Simply Thankful

"Was it strange to experience Thanksgiving in a country that doesn't even recognize the holiday?"

"It was beautiful."

I knew thanksgiving this year would play out differently than any other year in my life. It would be a day without traveling, without extra cooking, without seeing family and being together, and wonderfully even without the despised football watching (sorry, football fans!). 

Thanksgiving day this year looked like an entirely normal (if not especially busy!) day - Bible studies, school, studying, prep work of all varieties, teaching English class, and sweet conversations with friends. 

An entirely normal day in which I was so incredibly thankful.

Without the bustle of dozen of dishes to be created, black Friday shopping to be awaited, and business to be consumed by, my head and heart filled full as I mused over all the many reasons I have to be thankful.  

It doesn't require moving to a new country (though sometimes it might help!); every now and then, let's simply step back.
Let's put aside the tradition and the busy, and let's just sit and remember.

Let's remember all the reasons we have to be thankful, aside from the food, aside from the festivities, aside even from the football. 

We have been given so many good gifts in life from our perfect Father, who we really can entrust our hearts and lives to. More than anything, I'm thankful for His perfect love, plan, and redemption in my life and in the lives of every single one of us who will place our hearts, no matter how broken, into His hands and trust Him with it. 

I can tell you from experience, He will never disappoint. 

A couple days after Thanksgiving day, we organized our own sort of Thanksgiving gathering with snacks to be made by sweet, eager helpers, games to be played and laughed over, and relationships to be celebrated. And I knew, all over again, I have much to be thankful for. 

2 Years Home!

This second year of Kaden and Bethany being home as absolutely flown by!

We've had a really great year with them, and have seen them both develop and grow,

both in character and physically.

 

I think back to this night 2 years ago.

We were all so excited for our parents to come home with "Kadi" and "Baby Jilma".

As excited as I was, I was lightly nervous and apprehensive. 

What would this be like?

Our life would be completely different now...

What would we do with them all day?

Would Mom and Dad have any time for us anymore?

I never asked these questions, even to myself, but they were subconsciously running through my mind.

Then they pulled into the driveway.

Slowly they got of the car.

As soon as I saw 5 month old Bethany - my baby sister - all my subconscious fears instantly vanished.

I held her for the first time a few seconds later, and I was in love.

This was my sister, my answered prayer, the one I had waited for years to love.

And Kaden....

Oh, the little toddler he was then.

It is absolutely crazy to look back at picture and videos and to see what an absolute baby he was then.

He has grown so much and has completely transformed. 

He has been such an amazing joy and blessing, even through the sometimes trying times.

We are so unspeakably thankful for the gifts we have been given through Kaden and Bethany.

We love them so very much and cannot imagine our lives without them. 

 

Our day was packed full of fun!

Kaden called a meeting and together we came up with a list of things to do to celebrate.

Amazingly, we've done everything on the list!

 

Our day began with a special breakfast, then a trip to the park to play and take pictures, with Subway for lunch.  Next we came home to play outside, make jello, have shrimp for dinner, and end our special day with looking at pictures and videos from Congo before playing Baby Kaden and going to bed.

One of my greatest treasures... enough said.

this year

Last year

Two years ago! 

 

 

We also made Jello!  Although it didn't turn out quite right, it was fun!

Jon got into it too!

 

 

Kaden and Bethany,

We love you SO. VERY. MUCH. 

You are amazing blessings in our lives, and we can't image our lives with out you.

We love you!

 



Bethany's Beautiful Hair

"Bitty, Bitty, look!" I heard as I walked in the front door.

"Bethany, I can't believe it!" I replied.

 

My hair really awesome!" 

I couldn't agree more, little sister.

Your hair is beautiful! 

Your hair is wonderful and unique and perfectly designed for you.

Your hair is "awesome!"

 

Bethany got her hair done professionally for the first time this Wednesday!

I wasn't there, but from what my mom tells me, she did great!

I have to admit, I was pretty nervous that she would freak out.

She gets tired of us messing with her hair, so I didn't know how she would react with a stranger working on her hair for a while.

But she did awesome, and her hair is, well, "really awesome!"

 

the following pictures are taken by my mom with her phone:

 

 

And then at home:

Isn't it gorgeous?!

 

As Bethany's sister, I love that she loves her hair.

I know the time will come when she will wonder why our hair is different from hers, and why her hair require a little extra effort.

My and my mom's hair has a fine texture, and we don't have to do a lot of work to it. 

Bethany's hair, though, we try to condition and moisturize every day.

She's a the point now where she doesn't hate us doing that, but she does get tired of it pretty quickly.

We knew the time had come when we should have her hair done.

And it is so. very. beautiful!

 

 

 

 

 



David's Birthday Gift

David will turn 10 in a few days!

For his birthday, he, my dad, and Brandon got to do something really special.

You only turn 10 once you know!

Brandon and David have never been on a plane before, and they both really wanted to.

Turns out there is a private pilot at our church, one willing to take 3 people on a plane ride... And we had takers!

 

Kaden was disappointed he didn't get to go, as the rest of us were.

But they got to fly over the house which was super cool!

The boys - about to board!

Mom, Bethany, Jon and Kaden are looking at the picture of the boys about to board the plane.

There they are!

hi guys!

 

This is a birthday experience I'm sure David will never forget! 

Happy 10th, David!