Celebrating His Birth with Family!

Hello Everyone:

I hope you each had a wonderful Christmas celebrating HIS birth. My sister from Missouri and her sweet family drove east to spend Christmas with us and her husband's family. Here are a few pictures from the various family gathering. My best gift was the time I had with my children and getting to spend a little time catching up with my sister Emilie and her husband Brent. We went and had a late lunch at a wonderful Greek restaurant "Tracks" yummy food and delightful company.

Christmas Eve we gathered at my sister Kami & husband Michael's home. There was Michael, Kami with their three kids, my sister Emilie, her husband Brent, their daughters, son and grandson, our Mother, a couple friends of the family, Marc, Sarah and myself. We enjoyed a time to catch up on what is happening in our lives, enjoy the time to fellowship and exchange gifts. I also continued the tradition of taking pictures of the "cousins". It is fun to look back and see how they have grown and changed over the years. Everyone patiently goes along with my need to document these gatherings with pictures and for that I'm very thankful.

CHRISTMAS EVE at MICHAEL & KAMI's

My sisters, their families, me and my kids and Neva (Mom & Grandmother)


Cousins; Aiden, Sarah Mac, Nadia, Katherine, Adell, Sarah, Marc, Ryan


Katherine, Adell, Sarah

My sister Emilie and her family and Marc, Sarah and I all spent the night at "Grandma's" house so we could celebrate Christmas morning together. It was fun to celebrate with them. Nadia was first down the stairs a little before 7 am. I had to go wake Marc and Sarah and they joined us a little while after gifts had started to be open. We enjoyed a traditional Christmas breakfast of egg casserole and homemade rolls. Yum! I gave my nieces portraits of themselves from pictures I took last Christmas and they seemed to like them. I like to give homemade gifts and continued the tradition of homemade ornament for friends and family. I try to remember the real reason for the season and not just give more stuff to fill closets and shelves. Especially as reflected on all the things I had given away this summer as I closed out my home here. Keeping in perspective what truly are the things that satisfy our souls. The gifts that we will treasure for years and years to come. Near the top of my list are the relationships and time spent with people building relationships and sweet memories. This is the time of year I like to think about the great gift we are celebrating and the many gifts of friendship given throughout the year to me. I am richly blessed indeed.

CHRISTMAS MORNING at GRANDMA'S with EMILIE, BRENT, ADELL, NADIA, VICKI, MARC & SARAH

Adell, Dobbie (Grandma) Emilie, Nadia, Brent, Sarah, Marc


Nadia


Sarah and her "blanket"


Sarah & Emilie


Nadia & her portrait I painted for her


Myrakulous Marc - hats his sister gave him.


Adell & her portrait I painted for her

Christmas afternoon Sarah headed off to Bedford to spend time with her father, Kit, step-mother, Cindy and grandparents. She had a time she will treasure for many many years with them. Marc headed off to spend time with friends who had come back into town for the season and I headed out to my cousin Amy and husband Mike's home. Two of her brothers came down from Staunton as well as their father, my Uncle Pete and his wife Cindy and a family friend Jimmy. It was a great time to catch up. I got to see pictures of Ian's trip to Costa Rica which I really enjoyed. My cousins are amazing people - creative, smart and funny are some of the words that would describe them. What a gift to catch up with them and hear what is happening in their lives. Mike and Amy gave their kids Alex and Amanda a Wii game for Christmas, well all the "old" folks took over the game and were playing like a bunch of kids themselves. It was funny to watch my mother and uncle get competitive like siblings always do.

