Favorite Foto Friday-Marna

 

This is one of my favorite photos from my mission trip. This is Marna. Marna is two years older than me, so immeadiately, I felt a connection with her. Besides our age, people would think we had nothing in common. She has five kids...I have 2. She isn't married. I am. She has very few worldly possessions. I am blessed beyond measure. However, despite our differences on the trip, our hearts were united in Christ. She was absolutely a "sweet kiss from God" while in El Salvador.

Not so "Eggselent"

 

Okay, I have lots of excuses why I have neglected my blog. I have not been "Eggselent",(I am playing catch up) and these Eggs, well they aren't so "eggselent" either! The night before Easter, we decided to squeeze in a little family egg decorating. Decorating eggs with a three year old and 20 month old was interesting. You know I love a good top 10, so in keeping with tradition... Here is My Top Ten for Egg Decorating.

1. Note to self: NEVER DO THIS AGAIN (the night before Easter). I mean, it was fun, but it was messy.
2. NEVER give the 20 month old RED DYE for her egg. (Literally, half of her Left leg was red. This made for an interesting look under her smocked dress).
3. Shrink wrapping an egg is harder than the instructions seem.
4. You should be two dozen eggs because at the end you will at least have two that are presentable.
5. Dye does not come out of anything...from skin to clothes to high chairs
6. I am the worst "T" artist ever. I assured Jesse I could make a "UT" egg...not so much.
7. Aunt Jen is not crafty. She did not get in to egg decorating.
8. Tie-Dying an egg is impossible.
9. Will is actually more patient than I ever thought. His egg (blue one) (don't have pics because after he finished it, he smashed it in two seconds) was the best one!
10. Boiled eggs with a little bit of dye on them are apparently really yummy.

So, there you have it. I think we will try this little art project outside and two weeks before Easter next year:)

Happy Birthday Aunt Wee Wee

 

Today is baby sister's 24th birthday. Whoa, I cannot believe she is actually that old. She is such a blessing to my life and to so many others and I love her so much! Happy Birthday Sis! Hope today is a blessing!

By the way, Caroline cannot say Jen Jen...so she has now nicknamed my sister Aunt Wee Wee. It is really quite funny. Jen hates it:)

Wordless Wednesday-Soccer Style

Sorry, I haven't updated in forever...I am finishing up the semester teaching the class and taking the class, so I haven't had a lot of free time on my hands! Here is my little cutie playing soccer! Thanks Ashlee B. for these adorable pics!

Great Expectations- El Salvador Part one

I was hanging out with two of my good friends this week and one of them asked me about my trip...she said she hadn't really heard me talk about it and wondered if I really had a good time. You see, I have really wanted to blog about my mission trip. In fact, daily I think...I really should do a post about my trip to thank people, so my family and friends can hear about it, and to just document that portion of my year. While all of those reasons to share my story are great, I just couldn't put pen (or keyboard) to my amazing trip to El Salvador.

God is so good. In fact, I love so many things about my God, but one of my most favorites is that He constantly exceeds our expectations. I had expectations for my trip...let's be honest you always do. I will paint you a picture of my expectation:

I thought most of my trip I would be in some rustic environment, wearing something earthy, holding a baby, telling people about Jesus. I mean, isn't that what a mission trip is about? Told ya, I didn't say they were good expectations, but none less, I had some. Well, the first night the Lord decided that He had expectations.

The first night, we were getting acquainted with the children, learning the layout of the orphanage and their schedule. I was so excited...I high tailed it to the baby room. I was ready...someone give me a baby or a toddler. I had literally just made it in there when I met a sweet friend. She wasn't a baby, she didn't have a baby, nope, she just happened to be in the baby room. Her name was Reina. I still can't say her name that I don't get a lump in my throat. She was an absolute kiss from God. We connected immediately...deeply. We couldn't talk...at all. We just smiled and connected. We sat and looked at each other for awhile...because we couldn't talk, until we found a younger girl who spoke English. She began translating and six or seven 13-18 year old girls flocked to me. I was sucked in. By then, I knew God had other plans for my trip.

Breakfast with the Bunny

While the guys were Turkey Hunting, we headed to have a little Breakfast with the Bunny. Will loved the Bunny, Caroline liked him much better than Santa! She even smiled!

Mission Accomplished

Saturday morning was not just the day before Easter, it wasn't only the church Egg Hunt, or Breakfast with the Bunny...nope, it was opening day for Turkey season. I find this odd, I would think that Turkey season would be in the Fall...but I was assured that Saturday was the day. My brother in law, Trey, whom I just love ( I love that guy for lots of reasons, 1. He loves baby sister 2. He has soooo much in common with my husband, and 3. He loves my Will lots (he likes Caroline lots too)) came in for the weekend. By 8:30 these two guys were coming through the field with these trophies...

Really Fun Playdate

Friday, we were invited to a super fun playdate at Kelly's house...Kelly does it up right! She always has such cute ideas and Will loves Little Miss L. Thanks for having us over...Will has talked about the trampoline for the past week!

Singing in Spring...

Will's Spring Program was yesterday at his school. He did so great...they all did. Afterwards, the older kids had an Easter parade with their bikes, but Will was too young:( so we opted to head on over to McD's for a little ice cream and playing in the Indoor Playground!

Little sister waiting for the big show to start...

Somebody looks a little nervous...

There's my Mom...