Category: celebrating life

Beyond Blessed

Some of my favorite moments so far have been:

– the adventure of buying four pairs of sandals from street venders with Barb and the girls

– overhearing all the giggles from the girls and uncle James doing trampoline tricks

– hanging laundry with Barb and Rodger

– watching James snuggle our kitten

– game nights almost every night after the kids go to bed

– discovering James and Matt attempting ballet positions with the girls with ballet manual book in hand

– cheering through football victories and failures together

– playfully competitive Grandpa playing phonics games as a delighted six year old giggles

And I leave you with these wonderful moments in the backyard playing “soccer”.

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We’ve cherished our time together and are thankful for two more weeks to go.

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Oh What a Joy!

Our Hannah Joy turned 6 years old yesterday. To celebrate, she picked our plans for the day.

After some extended family spoiling, we headed to her favorite beach spot with friends.

And while we never once stepped foot on the beach because everyone was fascinated with the pool, we had an absolute blast.

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Hannah even decided she wanted to start learning how to swim.

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And our new six year old was all smiles going under and coming up from the water as she learned to swim some, thanks to the encouragement of Elizabeth. (For serious, she had water pouring out of her smile. Hehe. This kid just LOVES life.)

Hanny love,

You are an absolute joy. You find such giggling delight of life. You are so full of energy and love for life that it’s easy for the rest of us to love life more when we are with you. Your laugh, child, is one of my favorite sounds.

You work hard, baby, and pour your whole heart into all that you do. Whether it is your school work, learning to ride your bike, learning to swim, dancing in the living room or jumping on the trampoline, you are ALWAYS burning a TON of energy at 150% commitment.

You love deeply and hug often. And I love that you still snuggle Mommy, even though I know you have ants in your pants.

You are almost always loud (but in a fun way) and have something to contribute to every conversation.

And I love how curious you are about life. You just have to know why things are spelled different ways. You just have to read one more book. You just have to understand how to put together a hard puzzle faster. You cannot wait to figure out why things work the way they do and it’s so fun to have no idea what question you will ask next, but to know for certain that a next question is being thought up every few minutes.

Hannah Banana, you are an absolutely amazing little girl and Mommy is just so terribly proud of you. We all are so proud of you, love. And it is an honor and a privilege to get to encourage the wonderful little lady that you are becoming. Never stop laughing, baby. And keep moving mountains.

🎉🎉🎉Happy sixth birthday, Hannah!!! 🎉🎉🎉

We love you so. (Even if Niblet looks less thrilled in this picture.)

Love,

Mommy (and I think I can speak on behalf of Daddy and your sisters too. 😉)

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Beyond Privileged

June came with some exciting stuff. One of which things was a visit from our Wilkins!!!!

You all, I can’t possibly express how much this moved all our hearts. They’re just our people, you guys.

They just fit like family and it was great just doing our normals together again.

Our Wilkins, you make our hearts so happy. Thank you for being you and tolerating us being us. We CAN’T WAIT until it’s our turn to come see you all in South Africa and do your norms together. Until then, you’re continually on our hearts and in our prayers. See ya soon on the flat screen. 🙂 Air hugs and air kisses!!!!

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Another Glorious Four

Today our baby turns 4!!!

Eden, you are an absolute delight and we love your sweet little snuggling ways. Your little heart is just blooming as this fun-loving character is emerging.

I love how you have begun to see other people, especially little ones who need a friend, and while you are initially shy, you warm up well in hugging love. Even though you are now a huge four year old, know that Mommy and Daddy will always pick you up when culture feels too uncomfortable and uncertain. Also know that we see how you are flourishing in your quiet, but sweet little heart. Eden, we all love you so and even though your birthday is and will be celebrated in three different countries over the next few weeks due to travel, know that regardless of where we are or will ever go, you are treasured so in our hearts.

Eden, it’s a privilege to be your mommy.

I love you, Happy birthday.

(And yes, I will read you this to you like I read all the other birthday messages to your sisters, even if they can read. 🙂 )

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A May to Remember!

May flew by with a visit from my parents. I’ll share a few pictures with you all from our three weeks together that will certainly not do the adventure justice, but will allow you to peak into our time together.

There was homeschooling together, normal everyday sharing, beach fun, play in South Africa, a safari together and many, many memories made.

It was quite an adventure we had together, Mom and Dad, and we’re so very thankful you both could come join us here in Mozambique.

 

We love you and look forward to making more memories together on your turf next time. =)

Until then, we’ll continue to share life with you on the screen.

Air hugs! Air kisses!

-love you.

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A Little Gem

Little did we know when a late night call for transportation to the hospital would result in such a wonderful blessing to our family. This is our guard’s baby, *”Little Gem” and he adds so much to our church Body. Children are celebrated and valued so in this culture and he sure adds a lot of joy to the Body of Christ here.

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And I just have to say, this little guy is absolutely adored by our family.

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We’re so thankful that our guard and his dear wife share Little Gem with us. It’s nice to get our turn to love on him as he gets passed around the church Body on Sundays. He’s definitely a highlight of our home visits and Sundays. =)

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He’s just so wonderfully smiley. =)

*Name changed for protection of the little guy.

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