Blessed

I am blessed that Erika found this critter outside by the car...before I did.  She handled it much better than I would have...  She saw it through the screen and yelled for the world to know that Promise was outside with a really big tarantula...Sorry, Mom, I know this does not excite you...but it is the first one I have seen during the day:)    Lee says they are harmless...but they sure look pretty unharmless to me!!!!!!

I am blessed that someone gave me an amazing recipe for Tomato soup, so I don't have to continue to pay 2 bucks per can when they were fifty cents in the US:)  I made a huge pot and froze it in little bowls, so I can pull some out whenever I want:)  It is much better than the canned stuff too...  Reminds me of when I was a little girl and my mom would make this with grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch.

Blessed that my kids wipe out half a bowl of Ceveche before I get a picture...  They sure eat their veggies better here than they ever did before.

Blessed that someone from the States brought a whole suitcase of Goodies for our family...right after we got a care package last week.  We are so blessed right now.  And my parents come in a couple of weeks...and I have a feeling they will have some goodies for us too...  Right now my kids are really loving all the American snacks that they have been missing.  Not to mention printer ink, hair stuff, and much more.  God is so good (through people) to us.

Blessed that Lee was able to get a fibroid removed today...that the doctors were so kind, even praying for LifeNet after the surgery was over.  I am glad he is okay and that he said it didn't hurt even though he got four stitches.

Blessed that God is doing something special here in Belmopan and letting us be a part of it.  Sunday, we had 61 people.  It seems to go up each week.  People are inviting their friends.  People are talking about LifeNet. Not because we are so special...just doing what God tells us to.  Well, Lee is pretty special:)  Everyone loves him.  But it is seriously not us, but God.  Drawing people.  They are hungry for disipleship.  We love being in the bigger room upstairs.  I need to take some pictures so you can see.  We have some special things planned in the next few weeks.  We now have a keyboard along with the guitar and three people singing.  It is exciting to watch this little church grow.

Well, it has been a busy day...and I need some sleep.

Our whirlwind trip to Caye Caulker and to see the Auterys:)

We had a great time in Caye Caulker yesterday and today.  Life in Belmopan has been very busy for us.  We have taken little day trips but have never gone anywhere overnight in the nine months since we came to Belize.  The day after Tori’s bday happened to be a day off for Wini, so it seemed the perfect time to go and visit our friends, the Auterys, on Caye Caulker.  Since we have such a big family, we got a hotel and Tori spent the night with the Autery girls.

Tori’s Birthday was a regular schoolday for us, with our Net Group that evening.  She wants a rabbit for her birthday, so we will get that WednesdayJ  We have the rabbit home all ready, just need the rabbit to go inside.  Earlier this week, we were blessed with a large care package full of all sorts of American snacks (that we miss desperately), and a gift for Tori.  What a blessing.

I took a million pictures of our journey to Caye Caulker.  It was such an awesome time because the weather was perfect, a little cool even, and we love spending time with the Auterys, who have moved to the Caye to begin a church.  The day we arrived, their littlest was just being released from the hospital in the city, so it was time of celebration for them.

The weather was perfect this weekend, even a little cool.  And Erika loved every minute…  That is the joy of a small child.  Every little thing was new to her and she thoroughly found joy in every moment.  She loved the boat ride, thought staying in the hotel was a blast, loved playing in the sand and water at the beach.  Her little body just kept going and going, even on the long walk all the way to the back of the island, until finally at dinner, she crashed.  Thankfully, she woke up, ate, and was refreshed for the rest of the evening.

It was fun for Tori to get to have a little slumber party with the girls.  They stayed up late making all sorts of jewelry.  Their family is a blessing to ours as our lives are so similar, leaving America to come and serve here in Belize.  And we always just fall into comfortable conversation and the kids enjoy each other as well.  We had not seen them in a while, so there was plenty to catch up on.  I also love seeking her advice, as she has homeschooled all of her children right from the beginning.

I enjoyed waking up this morning to the fresh, cool ocean breeze and drinking a cup of coffee.  We went to Caye Caulker 10 and 8 years ago.  It has been built up a lot since then and is so much more beautiful than I remember.  I loved the island feel and laid-back-ness.  The people were all so friendly.  It brought back many memories walking around the island.  We were able to get some beautiful conch shells as souveniers.  It is nice to know the locals, because the fisherman just throw away the shell and we were able to bring a few home.  Cant wait to clean them up and have a reminder of our little trip.

Coming home, it was nice.  Really beginning to feel like home now.  I have laundry to do and preparations to make for church tomorrow and we have someone from the States coming to stay with us all week.  But although the getaway was nice, I am thankful to live in Belmopan.  I love our home and am  happy to be home.

Oh, and while in Belize city, we finally went to Jamborees for lunch.  It was so fun and I actually got a little teared up because of Erika’s excitement.  It is similar to a VERY NICE McDonalds, but unlike any restaurant here in Belize.  It is cheaper and tastier than McDonalds and had lots of food options.  The playground outside was amazing and even though it was drizzling, I still let Erika play.  How could I not?  It was as if we had brought her to the Promiseland for children!!!  Lee earned lots of Awesome Daddy points with all his kids today.  It was perfect way to end the weekend.  Oh and the food was really good and it didn’t go into a full fledged rain until our food came, so it was a perfect time to bring Erika in.

