Our THREE Children

The morning after baby Kyler arrived...meeting his Big brother and sister. They were super excited to finally hold him and touch him instead of Mommy's belly. Kolby asked, "Why is your stomach still so big?" :) Nothing helps motivate you more than your four year old.
Kyler Joshua, 7 lbs 2 ounces, 20 inches long, and lots of black hair.

Angie took these pics for us of his first week. She did a great job...and it helps of course that all three of our kids are precious!
Gabby and "mick" and her thumb....

(hmm, not sure why this pic is so weird....but I am too tired to take it off and try again...)
Kolby's tooth is still hanging on!

Kyler came 2 weeks early just like I prayed :) It's nice when the Lord answers prayers just the way you want!! He was born on Friday, September 11 at 9:52 p.m. The surprise for me was the way he was born. Kyler decided he wanted to be born face up instead of face down...but the Doctor and his mom decided it was better for him to come face down. After a long, tiring labor, dilated to a 9, I gladly accepted a spinal block so I could endure the Doctor turning Kyler while I pushed. Which really at that point I wanted someone to knock me over the head :) but I could still feel all the contractions (and was given pitocin at that point to increase them so we could get Kyler out). To our relief he was finally out, smashed nose, forehead and all. I had started preparing myself for a c-section. I was so happy the Doctor was willing to wait and help (I will spare all the details of my "african" birth). Yesterday he was 2 weeks old already....and actually today is his actual due date. Jon has been busy getting lots of paperwork together so Kyler can get a passport. On Wednesday we made a trip to the American Embassy (my first time inside). When we left I was like, "Wow! I haven't experienced customer service like that in a long time!" Kyler should have a passport in 10 days.

Now that Kyler has arrived safe and sound, we are working on adjusting to having 3 children, a baby's schedule, and getting to America. Jon stayed home for a week and we have had lots and lots of help from our friends here...great meals, lots of offers to play with Kolby and Gabby while I get rest, and lots of love and encouragement. Kyler is super sweet, so tiny, and seems to be more like his brother already. He likes to eat after exactly 3 hours, he likes to nap most of the day, and he likes when his brother and sister talk to him. His first smiles have been for them. But he has saved some smiles for Jon and I too.

ha...thanks, Erin....

just reminded by my friend Erin that we all have 10 fingers and 10 toes....dude, can I blame that on baby brain and being super tired or what?

Our first big ouchy in Africa

Here is our brave boy!! Kolby was running up our MARBLE STAIRS on Tuesday night and slipped, hitting his front teeth on the edge of the step. These pics were taken the next morning. He wanted to look at himself :) Yeah, notice the jewels...he says he's King Kolby...we will go along with that for now :) Thankfully our friend Veronica knows all about teeth :) She came over in the morning to look at his left front tooth. From the pic you can tell it's loose and crooked. Veronica went to the dentist with us yesterday morning. The dentist was FABULOUS, very gentle and kind. And Kolby was super excited to show him his tooth, ride in the big chair, and get an xray. The conclusion: he fractured his left front tooth in 2 places. Estimated time is about 2-3 months the roots will die and his tooth will probably be falling out. I am just thankful it's a baby tooth. Today his poor lip is still swollen but he is eating better and running around. His biggest fear was that he was going to lose all his teeth. He really wanted to go to the doctor so the doctor could make it all better. He's been great with the whole thing...a little whiny with me but I think that's because he knows that Mommy will baby him all he wants!! And she has! It just reminds me that in an instant myself or someone I love could be changed forever...with a little or big accident. Thankfully this one was little. I am still counting my blessings that I have 2 healthy children with 5 fingers and 5 toes...

This waiting game is over...

