John

We will be heading up to Aberdeen to get John, Kim's Dad, on Sunday.  We'll stay up there and return early Monday morning.  He has a doctor's appointment at 10:45 am.

Kim's Dad

We are still waiting for a bed to open up at Yankton Care Center.  When it does we'll have to go up to Aberdeen and bring him back down here.  Noah went with me to get Jay, the Kid's Krusade speaker.

John

We're still waiting for a bed to open up at Yankton Care Center.  When it does we'll have to go to Aberdeen to get Kim's Dad. 

Group

Kim & I went to the Fricks last night for group.  The title of the discussion was called, "He said, She said."

We went to see John, Kim's Dad, over the weekend.  He is in Aberdeen.  Alisha Dawn was the only one that stayed back here. She had to work.  Cody came with us.  I kept the kids at the motel while Kim visited her Dad.  We all went up there to say goodbye to him.  We had a good talk with Darlene. 

Kristina & Kalli

Kristina's birthday on Wednesday.  Alicia and Kim decorated her house. Alicia decorated her car.

Kalli didn't want me to pray for her after I prayed for her.  She ended the prayer with, "A NO men"  Kalli says that girls should pray for girls.

Cody

My two year old grandson is going through a crisis. He thinks everything is his. Boy does he think everything is his. I MEAN EVERYTHING. I got upset when I told him that boys don't play with barbies. Hopefully this stage passes soon.


America has an ominous cloud on the horizon.
Word of the Day - Ominous

Christmas Story

It was a warm time at my Mom's last night. We started by enjoying a meal of ham and roast beef. Of course my sister in law brought her famous raisin cream pie. (My favorite) Then we went to my brother's church. Small church of about 30 people. Janine, my sister in law is great on the flute and did a special. The lights were turned off and we enjoyed the candle light service. The Pastor had an unforgettable sermon. He spoke about a King wanting to win the hand of a maiden. He took off his Kingly robes and became a simple servant in a small village. Over time the maiden fell in love with him, then he revealed his true title. Jesus laid down His titles to draw us in love with Himself.


Then back to my Mom's to open gifts. There were close to 20 of us. It was a wonderful time.



I'd love to hear your Christmas Story.

Santa Claus

We went to a Christmas party yesterday. Kalli, my kindergartener, had to investage this person - Santa Claus. First he said that Rudolf was on the roof. So guess where Kalli went? She came in and informed us that in fact Rudolf was not on the roof. To which Mrs Claus told her that he was on the other side of the roof. No, said Kalli because she checked the entire roof. More investation would have to be conducted and the perfect time would be when Santa left. Although I tried to interest Kalli in the movie that was playing, she was on a mission. She informed me that Rudolf definetly was not on the roof and she also showed me the vehicle that Santa got in. Later that night, with Santa still on her mind she asked: "Daddy, is Santa real?" She could of asked me where babies came from and I may have been more comfortable. I told her that Santa was fun, just like Whoville was fun and Llama Llama was fun. I told her not to tell her classmates, but I suspect that will be a converstion she will have to have with her teacher today.



Word of the Day

tautology tau·tol·o·gi Noun

Unnecessary repetition of an idea, especially in different words, 2. In logic, a compound statement that is always true, irrespective of the value of its components.



In the OJ trial a statement was made: "The weapon is in Chicago or somewhere else." Using tautology you can really mess with someones head - which on certain occasions I like to do. -lol It appears this is a tactic of lawyers.



What is your tautology?

Christmas Letter

Tramp Christmas Letter 2010

Take the Tramp Test See how much you know about us.



1. At work this year, Kristina did which of the following?

a. Took apart a cell phone and put it back together blind folded

b. Sat on top a bill board for 24 straight hours

c. Won a Kindle for selling the most Cell phones

Answer: If you answered c you are right - Congratulations Kristina



2. In a surprise move, Alicia:

a. Announced she was moving to China

b. Colored her hair purple

c. Spent her birthday in California with her best friend

Answer: No purple hair and no moving to China -yet



3. Kalli spends most of her time doing?

a. Being a good little Llama, Llama

b. Learning to Read

c. With the older girls a lot

Answer: Llama, Llama is impatient, so that is a correct answer. Kalli loves to read and she's with the older girls a lot.



