The Bare Family

First Day of School!

2011-09-25T11:50:00.000-07:00

H and L on their first day of "real" class!

(We homeschool but one day a week we join with other moms and students for half of a day of school in a classroom setting)

It is such a sweet and fun time for all of us.

H as a pilgrim learning about the Mayflower Compact

H is in a class of all boys! Six boys ages four and five!

Fortunately his tutor is great and has very active participation for learning!

L in his classroom. He is with 1st and 2nd graders.

Looks like they are having to much fun!

Please Pray!

2009-12-10T03:02:00.000-08:00

Hi Friends and Family! I apologize that I have not set up an email list to email this out to everyone. (That is on my list of things to do this evening!) We have been receiving responses back from our letter...Thank you!

If you would please pray for two things today and in the next few days. The first one is to pray that our church would allow us to use them as a "pass through" for monies that people would like to donate to us for our adoption. This would enable people to receive a tax deduction for their gift. This is important as their are several people who are interested in giving but need it to be tax deductible and they need it before the end of the year. Please pray as our church and those in authority there consider our request.

Secondly, we have our phone orientation with Gladney tonight at 8pm. Yeah! This means that we will most likely begin the "paper pregnancy" and start our home study. Please be praying for God's timing in the home study and for a clear mind and energy in the evenings to work on paper work.

Thanks for partnering with us in this. It is wonderful to see God work as a result of prayers!

The Lady on the side of the Road- Incredible encounters with generous people!

2009-11-02T12:27:00.000-08:00

I have wanted to blog for 3 weeks to let you know of how incredible people have been to us through this process. Our God continues to blow me away by His generousity and His Spirit living through others to touch us in incredible ways during this process. I have to tell you about one such encounter.

I was putting garage sale signs out several weeks ago on a busy Friday afternoon about 4:30pm. James had listed our garage sale on Craig's List and had mentioned that 100% of our sales were going toward our adoption. So as I was carrying the only sign we were putting out that had our adoption mentioned on it at a very busy intersection. A lady called me from her car. She was turning at the busy intersection I was approaching. She mentioned that she had seen our add on Craig's List and handed me a $20 dollar bill. She said that she had done the same with her son who was sitting beside her in the car. Can you believe it? That I would be carrying that sign at exactly the same time that she was turning and that she saw our add and that God moved her to be so generous to a stranger. It touched my heart in such a big way. My God, you are so good to orchestrate such a meeting! Thank you sweet lady on the corner of North Springs and Clemson! And thank you our God!

