosses and turns back and forth... crying fussy again... "where's that binky now?" fishing around in the dark, one of us finds it and plugs it in again. We only do this several times...

Finally - it's time to get up. "Do I have to?", my body says, as Hannah Mae crawls over me, slides feet first down the bed to the floor. I quickly grab my glasses before she gets them from the nightstand beside me. Then the other child peeks her head up over the side of our bed. Oh yeah, I forgot. Haley slept on the floor beside Daddy's side of the bed for the first time in many years. (Got news last night that her mom is in hospital following an auto accident with a brain hemorrhage... she needed extra comfort and security last night... we're praying hard for Becky!) Paul is stirring beside me (working the evening shift today so he's still in bed - "slept in"). I reach out quickly to snuggle for 30 seconds and grab my good morning kiss. He gets up and goes downstairs for coffee. Haley takes his place beside me as we cuddle for a couple minutes... "Oops, there goes Hannah Mae. Quick... let's hope Daddy closed the gate behind him at the top of the stairs..."

We're up!

Then there's the phone call from Becky in hospital in Mississippi - under observation - not sure of the prognosis or treatment...

I help Haley send her Mom an e-mail through the hospital website. Then we order flowers....

Meantime, Paul has helped Jessica get up and fixed breakfast for all of us.

Then he's off to work... now the fun has really just begun...

Then there's the phone calls, get dressed for the day, change baby, get Haley to dress her, help Jeanna with physio exercises, dress Jessie, chase Hannah Mae....... sigh...

Drive Jeanna & Haley to the soccer field while we listen to Veggie Tales AGAIN for the zillionth time... I'm starting to feel a bit irritable - not Bob & Larry's fault - just me... probably lack of sleep...

Now I'm finally home again with Jessica and Hannah Mae sitting at the table eating lunch. "big sighs...." except that Jessica is "Miss Non-Stop Chatter"!... "Please!", I beg her, "Please, just stop talking and eat your lunch." I grab my pen and paper and start to write and this is what comes pouring out....

“Mom, I want this and I need that.”

Edgy. Uptight. Irritable. Stressed.
What’s a mom to do?
“Mom, I want this and I need that.”

Dirty faces. Dirty feet.
Diapers. Tears and Non-stop chat.
“Mom, I want this and I need that.”

Phone is ringing. Someone knocking.
Does anyone hear the dog barking?
“Mom, I want this and I need that.”

Dishes. Laundry. Making beds
Dr. Mom - dispensing meds.
“Mom, I want this and I need that.”

Yes, Jeanna. No, Hannah Mae.
Maybe, Haley. Jessie, what did you say?
“Mom, I want this and I need that.”

Mom, I’m bored. Mom, I’m tired.
Mom, I’m hungry; I need a snack.
“Mom, I want this and I need that.”

Can I watch TV? Go outside?
Playing soccer – No, not inside!
“Mom, I want this and I need that.”

Drive me here. Drive me there.
Driving children everywhere.
“Mom, I want this and I need that.”

McDonalds, Costco, Safeway, too.
Dairy Queen and the Zoo.
“Mom, I want this and I need that.”

Edgy. Uptight. Irritable. Stressed.
What’s a mom to do?
“Help me Lord! I want peace and I need You!”

Thursday, August 14, 2008
Joy Grace Caldwell

Yes, HE really is my answer and He brought the peace too! As I wrote, I was reminded of the many years that I cried, prayed and struggled to have children when all my friends around me were starting families and I had none. I longed for diapers, dishes, dirty faces and dirty feet, fingerprints on the walls and toys on the stairs. He answered my prayers and then some. He blessed my womb. He blessed our home. He's filled it with laughter and love. It really is good and I really wouldn't have it any other way. I'm just so very, very glad that when I do have "my moments" that I have HIM to turn to. He helps me re-focus on Him and all His blessings! "Children are a blessing; a heritage from the Lord." Thank you Lord for all your blessings and all your goodness to us.

Midnight Musings

It’s midnight. Quiet.
And here do I sit
With pen in my hand
And lamp dimly lit

All loved ones tucked in
Asleep and dreaming
Dreams of tomorrow
And what it may bring

I hear the soft tick
Of the clock by me
The hum of the fridge
And electricity

Wait - Footsteps? A voice?
A whimper? A tear?
It’s Haley. My gift.
My daughter. My dear.

Awake from her dream
She had a bad scare
She needed a hug,
A kiss and a prayer


I gently caressed
Her face and her hair
Kissed her wet cheek
And offered a prayer

She crawled back in bed
Next to her big sis
Where she fell asleep
Back to dreams and bliss

My eyes are now tired
A yawn, then a sigh
Yes, it’s time to sleep
It really is time

I’ll join my dear Paul
In our big comfy bed
Where I will now sleep
And dream in my head.


Of many more days
Yet to come with these
Precious dear darlings
God’s given to me

To love and cherish
To teach and to guide
One day at a time
With Christ by my side.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Joy Grace Caldwell

Happy 3rd Anniversary to My Precious Husband Paul!