4. Our best vacation time this year was:

a. Hiking in the Rocky Mountains

b. Disney Land

c. Sky Diving

Answer: Hiking & Sky Diving - Yea Right Disney Land was so much fun



5. Baby 1 and Baby 2 are:

a. Kim had twins

b. Friends of Austin

c. Bailey & Bentley

Answer: No miracle happened, so c is correct. Bailey and Bentley - puppies of Danielle & Alicia Although we'd love to see Baby 1 and Baby 2 (my nickname) Cody is allergic to dogs



6. In vowing not to put us through any more torture Noah:

a. Stopped shooting us with his nerf gun

b. Did his chores with a smile on his face

c. Wants to do more chores at home

Actually Noah is growing up and all three are correct. Noah can't wait until he can vacuum. The smile on his face while doing the chores happens when he's finished.



7. Danielle does the following in her non-spare time:

a. Watched a brain surgery operation

b. In college for nursing

c. Has the world's record of hanging up on people

I don't doubt she may have watched a TV show that showed brain surgery because she's been interested in the medical field since she's been young. So all three are correct



8. Without doubt Austin is at his best when he's:

a. fishing

b. casting

c. spinning

Since all three have to do with fishing, you picked the right one. (Continued other side)



9. Alisha Dawn spends a lot of time:

a. In the past

b. The day before today

c. The day after two days ago

Yes, you are correct again. She works at Yesterday's as a waitress.



10. What is our foster baby, Aaron best at?

a. Keeping up with his brother Tristan

b. Really keeping up with his brother Tristan

c. Really, Really keeping up with his brother Tristan

We've enjoyed both Aaron & Tristan, both our Foster children. They are great little boys.

Aaron is 11 months old and Tristan is 19 months old. Aaron just started walking - I mean running.



11. In keeping in touch with Brooke we have to?

a. Email

b. Text

c. Facebook

All the above, but texting is the best. She's twenty now, lives in Huron and is doing well.



12. What is Cody (2 years old) going to be when he grows up?

a. A Teacher

b. A Musician

c. A Carpenter

We don't know since he won't tell us, but he sure loves music, hitting things (and sometimes people) with his plastic hammer and getting after you if you need it or not.



13. What is the favorite past time of Kim & Randy

a. Getting away together

b. Going somewhere together

c. Dates on Sunday night

We sure did enjoy our anniversary and Kim's birthday by getting away together.



14. The future Tramp plans?

a. Pick out great vacation spots

b. Fostering

c. Watching our children graduate

As a family we love vacation. We will continue to foster parent children. We had several this past year and we miss them. Alisha Dawn will be a senior next year so all three answers are correct.


Word of the Day
Chagrin [cha·grin] n. A keen feeling of mental unease, as of annoyance or embarrassment, caused by failure, disappointment, or a disconcerting event.

 My Dad died when I was 10 and not too many days go by that I don't think of him. I suspect if he was alive today, he'd be working in a gas station as a mechanic. I remember the 1st Christmas we spent without him. (He died in Oct). Surprisingly I have very warm feelings of that Christmas season because my Mom was determined to make it a great time. May this Christmas season be a season of family warmth.



What do you do to make the Christmas season special to those around you?

Austin

Kim & I took Austin out last night for his birthday meal.  We went to Texas Roadhouse.  It was great.  He really enjoyed it. 

Thanksgiving 1980

The weather was a perfect nice 70 degrees.  But I wasn't outside, I was inside the YMCA.  The weather was cold and the ones I loved was at my Mom's house.  We were separated. I knew no one at the "Y" in person but knew them all because we were in the same situation.  Navy guys unable to go home for Thanksgiving.   I had my ten dollar roll of quarters and waited in anticipation to make my call.  I and Kim talked for one hour. That is the only hour I remember that day.   But it was an hour that even now brings tears to my eyes.  I don't know what we talked about but I remember that phone call like it was yesterday.  Even the silence at the end was so precious, not wanting to end our conversation.  Not wanting to be separated on a day when family's are together. I would not trade that memory, for today is more special because of that day so many years ago.