Enjoy our trip picturesJ

So cool...all the kids who come on Thursday night signed sweet things to Tori...we had 34 people here that night...

Wearing her new shirt her BFF from Texas sent her...she loves it.  Wow,  13.

Ready to go...

waiting on the water taxi, after getting lost in Belize city...nice time to relax...

just loving being near the ocean

still my baby...she slept on my lap to and from the island...and I soaked up every second of it

Josh provided us with some drumming entertainment when we arrived to our room

very pretty, bright room

such a beautiful day

seriously, does it get any better???

Yes, Josh found a tree...and climbed it...hes up there

view from our room

Ben and Tori

Tori and Joy

Tori sent a message in a bottle

a storm is coming...time to go

we dont have cable or any TV, so she was glued to it, when we got back to the hotel room

Lee found the most amazing bakery this morning

Wini reallllly enjoyed the puzzle at the Auterys

then Beth made us breakfast...mmmm

golf cart taxi...it gets tiring walking from one end of the island to the other...

and....we found Jamborees on the way home...

and so we ate again:)

the rumors are true...there is a stop light in Belize...and we found it...amazing!!!

My Baby Girl is a Teenager

This morning, I reflect on the joy I felt Thirteen years ago today.  Recently we watched some old home movies and it brought back some of those emotions.  The day after you were born, I did not feel good at all.  My scar from Joshua's birth had torn and I was running a fever along with the normal recovery of having a baby.  But I was still so happy.  This tiny, skinnny little girl that I held...my new baby girl.  And watching the video of Joshua...who was so proud of his sister.  At one point on the video, the nurse jokes that she is going to take the baby home with her...and the look on 2 year old Josh's face!  He was so mad.  I am glad you got to see the love from him on those videoes...

The first weeks of your life were a blur of me learning to have two children.  But we quickly figured it out.  It was one of my best Thanksgiving and Christmas' ever the year you were born.  I had so much fun dressing you in girly clothes.  You were my real live doll.

And now you have grown up into a beautiful young lady.  I am so proud of who you are.  The morals and standards that you walk in.  I am proud that my teenagers are a joy and not rebellious.  I love you so much.  I love that you like to shop with me, even if just for groceries.  I love that you bake and cook dinner with me.  It is my dream come true...just teaching you by you doing it with me.

Sometimes I miss the baby that I could hold and rock...and you were the sweetest baby that loved only me:)  But I also love the joy of the young woman that you are...and friend that you are to me as well.

I pray this is a special birthday as it is different than normal...but what is normal anymore anyway? 

I love you, my precious 13 yr old gift from God:)

First day of 7th grade...my picniking queen

Always gorgeous...on my last birthday

You were so sick on this Thanksgiving trip, that we had to take you home and take you to the ER, but still, you had time to feed your baby:)

My two precious bundles of joy on your second Christmas.  You had just had your first birthday.

And then when you were almost 3, we moved you to Houston.  You were okay with it, as long as your brother, who you adored, was near.

And then God heard my and your prayers...and gave us a sister for you to love and take care of.  And you do it well.

You have always been the fun one for all the little girls to come and play with. 

This picture brings me to tears of you holding and praying over Erika at her dedication.  We were finally able to have closure at her adoption day.  She is forever ours.

And God gave you an incredible BFF.  I pray you always are BFFs even with the miles that separate you.

And not only did you welcome a baby sister, but an older one as well.  Your heart is big and God can use that compassion that you have inside of you.

 

you’re the one that makes us watch all the dolphin, horse and puppy movies…

you’re the one that I see myself in the most…

you’re the one who has so much compassion for the injustice in the world…and like me, want to take in anyone who does not have a home..

you’re the baby whisperer with wisdom beyond your age when it comes to caring for children…

you’re the one who prayed for a baby sister…and God heard you…

you’re the one who loves to cook and bake with me…and I love that…

you’re the one who can make anything beautiful with your amazing creativity…

you’re the one who is a true friend and who loves with all that is within you…

you’re the one that used to be attached to my hip…and I kind of miss that…

you’re the one who loves to wear make-up, paint your nails, and do anything girly…and you’ve always been that way…

you’re the one that got the most beautiful blue eyes from your grandmothers that skipped our generation…

you’re the one that always has a crafting idea up your sleeve…and gets me to go along with it…

Singing Christmas carols at cell...one of the last times I think you sat on my lap...you will always be my baby girl...

And how could I forget your love for animals?  Here you are with Praise...sorry we could not bring her to Belize...



Have a great Birthday...I love you:)

What did Missioinaries do without the Internet???

I have found this new website that I absolutely love, but am little hesitant to endorse...you get the good with the bad.

But this website is full of great craft ideas, recipes, birthday party ideas, etc.

I love it because it keeps track of everything you like as you browse through the ideas, so when you go back, you can look up just the ideas you wanted to save.

It has taken me a few days to get the hang of it and now I love it.

Living on the mission field, I do not have my normal resources for new ideas.  The library here has basically, um, not much, that I can use.  Magazines are very expensive here.  Same with books...and not much variety.  We do not have TV...at all, not even local channels.

So, I love the internet.

It allows me to stay connected with friends and family, keep up with the news, and find really cute crafts for me to do with my girls for homeschool. 

Here are just a couple we have done this week....

I've picked out some recipes that I look forward to trying as well...I'll let you know how that goes:)