This Year

26 was a wild ride. Each year holds new mysteries, new adventures, new challenges - hopefully 27 holds me holding my little girl... my little boy meeting this treasure he's been so excited for.

We have been so blessed by amazing people hosting some pretty fabulous fundraisers to bring our baby girl home. If you're interested in joining this life adventure, keep scrolling! ;)

My beautiful friend Nadia over at CraftyRDH is selling our One Less tees & tanks on her shop, to see sizes/prices, click here.

Subsidy Shades, owned and founded by adoptive mom Melissa M. is hosting a June fundraiser for our little family -- a percentage of all undiscounted sales will be donated from the month of June to our adoption. They have some adorable little girl shades I've been lookin at! Click here to see this beautiful shop.

Cold Stone Creamery in Queen Creek, Arizona has a jar set up so any donations will receive a Psalm 27:10 One Less bracelet donated by our beautiful friends, the Perez family ♥

Not to mention, Lifesong for Orphans is accepting donations on our behalf to be sent directly to our adoption agency! These are tax deductible :-) You can either click the donation button on the upper right hand side of this page, or mail them a check using the instructions located here.

XOXO,

Tamara ♡

DIY Quesoretta

A few weeks ago I got a little playful in the kitchen, and combined various ingredients which resulted in a surprisingly tasty meal!
So much so, that Mr. Abear called me to specifically tell me to write the recipe down, something a wife loves to hear!

Ingredients for a Thin Version:

Olive Oil

1 Whole Wheat Tortilla

1 Tsp Chevre 

1 Slice of Prosciutto, torn into large pieces

1/4 Cup Mozzarella Cheese

About 1/3 leaf Swiss Chard coarsely chopped

Avocado for garnish

- Optional, a Tsb of fig jam spread on half the tortilla

To Make:

Slowly warm the tortilla over olive oil in the pan on a low - medium heat

Sprinkle all of the mozzarella, followed by the Swiss Chard, Prosciutto, and Chevre.

Fold half the tortilla over, let each side brown while holding the spatula over, and serve. 

If you're adding in the fig jam, spread it on half the tortilla before putting it in the pan. 

Serving Size: One Quesoretta

Calories: about 298 -- possibly a slight overestimation, check your ingredient labels for calorie details

Enjoy!

All or Nothing

Tonight Little Abear and I were talking about following The Lord vs. following the Devil... good nighttime conversation, I know ;) Bear loves talking about The Lord, about the Bible, and it is such a joy to watch him grow this way. 

I decided to put it in total kid language... here's the general idea of part of our discussion - 

'If Satan offered you all the toys in the world, but told you not to love Jesus, would that be good?' And he responded that 'we could love Jesus and get all the toys in the world... or love Jesus and have nothing.' Ah, he learns this glorious Nothing is worth all of the somethings a million lifetimes could offer. This Nothing is really the Greatest Something, Someone rather, the treasure in the field worth selling all for (Matthew 13:44).

Our church steadfastly prays for the persecuted church, and I look at my life and see a life plagued by luxury. I can choose to go on vacations, while the far end of the world succumbs to the knowledge that the life they were born into will be the life they die out of. My house could be full, full of all pleasures, but my soul could be parched and lonely. I could have all the praise of the world, be liked on every form of social media, but be devoid of all fulfilling love.

Things are not bad, it's the value we place on them. Being valued itself is not bad, it's the self-worship we place upon ourselves. I think what Bear and I are learning, is that a life sold out to Someone greater than ourselves is a life full. Abundantly full. Why would a parched soul drink from the polluted puddles of the world when there is an ocean full of grace?  Why wouldn't I give of myself whole heartedly, to the world, to Him? I'm learning, oh so slowly, but I am so thankful for grace that is ocean big, though my times of selfishness may be many, the water might be more to cleanse me still.

And back to this small child, teaching me that he is teachable. That I am teachable, and we are learning together. When Mr. Abear's and my soul cups are full they might spill into his little life, 

and simple bedtime conversations may be full of glory in all things.

Crafty RDH Guest Post

This last weekend I guest posted for my beautiful friend and craft blogger, Nadia.

God has been leading us on a journey of a lifetime to our second little Abear, nothing short of miracles. If you would like to learn more about our journey, and this Awesome God we serve, check out the post by clicking here.

