where are the pictures of the kids?

I know many of you read our blog because our kids are cute, but this time you'll have to endure pictures of us without the kids. Friday was our 10th wedding anniversary, and we celebrated in style with a trip to Newport, RI. My parents and sister agreed to keep the kids for 3 days and 2 nights, so we dropped them off on the way north. We weren't sure if a 2 night getaway was worth driving so far, but we were pleased to discover that it definitely was. Even with some uncooperative weather, we had a wonderful time. We walked by the ocean, ate delicious food, walked around town, toured 2 mansions, ate more delicious food, read a novel together, and walked some more. It was the most relaxed we've felt since we became parents, and we loved it. The kids did better than anyone anticipated, and we were all happy to see each other again last night. If you'd like to see more pictures from our trip, you can visit my album.

what a night

After my second rough afternoon in a row with the kids, we decided it was time for some serious family bonding tonight. I threw a quick picnic dinner together, and we hopped in the van to drive the 7 blocks to the park. (Yes, we should have walked there, but we didn't want to waste time or wear the kids out too early.)

When we got out of the van, Patience inquired about something on the ground which was the cause for great jubilation on my part. We were surrounded by mulberry trees! There was even a white mulberry tree. I haven't eaten a white mulberry since we left Illinois when I was 12. I have so many happy memories of the 3 mulberry trees in our yard during those 6 years of my young life.

After we all ate a few and Peter assured me that no one would pick them all while we were in the park, we headed over the bridge only to discover perfect ripe raspberries growing on the other side.

A little further down the path we came across a deer who didn't seem too concerned that we were gawking at her. We spent a few minute hanging out there before an adorable spotted fawn joined the first. We scared the baby away pretty quickly though.

When we finally settled in to eat, Joshua spotted this. We're still not sure what it is, so please let us know if you can identify it.
We played in the creek for a while after dinner. Then we headed out to pick berries. Deep in the weeds (where the best raspberries were hiding), I found a perfect snake skin that everyone enjoyed touching. Then we ended our outing with some serious mulberry picking.
After everyone was changed for bed (but before brushing teeth) we all enjoyed some vanilla ice cream that we made on Father's Day with some fresh berries on top. It was a nearly perfect ending to a very exciting evening. Who would have thought that so much of God's amazing creation was available right in Norristown?

oops!

I just came over here to post and realized that I never posted when the baby was born! Oddly, I remember doing it. I must really be losing my mind. Don't worry though. Mattu has not been in labor for the past 13 days. Baby Abraham entered the world on June 11. He's absolutely beautiful. The first time I held him I felt as close as I've ever felt to wanting to make one of our own. Of course, we wouldn't be able to make one with gorgeous brown skin and tons of dark curls, but you know what I mean. The family seems to be adjusting to the change pretty smoothly. Sorry to leave you hanging for so long.

the baby is coming

Tonight we're having a baby! NOT ME! Our 16 year old Liberian girl has gone into labor. However, I feel that "we" are having a baby since her family has been such a huge part of my past four months. We'd appreciate prayer for Mattu and her little boy. He's coming six week early, and there are some other big concerns as well. I'll let you know when we officially have eleven Liberian neighbors.

our baby is 3

For the past week or two, Garty has been telling everyone that his birthday is "June ferd." And today June ferd finally arrived. We had a family birthday party Sunday and then opened presents and celebrated again over dinner tonight. Nothing monumental on the party front, but Garty enjoyed it all, especially the coconut cake and strawberry pie. Here are a few pictures of our boy from our two celebrations.

 

 

 

 

I love this

This morning I had some quiet time in the kitchen to listen to music and make food. Those are wonderful times for me. I was listening to one of my long time favorite CDs and was struck again as I heard, "So come lose your life for a carpenter's son, for a madman who died for a dream," and it struck me that I can't imagine any way I'd rather live.

the simple truth

After bedtime prayers the kids were discussing what Daddy can and can't do with his arm right now. Joshua's concluding statement was, "Daddy can't do the chicken dance."

current health crisis

So Peter thought he had a clogged pore or something like that in his armpit, and it hurt. Then it got bigger. Then he couldn't lift his arm without intense pain. Then he started having tingly feelings, and he realized he better see the doctor. Last night she put him on an antibiotic and told him that if the redness spread, he should go straight to the ER. It did spread quite a bit, but it went from redness to pinkness. We weren't sure what to do, so he called the doctor this morning. She told him he could go sit in the ER behind all the critical cases and wait to have it drained or come see her 15 minutes later. It wasn't a hard choice. She numbed it, cut it open, drained lots of yuck, and packed it with gauze. He is supposed to let it ooze until Saturday and then go back to have it closed up. She put him on a second antibiotic and gave him a prescription for Vicodin in case over the counter pain killers aren't strong enough. In the meantime, he can't do a whole lot with him arm. Of course, it had to be the left one (he's a lefty), and we need to finish up the last of the work in Patience's new room before Sunday when Danny is moving in with us for part of the summer. You know, lots of hammering, drilling, reaching above your head, holding heavy doors. And evidently I'm not capable of doing much of the work even if I wanted to. Good times. Please feel free to pray for a quick and full recovery and lots of grace to get through the next few days.