Hello again!!

Really?! The last time that there was anything new on here was Easter?! Wow. So so far behind! There is no way of catching up everything and pictures since then so I will just bullet point some craziness and then have our most recent moments on here. So after Easter, we continued in language school, found out that I was pregnant again, Craig went to Togo Africa, I flew home alone with the boys, and we were able to spend an absolutely amazing summer with our families and friends in Albuquerque before repacking and moving yet again around the world. We got back to Cote d’Ivoire the beginning of September, took some time cleaning our filthy house like crazy and settled. We were alone for a month getting in the groove of things and reconnecting with students and staff that are still here, then last week we welcomed three guys (Shane, Matt, and John) to our team and house and have been readjusting and resettling again. More whirlwind for sure but we are doing great all in all. The boys are incredible and hilarious and challenging and as lovable as ever and getting huge. We were more worried about Elliot in the midst of all the transitions but he has been a rock star through it all and thriving. Keenan with his tender heart and sweet spirit has gone with the flow and has been excited to be back here.

Keenan is really, really into super heroes these days and imagining things. I love sitting and playing with him and hearing the things he comes up with for situations but then he gets so literal at the same time. He will play pretend all day long and then I will play along later and talk about how he is a super hero and that little scratches don’t really hurt super heroes and he will look at me very seriously and say, “But I’m only a kid, Mom. There is a little bit of blood.” His prayers even have centered on super heroes as he thanks the Lord that He is stronger than any super hero even Hulk and he prays that he will grow up big, as big as the sky and strong and strong and strong like a super hero so he can protect everyone but clarifies that he knows that God will always be bigger and stronger and he is thankful for that. He is back in school again which has been great but it was hard in the beginning as well. I think it was the readjustment of getting in the swing of things spending all day in French and their system is a little bit more harsh than in America nurturing philosophy. They really get on him in the mornings that he greets them with their names which is hard in and of itself since they have names that are difficult for even me to remember! But yet again it is sweet to see his little heart striving to love people well as in his prayers he thanks God for his school and prays that he would not be sad when he goes, that he would play well, learn French fast, and remember everyone’s names in the school. I just am so proud of that guy!

Elliot is getting bigger and bigger and more adorable every day. He now has a love of building things and especially building trains. I have been loving having time with just that snuggle bug while Keenan is at school and getting to know Elliot for Elliot and not in the mix of the family. He still talks non stop and we still have no idea of what he is saying for about 90% of what comes out of his mouth, but it’s getting clearer and clearer all the time. He has a smile that literally melts my heart and still just wants to be snuggled as he drifts off to sleep. I’m trying to just treasure these times as much as I can because I know they will go. He has figured out that he is really in a big boy bed and can get out whenever he wants and more than once Craig and I have gotten up in the morning surprised that there is a little boy who has snuck in and made himself at home in our bed. He grins, waves and says “Ca va?” (which is a way of greeting people in French) in a ridiculously high voice to literally everyone he sees looking at him and it is fun to watch people smile right back at the little white kid who is beaming at them like they are best friends.

Craig and I are both doing well and health wise doing great. I had some pretty serious regular headaches/migraines for a couple of weeks but have not had them in a week or so and feel great. Because of the headaches we went to the dr here and found the hospital the same as when I had my surgery when we first arrived. It was super reassuring to see and as we waited for lab results we wondered around and found the boys Dr’s name still on the door of her office and patients coming in and out so we were happy about that as well. The doctor did a full exam and I got to hear our precious girl’s heartbeat and he said that everything looks great with blood work and measurements. Since then I have been so much better and really do forget all the time that I am even pregnant with the exception of at the very end of the day when I am having to peel myself off the floor from reading to the boys before bedtime. Baby girl is kicking and rolling around all the time and I love feeling her move around all the time. It is such a fun feeling! We are still working on names for our little one but narrowing and hopefully we will land on one soon :). We have had a blast connecting with friends again and having people over to the house for Bible Studies and such. So, there’s a little update on life and where we are right now. Long story short we are all doing well! Now on to some pictures!! Again, mostly of the boys….