The Lord is growing me in a new way these past few weeks.  We have been trying to buy a home for the past month or so.  The closer we get to closing the more little things that came up. There is a little stream on the property, not more than 12 inches wide.  Well the county has declared it Critical wetlands because of a trout!!! They were saying that we were not allowed to cross this stream.  So , we stopped to find out more and decide if we should proceed.  In the meantime, our landlord had been told of our closing date.  I called to let her know we needed to rent for another month and she said 'no' I need the proeprty june 1st.  So i started searching for a rental where we could bring my kids, their animals , .....It was turning into dead ends.   Some friends have offered up there home.  We are truly thankful.. They along with other great friends have been helping me pack and sort.  This weekend , our Landlord showed up, while I was still a little frustrated with dealing with her.  SHe actually didnt know why we were packing!!!!!!! So I remeinded her of our conversation.  She then felt horrible and apologized and told me she didnt mean it !!  So , her and My husband and I and the kids stoood in our yard and prayed .  Bitterness was gone, thank the Lord!!  She also offered to let us stay for June.  So yay!! So as the Lord opens and closes doors are we always there with the right heart?  I have been pondering that.  I think I am learning to be content with EVERY circumstance.  I know that is why things are working out.  But it is a difficult journey to always be content. He always provides for us when we follow his guidance, doesnt he?  today, Jerry went to meet with our Realtor.  It seems that the stream might not be such a Critical stream at all.  Where this will lead us, I'm not sure but there will be more decisions as we try to move physically inot a new home.  But I do know that moving my heart and attitude is more important and that my eternal home will be with the Lord.  Also, knowing that all the things I have stored up here are so temporary and it is becomeing very easy to let them go, has been so freeing.  Until the next update let me say - May the Lords face shine brightly upon each of you.

Tammy

I just came across this idea and would like to share. 

http://www.redenvelopeproject.org/

Dear Friends and Intercessors:
>
> This afternoon I was praying about a number of things, and my mind began to wander. I was deeply distressed at the symbolic actions that President Obama took as he began his presidency. Namely, that he signed executive orders releasing funds to pay for abortions, permission to fund human stem cell research, and federal funding for contraception. I have been involved in the pro-life movement for nearly 20 years, and it pained my heart to see a man and a political party committed to the shedding of innocent blood. This man, and this party lead our country, but they do not represent me or the 54% of Americans who believe that abortion is wrong and should no longer be legal.
>
> As I was praying, I believe that God gave me an interesting idea. Out in the garage I have a box of red envelopes. Like the powerful image of the red LIFE tape, an empty red envelope will send a message to Barack Obama that there is moral outrage in this country over this issue. It will be quiet, but clear.
>
> Here is what I would like you to do:
>
> Get a red envelope. You can buy them at Kinkos, or at party supply stores. On the front, address it to
>
> President Barack Obama
> The White House
> 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
> Washington , D.C. 20500
>
> On the back, write the following message.
>
> This envelope represents one child who died in abortion.
> It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world.
> Responsibility begins with conception.
>
> Mail it the weekend of February 28th,. Please forward this email to every one of your friends who you think would send one too. I wish we could send 50 million red envelopes, one for every child who died before having a a chance to live. Maybe it will change the heart of the president.

(Copy and paste this and get the word out there!)

Well we have embarked on an exciting journey, to study the Iditarod.  The Great Race starts in 10 days.  This weekend will be the Jr Iditarod for youth ages 14-18.  our family has chosen 7 mushers to follow. AJ has chosen 3, Katie chose 2 and the little ones and I will follow 2 . So we are working on our mini sleds this week.  I am going to try and have the kids make a larger scale map of the trail on a sheet or shower curtain, we can then put that on the island and have the sleds mark where each musher is during the race.  I found a ton of info at the main site for the race at www.iditarod.com   I will figure out how to post more links to add the craft pages as we finsh them.  Also most of the racers have their own web page and will have cameras so we can check in on them during the race.  We finished reading two really great books about the race, so far.  MUSH by Patricia Seibert and AKIak by Robert J Blake.  The second was so good about the devotion of a sled dog. we will be doing a lapbook from resources I got from www.handsofachild.com  Well , off to work on our sleds some more.

