Turning Three - Fancy Style!

Ella Beth's 3rd birthday party was a blast! A lot of planning went into her party (from the decorations, the set up, the tea party, to Ella Beth's dress).

I will mostly let the pictures speak for themselves...and there are a lot of them!

Here's the kids' tables set up. It's the best birthday idea I've ever had! We will ALWAYS use these tables.

 

 

Sibling love...

 

Sharing the love with Mimi...

 

Miss Ava was one of the "fanciest" girls at the party. Check out her ring! L-O-V-E it!

 

Ella Beth and her "fancy" self.

 

Sweet Isabelle and Brenna...looking beautiful as always.

 

Fun cousins, Kaitlin and Kylie...they were the "big girls" at the party!

 

The best family shots we could get. Why is it so hard to get a smile (a real one) out of a 3 yr old and a 1 1/2 yr old)? ;)

 

 

Here is just a small sampling of Ella Beth's reaction to EVERY. SINGLE. PRESENT she received. Her excitement was absolutely precious!

 

 

 

 

And her BIGGEST excitement...the HOT PINK MUSTANG!!!!!!

 

Landon couldn't wait for his ride either! (I put a little "vintage wash" on this pic...just enough to where he won't be totally embarrassed to look back at this picture in 9 years!)

And they're off! Can't you just see her excitement? I can't get enough of this girl!

 

Proud Mommy moment: Ella Beth shared her car with all of her friends without any hesitation. Here she is "ooooh-ing" while two of her friends take a cruz.

 

Needless to say, we had way too much fun celebrating Miss Thing. But, I can assure you...we all loved every second of it!!!

Ella Beth

Miss Thing,

You are three today, and I can hardly believe that so long has passed since I first held you in my arms. You are growing up too fast for me...in every way. You started school this week, the youngest in your class. Your favorite color is purple. You love being outside playing with our neighbors. You are always the center of attention, and that's just the way you like it; well, except for when you want to be shy. You love to read. We have been going to the library often lately, and picking out new books to enjoy is one of your favorite things to do. I am amazed that once Mommy or Daddy read a book once, you take it and read it back to us - not forgetting a single detail. Your memory amazes me daily. I hope that you won't remember everything, especially my lack of patience.

You've entered a new stage lately. I call it the "Terriblly Scary Threes." You've gotten quite sassy, opinionated, and independent just in the last month. I can see this year being one in which we butt heads a LOT. See what I mean in that I hope you won't remember everything? I hope I won't either!

I am in awe of your self-confidence, persistence, and "go get-em" attitude. Landon, however, is sometimes a little frightened since it's him that you're often out to get.

I see you taking after me more and more. Which is where us butting heads comes into play. You, also, have a big heart, a fun spirit, and very little patience. Hopefully, we'll both grow in our weakness this year.

Despite how hard some days are between us, I love you "mostest in the whole world." You will always be my baby girl - despite telling me you're not a baby...you're a BIG girl. To me, you're that 6 pound miracle that captured my heart three years ago today.

Happy Birthday, Ella Beth!

I love you,

Mommy

 

 

Are you waiting for anything?

www.buckheadchurch.org/messages

Click on Waiting Room.

Enjoy Jeff Henderson speaking about God's truths that are sometimes hard to wait for.

"When you don't know what to do, my hope is not what or when, but Who."

Summer-time fun and boo-boos

Well, it's Summer alright.

It's H-O-T hot. We bought a small pool to keep in our yard again this year for the kiddos to play in. Believe me when I tell you that there is NO WAY that I am taking an almost 3-year old and a 17-month old to the pool by myself. Scott and I took them today after church, and it was overwhelming how much work was involved!

Here's Ella Beth playing in the pool. The pool has a small slide that Ella Beth likes to go down over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over...Whew, she wears me out!

 

Landon was happy climbing over the "wall" that separated the slide area from the pool area. 

 

He did this over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over...My kids sure are repetitive aren't they?!?!

 

Something else that seems to be on an unfortunate repeat cycle is Ella Beth's injury. To her head - again - none the less. I am seriously starting to wonder how many times she can injure her head before permanent damage is done. Literally right after I snapped these pictures, Ella Beth (who had been wearing water shoes but took them off for some unknown reason) slipped. Her feet went right out from under her, and she landed on the concrete smacking the back of her head. She was honestly knocked silly. We were very concerned for a few minutes that she had a concussion b/c no knot formed. She couldn't stand; she couldn't answer simple questions...like, "What is your name? When is your b-day? How old are you?" She wanted to go to sleep, but of course we wouldn't let her. She finally came back to normal after about 25 minutes.

Well, as if that wasn't bad enough...

