Odds 'n Ends

Since we returned home from China, David has had a lot of time with the boys. I, on the other hand, have not had quite as much time as I usually do with my boys. So, last Wednesday, the boys and I had a mom/sons night out. We had such a good time. We went out to eat and then played a card game at the restaurant. We seldom take our kids to movies because they are super sensitive when it comes to anything violent, etc. But the boys had heard a bit about the movie Bolt. We decided to give it a try. There were a couple of scary parts, but all in all, it was pretty good. They were so happy to have this special time, and I definitely enjoyed their sweet, gentlemanly company for the evening.

While we were out, the girls played dress-up with BaBa. I wish that they had taken pictures, as I guess that BaBa was dressed up as a very lovely queen. But, since I had the camera, I'll just have to post a picture from a different dress-up play time. Yana and Lily are so creative when it comes to dress-up. They have some typical dress-up outfits, but they usually prefer to create their own.The four older kids have been going to some homeschool classes on Mondays. They are really enjoying it, and it gives me a chance to have some one-on-one time with Grace. We went to the library's story time last week. They had a new story time lady and she was fabulous. She was so good with the kids and was very expressive in her story telling. I am so incredibly grateful for the library. All of my kids love to go there and we have some great children's librarians.

Grace and I have also been taking a lot of prayer walks. I broke down and bought her a (used) stroller and am so glad that I did. She's so little, she can't always keep up with walking and though we carry her a lot, I can't really carry her for a whole walk. There is a trail by our house that I frequently walk on. I am constantly reminded (as I walk on this trail) how just a few short months ago, I was praying for my dear little girl who was in an orphanage far away in China. Now, she is here with us! God is good!

I have been eyeing this lightwedge for years. The homeschool website that I frequently order books from, has these for sale. Since I still sit with Grace while she is going to sleep, I finally decided to buy the lightwedge. That way, I can read while she is fallling asleep. Wow! It is great. I definitely recommend buying it if you do a lot of reading while someone else needs it to be dark in the room. It sure beats a regular book light.

Our sweet Lily girl has been sick since Thursday. She has had a fever between 102 and 104.4. Yikes, she is hot. She also is not eating. She's been a sweet patient, though, and I've enjoyed a lot of snuggling. We've been praying and praying for her. I am encouraged by Heidi Baker's testimony. She prayed for every blind person that she met for a year, with no success. But, now she sees God heal the blind regularly. She kept pressing into God and believing in His faithfulness. So, we'll keep praying for our precious girl until she is well. And we'll keep praying for others because we know that He is good!

Look at that sweet smile!