Look at that HAIR!!!

Sweet Hair!!!  Wow ... it's REALLY grown!!!

More pictures to come ...

At 11:10 pm, after a very long hair day, I finished up 90 yarn braids on Rachel.  But ... I'm not done ... I haven't even started the top and sides.  

Yes, the 90 braids were just on the back of her head.  I couldn't figure out why we ran out of beads.  We searched the floor and under the couch for a missing pack.   Then, I counted the braids, and realized we had actually used all of the beads.  So, tomorrow while I am braiding, braiding, braiding ... Hosanna will walk to the store to buy more beads.

And, a VERY fun part of today ... 2 blogging buddies came to meet us and to learn how to do yarn braids.  They haven't even brought their girls home from Ghana yet ... but they are going to be READY.  We had a WONDERFUL time together ... talking about hair, homeschooling, adoption transition, and LIFE.  

Great to meet you Cheryl and Lisa!!!

A Child's Heart

I love to really see into the heart of my children.  One of my sweet, precious children got into a bit of trouble.  As they were spending some alone time in their bedroom, they decided to write this letter ...  

I want to gev my hart to God.  God I am sorey far not lisinen to my mom and dad and bradrs and sistrs.  can you forgeve me and yous my laive to pot it in the layt and leve it there and to help me be obedeyet and nays to olwars and not to play with peapoles stof witawt askn them and help me not to lie abwt stof.  And help me not to mayk peapole mad and help me be joyfl olwys and not sad.  And help me be kayd to peapole.  And help me lern moor abwt you a lot and I am sorey that I did the rog tig.  and I no dat it is rog bat I still did it.  From now on I am gowin to do the rat tig.  And I wnat to do the rat tig so I wol not be rood to peapole any moor.

(Don't you just LOVE the phonetic spellings?  Since our 3 youngest all spell like this still, I won't let on which one was in trouble.)

Okay ... do you need a phonetic interpreter?

I want to give my heart to God.  God, I am sorry for not listening to my mom and dad and brothers and sisters.  Can you forgive me and use my life to put it in the light and leave it there?  And to help me be obedient and nice to others.  And not to play with peoples stuff without asking them and help me not to lie about stuff.  And help me not to make people mad.  And help me to be joyful always and not sad.  And help me be kind to people.  And help me learn more about you a lot.  And I am sorry that I did the wrong thing.  And I know that it is wrong but I still did it.  From now on I am going to do the right thing.  And I want to do the right thing so I will not be rude to people anymore.

Birthday Bowling

Due to budget constraints, and the desire to simplify life, Papa and I decided that we would do birthdays a little different this year.  In the past, we have had the occasional birthday party with multiple friends, but most often we have had a big Family Dinner celebration at Red Robin, where the birthday child can invite one friend to dinner and to spend the night.

This year, however, even a Family Dinner at Red Robin is a bit over the top for our budget.  So, we decided that this year each birthday child would be able to pick one friend to do an activity with, and have a special birthday dinner out with.  Papa and I are very excited for the more one-on-one celebration.  Since they spend all day every day with all of the siblings, a special date with Papa and Mama should be fun.

Elijah chose bowling for his activity, and his friend, J., for his Birthday Buddy.  After 2 games of bowling, the 4 of us went out to dinner at Red Robin.  (They give a free birthday meal, and since Elijah and I were both celebrating our b'days, we only had to pay for Papa and J.)

After dinner at Red Robin, we came back to our house for cake and ice cream with the sisters and brothers, and, of course, present opening.   While we were gone, Hosanna (12) baked the cake, made the frosting, and did her first Cake Decorating job.  Way to go, Hosanna!

Carissa ... a beautiful name for a beautiful person

We had a nice video chat with Carissa on Monday, and she shared this story from Argentina ...

Carissa has begun to visit the families in her neighborhood, as she prepares to start a new ministry that the Lord has laid on her heart.  She wants to start a weekly outreach time for the young children of the neighborhood, to come to the YWAM base for crafts, stories, and food ... a time to share God's story, and God's love.

Carissa was visiting with two moms, one with 5 children and the other with 7 children.  The mother of 7 had just recently had a baby, and her husband had left her.  Carissa's heart went out to her.  After they had visited for awhile, and Carissa had shared her plan for her new ministry, both mom's asked what they could do to help.  Not only were they excited for Carissa to minister to their children ... but they wanted to be involved, too.  This is HUGE, as so many moms would just look forward to the free "babysitting".

Before Carissa left that day, the mother with the new baby asked her the most touching question.  She said, "I have been trying to decide on a name for my new baby.  You have shown me such love today, I am wondering if I might name my child after you?"  

What an honor!  What a precious gift Carissa has given to this family ... love ... and a beautiful name.  As this mother raises this little girl, she will always know of God's love, as she will know that He himself sent "my" Carissa to her neighborhood, to show love to her family.

I'll have to ask Carissa to email us a picture of she and her namesake.