 

...Ella Beth decided to go and fall slap on the front of her head later the SAME day. Geesh! Who would have ever thought that this tiny cutie would cause me so much stress due to head injuries. We had come outside after dinner to play and were cleaning up the toys. Ella Beth was supposed to take her bike into the garage while I chased the last ball over the yard (Landon thinks it's funny to throw them everywhere when it's time to put them away!). Well, she decided that she would stand up on her bike. She didn't fall off...she fell OVER the front of her bike -- and landed on her head. I mean, what else is there? Certainly not a knee or elbow. Unheard of around here.

This latest injury is right over where she had stitches just 8 short months ago. Her scar appeared to be open a bit (couldn't tell exactly due to all the blood - nice, I know). We will just have to wait and see if we have a new scar, the old one comes back worse...or maybe all new skin will grow and it will be like it never happened.

Until next time, at least. Crazy girl! At least she keeps her spirits up. :)

Kenya, day 6 & 7

(I am shortening my last Kenya post to combine my last two days there.)
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Thursday, 6/24 8:48 p.m. (Kenya); 1:48 p.m. (GA)

I am in bed sick. 3 of us have had the tummy sickness, and I am thankful to be lying down right now b/c my stomach is churning. Ugh.

Today was our last day in Ngaamba. It was beautiful, and it was hard. I spent time teaching 4th and 5th graders how to make a bracelet that represents Christianity. We taught each other fun songs and dances - it was a blast! I introduced myself to the class as Kanini, and the students loved it! I have truly embraced my Ngaamba name!

After teaching, we went to visit two families' plots. Poverty was severe - 8 people living/sleeping/cooking in an 8'x12' mud hut. I did meet a baby boy who was the same age as Landon; he melted my heart as he laughed while I played peek-a-boo.

Afterwards, Ngaamba South gave us a goodbye celebration. Their philosophy is to let us go so that we can come back. They desperately want us to return -- I'm pretty sure we all want to. We sang praise songs to each other. Our group sang "Amazing Grace," and I couldn't stop thinking about how I surely need God's grace much more than the people of Ngaamba. Yes, they have tempations and sin - but I must be worse off in that department. Their faith is so strong -- unwavering --yet their surroundings are unbearable to all of us. I feel that God must surely be proud of His precious people in Ngaamba.

As we left the village, the children were running to the bus to send us off. The kids I taught were calling out "Kanini!" "Kanini!" It was the highlight of my day. I was sad to go; sad to leave a precious little girl named Wiuwa, but my heart as been changed forever. A part of my heart will always live in Africa.

I leave yearning to already be back.

I have mixed emotions as I leave; I want to be home with my precious family (who, by the way, I love and appreciate even more), but I know exactly why God called me to Ngaamba, Kenya. I needed to see faith in action; total, unwavering faith in a God who does not always reveal Himself to us in the ways we want. I went to Africa to "help" those in need, but they ended up helping this American girl, Kanini, much more.

I need Africa more than Africa needs me.

Thank you, God.

Wiuwa posing for a picture with me. I love this sweet girl.

Kenya, day 5

Tues. 6/23 12:21 p.m. (GA); 7:21 p.m. (Ngaamba)

What a day. Warm shower this morning -- much better than the cold one this evening! I had to 1/2 way wash the filth off...I'll wash the rest off in the morning when the warm water is back on.

This morning we went back to the school site and moved a few more bricks. Men from the community who are skilled laborers came to work on the building. Therefore, we climbed Mt. Marwa - wow! what a hike. It was awesome to have a mountain view of God's creation. Absolutely spectacular! I am so thankful that despite their oppression God has given amazing beauty to the people of Kenya.

(Me, Nicole, Angie, & Melissa - nice sweaty gals!)

Despite enjoying the amazing beauty, we also experienced first-hand one of the hardships the people of Ngaamba face. That mountain was difficult to climb and we had each other for help and water to drink - we had nothing else to do but climb. The people of Ngaamba climb that mountain daily with cattle and goats so they can find food for them to eat. Also, a person within the smaller communities is designated from each family to get water daily. This person must walk, pump water, and carry it back --45-50 lbs. It is an 8-hour chore that must be done daily. Experiencing just a fraction of what that chore entails today really helped me (and the team) gain perspective. We understand better the difficulties Ngaamba faces, and our hearts have been changed.

Today, Nicole and I said good-bye to Damatus. As we did, she asked us to please not forget Ngaamba; don't forget to pray for her, the church, adn the school. She wants to have hope in our prayers being answered. May I not forget to pray -- and may I finally learn to pray on my knees so that my mind is not distracted by Satan. There is no time to be distracted when the needs of Ngaamba are NOW.

