Brady Goes Bowling

Today Brady went bowling for the first time. It was really cute they had ramps and bumpers and he seemed to really enjoy it. It was Maddex's 4 year old birthday party so there were a lot of kids and a lot of chaos but the kids loved it. Don't think less of him because the ball is pink, they just happen to be the lightest. I think the hardest thing was waiting his turn, life can be so unfair.

Chocolate Coffee

The other day it was a wet cold morning and a cup of coffee sounded really good. I made myself a pot and thought "perhaps Brady would really enjoy some hot chocolate." So I made him some and put it in a cute little starbucks espresso mug. He was a little nervous to drink it at first but was in love at first sip. The boy is a sugar addict already. The funny thing is that every sip he took he would clap his hands and say "Yea, thank you mom, thank you mom, thank you for the chocolate coffee". every time till it was all gone.

February 1st

Here I am again - ug what a crazy go it's been. Sorry that I haven't been on for a while, Tony actually threatened to kick me off his list since I haven't been a faithful blogger. In my defense we have been gone 21 days this month and half of December. When we travel, we only have one computer and taking care of the kids in someone else's house is a bit more challenging then I thought. To recap the lost time. We had a fantastic Christmas in Montana and I turned 29 - went skiing and had the best birthday ever - Mac turned 1 and still hasn't had a hair cut. Funny moment: Brady has been learning new words but sometimes when he hears a word that sounds similar to a word he knows he substitutes them like, Burger King is Birthday King and Oscar the Grouch is Oscar the Ouch... it is super funny. Mac is still not walking by himself but he really gets around. He has mastered the stairs which is a relife. I'm working on my Thank you notes, I've finished 100 - still so many to go... hope you're wearing your bracelets!

Good friends make a happy heart.

I saw this picture today and it made me very happy. Andrea, I miss you so much! I wish i could visit you in Equador.

Thanksgiving in San Francisco

At the last minute we decided to go to San Fran the week of Thanksgiving to visit Tony's grandparents. What a trip! We got to see the Bakers - what a blast - I heart the Bakers. We also got some quality time with some of Tony's extended family. First of all I love Tony's family so much. I must have the best in-laws in the whole world because I just don't know how it could get any better. Additionally, his extended family is so awesome. I met some family members for the first time and got to know some that I've only connected with a few times. Family is so important, what a blessing. It only makes me a little sad that we will leave the country in a bit and be so far away. But oh the joy that fills our hearts knowing they love and support us.

Monroeville & Prophetic Prayer

So far in our travels one of the highlights has been the missions convention at Monroeville Assembly. It was a 5 day celebration of missions and a true blessing for us. Lori (pastor Lance's wife) planned everything with her team and it was simply amazing. It brought the term "Missions Convention" to a whole new level for me. The best part was that we felt like we really connected with people. We saw them 4 days in a row and had deep conversations. I really feel like they know who we are and it is such a comfort to know they will be praying for us. Tony and I joked that there were 2 things they made sure of, 1. we weren't under feed (very important in the A/G) and 2. we weren't under prayed for - we were prayed over so much I feel like we could go right now and we'd have such an amazing prayer covering we'd do great things. However something happened in one of the final prayer sessions that took me off guard, prophetic prayer. It was so amazing how this group of a dozen or so people prayed with such knowledge. They call their group FireStarters and boy did they start a fire. It was very sobering and humbling that God would speak to us the words he did, and also inspiring - I want to be a firestarter. The amazing thing was there were 3 other missionaries with us who they prayed for and each had a prophetic message that was right on - oh to be that close to Jesus. There is no greater gift then a word from the Lord. Additionally at the close of the convention we debriefed a little with the pastor and his wife and he also had a word for us the just resounded with our spirits - Fear Not. God is good. -- all the time.

Hotel Bliss

So we are on a long stretch of hotel days and nights which is very interesting with 2 young boys. The first 3 nights we were in different places but now we are in the same hotel for a few nights, in Meadville, PA (aka home of the zipper). Today was an eventful day, Brady and I spent 3 full hours in the pool, ate at the Cracker Barrel, and had DQ for desert after an in room dinner. There are surly some challenges to this type of a life - we happen to have one pack-n-play set up in the bathroom which makes it a bit challenging to use the potty after 8.30 - there is the constant planning and thinking ahead to possible problems, the car naps, and the driving driving driving -- but honestly we are having a lot of fun. There are so many light little things that happen every day that keep us laughing and we are so happy to be together. Here are some funny things: I got Brady the Little People Noah's Arc toy - since we are in a hotel, I like to have one new thing to help entertain them and he loves animals. I've been saving them for Meadville since we're going to be here a while. He saw the box the first night and just stared at it, no fit or anything just staring at it. The next night he saw it and named all of the animals, then he kept asking Big Dad for them - "Big Dad" I want one of those zebras".... it was so cute and he was so patient. When we gave it to him tonight he was so happy. The other day when we were leaving McDonalds he saw a half sucked lollipop in the ashtray and tried to grab it. Today when we were leaving the pool it was so cold and Brady was running down the halls screaming in his Mr. Incredible swim suit. McKinley is starting to bite which shouldn't be funny but he laughs every time and it is so funny. Brady talks himself to sleep every night and says the funniest thing, usually he ends up putting himself in time out and apologizing to everyone he can think of. I don't know if these make you laugh but they fill my heart with happiness.