Dee Dawg Turns 8!

What in the world are we gonna do with all these kiddos growing up on us so quickly! It's hard to believe, yet we thank the Lord for each day we've gotten to spend with them! It was mentioned by one of the older kids this week that Daniel was a miracle child--His delivery had been induced due to other minor issues and mom admits she was a little hesistant about "planning" the day of his birth, especially since the first two had come on their own (thankfully a little early!). Yet, when Daniel arrived, he came out with the cord wrapped around his neck. Praise God that His timing is always perfect. With the thought of "what could have been" we recognize, yes, a miracle occurred at his birth...but just as much, we recognize the miracle we have of watching this little boy turn into a man after God's own heart on a daily basis...WOW! As we celebrate Daniel's 8th birthday, we celebrate each day...we have truly been blessed!

As we did with Erin, let's take a look back, to little Dee's first birthday on this side of the globe...

And a look at him now...as silly as ever!

For his b-day breakfast he chose PopTarts...not a common item here unless we have goodie boxes or guests from the states...THANKS, Grandma and Papa Jim!

I'm EIGHT today!!!

Gift time! Dee got a science kit book from his granny...
An itunes gift card from his Grandma and Papa Jim--to use when he saves enough of his allowance for an iPod...

...or either when his mommy and daddy buy his big brother's for his birthday gift!

He's not excited is he?

Dee's birthday was on a Saturday, so he got his wish--go surfin' with his buddies!

One of his best buddies would be his big brother...who's turning into a regular surfer dude!

And not far behind him is Dee himself!

Dee's first wave as an eight-year-old!

This boy's got it goin' on!

Won't be long before this one is catchin' her own wave!

Erin absolutely LOVES the waves now...a long shot from where she was when we first arrived, clinging to our necks or the ladder in the pool!

Dee having fun with his other buddies on the tube...

Asher* (above) and Justin* (below)

Some time out for mom...

And sandcastles...our sandcastle rendition of the Fort!

Yes, Brookie is standing up in the hole dug by Caleb and Rowan*

Time for cake...nothing but spiderman!

We praise the Lord for surrounding us with such good friends...we sure love 'em!

Especially when they're silly!

Onto lunch--yeah, we had it a little backward that day...but when you have a choice...Funfetti cake or food...it's obvious what should come first, right?

But, we have to say, the chicken at this particular restaurant is awesome!

Daniel said at lunch they would want to go on home after eating so they could get on with the soccer tournament they had planned...oh well, plans change!

Daniel, Asher* and Justin* picked up a few new national friends wanting to play with them--and they had a ball...

What boy wouldn't love that?

Bubby gettin' in some big brother time with Brookie...

And Allie and Sabrina* doing what they do best--again!

Melody* and Gabriella* getting in some much needed rest!

It was a great day at the beach, but Dee's celebration wasn't finished yet.

The boys all came on home with us for a sleepover...

And the soccer tournament...yes, we used to have grass!

We're just thankful for a yard...not a given here on this side!

And there just couldn't be a birthday without blueberry pancakes!

Can you tell these boys were up most of the night?

I'm trying to smile, mom!

Happy 8th Birthday, our little Dee...it has been such a joy watching you!

Our prayer for Dee, that we hope you will join us in, is that he would love God with all of his heart, soul, mind and strength...that he would love his neighbor as himself...that he would passionately seek after God, soaking up His Word, learning from it and teaching it to others. We pray also that he would be like Daniel in the Bible--whom he was named after--who "resolved in his heart not to defile himself" (Daniel 1:8), may he be a pray-er who has an intimate walk with the Lord (Daniel 6:10; 9:23), and may he follow Christ no matter where that may lead him as did Daniel (Daniel 6) and his other name sake--Paul (2 Corinthians 11:16-33).

WE LOVE YOU, DEE! YOU HAVE BROUGHT SO MUCH JOY TO OUR LIVES!!!

A Six-Year-Old-Sweetheart!

Whoa, who said our little sweet Erin could turn six? Wow? Before moving ahead, i thought it'd be cool to take a look back at Erin when we first came to South Asia...Actually, it was a month to the day of arriving here that we were celebrating her THIRD birthday...

And here she is just growing too quick for a mommy's heart to take it all in... Erin was blessed this year to get to celebrate her special day with some special people--Grandma and Papa Jim...and not via a skype party!

Because we were going to be traveling on Erin's birthday, after our house church worship on Sunday morning, everyone on our team headed over

to our home for some sandwiches and cake...
Here's part of the goof troop gulping down their sandwiches...to make room for cake!

This is what happens when your video camera goes kapult and you have to stage the singing to take a picture because you were using your digital camera to video...

just thought i'd throw this one in!Since our trip home from the airport on Saturday had taken a little longer than expected

(Wait, this is South Asia isn't it? What was I thinking?),

I was quite thankful we'd requested a couple of cake mixes and icing to boot.

