Cultural Date

We had a fun date together this week on one of the local holidays. There were tons of people but also tons of great photo moments for this photographer to capture for you to see. I love getting into the culture like this with my man--adventures together.

Lots of kids, costumes, music, crowds and more people.

Outside the catholic church--an interesting scene. Candles for sale and statues of Mary...

Nate meeting up with his Band Buddy Boting. His band was supposed to perform, but I had to miss it since it was later.

Kids love posing for my pictures. Hot day...lots of costumes and kids.

Lots of vendors selling things...Lanzones here are one of Nate's favorite fruits. I love the simple cardboard sign to advertise.

A vendor and her child selling Mangosteen and what's that one, I forgot.

The man is so happy to be noticed by the American Photographer. He can't conceal his delight.

The lady selling brooms---she looked like she needed to make some sales, so I bought one (Elijah loves to sweep dust with Mama).

This is a very typical cultural picture. Selling durian, the local fruit and a jeepney passes in the background of this shot.

Ladies' Retreat--Hope Mountain

A day after his six month birthday we went to hope mountain for the ladies' retreat. I was still photo-crazy about my little man!

It was fun to spend special time with just him....though he got spoiled being held through his naps (hard to go back for a week!)

It was also good for us to get out of the city into nature and God's creation. Refreshing!

My little man! So handsome!

I have to say this, but my hair has never looked more thick...wow, this is a moment (you must know my hair is thin and it is falling out constantly--I wonder when I will be bald, so this is a good photo moment).

Hugs!! (You may wonder when the ladies' retreat will get started!)

He loves to stick out his tongue! He has such a cute giggle. Really....there were other people there besides Malachi. See next photo.

My new German friend, Angelika and her baby Ruben Michael, Malachi's new little buddy. He is eight weeks.

Look at this view of the valley with the mountain behind. What a place to reflect and meditate. These are two of my three best friends. I thought we should get a picture of just us without the kids. Sometimes, as many of you mothers out there know, we get lots of pics of our kids and with our kids that you wonder, "did I have any friends in that stage of my life?" Here we have three moms just being the "girls". Fun.

I felt like myself at last--just me, being me. I really loved leading worship for the retreat and sharing the Scriptures God put on my heart. I was so renewed and refreshed just preparing for it, and I know that God blessed others also.

There were about 32 of us from many different nationalities: Korea, Germany, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Northern Ireland, Philippines...

I love singing and leading worship. When I do I feel like Eric Liddell, who when he ran "felt God's pleasure on him." When I lead worship and sing I feel God's pleasure on me. Thanks to my brother, Micah, for the mandolin! It was also good to just be me. One of the older ladies encouraged me and joked about being a mom: "I'm a package deal!" If you get me you get my kids too!

A couple bonus pictures from this week--I just love when he smiles.

"Hi Grandma and Grandpa! I miss you!"

Malachi Six Months!

Holding up his head--he doesn't like tummy time even now, so he may crawl at a later age than Elijah did. We don't always need to compare though!

Brothers! I love these boys!

Elijah's a cutie, too. I know my baby is growing fast, but I don't want to miss Elijah growing fast too! He is a big boy now and has transitioned his closet/wardrobe to the storage we had for his 2 T clothes. May 8 he'll be two!

Elijah tries to give Malachi a "kiss", that is, sticking his tongue out and licking his head. He's wearing socks in anticipation of our trip to the playplace later at the mall.

I'm glad he's so joyful. It's fun to see him in the jumper when it was not long ago Mr. and Mrs. S gave it to us for Elijah!

Fun laughs and playing with the boys outside in our carport.

Malachi is eating baby food--but he still prefers Mama's milk. We're transitioning SLOWLY. I made him choke on oatmeal and squash, so I had to splurge and buy the sale Gerber items.

Playplace at the mall--a fun outing.

This is my life. You will see this picture every-day almost two times a day. A very well-worn path for me and the boys. (The guard took this picture for us at the entrance...I asked him to capture this since I do it every day but never had a photo). I'm excited to get back on the bike, but I'm kind of nervous to put both bike seats on. Right now I just bike with Elijah on one or Nate on his.

Our fam on Malachi's six months. I guess that is the day in the life of Malachi.

Recently--Randomly

Elijah loves to hear the sound of the garbage trucks. He runs out with a bag to help toss up into the truck.

The collectors love to see him run out, and they like to help him too. It is amazing how the garbage is done here. When the truck honks his horn, people run out with their trash. We hang ours on a garbage tree--a welcome for our guests to enjoy. Then the men empty the sacks up on top of the truck to sort and find if there is anything in there to recycle or keep. They often don't wear gloves, and it is quite a heap of stuff.

I started getting sentimental the week before Malachi turned six months. I feel like my baby is disappearing and he is growing so fast! I had my camera out a lot that week! So tender, these sleeping moments.

Even more tender are mornings with Mama. Not many more moments like this, now that Malachi has moved out! I love my baby!

I love this expression--one I see lots now that he is teething. He is a small doll!

Elijah's "class"--learning the local language with his little friend, Sojo, and Ate Bebe. It is fun to hear him speak words like "pasa" (pass) and "bola" (ball). If he can say "Kaon" he gets a donut. He learned to say that quickly.

They are learning a praise song in Cebuano with actions. I even heard him pray in Cebuano "Ginoo..." (Dear God...). Precious!

I have a Malachi sleeping shot, so I have to even things up with Elijah! He is precious too and loves his yellow blankie. He makes sure everyone in the family has a blankie, even Papa. He likes to share with Malachi, but not the yellow one. If I lay Malachi on the yellow one he jumps out of his chair and tries to move his brother off.

Nate did a great job leading for his concert the other Friday. I was not able to go but I enjoyed hearing the practice. It's great to see that my husband loves what he does and he loves his students. Lots of people gave me great feedback about his concert. Praise God for all He is doing!