Wee Maggies

I am so excited to tell you about my uber talented friend and owner of Wee Maggies, Amanda. Not only does she craft uniquely handmade and gorgeous children's clothes & accessories, but she is a wife and an amazing mom to five precious little ones. Aside from the fact that I love all time around this family, I love looking at her products and seeing her lovely work.
She shines on the inside & the outside, and I feel like this God-given talent comes through in her creations. 

If you are looking for one-of-a-kind, quality, artistically crafted clothing for a child in your life - check out her shop by clicking here. Additionally, some of her head scarves are available in adult sizes, I have been thrilled to wear mine.
Wee Maggies is a favorite local small business for sure, and I am so looking forward to  purchasing some items for Little Miss!

DIY Four Ingredient Trail Mix

Awhile back my mom took her bff, Little Abear and I on a road trip, and before we left the house I decided to throw some snacks in a bag for a last minute trail mix. And so was born one of the most amazing trail mixes of all time. I've slightly tweaked it, but the star of the show has been and still definitely is the sunflower seeds. Check out the ingredient list and you'll see why!

Ingredients:

Maple Toffee, Rosemary & Thyme Sunflower Seeds from Trader Joe's

Unsweetened chocolate chunks

Raw Almond Slices

Raisins

*I bought all of my ingredients from T.J.'s for this little mix, but if you have favorites of the other ingredients, I'm sure they'll do! :)

How to:

If you want to be precise, go ahead and measure out each ingredient per serving amount, which will also give an exact calorie count per trail mix created. Otherwise, just eyeball it! I wouldn't put in quite as many chocolate chunks though, it's surprising how a little goes a long way with these, and I'm even a chocolate lover! The seasonings from the sunflower seeds are delightfully out of the ordinary, so if you haven't tried these I would encourage you to head to Trader Joe's asap and pick up a bag! 

I never know how long they'll keep something in stock, if only their stores were just a little bit bigger ;)

Do you have a favorite travel snack? Leave a comment, I would love to know!

Signed

Yesterday we signed the first of many papers to let the orphanage, government officials, and powers that be know that Little Miss is ours. This daughter that we have prayed for, longed for, searched for, has a family that is simply beside themselves to be called hers, and no one may have even told her yet. How joyous are the heavenly beings when our names are written in that Holy Book of Life? Every part of the process of bringing both of our children into our family has taught me so much about God and His mighty love for us. What a blessing to be adopted into His family, and that on top of it all He would allow us to grow our little family here.

One Less Tees + Tanks

Our One Less Fundraising Tees + Tanks are now available for purchase!

We have Tri-Blend Charcoal T-Shirts, sizes S, M, L & XL available for $25

We also have Ladies Bella Flowy Tank Tops in Tri-Blend Black and Teal in sizes S, M, L & XL available for $27

Children's shirts in light blue are available for $22 upon request for size orders 

Please let us know which option and size by emailing tamararose@hotmail.com, 

we accept PayPal, cash/check.

Orders ship nationally for $3.99. Local orders can be dropped off/picked up.

Any questions about sizes not listed? Please feel free to email! 

♥

Searching for Grace

One Thousand Gifts lay on the counter, full of God truths and available for time in the quiet and the waiting. I was packing a quick bag for the hospital after a health scare with Mr. Abear. Praying for the best and knowing all would be well, just not knowing how long until results would be known and news would be told.




I didn't really want to bring this precious tool, book bound into bacteria ridden hospital. Stain something so valuable with filth. But I was compelled, how else would I spend time? I opened the book and read aloud, about a mom struggling to find grace in all moments, the ugly ones when her own face turned impatient and could hold it in no longer. I saw my reflection in the words. 




How to see God as good in all things, in beautiful ugly, in stain and sadness and hospital beds, in grief and loss and failure. How do I speak thankful in the moments that sour the soul? I'm learning to look at all things, hopefully. I'm learning to look at a God Who is in control, and give up the charade of thinking I can hold onto anything at all. There is hope in all that has been ordained, there is hope in letting go and holding on as Jacob did. 




Praise God for books that help me no longer feel alone, for people who are willing to write them, and for hospital rooms that give me more time and less excuses to get close to the One Who waits patiently. 

Summer Photo Project!

At the end of this past semester I gave my art class kids a summer challenge:
a list of photos to take with a disposable camera,

and to bring back to the first day of class their photos + the original negatives. I think we have a lot of possibilities for future learning with this, plus this is a fun way to stay artistically active throughout these summer months!
Anyone is welcome to join us, and if your kids get creative with photography this summer please email photos to tamararose@hotmail.com and I will choose one to be featured on the blog!
♥