little girls. . .

are so fun!

When Dad and Ethan are gone for the day, we always have fun girly days.

Elisa, "I love Ethan, but I like it when he goes with Dad."

Mom, "Why?"

Elisa, "Cuz, I can play with my babies more."

She always wants to eat at the "little table" (not really a table at all, but a footstool) when they are gone. She gets her little baby all set up in its high chair (an old dishwasher silverware basket). Then she arranges everything just so.

It is so much fun.

baby love, puppy dog tails, & happy birthdays. . .

Ethan & Elisa love this boy!

They think that it would be SO fun to have a baby brother as sweet as him!

---

While we were away for the weekend enjoying this boy and many other family members,

this happened to our dog. . .

Since it was the day before Ethan's 6th birthday, he thought it was a

PRETTY NEAT birthday present.

The only problem was that she growled constantly when any of us would get near to her or her babies. We were sad to not be able to get close to the pups, but glad that Samara was being such a good mommy.

---

Since Ethan couldn't play with pups on his birthday, we did this. . .

Happy 6th!!!!

---

Now today was the best of all! The pups are 3 days old now and Ethan finally convinced Samara to let him and Elisa do this. . .

As you can see, they are BOTH very well pleased and agree that it was worth the wait!

---

A couple of comments from Ethan:

-I guess if I can't have a baby brother, at least I can have baby puppies.

-I hate holding those pups. (with much surprise I ask, "WHY?") He replied, "Cuz it makes me want to hold them all day!

Elisa as always is quite the mother! Holding, rocking, patting, singing, etc. I love to watch her being a GIRL!!!

feliz cumpleaños!

!Birthday Number Four!

Can't believe that my little girl is 4 already.  She seems so little and sweet and she is growing up so fast.  I want to remember to hold on to every precious moment as it slips through my hands into eternity.  This year we had the priviledge of celebrating in our Home Away From Home.  How sad for our "here family" to not be with us, and how fun for our "there family" to be with us. :)

Before we left I told Ethan that Elisa was having her birthday while we were gone.  He said, "I don't really like that."  When I wondered why, he said, "they don't have the same kind of frosting there."

How funny!  But how true.  We didn't have a birthday cake this year. . .but a WONDERFUL pineapple pie made with love by Rosita.  How fun and how yummy.  I think that it tops our frosting by a long shot!

Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday!

Your friends are all singing.

May the year that is opening,

Bring gladness to you.

May it help you to be cheerful,

Kindhearted and loving.

Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to You!

home again?

I'm not sure if we went home or came home.  It is the oddest feeling to have your heart in two places at once.  And even more odd is the knowledge that this world is NOT OUR HOME!  :)  Maybe this is why the Lord lets me feel this way, so that I never truly feel "at home".  Every time we go, it gets harder to come back.  All the good-byes that bring tears. . .and yet I know that if we called that place home, I would cry every time I left here.  I love all our friends and family here and all those that feel like family there.  How bittersweet no matter what direction we are flying!

After all the emotions, we had a WONDERFUL trip.  There were those who came that we already knew. There were those that came that we knew a little.  There were those that came that we didn't really know.  We enjoyed every minute with each one.  How fun to renew old friendships and make new ones.  The Lord was with us and protected us all.  There is a new house on the hill in a small village in the middle of God's wonderful creation.  We are praying that God is getting ALL the glory and that the people will see His love through the labors of those who strive to be His hands and feet here on earth.

Oh Praise Him!

    week one                                            week two

          

Tino - A happy new homeowner

we want to be the hands and feet of Jesus

how thankful we were for the villagers who were always ready to share

we enjoy having good neighbors

sweet togetherness and rest on the plane ride home

Happy Family Day!!!

In some ways I can't believe that it has been 3 years already and in other ways it seems that she has always been a part of our life!  Today was a special day as we remembered. . .

Three years ago we were holding this precious bundle and breathing thanks to God that she is ours forever!

How excited we were to get to know this little girl!

 

So much has happened.  So much has changed.  Our love for her will never change.  What fond memories!

Happy Family Day!!!

Praise Him! Praise Him!

. . .Tell of His excellent greatness.  Praise Him!  Praise Him!  Ever in joyful song!

Thanksgiving Day is observed on the 4rth Thursday of November.  I would like to celebrate Thanksgiving EVERY day so that I would not forget how blessed I am.  Thanksgiving is a sure cure for discouragement.  God's word is full of promises to remind us of this.  I don't know what else I could ask for in my life than what I have been given.  Our family was so blessed this past weekend.  We have many wonderful memories of our time together and our time with friends.  On Thursday we sat around a table together and enjoyed nourishment for our physical bodies.  As the meal progressed, each of us put pencil to paper and expressed thanks.  When the meal was over, the vase was passed and the papers read by each person that could speak.  What a blessed time to share in spiritual nourishment.  The afternoon was filled with fellowship and singing.  A highlight for the children was right before our evening snack when the Daddies helped them act out Daniel and the Lion's Den.  What fun!  What memories!  Bible stories coming alive in children's minds.  What bittersweetness to spend a long day with friends that will soon live MANY miles from us.  Lord willing we will be able visit them soon in that far-away land and then may the miles melt so that we feel closer to them and the friends that are already there.  How we will miss both families.  How we will rejoice with them that they are seeking to live closer to OUR LORD!

. . . . . . .

it is always a pleasure to count and recount. . .

111 - learning to cut

112 - our newest family addition, "Samara"

 

113 - times of relaxation and bonding

114 - a helper that learned something new and peeled 10 potatoes before quitting

115 - a sweet, sweet day filled with memories to treasure 

116 - my princess & my king

117 - little girlie houses that remind us of guatemala

118 - anticipating a live nativity

119 - my king & my prince enjoying opening day together

120 - happiness that my little guy is learning to read and write and lots of laughter at the results