2009-09-21T18:20:00.000-07:00

Dear friends and family,

Our family and our picture is missing someone! And so, James, Luke, Hamilton and myself would like to humbly ask you to partner with us as we pursue adopting from Ethiopia. Both James and I have for some time felt called to adopt. Over the last year, we have prayed and have asked God to direct our hearts into His will for our family and to give us wisdom as to what adoption would look like for our family. In exploring different options, we feel that God has lead us to pursue adopting from Ethiopia. There are several reasons for this. Ethiopia has one of the greatest needs for adoption, it is one of the more straight forward countries to adopt from, and the least expensive of international adoptions. In addition to these, it has always been a dream of mine to adopt from Ethiopia. Having grown up in Kenya which is just south of Ethiopia, I (Jenny) developed a love for Ethiopia and got to watch several families adopt from Ethiopia. God is so good to give one a spouse who is like-minded. Even though James has not had the same experiences as I, as I have shared my heart with him, God has drawn his heart to Ethiopia as well.
If you know anything about adoption, it is not a simple process. Honestly, we feel that it requires so much more than if we were to choose to have a child of our own. Every step of the way, we are depending on God. It is a tender and emotional process as one considers all of the motherless and fatherless children worldwide that need the tender love of the Father to embrace them. There is a lot of paper work involved in the process as well as the almost forbidding cost. Fortunately, we have an incredibly awesome God whose heart is for the orphan. His word is full of promises for the orphan and those who depend on Him. Proverbs 23:10 says "Don't stealthily move back the boundary lines or cheat orphans out of their property,
For they have a powerful Advocate who will go to bat for them." (The Message).
As a follower of Christ, God calls each one of us to care for orphans and widows. However, not all of us are called to adopt or to work in an orphanage. So as a family, we are asking you if you would care for our orphan? Would you partner with us as we start on this new adventure? So far, this is one of the greatest leaps of faith we have taken. But again, we have an incredible awesome God who specializes in the impossible! How many times in the Bible, has a situation appeared humanly impossible, and yet our God has shown up and provided beyond human expectations? Our desire is for God to receive all the glory as we watch Him move through you and us in this adoption process. It is so exciting to watch God work and we want you to be a part. Our prayer for you as you partner with us, is that your own faith would increase.
There are several ways that you can partner with us. Most importantly you can PRAY. Included is a bookmark with specific prayer requests, we will try and keep you updated throughout the process through email and our blog so you can see how God answers your prayers and new ways in which you can pray. Second, you can HELP US RAISE FUNDS for our adoption. The total cost of the adoption is estimated to be $20,000-25,000. Now, you can see why this seems humanly impossible! Many of you have been impacted by the challenges of our current economy. Our family is experiencing the same and yet we still feel that God is wanting us to continue to pursue adopting. Like Gideon in the Bible, God sometimes reduces our resources so that only God can receive the glory for what is accomplished. In raising the money, we are finding items in our house that we don't need and are selling them on Craig's List and at garage sales. We have had one garage sale and will be having another one in October. Thank you to those who have already donated items for us to sell both on Craig's List and at the garage sales. A friend of ours who does fund raising with local schools has allowed us to work for her stuffing envelopes to help make money for the adoption. Also, I am using my Mary Kay business profits to go toward the adoption as well. James is mowing our neighbors yards for a minimal charge to serve them but also to make some extra money to go toward the adoption. Is there a way that you can contribute? A sweet friend has committed all of her profit from a business that she has to us from August- December. Small things when put together with a powerful God multiplies and creates big things! We are in the beginning stages of the paper work, doctors visits for physicals, etc. Next is the home study which costs $3,500. After the completion of our home study, there are some options for matching tax deductible donations. You can contribute financially. Would you give a financial gift? Would you consider switching to a Mary Kay product instead of the brand that you currently use, knowing that it is backed by a 100% money back satisfaction guarantee, shipped for free and that the profit is going toward adoption? If you currently use Mary Kay items, would you host a party, share a catalog with some friends or point them to my website, www.marykay.com/JennyBare? Would any of you like a custom shade for your home, whose profits go toward our adoption? Go to shadethatlamp.etsy.com to order one. Do you know anyone who would be moved by our cause and want to give toward giving an orphan a home? We are already overwhelmed by your compassionate and generous hearts. Thank you so much! "Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you" (James 1:27). Deuteronomy 24:19 says "If you forget to bring in a stack of harvested grain, don't go back in the field to get it. Leave it for the poor, including foreigners, orphans, and widows, and the LORD will make you successful in everything you do".
Thank you for being the wonderful friends and family that you are. Thank you for joining with us on this very exciting journey. We are so blessed by you.

Blessings to you in abundance,
James, Jenny, Luke, Hamilton and our future baby Bare
*Luke keeps on asking when we are going to get his baby sister....we tell him, in God's time. It is wonderful that he is excited as well!

2009-09-21T18:08:00.000-07:00

So J and I are picking up momentum with our adoption. Yeah! We just finished publishing a letter to friends and family.....so hopefully you will be receiving one soon! I will also try to put it here for your viewing pleasure!

I had an awesome talk with Scott at the Gladney Center for Adoption this past Friday. In addition to adoptions they invest back into the country which has huge huge huge value in my eyes having grown up in a third world country. Check out this website:

http://www.adoptionsbygladney.com/html/services/human_ethiopia.php

I cannot keep from crying every time I visit the thought of adopting and the orphans out there that need help and love!

At the train museum with Papa O and Shosho

2009-09-06T16:20:00.000-07:00

Train Museum with Papa and Shosho

H's face after following his new diet

2009-09-06T16:01:00.000-07:00

Here's H's face after following his gluten free, corn free, and dairy free diet along with taking some natural supplements. I am so glad that I can avoid coating my baby in steroids!

H's Eczema before and after the diet modifications

2009-09-06T15:06:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of H's cheeks at one of the worst points.

Creative Eating: Zuchini Pancakes

2009-09-03T05:20:00.000-07:00

As some of you know, H has severe eczema especially on face. This along with some other concerns (ie irritability, colic as a baby and a small appetite) has lead us on a journey for his health. At this time he is corn free, gluten and wheat free, dairy free and a few other "frees". As you can imagine this challenges a lot of our western cooking to say the least! We have given up a lot of things but one thing that we cannot live without is pancakes...I guess my boys got that love from their mom! I have come across this great recipe today and thought I would share it. Of course, it is someone else's recipe that I modified to meet our needs. Whether or not you have special nutritional needs like H, most moms want to get more vegetables in their children's diet so here's a recipe for Sweet Zuchini Pancakes. They were delicious. I just finished cooking the last 2 and the kitchen smells like cinnamon!
http://cookingequipment.about.com/od/breakfastrecipes/r/zucchinipancake.htm

*Keep in mind, I made several changes to the recipe and they turned out delicious! I substituted the butter for canola oil, all the flours (corn and wheat) with brown rice flour and substituted 1and1/2 tsp cream of tartar plus 1/2 tsp of baking soda for the baking powder. I substituted 3/4 cup coconut milk and 1/2 cup water for the milk in the recipe.

