Our African Safari

These pictures pretty much speak for themselves.

The sign that greets us into the park.

I don't think Addie liked this part. She and Josie didn't want anywhere near those long giraffe tongues!

I just LOVE their zebra print coats, but isn't animal print SO last season?

Look at these three little tribal missionaries in training!

Zoo-rific Day!

After we got back from Ohio, we decided to make the most of the rest of the week that Josh had off. The first day we went to Binder Park Zoo. What a wonderful zoo it was!

It was such a hot and humid day, but we had so much fun looking at all the animals, and talking with the park staff about them. :) This was a really nice zoo, so if you are ever in Michigan this would be a great choice for a family activity!

Learning about a skink's tricky tail.

My what big teeth you have!

Josie, the bird whisperer.

On a tram ride to our favorite part of the zoo!

Stay tuned for Africa! Who knew you could drive there? ;)

Summertime in Ohio

While I took an unannounced blogging break, my family took a trip to Ohio to visit with Josh's family.

We spent a lot of time just visiting. It was so nice that we could all be together again.

A lot of time was spent around campfires.

Addie getting her cuddle time in with Uncle Ben.

The girls loved watching Grandma's Disney movies.

I can't forget a cousin favorite: Restaurant!

My Life Ten Years Ago Today

Ten years ago at this time I was with my dear girl friends getting all gussied up. We were putting the finishing touches on the table tops, and making sure our make up was just right.

Ten years ago I was packing some last minute items for a week away with my beloved. I was eating chicken nuggets from Mc Donalds for lunch. I had everyone who was dear to me all together on that day, and I was having the time of my life.

Ten years ago today I said my vows to a young man who I thought made my world turn. We held each others hands, and pledged our love to each other, and our commitment to God.

Today, as I remember ten years ago, I know he makes my world turn. We share a life better than I dreamt it could be on that day ten years ago. Oh, and it just keeps getting better!

Happy tenth anniversary, Joshua! Thank you for the marvelous life we have together!

June Bride

Our friends Don and Chrissy asked if I would take pictures at their wedding. I of course could not pass it up!

I have to say that their wedding was one of the most beautiful outdoor weddings I ever attended. It was a wonderful ceremony. I was so blessed to be able to witness the union of these two special people! I only wish that Josh had been with me. It is no fun going to a wedding where people are pledging their love to each other, and your love is far away. :(

Josh was away at the Big Ticket festival in Gaylord, MI sharing with people about New Tribes Mission. He said they had a lot of people interested. It makes me so excited to think about the possible new students coming because of what they heard at the festival. The team of people that went up there did great!

He is back now, and I am glad. :)

Here are just a couple shots from the wedding.

Summer Spaghetti Salad

When I was a little girl, my Aunt Suzanne would bring this wonderful salad to potlucks we would has as a family. It was a favorite of mine. I called my mom to ask for the recipe (which she had!). I quickly realized my grocer did not have all the stuff I needed for the salad, so I decided to recreate it. It turned out great! So, if you would like to try a yummy spaghetti salad, here is the one. Why not make it for your next potluck?

Summer Spaghetti salad

16oz of spaghetti noodles, cooked and rinsed until cold

4 Roma tomatoes, diced

1 large cucumber, peeled and diced

1 medium white onion, peeled and diced

1 c. Italian salad dressing (I used Wishbone)

1/4 T garlic salt

1/4 T sesame seeds

1/4 T poppy seeds

1/2 T red pepper

1/2 T fresh ground black pepper

1/3 c. grated Parmesan cheese

Mix all into a bowl and refrigerate until ready to eat. Yum! Yum!

Just one year ago...

How about this little cutie?! I found this picture hidden with others from a year ago, and couldn't resist sharing it... -Joshua
Tamara and Leah Jackson in Waukesha, WI Spring 2009

Can 30 Really Be Here?

Today is my 30th birthday. I find that so hard to say.

It's not like I think thirty is old or anything. The majority of my friends are a good ten to fifteen years older than me, and I know that they are not old, so thirty can't be old.

I am going to admit it. I am having a hard time turning thirty. I used to think that getting older was the stupidest thing to get upset about. "Who cares how old you are?" I'd say to myself. I mean, what is the significance of a number?

But, now I'm thirty. Not my best friend. Not my neighbor. Not my old classmates. Me.