CHRISTMAS afternoon at MIKE, COUSIN AMY, ALEX, AMANDA, UNCLE PETE his wife CINDY, COUSINS IAN & BEN, JIMMY, NEVA & ME

Amanda, Alex & Ben playing Wii


The "Adults" taking over the Wii game


Ian


FR: Mike, Amy, Me, Amanda Middle Row: Neva, Alex, Ian, & Ben Back Row: Cindy & Uncle Pete

I left Mike & Amy's and headed over to friends Walter and Janet's and enjoyed a wonderful Christmas dinner with them and the Herrings. I didn't take pictures for I was winding down from a fun filled day of activities. What a good Christmas with memories I will treasure for a lifetime. I hope you each had a Christmas you will treasure too.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Years to you each.
Love
Vicki

Missing my "Babies"

My "Babies" are all grown up. I'm missing seeing Christmas through their eyes. I was going through pictures and just had to share some of my favorite Christmas pictures.
I hope you enjoy and are also enjoying time to remember the reason for the season.


I'm reading to Marc & Sarah.


Sarah & Marc in matching PJ's that I made. Marc is so embarrassed by this fact. I only did this for Christmas.



Marc & Sarah


Sarah & Marc


Sarah & Marc


Marc & Sarah


Sarah & Marc


Marc & Sarah the last year they wore matching PJ's. Poor Marc...


Marc & Sarah


Marc & Sarah with Santa


Marc & Sarah with Santa


Marc & Sarah with Maddi & K.C.


Sarah & Marc with K.C. & Maddi


Sarah, Me & Marc with Suki, K.C. & Maddi - this wasn't Marc's idea of a good time either.


Sarah, Me, Marc & Tahmina


My sisters children and mine - Cousins!


Sarah, Marc, Me & Zareen (Did you notice my children have the same shirts on as last year? No one planned that and we didn't notice it till afterwards when looking at the previous years pictures. Oh, well!)

I know you think that is an awful lot of pictures, you wouldn't believe how many more I have. I love to take pictures and document our lives through pictures. So many good memories are captured in them. Marc and Sarah are two of my most treasured gifts in life. This will be my last Christmas here in the states for awhile. It may be my last Christmas with Marc and Sarah for awhile since we are all heading in different directions. My heart does feel sad when I think about that possiblity, but then I think about all the wonderful Christmas and years we have had and my heart is at peace. As I prepare I'm sad at times for the people I will miss when I'm living in Kazakhstan. At almost the same time with just as much intensity - joy swells in me as I anticipate seeing the kids I've come to love so much and knowing I won't have to say good-bye to them after a mere two weeks. It is funny how our hearts can hold such contrasting emotions at the same time. Amazing probably is a better word.

I'm trying to savor each moment of my time here, enjoying family and friends as I prepare to move. I think more than usual it has gotten me thinking about the past, dear friends and family.

Wishing you each a Christmas full of joy and sweet memories.
Vicki

A season to remember the gift of friends!

Edwin and his sweet, funny, smarter than the average person, lovely wife Judy

I received a sweet email from a dear friend the 21st of November. Between Sarah's graduation, Thanksgiving, and getting hit by a truck I haven't gotten to this post that has been in my heart since then. Judy and I meet when I started working at the Vet School at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg Virginia way back in 1986 or so. She is one of the smartest, funniest people I've ever known. The summer of 1989 I was heading to Montana with my Uncle Pete his three boys, Peter, Ian & Ben, my Uncle's best friend Jimmy, my son Marc, who was 13 months old to a family reunion. Judy had always dreamed of going out west and desperately wanted to go, so I invited her and she accepted. Her husband Edwin gave us all his blessing and west we headed. It was a fabulous trip. Memories that I treasure and will carry for my life time. We traveled though breath taking landscape, saw a part of this country that I had previously never seen, had great fun with family and friends, all in all an adventure of a life time. Judy is a person I greatly admire, wishing her spark and wit would rub off onto me. Edwin, give Judy a great big hug from me.


