Year of the Tiger...

According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2010 is the Year of a Golden Tiger, which begins on February 14, 2010 and ends on February 2, 2011. The first day of the lunar New Year 2010 falls on the 14th day of February, which is Saint Valentine's Day, so it is a day the West celebrates as a lovers' day, a day of romance. To the Chinese, it is the start of the Golden Tiger Year. The Tiger is the third sign in the cycle of Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 animal signs. It is a sign of courage. This fearless and fiery fighter is revered by the ancient Chinese as the sign that wards off the three main disasters of a household: fire, thieves and ghosts. On New Year's day itself, it is beneficial to celebrate, to be happy, to have smiling faces, and to refrain from scowling, quarreling, or criticizing anyone.
The Tiger

The Tiger is one of the most beautiful creatures on the planet, and is feared and revered in equal measure. It features in many Asian cultures as a manifestation of courage, power, passion and royalty. In Feng Shui, it is one of the four celestial animals where it takes its place as the White Tiger. The other three celestial animals are the Green Dragon, Red Phoenix and Black Tortoise. The Tiger symbolizes the female Yin energy as opposed to the Yang male energy of the dragon. Ancient Chinese believe that the markings on the forehead of tigers resemble the Chinese character for "Wang", or King. In Imperial China, where the dragon is the insignia of the emperors, the tiger is the military emblem of the highest supreme commanders of the army symbolizing fearlessness and victory. The Tiger also represents earth, while the dragon represents Heaven.

Happy Valentines Day!

Hope you all have a great weekend of cuddles,

kisses, and lots of love!

Happy Birthday to You...

to my sister-in-law Jennifer (13th), my brother Steve (15th), and me! For those of you who don't know my brother and I share the same birthday. For those inquiring minds - no, we are not twins but were born exactly a year a part.

Between birthdays, Valentine's day, the Chinese New Year, and President's day we've got a busy weekend ahead.

Wishing you both a great day and I hope all your birthday wishes come true ;o)

Thanks for the girls night out...

My awesome friends and I went to Orlando last weekend for a girls night out. We stayed at Lake Eve Resort, had dinner at the House of Blues and then a little dancing at Atlanta Dance Company. On Sunday we did a little shopping at Downtown Disney. We had a great time!

Here is some typical behavior during picture time!

Thanks girls, your the bestest! Luv you ;o)

Get Out So I Can Work...

“And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, ‘Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose” (Matthew 9:23-25).

Get out of here so I can work! Oh, how we hate distractions and noise, both things that pull our concentration away from the task at hand. In our passage today, the ruler had sought out Jesus and told him his daughter had died, but he believed Jesus could bring her back to life. “Jesus, come into my house and do the impossible,” he asked. But the crowds would not believe. It wasn’t until they were turned out that Jesus chose to perform this miracle. Why? We can only speculate, but I see an analogy here.

There are times I call on Jesus. I want him to come fix my life, or my thoughts, or revive a new spirit within me. I open my heart and ask Him to come in and heal me. Perhaps my spiritual house is full of other distractions – hurt, anger, frustration, pain. The nagging is still in the back of my mind – things can’t change, this is the way it is, why hope? Maybe it is coming from well meaning friends, or the TV, or my own desperation. Maybe these negative thoughts come from a more evil force that trembles at the name of Jesus?

All I know is before I can see Jesus in my life reviving me, I need to clear that ruckus away. I must give Him control over the situation so I can concentrate on His healing power alone. He stands patiently, knocking on the door of my heart. I am here. Waiting. The beauty of it is I can also see Him helping to clear all the garbage away. His Truth is the broom to sweep away all that doesn’t honor Him.

Can’t you just see Jesus at the ruler’s house calming him, saying it is okay, showing the hecklers the door? Even when we have barely enough strength to call on Him, He will come and do what is necessary to prepare us for His change in our lives. If you need a miracle, if you need revival, ask Jesus to help you clear away the obstacles that are preventing you from receiving it. It may take time, but His timing is perfect.

~Author Julie Cosgrove

This is from an online women's devotional. What perfect timing, I need to clear out the ruckus as I wait and wait...

41 Months and Counting...

...the 5th (our LID date) has come and gone. Not much to say about it...

Referrals have arrived...

Congratulations to those of you who are seeing your children's faces for the first time. What a great way to celebrate Valentines Day!

Wishing you all speedy TA's and amazing "gotcha" days!

The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before

April 5, 2006.