You are my Romeo
I am your Juliet
The passion burning strong
Since the first day we met

As I pause and reflect
On what you mean to me
I cannot help but think
Of how it came to be

Our gracious loving Lord
Knew just the one for me
He chose “Happy Daddy”
To lead our family

Three years ago today
I pledged my love to you
I took your hand in mine
And said, “I will I do”

For better or for worse
In good times and in bad
In sickness and in health
And even when we’re sad

Through all the months and years
Oh how the days have flown
Our love keeps growing stronger
As we look to Heaven’s throne

His love will never cease
To amaze me every day
As I marvel at His hands
That guides us on our way

Each morning I awake
With you right by my side
I thank our Precious Lord
For making me your bride

As I ponder our future
Together with our Lord
I cannot help but know
The plans He has in store

His plans to lead and guide us
His plans for health and love
His plans for peace and purpose
With blessings from above

So thankful for our daughters
I can’t help but exclaim
So beautiful so special
Each one with a precious name

Jeanna and Jessica
Haley and Molly too
Then along came Hannah Mae
Our miracle – it’s true

I am yours forever
Forever you are mine
Our love was meant to be
From the beginning of time

Let’s keep growing old together
Hand in hand and cheek to cheek
As we make His plans our own
We can reach the highest peak

Three years ago today
I pledged to you my life
My Darling Paul, I love you
I’m proud to be your wife

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Joy Grace Caldwell

Adoption Poem for Special Friends

We're off to an adoption party this afternoon for some very special friends. As I was thinking of what to give them, I was inspired to write. The following is what flowed from my heart...

The Young Family

Corey and Amy
Husband and wife
Longing for children
To share their life
They took their request
To the One who knows best
And in His time
He answered and blessed.

Their Heavenly Father
With love in His heart
Knew just the right two
And set them apart.
He carefully chose
From his treasured collection
Two little girls
Who would make the connection.

Hayli and Emery
Sisters so fair
Eyes so blue
With pretty blonde hair
Two precious jewels
Straight from His throne
Sent to Corey and Amy
To make their own.

Corey and Amy
Now father and mother
No longer have
To look any further
July eleven
Two thousand and eight
Was set as their
Special adoption date

Hayli and Emery
Have brought healing and love
Smiles and laughter
Straight from above
No longer just four
Corey, Amy, Hayli and Emery
The Youngs are now one
One blessed family!

Officially Established
July 11, 2008

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Joy Grace Caldwell

Madison School Memories

Here's a video I created of our 3 oldest girls' last 3 years at Madison School. It is best viewed "small" as it is compressed. Click on the bottom right corner to toggle the size. Enjoy.

News Release from Morality in Media

NEWS RELEASE from MORALITY IN MEDIA, INC.
Contact: Robert Peters 1-212-870-3210

U.S. Justice Department’s Record Of Enforcing Obscenity Laws May Be Disappointing, But Latest Obscenity Prosecution Success Proves Again That Most Adults Do Not Accept The Proliferation Of Obscenity

NEW YORK (June 6, 2008) – Yesterday, a federal District Court jury in Tampa, Florida convicted “Max Hardcore,” a California based pornographer, of 10 counts of distributing obscene materials. And, as St. Petersburg Times staff writer Abbie VanSickle observed in a May 31 article: “In terms of finding a conservative community sympathetic to prosecutors,” Tampa was not “an obvious choice” because of the area's ties to adult entertainment.

MIM President Robert Peters had the following comments: “It is unfortunate that during the past seven years much more hasn’t been done at the Federal level to curb distribution of obscene materials. Contrary to propaganda promoted by the pornographers and their allies in the press, obscenity crimes are not ‘victimless.’ Among other things, the explosion of obscenity has ruined marriages, morally corrupted children and contributed to sex crimes against both children and adults. It has also undermined the right of all Americans to live in a decent society.

“But unlike the Clinton Administration, the Bush Administration has enforced obscenity laws against a growing number of commercial distributors of obscene materials. Yesterday’s victory was the second jury conviction that the Justice Department has won against a California based hardcore pornographer in the past eight months. California is still the “porn capital” of the world.

“Those who defend hardcore pornography, whether in court or in the court of public opinion, point to the proliferation of this material as ‘proof’ that everyone is viewing it or that people think it is acceptable. The porn defenders overlook a number of factors including the fact that much if not most pornography is consumed by a relatively small percentage of individuals of all ages who are hooked on it. Furthermore, just because a person, whether by mistake or deception or out of curiosity or at a weak moment, views pornography does not mean he or she approves of it.

“In Hamling v. United States, the Supreme Court also recognized that the mere fact that hardcore pornographic materials are available in the nation or in a community does not “make them witnesses of virtue” or prove that similar materials at issue in a criminal obscenity trial are acceptable under community standards and therefore legal to disseminate.

“In 1997, 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2008, Morality in Media commissioned a national market research firm to ask various questions about enforcement of federal obscenity laws. Depending on the question asked, the percentages of adults (18 and over) that expressed support for enforcement of these laws ranged from 75% to 82%.

The 2008 opinion poll question was worded as follows: “‘During the past 15 years, hardcore pornographic materials have proliferated in the form of videotapes and DVDs sold in sexually oriented and mainstream video stores, films distributed on cable, satellite and hotel TV systems, and still pictures and video disseminated on the Internet. Were the next president to do all in his or constitutional power to ensure that federal obscenity laws are enforced vigorously against commercial distributors of hardcore pornography, would you support or oppose the President in this matter? Would you be strongly (support/oppose) or just somewhat (support/oppose)?’”

“In response to this question, 75% said they would support the President; 19% said they would oppose. In 2006, MIM also commissioned the same firm to ask this question: “Do you consider it to be morally acceptable to view pornographic websites and videos?” In response, 21% said, “Yes;” 73% said, “No.”

“According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates for 2006, about 225 million Americans were 18 and older; which means that in 2006 about 45 million adults thought it was OK to look at porn. So it should come as no surprise that so much pornography is now consumed in the United States.

“But if the 2006 opinion poll results were a reasonably accurate reflection of how adult Americans think, about 180 million adults didn’t think looking at porn was acceptable. So it should come as no surprise that juries will convict obscenity distributors, when given opportunity to do so.

“Unquestionably, the material at issue in the Tampa trial was somewhat ‘extreme,’ but today, most hardcore pornography is either degrading to women, violent or just plain sick.”

Support Morality in Media, Inc.'s Work to Fight Obscenity