Uncle Pete with Ben on his shoulders, Me with Marc, Judy, Peter and Ian in front. Picture taken by Jimmy


Judy, Marc, Me, Uncle Pete, Ben, Ian, Peter. Again the picture taken by Jimmy

Here is an exert from her sweet email that touched my heart and encouraged me so much. "I've really enjoyed all your pictures that you've got out there. I know you're proud of Marc and Sarah - and you should be :) I always knew you were someone special....I admire all that you're doing and I know hasn't been easy. And such a writer.... I enjoy reading your thoughts and feelings the way you put them down in words. I feel lucky to know you :) Please keep in touch and let me know how things are going".

Do any of us know how we touch the people who pass through our lives. Even the people we meet through out our day. The person checking us out at the grocery store, the bank teller, the person we pay after getting our gasoline for our car. The ripple effect that we have in each others lives with ever step we take and word we speak. Does my ripple leave a trail of despair or does love reflect though me in my smile, my eyes, my words. I desire to speak encouragement and kind words that maybe will be a soothing balm on a hurting soul. When my kids would fuss and fume at home, I would say "there is enough heartache and struggles in the world, when we walk into that door this should be a place where we are encourage and our souls soothed." I hope the trail that follows in the wake of my passing has a sweet aroma of love and gentleness.

This is the time of year when commercials and stores are trying to tell us all the things that will make us happy.. Where are all your Christmas presents from last year? Are they filling your life with joy or collecting dust on the shelf some place. As I think about what I hold near and dear - the things, material possessions in my life don't make the list. The things that I truly treasure, hold dear to my heart, long for - are my dear dear friends, those folks who have touched my heart in special ways soothing the aches the world can bring, who have celebrate my joys and cried with me when the world seemed to be crashing all around, those people who know the quirks that drive people crazy and still love me, those who can boldly speak truth even when I might not want to hear it, those who laugh with me and whom I can sit with in silence..

Sometimes people come into our lives for a short season, while others stretch across time and miles. I have been richly blessed with both and this Christmas Season am ever so grateful for the gift of friendship each has given me. I am rich indeed.

Merry Christmas to each and everyone who stop by and reads my rambling thoughts as I travel this path to Kazakhstan. May you each be blessed with good friends who encourage you along your journey.

Love
Vicki

Thank you Judy for your friendship way back then that carries through to today.. You are an amazing incredible woman. I will never forget the time our path had us working and traveling together. Thank you for reaching out.

A Week Not As I Planned

Well, Dear Friends:
This past week definitely did not go as planned. Monday evening I had the chance to go to a gathering of people who have an interest in orphan care, either fostering children, adopting domestically or internationally, or sponsering entire orphanages or individual orphans. The Olive Tree Alliance is for anyone in the Richmond or surrounding areas who have a heart for caring for children. There are families who have adopted older foster care children, older special needs children from America and from around the world, people who have adopted domestically infants and international infants and toddlers. Some who haven't adopted but desire to care for orphans. It was a great time to reconnect with old friends after being away and meet new ones.


Abby, Emmie, Sari, Austin, Brianna

On Tuesday evening I had the great joy of visiting dear friends and catching up with what had been going on in each of our lives. Matt and Kathryn have been good friends for the past 7 or so years. When Marc, Sarah and I first met them they only had two children, now they have 5 little rug rats running around. Two of them have arrived into their home through the wonderful gift of adoption through the county social service foster care program. Matt and Kathryn have a amazing gift with kids. I had a great time visiting and listening to Sari, Emmie, Abby, and Brianna tell me about what they were enjoying in life. Little Austin is a cuddly smiley little boy who doctors said may never walk but they should see that little guy go. Having 4 sisters to keep up with has been a motivating factor on top of two parents who will stand beside him encouraging him to grow and mature into all that he is capable of. What a true gift.


