Craft day

Every once in a while I will spice things up and have craft day for school (on a rare occasion). And to make it even more fun, we stayed in our jammies. And yes, I always seem to be in my jammies, so it was not a big woop for me.

We've been studying the human body and I figured it might stick in their heads a little better if we actually constructed a body. It was a team effort (mommy included) and it was a surprisingly peaceful event.

Eva drew the face and then took it upon herself to make the hair, which kept her happy and busy the entire time. When it comes to school time, she is my most challenging, so if it takes an entire roll of tape to make hair, so be it.

It was nothing fancy but the kids totally dug it. We only used what we had- pipe cleaners, toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, bendy straws, tape :), string and balloons.

To top off the fun craft day, our body was deemed a girl and named Elsia. I love my kids.

Freedom in Christ

"Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive.

1 Corinthians 10:23

This is a great verse. It has given me great perspective in all the other good things I have offered to me every day.

Just give me Jesus, any day.

When I'm not looking

This is our Diva.

Her name is Eva, but Diva fits more appropriately at times. Her name means Life and she is determined to live up to it.

Andy and I were enjoying a bit of conversation at the breakfast table, while Luci was happily playing in her bouncy chair next to me. The rest of the kids had finished their breakfast and were entertaining themselves quite nicely. I was obviously wrapped up in what Andy and I were talking about because I turned to look at Luci and this is what I found.....

Eva thought Luci needed a bit of entertainment.

Tiny dancer

Getting ready for the kickline

Ally took part in her first dance clinic the other day. Here are pictures of thier performance of the dance they learned at the clinic, grooving to "Stayin' Alive" by The Chipmunks. It was about the cutest thing I've seen in a long time. Considering her personality, quiet and much less inclined to get in front of a huge crowd for anything, she was amazing and so brave! I am SO proud of her.

It was another little moment of releasing this sweet girl, knowing that she is quickly growing up and becoming her own person. Lord, help me.

Ally and her best friend Abbey

Lord, bless us...

We had a chance to listen to Bishop John, a pastor of a church in Rwanda, on Sunday. His message was on reconciliation and there were a couple times I couldn't help but blurt out, "Amen". He was a beautiful speaker and obviously has an amazing love for Jesus. But out of his whole message, one of the most impacting things he said was a tiny little prayer he voiced as he spoke.

"May God bless us with the ability to surrender."

It hit me like a beam of light. I've meditated on that for the last couple days and it has brought to mind many things that I have asked to be blessed with. But, the ability to surrender, will be my first prayer from here on out. When I can surrender myself to Him, all things are possible.

Another disaster in Haiti

I can only imagine the devastation and loss of hope the Haitian people are experiencing right now. I'm praying that our God can blanket this nation in His comfort and that out of this they would find Hope and Love.

The words below caught my breath.

"The disaster is the latest to befall the country of about 9 million people, roughly the size of Maryland. It is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and among the poorest in the world.

With people stripping the trees for fuel and to clear land for agriculture, the mountainous countryside has been heavily deforested. That has led to severe erosion and left Haitians vulnerable to massive landslides when heavy rains fall.

Hurricane Gordon killed more than 1,000 people in 1994, while Hurricane Georges killed more than 400 and destroyed the majority of the country's crops in 1998. And in 2004, Hurricane Jeanne killed more than 3,000 people as it passed north of Haiti, with most of the deaths in the northwestern city of Gonaives.

Gonaives was hit heavily again in 2008, when four tropical systems passed through.

In addition, a Haitian school collapsed in November 2008, killing more than 90 people and injuring 150 -- a disaster authorities blamed on poor construction.

Eighty percent of Haiti's population lives under the poverty line, according to the CIA World Factbook." -CNN report, Jan. 13 2010

Avery's new room

My little Avery man, who rocketed out 3 1/2 weeks early, just turned 7 years old last week! And for this special birthday, the whole family pitched in and turned the white-walled playroom into his very own bedroom. It was an awesome experience to see everyone work together to surprise this sweet boy. While he had a fun day/night at a friends' house, we worked into the night so that after church on Sunday we could surprise him.

Avery's little cave.

The loft bed was built by Andy and his dad, keeping this room available to guests and creating more space!

We are so thankful for a family that wants to be involved in everything they can.
Our little man loves his room and the surprise was a success! I am a proud to be his mom. But what I am most proud of is that he never once complained about sharing a room with his sisters, even in the cramped living quarters of Big Buster. He is learning to have joy with much and with little.
Jesus, please continue teaching Avery, making his ears and eyes sensitive to Your Spirit. Compel him to move and grow in Your Kingdom and teach him how to be small, giving you ALL the glory.
Amen!