End of the Summer Tea Party!

2009-08-21T13:49:00.000-07:00

Here are the neighbor girls and the boys. I watched them three days a week this summer. We ended our time with an evangelistic tea party. We made a craft of decorating a gift box and talked about gifts. We talked about how Jesus is a gift to us and we can be a gift back to God. Every child made a small wordless book to go in their box. This book tells the story of our sin, Jesus' redemption of us and our new life when we believe in Him. Luke has already told God that he accepts Jesus' death for his sins and that He wants to be friends with God but all three girls prayed and told God that. K the oldest one, I believe was completely sincere and realized what she was saying. The other two, well, a seed is planted and I know that they know. So then, we ended our little time with a celebration of hot chocolate and brownies and played a game passing a gift around and unwrapping it. What a great culmination to the summer! My desire in keeping the girls was to plant seeds and show them Jesus.

H's Dedication

2009-02-16T10:06:00.001-08:00

Sometimes you have to get creative! For us, creative meant that we did not dedicate H at church like expected on Sunday. Instead, we were together with Grandparents for breakfast, scripture reading and quick prayers (the wind was chilly) on Sunday. It was such a sweet and special time and as a mom it will make for a special memory.

We had to get creative because H had been diagnosed with strep throat on Friday and we did not feel comfortable going to church with a sick baby. But we didn't want to miss out on dedicating him. Both my and J's parents were in town for this special event. If you are reading this and you weren't with us, we wish you were there. You are special to us and we treasure your input as we try to raise 2 godly boys..and hopefully and baby girl soon too! J's and my parents- thank you for your godly input, example and support. We love you.

HOPE

2008-11-05T06:04:00.000-08:00

So recently, I have thought about trully using this as a blog. That is if I can steal away moments from other things that demand my time to write some thoughts. I have never thought highly of what I have to say. Thoughts like "why would anyone waste their time to read what I have to say" are trully in the front of my mind but somehow I don't know why but I feel lead to write for whatever edification of others it can bring.

So in the wake of this election, my heart has been so heavy. (The thought of Obama as president does not exactly thrill me) James and I have experienced a feeling of oppression for whatever reason. As believers, we definitely fight a spiritual battle. Sometimes we are more aware of it than others. One day, I trully felt like it was me and my God against the world. Do you ever feel this way? That day, I really wanted to go live with the Amish....in my own bubble! I know that that is the cowards way but that is how I felt.

So with all of that in mind God really helped me to overcome these things reminding me that He always walks in victory (I think that is found in Hebrews). He is our source of hope and victory. The God of all the universe has His eyes on the righteous and regardless of the future of our nation, He is our security.

So ironicly, this morning when James and I discovered that Obama and democrats have a lot of the majority, our Bible reading together was entitled "Circumstantial Deceit". It is based off of John 11:14-15. Circumstances don't tell the whole story. How often in the gospels were circumstances deceiving? A storm threatened to capsize a boat, thousands were hungry and God was killed by men, just to name a few. In all of these situations when people stared at the problem they despaired but when they stared at the Truth they found hope. The devotional tells of a story of George Muller who was going to a very important meeting but was on a ship that was stuck in the North Atlantic fog. The captain told George that he would not make his appointment but Muller responded "My eye is not on the density of the fog, but on the living God who controls every circumstance of my life." Amazingly the fog lifted.

"Our human tendency is to feel trapped by visible situations but circumstantial evidence is not the truth of a matter......Those who focused on their problems in the Gospels found those problems to be overwhelming. Those who focused on Jesus found their problems to be illusory. Focus on Jesus. There is no deceit in Him." (taken from The One Year at His Feet devotional by Chris Tiegreen)

So whatever your circumstances are this morning may Jesus Christ be your hope and your joy this day!

Luke's Haircut and Our little helpers!

2008-07-14T09:16:00.001-07:00

This is our sweet boy with lots of hair! Love it!