Our friends finally had their baby girl!! She was 8 days late...but came out in about 4 hours!! First baby...in africa...Susie is a champ! Welcome, Maisy!! We can't wait to sit around and stare at you some more!
Our friend Cerena has been visiting for a month...wow...who knew someone could visit for a month and it go by so fast with very little stress! The most stressful thing we had to figure out was what kind of bagels should we make this week?! Cerena stayed with our friend Ang mostly but we sure enjoyed every minute we got to have with her. She was fabulous with our kids and helped Angie put on a VBS. We were sad to see her go...for real, Gabby started crying when they drove off in the truck to take her to the airport! :( Maisy was born the day Cerena left so she got to see her at the hospital.
Gabby's turn to kiss and hug baby Kyler...which she does about 3 times a day...she loves him, loves him already!! Good news for us. 3 weeks left! Then we will see what she really thinks of him.
Taking Kolby to preschool for the first day...at Angie's house! He goes there Mondays and Thursdays from 9 to 10:30. Tuesdays and Fridays are my days...Jon get Wednesdays! Every day I do a reading lesson with him from this book called "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons". So far he's flying high. And Angie's house is his new favorite place...our house and Veronica's house were voted out he informed me last week. This pic was also to show off our truck...that its back...and that we now have a car port to protect it.
Our last bagel making day with Cerena here! We made garlic, salt, pepper & oregano; pumpkin, nutmeg, and cinnamon; and brown sugar, cinnamon & pecan. Oh so good. These girls are SO good to our kids...they let them crawl all over them, interrupt them, antagonize them...and they just keep playing with them. It confirms that Jesus meant what he said in Matthew 10:29...whoever leaves his father or mother or sister, etc...will receive a hundred times as much...Seems like He always sends us people to love on us at just the right times. And they really do love us like family (of course, no one can replace family though...I know what you are thinking, Mom!).

Good gifts this month

Six weeks and counting for baby Kyler's arrival. Kolby and Gabby love touching my belly, kissing it, and talking to it. It's pretty cute how excited Kolby is to have a brother. My "baby to do" list is pretty big, but I have been blessed with some extra time this week to get stuff done. That feels good. Gabby is now in her big girl bed but has developed some new habits :) like sucking her thumb and carrying the pack n play sheets around everywhere! No one has ever seen her suck her thumb outside the pack n play...but now she is doing it all the time. She likes to ask Jon and I to hold her like a baby and rock her. Oh man! This should be fun for her when the real baby arrives...
Our quick run to France...Jon practiced taking care of both kids on the flight while I sat across the aisle in bliss! He did a great job by the way. We are practicing for the long flight to America. My job will be easy compared to his I think. I guess it depends on Kyler's personality...

Kyler likes coffee :) Waiting for our flight home from Lyon.Okay, and so does Gabby! I swear she steals my cup often and this is what happens...she seriously drinks it all.
Kolby enjoying his beverage of choice...with his new friend Marty. We visited Toys R Us in Lyon...a WHOLE new world for them! I'm sure Kolby has been there before but he didn't remember, Gabby has never been there...and we were pretty overwhelmed ourselves. What a treat! Toys R Us, McDonalds, Starbucks, a mall, and our favorite mode of transportation--subways, metros, and lots of walking. It was a refreshing time to just be together and enjoy life a little.
Gabs lounging at Starbucks...it's hard to believe how grown up both our kids seem some days. We were trying to enjoy how easy it is to travel just the 4 of us right now. They are such experienced little travelers that it makes our trips pretty enjoyable (for the most part!).
A baby shower for our friend Susie...who is due next Saturday. We are all pacing around waiting...and praying she has her little girl before Ramadan starts...but there is a big chance both of us will give birth during Ramadan. Veronica is due in Feb. with a BOY! So our girls (Gabby and Ellie) are 6 months apart and our boys will be about 5 months apart. We have had a great support system through friends here...so thankful for that this summer being huge pregnant, 2 kids, the heat, and no car! I have had to rely on our friends for LOTS of help!! Thanks, friends!!
Jon bowling on a Friday night with friends.
Kool-aid popsicles with Daddy outside one day while playing in the sand box and baby pool.