Nothing like some Funfetti cake and pink icing!

Onto the gifts...

After spending the afternoon walking the Fort wall and playing at the Ramparts--and eating at the Pedlar--this little (big) one was down for the count!

Don't worry, there'll be more celebrating on your actual birthday on Tuesday!

Because we were heading out for a safari, we decided to have a breakfast party!! We skipped the cake and icing and opted for eggs and fruit!

A few more gifts to open...

Boy this family sure loves this little sweetie!

And so do these two!

What a special time to get to celebrate Erin's b-day with her grandma and papa jim!

A birthday hug from an admiring little sissy!

As we checked into the room the day before, it came up that Erin's birthday was on Tuesday. They asked her name and how to spell it and look what they brought up to our room...

See my perty cake!
Erin was so excited that the hotel staff knew it was HER birthday and put HER name

on the cake! And yes, she did do the traditional South Asian cultural cake thingie--she cut the first piece and then fed it to each person (yes, that one piece!), but i couldn't get a good shot of it...However, i did happen to catch her in the act!

Boy, this cake sure was good!

What a way to celebrate such a precious little girl!

As we close out Erin's fifth year with us and start on her sixth,

our hearts are reminded of--and ever so thankful for--God's activity in her life...

"O Lord, You have searched Erin and You know her. You know when she sits and when she rises; You perceive her thoughts from afar. You discern her going out and her lying down;

You are familiar with all her ways. Before a word is on her tongue You know it completely, O Lord. You hem Erin in--behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon her.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for us, too lofty for us to attain.

Where can Erin go from Your Spirit? Where can she flee from Your presence?

If she goes up to the heavens, You are there...

If Erin settles on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide her,

Your right hand will hold her fast...

For You created Erin's inmost being. You knit her together in her mother's womb. We praise You because she is fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, we know that full well...All the days ordained for Erin were written in Your book before one of them came to be. How precious to us are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!"

(Psalm 139, Debbie's paraphrase)

Dear God, how we thank You that Erin was a thought in Your mind

before we ever knew there could be one so precious! Thank You

for how You have uniquely created her. May she offer her gifts to You

as instruments of righteousness that others might see the love

of their Heavenly Father through her. Thank you for putting her in our family.

Thank you for the days You have ordained for her--we have enjoyed each one!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR LITTLE ELLA MAE!

Christmas Happenings around the Critter Home...

Christmas 2008

It's Christmas Eve and looks like we're all set for the morning!

We've spent the month focusing on the real reason for the season using lots of different tools. Here's Brookie lighting the Christmas candle on our Advent wreath as we start our celebration!

Dad leads us in worship as we focus on some specific Scriptures
that lead us to remember the birth of our Savior.

Another tradition since Caleb's first Christmas...

Brookie gets to open the first gift of Christmas--God's gift to the Critters--Baby Jesus!

Stocking time!

Ok, so why on earth would a shower cap be in Tessa's* stocking? It's South Asia "gladwrap"...but I guess she won't be using this one for any food!

Time for breakfast and another tradition...

We always have some type of food we can stick a candle into and sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus. This year it was everybody's favorite--blueberry pancakes!

Before we got into our presents, we opened some our friends had given us at our parties. Here's a few of them...

Yes, that's sugar, wafers, and "saltines"...common gift items here.

Next came gifts from Granny!

And a badmitton set from Tessa*...

And onto ones from Mom and Dad...

A piano for Brooke

and her very own computer for Erin...

A boxing set for Dee...

And a new journal and book study for Caleb and Allie...

Oh yeah, don't forget the money that'll help them buy their ipod touches

in the very near future! It pays to save!

Tessa* elephant mail holder...gotta have elephant stuff in this place!

Needing some time just as a family and knowing we wouldn't get it at home, we headed to our favorite hotel for some pool time...Not something you tend to do on Christmas, but it was much needed. And what do we find when we arrive? A really beautiful nativity at the very front of the hotel--again, helping us to keep our perspective on the Reason for the season!

Our locu duwa, Susanthika* came with us to hang out...though the heat about got to her!

Thought you 96ers would like this pic!

And just to feel festive...a family shot with Santa on our way out--

After supper we were able to have a skype party with the Critter Crew back home

and open presents Ma, Grandma and Papa Jim had sent.

Susanthika* spent the night with us, so she had some too!

Here's one of our favorite people on the screen...Ma!

It's been a great season as we've remembered our Savior

and the gift He gave to us through His birth, life, death and resurrection!
The Critter Crew hopes you've all had a very special holiday as you've celebrated
Emmanuel, God with us!
Happy New Year!