American Food

One of our kids' friends from Ghana recently arrived in America.  His mother is a bit concerned about his food tastes, as all he will eat right now is rice and bananas.  So, Jacob wrote him a letter today.  (I scanned it, and sent it through email, so that it wouldn't have to go snail mail.)

Hello _____

Welcome to America. I am glad that you are in America.  America food are really good to eat.  My best food is chicken and rice.  You should try soup.  And I like tacos.  And try to eat pizza and tacos.  In the morning I like to eat waffles.  Try waffles and pancakes, baked oatmeal, and french toast.  Coffee cake too.  They are very good for you, it make your body healthier.  Try and see what happens.  And try this out, chili and rice.  I like America food because they are really good to eat and they make your body stay healthier.  And try this, chocolate crepes.  I like crepes, they are good for your body.  Try it and see, you will like all those.  They are good and delicious.  I hope you like the food that I tell you.  I miss you very much.  May the Lord bless you.

from Jacob D.

Sarah also wrote a note, which I will put in an email to this dear boy's Mama.

Hi _____

How are you doing?  Do you remember me, Sarah?  If you do, then good job.  I really miss you.  I hope I can see you one day again.  Do you like America?  Here are some foods that I like from America.

padtie  (Pad Thai)

lowsanna  (Lasagna)

woffles  (Waffles)

pancakes

chicken and rice

apple pie

macarony and cheese

hamburger

hot dogs

tomato soup with grild cheese sandwich

pizzer

turky

lamb

chilly and rice

eggs with toste

oatmeal

corn bread

salad

fish

tacos

I love the spelling ... as obviously these were not words that they would learn to spell in Ghana. Spelling has not hit the top of our homeschooling priority list yet.  But, it's on its way.

A Winter Picnic

Have you ever had One Of Those Days?  A day where ... 

... the kids have been driving you crazy?

... the kids have been cooped up inside for too many days in a row?

... you don't really feel like focusing on the homeschool work?

... you don't want to stay home and worry about the cooking and the laundry?

Well ... last Thursday was "one of those days" at our house.  Both of my Thursday Bible Study Babies cancelled that morning, because they had older siblings that were sick.  We had ... 

... nothing on our schedule. 

... nothing that HAD to be done. 

... nowhere we HAD to go. 

So ... I surprised the kids with a Picnic at the Beach (in 32 degree weather).  

It was COLD.  But, we had FUN!

The kids ... all bundled up.

Josiah

Elijah

Rachel

Sarah

Elijah ... balancing the branch.

Josiah built a teeter-totter.

Rachel pretended to eat crabs for lunch.

Sarah & Rachel climb on driftwood.

Time for Lunch

Rachel melted her candy cane 

in her hot chocolate.

Sarah enjoyed a melted

candy cane, too.

Jacob likes his PB& J sandwich.

Happy Birthday Carissa & Lindsey

Today is Carissa & Lindsey's 20th birthday, and the first one that they have NOT spent together.  Not only are they not together this year ... but neither of them are home this year.  Sad!

Happy Birthday Carissa ... in Argentina!!!

Carissa is compassionate.  She loves children and she loves ministry.  After doing short-term mission trips to Costa Rica and Mexico, Carissa decided to attend a 6 month YWAM Discipleship Training School in Mendoza, Argentina.  After completing her DTS, the Lord called her to stay in Argentina on a long-term basis.  She is now enjoying her status as a full-time, volunteer, YWAM staff member in Mendoza.  In addition to children, ministry, and missions, Carissa enjoys running (she was a 300m hurdler in high school), and worship ministry (she is a vocalist and piano player).

Happy Birthday Lindsey ... in India!!!

Lindsey loves to seek adventure with the Lord.  In the past, she has traveled to Costa Rica, Mexico, and Germany.  After sharing a bedroom with her identical twin for 19 years, Lindsey headed to the other side of the world for her Discipleship Training School.  She is currently serving the Lord in India, on a 3 month outreach from her DTS in Germany.  Lindsey was also on the high school track team, in addition to being involved with the high school musicals.  When not traveling the world, Lindsey has been involved in children's ministry and youth ministry for the past 6 years.

Here are some of my favorite Twin Pics ...

Greek Twin #1 and Greek Twin #2

One of Carissa and Lindsey's favorite activities to do together, was to run on the track team. They ran and jumped together for 6 years, often competing in the same races.

Happy Birthday Girls ... as you run the race of life in countries across the world from each other.   Who would have guessed, 20 years ago, all of the amazing plans that the Lord had for you?  I can't wait to see what he has planned for your next 20 years.

Happy Birthday Elijah!

My littlest guy is turning 7 today.  It's hard to believe it's been 7 years since I had my last baby.  

Elijah is ...

Fun

Funny

Cuddly

Filled with Joy

Full of Energy

Elijah likes to ...

Play Outside

Play Baseball

Run

Ride His Bike

Play Strategy Board Games 

(the ones that say 10 and older)

Play Card Games

Snuggle with His Mama