One of these is not like the other ones...

I have to admit when Jeff said he would like to put our kids in a local school I rebelled. They'll never fit in I thought. The other kids will never get used to them. They'll be teased, harassed and end up hating it. But as time went on I realized that God can use situations like these, and I really have no idea what is going to happen. My hope is that are kids will make some good friends, and that they will learn Bambara, the local language. So far they have gone to school for one week. (Mornings only) And they did fine. Joe says the kids touch his head a lot, and he doesn't know anyone's name yet. But it was only the first week. I'll keep you posted and put up more photos of the other kids soon...

A Sprinkler???

MaryLou heard what sounded like a sprinkler left on as she headed upstairs, so she began looking in the bushes. After seeing no water, an Erie feeling crept over her and she called for Jeff to come quickly. After confirming that it was in fact a Rattle Snake, they called Harley and began the hunt to get it out of the bushes and kill it. (Sorry animal lovers...) The kids all watched from a high perch on the porch, and MaryLou actually swung the fatal blow.






I swung a few more blows just to make sure. I have children nearby after all. Many thanks to our cat who sniffed it out and got it's rattler going. And to the vultures who made off with it! I hope that's the last one around here, but I doubt it!

Our "Petite"

I don't know how much I have blogged about my experience with my health care this pregnancy. Basically I am thankful for free insurance, so I will not bash the system. However, I have been disappointed on more than one occasion with various proceedings and lack of attention. The most difficult for me was having my ultrasound on Tuesday this week. Clearly the technician was not experienced with the equipment and did a terrible job. I did not get any clear view of the baby and nothing was explained to us other than the baby looked fine. I know that should be enough. But I felt like my only opportunity to 'see' the baby before he/she was born was wasted. So I was bummed.

Tuesday is our busy day and after kids club and dinner, before we went on to youth group, I got a call from MaryLou. She had set up an appointment for us Wednesday night at a 3D ultrasound place. I was so overwhelmed by her sensitivity to my desire that I could barely speak.

Last night we went to the place. All seven of us. Jeff's parents and our kids. We saw the baby move and hide his/her face and stick his foot in his mouth and we even saw a smile. Gas or not I was thrilled. :) It was delightful to see this little baby... so here are a couple photos.

Kids Say the Darndest Things... well mostly Joe this time!

Our kids really crack us up. It is a shame we don't write down the things they say, because then we tend to forget. So I am going to attempt to record a few of them here.

One morning Joe walks into the kitchen and says to Jeff's dad, "How 'bout you make me some pancakes 'Big guy'!"

We had some friends over on my birthday. Peter and Autumn. Joe thought her name was 'bottom' instead of Autumn. The kids were playing on the trampoline. Jeff did an 'atom bomb'. Joe said he could do an 'autumn bottom' too!

(Jeff did something hilarious on the trampoline that I only wish I could have gotten on video for you... The trampoline is set up on our lawn between a wall that leads up to our old house, and on the other side a drop off at the edge of the lawn. OK, so he runs and jumps from up where the house is to the trampoline. He makes his landing, but can't stick it. He is pitched right over the other edge off into the hillside and weeds. :)



Jeff's dad asked Joe if he was going to help when the new baby came. Joe said 'No' very emphatically. We ask why not and he says, "I'm not a Doctor!"

Joe thinks he is VERY smart, and he is. But we have to remind him that mommy and daddy are still smarter than he is, AND we are still in charge. Wow that boy likes to be in charge.