The Mosebys LOVE travel.  It is good and healthy for us to get out of the country at least once a year! Our destinations are sometimes based on where our friends are living internationally and other times it's based on a good deal. We went to Greece for our honeymoon, then China, the Middle East, Ethiopia and this year we are going to Iceland. We have found some incredible places and some of them are "must visits." I thought I would share some of our favorite places we have visited. 

Our FAVORITE beach vacation is all the way in India. In 2013, we were headed to India to visit friends and thought we would take a few extra days to go south for a few restful days on the beach. Josh stressed over the hotel and I didn't really care.  OH MAN!  When we arrived, we realized that he had made the best decision!

Niraamaya Retreat in Kovalam IS the best!  We visited in December 2013 and 2014. 

When we travel, we love to meet people and talk. The staff at Niraamaya are the best.  They will serve you like you are the only person there.  They will sit and chat with you or leave you be. The chef came out every night to chat with us. On our second visit, we came out to welcome us back!  I'm sure the front desk told him we were return visitors, but he acted like he totally remembered us. He even sent us a complimentary cake to our room as a welcome back. During the same trip, he was testing out a new recipe for chocolate samosas.  He sent out some for us to try.  I was in love!  So, each night when he would come to chat, he would say "Hey, I'm going to make you some chocolate samosas, because I know you love them."  The last evening, the staff stuffed us full of great food and desserts, because they wanted to spoil us on our last night. We felt like royalty the entire time.  

Besides the great food, staff, and rooms there are some fun activities to do at the resort and in town. Here are a few of the activities we enjoyed: 

Spa Day
Niraamaya Retreat has a wonderful spa!  Each trip, we took one day to just relax, go to the spa, eat good food, and go to the resort beach. Take a good book, because the relaxation spots are incredible. One day, while relaxing in a hammock, one of the staff members literally climbed the coconut tree next to us and cut down a few coconuts. Then, cut off the top, put a straw in it ,and handed it to me! I'm not really into coconut, but it was a cool experience. 

Backwater Tour
Kerala, India is known for it's backwater tours. Niraamya can set up a boat tour for you. On our first trip, we took a 1/2 day tour.  It was a relaxing activity for the day.  Take your sunscreen, water, snacks, and camera!  

Visit Kovalam Beach
During our 2014 visit, we spent a day at Kovalam Beach. As we arrived, the fishermen were bringing in their fishing nets.  We took that time to sit, watch, plan our afternoon, and apply sunscreen! While at Kovalam beach, you can eat, shop, and take surfing lessons.  So fun!

These were a few of our favorite things to do.  Niraamya has some other ideas on their website. Check them out!

Is Niraamya good for kids? We didn't have kids with us at the time, but other visitors did.  It is not kid friendly, like Disney World would be.  However, I think kids would enjoy it.  Some folks we met take their kids every year. There is a really  nice pool!

Is food included in your room package? It will just depend on your package. The food is amazing at the resort.  So, you'll want to plan for that.  We love to splurge on food while on vacation! The resort has indian and western food. Delicious!

​If you have any other questions, leave me a comment!

This is absolutely our favorite beach vacation!  It is a bit far from Oklahoma, but if you are going to be in the area it is definitely worth it! After our first visit, we put together a little video for friends and family. Check it out here!

Tariku has a new word "DAAAAAD!"

Tariku loves his dad!  He'd rather be in his arms than anywhere else. From the moment he wakes up and get's his milk from Dad to the moment Dad finishes his bedtime story, he wants to be right with him! He wants to walk hand in hand or in his arms. If he's in need of a few minutes of mom time, he wants dad close...close enough to touch! Sometimes, from my arms, he reaches for dad to pull him close. 
 
What a treasure to have a little one that thinks the world would stop without you.

My house is a live parking lot!
Tariku's obsession with cars is hilarious. 
I find his cars lined up on the arm of the couch, along the table, and on the entertainment center.
His OOOH's and AHHH's when we walk through a parking lot is just funny.
​So, when the car show came to town and Pops has free tickets, we go!

Josh's dad, Pops, and his Uncle Donny have restored a couple of mustangs. 
They are pretty cool! Tariku loves to sit in the front seat and pretend to drive.
Pops & Uncle Donny walked us around the show...
​I really had no idea what anything was except the pretty colors!

We had a good time at the show.  Tariku loved it and Pops loved showing us all around.
​I love seeing Tariku connect to family.  This was a great time for him and his Pops.  
They share a love for cars. I'm so glad Pops could show him around!