I think the biggest problem with this thought is that I figured I would be so different at thirty than I am now. I thought I would be living in a different country, speak another language fluently, have four kids, learned to play an instrument proficiently, not struggling with the same health issues that plagued me ten years ago, be more confident in my mothering skills, finally be brave.

My biggest problem with thirty is that it didn't change who I was. It didn't turn me magically into this bright, beautiful, has-it-all-together woman. I guess the most discouraging part is now that I am thirty, I am realizing that person will never exist. I will always have faults (I know, hard to believe), I will always have room for improvement, I will never be able to say "I have arrived!".

But, isn't that a good thing? I think that if I have "arrived" at thirty, then what would be the point of thirty one, or forty one, or one hundred and one?

So, here I am. I am a thirty year old woman who is still to afraid to learn to ride a motorcycle, or jump off a cliff into a lake, or if we are being really honest...to get a car wash.

I can also say I am a thirty year old woman who has known Jesus as her Savior for twenty three years. I have been married for almost ten years to a man who I am more in love with now than ever. I have three of the most amazing girls that God ever created as my daughters. I love my ministry with New Tribes Mission. I love my church. I have some of the best friends any gal could ever have.

Yeah. Thirty isn't all that bad. I mean, it's not like I'm thirty one...

My twin sister and I. Happy thirtieth to you too, Tomesia!

"Budding" Artist

We went down to Ohio for Memorial day weekend and visited with Josh's parents and extended family.

What a gorgeous weekend it was! Their yard was in full bloom, and Emma just couldn't resist trying to draw some of the new flora. Her Momma couldn't resist watching her work. She looked so cute out there by the roadside, trying to figure out how to draw different flowers.

She used to always ask me to draw something for her. I would answer "You try it first". Now she is learning she is better than she once thought. I love that she loves to draw. It is so neat to see your children grow in their gifts and abilities. I am also happy to see she shares my love of flowers. :)

I am spying on her. :)

She still hasn't seen me yet. :)

Working hard at her artwork.

Give your Mommy a smile. :)

Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

I have been wanting to tell you all about the fun time we have been having, but when Josie's health concern popped up, it seemed to be the only thing on my mind.

She is doing okay. She had another "episode" last night. It lasted about a minute and a half. She has had about three days feeling amazing, and then she was just sitting in the back of the van, during one of our Sunday drives, and her little heart just started racing. I am praying that on the 21st when they do the 24 hour monitor, that she will have an episode and we can have it recorded. But, until then we will just wait, and while we wait, I will share with you all the fun we've been having!

A couple weeks ago we went to a baseball game. Emma's school sold tickets again this year, and we went to see the Lansing Lugnuts play. This time we took the whole family, and got to sit with our friends the Troyers, Gilleys, and Carraways. As it turns out, my parents went to the same game with their church group. They were in the section right next to us, so we saw tons of friends! It was great!

The game turned out to be a double header because the night before they had a game get rained out. It was fun, but a little longer than our girls could handle. The games were pretty uneventful, so we decided to leave early.

We apparently left about a minute too early! From the time we left the park and walked to our car, my dad called. Emma's name was on the screen. She won a baseball! Then our friend Clint called. Some lady had just gotten hit in the face with a pop up that was right in our section (poor lady!!), then Keisa texted. Clint caught a fly ball for her sons. Crazy that all of that excitement happened after we left! I am kind of glad I didn't see the lady get hurt. I am sure that would have turned into a mini phobia for me.

All in all, it was a nice day. The girls may be a little young to sit through a double header, but now we know. :)

This was Addie's first baseball game!

We are very excited to be there!

Can you tell?

Total Eclipse of the Heart

Okay, okay. I'll stop with the Bonnie Tyler songs already. :)

Today was Josie's appointment with the pediatric cardiologist. We are so thankful he could see us today! He decided that she needed to have the 24 hour monitor done, and she is scheduled for the 21st for that. Luckily this is something she can take and wear at home. No hospitalization needed. I think the more regular things are, the better.

In the meantime, if another episode happens again, we need to book it to the ER. He said he just needs to see (a recording of) what's happening when it is racing. If we go to the ER and it stops, just go home. I kind of liked the sound of that! :)

I just wanted to thank you all for your fervent prayers for our little Jozo. It's a scary thing when something goes wrong with your child, and even scarier when it is something we can't see. Your prayers and support have helped make an uneasy time bearable. Thank you!

