Look Who We Got 187/365

So, today I got to go to Atlanta and pick up my 5th child.  Some of you know her, and some of you don't because you haven't followed me for that long.  But this is Emily, she lived with us for a year as an exchange student.  She came to us at 15 years old, determined but terrified.  She blossomed and changed in so many ways during that year.  It was hard to see her go.  Now she is a beautiful 20 year old young lady.  She hasn't changed much though, and the kiddos are so excited to have her back.  Hope is cracking us up, because you would think she had already known Emily.  I am going to miss out on half of Emily's trip here because I am headed to her side of the world, but I know we will enjoy the time we do have.  Welcome home Em!

Happy 4th! 186/365

I will share my cute 4th pictures later in the week after I have time to sit down and look at them, but for now you get the fun part of the 4th.  The kids wanted to go get some fireworks, so we headed out to the "really big" store.  I'm thinking I should have left the boys at home, because they were like kids in a candy store.  We had all kinds of fun stuff.  Lots of them stayed low to the ground and just made pretty sparks.

 Then of course we had the even milder sparklers.  Miss Hope adored the sparklers and twirled around.

 You may be wondering what this picture is....well, it was a very nice free gift from the "really big" fireworks store.  They always load us up with freebies, and this one was a whopper of a freebie.  It was the last one of the night, because it was sure to be amazing.  It went off and I was taking pictures, the first three are beautiful.  Then there is this one, it was taken as I was ducking for cover because for some reason it started spitting out explosives sideways.  I think this picture was of the smoke that was coming up from behind me at this point.  I screamed at the kids to get in just as another one flew in the opposite direction.  Once all the dust settled, we found......

this.  See our lovely window.  Now not only does it have a crack, but it has a giant burn hole too.  We thanked the Lord for his protection, then we couldn't stop laughing.  LeeLee summed it up when she said, "I will never forget this 4th of July, it was awesome!"  Hope everyone else had a fabulous 4th!

It's Glowing Orange 185/365

My front door flung open with the words, "Mom it's glowing orange!  Mom, Mom, come on hurry!"  So I grabbed my camera and followed.

They jumped up and down and just laughed hysterically.  Both of them just filled with so much joy that God had changed the color of the moon.

They then decided they wanted me to get a picture of them touching it.  Oh how I love the wonder and amazement of children.  I love that they can look around and see the little things and get such joy from them.  How they can understand so easily that God loves them so much that he is showing off his handy work for them to marvel at.  It's a lesson I needed today.  I needed to see the world through the eyes of these to precious children to remind me to take captive all the things around me, to marvel in his works, and to praise him for his glory.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

Dog Club 184/365

I know I have said this before, but I will say it again, I love 4-H.  I actually feel sorry for kids who never get to experience it.  I don't mean going to club at school, I mean really taking advantage of what it has to offer.  I was a 4-Her growing up, and I loved it!  Noelle has picked up my 4-H passion, and she loves it too!  Tonight was dog club.  We took Annie and headed out to meet the other dog club members for some obedience training.  I generally train Annie, so she didn't want to leave my side, but when she realized that Noelle was the treat factory, she decided Noelle might be pretty cool too.  There were lots of treats...

 lots of water breaks, it is hot out there....

There was even a best friend too!  They are already looking forward to next month.

Half Way 183/365

I'm halfway through my 365 project.  It doesn't feel like the year is now half over, but alas it is.  I have gotten into the routine of curling up in the bed each night with the laptop and the Pips and editing pictures and posting them.  I'll admit that there were a few nights when it was late by the time I got in bed and I wanted to just forget about it, but I have never kept a new years resolution, so I have been determined to keep this one.  I have enjoyed it, and I know the kids will treasure this forever.

I will hit my first 365 snag as I head to China.  Of course I travel for an entire day going and coming, so I can't post then, and I have heard that my internet connection will not be so good at camp this year.  So, I will still write the posts and take the pictures, but I will most likely have to post when I get back.  I think besides missing my family, I will also miss writing the blog.  So, if you don't hear from me soon, just know that I am in the land that I love and that I am still working on this project, and that I will share as soon as I can.

I Think I Have a Sign On the Door 182/365

Do you see that?  They moved in our house about a year after we did.  We have peacefully coexisted for the last five years.  They lived in the overhang of the roof, and they didn't really bother us at all.  However in the last five years, their colony has grown, it hasn't just doubled, I think it has centupled.  Seriously, I think we have thousands now.  

I heard some squeaking in the eaves of my deck, so I slightly pulled one of the boards down to get a peek.  There they were, lots of little bats hanging waiting for nightfall.  I didn't tack my spot back up, so now this is a new daily scene on the back porch.  They come out and hang a bit before they take flight.

So, yes my little bat friends, I am about to wage war.  I realize you are a protected species, but you are going to have to find a new hotel or start paying rent. Your poop which I've heard people will pay big bucks for isn't worth the thousands of dollars of damage you are doing, not to mention the $3000 it is going to take just to get rid of you.  But I will say this, ya'll are cute, and since I have been so kind, would you just please leave on your own....the house next door is empty...you could have it all to yourself.  It would be quiet and hot just like you like it!  Please, I'm begging you!

A Mystery- Part 2 181/365

Guess what?  Hunter now has the rash.  You know the mystery rash that Noelle had.  It started yesterday and his doctor is out of town, so I really was just praying it would go away.  However this morning when he woke up, the rash had consumed his entire body except for his face.  He is hot to the touch just like his sister was.  However, there are no other symptoms.  So today I caved and took him in.  As the doctor looked at him, he was very perplexed.  He thought mono just as our doctor had with Noelle, but I told him she tested negative.  Then he thought some type of sun poisoning which we had thought about with Noelle.  I then asked him to go ahead and do a strep test.

He tested positive, which for me is no big surprise.  However this doctor is concerned to that this rash is not a typical strep rash.  We have new antibiotics and hopefully the strep and the rash will disappear in the next few days.