Keeping up With Erika

As usual, things are keeping us busy around here.

We are more than halfway through the schoolyear, and I think Erika's curriculum may be too easy for her.  So, I am attempting to stimulate her little mind further, without going too far ahead of the curriculum and possibly teaching her something out of order???   If that makes sense...  I am a legalist and want to follow it to the letter of the law, but she seems a little bored.

So, here is what we have been up to:

I found these on Pinterest...love it because I have no magazines, no tv, and so the internet is my inspiration.

These are busy boxes.  Tori helped put them together.  There is a cutting box, glue box. hide and seek box...you get the idea.  I thought I would post this just because I know a lot of moms read my blog.  They have been a hit.  I give Erika the box and she just gets creative.   She loves it, especially if Tori and I sit and do it with her.  I can change them out constantly putting new things to stimulate that little mind.  I love it.

Our neighbor has been cooking for us a lot lately.  She made some amazing flour tortillas (you cannot just buy them in a store here...or they are gross if you do) a couple of days ago.  Apparently at two separate times, Lee and I told her how much we loved them.  Today, she blessed us with a very LARGE stack of yummy goodness.  Tacos for lunch!!!

Lee and the older kids headed to Wini's school, BCA, to do Chapel today.  A couple of girls who graduated last year and attend our church joined them.  They had a great time.  It is so neat to minister there now because we minister to so many of the kids on Thursdays and Sundays now.

One of the other things I am working on is doing a 100th day of school for Erika.  True, I haven't actually counted the days, but several schools in the States are doing it right now...and she has just learned counting by 10's to 100, so it seems a perfect time.  It was one of Josh and Tori's highlights of Kindergarten.  So, I am busy preparing a hundred (not seriously) fun things to do that day.

I don't know why the front tree in our yard is shedding.  It is a little confusing since it is winter and not fall...but it made for a great leaf pile for Erika to jump in.  I also taught her hopscotch and she loved it.  Lots of jumping going on this week.

On a serious note, please pray as we try to keep up with our darling Erika.  She is very smart, full of life and full of energy.  We do not have beautiful playgrounds here like we had in the States.  It is challenging to find ways for her to get out her energy.  Lee is thinking a trampoline...but they scare me a little.  Ballet no longer has teachers, so she does not have that anymore.  I love homeschooling my kids.  I love having my kids home with me.  But this is all still new and I want to make sure they get everything they need...all the way around.

I am working on building up a library of books for Erika.  I raised my older two kids in the library at least once a week.  There is not a great library here...no books to speak of. So, that is one need we have.  I don't want expensive books...just books for me to read to her, paperbacks are awesome.  I have people bring some each time they come, but books are an incredible blessing.  Interesting ones that will keep her attention and help as she begins to read.  And as she outgrows them, there are plenty of other people here who  need them that I can pass them on to...or even keep for when we have a church building eventually.

Ice cream at Morencos for $1 BZ versus $44 BZ for a half gallon at the grocery store.  Real life, folks.  Wonder how long its been here...maybe there are some rich people I've yet to meet willing to pay that:)

Tonight, we are having a new young couple over for dinner.  They are extremely talented/annointed in worship.  Looking forward to getting to know them some more.

Next week is our fourth baptism...Wini is getting baptised on her 18th birthday.  So exciting and we are blessed to be able to use a beautiful pool.

Lots more pics coming next week.

God is good...All the time

i have been battling this stomach thing since tuesday or wednesday of last week...with life still going on around me...things to do, no time for feeling bad, little time to recuperate fully

yesterday i helped tori in childrens church, came home, went to bed and slept and slept, got sick, slept some more, got sick, then sent out a request for some people to intercede for me

spent some time with Jesus, and slept soundly all night, no more sickness

prayer works

i have been busy getting my house in order today, resting when needed, and have had a good day.  this house falls to pieces when i am in bed...just saying.

we skyped one of our spiritual daughters today.  always good for a laugh and lifting of spirits.  good to hear what God is doing in her life and sharing what He is doing here.

found out someone dear to us, who has a hard time with pregnancies, is now blessed with a healthy pregnancy.  we are believing God to see this baby to term.

more good news?  a dear couple that lee really poured into when we pastored in katy, asked today if they could fly him in to perform their wedding?  guess what?  it is when we had already planned to go to the states anyway.  what an honor for lee to get to officiate their wedding.

watched lee do one of his five segments of devotionals on the national news station this morning (via internet).  he did an amazing job.  so proud of him.

and enjoyed a mean round of uno as a family before reading erika the sweetest bedtime story and putting her to bed.

its been a busy, good day.  so thankful for the good days...they balance out the not so good ones:)

Baby Shower

Yesterday, we threw a baby shower for some fellow missionaries (YWAM), who attend our church.  It was  a lot of fun...

