Happy New Year!

Wishing you a Happy Blessed New Year from Cory, Jamie and TJ. Blessings!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I can't believe it has been nine months since I blogged. I guess Facebook has become the new vehicle of communication, yet I still have the need to use my creative juices and write about our experiences. Today is Thanksgiving and Cory and I are thankful for life and the abundance of experiences God has blessed us with.

Toady, we are chillin' in Canada and are excited to be here. We have wanted to come since we got to Montana, so this was our opportunity. It has been over two years since I have used my passport!!! An extra surprise is we are here during the 2009 Gray Cup festivities. The Gray Cup is equivalent to our Superbowl, so it should to be quite the experience over the next couple of days. I am excited to see how other countries celebrate football since we are pretty fanatical (is that a word) about our love of the pigskin.

We are actually staying in a hotel with one of the teams and the festivities are about to be on!!! Pictures will be forthcoming....don't worry.

To catch you up on our lives, we have been approved for adoptions for up to two children and have been actively looking for children. It has been a process of ups and downs, but I believe the experience is making Cory and I closer. We are learning more and more amazing things about ourselves. We are currently looking at three sets of children, two siblings sets and one boy. We are praying for God's will in adding to our family....more to come. I will write more about the journey at a later date, but did want to update you on the new developments.

We have tried to travel as much as we can since being in Montana. In July, we went Philadelphia on a work TDY and Cory joined me. We had an amazing time. Philly is a colorful city with so many things to do. We saw Liberty Bell, went to the African American Museum, saw the Rocky steps along with many other museums and sites. We got to see some people we were stationed with in Germany which made it extra special. It was a good time.

In August, we went to Glacier National Park and was able to see some wonderful sites. We stayed in an historic hotel. It is actually the first hotel build in Glacier, so it was interesting seeing the pictures of the development of what is now Glacier National Park. We got to see a glacier (there aren't many left), pretty animals and took a tour on the Red Bus. The Red Bus is a historically refurbished bus that does tours all around the park. Our tour was a full day, but it was something I will cherish forever. Glacier is also where I had my first Buffalo burger and it was tasty. It was a nice way to celebrate our 13th anniversary and I look forward to going back.

We also adopted a German Shepherd / Collie mix named TJ. Yes, that is his real name. We adopted him when he was six weeks old and he has changed my life. He is a extremely smart dog with quite a personality. He thinks he is human.....but what can you say....he is a Smith dog. He is now six going on seven months and is over 40 lbs and still growing. Although he tested me in the beginning (I am the alpha dog), he is a delight. He protects me and loves me unconditionally....although I think part of his love is because I am the cook in the family and he gets one special meal a week. The special meal usually includes chicken, rice and veggies and normally takes place on Sunday. All other days, he hits the dog food.

I got to attend my 20th class reunion and visited with family in August. It was a good trip in spite of a difficult tragedy. My best friend's mother was murdered while we were there and that was difficult for many. I thank God I was able to be there to support and attend the funeral. Ms. Daniels was an amazing women and she will be truly missed. I am thankful for the time spent with her.

Since returning from Oklahoma, we haven't done any traveling until now. Although Canada celebrates Thanksgiving in October, we just wanted to do something different this year and visit this country. Well, time to experience Canada. Talk to you later!!!!

I can't believe it has been three weeks since I wrote. The weather was been amazing and I have really seen the beauty of our area. There are basically two roads that take you through Great Falls. Normally, I take 10th Street South. This street is the major hub of activity...traffic lights, eating places, the mall, etc, but for the last week, I have taken River Road. As you may has guessed, River Road is where the river runs....:O)....the Missouri River runs on this side of town and can I tell you that there is beauty and tranquility when I am driving. I like to watch the small waves and the sunrise on the water. There is less traffic, so you can enjoy the view. You do have to watch the birds crossing the street, but other than that...beauty. On this route, you will also see the falls. One day, I just had to stop and take a picture. It is so beautiful!!! I like to watch the water rushing and eventually become calm. I like to see it flow down the stream and allow my thoughts to wash away. The closer you get to the base, you begin to see the mountains. The sight is so majestic that is takes my breath away. You can see the mountains in the distance, snow caped and serene. When I see both locations, I just think about God's glory and am amazed at what He has created. It also prepares me for my day, because I work in a land of unpredictability. (Can we say faculty are off the chain!!) In any case, Montana is growing on me....but don't get it twisted, I still like my sun and heat. The less it snows, the more it grows. :O) Love ya!

