She's Worn out....in a good way! :)

I talked to Meredith today and she said, "I don't think I can handle one more person!" Now, don't take that wrong....she has just been loved on sooooo much and gotten to do so many fun things that she is just plain, worn out! Thanks to all of you who have kept her, taken her to do fun things and loved on her while she's been back "home!" She is having so much fun and we are thrilled she is with you!! :)
Meredith with the new and lovely Sarah Claire! I can't beleive she got to hold her first! Jason took her knee boarding!
A sweet reunion....we love you Mr. Mac!
Wow....these girls are so big now! I remember the day Amber came home from the hospital(looking like a little Indian baby:)...they have been like sisters since!
A trip to Wal-mart...wow...look how clean and organized! Only those who have visited us can imagine what I am talking about! :)
Bowling fun with the Kings!
And a good home cooked meal at her home away from home!

Needless to say....

Meredith's having a great time! Just look at her!!!
Meredith and Alex...
Jenna's smooth moves...

They could do a Toyota commercial!

The shampoo fight!

Meredith's First Trip to America alone (kind of)

I am always amazed at how God has blessed us with such wonderful people in our lives! We have been doubly blessed by several people in the last few weeks and I just had to share it with you on our blog. Some dear friends, Paul and Sherry, offered to pay for Meredith to fly back to the states for a month long visit just so she would have something to do during our long, hot summer. We knew we couldn't let her fly alone but didn't know if we could find anyone coming to the states for just one month.....there was no way we could let her go any longer!:) Meredith's sweet teacher said she was going for that length of time and would be happy to have Meredith as her flying buddy. We are so thankful for her and her servant spirit she always shows! Thanks Miss Allison for all you do!!! :) Thanks Paul and Sherry for being who you are...we love you and miss you everyday....you too, Jenna and Alex! :)A few tears were shed... Our baby is growing up into a beautiful young woman!
Paul snapped a shot as soon as she arrived. I can't believe how big these three girls are now...it seems like they were just playing dress up (in the famous purple pants) just a few days ago!
First stop: Cracker Barrel for some chicken, greens and fried ocra! A southern girl's dream!:)
Safe and sound with one of her best buds...too sweet.
Since arriving back to the states, Meredith has gone to the beach, tubed and knee boarded on a lake (with Jason...thanks, sohobna), eaten at Sonic and Cracker Barrel, and word has it that she is going to her first Youth group tonight!

More Vacation Pics...

I found a few more vacation pics to share. This first one cracks me up! The hotel where we stayed hosts a boy's orphanage once a year for two days at their hotel. These boys joined us in the pool for several hours of our stay. This boat picture makes me laugh! :)


The girl can jump! Such a daddy's girl

Bathing Beauties :)

Red Sea Vacation 2009

Warning: Many pictures to follow! We had a fun and relaxing time at the Red Sea this year. We only had about 3 days to squeeze in the middle of all of the craziness but it was well worth it! We played, swam, banana boated in the Sea, and just hung out with each other and some of our friends. I had a hard time picking which pictures to post so I posted most of them!:)

We always take a family picture while on vacation. This year we decided to have a little fun with it! Not many people know this side of us...for those that do...thanks for loving us anyway!

Matthew Ray and Cohen....they are best buds! I love how you can see the water pouring in this pic:
Matthew Ray, Cohen and Cairo....a boy's dreamland!
We decided to be a little more serious with this one :) Matthew Ray had a hard time reaching his knees and looking up...too cute!
Another favorite boy passtime. They loved playing in the grass that is so rare here. I love Matthew Ray's soccer concentration face:
The more adventurous ones took a banana boat ride in the Red Sea! What would the Israelites think!?
Quite the young lady these days....beautiful inside and out!
Oh Madison....I tell ya, she's gonna be a leader of some kind one of these days. Look at how natural she looks at giving orders!:) Madison really has become a fish this year. She is a great swimmer!
Buds again...they really are sweet together. We are so thankful for friends!

Gangsta and Bethlehem

Summer vacation..."Mom, what is there to do?" "Be creative...go play....that's enough t.v. and Wii."

Here is what they came back with. Oh, to understand the minds of my children!





Make sure you pay attention to the birth of baby Jesus;)

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Great Birthday Party...Wrong Month...Bitter sweetness...

We have discovered that there are many emotional ups and downs that come with living overseas. One of the exciting things is meeting so many new people and really becoming family with many of them. Living in another culture can feel overwhelming at times with so many different sounds, sights, words and customs. So, when we find a few other Americans to socialize with we find a place of familiarity that just feels "normal." But one of the sad things about this "familiar family" is that it is full of many good-byes.
One of those families that we have grown to love is leaving soon. They have four precious children and two of them are right around Madison's age. She has been so sad thinking that they would not be able to come to her birthday party in November. So, tonight we planned a sleepover birthday party at the last minute...when I say last minute, I mean we came up with the idea, decorated, made 2 Barbie cakes and wrapped presents in a little over an hour! Madison was so surprised! We had a great time getting it all set up and the girls had a ton of fun!