The start of something new...(catching up the blog in pictures and short blurbs :)

In an attempt to catch up the blog I have just posted a bunch of highlights from our time here and then just given some highlights or events from each day at the bottom.  I hate to just skip over them...but I hate fighting the battle of being behind!  So...here is the flyover :)

Jose, Val and Addy bringing the water jug back from filling it up at the pump.  Addy loves to hang out with Jose and she is really a GREAT helper!

The GREAT things I was able to get from my first trip to the market.  I went with Nick and Christina and it was quite the experience!!!  There are vendors and stands EVERYWHERE!  So crammed together and the market seems to go on forever.  You try to look around and take everything in, but at the same time you HAVE to watch where you are walking for fear of falling in a hole or stepping in something yucky!

Apples (the splurge for the day at $1/piece!), mangoes and tomatoes...

Carrots, potatoes, garlic (I have never used fresh garlic before to cook-I know, judge me!), and onions...

These are actually oranges...not great to eat, but good for making juice!

And, of course, some snacks for the kiddos!

Moto rides are a HUGE hit around here!  I am not sure who enjoys them more, Rob or the kids :)

They love climbing on and taking turns...Yes, I have been on the moto a time or two as well :)

This is a daily occurrence :)  Pretty sure he thinks the only person worth talking to on the phone is Papa...He calls him everyday :)

Ooops, lost him...better call him back!

For an art project, and part of what we are studying in school, Brooke helped the girls make a house that might be found somewhere in different parts of the world.  Gracie chose a hut made out of banana leaves-it turned out SOOOO GREAT!

She was so proud of it and she and Brooke really had a GREAT time creating it!

More moto rides!  Toby loves the moto and it is so hard to get him off it :)  All you have to do is say, "Toby, want to ride the moto?" and he takes off running towards the moto saying "Ride, ride...."

It is nice having the property out back. There is a nice path that goes out there that Rob has just made into a loop for giving the kids rides.

How many kids can you fit on the Kubota???

Karys got a turn to create a house as well.  She wasn't quite done coloring the walls when I took the picture, but it really turned out GREAT as well!  They used the coconut shell for the roof :)

I have been SOOO grateful to not only have our own personal art teacher, but also a caring, nurturing friend/caregiver to my girls who really cares for them and loves them well :)

Daily Highlights...

09.25.12

-I was sick :(  Big D was really taking its toll and I was just not bouncing back

-Toby is just PRECIOUS lately!  He just gives so many kisses, smiles, and hugs lately and is just developing the cutest personality!

-B/c I wasn't feeling well Brooke cooked dinner!  :)

-Karys started helping Sheila do night meds

09.26.12

-Big D is still around :(

-Toby just loved carrying around a screwdriver and saying "fix"!  

-I went to the market for the first time with Nick and Christina and bought fresh produce

-We went out for Pizza-yes, as close to real pizza as you can get in Haiti, with the Aubrey's

-We were driving home from pizza after dark and Karys was getting kind of upset about it being so dark.  I was trying to reassure her, as was Rob, when all of a sudden Addy pipes in with, "Karys, it is fine.  Jesus is with you."  Karys tried to explain to her that she knew that, but still felt scared and Addy just kept right on going.  "Karys, you are being silly.  You no need to be scared.  Jesus is up in the sky and he is always with you watching you.  He loves you, Karys.  He is always in our hearts."  

09.27.12

-Addy told Rob she had a tummy ache this morning.  He told her she was probably hungry so she should eat 5 pop tarts and she would feel better..."Dad, that is not healthy!!!"

-We started doing praise and worship with our devos in the morning.  The song of choice right now if Lord I Lift your Name on High (with the actions :)

-Brooke and Addyson went on a "rock hunt" for beautiful rocks to paint

-Jamie came today :)  (our stateside operations manager)

-We had our first "Girl's Night" with all the ladies here!

09.28.12

-Big D continues :(

-Really spent some time processing, "What have I done for COTP?  How is COTP different b/c I am here?"  I am still processing this ;)

-Great chat with Brook on redemption

-Girls loved doing art with the kiddos

-Our longest lasting rain since being in Haiti

09.29.12

-Talked with Kristie M. on the phone to arrange pickup for school materials...she told me to take CIPRO!!!  Duh, Erin!

-Ate supper with Carla Lyster :)

-Played Ticket to Ride with Carla, Brooke, Jamie and Rob :)  :)

09.30.12

-Went to our first Haitian soccer game--2 of our yard guys both played and assisted/scored the only goal!

-Great heart to heart with Rob

10.01.12

-School went GREAT!

-Gracie has just been emotional lately :(  Quick to cry...not herself

-Got to go on a long walk with Jamie and have a great chat!

-Working on finding my place in a nursing role

10.02.12

-didn't write anything about this day...must have been boring ;)

10.03.12

-Rough sleep last night

-Community meeting with some of the members from Lagosette-Rob, Kirk, Jamie and Renel went

-Girls and I took Nora and Jennie for a walk and spent a few hours just playing with them :)  :)  :)

-FaceTime worked!!!  Got to talk with Roe's, Tolander's and Skyped with Pella VL's

-We all went to prayer and singing

-Great Facebook chat convos as well!

10.04.12

-rough day at COTP

-Prayed with Nikki

-Nick and Nikki left :(

-spent time worshipping and praying with LT Staff

-girls were loving up the babies this afternoon!

-I love my husbands heart!!!  He became co-director today and at first you could see the anxiety...but soon you could just see peace.  I love to be able to physically see him lean into the giftings and the strengths that God has given him.  Man, love this man!  (more on this transition in another post)

10.06.12

-lazy day :)

-just hung out, baked muffins (we love our muffins here :)

-cared for one of our kids today with Sheila.  He had a seizure that lasted over an hour :(  We think it was a febrile seizure as it stopped as we were able to get his fever down.