The GAMES

DECORATIONS

and FOOD

Our Guest of Honor, Sara, holding Baby #1 and Baby #2 (in her belly) at the same time:)

A SUPRISE visit from LIFENET's MIRACLE BABY, Chloe.  We did not know she was coming.  She is beautiful and mom and her are doing great.  She is just over 6 lbs at 2 months.  Tori thoroughly enjoyed holding her:)

We are very excited to meet Jonathan and Sarah's next little girl.  Their first one is just precious.  She is really starting to get quite a little personality.

Back to Normal Schedules...

Back to Blowing Bubbles in the Backyard

Back to Exercising with the Wii

Back to Practicing Piano before heading to the Lesson

Always working hard:)

Training our "on the mend" guard dog

Always plenty of Laundry to Hang

Enjoying Apple Bananas off Dale and Carolyn's Tree...so sweet

Bible Study, LLT and Leisurely Reading (when Erika gives me a chance::)

Back to Kindergarten...learning so much

Mr Jealous is having a hard time with sharing his Daddy...but we keep telling him  He gets to be inside, gets better food, and never gets rained on...but still he keeps an eye on our new family member

and back to piano lessons for Sissy means back to dress up with Evangeline...fun day


This week has been full of errands to get our residency, back to school...our third week this year, and preparing for a baby shower on Saturday.  It is nice to be back into somewhat of a routine after the holidays.  These are just some pictures of what we do... There are no pics of Josh.  He hasn't been feeling well, but is on the mend.  He is here, still chugging away at school.  And Wini is busy with Exams this week at school.

Today is our nephew, Ryan's, birthday.  He is 11 and I think this is the first time we have ever missed his birthday.  We are hoping to get to skype him later.  We are thinking of you today, Ryan:)  Happy Birthday....

Dinner is cooking.   It's Thursday night and that means lots of kids later, but less tonight because of exams.  That will keep some home tonight.

Happy Thursday Everyone:)

Today...

Right now it is about 8:30 on Monday  night...

I just finished squeezing about 50-60 oranges making healthy OJ for my family (Mom, I kept the pulp in and didnt add sugar...so it would be healthier:)

I'm listening to it POUR on our metal roof.  Love the sound.  It is raining so hard!!!  Has been for several days.  I love the rain here.  Windows open, cool breezes blowing through the house...its just awesome.

Also listening to my sweet husband.  He is preparing to do five 5 minute devotionals on Plus TV tomorrow.  They will air next week.  So, tonight, he is practicing.

I'm smelling yummy banana muffins that Tori is making for Wini to sell tomorrow for a Senior Bake Sale.  Wini has exams this week and I think Tori is a sweet "sister" to help her out.  She is making three dozen...and they look delectable:)

I'm enjoying that Erika has given up her nap in exchange for going to bed at 8:00 each night.  It is such a better schedule for her.  I'm not sure how it will work when we have something at night, but she goes to bed so much better and wakes up so much happier.  It just seems like such a great thing and I am enjoying it.  Oh, and it was HER decision.  We gave her the choice and she chose no nap.

I'm tired from a busy day of running around.  We started off early getting pictures for our police background checks (even Josh) and for applying for Residency in a couple of weeks.  We had several other errands and after lunch, the entire family had physicals, including having our blood taken for AIDS, TB and STD tests.  Tori was very insulted that she had to have her blood taken being a kid, but we must obey the laws of the land we live in.  Oh, and Josh is now TWO inches taller than me.  He was proud.

Then there was the rush to get dinner going...Tortilla Soup and Chocolate Chip Cookies for Dessert...thank you mom and dad:)

We have a busy week ahead.  Its been a good Monday where we have gotten much accomplished.

Now to relax.

We ate like Kings tonight:)

What a week of blessing this has been so far...

Last night, at the last minute, our entire family was invited out to eat by a missionary who lives in the states, but has a ministry here, so he goes back and forth.  He wanted to get to know us and treated us to a yummy dinner at a nice hotel in town.  And also, getting to know him and connecting, he offered his facilities for when teams come, baptisms, etc.  Of course, we prefer our teams to stay a little closer, but it is nice to know of the option.  We will plan to do a baptism there next month...Wini wants to get baptised on her 18th birthday.

Then, this afternoon, a lady in our church stopped by with a big container of shrimp...all cleaned and ready to cook.  Wow.  I have never cooked shrimp before in my life, but I sure do love to eat it.  I tried calling my mother in law and she was not home, so I just searched the internet.  To my amazement, it turned out perfectly.  There was not one shrimp left.  It was so delicious.

It was so nice to make a nice dinner with shrimp, baked potato, etc.  My family really enjoyed and so that made me happy....what a blessing.

Now, a cute shot of Erika from this past Sunday.  This girl loves her picture taken.

And introducing, Stormi, our new guard dog.  Lee and the kids are really enjoying training her.  It is amazing how much she has gained just in a week.  Her skin is healing.  She still has healing to do, but we are so pleased.  And she is an excellent guard dog, barking at everything!!  The kids love her so much and she is a great addition to the family.  She is enjoying all the attention and is really a smart dog.  We still need to get her spayed.  That will probably happen next month.  She is protective of her food, but other than that, a great, friendly dog.