Oh the People we Meet!

Because we are a military family and have the chance to move around and travel I titled our blog "Oh the Places we Go!"

We have loved the opportunities that have come our way.

This morning I have been reminded of an even greater opportunity the Air Force has given us. The one that makes all the moving and traveling not only worth it, but exciting and rewarding. The people we meet!

As I look back over the last 7 years of our life it is scattered with faces of friends and families across the country that we have come to know and love. These individuals have blessed and enriched our lives. We have cried with some, served with others, shared our life experiences with all, and have had so much FUN!

This morning I recieved a link to a news story about one particular friend who has taught myself, and all she comes in contact with, innumerable lessons. Lessons on forgiveness, faith, charity, determination and the list could go on. Carol is an amazing woman with an unconquerable spirit. I am privileged to know her.

I love you Carol!

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6009972n

For more stories about Carol search "Carol Armstrong, Charleston, SC"

Hooray for happy news!

I am so grateful to Sugardoodle.net for posting this news story on Facebook today.

Maggie, my eight year old, has been consumed with the tragedy in Haiti and upset over the lives lost. We have watched next to nothing on the news about it, but they have been talking about it a great deal at school. Her school has set up a little "Haiti Relief" Fundraiser. She has taken in whatever coins she can get her hands on. I have loved watching her be so concerned and compassionate, but I don't like seeing how it upsets her. She woke up yesterday in tears because she had a dream that her best friend fell down a steep mountain and she couldn't wake her up. Through her tears she said, "Mom, she was dead."

I am so excited to share this bit of happy news with her!

www.meridianmagazine.com/churchupdate/100126primary.html

Mmmm.....Chocolate!

Cooper discovering the finer things in life!

Happy Anniversary

Kevin and I had our 9th anniversary on January 11th.

We were informed, by our children, a week before the date that if we wanted to go out to eat we had to go to lunch.

They were planning a "secret" dinner us.

This is the table at the "restaurant."

Dimmed lights and all.

Before Kevin came home with the flowers the girls got creative and made a center piece with ornaments from our tree.

The girls (and I) made a fabulous dinner, and they had so much fun serving us.

Here's some of the funny things they did:

-They made us leave the house, knock on the door and ask the hostess (Cora) if there was a table available.

-They refused to let Kevin drink his soda out of the can, "You have to use your goblet!"

-We thought the girls would like it if we got up and danced, nope. "Sit down! There's no dancing at restaurants!"

-They were very particular about acting like real waitresses and acting like we were customers they had never met. However, when Kevin asked if they wanted to share our appetizer there was no hesitation to sit at the table and eat with us.

At the end of the dinner I said to Kevin, "The food here is great, but the waitresses are a little high strung."

What a fun night!

The Season of Miracles!

This is the face of our families Christmas miracle......Tanner Jack.

My parents attempted to adopt Tanner 20 years ago when he was a brand new baby. After three months of fighting in court to be able to make him a part of our family my parents lost the battle and he was taken from our home.

He returned to his biological family, and we had contact with them for the first year of Tanner's life. Much to our families disappointment contact was lost with Tanner's family and we no longer new where he was or who was taking care of him.

On Christmas Eve an incredible woman, LaRae, came to my parents home telling them that she was Tanner's mom (legal guardian/foster mom - whatever you want to call her, she's Tanner's mom!). I was lucky enough to be there as she told of how Tanner entered their lives 10 years ago and the miraculous circumstances through which she came to find out about my parents and their role in Tanner's life.

She told us story after story about Tanner and all about the amazing person that he has become.

Needless to say we were in utter shock and filled with gratitude for LaRae and her family.

A few days later Tanner came to my parents home to meet the family he never knew he had.

Tanner's biological family is Native American and they come from the Oneida and Navajo tribes. Tanner loves his culture and history! I learned more that evening about the Navajo culture then I ever thought I would and it was fascinating.

This is a photo of Tanner unwrapping his moccasins.
Although Tanner was born with cerebral palsy and does not have the full use of his legs he will walk when the incentive is good enough.
His mom promised him that if he would walk across the stage at his high school graduation she would make him moccasins. He had six months to prepare himself.
Like any teenager he told her no, and then changed his mind four days before graduation.

LaRae hand made these gorgeous moccasins in four days; tanning her own leather and sewing every bead by hand!

The moccasins represent Tanner's spirit animal, the wolf, with paws on the sides and wolf eyes on the tops.

He wore his moccasins on graduation day walked across the stage.
This experience, like no other, has reaffirmed to me that God has a hand in our lives, and he cares about our happiness. After twenty years of unrest our family was not only given peace and closure, but the chance to be reacquainted with the son and brother we thought we'd lost.

I will be forever grateful for the circumstances that brought me home for Christmas in 2009, and for the opportunity to partake of Tanner's unconditional love and courageous spirit.
We love you Tanner!