Elijah's 6th Birthday

 Praise the Lord, Elijah recovered from his sickness in time for his 6th birthday!  It was fun to see his siblings wake him up and sing happy birthday to him.  Finally we could open the present Grandma sent.  I love how Emily is helping open it also.

 After school we had his fun party with the Kindergarten class.  These kids are ready for fun!

 Elijah loves track and field day, so I had to use the hurdles for at least one game!

 Malachi loved to be a part of the party with the "big" kids.  Duck-Duck-Squeeze!  Love the expressions on these kids' faces.

 Elijah next to his two best buddies.  Sojo and Silas have known Elijah his whole life!  Sojo has been at every birthday party of his since he was 1--what true life friends!

 We actually had so much fun having a double birthday party, shared with Jaydin.  What a blessing to have so many friends.

Happy Birthday, Jaydin and Elijah!  Thank you, Lord, for friends and for life!  What a gift!

MK Christmas Special--Elementary Musical

 Last week was the elementary Christmas musical: "The MK Christmas Special."  Here are the students practicing for one last run-through before the big show on Friday night!

Here is a photo that I smile at.  Mr. Becker is directing there, and in front of him is our son, Elijah!  It is the first performance in 9 years here that our son is actually in the program!

 Father and son, matching outfits!  Elijah and I both spotted this shirt in the store, and we knew we had to buy it!  Now they can be twins!

 On the day of the performance it was Miss Roseboom's birthday party in Kinder class.  Elijah is sitting at the far table with the light blue shirt.  Notice that Malachi and Luke wanted to join the class and are sharing a chair as guests.

What a blessing Miss R has been to our school this year, and especially to our firstborn son!

 Malachi loves to bake!  Here are the gingerbread boys ready to share at "Elijah's concert".

On our way to the concert--3 ladies, 3 trays of cookies and 3 kids!

 Let the show begin!  When I see pictures like this I still praise God for His provision of an auditorium with stage, lights and sound!  We did this same musical 8 years ago on wooden platforms on a covered court outside.  What a difference!  Thank you, Lord!

It was great to do the "MK Christmas Special"especially since it teaches our "missionary kids" that there are others like them in other countries around the world, like Latin America, Africa and Australia.

The music was powerful in teaching the kids (and audience) many of the names of Jesus that we can worship: "Jesus the Bread of Life", "Jesus the King of Kings", and "Jesus the Living Water", to name a few!  It was precious to hear our Malachi learning the songs at home too, and his eyes fixated on the performers.

 "Mama is proud of you, Elijah!"

A fun preschool photo of our gingerbread house activity.  Let the count-down to Christmas begin!  Merry Christmas everyone!  We are thankful for YOU!

Carnival and Chapel

Here's Elijah's Kindergarten class (just the boys) with their teacher.  I love how Elijah has his hat over his eyes.  What a fun guy!

Sorry this post is so delayed.  I tried 4 or 5 different times to upload the pics but had some frozen internet problems.  Hope this works today!

 Here is the dunk tank.  Notice Elijah is hitting the target square on while his Papa sits in the dunk chair!  Ah!  Got him!

 Down goes Papa.  Good shot, Elijah!

Through the money raised from the carnival, our school was able to send relief funds through a local church to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan.  We also collected canned goods and foods that were sent in a truck to those who lived through the disaster.  Continue to pray for our country as many people rebuild their lives and go on without the ones who were lost.

Malachi gets a turn.  Good shot, M!

 Mama and Papa compete for the fastest boat race.  Elijah and Malachi cheer us on!  Hey!  Mama got first place!

Papa and Elijah pose in the fun photo booth.

Here is Luke playing with the thanksgiving plates Aunt Sarah sent us!  Fun!  Since we have missed 9 American thanksgivings, and while I studied in Canada I missed 4, this holiday has become much smaller for me (no turkey, no pies, no football games).  Yet we are thankful for so many things, especially for the Bible in our language, our family and friends, and for salvation in Jesus!

 Last week Elijah's class led the chapel.  It was precious to hear and see them singing and worshiping Jesus.  If you want to see a video, check my Facebook page.  May they follow you all their days, Lord!