Bye for now, Tammy

My dear Blog,

I have to confess that I have been hijacked into Facebook world for the past few weeks.  So I am back to say hello.  Facebook is not a place I thought I would spend time, but I seem to have recovered my childhood friends and have drifted back to slower times.  Growing up in a small town and going to school with the same kids from the age of 5 til graduating high school definitely bonds you.  I was thinking of my children and how homeschooling them as a 'small' school will be building such a great relationship with their siblings.  It has been a good reminder to me.  Also, I have so enjoyed reconnecting with all my friends.  It is fun to see each of us as mothers and fathers. With children of our own.  I am happy to see several of us have been blessed to be home and homeschool our children.  I will again try to find time to at least Blog my thoughts as I continue to reconnect. 

Also, we have begun our journey of house shopping.  For a buyer it is a good time.  I looked at several Friday, most were not good, the land was really wet.  There is one that I do like , I didnt get to go inside yet, but the land was really nice.  Since we want animals on the land that is very important to us.  Also, knowing that I am going to continue homeschooling and we need to be able to do it all on one income is very important to keep in mind.  I will continue to bring this to the Lord and I know there is a perfect home waiting for us. The Lord has always provided what we need as we need it. 

Jerry is away in Spokane this weekend heloing friend s plumb their house. I think he is coming home tonight.  I have to go out and do some Valentine shopping this afternoon. We have been celebrating on the 15th, for the past few years.  Ok, my dear Blog until I come by again.

Love, Tammy

AJ at Horse lessons Wed.

Katie at LessonsSweet Sarah is tuckered out !!!

Well, it has been a while and many things have happened, of course.  Now its time to focus on our New year.  We are still having weird weather here , from the 8 inches of snow in December to the tons of rain and now we have dry, cold and foggy weather.  It literally seems like London Fog.  I do remember those days in England.

I wanted to post AJ's project from his literature class at co-op.

They read a series called VIKING QUEST by Lois Walfrid Johnson

The whole family enjoyed the journey of these books.  At the end they had a choice to build viking ships or something else relating to the story.  AJ decided to build a viking village. He went out and cut some limbs and skinned them, then made a homemade glue and found some moss, and we bought some also.  We made salt dough for the river and the mountains. but he did a great job.

Ill post more later,

Tammy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU !!!  MY HOW YOU HAVE GROWN.........

WE LOVE YOU SO VERY MUCH, YOU MAKE US ALL SMILE AND YOU ARE SUCH A HAPPY GIRL. I CANT BELIEVE YOUR 5, MY HOW YOU HAVE GROWN.

WHAT A BLESSING YOU ARE TO ALL OF US,

LOVE, DADDY AND MOMMY

AJ, KATIE AND ISAIA

HAPPY THANKSGIVING.....

I HAVE A NICE PICTURE OF OUR DRIVEWAY( ITS NOT AMAZING OR ANYTHING JUST PEACEFUL) I WANTED TO SHARE, BUT I WILL RETURN TONIGHT WITH MY LIST OF THANKFULS.....

WE ARE OFF TO JERRY'S FAMILY TODAY AND TOMORROW FOR DINNER, AJ MADE A HOMEMADE PIE, I WILL GET THAT PICTURE UP, TOO.

LUV AND HUGS AND BLESSINGS

TAMMY

I am still having trouble getting my pics up, I will work on that some more today. We had Isaia's bday party yesterday.  We had it at a park in Tacoma.  It was in a covered picnic area, thanfully.  Our August weather has been the least desirable weather .  It was just 60 and very windy.  Jerry had to go to Starbucks and get a container of Coffee to go so we could all warm up.  But it was fun. I made the cutest cake, it was a red barn and then I made cupcakes that were chicks, pigs and horses. I really have to get my pics on.  I love decorating cakes for the kids bday. It is my favorite relaxing time. 