Kathryn & Abby


Kathryn, Abby, Emmie, Sari, Austin, Brianna, Matt


Brianna, Matt, Austin, Emmie, Vicki, Abby

Sari, Austin, Vicki

So, you can see the first part of my week was going good. Wednesday was fairly uneventful as I started a new job for friends rebuilding a storage shed. Wednesday we were able demo the rotten parts and clean it down to the shell and buy materials. Thursday we were making fairly good progress except we needed another tall ladder. My friend who I was working with left to go barrow a ladder while I stayed and started framing the north wall. I had laid the pieces in the driveway as I cut the 2x4s to length. We had decided to use screws to attach the 2x4 so I was on my knees using my drill when all of a sudden something crashed into my back. As I was falling forward onto my hands my mind couldn't grasp what in the world had just hit me. Then it dawned on me that the owner was back and was backing his big truck directly into me. Now, I'm telling you the thought of being run over by a large pick-up truck certainly motivates you to move fast. At my age I don't bounce so well anymore and probably don't handle a truck rolling over me so well either.

The whole think got all of our adrenaline pumping. His wife came out of the house to see what all the screaming about was and he jumped out of the truck. I was trying not to cry since I am a grown woman crying isn't one of those things I wanted to do right there. I didn't want anyone to feel bad and quite honestly wasn't sure what hurt the most. Everything seemed to be functioning okay so I figured just getting back to work was the best thing. I had to un-do some of the wall since the truck had splintered the wood. Made me quite thankful the truck tires hadn't run over me because I probably wouldn't have been as fortunate as I was.

By Friday the soreness and stiffness had settled in so much I could barely walk. The couple I was working for insisted that I go to Patient First on Friday when I showed up. The doctor confirmed I had no broken bones and my kidneys were fine. The bruising would heal and he gave me medications to relax the muscles spasms and also for the inflammation and pain. He told me to go home and lay flat for 36 hours. UGH!!! Not my favorite thing to do. I have a list a mile long of things I need to be doing on top of needing to work since I was in training the last three months and not working and it's Christmas.

I have a couple dear friends who I've let into all areas of my life. They are there to speak truth into my life, for me to bounce ideas off of, and generally be there for me even when they have to push me a little to do what is going to ultimately be good for me. Edith, Lois and Chip threatened to come beat me if I didn't follow the doctors order. Edith wanted to know when I got my degree when I was wanting to do things a little different than the doctor said. UGH.. Sometimes good friends are irritating. But I am ever so thankful for them. I know there are each a true gift and I am so thankful for them even if they rub me the wrong way somedays. I know they do and say things because they care for me and for that I am truly thankful.

I'm stay with Susan & Bill and their two boys (their daughter is away at college)and they all have been so kind as I've laid around not able to do much. Susan has said on more than one occasion "Okay, I've done my "motherly" thing!" She and Bill have fixed food and waited on me and even though I don't like being on the receiving side of things their kindness has touched my heart.

Today, I'm actually feeling a little more like my normal self. A friend who already lives in Kazakhstan thinks this will make a great story to share for many years to come. I'm so glad I was able to give Sara something to laugh about. I guess it is kind of funny but I don't think I'll try it again.

I hope your lives have gone a little smoother. Thank you for joining me on this journey to Kazakhstan.
Vicki

Happy Thanksgiving Dear Friends!

Mike, Amy, Ben, Amanda, Alex, Pete & Cindy in the kitchen ready for dinner to begin.

Happy Thanksgiving dear friends. I have so much to be thankful for.
I am thankful for Marc and Sarah who have blessed and enriched my life beyond measure. They have made me want to rise above what I thought I could. They are a most precious gift.

I'm thankful for dear friends. Sometimes I forgot just how blessed I am with friends who have stood with me during great joys and sorrows, who have willingly walked with me when my path grew dark and I fear I would not make it to the light, who have loved me enough to ask those hard questions and keep loving me as truth shone into my heart bringing healing.