Josh and Josie at a baseball game. :)

It's a Heartache...

Josie had an appointment this morning with her doctor. They agreed with the ER that she should see a pediatric cardiologist. There is no pediatric cardiologist in our town. The closest place would be at the U of M. We found out today that they don't take our insurance provider, so that was out. My doctor then mentioned that there was a pediatric cardiologist that comes to town once a month, and she said she would give them a call. Sure enough, this doctor does accept our insurance, and he just happened to be coming to town tomorrow, and he just happened to have an appointment available at 11:30!!! Praise God as He has gone before us, even in the little details. :)

They scheduled an echo, and a 24 monitor (like an ekg that she can walk around with), but we learned that our insurance would not allow that either until the cardiologist ordered it. Josie's doctor was just trying to get it all done before the appointment so the cardiologist would have more to look at.

So it's a waiting game, and I am okay with that. Josie is her regular old self (besides being really tired) and is just glad she didn't get poked today. :)

Somebody is starting to get freckles! Can you spot them?

The Beat Goes On...

Today started out as any other. Emma is off to school, and I get Josie and Addie dressed and eating breakfast, so I can get ready myself. That is where the normal ends for the day.

This morning Josie called out to me while she was eating breakfast that her chest hurt. I called her over and her little heart was pounding out of her chest. I couldn't think how that happened. She wasn't running around. She was just sitting next to her little sister, eating her bowl of rice chex.

She felt better after a minute, so I thought nothing of it. Today was to be a good day. Today was play group day! I think I look forward to Tuesdays as much (if not more) than my kids because I have a morning to be with my dear sisters in Christ, encouraging each other, praying for each other, and generally just having a good time! Today was an even more special Tuesday because the group was meeting at one of my friend's house for a picnic lunch. After a couple hours there, we get in the car to go home. I ask Josie how she is doing. She mentioned she had another "fast beating" as she calls it while we were there. I thought I should find somewhere and pull over to call the doctor because we were already on that side of town. As I pulled in, she is clutching her chest, saying her head hurts, and her arm too! So as I recover from a mini freak out moment, I grab my cell and call the office. They couldn't see her because they were booked so they told me to call another office. They could not see her either, but strongly suggested we go to the urgent care clinic.

When we got there, they gave her an ekg. After reading the test, they determined she was having premature atrial contractions (or PAC), and they sent us to the ER.

After a couple of very uncomfortable hours there (having blood work done, and I.V. in, and x-ray of her chest and stomach and another ekg) the doctors determined that she would be okay. The PAC would be something she could go her whole life and not even know she had it. Josie however, had a huge gas bubble in her tummy that was pressing on her vagus nerve, and it caused her heart to race. I couldn't believe all of this was happening because she had to burp!

When we left, they told us to call our doctor (which will be done first thing tomorrow!) and they will determine if we need to follow up with a pediatric cardiologist to check on her extra lub in her lub dub (as Josh calls it.) :)

Today as I was cuddled up with Josie in my lap, I just was overwhelmed with what a miracle our human bodies are. Just the complicated workings of the heart alone are so awesome. I was doing really well until I got home tonight. As they were going to bed, I let the worry and stress of the situation get the best of me. What if it was something worse? What if she didn't get to come home with us? I can't let those thoughts get to me. Worry can tear you apart and jump all over the pieces if you let the "what ifs" keep coming.

Josie got a lot of extra squeezes and smooches tonight. She just might wake in the morning to find her mommy cuddled in bed with her too.

My silly, sweet Josephine. I thank God for this precious gift!

Spring Recital

Last Sunday was Josie and Emma's spring dance recital. This year, thanks to a generous gift from a very special family, both Josie and Emma were able to participate in dance, even though their school lost some donations and they were no longer giving out full scholarships.

This was Josie's first year in dance. She was in ballet, and she LOVED it! Her routine was very cute, and the costume made her look like a beautiful little fairy. She was very brave on stage and she did great!

Emma was in her third year of dance. She did ballet and tap. I think she is really improving in both! She is very good at memorizing the choreography, and getting every movement at the right beat. I didn't like her costume as much as years past, but it looked really sharp on stage. :)

The recital itself took for-ev-er this year! I mean, we are talking close to THREE HOURS! No fun. They were having a lot of music problems, and set up. My guess is not enough people volunteered this year. Even though it was a long day, in the end I was very glad to see the girls perform after working so hard all year.

