Friday, February 17, 2012

Pillowcases

Hope and I are planning on making a return trip to Nicaragua in May. We are so excited! We have decided to try and help us raise money we are going to make pillowcases to sell. Hope has already been selling her pillowcases for the past 2 semesters at ACES (homeschool coop) so now we have decided to branch out to the public.



So if you are interested in a pillowcase, here is the info you need.


Cost: $15

What you tell us: boy or girl and color preference

What you get: a home sewn, hand selected one of a kind pillowcase




Our goal for the trip is 100 pillowcases. We are also donating to a local children's hospital if you don't need the pillowcase but would like to help with the trip. Or if God is leading you, we would accept a monetary donation as well.


Of course we covet your prayers above all that He would be preparing our hearts to share and the ears and hearts of the Nicaraguan people to be open to hearing the Good News.





Monday, February 6, 2012

Roller Coaster Ride

Whew! Ok I'm not a big roller coaster fan, in fact, if I had my choice I wouldn't ride one. And let's say the last time I rode one, I was scared spitless. We took Hope to Six Flags for a day of fun and we convinced her to get on the Judge Roy Scream, a smaller, but old roller coaster. She was all giggles until the first drop and then she became a puddle of tears. I wanted to join her. However, I can say in this ride we call Life, that I have come to if not enjoy at least hang on and try to go with the ups and downs.
This posts finds us over half-way through Hope's 3rd grade year of school and boy are we having fun, she has really found her stride and is able to do the majority of work on her own. We have gotten to study the human body, make architectural Russian eggs, measurement equations and story writing. She is doing great. We have also gotten to enjoy Molly start some preschool and she is like a little sponge--so fun.
Hope is also flying through her Awana book for this year, working hard to memorize all of those Bible verses. Boy, what a gift she has.
This year has also seen her continue with her private swim lessons. She is one test away from passing the level to be life guard certified (if she were only 15!) Way to go Hope! So super proud of you in how you work hard.
She has also started piano lessons and absolutely loves it. She is flying through her book. We got her a keyboard to practice on, it comes with songs/lessons pre-programmed, she is working hard to learn those too! HA! What a blessing she is as a daughter and we love to sit back and watch the many ways that God is blessing her.
Of course growing up doesn't always come easy. She is learning some hard lessons on self-control; learning to guard her tongue and learning to listen to instruction. I think we all need a lesson on that sometimes.
Now for Miss Molly----she is such a hoot! Here are some of her latest antics----big into makeup and finger nail polish. We love to wear our tutu and beanie hat when it is 40 degrees out. And in case you didn't know, we had "whale" the other night (we had a lot of hail and she had never seen it so she kept asking where the "whale" was!) And we love to give "big-like Jesus" hugs and to "sparkle like Jesus Christ our Lord!" HA! She too, is smart as a whip. She is picking up on our Spanish by just being in the room and she has fun learning her Awana verses too.
And of course, she is learning some of those hard growing up lessons too....obedience and not whining!
And what is up with Miss Claire these days. We have definitely been up and down with her. We had a rough patch early on this fall with her seizures not being under control. After another new medication we have seen some improvement, but with it has come screaming! I would have to say that the whole family could do without that. She has also begun to develop precocious puberty. Something I have not handled real well.... she is way to young---only 5! However we are getting to see a Pediatric Endocrinologist this week to try to control or slow down the process. I am quite anxious to see what they will say.
On to some exciting news for her though, we have gotten approved for her a new bed. Once it comes in I will show pictures. We have also gotten her a bath chair---whew saves my back. And we are in the hunt for a new stroller and car seat for her.
Also, she has been approved to work on some drinking again! And actually she has done quite well drinking from a big girl cup---no sippy cup! Awesome!
We are trying to get her more up-right for more hours of the day, that can include sitting in her wheelchair, standing in her stander and sitting in her tomato chair. She is doing great!
We are hoping for a fun spring and enjoyable summer, but we know to hang on, for the ride can change at any time. We have some fun things planned, a trip to Grandparents house, a trip to Houston for the King Tut exhibit, Hope and I are planning for a return trip to Nicaragua in May and then summer vacations in June and July!
We are so very blessed to have 3 awesome girls and we truly cherish their individualities. They make us smile and laugh often and occassionally bring us to tears. What a fun ride this is we are on!