And We're Off.

I don't know what we're off to, but it feels like something good.  Spring, maybe?  One can hope.

My sweet baby girl had tubes put in her ears today.  She was such a trooper.  Any mom's out there remember that "I don't care" medicine they give your child before the surgery?  I'm wondering how I get my hands on that.  That's some good stuff right there.

And then she came out of surgery.  I didn't see her...but I could hear her.  Oh boy.  It took her quite some time to wake up and recover.  Actually, like a few hours. 

But she woke up this afternoon looking and feeling like a million bucks.  That's success in my book.

So, we're all healthy (finally) and itching for spring to make a more permanent appearance.  Tulip Time is around the corner and we can't wait to enjoy two weeks of Dutch nostalgia.  Hey. we aren't Dutch...but who cares.

Did I mention we're going to get to see some pretty cool people during Tulip Time?  Yuppers.  Can't wait for our Kentucky friends to make a visit.

We've been hit...again.

I no longer think this is the worst season of illness we have ever endured.  I know it.

Wednesday, we saw a specialist who told us what we already knew: 12 ear infections in 18 months is not normal.  Really?  So, Elli is scheduled to have tubes put in on April 25th.  That is if we can keep her healthy until then.

Elli has something nasty.  Neither Matt or I are fans of vomit (who is, really?).  But, when its your baby's vomit, things change.  We tag-teamed through the night and arrived at this morning...alive, but well-worn.

I'm guessing rotavirus.  Boo!  Its going around like wildfire.  Looks like we're in for a longer haul than the normal 24-hour bug.  Second Boo!

Here's to lots of hugs for a moaning, hurting baby - and lots of bleach spray to keep the rest of us germ-free.

Refining Frugality

I think frugality is somewhat like spirituality.  Just when you think you've got it down, you realize how far you have to go.  I've learned a few valuable (and humbling) lessons in the past few weeks that are saving us money.

Lesson 1:  Diapers.  Two kids and hundreds (maybe even thousands) of diapers later, I've jumped on the cloth diapering train.  Well, I actually still have one foot dragging slightly on the ground.

Coming back from Honduras I experienced a bit of reverse culture shock.  I was prepared.  I've been on many oversees trips and knew what to expect.  Or so I thought.  That was until I went to Meijer on Monday to grab a few things.  A pack of diapers was on the list, so I sauntered over to the aisle to find my trusty box of Dry Babies.  Can't beat $14.99 for 82 diapers, right?  Of course, Meijer decided to STOP selling their diaper brand while I was out of the country.  What?  No, I'm not going to pay $4 more for a name brand with less diapers in the box.  And NO, I'm not going to drive across town with gas prices soaring to get a box of diapers. 

So, I grabbed a handful of cloth diapers and angrily left the store.

I guess in my sinful attitude you could say the Lord showed me grace.  I actually really like the cloth diapers that I got.  Easy to use, easy to clean...and I'm not throwing them away!  We're still using disposables on the days I work and at night.  But, 5 days out of the week we're saving money...and I like that.

Lesson 2:  Bread.  Such a simple staple to have around the house.  So, why are we always out of it.  And why am I always running to the store for it when I have a breadmaker in my kitchen and flour in my cupboard?  Duh!  Reevaluating my grocery list is a huge part of our savings.  Do we really need the things that are on there?  Or do we THINK we need the things that are on there?

Sometimes its the little things that we don't recognize that cost us the most money.  So, we're rethinking things...refining our frugality.

I'll probably have this whole homemaking thing down when my kids are gone.  Hm.  Then I'll have to write a book, I guess.

God at Work

As promised, here is an update about our trip to Honduras.  I have bolded the heading for easy reading and skipping ahead for those that just want a quick summary.

Who went.  Our team consisted of 12 people - 8 high school students and 4 adults.  We had an even number of boys and girls, which was very convenient.

Where we landed.  We flew into San Pedro Sula and made our three hour trip to Sequatepeque.  It was a beautiful trip.  Our final destination was La Providencia children's home.  What a wonderful ministry!

What we did.  Our team had two main objectives: build a playground and conduct a three-day VBS.  Sounds easy enough, right?  Well, the work project was quite a challenge.  We spent the first day digging 10-16 inch deep holes in clay and rock.  Once those were finished, we filled them with cement that we hand-mixed.  And the last day, we built a concrete, mortar and cement frame for a slide.  All in all, we built a swing set, teeter totter, monkey bars, and buried tires.  Our kids also did a fantastic job helping to lead a VBS at a local church (completely in Spanish) where over 120 kids attended.

Our organization.  We partnered with LeaderTreks (which I highly recommend for teen trips).  They focus on building servant leadership in students while ministering to the native people.  During the trip we studied the book of James and had in depth meetings each night that helped us to debrief our experiences, document what God was doing in our life, and learn how to implement that work into our lives back home.  Our motto was: We are not here to be serve, but to serve.

The impact.  Several of our students had never been on an airplane before...a few had never been on a mission trip.  Seeing the poverty in Honduras affected them.  Many came home with a firm belief that God is leading them to serve after high school.  All of them were impacted for eternity.  I was so proud to be part of their team.  They led in extraordinary ways and took risks that God honored.

Every time I go on a mission trip, wherever it may be, my worldview is broadened.  I am reminded that God is sovereign, He rules the earth, and He wants to see people come to know Him.  I'm humbled that He uses us in the process.

Thank you for your support and your prayers!

Back from Honduras

We are back from a very busy couple of weeks.  Did you know it takes an entire week to get ready to be out of town for a week...and then a whole 'nother week to recover?

All the mommies out there just said AMEN.

So, I plan to write a very long blog entry tomorrow (with pictures of course) about our trip to Honduras and all that God taught us through our experience.  Stay tuned...