They did a drama from Max Lucado's book "You are Special."  Cormac was Punchinello with all the dots.  They did a great job acting out this story!  May the message stick in their hearts.

Chapel and Soccer

 Elijah has been loving soccer after school on Wednesdays and Fridays.  He is such an active guy and puts all his energy into it.  I love this action shot!  My boy is growing up!

 I love this action shot with Elijah and one of his best friends, Sojo.  Thank you, Lord, for friends and fun!

 I love my little doll Emily too!  This little blue dress really brings out her eyes.  What a thoughtful girl!

 Elijah's class led the chapel this week.  He was Noah!  I pray that he will also follow the Lord in faith, as Noah in the Bible did.

 It blessed my heart to see Elijah praising the Lord with his friends.  "Hallelujah, your love makes me sing!"

Here is the Kindergarten class leading worship.  Praise the Lord!

Spirit Week and Packages

 This week is Spirit week at school!  It is almost like having halloween every single day--so many costumes to think of!  Even though Elijah is our only boy in school, Malachi and Luke wanted to walk in the parade too!  Elijah was having fun on the first day--sports day!

 I love to see the little guys following their older brother, and Elijah looking up to the older boys at school.

 Meanwhile, back at the home front, Malachi got his birthday package from Grandma Bruce!  So fun!  What's inside?!

 I found the bottom of this kitchen set for sale at a cheap price at a used surplus store.  What a blessing!  Then I had Kuya Arman fix it for me and add the top shelves.  It was fun to put little things in it for Malachi, but so perfect was the fact that Mom found some pans that fit just right on the top.  Thanks Grandma!

 Malachi loves to cook, and I love to watch him pretend!

 Malachi is sitting down to enjoy the meal he just made.  Love the cupcakes, Mom!

 Day two Elijah was a King.  He looks so funny!

 And Sojo was his princess!  Oh, he got 2 princesses--Mika too!

 Day three Elijah was a tree, Malachi was the sun, Luke a leaf, and Papa was a rain cloud.

 I don't think Eljiah liked day 3 as much.  His arms were tired from holding up his branches.  Note to self: Do not make a costume that requires holding arms up for ten minutes, and do not make paper costumes.

 Malachi is one serious-looking sun!  Hahaha!  Oh, I think Moms have more laughs on spirit week than the kids do.  Who would like to make a caption for this photo?

Soccer season has started!  I am now officially a "soccer mom".  I always knew I would be one day--and that day has come!  So fun to have snacks with friends after a great rainy practice.

First Day of Kindergarten

 Today was a very special day.  It marks a change in our lives.  Our firstborn son went to Kindergarten today!  If you are a parent, you know this is a huge day for the Mamas and Papas out there!  Sending your kid out there to be taught by someone other than yourself.  Letting them meet kids and potentially get hurt!  Seeing them spread their wings ever so wide, ready to fly!

Elijah was so cute in his uniform, getting his new shoes on, and wearing his backpack.  Since he grew up at the school with his Papa as the teacher, he has been ready since birth to finally be a student here!  Funny, his music teacher surprised him today.  It was Papa!

Yay!  Elijah's teacher is a photographer.  Therefore, we had a photo moment for the parents!  So glad she likes pictures.  All the kids in Elijah's class are here for their first day--13 of them!  Elijah is standing by the teacher in this picture--I'm glad he likes her!

 I'm amazed, my active independent guy is actually standing nicely in a line here.  This could be the beginning of something totally new for him!  He also sat in a chair for 30 minutes in the opening ceremonies--I was amazed again.  Finally, I snuck past the window of his class and saw him sitting in a desk!  All the days we play and hike and bike and play in the sand, and today I saw him doing things so nicely and calmly with his class.  I can hardly believe my eyes.  Thank you, Lord, for a great first day!

In addition to all the excitement, it was Emily's one month birthday!  What a precious growing girl!

 My friends and I holding our 3 babies!  We had a baby shower together in March, and now we are all here with the live dolls!  All of us also have a son in Kindergarten together, so that is fun!  Thank you, Lord, for friends, and for our babies' friends!