An American Girl Goes to the Movies... Tamara turns 9

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The State Fair 2013

Just realized I forgot to post this one from last summer.  Enjoy!

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I can't believe how long it's been since my last post.  Time sure does fly when you're having fun.
Tamara turned 8 years old a week ago.  We had the first of two parties this past Saturday.  This was her Dancing Fashionista Party for 15 of her friends.  Thought you'd all like to see how big she's gotten.  Enjoy the party.  She certainly did have fun.

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We can all use a little more Faith in our lives.

" Faith lives in an orphanage far, far away. It’s an awful place. A place where the conditions are so heinous and children are forced to live in unfathomable circumstances. It's a place where many people are working hard to bring about an awareness and desperately-needed change. Faith's home is in Pleven. " Writes Faith's soon to be adoptive mom.

Pleven is the seventh largest city in Bulgaria. It amazes me these things actually still happen? How is it possible that after all these years children are still literally starving to death while in a government run institution? But sadly it is true. It does happen in a countless number of orphanages and a countless number of countries world wide. There are over 147,000,000 orphans in the world today and that number is growing. 147 million children who are hungry for food, shelter the love of a family. Only 2% will ever be adopted. So what will happen to the rest? Most will turn to drugs, prostitution and a life of crime hoping to survive in the streets. In most countries children are released at age 16. Released to fend for themselves in the streets of Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, the middle East, China. With no families, no mentors, no support.

So with 147 million children at risk why help Faith? Because Faith has a family that wants her. She with our help can and will be one of the lucky 2% that make it out. With our help Faith will know love for the first time at age 14. Faith will receive much needed life saving medical treatment as soon as her plane touches down in the USA. Faith will have a chance to become the very special girl she was meant to be. I don't ask often but I'm asking now. Please visit Faith's adoption blog. Read her story. Please donate what you can. Let's get her home to her family so she can start to live for the first time in 14 years. Come on grab her Chip in Button. For the price of a latte you can be part of something big. Something truly life changing not just for Faith but I promise it will change you too. Thank You! http://www.nogreaterjoymom.com/2012/04/because-this-life-matters.html

Tamara's 7th Birthday An American Girl Party

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Monster Mash 10-21-11

Monster Mash 2011

Princess Tamara's First Monster Mash at school was a great success.

Everyone had so much fun. Tamara and her friends danced the night away.

This was also her debut with her new glasses. A huge hit.

Apparently glasses are the new "HOT" fashion accessory in the 1st grade?

Who knew? Right?

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First Day of First Grade

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Here? My Home?

Here? My Home?

I was chatting away online yesterday trying to figure out how to help.. bring another angel home to his parents. Tamara kept coming in my office asking I play dolls with her.

She had pulled out all her long haired dolls and was playing day spa.

I explained "Mommy can't play right now. I'm trying to help bring a little boy home."

Excited and concerned she said "Here.. My home?"

"No honey.. he didn't grow in your Mommy's heart he grew in another woman's heart. And she's having trouble bringing him home and her heart is breaking.

So Mommy is trying to figure out how we can help them. OK?"

" OK mommy" and she gives me a huge hug and kiss on the cheek

and runs off to play.

A few hours pass and she and I are sitting on the front porch eating Fruit Popsicles enjoying a beautiful day. I notice an eye lash on her cheek.

"Hold still"

I get the lash and hold it gently between my fingers.

"Close your eyes and make a wish."

"I wish....."

She grows silent? and blows the lash out of my hand.

"What did you wish for Tamara?"

I asked wondering if I'd jinx it.

"I wish the little boy come home to his mommy's heart."

Jumping into my arms. And with that she melted my heart.. yet again.

For those of you who wonder why I care as much as I do.. This is why!!!

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Rainy Day Fun

Rainy Day is always Fun with Tamara

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Special Thanks to Amber of http://www.born4couture.com/

She treated Tamara to Flower hair clips in every color they make. So much fun!!!

Enjoy!

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Gods Heart: Adoption

Christening Persistence 7-10-11

Christening Persistence 7-10-11

This Sunday we attended a boat Christening.

The Persistence is Zoran (my brother) and Olga's new Toy.

A lovely little 3 bedroom , 2 bath sailing vessel.

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A rather small gathering with a few relatives.. some holy water and some champagne.

A relaxing.. fun day.

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You may have noticed I've been taking advantage of some video programs as of late. Trying to catch up .. these programs are so much easier to download then traditional photos.

We'll get there don't worry.

Enjoy and we'll be back ;o)

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Day at the beach

This was Summer of 2010. I'm trying out a new video program. Just thought I'd share.

Enjoy!

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Lunch on the lake with Tamara 7-5-11

Lunch on the lake with Tamara.

Special thanks to Amber owner of Born for Couture of Dallas Tx. http://www.born4couture.com/ for spoiling Tamara with a rainbow of wonderful flower hair clips. She loves them Amber. Thank You so very much!!! Hugs!!! Enjoy the video.. click on the bubbles. This one is fun! ;o)

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Who's Dream are you buying? 7/5/11

Who's Dream are you buying?

Please watch this thought provoking video about adoption.

Regardless of who you are or what you believe in...

it should get your wheels turning

in the right direction.

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Happy 4th 2011

Happy 4th 2011

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He's late coming home...