This morning I am reading Philippians 4...being reminded by Paul that my contentment and reliance on Christ should not be based on my circumstances. Of course, this summer has been a roller coaster for us it seems like. Kicked it off with moving to a new place (harder than it sounded back then!), our mode of transportation stuck in the shop for 2 months, an off or on internet...just to name a few things that sent us spinning a couple times. It has been serious work to not lose my mind most days...just ask Jon! Poor guy. But now that we have our truck back (as of Friday) and our internet back (as of Friday too), it's amazing to me how my stress level has dropped and my contentment level has went up. Maybe I failed the contentment test this summer :) or maybe I have grown. I hope I have grown....at any rate, my stomach has! But I hate that my contentment relies so heavily on what is going right around here and what is going wrong.

These verses also grabbed me, written by Paul:
"I have received FULL payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:18-19

The song in my heart this morning...we've received full payment this summer...from prayers, words of encouragement, packages, pictures, letters, phone calls, emails...all fragrant offerings!! Everything we needed to help us survive. May God meet all YOUR needs also...thinking of you this morning, family & friends!

And now a performance from Gabby...imitating Alex the Lion in Madagascar II.

Video of K & G on Jon's Bday

Waiting for Daddy's birthday cookie to be done in the oven...oh so fun! :)

Jon's Birthday and then some...

The kids were so excited to help Jon celebrate his 31st birthday! It was pretty entertaining! They were super giddy and excited the whole day. We made pizza (with pepperoni yeah!!) and a pizookie...all Jon's request. Kolby made him this "pirate ship" for his birthday too.
Jon built the kids a sand box in our back yard! It's heavenly (as long as the ants aren't going crazy)! They will play forever in it...unless it gets too hot which it has been recently so they usually play in the mornings. This was the first morning of play, a Sunday morning. Jon and I sipped coffee while the kids went to town.
A package from Grandma...July 4th plates which Kolby requested to use...and yummy muffin mix...
Gabby sportin' her new shades and flip flops from Gma! Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa!! It was a great package!

His Great Love

Yesterday morning started by reading Psalm 107. The theme that stuck out for me was God's continued, delayed deliverance...it's never too late to cry out to Him, He's ready to save, and waiting for us to ask. THEN give thanks (v 1, 8, 15, 21). His acts of saving (v 9, 14, 16, 20, 29, 30, 41) in this psalm ended up being exactly what I needed for the day. And in the end...it really IS thankfulness that automatically flows out of my heart. Whew. "For great is Your love, higher than the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies." (Psalm 108:4)

My friend Veronica and I got up early to walk. I hurried and showered so I could be ready before the kids got up at 7 since Jon now leaves at 7:30 everyday for his language class. Kolby would be going with Kristie and her boys to VBS at 8:20. Kristie ended up being sick so we worked up a plan. Veronica would take Gabby, I would take their truck (our truck has now been in the shop for a month) with the boys to VBS from 9 to 1, and Kristie could get some rest. So by 8 we are walking out the door to Veronica's. I tell Kolby to go potty before we head out for the day. He goes to the bathroom (at V's house) and locks the door...yep...and then he can't get the door unlocked. Funny thing about the doors around here...you can't really break in :) Bars on the windows; the hinges to the door are on the inside with Kolby. Kolby starts FREAKING out...Veronica herds the girls to the other room while Justin and I stand there trying to figure out what the heck to do. It's so hard to think when your child is seriously in distress! Justin is trying to put the screwdriver in the lock and keeps pushing out the key. Kolby keeps trying to put the key back in and screaming louder saying he needs a new key...Justin goes to try and find something else and I am trying to talk to Kolby through the key hole. My first thought is "I will call Jon 800 times if I have too and he will come with an axe and break down this door!" My second thought is "Jesus, PLEASE, help me get Kolby out!" I'm starting to panic now...probably 5 minutes has gone by really. No lie, in that moment Kolby just gets hacked and takes the key and throws it under the door. It slides right by my hand, I grab it and unlock the door from the outside. (Wow! What a novel idea! One neither Justin or I could think of!!) Thankfully, by 8:30 Kolby and I were on the road to VBS calm and happy. All I could think about was Psalm 107...and I told Kolby that Jesus gave him the wisdom to throw the key under the door...that made him feel so proud and immediately he calmed down (funny, after VBS I tried to give him some cough medicine and he said he didn't need it b/c God was going to heal him!!). The 30 minute drive to VBS consisted of me telling God thank you over and over for helping us get out of little situations.