Kids do the craziest things

I spoke to a Foster Parent group last night. (I loved it!) It brought back some memories of past experiences with foster kids. One of our foster/adopted kids was traveling with me in the van. We were coming back from visiting extended family. She was about 14 or 15 at the time and was sitting in the passenger seat of the van. (Whenever we go we have to take 2 vans and my wife was driving the van behind us with the rest of the kids.) I wasn't paying attention to what she was doing, until it occurred to me, holding a piece of paper on the window for a long time wasn't normal. I said, "let me see what you've written on that paper." She turned it around and it said, "HELP ME." Talk about going into panic. I can laugh now but I didn't then.




What's the goofiest thing your kids did, or you did.

Kim & I were able to celebrate Kim's birthday in Sioux Falls.  -great get away time

Spy

Here's a conversation between Kim & I


I call Kim: "AD is on the move, headed to PayLess shoes"

After a few minutes Kim calls me: "She's not in Location"

I text AD asking for location and get a message back, "Dad, I found a T-shirt that says, "If you knew my mother you would understand"

I text AD again and ask where she's at.

After a few minutes I get the reply from AD, "JC Penny's"

I call Kim and tell her JC Penny's

I get a call back from Kim, "Little bird has been spotted."



A successful spy operation accomplished. We really need GPS systems.

1880 Adventure

I carry my camera like a a western gun fighter carried his gun.  I out camera many and get the right picture - of course that's after several pictures are shot.  There's a story behind this picture.  The boys are smiling because it's an unexpected adventure.  We broke down in our van and had to stop at the 1880's diner.  (It's a old train made into a diner.)  We did managed to send all the kids on another bus headed to camp and all was well.

Kalli

Kalli is very ornery. She loves to hide the remote, take my chair or anything she can do to keep me off guard. -(But I love the attention.) Every night she has to have books read to her. Right now she’s studying the word, “the” and we have to stop and look for that word in all her stories

Cody

Kim & Kristina are taking Cody to Omaho for more tests.

We went to the Sioux Falls zoo and had a great time.

Zoo

We went to the zoo today in Sioux Falls.  Ricky came with us.  It was a great time.

Soccer season has started.

LifeLight

Austin, Noah and I went to Life Light.  It was great.  I enjoyed Family Force 5 and Willet.

Kalli

I'm going to have lunch with Kalli today.

School Started

Foster Kids

Aaron & Tristin has been with us for a month now.

Christmas Blizzard

We got 17 inches of snow in the blizzard. It started Christmas Eve afternoon and ended Saturday at noon. We weren't able to go to Crofton.

Danielle got a new dog - Bailey

Tramp Christmas Letter
Based on Sue Snue by Dr.Suess (One of Kalli’s favorites)
Tandy Ramp
Kimmy Camp
Kalli Anne Tramp

Kalli Anne Tramp
Now that you’re 2 plus three
What is it you want to be?

Is it like Kristina, She’s in a family of 3
Brian, Kristina and Cody?

Or is it like Alicia, last year of 1 past 3
Graduating with a business degree?

Or is it like Danielle, in the summer she went by the sea
She went to see family of Ricky?

Or is it like Alisha, running, getting up an hour past 4
running and then wanting to run some more?

Or like Austin, One Fish, Two Fish, Blue Fish, four
Liking the Creek and wanting more.

Or is it like Noah, in Grade 3, you see
Having fun with Max on the trampoline?

Or is it like Brooke, home for the holiday
In life, making her own way?

Or is it like Timmy, foster child # 43
pody training, so in his pants he don’t pee?

Or Patience, liking Green Eggs and Ham
or anything else she can see?

So Kalli, now that you’re 2 plus three
what is it you want to be?