(Damatus and me. Such a beautiful woman. Damatus is one of the leaders w/in the community which is why she has such a nice outfit. However, her house looks the same as everyone else's.)

My take-aways from today:

1) My faith is so small, whereas the people of Ngaamba have amazing faith. They pray in complete praises of God, where we pray (mostly) with ourselves in mind. They have every reason to beg God for blessings, yet they simply praise His holy name.

2) God is showing me that all people are the same. We all love to be recognized, we all love to laugh, we all h ave insecurities, we all have wants...but mostly we all need the salvation of Jesus. In that need, we are all equal.

Kenya, day 4

Sunday, 6/21 - 11:34 p.m. (GA); Monday, 6/22 - 6:34 a.m. (Ngaamba)

It's early, and I'm feeling tired after a night of waking up a lot. However, once again praising God for a hot shower! I believe He understands what a huge blessing having hot showers are to the team, and we are all in appreciation. We are still praying for our luggage to arrive -- day 5 without it. It was a lot harder to get dressed this morning than I thought it would be because I once again had only two options: Outfit 1 - the t-shirt and jeans I traveled in; Outfit 2 - the t-shirt and long skirt I've worn to the village. Both are a little (ha!) dirty and a tad stinky; do wish I had extra socks and under garments! (That would surely get an "Amen!" from the team as we all would like those!) I chose my t-shirt and jeans again b/c today is a work-day in the village. I hope to help build school walls today -- I came here to work and help out as much as I can, so I'm ready to get at it!

Here are our feet after working yesterday...now do you see why we didn't want to put on the same socks?
(Nicole's feet are on top, mine are on bottom)

I once again miss Scott much more than I was prepared for. I love that man! A few members of the team have commented that "it's awesome [I] miss Scott more than I miss my kids." But, it's very true. While I miss Ella Beth and Landon, I yearn for Scott. Today would be such a fun day working along side him. Yesterday was Father's Day, and I got to chat with him for 8 minutes! It was great for my spirit. I'm still replaying that call in my head as I get ready for the day. Here I go---

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We went to Ngaamba and worked! We carried bricks that the women had made, a quarter-mile to the site where the school walls were being built. They were heavy, weighing about 15 lbs each. At first, I only carried one at a time. I talked with some of the women from the village as we walked and they asked me if this was "hard work"? I told them it wasn't too bad. I asked them the same, and here is their response: "It is hard, but we have inspiration. Our children have the opportunity to better themselves through education, and that inspires us to do this work." Wow! From that moment on, I carried 2 bricks at a time!

While we were working, the women were so concerned about "Kanini" being tired and working too hard. They would stop my teammates and talk to them about me. When they found out that I was a mother, they were shocked and tried to convince me that I didn't need to work so hard. It really got a bit comical as the morning went on! I loved their compassion, but I loved working beside them even more. We made great bonds today.

After working, we had lunch; then we played! The children had been waiting anxiously in their school classrooms all morning because they knew that they were being dismissed early to play outside with us. For lunch, the children have porridge - which is simply made out of corn flour and water. It amazed me that the children had the energy to play and exert so much energy. I'm learning that God provides enough for them; He doesn't promise us for extra, but He promises us enough.) We separated into small groups and formed teams for volleyball, soccer (the most popular), kickball, beach ball toss, tug-of-war, and singing. I tore my fingernail off playing volleyball - lots of blood and pain. Praying for protection from infection because we had to "re-apply" my nail and wrap it up. It has since reattached by the blood drying. (Getting queasy thinking about this again!) Needless to say, I didn't play volleyball any more. I walked around taking pictures of our team interacting with the children. Everyone had a blast! I also got to spend time with some preschool children who were watching from the sidelines. It is here that I first met Wiuwa, the precious little girl who still has part of my heart with her in Ngaamba. After I took pictures, I sat with Naomi, Susan, and Damatus. They braided my hair - loved that!

 As I talked with the women, they were surprised that I found them, their children, and Africa so beautiful. They long to leave because they think life would be better. Some things would be better, but their faith could never be as strong. David, our bus driver, asked me to always remember Ngaamba and the people there. He asked me to pray for them, rain for their crops, and for their survival - for them to live. It was a moment that tugged at my heart. They know that their lives are in jeopardy, and they have seen more than their fair share of tragedy. I will pray for them, my rafikis (friends); Lord, bless them and keep them under your grace.

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My two take-aways from today:
1) It's not about what others don't have; it's about the responsibility to do what I should with what I DO have.
2) Their Bibles aren't that old (maybe 3 years), yet they are worn out from use. Why doesn't my Bible look like that?