I'm convinced Jesus helped Kolby throw the key under the door :) Seems like we need help out of tons of little situations around here these days...waiting for a taxi in the heat, finding someone that speaks English at just the most frustrating time, a friendly offer from a friend to help, knowledge to deal with whatever comes up...whatever it is, God has seriously dug us out of some holes! Always faithful..."Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men..." (Psalm 107:8)

If you want to experience part of our life...

It's 10:30 p.m. Shouldn't I be in bed? Of course there are no fireworks to watch here, so why stay awake? I just took 3 short videos. It's a good reason to stay awake. Go ahead, turn up your computer, the volume is about that loud at my house right now, and enjoy the wedding music from our neighbor's house.


This is me standing in the dark in our living room. Our house is dark, everyone (but me) is asleep upstairs.


This is when I am standing in our kitchen. If I were to go upstairs and take a video, it would sound the same...even with our fans and air conditioners running. Please note, all our windows and doors are closed tightly! But now I will walk out the kitchen door onto our balcony so you can get a close up on the action. Unfortunately the first time I hit the wrong button on the camera so you don't get to see the arrival of the bride...which consisted of a long line of cars waiting outside the driveway, honking like crazy. But this will still give you a good taste.



This wedding party will be kickin' till around 2 or 3 a.m...hopefully I will be asleep by then. Not sure though! Inshallah (if the Lord wills)!!!

I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag

Little Miss Sparkles in her outfit from Nana, hand-me-down heeled sandals from cousin Jayden, and painted toes thanks to Imen (our sitter for when I am in language class.)

Mr. Happy Pants after his second trip to the barber! He did great and was really excited...he just didn't want to have his picture taken.

This is what Kolby does during Gabby's naptimes...he's always building something. Today he built "the United States tower".

Kolby's friend Amelia called to say hello today. He was so funny...he walked around talking to her and pacing back and forth. This was his first sentence, "Hi Amelia! I am the super hero. What are you?"

America's birthday cake...complete with marshmellow stars, skittles, and a cake mix!


July 4th takes on a whole other meaning for me now that we are living overseas. It's weird to think that our kids won't learn to say the Pledge of Allegiance or sing the National Anthem unless we teach them. Thanks to Nat & my mom we have some fun July 4th things to help us celebrate...stars (which are actually becoming part of our bedroom decor), napkins, candles, and cute clothes for the kids. Kolby has been so excited to put on his July 4th t-shirt. He wanted to get dressed right away this morning. Yesterday we practiced singing Happy Birthday dear America while the kids took turns blowing out the July 4th candle...so this morning we made a birthday cake (trying to use the oven before it gets blazing hot). Jon recited the Pledge with them at breakfast too. Oh the little things that seem so so familiar...but might never feel as familiar for our children. Thankfully they have been super excited about the whole thing. I think it helps when we try to make a big deal about it. I'm trying to remember that I need to really explain American holidays to the kids. It's easy to just keep it all inside my head in the midst of busyness. So I described to Kolby what we used to do while living in America for July 4th and what his cousins might be doing today to celebrate along with him. I'm proud to be an American living in a different country. My prayer is someday my kids will be too. That they will see how the Lord has blessed us as Americans, and be excited to bless others because of it.

Three cheers for America!! Getting ready to sing Happy Birthday with our friends!

GRASS

Above are the before shots of our yard, taken 2 1/2 months ago. Lots of dirt, glass, over grown stuff, trash...then Jon got ahold of it :)





For over a month, Jon has been diligently watering our grass 3 times a day to get it to grow. His dedication paid off. On Sunday the yard dudes came and cut the grass. What a huge difference...well, for us it is a huge difference. Already Kolby and Gabby were out running around in it and climbing the trees. Good thing Jon is so disciplined...he never complained once about how much time it takes to water grass 3 times a day! Amazing what helps make our house a home.