“I want to be me, that’s who I want to be, there’s no one mer than me”
“You be you, for there is no one more youer than you.”
Merry Christmas
From Randy, Kim, Kristina, Brian, Cody, Alicia, Danielle, Alisha Dawn, Austin, Noah, Brook, Kalli, Timmy & Patience

Tramp Christmas Letter
Based on Sue Snue by Dr.Suess (One of Kalli’s favorites)
Tandy Ramp
Kimmy Camp
Kalli Anne Tramp

Kalli Anne Tramp
Now that you’re 2 plus three
What is it you want to be?

Is it like Kristina, She’s in a family of 3
Brian, Kristina and Cody?

Or is it like Alicia, last year of 1 past 3
Graduating with a business degree?

Or is it like Danielle, in the summer she went by the sea
She went to see family of Ricky?

Or is it like Alisha, running, getting up an hour past 4
running and then wanting to run some more?

Or like Austin, One Fish, Two Fish, Blue Fish, four
Liking the Creek and wanting more.

Or is it like Noah, in Grade 3, you see
Having fun with Max on the trampoline?

Or is it like Brooke, home for the holiday
In life, making her own way?

Or is it like Timmy, foster child # 43
pody training, so in his pants he don’t pee?

Or Patience, liking Green Eggs and Ham
or anything else she can see?

So Kalli, now that you’re 2 plus three
what is it you want to be?

“I want to be me, that’s who I want to be, there’s no one mer than me”
“You be you, for there is no one more youer than you.”
Merry Christmas
From Randy, Kim, Kristina, Brian, Cody, Alicia, Danielle, Alisha Dawn, Austin, Noah, Brook, Kalli, Timmy & Patience

Rapid

We went to Rapid City for the weekend - Alisha's cross country. It was great. Alicia and Kristina/Cody was able to go. Kim got some good pictures of Cody & Great Grandpa John

Cody

Cody had surgery yesterday. His tube was put into his intestine.

Alicia

Celebrated Alicia's birthday by going to Hu Hot.

Danielle

Celebrated Danielle's birthday by going to Out Back.

Timothy went back to his Mom last Tuesday.

Alicia

Alicia went back to Trinity yesterday.

Corn

We went and picked corn last night. The kids loved feed the horses.

Noah

Noah got stuck up in a tree. Austin lured him up there and then Noah was too afraid to get down. A neighbor had to get a ladder.

Timothy

Timothy is at a visit.

Cody

Cody had his surgery yesterday. Danielle's graduation party and graduation is this weekend.

Cody

Cody is still in the hospital. Wednesday, he'll be there 3 weeks. Maybe surgery this week.

Cody

Cody is still in the hospital. Kim stayed with him yesterday and will stay with him tonight.

Foster

We had Terran & Accleases with us over the weekend. Both are the brothers to Toni.

Toni

Toni, our foster child (10 month old), has been with us for a week now.

Kalli

Kalli was wanting the remote. I told her the world didn't revolve around her. She told me that it did, with a serious look on her face.

Weekend Away

Kim & I were able to get away this past weekend. It was great. We had a whirlpool room. We really enjoyed the weekend.

Kalli

Kalli, my 4 year old told me that she had a dream last night. I asked her about it and she told me she didn't want to talk about it. lol

Remodeling

We're remodeling our entrace way. All the wall paper will come off and we'll paint it.

Cody

Cody is still in the hospital. He may have to go to Sioux Falls today.

Cody

Cody is still in the hospital. He may have to go to Sioux Falls today.

Stecia & Erika

Two foster kids went back to their foster parents tonight.

Cody

Cody had to be hospitalised again last night. Pneumonia

Brooke

Brooke came back for the weekend. It was a nice visit with her. Austin & I picked her up when it was a blizzard.

Foster Child

We got a new Foster Child in our home - Timothy. He's full of energy. His baby sister was with us for a little while.

Austin's birthday… | Randy7777's Xanga Site - Weblog

Austin's birthday… | Randy7777's Xanga Site - Weblog

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Brooke

We were hoping that Brooke would join us for Thanksgiving but that is not going to happen. She's in the hospital because of an overdose (again).

