A Trip to Jordan

 For Jesse's actual birthday, we were in Jordan. We got to go help our friend's the Montgomery's! Fortunately for us, we also got to have a lot FUN and eat some good stuff...like DONUTS!!!

 So embarrassing for everyone to sing!

 But the donuts were FOR REAL!!!

 I didn't get many pictures of our time there, but here are a few highlights. We went to help them pack up to move to another country. So our kids were on "Kid Duty"...one afternoon Toby picked apricots for Catie and fanned her with palm leaves. Too cute. 

 Cutie Catie!

 Toby showing off his muscles!

 We all fought over who got to hold Hannah. What a doll! We may have spoiled her during our stay, holding her any time she cried. 

 The Three Amigos played from sun up to sun down! They were instant friends and played so well together! What a huge blessing for all of us. 

PURE JOY!

 In the evenings, we got to go out to eat! We tried to go to FUN places for the kids. On this night, we went to the park and the guys walked and got fast food for us! What a treat!

 Annie could not get enough of Hannah. Annie learned to change her, feed her, burp her, put her to sleep...you name it! She was the Baby Whisperer!

 I even got to take a few shots of the kids in their 1, 2, 3, 4 shirts. Adorable.

Little Jacob was a total heart stealer. Had so much fun with him and all his stories and cute antics.

 In a burst of creative genius the kids designed these Clone backpacks with the awesome cereals we got to eat all week! Unfortunately it really was only a creative burst as the design only lasted a few minutes before falling apart...we were never able to have everyone's box working all at once.

 The last night we were there, we all packed up and stayed at a nice hotel with a pool. We didn't make it there until dusk and the pool had closed, but we sweet talked them into letting us swim for a few minutes. It was really COLD, but the kids loved it and their feet were clean for the first time all week!

 WORTH IT!

It was an awesome trip! We had such a great time being with the Montgomery's and working shoulder to shoulder. I think we are bonded for life!

Jesse is 7!

 We always start the morning off with the presents...why wait?!

 Maybe a little happy about Hobbit Legos?!

 Waffles for breakfast!

 Super Mario Kart cake! I had a lot of fun making this cake and Annie helped make some of the decorations!

 Jesse loved it!

 We had the Houghs over for dinner and some Mario Kart!

 Finished the night off with cake!

 Annie and Toby went in together and bought him a soccer ball!

 The Houghs found this cool block set!

 The next day...we recycled the bottom part of the cake and had the neighbor kids over to share!

 We started out with a few kids...but after I started cutting cake, kids started coming from all over. It was quickly devoured!

So proud of Jesse and who he is becoming! He is a leader. He knows what he likes and he goes after it with all his heart. He is learning to control that and consider others in the process. His heart is becoming more sensitive to what is right and wrong. This year is going to be an amazing year for him as he grows in many ways. We are believing God will use him for BIG things!

Love Offerings

 We just recently discovered "Lapbooks". Seriously awesome for home school, but would be fun summer projects for kids too, if you haven't found them yet...GOOGLE it!  Annie made this one up on her own! I was so touched. She spent a lot of time putting it all together and even more her heart! I was crying for sure!

 I love the Wordle. She even thinks I am "daring". So every flap opens and reveals something else.

 Here's the facts about me! Love that "fun" made it in there 3 times! That's a fact!

 We have worked on learning when to push into her heart. She is so worth it.

 so glad I sometimes take time to play with her when she is lonely. I love Annie more!

 Annie is so funny.

 She made this one up.

 An Acrostic.

 I love that I am wearing flip-flops, a knit skirt and tshirt! YUP! That's me!

 From the boys.

 My love note from Jesse. My favorite part: "she is fun because she says toot". 

 I remember asking my mom to make all her funny noises...guess I inherited it too.

Finally, a sweet note from Rezhin, the neighbor girl and Annie's best friend here. We are making a difference! We do love her so much!