By the way, yesterday Kolby told us that when he looks out over his balcony he can either see the city or the "stinkin' trash".

Gabby's second birthday

We celebrated Gabriella's second birthday and our friend Kian's third birthday together one night (her bday was June 6). The kids played in the little baby pool we have and with water balloons. (Elianna, Kian, Kolby, Gabby, and Kaedren)

Yeah, I made that cake! Thanks to bettycrocker.com and my mom (who brought all the candy, cake mix, and frosting for it!). It's supposed to be a purse with a coin purse.

Singing Happy Birthday and blowing out candles. This is my pregnant friend Susie (she is 5 weeks ahead of me...it's her first baby give me a break! I know I am bigger than her!) And also my good friend Veronica. Thought I would throw this picture in for a belly shot.

Okay for real I am done blogging now!

Our Growing Baby

Yesterday I had a doctor's appointment. I really wish I could take the camera and take a picture of his office. It cracks me up. He has a desk that we sit at while we "talk" for about 20 minutes (mostly in English thank goodness!). Then he takes me through a door to his little exam room. It seriously looks like something you would see about 30 years ago in America...minus the ultrasound machine. Here you have an ultrasound every time you go to the doctor. The schedule is different too...you go every 4 weeks no matter what trimester you are in. So the next time I go, I will already be 30 weeks. That is hard to believe. Also you have to go to a lab to give blood before going to see the doctor...EVERY visit. This last week I had to give blood for about 4 tests and also the glucose test. Then you pick up the results and take them to your doctor appointment. I am a pro at giving blood now. I didn't even bruise this time. I got to see our baby BOY (it's been brought to my attention through emails that I have been bad at sharing this news. Sorry!) He weighs 985 grams and measures at almost exactly 26 weeks (which is what I am). We are sticking with Kyler Joshua (the name we loved before Gabby was born). Kolby is super excited for a brother! He randomly comes up to me and asks if he can see him. Then he lifts up my shirt and touches my belly. It's cute. Okay, there are my updates for the day!! Look at me blogging. Gotta do my homework for language class!

Off and On

I'm trying to think of how to describe our life these days. Here is one thing that is consistent!

Things that are OFF or ON around here:

1. The flipping water!

2. The heat, then wind, then heat, then wind (which leads to sweep the dust off the floor, sweep it again, and again...you get the point).

3. The air conditioner (it works, it doesn't, it works, it doesn't).

4. Our truck (it's in the shop, it's out, it's in, it's out...)

5. Gabby (sassy on, sassy off, sassy on, sassy off!)

6. Our brains and language learning (this is the first time I've taken an intensive language course. It's from June 15-30 and it's 3 hours/day. Jon will start his intensive June 29- July 24, 3 hrs/day. By the end of my 3 hours I can't see straight! Especially the days I have my other tutor for 2 hours.)

7. Our good attitudes. (We wonder where they go sometimes!)

8. The internet.

(Now for some happy ones!)

9. Our dryer and dishwasher! Yeah!! It's great to have them ON!!! What a HUGE blessing.

10. Isn't it nice that Jesus is always ON? :) It's just me that turns that one off! Humdullah (praise God)!

Our Father's Day

My husband is so easy to please, what can I say? He requested a trip to the coffee/pastry shop in the morning, cookie dough for snack, and time playing with the kids and I for his father's day gift. Yesterday Kolby made him a card...then he wanted to make a card that said, "Happy Kolby's Day" then another card that said "Happy Spiderman's Day". Every year I put a page or 2 in a special album that is Jon's Father's Day album as his gift. Really, this project gets more fun every year...which memories do you choose when you have fabulous kids and a fun dad? Geesh! The options are endless. Our internet turned back on (after a week of being down) just in time for us to wish our own dad's happy father's day. Jesus is nice to us like that. It's hard being so far away on days like these...just hard to let people know you love them when you take away the gift shopping, internet, and resturants you could eat together at! Happy Father's Day to you Dads that work so hard loving your families, providing for them, and wearing so many different hats as you walk through life reflecting God to those around you by being "Father". Jon, you do so much for us...always fixing whatever breaks next, putting kids to bed and putting them back in bed, always learning, always striving, always apologizing for things I should be apologizing for, always buying me and the kids stuff that we don't really need but you know it will make us happy :) ...oh and so much more! We love you!