Swimming

We've been going to the swimming pool many evenings. The summer is winding down. It's been a great season.

Vacation

We're headed to the Black Hills for a week of relaxation. We'll start with Hills Alive in Rapid City.

Swimming Pool

I took Kalli & Noah to the swimming pool yesterday. It was fun. I got in the water. It sure was cold.

VOA meeting

I had a teleconference meeting with Kristen @ VOA. Brooke, Devra, Regina were there. Brooke got a little angry when we were discussing some of her innappropriate actions. She did calm down after a little while. Brooke is going to have an over night visit with Devra. We're planning on celebrating Brooke's birthday at Chucky Cheese on July 12th @ noon. That will be fun.

318

We began pouring cement in the basement of House of Hope. A little more plumbing will need to be done. Once the cement is in, we'll begin to put up the walls.

Austin & Alisha Dawn

Both Austin & Alisha Dawn headed to camp for the week. Austin was glad when he saw two other boys from Vermillion. There was over a dozen girls.

Kalli

We're going to celebrate Kalli's birthday tonight at the pool.

Kalli

We're going to celebrate Kalli's birthday tonight at the pool.

Austin

We went to the city wide picnic at RiverSide Park last night. Austin found a friend and went fishing. He had so many different stories.

Kalli

Kalli is into saying "actually". It's funny. She also loves to play the game on facebook, "YoVille". She'll take the guy and go all over the place. She'll go to the stores and buy things and to the cafe and eat. I love it.

318

We've been doing a lot of work at 318. Major plumbing has to be done. We're putting in a bathroom downstairs.

Memorial Day Picnic

We went to the Arens in Nebraska celebrating Memorial Day. We enjoyed a day of friends. I would say over 60 people were there. The kids loved exploring the farm.

Federal Review

We had the Federal Review team in our home yesterday. South Dakota Social Services is being reviewed. It went good. I did bring up my concern that homosexuals were given marriage rites. I & Kim were told that there are 3 gay foster parents in South Dakota. -

Narnia

We went and seen Prince Caspian yesterday. It was great. The movie inspired me to grow closer to Jesus and fight the good fight.

Wedding

We're getting ready for Kristina's and Brian's wedding. Kim is going to Sioux Falls today to buy some things.

Kalli

Kalli is learned a new dance. She watched Alisha Dawn do a drama skit. She does the dance to the music of "Dead Serious". She does it really good. We hear the song over and over again.

Potty Training

Kalli is in the process of potty training. She does it when she wants to. She's been our most difficult child when it comes to this.

Christmas 06

The kids are enjoying a time off from school. A few of the kids went out to the church with me. Alisha Dawn likes making posters. Brooke goes out there and reads. Austin likes going to the creek.

Kalli

Kalli likes to ask "You OK" when anyone coughs. - It's cute.

Kalli

Kalli (2 yrs old) The other night she went around the room to each person. Kalli put her hand on each shoulder bowed her head, said a few words and went on to the next person. We loved it as she prayed for everyone.

Kalli

Kalli just loves Dora. She will bring her video and want it in the VCR. We're trying to get her to stop biting.

Thanksgiving

We had Thanksgiving at my Mom's yesterday. It was wonderful. Both my brothers and their families were there.

Shaking Hands

Kalli loves to shake peoples hands. When we go to church she puts out her hand even before she hits the front door.

Growing up

Kalli is getting more onry. She is going for the things she knows she can't have. She'll take the remote and pretent she's giving it back but standing just out of reach. When you try to get up she'll take off running - laughing.

Around

Kalli is getting into everything. She'll drop something and say "oh oh" while smiling. She goes to the things she knows she can't have. Right now it's cute but I'm sure that will wear off soon.

Stephanie

Stephanie was married a few weeks ago and moved to Chicago.

15 months old

Kalli is just looking for things to get into. I was reading and put down my book to get the baby whips she had just spread out on the floor. While I was picking up the baby whips she went over to my book and pulled out the book marker. (I'm just glad she didn't take my pop and dump out the soda.)

