Graduation Trauma!

As we prepared for a busy weekend (complete with a lock-in, t-ball game, garden planting, 3 birthday parties, serving at church, a date and preschool graduation) I got a call that Breanne had face-planted in the gym at preschool and possibly chipped a tooth. When I arrived at preschool, she was no longer crying and I found out that she lost one of her front teeth and skinned up her nose. She seemed stable and not in too much pain. Later in the afternoon, she was playing and bumped her chin, which forced the other front tooth back into her mouth and it now was pushed straight back into her mouth. She cried from the blood but never complained about the pain. On Monday, I made a dentist appointment for her and they had to pull the tooth. She was so incredibly brave! She got to pick a pink treasure box for the tooth and has now been visited by the tooth fairy twice! She's gonna be rich.

After the chaos of three birthday parties in one day, we got to celebrate Breanne's preschool graduation. They played sticks to song and were given certificates. We got cake and punch (and skittles) and the kids got to play together. Yesterday, they got to have a water fight and tomorrow, they get a field trip to the zoo. Then, MY "favorite middle girl" is officially done with preschool.

Madison is on a field trip today to a farm. She's be very excited and I'm sure will have stories to share when she gets home.

Aliya has started saying 3-word sentences. You have to listen closely (and maybe only I understand her) but I've heard, "I do it," "I don't know," and "What he do?" She continues to be very independent. I just pray she's sweet and not too stubborn for her grandmas.

Derrick and I fly out of Billings at 6am on Thursday morning. We are making all the last minute preparations and feel excited overall for the experience that lies ahead (mixed with a bit of anxiety). New things to pray for...

• That the ash cloud from the Iceland volcanoes "behaves itself" (as Derrick puts it) and does disturb our connection in Frankfurt, Germany
• Dry weather in Addis while we work at the job site
• Good communication and relationships with a new contractors at the work site
• Stability in the country during the 4th national election on May 23
• Safe travel for the grandmas (and the grandpas who will be home without their wives)
• Safety for the girls and grandma here in Billings
• Last minute prepartions and sweet times with our girls before we leave

We are so blessed by your prayers. I can't wait to make communicate you all when we get back. This will probably be my last post until we return. I don't plan on blogging on our personal blog (here) while we're gone, but please follow the Work Team blog at http://ehworkteam.blogspot.com/

Spring? Musings of a silly girl

I double-checked the calendar this morning. It is really May 6th as far as I can tell. Funny thing is I told a friend earlier this spring that I'd love to take pictures of my tulips in the snow. I didn't think I'd get that wish this year, but... I'll be more careful with my wishes next time, promise!

Now, onto more serious topics than the weather. There's a constant tune being whistled in our house. Breanne outperforms both her parents in whistling. (She's quite proud of this!) The past couple weeks, Breanne has made me chuckle more than a dozen times... As she was eating some lifesavers, she says, "Mom, this is just healthy candy. Because it's watermelon, raspberry, cherry, and oranges." Well, maybe. But how can I contradict that reasoning? She also loves to say, "This is just going to be a disaster..." to explain a less than ideal situation. Where does she get this stuff from? And, after being told to do something or asked a question, she might say, "Well, (takes a deep breath/sigh) you see..." while she goes on to reason. This morning she told me, "Mom, Aliya really liked me yesterday." Good to know that card is no good today. And last but not least, "Mom, Natalie told me she wants to have me, Kelcey and Gracie over for a sleepover." I said that we'd need to talk to Natalie's mom about that. "Well, it was Natalie's choice." I'm sure that's all that matters.

Breanne has also met a pre-kindergarten milestones. She tied her shoes for the first time yesterday. She put on Madison's shoe actually and next thing I know she says, "Did I just tie my shoe?" She sure did. Today she realized she could also tie her own shoe. Next she says she's going to practice tying Aliya's shoes.

Two weeks from today, Derrick and I will be on a plane to Ethiopia! Although we're both excited, it doesn't even seem real to me yet. Seriously, another country? Across the globe? I haven't even been to Canada or Mexico. Well, if you're gonna go, you might as well go big, right? I've begun the "book" of instructions for the grandmas who are staying with the girls. Sorry, not to frighten you, I just want you to be equipped since we WON'T be just a call away.

I have to address those of you who have been praying for our preparations and those of you who have been able to support us financially. Thank you! I can't begin to explain how humbled Derrick and I are when each check comes in. And your notes and prayers sent as well. We are so blessed! I personally prayed in January that if God wanted me to go on this trip, He would open wide the doors and if He didn't have this trip in His plan for me, that He would close tight the doors. In every circumstance (from childcare, team bonding, airfaire, finances, immunizations...) He has flung the doors open! Thanks so much for your prayers and support. I am in prayer for the relationships God wants me to build in Ethiopia. I don't know what they will be, what it will feel like, look like. I am clueless. I have no power in this situation; nor do I know what to do; "but my eyes are upon You (God)." (2 Chor. 20:12) May whatever happens, may it all be done to the glory of God. (1 Cor 10:31)

Go Pizzas!

Madison is in full swing and enjoying t-ball. The name of her team is The Pizzas (sponsored by Little Caesars). Go pizzas!