Fire Rainbow

A friend sent these pictures to me. How can we not stand in awe of God's beautiful creations? It is almost as if he hand painted the sky for our pleasure.

THIS IS A FIRE RAINBOW, THE RAREST OF ALL NATURALLY OCCURRING ATMOSPHERIC PHENOMENA. THE PICTURES WERE CAPTURED THIS WEEK ON THE IDAHO / WASHINGTON BORDER.
THE EVENT LASTED ABOUT 1 HOUR. CLOUDS HAVE TO BE CIRRUS, AT LEAST 20K FEET IN THE AIR, WITH JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF ICE CRYSTALS AND THE SUN HAS TO HIT THE CLOUDS AT PRECISELY 58 DEGREES.

I love this time of year

I absolutely love this time of year. As we get ready to celebrate the birth of our Savior I am reminded of all the sweet friends and family around the US that I don't get to see on a regular basis. I am enjoying getting in touch with those who have moved away or who simply don't live in my area. I absolutely love sending and receiving Christmas cards. I have heard that Christmas cards are becoming a thing of the past because everyone is so into emails now-a-days. I hope that day never comes in our home. I still enjoy opening my mail box and seeing a pile of Christmas cards. I love sitting down with a warm cup of hot chocolate and then catching up on everyone's lives. It is especially fun to see how children have grown since last Christmas. I have really enjoyed receiving the cards from the families that I traveled to China with in 2007. I can't believe how much all those sweet little babies, mostly with shaved heads just like Annabel had, have grown up so much. And they all have hair now. It is just too fun. One day we will have to have a reunion with all of our treasured kiddos. Anyway, thank you to all, near and far, who have thought of us this Christmas season. You have blessed us very much by sharing your lives with us. Praise God for family, friends and fellowship.

Look, it snowed AGAIN!

You can ask any of my friends, husband or children and they will all tell you that I am a homebody. When given the choice to go out or stay at home, I seem to always choose home. I haven't always been that way. Just in the last year or so. I am sure having little ones again has something to do with that. It is just easier taking care of little ones at home. You know... routines, naps, meals, potty training, toys, etc..... But I will admit that after being stuck in the house for most of the last 6 days due to our "Deep Freeze", I am starting to run out of things to do. You can only play with the kids, clean, file, organize, wash clothes, fold clothes, sanitize, vacuum, mop, sleep, return emails, make phone calls, read blogs, read books, color, crochet, sled, shovel snow (and the list goes on and on) for so long. haha I am absolutely loving the time with my family but I am starting to long for green grass and blue skies. Just in the last 24 hours we have had over a foot of snow fall and that layered on top of the many many inches that fell the days prior. That has to put us well above 2 feet of snow now for the past 6 days. Some might laugh at a couple of feet of snow because many areas of the US get that on a normal basis, but trust me this is not normal weather for us. Our whole City just shuts down in this. And the temperature hasn't melted it so it just keeps piling on top of each other. A friend from church stopped by yesterday and I just happened to look out my window as he was leaving to see his tires spinning in front of our house. So Mark loaded up in his snow gear to help him put his chains on so he could get up our hill. While they were doing that a truck turned on our street and I watched him do a complete 180 as he slid and turned all at the same time as he came down our hill. Wow this weather is nuts. Our church service was cancelled for the first time in 18 years yesterday. So we look out the window every once in a while in awe of God's creation (snow) and wonder what to do next to help keep the kids entertained. They have really done very well through it all. I am sure they are all getting some cabin fever but all in all have done great. My mother-in-law grew up in West Virginia so snow is not anything new to her. She also came from a large family. Lots of sisters and brothers. We were joking on the phone today about how now we know why the pioneers back West had so many children. They didn't have TV's, video games or the internet and were snowed in a lot. Not much else to do with their time. How does that relate to our winter blast of weather? We are both convinced our local hospitals will see a huge boom in the baby business in about 9 months. haha We laughed so hard about that. So all is well in our household and with grandma. We are all stocked up on food and are preparing for another glorious day together since we received the call last night that Mark didn't have to report to work again today. Lord we do thank you immensely for this family time. We do not always understand your ways, but we sure are enjoying this family time together.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!!

Today was such an incredible blessing for our family. We knew we might get some snow. In fact we prayed for LOTS of snow. We really wanted a day at home to just play together as family with no agenda and no appointments. Mark and I both woke up very early...before the alarm clock even. I ran to the window and just about started dancing when I saw all the snow that fell over night. Mark had hurt his back a couple of days prior, so he wasn't dancing with me but he was very excited. Yes, we did look like school children in all of our excitement. haha For some it might not seem like a lot. But for us....it's huge. We don't usually get much snow here so we have to enjoy it every chance we get. It seems our whole City just about shuts down on days like this because it just doesn't happen that often. After eating breakfast we all suited up in our warm snow clothes that we get to wear once, maybe twice a year...haha and headed out to play. And boy did we have fun. We have a great SAFE hill a couple houses over from us. It is just long enough to give you a great sled ride down. What a rush!! Annabel and Jacob loved it, but they hated the walk back up the hill. It was such a blessed day for our family and I pray tomorrow is a repeat.

