Our Princess Turns 5!!!

So, what does a princess need for her number 5 birthday??? A royal party, what else!!! Erin had her very own royal party on Saturday, February 9th...and boy, was it fun!

But before we could have the party, we had to start the day with her requested strawberry muffins..yum, yum! We spent the day preparing for her party at 2. Everyone helped out--have we ever mentioned how great our kids are? They are a huge blessing to their mom and dad! After all the decorating it was time to bring out the cake--just moments before the first guests arrived so the ants wouldn't get into it! And what kind of cake does a princess need??? A castle one!!!!

Erin with her loyal subjects (ie, buddies who attended her royal party!)

Can I eat my cake now?

After cake and ice cream (and a few other goodies), Erin got to open all her royal treasures!

The gift Erin's still talking about...a spend the night party at the Y's home--complete with a special dinner and dessert, fingernail painting, a movie, a concert, and a pancake breakfast! What more could a princess ask for?

Later, we played "Pin the Crown on the Princess"... Other way, Ella!

That's it, little princess!


More fun...
Way to go Brookie!


Now where'd all the boys go???


Whew, being a princess sure can wear you out!

And princesses have to have crowns, don't they! Better make some quick!

It's amazing what you can do with a McDonald's crown,

some tinfoil, gems and some glue, isn't it? Sure doesn't compare to that smile though, does it?

Dress up time!

Didn't I tell you in the Thanksgiving post that she was the most South Asian of all the kiddos? Trust me, this is culturally appropriate....not too appealing as a princess though, huh?!

This is one of Erin's best buddies from Montessori who will be leaving us next week for another country. You can add that to your prayer list for little Ella. Her heart is a little sad about that...

But there's still a little more fun to have (well, Brooke doesn't look like she's having too much fun now...maybe it was the skipping nap part!).

Well, our princess' royal party was a hit!

Erin had a blast with all her friends--
And now our little princess is definitely 5!!!

Oh, didn't you know you've been invited to a ROYAL PARTY as well? God invites each of us to dine with Him throughout eternity...entrance is only through His Son, Jesus Christ, though.
Do you know Him? That's one ROYAL PARTY we definitely don't want you to miss out on!

Christmas Critters 2008

I'll go ahead and forwarn you, grab a cup of coffee and take a seat...this is a rather lengthy one!

Christmas Critters in South Asia, Part One...

Yeah! After just about 2 years of being on the other side of the globe, we were able to head to America for Christmas! Knowing that there are 2.5 million lost people in our "area", we wanted to share the Reason for the Season before leaving. We weren't expecting to have a bout with Dengue fever--which kept us from having all the parties we wanted to for Christmas--but at least, we still were able to have some fun with our Youth group!

We wanted to share with them the meanings of the different decorations we use...so we let them help decorate our tree. We shared how Martin Luther used the tree to teach about the Trinity (3 corners) and that it is an evergreen (reminiscent of our everlasting life that we can have in Christ). We put on the lights referring to Jesus as, "The Light of the World".

We did something out of the ordinary, putting on the star next explaining that the star shone in the Bethlehem sky, pointing the way to the Savior.

After placing the red beads on the tree (symbolic of Jesus' blood that was shed to forgive us for our sins), we allowed them to help with the ornaments--also giving each a "meaning"...the apples (first sin), candy cane (red-blood, white-purity when we are forgiven, cane-shepherds were first to hear of birth), blue balls (baptism)...you get the picture, I don't want to bore you!

All done! Here's our crew...

Waiting on the gift giving...

It's time!

We also decorated sugar cookies...YUM!

"I just wanna get a liiiitttttllllle bit more, ok?"

I think Brooke's a little warm, what do you think?

It was a fun night with our Youth!

We were thankful to be able to share exactly WHO we celebrate!

Another opportunity to celebrate came at the home of some nationals. Their house church put on their second Christmas program.

There was lots of singing, some dancing, lots of sharing, and of course... SANTA...

I did say there was some dancing, didn't I?

We couldn't let Christmas pass without giving out fruit baskets (complete with tracts, Bibles, and/or Jesus movies) to our neighbors and friends. They look a little different than what we're used to when they're filled with apples, oranges, mangoes, papayas and limes!!!

And one last shot before we headed to the states...our Christmas Critters!

Part Two... Christmas Critters in the US

We had a blast visiting with family and friends, eating lots of awesome food, and fellowshipping with our Siloam and Red Bank families. But we'll just fill you in on the holiday celebrations...

One of our favorite traditions is hanging at Grandma and Grandpa Jim's on Christmas Eve...

Can you imagine this crew when they all get together?
I really don't know where all this silliness came from! Well, I guess I do!!

Actually, I know I do!

Hangin' with cousins...

It's Christmas morning! Not a great shot, but I wanted you to see the stockings some of our Lydia ladies made for us...although they had no clue what they were or what they were used for!
Another tradition...singing "Happy Birthday to Jesus"

And yet another tradition...reading the first Christmas story from Luke 2 and opening our first gift--our Gift from God--baby Jesus.

And yes, it just wouldn't be Christmas without some fried turkey! So, on for another favorite--heading to Granny's to be with her and Uncle Kyle!

Lots of goodies...

Yep, that's the guy who fried the turkey alright!

What a guy wouldn't do for his sweet little nieces!

While we were hanging in Lexington with Granny, our cousins couldn't live without us (and we were glad they couldn't!), so they headed our way and we took on Frankie's Fun Park!

And of course, when we got back to 96 we got to play some more!

Erin decided she'd let Anna borrow her princess dress--since she could wear Brooke's!
We even got to hang with Ma some more!

And thanks to the kids and parents at The Learning Express in Greenwood...

We got to bring loads of goodies back home to South Asia! Now if we could have just fit Las Cascadas in our suitcase, we'd be on cloud nine!

Actually, because of the grace of God we're sitting pretty on top of those clouds!

Thankful Critters

We are thankful each day for all that God has given us, yet Thanksgiving (Did I just say Thanksgiving and it's February?? I'm a little behind aren't I?) gives us a great opportunity to focus a day simply on the Giver of all that is good. Usually, we are surrounded by family on this day and this year was no different. However, being on the other side of the world we find ourselves getting to celebrate with our spiritual family this holiday season.

Our spiritual family feeding on loads of good food...yep, even turkey!

Our most South Asian child of the crew even enjoyed the American delicacies...and of course, we all enjoyed Jerod's cheesecake!!

I've got a feeling our friend Adam will never ask again, "You got anything I can help you with?"

Well, this one doesn't tell much of a story, I just thought it was beautiful!

Our dear dishwashing buddy downloaded a football game

so we could even have game after the meal!

For those who don't know Brooke all that well, she's rather a very busy bee...

as this picture indicates!

Just call her flash!

So, what was Brooke busy doing?
Cheering, of course...

And helping others cheer!

And playing finger puppets!

Well, at least some of the guys got to watch the game!

Following the game, the little ones were inspired to head out in the dark for their own front yard football clash...Wanna know what Dee's using as pads? 2 stuffed puppies!

It was too cute, motorcycle helmet and all!

Yes, it is hard sometimes to be away from our families and friends, especially during the holidays...but as you can see, God's grace is amazing. It always comes in abundance and we find ourselves so overwhelmed that He could love us so much and provide for us the way He does. HE IS GOOD!!

We hope you have had the opportunity to experience Him...you'll find He's all you'll ever need!