Rwanda

It has taken awhile to get back into a normal routine since Jay got back from Rwanda. But I thought you might like to see some pictures from his trip and from his return home. I'd love to tell you some stories, but I figure that's something he could do a lot better than I. Jay inserted some captions to fill you in on some of the adventures.

Here is our Rwanda team. Seven of us came from the states and Manik, front left, met us from Bangkok, Thailand.

Here I am greeting James. I was commenting about the lack of social space awareness in East Africa, and Amy referenced this picture to remind me of a similar deficiency in my own life.

This is Bishop John Rucyahana who helped form the Anglican Mission in the Americas. This was a great sermon despite my interesting face (see far left).

The crowd at the East Africa Revival Conference. This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the East Africa revival, and this conference is one of the main reasons we went to Rwanda.

Ah, sunset over Lake Muhazi. This was the view off of our front porch at the Bishop's House, a guest house for the Gahini Diocese. This lake runs for some thirty miles back to the west.

Good times. Here Ross (standing), Evan (wielder of the bamboo), and me, are learning about fire and bamboo. Evan, a remarkable guy and student at Eastern University, is demonstrating for Berta the un-pictured South African doctor how to fire bamboo and make furniture and other decor.

Yes. I looked and looked at the market for something for the boys. And then I saw these little gems. Jackpot.

This nifty little bag was made by some of the ladies of Gahini where we stayed. The proceeds from their sales go to the Children's Rehabilitation Center in Gahini. I knew the elephant bag would be perfect for Olivia because the elephant was one of the first animal sounds she made.

That pretty much describes my first week home. When 9:00 pm rolled around, I would just crash. This particular episode is after two straight days of travel from Rwanda to Jacksonville. Sweet dreams.

Sweet Dreams

Our boys do share a room, but I've never found them in the same bed before. I don't know how or why Isaac ended up on Josiah's bed, but I'll have to ask him tomorrow. He looks cold.

And then I wish I could have taken a picture of Olivia when I went to check on her tonight. She opened her eyes and smiled so big at me. Then she took her two babies (one in each arm) and lifted them just a little as if to say, "Look, my babies are so happy with me."

I love to watch my kids sleep.

Extreme Makeover: Olivia Edition

I really thought I'd wait a whole lot longer before I cut her locks off. But she was hot. Now she tells me that her neck is cold. :)

Andy Stole Our Hearts

Jay and I told the kids (about 3 years ago) that we would get a dog in 2011. Jay and I have both gone back and forth in wanting a dog, but we never want one at the same time. I thought that I had him convinced to get a Scottie from the Anglin's litter, but he just didn't think that our family was quite ready.

Well, while we were in South Carolina a few weeks ago, our Florida grandma and grandpa took the kids to look at some new puppies that belong to a family in our church. After seeing pictures with our kids and those sweet puppies, we couldn't resist. So, "Andy" (His name may have to change since it is the name of my dad.) will be coming home to us in a couple of weeks! He is so sweet and super laid back. He is a Coton de Tulear breed which is very rare. Take a look at his adorableness.

Texas

I couldn't figure out why I was so homesick for Texas the other day. Well, maybe it's because the longest we have gone without going back to visit is just 6 months. We are at 6 months now. haha

My kids must have felt the bug, too!

I think Granny made this dress for Olivia so that she would never forget that she's really a Texan.

The kids declared this Texas Day and asked me to make them a map that they could color and hang proudly in our living room. I made them one to color and it's now hanging proudly on our refrigerator.

Simple Day

I love the simple days when my kids just play and I watch on.

Speaking of watching on, Olivia thought that her "Princess Baby" and "Froggie" might enjoy front row seats while she did amazing tricks on her slide.

And speaking of amazing tricks, Josiah wanted to know if this was good exercise.

I told them that it was great exercise and enjoyed the fact that they were well entertained.

Speaking of entertained, we have been thoroughly entertained by our pet caterpillar. We keep watching him eat more and more leaves, and get fatter and fatter. (See the hole he ate in the leaf?)

Unfortunately, I think I picked him a bad branch yesterday and he's not looking so hot today. We're pulling for him, though. He sure is fun to watch.

And finally, speaking of fun to watch! This girl is a blast to watch. She never ever quits moving (body or mouth), and says some of the funniest things.

But please excuse her. She's headed out the door to go to work.

Last Day of Busy Bees

I'm sad that Olivia's Busy Bee year has come to an end. And if I would have waited (like Dr. Meeks really wanted me to do), she would be eligible to go again next year. But she misses the date by 2 days. Here are some photos of Liv's last day.

ready to go

Wait! One more kiss from the brothers...

Josiah's kiss

Isaac's kiss

a little wet

one more ponytail swing to say "goodbye"

Olivia with her teachers Ms. Debbie and Mrs. Barbara

And look what we found in the mail when we got home today! A Busy Bee dress from Granny! What a happy little girl.