Josie the little fairy. :)

Emma in her ballet costume.

Josie is in the front dancing to "Kiss the Girl" from the Little Mermaid.

Emma is right in the front and center here doing her tap routine.

More AWANA Excitement!

I have been super slow at posting lately, and although it is a couple of weeks late, I didn't want to miss the opportunity to share in something that Josh and I were very excited about.

A couple weeks ago was the AWANA awards night. It was a night to celebrate all the kids have achieved the past year in AWANA.

I know I have mentioned AWANA before, but here is an interesting tidbit for you... Did you know that Lance Latham, one of the founding fathers of New Tribes Mission (the mission organization that Josh and I serve with) is the same man who founded the AWANA ministry?

This awards ceremony is certainly not a big show. We were just proud of how hard Emma and Josie worked at memorizing scripture. I still have Bible verses that come to mind that I learned back when I was in AWANA. Emma had finished her second book in Sparks, and Josie finished her first book in Cubbies!

We enjoyed an evening of fellowship with friends while feasting on hot dogs and jello!

Emma getting a hug from her section leader, and good friend!

Josie with her first book award.

Emma and Josie show off their awards with their buddies Gavin and Brandon.

Spring Choir Performance

Sometimes things go better than you could ever plan. When I went into my surgery, I was told it would be a three to four day recovery. When I came out, they said four to six WEEKS!

This sure put a rift in our plans. One of those plans was a week long trip with the students to WAYUMI and learn what a tribal missionary really looks like. I was SO looking forward to this trip. It was going to be great to see the students reactions, as well as revisit a place that was our home for a year.

When we found out we could not go, we let the teachers know that Emma wasn't going to be missing school for a week as we previously thought. Her teacher said she was glad because she was counting on Emma for the choir performance.

Little did we know how much she was counting on her! Emma was given a solo. Not just a line of a song and seven other kids have one too. She was the only soloist to sing in the performance (except for the opening Star Spangled Banner). She sang the song "Let's go fly a kite" from Mary Poppins, with the choir singing at the chorus. It was so fun! She was also one of a few students selected to play an instrument. :)

Her concert was my first outing since my surgery. I am so glad I made it! Josh was wonderful enough to get pictures for me as I needed to stay seated. He got some great shots!

Emma singing her solo!

Here she is singing with the choir.

Playing the xylophone.

Posing with her music teacher.

Sister Act

A couple weeks ago the students at NTBI had a "No talent night". This is a time where the students do some songs and comedy acts, and is generally the highlight of the spring semester.

This year, my daughters asked if they could be in it. Why not? So, these three brave little girls went on stage in front of a bunch of college students and danced and sang to the "Sisters" song from the movie "White Christmas". It was really cute, and I was proud of them for being so brave!

Here they are preforming.

I think it helped their bravery that their Daddy was the M.C.

Sparks-a-rama!

This post is a little late, but I wanted to share anyhow!

At the end of March, Emma was invited to the AWANA Sparks-a-rama. There were churches from all over southern Michigan competing. Although there are a lot of things that can't get me out of the house at seven thirty in the morning on a Saturday, this one sure can!

I was so proud of Emma and the Cascades team. They worked really well together, and they came in first place!

You can tell she is really concentrating. :)

This one is blurry, but she grabbed the orange pin! Way to go, Em!

Here is Emma in the midst of her group holding the award!

A Blogging Break and a Pee Wee Hike

I know it has been a while since I wrote about our spring break. Truth is, I had surgery last week. I am still on the mend, and my mind is starting to clear from the Vicodin fog it has been in for a little over a week, so I find myself able to put a clear thought together again. :)

Our time in North Carolina could not be topped, but as all good trips, had to come to an end. We came dangerously close to overstaying our welcome, and we had to head north to attend a much anticipated wedding in the family.

We were so blessed to have so much family up for the wedding. Such a fun time of reconnecting after a long winter.

The day of the wedding we had a little time to kill so we took the munchkins on a "hike". They had a great time, and so did we!

Josh braving the trail as our guide.

Steve and Sarah made sure the smallest ones didn't get too far behind.

These cousins are forming quite a bond. Even though Sophie is closer in age with Josie, she can relate to the "baby sister" role with Addie. :) It's either that, or they are trying to stay warm! It was 29 degrees that morning. Quite a difference from out time in North Carolina!

Just a little bit of beautiful Mio.