Stairs

Kalli is moving all over the place. When she's ready for bed she loves to climb the stairs to the second level. Every night she has to stop at the 3rd step and try to get something. She does go to bed OK. (As long as she's feeling alright.)

Walking

Kalli is walking all over the place. She's getting more independent, wanting to be by herself more. It's funny - when I go sit at the computer desk she'll be right there. She's getting her little books and pretends she's reading.

Stairs

Kalli is traveling up the stairs as fast as she can. She met Kim on the 2nd level last night. It's going to be hard to keep off the stairs.

Park

We went to the park yesterday for Noah's Kindergarten picnic. He had fun running all over the place. When Kalli seen Stephanie she clapped her hands happy to see her. Stephanie held Kalli a lot.

Remote

I'll sit at the computer desk and Kalli will bring the remote to me and place in on the floor by my chair. That's her favorite thing to play with. We gave her her own remote but that's not as important as the real one. I'm glad I have two end tables by my recliner. She'll go back and forth trying to get something I don't want her to have.

Standing Up

Kalli is going all over the place. Her favorite thing is to stand by the coffee table and push everything off it. Then she'll go to the other one and do the same. It's a game to her. We're trying to teach her the word no but it's hard. When we tell her no she'll smile and shake her head no. It's hard not to laugh. She'll be walking really soon.

This is Kalli on the day of her adoption. It was so cute yesterday. Stephanie went into the nursery to bring her children in. Kalli cried for Stephanie.

We're so excited about the adoption of Kalli. It was official on Tuesday, April 12, 2005. Kalli is close to 10 months old now and she is a Tramp.
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Standing Up

Kim was telling me that Kalli was standing at the front door when Stephanie and her sister came over. They were tapping the glass getting her attention. It was cute. Kalli does like to look out the door window and the living room windows.

Randy

Stephanie

Stephanie, Kalli's birth Mom, came over to see her yesterday. Kalli warmed up to her right away. (It's been a few months.) I'm glad that Stephanie is visiting her. I want Kalli to know her birth mom.

Pictures

Kalli is so funny. She loves to see a picture of herself. Last night she was crying. (I think another tooth is popping through) We couldn't get her to stop. Kim had made some pictures: Kalli, Kalli and the family & Danielle. I showed Kalli a picture of herself and she stop crying. She would look at the picture and grunt. It was cute.

Randy

Picture

Kalli gets so excited when she sees her own picture. She likes to be held by the front door area and look at her own picture. Kalli jumps up and down in your arms and screeches out. It's really funny.

Grandma Carol

Kalli is sure falling in love with her Grandma. When she was holding her the other day, Kim went to get her and Kalli looked the other way. She wanted to stay with her Grandma. Today she went over to her and put up her arms. Kalli is playing with Austin right now. Kalli likes her little tunnel, especially as Austin puts his face up to the clear window in it - makes Kalli screech.
Randy

My other site:
Explore Zek's world with me
Family Pictures
Parenting Devotions
My Bible Devotions
My Journal
What's going on with Tweens & Teens?
What’s Happening with the Kid’s of 1st Assembly?

Children’s Ministry
Heir Force

Excited

It makes me feel good as a Dad when Kalli gets excited about me holding her. She'll bounce up and down. Last night she started making sucking noises with her mouth - something new to her. But when she doesn't want anyone's attention she's very good at ignoring you.

First Hair Cut

Kalli was born with a lot of hair. Alicia gave Kalli her first hair cut yesterday. She looks really good in it - looks older. Kalli won't let anyone feed her. She has to eat with her hands. She loves to get raspberries on her neck.

Tickle

We have a date set for the adoption: April 12th. We're excited. Kalli loves to have her neck kissed. I'll blow raspberries on it and she'll postion her neck for more. It's cute.

2nd Tooth

Kalli's second tooth came in yesterday. She's getting into everything - wants to explore. We're going to the Lawyers office today to sign the adoption papers.