I am ever so thankful that I had the opportunity and privilege to travel to Kazakhstan in 2000 and 7 times since. I am thankful for the love I have received from the precious children in the orphanages I have visited. I am even more thankful that I am on this journey which is leading me to living in Kazakhstan full time working with the children who have captured my heart. I have had to give up much, most of my "stuff", a place to call home, giving away my beloved dog K.C. and cats, saying good bye to my home town and many friends and more. When all that I am sacrificing and giving up is placed on the scales they still don't begin to off set the great joy that fills my heart as I draw closer to that moment in time when I board the plane and move to Kazakhstan. I am ever so thankful that I have this great privilege and honor to go and serve the people of Kazakhstan and especially the children.

Yesterday I was thankful for the opportunity to spend time with family whom I haven't seen for awhile. My cousin Amy, her husband Mike and their two kids Alex and Amanda offered for me to ride with them to Staunton, Virginia to spend the day with my Uncle Pete (Amy's Father), his wife Cindy and my cousin Ben (Amy's brother). It was a time to reconnect and catch up with family and count my many blessings. I heard from both my two precious children and even though I didn't get to spend the day with them I was ever so thankful for the people they are and that they are such blessings in my life. I love you Marc and Sarah and am so proud of you each.


Family around the table

Ben and his buddy Abby

Walking downtown Staunton, Virginia after a feast



Alex patiently listening to old folks talk


Listening to family stories

Today I am working on lining up work for the next two months and setting up appointment with people who I hope will want to partner with me in the work to reach the children in the orphanages in Kazakhstan. This is not something I can do alone. It will take a team to reach these precious children touching their hearts and changing lives one child at a time. During these economically hard times it may be difficult to think of others especially when they are half way around the world but I can promise you the rewards of seeing a life changed far out weighs any small sacrifice made.

Thank you each for your encouragement and friendship. You each are such a great blessing to me. I am so thankful for the many joys and blessings I am given each day no matter what storms are raging around me. I choose to accept the joys and blessings given just for today.
Thank you dear friends
Vicki

Sarah Graduated from Navy Boot Camp!

I'm back from the windy city of Chicago. When they say windy they mean windy. I thought I'd freeze to death while there. I don't know how Sarah has survived except she is tough. It was so good to see, hold and talk to my daughter. The ceremony was quite impressive, but nothing compares to just being with my girl. Her Dad, step-Mom Cindy, brother Marc and I were her four guest and we had a great time visiting with her Friday. So much healing and grace has been poured out onto our family and it was so good to have this sweet time together. Thursday evening Kit, Cindy, Marc and I had a fabulous steak dinner together then they picked me up Friday morning at 6:45 so we could go to the base for the ceremony. There was lots of pomp and circumstance, but very touching all around.









Sarah has matured into a young woman and I am so proud of her for making in through something so difficult. It was amazing she didn't whine and complain like I might of as she shared stories of her time there. She actually cried when we left base as emotions over came her. It was the first time she'd left base since arriving the 29th of Sept.







After graduation and stopping to get a bite to eat we headed to the Navy Pier in downtown Chicago. Walking around the outside of the pier would be a fun activity in the summer, but not in November. The icy cold wind tore right through us. We quickly moved to the inside of the central building and window shopped. Near the food court they had a stage with several performers doing acts. Cindy and Marc were called up onto the stage to help with some magic acts. We got a kick out of seeing them on stage especially Marc. Sarah laughed and laughed. It was such sweet music to my ears.









Saturday, Sarah and I got to spend the entire day together. We just enjoyed being with each other. Doing nothing all that exciting, but treasured the time together. I loved hearing all her stories and thoughts. A time I will always treasure in my memories. I am so proud of my daughter. I'm proud of both my children. They are incredible, talented, caring young adults. It is my great honor and privilege to be part of their lives.

















Thank you my dear friend for joining me on this journey. Thank you for celebrating with me during this time of great joy. To have friends who will shout for joy and shed tears with me as life is lived is one of the greatest treasures in my life. This week that we each think more of what we are thankful for I am especially thankful for my dear dear friends.
Thank you dear friends.
Love
Vicki