7.30.2008

Summer is almost gone...

As we have been getting ready for Sydni and Davis to go to school it seems that summer is almost over. The kids are enrolled, supplies are bought, uniforms are waiting to be washed, and new shoes will soon be broken in... school starts August 14th. What will Andrew and Mommy do all day? That is a good question!

The last couple of weeks we have been enjoying the summer. We've been to the zoo a couple of times, the park several times, and not nearly enough time spent riding bikes. Grandpa Bud and Grandma MaryLee were here for a few days and I think we wore them out, but we all had a blast and I'm sure Chuck E. Cheese's will be able to stay in business now.

We are thankful that our air conditioner has been able to keep up with the heat and humidity. It seems like it's been hard to even turn it off the last couple of weeks. I think the humidity will take us more than one season to get used to, if at all. None of us like it at all! It has also been challenging living in a neighborhood that comes alive about 8pm and doesn't quit until about 4am. Thankfully nothing threatening has gone on this summer, just lots of people and lots of loud music.

Well the last week or so I think I am beginning to turn the corner away from being sick. I am about 12wks pregnant now and looking forward to some kind of normalcy. I'm glad the kids were able to survive on cereal and McDonalds as long as they did! I have been feeling pretty good otherwise. I think the pregnancy has increased my fatigue so we've been working around that too. Miles is so gracious in helping out and allowing me the time for naps when his schedule allows it. It's amazing that God knew He'd have to let us forget the so called negative things of pregnancy so we'd do it all over again. And the pregnant brain thing... Miles is REALLY gracious is this aspect, he's knows not to argue over stupid things that I may or may not remember or forget...haha! I can't imagine being in his shoes for these 9+ months!
Well, here is a picture that I know all the Grandma's (and maybe others) are waiting for...

7.22.2008

Some friends need prayer

I would like to introduce you to some friends of ours from Spearfish, Traig and Laura Friedrich. They are on a 6 month mission trip to Lesotho, Africa. With them are there four young children. Traig is doing techinal work installing satellites at remote village clinics to better the care they are able to give. There little journey is nearing it's end but not without some big challenges and heartache. Laura has been spending a lot of her time at a local Orphanage called the Beautiful Gate, which cares for children ages 3 and under, and is mostly supported by American churches. The orphanage is more than full because of the ban on adoptions in Lesotho. Recently, in the last couple of weeks, Laura was visiting one of the children who had to be put into the hospital when she met, Palesa, a beautiful 18 month old girl. Palesa is not sick, just abandoned. Since Laura made such a strong connection with her, she began to take care of her, in this hospital where it is not uncommon for people to die of starvation or contract AIDS during their stay. Since Palesa was not sick and there is currently no room at the Beautiful Gate, Laura asked the hospital is she could take her home to care for her until other arrangements can be made. They had a great weekend together but now are waiting for Palesa's grandmother (who showed up after 3 months) to make a decision "if she likes her" and wants to care for her. In addition, Laura has been hard at work to get Palesa into the Beautiful Gate. All the while, praying for the adoption ban to be lifted so Palesa and so many others can "go home".
The Friedrichs have about 3 weeks left in Lesotho and they are now facing the reality of having to leave people they have fallen in love with.

Please pray for little Palesa, the Beautiful Gate, and for Traig & Laura as they seek the Lord's will for what to do next after leaving Lesotho.
You can read much more about them on their blog at www.friedrichsinafrica.blogspot.com
~Salyna

7.05.2008

Family, fireworks, & fireflies

We started the holiday weekend a little early on Thursday with a trip to the drive-in. It was the first time the kids had been and they thought it was great to watch movies outside on "the biggest t.v. ever". I'm a little upset that I didn't take any pictures but we made lots of memories anyway. Andrew fell asleep about half way through the first movie, Davis half way through the second one, and Syd almost made it through all of the second one. Then mom and dad decided we'd stay for the third movie (Prince Caspian, which began at 1:15am), by 2:30 we were falling asleep and decided maybe we should head home. We both laughed as we remembered being a little younger and going to all three movies AND staying awake! It was a great family night!


On Friday night we did some fireworks of our own, watched others that friends & neighbors were doing, and played with some fireflies. It was also very fun. Now were are all trying to recover from two late nights in a row.....whhhhheeeewwwwww....I feel old!