This is all of his hair on the ground!
This is our sweet boy with little hair! Love it! But he looks so much more grown up...=( ! Check out the peanut butter mustache~!
Of course, whatever you do for one you must also do for the other child. So here is a picture of Hamilton's hair. Next time you get peanut butter and jelly in your hair, just make a mohawk out of it!
I thought you would enjoy pictures on the tight ship I (Jenny) run. Here is Luke doing his lunch dishes!

Here's Hamilton vacuuming!
What big helpers they are! Talk about being a productive family....mom is on the phone with Laurie, catching up with a good friend who recently moved, Luke is grating cheese and Hamilton is stirring our dinner, and Dad is on the computer researching flooring for our future home! Never boring in this house! I just hope the desire to help remains in the years to come.

Time in the Mountains

2008-07-14T09:08:00.001-07:00

We recently took a trip to the mountains to spend time with the Bare side of the family. Here's Luke picking flowers on Roan Mountain. We went for a little hike one morning.

The Bare men/boys had fun playing in the stream! It was so cold we had to tell Luke that he had to get out because his lips were blue!

As usual, we celebrated the special birthdays this month! We have such a sweet family to celebrate!

Hamilton's Birthday Party

2008-07-02T12:54:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday to Hamilton! In theme with what Hamilton enjoys..."Balls, Bubbles and Balloons" was the theme. We ate boiled peanuts and watermelon in the shape of balls, some of Hamilton's favorites! By the way, if you did not know, Hamilton loves balls. He loves to throw and catch balls. He gets so excited! James and I will have to become sports buffs with this one I think!

The birthday cake was a tower of donut holes. So healthy and delicious too!

Despite his face in this picture, he loved the donut holes!

What made the celebration so special was sharing it with family and friends.

Bubbles!
Our new great neighbor friends! Their son Aiden is 8 months old and the same size as Hamilton. I (Jenny) have really enjoyed getting to spend time with Michelle.
The great big brother. He did great singing Happy Birthday and making sure all the guests had enough food.

Opening some gifts! Yeah! Hamilton squealed at the gift of balls!

Hanging around the house

2008-07-02T12:45:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of the boys playing around the house. Luke is playing in a tent we made in his room, in addition to the McQueen (Cars) tent his Shosho and Papa O gave him at Christmas. Which by the way, he has been sleeping in the matching sleeping bag he received with the tent on top of his bed. Crazy boy...it's summer time and hot yet he wants to sleep in the hot sleeping bag. Hey, when it comes to that, I say.."whatever you want honey!"

Trying to Catch You Up!

2008-06-21T14:54:00.000-07:00

I am so sorry that I have been so sporadic at posting pictures especially for you dear family that are far away! Wow, how time flies and how days get filled up. By the end of the day when I would have time to blog, all I want to do is sit and do nothing or go to bed! So here are a smattering of pictures that we have to try and catch you up.

The boys change every day. Luke is almost too big for me to carry, he is dressing himself and when we go shopping he tells me "I'm thinking about this one" as he points to something. I wonder where he gets that from!?! Hamilton is more agile and standing on his own not holding anything. He will be walking any day now. We recently went to the doctor for a check-up and she said that he is perfectly healthy even still at the 10th percentile in weight. Hamilton is communicating more, pointing to things and saying please or screaming! He wants to do everything his brother does. Our biggest challenge is aggression and down-right meanness toward each other. Hamilton will want to play with what Luke is playing with, Luke will push him away and Hamilton will bite Luke back. Regardless, what fun times! God has really blessed us. As a mom and wife, I have the best job ever!

Jackson, Tennessee at the Casey Jones Railroad Museum
---on the way to Little Rock, Arkansas this March

The boys with Uncle Daniel! How wonderful it was to be able to spend some time with him and celebrate Easter together. We started a new tradition of doing a Passover Seder to remember Christ's death and resurrection in a symbolic meal.

Visiting in Nashville with the Sun Family

2008-03-18T13:47:00.000-07:00

In our lifetimes, God is so good to give us sweet friends that become like family. This is so for us with the Suns. This past week, we got to go and spend some time with them and help them a little in preparation for putting their house on the market.

I can't figure out how to rotate pictures...so here's James levitating and working on the Sun's house! Such hard work!

Look at those precious children! Precious and created perfectly and uniquely by our Father!

Laurie and Luke share the same birthday this month, so we wasted no time in celebrating a little early!
Do you think Luke wished for a job for his daddy? Recently, he was introduced into throwing money into a fountain and making a wish. I asked him what he wished for and he said "money"!! We discussed which one we thought worked better...making a wish or saying a prayer. Most definitely prayer won out!

