Summer is over (sigh) and school has started, and the boys are loving it. They have great teachers this year and even Piper is going all day now (I know, it's crazy!) They do come home for lunch for 2 hours each day, so it's not as much as it sounds. Oh yeah, and no school on Wednesdays either. So really morning and afternoons 4 days a week. Here's a shot of the handsome 3 on the first day of school.
And the second, because I am neurotic. We couldn't find E's glasses on the first day of school, so I made them take 'first day of school pictures' again on the second day of school. I know, I need help...
I thought I would have oodles of time to spare when the boys went back to school, and it turns out I'm busier than ever and don't seem to be home much at all. Thus, I'm not getting around to uploading and posting pictures. Why am I busy, you may ask?
Well, there are some minor things such as I am determined to get back into running a couple times a week, there were reentree cafes, I'm getting back into my language exchange (and boy do I need to practice using my French!), and the biggest on my plate at the moment - planning a trip to Kenya!
Yes, you read that correctly. God laid it on our hearts about a year ago to pursue a trip to Kenya to visit the Compassion International children that we sponsor. We are taking this trip in place of our home leave to the US this fall (sorry to our friends and family!). We are going as a family, so we'll be taking the kids to some very remote and impoverished areas. We think it will be a blessing not only to the children we support but also to us and our boys - to see another culture and understand the greater needs of the world. It will be the first time our children will be exposed to true poverty, and they are excited to meet the children whose pictures adorn our fridge. Additionally, we hope to see the bridge that Kevin's brother Arlin helped to construct during a missions trip to Kenya in the spring of 2005. We're still working on our schedule, but we also hope to have a chance to see some of God's amazing animals on a safari in one of the parks.
So I spend my days in creating and working through checklists. There are so many things that we need to do and very little time to do it. We leave in less than a month and we are still trying to pin down some tiny details like housing and transportation. In other words, pray for us! And pray for me, that I do not get caught up in the to-do lists and forget the reason for this trip. That God has led us down this path and He will be faithful to provide all that we need. Also pray that I am not anxious about taking our young children to such a remote and impoverished and disease-ridden place. Has anyone noticed that we're also under heightened terrorists threats? Yeah, doesn't help.
We did one round of vaccinations, and have 2 to go if I can get them all scheduled in. The kids took 'em like champs, though, so I'm very thankful for that - and the kind doctor here who seriously gave Piper a shot without him even knowing he received it. The most shocking part of the vaccinations was the cost! Most medical-related costs are low here, much more affordable than in the US. But I seriously almost walked away with out getting the vaccinations when they told me the total. And that's only the first third. But then I thought, it truly is a small price to pay in the big picture of our health and well-being. It's a small price for peace of mind that we did all we could to protect our children.. and really, we are priveldged to even have the chance to take these precautions.
I will give more updates as the time draws near. I also will get the photos on this blog up to date so that when we return I can post some pictures from Kenya! We are so thrilled that we have this opportunity, and we ask that you join us in praying for our travels and for the children that we will visit.. and follow along with us for an adventure of a lifetime!
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