Thank you Lord for giving us a day we really needed and enjoyed so much.

December happenings

Well December is very quickly rushing by us. I cannot believe that Christmas is almost upon us and it still boggles my mind to think about all we have done in just two short weeks.

First of all we just had our first snow of the season. I really pray it isn't the only snow we see this year. We usually don't get very much so we need to take the time to enjoy it when it falls.

I took Amber and Joey along with a friend of mine to see the Nutcracker Ballet. That was the first time any of us had seen it. We all really enjoyed ourselves.

We celebrated Joey's 13th birthday last weekend. He is growing up too fast. Right before my very eyes he is turning into a young man. Slow down clock...slow down.

Mark and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary. Amber and Joey gave us some money to go out to dinner and they watched the little ones for us all afternoon so that we could enjoy ourselves without having to rush back. It was very thoughtful of them and we had a great time. Of course as soon as we got home we handed their money back to them. We thought it was a great gesture but I also know they need their money for some Christmas shopping they have planned. It is always so funny to watch them try to surprise us.

Annabel had her Christmas party for pre-school. That was a lot of fun. Santa came and brought gifts for all the children. Jacob of course had no fear. He ran right up to Santa, hugged him and climbed on his lap. Annabel on the other hand just got close enough to take the gift out of his hands. Infact, Mark went and sat next to Santa so that he could prove Santa was a nice guy.

Mark and I attended his Command Christmas party last week. It was a wonderful "date night" for us. We haven't had too many of those since returning from China so we thoroughly enjoyed it. The food was fabulous and the couples at our table were a lot of fun. I still cannot believe it was our last Christmas party in the Navy since Mark will retire this upcoming year. Mark's command also did their annual children's Christmas party. This time it was held at the bowling alley complete with video games, bowling, pizza and of course another Santa. Annabel got a little closer this time. I am sure she was thinking "I will do what ever it takes to get that gift out of his hands". haha

And last but not least we were able to get a good family picture for our Christmas cards. That in itself is a miracle considering how hard it is to get 6 different people to all look at the camera at the same time and resemble something that looks like a smile. Jacob looks a little scared in the photo we choose to use but at least 5 others were smiling. haha

The month of December is far from over and we have a busy calendar over the next two weeks with church and school events. This year I am completely looking forward to the two week break from classes so that we can just slow down and spend some great quality family time together. I have tried to clear away as much as possible to make certain that we really enjoy this break together. You might be surprised to learn that I am personally praying for lots of snow over the break. As long as I don't have to drive in it...I absolutely love it. There is nothing more peaceful then sitting by the warm fire cuddled up on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate watching the snow fall out the back window. I pray your December has been a blessed month as well.

Thanksgiving Blessings

I pray everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving. I, like many, used some of my day yesterday to just really stop, think and reflect on what I am so thankful for. Unfortunately this Thanksgiving has been bitter sweet for our family. Mark left a few days before Thanksgiving to go and spend time with his father who's health is beginning to decline. While his visit was under sad circumstances, I praised God yesterday that Mark was able to spend Thanksgiving with his father. This was definitely a very special day for them. A day that they could just be themselves, share stories with one another and pray and praise God for what is next. I am so grateful that we don't have to try to guess what comes after this life on Earth. God promises those who follow Him what their eternity will be. I am so thankful that no matter how or when followers of Christ leave these bodies on earth, that one day we will all be dancing together in Heaven rejoicing with our Lord.

I had many opportunities to count my blessings yesterday during our Thanksgiving meal. We shared a beautiful meal with several other families. I believe we counted 28 poeple in all. Marks mom was with us too which made it extra special. The food was fabulous and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. It made for a beautiful afternoon. At one point during the meal I walked by the young children's table. It was a moment which made me stop in my tracks and say in my mind "Thank You Lord". It was a beautiful moment. As I walked by my eyes scanned the table. At the table were Annabel and Jacob along with 5 other younger children. Two of which were also adopted within the last two years. My heart just kind of sunk as I thought of how amazing God was. How He brought all 4 of these children, all born from different parents, halfway around the world into Christian homes to share their lives together in America. I am so thankful for those two that I don't even know how to fully put it into words. I would have to say that Annabel and Jacob have brought a new joy into our home that all of us have been blessed by so much. When I see Amber and Joey with them, caring for them as they have learned to do, it makes my heart full. I watch them when they help with bath time or when they comfort a hurt finger and kiss it better. They both truly love these two little ones so much.

Thank you Lord for the tender hearts that you have given to Amber and Joey. Thank you that you are preparing them to one day be fabulous parents to their own children. Thank you that you have opened their eyes to how blessed they are to be in a loving home. Amber and Joey are growing up before my eyes. I do not even want to think about them leaving our home for college, but I know the day is fast approaching. I have been truly blessed by both of them. It's amazing how you learn more from your kids then your kids learn from you at times. haha Thank you Jesus for all 4 of my children. Thank you that grandma Jan lives near us and is able to share in their lives as well. She is a huge blessing to us all. And thank you for my husband Mark. I am thankful for his kind and generous heart. For his words of encouragement and for the way he loves his family, his kids and myself. I am so thrilled to have the opportunity to grow old together. Jesus, most importantly I am thankful for my faith, my salvation and my future with you in Heaven one day. I certainly don't deserve it, but you saved me anyway. That is true, unconditional love that none of us really deserve. But you see past what we actually deserve and you bless us anyway. Thank you!!

