family

Church days have been very different for us since picking up kids to bring, being responisble for them during church, and then bringing them home afterwards.  We finally decided we would not do that anymore.  We bring them to AWANA, plan events for them, and even bring them to other church events.  Matt is working very hard to arrange for us to have church for the city kids on Saturdays at a facility in the city.  That would allow for people/churches who want a chance to serve these kids to rotate Saturdays to feed, teach, and love the kids all the while being able to continue their own church routine with their own families. Our family will be a part of that weekly.

  Last week was the first time in a long time that we were able to get ready and go to church with just US.  

It was wonderful!

 Brianna and Cameron anyone??

sickness

We got hit with some sort of gross sickness- it affected different ones in different ways.  Micah and Leah got a BAD stomach thing complete with fever and sore throat.  Andrew had the fever and a bad stomach ACHE.  Caleb got just a fever and sore throat.  Alissa got just a stomach ache and sore throat.
We may be out of it now....

Poor Leah was determined she was going to AWANA!  She didn't, of course, but I thought it was so cute that she put her vest on with high hopes!

I am so thankful that the weather was nice and we could open windows and enjoy sunshine.  Last year we got the stomach flu THREE times in the winter.  This was our first bout with it this year- for that I am grateful!

leah's presentation

Leah just completed her second year of Classical Conversations.  Every week in class every child gives a presentation.  Leah really struggled this year and at one point was crying every Wednesday night saying she just couldn't do it the next day...no matter how many times she had practiced.  We told her that she did not have to do it- although each week I would still give her the option.  By the end of the year, she was excited about doing a presentation!  One day she came up to me with a big yellow piece of paper with some addition problems on it.  She told me she wanted to do her presentation on "plusses".  :)  As I was recording her practicing, my phone rang and the video just stopped.  But I loved what I did get!

friends

makes me so happy~

it's what he does

...gets right on their level, loves them, makes them feel special, and always tells them about Jesus.  He's quite a man!

nh trip

We went to NH over the weekend and for most of the time I forgot to take pictures.  Emmi's birthday party was so much fun and I loved watching the kids play!  I just forgot to take pictures :/

I grabbed a few pictures on Monday at Mom and Dad's.

Here Caleb is showing AJ how to fold paper to make lines representing the equator, tropics of cancer and capricorn, the arctic circle and the prime meridian.  Micah was trying so hard to do it too!

AJ and Leah

Riley and Andrew

Riley and Leah

We were so happy to see Nana C!  It had been a long time since we'd seen her and it was a sweet reunion.

Matt and his Nana~

We stopped at Matt's parents house and as usual were treated to good food and a fun time!  The kids always love to go there!  Micah was excited to be standing on the steps.  He kept saying, "I'm standing on the roof!"  He looked so proud of himself :)

It is always so nice to be in NH with family.  It was a quick trip with a lot of things to accomplish but we enjoyed each minute!