I just talked to my Mom and her and my dad are evacuated to my brother's house.  I turn on the news and all it talks about is New Orleans, that is frustrating to me when there is a whole lot of Louisiana outside of N>O>  Well they say that the eye will be coming over Kinder which is about 30 minutes east of them about 7 tonight so tonight will be when the storm comes through for them.  My sis-n-law and the girs are in Arkansas, My brother is at the Fire station making sure it is ready to help out. SO , I am thankful that the storm has calmed down to a cat 3 or maybe even 2 now.  Although it will still be strong winds and rain.  My prayers are with them and everyone else there.  My friend Mary , I havent talked to in a day or so, but now that the storm is coming closer to them Im figuring she has moved north.  Will catch up again later.

luv Tam

Well, I just added a weather widget to this page so I can keep up on this massive storm headed towards Louisiana.  I may have moved away many years ago, but my heart still belongs to that Cajun country.  My parents and my brother and his family are all there, along with tons of aunts and uncles and cousins and great friends.  They were all effected by Rita and Katrina. I pray a covering over everyone there as they wait for this storm.  I just talked to my mom and they have been getting ready .  Went to get gas this morning and pumps were empty, had to wait for fuel truck. My brother is sending his wife and there 4 girls to Arkansas in the morning. I pray for safe travels for Holli and the girls as they drive and stay in a hotel for several days. My brother is a police Juror so he has to stay in the Parish .I am trying to get in touch with Mary , my close friend , she is just east of them, so I figure she will be heading North, too.  My family is just north of Lake Charles about 20 minutes. Okay just wanted to get this set up so I can watch it . Still plnning to add some pics to the site soon. Have a good Saturday.

Love, Tam

Well it has been a while since I stopped by, not because I didn't want to, but it seems there hasnt been enough time to actually sit and type. 

I missed some birthdays...Rhiannon turned 22 in July, Happy Birthday , Sweetie.

                                              I turned 35 at the end of July, Happy Birthday to Me

and our little Man turned 1 on Aug 3rd, Happy Birthday , Isaia- wow how the year flew !!!

I was sick at the beginning of the month with an ear infection, I have way more sympathy for my kiddos now.  My Mom came out for a week to visit from SW Louisiana. I will post some pictures from her visit later. Then she left and we had to get ready for county fair. So we spent most of a week in a tent at the fairgrounds , while the kids showed Rabbits.  It was lots of fun, and my 4 yr old- Sarah couldnt get over the fact thqat we woke up everyday  and could smell the scones and elephant ears.  What a sweet memory. We have been home this week with a crabby baby.  I took Isaia into the DR on Wed, to find out he had Roseola, which isnt too bad but he had a fever up to 104 on Sunday.  He had a fever for about 3 days then it broke and he had a rash all over him and has been a very grumpy baby.  Thankfully , today he is almost back to normal. Praise The Lord !!!

Well to my blogging buddies who have checked in and not heard from me, that is the basics of everything. I got a new camera for my birthday so I am still figurng out how to download pictures and find them afterwards, but I will load up some photos later..

Luv, hugs and Blessigs

Tammy

Today was a busy day... AJ  started a 3day Safe sitter course at the Fire Dept., Katie and Sarh I took to VBS and just spent time with Isaia.  Then this afternoon I took him into Children's Hospital for some tests.  We had to do a sweat tests for nearly an hour. They put some thing on his arms to get the arm ready and then 2 monitors with tubes taped to his arms, these stayed on his arms for 30 minutes.  I kept him wrapped in a blanket to keep him nice and warm so he would sweat.  The little tubes absorb the sweat and that is what they send to the lab.  It should take about 48 hours to get some info to the Dr.. This was all for Cystic Fibrosis screening, they also took 5 viles of blood from our little guy to do numerous blood work tests, most of which I dont really know.  Hopefully with all of this info they can figure out what is going on with our little man.  I just want to be at peace during these next days while we wait for the answers to come in.  Thanks for the prayers and encouraging words.

Blessings

Tammy

I came across this picture that I took a few weeks ago when we were going up to our 4H campground to do clean up.  This is the Olympic Mountains here in Western Washington.  This is one of my favorite things about the Pacific Northwest. Thought is was a nice one to share. Have a great day.

Love, Tammy

It is such a comfort to have friends who can reach out with words of encouragement and remind us where we are to be standing with our faith, my friend Lisa emailed me this morning and gave those comforting reminders to me and since this blog is for me to save my memories I wanted to record this too, :