Fun Times in Charlotte

2008-03-13T19:50:00.000-07:00

Fun in Waxhaw, North Carolina. It was a beautiful day for a picnic and walk. We even got to check out the Fire trucks at the fire station. The volunteer gave a great impromptu tour of the trucks!
Some of Luke's favorite things- His aunt Amanda, a big bridge and railroad tracks!

Smiley Hamilton at our picnic!
Hamilton is quite the ham! Never lacking in personality!

Yummy sweets at a sweet place!Bath time at Grandma and Papa Joe's is a fun time!

Jenny's Special Day!
Thanks James for making my birthday so wonderful!
James took us on "safari" to a private zoo and planned a great picnic.
It was a very memorable day!
There's nothing as wonderful as sushi, chocolate, the great outdoors, animals and the best family this 30 year old could ever dream of!

Here we are picnicking.

It was such a fun place!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

2008-02-14T08:54:00.000-08:00

We love you!

Luke's Friend, Blaise's 3 year old Birthday Party

2007-12-18T11:55:00.001-08:00

God has been so good to connect me (Jenny) with some like-minded, fun, young moms. Two of them have boys the same age as Luke. Here are picture's from Blaise's birthday party at Kranky's Coffee Shop. It was great fun for young and old!

Luke, Blaise and Eli....the three stooges!

Let the creativity flow! Here the children (and some adults too!) painted to make art which was then hung on display and are for sale.
Lukasso at work!
After the birthday party, we were able to be included in a music program called CHIMPS- children's improvisational symphony at the back of the coffee house. So totally rad. Love the right brained activities!

Here all of the children could pick an instrument and then they all played together. Of all of the instruments Luke could pick, he picked a little music box. Interesting, when left to their own, what little children will pick.Luke got tired of his music box and moved on to a louder instrument..the drum!

The three boys-Eli, Luke and Blaise

A Day at the Bare Household!

2007-12-18T11:47:00.000-08:00

Hamilton loves to jump!~ And Luke loves to help him!
Luke is such a great helper.....here he is helping with the dishes.

I have such handsome men/boys!

Merry Christmas from the Bare Family!

2007-12-01T07:25:00.001-08:00

Love the brotherly love!

Thanksgiving with the Bare Family

2007-12-01T07:02:00.001-08:00

Hamilton is full of smiles these days! Especially laying back at Grandma and Papa Joe's!
We celebrated Christmas at Thanksgiving. Luke loved giving and receiving gifts.
What puffy cheeks you have my dear Hamilton!

We are happy!
SMilE! I want to take your picture!
Luke's new digital camera! What a young photographer in training. He had us saying "cheese" nonstop for 1 hour!

The Bare "men" grilling delicious meats for us to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas together!

My Cute Boys!

2007-11-19T14:07:00.000-08:00

A friend of Mrs. Bare sent the boys matching outfits!

Hamilton's First Cereal!

2007-11-19T13:58:00.000-08:00

Feeding Ducks at the Park with Amanda

2007-09-25T14:03:00.000-07:00

Visiting with the Great Grandparents in Columbia

2007-09-25T13:55:00.000-07:00

Great Grandad is helping Luke with a shave! Luke was quite hairy!

Vacation with the Bare Family in the Mountains

2007-09-25T13:26:00.000-07:00

It is beautiful in the mountains! Luke loved playing in the stream with his dad!

We celebrated Gregory's promotion/move with his job. We treasure the time we get to spend with Gregory and Amanda.
Here's Luke and his "Gamaw" (Luke's version of Grandma- quite southern sounding!)

Ostendorff Vacation in Arkansas

2007-09-25T12:48:00.000-07:00

We were able to stop in Nashville on the way to Arkansas and visit with great friends George and Laurie and their 6 month old, Nate.

Here's Luke and Nate.

In Arkansas, Papa O and Shosho took us to the Little Rock Zoo.

This was a particularly special time together as a family as Sara and Allen will be going overseas this October for several years. We will miss them but are excited for the new adventures that God has in store for them!

It was great to be with Great Gr.ma as well. What a special treat for she and Hamilton to spend time together as Hamilton was only 6 weeks old.

Bare (ha! ha!) with me as I figure this blogging thing out. The pictures are out of order and I am unable to post a lot of good pictures because they post sideways. Apparently, other Mac users are having the same problem.

2007-09-19T14:32:00.000-07:00

Here's a recent family photo. It was taken at a friend's wedding here in Winston.

2007-09-19T14:24:00.000-07:00

Wow! I am going from cave-woman to high tech mommy all in one week! From tape-player walkman to Ipod and now a blog site! Can the world handle this?!!!