He's late coming home....

Somewhere in the ________. In a foster home sits a young boy. He has waited to come home for as long as our Tamara has been home.

Somewhere in the USA his mother waits, worries, prayers every morning and every night.

She prays that he is safe and healthy, she prays that he isn't hungry, lonely or sad.

If you could ask her what she wants most tonight I'm sure she would say to have my Levi home. To be able to hold him and let him know that he is loved, wanted and cared for.

If we could ask Levi what he wants most.

I'm sure Levi would say.. To have a family and be loved.

_____ Levi born in _______is stuck there in a Foster Home. His family is about to prepare their 4th Dossier for the ________.

They need our help as finances are tight and Dossiers can be pretty expensive to prepare.. especially after a 2nd, 3rd and 4th run. I usually don't post fundraisers for adoptions but _______ is different. ______ is one of our children which should have come home in 08. Like Tamara, Hannah, Sophia and Catherine (oh how I wish I could show you how adorable these little girls are.) _______ Levi has a family here in the states. He has sisters and brothers and wonderful parents who hope, wish and pray every day for their little boy. ________ is different because he is a living reminder that there but for the grace of God goes my daughter.

_______ is different because he is the one who got left behind.

Won't you help us bring him home?

Their blog link....

http://ridinthewavewithulord.blogspot.com/

His mom Alysha is having a fund raiser. Win a THE NEW FLIP SLIDE HD.

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Before I go I'd like to address something. I'd like to address fundraising. Over the years I've seen hundreds of prospective adoptive parents trying to raise funds for their adoptions. Parents who has tapped out their finances doing IVF for years or perhaps have had multiple failed adoption attempts. It happens. No one likes to think about it and we tend not to discuss it. It's about children after all. But it's a real concern.. this finance thing.

I read two blogs today that asked for financial support. Both mothers are religious and pray on things. I found myself annoyed as I read the blogs. Both mentioned needing new vans to hold their newest additions. One asked for help relocating some rescue cats that were taking up residence in the new children's bedroom. Annoyed that they hadn't prepared "well enough" and they felt that if they prayed God would find a way. I came down stairs and told my husband about it. What's wrong with people? I asked. Remembering how detail oriented I was before going to get Tamara. Everything had to be perfect back then. I checked my lists and checked them twice, three time, four times. How could someone not have a car big enough or even a fully decorated , stocked bedroom waiting for two little girls?

And then it hit me. Their prayers will be answered. Perhaps they already have been for through my annoyance I have been called to action. I'm sure there are others.

So I am asking ALL of you with soft hearts and deep pockets to help Alysha bring her son home. Alysha and I have become somewhat close in the past few years. I've been following her progress lending advice and moral support when needed. I'm pretty sure these moms will understand my post and my annoyance. You see it really isn't about them.. they're fine. In fact this post is really about me realizing yet another "Ah Ha" moment.

They prayed... and guess what I helped them pray. lol.. Now seriously did you ever pray for something and not help it happen? Genius! Simply Perfect!

Yes.. through God ALL things are possible.

Like I posted on a friends wall today on FB ...

"Lots of Prayers and hugs on their way. Stay positive... always look up!!! xoxo"

Lets bring this little boy home to his mother!!!

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Sailing 7-2-11

Sailing 7-2-11

This was our 17th wedding anniversary. Can you believe it?

WOW.. that went fast.

Anyway.. we went sailing with my brother and his family.

A wonderful relaxing day.

Tamara is a natural.. she LOVES boating.

Enjoy!

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Just for fun... 6-25-11

Just for fun..

What little girl doesn't like to play dress up?

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Kindergarten yearbooks part 1 and part 2

As class mom I was able to take tons.. hundreds... of photos. In a brief moment of insanity I decided to make them yearbooks. Here are some of the photos and videos being used. If you see an arrow on a picture click it. It will come to life.. Enjoy!

Part I

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Part II

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Celebrate Good Times

Celebrate... Life is too short not to....

Do the things you love.. with those you love.

This May 1oth we flew off to celebrate life.

My 50th was just around the corner as was Tamara's 3rd Gotcha Day!

So rather then stay home and spend thousands on parties to entertain others and exhaust ourselves we decided to take a much needed and deserved vacation instead.

We decided to do something special just for us for a change.

Being that it was my "BIG Day" ? I got to choose.

I had always wanted to go swim, frolic and play with the dolphins.

Tamara now age 6 was finally old enough to get in the water with them.

It was perfect something unusual, memorable (especially for Tamara).

Something off my bucket list.

Now don't get nervous I'm not going skydiving any time soon and

that bungee jump will have to wait.

Anyway.. It was a perfect day. The weather was perfect.. always is on my Birthday.

That would make 50 years of perfect weather .. Yay!

We we assigned to Jinnie a almost 40 year old dolphin. That was just as sweet as can be. She somehow understood that we were a family and knew instantly that Tamara was our baby.

The private cabana was stocked. The snorkeling was awesome. Tamara after practicing in Mommy's tub at home did great. The only thing that freaked her out a bit was when a 4 ft sting ray swam underneath us. Yikes! Shhh... me too ;o)

Anyway... Enjoy the pictures.. There much much more to catch up on. Stay tuned. Oh and BTW... the will probably be the last time we mention my age. OK?

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