Wiving and mothering

"The family is at the heart of what really matters to all of us. If things aren't well at home, every other area of life is affected...(I admire) the willingness of women to be givers and nurturers of life. These women have chosen life by bearing children and they are choosing life every day...with every meal they prepare; with every load of dirty clothes they wash; with every trip they make to the grocery store, to school, to the dentist, to piano lessons, to soccer practice, or to the store; with every scraped knee they bandage; with every encouraging word they speak; with every night hour they spend rocking a sick or scared child; with every dispute they arbitrate; with every moment they spend building Legos, coloring, helping with math problems, reading a Bible story, or listening to a husband or child describe his day; with every moment they spend interceding for the spiritual growth and protection of their family...Day in and day out they are building a home; they are being life-givers; they are laying a foundation and building a memorial that will outlive them for generations to come; they are honoring their Creator in the greatest possible way."
(Lies Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss)

It's just nice to be reminded sometimes.

Dumb things and new house...

You know how sometimes when you are pregnant you just do the dumbest things? And break things? For real, I don't even want to be around myself these days! I seriously just grabbed the hot stove with my fingers...this morning I made lattes for our friends over the wall and totally forgot to stir them...I spilled the spaghetti sauce all over the oven...oh it's so annoying. Oh wait is that pregnancy or just me? And I have broken 3 glass cups in a time span of about 2 weeks.

This morning we walked to our new house (which was supposed to be ready on May 1. Surprise it's not, but it's almost ready!). I realized last year when my parents were here they had to endure with us living in our current house while men drilled holes in the walls for air conditioners. This year when they get here our air conditioners will already be in a new house. Oh Lord, let this be the house we will stay in for awhile! Moving is not fun. Here are some before pics...

1. The left side of our yard, and yes, that is a huge piece of broken glass.

2. Our living room, landlord, and the stairs that go upstairs to the bedrooms.

3. Our new kitchen...a little different than the one we have now! But hey, there are no rats in the ceiling (at least we don't think so!)

4. The blue bathroom...oh wait, it gets better!

5. The pink bathroom...and yes, Kolby prophesied that our new house was going to have a pink bathroom!

My favorite part about our new house is three of the four bedrooms upstairs lead onto balconies which is pretty sweet as long as we can keep our children from climbing the rails. We are real safe around here. We also will now live in a stand alone house (meaning there are no people living above or below us). We now have a place to park the truck inside our gated yard...humdallah (ask Erin and Ian about that word...or actually Amelia can say it pretty well!). Oh yea, and let's not forget that now we can plant grass!!!!!

So hopefully by next Saturday we will be settled (I'm not sure if you can ever be settled here...hmmm...) into our new place and life can move on! Kolby seems excited to move so I am thankful for that. Gabby just likes that she can hide in the closets.

Living with the Longs

About the pics: Lattes in the morning with Ian's omelettes...oh so good. Jon has a new best friend, Amelia. The kids made orange juice the first morning they were here, in their cow boy hats (Thanks, Gma!).
Erin celebrated her birthday here in Africa! We asked a friend to watch the kids and went on a date to this Lebanese restaurant. The Dads are having fun with the kids rolling down this hill at the park on Sunday afternoon.
Oh it was so wonderful to have the Longs for a visit...we are hoping they tell you the same :) What a refreshing time for us. I am pretty sure Jon and I haven't laughed that hard since we moved here. It really reminded us of who we were and who we want to be here.
Erin, the morning you left I read this verse, no lie:
"But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love forever and ever." Psalm 52:8
Our olive wood finds take on a whole other meaning now (its also my verse for Geek Week this week!). Longs, thanks for encouraging us as we try to flourish here. Our time with you was priceless.