A New Reason to Celebrate

As we embark on history, I am reflecting on the amazing contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I am hoping our nation won't forget the sacrifice Dr. King made to pave the way for our dreams to be realized. What an amazing feeling to see the fruit of his labor. If Dr. King was here, I am sure he would be honored to witness history continuing, but I am sure he is viewing history for his "mountain top" and will still get to see the "promise land". I am honored to be the continued recipient of his good works, dedication, compassion and love for people. When I look at how African American are able to completed degrees, get amazing jobs and live where we want, I am humbled. I tried to think about my parents and the battles they faced when looking for employment, wanting to vote, looking for approporate and affordable housing, trying to make a better way of life for their children and now watching the First African American President...again, I am humbled.

When I watch President Elect Barack Obama become President Barack Obama, I will remember the dream that came true. Today, we spent the morning celebrating at the University of Great Falls (UGF). Cory spoke (along with Pastor Caldwell from Mt Olive Missionary Baptist Church) and our Gospel service sang with the campus singers. This was an amazing experience as UGF is a Catholic school. I pray the experience will expand the minds of people and, as Chaplain Smith (Cory) reminded us...to continue building the wall of justice and unity. I have included pictures...aren't you proud of me. Smooches!!! Jamie

The Smith's New Journey

I know, I know.....where are the pictures...I am still without my equipment, so I ask for your patience. I did want to update you on some amazing news. Cory and I submitted our adoption application on Tuesday and received our pre-service training letter in the mail today. In Montana, you are required to undergo 18 hours of training before they proceed with your process. This is exciting!!!! The training will take place towards the end of this month.

From what I understand, once we complete the training, we will be assigned a case worker and begin the home study process. I am humbled to think we could be parents!!!! We are going to be screened for both foster and adoption...they are desperate for foster parents, so we will probably be foster parents first, but we are good with that. Whoever God places in our home will be a blessing to us. Continue to pray for us!!! This will be a journey and journey's come with their share of ups and downs. I pray for more ups than downs, but we just want to be in His will, so please pray.

Love ya much!!

C & J

Happy New Year's...three days later....

Happy New Year's Everyone!!! As some of you know, we were in San Diego for about four days for the Holiday Bowl game. It was excited to be around our OSU people, but the loss was devastating. There are no words to describe our disappointment with the team, but it was nice to see the Cowboys in action. Again.....can we say new defense and defensive coach!!!

The experience was nice, but I would love for our OSU alumni siblings and their families to attend the next time. he vision I saw was our families tailgating, sporting our OSU gear, singing the chants like only alums can and having a wonderful time. Hint, hint....start saving your money for next year....you never know.

We also LOVED the warm weather. Can we say sunshine everyday....that is what I am talking about!!! Any place you can wear shorts and boots is my kind of place. Our flight was delayed coming back from San Diego and we hoped we would be delayed for an additional day. Hey, I am not ghetto, but honest. A sister was trying to get a free meal, free room and payment for our plane ticket from Daddy Delta....:)

There are some pictures, but not as many as I would like. Our camera quit on us...on day two. You know we were not happy. We found this out at the pier on the way to the pep rally, so I began taking pictures with my cell phone. As soon as I figure out how to get the pictures from the phone to the computer, I will post them.

The weather was pretty decent when we returned from San Diego, but took a turn on Friday morning. We almost had a white out. The snow was high, the wind was strong and it was cold. Jamie had to go to work, but the base commander closed the base at 11:30am, so she got to come home early. Today, we have sun and no wind. I will take it!!!! Well, until later....love you all!!