See Spot Run....

I was reading another mom's blog the other day and she had a picture of Dick and Jane...with her children all probably cozied around her reading it. Her quote was "I was made for this".
Frankly....when I'm reading Dick and Jane with Marie I want to tear my hair out. I don't think I was made for this. (I AM doing this because I think it's the right thing to do now...but it isn't easy!) How can the word Spot...in the very next sentence....be Fluff? or jump? I know she knows the sounds of the letters. I know it isn't on purpose---the connections just aren't all there yet. And she really, really wants to read which is why we still plug through it.
I'm sure it's as frustrating for her as for me. And I REALLY try to hide my frustration....but I think I'm more like my dad than I thought! :) Just kidding dad....I haven't thumped her on the head yet with a pencil! And you were a REAL teacher!

Anyway...just had to get that off my chest today.

Visit with Auntie Melodie....

Lovely Marie....

Auntie Melodie with Josie "Gbanko"

Marie, Isaac (Red) Auntie Melodie and Josie

We are so glad we had the chance to visit with Melodie while she's in the States. In just 2 weeks
she'll be back in Liberia working again. She has known our kids longer than we have which seems really strange. They all love her and you can tell the feeling is mutual.
We had a great dinner at Jenny's house (mother of 13) She fixed us all dinner...we counted 23 kids and 6 adults. Wow! She's amazing.
Afterwards the kids all watched Kung Foo Panda while the adults talked about...guess what! Liberia and kids :)

2 Tired....

How do you know you're too tired to go grocery shopping? When you put on your coat and shoes three times....go to the door....stop and just can't make yourself go out. Poor Caleb was going to come with me and had to walk to the door three times too. I'm sure he wonders about his strange mother who went up and took a nap instead. We're having pancakes for dinner tonight. It just wasn't worth it. Maybe tomorrow.

It's cold and windy out...
Dave's gone on a business trip...
I'm having to keep the fire going (which is like having another baby except I don't get up at night with it!)
Our week seems a little crazy-looking at the calendar anyway-I'm sure it will work out.
We didn't get much done today-just laundry-always laundry on Mondays.


Our highlight is going to dinner at Jenny's tomorrow night. Melodie Sheppard will be there visiting. She was at the kids' orphanage working while they were there. Everyone is excited to see her! She is going back to Liberia soon.

Some fun girl pictures (taken by Olivia)

I love the looks of all three girls. Marie and Josie are having a ball....Chloe can't wait until the ride is over!

Funny video.....

New Change....

I woke up to find out who our new President is. We are now part of history.
I read Lysa Terkeurst's blog this morning and really appreciated her thoughts on what we as Christians are now challenged to do....even more so than before.

Please read: www.lysaterkeurst.blogspot.com

God bless America! Guide the President in all his decisions and most importantly in how we live.

And Our Next President Is......

Yes, I voted today. I'm very thankful to have that opportunity to be a voice in our government. It's pretty sad to see which way all the media (TV..magazines...newspapers) are slanted. So very obvious.
But God is in control of this election. Who He allows to be President we will honor because that's what He tells us to do.

I'm not going to sit in front of the TV tonight getting updates on all the poles...getting nervous or even a little fearful of the outcome. I'm going to bed (early!) and in the morning I'll know who The Chief will be.

Ellie is out riding the pony cart with Lucy. I love seeing her to that. That's her little escape.

The kids had friends over today and played outside dressing up. The older girls were filming scenes for a movie. Carsen was in a (very small!) Spiderman outfit with pink winter boots. He's so funny!

Olivia is at Irish Step dance right now. The girls rode 4.5 miles on their bikes today meeting thier friends at "the bridge". Olivia's legs felt like jello!

I'm reading the book Three Cups of Tea. It's not a quick read for me. I don't know if I'm not really into it or what. Usually I can finish a book in a day or two.

I think we're having pizza tonight. And I have some really, really good icecream in the freezer I just bought from the co-op. Maybe I"ll save that for a celebration tomorrow!?

Fall Pictures

NE Iowa pictures

Indian Summer Updates

Our family did make our annual trip up to NE Iowa to look at the leaves with Uncle Ron and Aunt Cynthia. We hiked at Pikes Peak State Park (I don't think the Liberians were very impressed!) Had a picnic lunch and rode the ferry across the Mighty Mississippi. We took pictures but have the same background as the last 15 years...only more kids this year! :)
The girls had Charlie along too of course.

The kids are all growing like crazy. I've been sorting and sorting through clothes...boxing up summer clothes and hoping to find matching snow boots the right size for everyone!

Marie just got her hair done at a salon for the second time since she's been home (9 months ago) We won't do it often but it sure is cute! I'm banking that this style will last 4 months. I was going to go in and get a simple style done with cornrows and then buy a cute kinky drawstring ponytail to put in. Somehow all that changed while I was there discussing the new look. I ended up making THREE trips to Sally's Beauty Supply to buy the right "hair". We now have two kinky weaves sewn into the beehive around her head. The front is separate cornrows so they can be redone in about 20 min. to keep the style going longer. I'm sure that's more than you wanted to know about black hair! But it's a big deal here :)

Next weekend Maria (from WACSN-another orphange in Monrovia) will be here visiting and having a reunion with several WACSN families. The Liberian kids in the area have been practicing for our local Liberian Children's Choir. It is just beautiful seeing the 20 kiddos up on stage singing their hearts out.

The leaves are all falling...the fields are getting harvested. We've enjoyed some awesome warm weather lately. Hard to believe snow will be here soon.