Videos

I am so behind in blogging that you can see Nate first learning to use a cup and his masterful use of it now. 

Here is Nate first using his walker and now practically running with it.

Aunt Can Can playing with Ben and cousin Abby.

Random bath time.

How would I ever get anything done without their help?

Happy 11 Months

I am way behind in doing Nate's 11 month post, but I did take his picture on the right day - it has just been sitting on my memory card. We were out of town for 11 days and then had my family for Thanksgiving. Poor second child! I really do feel badly for him some days. He gets the leftovers far too often.

Speaking of leftovers, this boy can eat! He is now eating pretty much whatever we eat for meals. He often out-eats Ben by quite a bit. We are still not doing well on signing to him so he has developed quite the loud grunt when he wants more. It is not attractive! He also throws his head back in his chair and clinches both fists (like the sign for milk if you know sign) when he wants more. Again, not attractive. We are working on that :) He has mastered the sippy cup though. He throws it back like it is the best drink he has ever had and then will often let out a big "ahhhh" when he's done. It's cute.

He finally got two bottom teeth. He does not like to let me see them, but I have caught a glimpse. He is more than happy for me to stick my finger in though so he can chomp down so I have felt them quite a few times.

He is down to nursing only morning and evening. I don't think he will have any problem weaning completely here soon. He is getting less and less interested. He has had quite a few bites of dairy products and done fine, so I am hopeful that he will not have a milk allergy like Ben did!

He continues to crawl at lightening speed to follow Ben or myself anywhere we go. He is always one step behind Ben which can often lead to being stepped on, but he holds his own pretty well. He does not let his big brother push him around one bit! He has a very distinct yell when I know Ben has pushed him or taken away a toy. Often, when I get to the room where the crime has occurred, I see Ben patting Nate and saying, "You're ok Nate. He's fine mom!" Oh boy! I have also witnessed Nate pull back on a toy Ben is trying to take or once Ben gets it Nate will crawl on top of him and try to get it back. It worries me for the years ahead!

He is still pulling up on everything and cruising quickly, but has yet to let go. He pushes a walker quite effectively, but doesn't seen to be interested in actually taking steps while holding fingers or letting go alone.

I am now trying to wrap my brain around the fact that he is turning 1 year old in 9 days. Oh my! Let the party planning begin. And quickly. It's almost here.

Whirlwind Fundraising Trip

11 days
2,200 miles
2 metroplexes (Dallas and Houston)
11 cities within those metroplexes

40 hours spent in our van driving
1 breakfast meeting
4 lunch meetings
3 dinner meetings
2 non-eating meetings
5 church groups where we shared
3 different homes where we slept
13 new friends that Ben and Nate got to meet - the children of our friends
8 hours of sleep lost while trying to comfort a crying baby or toddler that doesn't like sleeping away from home.
85 people heard about God's heart for the poor and our call to ministry!

The boys were happiest in people's homes and outdoors!

We are blessed. We were so greatly encouraged by the many people with whom we were able to share about our hearts for the ministry where we believe the Lord has called us! We are a part of a wonderful ministry that plants churches among the urban poor. Ryan's role is primarily in empowering and teaching the leaders of the churches that are being planted. Our family lives in the community in which we minister, so my primary role is in modeling a wife and mother that loves the Lord and investing in the women and families within our church plants. The purpose of this trip was to increase our financial support and the bonus was seeing so many wonderful friends and family, some that we have not seen in a few years. As missionaries, we are responsible for raising our entire support which is $3500 a month. Before leaving for this trip we were at 65%, needing another $1500 a month. We were amazed to watch God provide for us as so many people seemed excited to continue to pray for us and some added financial support.

This trip was definitely hard on our boys especially because of the busy schedule we kept and the many, many new places we took them. My boys are not good sleepers away from home and it seemed that the day we hit Dallas their allergies went crazy and we never fully recovered. Nate spent four hours napping on my chest one day and probably all but an hour or so that day on my hip. He felt so terrible and just cried which is a horrible, helpless feeling for me. Then, Ben woke one night screaming that his ear hurt because of all the mucus in his nose and throat. They both seemed so happy to be home this afternoon and Ben was excited to sleep in his own bed tonight. Their moods were noticeably different. We are excited that Nate will not be in a pack-n-play at the foot of our bed tonight!

Continue to pray for us as we raise our family in the city. Pray that God would use us to change the lives of people in poverty through the power of the Gospel. Pray that we would be faithful to his call on our lives. Pray that we would continue to add new prayer and financial supporters - we so strongly believe that we cannot do this alone!

Dance Video

This is for you Papa Tom! 

Nate is starting to develop his unique dance moves too. 

Thankful

I've seen people posting about thankfulness on facebook a lot lately and in the spirit of the season and today's happenings, I am most thankful for safety and security for my family. Ryan and I answered a call from the Lord to raise our family in the city and we trust the Lord with that.

Our house is barely cut out of the left side of this picture. 

Today, a terrible car crash happened just next door to our house and I had to call 911 and then stood in our doorway praying for these people as the paramedics cut one man from his truck. I had to pull myself away and remind my curious 2 1/2 year old that we were safe, the people would be well taken care of and also remind myself that the Lord watches over us even in the mundane things like driving too and from our home. We cross that street daily to go back and forth to work; often I do it with Nate on my hip and Ben holding my hand. We could have been standing on our curb when it happened. I was to leave for a meeting only 30 minutes after the crash so Ryan could have been walking home or I could have been going to my meeting, but we weren't! Of course, a car crash like this can happen anywhere...suburbs or the city. It was just a way that God reminded me today that he protects us as we follow where he has called us.

Francis Chan

Have you heard of Francis Chan? Author of Crazy Love? Well-known Pastor?

He is on the board of directors for World Impact, the ministry for which we work, and he is coming to Wichita tomorrow evening to speak as a fundraiser for the ministry here in Wichita. We have put in countless hours in preparation; my kids barely know me anymore, I fear. If you would like to watch the event live streaming, click here.

It would also be a blessing to us if you take a moment to text WI to 41518 to make a $10 donation to the ministry! Or go online here and click on the link at the bottom of our bio to make a donation of any amount.

Happy Halloween

Ben's (7.5 months) first Halloween, 2009, with friend Jackson (1.5 months).

Ben's second Halloween, 2010. 

Ben's third Halloween and Nate's first, 2011. Ben was Bob the Builder and Nate was a donut-lovin' Sheriff.

The staff kids - Ethan, the ninja, Ben as Bob the Builder, Nate as a Sheriff, Nadia as a tiger, Bree as a bride (I did her hair and veil at 7am before school) and Jackson as a cowboy!

My sleepy Sheriff.

Yesterday we took the boys to a pumpkin patch and Nate pooped out on the way home. 

 Pumpkin patch with friends, Daren, Tina and Jackson.