A little fun with friends...

Because of the difference in schedules (Nationals typically eat lunch around 2pm with dinner following at anywhere between 8:30 and 10pm, to give an example.), many times the children miss a chance to play with friends. So, on this day, the girls' friends came during the boys' and Valerie's nap. I won't let them go outside on their own, so we invited the girls' friends to come in (after asking their parents of course). They had a wonderful time playing cards, dolls and just giggling!

This friend has enjoyed playing with our children since the second day we arrived in our apartment. With both national and Russian parents, this boy speaks three languages!

I was seriously disturbed after playing catch with the boys, they came in and said they had just 'done' a touchdown. I asked them to show me and this is what they produced!

Humpty Dumpty

A short recap of the L*rd's miraculous healing...

At the hospital, preparing for surgery...(I can't believe I had to use the 's-word' with one of my children! Honestly, this was the worst day of my life.)

After only five days...This is amazing because the wound was (The doctor agreed, so this is no exaggeration due to previous hysteria on Daddy's part.) about 5/16" wide!

After one week...now with stitches out...

10 days later...pretty much like the previous picture but, because of the blurry phone picture, it looks gone.

Now, the doctors say to give it three weeks with nothing on it. Then, they will give it a cream to help with the scarring.

PTL...what a miracle!

A few more Christmas pics...

More than just the two front teeth...

Mommy's homemade cinnamon rolls will always be a hit!

Andrew loved his new Chiefs jacket, but wanted so badly to have a hood.

Jonathan the firefighter!

Abby's new dress.

Elizabeth's new raincoat.

This is just the center. Between the presents we brought and the presents received via mail later, it was quite overwhelming for us! What is normally spread out over a week's time, we opened in one morning! Thanks to all of our family for making this such a great day!

How Can One Not?

I wish I could post a picture, but I haven't spent the time to figure out how to transfer pictures from my phone to my computer (and our camera just broke). But, imagine if you will, a picture of a girl sitting in a laundry basket, in a chair, wearing a Santa hat and watching a little "Frosty". Now imagine hearing this same girl receive this message: "A, stop picking your nose with your toes!" How can one not love her?

Good for Everyone

If you have about four minutes, check this out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPViKJRHyZo

More to come...

I'll post more later, but I wanted you to see how much Elizabeth's thoughtfulness meant to Abby on Christmas morning.