California Here We Come!

Ahhh vacation. The words always sound so sweet! We are headed off at the end of this week for what seems to be a yearly trip to California. We always discuss other ideas, and we always say we will do something different next year, but here we go again. Honestly it just feels like home, and we know we can relax here even with two kids. We also got a really good deal on some Disney tickets. Three days for the kids price. This probably will be our last trip here for awhile...seriously. We would like to take the kids to Disney World in Florida, but we decided we want to wait until they are both a little older. It is so big and there is so much to do we want everyone to be able to enjoy it without diaper changes or bottles to make.
We have been truly blessed to be able to get away for the kids so often. It has helped that my dear dad works for American. I am excited to say we have paid for the trip completely with cash, and with the use of some creative budget planning it will come off being quite affordable. Gotta love priceline and restaurant coupons! My parents are going to come out for a couple of days because Disney has a promotion going on right now. If you come on your birthday you get in free. My dad's birthday just happens to be the 30th. Who could pass that up when you can practically fly for free! I know it will be a welcome break after 2 weeks of hard work in Africa.
We are also going to take a day and go to Santa Monica. I love the beach and all of the quirky shops and entertainment. It is so invigorating. I am looking forward to sharing the tradition once again with my kids. I keep telling Kaylie she should be so thankful for the opportunity she has been given. She may still be too young to understand, but I never want her to take for granted what she has. It is amazing to look back at past trips and see how she has grown.
Here she is on her first trip,only 4 months old.



A vacation right after her second birthday
Her most recent trip.I look forward to the new memories we will create with our kids, and the fun that comes along with it. Now I need to focus on cleaning and packing before work starts back up tomorrow.

Teething is a Nightmare

What happened to my sweet little boy? He has been overtaken by the teething monster. I have heard stories about babies who go absolutely crazy while teething. I didn't believe it. Kaylie never really fussed while she was teething. She never ran a fever. Yes she chewed on things more than usual, but for the most part she just went with the flow. Micah has decided to throw all of our previous parental confidence out the window. So much for thinking all that experience with the first baby would make raising the second a breeze. Micah has proven what every parent says but I had failed to realize until now. Every child is different. Micah has always been a little more clingy since birth. He likes to be held and coddled. He is not usually content to just lie in his crib or sit in a bumbo and chew on a teething ring. I had finally made some peace with this. Chris and I had learned to balance a baby on one knee while eating and allowing a little extra cuddle time after getting up in the morning. He had started gaining that cute little baby personality, laughing, smiling, and babbling a lot of intelligent baby wisdom. Suddenly a few weeks ago things began to seriously change. It started with an almost constant drool. No problem, nothing a burp rag and a few extra changes of clothes can't handle. Then came an instinct to chomp down and gum on anything that comes close to his mouth. Who knew gums could injure a finger so badly? Next came the continuous crying as he chews on his own hand. At this point it is almost impossible to make him happy. If I hold him he still whines, if I give him a teething ring he gets frustrated because he can't shove the whole thing in his mouth. I even have tried oragel which works temporarily, but in no way solves the problem. I work so hard to get a smile or even a little laugh, but he just seems uncomfortable most of the time. I know time is really the only solution, but my sanity is wearing thin. When it's all over I 'll look back and this will seem like a little blip in the entire spectrum of child rearing, but for now I'm just praying for those little teeth to start coming in!

Obama Mania

It was a big day for a lot of people yesterday. I like the majority of the country watched parts of the inauguration ceremonies. I thought I would have a lot to say on the topic because I always get an itch for political banter. Surprisingly I do not feel like analyzing much. It is a wait and see situation. No man is god, and no one person can save the world from all its ills.

That being said I am done with political talk for this blog. Instead I would like to talk about being sick. I hate it. I just had a cold last month before Christmas. Stupid rhino virus getting to me again. I'm just glad it came now instead of next week because we are headiong for vacation next Thurday. I am so ready for some time away.

Just Missing

I don't like it so much when my parents are away. It is even worse when they are in a place where phone and internet usage are limited. I am spoiled to having them so close. I cannot count the number of times I have picked up the phone to call my mom to tell her something, and then I have to remind myself she is not at home. Only about eight days left. That seems like a lifetime from now.

It may sound crazy, but I wish I were in hot,dusty Burkina Faso right now. It would be better than staring at this energy vaccuum they call a computer.

Snack Time

I have a new favorite snack, and it's healthy too! A quarter of a loaf of naan with 2 tbl. of garlic hummus and some cucumbers on top.

Come Fly With Me

I really need to fly away...just for awhile

On Towards Africa

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa. It holds the unfortunate title as the third poorest country in the world. I find this completely amazing considering all of the desitute places on this planet, but here is where my parents have been called time and time again. I have not had the privilege of visiting yet, but I know my time will come.

This week my parents left to lead a team along with a few doctors to do a medical outreach in the capitol of Ougadougou and some surrounding villages. They will try to provide some very basic medical care in hopes of making some inroads for a trip in the future that will be on a larger scale. To look at the needs of countries like this is overwhelming. Attempts to bring some sort of aid and hope almost seem like trying to drain the ocean with a bucket. In spite of the circumstances we the body of Christ are called to this, to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, reach out to the hurting both spiritually and physically. I have a bad habit of getting caught up in myself and my needs, but to know Christ is to live a life opposite to human nature. It is to be selfless to give even when we feel spent. Today I must repent once again for my self absorption and short sightedness. It may be a small bucket, but it is my bucket and I am willing to be used to do my part here until one day I can reach across that ocean.