Yeah, I know I am over a month late but lots has been going on lately! We have all been sick, then Paul went to Nairobi for a week for a conference, then my mom and step dad are here visiting, and Jackson’s birthday (which hopefully I will be able to post about this week:) Everything is good but I am excited about Spring Break so we can just slow down and enjoy some family time at home. Here are some pictures of Hudson’s 1st Birthday party which we held in our little garden after school. It was a lot of fun and I think he really enjoyed his cake.

the hungry caterpillar cake and cupcakes

Paul made this swing for Hudson out of bamboo and rope. My friend and I sewed up the seat:)

Happy Birthday little buddy.  We are so happy to have you in our family!

My sweet little valentines

jackson age 4

Olivia age 3

Hudson age 1…today!

And if you didn’t guess by their coordinating outfits, even in Ethiopia, the GiGi can not be stopped. Thanks mom for all the wonderful goodies for the kids….they had a great valentines day!

pictures of Hudson’s birthday will be coming shortly. I am having Flickr issues again:(

Happy Valentines Day!

yes, I know I am way behind on blogging….but I did just send out our latest newsletter! If you didn’t get it in your inbox then put your email in the form below so that you are subscribed to our list. We won’t sell or share any of your info….it just helps us connect better with you!  Then click the newsletter tab on the right of this page to view our latest update…..our next newsletter will arrive safe and sound in your inbox.  Thanks! And I promise to be back to blogging more regularly soon.

Jackson’s class had an amazing performance of Busy Busy Bethlehem at the beginning of the month.  They totally surprised me with 5 or 6 songs, everyone having lines….it was a full on production and they did great:)  Here is a short video clip of one of the songs. Jackson was a wonderful shepherd who said, “Where’s the stable?”

The Shepherds

Last week our little church plant put on a little nativity in the children’s program.  Jackson decided on perfecting his role as shepherd and Olivia was an angel (of course:).

Hopefully more updates soon!

Christmas is coming! Are you overwhelmed? Want to share more about the true reason for the season with your little ones this year? Well, I want to share with you about a new ebook out for families with young children for the upcoming advent season. I was able to review this book this past week (before it came out today!) and I have to say that I am so excited! We normally read some sections out of the bible every night and light the advent candles but I have struggled with how to really share the Christmas story with my young children in an age appropriate way every night during advent. It just seemed a bit overwhelming to add that in with everything else in the Christmas season. Well, this year thanks to Truth in the Tinsel, everything is planned out for me! Each night our kids will make an ornament (score! since we have no ornaments.) that correlates to a bible story that we will read together. The book includes questions to dig deeper to make sure your kids are fully understanding. It is all very easy and straight forward. And I know what you are thinking next, all those craft supplies!  Remember that I live in Africa and I think I can find 95% of what is needed in my house or at a nearby store so it should be super simple for you as well. And all the ornaments look really nice and have step by step instructions for little hands….I hate complicated crafts that are supposed to be for a preschooler but I end up having to do all the work!

So in this season of commercialism and busyness, take time to slow down with your little ones. Teach them the true meaning of Christmas this advent season with a little help from this new ebook, Truth in the Tinsel.

Today (Black Friday for my American friends) the Truth in the Tinsel ebook is on sale for only $2.99! (regular price 4.99) Check out http://truthinthetinsel.com to download a copy for yourself!

Ok I know this is like a week late but grandparents would like to see:) Our church had a fun neighborhood outreach fall festival and our kids had a blast bobbing for apples, playing silly games, and eating candy. We got a little creative with our costumes, thanks to my friend Christina who sewed Olivia’s Jesse costume for me!

yes, his wings are made from an Ethiopian Mail box….

I am so behind in posting so since it is the night before our court date I am trying to write a bunch that will post over the next few weeks while I am busy with Hudson! I promise to post pictures of him though as well:)

A few weeks ago our school had a week where all the middle school and high school classes did community service and also went on a retreat afterwards. Paul took the 9th grade class to work at Strong Hearts which is a school in Korah, the city dump. Korah holds a special place in my heart and I love that Paul got to take the kids there to minister to the children that live in the landfill. Strong Hearts is an amazing place giving these children hope and a future. The students lead games, crafts, and music and even worked in some of the homes near the school. If you would like to learn more about Korah please check out our friends’ ministry there called Project 61. www.p61.org

i love his bow tie:)

the boys painted this woman’s house.

more soon….we are too busy enjoying our new little brother:)