For the love of cars...
​~Kara M

Today is Tariku's birthday! I'm so happy that he exists.  I'm so blessed that God chose me to be his mom.  When my little one entered this world, it wasn't as happy as I wish it could have been.
​So, today, I remember his family/our family! 

To our Ethiopian Family-
Today I remember you.
I remember your many gifts to our family.
I remember two years ago today was one of the hardest days of your life.
I remember you were hurting.
I remember you were strong!
I remember you were braver than I have ever been!
I remember you birthed the most joyous and strong child I know.
I remember you gave our son a name of strength and heritage.
I remember you were there for our son in every moment he needed you.
I remember you showed up in the midst of your greatest pain.
I remember, as I will tell him, you gave him life.
I remember you, as you remember him.

Someday, I pray, on this day, we will all only feel complete healing and joy. I don't feel that this year is that year, but I know our God is gracious and faithful.  He will bring healing and peace to us all. I wish you could see our Tariku. You all would be so proud of him!  He carries your name so well! God has great things in store for him. 
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Thursday, Tariku turns two!  Can you believe it?  I totally cannot.  He's the coolest little kid I know!
Saturday, we pulled a few of his friends together for playtime and cake. The theme: Basketball!
Tariku was lookin' so cool in his basketball gear.

For the party, we rented the toddler's room at church, baked some cupcakes, and invited a few friends. The church nursery was the best idea. The kids just played, he opened a few gifts, ate cupcakes, and then we went home!

I was a little concerned about the simple party.  There was barely a theme.  I saw the basketball napkins at the dollar store and we went with it.  When it came down to it, This is what I want Tariku to remember: his family gathered to celebrate how happy we are that he exists! I want him to see pictures of our little family and remember us. I want him to see his dad's hat and think "oh, man!  He always wore hats. Look at that beard!" And look at the picture below and say, "Oh my goodness! Dad told stories about how mom forgot to put the eggs in the cake.  I don't think I noticed!" You know what I mean?  

THIS is my son!  Tariku thought Saturday was the coolest day! He almost ate his whole cake. He dug his fork into it and loved all the cheers that came from his reaction. He's such the cutest thing and I'm so pleased that he had a blast with his friends. Thank you to all his friends' parents who drove out after nap time to celebrate with us!

Since becoming parents, we have discovered the best place, the local community center! If you are in Tulsa, the Whiteside Community Center is great.  Tariku and I are there at least twice a week for tumbling or play dates.  Last Friday night, they hosted the annual Teddy Bear Ball for toddlers! Tariku wasn't quite sure what to think, but he loved the lights, balloons, and endless supply of cheese crackers. 

Even though we sat on the bleachers a lot at the dance, it was really fun.  I'm never going to be the "pinterest mom."  I probably won't plan the super cool parties or have creative activities at home.  However, I want to commit to find simple activities (like this) that create great memories for us all.  That's why I really love the below Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.  Moms, how do you find simple ways to create memories for your family?

Be Silly, Be Honest, Be Kind.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

It's winter and I hate the cold!  Tariku does as well.  We love being outside in sundresses (just me) and shorts (him). So, staying in all day drives us CRAZY!  Last week, I decided we had to get out and be active.  So, we signed up tumbling classes and swimming lessons. Saturday, we jumped in the pool and he was a bit terrified!

"I shall call him squishy and he shall be mine and he shall be my squishy!"
~Dory

The Mosebys are writing today over at The918 about our journey of adoption.
Writing about your adoption journey in less than a novel is HARD, but we have tried!

Tariku has a bit of an obsession with books.  He spends a big portion of his day picking out books to read.  He has a few favorites, Brown Bear Brown Bear and something about a bee chasing a lion.  He will pick out a book, lug it through the house, hand it to you, and then motion to get up.  He crawls up into your lap, snuggles in, and starts turning pages.  It's pretty adorable.

"The more you read the more you know. The more that you learn the more places you'll go." 
~Dr Seuss

 Well, I just wanted to drop in today to share a few pictures from Tariku's first Christmas home. He had a good time, but didn't quite know what was going on.  Why would we take a toy away from him just to shove something else in his arms to unwrap? Here are a few pictures from Christmas.

It was a nice Christmas!  Tariku was sufficiently spoiled, as he should be. I'll be back later this week with a recap of 2015 and what we are looking forward to in 2016! 

​Happy New Year!