Tamara's book of the month

So I am always looking for a great book to read. I don't always have the time with two little ones to read for hours like I would like to. But I always try to squeeze something in. Even if it is only bits and pieces. Sometimes I read a page while waiting to pick the kids up at their class or in the bathroom while the water is heating up for my morning shower. I have even been known to read a sentence or two before running into the store to buy milk. Wherever and whenever I can fit it in. It isn't always ideal, but up until now it has worked for me. But when I find a good book....One that grabs at my heart and doesn't let go... watch out. Time has no hold on me. I wait until all my kids are fast asleep in bed, plant myself on the couch next to the fire, cover up with a warm blanket, put on my reading glasses (yes a sign of my aging eyes) and off to reading land I go. Are you curious which book has me completely hooked? Maybe you are reading it yourself. It is Kay Warren's Dangerous Surrender.

It was recommended by a blogger friend of mine who I had the pleasure of spending time with in China a couple months ago. We have been communicating for over a year via the computer and I have come to see what an amazing love she has for the Lord. And I have watched her and her family put their heart on the line as they walked with complete faith in God through their most recent adoption. I knew if she recommended it as a faith building book, that she meant business. And was she so right. This book has grabbed at my heartstrings and made me really think. It isn't often that a book makes you really think about the plan that God has for your life. This is one of those books that make you day dream about what tomorrow might bring. It makes you stop in your tracks and ask yourself if what you are spending your time on earth doing is His plan or your own. It reminds you how easy it is for the world to simply stamp out the uncomfortable things that they do not want to recognize. The old saying "Out of sight, out of mind"....is ever so insinuated in this book. And how often do we do just that? How often do we pretend that ugly things in the world don't exist until we are faced with it personally.

Just 10 short weeks ago my family walked through the doors of my sons Orphanage in China. I will never forget as long as I live the feelings, the smells, the sounds of his orphanage. Jacob was 4 years old at the time and had only been in our family for 3 days. But he clung to me for dear life. This was a boy that knew the difference already in just 3 short days. The difference between a forever family and an institution. A building which houses hundreds of children and too few workers to be able to give them each the one on one attention they not only deserve as children of God but they crave from the depths of their soul. A child who knew in just 3 short days how wonderful it was to have a mommy, daddy, sisters and a brother who he could hug and kiss at any moment of the day. A child that knew in just 3 short days what unconditional love felt like. Love that only God Himself could grow in our hearts. Man alone is not capable of growing that type of love outside of God's presence. As I was reading the first chapters of her book I was reminded of our trip. I was reminded of how I wanted to close my eyes to certain things that were uncomfortable. But God had me see them for a reason. He had my children see them for a reason. His plan for us is not finished. There is so much more to see and so much more to do. But He needed to unveil to us a discomfort that we had never experienced first hand.

Now, like Kay Warren, I cannot walk past an article on orphans and not be moved. I cannot turn a blind eye to the 143 million children out there without families. How can anybody pretend it doesn't exist? Do we really want to stand before God one day and try to explain away why we allowed this to happen to His children? The children He commanded us to take care of. The Orphans He commanded us to look after? Can my family alone change the plight of the orphans? Absolutely not. Is everyone on earth meant to bring a child into their home? Unfortunately not. But we can make a difference in the life of one. And maybe, just maybe with Gods guidance and support we can help another family do the same. Is it so much for God to ask us to do that? No way. So if God needs to put us in an uncomfortable situation or put before us magazine articles, TV interviews and World news reports that bring tears to our eyes to make us move in the direction of His will....then I say go ahead God. Because I can only see good coming from it. Sometimes we need to see the ugly and uncomfortable before He opens our eyes completely to see the beautiful and lovely. I encourage you to read this book and pray about what ugliness God wants you to be witness to. In what area might He use you, your faith, your Christian walk and your life story to turn ugliness into beauty.

Enjoy the journey

Welcome to our family blog site. I am thrilled to have a place where I can share about all of our family blessings and adventures without trying to determine who's blog it should appear on. I will begin by sharing a little about who we are. Mark and myself have been married for over 17 years and have 4 beautiful children. Two fun loving teen-agers that were raised in my belly and two precious peanuts born from our hearts through what has become the miracle of adoption in our families eyes. No matter where their beginnings were, it is clear that they are children of God and that we are abundantly blessed to have the opportunity to share our lives with them. We invite you to join along as we travel through this journey of life. With all the ups and downs that we encounter in this world, one thing stands firm..... God is in control. We just have to remember to seek Him out and listen to what He has to say. Why on earth would we want to do it any other way? Mark and I spent too many years trying to make our own plans and pave our way through this tough world. Now life is all about stopping, waiting on God and enjoying the journey He has blessed us with. I invite you to take the journey with us.